….and a deja-vu moment.
Courtesy Sridhar, this news-item from earlier today: Karuna does it again, flays Hindus for sporting tilaks
Flaying the Hindu practice of smearing ash or saffron or sporting a ’tilak’ on the forehead for yet another time, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi questioned the need for ‘such things in a country which preached equality of all religions’.
which reminded me of Don’t wear a “tilak” to work ! …
…and of Mark Tully’s memorable quote:
Secular fundamentalism is alive and kicking in India too.
Next target, Sanskrit?
P.S. I doubt that Thiru Karunanidhi needs any education in the significance of either a Tilak or a “Bindu/ Pottu” in Hinduism but I thought it would be nice to refresh my own memory.
A brief excerpt from Ten Questions about Hinduism on the “Bindu/ Pottu”:
Question Eight: Why do many Hindus wear a dot near the middle of their forehead?
A: The dot worn on the forehead is a religious symbol. It represents divine sight and shows that one is a Hindu. For women, it is also a beauty mark.
Longer answer: The dot worn between the eyes or in the middle of the forehead is a sign that one is a Hindu. It is called the bindi in the Hindi language, bindu in Sanskrit and pottu in Tamil. In olden days, all Hindu men and women wore these marks, and they both also wore earrings. Today it is the women who are most faithful in wearing the bindi.
The dot has a mystical meaning. It represents the third eye of spiritual sight, which sees things the physical eyes cannot see. Hindus seek to awaken their inner sight through yoga. The forehead dot is a reminder to use and cultivate this spiritual vision to perceive and better understand life’s inner workings…to see things not just physically, but with the “mind’s eye” as well.
…In addition to the simple dot, there are many types of forehead marks, known as tilaka in Sanskrit. Each mark represents a particular sect or denomination of our vast religion. We have four major sects: Saivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism and Smartism. Vaishnava Hindus, for example, wear a v-shaped tilaka made of white clay. Elaborate tilakas are worn by Hindus mainly at religious events, though many wear the simple bindi, indicating they are Hindu, even in the general public.
Related Posts:
“Who is this Ram?” - Will Thiru Karunanidhi look at this evidence?
If you thought banning a “tilak” was funny, think again
November 6th, 2008
Posted by
B Shantanu |
A Hindu Identity, Current Affairs, Distortions, Misrepresentation about Hinduism, Hindu Dharma, Hindu Social System, Sanatana Dharma, Spirituality & Philosophy, Women in Hinduism & India |
16 comments
The “Big Bang” experiment seems to have started well and I am still able to write and post this…which can only mean that the world has not come to an end …
I feel sorry for the girl who apparently committed suicide over fears of the world going up in smoke…(as an aside, I think this matter needs to be thoroughly investigated…I find this hard to believe…
Her father, identified on local television as Biharilal, said that his daughter, Chayya, killed herself after watching doomsday predictions made on Indian news programmes.
“In the past two days, Chayya had asked me and other relatives about the world coming to an end on Sept. 10,” Biharilal was quoted as saying.
“We tried to divert her attention and told her she should not worry about such things, but to no avail,” he said. [ link ]
If true, her parents and relatives need a crash course in basic science and perhaps our TV channels need to show some balance:
For the past two days, many Indian news channels held discussions airing doomsday predictions over a huge particle-smashing machine buried under the Swiss-French border
On a related note, courtesy Offstumped , I stumbled upon these beautiful images of Bhagwaan Shiva Nataraj at CERN.
For the more curious amongst you, here is a Q&A with Professor Brian Cox, one of the LHC scientists at Cern about the project and why was the experiment done.
September 10th, 2008
Posted by
B Shantanu |
Miscellaneous, Spirituality & Philosophy |
2 comments
Thanks to Sh Nachiketa Tiwari for spotting this and Sh Kak for emailing it to me.
Although this is a fairly long excerpt from an exchange of emails re. learning Sanskrit, pl. try and read in full. It shows how some western academics tarnish any attempt(s) at learning more about our ancient heritage (including language) with labels such as “fundamentalism” and of course, “Hindutva”.
I have taken out email addresses of the respondents to protect privacy.
By the way, many of you would remember that learning Sanskrit is now considered to be a “communal” activity.
*** Excerpts from the email exchange ***
Keep Reading…
September 4th, 2008
Posted by
B Shantanu |
Ancient Indian History, Distortions, Misrepresentation about Hinduism, History, Identity, Indian Culture, Arts and Music, Sanatana Dharma, Spirituality & Philosophy |
7 comments
Today is ”Ganesh Chaturthi” - birthday of BhagwAn Shri Ganesh (celebrated on the 4th day of Bhadrapada - usually Aug/Sept in Julian calendar). Ganesh-ji is widely revered as the remover of obstacles (”VidhnhartA”) and is usually invoked when beginning something new (I usually begin my day with the “VakratunDa MahAkAya…” shloka).
Ganesh Chaturthi is (one of the) most popular (festivals) in Maharashtra and heralds 10days of celebrations that end with the “Visarjan” on Anant Chaturdashi (or Anant Chaudas).
As many of you would know, the public celebration of Ganesh Utsav (SArvajanik Ganeshotsav) is an important chapter in the freedom movement of India. This “festival” was started by Lokmanya Tilak in 1894 when when Tilak himself placed an idol of Ganesh-ji in Vinchurkar Wada in Maharashtra.
Tilak transformed the birth anniversary from a private, family affair into an occassion to bring people together against the opressive British Raj. Because of Ganesh-ji’s widespread appeal amongst the masses, the celebrations proved to be very useful in breaking bariers within Hindu society at that time.
Let us not forget this motivation of Lokmanya Tilak as we celebrate the day today.
On the auspicious occassion of Ganesh Chaturthi, let us take a vow to treat all Hindus as equals and work towards strengthening the ties that bring us together.
May Bhagwaan Shree Ganesha shower his blessings on you and your loved ones, today and always.
|| गनपति बप्पा मोरिया ||
For those of you who may have forgotten the story of Shri Ganesh’s birth, here it is:
Once upon a time, the Goddess Gauri (consort of Lord Shiva), while bathing, created Ganesha as a pure white being out of the mud of Her Body and placed Him at the entrance of the house. She told Him not to allow anyone to enter while she went inside for a bath. Lord Shiva Himself was returning home quite thirsty and was stopped by Ganesha at the gate. Shiva became angry and cut off Ganesha’s head as He thought Ganesha was an outsider.
When Gauri came to know of this she was sorely grieved. To console her grief, Shiva ordered His servants to cut off and bring to Him the head of any creature that might be sleeping with its head facing north. The servants went on their mission and found only an elephant in that position. The sacrifice was thus made and the elephant’s head was brought before Shiva. The Lord then joined the elephant’s head onto the body of Ganesha.
Lord Shiva made His son worthy of worship at the beginning of all undertakings, marriages, expeditions, studies, etc. He ordained that the annual worship of Ganesha should take place on the 4th day of the bright half of Bhadrapada.
Without the Grace of Sri Ganesha and His help nothing whatsoever can be achieved. No action can be undertaken without His support, Grace or blessing.
In his first lesson in the alphabet a Maharashtrian child is initiated into the Mantra of Lord Ganesha, Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah. Only then is the alphabet taught.
The following are some of the common Names of Lord Ganesha: Dhoomraketu, Sumukha, Ekadantha, Gajakarnaka, Lambodara, Vignaraja, Ganadhyaksha, Phalachandra, Gajanana, Vinayaka, Vakratunda, Siddhivinayaka, Surpakarna, Heramba, Skandapurvaja, Kapila and Vigneshwara. He is also known by many as Maha-Ganapathi.
Here is another version of the birth of Shri Ganesh:
The Brahma vaivarta Purana narrates a different story regarding the origin of Ganapati. Shiva instructed Parvati, who wanted to have a son, to observe the puNyaka vrata for a year to propitiate Vishnu.
harer ArAdhanaM kR^itvA vrataM kuru varAngane |
vrataM cha puNyakam nAma varshhamekaM karishhyasi ||
O Beautiful Goddess! Perform the worship of Hari by observing the punyaka vrata for a year.
vratasyAsya prabhAveNa svayaM gopAnganeshvaraH |
IshvaraH sarvabhUtAnAM tava putro bhavishhyati ||
The Lord of Gopikas, the Lord of all beings, Krishna Himself will be born as your son, as a result of the vrata.
On completion of the vrata by Parvati, it was announced that Krishna would incarnate Himself as Her son in every kalpa. Accordingly, Krishna was born as a charming infant, delighting Parvati who celebrated the event with great enthusiasm. All the Gods arrived to have a look at the baby. But Shani, the son of Surya, did not look at him and stared at the ground instead. Upon Parvati’s questioning regarding his behavior, Shani said that his look would harm the baby. Parvati, however, insisted that he should look at the baby. In deference to Her wish Shani cast his eyes on the baby. Due to his malevolent glance, the baby’s head was severed and flew to Goloka, the abode of Krishna. Parvati and all the Gods assembled there, including Shiva, were grief-stricken. Thereupon, Vishnu mounted Garuda and rushed to the banks of the Pushpa-bhadra river and brought back the head of a young elephant. The head of the elephant was joined with the headless body of Parvati’s son, reviving him. All the Gods blessed Ganesha and wished Him power and prosperity.
Further Reading:
Ganesha chaturthi, legends, and prayers
Some practical questions regarding Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations and suggested answers.
Related Posts:
Happy “Makar Sankranti”…
Om Namah Shivaya
Happy New Year !!
Adjacent post: Of Monkey Gods and Elephant Heads
September 3rd, 2008
Posted by
B Shantanu |
Hindu Festivals, Spirituality & Philosophy |
2 comments
Thanks to a comment left on this blog, I was alerted to this website maintained by Brian Champness and dedicated to the memory of one of the greatest scientists that India has produced in modern times - Sir J C Bose.
I have written about Acharya Bose before…but he deserves far more attention than one single post…and I was very glad when I came across Brian’s site in which he explores aspects of consciousness and feelings in plants - a subject first studied by Sir Bose and now coming inder increasing interest from scientists around the world.
Some excerpts from “Are Plants Conscious?” (emphasis mine):
The Indian scientist Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose was both physicist and plant physiologist. In his early life he invented a new type of coherer - an early form of radio signal detector - which enabled him to transmit radio waves over distance a full year before Marconi. He spent much of the rest of his life exploring minute responses to external stimuli applied to plants. He demonstrated that plant tissues under different kinds of stimulation produce electric responses similar to those produced by animal tissues. His extraordinary experimental results were achieved by using a range of ultra sensitive measuring instruments - also his own invention. He was the first Indian scientist to be elected to The Royal Society - in London, 1920.
His plant sensitivity findings can be explained in a number of ways. Some scientists prefer to use conventional materialist explanations in terms of the flow and transmission of chemical and bio-chemical substances. And, as V.A. Shepherd has pointed out, Bose “had argued all along the importance of electrical signalling in plants, and the world has now come around to this view.” Others, mainly in the East, see Bose’s findings as providing support for ancient Hindu vedantic theories of consciousness - even in plants. Bose himself was comfortable with both approaches to the explanation and understanding of his findings.
This project uses J C Bose’s life and work as a inspirational base from which to explore these different kinds of explanation, and their implications.
Brian - a retired psychologist and researcher who was born in then then Calcutta (and - in a wonderful coincidence - on a street now called Acharya JC Bose Road!) - is a devoted Indophile and “….has now postponed organising Chamber Music concerts in order to concentrate on the life and times of one of India’s great scientists, and to look at how his work has been developed and explained.”
In an email he explained his interest in Acharya Bose’s work:
…Even more exciting was (J C Bose’s) his work on electrical communication within plants. He designed and conducted hundreds of experiments on how plants respond to stimuli, showing among other things that they use electrical in addition to chemically based communication.
Of most interest to me is how these results have been interpreted and explained. In particular, as an old experimentalist I am increasingly interested in how ancient Hindu wisdom would interpret the results, in terms of consciousness and other vedic concepts.
On his website, Brian mentions about the philosophical and spiritual aspects of his interest:
How does this (Sir J C Bose’s) approach to the understanding of consciousness compare with some of the ideas on ‘levels of consciousness’ in present day psychology, philosophy and neurology?
“In Hinduism there are two categories of knowledge (i) para vidya - the spiritual knowledge and (ii) apara vidya - material knowledge. Scientifc knowledge is the realm of apara vidya. Spiritual knowledge - knowledge of God and life - belongs to para vidya. Hinduism points out that scientific knowledge can lead to spiritual knowledge.” Singh ibid.
How far did Bose journey into the apara vidya realm in the way he discussed and thought about his work?
Brian is looking for references and more material to help him explore these questions…If any of you have read or studied about these aspects of Vedic philosophy or science before, please do get in touch with him @ bose AT areplantsconscious.com
Via his website, I also learnt of several programmes being organised to commemorate the 150th birthday of Sir Bose and Cambridge University in UK will be unveiling a wall plaque in his memory on the 150th anniversary day, 30th November 2008.
Brian mentioned in his email that “…I hope that the book and CD will help to make sure that Sir J C Bose is a little less unsung!” - I am sure it will, Brian.
My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Brian Champness for his work and dedication to ensure that Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose becomes a little less unsung. Thank you Brian.
Related Posts:
An Unsung Hero…
Atoms, Neurons and Consciousness…
.
August 27th, 2008
Posted by
B Shantanu |
Indian Science and Mathematics, Science & Mathematics in Ancient India, Spirituality & Philosophy |
no comments
How many of you have heard the story of great warrior Arjun suffering an ignominious defeatat the hands of a gang of marauders*? I had a vague recollection of it butwhen someone mentioned it to me the other day, I decided to dig deeper.
Courtesy psych-prism, here istheshort story…and within it, a great lesson for all of us.
Once Bhagwaan ShriKrishna was wounded and Arjun decide to go and see him…On the way, he met Narad Muni who advised him not to touch Shri Krishna, otherwise great harm would befell him.
As Arjunentered Shri Krishna’s chamber,Bhagwan Krishna said, “I was waiting for you. Come and sit besides me.”
Remembering Narad Muni’s advice, Arjun was in a dilemma…and decided not to sit next to Bhagwaan Krishna. His discomfort was obvious so Shri Krishna asked him to touch his wounds with his bow if not with his hand.
Arjun agreed to that…not realising that all the “shakti” from his bow had drained away when it touched Shri Krishna Bhagwan’s wounds. After the meeting,Krishna Bhagwaan asked Arjun to take responsibility for the safe passageofGopikas who had come to see him. Arjun of course agreed.
On their way back, the group was attacked by Bheels* who, in spite ofArjun’s prowess in archeryand his “Gandiv“, managed to abduct the Gopis.Arjun’sbow- the famed “Gandiv” failed him at this moment…The greatest archer of histime could not protect the Gopikas when they needed help the most.
That was when Arjun realised “It is notman who is powerful and potent; It is TIME”
The version which I heard from my wife is slightly different…Arjun was not escorting Gopikas but widows of the Yadav soldiers and officers who had perished in the Great War (recall that while Shri Krishna Bhagwaan had fought on the side of Pandavas, his army had fought with the Kauravas - this story is probably for another post).
These widows were being escorted from Dwarka (modern day Gujarat) to Hastinapur (in North India) and the attack happened in/around modern-day Jhabua (which is Bheel Pradesh). Also Arjun failed to protect the widows not because he could not use his Gaandiv but he actually “forgot” the mantras.
This “dohaa” has been ascribed to Kabir:
Manushya bali hout nahi;Samay hout balvAn
Bhillan luti gopikA;WahiArjun wahi baan
Another version:
Manushya kadi balwaan nahi; Samaya sab se balwaan
Kaabe Arjuna lutiyo; Wahi dhanush wahi baan
And the version I had heard before (thanks to my wife):
Purush bali nahin hout hai; Samay hout balwaan
Bheel gopiyan bhagaye lae; Wahi Arjun, wahi baan
* Note that the association of “Bheels” (or “Bhils”) with the gang of marauders is probably inaccurate and historically debatable. In spite of that thismis-perception (Bheels = Marauders, Thugs, Looters) is widely prevalent - both in the minds of the public as well as the media e.g.: “Our community (the Bhils) is famous for robberies“.
The causes of this association probably lie in the history of past 200-odd years. E.g.see this fascinating extract from the official Gazette of Jalgaon in Maharashtra from the period 1818-1947 and “Imperial Solution of a Colonial Problem: Bhils of Khandesh up to c. 1850″.
Find of the day: Royal Chronology and History of India
Related Posts:
A Search for the Historical Krishna
Mahabharata War - A Backdrop
July 18th, 2008
Posted by
B Shantanu |
Ancient Indian History, Distortions, Misrepresentations about India, Spirituality & Philosophy |
one comment
Fellow blogger Varnam recently wrote twoposts on how learning Sanskrit is now considered to be a “communal” activity and something that might put you at odds with the “secular” brigade.
In the first one, he pointed out:
Usually you see the word saffronization associated with the Hindutva folks, not Sanskritization…the revival (of this word)is with mischievous intent. Now the name of a language has become a synonym for communal politics.
In fact this attempt to brand Sanskrit as a non-secular entity happened once before, believe it or not - by the Central Board of Secondary Education. It was an attempt to pull the rug off India’s cultural heritage and history by branding an entire language as not-secular.
…The Supreme Court in a landmark verdict rejected the accusation that teaching Sanskrit was against secularism.
…the Court wrote that Sanskrit was the language in which Indian minds expressed the noblest ideas. It was also the language in which our culture, which includes the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, the teachings of Sankaracharya to Vallabhacharya and classics of Kalidasa to Banabhatta were expressed. Without understanding Sanskrit, the Court wrote, you cannot understand Indian philosophy on which our culture is based.
In a follow-up, he wrote:
This January, the Indian Govt. cut funding for a Sanskrit program because it is now a sin to learn an ancient language and the reason: India has a large Muslim population.
When the Supreme Court of India writes judgements admiring the language in which Indian minds expressed noblest ideas, it takes the UPA Govt. to accuse that it is communal.
JK suggests (and I fully endorse): Instead of whining about the Govt. the best course of action would be to organize a Samskrita Bharati camp in your area.
Fellow blogger Sandeep has also commented on this issue:
…Sanskritisation, a noun used as a verb form is a strange creature that really defies definition. Interestingly, Seema uses this without defining it, an act similar to her boss Sonia Gandhi who wields power without responsibility but alludes to M.N. Srinivas who coined it.
…Sanskritisation, however, you want to define it, has no factual basis in Indian history or tradition or societyunless you equate Sanskritisation with Brahminisation (ugh and sic!).
Related Posts:
Dont wear a tilak to work!
Secular Fundamentalismalive & kicking inIndia
Also read: Pseudo-secularism at itsbest?
June 17th, 2008
Posted by
B Shantanu |
Ancient Indian History, Current Affairs, Distortions, Misrepresentation about Hinduism, Distortions, Misrepresentations about India, Identity, Impact of Islam on India, Indian Culture, Arts and Music, Indian Media, Media Related, Politics and Governance in India, Politics of Minority Appeasement, Sanatana Dharma, Spirituality & Philosophy |
2 comments
This post was inspired by Hrishi and Dnyanesh’s commentswhich I am reproducing below. The point raised by Hrishi was (essentially) that democracy and politics (of the modern kind) is incompatible with religion…
***
Comment by Hrishi on 5th May
…Therere are few points I thought worth making, as saw them:
…iii) Viewing religion as a politically relevant practice is more of an imported concept, definitely applcable today to Hinduism but I am inclined to believe its more of a me too reaction to the activities of the more organised and politically (as against spiritually) ambitious semitic religions operating in India today
Separating religion from politics is essential in any debate that proceeds on the basis of reason and logic which is a democratic process and if you agree with this - would be interested in some more of your views and insights
***
Response by Dnyaneshon 5th May
HRISHI
seperating religion from politics..this comments surprises me many times over. religion is a way of life, our thoughts, ethics, dos donts, our behaviour patterns, our beliefs, culture, way we treat others, logic/thoughts are part of this. therefore in essence it is the foundauion of what we are and stand for. how can we leave that behind. what kind of governance we are likely to give then
well may be this is not the thread to be followed herejust a few thoughts on an oft repeated comment.
***
Responseby Hrishi on 5th May
Dnyanesh - since you bring it up (and the moderator allows it, God Willing) - religion is based on two premises as I understand it
- where one acts out of beliefs based on pre-written / revealed scriptures, many of which cannot be disputed or debated (e.g.Islam in toto, Catholicism, etc)
OR
- where one acts out of insights coming out of direct insights based on oneness with the Absolute.
The latter while possible is extremely rare and the overwhelming majority would rely on the former process i.e. acting based on beliefs (many of which are blind or not allowed to be exposed to objective reason and logic)
Given this, politics particularly of the modern kind (democracy/ constitutional guarantees of personal, legal, moral and political freedoms) would be impossible.
So as far as religion giving us dos & donts, moral standards, ways of life, . this must necessarily be subordinated/superceded by the guarantee of constitutional freedoms (mentioned above) and the democratic process based on reason and logic in free debate. I dont know of any religion encouraging the primacy of reason and logic based on facts; mostly beliefs are summarily handed down.
Democracy and universal suffrage developed in the Christian world only after the separation of the Church and the State, ushering in the Enlightenment (of the rational kind)..
***
Please share your comments and thoughts.
To further provoke your thinking,I would recommend having a look at:
Hinduism as a secularconcept
Of Turkey, Secular States andReligion
Flat World Hindutva - A moral compass to guide contemporary issuesand
A nationalism rooted in SanatanDharma
June 6th, 2008
Posted by
B Shantanu |
Current Affairs, Distortions, Misrepresentation about Hinduism, Politics and Governance in India, Politics of Minority Appeasement, Sanatana Dharma, Spirituality & Philosophy |
12 comments
From an article in UK’s Daily Mail today:
The Church of England was accused by one of its most senior bishops yesterday of failing in its duty to convert British Muslims to Christianity.
…The Pakistani-born bishop…was echoing concerns that many Church leaders are abandoning attempts to spread Christianity among Muslims out of fear of a backlash.
The bit that I found most interesting was this:
Synod member Paul Eddy…said that the active recruitment of non-believers and adherents of other faiths had always been a Biblical injunction on Christians, commanded by Christ himself.
But he claimed that many bishops were downplaying the missionary role of the Church and official documents often glossed over the requirement to convert Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs or followers of other religions.
I thinkthis “officially” answers the question I had raised inan earlier post wondering why Christian missionaries appeared to be targetting India?
The article went on to reveal that “…numbers attending mosque on Fridays will overtake those going to church on Sundays by 2050″ and an estimated “50,000 Britons had converted from Christianity to Islam over the past decade, while the number of Muslims becoming Christians was negligible.”
I wonder though whether Muslims are “allowed” to change their religion (see: Can Muslims change theirreligion?). As a commentator on Daily Mail’s website has pointed out, the punishment for apostacy in Islam is death.
The problem of course is that with everyone going around claiming that they are the sole purveyors of “truth” the stage is ripe for conflict.
Does anyone need more convincing why Sanatan Dharma may offer the best “model” for any faith and.or religion and why Hinduismmay be key toan inclusive, peaceful, liberal and tolerant culture in the 21st century?
.
Related Posts:
Of Monkey Gods and ElephantHeads
Christian Aggression in CauveryLayout?
Excerpts from The Dangers ofMonotheism
Why have Missionaries chosen to attack India?
and finally,Francois Gautier on Conversions
May 25th, 2008
Posted by
B Shantanu |
Conversions, Missionaries in India, Current Affairs, Debates & Discussions, Distortions, Misrepresentation about Hinduism, Hindu Dharma, Islam & Reform, Sanatana Dharma, Spirituality & Philosophy |
19 comments
Many of you mayhavecome across this information about “Ancient Indian Scientists” before. I received it in a chain email but I shall be most grateful if any reader(s) have links or references to the original source(s).
There are many assertions and statements herethat have not been verified or explained (see e.g. the entry on Acharya Bharadwaj who is credited with advances in aviation technology*). We need to source and evidencethese it to make it more credible.
Some excerpts below (statements on which I need help are marked in italics):
***
ARYABHATT (476 CE), ASTRONOMER and MATHEMATICIAN
Born in 476 CE in Kusumpur (Bihar), Aryabhatt’s intellectual brilliance remapped the boundaries of mathematics and astronomy. In 499 CE, at the age of 23, he wrote a text on astronomy and an unparallel treatise on mathematics called “Aryabhatiyam.” He formulated the process of calculating the motion of planets and the time of eclipses. Aryabhatt was the first to proclaim that the earth is round, it rotates on its axis, orbits the sun and is suspended in space - 1000 years before Copernicus published his heliocentric theory. He is also acknowledged for calculating p (Pi) to four decimal places: 3.1416 and the sine table in trigonometry. Centuries later, in 825 CE, the Arab mathematician, Mohammed Ibna Musa credited the value of Pi to the Indians… And above all, his most spectacular contribution was the concept of zero (- need help in clarifying/verifying this)
***
BHASKARACHARYA II(1114-1183 CE), ALGEBRA
Born in the obscure village of Vijjadit (Jalgaon) in Maharastra, Bhaskaracharya’s work in Algebra, Arithmetic and Geometry catapulted him to fame and immortality. His renowned mathematical works called “Lilavati” and “Bijaganita” are considered to be unparalled and a memorial to his profound intelligence. Its translation in several languages of the world bear testimony to its eminence. In his treatise “Siddhant Shiromani” he writes on planetary positions, eclipses, cosmography, mathematical techniques and astronomical equipment. In the “Surya Siddhant” he makes a note on the force of gravity: “Objects fall on earth due to a force of attraction by the earth. Therefore, the earth, planets, constellations, moon, and sun are held in orbit due to this attraction.” Bhaskaracharya was the first to discover gravity, 500 years before Sir Isaac Newton.
Keep Reading…
April 28th, 2008
Posted by
B Shantanu |
Ancient Indian History, Indian Medicine & Ayurveda, Indian Science and Mathematics, Medieval Indian History, Miscellaneous, Science & Mathematics in Ancient India, Spirituality & Philosophy, Technology in India |
4 comments
Extracts from a news report dt Dec 28 ‘07 “Studies show yoga has multiple benefits” (if proof was needed)
***
…Yoga induces a feeling of well-being in healthy people, and can reverse the clinical and biochemical changes associated with metabolic syndrome, according to results of studies from Sweden and India.
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity and high blood sugar.
…
Dr. R.P. Agrawal, of the SP Medical College, Bikaner, India, and colleagues evaluated the beneficial effects of yoga and meditation in 101 adults with features of metabolic syndrome.
…Waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar, and triglycerides were significantly lower, and “good” HDL cholesterol levels were higher in the yoga group as compared to controls, Agrawal’s team reports in the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.
In the second study (from Sweden)…Fifty-five adults were advised to practice “Sudarshan Kriya,” which involves cycles of slow normal and rapid breathing exercises.
…At the end of the study period, feelings of anxiety, stress and depression were significantly lower and levels of optimism significantly higher in the yoga group compared to the control group, Kjellgren and colleagues report.
Yoga induces a “relaxation response” associated with reduced nervous system activity and a feeling of well-being probably due to an increase in antioxidants and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, they suggest.
Not that most readers of myblog needed this reconfirmation…but it is nice to know that practitioners of Yogaare not just dumb, superstitious Hindu fundamentalists 
Related Posts:
High-TechPranayama
Does Yogahurt?
***
Adjacent Post: Expropriation of Hindu Concepts andTraditions
January 18th, 2008
Posted by
B Shantanu |
Indian Medicine & Ayurveda, Spirituality & Philosophy |
no comments
I came across this in an email fromPrem Sabhlok. It is illuminating.
It mentions some specifichymns/riks from the RigVeda on the causes of corruption and how to eliminate them. Here are some excerpts:
***
Sama Veda 179 and 913 describes “corruption” as hydra headed, having nine heads (nine kinds) and it enters the human body through ninety nine sources i.e. nine kind of corruption enters through five senses, five sense organs and outward looking mind (9X11==99).
Later Ramayana described this evil through nine corrupt heads of Ravana. We burn his nine corrupt heads every year on Dussehra day. Similarly later Mahabharata described 99 sources of entry of corruption through 99 corrupt sons of blind Kaurva king Dhritrashtra. 99 vritras (powers of evil) are mentioned in Rig Veda 1-84-13. It further says in 1-104-3 taking bribe for money belonging to the state is misappropriation of public funds. All bribe takers are thieves of God and they get rebirth in the foulest of the womb (confirmed even in Bhagavad-Gita).
Keep Reading…
January 17th, 2008
Posted by
B Shantanu |
Ancient Hindu Political Philosophy, Ancient Indian History, Hindu Dharma, Politics and Governance in India, Spirituality & Philosophy |
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Some of you probablyread a recent report which suggested that a handshake can apparently be more infectious than a kiss!
If you think this is some kind of a new year’s joke, read this feature from Oct ‘04 in which Dr. Philip Tierno (Director of clinical microbiology and immunology at New York University Medical Center) has been quoted as saying:
“If you eat or drink something without washing your hands, or if you touch your own nose, mouth, or eyes after shaking someone’s hand, you can introduce whatever germ was on their hand, and now your hand, into the portals of your body…”
The report goes on to say: “Indeed, hand-to-hand contact can be such a potent way of passing germs that the CDC issued a special advisory which reads, in part, “The most important thing that you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands“
Wow!
So seems likea “Namaste” is not only more respectful, it may also be a “safer” alternative to the traditional handshake…
Whileavoiding a handshake completely isnot practical for most of us today, it probably makes sense to revert to the traditionalgreeting whenever you can.
Here is one of my favourite articleson Namaste: Never Shake Hands With Godandhere is some information onbasic hand hygiene(do read, it has some startling information).
January 4th, 2008
Posted by
B Shantanu |
Miscellaneous, Spirituality & Philosophy |
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In the middle of some idle web-surfing a few days ago, I hit upon the source of “Satyameva Jayate”
From Nila-Kantha-Chandra’s blog:�
“…as I was rapidly scanning the Sanskrit verses of the Mundaka, I came upon �satyameva jayate�� (3.1.6). Extraordinary! This was a great chance discovery!
…as I now discovered…the national credo was from the Mundaka Upanishad. A concluding verse of this Upanishad declares that its aim is to make man attain Self-Knowledge. �Munda� means head; hence the name indicates that this Upanishad is the Head of all Upanishads…”
सत्यमेव जयते नानृतं
सत्येन पन्था विततो देवयानः
येनाऽऽक्रमन्त्यृषयो ह्याप्तकामा
यत्र तत् सत्यस्य परमं निधानम्
satyameva jayate naanritam
satyena pantha vitato devayanah
yena aakramanti rshayo hi aaptkaamaa�
yatra tat satyasya paramam nidhaanam
Meaning:
Only truth prevails, not untruth; by the path of truth is laid out, the Divine way, on which the sages of yore, fulfilled in their desires, attain the supreme treasure of Truth.
.
Wonderful…Thank you Nila-Kantha!
P.S. I think the third line should read: “yenaa kramantyarishayo hyaptakaamaa” but I am not sure. Can anyone please help?
Thanks to Dr Ranjit Singh (please see comment below), this has now been corrected.
December 1st, 2007
Posted by
B Shantanu |
Ancient Hindu Political Philosophy, Miscellaneous, Politics and Governance in India, Sanatana Dharma, Spirituality & Philosophy |
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…once again suggestingthat there is more than a grain of truth in ancient dharmic traditions.
A recent report in Daily Mail reveals that skipping meals once a month could help stave off a heart attack.
In a study conducted by Dr Benjamin Horne, professor of biomedical informatics at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, researchers found that:
“fasting for at least 24 hours cuts the risk of coronary artery disease by up to 40 per cent, compared with those who eat every day…Experts believe the break from food could help ‘re-set’ the body’s metabolism, enabling it to work more efficiently as a result.”
See also:
Some stories about the various “vrat”(s) in Hindi.
Unexpected Find of the Day: “Consecration and ascetical regimen: A history of Hindu vrata, diksa, upanayana, and brahmacarya” (Disclaimer: I have not read the full paper yet).
On Fasting and Vrata(s) (Wikipedia).
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November 12th, 2007
Posted by
B Shantanu |
Indian Medicine & Ayurveda, Spirituality & Philosophy |
2 comments
