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INTE~NATIONAL I
Corruption: India's Common Citizens
Are Fed Up with Bribery 17
Cover Story: We Ponder Past, Present and
FUture at India's 50th Anniversary 22
Russia: A Hindu Catechism in Cyrillic 28
Malaysia: Murugan's Big New Home 34
Controversy: Jains Struggle to Wipe
'Away the Swastika's Nazi Taint 49
LIFESTYLE
Insight: The How, where and Why
of Est<J.blishing a Home Shrine 30
Astrology: Can £Wcide Be Predicted? 40
Art:';'Gods, Kings and Tigers" 41"
Books: Divakaruni's "Mistress of Spices" 50
OPINION
Publisher's Desk: Reincarnation:-
Coming Back Until You Getlt Right 6
-
Edi~orial: Loosening Bribery's Grip 8
My Turn: Favoring Joint Families 9
Letters 14
Healing: How to Ext~guish Heartburn 44
Minister's Message: Seek the Transcendent
Power of the True Self 52
DIGESTS ,,-
Qulites " Quips 10 Evolutions 44
~ 'ri Dlaspora 11 Digital Dharma 54
;- ' Briefly 20
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Until You Get it Right · great anxiety, confusion andJear. Hindus krfow that all souls rein-
carnate, take one body and then another, evolving through experi-
ence over long periods C9f time. Like the caterpillars metamorpho-
sis into the butterfly, death doesn't end our existence but frees us
to pursue an even greilter development.
Its not necessary to ~ecall past lives, but it is reassuring underst~ding the laws of the death process, the Hindu is
vigilant of his thoughts and mental loyalties. He knows that the
to know YO"l:llived before and that death is not the e~d contents of his mind at the point of death in large part dictate
where he will function in the astral plane and tIre quality of tis
next birth. Secret questioB-lngs and doubt of Hindu belief, and as-
BY, SAT G U R U S I V A Y A SUB RAM U N I Y A.8 W A M I sociations with other belief systems will automatically place him
among like-minded people whose beliefs are alien to Hinduism. A
HE TWIN BE1.IEFS OF KARMA the astral/mental bodies on a nominal Hindu on Earth could be a selfish materialist in the astral
and reincarnation are among ~ery refined plane of tne astral world. The Hindu also knows that death must come natura:Uy, in its
Hinduism's many jewels of known as the Devaloka, "the own course, and that suicide only accelerates the intensity of one~
knowledge. Others include dhar- world of light -shining beings." karma, placing one in a lengthy earth-bound limbo state in the
ma (our pattern of conduct), At death, the soul slowly be- astral plane, br'inging a series of immediate lesser births and re-
worshipful communion wijh God - comes totally aware in its as- quiring several lives for the soul to return to the exact evolutionary
and Gods, tihe necessary guidance of tral/mental bodies, and it pre- point that existed at the moment of suicide, at which time the still-
a'satgum, and enlightenment dominantly lives through those extsting karmic entanglements must again be l aced and resolved.
through personal realization of our bodies in the astral dimension. Two other karmically sensitive processes are: artificially sustain-
identity in and, with Qod. So the The soul ,functions with i~g life in a wholly incapacitated physical body through mechani-
strong-shouldered and keen-minded complete continuity in its as- ~cal devices, drugs or intravenous feeding; and euthanasia, "mercy
rishis knew and stated in the Vedas. tral/mental bodies. It is with killing." There is a critical timing in the death transition. The dy-
And thes~ are not me're assumptions of probing, brilliant minds. these sensitive vehicles that we experi- ing process can involve long suffering or be peaceful or painfully
They are laws of the cosmos. As God's force of gravi1y shapes cos- ence dream or "astral" worlds during sudden, all dependent on the karma involved. To keep a person on
mic order, karma shapes experiential order. Our long s~quence of sleep every night. The astral world is as life support with the sole intent of continuing the bodys biological
lives is a tapestry of creating and resolving karmas-p~sitive, nega- solid and beautiful, as varied and com- functions nullifies the natural timing of death. It also keeps the
tive and an amalgam of the two. During the succession of a soul's prehEmsive-as the earth dimension-;-if person's' astral body earthbound, tether;ed to a lower astral region
li:.(,e s-through the mysteries of our higher chakras and God's ·and not much more so. Spiritual growth, rather than being released into higher astral/mental levels.
guru's Grace-no karmic situation will arise that exceeds an indi- psychic development, 'guidance in mat- Moksha: Freedom from Rebirth: Life's real attainment is not
vidual's ability to resolve it in love and understanding. ters of governance and commerce, artis- money, not material luxury, not sexual or eating p!easure, not intel-
Many people are curious about their past lives and expend tic cultivation, inventions and discover- lectual, business or political power, or any other of the human in-
great time, effort and money to explore them. Actually, this curious ies of medicine, science and technology stinctive or intellectual needs. These are natural pursuits, to be
probing into past liv~s is unnecessary. Indeed, it is a natural protec- all continue by astral people who are sure, but our divine purpose on this Earth is to personally realize
tion from reliving past trauma or becoming infatuated more with "in-betwe~n" earthly lives. Many of. the our identity in and with God. This is now called by many names:
ou~ past lives than our present life that the inner recesses of the Vedic hymns· entreat the assistance of enlightenment, Self realization, God realization and ni1'l)ika~pa
mulaghara memory chakra are not easily accessed. For as \ye exist devas, advanced astral or mental people. samadhi. After many lifetimes of wisely controlling the creation of
nowis a sum. total of all our past lives. Our mind and body state in Yet, also in the grey, lower regions of karma and resolving past karmas when they return, the soul is ful-
our present moment is the cumulative re~ult of the eLltire spec-/ this vast, invisible dimension exist astral ly matured in the knowledge of these divine laws and the highest
trum of our past lives. So, no matter how great the intellectual people whose present pursuits are base" use of them. Through the practice of yoga, ,the Hindu bursts into
knowing of thes~ two key principles, it is ho~ we currently live selfish, even sadistic, Where the soul . God's superconscious mind, the experience of bliss, all-knowing- ,
that positivel:y shapes karIl}a and unfolds us spiritually. Knowing goes in the astral plane at sleep or death ness, p~rfect silence. His int~llect is transmuted, and he soars into
the laws, we are responsible to resolve blossoming karmas from is dependent upon his earthly pursuits the Absolute Reality of God. He is a jnani, a knower of the
past lives and create karma that, projected into the future, will ad- and the quality of his mind. Known. When the jnani is stable in repeating his realization of the
vance, not hinder, us. , Because certain seed karmas can Absolute, there is no longer a need for physical birth, for all Earth-
- The soul dwells as the inmost body of light and superconscious, only be resolved in earth consciou~ness ly lessoI!s have been learned, all karnfas fulfilled and Godness is
or universal mind within a serie( of nested bodies, each more re- and beca~e the soul's initial realizations < lL~~::~~5i his natural s~te. That individual soul is then liberated, freed from
fined than{'t he next: physical, pranic, astral, mental. In our con- of Absolute Reality are only achieved in the cycle of birth, death and rebirth on this planet.
scio).ls,mind we tnink and feel ourselves to be a physical body witn a physical body, our soul joyously enters another biological body on' variety of life patterns is experienced. We exist as male and fe- The belief in karma and reincarnation brings to each Hindu in-
some intangible spirit within it. Yet, right now our real identity is its journey toward liberation. At the right time, it is reborn into a male, often switching back and forth from life to life as the nature ner peace and self-assurance. The Hindu knows that the maturing
the soul that is sensing, through its multiple bodies, physical, emo- flesh body that will best fulfill its karmic pattern. In this process, a
becomes more harmonized into person exhibiting both feminine of the soul takes many lives, and that if the soul is immature in the
tional and mental' experience. Recognizing this as reality, We pow- the current astral body-'-which is a duplicate of the last physical nurturing and masc.uline intrepidness. We cbme to Earth as present birth, then there is' hope, for there will be many opportu-
erfully know that life doesn't end: with the death of the biological form-is sloughed off as a li.feless shell that in due course disinte- princesses and presidents, as paupers and pirates, as tribals and nities for learning and growing in future lives. These dual beliefs
body. The soul continues to occupy the astral body, a subtle, lumi- grates, and a new-astral b(i)a.y develops as the new physical body scientists, a~ murderers and healers, as atheists and, ultimately, and the attitudes they produce eliminate anxiety, giving the serene
nous duplicate' of the physical body. This subtle body is made of grows, This entering into another body is called reincartJ.ation, "re- God-realized sages. We take bodies of every race and live the perception that everything is all right as it is. And, there is 'also a
higher energy astral matter and dwells in a dimension ca1led the occupying the flesh." In Sanskrit it is pun arjanrne., "taking bil:th many religions, faiths and philosophies as the soul gains more keen insight into the human condition and appreciation for people
astral plane. If the soul body itself is highly evolved, it will occupy again and again." During our numerous Earth lives, a remarkable knowledge and evolutionary experience. in all stages of spiritual unfoldment.
the acoutermen eraged 1.33 million birds a year for over five years, while main-
time!" Bikram averaged 1,89 breaths a minute during the two-hour taining a rigorous schedule of travel, athletics and spiritual mis-
competition, nearly .3 fewer than his nearest competitor, second- sion work. He says, 'i\merica's message to the fo ur corners of
place finisher and two-time champion Sri Salil "The Hammer" the globe is freedom. Real freedom has to be founded upon in-
Gupt~. The heavily favored Gupta was upset after the loss. "I ner peace. Without inner peace, there can be no freedom-in-
ner or outer. Birds fly in the firmament of freedom. They bring
should be able to beat that guy with one lung tied," Gupta said.
us the special message of freedom, which can be found only in
"I'm beside myself right now, and I'don't mean trans-bodily" the peaceful heart-home of humanity Birds flying remind us of
Bikram enjoyed a fast start at the Lhasa meet, which like most our souls infinite freedom. My soul, your soul and everybodys
major competitions, is a six-event affair. In the first event he at- ternational pressure led the soul has come from heaven. When we think of these birds, we
tained total consciousness (TC) in just 2 minutes" 34 seconds, and Taleban to retract the threat, feel a yearning to go back to our source." He drew his final mil-
who relented because it is not lion peace birds in a creative marathon of five and a half days.
set the tone for the rest of the meet by repeatedly shouting, "I'm "actively worshiped." ,
blissful! You blissful? I'm blissful!" to the other yogis. From a
purely fictio~al report circulating on the Internet
FESTIVALS
varatri; the new moon day, . In the theaters/first in-
March 28; and the final day, tegration of a Hindu
Mega Mela April 24, when the Sun moves , theme, acclaimed
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12 HINDUISM TODA¥ A tI"GUST, 1997 PI:.-rA, PAINTJNG BY S. RAJAM
Ayurveda Holistic Center Self-Realization Fellowship
LETTERS Books by Swami Shankar Paramahansa Yogananda's
Waxing Trend. Waning Traditions others. I would like to pose a question to all dom provided in the federal constitution of Purushottam Tirtha: teachings offer instruction
THE ARTICLE ABOUT KERALA AND THE JOINT the religious leaders of this faith. Is not the M~laysia. Unfortunately, there is no law for in Kriya Yoga, guidance
fap:1ilies ("Joint families, a Vene;:,able Tradi- birth of Kauravas an example of cloning? Hindus to be protected from Christian mis- Yoga Vani
GURU
on seeking God and much founDED In 1980
tion in Jeopardy," SPECIAL REPORT, January The "experience" at that time, when Maha- ~ionary groups which are going from house Instructions for the attain- BAN' more to help you realize BH
'97) made me feel sorry, and I felt anguish bharata was written, appears to be that to house or in the pretext of giving free tu- ment of Siddhayoga during your true soul nature. PAAAmRHRnSR
for the traditions that are 'disappearing. cloning only produces phYSically identical ition, medical, food and money. It is high sadhana. Send for a free booklet: HOGRnRnOR
Many beautiful traditions have vanished, people and not mentally identical. Seen in time for the Malaysian Consultative Council postpaid: US$13.50 (USA) Undreamed-of Possibilities
and some are in the process. Many of the that light, many arguments against cloning of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and $16.50 (Canada) Self-Realization Fellowship • 3880 San Rafael • Dept. 7HTG
traditions are being heckled by the younger will just disappear. ,,- Sikhism to be reorganized or break away to Los Angeles, CA 90065-3298 USA
g~neration as unnecessary fuss or supersti- NANDAKUMAR PARUVAKAT protect HilJdus, Buddhists and Sikhs from Guru Bani Tel: 213-225-2471 (9-5 Pac). 24-hr fax: 213-225-5088
tion. The Europeans destroyed beautiful GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN, USA this evil missionary program. 100 ways to attain inner Visit us on the Web: http://www.yogananda-srforg
cultures in the world wherever they went. "NParuvakat@ao!'com peace. How to live a spiritual
PALPANATHAN PODUVAL
They thought, even honestly believed, that PULAU PINANG, MALAYStA life-for monks and families.
they were doing a great service to the bar- Jai Viswanathan! postpaid: US$9.50 (USA)
barians by civilizing them. The worst thing I WAS DEEPLY TOUCHED BY THE LETTER Will Anyone Help? $12.50 (Canada)
the Europeans brought to India is the con- of 18-year-old student from South Africa, IN A RECENT ViSIT TO NEPAL, A NEPALI Custom Tours to India
sumer culture-making people want more Mr. Vivekananda Moodley, who carmot af- Christian told me that one cannot separate Ayurvedic Products Distributors-wholesale or retail
and "more, giving them worthless paper ford to subscribe to your magazine (Some~ the Hindu religion from the Nepali culture, catalog: $1.00 (free via e-mail) • Consultations. 2-year Kali Travel is uniquely qualified to
money, thus raising the rate of inflation. thing is Missing, LETTERS, June '~7). We so Hinduism must be abandoned to escape Ayurveda Certification Courses in person or by correspon- organize custom-made tours to satis-
Omsumer culture has brought so much dis- Hindus should help students like him. I from the evils of the caste system. This dence (either by post or via e-mail). fy the needs of any type of group,
content to India. British civilization caused know that you have no way of reducing your sounds like a misinterpretation of the basic organization or individual and to
Indians to become ,greedy. They have be- subscription price; almost everything in the caste system concept. It is indicative, Ayurveda Holistic Center structure an itinerary appropriate to
come black marketers. India is a lovely world, including the printing, ink and paper, though, of the propaganda some Christians c/o Swami Narayan Tirtha Math their specific needs and interests.
country which needs simple clothes. The has gone up. At the same time, I hate to see are spreading in Nepal. We would like to see 82A-H Bayville Ave • Bayville, NY 11709-1671 USA
climate is conducive to wearing cottons. Peo- an Indian student who is really interested in some Hindu aid go towards scholarships to Tel/fax: 1-516-628-8200 • Ask for Swami Sada Shiva Tirtha For more information, contact:
ple were content with what they possessed Hinduism complaining that he carmot af- counter this active effort to undermine the E-mail: mail@ayurvedahc.com Kali Travel Ltd.
in those days. But now, Indians want to buy ford your wonderful, thought-provoking religious and cultural traditions of the coun- 169-12 Hillside Ave,
suits from Hong Kong, get gadgets from magazine. I wish to pay for one-}iear sub- try. There are certainly many Hindu organi- Web: httpllwww.ayurvedahc.com Jamaica, NY 11432-4498 USA
Japan, etc. We are breeding an elite, enter- scription for Mr. Moodley. zations in Nepal, but few can match the (Free interactive dosha self-test and articles) Tel: 1-718-291-9292
tainment-loving, lawless generation. I hope ED VISWANATHAN funds of the much wealthier European and
and pray that this trend will change in the NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, USA American Christian missionary orgaRiza-
next fifty years. tions. If I were to get in touch with Hindu
ANANDID RAMACHANDRAN Yoga Is Always an Aid organizations in Nepal, would there be any
CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU, INDIA I WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND TO THE LETTER possibility of providing scholarships to poor
"The Yogic Life" (LETTERS, May '97). Some, Nepali students?
Shhh ... definitely not all, yoga classes in the West LAYTON MONTGOMERY The Enlightenment Process By Swami Tejomayananda.
MY GOD, WHAT A MASTERPIECE HINDUISM may appear to be taught as physical exercise I. UKRAINE How it deepens your sense of An optimum blend of spirit-
TODAY has become. My vigil period today se'ssions. This is an approach that can en- "montgomery@kis.freenet.kiev.ua Self, Body and Community ual, cultural and personal
was "Silence is Golden." I never want to say courage many Westerners to take up yoga, By Judith Blackstone experience. Experienced
another word! Actually, I am going to begin as physical exercise is popular in the West. Corrections teachers offer the essence of
a regular silence sadhana on Mondays until The truth that yoga is a spiritual disci- V In our December 1996 issue we erro- Blackstone clarifies common Hindu scripture at all levels:
sunset. I became painfully aware that I need pline is inherent in every asana. The student neously reported a "coup attempt" against misconceptions about enlight- adult, youth, and children.
to be more direct in my appreciation for may think he or she is only exercising the the government of Trinidad in August, 1996. enment. Many people who • Bhagavad Gita
your wonderful magazine, and I will. body, but in reality one is expanding one's There was no such attempt. Our Trinidad are on the spiritual path ·Shrimad Bhagavat
awar~ness of self. Firstly, by becoming more correspondent, Parasaram Ramoutar, was believe that they must lose
DEVA SEYON ·Other texts • Meditation
KAUAI, HAWAII, USA aware of the physical body, then comes an not responSible for this mistake. their sense of self in order to • Interactive groups
. "deva@aloha.net a~areness of the flow of subtle energy, ,,- achieve enlightenment. Here, • Drama, cultural programs
which follows naturally and instinctively. V The publisher'S adflress of the children's the author shows us how to • Arts and crafts
SILENCE IS GOLDEN... (INSIGHT, June '97) These carmot really be taught to one by an- book The Adventure of Yoga was i ncorrect combine our unique sense of • Recreation, and more...
is a gem of an article! It confirms my beliefs, other. The practice of yoga asanas, whatever (Yoga for Kids, CULTURE, May '97). Please self and our sense of universal
gives invaluable suggestions, and insightfully approach is taken, will always bring benefits direct all the inquires to Don & Moo Brid- connection through simple Family Camps:
answers many questions. I sincerely hope both of physical fitness, health and spiritual dell, 8002-A Dollyhyde Road, Mt. Airy, MD meditations and exercises. A remarkable work offering July 18-25 Washington, DC 301-384-5009
that the readers will use the enlightening in- growth. ;'
21771-9408. guidance to those seeking spiritual wisdom. July 27-Aug 3 Allendale, Michigan 810-732-4255
formation in this article to better their lives. SUSAN JAMES Aug 4-10 Vancouver, Canada 604-433-3441
lRENERuDRA CATFORD, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
Letters, with writers name, address and daytime • Clarifies confusing concepts of spiritual selflessness Aug 10-17 San Francisco, CA 408-998-2793
'MARION, INDIANA, USA phone number, should be sent to: • Spiritual realization
Time to Guard Letters, HINDUISM TDDAY • Meditation and physical exercises Vedanta for spiritual growth. Values for lasting happiness.
UncloneableMind ' Malaysias official religioR is Islam, Jmt Mus- 107 Kaholalele Road
I MUST SAY THAT OF ALL THE PUBLICA- lim's missionaries never go to houses con- KAPAA, HI, 96746-9304 USA US$12.95. ISBN 1-86204-059-1
or faxed to: (808) 822-4351 Talks!Jnana Yagnas:
tions I had read, HINDUISM TODAY dealt with verting and preaching to people unless you To order: Penguin Putnam, Inc. • Po.B. 999, Dept 17109 July 7-11 Buffalo, NY 716-633-1633
or e-mailed to:
the issue of cloning best (Playing God?, are"a Muslim or you ask for it. Muslims are letters@HlndulsmToday.kauai.hl.us Bergenfield, NJ 07621-0903 USA • Tel: 1-800-253-6476 July 12-18 Toronto, Canada 416-663-6553
MEDICAL ETHfcs, June '97). Maybe this is be- welf protected by the Muslim laws from the Letters may be edited for space and clarity and may Please include $2.00 per order for shipping. Chinmaya Mission West • Krishnalaya
cause cloning does not challenge the very Christian missionary group which broke up appear in electronic versions of HINDUISM TODAY. PO Box 129, Piercy, CA 95587-0129 USA
existence of Himl.u religion as it does some many families in the name of religious free- " INDICATES LETTERS RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL Distributed by Penguin Worldwide. Tel: 707-247-3488 • Fax: 707-247-3422
Also available at your local bookseller. http://www.chinmaya. org/events
14 HINDUISM TODAY AUGUST , 1997
15
...
..
Bread, not bribery: Irate Delhi residents protest
the "Telecom Scam," 11Wney and flat bread
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Whither India's future? One sure unions and, of course, commemorative
cO"lponent of India's second half stamps and coins.
century toilllikely be a resurgent Nearly every nongovernmental organiza-
Hinduism. The unexpected popu- tion ~ll mark the armiversary in some way.
larity of the BJp, shown here The Divine Life Society, for example, plans
meeting in Jaipur, is one sign. to ,distribute hundreds of thousands of
copies of a "National Code of Conduct for
India today is the state of what India"-a virtual manifesto of patriotism,
citizens call. "communal relations," duty, character, honesty, nonviolence and
whether it is between Muslims, ecology.
Hindus, Sikhs and Christi~s, be- The NGO "Pakistan-India People's Fo-
tween high caste, low caste and rum" was just established with the ambi-
no caste or between the various tious goal of creating a "new era of peace
linguistic groups. These commu- and harmony between India and Pakistan."
nal problems, inherited from Organizer Shrikumar Poddar scheduled its .;
Britain's divide-and-rule pelicy, first conference of 200 delegates from India
have not been solved. In fact, they and Pakistan for May in Mumbai. '
are growing worse. The Indian The United Kingdom is celebrating, most
economy still leaves too many in notably with a visit by the Queen to India
poverty. Another burden is over- -and Pakistan in October. A web site at
popuTation (theoretically an un- bricoun.orglvisitingartslindpakl997 gives a
believable 4.6 billion by ~150, long, month-by-month list of events in the
nearly the present world popu- UK to honor India's independence. There /
lation), illiteracy, polluti~n, de- will be art shows, cultural events (one called
forestation and the rest of the "making laddus"-even though creation of
modern world's woes. There is the delectable sweets doesn't seem to be on
Westernization, regarded as both the agenda), theatre and banquets (includ-
curse and cure. Last and most de- iI).g some at Buckingham Palace). Said Lord
pressing to the common man is Robert Cranborne, leader of the upper
corruption, where eyen t4e top House of Lords: "We have been friends with
f'oliticians are regularly caught the peoples of the subcontinent for cen-
lining their pockets with phenom- turies. Our present relations have never
enal sums of bribe money [see been better or more productive. They we
story page 17]. Indians lament the based on a shared history and shared tradi-
widespread cynicism which has tions: parliamentary government, the rule of
resulted. Some still fume over the law, cricket." It is an irony of the 50th an-
partition of India and talk as if it niversary that these very shared traditions
is something which could be un- (with the possible exception of cricket) are
done-a task achievable by noth- now questioned as to pow much good they
ing short of full-scale war. have really done for India. In .one sense,
Bharat was not like this in the Britain still rules India through the institu-
past. In earlier centuries, it en- tions they left behind, which are so different
joyeg. remarkable harmony among than the traditional government of India.
communities. It had a prosperous Many Indian organizations in America,
economy that the world envied such as the Hindu Students COUIlcil (see:
and, unfortunately, coveted. It had freeindia.org), the Vishwa Hindu Parishad,
clean water, abundant trees, tigers Federation of Indian Associations and
'---'_ _----II'< . and elephants, great musicians, dozens of others are engineering programs.
/ artists and dancers, and even hon- At.-]east one organization, the Federation of .
VERYONE KNOWS HOW TO CELE- e4perienced and done in the last fifty years. gether satisfied with the Fesults of 50 years est p~liticians. If there is one thing to be ac- Hindu Associations, refqses to celebrate the
On August 15, 1947, brate; only a time and date are re- Then, on August 15, following a formal flag of freedom. Yes, the British are gone. And complished by this year of celebration, it is day unless it is also "remembered as a
quired to set in motion this inborn raising in every village of India, the prime never before in history had a nation won to bring this past back into Indian and world Memorial Day for the massacre of millions
the British quieVy human behavior. So when some- minister will address the nation from the freedom by the power of dharma, right- consciousness so that it may be rect-eated in of Hindus" upon partition, according to
thing as big as Indi~'s 50th year of ramparts of the Red Fort, just as Jaw~arlal eousness' instead of the might of arms. For the prese~t. It is not necessary to create a their president, Prithvi Raj Singh.
walked out of India. independence from BQtish rule Nehru did at free India's first dawn. many years India was regarded by the world completely new India, many believe, but Umpteen art shows are in the offing, in-
An entire government secretariat has with respect and even awe for this accom- - only to rediScover from india's past. cluding two mentionegAn this issue of HIN-
Five decades later, (not to mention 1,200 years of foreign domi-
nation) comes along, 936 million lndians been set up to coordinate the year of obser.! plishment. But something happened along International observances: The celebra- DUISM TODAy-the book and exhibition "In-
Bharat enthusia~tically need be told no more than "Party on, peo- vances in India. The official intent is to
"rekindle the spirit of idealism and the cul-
the way duriFlg these five de( ades, and now . tions in tndia itself are, naturally, the most
even this government committee must con- extensive, and at US$15 million, the most ex-
dia, "A Celebration Qf Independence 1947-
1997," and. "Gods, Kings and Tigers: the Art
ple." The government of Bharat efficially
celebrates and soberly kicks off the year-long celebrations in Au- fure of sacrifice that gave birth to modern sider now to regain the "great vision" which pensive. They include. a year of teleJ ision of Kotah." The Sackler Gallery at the Smith-
gust. But in the West, many organizations India." "It is a moment," the government earlier prevailed. In the second half of this and radio programs in eleven languages on sonian Institute in Washington DC, the
reflects upon her and institutions have already begun. hopes, "for Indians to rededicate themselves article, distinguished observers of India- the independence struggle and India's fifty Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York,
The Parliament of India will hold a spe- to the noble task of nation building in pursuit Ram Swarup, M~k Tully and Rashmi Ma- years ~f freedom, events honoring freedom and the Asian Art Museum in San Francis-
condi tion after that cial session from August 6 to 14-in part to of the great vision that had guided the free- yur-offer their evaluations of India's past, fighters,. programs focused on socio-eco- co all have scheduled show~ on India. The
dom struggle." The wording of these goals is present and future, Fespectively._ nomic progress, women's issues, minorities, latter exhibit includes items on Hindu home
hard-won freedom. ratify the celebration plans, but more sub-
stantively to reflect upon all that India has significant, for few in India today seem alto- On top of most .lists of complaints about children, science, law, farmers and trade ritual, the sari and Siva Nataraja. National
I
many intellectuals, for it had a different orientation;
series of events being planned of Independence 1947 to ular," a powerful vided a necessary protective part in the struggle, much of seemed to explain every nook there(ore, rriany expected it to
for August 15. In the Nether- 1997 is the book version personal essay by cover. But something was hap- which still lay ahead. These and corner of the V'(orld, every be different politically; too. But
lands, seminars, art'exhibits, a of a major exhibition of Kerala-bom Victor pening at a deeper level. An pioneers taught us to look at notch and fold of history. It at- it could not live up to this ex-
Sri Chinmoy Peace Conference, photographs now simultane- Anant on his life ancient people were waking up India and her struggle in a tracted many young men be- pectation. It, too, failed to
cultural events and a mela in ously touring the USA, UK from his boyhood, from a deep slumber and long particular way. India was to cause they could now be radi- withstand the pressure of the
the ~ague are all on the docket and Bharat. Sunil Janah, when the indepen- self-forgetfulness. A Hindu re- them more than a geogra,phic , cal without taking a part in the prevailing slogans. Thoughjt
for later this year. The India Raghu Rai, Henri Cartier- dence struggle came naissance was taking place. entity ; it was a spiritual idea great national struggle of the still found it useful to play' the
Canada Association of Montre- Bresson and Sebastiao Salga- into full swing, to SwaII}i. DayanaRda, Swami Vi- and power, a sacred trust, day and even by opposing it. It Hindu card, it did it without
al, the Bharat Bhawan Founda- do plus youngsters Dayanita the present. In a vekananda, Sri Aurobindo and even a Deity. India'was to rise was attractive to the self-alien- conviction or commitment.
tion and the Global Organiza- Singh, Sanjeev Saith and way that transcends later on Mahatma Gandhi pro- for the truth it represented, for ated section, which was quite What India needs is not an-
tion of People Q! Indian Origin Pamela Singh are among the photographs, Anant vided its leadership. Some Eu- recoveh ng its so~l and sva- extensive, for it helped to justi- other party u!.!der the same
are collaborating in Canada to 21 photographers who con- lyrically traces the ropean friends of India, like bhav a, innate nature. Howev- fy their alienation from their prevailing ideological inflti-:
commemorate the event. tributed to the large-format slow changes to his Madame Blavatsky, Annie Be- er, the forces of Hindu aw~k country, people and religion. ences but Hindus opened to
Countries where Indians mi- book. Like the recently pub- life on a personal sant and Sister Nivedita, played ening were not the only ones These wi re the forces at the message of ancient teach-
grated before independence, lished 24 Hours in India, it level over the last a noble role in this awakening. in the field. There were also work when India became free, ers, Hindus who are also
such as Fiji, South Africa, attempts to portray a cross- half century. As we can easily see, these powerful, opposed currents. the forces apathetic and an- sadhakas. India's Indepen-
Trinidad, Guyana and Mauri- section of Indian life today. India." Still, no exhibition. or The book was produced as pioneers 'were not politici'ans One of them was the aid, un- tipathetic to Hindu awakening dence struggle was rooted in a
tius, in general are not taking Courageously, it records many book on India published in a collaborative effort of the as we understand the word to- ,i
solved Muslim problem-more being very powerful and even Hindu renaissance and it I
much 'note of the pccasion. But classic black-and-white pho- the West seems to consider publisher, Aperture, the day. They were philosoph~s, correctly the problem of Islam more so after Independence: could properly be nourished
one significant gesture was tographs from the years of In- itself complete without in- Philadelphia Museum of Art, sadhakas (spiritual seekers) or Islamic ideology, though Although Marxist parties also by the same souroe. It
made April 26 in South Africa, dia's independence struggle. cluding the requisite conces- the Ford Motor Company, the ancl-'cultural thinkers. They even now we do not wantto . were not important electorally, would also be meanIngful to
where President Nelson Man- The book is more success- sion to "strange and exotic Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and spoke of Gods, humanity, larg- see it that way. their ideas dominated and the world on that condition.
dela posthumously awarded the ful than 24 Hours in present- India," such as, in this case, Eastman Kodak Company. er life, truth and justice. Th~y The next most immediate shaped India politics. Their Hinduism is the principle of
Freedom of Pietermartizburg ing India's upcoming middle eunuchs in Delhi or transves- Ap enwre, 20 East 23rd spoke of San afiana Dharma, of ahd important influences were one important function con- India's self-renewal, its capaci-
award to Mahatma Gandhi. He class, rather than focusing tites in South india. Street , N ew York, N ew York, a golden Vedic Age, of Rama- those unleashed by Europe. A sisted in providing progressive ty to play its great civilization
called the award "a message of almost exclusively on "poor The book opens with "The 10010-4463, USA. U5$50.00 rajya. The pre gnant words new triumphant Europe was labels to all reactionary and role and to serve humanity.
dignity restored." It was in I ,
,
24 HINDUISM TODA.Y A l{ GUST, 1997 AUG UST , 1 997 H l'N DUISM TOD A Y 25
part deeply religious. research, analysis and under-
India has to have standing of the ravaged state
some accommodation of the natural and human sys-
With religion which is tems in the globalized world ..,
mOFe meaningful to Such pralayas or catastrophes'
people than merely were not unknown to the •
saying, "Keep it out of great Indian philosophers of
p6litics, it's all rather the past or to the thinkers in
suspicious and dirty other religions. In fact, from
and grubby." India has time immemorial Hinduism ;,;
to have some way of attempted to/address the trag- ~
A Cyrillic Catechism
synopsis of each of the world's major reli- trovsk, Ukraille, were hired to complete the duction motivator while Swami Sadashiv-
gions and abundant illustrations. text. They divided the book between them, achar~a provided editing and organizational
Le9- Ozolin began the massive translation and reported easy going with the translation, input. -The high-quality, hardbound text is
task immediately upon Swami's return to though they admitted, "The Sanskrit terms now available for US$12 to $15 in Russian
Russia in 1993, but soon stopped for lack of were hard." Aleinikov, who spent a full year stor~s-a moderate price within reach of
funds. In 1996, Sophia Publishing company en the project, believes it is a useful work as even a students budget. The reception is
took an interest in adding the Catechism to «Russian people are very interested in Hindu
Most comprehensive Hindu book yet is published in the Russian language their titles on yoga, New Age, healing, med- philosophy." Kostenko was inspired by «the
«very warm and excellent," Swami reports.
Paramacharya Bodhinatha ·Veylanswami
itation and transpersonal psychology. Two divinity, integrity and ease-of-undersfanding of Himalayan Academy Publications-pub-
OUR YEARS OF ON-AGAIN, OFF- lishers of Danf ing with Siva and, we need
again effort came to fruition for disclose, HINDUISM TODAy-flew to Russia
Swami Sadashivacharya on April 27 for the book release. He reports a successful
at Moscow's \Moskva conference event with a number of distinguished speak- "
halL On that brisk spring day the ers enthusiastically endorsing the book, in-
Russian language version of Dancing cluding the publisher, scholars and leaders of
witn Siva was released. Russian books on several spiritual groups, notably Vladimir B.
Hinduism are few; so this encyclopedic Avdeyev, chairman of the Russian Pagan
tome-1,008 pages in tne original English- -community and Sri Vaidyanath das, presi-
fills a wide gap at a critical time in the evo- dent of the Russian branch of ISKCON.
The most unexpected revelations came
lution of the nation's spiritual consciousness.
from speaker Yuri P Shilov, an archeologist I'
By timely and judicious compromises, the
Russian Orthodox Church survivedBO years of Ukraine. He explained how his life had
of communist rule. But the institution that been transformed when hIs archeological
limped into freedom's dawn was a mere research into Ukraines history revealed that
shadow of the mighty mentor of all things the region's early culture' was Vedic. As a
Russian it had once been. The old folks had Marxist at the time, this came as a great
clung to their faith o~er the years, but the shock. Mainstream scholars had not suspect-
new generation was educated on communist ed such a strorig Ukraine-India connection.
doctrines which dismissed religion's necessi- But other evidence was already at hand, in-
ty. Now, with communism itself relegated to cluding the ten-kopek Ukraine coin bearing
the netherworld of failed social experi- the country's national symbol-the Hindu
trident! Shilov plans to join new digs in In-
ments, religion is an appealing, untested op-
tion for Russiah youth. And just as India
Russia: Not so far.from India dia, and to team up with visiting Indian
ORce looked to the Soviets for inspiration archeologists in his own land.
Connections ancient and modern: Paramacharya Bodhinatha Kim I. Shilin, a scholar in the «Laborato-
and guidance in forming a socialist country, (above left) with Tantra Sangha leader Swami Sadashivachar-
seekers of the disbanded Union now look to ry of East Culture's Ecology," Institute of
ya (center) and translator Peter Aleinikov at April book re- Asian-African Studies, Moscow University,
India as the world's 'Primeval fountain of lease in Moscow. The Ukraine ten-kopek coin (right) carries
wisdom and knowleclge. praised the Indian approach, which «treats
the country's national symboL: the trident. The Ukraine is lo- life as a whole and seeks revival ot the initial
It was such a qu~st that took the young cated just north of the Black Sea (map). Recent archeological
Swami Sadashivacharya to India years ago. harmony," an outlook he hopes will counter-
investigations uncovered strong links to ancient India. Page balance the impact of the West's aggressive,
He and other seekers formed Moscow's Tan- (below right') from the Russian version of Dancing with Siva. Slo- materialistic philosophy.
tra S~gha in 1992, with the intent of pro- ka 56 answers the query, 'What is dharma? What are its forms?"
motiBg Hindu Tantric philosophy and wor- There is no permanent Indian pr~sence in
ship. When he met HINDUISM TODAY Russia. Indians come from Bharat for a few
publisher Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
167
years, but then return. This differs from the
in Berlin in 1993, he was presented a copy of
l..fTO TaKOe A x apMa? Western paradigm, where resident Indian
KaKOBbl ee ¢>QPMbl?
Dancing with Siva. <1\t the very first moment Hindu populations have built temples, es- .
mnOKA 56 tablished their teachings,;md given strength
of getting it, I was deeply impressed and J].xnp.vA - 3TO ::1 1 1(011 C)'UttcTJlOaaJUf.ll, ::IUOH n paaHlII>-
for comprehensive books on In'dian spiritual- ClUl lIo co cn())t(lfoA I<VJtIlKo A. Ka*,II:lJIII ~pMJ. lKK311H, Ka)I(- ers in the former U$SR are turning to Pa-
,II,U: rpynna JHO.IleA KMCCT iJxaf'MY - :)aKon ~ec",o.aJIJI ••
ity. «There are several hundred books 'on - - . - . KorAJ. MY CIIe.a:yeM iJxaf"'tU. Mbi IIUOAKMai • ra p MOJUfM C Hc- ganism, the land's pre-Christ.ian faith,
TMU OA:, KOTOpaJI npx~ actJItKnoA' M u an paL'UleT ee, M ee-
sparking a grassroots revival, as is also hap-
Hinduism in Russia," Swami said, <but most ~ '-:::-:A r~oseited !tol¢_S~iv.aGha~a..!!-nd rlir~~~"J~:Bgdhj~irtna-infron! of ..
TCCTBtlnrWM' 06pa30M npe6 ..IU64 '" MK30CTM K
MIl - :no nponrBon onollOlOC1'1o 6o:«eCTDeRKowy 3UOMY.
/lxt1fJ1tU1 npeo6na.A1tT B 3axonax n p Hpo.ilhI H Bwpa»<ae-ra: •
liDf)'. Aamp-
Hama Sanctuary
bells, passing of flames, presenting of offerings and chanting of protected by never using it for other purposes. This space is metic-
mantras invoke the devas and Gods, who then come to bless and help ulously cared for, Kept immaculate and elaborately decorated to look
the devotees. Puja is holy communion, full of wonder and tender af- like a small temple. It should be well-lit and free from drafts and
fections. Thus the home shrine is a place of tremendous importance, household disturbanees. The altar is generally close to the floor,
made more and more sacred by the culmulative p@wer of prayer. since most of the puja is performed while seated. But when there are
Daily puja is the axis of religious life, and the puja room is the heart small children in the home it is ef-
of the home. Chanting the Vedas is the magic enlivener. In the words ten higher, as to be out of their
of Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati, "The Veda mantras liJeing the reaeh. Pictured in this Insight are
The most important space in the Hindu home is the shrine room, strictly root cause of creation, the meI:e ohanting of Veda mantras would, by "typical" altars (slightly larger
their vibrations, make the Devas appear in person." than life) of the four major Hindu
reserved for worship and meditation. This Insight explores the how, where
and why of establishing a home shrine, focusing on the four major sects.
Do Hindus Worship Idols? worship is also frowned on by
some professing Hindus.
The question of image wor-
HAT IS THE CENTER OF YOUR HOME? THE KITCHEN, pIe as lighting a lamp and offering a flower at the Lord's holy feet, or ROM THE MOMENT THE VEDIC RITES any beautiful form ship will be debated for years
the workshop, the living room or den? The ancients des- they can be most elaborate and detailed, with myriad Sanskrit are completed and a statue or paint- or any sy.mbolic .; to come. Here it suffices to say
ignated a crucial part of the home as a sacred sanctuary, chants and offerings. The essential and indispensable part of any , ing of the Deity is consecrated, the form, said the Jew, it ~ that with the ancient Hindus
a f@rtress of purity to which dwellers could retreat before puja is devotion. Without love and reverence in the heart, outer per- Lord through the image manifests all is awfully bad; it is ~ image worship was not left to
dawn each day, to commune with their higher nature and formance is of little value. But with true devotion even simple ges- His glory and grace. He accepts various sin. But if He is rep- ~ be treated as an ignorant and
with God and the Gods. This center of spiritual force is tures become sacred ritual. devotions. He listens to prayers and woes. resented in the 0 t.....L_--"-~-'----"''--Ik...l..._ _ ---' useless practice fit only for the
called devatarchanam, the "place for honoring Divinity." As in a temple, the images OF icons of God and Gods are the fo- He is at once a confidante and giver of form of a chest So lifelike: Iron of Santoshi ignorant and spiritually imma-
Sacred architecture places it in the northeast corner, the realm of cus of the shrine room. These are called murti in Sanskrit, wor- blessings. Thus, an image cannot be said with two angels sit- Ma, Bhubaneshwar, Orissa ture; even the greatest visited
Isana, where its potency naturally flourishes. Scriptures speak but shiped and cared for as the physical body of the the Divine. Hindus to be merely a beautiful statue or doll, nor ting on either side, mandirs and worshiped im-
little of this tradition, perhaps because its necessity is taken for do not worship these "idols" per se. They worship God and the Gods an excellent painting. The image is God. it is the holiest of holies. If God comes in ages, and these thinkers did not do so
granted. Nevertheless, the custom has lived on, and every prominent who by their infinite powers spiritual hover over and indwell the im- Said Swami Vivekananda, "It has be- the form of a dove, it is holy. But if He blindly or unconsciously. A human neces-
devout Hindu home has a holy shrine room, often opulent, some- age. Murtis of the Gods are sanctified forms through which their come a trite saying that idolatry is bad, comes in the form of a cow, it is heathen sity was recognized, the nature of the ne-
times austere, the domiciles' most auspicious quadrant, reserved for love, power and blessings flood forth to bless the family. The God's and everyone swallows it at the present superstition, condemn it . .. " cessity was understood, its psychology
religious pursuits, and like a miniature temple, radiating blessings vibration and presence can be felt in the image, and the Divinity can time without questioning. lance thought Over the centuries, in their conde- systematically analyzed, the various phas-
constantly through the abode and out to the community. use the images as a temporary physical place body or channel. Hin- so, and to pay the penalty of that, I had to scending haste and missionary fervor to es of image worship, mental and material,
Love and joy come to Hindu families who worship God in their dus believe and expect that the God is actually present and con- learn my lessons sitting at the feet of a convert the rest of the world to the "One were defined. The modern Hindu follows
home through the traditional ceremony known as puja, meaning scious in the mum during puja, aware of thoughts and feelings and man who realized everything from idols. I and only correct faith, and to commit the in footsteps of his forebearers. Through
adoration 0r worship. ThIough such rites and the divine energies in- even sensing the worshiper's gentle touch on the metal or stone. The allude to Ramakrishna Paramahansa. Yet, souls of the otherwise damned to God," the image, the eye is taught to see God,
voked, each family makes the house a sanctuary, a refuge from the great Adi Shankaracharya, while espousing a strict monism, wrote, idolatry is condemned. Why? Some hun- various religions have condemned image and not to seek God. The first lesson re-
concerns and worries of the world. The center of that sanctuary, the 'f\lthough Parabrahman is all pervading, to attain Him one should dreds of years ago, some man of JeWish worship with fanatic zeal. This has led to ceived at the sanctum is to be applied
site of puja, is the shrine, mystically tied to the temple to which they accept that He is 'more' present in one particular place, just as we blood happened to condemn it. He hap- a shallow refutal of image worship and a everywhere: see God in everything!
pilgrimage weekly. Puja is performed daily-usually in the early see Vishnu in the Shaligrama, a small round stone." The Vaishnava pened to condemn everybody elses idols misinterpretation of the Hindu image By SADHU SHANTIPRIYADAS,
morning, but also in the afternoon or evening-generally by the head saint Ramanuja similarly stated, 'f\lthough the Lord is all pervading, except his own. If God is represented in worshiped. To complicate the issue, image Swaminarayana Fellowship
of the house. All members of the family attend. Rites can be as sim- using His omnipotent powers He appears before devotees to accept
100
so sacred and spiritual are the is not for living purposes. Reli- for multi purposes. shrined on home altars vary according to lineage and denomination.
two spaces. The "open court- gious and cultural events can be For home All icons, however, are either anthropomorphic, meaning human in
yard" system of house design held here-such as yajna (fire worship, griha appearance; theriomorphic, having animal characteristics (for ex-
was the national pattern in In- ritual), music and dance perfor- ample, Lord Hanuman, the monkey God); or aniconic, meaning
dia before Westem models were
introduced. The order intro-
duced into the "built space" ac-
mances and marriage.
The row of squares surround-
ing the Brahmasthanam is the
ptlja, theshould
ity icon De-
be smaller in
size than in a
t 0
without representational likeness, such as the element fire, or the
smooth Shaligrama stone, worshiped as Lord Vishnu. Other objects
of enshrinement include divine emblems or artifacts, including
counts for the creation of spiri- walkway. The corner spaces, oc- temple. The ---t~""'-r....L weapons, such as Durgas sword; animal mounts, like Sivas bull; a full
tual ambience required for the cupying 2x2=4 squares, are agreeable and pot of water, indicating the presence of the Devi; the sun disk, rep-
indweller to enjoy spiritual House grid: With sloping rooms with specific purposes. generally rec- resenting Surya; the holy footprints or sandals of a God or saint; the
well-being and material welfare roof and open courtyard The northeast quarter is called ommended height of the standing im- standing oil lamp; the fire pit, mystic diagrams called yantra; water
and prosperity. Isana, the southeast Agni, the The "built space:" The ideal position age without pedestal is ones own fist from holy rivers; and sacred plants, such as the tulsi tree. All these
At right is a typical layout of a square build- southwest Niruthi and northwest Vayu. These hanced by that place's inherent nature. (mushti) size, measured with the are honored as embodiments of the God or Goddess. The Vedas en-
ing, with a grid of 9x9=81 squares, meant for are said to possess the qualities of four respec- Vas1lu. Shastras, a study of the dynamiCS thumb raised. join: "The Gods, led oy the spirit, honor faith in their worship. Faith
family persons (for yogis, scientists and artists, a tive devatas or Gods-Isa, Agni, Niruthi and the architect and town planner of By V. GANAPATI STHAPATI, is composed of the heart's intention. Light comes through faith.
grid of 8x8=64 is prescribed). The space occu- Vayu. Accordingly-with due respect to homes still follow this paradisiacal Master Architect, Chennai Through faith men come to prayer, faith in the morning, faith at
noon and at the setting of the sun. a Faith, give us faith!"
, .J..
,
MALAYSIA of South Indians came at the same time. But the all-Hindu "6eylon Saivites Association," ister of Malaysia, YAB Tun Abdul Razak bin
they were put to work as laborers on the rail- assumed management from the original Se- Dato Hussein. The First National Saiva Sid-
/
way and in plantations, while Sri Lankans, langor Ceylon Tamil Association, some of dhanta Conference, convened in 1983 and
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- - - AS THE SUICIDE OF 39 guidance. Free will is involved in taining existing hair. It is longer tenable.· S$20 + $5 pstg. Checks to: World Heritage
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influence of planets and stars? some kind of major karma for the
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indications of a particular plan- Suicide: the complex interaction of planetary influence and free will Dr. Devananda Tandavan: "It
etary setup, if one uses free will, seems to me that a suicide uses
a particular event can be 0vercome or mini- eral error in associating karma with destiny. his OWl! willpower to bring about his death
mized. That is the very purpose of astrology. The correct word for destiny in Sanskrit is prematurely. It is not 'fated' by the birth The Fifth
Otherwise it has no value. With this objec- daivam. In the Mahabharata it is taught that chart. As for the Heaven's Gate mass suicide,
tive, the great sages gave us the knowledge personal effort, or purushartha, counts much perhaps they were all meant to die at that International
of astrology and also suggested remedial more than destiny, or daivam, so we should time because they were together, the same as
measures to overcome the indicated event or always act, make efforts and never resign those who die in an air crash. But they made
Symposium
danger. The great sage Parashara has said, ourselves to fate. Daivam is some divine a choice of will to be together and to bring
"For brahmajnanis [God-Realized souls] the help or obstruction that enhances the effect about this premature death. I haven't seen
longevity is unlimited." This indicates that of karma, though this also is ultimately any of the charts from this group, but I am
ASTROLOGY
people can take measures to overcome the based upon karma. There may be a prarab- sure there would be a general tendency to Vedic Astrology was developed by the ancient
possibilities of an event. dha karma [an effect of past actions set in dependency and weak intellects; and also a sages of India over 5,000 years ago. Called Jyotisha,
"The type and nature of one's death is motion for this life] for suicide, but that is neurotic dependency on their leader. ~ the Science of Light, It Is renowned for Its spiritual depth
Dennis Flaherty R.G. Krishnan
and accuracy In predicting future events.
gen~ally reflected in the natal chart, but karma, not destiny. A person may have, by Andrew Foss Drew Lawrence
that does not mean a particular person in- wro;g actions, set in motion forces that ThIs SymposIum will Introduce Vedic Astrology Dr. David Frawley WillIam Levacy
evitably dies by a particular event at a par- wquld impel him in that direction, just as a to the general public and provide a forum for: Hank FreIdman Ann Muldoon
ticular time. These events can be changed person speeding a car may reach a speed
by one's wisdom, understanding and spiritu- when he can no longer control the car and
* The education of the general public in the
principles of Vedic Astrology
DennIs M. Harness, PhD Alex Nagel
Edith Hathaway T.R. Raghunath, PhD
al growth. We are not stooges in the hands must have an accident.
of destiny from birth, without any recourse. The birth chart for the person who com-
* The free exchange and discussion of ideas
and techniques in Vedic Astrology
Richard Houck
Nallnl Kanta Das
George Roman
Dr. Dlnesh Sharma
If that is the case, why should anyone make mits suicide should indicate a suicide-prone * The presentation of modern research findings
validating ancient astrological principles
LInda Johnsen
James Kelleher
Sat Sirl Kaur Khalsa
Prince Hlrfndra Singh
Atreya SmIth
Dr. Robert Svoboda
any kind of effort in this world? mind or a vulnerable time in their life. In
"Suicide is an undesirable way to die, for it the forrtler case, the death may have been * The promotion of professional standards in the
training and practice of Vedic Astrology
Robert Koch Chakrapanl Ullal
r------------------------__________________________________ ,
is said the astral bodies of suicides hover indicated from birth, but not necessarily in : 0 Please register me for attendance at the International Symposium I
around the Earth withou(peace until their the latter case. For example, people whose Substantial Savings for early registration!
!: on Vedic Astrology. October 2-7, t 997, at the Del Mar Hilton Hotel,
Del Mar, CA. Endosed Is payment of $_ _ for _ _ Registration c"e{s) :
!
time for resolution comes." charts indicate they are likely to be killed if Registration fees : 0 Send more Information on the Symposium and hotel accommodations :
Dennis Harness: "My belief is that there they go to war can avoid this by avoiding ex-
can be definite suicidal tendencies seen in posure to such danger. The HeaV;;n's Gate
for maln symposium: PI..,., mall this registration form with
:*
:
Optional pre-conference Introductory classes and post-conference
Intensives will also be offered.
:
:
$195 by July 31,1997 payment by cIleck, money order or I
the chart, such as an afflicted Moon, Mer- suicides who were victims of bad timing or $245 after July 31, 1997 credit card to the Institute address t - - - - -..... Name I
cury, First and Fourth House. However, the psychological vulnerability, rather than a ($25 Discount ror ACVA Members)
below. Registrations paid by credit
card may also be faxed or phoned In. Address
:: .:~
•••
actual act of suicide seems to me an act of generally suicidal nature, could have been City, State. Zip
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HEALING
EVOLUTIONS
lanmashtmi Celebrations
results when the stomach acid irritates and safe as the H2-blockers seem to be, exces- of Dayanand Anglo-Vedic Education
burns the delicate mucosa lining of the sive dosage can lead to a dangerously low Society (DAV) chain of educational in-
esophagus. The cause of heartburn is mal- level of gastric acid-inadequate for proper stitutions and Arya Samaj leader. He
function of the valve at die lower end of digestion or absorption of vitamin BI2 and was a zealous activist, participating in
the esophagus. It is most common in the
older population. This simple form of
possibly causing pernicious anemia.
Dietary changes can reduce heartburn.
the Non-Cooperation movement during
India's freedom struggle and the Shud-
Barsana Dham, Austin, USA TX,
~~~--~----~=-
heartburn can be readily treated with Start by eliminating offending foods, such dhi Movement organized by Mahatma Saturda'y, August 2;, 1997
antacids (Maalox, Gaviscon, etc.) or H2- as caffeine, chocolate, tomatoes, citrus Hans Raj and Swami Shraddhanand for 6:00 p.m. - midnight art!
blockers (Tagamet, Axid, Pepcide, etc.) juices and fried, fatty or spicy foods. Have reconversion of Malkana Rajputs whose
AJecent study found that conventional the l~gest meal at midday and limit the ancestors adopted Islam. We welcome ;:JOU a nd ;:Jour famil;:J to attend
antacids gave quick relief usually lasting size of meals so that the stomach is not this memorable and devotional occasion.
two hours. The H2-blockeis often took two overdistended. Do not bend or squat after ;' 50TH WEDDING:
hours just to have any ,effect-a good case ea'ting. Perhaps elevating the head of the anniversary for
for not spending extra money on such high- bed will help'. Eliminating aspirin and alco- HINDU1SM TODAY
tech drugs. Manufacturers advertise that hol is desirable. Smoking should be discon- supJDorters Shanker-
one should take medication before antici- tinued. It has been shown that smoking prasad S. Bhatt and
pated dietary indiscretions, which is really only two cigarettes over twenty minutes wife Ranjan at a 150-
showing a seller's bias. If the heartburn is reduces the strength of the esophageal strong event held by
only intermittent or occasional, antacids valve bf.fifty percent and increases the his six children on
and H2-blockers can relieve the symptoms. stomach's acidity. The simple Vedic diet, May 3 in Illinois. "It
But if it becomes a daily symptom, the even t'hough spicy, is ideal, and will usually is the duty of every
condition should be looked into for more not allow this symptom to occur. Hindu elder to pass
serious problems. on the ancient
Chronic heartburn is usually caused by a DR. TANDAVAN, 77, retired nucleaf physi- knowledge of our re-
loose esophageal gastric junction (at the cian and hospital staff president? lives in ligion to our chil-
entry to the stomach) so that reflux (reen- Chtcago, where he specializes in alternative dren and grandchil-
try of stomach fluids to the esophagus) is healing arts. Vis# his home page at the dren," he said.
frequent. There are also times when herni- HINDUISM TODAY Website. Honored parents
and Tigers
.. f
some panels reaching fourteen feet in per, half of the design, which included the
height. The rulers successfully preserved
huge stashes of paintings through the turbu-
Jai~ leader ~truggles to de-stigmatize the swastika swastika. I wrote and asked them to use the
complete image in the future, but they have
.,- - - - - - - - - - -
lent times. The present :p.eir to the Kotah dy~ not responded." He recently con- ,
The master artists of nasty, H.H. Mahar'ba Brijraj Singh, main- :PRAKASH MODY PULLED HIS vinced the Canadian Gage Dic-
tains a large collection. The book drew upon 24th issue of Ti~ maga- tionary to carry the auspicious
. Rajasthan's Kotah regiof,l all sources for its selection. out of the mailbox, he felt· his me{IDing of the swastika.
The paintings are mostly of court life, es- sink. There on the cbver was a The Nazi stigma carries real
pecially palace scenes, battles and hunts. huge gold swastika set against a backdrop of hazards to Jains and Hindus. At-
MONG THE MANY ART AND PHOTO Artists were brought along to historic meet- starving victims of the holocaust. It was the tacks apparently promoted by ,
books published in commemoration ings-much as the paparazzi follow today's lead-in for an article on gold originally be- the presence of the swastika as
of India's 50th year of independence, ...politicians-to record in detailed paintings longing to Jews which the German Nazis religious building decoration~
Gods, Kings and Tigers, the Art of the day's ·events. So, too, were individual had stored in Swiss banks during World War have occUrred at several temples.
Kota'h, published by Asia Society II and which had never been returned to its A South Indian lady settled in
Surrounding Iraivan Temple is an Galleries and Harvard University rightfuvowners: The image was used to New Jersey told HINDUISM To-
Art Museums, is truly outstand- evoke the horrors-some never put to rest- DAY correspondent Radhika Sri-
extraordinary botanical garden par- ing. First credit must go to the of Nazi Germany. But for Mody, a devout nivasan that she used fo draw
now nameless artists who created Jain, it was just one more vilification of his auspicious rangoli, floral designs /
adise, providing an area of these timeless masterpieces, but cherished swastika, sy;nbol of good luck, which included swastikas, in
the book's editors deserve kudos prosperity and all things auspicious, not front of her hom€, as is the uni-
contemplative, natural beauty. fo~ their keen eye in selecting a only to followers of his faith, but to Hindus, versal custom in India, but
fascinating range of representa- Buddhists and dozens of ancie~ cultures. promptly discontinued the prac-
Pilgrims enjoy groves of plumeria, tive pieces. Superb German litho- He complained to Time that such promi- tice after receiving anonymous
graphy renders every painting in nentAlse of the swastika with no acknowl- threats. Nearby residents of Irish
konrai, hibiscus, heliconia, native vivid detail. The or,iginal pieces . edgement of its au~picious meanings to oth- and' Polish descent Radhika
are part of an exhibition touring er religioI)s was creating problems for spoke with could hardly associ-
Hawaiian plant species and more. New York, Cambridge (USA) and minority religions. He received a polite re- ate the name swastika with sanc-
Zuril!:h, Switzerland, during 1997. ply stating: "You are correct in pointing out tity, piety or anything positive'. -
At the entrance to the 5 I-acre Kot~ was a princely state of that that swastiKa is an,anclent symbol that Adolf Hitler adopted what was
Rajpoo~ana, an area that nowadays is often used to represent prosperity and known as the "twisted or broken
sanctuary is a forest of healing corresponds more or less to Ra- good fortune. Hitler adopted the swastika, cross" to promote "German or
jasthan in nor~hwest India. It was but with a major change:'he switched the di- Positive Christianity." He re-
rudraksha trees. Send US$ I 2 to created in 1631 by Mughal decree, rection of the arms so that the top arm faced Sullied Symbol:'Time magazine's February cover placed the cross with the swasti-
with whom Kotah maintained an righlj insteaq of left. We were glad to hear ka in all c£urches. He selected
purchase a single-bead necklace of alliance until the 1820s when it • _from you about this subject. Symbols often the North American Federation of Jain Or- the dynamic sWClstika from several hundred
came under British suzerainty. Its have very different meanings-to people." ganizations adopted the same logo, but f8,- alternatives as a counter to the communist
a sacred rudraksha, receive as our economic prosperity-especially Time stopped short of printing any clarifi- moved the swastika, fearing the association harnmer-and-sickle emblem. The swastika is
the rich farmlands-invoked envy' cation, likely unaware of the depth of the of Jainism with Nazis. Four years ago when one of the most widely used symbols, found
gift another bead to plant and sup- in British inspectors. problem. They also repeated the common the Jains applied to join the Ontario Multi- in the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia,
The refined court culture at error-found even in rep.utable .dictionar- Faith Council,1 asked that we use the origi- Greece, Central Asia, SGythia, Partp.ia, pre-
port the Iraivan Temple project. Kotah was ~ique in the status it ies-about the swastika: that Hitler used the nal symbol with the swastika. The' council Columbian Mexico and the Americas. The
accorded painti¥gs. In sharp con- "right-handed" (clockwise rotating) swasti- agreed,jaying that even if some objected American Navajo Indians called it tsil no'
trast to their role at other me- :: ka and everyone else the left-handed one. that it was a Nazi symbol, since it was tradi- ali, "whirling winds." It is found on the In-
1-808-639-8886 dieval Indian courts, paintings at . ~ This is simply not true. The _ _ _ _- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , "- _ dus Valley seals, on rock petro- .
http://www.HinduismToday. Kotah had pivotal roles in impor- right-handed swastika is the glyphs near ~ayan tombs and,
Kauai.hi.us/ashram/lraivan.html tant royal and religious rituals in Kotah art: Rajput prince and ladies at a Siva shrine most commonly used in world Jainism's Official Sacred Emblem according to 'one expert~ even
which they often were (and still religions including Jainism, Hin- King Solomon's temple.
are) considered to be invested with life. hunts recorded (occasicmally in rath~r grue- duism and Buddhism. Mody Abode of Liberated Souls To those in India, all this may
Philosophically, the painttngs reflect the some detai1). Animals were a specialty of proposes the Nazi swastika al- Three Paths: Right faith, right conduct, Right seem needless fussing, for they
Vaishnava Vallabha Sampradaya.: to which this school, especially elephants and tigers. ways be set at 45°, as the Nazis Knowledge are not aware of the potent emo-
the royal family and a majority of Kotah's Many festivals were depicted. did in later' years, in order to at Four destinies: Heaven, human, animal, hell tional associ9-tions of the swastika,
"Ahimsa" (Nonviolence)
RUDRAKSHA Hindu population have belonged since the The religious art, such as seen in the gate.!
early 18th century. According to Vallab- fold opening this issue of HINDUISM TODAY,
least partly distinguish it frpm
the sacred usage. ~
"Mutual ASSistance of All Beings" nor of the Jews' collective 0ath to
"never fOJ;get" (or allow the world
hacharya's shuddhadvaita ("purified nondu- is superb, every bit the invocation of the Di- Jains have faced this problem -. Based on ancient scriptural cosmological to forget) what happened to them
FOREST alism"), Divinity could reside in paintings as vine intended by Sri Vallabhacharya. Alto- . repeatedly in the West. Mody designs, the s.ymbol to re~resent a unified under the Nazis. But the Nazis are
well as stone or metal images of the Gods. gether, the art is so detailed, so realistic and told HINDUISM TODAY, "In 1973 Jam commuruty was adopted in India in dead and gone, and Jains, Hindus
The religious practice of worshiping .and so successful at conveying emotion as to Jain leaders of all sects met ip. :: 1973, and is now accepted in Canada. It and others would prefer that the
SAN MARGA lRAfVAN TEMPLE
lovingly caring for '1ive" paintings (vchitra constitute a vivid and accurate glimpse into India and adopted a single sym- ~ represents the realm ot transcendence, Nazis not be allowed this one last
107 KAHOLAlELE ROAD
KAPAA. HI 96746-9304 USA
seva) condnues at Kotali today. Saint Vallab- ~e life and times of early- Rajasthan. _ bol, to be used Ey all Jains, re-8 three paths to liberation, the destinies of victory of snatchfug away our an-
ha (ca 1475-1530) said that Lord Krishna ASIA SOCIETY GALLERIES , 725 PARK AVENUE
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A TEMPLE BUILT TO LAST 1. 000 YEARS
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AUG U S T, 1 997 HI N D U ISM TO DAY 49
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BOOKS ,/ before, 'breaking ethnic barriers, showing rumayi's spiritual guidance has allowed Di-
male experience.:' All her heroines must find
people of different races at war and in love. I themselves within the constraining bound- vakaruni to understand her direction and
Dissolving , Bound~ries
dipped into the l~guage and imagery of my aries of thetr cultures and. religions. "My purpose in life and to be more lo\(ing and
childhood, the folk tales I grew up on, 'and characters struggle in the balance between unive~al in her thoughts.
alterl).ated them with slang from Oakland's family responsibility and indjvjdual happi- "Mille is a very simple life. I found that
inner-city streets. And I wrote in a~pirit of , bec,ause I do several things that are very im-
ness, which is, in a way, at the center of the
play, collapsing the divisions between the re- conflict between our Hindu culture, which portant to me, I've had to make my priori-
alistic world of twentieth-century America always shows the mother as the giver, as theties clear," she said. "I think one of the
and the timeless one of myth and magic in things that our religion teaches us is to try
nurturer, and' as saorifJcing herself for the
After a lengthy near-death eXRerience, Divakaruni casts storyteller magic my attempt to. create a modern fable." good of the family, and the Western concept and make our lives simple amI to cut out
"I am the Mistress of Spices," Tile: says to of self-happiness." ", things that are not necessary, so that we
opeI1/ his fable. "I know their ori- har e time for the important
By JULIE RAJAN, PHILADELPHIA .gins, and what their (wlors signi- ' , A Pol 0 'V E L thiT,lgs." As a w.ife and mother of
T IS NOT AN EASY TASK FOR A HINDU fy, and their smells. I can call two sons, family is a strong pri-
writer born in India to break into the each by the true-name it was ority in her life. She is a creative r
mainstream Amer-ican market. But Chi- given at the first, when earth writing professor at Foothill
, tra Banerjee Divakaruni has dohe just split like skin and offered it up to Collegs. "I leve teaching," she
that with her very first noveL The Mistress the sky. At a whisper they yield said, "Ins a great satisfaction."
of S):Jices has received rave reviews from up to me their hidden properties, Divakaruni is also president of
major newspapers such as the Los Angeles their magic powers. Yes, they ,all MAITRI, the first help line for
Times and S'an Francisco Chronicle and in- hold magic, even the everyday abused women of South Asian
fluential trade publications including Li- Amer.ican spices you toss un- descent in California, \
bran) Journal and Publisher's Weekly. This thinking into your cooking pot." In Bengal, India, Divakaruni /'
and her equally-acclaimed, earlier collec- Tilo, following her t¢ning in underst00d that ,t he spirituality
tion of short stories, Arranged Marr:iage, ex- the healing power of spices, sets of Hindu women,was as impor-
~~e a poetic, realistic and mystic voice that up practice in the unlikely loca- tant as that of Hindu men: "The
set them 'apart. tion of an Indian grocery store i!,1 worship of the' Mother Goddess
Divakaruni is getting recognition not just Oakland, California. She takes is a big part of the Bengali cul-
from reviewers, but also top writers, Amy on th'e body of an old woman to ture, It's given·me a sense of the
Tan, author ofthe Joy Luck Club, desoribes . disguise herself. S,he was first . power of the Goddess in
The Mistress of Spices as 'fa dazzling tale of taught that the spices are meant women. I was brought up to
misbegotten preams- and" desires, hopes and to heal only South Asians, But think that women can do any-
expectations, woven with poetry and story- she soon is helping everyone. thing that they want, that
teller magic." Author Pat Conroy exclaims, In the way of fables, the spices women are successfuL They are
"It is a splendid novel, beautifully conceived talk. For example: "I am turmer- powerful guiding forces in the
and crafted. I want to read everything that ic, who rose out of the ocean of family and outside the family"
Divakaruni has written before and every- milk when the Mvas 1angels] "I think one of the first things
thing that she will ever write in the future." and asuras [demons] churned for that I learned about Hinduism,
The concept for The MiStress of Spices the treasures of the universe. I
I '
. and that ~ always loved about
grew out of a 1994 near-death experience am furmeric who came after the Hinduism, is its inclusive and
that Divakaruni haq following her second nectar and before the poison and all-embracing attitude to the
pregnancy. Followin~ mishaps dl!lring deliv- thus lie in-between." Divakaruni world." She acknowledges that it
ery, Divakaruni found herself hospitalized, works through the medium of is sometimes difficult to bridge
caught in the boundary somewhere be- spices because she feels they are ~ the gap between the Western
tween life and death for one month. She did one of Hinduism's most i.mpor- . z mindset and experieI).ce and
not ~perience the typical tunnel of light or tant symbols. Spices play a large : Chlt.a Bane.lee Dh'a~a.un; true Hindu principles. And for
out-of-body experience that many en- role in 1J.Ujas (worship), as spiced AUTHOR OF A .RRANGEP I1 A IUUP.GE Divakaruni, modern-day Hin-
counter when near death, Rather, she went food is a'common and central rit- duism does. not always seem so
into a meditative state that allowed her to ual offering. ",
loving, so understanding. She
experience a profound understanding and
appreciation for life. "I felt as though I float-
"I see my writing as a gift and
as a sacred activity," Divakaruni
'1 'am turmeric who rose out of the points to the:.,selfish and 1ateful
acts that Hindus comID.itted
ed between states of life and death, and that
it didn't matter which side I Illnded on. The
states. "I think it comes not from
the conscious mind but from
ocean of milk the de'qas 9.lld asuras during recent religious riots in
-India, "How can we believe that
b'6undary we humans. had drawn between
these two states was not as impOJ;tant, nor as
some place deeper within us."
Divakaruni broke into the US
churned for treasures,' I came after the same divine Self is in every-
one, and then turn around and
irrevocabl~, as we believed," she wrote. "And
it seemed to me, in some wordless way, that
market first as a poet-for which
there is precious little readership
the nectar and before the poison do somethipg horrible to anoth-
er person who calls G0d by an-
the art of dissolving boundaries is what liv-
ing is about."
(even her husband showed sC:ant and thus li~
in-between," other n~e? It distresses me."
I interest)-then five years ago ' Divakaruni's next n0vel details
':But I didri't know how," she ~es on, "un- . made/ the transition to ~tories the relationship between two fe-
til'Tilo, my heroine, the Mistress of Spices, (which her husband loves). "Once I started It has been 19 years since Divak~i left male cousins bound by love but separated by
came to me. I wrote the book urgently-al- writing fiction, I was very fortl,mate. I really Bengal to live in Sunnyvale, California. distance, time and culture. Her newest col-
most breathlessly. Having beeh so close fo do think of it as God's grace in my life," ~he Leav~ her homeland has only strength- lecti9n of short stories, Leaving Yuba City is
death, I could no longer take even a single says of her mettoric success. Divakarunis ened her Hindu beliefs, She is an avid fol- set for publication in August 1997. _
day fur granted. It was a book full of risks for books are directed mainly to women of all lower ~f Gurumayi Chidvalasananda of Contact: Anchor Books, 1540 Broadway,
me. I ventured into paths I hadn't traveled races and faiths who share a common "fe- SYDA, successor to Baba Muktananda. Gu- New York, New York 10036, USA.
Reacbin~ for
body-mind system Whether visiting temples
. or churches or not, those nurturing the quali-
ties of sattwa guna are on the path of dharma.
A close disciple once asked Baba Loke-
The Gita
As it Is
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KRISHNA YAjUR VEDA SVETASVATARJI. UPANISHAD 5.13