It was Swami Vivekananda who gave to Hinduism as a whole a clear-cut identity, a distinct profile. Before Swamiji came Hinduism was a loose confederation of many different sects. Swamiji was the first religious leader to speak about the common bases of Hinduism and the common ground of all sects. He was the first person, as guided by his Master Sri Ramakrishna, to accept all Hindu doctrines and the views of all Hindu philosophers and sects as different aspects of one total view of Reality and way of life known as Hinduism. Speaking about Swamiji’s role in giving Hinduism its distinct identity, Sister Nivedita wrote: “… it may be said that when he began to speak it was of ‘the religious ideas of the Hindus’, but when he ended, Hinduism had been created.”
Before Swamiji came, there was a lot of quarrel and competition among the various sects of Hinduism. Similarly, the protagonists of different systems and schools of philosophy were claiming their views to be the only true and valid ones. By applying Sri Ramakrishna’s doctrine of Harmony (Samanvaya) Swamiji brought about an overall unification of Hinduism on the basis of the principle of unity in diversity. Speaking about Swamiji’s role in this field K M Pannikar, the eminent historian and diplomat, wrote: “This new Shankaracharya may well be claimed to be a unifier of Hindu ideology.”
Another important service rendered by Swamiji was to raise his voice in defence of Hinduism. In fact, this was one of the main types of work he did in the West. Christian missionary propaganda had given a wrong understanding of Hinduism and India in Western minds. Swamiji had to face a lot of opposition in his attempts to defend Hinduism.
At the end of the 19th century, India in general, and Hinduism in particular, faced grave challenges from Western materialistic life, the ideas of Western free society, and the proselytizing activities of Christians. Vivekananda met these challenges by integrating the best elements of Western culture in Hindu culture.
A major contribution of Vivekananda to Hinduism is the rejuvenation and modernization of monasticism. In this new monastic ideal, followed in the Ramakrishna Order, the ancient principles of renunciation and God realization are combined with service to God in man (Shiva jnane jiva seva). Vivekananda elevated social service to the status of divine service.
Vivekananda did not merely interpret ancient Hindu scriptures and philosophical ideas in terms of modern thought. He also added several illuminating original concepts based on his own transcendental experiences and vision of the future. This, however, needs a detailed study of Hindu philosophy which cannot be attempted here.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Monday, December 31, 2012
Community of Kalidasas of Modern Time ( Kaliyug )
Who is this Kalidasa? When did he live and where in India was he residing? Much
discussion has taken place for a long time now about his life and times. Not many
queries on this score have elicited definite answers. Several legends have sprouted
around him. For instance, one story says that he was the son of a Brahmin and lost his parents while he was a baby of six months. A cowherd brought him up; he had no schooling of any sort. At that time, a king named Bheemashukla ruled over Kashi (Banaras). He wanted his daughter Vasanti to marry Vararuchi, a scholar in his court. But she refused saying she was herself a greater scholar than he was. Vararuchi was furious.
One day, the King's minister happened to see this cowherd-boy sitting atop a tree in a forest and attempting to fell the tree by axing its roots. " What a fool! He should be an ideal husband to Vasanti!" rethought and brought the boy to the capital. The minister and Vararuchi instructed the boy not to say anything except 'Om Swask to any questions put to him at the palace, dressed him up in elegant clothes and took him to the royal presence. The boy was good-looking and they made Vasanti to believe that he was a great scholar.
Vasanti married him and only later came to know of the truth. She was grief-stricken.
She was a devout worshipper of goddess Kali and taught her husband to worship her. However, no amount of his devotional prayer could please the Goddess and finally, he vowed to offer his life in sacrifice if She did not bless him. The goddess relented and inscribed some letters on his tongue. He then became a great poet- scholar. Since goddess Kali blessed him, he assumed the name of 'Kalidasa' (devotee of Kali).
This is one of the most popular legends about Kalidasa.
Nowadays in Kaliyug leaders used to advise not to be a Kalidasa and do not perforate the dish where you are eating or do not axe the tree where atop you are sitting . But the leaders who are advising are not practicing the same and stiing on a strong branch of the tree they used to cut all the branches of the tree until the same gets almost died and then flying away from tree when the time is ripe. The political and corporate leaders always used to make use of the resources of our world for their own benifit and delivering mesmerising lectures to the followers and gullible common people of the world who can apppropriately be termed as community of Kalidasas of Kaliyug.
Readers to decide and react as the enterprises , institutions are getting poorer in terms of moral and ethical strength and common man can only be mute spectators i suppose.
discussion has taken place for a long time now about his life and times. Not many
queries on this score have elicited definite answers. Several legends have sprouted
around him. For instance, one story says that he was the son of a Brahmin and lost his parents while he was a baby of six months. A cowherd brought him up; he had no schooling of any sort. At that time, a king named Bheemashukla ruled over Kashi (Banaras). He wanted his daughter Vasanti to marry Vararuchi, a scholar in his court. But she refused saying she was herself a greater scholar than he was. Vararuchi was furious.
One day, the King's minister happened to see this cowherd-boy sitting atop a tree in a forest and attempting to fell the tree by axing its roots. " What a fool! He should be an ideal husband to Vasanti!" rethought and brought the boy to the capital. The minister and Vararuchi instructed the boy not to say anything except 'Om Swask to any questions put to him at the palace, dressed him up in elegant clothes and took him to the royal presence. The boy was good-looking and they made Vasanti to believe that he was a great scholar.
Vasanti married him and only later came to know of the truth. She was grief-stricken.
She was a devout worshipper of goddess Kali and taught her husband to worship her. However, no amount of his devotional prayer could please the Goddess and finally, he vowed to offer his life in sacrifice if She did not bless him. The goddess relented and inscribed some letters on his tongue. He then became a great poet- scholar. Since goddess Kali blessed him, he assumed the name of 'Kalidasa' (devotee of Kali).
This is one of the most popular legends about Kalidasa.
Nowadays in Kaliyug leaders used to advise not to be a Kalidasa and do not perforate the dish where you are eating or do not axe the tree where atop you are sitting . But the leaders who are advising are not practicing the same and stiing on a strong branch of the tree they used to cut all the branches of the tree until the same gets almost died and then flying away from tree when the time is ripe. The political and corporate leaders always used to make use of the resources of our world for their own benifit and delivering mesmerising lectures to the followers and gullible common people of the world who can apppropriately be termed as community of Kalidasas of Kaliyug.
Readers to decide and react as the enterprises , institutions are getting poorer in terms of moral and ethical strength and common man can only be mute spectators i suppose.
The year 2012 in the light of prognosticator's clairvoyance
If to err is human, then the Ghanaian prognosticators who made the worst predictions about 2012 are truly superhuman. They were wrong about everything, although some of them claim to have spoken to God.
Every year around this time, pundits and prognosticators set about the task of divining what the last year meant. What did we learn about the world?
Polish clairvoyant Krzysztof Jackowskifor over twenty years specializing in finding missing people. His successes in the field support the police, which helped unerringly pointing to the location of the corpse. However, the seer can predict events that have yet to take place on Earth. His most famous and highly accurate prediction was the announcement of the great banking crisis, which began precisely at the time indicated in the previous year by the seer, in the middle of September 2008. Seer has long been asked about the year 2012, during which many people have to happen Armageddon on Earth. Krzysztof Jackowski for years he avoided answering this question, but for some time made no secret that in 2012 about getting it more and more alarmed.
Every year around this time, pundits and prognosticators set about the task of divining what the last year meant. What did we learn about the world?
Polish clairvoyant Krzysztof Jackowskifor over twenty years specializing in finding missing people. His successes in the field support the police, which helped unerringly pointing to the location of the corpse. However, the seer can predict events that have yet to take place on Earth. His most famous and highly accurate prediction was the announcement of the great banking crisis, which began precisely at the time indicated in the previous year by the seer, in the middle of September 2008. Seer has long been asked about the year 2012, during which many people have to happen Armageddon on Earth. Krzysztof Jackowski for years he avoided answering this question, but for some time made no secret that in 2012 about getting it more and more alarmed.
Friday, December 28, 2012
The Age of Downfall but don't worry long time to go.
Kali Yuga, the "Age of Downfall", is the fourth stage of the world development that we are currently in. As the corruption gradually developed wider in the earlier stages. This stage is the climax stage when the world finally meets a judgement day at the end of it as said in Hindu Scriptures. It's not known when the end comes, but it's believed that we still have a long way to go. At the end of Kali Yuga, it is believed that a new order of a peaceful global society will be established.
It makes more sense to try to make that social order safer and safer, more and more genuinely peaceful, rather than descend voluntarily into a world governed by paranoia, in which one can only feel safe — or, really, “safe” — with cold steel strapped to one’s ribcage.
So more and more peace mission around the globe will delay the age of downfall and more and more liberty & freedom would be provided to weaker sex and underpriviledged would also escalate the process and mankind will have more chance to continue in this polluted and contaminated world.
It makes more sense to try to make that social order safer and safer, more and more genuinely peaceful, rather than descend voluntarily into a world governed by paranoia, in which one can only feel safe — or, really, “safe” — with cold steel strapped to one’s ribcage.
So more and more peace mission around the globe will delay the age of downfall and more and more liberty & freedom would be provided to weaker sex and underpriviledged would also escalate the process and mankind will have more chance to continue in this polluted and contaminated world.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Homo sapiens get generated from African Continent
At the twenty first century once we are looking forward to create human habitat at Moon & Mars , let's not forget that all of us being originated from African monkeys and Homo sapiens are all generated from African continent several hundreds thousands and million yeras ago.
While it began with the last common ancestor of all life, the topic usually only covers the evolutionary history of primates , in particular the genus Homo, and the emergence of Homo Sapiens as a distinct species of homonids (or "great apes").
Archaic Homo sapiens, the forerunner of anatomically modern humans, evolved between 400,000 and 250,000 years ago. The transition to behavioral modernity with the development of symbolic culture, language, and specialized lithic technology happened around 50,000 years ago according to many anthropologists, although some suggest a gradual change in behavior over a longer time span.
The earliest evidence of religious ideas dates back several hundred thousand years to the Middle and Lower Paleolithic periods. Archeologists refer to apparent intentional burials of early homo sapiens from as early as 300,000 years ago as evidence of religious ideas. Other evidence of religious ideas include symbolic artifacts from Middle Stone Age sites in Africa. However, the interpretation of early paleolithic artifacts, with regard to how they relate to religious ideas, remains controversial. Archeological evidence from more recent periods is less controversial. A number of artifacts from the Upper Paleolithic (50,000-13,000) are generally interpreted by scientists as representing religious ideas. Examples of Upper Paleolithic remains associated with religious beliefs include the lion man, the Venus figurines, cave paintings from Chauvet Cave and the elaborate ritual burial from Sungir.
In 3228 BCE in Mathura, India, a child was born who was destined to reshape the spiritual and temporal destiny of mankind—Sri Krishna. In his 125 years of life, Sri Krishna made an indelible impression upon mankind's collective consciousness—re-educating the world about devotion and dharma as well as the ultimate reality. His life was a model for people in days past, the modern world and surely for those in ages to come. Seeing Krishna as a perfect personification of divinity, to this day hundreds of millions of people pray to him, chant his names, meditate on his form and try to put his teachings into practice. His life has inspired a treasure house of poetry, music, painting, sculpture and other fine arts.
May God bless all of us to ratain this world from all evil forces and takes mankind to other planets and satelites with knowledge and power of divinity.
While it began with the last common ancestor of all life, the topic usually only covers the evolutionary history of primates , in particular the genus Homo, and the emergence of Homo Sapiens as a distinct species of homonids (or "great apes").
Archaic Homo sapiens, the forerunner of anatomically modern humans, evolved between 400,000 and 250,000 years ago. The transition to behavioral modernity with the development of symbolic culture, language, and specialized lithic technology happened around 50,000 years ago according to many anthropologists, although some suggest a gradual change in behavior over a longer time span.
The earliest evidence of religious ideas dates back several hundred thousand years to the Middle and Lower Paleolithic periods. Archeologists refer to apparent intentional burials of early homo sapiens from as early as 300,000 years ago as evidence of religious ideas. Other evidence of religious ideas include symbolic artifacts from Middle Stone Age sites in Africa. However, the interpretation of early paleolithic artifacts, with regard to how they relate to religious ideas, remains controversial. Archeological evidence from more recent periods is less controversial. A number of artifacts from the Upper Paleolithic (50,000-13,000) are generally interpreted by scientists as representing religious ideas. Examples of Upper Paleolithic remains associated with religious beliefs include the lion man, the Venus figurines, cave paintings from Chauvet Cave and the elaborate ritual burial from Sungir.
In 3228 BCE in Mathura, India, a child was born who was destined to reshape the spiritual and temporal destiny of mankind—Sri Krishna. In his 125 years of life, Sri Krishna made an indelible impression upon mankind's collective consciousness—re-educating the world about devotion and dharma as well as the ultimate reality. His life was a model for people in days past, the modern world and surely for those in ages to come. Seeing Krishna as a perfect personification of divinity, to this day hundreds of millions of people pray to him, chant his names, meditate on his form and try to put his teachings into practice. His life has inspired a treasure house of poetry, music, painting, sculpture and other fine arts.
May God bless all of us to ratain this world from all evil forces and takes mankind to other planets and satelites with knowledge and power of divinity.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Forgotten Heros of Bharat ( India )
Mumbai,
India.
Date : 04-12-2012
Yesterday i came to know and met several people associated directly or indirectly who came all across the globe and all over India to celebrate some occasion ( more specific , birthday ) of one individual who is extremely important and Godfather for the people who greeted and wished him.
In this occasion it reminds me after seeing one vernacular calendar that the same day was also birthday of one freedom fighter of India who dedicated his life and kissed death as per the hanged till death order of the then ruler British. The name of the person is Shahid Khudiram Bose.
The incident is not at all uncommon and people at large is generally forgetful about the past and more concerned about the present for which who is to blame it is time to decide. The wave of Consumerism and capitalism passing through the entire world and India is no different indeed. The moral decay of society is most unwanted doctrine of young minds of the country.
May God save this world.
India.
Date : 04-12-2012
Yesterday i came to know and met several people associated directly or indirectly who came all across the globe and all over India to celebrate some occasion ( more specific , birthday ) of one individual who is extremely important and Godfather for the people who greeted and wished him.
In this occasion it reminds me after seeing one vernacular calendar that the same day was also birthday of one freedom fighter of India who dedicated his life and kissed death as per the hanged till death order of the then ruler British. The name of the person is Shahid Khudiram Bose.
The incident is not at all uncommon and people at large is generally forgetful about the past and more concerned about the present for which who is to blame it is time to decide. The wave of Consumerism and capitalism passing through the entire world and India is no different indeed. The moral decay of society is most unwanted doctrine of young minds of the country.
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