दी घंटा TheGhantaa: Mahabharat

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Elections 2014 : a lesson from Mahabharat for indecisive minds

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">As we draw closer to the Lok Sabha Elections 2014, a lot of people still seem to be confused as to who deserves their vote. A new party raises its voice against corruption and enters into politics claiming itself to be honest, but soon loses its credibility. The ruling party tries to appear Honest, secular and pro-development but its track record speaks otherwise. The opposition's PM candidate though has a track record that speaks for itself, the party also has few members that face corruption charges. Other parties that aspire to rule the Nation as 3rd front, have their own closets full of skeletons. In short, no party is spotless.  Those who plan to vote based on religion and caste, or for some other personal gains, have little confusion. Ignorance is bliss, right? And equally true is the corollary - 'He who increases knowledge, increases sorrows.'  The ones that know the true value of their vote and are aware of every party's blots are left disillusioned. The desire to find an 'ideal' party, with spotless track record and that can solve people's problems immediately, turns this disillusionment into utter confusion. Such 'aware' individuals are thus not able to pick a side. And even when they do, they don't let their choice spare anyone from their criticism. Blindly following any party is dangerous and Criticism is good...BUT timing is crucial. Most of such individuals fail to realise this. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBgSvUeIoDMTLrY0MB_YcnMb5ha8A8toofVBgPylA_jPAM62sc5x4Xa1Qk-Ucs7uuP1vAsY2p7QBJ1Isw4UgBoOiXtddPpbGJ7tvMIHBZ29lPST5_Pb9REyjLRStepAzVlD8F1R-o0Q0/s1600/Barbareek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBgSvUeIoDMTLrY0MB_YcnMb5ha8A8toofVBgPylA_jPAM62sc5x4Xa1Qk-Ucs7uuP1vAsY2p7QBJ1Isw4UgBoOiXtddPpbGJ7tvMIHBZ29lPST5_Pb9REyjLRStepAzVlD8F1R-o0Q0/s1600/Barbareek.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> This predicament reminds me of a story from Mahabharat - The most powerful of all the warriors present at the beginning of the great war was Barbareek (बरबरीक). Barbareek, Grandson of Bheem and Son of Ghatotkach, after completing his education, had Promised his Guru that he would only fight for the weaker side in a battle, and so, in the beginning, he joined the Pandavas. Pandavas rejoiced while Kauravas were alarmed. But it was only Shree Krishna who was able to see what this really could lead to, and hence Barbareek was prevented from joining any side. Why was the most powerful warrior present at that time, who could have finished the war in matter of minutes, not allowed to join the war? because his promise to his Guru would not let him remain on one side. He would join the weaker side and kill warriors of the other side till the stronger side is now reduced to the weaker one. And so, he would again switch sides, till all are killed and only he remains.  Powerful enough to change the course of the war, but too confused to pick a side and stick with it - Barbareek represents today's aware, disillusioned and confused individuals. Such enlightened minds are excellent when it comes to constructive criticism. But is this the right time for such discussions?  Pick a side and join the battle.</div>

Elections 2014 : a lesson from Mahabharat for indecisive minds

As we draw closer to the Lok Sabha Elections 2014, a lot of people still seem to be confused as to who deserves their vote. A new party rais...

How the previous generation of Hindus messed up the current ones.

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">No this is not just about religion, but cultural heritage and Pride. Those who lack patience may skip the first two paragraphs. While growing up, I was fascinated with the stories of Hindu gods and goddesses. Most of them were narrated by my grand parents to me at night. They were like short fairy tales, with a moral. Also, had B.R. Chopra not made Mahabharat and Ramanand Sagar, Ramayan, my knowledge about these epics would have been very limited. The Shiv Lingam, for me, was a symbol of Mahadev, but I had no clue about the reasons or story behind it. No elder could give me a satisfactory explanation about it. The term 'Hindu Mythology' pushed me to believe that all the stories that I heard and read were only myths, designed to give us moral lessons. Learning Darvin's theory of Evolution, only strengthened this view. A heavy load of textbooks during school and college made it difficult to find time for reading heavy philosophy of Vedas and Upnishads. Numerous Movies and News about Dhongi-Babas pushed me further away from my own religion. The cast discrimination pushed me further away. My doubts and questions seldom found satisfactory answers by elders; for they never questioned their elders out of respect. At some point, religion for me, became an unscientific and irrational belief. And so, I subscribed to Atheism. I am sure, many will relate to this.  I remained an Atheist for quite sometime, but the questions still haunted me. By now, reading 'Liberal' writers, I found out that Shiv Lingam was a Phallic symbol. Still not convinced, in search of answers, I started reading and reflecting. It was at this very juncture, that I found the beauty of the religion that I was born with. Even as a non-believer, the philosophy of Vedas and Upnishads had an appeal. Soon new discoveries started linking myths with reality. And so, the circle of belief, for me, was complete; my belief was back, only stronger. I found the real meaning of Shiva Lingam and its story; It is a symbol representing infinite pillar of light that was created by Mahadev. So, why do I blame the previous generations?  Because they did not question their elders. If they did, they could have been able to answer the questions of the younger ones. The ones that were fascinated by the modern scientific advancements, abandoned their rich Ancient wisdom. In their enthusiasm for modern western education, they left behind Hindu history as myths.  The devout ones gave up rational explanations and subscribed to blind faith and followed rituals without even trying to find the real meanings behind them. Religion for them was synonymous with rituals. The upstarts in their attempts to sound modern and liberal, went on to criticise scriptures without even reading and understanding them. In their quest for a good salary, they forgot to feed their minds. Their dismissal turned into our loss, their assertions became our burdens. The previous generations, in general, were divided into two extremes - The blind believers and the Liberal atheists; And both encouraged modern education, neglecting Hindu Science, philosophy and history. They held on to the pride of their casts but gave up their duties dictated by the caste system. (no, I'm not advocating caste system. all I'm saying is why just drop the duties and keep the caste pride? abandon both!) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQ9V9juqKowN9VBuC9bJxlLK70GeYfaQ1MCpCmm8uEk3OifvWQOyHZrarGXz9lZZu1-bBQc4ac_SluWO3pIlavrknRp9i9ra5vTt2jcx3ovppkgbEV-OE9H4T02ldEQTpgYInJQGfFUM/s1600/blame+it+on+elders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQ9V9juqKowN9VBuC9bJxlLK70GeYfaQ1MCpCmm8uEk3OifvWQOyHZrarGXz9lZZu1-bBQc4ac_SluWO3pIlavrknRp9i9ra5vTt2jcx3ovppkgbEV-OE9H4T02ldEQTpgYInJQGfFUM/s1600/blame+it+on+elders.jpg" /></a></div>The previous generations created a void, which now is being exploited by missionaries and mullahs to convert young Hindus. Cinema too never misses a chance to capitalise on such vulnerability. The previous generation was blessed with Movies like 'Guide', while we are misguided by the likes of 'Oh my God'. While the common Hindu youth is still confused with numerous versions of 'mythological' stories, opportunists like Amish Tripathi, an atheist, pens down novels like 'Immortals of Meluha' using Shiva and other gods for characters in his second rate fictional story with a language that lacks luster. The Leftists and Liberals, in their arrogance, do not care for this rich heritage and not only support likes of Wendy Doniger in the name of 'freedom of speech' but also try to twist the facts. Painters like M. F. Hussain lack balls to draw nudes relating to his own religion, yet find fame with disturbing paintings of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.  Textbooks in schools sing praises of Gandhis and Nehrus, but mention very little about Maharana Pratap, Shivaji and Hemchandra Vikramaditya. Bappa Raval doesnt find even a small mention. We are taught Algebra, Pythagora's theorem, Value of Pi etc. and told that their discovery has foreign roots. The reality is, Indians knew it all when the west was still dwelling in caves.The previous generation quietly allowed the Government to rob us of our Hindu Pride.  Had it not been for the likes of Sri Sri Ravishankar, Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi, Swami Vivekanand, ISKCON, Gayatri Parivar and Arya Samaj, the Hindu society would have either fallen back into dark ages and its superstitions or transformed into radical Atheists. Had it not been for westerners like Allen Watts, we would have only seen a crooked western view of our culture and philosophy. Though the generation before ours dismissed the existance of Raam-Setu, Dwarika (Krishna's city) and River Saraswati, the generation before them had a firm belief on these matters, but had no proof. Our generation though has proof, but is confused. Its like we have pieces of a jigsaw puzzle but have no idea how the original picture was, to begin with. Cut the branches, yet the tree will survive. Sever its roots, soon it will die.  will our generation be able to get back to our roots?  Who knows. Theres always hope.  </div>

How the previous generation of Hindus messed up the current ones.

No this is not just about religion, but cultural heritage and Pride. Those who lack patience may skip the first two paragraphs. While growin...

इतिहास के पन्नों से - महाभारत और आ.आ.पा. (AAP)

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धर्म और अधर्म के महायुद्ध की कथा महाभारत को कौन नहीं जानता। आज इस पुण्यभूमि भारत में महाभारत  सा कुछ चल रहा है है, परन्तु सारे पात्र ठीक विपरीत दशा में दिखते हैं! इन सब के बीच, उसी महागाथा महाभारत कि एक घटना याद आ रही है - 
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOVdTsKNwdttBFnOGPKzqAWjklpZJZLJdAr3jcHetKbIcQtQianhRhn1E_w2ppSYRYYhG5VA-Aq2WcUxjEHrCsK0ro3rS3Rwu_QFL24LNcA1mPUy6-EFKZjTO-hoMKmrB2ZPNXQIvhNg/s1600/sikandi_20120611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOVdTsKNwdttBFnOGPKzqAWjklpZJZLJdAr3jcHetKbIcQtQianhRhn1E_w2ppSYRYYhG5VA-Aq2WcUxjEHrCsK0ro3rS3Rwu_QFL24LNcA1mPUy6-EFKZjTO-hoMKmrB2ZPNXQIvhNg/s1600/sikandi_20120611.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
बात तब कि है जब पितामह भीष्म कौरव सेना के सेनापति थे।  पांडवों कि सेना में उनका सामना करने का सामर्थ्य केवल अर्जुन में ही था , परन्तु भीष्म को हराने का सामर्थ्य किसी में भी नहीं।  अगर युद्ध ऐसे ही चलता रहता तो पांडवों कि पराजय निश्चित थी।  कृष्ण ने अर्जुन को युक्ति सुझाई।  दोनों पितामह भीष्म के पास गए और उन्हें हराने की युक्ति पूछी। भीष्म ने भी उत्तर दे दिया कि वह कभी किसी स्त्री या नपुंसक के विरुद्ध  शस्त्र नहीं उठाएंगे। 
 
दूसरी ओर, पूर्वजन्म में अम्बा ने भीष्म से प्रतिशोध लेने के लिए शिखंडी, जो कि नपुंसक थे, के रूप में पुनः जन्म लिया था।  अर्जुन ने युद्ध में शिखंडी को अपने रथ में खड़ा किया और उसके पीछे से एक के बाद एक बाण पितामह भीष्म पर चला दिए।  अपने वचन के अनुसार भीष्म ने शिखंडी पर एक तीर न छोड़ा।  अर्जुन के बाणो से छलनी छाती ले कर वो युद्धभूमि पर ही गिर पड़े। 
 
भारत का इतिहास चित्कार कर भारतवासियों से कह रहा है कि उस से कुछ सीख लें।  अर्जुन, कृष्ण और पितामह भीष्म आप सभी को पहचान आयें न आयें , राजनीति के इस शिखंडी को अवश्य पहचानिये; अन्यथा आने वाली पीढ़ियां आपको कदापि क्षमा नहीं कर पाएंगी !</div>

इतिहास के पन्नों से - महाभारत और आ.आ.पा. (AAP)

धर्म और अधर्म के महायुद्ध की कथा महाभारत को कौन नहीं जानता। आज इस पुण्यभूमि भारत में महाभारत सा कुछ चल रहा है है, परन्तु सारे पात्र ठीक वि...

दी घंटा TheGhantaa

Elections 2014 : a lesson from Mahabharat for indecisive minds

How the previous generation of Hindus messed up the current ones.

इतिहास के पन्नों से - महाभारत और आ.आ.पा. (AAP)

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