Valentine Day - A non-event transformed into an event.

Centuries ago, when human civilisation was evolving and searching for the meaning of life and  truth, the great sages of India put forward hundreds of theories. These they did not impose on anyone or claimed absolute truth, but as true social scientists put forward the theories and added to it very important caveat. This tradition also finds profound importance in the  Bhagwad Gita -  the most important and significant revered scripture for the whole humanity and Sanatan Dharma  - The Eternal Truth – today commonly known as Hinduism.

The caveat states that what we understand as the meaning of life and the ‘absolute’ truth now, may not be the same the very next moment or the next day, considering the constant evolution of human mind along with the universe. And with the time passing better understanding to the meaning of life and truth was found that was completely different from the previous belief and at times contradictory. Therefore, the sages warned humanity never to stop the search for truth and one must constantly strive to search for the truth and change. This search was called eternal and infinite search. The caveat became standard to most texts (scriptures that never claimed to be the whole and only truth) and very inventively informs the humans that changes (Parivartan) is the fundamental nature of the universe and things (matter and non-matter) are all enveloped together within an unfathomable sphere that constantly change and, humans being an active part of the same universal creation too need to evolve and change and, become adaptable to this changes, and resourcefully warns humans to remain ever so vigilant to adopt the change. Itunequivocally warned that those who fail to accept the change and adapt would perish. We have example for this in Aztec, Mayan, Egyptian, Greek and Roman cultures. All failed to change and adapt and eventually perished.

Other Examples:

For some culture in Europe the earth was flat before the ball shape was accepted and by then many lost their lives proving the fact.

The womanhood became taboo as the male chauvinism was in rise. The literate woman were considered witches and burnt alive at stakes. Some ancient and medieval culture came up with laws that got mixed up with religion and successfully either imprisoned woman in four walls or under clothes.

Some modern cultures gave us un-touch-ability, caste-ism, apartheid based on colour of skin and morality based on religious beliefs. And sadly these exist in our daily life.

The history has shown that humans are too slow to change and adapt. Today we see on the street that some tradition – rather evil and subjugate-ive – still very much alive in our so called ‘civilised’ society.

India is changing and adapting to new ideas faster than any other developing country apart from China. The youth – specially the one who are in Metros and part of bourgeoning middle class families distaste the old Indian traditions and constantly strive to change and adapt to Western culture – over too readily. Their understanding is rather limited.

This brings Valentine day in the fore. Per say there is nothing wrong in celebrating ‘love’. But the modern urbanite youths have an understanding, unfortunately not correct; that it’s the West that invented ‘Love’ and the ‘Love Guru’ is St Valentine. And I do not wish to elaborate of historical events in St Valentine’s life or his character – as he stands out in history as the least appropriate character to be judged the Patron Saint of Love. One should Google for the facts.

But today’s youth in ignorance has become as stubborn and blind and in the process are creating an ever so widening  rift amongst Indians (Have & Have Nots) like those centuries ago created rift that gifted us the dreaded caste-ism. Today the affluent and wealthy of the Indian society are adamant on playing the same game of ignorance and egoistic superiority that was played by the iconic Brahminic society centuries ago that gave us caste-ism and un-touch-ability and thereby dividing the society. These youths shout in defiance of their right to ‘Love’ in the same spirit as the Brahmins rose in defiance and established their superiority by splitting the society and, sadly we are still reaping the fruits of that sin committed centuries ago. Indian youths in garb of modernity and advancement are playing the same sinful game whose end can be nothing but bitter.

The history seems to be repeating itself – as far in Indian context. St. Valentine ’s Day is ‘Love’ day in just name – it’s an extension of consumerism. It brings back bitter memory of East India Company that once ruled the mighty Indian nation by applying the fundamental principal of Divide and Rule. Only a hand full of British intelligentsia ruled the mighty empire for over two centuries. Now they have returned to divide and rule India on the same principle but different mak. This time it’s not only political but also aggression on culture through consumerism. The West is showing less and less of an interest in Valentine day – today’s news in England mentions that only middle aged men and women are in search for Love on Valentines day (mostly on Dating sites) – surprisingly youth are missing from this ‘Love’ equation. On the other hand, youths in India and China have replaced the void created in the west by embarking on a race set with consumerism trap laid by the western oriented English media and handful of consumer goods manufacturers.

Legitimate question to ask is: How long the majority – struggling to win daily bread – will tolerate the sinful spending spree of the affluent on mindless and worthless wishing cards and gifts – some cost as much as the cost of months ration for a poor family ? The stubbornness and insensitivity of these Indians has created a storm amongst ‘have & have not’ Indians and the ‘traditionalist’ Indians – rightly so - and one day this storm could bring devastation in form of Maoist or Nexalites, Shiv Sena or Ram Sena.

It’s time to wake up – let us embark on a path of sustainable change that is beneficial for every one while the time permits. Let us take the advice from the caveat laid down by our ancestral social scientists and change our understanding and adapt. It is introspection time - lest we do this we may perish as many before us.

Many and I am one of those who is celebrating this day and I have given the name ‘Radha-Krishna’ day as for me there nothing equivalent in the whole universe that symbolises ‘Love’ in its truest divine form. The love offered and portrayed by Radha and Krishna has no consumerism touch and is free for all.

Happy Radha Krishna day to all.

I'm back hope to stay longer...Jai Ho

Krishna - A War Monger or a Counsel ?

Partho and Shakuntala were amongst our best family friends. In age they were nearly a decade older than me and my wife, one can call it generation gap and, we respected them more as our elders than friends. Partho was a self taught photographer and continued well into his retirement. Shakuntala devoted all her time in the service of Lord Krishna and her charitable activities. She was a modern day Mira. She had converted her home into an ashram and invited women friends for the daily puja rituals. She organised devotional musical programmes and invited visiting 'gurus' and 'swamis' to UK to her home and washed their feet. She was true and true a divine personality. On the other hand Partho, though never objected or interfered in Shakuntala's activities, was opposite. He never visited any temple or bowed to any idol. However, he did avail himself to the services of Shakuntala whenever there was a photo opportunity during the visitation by saffron garbed 'gurus'. I use to tell him that people who live in a temple had no need to visit temple. He would give me a gaze avoiding any comments.

Kamala was in her teens and only daughter of Partho and Shakuntala. Kamala sounded too desi and long so she shortened her name to Kam following many thousands of Indian youths who had done before her. Kanti became Ken, Chotalal became Cho, Mandeep became Mandy, Mohit became Mo, Krishna became Kris and so on. Kam was a sweet little vibrating intelligent being. She was a step further from her father. She did not subscribe to her mothers activities and kept away from home for most of the time with her English boyfriend Robert. Weekends were totally away from home only to avoid devotional environment, the music, the incense, the spiritual vibes and all the noise to go with it.

One evening we visited them unannounced - its was Shakuntala's insistence that no one should call to visit her and her home should be treated open 24/7. That evening we found Shakuntala a broken person making difficult attempt to read from the scripture. A middle aged gray haired woman had put on few more years and gray hairs since we last saw her only a few days ago. She gave us a dry faint smile and said she was going to call us in any case.

We soon found the cause that lead to her shocking condition. She was deeply hurt. The tears ran in abundance over her now fragile crumpled cheeks as she slowly began to open up.

Kamala insulted my Lord Krishna. She called him a war monger and preacher of violence. She lay total blame on Krishna for the war of Mahabharata. She accused Lord of forcing Arjuna to kill his own elders, teachers and young cousins.

Tear taps were on the high as she slipped in to repeat mode and her story looped to repeat everything in sequence. I kept quite and waited for the right moment to short circuit her mental loop which seemed unending like Hare Krishna mantra chant. But she was out of breath now. She stopped to take deep gasp of fresh air and to wipe cold itchy sticky tears. I took the cue and broke her mental circuit just to remind her that Kamala always listened to me and that I would talk her out of this. I knew I would convince her that what Lord Krishna's advice to Arjun is a thoughtful and relevant time eternal.

To begin with I simply asked Kamala how would she feel if her bank manager did not perform his or her duty that lead to difficulty and loss to her ? I WOULD COMPLAIN AND DEMAND COMPENSATION AS IT WAS THEIR DUTY TO SERVE ME TO THE FULLEST.

I asked her what if her doctors failed to treat her correctly and as a consequence she lost her job ? I WOULD COMPLAIN AND CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION...

What if a thief got away with your mobile phone and the police just looked on ? SHE STARRED AT ME...

I explained Kamala that what she demanded in terms of performance of one's duty is what Lord Shree Krishna reminds Arjun. Being a soldier, a King, a Ksatryiya it was the sole duty, Dharma of Arjun to fight in defence of justice. If Arjun failed his Dharma he would fail everyone, including himself.

Eisenhower, former President of USA, once said during the World War II campaign that he was inspired by the Bhagwad Gita to fight on and win every time he felt let down or overwhelmed by depression. He said that if the soldiers put down their arms who will defend justice? Pacifism does not mean you stop defending yourself at the time of attack on you. You have to fight as it becomes your sole Dharma to save yourself. This was what Lord Krishna advocates to Arjun - perform your duty.

Taking this further in our day to day life, say if doctor fails his Dharma you cannot expect a bank manger to do doctor's job and vise versa. Everyone has been bestowed with duties in society...Dharma. The condition of our society is totally dependant upon the sincerity with which one performs one's Dharma.

Kamala's mind set condition changed slowly but surely and she slowly understood the meaning of the Bhagwad Gita and today she is ardent follower and companion of her mother.

Barbara Stoler Miller in her introduction to The Bhagwad Gita says:

According to Krishna, Arjun's objection to killing his relatives are based on the same subjective worldly desire that blinds his foes to their folly. Krishna's solutions lies on another level, one where oppositions co-exist within his cosmic knowledge. Krishna the omnipotent lord, teaches that the warrior's ordained duty (DHARMA) is grounded in the reciprocal relationship between cosmic and human action (KARMA), which is crucial to universal order.

In the Steps of the Yogis, Swami Vijayananda (Dr A J Weintrob) gives an interesting account when he first visited Shri Lanka (erstwhile Ceylon) just after the World War II in search of Spiritual master. He met a senior Buddhist bikkhu who said the Bhagwad Gita was a dangerous book because it sanctioned murder in certain cases. It is a charge that has been made against this Indian "Bible" (like Kamala), but it cannot withstand thorough investigation. The book has to be read from cover to cover and within its own proper context...the "sanctioning of murder" is not a commandment in the Gita; far from it. It is a counsel given to Arjuna, a military leader, and it is given at a critical moment on the battlefield; it comes as the solution of a problem rooted in exceptional circumstances, and is not intended to be a directive for all men.

There is no man who, in the course of his life, has not confronted - albeit on a lesser scale-a dilemma such as this-the imperative to choose between two course of action which are equally wrong.

But Krishna allowed his friend and disciple a way out of this impasse. The duty of a military leader, he declared, is to fight in defence of justice. Arjuna, therefore, should give battle, not beat a faint-hearted retreat. However, though it was his duty to kill his enemies, he should do so without hatred or anger or passion, and without concern over the outcome of the actions performed simply in his role as an instrument of God. In this way he would bear no responsibility for deed which, under other circumstances, would have been sin.

This is far call from saying that the Gita licenses any man to kill provided only that he do so without hatred in his heart. The fact is that there are no sublimer teachings than those of the Bhagvad Gita and its moral code can bear comparison with that of any religion whatever.

Many learned humans amongst us and, many of today's fashion generation youths are misled into believing what Kamala once believed. I hope this blog offers, to all those full of suspicion and doubts, a thought provoking spark that could re-kindle their capacity to think and understand the Bhagwad Gita better. And if one has joined a fashion group who bash The Bhagwad Gita because it is fashionable and cool to do so, I would say still there is lot of hope, because Lord Shree Krishna has promised that Parivartan (Change) is inevitable. Everything has to change and those who fail to change will parish. So there we go - today's fashion of Bhagwad Gita bashing has fair chance of changing and, if not, then this fashion will have to go out of fashion to replace by yet another fashion...cool...ehhh!...Krishna says so and history is before us to witness...Jai Shree Krishna

Just Arrived...looks like will stay on...

Acknowledgement:

In the foot steps the Yogis by Vijayananda (Dr A J Weintrob), Bharatiya Vidya Bhavans, Mumbai 400 007

The Bhagwad Gita by Barbara Stoler Miller

Copyrighted 2008 by Navin Joshi