barney

Finally your true color is coming out. You are not what you are but an evil asura in human clothing. Manu smirti has been misinterpreted by selfish bramins who think they are the chosen one like the Jews. Sorry, your cooking will not sell here. The human race was divided according to class of work not by any cast. A sudra is not a low down human being as you and your kind think. They too provide what we all enjoy today. They slog in the fields in so that you would not eat ####. You should be greatfull that they are there to provide your need which you or your kind do not know how to acquire. Gone are the days where you can bully them. Today there are doctors and engineers among them and they treat you when you fall sick. But they do not take vengance against your kind coz if they want thye could inject you with synide but they are not as mean as you. Even the great masters do not accept what is said in the manu smirti and neither do millions of others. Any one who can master the scripture [even a sudra in your language]and follow the dharma sastras is a brahmin. If you are in my country we will call you otak udang. You are a person who is not fit to live among us. But it is your karma that you should be here and hope you remove that ugly thoughts and have a discussion with your ATMA.

You must have got the wrong impression. It is for those who understands such. I am not posting this to convince you are your kind of people. So stop reading my post if it does not interest you. Why are you behaving in suc a manner? If I am wrong that is ok with me coz I know what I believe in and it does not matter if you do not understand because you do not respect any one who differs from your belief. There are several schools of thought in Hinduism and many saints have appeared among such schools so why bother you keep yours while I'm happy the way I think. I am not selling soap here to demonstrate the product. And neither am I going into discussion with what I think about God and religion.This is how I feel and if you do not wish to read it well, I have not lost anything but my conclusion is you are ingnorant of the Ultimate Reality. Defeating me is not a great achievement in your life coz I am below par with any of you. And neither am I insulting any one of you for my defeat. This is not a competition where the winner is crowned. It is a matter of opinion and there are opposing views and we have to study where lies the truth. eligion is not a subject confined to only one factor. It is as vast as the ocean and what we perceive is only a drop of it. I hope you get my meaning or do I need to demonstrate this too.

We do not see Atman, but Atman is our Witness. We do not hear Atman, but Atman is the Hearer. We do not know Atman, but Atman is the Knower. Our goal is to contemplate, listen, and understand Atman. Atman is universal, and is present in all individual beings. Both Atman and Brahman are uncreated and eternal. According to Shankara, the Self is independent of the body, and is unchanged by the existence of the body. Wrong knowledge, or false outlook, can occur by confusing the Self with the body. Shankara affirms that the Self exists, even if the body does not exist. The Self is not subject to the endless cycle of birth-death-and-rebirth. According to Shankara, the mind or body is not the Self. The mind or body is only a changing appearance of the Self, which is unchanging. To believe that the mind or body is the Self is to try to superimpose the Non-Self upon the Self. This superimposition of the Non-Self (Anatman) upon the Self (Atman) is caused by lack of knowledge (avidya). What then of the human self, the jIva? It is here that advaita comes up with the most radical answer, one that is unacceptable to all other schools of vedAnta. According to advaita, what is called the universe is in reality not other than brahman. Similarly, what is called the jIva is in reality, the Atman, which is also nothing other than brahman Itself. The real jIva is the Atman, which is unchanging, ever free, and identical with brahman. This is said on the basis of upanishadic passages where the Atman is explicitly equated with brahman. This equation of Atman with brahman is also explained by means of adhyAropa-apavAda. By sublating the superimposition of human shortcomings and attributes on the Atman, the pure Atman, the substratum, shines forth as brahman Itself. The mani-fold universe and the individual self, which considers itself bound, are both superimposed upon that Transcendental Reality which is brahman. Once the superimposition is understood for what it is, the individual is no more an individual, the universe is no more the universe - all is brahman. This doctrine of advaita should not be misinterpreted to mean that the human self is in and of itself God, without any qualification whatsoever. SankarAcArya most emphatically asserts that such is not his intention. On the other hand, he is at great pains to point out that one who is desirous of moksha needs to overcome his human shortcomings in order to achieve full liberation. Sankara prescribes rigorous prerequisite qualities for the person who is to study vedAnta. These form the practical aspect of the effort to rise above and sublate the characteristics of the human jIva, in order to understand the Atman/brahman. The non-dual reality of the Atman is revealed to the intense seeker, as an experience that defies words. One might call it a mystic experience of brahman, in which to know brahman is to be brahman. Thus, rather than being atheistic or non- theistic, advaita vedanta is meta-theistic: it points to the basic underlying Reality of all, including what humans call God, what humans call the universe, and what humans call human. This Reality is the unchangeable brahman.

What is written in the Hadis is what they call heresay. Collection of information is compiled into a book which they call the interpretaion of the Quran. But there is nothing of that sort written in the Quran. The Hadis was witten 100 years after the death of Mohammed. We realy do not know how Mohammed carried on his task of changing the faith of the pre Islamic Arabs. What the Muslim today rely on is the Hadis and there are Muslims who do not follow the Hadis because it is not the Holy book. The Holy Quran is the only source of real Islam. Read it and you wil realize how foolish you are. Hadis Al Bukhari is a fictious story concocted by the caliph in order to be famous and have control over the poor converts. Greedy and thirsty for blood the followers of Islam became barbaric invaders who stole everything they find in their raid. Mohammed could not have done such but made to believe so by his followers. There is no compel in Islam. Mohammed respected the prophets of other religion as far as the Quran is but not the Hadis. The Hadis has potraited Mohammed as a brutal, heartless and fierce human being ever to live in the 6th century.

What was Iran during pre-Islamic period and what was India than? If Muslims could invade another country and change the whole concept why can't India which was origianally a predominant Hindu country until the Moguls invaded India. But that was history and today we cannot change that. India being a secular and the largest democratic country must accept the wishes of the majority. The only solution is to respect each others faith and live peace. I know there are fanatical Muslims as well as fanatical Hindus. These group is out to create unrest and shatter the peace of the innocent people there. The government of the day should legislate laws to curb such activities. Now India does not belong to Hindus, Muslims or Christians. India belongs to the people of India irrespective of their origin. Changing history would only bring futher disaster and economic failure. Muslims should understand that they were originally Hindus before the invasion of Muslim forces and Christians too were Hindus before the British cunningly took control of the adminisrtation of India. If these two elements did not set foot in the Indian soil today India would be predominantly a Hindu state including Pakistan. This kind of feelings and agitation would escalate into war and soon you would only find dead bodies and none to praise any God be it Allah, Krishna, Jesus or Shiva. Please do not forget that we are all HIM and HIS and we do not have the authority to take away what is HIS. If we think that we are all HIM than we must devolope love and affection for all irrespective of our faith. Giving room for hatred and vengance would only open the door for the devil to do his dirty work. You cannot just kill someone and say you did it in the name of God because it was not God who instructed you but the devil. If you believe in God than you must show love an compassion otherwise it would be the devil that had instructed you to kill. Reach out to your conscience coz that is the ATMAN and is also BRAHMAN. If you can realize that you become one with God. Only love and compassion can bring peace to a nation.

"Out of more than 50 Islamic countries , not one is democratic. Admittedly Bangladesh and Malaysia put a facade of democracy. But the wise know better". I do not know about Bangladesh but I know about Malaysia. It is not facade but an understanding among the various parties combined which they call the Barisan National[National Front] which has been in rule since indepedance [1957]. And the the citizens are comfortable with their rule. Even in the recent concluded GE the NF had more that 2/3 majority [out of 219 seat they garnered 195 seats] which even the largest democratic like India could not acheive. That is because the people in India are divided by race,creed, status and color. As long as this prevail you cannot find any unity or understanding. As for your <"The VHP should target these 30 million Muslims for conversion.VHP can start series of "Shuddhikaran Yatras" - Purification pilgrimages". > I would say you have bad blood like the Muslim fanatics. What is the difference between you, the fanatical Muslims and Christians? Coversion into other faith should be voluntary not be force and what the Muslim invaders did in India or the Christian crusaders did in south America or other part of the world. But in India the Christian missionries used love and gifts in the form of bread and milk to the poor out cast hindus. Whose fault was it? It was the Hindus who now call themselves VHP or whatever it is. We have seen enough bloodshed. Use your brain instead of your sword.

The fanatism is more emphasized everywhere. Be it Islam, Hinduism, Christianity or Judaism they have the same color RED. Blood is in their mind. Muslim fanatics want non Muslims blood and like wise Jews want the Muslims blood and so are the Hindus and Christians. But this are small groups whereas most of these followers do not wish any bloodshed. All thye want is peace and understanding among all religions. My country is a multiracial and multi religious country and in our recent GE we totally denied the fanatical Muslims party who once controled two states and wanted to implement the hudud laws. Our ruling party being a combination of various parties representing the races prefer a secular government and so do 90% of the population. It all depands with the understand of the races and religions. If we want peace and understanding than we have to be moderate in our approach. Only take what is necessary for our life and leave the rest so that the human race can have a paradise here on earth.

This religion is called: Sanatana Dharma, "eternal religion," and Vaidika Dharma, "religion of the Vedas," and Hinduism -- the most commonly used name. Various origins for the word "Hinduism" have been suggested: It may be derived from an ancient inscription translated as: "The country lying between the Himalayan mountain and Bindu Sarovara is known as Hindusthan by combination of the first letter 'hi' of 'Himalaya' and the last compound letter 'ndu' of the word `Bindu.'" Bindu Sarovara is called the Cape Comorin sea in modern times. It may be derived from the Persian word for Indian. It may be a Persian corruption of the word Sindhu (the river Indus) It was a name invented by the British administration in India during colonial times. Early history of Hinduism: Beliefs about the early development of Hinduism are currently in a state of flux: The classical theory of the origins of Hinduism traces the religion's roots to the Indus valley civilization circa 4000 to 2200 BCE. The development of Hinduism was influenced by many invasions over thousands of years. The major influences occurred when light-skinned, nomadic "Aryan" Indo-European tribes invaded Northern India (circa 1500 BCE) from the steppes of Russia and Central Asia. They brought with them their religion of Vedism. These beliefs mingled with the more advanced, indigenous Indian native beliefs, often called the "Indus valley culture.". This theory was initially proposed by Christian academics some 200 years ago. Their conclusions were biased by their pre-existing belief in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). The Book of Genesis, which they interpreted literally, appears to place the creation of the earth at circa 4,000 BCE, and the Noahic flood at circa 2,500 BCE. These dates put severe constraints on the date of the "Aryan invasion," and the development of the four Veda and Upanishad Hindu religious texts. A second factor supporting this theory was their lack of appreciation of the sophisticated nature of Vedic culture; they had discounted it as primitive. 2 The classical theory is now being rejected by increasing numbers of archeologists and religious historians. Emerging theory: The Aryan Invasion view of ancient Indian history has been challenged in recent years by new conclusions based on more recent findings in archaeology, cultural analysis, astronomical references, and literary analysis. One scholar, David Frawley, has established a convincing argument for this new interpretation. 3 Archeological digs have revealed that the Indus Valley culture was not "destroyed by outside invasion, but...[by] internal causes and, most likely, floods." The "dark age" that was believed to have followed the Aryan invasion may never have happened. A series of cities in India have been studied by archeologists and shown to have a level of civilization between that of the Indus culture and later more highly developed Indian culture, as visited by the Greeks. Finally, Indus Valley excavations have uncovered many remains of fire altars, animal bones, potsherds, shell jewelry and other evidences of Vedic rituals. "In other words there is no racial evidence of any such Indo-Aryan invasion of India but only of a continuity of the same group of people who traditionally considered themselves to be Aryans...The Indo-Aryan invasion as an academic concept in 18th and 19th century Europe reflected the cultural milieu of the period. Linguistic data were used to validate the concept that in turn was used to interpret archeological and anthropological data." Sacred texts: Among the most important of all Hindu sacred texts are the Vedas: the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. Rig Veda (a.k.a. Rigveda) is the oldest, having been composed about 1500 BCE and written down about 600 BCE. They contain hymns, incantations, and rituals from ancient India. Another group of primary texts are the Upanishadas. They are "a continuation of the Vedic philosophy, and were written between 800 and 400 B.C. They elaborate on how the soul (Atman) can be united with the ultimate truth (Brahman) through contemplation and mediation, as well as the doctrine of Karma-- the cumulative effects of a persons' actions." The Mahabharata, were written 540 to 300 BCE, and have been attributed to the sage Vyasa. They record "the legends of the Bharatas, one of the Aryan tribal groups." The Bhagavad Gita is the sixth book of the Mahabharata. It is a poem describing a conversation between a warrior Arjuna and the God Krishna. It is an ancient text that has become central to Hinduism and other belief systems. Another important text is the Ramayana. It is "a moving love story with moral and spiritual themes." It is dated to the first century CE and has been attributed to the poet Valmiki. Other texts include the Brahmanas, the Sutras, and the Aranyakas. Hindu beliefs and practices: Hinduism has commonly been viewed in the west as a polytheistic religion - one which worships multiple deities: gods and goddesses. Some have viewed it as a monotheistic religion, because it recognizes only one supreme God: the panentheistic principle of Brahman, that all reality is a unity. The entire universe is seen as one divine entity who is simultaneously at one with the universe and who transcends it as well. Some view Hinduism as Trinitarian because Brahman is simultaneously visualized as a triad: Brahma the Creator who is continuing to create new realities Vishnu, (Krishna) the Preserver, who preserves these new creations. Whenever dharma (eternal order, righteousness, religion, law and duty) is threatened, Vishnu travels from heaven to earth in one of ten incarnations. Shiva, the Destroyer, is at times compassionate, erotic and destructive. Strictly speaking, Hinduism is a henotheistic religion -- a religion which recognizes a single deity, but which recognizes other gods and goddesses as facets or manifestations or aspects of that supreme God. Most urban Hindus follow one of two major divisions within Hinduism: Vaishnavaism: which generally regards Vishnu as the ultimate deity Shivaism: which generally regards Shiva as the ultimate deity. However, many rural Hindus worship their own village goddess or an earth goddess. She is believed to rule over fertility and disease -- and thus over life and death. The priesthood is less important in rural Hinduism: non-Brahmins and non-priests often carry out ritual and prayer there. Hindus believe in the repetitious Transmigration of the Soul. This is the transfer of one's soul after death into another body. This produces a continuing cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth through their many lifetimes. It is called samsara. Karma is the accumulated sum of ones good and bad deeds. Karma determines how you will live your next life. Through pure acts, thoughts and devotion, one can be reborn at a higher level. Eventually, one can escape samsara and achieve enlightenment. Bad deeds can cause a person to be reborn as a lower level, or even as an animal. The unequal distribution of wealth, prestige, suffering are thus seen as natural consequences for one's previous acts, both in this life and in previous lives. Hindus organize their lives around certain activities or "purusharthas." These are called the "four aims of Hinduism," or "the doctrine of the fourfold end of life." They are: The three goals of the "pravritti," those who are in the world, are: dharma: righteousness in their religious life. This is the most important of the three. artha: success in their economic life; material prosperity. kama: gratification of the senses; pleasure; sensual, sexual, and mental enjoyment. The main goal for the "nivritti," those who renounce the world. is: moksa: Liberation from "samsara," the This is considered the supreme end of mankind. Meditation is often practiced, with Yoga being the most common. Other activities include daily devotions, public rituals, and puja, a ceremonial dinner for a God. Hinduism has a deserved reputation of being highly tolerant of other religions. Hindus have a saying: "Ekam Sataha Vipraha Bahudha Vadanti," which may be translated: "The truth is One, but different Sages call it by Different Names"

You do not know the difference between atman and body. Body can be of any species but the atman is the same. Know this first if you want to argue about the divine. Every human being has an atman (individual soul - jiva-atman) that resembles the Universal Soul that is temporarily separated from It. It is compared to a fire that is the Supreme Being, from flames of which come the sparks, which are the human souls. However, the human soul has an undiminished desire to join its creator. Ordinary people (Hindus) needed a God they could conceptualize, for worship. To go about their daily lives with devotion, the common folks needed a symbol, a personal God. Upanishads that described Nirguna Brahman as the Universal Soul also offered a Saguna Brahman, who is the antithesis of Nirguna Brahman. Saguna Brahman, who is the manifested form of the World Soul, is full of attributes and character. It is a perfect being, perfect consciousness and perfect freedom (sat-chit-ananda). Hindus have perceived Saguna Brahman as different godheads to be worshipped. As the religion evolved, came into popularity - Shiva, Vishnu and Shakti, all different manifestations of the Supreme Being. Later many more god-figures appeared as avatars and incarnates, all emanating from the above three. A trinity of Gods-Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the destroyer-also became popular. Shakti (same as Durga and Kali) became the mother goddess. Imbued with deep devotion, a Hindu could now worship any icon, sometimes in noisy rituals and sometimes in quiet contemplative meditation, which would have been difficult with only an abstract, negative ‘non-entity’ like Nirguna Brahman. But the central belief of Hinduism remained unshaken that all these forms of godheads sprung from one Universal Soul. This makes Hinduism unique in the sense that it is a monotheistic religion with a pantheon of manifested forms of God. The common misconception that Hindu religion is polytheistic is simply untrue.

Dear Guest, Let all in this forum speak their mind [WE ARE GODS], which is clouded by their ego and dellusion. When I say we are all Gods it meant God is within us but if you all say nay than I persume satan has over shadowed your atman. Now that is called mind over matter trying to proof that you are greater than the greatest. You refuse to believe that God resides in all atman and that is your failer to undestand him. As I have said Krishna is what Arjuna believed in and so did Krishana appeared as[faith is mightier tha the sword] believed and so will other forms of God if you believe in. Krishna, Shiva, Sakthi or Murugan be it any name but He is still God and He is in all. Those who fail to understand is considered to be low in their spiritual aspiration. But eventualy they will come to their senses. Atman is like new born baby that need to be nurished as it gains sprituality it grows to be param atman who will help you the mind to reach the highest level in divinity. To me all of you are still babies and of course when babies make mistakes we forgive them for they do not know their what they say.

Divine power is not a mere formless, impersonal material principle. It is a living dynamic conscious force that can assume a concrete personal form. It is the source of all Existence, Knowledge and Bliss. These are not qualities of the Soul, but Its essence. It is identical with Pure Consciousness or Intelligence. It is the sole support and substance of the manifold. The Reality or Self understood intuitively is the Supreme Spirit, and understood outwardly, is the physical world. It precedes everything, for everything is manifested or projected by the Self. This Brahman is without a prior or a posterior, without interior or exterior, this Atman is Brahman, that experiences of everything (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, 11.5.19). The changeless Reality (Brahman) that upholds the manifold is identical with the same changeless Reality (Atman) that indwells in the human being. The entire universe originates from, is manifested, and is sustained by It. The self--luminous Atman (Self) is the sole spiritual entity; all else belongs to the realm of matter, gross or fine, being devoid of intrinsic Consciousness. Therefore, primordial nature and all its modifications constituting the world, physical and Psychical, come under the category of matter. None of them have self-intelligence and self--consciousness as their essence. Physical processes can produce physical light but not the light of spirit marked by self--awareness. This alone distinguishes spirit from matter. No human ingenuity can create life out of lifeless matter. Each of us has two types of consciousness, as it were, individual and universal, or lower self and higher Self. It is not the case that there are two selves in a man, one empirical and the other nominal. Rather, the same self has different characters. The term Self includes both the Atman and its reflection or shadow, the ego. The Atman or God is the same in everybody; it is our diehard inveterate attachment to an egocentric life or psychophysical organism or simply the ego that differs from individual to individual. It is the ego that separates us from our higher Self, from other beings and ultimately, from God, and thereby produces insecurity, fear and dread in us. The higher Self of the individual is called the Atman. Atman is defined in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.3.7: That which manifests Consciousness in the organs. Shankara says, It is so called because it pervades, it receives, and it experiences objects in the world, and because from it the world derives its existence. We see, hear, smell, speak and taste through Consciousness or Atman. The common man calls it life; the mystic calls it Atman.

This single, unitary divinity had several aspects and names in the Upanishads, one of the most important of which is Atman, a word that originally meant "breath" or "soul" or "vital principle" (as the word "Atmen" does in German). As a cosmological principle or deity, Atman seems to be something like "universal soul" or "universal spirit." In the Brihad-Aranyaka Upanishad , Atman is explicitly called a Person that created the universe by first splitting himself into male and female halves. In the Chandogya Upanishad, this single god is called Brahman, and is "the One without a second"; this Brahman is not only the principle and creator of all there is, but is also fully present within each individual. This dual conception, Brahman and Atman, gets worked out in the following way. Brahman can be located both in the physical, external world and also in the spiritual and inner world where it is present as Atman, "universal spirit." Now every human being has an undying soul (atman) which, because of samsara, lasts through eternity from life to life; this undying atman is a microcosm of Atman, the universal spirit. By understanding yourself, by coming to know one's own soul, one then arrives at the knowledge of Atman itself; the key to understanding the nature of the one unitary principle of the universe is to see one's (undying) self as identical with that principle: "tat svam asi": That (Atman) is what you are, Svetaketu. (Chandogya Upanishad VI.8.4ff.) Here's the equation: Brahman=Atman=atman. Brahman is the totality of the universe as it is present outside of you;, Atman is the totality of the universe as it is present within you; Brahman is the totality of the world known objectively, Atman is the totality of the world known subjectively. This equation fundamentally underlies the whole of Krishna's teachings concerning dharma in the Baghavad Gita. Shankara is credited with bringing unity to Hindu religion when it was dangerously close to schism, especially between Shaiva and Vaishnava cults. He introduced the Panchayatna form of worship, which recognized five different godheads as part of Hindu religion. This effort effectively brought organization to the religion and also gave the individual devotee freedom of worship. Shankara called the daily struggles of man an illusion (maya), a puppetry (lila) played by God's hands. This is a significant phase in the life of a human soul, but only in a marginal way. The human soul functions in another plane, a second level of truth, vying to rejoin with the Universal Soul. The Absolute, however, is responsible for many transformations of the empirical world though the events of the daily world are deemed as illusions. This transformation depends on the three gunas that govern the events of the world. They are sattva (goodness, virtue), rajas (power, passion) and tamas (dullness, inertia). All earthly events, like the laws of nature, are guided by one of the three gunas or a combination thereof. There should be a balance between them for harmonious workings of the world. Disequilibria will lead to chaos, war, suffering, corruption and destruction. The concept of gunas is well documented in Sri Krishna's rendition of the sermon (Bhagavad-Gita) to Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra. (Also refer to Kapila's Sankhya philosophy). The Bhagavadgita in the Mahabharata, says: The Supreme Brahman is beyond existence and non-existence. It has hands and feet everywhere, heads, mouths, eyes everywhere, ears everywhere, and it exists enveloping everything. Undivided, it appears as divided among beings; attributeless, it appears to have attributes in association with things. It is the Light of all lights, beyond all darkness, and is situated in the hearts of all beings.

A Shivalinga is phallus-shaped and fixed on a base, which is shaped like a yoni. The structure symbolises the supreme creative energy. It is usually made of stone but can also be of wood, metal, crystal, and soapstone. There are various explanations as to why the linga represents Shiva. According to the Vamana Purana, after Sati's death, Shiva went to mourn in the forest. Seeing the virile god, the wives of the sages living in the forest were enamoured and followed Shiva around. Enraged, the sages cursed Shiva, causing his phallus to fall off. The moment it touched the ground, his phallus started growing. Soon the earth, unable to support its weight, began quivering. When Brahma and Vishnu realised why the earth was shaking, they requested Shiva to take back his phallus. Shiva consented to do so on the condition that the sages worshipped his phallus. He pronounced that nothing would be impossible for one who worshipped the Shivalinga. The Linga Purana says that Brahma and Vishnu were once arguing over who was the supreme being. Suddenly, there appeared Sivalinga before them a huge column of fire. Both of them decided to find one end each. Whoever returned first would be acknowledged as supreme. Vishnu assumed the form of a boar and dug into the earth. Brahma, in the form of a swan, flew upwards. They searched for days but in vain. Then Shiva appeared in the fiery column. Brahma and Vishnu realised their mistake and acknowledged Shiva as the Supreme Being. The Shivalinga represents that column of fire Jyotirlinga The phallic cult appears to have been prevalent in India since the Indus Valley Civilisation (c. 3000 BC - 700 BC). Emblems resembling the linga and yoni have been discovered in excavations of ancient cities. Although the Vedas are contemptuous of the linga because of its association with the phallus, later literature like the Puranas and tantric texts laud phallic worship. According to these texts, Brahma, Vishnu and other gods live at the site where Shiva exists in the form of a linga. The Vamana Purana says that during Chaturmasya, Shiva sleeps in all lingas. Therefore, praying at any linga during this time is considered especially auspicious. It is believed that the land within 100 cubits (about 160 ft) of a linga is very sacred and called Shivasthala. There are approximately 30 million lingas in temples and shrines all over India. Most of them are named after the place where they are located or after the person who established them there. Lingas fall into three categories. The first are the Anadi or Svayambhu, or self-generated lingas. They are believed to be the most sacred and are said to have fallen from heaven. Next are the Sithavara, or fixed lingas. These are crafted and then, after an initiation ceremony done according to Puranic rites, installed at a sacred location. It is believed that once a linga is installed, it should never be moved as that would result in a calamity. The third category of lingas are the Jangam, or movable lingas. These are the miniature lingas, which are made of stone, clay, metal, or other material. They are worn as amulets and necklaces, or worshipped in the homes of Shiva's devotees. The actual worship of the Shivalinga begins with bathing it, first with water mixed with earth, and then with water mixed with the Panchagavya. The linga is then smeared with sandalwood paste. Next, flowers and leaves are offered especially bel leaves. Next comes the arati, followed by the devotee's prayer. Shiva is believed to be very hot-tempered: bathing the linga and applying sandalwood paste are believed to soothe him.

Shiva Sutra is divided into three sections and gives the core of the inner yoga practice and philosophy not only of Kashmir Shaivism but also of many other tantrik traditions. First section 1. Consciousness is the being. 2. Knowledge the fetters. 3. The yoni divisions are the body of time. 4. The matrikas are the seat of knowledge. 5. Endeavour is Bhairava. 6. In the union of the circle of the Shaktis is the dissolution of the universe. 7. The fourth enjoys and is contained in the states of waking, dreaming and deep sleeping. 8. Knowledge is the waking state. 9. False imagining is the dream state. 10. Want of awareness is Maya, deep sleep. 11. The triad eaten by a Lord Hero. 12. Surprise-wonderment is the place of yoga. 13. Iccha Shakti is Uma, the Virgin. 14. All things the body. 15. When the collective-observation-shock is in the heart, dream vision disappears. 16. From being aware of the pure essence comes the shakti of non-duality. 17. Deliberation-pondering is being-wisdom. 18. World bliss is samadhi happiness. 19. In the abode of Shakti is creation of the body. 20. The collective abode of the elements is the universe, the elements separately are the shocks. 21. From the appearance of pure knowledge come the many Shaktis of the lord of the circle (of the Shaktis). 22. By concentrating on the transcendent lake of female energy, mantra life is obtained. Second section 1. Consciousness the mantra. 2. Endeavour the method. 3. The science-body-being the secret of mantra. 4. In the womb state of consciousness expansion the inferior science of the dream state. 5. In the arising of vidya, spontaneously, one may move in the void, like Shiva. 6. By means of the guru. 7. Awakened knowledge is the circle of the letters of the alphabet. 8. The body is the sacrifical ladle. 9. Knowledge is the food. 10. From the heap of knowledge arising from seeing in the dream state. Third section 1. The being is consciousness. 2. Knowledge the fetters. 3. From the kalas, the thing called in non discrimination, Maya. 4. In the body the dissolution of the kalas. 5. The nadi dissolution is the victory over the elements, freedom from the elements, separation of the elements. 6. Siddhi from the appearance of delusion. 7. The victory over delusion is the victory of spontaneous knowledge, which is of endless extent. 8. From the waking state, the world is a ray. 9. The essence is the dancer. 10. The inner essence is the theatre stage. 11. The sense organs are the audience. 12. Insight from will is the pure siddhi. 13. Accomplishment means transformation into independence. 14. As there, so elsewhere. 15. Attention is the bija. 16. Asana is the happiness of immersion in Shakti. 17. One's own measure is the measure suitable for measuring, giving guidance. 18. Imperishable knowledge means destruction of births. 19. In the Ka-series are Maheshvari and so forth, the beast-mothers. 20. Pour the fourth in the three like oil diffusing in water. 21. One should enter, immersed, by one's own consciousness. 22. Equally the practice of breath produces a similar sight. 23. In the centre, emanating the lower. 24. In the measure of one's own trust in the abode is this prevented again from appearing. 25. One knows equality with Shiva. 26. The existence of the body becomes a religious vow. 27. Conversation is mantra recitation. 28. The act of offering is being-wisdom. 29. Whosoever is in this state is the means of knowledge. 30. The universe becomes an aggregate of his Shaktis. 31. Both maintenance and dissolution. 32. Though subject to the cyclic law, one is not excluded from self experience. 33. Happiness and sadness become external. 34. Set free from that, one is complete. 35. The being of action is a heap of delusion. 36. Sundering the internal stream proceeding from action. 37. The creative Shakti from one's own spirit-perception-feeling. 38. The primordial animating one with three parts. 39. Observation remaining, the body creates action externally. 40. From wanting external actions arises the collective being. 41. When really reaching that, through its destruction, the embodied being is destroyed. 42. When the element-sheaths are released, at that time one becomes supreme and equal to the lord. 43. The inherent union of breath. 44. What is meant by restraint in the centre of the brow? The left and right in the central channel. 45. Again and again comes all encompassing awareness.

Thank you for your kind remarks. I only see you as an innocent child learning to see the world for the first time, a child learnig to take its first step and a child learing to say its first word. Keep going and you will learn more about growing up.

Life of Swami Dayanada There are many stories that reveal the greatness of Swami Dayanada. One such story of his greatest is retold below: Swami Dayananda was a tiger of Truth--he was never one to cower before the insolent might. That doesn't mean that he would recklessly put himself in harm's way, but neither would he hesitate to speak the truth to save others from harming themselves (through ignorance or manipulation). At the behest of his Guru (Swami Virjananda) he traveled all over India, sharing his wisdom with all, and guiding those who would listen to him. In the end, he was poisoned by a cook who had been misguided (through creed) by those whose special selfish interests were threatened by Swamiji's clarity and candor. The story goes like this. . . . . India under the British Raj had degenerated into a hodgepodge of small empires , all too often ruled by selfish Maharajas who had acquiesced to British rule (as a result of bribery or other manipulation). Even the Rajputs (who were known for their fierce patriotism) had fallen into self-degradation. Swamiji wanted to awaken these Maharajas to enlist their support and influence in freeing India from foreign rule and self-deception. Swamiji was invited by the Maharaja of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, to stay in his palace as an honored guest. The Maharaja respected Swamiji very much and was eager to receive his counsel. But, unfortunately, it seems the Maharaja did not respect himself--he had endeared himself to a low-character woman who entertained the Maharaja with her lewd dancing and female wiles. Swamiji happened upon them one day as they were selfishly engrossed in each other, and boldly reprimanded the Maharaja as thus: "Oh King, what is this I see? A lion in the company of a she-dog?! This is unbefitting of an Arya. Your duty is like that of a father to his children. Your people look up to you for protection and guidance. But you are keeping the company of a street bitch and bringing defame to your name, your family, and the human race. Throw away your selfish and degrading habits! Awaken from the coma of ignorance and hearken to the call of your soul! You are Arya Putra, a son of God--be true to your name and stand on your own two feet like a man of God! Stop making excuses for your selfish habits and leave these crutches of your ego! You are not a four-legged animal--then why do you cuddle at the feet of this fallen mother, like a little puppy dog? Utishtha! Arise and be true to your nature--follow your Dharma like your forefathers; polish and preserve your character and become a shining gem in the crown of the Almighty." The Maharaja realized his folly and felt much ashamed, and broke off all contact with this woman. As the saying goes, "There is no fury like a woman spurned." This vile person (who was a well-known high-class prostitute of the day) was extremely vexed. It is said that the British rulers of that area got word of this and used it to their advantage: they plotted with her to murder Swami Dayanada by giving her money to bribe the Maharaja's cook to poison Swamiji. The cook, persuaded by greed and manipulation, carried out the wicked task entrusted upon him. One evening, just before Swamiji was retiring, the cook brought Swamiji warm milk containing poison and ground glass. After drinking the concoction, Swamiji retired for the evening, later to awaken in extreme pain. He realized immediately that he had been poisoned and attempted to purge his digestive system of the poisonous substance, but alas, it had already made its way into his blood stream. Swamiji became bedridden and suffered excruciating pain. Over the course of the next several weeks, highly qualified doctors were called to help, but none could stop the effects of the poison. In the end, Swamiji's body was covered all over with large bleeding sores caused by the shredded glass and poison. Just before Swamiji's last days, the cook, overcome with unbearable guilt and remorse, approached Swamiji in tears and confessed his crime. Swamiji (who knew all along the identity of his assassin) listened to the confession of the anguished cook. Forgiving that tormented soul, Swamiji gave the cook a bag of money and told him to flee the country lest he be found out and executed by the Maharaja's men. Such was the compassion and mercy of Swami Dayananda. On Deepawali day, Swamiji's spirit was released from its mortal frame with the words, OM. . . . . .Thy Will Be Done. . . . . .OM Cohesive Force of Consciousness What is that which holds a society together? What is that which holds a community together? What is that which binds a family together into one cohesive unit? What is that which enables an individual to 'keep it together', i.e., to remain balanced and focused? The answer is WISDOM--knowledge of one's Self, the Supreme Self, and the nature of this world. Wisdom is the fabric of a nation, a culture, an organization, a family and an individual. Without wisdom, a nation is divided. Without wisdom, a culture is lost, without wisdom a family is pulled apart, without wisdom an individual becomes insane. Clarification : This is not to imply that the small empires were the invention of the British--but the British certainly left no stone unturned to keep the various kingdoms divided amongst themselves. The British were not solely responsible for the ills of India--in fact, Indians themselves were mostly to blame, as the Indian society had degenerated over the past 5000 years due to many various influences (many of which came from within the society itself). If you are interested in knowing about this, you are advised to read the eleventh (11th) chapter of Satyarth Prakash (Light of Truth), written by Maharishi Dayananda over 100 years ago. A wise human being does not get carried away by the stories of the past. It is okay to remember the stories, but it more important to focus on the lessons to be learned. Focus on the lessons Finger pointing and name calling are useless. We need to see where we have gone wrong, so that we do not make the same mistakes again. We need to arm ourselves with wisdom to ward off all negative influences--whether they be from our past, from our environment, or from those with whom we come in contact. "A wise human being learns from a little pain. A foolish person almost gets killed and still doesn't learn." "A wise human being learns from the mistakes of others. A foolish person doesn't even learn from his own mistakes." What is the Arya Samaj? The Arya Samaj is a reform movement and religious/social organization which was formally established in Bombay in 1875. It's patron saint is Maharishi Dayananda. By patron saint we mean to say that he was the inspiration behind this movement and is taken to be the guide of all those who call themselves Arya Samajees. But Dayanada never referred to either himself or others as Arya Samajees or Arya Samajists. He very clearly proclaimed: "I do not entertain the least idea of founding a new religion or sect. My sole aim is to believe in Truth and help others believe in it, to reject falsehood and help others to do the same." Maharishi Dayananda Saraswati Maharishi Dayananda was a social reformer and religious leader of the highest caliber. He was an adamant follower, exponent, and practitioner of the Vedas--the unadulterated Truth as handed down from Guru to disciple since the beginning of time. Swami Dayananda had absolutely no craving for worldly applause and was completely unconcerned and unperturbed by the censure of the superstitious, the ignorant, and the selfish. Swami Dayanada spoke the Truth and practiced it too. His compassion and large heartedness are legendary . Few people really understood him. His greatness cannot be measured with the yardstick of intellect or the ruler of the mind. To really know him one must meet him in the sacred chamber of the purified heart, devoid of all images, opinions, and misconceptions. Great souls never die--indeed, no soul ever dies, but great souls live on and on forever in our hearts. They are not confined to a particular place or time, caste, creed, or religion, country or culture--because they have gone beyond the dimension of the mind. The formal organization known as the Arya Samaj was an aid in fulfilling Maharishi Dayananda's promise to his preceptor to reveal the true meaning of the Vedas and revive the Vedic culture. However, Dayananda's prime mission in life was not the forming and maintaining of an organization or institution. What is the Meaning of Arya? The word Arya means a noble human being--one who is thoughtful and charitable, who thinks good thoughts and does good actions--he or she is an Arya. The universal Arya Samaj (Vishwa Arya Samaj) is a gathering of such people. It is a well-knit society of good people. Arya Samaj of the 21st Century For the Arya Samaj (the formal institution) to make an impact in the next century and beyond, it members must take special care to imbibe the purity and depth of Maharishi Dayananda. It is not enough that we merely follow his words to the letter--we need to enter into the spirit of that great soul and realize the essence of his teachings. It is imperative that all narrow-minded sectarian views be shunned, and that every Arya whole-heartedly embrace the universal principles that were practiced and propagated by Maharishi Dayananda. These are the same universal principles that were practiced by the Sages and noble people since times immemorial, and will continue to be practiced by good people until the end of time.

LORD SHIVA The terms Siva or Sankara mean Auspicious. Sam means Chitaananda (Blissful Awareness). Kara means the one who causes it. Sankara means the One who causes blissful awareness. Sankara is the One who confers Chitaananda on those who take refuge in Him or adore Him. The secret of Creation is evident from the description of the form of Siva. The crescent moon on Sivas head symbolizes the consciousness in human beings, the Ganga symbolizes the Life Force and the snakes on Sivas body represent the myriad of living beings. He resides on a silver mountain. His dearest friend is Kubera, the Lord of Wealth. Despite being endowed with all these, why was He obliged to carry the begging bowl? To demonstrate to the world that every kind of wealth is a hindrance to spiritual advancement, Siva renounced everything. It is through renunciation Siva became the eternal embodiment of supreme bliss. Iswara is also symbolized in the Linga Form, Lings is derived from the Sanskrit root, Li, means Leeyathe, 'merges'; it is the form in which all forms merge. Siva is the goal who blesses beings with the most desirable gift of meaning in the universe. That is the end, the death, which one should strive for, the end which Siva can vouch-safe. Siva means, graciousness; auspiciousness; Mangalam. He is all graciousness, ever auspicious, Sarva Mangalam. That is the reason why the epithet, Sri, which indicates these qualities, is not added to the name Siva, Sankara, lsvara etc. It is added to the number of Avatars, for they have taken on perishable bodies for a specific purpose. They have to be distinguished from other humans, by the epithet, Siva is eternally gracious, auspicious, mangala and so the epithet is superfluous. Siva is adored as the teacher of teachers, Dakshinamurti. The form of Siva is itself a great lesson in tolerance and forbearance. The Lord has another name. It is only when the love principle underlying this name is rightly understood, the real form of the Cosmos can be recognized. That name is Saambasiva. Saa means divinity. Amba refers to the cosmos. Siva means the Supreme person (Purusha). Easwara has yet another name: Yogasikha. The sky is His blue form. The directions (Dik) are His garment. Hence He is known as Digambara. He is also known as Panchaanana - the Five-headed One. The five are: Earth, water, fire and aakaasa (space). His five heads represent the five basic elements (panchabhuthas). Siva is also described as Bhuthanaatha - the Lord of all created beings. Bhutha refers to creation. Easwara is the Lord of every creature in the universe. Hence, the entire cosmos is reflected as an image in the Lord. Siva is known as Subhankara- the one who is ever good (Subham). The three eyes of Siva represent the three worlds (lokas). Siva's trident is symbolic of the Past, the Present, and the Future, the three aspects of Time. The three gunas (Satwa, Rajas, Thamas) are images of the Trinity - Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva. The three worlds, the triune aspect of Time, the three gunas (qualities) are the manifestations of the Easwara Principle. It is for the well-being of the world that Siva swallowed the Halahala poison. Again, it is for the sake of the worlds good that Siva contained the Ganga in His matted locks. Siva bears the moon on His head to confer peace of mind on mankind. When man moulds himself on the pattern of Easwara, he will get rid of all his evil tendencies and offer to the world what is good in him. That is the meaning of the worship of Siva. It is only when man gives up utterly his bad thoughts, evil desires and wicked deeds, he will be able to transform himself into divinity.

SHIV MAHAPURAN: INTRODUCTION First of all, Sage Shaunak expressed his desire to Sutji about knowing the means, which could help a man in this era of Kali to attainment lord Shiva, by cleansing all the impurities of his mind and rectifying his inherent demonic tendencies. Sutji then described about Shiv Mahapuran - the supreme of all the puranas, which was narrated by Lord Shiva himself and which was later on retold by Sage Vyas with the permission of Maharshi Sanatkumar, for the benediction of common man. Sutji said, "By understanding the mysteries of Shivmahapuran and singing its praises, a man attains greater virtues than that which could be attained by being charitable or by the performance of all the `yagyas'. Contemplating on the subject matters of Shivmahapuran give auspicious fruits just like a 'Kalpa-taru' (A mythological tree which fulfills all the wishes). Shiv Mahapuran contains twenty-four thousand shlokas and seven. Samhitas which are as under:- 1) VIDYESHWAR SAMHITA, 2) RUDRA SAMHITA 3) SHATRUDRA SAMHITA 4) KOTI RUDRA SAMHITA 5) UMA SAMHITA 6) KAILASH SAMHITA 7) VAYVIYA SAMHITA Shivmahapuran is the best means for man's liberation. PROPER METHOD OF LISTENING TO SHIVPURAN Sage Shaunak requested Sutji to tell about the proper method of listening to Shivpuran, so that the man kind gets complete benefit. Sutji replied- "First of all, an auspicious moment should be determined by an Astrologer. After that, friends and relatives should be invited, especially those who have the tendency of being away from such occasions. The sages and the virtuous people should be invited too. The 'Katha' must be help in scared places like Shiva temple, any place of pilgrimage or in one's home after doing a Bhumi Pujan of the land Where one intends to held the Katha of Shiv Puran. The canopy should be well decorated.After making a resolution and doing worship of Ganapati - the destroyer of all hurdles and obstacles the Katha should be commenced. The person who is telling the 'Katha' should be facing north and all the listeners should sit facing east. The person who is telling the 'Katha' should be a scholar and should be capable of clearing all the doubts from the listener's mind. There should be no kind of distraction during the 'Katha' period. A devotee, who listens to the Katha leaving behind all of his worldlys worries get complete benefits. A devotee should also make donations and offerings according to his capacity and capability otherwise he would become a wretched man. The Mantra 'OM NAMAH SHIVAY' should be chanted through out the period of Katha. RIGHT OF LISTENING TO SHIVMAHAPURAN:- An uninitiated person does not have the right to listen to the Katha of Shivmahapuran. So a man desirous of listening to Shivmahapuran should first get initiated. AUSTERITIES TO BE FOLLOWED: A devotee who has taken the vow of listening to the Katha of Shivmahapuran, should follow a celibate life. He should sleep on the floor and should have only fruits in the diet. He can have his normal dinner only after the completion of the Katha. The diet should be fresh and pure. He should also try to avoid sinful tendencies like lust, anger, greed, attachment and condemning other, etc. Making donations of even meager things give undiminishing virtues. RITES PERFORMED ON COMPLETION OF OBSERVANCE:- After the methodical completion of the Katha, a devotee should perform UDDYAPAN (Conclusion of the Katha), which is similar to the CHATURDASHI UDDYAPAN. The devotee should also Charitably make donations to all the brahmins who have helped in the performance of Katha. On the next day the 'Path' of SHIV GITA should be performed. If the devotee (listener of the Katha) is a householders, then he should perform 'Havan' with the ghee prepared from Cow's milk, for the pacification of the unhindered completion of the Katha. The Havan should be performed, either with the help of 'Rudra Samhita mantras' or 'Gayatri Mantra' or with the shlokas of Puran SHIVO GURUHU SHIVO DEVAHA SHIVO BANDUHU SHARIRINAM | SHIV ATMA SHIVO JEEVAHA SHIVADANYANN KINCHAN || Meaning - Lord Shiva himself is the teacher (Guru,), Shiva is the God, Shiva is the friend of all creatures. Shiva himself is Atma (Soul) and Shiva is the Jeeva (living creature) himself. There is nothing devoid of Shiva. The virtue and benefits achieved as the result of charity, name, recitation and religious sacrifices offered to Shiva, are infinite. This has unequivocally been said in all the scriptures, That only tongue (mouth) is pure that has the name of Shiva on its lips. That mind, only is chaste that is absorbed in contemplation of the different Lilas and stories associated with Shiva. That ear only is pure that is eager to listen to the story of Shiva. Those hands only are pure that worship Lord Shiva regularly. Those eyes only are pure who see the worship of Lord Shiva, That head only is pure that prostrates before Lord Shiva. Those feet only are pure that walk and move with devotion in the holy places associated to Lord Shiva. YASYENDRIYANI SARVANI VARTANTE SHIVA KARMASU SA NISTARTI SANSARAM BHUKTIM MUKTIM CHA VINDATI || Meaning – He only shall cross this world whose senses are in the service of Lord Shiva. He is the one who enjoys all the fruits and attains salvation. He is respected amongst all the creatures, which has even a little devotion towards Shiva in the heart. All creatures of this world are of different interests and nature. That is why the Gods assume different forms and incarnate accordingly. It is the unique quality or characteristics of Indian culture that perceives God in both the forms (a) Saguna (with form) (b) Nirguna (formless). Fundamentally the form of Lord Shiva is the form of Sat-Chita and Anand but different people differently according to individual nature and conduct attain him. One can evidently see and hear different names of Lord Shiva according to the forms assumed. i.e. Neelkanth, Pashupatinath, Kedareshwar, Mrityunjaya, Dakshima Murti, Ardhanareshwar, Harihar, Panchvaktra, Dhaneshwar, Natraj etc. He is worshipped also differently. Wherever and whenever devotees have invoked him with devotion, the ocean of compassion Bhagwan Shambhu has incarnated and blessed the devotees with anticipated fruits and resided there eternally. He with the intention of blessing all has conceptualised the ‘Linga’. By being pleased by the worship and devotion of the devotees he emerges as the Jyoti Swarup and resided there inform of a Jyotirlinga. There are innumerable Lingas on earth and the significance of Jyotirlingas is worth mentioning. By worshiping the Jyotirlingas one can definitely attain the highest state, or rather he himself becomes alike Shiva. The Puranas vociferously sing the praises of the greatness of the Jyotirlingas. By reciting the name of this, one can eliminate all the sins. The Sadhaka becomes calm, chaste and pure. He becomes illuminated and enlightened with supreme and divine knowledge. The names mentioned for the benefits of all Sadhakas are _ SAURASHTRA SOMNATHAM CHA SHRISHAILE MALLIKARJUNAM || UJJAINYAM MAHAKALOMKARE MAMMALESHWARAM || PARLYAM VAIJNATHAM CHA DAKINYAM BHEEM SHANKARAM || SETU BANDHE TU RAMESHAM NAGESHAM DARUKA VANE || VARANASYA TU VISHWESHAM TRIBAKAM GAUTAMITATE || HIMALAYE TU KEDARAM GHURMESHAM CHA SHIVALAYE || AETANI JYOTIRLINGANI SAYAM PRATAHA PATHENNARAHA || SAPTA JANMA KRITAM PAPAM SMARANEN VINASHYATI || 1. Somnath in Saurashtra (Kathiawad) 2. Mallikarjun in Shrishailam 3. Mahakal in Ujjain 4. Omkar in Mammaleshwaram 5. Vaijnath in Parli 6. Bhima Shankar in Dakini 7. Rameshwaram in Setubandha 8. Nagesh in Darukavana 9. Vishweshwar in Varanasi 10. Trimbakeshwar on the banks of river Gautami 11. Kedarnath in Himalayas 12. Ghurmeshwar in Shivalaya One who recites these 12 names regularly in the morning and evening he washes all the sins committed in the previous 7 births and attains all the powers and Siddhis.

SIXTH ADHYAYA 1. Some wise men, deluded, speak of Nature, and others of Time (as the cause of everything); but it is the greatness of God by which this Brahma-wheel is made to turn. 2. It is at the command of him who always covers this world, the knower, the time of time, who assumes qualities and all knowledge, it is at his command that this work (creation) unfolds itself, which is called earth, water, fire, air, and ether; 3. He who, after he has done that work and rested again, and after he has brought together one essence (the self) with the other (matter), with one, two, three, or eight, with time also and with the subtile qualities of the mind, 4. Who, after starting the works endowed with (the three) qualities, can order all things, yet when, in the absence of all these, he has caused the destruction of the work, goes on, being in truth different (from all he has produced); 5. He is the beginning, producing the causes which unite (the soul with the body), and, being above the three kinds of time (past, present, future), he is seen as without parts, after we have first worshipped that adorable god, who has many forms, and who is the true source (of all things), as dwelling in our own mind. 6. He is beyond all the forms of the tree (of the world) and of time, he is the other, from whom this world moves round, when one has known him who brings good and removes evil, the lord of bliss, as dwelling within the self, the immortal, the support of all. 7. Let us know that highest great lord of lords, the highest deity of deities, the master of masters, the highest above, as god, the lord of the world, the adorable. 8. There is no effect and no cause known of him, no one is seen like unto him or better; his high power is revealed as manifold, as inherent, acting as force and knowledge. 9. There is no master of his in the world, no ruler of his, not even a sign of him. He is the cause, the lord of the lords of the organs, and there is of him neither parent nor lord. 10. That only god who spontaneously covered himself, like a spider, with threads drawn from the first cause (pradhana), grant us entrance into Brahman. 11. He is the one God, hidden in all beings, all-pervading, the self within all beings, watching over all works, dwelling in all beings, the witness, the perceiver, the only one, free from qualities. 12. He is the one ruler of many who (seem to act, but really do) not act; he makes the one seed manifold. The wise who perceive him within their self, to them belongs eternal happiness, not to others. 13. He is the eternal among eternals, the thinker among thinkers, who, though one, fulfils the desires of many. He who has known that cause which is to be apprehended by Sankhya (philosophy) and Yoga (religious discipline), he is freed from all fetters. 14. The sun does not shine there, nor the moon and the stars, nor these lightnings, and much less this fire. When he shines, everything shines after him; by his light all this is lightened. 15. He is the one bird in the midst of the world; he is also (like) the fire (of the sun) that has set in the ocean. A man who knows him truly, passes over death; there is no other path to go. 16. He makes all, he knows all, the self-caused, the knower, the time of time (destroyer of time), who assumes qualities and knows everything, the master of nature and of man, the lord of the three qualities (guna), the cause of the bondage, the existence, and the liberation of the world. 17. He who has become that, he is the immortal, remaining the lord, the knower, the ever-present guardian of this world, who rules this world for ever, for no one else is able to rule it. 18. Seeking for freedom I go for refuge to that God who is the light of his own thoughts, he who first creates Brahman (m.) and delivers the Vedas to him; 19. Who is without parts, without actions, tranquil, without fault, without taint, the highest bridge to immortality- like a fire that has consumed its fuel. 20. Only when men shall roll up the sky like a hide, will there be an end of misery, unless God has first been known. 21. Through the power of his penance and through the grace of God has the wise Svetasvatara truly proclaimed Brahman, the highest and holiest, to the best of ascetics, as approved by the company of Rishis. 22. This highest mystery in the Vedanta, delivered in a former age, should not be given to one whose passions have not been subdued, nor to one who is not a son, or who is not a pupil. 23. If these truths have been told to a high-minded man, who feels the highest devotion for God, and for his Guru as for God, then they will shine forth,- then they will shine forth indeed.

The Aryan Invasion: Fact or Fallacy? The greater issues involved in this apparently obscure debate are quite significant. If ancient India was a Vedic culture, then we would have to rewrite not only the history of India but also that of Europe and the Middle East. The whole edifice of western civilization’s interpretation of history would go down ignominiously. The change in our view of history would be as radical as Einstein’s ideas that changed our view of physics" (D Frawley). Like most Indians of my generation, I grew up studying about how the Indian sub-continent was invaded by a race of ‘Aryans’, who gave us the Vedic heritage that we are so proud of. It is only recently, as a result of reading articles and then delving into the roots of the whole theory that I have come to understand my own roots better. To confirm, what has always been a suspicion. That ours is one of, if not the oldest civilization, of which any written records still exist. That the Vedas are not the delusions of a poet, but the records of a civilization. That the culture that evolved on the banks of the Saraswati and the Sapta Sindhu composed the ancient scriptures, and they were without doubt indigenous people and not nomadic barbaric hordes that brought the glory of the Vedas with the thundering hooves of their horses. The Aryan Invasion theory (AIT) was propagated by the west to justify their own purposes. If that race brought us this literature common sense demands that they document their own entry into this part of the world. In addition, all the Vedic literature that was supposedly given to us by the invading Aryans has not ONE reference to any region outside the Indian sub-continent. And to think for a moment that a horde of invaders, nomadic in their existence, would produce the sublime wisdom of our scriptures, defies intelligence. Such a vast literature could only have been the product of a civilization that was well rooted and highly developed. Not a constantly moving people on horses !!!! The Aryan Invasion theory (AIT) propounded by western scholars gives a Eurocentric history of civilization, based on racial parameters. It was used to justify colonialism and derived its fundamentals from Biblical chronology. It states that around 1500 BC ,‘Aryans’ ,a race of fair skinned, blue-eyed, sharp nosed invaders from Central Asia invaded the Indus Valley and drove out the indigenous black skinned Dravidian race that was pushed further down south. This nomadic horde on horses is supposed to have ‘conquered’ a civilization covering an area of almost 800,000 square kilometers. If it is a racial theory, could the Germans or Europeans be far behind ? Yes, Max Mueller is credited (!!!) with popularizing AIT. "Max Muller, like many of the Christian scholars of his era, believed in Biblical chronology... Given then that the world was created in 4000 BC and the flood occurred in 2500 BC, it was impossible to give the Aryan invasion a date earlier than 1500 BC Also, many of these scholars had dubious credentials and motives. "( D Frawley) The word ‘Arya’ itself is not used in the context of race anywhere in the Vedas. It is a form of address to give respect as in Sir or Monsieur. Its connotations were in the context of assigning the qualities of nobility, righteousness and culture to a person. In Ramayana, Rama is described thus…Aryah sarvasamashchaivah sadaiv priyadarshan. Arya - who cared for the equality to all and was dear to everyone. The astronomical data in the hymns of the Vedas, would date it to at least 3000 BC and the Aryan invasion is given a date (by AIT proponents) of around 1500 BC. And the Aryan-Dravidian divide does not account for the fact that the scriptures, cultures and historical traditions of North and South are essentially the same. If one was the conqueror and the other the conquered, and from two different cultures, how does one account for a homogeneity in the Hindu tradition from Mount Kailash to Kanya Kumari? Another inconsistency in the theory of Aryan invasion is that the excavated sites of Harrappa show that all the sites were abandoned. Now if an invader came and drove the inhabitants out, logic dictates that such an invader would occupy these towns. But archaeological findings prove this was not the case. And these ‘great invaders’ who came from the north west and occupied this land, sang the praises of our rivers, glorified our mountains and called this the holy land. Not their own homeland? That doesn’t make sense. Every reference to any place in the scriptures can be found on what is still, to this day, the Indian sub-continent. Not one place is somewhere in Central Asia or Europe where these supposed invaders came from. The culture spread, to parts of Iran and Central Asia but archaeology has proven beyond doubt that civilization has moved East to West and not the other way around as propounded by western scholars in the 19th and 20th centuries. The kind of spiritual depth, poetic refinement and cultural history that is reflected in the Vedas requires a great civilization to produce it. And they could not have done that on horseback! And if they developed it here, there should be some record of their roots in what they consider to be their literature. The first discovery of buried townships in Harappa and Mohenjodaro was in 1922. Since then thousands of settlements have been excavated by archaeologists that stretch across the sub-continent along the banks of what used to be the Saraswati river. Archaeological evidence has proven that a series of floods around the second millenium BC brought to an end the Harrapan civilization, that stretched along the mighty Saraswati river. This river, is the holy river mentioned in the Vedas and not the Ganga. The Ganga is mentioned only once in the Rig Veda, while its sister Saraswati, has numerous verses testifying to its glory. All the excavations have revealed that the settlements of this civilization are along the banks of the Saraswati, accounting for its fame and glory in the Vedic texts. Excavation of Harappan sites in Dhaulavira in Gujarat to Ropar in Punjab reveal abandoned towns and testify to cultural practices that date well before 3000 BC. The Dhaulavira region in Kacchh (Gujarat), which is now a stretch of desert was apparently a major port city, dating well before 3000 BC. Its proximity to the sea, and what was the delta of the Saraswati river would account for the marble pillars excavated there. These pillars, a gateway to the mainland, are mentioned in the Rig Veda. And since the Saraswati dried up long before 1500 BC it would not explain why it is glorified in the literature of the nomads who are claimed to have conquered this land post 1500 BC. Kunal, in what is now Haryana, was again in the Saraswati region and is dated to pre-Harrapan times, which would justify that the civilization was highly developed long before 3000 BC. The Saraswati-Drishadvati region seems to have been the main focal point of this civilization. Rakhigarhi, on the Drishadvati has been found to much larger than the remains found at Harappa or Mohenjodaro. Archaeological remains have been found of altars, Harappan script and crafts. These are described in detail in the Vedas and would associate this literature with that civilization. The Vedic Age is dated from around 7000 BC to 3000 BC. Now, if the Rig Veda mentions the Saraswati, that dates long before 3000 BC, then the Vedas would have been in existence prior to 3000 BC…which is the period of the Mahabharata. This mighty river, over seven kilometers wide, flowed from the Himalayas through the western deserts and into the ocean. When this river dried up, as has been proven by satellite images, it is logical to assume that the people who lived on its banks were forced to move elsewhere. During the time of the Pandavas and Kauravas, the mighty Saraswati is referred to as a ‘dying’ river. It is the drying up of this river and not an invading race that led to the decline and subsequent disappearance of the civilization. If anything this massive exodus moved north, west and south rather than any people coming in. The people of the Vedic Age were displaced by the onslaught of nature and not a tribe on horses. That would account for the large-scale abandonment of all the settlements along the Saraswati river .Along the Sindhu river, prolonged droughts drove the inhabitants away, in search of new lands. It is at this time that the people of this land are supposed to have migrated in all directions. The cultural similarities with the Iranians would testify to the spreading of this culture outside the region and westward. It seems to have stretched as far as the Celtic region, with numerous referenced in Celtic literature to what is originally Vedic culture. That the Vedas have no reference whatsoever to anything in Ireland or Iran would mean that the culture moved from East to West. And it is the culture that moved as a people, not as invaders; because the Vedic peoples did not leave to conquer other lands, but to find new homes. If any single archaeological discovery has shattered AIT, it is the discovery of this submerged city off the coast of Gujarat. It proves beyond doubt that the events of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana are historical facts and not the ramblings of an imaginative poet! There are several references to Dwarka being swallowed by the ocean in the Mahabharata and Krishna’s warning to the residents of this city prior to its submersion. The remains have been dated between 3000 and 1500 BC, which sends the Aryan Invasion theory flying out of the historical window. The North-South divide does not refer to an Aryan-Dravidian divide, but that of two cultures from the Vedic Age that form the two warring families referred to in the Vedas. The Brighu rishi family and the Angirasa rishi family. The Turvashus and Yadus were from the Bhrigu family. The Vedas were a product of the northern Angirasa rishis (Purus and Ikshvakus) along the Saraswati Drishadvati region. Although products of the same civilization, the northern faction prevailed as is evident in the Vedic and Puranic scriptures. Given the symbolisms associated with the sea in the earlier literature and given the period of the Ice age, it is logical to assume that the southern culture is the older of the two but eventually the northern offshoot came to prevail and claim the land as the land of Bharata. There are very little cultural or genetic differences between these two rishi families that can substantiate any claim to another race. The only other culture in Vedic literature is that of what is now Punjab and Afghanistan. The Anus and Druhyus of this region were the ones who gradually migrated north and west and do not form any significant part of the ancient scriptures, thus attesting to their minimal influence in the region. The Vedas were a testament to the powerful Rishi-Raja culture along the Saraswati and the enduring power of a culture that prevailed and spread over the region over thousands of years. It is argued that Aryans brought horses and chariots into the Indian sub-continent and that accounts for their mention in the Vedas. Now why would the horse be of a totally different anatomical structure, if that were the case: "Deep in the specialized literature on horse classification, we can find that Indian and other horses extending to insular Southeast Asia were peculiar from other breed. All showed anatomical traces of admixture with the ancient equid known as Equus Sivalensis. …However, like that equid, the horse of southeastern Asia has peculiar zebra-like dentition. Also both were distinguished by a pre-orbital depression. The orbital region is important because it has been demonstrated as useful in classifying different species of equids. Finally, and most importantly in relation to the Vedic literature, the Indian horse has, like Equus Sivalensis, only 17 pairs of ribs." ( P K Manansala). The horses from Europe and Central Asia had 18 sets of ribs. Did they lose one set of ribs enroute from Europe to India? And if these horses came with the Aryans we should be able to find some remains of this huge migration of species into the sub-continent. Neigh !!!!… Not a single horse bone. The spoke wheel chariot is a symbol in much of Harrappan excavations, so it was most definitely not an ‘import’ from West Asia. And the symbols found would date it far before 2000 BC which is about when they are dated in West Asia. If this mythical race invaded this region around 1500 BC one would assume that the skeletal remains found in pre-Harrapan sites and those post 2000 BC would show some evidence of a ‘new race’. Again not a single bone that shows any discontinuity in genetic information. It is much more likely that some of the indigenous population of the sub-continent moved north and west and spread to parts of Central Asia as is evident in the cultural similarities with Iran. And the only discontinuities in genetics are around 6000 BC. Nothing dating between 1500 BC to 800 BC which is when the Aryan invasion is supposed to have taken place. And even in the other case, there is no significant alteration in the genetics in this part of the world. So why in all these archaeological findings is there not one shred of evidence to support the theory that these Aryans ever existed? And how come this glorious invasion left no proof of its existence when substantial proof of the civilization they supposedly conquered exists. If there were battles, there is no proof of it, and if skeletal remains were found not one of them was of a foreign race. No signs of battle, no signs of conquest and absolutely no genetic trace of these ‘foreign invaders’. The Cow is again given as an example of an import. Now even in today’s day and age we can tell that the Indian cow is ‘different’ from its brethren in other parts of the world. Not just in anatomy but also in attitude!!! That’s perhaps because this species dates back many thousand of years and is not an offshoot of its western comrades. The worship of Shiva in the South is taken as a justification for the divide between Aryan and Dravidian cultures. Those who put forward this theory seem to forget that the most holy place of Shiva is Mount Kailash which is about as North as you can get on the Indian sub-continent. Many important sites for this God are located in North India and not the South. The linguistic diversity on the Indian sub-continent is cited as a basis for the invasion theory. That language has more to do with culture than race is historically evident. Vedic culture is the main reason why Sanskrit has a widespread acceptance throughout the Indian sub-continent. And as with many cultures, poetic verse was a powerful and effective medium of communicating ideas and thoughts. Linguistic diversity has little to do with race or even invasions but rather a peculiarity of the human race to develop unique means of communication. Sanskrit exists in its original form, as in the Vedas, only in this part of the world. And since everything written in this language only validates events in this region, and is limited to the geography of the region, it would seem illogical to assume that the language itself was an ‘import’. The seven holy rivers are all from the Indian sub-continent. The twelve Jyotirlings are all in what is still India. The pilgrimage centers of our culture are within this region. The mountains and valleys, ocean and deserts are still here. The excavations at Harappa indicate that writing existed in this civilization in 4000 BC. Nothing, absolutely nothing, has any reference to any place or people outside of this region. Not in any of the Vedas, Puranas or the Epics. A Euro-centric version propounded in the last two centuries has found its way into our textbooks courtesy the British Raj. Like true invaders, the Brits brought with them their theories, religion, architecture, art and culture that centered around their homeland. That is true invasionist imperialist culture. If the ‘Aryans ‘ had done that there would have been SOME proof of it. If there is evidence of what life was like in pre-Harappan ages that existed in 4000 BC right down to their crafts and measuring instruments, why has nothing been found about this mythical Aryan race. "It is opposed to their (Hindus) foreign origin, that neither in the Code (of Manu) nor, I believe, in the Vedas, nor in any book that is certainly older than the code, is there any allusion to a prior residence or to a knowledge of more than the name of any country out of India. Even mythology goes no further than the Himalayan chain, in which is fixed the habitation of the gods......" (M S Elphinstone). – Rekha I Nambiar August 25, 2002

You cannot see him in dog but I can see. To me every living thing appears as God. Try to discover that first. Discover yourself first before you try to undestand Krishna. Without knowing yourself first you will not know what Krisha or his lelas. Yest the stories are beautiful and soothing to listen but there is alot behind that stroy called Gita upanisham. You can quote all what has been dicussed betwen the baktha and Krishna but it serves no purpose if you do not know the core issue of the whole episode. Being sarcastic will not help any of you.........

Mundaka Upanishad Chapter II 1 The Luminous Brahman dwells in the cave of the heart and is known to move there. It is the great support of all; for in It is centred everything that moves, breathes, and blinks. O disciples, know that to be your Self—that which is both gross and subtle, which is adorable, supreme, and beyond the understanding of creatures. 2 That which is radiant, subtler than the subtle, That by which all the worlds and their inhabitants are supported—That, verily, is the indestructible Brahman; That is the prana, speech, and the mind; That is the True and That is the Immortal. That alone is to be struck. Strike It, my good friend. 3 Take the Upanishad as the bow, the great weapon, and place upon it the arrow sharpened by meditation. Then, having drawn it back with a mind directed to the thought of Brahman, strike that mark, O my good friend—that which is the Imperishable 4 Om is the bow; the atman is the arrow; Brahman is said to be the mark. It is to be struck by an undistracted mind. Then the atman becomes one with Brahman, as the arrow with the target. 5 In Him are woven heaven, earth, and the space between, and the mind with all the sense-organs. Know that non-dual Atman alone and give up all other talk. He is the bridge to Immortality. 6 He moves about, becoming manifold, within the heart, where the arteries meet, like the spokes fastened in the nave of a chariot wheel. Meditate on Atman as Om. Hail to you! May you cross beyond the sea of darkness! 7 He who knows all and understands all, and to whom belongs all the glory in the world—He, Atman, is placed in the space in the effulgent abode of Brahman. He assumes the forms of the mind and leads the body and the senses. He dwells in the body, inside the heart. By the knowledge of That which shines as the blissful and immortal Atman, the wise behold Him fully in all things. 8 The fetters of the heart are broken, all doubts are resolved, and all works cease to bear fruit, when He is beheld who is both high and low. 9 There the stainless and indivisible Brahman shines in the highest, golden sheath. It is pure; It is the Light of lights; It is That which they know who know the Self. 10 The sun does not shine there, nor the moon and the stars, nor these lightnings, not to speak of this fire. When He shines, everything shines after Him; by His light everything is lighted. 11 That immortal Brahman alone is before, that Brahman is behind, that Brahman is to the right and left. Brahman alone pervades everything above and below; this universe is that Supreme Brahman alone. Chapter II 1 He, the Knower of the Self, knows that Supreme Abode of Brahman, which shines brightly and in which the universe rests. Those wise men who, free from desires, worship such a person transcend the seed of birth. 2 He who, cherishing objects, desires them, is born again here or there through his desires, But for him whose desires are satisfied and who is established in the Self, all desires vanish even here on earth. 3 This Atman cannot be attained through study of the Vedas, nor through intelligence, nor through much learning. He who chooses Atman—by him alone is Atman attained. It is Atman that reveals to the seeker Its true nature. 4 This Atman cannot be attained by one who is without strength or earnestness or who is without knowledge accompanied by renunciation. But if a wise man strives by means of these aids, his soul enters the Abode of Brahman. 5 Having realized Atman, the seers become satisfied with that Knowledge. Their souls are established in the Supreme Self, they are free from passions, and they are tranquil in mind. Such calm souls ever devoted to the Self, behold everywhere the omnipresent Brahman and in the end enter into It, which is all this. 6 Having well ascertained the Self, the goal of the Vedantic knowledge, and having purified their minds through the practice of sannyasa, the seers, never relaxing their efforts, enjoy here supreme Immortality and at the time of the great end attain complete freedom in Brahman. 7 The fifteen parts go back to their causes, and all the senses to their deities; the actions, and the Atman reflected in the buddhi, become one with the highest imperishable Brahman, which is the Self of all. 8 As flowing rivers disappear in the sea, losing their names and forms, so a wise man, freed from name and form, attains the Purusha, who is greater than the Great. 9 He who knows the Supreme Brahman verily becomes Brahman. In his family no one is born ignorant of Brahman. He overcomes grief; he overcomes evil; free from the fetters of the heart, he becomes immortal.

In every one of you I see God coz it is not you speaking your mind but God arguing with me and I am speaking to him. You are just his tool as I am. Does that ring the bell?

That is because you have been trained to accept only one way of reaching God while others rediscover better ways with less complications. There is a simple way and there is a hard way. Stories are for you not for others.

God is not a killer. It is the devil that kills. God is love and no matter how cruel a person is he will show compassion but a person is punished by God for your sins but by your own karma which is the cycle of birth and suffer in this plane as lonng as not does not realize his wrong doings. That is why when you look around, you are seeing poor hungry people, suffering from incurable disease, born limbless and lame, gruesome death and many other forms. These are to show you what will happen in your next birth if you sin against mankind. God who dwells in your atman will only absorb in you when you realize the truth until than he will is a sleep. Anything good will invoke him to protect you. Music, prayers, rituals, good deeds and meditation. He is not going to bring any club or weapon to destroy you. This are all tales created to put fear in human mind. Do not listen to silly fellows.