This is a story of a wave in Arabian sea...
Sometime back, in the womb of Arabian sea, a little wave was born. It was made of beautiful little drops of water. The wave was a clear little thing and was still untouched by the dirty shore.
The wave was named Grace. She was a little sweet, a little salty, naughty, curious and carried sparkling eyes. She was the apple of the eye for everyone around her. Always on the run, she hated being idle and looked forward to experience the little joys that life brought her way. However, much pampered and much protected Grace had big dreams. She wished to reach the shore and go beyond. However much she loved the sea, she knew she was not made to rise and fall back into the sea.
Grace was happy with her life but never content. She was always on a look out for the right opportunity. And one fine day, she grabbed it.
That day, Grace could hear the world calling her with its arms wide open. She had escaped the prying eyes and broken all chains that held her captive. She owed no explanation to anyone and had no obligation. She believed she was free to live her life and enjoy every moment of it.
With hopes filled in her eyes and dreams in her heart, Grace began her journey. She travelled far and wide. She met new waves and learnt from her new experiences. Always optimistic, she never stopped. Her curiosity took her many nautical miles till one fine day she saw the shore.
Grace was thrilled. Her determination was finally paying off. Her patience of so many years was now turning into restlessness. She couldn't wait till she reached the shore. Grace closed her eyes, took a deep breath and just headed on.
Grace continued. She kept moving on and on until she suddenly lashed herself to a rock.
Grace's dreams suddenly were shattered and her droplets scattered all over the rock. Her dream of kissing the shore seemed unrealistic with every passing moment.
Grace is today unable to move. She is today trapped by the big black rocks that surround her. Unable to gather her droplets back and unable to rise above the rock, Grace is now struggling and feels suffocated.
Will Grace ever make it to the shore? Will her dreams come true? Or did she expect too much from life? Was she wrong in escaping from the protective captive back home? Is there hope?
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
India and superstitions
Every region has its own set of superstitions and India is certainly no exception. We have a superstition attached to every act in our day-to-day life. Be it getting a hair cut done or a simple sneeze, it could be twitching of an eye or itching of palms, a cat crossing ones way or a dog howling, you name it and we have it.
But I strongly oppose being very critical about these superstitions. All of us know that every superstition has a logic attached to it. All we have to do is, look for it.
In India, getting a hair cut done on Tuesdays is considered inauspicious. People avoid visiting barbers on Tuesdays. But the superstition has a logical explanation. In earlier times, every village had one, at the most two, barbers. Since, these barbers needed a day off, people avoided visiting them on Tuesdays. This practice is still relevant in India.
Another very popular superstition is that of the black cat. In fact, it's not just for the black cat but any cat. People stop driving when a cat crosses the road. It is considered to be a bad omen. But the logic behind it is simple. If we continue driving when a cat is crossing our path then we might run over it. But instead, if we stop or slow down then we can free ourselves from carrying a guilt.
Superstitions are accompanied by reasoning. They are nothing but a form of knowledge. This knowledge has been put into use and converted into practise.
A supertition can be compared to a fruit. Only that, in this case, we peel the skin and throw the pulp!
But I strongly oppose being very critical about these superstitions. All of us know that every superstition has a logic attached to it. All we have to do is, look for it.
In India, getting a hair cut done on Tuesdays is considered inauspicious. People avoid visiting barbers on Tuesdays. But the superstition has a logical explanation. In earlier times, every village had one, at the most two, barbers. Since, these barbers needed a day off, people avoided visiting them on Tuesdays. This practice is still relevant in India.
Another very popular superstition is that of the black cat. In fact, it's not just for the black cat but any cat. People stop driving when a cat crosses the road. It is considered to be a bad omen. But the logic behind it is simple. If we continue driving when a cat is crossing our path then we might run over it. But instead, if we stop or slow down then we can free ourselves from carrying a guilt.
Superstitions are accompanied by reasoning. They are nothing but a form of knowledge. This knowledge has been put into use and converted into practise.
A supertition can be compared to a fruit. Only that, in this case, we peel the skin and throw the pulp!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Why do Indians wear a bindi on their forehead?
The most common answer to this question is that it indicates the marital status of a woman. This is especially true in northern India. The red bindi of the woman is said to bring prosperity and happiness to the family.
In southern India, girls and women, regardless of their marital status, wear a bindi.
However, a widow in India does not wear a bindi. She can, at the most, wear a black bindi on her forehead. The absence of bindi on a widow or the black bindi signifies her loss.
But the bindi is not just for women. Men too apply 'tilak' on their foreheads, which is another form of bindi. And these 'tilaks' have nothing to do with the marital status of men.
So, why do Hindus (both men and women) wear a bindi in India?
It is to signify and protect the third eye.
A bindi represents the third eye in humans for spiritual sight. This third eye is used to see things, which cannot be seen through physical eyes. The bindi helps us cultivate this spiritual vision. It stands as a reminder of the third eye.
Did you know, the great Hindu saints in the Himalayas, meditate by focusing their energies towards the third eye? It is not as easy as it seems. For normal beings like us, it is hard to continuously focus our energies to the third eye even for 3 minutes.
The day this third eye opens in an individual, will be the day he will attain enlightenment and get closer to God.
However, not wearing a bindi does not necessarily make any Hindu, a lesser Hindu.
In southern India, girls and women, regardless of their marital status, wear a bindi.
However, a widow in India does not wear a bindi. She can, at the most, wear a black bindi on her forehead. The absence of bindi on a widow or the black bindi signifies her loss.
But the bindi is not just for women. Men too apply 'tilak' on their foreheads, which is another form of bindi. And these 'tilaks' have nothing to do with the marital status of men.
So, why do Hindus (both men and women) wear a bindi in India?
It is to signify and protect the third eye.
A bindi represents the third eye in humans for spiritual sight. This third eye is used to see things, which cannot be seen through physical eyes. The bindi helps us cultivate this spiritual vision. It stands as a reminder of the third eye.
Did you know, the great Hindu saints in the Himalayas, meditate by focusing their energies towards the third eye? It is not as easy as it seems. For normal beings like us, it is hard to continuously focus our energies to the third eye even for 3 minutes.
The day this third eye opens in an individual, will be the day he will attain enlightenment and get closer to God.
However, not wearing a bindi does not necessarily make any Hindu, a lesser Hindu.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Will the world come to an end in 2012?
The answer to this question is a big NO. When none of us are sure of our future, why not take a positive approach?
Seriously speaking, 2012 will not mark the end of the world.
The Mayan Calendar, which has predicted Dec 21, 2012 as the last day for the world, correlates to the Hindu calendar in many ways.
The Mayan calendar began its fifth cycle in around 3114 BC, which is slated to run for 5000 years, and end on Dec 21, 2012.
According to Hindu scriptures, Kali Yuga, the last phase of the 'time cycle,' began at around the same time and will also complete 5000 years by 2012. As per the scriptures, the world will end after Kali Yuga.
However, Kali Yuga will not last for just 5000 years. Kali Yuga is again divided into four phases and we are still in the first phase. According to scriptures, the demon Kali comes riding on a horse. The first phase started when his horse kept the first leg on earth. The second phase will only begin when Kali's horse will place its second leg on earth. The sufferings and violence on earth will keep increasing with every leg of the horse.
And since Kali's horse is yet to place its remaining three legs on earth, we humans can rest assured that the world will not end by 2012!!!
But Mayan calendar and its predictions are not completeley misplaced. The Mayan calendar says this world will soon end and that a new golden age will begin.
According to 'Brahma-Vaivarta Purana,' of the Hindus too, a golden age will come in the Kali Yuga. This was told by Lord Krishna Himself. He also said that the golden age will begin after 5000 years of Kali Yuga, i.e., by 2012, and will last for the next 10,000 years.
So, come Dec 21, 2012, let's not wait for the end but hope for a new beginning!
Seriously speaking, 2012 will not mark the end of the world.
The Mayan Calendar, which has predicted Dec 21, 2012 as the last day for the world, correlates to the Hindu calendar in many ways.
The Mayan calendar began its fifth cycle in around 3114 BC, which is slated to run for 5000 years, and end on Dec 21, 2012.
According to Hindu scriptures, Kali Yuga, the last phase of the 'time cycle,' began at around the same time and will also complete 5000 years by 2012. As per the scriptures, the world will end after Kali Yuga.
However, Kali Yuga will not last for just 5000 years. Kali Yuga is again divided into four phases and we are still in the first phase. According to scriptures, the demon Kali comes riding on a horse. The first phase started when his horse kept the first leg on earth. The second phase will only begin when Kali's horse will place its second leg on earth. The sufferings and violence on earth will keep increasing with every leg of the horse.
And since Kali's horse is yet to place its remaining three legs on earth, we humans can rest assured that the world will not end by 2012!!!
But Mayan calendar and its predictions are not completeley misplaced. The Mayan calendar says this world will soon end and that a new golden age will begin.
According to 'Brahma-Vaivarta Purana,' of the Hindus too, a golden age will come in the Kali Yuga. This was told by Lord Krishna Himself. He also said that the golden age will begin after 5000 years of Kali Yuga, i.e., by 2012, and will last for the next 10,000 years.
So, come Dec 21, 2012, let's not wait for the end but hope for a new beginning!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Why do Hindus have so many Gods?
Does God exist?
We still have not been able to prove the exsistance of God. However, Hindus in India believe God exists. And not just one but millions. Now the question is, what is the need for so many Gods when one God himself can fulfill all our wishes?
Not many Hindus can answer this question because not many have questioned their faith. People have been blindly following the religious practices, even to this day, without understanding their relevance.
If I ask you to name one Hindu God then you will probably name the very famous Lord Ganesh. Hindus believe praying to him will remove all obstacles in their life. It is common knowledge that Lord Ganesh has a face of an elephant and he moves around on a mouse. Lord Ganesh loves sugarcane and ties a snake around his tummy.
For any Hindu, who believes and prays to Lord Ganesh, objects and animals associated with the Lord, automatically become sacred. He will respect the elephant because it resembles the Lord. He will not kill the snake and even tolerate the mouse!
Lord Hanuman is also a favourite among Hindus. He is a bachelor and has a face of a monkey. By default, monkeys become sacred and bachelorhood, a virtue.
Goddess Durga lives atop a hill and has a tiger as her vehicle. Thus, the tiger gains significance and also the hills and mountains.
Water flowing through the Ganges is a form of Goddess Ganga and soil is a form of Mother Earth for the Hindus.
Therefore, Hindus have a God for every element of nature. Or should it be rephrased as Hindus see God in every natural element?
Thus, Hindus have so many Gods.
We still have not been able to prove the exsistance of God. However, Hindus in India believe God exists. And not just one but millions. Now the question is, what is the need for so many Gods when one God himself can fulfill all our wishes?
Not many Hindus can answer this question because not many have questioned their faith. People have been blindly following the religious practices, even to this day, without understanding their relevance.
If I ask you to name one Hindu God then you will probably name the very famous Lord Ganesh. Hindus believe praying to him will remove all obstacles in their life. It is common knowledge that Lord Ganesh has a face of an elephant and he moves around on a mouse. Lord Ganesh loves sugarcane and ties a snake around his tummy.
For any Hindu, who believes and prays to Lord Ganesh, objects and animals associated with the Lord, automatically become sacred. He will respect the elephant because it resembles the Lord. He will not kill the snake and even tolerate the mouse!
Lord Hanuman is also a favourite among Hindus. He is a bachelor and has a face of a monkey. By default, monkeys become sacred and bachelorhood, a virtue.
Goddess Durga lives atop a hill and has a tiger as her vehicle. Thus, the tiger gains significance and also the hills and mountains.
Water flowing through the Ganges is a form of Goddess Ganga and soil is a form of Mother Earth for the Hindus.
Therefore, Hindus have a God for every element of nature. Or should it be rephrased as Hindus see God in every natural element?
Thus, Hindus have so many Gods.
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