Guest guest Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 what happened to the rest of the newsletter/digest At 03:02 p.m. 07/12/2005 +0000, you wrote: >There are 11 messages in this issue. > >Topics in this digest: > > 1. AVA Newsletter & Truth > Vrndavan Parker <vrnparker > 2. Mercury Retrograde once again > Vrndavan Parker <vrnparker > 3. Call for Participation: HEC 2005, Houston, TX (V.R.N. Parker) > Vrndavan Parker <vrnparker > 4. The Hindu art of self-hate > "Vrn Davan" <vaidika1008 > 5. Jyotish Studio 3 available now > "Vrn Davan" <vaidika1008 > 6. African Gray Parrot Grasps Zero Concept > "vrnparker" <vrnparker > 7. Salabega:A Muslim devotee of Krishna > "vrnparker" <vrnparker > 8. Nixon:I want to piss on the Indians > "vrnparker" <vrnparker > 9. Cow meat traced in five Delhi's meat-processing units > "vrnparker" <vrnparker > 10. RSS rescues Christian priests > "vrnparker" <vrnparker > 11. Snake dies after biting brahmin > "vrnparker" <vrnparker > > >______________________ >______________________ > >Message: 1 > Mon, 11 Jul 2005 10:31:57 -0700 (PDT) > Vrndavan Parker <vrnparker >AVA Newsletter & Truth > > > >"Roberts, William NAVSEA" ><william.roberts wrote:AVA Newsletter & Truth >Fri, 8 Jul 2005 16:36:13 -0700 >"Roberts, William NAVSEA" <william.roberts ><ojaichiro > > >st1\:* { BEHAVIOR: >url(#default#ieooui)}@font-face >{ font-family: Tahoma;}@font-face >{ font-family: MS Sans Serif;}@page >Section1 {size: 8.5in 11.0in; margin: 1.0in >1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin: .5in; >mso-footer-margin: .5in; mso-paper-source: 0; >}P.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: >0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; >mso-style-parent: ""; mso-pagination: >widow-orphan; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times >New Roman"}LI.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; >MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New >Roman"; mso-style-parent: ""; mso-pagination: >widow-orphan; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times >New Roman"}DIV.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; >MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New >Roman"; mso-style-parent: ""; mso-pagination: >widow-orphan; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times >New Roman"}A:link { COLOR: blue; >TEXT-DECORATION: underline; text-underline: >single}SPAN.MsoHyperlink { COLOR: blue; >TEXT-DECORATION: underline; text-underline: >single}A:visited { COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: > underline; text-underline: > single}SPAN.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { COLOR: > blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; > text-underline: single}P { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; > MARGIN-LEFT: 0in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; > FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-pagination: > widow-orphan; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times > New Roman"; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; > mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto}SPAN.EmailStyle18 > { COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; > mso-style-type: personal; mso-style-noshow: > yes; mso-ansi-font-size: 10.0pt; > mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; > mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; > mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; > mso-bidi-font-family: Arial}SPAN.EmailStyle21 > { COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; > mso-style-type: personal-reply; > mso-style-noshow: yes; mso-ansi-font-size: > 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; > mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; > mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; > mso-bidi-font-family: Arial}DIV.Section1 { page: Section1} Charles, > > Thank you for clarifying what is was > that you objected to so strongly to in the June > 16/21 issue of the AVA newsletter entitled > “Derailed by Silent Meditation”. I now > understand that you feel the points I made were > misleading and “…as far from the truth as ( > you/I ) could get.” I welcome the concerns of > those who challenge the veracity of what I > write and now you have provided a bit more > clarity regarding what it is you take issue > with. While this is helpful, it still remains > unclear what your source of “…The Truth” is by > which you base your objections on. > > You are certainly educated enough to > realize that my article was intentionally > written to provoke the reader into > reconsidering their current understanding of > Silent Meditation. Needless to say, there are > many who apparently believe that the ability to > sit silently is a symptom of a high stage of > transcendence. The purpose of my article > was to raise the question: “What is that > practice based on?” Asking this question will > automatically lead to the more encompassing > issue: “Who do you accept as a reliable source > for understanding what is true?” > > That seems to be at the heart of why you > feel I am misleading people. There are many > individuals claiming to know the truth who also > promote silent meditation as some type of > spiritual “Cure-All” but is that > recommendation based on anything more then their own empirical speculation? > > Many so-called teachers climb to prominence > simply because they convince a lot of people > that they have something meaningful to > say. But is that all it takes to become a > Guru? Tom Metzger is a very charismatic person > who convinced thousands of people that his > philosophy of White Aryan Resistance, (more > commonly known as the Neo-Nazi movement), > embodies the highest truth regarding who we > should associate with! But is what he says > good advice simply because he says it's true > and a buch of arrogant, snotty, spoild, trailer-trash drop-out kids agree? > > As for myself; I have found that all of > the big questions about life are nicely > explained in the Bhagavad Gita. This scripture > has not only withstood the test of time, but it > is lauded by some of the greatest personalities > that every walked on the face of this > earth. (See attached document) I therefore go > to great lengths to make sure that the articles > I write are firmly based on that highly revered > text. Of course, despite how earnestly I try > to do that, I too am prone to mistakes. So if > you feel I have misrepresented what Krishna > teaches in the Bhagavad Gita, then please > explain what your criticism is based on. If > you draw your references from some other source > then that is where our disagreement lies, not > in the veracity of what Krishna says. For the > most part objective readers concur that what I > share in the AVA newsletter is an accurate > representation of what Lord Krishna taught Arjuna. > > In fact because of space constraints, I > can usually only draw from a few references to > support my position and that was also true in > my discussion about what what meditation is all > about. There is actually a lot of material > that reveals what Krishna’s opinion is about > meditation and it all indicates that if it does > not include the chanting of God’s Holy name, is > not really very useful. For example in chapter > ten of the Gita entitled “The Oppulence of the > Absolute” Krishna clearly states that chanting > Gods holy name is the recommended sacrifice, (discipline) for a yogi. > >“Of the great sages I am Bhrgu; of vibrations I >am the transcendental om. Of sacrifices I am the >chanting of the holy names [japa], and of >immovable things I am the Himalayas.” Bhagavad >Gita As It Is; Chapter.10, “The Oppulence of The Absolute”, Text 25 > > Later Krishna also confirms that > historically the brahmans have always honored > Him with the vibration of “Om, Tat Sat” and > other Vedic Hymns. (That always include the names of God.) > >“From the beginning of creation, the three >syllables--om tat sat--have been used to >indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth [brahman]. >They were uttered by brahmanas while chanting >Vedic hymns and during sacrifices, for the >satisfaction of the Supreme”.- Bhagavad Gita As It Is; Chapter. 17. 23 > > If all this doesn’t make you think twice > about the futility of “Silent Meditation” then consider this; > >“That sacrifice performed in defiance of >scriptural injunctions, in which no spiritual >food is distributed, no hymns are chanted and no >remunerations are made to the priests, and which >is faithless--that sacrifice if of the nature of >ignorance(!) - Bhagavad Gita As It Is; Chapter. >17 “The Divisions of Faith” - Text13 > > There are also hundreds of references in > the Srimad Bhagavata Purana, considered to be > the “Ripened Fruit of All Vedic Teachings,” by > highly realized sages that unambiguously > declare the extraordinarily power of chanting > Gods Name. Here is just one of many: > >"O my Lord, a person who is chanting Your holy >name, although born of a low family like that of >a candala [dog-eater] is situated on the highest >platform of self-realization. Such a person must >have performed all kinds of penances and >sacrifices according to Vedic rituals and >studied the Vedic literatures many, many times >after taking his bath in all the holy places of >pilgrimage. Such a person is considered to be >the best of the Aryan family." Srimad >BhagavatPurana, Canto 3. Chapter 33. Text 7. > >Finally there is the definitive proclamation in >the Brhan-naradiya Purana, that Lord Sri >Caitanya Mahaprabhu based his world wide >revolutionary Sankirtana movement on 500 years >ago. That sacred Purana (Truth) clearly states >that in the Kali-yuga (the present age) when >people in general are short-lived, slow in >spiritual realization and always disturbed by >various anxieties, the best means of spiritual >realization is chanting the holy name of the Lord. > > harer nama harer nama · harer namaiva kevalam > kalau nasty eva nasty eva · nasty eva gatir anyatha > >"In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only >means of deliverance is chanting the holy name >of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no >other way. There is no other way." > > In every bar across America there is a > drunk who will swear that they are telling you > the truth. Despite how insistent they may be, > we both know that they are just highly > conditioned fools with their own distorted > opinions. It is therefore incumbent on each of > us to carefully consider from whom we are > getting our information. If we fail to be > vigilant about that one point, we run the risk > of sounding just as silly as the proverbial drunk on the corner. > >It is my wish that this letter will inspire you >to open your mind to the Vedic siddhanta, which >is what all or my AVA letters are based on >including the one entitled “Derailed by Silent >Meditation.” Then I hope you will reconsider >joining the conversation that many throughout >the Ventura county are appreciating and gaining >new insights from on the most important subjects >which are of interest to all of us. > >I wish to remain your friend and well-wisher in the service of Lord Krishna. > > >William Roberts >Director >American Vedic Association >Dispel the Darkness of Ignorance With the >Torchlight of Knowledge! - Bg. 10.11 >687 Villanova Road >Ojai California, 93023 >(805) 640-0405 ava @ jagannatha.com > >Bhagavad Gita As It Is >Sanskrit, Mantra, Kirtan, Prasadam > > >Charles Wray [ojaichiro] >Saturday, July 02, 2005 7:34 >Roberts, William NAVSEA >RE: Apology > > > >Bill, your comments on silent meditation was as >far from the truth as you can get. > > > > >Roberts, William NAVSEA [william.roberts] >Friday, July 01, 2005 9:42 AM >ojaichiro >Apology > > > > Charles, > > > > > > I was quite surprised to receive > your recent request to be removed from the AVA > newsletter. From the conversations we have > shared your name just doesn't seem to fit on > the same list as those who make up less then 2% > of the individuals who ask to from > a list of hundreds. You may feel I am > misleading people, but for whatever it may be > worth, you should also consider that > statistically you are in a very small minority. > > > > > >I was under the impression that you had respect >for Vedic art, culture and philosophy. I >though you would enjoy expanding your >appreciation of that body of knowledge. That >is why you were invited to participate in the >conversation with other local people who respect >the ancient teachings of India. > > > > > > I apologize if that was a > misunderstanding on my part but you name has > now been removed from the AVA mailing list as you requested. > > > > > > Perhaps you simply have a different > understanding then the one I am sharing in > regards to what the Vedas teach? If that is > the case than I would find it much more helpful > if you would be more clear about what you feel > I am sharing with others that is so terribly > misleading. Only then will I have the > opportunity to consider the merit of your > observation and rethink my position based on the legitimacy of your opinions. > > > > > >Regardless of if you are willing to do that or >not, I wish to remain you your friend and >well-wisher. Hoping this meets you in good health, and happy spirits. > > > > > >William Roberts, Director > > >American Vedic Association > > >687 Villanova Road > > >Ojai California, 93023 > > >(805) 640-0405 ava @ jagannatha.com > > >Bhagavad Gita As It Is > > >Sanskrit, Mantra, Kirtan, Prasadam > > > > > > >Charles Wray [ojaichiro] >Thursday, June 30, 2005 21:51 >Roberts, William NAVSEA >RE: Are We Independent? AVA Discussion Tue July 5th, Ojai Ca. #2 > >Please take me off your email list. I truly >believe you are misleading people. > > > >Roberts, William NAVSEA [william.roberts] >Thursday, June 30, 2005 11:40 AM >ava >Are We Independent? AVA Discussion Tue July 5th, Ojai Ca. #2 > > > > (If you are unsure why you are receiving this > newsletter please jump to the end for clarification.) > >This Issues Topic Of Discussion: > >No-One is Independent! > >Hari Bolo Friends of the Vedas! >Please accept my respects. All glory to the >transcendental light of the Bhagavad-Gita as It Is! > >The Next Gathering Of: > >etc... > > > > > > > > >[This message contained attachments] > > > >______________________ >______________________ > >Message: 2 > Mon, 11 Jul 2005 10:33:14 -0700 (PDT) > Vrndavan Parker <vrnparker >Mercury Retrograde once again > >"For those of you who like to chant mantras or prayers of protection, then >you may want to chant the following mantra to help overcome the adverse >effects of Mercury Retrograde. Repeat it a minimum of seven times per day. >"Om shree budhaaya namaha." > > >Mr and Mrs Lawrence <drewjlawrence >wrote:"Mr and Mrs Lawrence" <drewjlawrence >Mercury Retrograde once again >Mon, 11 Jul 2005 17:19:58 +0100 > >Mercury Retrograde > >By Drew Lawrence - Vedic Astrological Consultant >drewjlawrence >www.drewlawrence.com > >Dear Friends and Clients, > >It is that time once again. Mercury will travel retrograde or backwards in >motion from July 24.05 until August 16.05. This affects everyone and >everything on the planet. This period lasts about three weeks and occurs >about 3 times a year. It may have more specific indications with reference >to your birth chart, but we will endeavor to give the more general effects >below. > >Since Mercury is the planet that represents communication, a retrograde >Mercury usually brings problems and difficulties with communications, >automobiles and vehicles, phone systems, travel, transportation, lost >luggage, delayed or cancelled flights, mail delivery, computers, internet >connections, information technology, and contractual agreements. It can >cause delays, setbacks and last-minute changes in plans and arrangements as >well as breakdowns of machinery and equipment. The difficulties are for the >most part minor but irritating in nature. > >People become more introspective when Mercury is Rx. The thought process has >a greater inward focus. People tend to be more thoughtful, contemplative, >reflective and meditative. Self-examination is the order of the day. This is >the time when the subconscious mind will come to the forefront and the >conscious mind will retreat. Knowledge tends to be absorbed as opposed to >learned during Rx Mercury. It is a far better time to sort things through in >your own mind with your "Self" rather than having that overdue "talk" with >your partner or friend since that may lead to miscommunication and not >provide the sought-after resolution. > >People become slower and more deliberate in their response patterns which is >generally a good thing as long as patience is also applied. But this can >sometimes create problems in getting your point across. That's why this is >not the best time to make important decisions or enter into negotiations or >the signing of contracts, agreements or mortgages. It would be better to >lure business clients away from the bargaining table and out to a leisurely >lunch. Look for that closing handshake after August 16.05. > >We realize business must continue and life still goes on but really >important matters that can be postponed should be until after August 16.05. >This is no time to start a business or begin a major project. If it doesn't >have to get there tomorrow and it doesn't have to be said today, save it. >Have that little "heart-to-heart" with your own heart. > >For those of you who like to chant mantras or prayers of protection, then >you may want to chant the following mantra to help overcome the adverse >effects of Mercury Retrograde. Repeat it a minimum of seven times per day. >"Om shree budhaaya namaha." > >CLIENT COMMENTS ABOUT RETROGRADE MERCURY > >"I read your email with great interest about Mercury going retrograde. This >is because the last two times Mercury went retrograde, I signed two >contracts which turned into big problems for me. >Although I knew Mercury was retrograde, I thought, "What could go wrong? >I'm going to be selling a piece of land and it's pretty cut and dry. I sign >the papers. They get the land, I get the money and everyone goes home. And >Mercury is retrograde for them too, so it should even out. >It didn't work that way. At the settlement, there arose a dispute over >taxes and I had to leave $27,000 in escrow at the table. That was about a >year ago and I'm still waiting to resolve the matter and get my money back." >Businessman > >"My publisher told me that the all computers at the press went on the blink >the very day Mercury turned retrograde which he said he almost couldn't >believe because it was too much out of an astrological text book." >Writer > >"Thank you for all the info about Mercury Retrograde. I have just returned >from South Africa without my luggage which arrived four days later. >Interesting!" >Nurse > > >"Since Mercury went retrograde, I've been dealing with internal and external >hacker issues on my web sites, server issues, mail server issues, major web >site issues, firewall issues, cancelled insurance issues, merchant account >issues, landlord issues, etc., etc., etc. The list goes on and on. When we >get one issue buttoned down, two more pop up. My programmers, techies and >staff are all somewhat exhausted because of all the stuff that is getting >thrown at us." >Businessman > >"I think I'm finally finishing up with all the spastic deals from the >Mercury retrograde period! Only one fell out. The others were pure hell but >they closed!" >Real Estate Agent > >"Thanks for the email regarding the retrograde Mercury. My patients were all >four times more intense that whole period!" >Psychologist > >"The computer blew up yesterday and I lost my complete hard drive. The iron >blew up. The electric gates went on the blink and the switch for all the >lights in the kitchen broke. After all this, I blew up!" >Homemaker > >PLEASE SEND US YOUR COMMENTS FROM YOUR EXPERIENCES DURING MERCURY RETROGRADE > > > > >Drew Lawrence >The Field >Ballybetagh Road >Ballybetagh, Kilternan >Dublin 18 >Ireland > >In Ireland: (01) 294-6888 > From U.S. 011 353 1 294-6888 >www.drewlawrence.com > > > > > > > > > > >[This message contained attachments] > > > >______________________ >______________________ > >Message: 3 > Mon, 11 Jul 2005 10:34:07 -0700 (PDT) > Vrndavan Parker <vrnparker >Call for Participation: HEC 2005, Houston, TX (V.R.N. Parker) > > > >"Rajiv Varma (GMail)" <rajiv555 >wrote:Thu, 7 Jul 2005 22:45:41 -0500 (CDT) >"Rajiv Varma (GMail)" <rajiv555 >VRN Parker <vrnparker >Call for Participation: HEC 2005, Houston, TX (V.R.N. Parker) > > > >Third Annual >Human Empowerment Conference (HEC) 2005 >Houston, Texas, USA >Fri., Sept 16th - Sun, Sept. 18th, 2005 > >CALL FOR PARTICIPATION > >Scholars and activists are invited to participate in the Third Annual >Human Empowerment Conference (HEC) to be held in Houston, TX, USA, from >Fri., Sept 16th until Sun, Sept. 18th, 2005. The conference covers four >specific areas: (a) Ideology, (b) Awareness, © Political and >Socio-Economic Activism, and (d) Infrastructure. The domain of subjects to >be covered is limited to Political, Social and Economic issues that affect >entire humanity. Purely spiritual, cultural and religious issues will not >be covered. Participants can opt to write a paper or make a presentation >on topics relevant to the aforementioned areas. > >Preamble > >Ideological development is a product of application of >intellectual faculties to strong background in the humanities (history, >political science, religion, spirituality, culture, archaeology). The >products of development process are ideological elements or intellectual >building blocks that are relevant to the current state of the society. The >ideological elements are then applied to real-life challenges that the >humanity faces to produce an ideological framework with a defined >perimeter including a strategic vision and direction for the society at >large. The theoretical framework developed by the ideologists (or >ideologues) is utilized by the field activists in the political, social >and economic spheres of human activity to meet the challenges faced by the >humanity, for its peaceful existence as an organic whole with its distinct >but integral parts at peace and harmony with each other, and with the goal >of ennobling the entire humanity ('Krunvanto Vishwam Aryam'). > >Ideological empowerment by itself is meaningless, unless and until >it is propagated throughout the general consciousness of the society. To >make Ideological empowerment practical, its awareness must be spread using >a wide variety of means including the mass media and new technologies. >Ideological empowerment combined with appropriate levels of awareness >result in meaningful political, social and economic activism. Activism >without ideology is rootless, and without its awareness often ends up >being fruitless. On the other hand Ideology without Activism becomes an >academic burden. Further, without the existence of a sound fiscal and >human resources infrastructure both intellectualism and activism are not >possible. > >The mission of the ideologists (or ideologues) is to ideologically >empower the society. Scholarly papers are invited from ideologists who >aspire to accomplish the same. Intellectual churning is required for >ideological development. Hence, contrarian views are welcome as long as >the motive is the same. > >Project presentations are invited from field activists that >address the need to spread ideological awareness. Project presentations >are also invited in political and socio-economic areas that derive their >activity with an ideological imperative, and spread the awareness as a >prerequisite. > >Presentations are also invited from activists who can lend their >expertise in human resources and fiscal affairs to recruit volunteers and >raise funds for the cause of humanity. > >Technocrats are also invited to showcase various technologies that >can be employed by intellectuals and activists alike. > > >CONFERENCE AGENDA (Tentative) > >Three General Sessions corresponding to 3 general interest areas, viz (i) >ideology, (ii) awareness, and (iii) public action. > >Presentations and project meetings > >Ideological Empowerment Seminar Series > >Annual Arvind Ghosh Memorial Lecture > >Special session on Persecution of Bangla Minorties > >Training workshop for political and socio-economic activists, and >community leaders > >Seminar on An alternative framework for Temple Management in India (how to >get rid of govt. control of temples in India) (Moderator: Prof. Subhash >Kak) > >Workshop on countering conversions out of the Dharmic fold > >Workshop on Strategic Media Placement (how to place articles in the media) > >Workshop on Media Monitoring (documenting media bias) > >Presentation on Project 'Hindu America' (how to take Hindu dharma to >mainstream America) > >Presentation on Hindu Holocaust (documenting atrocities against Hindus >throughout the ages) ; including presentation of a very rare book titled >"Rape of Rawalpindi" which contains some 50 photos of rape, mass murder, >loot, destruction, plunder and forcible conversion of Hindu and Sikhs in >Pakistan during partition. > >Presentation: "Victorious Hindu Resistance to Islamic Invasion on India" >(Swami Vigyanananda) > >Workshop on Online Dharma Education and Hindu Seminary > >Special session on Social reforms in Hindu society > >Special session on "Socio-Political Implications of Aryan Invasion Theory" >(Moderator: Dr. Srinivasan Kalyanaraman) > >Presentation on Project 'Pax Indica' ( establishing a worldwide network of >professionals, bureaucrats, businessmen, politicians, community leaders, >with the purpose of serving India'^Òs political and economic interest ) > >Presentation on Project 'Dharmalaya' (establishing a worldwide >multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-linguistic community of dharmic >peoples). > >Presentation on Hinduworld suite of websites > >Presentation on Project History Awareness > >Presentation on Project Communist Watch > >Workshop on developing a Charity Advisor program for Indian/Hindu donors > >Workshop on developing a granting agency for institutionalizing the fund >raising and fund disbursement process for research, education and outreach >activities > >Workshop on developing alternative media > > >ACTION REQUIRED > >Please send intent of your participation to: hec2005 > >Venue, hotel and other logistical details will be provided once confirmation >of participation is received. > >Thank you. > >For further information, please contact: > >Human Empowerment Conference >E-Mail: hec2005 >Voice-mail: 281-576-7496 > > >Organizing Committee: > >Shri Dilip Mehta (Conference Chair) >Houston, TX >Tel. 281-491-7299 > >Shri Vijay Kumar >Nashville, TN >Tel. 615-646-1875 > >Dr. Raj Dave >Chicago, IL >Tel. 847-274-0459 > >***** > > > > > > > > >[This message contained attachments] > > > >______________________ >______________________ > >Message: 4 > Mon, 11 Jul 2005 17:45:38 +0000 > "Vrn Davan" <vaidika1008 >The Hindu art of self-hate > > > >[This message is not in displayable format] > > > >______________________ >______________________ > >Message: 5 > Mon, 11 Jul 2005 17:45:54 +0000 > "Vrn Davan" <vaidika1008 >Jyotish Studio 3 available now > > > >[This message is not in displayable format] > > > >______________________ >______________________ > >Message: 6 > Mon, 11 Jul 2005 17:55:17 -0000 > "vrnparker" <vrnparker >African Gray Parrot Grasps Zero Concept > >African Gray Parrot Grasps Zero Concept > >July 9, 2005 1:11 p.m. EST > > >Hector Duarte Jr. - All Headline News Staff Reporter > >Boston, Massachusetts (AHN) - Alex, a 28-year-old African gray >parrot, responds "none" when he sees there are no items on a tray, >which is usually stocked with objects. > >Although his brain is the size of a walnut, scientists say Alex's >ability to understand the concept of zero is amazing, as humans do >not typically grasp it until the age of 3 or 4. > >According to Irene Pepperburg, who led the reasearch, Alex possesses >a zero-like concept, which although different to ours, still >demonstrates his ability to understand an absence of quantity. > >The results add to growing evidence that birds and other animals are >much smarter than we thought. A 2003 study in the journal Nature, >found common marsh birds, known as coots, can keep count of their own >eggs, even when other eggs are mixed in the nest. > >Black-capped chickadees were found to warn other birds of danger by >chirping the size and threat of individual predators, while the >language of prairie dogs was found to contain a word for humans. > >Studies have also shown monkeys, dogs and rats all know how to laugh. > >The discovery of Alex's counting ability raises the question whether >humanlike behavior in animals is truly innate of if a creature is >simply mimicking a trainer. > >Pepperberg responded, "It is doubtful that Alex's achievement, or >those of some other animals such as chimps, can be completely >trained. Rather, it seems likely that these skills are based on >simpler cognitive abilities they need for survival, such as >recognition of more versus less." > >She now plans to find out how well Alex can add and subtract. >http://www.allheadlinenews.com/cgi-bin/news/newsbrief.plx? >id=2241858134&fa=1 > > > > > >______________________ >______________________ > >Message: 7 > Mon, 11 Jul 2005 18:26:23 -0000 > "vrnparker" <vrnparker >Salabega:A Muslim devotee of Krishna > >Subject:A Muslim devotee of Krishna. >"priya_vaishnava" >http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ramanuja/archives/oct04/msg00226.html >Of all the devotees Krishna has had,I feel a soft corner for >Salabega.His story is so moving. > >Salabega's mother lived in Puri the holy Jegannath ksethra.She was a >Bhramin woman.She got married at an early age and her husband >died.She became a widow.One day she went to the temple at early >morning.A muslim soldier saw her and carried her away to his house >and forecibly married her.Thus began a life of torture for this >jegannatha devotee.She was forcibly converted to Islam but she never >forgot jegannatha.All her relatives disowned her. > >To this great woman was Salabega born.His mother secretly taught him >jegannatha's might.Salabega even though was raised as a muslim by >his father soon became an ardent devotee of jegannatha. > >But he was afraid to enter into temple.If he did his community would >kill him.So he would stand outside the temple and see jegannath.He >soon gave his heart to jegannath.He wanted to enter into the >temple.He asked permission of local priests.They were shocked to >hear it.First he was a muslim and second they were afraid of earning >the sultan's wrath.So they refused. > >So Salabega continued to stand outside the temple and watch >jegannath.When his community people knew it they were mad on >him.They called him and threatened him.But he wasnt afraid.He said >that he will worship Jegannath.But since the muslims were minority >in Puri at that time they were afraid that killing him would lead to >communal clashes.So they ostracised him from their community. > >But still the priests refused to let him into the temple.But >Salabega continued to sing hymns on jegannatha.His songs became very >popular among devotees.But his community were angry on him.The only >time salabgea could see lord was when he came out in the charriot >every year. > >ONe year salabega went on to pilgrimage.But he couldnt return in >time to charriot festival since he fell sick.But he did not want to >miss the charriot festival too. > >He couldn't return in time to see his darling Lord on the chariots >and cried out in anguish from 750 miles away. He prayed to the Lord >to tarry a while on the bada danda, the Grand Avenue till he could >reach back to see the Lord. The compassionate Lord, stayed on his >chariot which could not be moved an inch forward till Salabega >reached Puri and joined the devotees in prayer. > >The famous saint poet Salabega has immortalised the feelings of the >devotees as they wait every year for fulfilment of their desire to >see their dear dark darling, Kalia Dhana seated on his resplendent >Chariot ? Nandi Ghosa. > > > > > > > > > > >______________________ >______________________ > >Message: 8 > Mon, 11 Jul 2005 18:36:06 -0000 > "vrnparker" <vrnparker >Nixon:I want to piss on the Indians > >Nixon-Kissinger conduct - a first person account > >By M.V.Kamath >"Later he (Nixon) told Kissinger: "I don't want the Indians to be >happy.... I want a public relations programme developed to piss on >the Indians. I want to piss on them for their responsibility...." > >On June 30, 2005, The Time of India had a front page lead story from >Washington, written by its correspondent, Chidananda Rajghatta that >brings back old memories. > >Wrote Rajghatta: "The U.S. may be cooing and billing over India now, >but just 35 years ago, its President and National Security Adviser >corrosively called the then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi a >bitch and a witch, felt Indians were sanctimonious and hypocritical >bastards and wished India would be struck by a famine and lose badly >in a war". > >He was quoting from the newly released declassified documents >released by the U.S. State Department. The occasion was the winter of >1971, when a military dictatorship in Pakistan had unleashed a brutal >genocide in East Bengal then still part of Pakistan looting and >killing and indulging rape on a scale that makes today's excesses in >the region look like a picnic. > >The United States, under President Richard Nixon was strongly on the >side of Pakistan. Nixon hated India with an intensity of a burning >sun. His unprincipled Secretary of State a real chamcha and an >unscrupulous one at that was ever willing back his boss to the hilt. >If Nixon showed anger against India, Kissinger would happily fan it. > >If Nixon abused India, Kissinger was willing to go all the way to >insult it. So, when Nixon called Indira Gandhi a "bitch and a >witch'', Kissinger went further to add that "Indians are bastards >anyway''. > >The trouble was that U.S. diplomatic representatives both in Dacca >and Delhi were both aghast at what was going on, the former providing >all the gory details personally witnessed by him and his staff, the >latter, kenneth Keating, strongly supporting a stern action against >the Islamabad government. > >For giving the right advice, Nixon called Keating "a bastard, a >traitor and a weak son-of-a-bitch", a man, having been posted >Delhi "got sucked in". To present India's case, Prime Minister Indira >Gandhi came to Washington via Europe and was received coolly and with >utter contempt. > >The plane which she traveled was ordered to come a halt at New York's >Kennedy Airport close to a stinking urinal deliberately. One had to >hold one's nose while passing by. According to the lowest level of >protocol, she was received by a junior States Department official. I >was one of those present on the occasion. > >She was billeted at the Presidential guest house, almost right >opposite the White House and the first meeting between her and Nixon >was fixed. Punctual to the point, Indira Gandhi presented herself but >Nixon again deliberately made her wait for some forty minutes to show >his contempt for his visitor. It was bad manners at their worst. > >We (myself, my three Indian fellow corespondents and the Embassy >staff) felt appalled. Such a thing had never happened before. Not to >any visiting Prime Minister. Certainly not to anyone of Indira >Gandhi's standing. > >In his Memoirs, Kissinger has recorded what happened at that first >meeting. ...Mrs. Gandhi began by expressing admiration for Nixon's >handling of Vietnam and the Chinese initiative, in the manner of a >professor praising a slightly backward student ...Nixon reacted with >a glassy-eyed politeness which told to those who knew him that his >sentiments were being kept in check only by his reluctance to engage >in face to-face disagreement. > >Nixon had no time for Mrs. Gandhi's condescending manner. Privately >he scoffed at her moral pretensions.... Nixon was angry with Indira >Gandhi because the Government of India was very much opposed to his >Vietnam Policy. > >As he later told Kissinger: "We can't let these goddam sanctimonious >Indians to get away with this. They've pissed on us on Vietnam for >five years". > >In his Memoirs, Kissinger writes that "Nixon's comments after meeting >with her (Indira Gandhi) were not always printable." This wretched >sycophant does not say that he always expressed full agreement with >those sentiments. Kissinger is not one familiar with truth. > >The second meeting between Indira Gandhi and Nixon was at the dinner >he gave his guest, one supposes, somewhat reluctantly. Correspondents >were not invited to the banquet but we were permitted to sit in an >adjacent room in the White House and to listen to the toasts that >were being proposed. > >Said Mrs. Gandhi: It has not been easy to get away at a time when >India was beleaguered. To the natural calamities of drought, flood >and cyclone has been added a m a n - m a d e tragedy of vast >proportions. > >I am haunted by the tormented faces in ever crowded refugee camps, >reflecting the grim events which have compelled the exodus of >millions from East Bengal. > >I have come here for a deeper understanding of the situation in our >part of the world, in search of some wise impulse, which, as history >tells us has sometimes worked to save humanity from despair. > >When she finished, some Ameri-cans who were sitting in the room with >us broke into applause. It was a wise toast. But for Nixon this was a >calculated insult and he thought that Mrs. Gandhi was trying to reach >over his head to appeal to some of the leading Democratic opponents >of his in the Congress who had been invited to the banquet. It only >made him more furious than ever. > >Later he told Kissinger: "I don't want the Indians to be happy.... I >want a public relations programme developed to piss on the Indians. I >want to piss on them for their responsibility...." > >Actually, soon after, the White House or Kissinger got a fourth rate >journalist to be sent as the Delhi correspondent of an important >American daily and his dispatches had to be read to be believed. > >Right from the start he was hostile to India, painting India in the >blackest of colours. Not long after he was withdrawn, the US >government probably realising that this did not pay. Or, perhaps the >newspaper which hired him realised that it was being taken for a >ride. > >It was not just Indira Gandhi that was hated and despised. The >Ambassador-designate to Washington, L. K. Jha, received similar >treatment from the White House, as well as the four Indian >correspondents in Washington, namely Easwar Sagar of The Hindu, >Krishna Bhatia of the Hindustan Times and T. V. Parasuram of Indian >Express, and myself, from The Times of India. > >Jha had arrived in Washington DC to take up his appointment but was >made to cool his heels for weeks before being formally received by >Nixon. Word was sent to all top officials to place Jha in "deep >freeze", which meant that Jha, as ambassador, could hardly >communicate with anyone at the topmost bureaucratic level. > >At one stage L. K. (as he was familiarly known) was so despairing of >his job that he told me he wished he could return home to do >something more useful. But when the "deep freeze" order came to be >known, the liberal press was so furious that Jha was specifically >invited to address the National Press Association, an honour seldom >accorded to mere ambassadors. > >By being soft spoken and mild-mannered, L. K. had earned the respect >and regard of the US press which gave him a standing ovation, at the >end of the meeting. > >Jha's talents have been acknowledged by Kissinger, in his Memoirs. As >he put it: "L. K. Jha served in Washington at a difficult period. He >was a superb analyst of the American scene; he understood >international politics without sentimentality... > >He was skillful in getting the Indian version of the issues to the >press.... I could always trace his footprints through the columns... >I was supposed to be skillful in dealing with the press. On the India- >Pakistan issue, Jha clearly outclassed me". > >We, the four Indian journalists were given the same hostile >treatment. In the first few months of my nine-year long stay in >Washington, I was invited to a couple of Kissinger's private >briefings, but Kissinger did not like being questioned. He dropped >me, as he dropped my other three colleagues. > >For the next nine years neither Nixon (at his meetings with the >press) nor Kissinger at his, would even look us in our eyes, lot >alone let us ask questions. > >The India Desk of the State Department was told not to cooperate with >us and to treat us coldly when we sought any information. Literally >we were to be boycotted. > >It was embarrassing to the officials who were personal friends. Some >six months later, one of the seniors called me at home to ask me out >for lunch. He seemed deeply hurt. > >He said to me: "Kamath, you are a friend and you must not >misunderstand my behaviour towards you at the State Department. We >are under orders to treat you coldly. Kindly forgive us. There is >nothing personal about it. All of us at the India Desk are >embarrassed". > >I told him that I fully understood his and his colleagues' dilemma >and was not hurt but had only been puzzled. And I had a good laugh. >The Assistant Secretary of State, one Joseph Sisco, once summoned all >four of us and was insufferably rude and crude. > >Knowing what the matter was, we returned the compliment in as >sophisticated a manner as was possible. Sisco couldn't take it. He >did not like being outclassed by four Indian correspondents. It was >only after the Nixon era was over and that poorly brought-up >President and his chamcha were thrown into the waste-paper basket, >did the State Department get back to normalcy. > >I had only to ask for an exclusive interview with the new Secretary >of State Cyrus Vance and it was agreed upon in eight hours flat. >Something of a record. And when Vance received me at his door and >treated me as a friend and gave me more than 90 minutes of his time >and was even willing to give me even more if I wished it. I was >almost in tears. > >Kissinger is a third rate diplomat, his smartness vastly overvalued. >He has given a lame excuse for calling Indians bastards, saying that >this was done at the height of the Cold War. > >He is a sycophant. He says he admired Indira Gandhi. He might have. >Indira Gandhi, like most Indian diplomats could play rings round any >American politician and Kissinger in his Memoirs has admitted as >such. > >We need to ignore Kissinger's `regrets', he would do the same thing >if the situation again demanded. A man utterly without any >principles, he was the right man to work for Nixon whose devotion to >principles was even less. It is a lesson to India for all times. > >Send in your comments on this article to samachareditor >http://www.samachar.com/features/070705-features.html > > > > > >______________________ >______________________ > >Message: 9 > Mon, 11 Jul 2005 18:38:56 -0000 > "vrnparker" <vrnparker >Cow meat traced in five Delhi's meat-processing units > >Cow meat traced in five Delhi's meat-processing units > >Deepak Kumar Jha/ New Delhi > >FIRs have been registered against five meat-processing units located >in Lawrence Road industrial area of North-West Delhi following >recovery of cow meat samples during a raid conducted by a team of >Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials. > > > > >The raids were conducted following a tip off received by MCD >Commissioner Rakesh Mehta that illegal trade was going on inside the >meat processing units of the city. Of the six samples recovered, five >tested positive at the Capital's prestigious research institute, the >Shri Ram Institute for Industrial Research. > > > >MCD's Veterinary Department Director Dr RPS Tyagi, in charge of >testing the meat samples, confirmed that some of the samples had >tested "positive" but declined to reveal more. > > > >Sources said that testing positive meant that cow meat had been >traced within the bulk of mutton, lamb, buffalo, ox and bull meat. >The raid was conducted last week under the supervision of Dr ML >Sharma of MCD Vet Department, said a senior MCD official. > > > >Late on Monday evening, an FIR was registered against all the five >processing units- Anjania Cold Storage and Meat Processing Industry, >Suri Meat Processing Unit, Darshan Food Processing Complex, Jolly >Cold Storage and Sushil Cold Storage and Meat Processing Unit. > > > >"They have been charged with violating the rules under two acts--the >Delhi Cattle Preservation Act and the Prevention for Food >Adulteration Act. We have also written to the Union Environment and >Home Ministry as this is a very sensitive matter," a source told The >Pioneer. > > > >The meat processed at these units is exported and is not meant for >domestic consumption but sources said that a few processors `slip' >these meats into the local market, hotels and restaurants. > > > >However the owners of Anjania have appealed to the Commissioner that >the samples collected from their unit should be re-tested as one of >the two samples collected from here had tested negative. > > > >Meats processed at private meat and food-processing units are treated >and packed under international standards. They obtain the license to >bring in raw meat from adjoining areas like Rampur, Mewat Moradabad, >Bulandshahr, Muzzafarnagar, Meerut, Kandhali and other places. The >processing units procure raw meat from private suppliers. > > > >Slaughtering of cow is banned all over the country except in the >states of West Bengal and Kerala. "But this is for the Delhi Police >and the police from neighbouring states to explain as to how cow meat >is being transported into the national Capital," the MCD official >added. >http://www.dailypioneer.com/indexn12.asp?main_variable=front% >5Fpage&file_name=story3%2Etxt&counter_img=3? >headline=Cow~meat~traced~in~five~Delhi's~meat-processing~units > > > > >______________________ >______________________ > >Message: 10 > Mon, 11 Jul 2005 18:38:03 -0000 > "vrnparker" <vrnparker >RSS rescues Christian priests > >RSS rescues Christian priests > >Press Trust of India > >New Delhi, July 10, 2005 >Believe it or not! RSS activists recently rescued 80 Christian >priests trapped in an accident in the dense forests of Orissa's >Sambalpur district and even donated blood to save their lives. > >A marriage party comprising 90 Christian priests was on its way in a >truck from Jamankeri village to Goudpil when it met with an accident >in which 10 of them died on the spot and 80 others were seriously >injured, said a report in the latest issue of RSS >mouthpiece 'Organiser'. > >As the priests looked for help in the dense forests, an RSS activist >heard their shouts and managed to mobilise 50 Sangh volunteers to >help them. > >"The pastors were rescued and admitted to a nearby hospital, 45 >kilometres from the site, in that dark night," the report said >disclosing that the Swayamsewaks not only provided the injured >medicines and food but "donated their own blood" to the pastors. > >The weekly quoted Bishop Samal as saying, "these boys of RSS have >given us a new life. We are grateful to them. May God bless them". > >"We have not done anything much. What we have done has been done from >the humanitarian point of view. All of us are human beings. All are >children of God," it quoted BB Nanda, RSS state secretary as saying. > >The RSS has often been criticised by Christian organisations for >targeting Christian missionaries in the tribal areas. >http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1426360,000900030010.htm? >headline=RSS~rescues~Christian~priests > > > > > > >______________________ >______________________ > >Message: 11 > Mon, 11 Jul 2005 18:41:15 -0000 > "vrnparker" <vrnparker >Snake dies after biting brahmin > >Snake dies after biting priest >"Lord Shiva's charisma saved me" >Indo-Asian News Service > >Ranchi, July 11, 2005 >A snake bites a priest. The snake vomits blood and dies. The priest >recovers -- it all happened in a Jharkhand village and is being >attributed to Lord Shiva's blessings. > >The man who was bitten and lived to tell the tale was the priest of >the Nag Devta (Snake God) temple in Badapaghar village of Dumka >district, 450 km from here. > >"Lord Shiva's charisma saved me," the priest was quoted as saying in >local newspapers after he was bitten by a five ft snake in the temple >premises. > >The snake vomited blood and died immediately after biting the priest, >who is recuperating in hospital. > >"Usually a person does not survive if the snake dies or gets killed >after biting. The priest has not only survived but is also behaving >normally," said a villager. >http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1427358,00080003.htm? >headline=Snake~dies~after~biting~priest!!! > > > > > >______________________ >______________________ > > >This is an information resource and discussion >group for people interested in the World's >Ancient Vedic Culture, with a focus on its >historical, archeological and scientific >aspects. Also topics about India, Hinduism, God, >and other aspects of World Culture are welcome. >Remember, Vedic Culture is not an artificial >imposition, but is the natural state of a >society that is in harmony with God and the environment.Om Shantih, Harih Om > >------ > Links > > > > >------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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