Medical Science in Indian Mythology

It was believed that women were the responsible of giving birth of male or female children. The medical science has discovered that, female is not responsible for the sex determination of fetus, but male is the solely responsible for that. The sages of yore had this knowledge even thousands year ago. This science has been embedded in Aitareya Upnishad (2:1) – In the self only one bears the self. By shedding it into a female, he gives birth to it.  It is a clearly indication that the male semen decides the sex of the fetus.  It is wrong to blame soil for the crops, the crops depends on the seed we put into the soil. According to one medical research- fetus can hear and recognize the voice in the womb. The same has been experimented with some particular music with the fetus in the womb. And the same music got played after the birth of the fetus. Fetus reacted on the particular music which he had heard in the womb. Many people had scorned about the mythological idea of hearing and learning the archery skill in the womb of mother by Abhimanyu in Mahabharata. The above research is indicating to that only. Might be in future, the science could discover more on this to teach some skill to the fetus in the womb as well.

Our medical science has discovered that every person`s thumb impression is unique. Thousands years ago, Aghastya Maha Rishi used thumb impression to predict the future of the individuals. This knowledge is even being used today to predict the future of the individuals. The rishi had the knowledge of the uniqueness of the thumb long-long before the science has discovered. Lord Shiva ejaculated to see Vishnu in the form of Mohini, Vishnu collected the sperm. Then they went to jungle, where a renounced nymph named Anjani was penancing. They shed the sperm in the womb of Anjani without her prior knowledge. Hanuman took birth from Anjani as a RudraAvatar. This indicates the sperm implantation, which is widely being used in medical science. In Mahabharata, Kripacharya, Kripi and Droncharya had not been gestated in a womb, but outside the human body.  Shardwan`s ( grandson of Gautama maharishi) semen fell on some weeds by the wayside by citing a nymph sent by Indra, dividing the weeds into two - from which a boy and a girl were born named  Kripa and Kripi. One more rishi Bhardwaj had similar situation, he captured the fluid in a vessel called a drona, and Drona/Dronacharya himself sprang from the fluid. This was an indication of giving birth of child without mother womb. In medical science, it is called incubation.

Due to a curse, Pandu was unable to procreate child with his wives. Kunti had boon by Durvasha rishi to have child from any deity whom she desires to. She and Madri had 6 sons including Karna from different deities (gods). In medical science, this is called surrogate technology. Shikhandi was eunuch. By boon of a Yaksha named Sthulkarna, Shikhandi got manhood and copulated with his wife. These days, The problem of eunuch can be treated by surgery in medical science.

Once again, Vishnu took the form of Mohini to enchant demon for the sake of welfare. Shiva, the hermit also got enchanted with Mohini. Hence, Ayyapa took birth from Mohini and Shiva. It was sex conversion of Vishnu. Today, the facility of sex conversion is available in medical science. To fight with Mahishasura, all gods all together created Durga with their powers and provided their weapons to kill Mahishasura. This is an indication of hybrid possibilities. This has been already tested on animals and plants. In future, medical science might discover the hybrid possibilities in human beings as well.

There are many theories, ideas and hypotheses have been told in Indian mythology which has been experimented today in medical science. And many more hypotheses and ideas are still inviting science to do more experiment and discoveries. We should never do the mistake to scoff the mythological ideas; rather we should capture the fresh impetus and ideas hidden within it.

Shiva and Shakti, Complementary to Each-Other

 Kali is shown as fearsome, ferocity, bloodthirsty, aggressive and dark. She is often depicted naked which symbolizes her being beyond the covering of Maya (illusion), since she is pure (nirguna) being-consciousness-bliss and far above Prakriti. She is shown as very dark as she is Brahman in its supreme manifest state. She will continue to exist even when the universe ends. It is therefore believed that the concepts of color, light, good, bad do not apply to her — she is the pure, un-manifested energy, the Adi-shakti. Kali is the Goddess of Time and Change. Shiva is Kala (Time, Death), thus, his consort is Kali. Kali is dark and Shiva is as white as camphor, “Karpur Gauram”. Kali is Prakriti and Shiva is Purush. Kali is inextricably linked with Shiva. The unleashed form of Kali often becomes wild and uncontrollable, and only Shiva is able to tame her just as only Kali can tame Shiva. Without Prakriti, Purusa is quite inactive. There is a colloquial saying that "Shiva without Shakti is Shava (corpse)". Both together are symbolism of creation and destruction, as death cannot exist without life, so life cannot exist without death. Shiva and Kali looks opposite, hence fit for new creation. For new creation, two opposite forces are required as to create electricity both negative and positive poles are required.

According to a legend, once Kali had destroyed all the demons in battle, she began a terrific dance out of the sheer joy of victory. All the worlds began to tremble and sway under the impact of her dance. So, at the request of all the gods, Shiva himself asked her to desist from this behavior. However, she was too intoxicated to listen. Hence, Shiva lay like a corpse among the slain demons in order to absorb the shock of the dance into Him. When Kali eventually stepped upon Shiva, she realized she was trampling and hurting her husband and bit her tongue in shame.

Let us understand the interpretation of Kali standing on top of Shiva.

The Shiv tattava (Divine Consciousness as Shiva) is inactive, while the Shakti tattava (Divine Energy as Kali) is active. Shiva and Kali represent Brahman, the Absolute pure consciousness which is beyond all names, forms and activities. Kali, on the other hand, represents the potential (and manifested) energy responsible for all names, forms and activities. She is his Shakti, or creative power, and is seen as the substance behind the entire content of all consciousness. She can never exist apart from Shiva or act independently of him, just as Shiva remains a mere corpse without Kali i.e., Shakti, all the matter/energy of the universe, is not distinct from Shiva, or Brahman, but is rather the dynamic power of Brahman.  Hence, Kali is Para Brahman in the feminine and dynamic aspect while Shiva is the male aspect and static. She stands as the absolute basis for all life, energy and beneath her feet lies, Shiva, a metaphor for mass, which cannot retain its form without energy.

Shiva absorbed Shakti (energy), hence became Shava (corpse) to Shiva. To remove darkness, light to be lit. Shiva, whose color is white, is the symbolism of absolute pure consciousness, the light of knowledge. Kali converted Shava to Shiva, from passive energy to active energy, from potential to kinetic. Shiva, then converted Kali (black, dark) to Gauri (fair complexion), symbolizing the conversion of the wild nature to civilized.  Whenever, Shiva becomes Shava and not responding Gauri. Gauri becomes Kali and dance on top of Shiva. Beneath the wild nature the possibility of civilization is hidden. Similarly, veneer the civilization, wild nature is hidden.

You are Responsible of Your Life… Stop Complaining

There are five causes for the accomplishment of all action. The place of action (body), the performer (soul), the various senses, the many different kinds of endeavor, and ultimately the Supersoul. Whatever right of wrong action a human performs by body, mind or speech is caused by these five factors. Three factors which motivate action are knowledge, the object of knowledge, and the knower; the senses, the work and the doer are the three constituents of action. God does not create activities, nor does he induce people to act, nor does he create the fruits of action. All these are enacted by the modes of material nature. It is you, who develop your desire for some object, it is solely depend on you what kind of desire you develop; good or bad. According to your desire, you develop your knowledge, and according to your knowledge, you indulge in action. The life runs on “law of karma”, the cause and effect; more sophistically, we can say the law of action and reaction.  For any reaction, our action is responsible. It never end with a single action and reaction, it is like the ripple in the ocean,  one ripple is the reaction of previous ripple, and action for the subsequent ripples.

While contemplating the object of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises. From anger complete delusion arises, and from delusion bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost one stop thinking about the right or wrong action, and start complaining everyone for his debackle or his condition. Why complaining here? We choose our desire and action, then why complain anyone for the reaction we get out of that? The selection of our desire and hence action is the cause, and the output we get is the effect, it may be good or bad. The mistake, we do to control the result, the effect, the output; and when it does not take place, we get frustrated and start groaning, moaning and complaining. Complaining to whom and why?  We have only control over our action and not the result thereof. And we are the solely responsible for our action.

We would have heard that we can get the desired result. No… we cannot get the desired result, which is not in our hand. Yes… we can perform our desired action which can increase the possibilities to get the desired result. What we are today is the result of our yesterday`s action, and today`s action is determinant of tomorrow`s result. Our present time is not for complain, rather it is for the enjoyment of the fruit of our past action, and pay attention on present action for the future fruit. God never assume anyone`s sinful or pious activities. We, however, are bewildered because of the ignorance which covers the real knowledge.  Take the responsibility of your life and stop complaining... Rather analyze your action and rectify it for the betterment. The wise never complain, they embrace, they accept, and analyze the cause. The ignorant always keep complaining and chide the effect.

Inferiority Complex, An Enemy of Happiness

Unhappy with his current conditions, Dvij started incriminating to the environment, kin and kith, and all his surroundings. Even he attributed gods for his conditions; he used to say- “why god has made me like this”. Many people are having more wealth, standard and better life than me. He had a sleazy habit to compare himself with others, and focusing more on what other had, and he was bereft of. He never focused on what he did already possess; rather he was more focused on what he was lacking.  In exasperation, he started severe penance to God to have everything he always wanted in his life to be happy. Happy with his penance, God asked him to seek a boon. He asked to the Lord that he should have more wealth, health, standard of life than his neighbors. It is so.... He got whatever he asked from the lord. For few days, he remained happy. He changed his residence to a posh area. He found there that his new neighbor was wealthier and a famous person. Over again, he started remain unhappy, irritated, frustrated, groaning and complaining. Despite all the necessary things he had  to lead a happy, healthy and prosperous life; he was leaving a burdened life. Again, he remembered the lord and asked for more than his new neighbor had. Over again and again, he asked the lord for more to make himself happy and content. He kept changing his living style according to his standard, and over again, he was getting someone, who had something more than him. Someone had more wealth, someone had more fame, someone had more satisfaction, someone had fairer complexion, someone had better health, someone had more height... etc. The more he was getting, the more he was becoming unhappy, because comparison was also increasing in the same proportional.

The reason of his unhappiness was not, that he was lacking the resources,  he was unhappy because someone was having something more than him. It is not possible for anyone to have everything best in his life. Everyone has been blessed with at least one best quality in him; that is certain. Someone recognize the hidden quality and make best use of that to lead a happy life, and thanks god to have the unique quality, and others keep comparing and complaining about what he is not possessing what others have, rather to look inside to find the existent treasure of the self. Dvij was suffering from Inferiority complex. Inferiority complex never allows anyone being happy. An inferiority complex, often used to mean low self-esteem, is a feeling of intense insecurity, inferiority or of not measuring up. An inferiority complex can be seen in the negative or "useless" reactions to problems in life. These reactions are useless because they do not solve the problem at hand, but only serve to guard one's self-esteem by avoiding the task or by placing the blame for the failure outside of the individual's control. Although the inferiority complex may be seen as comparing individuals or groups as one being superior to another, it more closely describes how one deals with a fear of failure.

The Vedanta teaches the mantra of happiness – enjoy to the fullest what you have already possessing and do not crave for what belongs to others. It is never going to make you happy, and you will culminate yourself in unfruitful complaining. The life is beautiful, you can know this, when you be true to yourself. You cannot be true to anyone if you are not true to yourself. The biggest achievement in your life is, to be known to yourself. When you know yourself, then you never think of being someone else. You start enjoying each and every moment of your life, and will give thanks to everything you have.

Lord Shiva Has a Complete Family

Lord Shiva, the ascetic was not ready to enter into the household life. He was happy with His meditation in solitude. It was dangerous to convince Him to get ready for wedding. Kaamdev, the god of desire, put his diligent effort to put the desire in Him for the marriage.  Lord Shiva never tolerate if someone try to perturb his meditation. The same audacity had been done by Kaamdev, hence in ferocity, He incinerated Kaamdev into ashes. A demon named Taraksura, had a boon, not be killed by anyone except the son of Shiva. Tarakasura`s atrocity had created the havoc and imbalance in the three worlds. To kill Tarakasura, there was no any option rather than getting marriage of Shiva with Parvati to procreate their progenies. With the effort of gods and the stringent penance of Parvati, Shiva got ready to get married with Parvati. Hence Shiva became from ascetic to householder, from Shiva to Shankar. Kartikeyan took birth as a son of Shiva and Parvati. He had unrivaled vigor, brawn and valiant. He became the chief of Indra`s army and killed Taraksura.

Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, has an unrivalled brain, wisdom and intelligence. He has capacity to lead the Gana, he is Prathamesh. Laxmi and Saraswati are the daughters of the couple. Laxmi is the embodiment of wealth and prosperity, and Saraswati is the embodiment of knowledge. These are the four strong pillars everyone desires to have to lead a complete and fearless life. Kartikeyan with his unparallel brawn provide the invincible security, Ganesha`s brain provides the wisdom to guide into the right direction and remove any obstacle on the way. Saraswati provides the knowledge and purity of the tongue to have control over the speech. Laxmi provide the abundance of the wealth and richness to prosper and help others who are less fortune. No one returns empty handed from lord Shiva`s door. These four qualities emanates from Him. Initially, he was not ready to indulge Himself in the household, the worldly life. But once He became Shankar(Householder), He created a complete family. He Himself is complete; only the complete one has the capacity to create the complete.

अहंकार का घड़ा और मंजिल

एक ऋषि अपने शिष्यों को एक-एक घड़ा देकर बोले- इस घड़ा को लेकर एक पहाड़ की शिखर पर पहुचना है, जो शिखर पर पहुचेंगा, उसको उसके दक्षता के अनुरूप पुरस्कृत किया जायेंगा। सभी शिष्य अपनी-अपनी घड़ा लेकर शिखर की तरफ मुखातिर हो गए। पहाड़ की चढाई थी, और शिखर का रास्ता दूभर था। सभी शिष्य यह ध्यान रखने में लगे कि, कही घड़ा टूट न जाए। ज्यो-ज्यो घड़े के बारे में विचार करते, उतना ही चलना और घड़ा संभालना मुश्किल होता। एक ऐसा वक़्त आया जब  सारे शिष्य घड़े पर केन्द्रित हो गए और वास्तविक कार्य और मंजिल फीका पड़ने लगा। एक दुसरे से आगे निकलना है, अब यह होड़ लग गयी। शिखर की दिशा चाहे जो भी हो, सामने वाला मुझसे आगे नहीं निकलना चाहिए बस! चाहे वह किसी भी दशा और दिशा में जा रहा हो। जो भी दुसरे से आगे निकलता वह अहंकार से भर जाता। फिर दूसरा उसके पीछे, उसको परास्त करने में अपनी पूरी शक्ति लगाता। इस तरह सारे शिष्यों की मनोदशा एक-दूसरे को पछाड़ने की हो गयी, और वास्तविक मंजिल भूल गए। उनका अहंकार का घड़ा भारी होता गया, और वे अपने मंजिल से दूर होते गए।

इसी दौरान एक शिष्य को ठोकर लगी, वह गिर गया और उसका घड़ा टूट गया, कुछ समय तक तो वह इस टूटे घड़े को इकट्ठा करने में लगा रहा, तभी उसको याद आया कि उसको शिखर पर पहुचना है, और मार्ग से भी विमुख हो चूका है। फिर वह सही दिशा और मार्ग पकड़कर शिखर पर पहूच गया। गुरु इस शिष्य को देखकर बहुत प्रसन्न हुए। शेष कोई भी शिष्य शिखर पर दिए गए समयावधि में नहीं पहुच सका। जो शिष्य शिखर पर पंहुचा, उसको गुरु ने अपना उतराधिकार बना दिए।

इसी प्रकार परमात्मा ने हमें एक निश्चित समयावधि "जीवन" के रूप में प्रदान किये है, और एक मंजिल दिए है, अपने-आपको जानने का, आत्म-ज्ञान का। हमारे शरीर के भीतर दो चीजे निवास करती है, एक अहम् और दूसरा स्वयं(आत्मा)। लेकिन हम अहम् को इतने कसके जकड़े है कि कही यह टूट न जाए। स्वयं का रास्ता अहम् से होकर जाता है। जब तब अहम् पार नहीं होता, तब-तक स्वयं से साक्षात्कार नहीं हो सकता। मगर हमारी  सारी ताक़त और समय इसी व्यवस्था में लगे है कि कही हमारा अहम् न टूट जाये। अहम् भी कोई मामूली नहीं है, एक पूरा करो दूसरी की फरमाईश सामने प्रस्तूत कर देता है। इसका यह सिलसिला चलते रहता है और हम अपनी वास्तविक मंजिल भूल जाते है। जब जीवन समाप्ति की घोषणा होती है, तब हमे ज्ञात होता है कि हम अपनी मंजिल से भटक गए थे। वह इंसान भाग्यशाली होता है, जिसको सही वक़्त पे ठोकर लगती है, उसका अहंकार का घड़ा टूटता है, और आत्म-ज्ञान का बोध होता है।

Laxmi, Saraswati and Ganesha, Why Together!

We have observed that Laxmi, Saraswati and Ganesha are depicted together. One may be curious about the relationship among them. According to one mythological legend, Laxmi, Saraswati and Ganesha are the offspring of goddess Durga. That is why they are together. If it is so, then why Kartikeyan is not along with them? Kartikeyan is also son of goddess Durga. One legend says that Ganesha has two wives, Riddhi and Siddhi, and two sons Shubh and Labh. Hence, Ganesha is always shown with Riddhi and Siddhi in the form of Laxmi and Saraswati. One may wonder- why they are not with their sons in the depiction to make a complete family snap? One another legend suggests that Laxmi is consort of Vishnu and Saraswati is consort of Brahma, and Ganesh is the son of Shiva and Parvati. Still we did not find the logic for them to be depicted together. One more legend says that Laxmi stays near the feet of Vishnu and Saraswati on his tongue. And many consider that both are the consort of Vishnu. It is said that Laxmi is always jealous with Saraswati. Wherever Saraswati goes Laxmi follows her and try to dispel her or Saraswati does not like Laxmi to intervene her, so whenever Laxmi approaches Saraswati, Saraswati walk away from there. As Laxmi never stay alone, so in absence of Saraswati, Laxmi brings her twin elder sister Alaxmi, the goddess of strife.

                                                                                                         

When Saraswati(Knowledge, Skills) is not there, then Laxmi(wealth,property) also walk away from there to follow Saraswati leaving Alaxmi(strife and struggle) behind. When Laxmi is not there, then one starts contemplating and working on the skill and knowledge improvement to attract Laxmi. This is what we called vicissitude in our life. In this case also, we should not be disrupted, as one goddess goes then another comes, and both are important in our life. In both the situations, whether you have abundance of Laxmi or Saraswati, you may be arrogant, if you are lacking the wisdom and intelligence(Ganesha). These keep going in our life, if we are not able to manage to keep both Laxmi and Saraswati together to experience ecstasy and eternal happiness and achievement. To keep both of them together, one needs intelligence and wisdom. Lord Ganesha is the god of wisdom and intelligence. With the presence of wisdom and intelligence, we give an equal treatment to both Laxmi and Saraswati. Both Laxmi and Saraswati want to attach with wisdom and intelligence, and hence they never go anywhere in the presence of wisdom and intelligence. The message through the depiction is given to the people is, to maintain Laxmi and Saraswati; one needs wisdom and intelligence (Ganesha).

The reason why Indra lives in a constant fear

Indra, the king of gods, lives in his abode Amravati with all luxuriant. He has Chintamani (stone), Kalpvriksh (tree) and Kaamdhenu cow (wish fulfilling cow). In Amravati, whatever one wishes can get instantaneously without putting any effort with the help of above-mentioned facilities.

Is it amazing to have all the luxuries of the universe without any toil? Just Imagine or desire something and in the next moment, it would be in front of you.

The elegant nymphs dance with the music of Gandharvas, the best musician, to entertain him. The Sura or Madira(the divine wine) is served to him with the hands of gorgeous damsels. The ambrosia of immortality (Amrut) helps in maintaining the gods of Amravati their virility and ever-young look. Due to the Amrut, the name of Indra`s abode is Amravati. 

His wife is Sachi (a form of Laxmi). He mounts on Airavat, a seven trunked elephant, which is the symbol of splendor. He is stuffed with divine weapons, the symbol of power.  He has everything that one can imagine to have in the form of luxury and power. Of course, everybody wants to have all the facility and luxury as Indra has. Who would not like to live such kind of life?

Despite all luxury, power, splendor, army, divine weapons, Amrut, Chintamani (stone), Kalpvriksh (tree) and Kaamdhenu, nymph, Gandharvas and Laxmi(Sachi), he is not happy, he lives in constant fear. Whenever any Asura or Rishis (Sages) perform any severe penance, no matter for what, the throne of Indra starts trembling. Instantly, he gets the fear of losing his throne and kingdom. He becomes nervous and restless.

In order to disturb the penance of that person, immediately, he consigns some nymph to seduce that person. And he also tries to disrupt his penance in various different ways. Despite the Indra`s effort to interrupt the penance of Asura or Rishis, many Asuras or Rishis have succeeded in getting the boon from the trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva)  by their unwavering determination, and thrown Indra from Amravati by defeating him.

On defeat, Indra approaches trinity to grant help to get back his lost stature.  With the help of the trinity, he regains his lost stature and Amravati.  He enjoys the victory and takes all the credits of it. Again, he starts the same debauchery lifestyle. Again, someone conquers Indra. This cycle goes on.

Indra or Indana represents our five Indriyas (sense organs e.g. hear, see, smell, taste and touch). Due to the influence of Indra, a person invariably craves for the sense gratification, and takes the credit for everything good happens in his life and incriminate others in case of misfortune. Indra is a king for him.

Making Indra a king means the ownership of the life has been given to the Indriyas, the sense organs. The majority never thinks beyond the sense gratification. They have given the thread of life in the hands of sense organs. They have made Indriyas the king to be ruled. The life driven by Indriyas brings the miseries, nothing else.

To have the glimpse of the soul, the Indriyas should be controlled by the mind. And the mind should be directed by the intellect. The initial biggest obstruction in the self-realization is the uncontrolled Indriyas.  And whatever is done in the influence of the Indriyas brings arrogance and ostentation. Indriyas are very elusive. They do not come into control very easily.

The one who try to control Indriya, he gets the attacks of various stuff of sense gratification in front of him. Metaphorically, Indra sends nymph to disrupt the penance who tries to conquer Indra. The perfection in the penance cannot be achieved without conquering Indriyas. One who does not get diverted by the plotting of Indra, he rules over Indra and Amravati. 

After losing his stature, in desperation, Indra approaches the trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva), means, accepting the defeat and submitting to the trinity. In trinity- Braham is the skill, Vishnu is the mental power and Shiva is the soul. Keeping his arrogance aside, he contemplates on skill, mental power, and soul. He regains his lost stature after getting the blessings and support of trinity. But he lives in a constant fear of losing his position of king and Amravati. The fear and the bliss cannot be co-existent.

The person, who always hankers for the sense gratification, lives in a constant fear like Indra. Only those people can live in bliss in any situation who have conquered Indra  (Indriyas).

कथनी और करनी भिन्न क्यों ?

पंडित संतराम एक पूजा-पाठ करने वाले व्यक्ति थे। शास्त्रों के ज्ञाता थे। राम नाम की माला जपने में तो उनका कोई मुकाबला न था। आस-पड़ोस के लोग उनको गुरूजी या महात्मा कहकर सम्मान देते थे। वे दान देने की महिमा सबको बताते थे। आत्मा-परमात्मा की ज्ञान बाटते थे। रोज़ की भांति, वे एक दिन माला जपने में मग्न थे, उसी वक़्त एक कोढ़ी भिखारी उनके दरवाजे पर भिक्षा मांगने पहुँच गया, और जोर से बोला, "दे दे दाता के नाम पे दे दे कुछ , ईश्वर सबकी भला करेंगा।"

पंडित संतराम को इस तरह चिल्लाना बिल्कुल रास  नहीं आया। पंडितजी बाहर  आ गए और   बरस पड़े उस बेचारे भिखारी पर ," तुम्हें अक्ल नहीं है, भगवान के भजन-प्रार्थना में विध्न डालते हो, इसीलिए ईश्वर ने तुम्हे इस तरह भिखारी और नीच जाति का बनाया है।"  भिखारी बोला,  " पंडितजी क्षमा चाहता हूँ, मगर क्या आप यह बता सकते हैं, कि किस प्रमाणिक शास्त्रों में जाति या वर्ग का विभाजन लिखा है, या ईश्वर ने किसी इन्सान को कोई जाति का लेबल लगाकर पृथ्वी पर भेजा है ?" बात तो सत्य थी, कोई भी शास्त्र या धर्म इसको प्रमाणित नहीं करता। धर्म या शास्त्र तो सिर्फ कर्मो की बात करता है। पंडितजी थोडा क्रोधित हुए, और सहमे भी, क्योंकि जो इन बातो को प्रमाणित करे, ऐसी कोई शास्त्र या दैविक निर्देश तो है नहीं। जाति या वर्ग विभाजन तो सामाजिक प्रक्रिया है, इसको शास्त्रीय, धार्मिक या दैविक प्रमाणिकता देना मूढ़ता से ज्यादा और कुछ भी नहीं।

पंडितजी थे, शास्त्रों के ज्ञाता थे, थोड़ी अकड़ तो थी हि उनमें। उन्होंने अपने पुत्रों को पुकारा और बोला " यह भिखारी मुझसे बराबर का जुबान लड़ा रहा हैं। अपने से नीच जाति और वर्ग का मालूम होता है, इसे यहाँ से बाहर निकाल दो, इसने तो मेरा धर्म और घर अशुद्ध कर दिया।" उनके पुत्रो ने ऐसा करने से इन्कार कर दिये, और बोले, "पिताजी आप ही तो कहते है कि ईश्वर सबके ह्रदय में निवास करता है। क्या यह भिखारी उन लोगो में से नहीं है? शास्त्र कहता है कि ईश्वर की दृष्टी में तो कोई ऊँच-नीच या अमीर-गरीब नहीं हैं, तो हम कौन होते हैं, यह भेद-भाव करनेवाले?" यह सुनकर पंडितजी अवाक् रह गये।

सच में, धार्मिक वह नहीं, जो धर्म की बात करता है, बल्कि धार्मिक वह है जो धर्मं का अनुसरण करता है। बाहर की माला फेरने से कुछ नहीं होता हैं, जब तक कि अंदर की गंदगी साफ़ न हो। तभी तो कबीर कहते है:--

                     

माला फेरत युग भया, फिरा न मन का फेर।

कर का मनका डाल दे, मन का मनका फेर।।

करनी और कथनी में भिन्नता रखने वाला व्यक्ति धार्मिक या पंडित(विद्वान) कहलाने योग्य नहीं होता।

इसपर तुलसी दास कहते हैं:--

         

कथनी करनी भिन्न जहाँ है।

धर्म     नहीं    पाखंड   वहाँ   है।।

    

भाग्य और कर्मो का हिसाब है दीपावली

Published in Dainik Awantika, 12 Nov. 2012.

दिवाली  या दीपावली यानि "दीपो की माला" का पर्व पाँच दिनों तक मनाया जाता है। यह पर्व फसल कटने  के समय आती है। इसकी शुरुवात "धन तेरस" से होती है। धन तेरस धनवन्तरी को समर्पित किया जाता है। यह मान्यता है कि इसी दिन धनवंतरी  समुन्द्र मंथन के दौरान अमृत का घड़ा लेकर प्रकट हुए थे। यह कृष्ण पक्ष के तेरहवे दिन पड़ता है, इसलिए इसे धन तेरस कहते है। इस दिन लोग बर्तन या पात्र खरीदना शुभ मानते है। पात्र   खरीदना इस ओर  इशारा करता है कि,  फसल की  कटाई  होने वाली है, और लक्ष्मी आने वाली है। लक्ष्मी और अन्न को  संचित करने के लिए पात्र  की आवश्यकता होती है। दूसरा  दिन नरक चतुर्दशी के  रूप में मनाया जाता है। इसी दिन नरकासुर नमक असुर का वद्ध श्री कृष्ण और उनकी पत्नी  सत्यभामा द्वारा किया गया था। इस दिन पत्नी अपने पति को तेल से मालिश कर स्नान कराती है। यह असुर संहार करने के बाद थकावट दूर करने का उपाय और असुरो पर विजय प्राप्त करने के पश्चात्  आनंद का द्योतक है। असुरो का निवास स्थान पताल लोक है, और फसल भी धरती के निचे से निकलते है। इस प्रकार असुर फसल के प्रतीक है। असुरो के पास संजीवनी विद्या होती है, यानि मृत्यु के पश्चात् जीने की विद्या, जैसे की फसल कटने के बाद भीं, इनके बिज में पुन: उपज की क्षमता होती है। असुरो का वद्ध अर्थात फसल की कटाई संपन्न।

तीसरे दिन, अमावश्या को लक्ष्मी पूजन की जाती है। लक्ष्मी को पाताल निवासिनी भी कहा जाता है, वह असुरो की बहन है। जब-जब लक्ष्मी को असुर पाताल लोक ले जाते है, और देवताओ पर अत्याचार करते है, तब-तब  उनका वद्ध श्री विष्णु या किसी अन्य देवता द्वारा किया जाता है, और लक्ष्मी को पुन: देव लोक लाया जाता  है। असुरो का वद्ध हो चूका है, यानि फसल की कटाई हो चुकी है, अन्न का भंडार यानि लक्ष्मी का प्रतिक। चूँकि लक्ष्मी का आगमन हो चूका है, इसीलिए अमावश्या के दिन लक्ष्मी के स्वागत में लक्ष्मी पूजन किया जाता है। लक्ष्मी कभी अकेले नहीं आती। यदि उनके  साथ कोई अन्य देवता को नहीं लाया जाता है तो, वह  अपने साथ अपनी बड़ी जुड़वाँ बहन कुलक्ष्मी को लाती है। इसलिए इस दिन लक्ष्मी और गणेश की पूजा एक  साथ की जाती है। कुलक्ष्मी मायने दरिद्रता,मनहुशी, ख़ामोशी, अँधेरा, कलह,आडंम्बर आदि नकारात्मक चीजे होती है। आमवश्या के दिन दीपक जलाते है, यानि अपने अंदर के अंधकार को मिटाते है। पटाखे फोड़ते है यानि, ख़ामोशी और मनहुशी तोड़ जश्न मनाते है।कुलक्ष्मी को हम अनादर नहीं कर सकते, इससे लक्ष्मी रूठ जाती है, इसलिए कुलक्ष्मी को धूम-धाम से विदा किया जाता है। मिठाईयां बाटी जाती है, लोग एक दुसरे से मिलते है। अमीर और गरीब सब एक द्रुष्टि से  देखे जाते है। मिठाइयो या उपहारों  का आदान-प्रदान, व्यापार का प्रतिक है। लक्ष्मी पूजन के दिन जुआ भी खेला जाता है। जुए में जितने के लिए, भाग्य और आत्म-दक्षता दोनों की जरुरत होती है। यह दर्शाता है कि  आने वाले व्यापार और फसल की उत्तमता अपने भाग्य और दक्षता पर निर्भर है।

चौथा दिन "बलि प्रतिप्रधा" के रूप में मनाया जाता है। इसी दिन श्री विष्णु ने वामन अवतार में बलि को पताल लोक में भेज दिए थे, जहाँ असुरो का निवास स्थान है। यह समाज की व्यवस्था और अधिकार का प्रतिक है। यह दर्शाता है कि हर किसी को अपने अधिकार क्षेत्र के रहकर समाज के प्रगति में सहयोग देना ही उत्तम है। पांचवा दिन "भाई-दूज" के रूप में मनाया जाता है। इस दिन यमराज अपने बहन यामिनी के घर उनकी  दशा जानने जाते है। यमराज सबके कर्मो और भाग्य का हिसाब रखते है। यदि उनकी बहन यामिनी, जो लक्ष्मी के रूप में दुसरे घर गयी हुई है, के साथ अच्छा व्यवहार या उनका दरुपयोग किया जाता है तो, वह दरुपयोगकर्ता यमराज के प्रकोप से नहीं बच सकता, यानि उसका कर्म और भाग्य दोनों बिगड़ जाते है और लक्ष्मी उनका साथ छोड़ देती है।

Rewards for Loyalty

       

According to one legend, At the Kailas Mountain, Lord Shiva was happy with his family; wife Parvati and two sons, Ganesha and Karitkeya (Murugan or Lord Subramanya). One day, Narad Muni reached to Kailas Mountain, the abode of lord Shiva.  He had a sweet mango in his hand. He asked to lord Shiva to bestow this mango to your beloved son. Lord Shiva became befuddled and said, “son is son, where is the matter of good or better son”. But the provision was to choose only one son between Ganesha and Kartikeya. The only one approach was left to have some competition between Ganesha and Kartikeya to get the deserved one. Ganesha is known for his wit and wisdom, and Kartikeya is for his swiftness and physical power. The competition was held between Ganesha and his brother Kartikeya as to who could be the first one to circumambulate the whole world three times. Ganesha with his pot-bellied body and mouse as his vehicle could never hope to compete. Kartikeya went off on his vehicle, the flying peacock to circumambulate the whole world, while Ganesha, in piety, asked Shiva and Parvati to be seated down and circumambulated his parents three times. When asked why he did so, he answered that to him, his divine parents meant the whole world - the entire manifested universe. Thus, Lord Shiva declared the result in favor of Lord Ganesha and announced him triumphant, because of his wisdom, presence of mind and loyalty towards his parents. On the basis of his loyalty and wisdom, Ganesha got the sweet mango and was declared Prathmesh, the first one. Not happy with his parents` decision, Kartikeya left Kailas Mountain, and Ganesha keep stayed with his parents at Kailas Mountain.

      

In an organization, two employees Madhesh and Tejas were working for different departments. Madhesh was associated with the organization since long time, he was an average performer. Although, he was not making huge profit for the organization yet had dexterity to sustain the business. He always had shown his adherence towards the process of the organization. New employee Tejas joined this organization in different department. Being an aggressive towards business, Tejas made a significant profit for the organization. Tejas constantly used to carp and grumble about the management and the process of the organization. He wanted to have more control on the process and people.

    

At the time of appraisal, Madhesh got slight more appraisal than Tejas. As a matter of fact, Tejas was not happy at all with this appraisal. Everything seemed bias for him in this organization. He threatened the higher management to quit this organization. And within a year, he left the organization. The organization is still sustaining and it will keep sustaining, it does not matter how many people like Tejas join and quit. Organization looks for the loyalty, and loyalty comes with trust. At the first place, any organization looks for the sustainability. The organization found these qualities in Madhesh not in Tejas. Madhesh was the loyal to the organization and always had given more value to his organization wherever he worked. The organization understood that Madhesh could not give massive profit for the organization, but he is trustworthy, loyal and have the capability to sustain the business. On the other hand, Tejas had prowess to make massive profit for the organization, but he was not trustworthy and loyal. The chance of sustainability on Tejas would really be at stake. Often, people like Madhesh get rewarded for their loyalty and sustainability for the organization not like Tejas who want to control the people and process.