7/26/2021 Post 41
Mr. Uday Singh has clarifications on Mahabharata:
“Mahabharata is not about right or wrong nor about good and bad. All incidents are to be analysed solely from the perspective of Dharma & Adharma which was the guiding principle of epic. Dharma is subtle, so difficult to understand and karma is towards upholding dharma. Each karma has consequences which are not in our hands nor karma is karma if it carried out with consequences in mind.
As Guru, whose dharma was to impart knowledge, Drona did not do so by declining knowledge to Eklavya. He repeated this by declining to Karna. He thought he is doing his duty by fulfilling commitment to Bhishma. Who was he to decide that Arjuna will be the greatest Archer? He disallowed the truth within his knowledge to reach his mind by not listening to what Eklavya or Karna were conveying. Once again, when Yudhisthira conveyed in battle field about the death of his son, he heard only half the sentence. The consequence of his karma prevented him from hearing the full truth. This was the revenge of Truth. The only beheading in full epic is of Drona. A Brahamhatya as well as Guruhatya- highly unacceptable. But such was the revenge of TRUTH inflicted on Drona for his Adharma.”
I agree with you.
Prof Vinod Vyasulu comments on Drona and Ekalavya:
“Regarding not attributing I’ll to Drona, one can ask: if Eklayva wa indeed better than Arjuna…and that was not established through a test, disabling Eklaya on a hunch is a dishonour. Drona should have redoubled his efforts to make Arjuna better…or concede defeat graciously. He did neither”
I agree with you.
Bhartrhari
From the taking of life, abstain;
from stealing others’ wealth, refrain;
speak the truth; perform charity
in time, as much as it can be;
be silent, and don’t tattle to
others about what maidens do;
of your cravings, block the flow;
to elders, all due courtesy show;
have compassion for all
all creatures equally.
Thus say the scriptures:
the faultless pathway to be this,
to excellence and also bliss.
7/28/2021 Post 42
We have seen Ekalavya and got many comments. Thanks Mani . Let us agree to have our beliefs and allow others to have an opposite belief . Let us live and let others live and believe in Vasudeiva Kutumbakam and Ahimsa.
Let us now go into a very sensible and important question from Dr R N Mathur, President, EQUATE:
“If the same Gurukula had continued with rich content of technology as stated in earlier message what would have been the state of technology now, we must discuss.
We are not even teaching technology in our local language. Germany, Russia,china and many other countries do teach.”
My response
This is something to only ponder about not resolve. May be it is a confidence booster.
Let me look at technology in ancient india first.
“We owe a lot to the ancient Indians, teaching us how to count. Without which most modern scientific discoveries would have been impossible.” – Albert Einstein
Mathematician Aryabhata was the first person to create a symbol for zero and it was through his efforts that mathematical operations like addition and subtraction started using the digit, zero. The concept of zero and its integration into the place-value system also enabled one to write numbers, no matter how large, by using only ten symbols.
Atomic theory
One of the notable scientists of the ancient India was Kanad who is said to have devised the atomic theory centuries before John Dalton was born. He speculated the existence of anu or a small indestructible particles, much like an atom. He also stated that anu can have two states — absolute rest and a state of motion. He further held that atoms of same substance combined with each other in a specific and synchronized manner to produce dvyanuka (diatomic molecules) and tryanuka (triatomic molecules).
Ancient flush toilet systems (2500 BC)
Another feature of the Indus Valley Civilization was water-flushed toilets. Both in Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, almost every home had a flush toilet, connected to a sophisticated sewage system.
Weighing scale (2400BC)
The earliest existence of weighing scales also date back to between 2400 BC-1800 BC in the Indus valley civilization, where balances were used to compare measure and compare goods in trade.
Indians learnt about steel and used it for various purposes including warfare. Crucible steel (200BC)
Historians now know that by at least 200 BC (a conservative estimate) ,South India was producing high quality steel, using a method Europeans would later call the crucible technique. Wrought iron, charcoal, and glass were mixed together and heated until the iron melted and absorbed the carbon, forming high grade steel.
A pioneering steel alloy matrix developed in India, Wootz steel is a crucible steel characterized by a pattern of bands that was known in the ancient world by many different names such as Ukku, Hindwani and Seric Iron. This steel was used to make the famed Damascus swords of yore that could cleave a free-falling silk scarf or a block of wood with the same ease.
Smelting of Zinc.
India was the first to smelt zinc by the distillation process, an advanced technique derived from a long experience of ancient alchemy. The ancient Persians had also attempted to reduce zinc oxide in an open furnace but had failed. Zawar in the Tiri valley of Rajasthan is the world’s first known ancient zinc smelting site. The distillation technique of zinc production goes back to the 12th Century AD and is an important contribution of India to the world of science.
Spinning wheel (500 AD)
This mechanised method of spinning yarn was invented in India, between 500 and 1000 AD, eventually replacing hand spinning across the world. The Charkha, as it came to be called, eventually went on to become the symbol of India’s independence movement.
Weaving is a very old technology. Dacca muslin is well known.
Earth’s orbit (700 AD)
Aryabhatta correctly propounded that the Earth is round, rotates on its own axis and revolves around the Sun i.e the heliocentric theory. He also made predictions about the solar and lunar eclipses, duration of the day as well as the distance between the Earth and the Moon.
Hindu cosmological time cycles found in the Surya Siddhanta, written between 700 BC to 600 AD, give the time it takes the Earth to revolve around the Sun at 365.2563627 days. This is just a miniscule 1.4 seconds longer than the modern value of 365.256363004 days, and was the most accurate estimate in the world for over a thousand years.
Till around 10 th century CE , things were fine. We followed the traditional science and technologies. Even then these are singular achievements. There was secrecy , no collaboration, no transfer of knowledge.
Then we found that the country got divided into many areas with many rulers ruling small areas and fighting with each other and also facing invasions. So the next nine centuries saw a dark age with less attention being given to science and technology . The British destroyed our textiles to promote Manchester and our foundries to promote their steel industry. Fortunately mathematics was going stronger and continuity was maintained to some extent with major developments. Similarly, Ayurveda and other medical systems were also supported and practised by people of all communities. The country which had lots of contacts with countries in west and east – Arab countries in the west and Thailand, Java, Sumatra , Malaya previously and it was lost also. So it was totally ignorant of renaissance happening in Europe. So our science and technology died and also got killed later by British rulers. Use of English in teaching even after independence is a great drawback for understanding, creativity and innovation. When I visited Engineering institutions under TEQIP , teachers complained poor knowledge of English amoungst students and students complained many teachers don’t know English. English understanding, cognition and speaking were not part of any curriculum. Sorry state of affairs even now
Sir what is your opinion on starting of Engineering branches in regional languages by centre. This may happen from this or next academic year.
My response
We are totally unprepared for this task like Germans and Japanese. They had great text books and journals. We have nothing.
.so We first strengthen English language understanding by students. It is crucial because we don’t have text book and source materials.
Second we need to keep technical terms in English as it is. Don’t translate. It is a must. Third look at sources in YouTube and Khan academy and provide kannada explanations not translations. Get annotations done. This is an easier way of learning in Kannada. Get good English to Kannada translation software and make it available to students.
Make students read read English text books and abstract what they understood. This can be a credited self study for all students. Get a good helpful English teacher who is a communications expert not linguistic or literature expert.
These are minimum requirements. Remember Jobs require English skills. So go hand in hand with both English and kannada.This is a good way to divide the country.
Hope it gives some preparation work. Greetings
7/30/2021 Post 43
Dr R N Mathur has another query:
“What is the value of “Akharas”. Are these gurukulas or Hinduism teaching centers. What is the role of Naga Sadhus in promotion sanatan dharm.
My response:
Most religions have a fixed and well defined religious practices and methods of worship and the adherents were not allowed to deviate . But Hinduism allows many diverse religious practices like bhakti, penance, sanyas, saguna god worships, pilgrimages, temple visits, prayers, etc. We have worships based on mantra, tantra and yantra. One way of rigorous religious practice is provided by akharas. It is not purely Vedic. Some practices predate Vedic era though akharas appeared later .Adiyogi Shiva is the god of initial akharas . South Indians are not familiar with akharas.
Akhara or Akhada is a place of practice with facilities for boarding, lodging and training, both in the context of Indian martial artists or a sampradaya monastery for religious renunciates in Guru–shishya tradition. They admit anyone interested in and capable of harsh living. For example, in the context of the Dashanami Sampradaya sect, the word denotes both martial arts and religious monastic aspects of the trident wielding martial regiment of the renouncing sadhus. The akhadas got martial training to defend themselves and Hinduism in the face of onslaught by Buddhists first , Muslim invaders later and British invaders still later. As per Wikipedia, When Adi Shankaracharya (788–820 CE) founded the Dashanami Sampradaya, he divided the ascetics into two categories: Shastradhari -scripture-bearers -intelligentia and Astradhari – warriors. As per Wikipedia, Shankaracharya established Naga sadhus as an astradhari armed order. He also popularised the Char Dhams during the rein of Katyuri dynasty of Garhwal Kingdom.
Akharas are not gurukulams. The focus is on severe asceticism and penance. They also are teaching centres but more focused on practices. They are very focused on a single approach. Their focus is on liberation – moksha . Some pray to Shiva and some to Vishnu. Some do martial arts training.
In 1398 CE, Islamic ruler Timur massacred thousands of Sadhus of various Akharas and Hindus at Haridwar mela after sacking Delhi to punish the Tughlaq Dynasty’s Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah Tughluq’s perceived lack of brutality towards Hindus.
For over 2,500 years the country has been the home of the largest body of organised monks. Known as sadhu (the Hindu nomenclature for monk) or as sanyasi, yogi, muni, swami, rishi, tapasvi, tyagi, baba and guru, they are the votaries of the Vedic and non Vedic spiritual heritage .
A sadhu is easily recognisable by the tilaka, the sanctified marking he carries on his forehead, and by the robes and apparel prescribed by the sectarian code.
Akhara culture has given rise to the Akhara vs Akhara duels, which are one of the most unique highlights of the Kumbh Mela. The armed saints of the various Akharas fight with each other to establish supremacy, and several contests are held to showcase their skill and bravery.Although initially started to celebrate the fighting skills and bravery of the saints, the Akharas have over the years become centers of learning where the devotees are given lessons on Hinduism, along with its many sects and teachings.The most educated Akhara out of the 13 Akharas is the Niranjani Akhara, and it has more than 50 Mahamandaleshwars.In the 2019 Kumbh Mela held at Prayagraj, a separate Akhara for ‘transgenders’ was introduced for the first time.Known as the ‘Kinner Akhara’, this Akhara was established by the Indian Transgender Community under the leadership of the famous transgender rights activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi from Mumbai.The Kinner Akhara joined the first day of bathing at the Kumbh Mela.
Today, akhara may be used for religious purposes or for the teaching of yoga and martial arts. Some of the noted Akhara organizations include Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (All India Akhara Council), Nirmohi Akhara, Shri Dattatreya Akhara and Guru Hanuman Akhara. They get priority during kumbh Mela. We have kumbh melas in different places and rivers .
There are a large number of people who are pious and may visit temples regularly and may do or participate in pujas. Their involvement in Hinduism ends there. They are not interested in the other and deeper aspects of the religion. Some may even violate basic tenets of the religion. That is the state with not only akharas but many others also. Fortunately akharas are in isolation mostly post kumbh Melas.
Let us sum up on akharas in the next post.
केयराःु न वचषय पषु ,ं हाराः न चिलाःं
न ान,ं न वलेपन,ं न कुसमु ,ं न अलंकृ ता मध जाः । वाण एका समलंकरत पषु ,ं या सं ृ ता धायत े
यतं े ख भषणान सततं वाषण ं भषणम ॥् ॥
Peacock feathers are not the true adornment of man, not glistening-as-the-moon necklaces either, neither are bathing and decorating and flowers , noble speech is the only true adornment, it is the basis of culture.
8/01/2021 Post 44
It looks clear both akharas and Nagas were established originally to be mendicants and to maintain body health , but later became organizations to defend Hinduism. Akharas initially were a mix of spiritualism and martial arts. Today they have become powerful and religious and also are practitioners of martial arts. They don’t seem to be role models for saints. They look like a common group living together, as a commune. But to be fair to them, most Swamis today are not spiritual or even honest to themselves. They are publicity hunters. So akharas also follow them. A highly focused grouping undermining the intent, values and spirituality of Sankaracharya.
Let us see more on akharas .
There were six well-known and principal akharas, namely Juna, Mahanirvani, Niranjani, Atal, Avahan and Agni. The Hindi term akhara means ‘wrestling arena’, from which akhariya derives, meaning ‘master fighter’, ‘skilled manoevrer’, or ‘strategist’. There is a network of akharas throughout India, particularly in the north, where men train in wrestling and other methods of fighting. Akharas specialize in various techniques of fitness and combat, which include the use of weights, clubs, and maces.
the first akhara to be founded was Avahan ( 547CE) followed by Atal ( 646CE) Mahanirvani ( 749 CE), Ananda ( 856CE), Niranjani (904CE), Agni (1136 CE), and Juna (1156 CE). In other sources the founding year of the Agni Akhara is given as 1370 CE( Jadhunath Sarkar).
Various akharas came into existence in the pre-Mughal period in Jaipur, Jodhpur and some other parts of Rajasthan and at Prayag,but their principal centre is now in Benares.
Naga Babas or Naga Sadhus, literally meaning ‘Naked Yogis’, are a part of the Shaivite sadhus. Their physical appearance of ash-covered bodies and matted dreadlocks resembling Lord Shiva comes from being Shaivites or followers of Lord Shiva.
Their worship does not conform to Vedas and scriptures.
Let us look at Adi Sankaracharya’s actions for Hinduism.
The Dasnami Sannyasis constitute perhaps the most powerful monastic order, which has played an important part in the history of India. The cult of the naked Nagas has a long history. Most of the Nagas belong to the Dasnami tradition propounded by the Shankaracharya. They are divided into two sections; the shastradharis, who specialize in sacred lore, and the astradharis, who bear arms. The Shankaracharya had combined saintly purity with shastric learning and intellectual acumen of the highest degree. At Benares, the Shankaracharya’s dynamic exposition of the shastras and his persuasive commentary on the Brahmasutra and the supernatural genius displayed by such a youthful teacher, created the greatest astonishment among the circle of scholars and devotees who had assembled there from all parts of India. The Shankaracharya spent many years at Sringeri, composing books and teaching his followers, like, Hastamalaka,Mandana misra ,Totakacharya, and Padmapada. Dasnami means ten names, viz., Giri, Puri, Bharati, Aranya, Ban, Saraswati, Tirtha, Ashram, Sagar and Parbat. They were commonly known as Gossains (settled and married Sannyasis) and Nagas (naked). We have two types of sanyasis – ekadandi common in South and trisul dhari common in Akharas.
I think we need a clarification here. Most references are clear that Adi Sankaracharya established the dasanami sampradaya.( Sampradaya created a set ofpractices to be followed by people. There are many sampradaya and paramparas. We will look at this later.). He also established the four or five mathas or peetas with his immediate disciples. These are ekadandi sanyasins – single stick. His codification was used by Nagas. He was not responsible for building akharas . Akhadas existed and many akharas accepted a part of dasanami sampradaya not even in full of all aspects. Many came up afterwards. Most Hindu religious people followed sankaras principles particularly in the north. Vaishnava sampradaya came next in followers. Many Sankara followers are strong in learning, reciting and understanding Vedas and Upanishads.
Most people in akharas took up other occupations like trade, farming or soldiers. Some of their practices like use of bhang, smoking etc does not have the religious approval of Sankaracharya.
Their armed struggles started in 14th century due to oppression by muslims
So the Sannyasis being oppressed and hunted by the Muslims felt the need for their own protection. Madhusudan Saraswati, a renowned Sannyasi famous for his learning and scholarship met Emperor Akbar and enquired of him ‘whether anything could be done for the protection of the ancient order to which he belonged’. Raja Birbal being instructed by Mughal emperor Akbar advised Madhusudan Saraswati to initiate a large number of non-Brahmins for strengthening their order and also to keep arms for fighting against Malang Fakirs. He also said it was the turning point when the Sannyasis began to keep arms and some of them seized lands and settled down.
Thus were many Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, ‘multitudes of Shudras at a later date’ who were admitted into the order.
That is the story of akharas and Nagas.
Subhashitam
अनान शरराण वभवः नवै शातः ।
नं सनहतःं मृ ःु कतः धमस हःं ॥ ॥
Immortal soul
can go AWOL
from body, in a flash,
and large amount
in bank account
lasts till the next big crash,
so pursue dharma
not just firmer
muscle, bigger cash.
8/03/2021 Post 45
We need a balanced scorecard for akharas, naga Babas and sanyasis in general.
Many people give a negative view on akharas because of their perception.
Olivelle has written a book on Sannyasi Upanishads.( These are not Upanishads , part of vedas, but came up much later than smritis and puranas, ) . It gives a proper view of renunciation.
A good look at sadhus and their organizations is to be found in the book by
Hausner, Sondra L. “Wandering with sadhus : ascetics in the Hindu Himalayas “
Let us look at a balanced view.
We have a large number of Sannyasis and religious organizations as well as temples. We may call them religious NGOs. There are lakhs of them in the country with many doing dedicated services and helping communities and people. They survive by frugal living. Because some misbehave most get a bad name. Let me start with a positive note.
Many Lingayat Mutts in Karnataka like the Siddaganga mutt at Tumkur and Suttur Mutt at Mysore run hundreds of schools where children from rural areas get free and good education. It is a great service. We see them running good higher education institutions and engineering colleges. This is commendable. They also do a lot of social work. Similarly the Adichunchunagiri Mutt also runs several educational institutions and conduct many social activities. We are familiar about the Sri Ramakrishna mutt with branches in many parts of India dedicated to quality education and service to poor . They have produced a lot of books on Hinduism and translated many scriptures. The Mutts established by Adi Sankaracharya are very spiritual and they play a big role in preserving our scriptures, Vedas and Vedangas. Ramana Maharshi has led an austere life and spread good aspects of life both spiritual and religious. Most preached ahimsa, truthfulness, peace, simple living, contentment , helping the needy and working for a greater purpose in life to achieve moksha. Most organizations undertake regular feeding of all – annadana.
Renunciation will not lead to an easy life. Many naga Babas lead highly austere life in trying conditions. Many akharas are very austere and religious. Akharas have a well defined organizational structure. One cannot control it for ever. If our political system follows this , we will have a great democracy. No dynasty, no dictatorship, no hanging on to power for ever. Circumstances forced Akharas to fight. We don’t see it now. They also maintain many temples. Many are wanderers.
Yoga has been a strong point of most organization’s. Ramdev has done a great service to popularise yoga . Several yoga schools have done a great service for the health of people. They have generated lakhs of yoga trainers.
Publicity is needed today to reach people. Silent service may not reach the deserving.
Hence publicity provides a mechanism to help many.
So that is the positive side.
Bhartrhari
“To please the witless is easy,
and easier still the wise,
but even gods cannot placate
one puffed up with a little knowledge.”
8/05/2021 Post 46
Mr Bala Ajjampur has comments on Gurukula and Mutts.
“Sir, I have been closely following your posts on gurukuls and mutts. Few points are worth making as far as the environment is considered. While students are under the supervision of a Guru 24 hours of a day, the mutts are not like that. While gurukuls develop service mindset, the mutts develop community mindset. While gurukuls are under one Guru, mutts are run under several Gurus. Vedabhyaasa is set around acquiring knowledge through rote learning and using them to perform rituals. What we need is a combination of both in a form which is conducive to today’s mindset and tools and technologies to remove the stigma attached to these as ethnically based or religiously based.”
My response
It is not easy to characterise Gurukula by a single stroke . As I explained there are various kinds of learning in gurukulas. Recall Dronacharya teaching archery.
Mutts have a single head – a peetadhipathi – ,sometimes with a junior Swamy ,a successor to the peeta. Mutts are religious . Gurukulas are learning centres. Mutts practice religious rituals, train people to become sanyasis. Sankaracharya built the tradition of mutts . They propagate Vedas , vedantas. Mutts have other responsibilities like management of temples, institutions , daily administration. Mutts have a large area to get disciples and followers .Like Shringeri Sankara mutt has a domain covering mostly south India. Mutts have a very large number of followers.
Gurukulas may deal with astrology, or music or martial arts or yoga – in a spiritual way with the involvement of mind and not just body alone. Gurukulas focus on learning, no other activities.
We had lakhs of gurukulas, minimum one per village. But there are only a few mutts in the country. Gurukulas may not have continuity and may disappear and new ones appear. But Mutts have a continuity.
Those are a few characteristics of gurukulas and Mutts.
Dr Mathur has one more enquiry :
“How come rich traditions of siddh Rishi, munis and sadhus have disappeared and have replaced by celluloid gurus that run deras. And are conducting undesirable/ criminal activities.
Are the gurus bad or the faith of people is deteriorated.
We need to examine as to how to find a true Guru.”
Let us look at the response for this reflection of the current sad state briefly.
No guru shishya parampara . Most declare themselves as Babas and Swamys.
No peer pressure. No certification needed from other seers.
Ease of publicity
Ease of gullibility.
People have more money to spend.
Ease of life . No serious interest in religion or spiritualism by some.
that is it. Or something else?
Subhashitam Those who do not have talent do not recognize other talented people and those who are talented envy other talented people. Those who are themselves talented and love other talented persons, such simple people are rare indeed
8/07/2021 Post 47
Dr Swamy comments on mutts in Karnataka.
“Respected sir, Thanks for the explanation on Mutts and Gurukulas. Now a days we may not seen much Gurukulas. The Mutts have spread across and limited to their own community. At present the Government is also providing all the facilities to study through hostels. I may be wrong also, those who are economically poor they will identify the Mutts of their communities for persu their future. We may see number of Mutts in Northern part of Karnataka in our State.”
My response
The bright side is school education promoted by mutts initially and now engineering education is being promoted in many rural and semi-urban areas , not Bengaluru. Religious activities are going on. But the caste focus has made many political as seen recently. This is not acceptable. Karnataka has another facility in community hostels – helping poor and rural students to study in colleges. This is a long tradition. But many in Bengaluru have been converted to IT/ government offices particularly in Seshadri road. The prominence of mutts in Karnataka is high. The situation is very different in many other states. The number is less or very small and they focus on religion no social or educational activities.
Mr Kalyanasundaram has comments on mutts and religious training:
“Dear DKS, One point that is left out in case of mutts is that they maintain pathashala. This pathashala educates the students either on Vedas or Agamas. No doubt that the students know both,but one is taught in depth.
The students of Veda Pathashala can take up the profession of purohits helping the people in doing religious ceremonies of family (marriage, naming ceremony, death etc)
The students of Agama Pathashala trains the students to become pujari of temples. As you know the puja Vidhi of a temple is different. These learn conducting daily pujas, festival, kumbhabishekam etc.
I understand that now a days, English language is also taught and the students are encouraged to take 10th standard public exams, though the exam marks are not considered by the pathashala in qualifying a student to take the profession of Purohit or Sivacharya.
The sad part of this pathashala is that many of the students, especially from Agama Pathashala, go to a foreign country, where they are respected and get good remuneration.”
My response
We did discuss this by saying akharas and mutts run many institutions. I did not leave it out , but I didn’t want to discuss it in detail particularly about the practices of a single community based training. We discussed about both religious and martial arts training in Akharas and Sankaracharya ‘s classifications. Gurukulas also did this and some of those gurukulas have become patashalas. Religious training is done in many such patashalas . The number of mutts doing this is miniscule. Many organisations like TTD also take it up. I know a boarding school run in Kanakapura taluk running both religious training and regular school on state pattern. It is doing a good job. I know several such institutions .
Let us move on and look at creation as proposed by Rig Veda and Aiteraya upanishad next.
Instead of subhashita, let me pick a quote from Adi Shankara:
“Let my idle chatter be the muttering of prayer, my every manual movement the execution of ritual gesture, my walking a ceremonial circumambulation, my eating and other acts the rite of sacrifice, my lying down prostration in worship, my every pleasure enjoyed with dedication of myself, let whatever activity is mine be some form of worship of you.”
Adi Shankaracarya, The Saundaryalahari .
8/09/2021 Post 48
Let us look at an important concept from Rig Veda .
It is called Nasadiya Sukta (Hymn of non-Eternity, origin of universe):
It is given below with my comments in brackets and star.
Its meaning is clear. Universe created , elements filled in , devas created, energy was made available, and activities started. It is not clear by whom and when it was created?
Let us see this 3000 year old hymn.
There was neither non-existence nor existence then;
Neither the realm of space, nor the sky which is beyond;( no air – elements appeared later)
What stirred? Where? In whose protection?
There was neither death nor immortality then;
No distinguishing sign of night nor of day;
That One breathed, windless, by its own impulse;
Other than that there was nothing beyond. (* Myth, cosmic mystery, unreality and uncertainty seen here ,Advaita concept and quantum science concept*)
Darkness there was at first, by darkness hidden;( is this black hole?)
Without distinctive marks, this all was water;
That which, becoming, by the void was covered;( slowly the void is getting filled up with elements -atmosphere, air with oxygen / hydrogen, water , earth)
That One by force of heat came into being;( fire – energy from black hole?)
Desire entered the One in the beginning:
It was the earliest seed, of thought – the product.
(In the beginning desire descended on it –
that was the primal seed, born of the mind.
The sages who have searched their hearts with wisdom
know that which is kin to that which is not.
And they have stretched their cord across the void,
and know what was above, and what below.
Seminal powers made fertile mighty forces.
Below was strength, and over it was impulse. (It is referring to creative forces. It has power below and energy above.)
—added from Another version)
Who really knows? Who will here proclaim it?
Whence was it produced? Whence is this creation?
Gods- devas , minor gods – came afterwards, with the creation of this universe.
Who then knows whence it has arisen?( Uncertainty)
Whether God’s will created it, or whether He was mute;
Perhaps it formed itself, or perhaps it did not; ( see the skepticism here)
Only He who surveys it all from the highest heaven ( Brahman ?) knows,
Only He knows, or perhaps He does not know.(* Ultimate evidence of uncertainty and skepticism *)
—Rigveda 10.129
Creation Hymn – Nasadiya sukta – Rig veda- is analysed by many philosophers and interpreted in many ways. It includes the creation of the universe. It underscores the uncertainty principles of quantum theory, and the nonlinearity of time – concepts that Einstein, Heisenberg to Stephen Hawking are making serious efforts to understand and develop). We can see the advaitic concept of myth or maya or unreality emerging in this hymn .
Both in character and influence none is more important than the “Hymn of Creation.” It can be considered as one of the earliest accounts of skeptical inquiry and agnosticism.Astronomer Carl Sagan quoted it in discussing India’s “tradition of skeptical questioning and unselfconscious humility before the great cosmic mysteries.”
Sankaracharya says
“Once we become conscious, even dimly, of the Atman, the Reality within us, the world takes on a very different aspect. It is no longer a court of justice but a kind of gymnasium. Good and evil, pain and pleasure, still exist, but they seem more like the ropes and vaulting-horses and parallel bars which can be used to make our bodies strong. Maya is no longer an endlessly revolving wheel of pain and pleasure but a ladder which can be climbed to consciousness of the Reality.
Adi Shankaracarya,”
8/11/2021 Post 49
We saw the cosmic creation.
Aitareya Upanishad tells us about human creation.
The Aitareya Upanishad, is found embedded inside the Rigveda.
The upanishad is particularly famous for the maha vakya (“great aphorism”) prajnanam brahma (3.3), “Brahman is perfect knowledge. It is also pure consciousness ” . It is considered the essence of the Rig Veda. Mahavakyas are part of Advaita philosophy. ( Another one is Tat twam Asi ). Aitareya Upanishad discusses three philosophical themes:- first, that the world and man is the creation of the Atman (Soul, Universal Self); second, the theory that the Atman undergoes threefold birth; third, that Consciousness is the essence of Atman.
Atman or Brahman is asserted to have existed alone prior to the creation of the universe. Carl Sagan talks about this . We saw this in the hymn of creation in Rig Veda. It is this Atman, the Soul or the Inner Self, that is then portrayed as the creator of everything from itself and nothing, through heat.
The absolute soul created first these worlds, viz. ambhas, marici, maram, apah. That ,which is beyond heaven is ambhas. One can think of it as the vast cosmos. Heaven is its support. The sky is marici. The earth is maram. The worlds that are below are the apah.
Atman created the universe in stages. First came four entities: space, maram (earth, stars), maricih (sky, light, atom) and apah (water, cosmic fluid).After these came into existence, came the cosmic self and eight psyches and principles (speech, in-breathing, sight, hearing, skin/hair, mind, out-breathing, reproductivity). Atman then created eight guardians corresponding to these psyches and principles.Then, asserts Aitareya Upanishad, came the connective principles of hunger and thirst, where everything became interdependent on everything else through the principle of apana (digestion). Thereafter came man, who could not exist without a sense of Self and Soul (Atman). But this sense then began cogitating on itself, saying that “I am more than my sensory organs, I am more than my mind, I am more than my reproductive ability”, and then asked ” who am I?”
That is a brief description of the first chapter of creation. Let us look at other aspects in the next post.
Subhashitam
अादश पराणु षे ु ास वचनयम ।्
परपकारः पयायु पापाय परपडनम ॥् ॥
In all the eighteen Puranas, Shri Vyasa has two significant utterrings: serving others is a good deed, and it is a sin to inflict pain onto others.
8/13/2021 Post 50
Let me start with a quote by Einstein
“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.”
This corroborates with the views of Rig Vedas hymn of creation.
Aiteraya upanishad gives several characteristics of intelligence and defines Prajnana . These are listed here below.
- ‘Samjnana‘ or awareness
- ‘Ajnana‘ or comprehension
- ‘Vignina‘ or understanding
- ‘Prajnana‘ or knowledge
- ‘Medha‘ or retentiveness
- ‘Drishti‘ or insight
- ‘Dhriti‘ or resolution
- ‘Mati‘ or opinion
- ‘Smriti‘ or memory
- ‘Manisha‘ or reflection
- ‘Juti‘ or impulse
- ‘Samkalpa‘ or conception
- ‘Kratu‘ or purpose
- ‘Asu‘ or vigor
- ‘Kaamah‘ or desire
- ‘Vasha‘ or will.
That which is the heart, the mind, it is consciousness, perception, discrimination, intelligence, mental brilliance, vision, determination, thought power, thoughtfulness, impulse, memory, decision, goal, life, desire, control. All these are the different names of intelligence only.
It is an amazing characterisation of intelligence.
Let us see what second chapter says
It says that Atman is born thrice.
first, when a child is born (procreation); second, when the child has been cared for and loved to Selfhood where the child equals the parent; third, when the parent dies and the Atman transmigrates. The overall idea of chapter 2 of Aitareya Upanishad is that it is procreation and nurturing of children that makes a man immortal, and the theory of rebirth, – the concept of samsara-which are the means by which Atman sustainably persists in this universe.
Adi Shankaracharya
Having read all the shastras and well grounded in them, they grow conceited that they are all knowing, accomplished and worthy of respect; filled with love and hate they presume themselves respectable; they are only packasses esteemed for carrying heavy loads over long distances in difficult and tortuous ways.
Adi Shankaracarya