Friday, May 17, 2013

Indians or Himus

It is still a work in progress (dont promote it)-


The Europeans call us Indians because they address river Sindhu as Indus. Similarly, the word Hindu has its origin in the mid-eastern and Arabic practice to describe the people living on the west of river Sindhu, by such name. Thus the term being used to address us is of foreign origin. Yet, the official name Bharat (following an ancient mythical king), conveys no sense in terms of what it stands for. This article in this context is an effort to discover Indians in an indigenous manner.

 
In recent times we have come across various scholars trying to define or understand what is India e.g. "Argumentative Indian - Sen", "Idea of India-Khilnani", "The felt community - Ray", "India: A sacred geography - Eck" etc. However, this question is not a new one. In fact, during Independence movement both, Savarkar and Neheru, as well as many others have tried to address this question to best of their wisdoms. Today the followers of both these leaders by and large constitute, respectively, the Right and Left of Centre in Indian Politics. This article admits that the question is still relevant and presents some simple, views of the author, in this regard.

 
At one end, India has such multiples of languages, religions, castes, communities and similar other groups. At the other to make things complicated like China, and Japan we do take a lot of pride in our long unbroken traditions. Then we are a bunch of emotional people to whom more than any other relations - the relationships of feelings are more important. It is worth noting here that - in spite of our peace loving exterior disposition, once the feelings are hurt we can be real fighters rather war mongers. Then how can one forget our legendary love for money / value / gold, love for fair skin, attachment or devotion to - names, things and places etc. These are just few things that are common to most Indians beyond languages, religions, castes, communities. A majority of us in spite of our knowledge and great curiosity never doubt or question many things like views of parents, scriptures (at times without having ever read it), matters of mass faith, and so on.

 
Long back authors like Nirad Choudhri have talked in details about common pan Indian traits in greater details. He has also given his own logical interpretation about the same. In recent times Ram Guha too has put forth his views about why India has continued as a common nation or state. There are several other such illuminating and embracing views trying to explain the phenomenon that India is!! A majority of them have also been careful in most cases not to hurt any ones sentiments. Still after going through most of them one has a nagging doubt that there is something missing which doesn't quite add up, in explaining India and the Indians. We still don't have a common term about us which is our own and is acceptable to all. Thus, there is a scope of study in to develop a rational basis for understanding - what India is or who are the Indians.

 
In this connection following the footsteps of previous scholars, and thinkers this author too choose to begin his search with the age old Indian scriptures. Not because I am a traditionalist but because to develop a pragmatic, indigenous and non-communal conception that shall be acceptable to all. The old Indian texts can be a great starting point for they are full with some or other kind of explanation about this land i.e. Bharata (Bharat in Hindi). Coming to the geographic boundary it is said to be the land that is north of the ocean and south of the Himalaya. Neheru in his letters to China had presented this view of India. Tilak and Vivekand too had accepted a similar boundary much before him. Lastly, Savarkar also had poetically described this country as spreading from Sindhu to Sindhu (i.e. south of the Himalaya being obvious). Today, the river Sindhu is by and large a part of Pakistan and is no more with us. Probably, after more than 65 years since independence it is high time we need to move on, and define ourselves in a manner that’s our very own, yet non-sectarian.   

 
In light of the above all the people inhabiting in this country (in the south of the Himalayas) - can now have an indigenous name i.e. Himu, rather than "Hindu". One may not like the term Himu, yet let’s not fight for a term of foreign origin i.e. Hindu, to be acceptable to all. Today the later, has a very sectarian connotation. Thus, with a new common name which not sectarian lets, understand our commonalties in a better fashion and collectively progress towards a shared destiny. Our way of life, actions, and worldviews often perplexes many outsiders; let’s call it "Himuvad" rather than "Hinduvad”. Of course, the term Himu as described here has nothing to do with the same being used in jest by a contemporary TV commercial, but the intents are very similar i.e. to propagate a progressive change.

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Indian Answer to Search for Excellence*

Excellence is not a destination rather a continuous endeavour. Yet, one must have some pointers (if you wish -quality objectives) for guidance. In Indian Mythology there is a concept in which the God / gods, take various Avatars (? Role models). And, each of the avatars is supposed to have certain set of qualities. These are referred to a Kala in Indian Mythology and the number of manifested kala's among avatar's are different. There are divergent views about the total number kala’s possible some say it is 64 (all unique Kala of all Avatars). However, it’s worth noting that the Krishna Avatar of God, is supposed have been in possession of the maximum number of Qualities i.e. 16-Kala and hence, he is often referred to as Purna Avatar.

In this context my submission is, if a certain set of qualities are good or worthy enough for the supreme divinity status (i.e. Purusottama), then the same set of qualities should be sufficient for most of the mortal human beings (i.e. purus ). The current article is restricted to identification of that set of 16 qualities. The following is a list of 16-Kalas or qualities as have been identified with Lord Krishna. Followed by anather set of 16-Kalas according to a different view which focuses on states of existence. The idea is to provide at one place the complete list with translation for easy comprehension.
Set-1
1) śrīḥ ----------------------------- Opulence
2) bhūḥ ------------------- Land, Proporty
3) kīrtiḥ -------------------------------- Fame
4) ilā ------------------------ Communicator
5) lilā ------------------- Pleasure, pastime
6) kāntiḥ ---------------- Radiance, Beauty
7) vidyā ----------------------- Kknowledge
8) Vimalā ---------------------Void of flaws
9) Utkarṣiṇī --------------------- Motivator
10) Jñānā ---------------------------Wisdom
11) Kriyā -----------------------------Action
12) Yogā ----------------------- Conjucator
13) Prahvī --------------------------Humility
14) Satyā -------------------------------Truth
15) Iśānā --------------------------------Lord
16) Anugrahā -----------Bestower of boon
Set-2
1) Anna Maya
2) Pranamaya
 3) Mano Maya
 4) Vigyanamaya
 5) Anandamaya
6) Atishayini
 7) Viparinabhini
 8) Sankramini
 9) Prabhavi
10) Kunthini
11) Vikasini
 12) Maryadini
 13) Sanhaladini
14) Ahladini
 15) Paripurna
 16) Swarupavasthitha

But, before concluding I must draw the attention of the readers to two issues (these are my interpretation hence could be biased opinion)  –
  • First, one must bear in mind that each set of qualities or Kala’s of various Avatars have their own merits and demerits as well!! To appreciate the last point further and its rationale one must understand the concept of Karma. However, at the moment it would be sufficient to say that, no set of kala is necessarily better than others.
  • And, the term used is Kala not Guna i.e. these are supposed to be acquired or acquirable skills or abilities that render quality; rather than being part of one’s nature or traits (archetypes?). A corollary hypothesis is anyone worshiping any Avatar must pay attention to the Kala's rather than engrossing only with the rituals.
* Other potential titles for this thought could have been “Some Ultimate Qualities” or “The Hindu View of Quality” A lighter note about the choice of the title – the author would wish that someday people may accept that Indians all along had a better answer to the question “what is to excellence”. Or what makes one Excellent!!!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Short story about a young Ghost

Death struck him suddenly in all its cold bloodedness, when he was barely 24yrs old. Therefore, what is there to write about a young ghost who has not seen much in life, nor in death? It was an unfortunate evening, on a late winter when death visited him. So unfortunate was it that the death anniversary comes once in every 4 years. No one knew about his death, not even his closest souls. How could they have? - For when he died, neither the earth shook nor the sky fell down. In fact so silent was his death, that there wasn’t even a whisper.

Yet so great was his obsession for life that he continued to live even after his body petrified and all the elements of his body had been assimilated in nature. Thus, he continued living among people with such skill that few ever realised that he is a phantom!! Death changed nothing - except his pride. In fact to his surprise similar things kept happening to him even after death as they were happening when he was alive.

May be time flows in a circular fashion or in his case - it was only a matter of "old habits". So while he continued his search for truth, beauty, love and justice - and kept indulging in activities like: reading, writing, cycling, net surfing, & spending time with friends. His friends both old and new kept claiming - his honesty, loyalty and adaptability are some of the qualities that make him adorable - the way they were doing while he was alive. But after a while he realised, death has given him an ability to see - past / present / future as a single unit!!

Thus these days he introduces himself as "I am the Dream I am the reality I am the temporal I am the eternity - I am the devil I am the divine - I am the confusion I am the solution" - I am just me!! – a soul Living on the edge ~ committed to all yet connected to none. Do I have any dreams or hopes no one would ever know!! But my dear never say or feel sorry for this young ghost because there is no room for sorry for a man who has ever been in "????".

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Is it foolish to be a genius?

Is it foolish to be a genius?*

In English there is a saying which goes like this, “practice makes a man perfect”. But, trainers and spiritual masters tell us no one other than god is perfect hence rest of us can become excellent but never perfect. So, we may change the saying as “practice can make a man excellent or genius”. However, if we take our discussion to the Hindu philosophical realm then we find each man is in essence not only child of GOD (Amrutashya Santan) but also there are schools that inspires each to attain Godhood (Pragyanam ..... Shivo ahm). The point is each of us has the choice and ability to be the master of his or her own destiny. Let me not digress; rather return to the original topic that is, “what is the stuff geniuses are made up of”.

A dictionary definition for “genius” is: “Someone who has an unusually high level of intelligence, mental skill or artistic ability.” Thomas Edison the great inventor used spend long period of time in the laboratory, trying and testing hypotheses till he finally got them right. He hardly ever went home, and never gave up. Speaking of his trials he once said: "I have not failed 700 times. I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving that those 700 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work." The take home is hard work and Persistence. Secrete has been revealed by Albert Einstein, when he said, "It's not that I'm so smart; it's just that I stay with problems longer." According to Floyd Maxwell, geniuses have three traits in common: organized, orderly approach to solving problems; maintain an attitude of wonder about the world around them, a habit of seeing things from a fresh, open perspective; and ability to concentrate harder and longer than the average person on whatever interests them.

The website www.studygs.net, puts the following nine approaches about how anyone can think and solve lives problems like a genius – 1) Rethink! Look at problems in many different ways. 2) Visualize! Utilize diagrams and imagery to analyze your dilemma. 3) Produce! Genius is productive. 4) Combine! Make novel combinations... 5) Form! Form relationships. 6) Opposite! Think in opposites. 7) Metaphor/simile! Think metaphorically. 8) Failure! Learning from your mistakes is one example of using failure. 9) Patience! Don't confuse inspiration with ideas.

My personal take on this issue is very simple. More than the genes it is our response to our environment that makes us either a genius or an awe stricken under achiever; marvelling at the acts and accomplishments of the masters. To begin with we must try and find out with an open mind about the how aspect of things that we are bothered at any point of time. And, then put time and effort to excel at it with a sense of purpose. Soon, we shall find people around will start appreciating us.

So .. See you at the top !!!

* Will soon be published in Canvas

Friday, April 02, 2010

Be thy own Master

There are teachings which tell us that -
All human beings are masters of their own destinies.

In simple words it means, realisation as well as non-realisation of our dreams, desires and hopes, are within our control. All those theories seem to have some common themes. Like -

Follow your dreams
Believe yourself
Upgrade your Skills
Be optimist
Network
.... etc

Based on my own limited experience i can testify that, once we internalise this view and act acording to it, there after the story of one's life can at best be described by words like - magic, Divine act etc.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Be bold and ....

In recent times, an advertisement of a soft drinks brand went something like this - "darr aata hai apni marjii se - par jata hai aapki marjii se !!". The meaning of the statement being "by instinct at times we get afraid, but we ourselves only can eradicate it by our actions". Long back in a famous Hindi movie, a negative character, once proclaimed "Jo darrgaya wo margaya !!" or something to this effect (ha ha ha !!!). The meaning in this case is "one who is afraid is as good as dead and gone". The exact words used by me to translet don't make much difference, rather it is the intent, hope you have got it.

The point is simple, fear is one of the most common human emotions, it is also natural to be afraid but what is important is, to know that it can be managed. However, if it is not managed by us than fear can have adverse effect on our life and achievement's. To this line of discussion let me add one more punch line.


"Be bold and they will say you are beautiful"

May be, i shall do the explanation sometime later. But as a parting note let me say - more often than not as a rule - beauty is attracted to the bold. However, A word of caution (? condition apply/disclaimer) - Any young fellow out there who may take my stray thoughts to be some kind of gospel, do take note), - being bold is not same as carelessness risk taking or foolhardiness.

Live this moment well !!!

ONCE, i had heard some one say -
"Thirty seconds well lived is a life time"

And, it is worth trading against, everything else in this world. A life well lived is the only thing worth pursuing, for anyway everything in this world is temporal. I think the purpose of all religions, trainings, education and teachings - is to prepare us, to live this single life of ours well.



But, the problem is no one can teach anyone else the tricks of living a happy life. One must learn and realise it oneself. It is just like, no one tells us when one is in love - people just know it themselves.