Tuesday, 11 February 2014

Make Peace with Yourself

One often finds questioning ones status, position, lack of Knowledge and understanding, etc.
This is quite natural.
But one must know how to get out of such depressive thoughts.

This is the solution from Sai Baba.

“Do what your soul desires and if you cannot, for whatever reason, then make peace with yourself and accept your present situation with grace, as the will of Lord. There is no other way”.



If you are not religious then the same quote will give you inspiration.
“Do what your soul desires and if you cannot, for whatever reason, then make peace with yourself and accept your present situation with grace. There is no other way”.

Saturday, 25 January 2014

Outstanding Coincidences of Certain Words


There are certain words in the English language which have outstanding coincidences.
Look at the following words.

LIFE has 4 letters so does DEAD.
HATE has 4 letters so does LOVE.
ENEMIES has 7 letters so does FRIENDS.
LYING has 5 letters so does TRUTH.
HURT has 4 letters so does HEAL.
NEGATIVE has 8 letters so does POSITIVE.
FAILURE has 7 letters so does SUCCESS.
BELOW or UNDER has 5 letters, but so does ABOVE.
CRY has 3 letters so does JOY.
ANGER has 5 letters so does HAPPY.
RIGHT has 5 letters so does WRONG.
RICH has 4 letters so does POOR.
FAIL has 4 letters so does PASS
KNOWLEDGE has 9 letters so does IGNORANCE.
JESUS has 5 letters so does SATAN

Are they all just coincidences?
YES
We often find these words in blogs or magazine or facebook etc which gives the message as follows:-

“WE should choose wisely, Life is like a double-edged sword.
WE should always choose the better side of Life”

If I wrote
MOSQUE has 6 letters so does CHURCH.
QURAN has 5 letters so does BIBLE.

Would we still say that Life is like a double-edged sword?
WE should always choose the better side of Life. Yes but which one?

Now look at these words
MANDIR and TEMPLE has 6 letters so does CHURCH and so does MOSQUE.

Would we still say that Life is like a double-edged sword?
WE should always choose the better side of Life. Yes but which one?

Wednesday, 22 January 2014

Ramayana:- Jabali argues from an atheistic view point

This an extract from Ramayana. Rama is in the forest for his 14 year exile. Bharata asks Rama to come back and rule the kingdom. Rama refuses as he has a duty towards his father. Others try to convince Rama to come back in their own ways. Here is one attempt by a priest called Jabali. Makes interesting reading.

As Rama was consoling Bharata, Jabali, the greatest of all Brahmins spoke these unrighteous words.
“Rama, a noble and intellect man like you should not think like a common person! Every man is born alone and dies alone. Who is related to whom? What is the meaning of a family? A man who clings to a mother or a father must be considered deluded. No one is anything to anyone! Just as a man arrives in the village and stays somewhere for the night and leaves the next morning, so mothers and fathers are mere stops along the way in life. A wise man does not cling to these. Do not renounce your fathers kingdom and take the difficult path which will cause you much hardship. Crown yourself in the prosperous city of Ayodhya which waits for you.

The man who lives without restraint walks an unrighteous path. He does not live in accordance with our sacred teachings and he shall never have the respect of good men. It is a mans characters and his deeds that determine whether he is high or low born, pure or impure, brave or simply a hoax . The King has gone where he had to go for that is his destiny of all mortals. You concern yourself with irrelevant matter! I feel sorry for those people who pursue wealth and those that pursue dharma. They suffer in life and the next. See how men waste food by performing rituals for the dead! Can a dead man eat? The books that tell you to perform sacrifice, do penance and give gifts are written by wise men who want to help others spend their money! You are wise enough to know that that there is no world other than this one. Believe in what you can see and turn your back on the unseen! Take the kingdom as Bharat has asked you to!”


Rama replies:- "What you have just said is totally unacceptable though it seems appropriate, completely improper even though it seems reasonable.

The man who lives without restraint (ie control or balanced judgement) walks an unrighteous path. He does not live in accordance with our sacred teachings and he shall never have the respect of good men. It is a mans characters and his deeds that determine whether he is high or low born, pure or impure, brave or simply a hoax.

The timeless rules of kingship are bound by truth and compassion. Truth is the mainstay of kingship and the world is established in truth. The gods and sages declare truth to be the highest goal. It is supreme in the world and exalts one to heaven. Men despise a liar as they despise snakes. Truth controls the world and is the only refuge. It is the basis of everything. Nothing is greater than truth. Gift giving, sacrifices, penances, good deeds, even the Vedas, are established in truth and therefore, it is the highest good.

How can I fail to carry out my fathers promise where I am committed to it by oath of truths? I cannot violate my fathers bond with truth out of greed, delusion or even out of ignorance! Gods and ancestors reject the offerings of men who are fickle and do not keep their word. It is clear to me that every man must hold to the truth, that it is his Dharma. It is for this reason alone ascetics command so much respect. I renounce the dharma of a ksatriya because it is fundamentally unrighteous even though it has some good things about it. It attracts the base, the cruel, the greedy and those inclined to be wicked.

What you have just asked me to do is wrong, even though you have supported it with a great many arguments. I promised my father in the presence of elders and teachers that I would live in the forest. How can I do what Bharat wants without breaking that promise? By living in the forest I shall be able to pursue purity by eating simple foods and making offerings to the gods and ancestors. I shall nourish my body but go through life without deceit, depending on my powers of discrimination!”

Taken from the Book Valmiki The Ramayana by Arishia Sattar and published by Penguin Books ISBN –9780140298666 in Chapter 14 of the book.

Wednesday, 3 April 2013

Quote :- Every Man Is Your Teacher

1]

No man is an enemy
No man is a friend
Everyman is a teacher

I first read this quote on a TV programme about prisoner in the USA. One prisoner had displayed this quote on his prison wall. The documentary was a British ITV programme called `Inside Death Row' with Trevor McDonald. Shown on 17/1/2013 9-10pm. The presenter was impressed with the quote as I was.


Trying to find the author of this quote I came across many websites where it was used. Some had slight variation to it.


No man is your friend,
No man is your enemy,
Every man your teacher
- unknown



No man is my friend,
No man is my enemy,
Every man is my teacher.


2]
It seems to me that this may have been an old Hindu saying. Lord Dattatreya's life story comes to mind as we know that he was inspired by all people and things around him. They became his 24 Gurus.

3]
The quote led me to a website of a book written in 1925. It perhaps is the oldest verified source.

Book written by Florence Scovel Shinn.
The title of the book ---The Game of Life and How to Play It
First published in 1925,

http://www.sacred-texts.com/nth/shinn/gol/gol07.htm

4]
There is an old saying, "No man is your enemy, no man is your friend, every man is your teacher." If it could be possible to remain impartial, to create enough space to distance ourselves from the other by minimizing our projections, just perhaps we could take note of the divinity that runs deeply through each and every one of us.

By saluting the divinity, we make an offering to spirit. We are all a part of the same mystical web, and to dislocate ourselves from another, only keeps us separate from ourselves. Suffering is not necessary to our development. What is necessary is to learn what those in our lives are here to offer. It is in their offering and in our receiving that the true teaching takes root. Freedom comes in loving, and loving comes only when we are truly free. ~ Sdukes
http://www.drtimothydukes.com/2786/no-man/


5]
Stop, Look, and Listen--for your Lessons in Life

Did you know that every person you come in contact with is there to help you with one of your life's lessons? Some people will enter your life for just a few moments, some for a few days, some for a few months, and some for many years. All of these people have one thing in common - they are there to help you with one of the lessons you need to learn in your life.


There is an ancient saying that "No man is my friend, no man is my enemy, every man is my teacher." When you choose to look at everyone you meet as a teacher, you will then be able to stop, look, and truly listen to what these people have to say. You will hear the guidance and direction you need to take for your next step in your life journey.

So many of us go through life not really seeing or hearing others. We are so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the times that we don't have a clue as to what signs and guidance we may be missing. Many times we are the "walking unconscious". This means we go through portions of our lives unaware of our surroundings. In this state of mind we will miss some valuable guidance.


When you don't stop and really listen to others, you will miss the guidance and wisdom that may make your life much better. You may miss the signs that could save you a lot of time and grief later on. You may miss the wisdom needed to make better decisions each step of the way. You may continue to repeat your mistakes. You may continue to "spin your wheels" without getting anywhere or making any real progress. You may feel stuck, confused and hopeless.


So much of your time and energy could be saved and used more productively if you would only stop, look, and listen for your lessons in life. For example: The next time a friend or acquaintance recommends a book to read pay attention. Take note and get the recommended book and read it. There may be a lesson for you in the words of the book. I always get the book if two different people recommended it to me. That is always my sign that there is something in the book that I need to know that will guide me in some way. When someone recommends something to you pay attention. There is a lesson to be learned. If you hear the same message repeated by someone else you can be sure you need to listen and learn your life lesson.


Everyone you meet is a teacher for you even if it's just for the moment. Stop what you are doing and open up your ears and heart to hear the messages that are being sent to you through others. When something goes wrong, learn from it. When something goes well, learn from it. Find your lessons around you. Your life's journey will be much simpler and less stressed when you choose to stop, look, listen, and learn from everyone you meet.


Be thankful for your lessons, learn from them, and then move on to your next life lesson. Enjoy your ever evolving and enlightening journey.
http://www.positive-way.com/Stop,%20Look,%20Lessons.htm


Sunday, 31 March 2013

Holi inspires us not to convert from our religion

Holi is not simply about fun and frolics of throwing colours at one another and declaring that spring has come so that it would sound pleasing and intellectual to the western or modern or secular mind.


Holi is celebrated for many reasons indeed; one such `Truth' we overlook is the victory over those who attempt to convert us from our faith/path!

The story of Prahlad is clear.

[[Hiranyakashyapu decreed that he be worshiped as a God and this was enforced to the extent of being obeyed by everyone in his kingdom with the exception of his son Prahlad. Prahlad refused to see his father as a god and stayed devoted to Lord Vishnu.
This made Hiranyakashipu very angry and he made various attempts to kill Prahlad.]]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holika#Origin_of_Holika_Dahan


DOES this story familiar in the history of India??


Yes Holi is a celebration of FAITH in our God; but it is also a victory over those who would try to sway us from the worship of our God.

This is the other message of Holi in my opinions.

Your faith is your own (just as Prahlad) and let no man bribe you, force you or sweet talk you out of it. Let no man sway you from your religion (just as Hiranyakashyapu tried to do).

Let Holi inspire you to delve deep into your faith, meditate upon God.

Conversion is wrong.
Its grossly evil.
Forcing us against our will is wrong.
Our will must therefore be strong
So let Holi inspire that strength.
Let the story of Holi inspire you.

The effect of forced conversion on individuals and society is clear to see from the story of Prahlad.
Many died for their right to pray to Vishnu.
Many Yajnas (pooja) were destroyed and many probably converted (sounds very familiar! How many temples have been destroyed in the name of conversion?).


But Prahlad gives a clear message to us all.
Even unto death we will not convert from our chosen path of worship of God.

8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

The Holi bonfire is not just symbolic of YOUR unconditional love and FAITH -- it is a yajna which is performed by the community en mass; who come together once a year and do pooja together to God.


We do not come to see Holika burn Prahlad since no effigy is burnt therein.

Holika is not worshipped and she is not a goddess (as one person posted on their website).

The bonfire is nothing like that of the Dussera bonfire where clearly we come to celebrate the death/removal of `evil' (ie in the form of Ravan.)


At the bonfire we make special prayers and perform small pooja.
We pray to our respective God –Vishnu Shiva, Krishna, Mataji etc.

Perhaps Holi has never been presented like this before, but I think it should as the story is clear and our celebratory actions are clear.



Monday, 7 May 2012

Blog:- Decode Hindu Mythology

The vast information gathered on each of the topics on this blog is wonderfully put together with easy to understand information and pictures that will fascinate the readers. Its a blog for all those who want to understand Hinduism and its history and the vast stories and information.


Enough said.

Just go and explore the blog!!

http://decodehindumythology.blogspot.co.uk/

http://decodehindumythology.blogspot.co.uk/p/beginning.html

Thursday, 9 October 2008

DRONA The Movie

It must have been about a year ago since I last went to see a Bollywood movie.
So I went to see DRONA over the weekend.


DRONA is a story about the Nectar that was churned out of the ocean by the gods and demons many years ago. Some of it was left over and was being protected by a generation of family, each of whom is called DRONA. Every now and then in every generation a demon attempts to find the secret of the whereabouts of the nectar.


The pronunciation of DRONA was so wrong in the film and to think an Indian made this film!
They kept saying DRON-AA. The emphasis on `A' at the end of it.
It should simply be DRON.
Not DRON-AA.
It seems all Indians have suddenly become very English that they cant even pronounce words in their own language.


The film started off with a boy in his bedroom and a blue petal come flying through his window. Hold on. Ive seen this before in another movie called Harry Potter!

Aditya the child was unaware of his real identity and the destiny that awaited him.
That was taken from Buffy!
Then we went through clips of Indiana Jones, the first Superman Movie with Christopher Reeves, The first Mummy movie, Matrix, Lord of the Rings and countless others! Why dont you list the rest. I could not find one original sequence in the movie.

Lord of the Rings-now that was so blatantly obvious copy of Gandalph look-a-like and his stick too!
The demon who was after the secret of the nectar was named Riz Raizada.
That name is so wrong!! Just as bad as the character potrayed and the villainous acting was pathetic.

Priyanka comes from a Nobel family but was given a random common name like Sonia. I thought that was rubbish. Indians cant even come up with a good name for characters. How many times have has Sonias in Indian movies. Nearly all of them do I hear?

I then came to the conclusion that this movie was for under five year old in which case they may have enjoyed it.

Of the 100s of Bollywood movies I have seen over the years this must be the worst in terms of storyline, acting, songs, fights sequences, even special effects were just badly used.

Don't be fooled by the review and rumours that this is somehow religious. Its not and don't waste your money.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drona_(film)


Look at these posters on these websites.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drona_(film)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_of_Persia:_The_Sands_of_Time