Hindu Genius

Hinduism in South East Asia

2012-01-22T08:14:00.000-08:00

South East (Hindu) Asia

Indonesia

1) President Sukarno’s father used to read Koran on Fridays and Ramayan and Mahabharat the other days of the week. He liked Karna most because of his chivalry, courage and charity. He wanted his son to be as great as Karna but also he wanted his son to be on the side of dharma and so named him Sukarno.

2) When President Sukarno was blessed with a daughter, the weather was cloudy and so she was named Meghawati. Sukarno Putri Megawati is the present President of Indonesia.

3) When Sukarno was fighting for the freedom of his country against the Dutch regime, he was arrested and kept in solitary confinement in a remote island. When he lost all hopes of continuing the struggle, he read the powerful writings of Swami Vivekanand in Dutch language. That inspired him to continue the fight and he finally succeeded in liberating his country.

4) Once when Indonesia was plagued with internal problems and Sukarno could not find solutions and spent sleepless nights, he sent his Air Force plane to his Indian friend Bhagwandas ji in Surabaya to get a few inspiring books of Swami Vivekananda.

5) Many Indonesians bear Indian and Sanskrit names. Eg. Veera Hari Mohammed was a former Vice President, Karthikeya Mohammed is a Member of Parliament and one of the cousin brothers of President Magawati.

6) Many cities bear Sanskrit names, eg. The capital city is called Jayakarta the city of Victory, Yogya Karta, Sumatra, Bali, Madura,

7) Hindu empire Majapahit Samrajya and Buddhist empire Sri Vijay ruled Indonesia and parts of South East Asia for several centuries.

8) Ancient Hindu and Buddhist temples, destroyed by volcanic eruptions are being repaired and restored by present Indonesian government.

9) Nearly 3,000 students study different aspects of Hinduism in Bali Hindu University. This is the world’s largest Hindu university.

10) Bali Island has a population of 30 lakhs – 96% of them are Hindus. There are another 30 lakh Hindus in Java and other islands of Indonesia.

11) In Bali Hindus can change their casts by changing their profession. Thus in the same house on brother who teaches in the school is a Brahmin and another brother who runs a shop becomes a Vaishya. (In Bhagwad Gita in Chap IV Lord Krishna says – I have created the four casts based on ones work and attitude.)

12) Only a shudra can enter the inner Sanctum of a Hindu temple and clean that area. Hence many Hindus from other casts vie with each other to change their cast and do this holy job.

13) Bali Hindus fought bravely for 300 years to keep the Dutch and Islamic invaders away from their soil. This also is a unique chapter in Hindu history anywhere.

14) Bali Hindus celebrate the Hindu New Year on 14 April every year by observing complete silence and fast from sunrise to sun set. The entire island observes this ritual religiously. Many foreigners arrive in Bali around this period to watch this scene of mass meditation. (April 14 is the new year day in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab, Bengal and Thailand also)

15) World’s largest Bronze statue of Lord Vishnu seated on a Flying Garuda is being prepared in Bali. This will be larger than the statue of Liberty in USA. Several super markets and hotels will be built in the space below the wings of Garuda.

16) Dutch who ruled Indonesia for 150 years have noted that there was not a single theft in the entire Bali island which has a population of over 30 lakhs – all of them were then Hindus. This because they firmly believe in the Hindu concept of Karma theory of cause and effect. Thus the police, Judiciary and Jail departments have very little work.

17) Most houses in Bali do not have latches, since theft is unheard of.

18) Many Hindu shastras like Vedas, Bhagwat Gita, Manu Dharma Shastra have been translated into Bahasa Indonesia.

19) Indonesia National air lines is called Garuda. Many unversites are named like Saraswati, Udayan, Gajah Mada (Ganesha in Indonesian language).

20) Bank of Indonesia when faced with acute financial crisis in 1998 printed new 20,000 Rupiah notes that had an image of Lord Ganesh.

21) In the predominantly Muslim province of Java, most villages stage dances and dramas based on Ramayana and Mahabharata during weekend entertainments. Girls from high society compete with each other to play the roles of Sita Devi and Draupadi.

22) Indonesia once organized an International Conference on Ramayan. Many countries from around the world sent their Ramayana cultural troupes. Nehru government in India declined to send any artist in the name of secularism.

23) Indonesian Muslims are immensely proud of their Hindu heritage. When criticized by other Muslim nations, they defend their Hindu practices by proudly saying that we have changed our religion but not our ancestors.

24) Many of the aborigines in Sumetra Island have eating habits similar to South Indians. They use kadi patta and Tamarind which are the principle ingredients of Sambar. They also carry sir names like Pandian, Malabar etc.

25) There are about 50,000 Tamil Hindus in Medan, in North Sumetra. They were brought by the Dutch and British rulers about 150 years ago. They are mostly farmers and laborers. There are about 7,000 Indians mostly Sindhis in other cities like Jakarta, Surabaya, Samarang and Merdeka. They are very successful businessmen. Texmaco Group of Industries owned by Indian Srinivasan is one of the biggest industrial groups in Indonesia. Srinivasan is the son of Sri Mari Muthu, a daily wage earning laborer.

Thailand

1) The original name of Thailand is Siam Desh, the land of Lord Vishnu. People are 95% Buddhists now and were once Hindus. Thailand is culturally closest to Bharat.

2) Thai language is based on Devnagari script. Same can be said of the scripts in Laos, Cambodia and one of the scripts of Japan.

3) The present rulers of Thailand belong to CHAKRI Dynasty. (from Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Vishnu)

4) The Chakri rulers are all addressed a s Rama. The present king is Rama IX and his name is His Royal Highness Atulya Tej, Rama IX.

5) Thai Princess Sirindhorn is a scholar in Sanskrit and has composed many Sanskrit poems.

6) Thailand New Year day falls on 14 April.

7) Hindus ruled parts of Thailand with Sukothai as their capital. Many ancient Hindu temples and idols have been unearthed.

8) Thai capital city Bangkok is called Krung Thep, the city of Devas.

9) Many cities bear Sanskrit names like, Kanchana Puri, Chandra Puri, Ayuthaya, Lavpuri, Nagar Pratham, Vishnu Lok, etc. Many Thais have Indian names like Sida Devi, Kanchana, Anand, Asok, Pramot, Narain,

10) The Thai Royal Priests are Brahmins who were sought from Kanchipuram some 1200 years ago. They still perform the rituals in the Royal palace including the coronation ceremony in traditional Brahminical way,.

11) Many ideal Hindu customs which we have lost in Bharat are still preserved in Thailand, eg. Royal Ploughing ceremony, boat races, Bhumi Pujan, not pointing ones feet towards elders, offering seats to ladies and elders in a busy bus or train, giving money or books with utmost respect, speaking in a low voice before elders, not exchanging money on Fridays, students kneeling down with respect in front of the teacher before entering the class rooms, worshiping river water with decorated floats with lamps etc.

12) Buddhist monks are highly respected and people are seen kneeling down before them even on streets. Every day early morning, monks are offered specially prepared food by the people who wait for them on the streets of Bangkok and every other city and village. Monks are always offered seats in buses and trains.

13) Thais eat with their hands and cremate their dead like Hindus. Their traditional medical system is based on Ayurveda.

14) Hindu Gods like Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, Ganesh, Indra are very popular and worshipped in large numbers by Thai Buddhists. There are over 100 temples and shrines for Lord Brahma in Bangkok alone. The Erawan Brahma Temple on Rajdamri road in Bangkok is the richest temple visited daily by many Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese devotees. Many charity works are being undertaken from the income of this temple.

15) World’s largest Ramayan wall Painting is in the Emerald Buddha Temple in Bangkok. Ramakirti, the story of Rama was composed around 300 years ago and is taught to students in schools. Many Thais believe that Rama was born in Thailand and the Indians have adopted it later.

16) Rivers are addressed as Mother. The river that flows from Himalays through parts of Burma, China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam is called Maa Ganga, pronounced wrongly by French rulers as Mae Kong.

17) Sanskrit is taught in many Thai universities.

18) Ramayana and Mahabharata TV serials were dubbed in Thai language and shown on the national TV channel. Thais watched these with devotion.

19) Uma Devi Temple (Maha Mariamman Temple) on Silom road attracts large number of Thai and Chinese followers everyday and more so on Friday prayers. Over 100,000 devotees join the Rath Yatra on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami which starts at 6 O’clock in the evening and passing through busy streets of the city, returns at about 4 O’ clock in the morning next day. Hardly 100 devotees in this would be of Indian origin. The rest are Thais and Chinese followers.

20) Every Hindu temple is visited by large Thai devotees.

21) Thailand has over 80,000 Indians – Sikh and non-Sikh Punjabis, Sindhis, UPites, Gujaratis, Marwaris and South Indians. Many of them are very very rich industrialists and businessmen.

22) Most of the tall skyscraper buildings on either side of Sukhumvit road for some 5 KMs belong to Indians. Indians are among the best tax payers in Thailand.

Cambodia

1) Cambodia was ruled by Hindu kings from the beginning of Christian era until the 15th century. They remained a bulwark and prevented the Chinese from occupying South East Asia.

2) The world’s largest temple complex is called Wat Angkor. Built between 8th and 10th century AD by the Hindu kingdom. It is being repaired and restored by Indian engineers with the help of local government and UN.

3) Cambodians were engaged in a long drawn civil war in the seventies and the eighties. But as soon as war ended the new government started the Ramayana Dances, dramas and puppet shows to educate the people on Cambodian art and culture.

Malaysia

1) Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia are very rich in Sanskrit vocabulary; eg. Husband is called Swami, words like Sahodara, Sahodari, Guru, Siswa, shakti, bhakti are very common.

2) Ministers including Prime Minister take oath of office in the name of Urusan Seri Paduka Baginda meaning there by that they will rule on behalf of Sri Rama’s Paduka (just as Bharata ruled Ayodhya during Rama’s Vanavas)

3) One of the 9 sultans become President by mutual consent. President takes oath as Urusan Seri Paduka Dhuli which means he will rule the country on behalf of the dust of Sri Rama’s Paduka. Real Rama Rajya is seen here.

4) Malaysia has its own version of Ramayan. Many artists stage dance dramas on Ramayan and Mahabharat and one can see how emotionally overcome, they weep while narrating the tragedy that befell Sita Devi when she was abducted by Ravana.

5) Sultans are addressed as Raja Parameswara and their wives are addressed as Raja Parameswari. The second son of a sultan is referred as Lakshmana.

6) Some City names sound Indian eg. Padalinga Jaya, Sri Ramban. Many modern buildings have names such as Chaya Suria,

7) At Singapore airport the greeting sign says “Welcome to the city of Lion, Singha”

8) Brunei capital is called “Bandar Seri Bhagwan”

9) With an Indian population of 19 lakhs Malaysia has the largest population of People of Indian Origin (PIO), outside the Indian sub continent. Most of them are Tamils who migrated in the 19th century as indentured laborers. Dato Seri Samy Vellu is a very popular cabinet minister of Tamil origin.

10) Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose conducted military training camps in Malaysia and Singapore. Many Bal Saniks are still active in many social organizations.

The Influence of Sanskrit on World Civilizations

2011-10-30T18:13:00.000-07:00

प्रगतिके लिय े सं स्कृ त भाषा का ज्ञान जरूरिहै ।
Learning Sanskrit is important for future growth.
भविष्यनिर्माणार्थं सं स्कृ ताभ्यासम ् अत्यावश्यकम् ।

The Influence of Sanskrit on World Civilizations
Ravi Kumar

Every great man in Bharat, Chaitanya, Sant Gnaneswar, Sri Ramakrishna, Vivekananda and Ramana have used Gita as a guide to tackle their problems in life. Freedom fighters like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Lokamanya Tilak, Gandhi, Vinoba and Aurobindo used Gita and Upanishads as the text book of national renaissance in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Sanskrit Arrives on the Global Stage
Sanskrit has captured the imagination of the world.
Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam visited Greece in April 2007. It was a pleasant surprise for him when his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias greeted him in Sanskrit at the banquet ceremony hosted in honour of the visiting dignitary. "Rashtrapatm Mahabhaga, Sur Swagatam Yavana dishe (President, welcome to you)", thus began the Greek President his speech at the banquet hosted at the Presidential palace, much to the delight of the Indian delegation. Papoulias had studied Sanskrit in Germany and the reason to study the Indian classical language was to understand India better. "I wanted to welcome you in Sanskrit, the ancient Indian language that is related to ancient Greek, and which I had the opportunity to learn and love during my time as a student in Germany," the Greek President said.

Indians have reasons to feel proud when its ancient tradition of starting an event with chanting of Vedic hymns in Sanskrit was adopted at the kick-start of Commonwealth Games 2010 on 30 October 2009, in presence of Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain and President Pratibha Patil of India at London in a spectacular ceremony. Chanting of Vedic hymns by British children in chorus for several minutes in fluent Sanskrit, that too without reading any script was indeed worth-appreciating.
Indian priest Rajan Zed opened the US Senate on July 12, 2007 with a Sanskrit prayer arranged by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Hindu priests offered prayers at the legislative sessions in the Maryland, Iowa, New Jesey, Nevada and California House and Senates in USA. In October 2009 US President Barak Hussein Obama lit Diwali-lamp at White House amidst chanting of Vedic hymns seeking world peace.
Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh Saha Sanyojaks Dr Yashwant Pathak and Ravi Kumar have addressed several leading universities of the world including Stanford Berkley, University of New South Wales and the Royal Society of New Zealand on Vedic Mathematics and Ayurveda.
http://www.artofliving.org/intl/Founder/Addresses/tabid/124/Default.aspx

World leaders Quote Sanskrit Texts
On 6th Sept, 2003, President of the Republic of South Africa Thabo Mbeki, addressing the Durban university students, said, “Through our actions together, all the people of South Africa will be able to live up to the wise words from the Rig Veda ‘Sangachhdwam, Samvadadwam, ….’:
Come together, talk together, Let our minds be in harmony.
Common be our prayer, Common be our end,
Common be our purpose, Common be our deliberations,
Common be our desires, United be our hearts,
United be our intentions, Perfect be the union among us. (10 - 191:2)

Before China’s Premier Wen Jiabao left for India in April, 2005, China’s state-controlled media, such as the People’s Daily, had highlighted his terming of the impending visit to India “historic” and emphasised Wen’s recitation of a Sanskrit shloka from the Upanishads “Aum Sahana Vavatu …” to call for closer ties.
When Western countries are realizing the importance of Vedic hymns in Sanskrit, it is time that Indian government may set up a separate ministry for development and research of Sanskrit to explore the hidden treasure of literature and medical science in the ancient language. (Taken from Madhu Agarwal's article in the internet).
(http://www.merinews.com/article/commonwealth-baton-relay-starts-with-rigveda/15787156.shtml)

Sanskrit is the mother of Indo-European languages
The ancient wisdom is expressed in Sanskrit, one of the oldest languages of the world and mother to most languages in India and the world. Languages in South East Asian countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Indonesia and also many languages in Europe (Greek, Latin, Scandinavian and Slavic languages, German and French), Japan, China, Korea, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have been influenced and enriched by Sanskrit. According to Will Durant (1885-1981), American historian, whose works on philosophy and world history have been read by millions of people, “Sanskrit is the mother of Indo-European languages”.

Besides Asia, Sanskrit and Sanskruti (culture) influenced Europe’s modernity, and Sanskrit Studies became a large-scale formal activity in most European universities since 1790. These influences shaped many intellectual disciplines that are (falsely) classified in modern times as “Western”. Even today Sanskrit and Vedas are taught in more universities of USA and Europe than in Bharat.

Bhagwad Gita was first translated into English in 1785 by Charles Wilkins. Abbe Peraud in 1787 translated English Gita into French language. With in a decade Gita was available in major European languages and Sanskrit centers opened in many European cities. Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 – 1860) writing on the impact the Vedanta will in due course have on the west said, " ... the access to which opened to us through the Upanishads, is in my eyes the greatest advantage which this still young century enjoys over the previous ones...."; "... I believe that the influence of the sanskrit literature will penetrate not less deeply than did the revival of Greek literature in the fifteenth century...."

Many poets and scholars of Europe in early 19th century like Sir William Jones, William Wordsworth, P.B.Shelly, William Blake, Coleridge, Sir Edwin Arnold, Annie Besant, Sister Nivedita, John Keats, Francois Voltaire, Roger Pol Droit, John Goethe, Max Muller, Georg Wilhelm Fredrich Hegel, Herman Hess, Hans Torwesten, Leo Tolstoy were also inspired by Bhagwad Gita and Upanishads to produce their master pieces. Sir William Jones (1746-1794) considered the father of Asian studies in Britain writes of Sanskrit as “The Sanskrit language, whatever be its antiquity, is of wonderful structure, more perfect than the Greek, more copious than the Latin and more exquisitely refined than either.”

American seminal thinkers like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman, Henry Longfellow, Oliver Holmes, James Lowell were also influenced by Gita and Upanishads in the early 19th century. Sarah Fuller a women’s liberation activist was editor of Transcendentalist Movement’s magazine devoted to the spread of Gita’s eternal philosophy. Ella Wilcox, Henry Ford, Alan Ford, Rockefeller admit that Gita has changed their lives and they found immense peace of mind and fulfillment in life due to Gita.

Sanskrit and Modern Scientists
Many scientists and Nobel Laureates like Albert Einstein, Erwin Schrödinger, Neil Bohr and Werner Heisenberg, Dr Fritjof Capra and Robert Openheimer, used Gita and Upanishads to explain the properties of sub-atomic particles. German Physicist W.HEISENBERG (1901-1976), a 1932 Nobel laureate who worked on sub-atomic particles widely acknowledged as one of the seminal thinkers of the 20th century, has this to say on Hinduism. “After the conversations about Indian Philosophy, some of the ideas of Quantum Physics, that had seemed so crazy, suddenly made much more sense.”
While Bible believes the universe was created at 9.00am on 25th October 4004 BC, while the Incas and Babylonians thought millions of years as the age of earth, only Vedic seers talked of KALPA which is in billions of years. Today modern science believes that the earth is 4.54 billion years old and the universe is 13.75 billion years old. Hence American Astro-Physicist, Cosmologist and Pulitzer Prize winner Carl Sagan (1934 – 1996) stated, "Vedic Cosmology is the only one in which the time scales correspond to those of modern scientific cosmology."
French astronomer Jean-Claude Bailly corroborated the antiquity and accuracy of the Vedic astronomical measurements as "more ancient than those of the Greeks or Egyptians." And that, "the movements of the stars calculated 4,500 years ago, does not differ by a minute from the tables of today."
The ninety foot tall astronomical instrument known as Samrat Yantra, built by the learned King Suwai Jai Singh of Jaipur in 1727 AD, measures time to within two seconds per day.
Cosmology, mathematics and scientific accomplishments of ancient India spread to Arabia, Persia and other countries along with mercantile and cultural exchanges. There are almost one hundred references in the Rig Veda alone to the ocean and maritime activity. This is confirmed by Indian historian R. C. Majumdar, who stated that the people of the Indus-Sarasvata Civilization engaged in trade with Sooma and centers of culture in western Asia and Crete.

Sanskrit and Philosophy
Western savants looked towards the east for spiritual solace. They picked up Advaita Vedanta as taught in the Upanishads and Bhagwad Gita as their spiritual guide. In the field of spiritual thoughts Sanskrit is the only billionaire in the world. Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagwad Gita, Yoga Vasishta, the works of Yogi Patanjali and Adi Shankara contain unique and irreplaceable knowledge that this materialistic world desperately needs to find lasting peace. Joseph Campbell (1904-1987), American writer, editor, and teacher, known for his writings on myths, pronounces, “Sanskrit is the great spiritual language of the world.”
Mohammed Dara Shikou, elder brother of Aurangazeb translated Gita and Upanishads into Persian. It may also be noted that the translation of another Sanskrit text Panchatantra in the 8th century “is considered the first masterpiece of Arabic literary prose." Ibn al-Muqaffa translated the Panchatantra from Middle Persian as Kalīla wa Dimna.

Richness of Sanskrit
Sanskrit has the power of expressing all types of thought in appropriate terminology: In the words of the eminent lawyer Nani Palkhiwala “The richness of Sanskrit is almost beyond belief. Many centuries ago our language contained words to describe states of the conscious, the subconscious and the unconscious mind and a variety of other concepts which have been evolved by modern psychology, psychoanalysis and psychotherapy”. Further it has many a word, of which there is no exact synonym even in the richest modern languages e.g. Shraddha, Satva, Rajas, Tamas, Punya etc. That is why some of the most enlightened modern writers have been driven occasionally to use Sanskrit words when writing in English. Consider for example the following words by J.Robert Oppenheimer (American nuclear scientist who developed the first atomic bombs) in Einstein: A Centenary Volume: “Einstein is also and I think rightly, known as a man of very great goodwill and humanity. Indeed if I had to think of a single word for his attitude towards human problems, I would pick the Sanskrit word Ahimsa, not to hurt, harmlessness.”

Here are a few examples to show the richness of the language and the sages who patronized Sanskrit. Sanskrit has an amazing wealth of words and synonyms. It has 65 original words for earth and 70 original words for water. Tatitreeya Samhita mentions various powers of ten namely ekam, dasam, shatam, sahasram up to Tallaakshanam which is 10 to the power of 53 (1053). In today’s mathematics the highest prefix used for raising 10 to a power is D which is 10 to the power of 30 (1030).

Sanskrit and Modern Management
Today’sl Leading schools of management such as Harvard Business School, `````Northwestern's Kellogg School of Business, and the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, Bhagwad Gita is taught and about 10% professors there are of Indian descent -- a far higher percentage than other ethnic groups. Prof. Dr. CK Prahlad, Prof. Sumant Ghoshal, Dipak C. Jain, Ram Charan, Vijay Govindarajan, Rakesh Khurana, Mohanbir S. Sawhney, Deepak Chopra, Robin Sharma have literally invaded the world of Management in the west.

These days, concepts such as "emotional intelligence, servant leadership, Karma Capitalism or Inclusive capitalism or stake-holder capitalism" are in vogue. Where once corporate philanthropy was an obligation, these days it is more popularly viewed as a competitive advantage for attracting and retaining top talent. Where the rallying cry in the 1980s and '90s may have been "greed is good," today it's becoming "green is good."

Sanskrit and the Common Man
In 25 years, an estimated 7 million people have attended spoken Sanskrit classes offered by Samskrita Bharati in India and abroad, says Shastry. There are 250 full-time volunteers and 5,000 part-time teachers in the United States and India, and their numbers are growing.
Science-history buffs see old works in Sanskrit as treasure troves of ancient knowledge of astronomy, chemistry, mathematics, medicine, and metallurgy. When Copernicus announced that the sun was the center of the universe in 1543, it was a defining moment for Western science. In Samskrita Bharati's recently released "Pride of India" a compilation that offers a glimpse into India's scientific heritage Sanskrit scholars point to calculations from AD 499 that indicate astronomer Aryabhatta's underlying concept of a sun-centered planetary model. "This knowledge tradition is what we hope to revive through the spread of Sanskrit," says Shastry.

BRITAIN backed by $19.5 million (Rs 100 Crores) in aid will start a State Funded Hindu school. Krishna-Avanti primary school would be based in the northwest London suburb of Harrow, with space for 240 children. Pupils will study the national curriculum but there will be a strong emphasis on Sanskrit, Vedic Mathematics, Bhagwad Gita, Hindu ethos and worship.

Sanskrit, Yoga, Gita, Ayurveda and Bharata Natyam are some of the ancient wisdom of Bharat that are in great demand in these days of Knowledge based societies.

Sanskrit Bhajans and Kirtans are also getting popular in the western world. Yogasan is already a few billion dollar business in USA alone. Yogathon is fast replacing marathon. What the world has seen so far is just the tip of the iceberg called Sanskrit. Time is not far off when more and more fascinating truths from Sanskrit will dazzle the world. Truly Sanskrit will be come not the language of just computers but that of the world. Not without reason did our ancestors addressed it DEVANAGIRI, language of the Gods.

Ravi Kumar, B.Sc. DMIT
Ravi Kumar is an engineer from Madras Institute of Technology, Chennai.
He served in M/S. Tatas and Larsen and Toubro for 5 years as Project Engineer before leaving his career to serve the Tribal people of Maharashtra. For serving the society Ravi Kumar has remained single.
He was transferred to Hong Kong in 1982, Bangkok in 1989 and Sydney in 1996. Since then he has been travelling to some 37 countries around the world where Indians are living in large numbers to motivate them to serve the community at large. He has conducted over 300 workshops on Vedic Mathematics to children, students, youth, parents, professors and Research scholars. He has also conducted workshops in over 35 universities in 20 countries. He has authored three books namely, Glimpses of Hindu Genius, Ramayan Around The World – a Living Legend and Vedic Mathematics.

Global Imprints of Ramayana - Talk at HP Oak Room, Cupertino CA

2011-09-19T23:53:00.003-07:00

Global Imprints of Ramayana - Talk at HP Oak Room, Cupertino CA

2011-09-19T23:53:00.002-07:00

Global Imprints of Ramayana - Talk at HP Oak Room, Cupertino CA

2011-09-19T23:53:00.001-07:00

India, The Emerging Giant

2011-02-19T01:31:00.000-08:00

YOGA FOR HEALTH, YOGA FOR HUMANITY, YOGA in 21st CENTURY

2011-02-19T00:50:00.000-08:00

3. Yoga for Health, Yoga for Humanity, Yoga in 21st Century – Hindu Perspective + References

Yoga for Health, Yoga for Humanity, Yoga in 21st Century
Ravi Kumar,

Yoga is Most Ancient and yet Modern
Bharat is the birthplace of yoga no matter who tries to hijack it for publicity or business. Yoga refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines that originated in Bharat a few thousand years ago. The word is associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Several seals discovered at Indus Valley Civilization (3300–1700 BCE) sites in present day Pakistan depict figures in positions resembling yoga or meditation pose. Techniques for experiencing higher states of consciousness in meditation were developed by the ancient Vedic tradition and developed to a higher level by yogi Patanjali.

Yoga in Modern Context
Yoga today focuses on the purification of the physical body as leading to the purification of the mind and prana or vital energy. It marks the development of asanas into full body 'postures' along with its many modern variations.

Yoga in Islam
The development of Sufism was considerably influenced by Indian yogic practices where they adapted both physical postures (asanas) and breath control (pranayama). The ancient Indian yogic text Amritakunda ("Pool of Nectar)" was translated into Arabic and Persian as early as the 11th century.

Malaysia's top Islamic body in 2008 passed a fatwa against Muslims practicing yoga, saying that its practice was blasphemy and is therefore haraam. Muslim yoga teachers in Malaysia criticized the decision as "insulting". Sisters in Islam, a women's rights group in Malaysia, also expressed disappointment and said that its members would continue with their yoga classes.

In a similar vein, the Council of Ulemas, an Islamic body in Indonesia, passed a fatwa banning yoga. Yoga enthusiasts in Indonesia responded by organizing an 8-days International Conference on Yoga and Ayurveda in March 2009 despite the fatwa.

Yoga retreats and conferences are used as baits to attract large tourists to Egypt, despite Muslim intolerance to yoga. Yoga practices in the Muslim countries have not diminished by these threats. Jogi Faqir, a Muslim sect from Bharat has successfully incorporated yoga into its practice.

Egypt …… (To edit)

Yoga in Bharat
Dr H.R. Nagendra, the vice-chancellor of Svyasa University in Bangalore is an engineer by training. He puts his background to good use as Svyasa collaborates with the world’s leading research institutions to conduct clinical trials and scientifically establish the health benefits of yoga. Rashtrothan Parishad at Keshav Shilpa in Bangalore has trained Cricket great Rahul Dravid in yoga. Yogacharya Ramdev Baba has become a legend in his own time. Sudarshan Kriya based on yoga has been the secret weapon of Sri Sri Ravishankar. Swami Sivanand of Divine Life Society and his illustrious disciples spread yoga far and wide.

Brahma Kumaris ………….. To Edit

Yoga in Asian Countries

Yoga, a craze in Shanghai
Yoga is the latest craze to hit Shanghai, with yogashalas opening all over the city - Kundalini Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Yogi Shastra and Yoga Shala. When you phone up to enquire you are greeted with "Namaste"! The yoga shalas with agarbatis burning and bhajans playing, give the scene of an ashram in Bharat. The Chinese yoga teachers teach the class to chant "Shanti, shanti, shant-I" and Sanskrit shlokas. Yoga schools across the China are now importing Indian yoga teachers.

A Japanese Yoga Game for Blowing away Stress
Konami Digital Entertainment, a Japanese video game software firm, to cash in on the global popularity, has come up with a novel way to release stress that doesn't involve blowing up aliens or racing roadsters; it is yoga.

Yoga in Christianity

Yoga in Europe, America and Australia
In the West, the term yoga is typically associated with Hatha Yoga and its asanas (postures) as a form of exercise.

In 2003 the Vatican warned that yoga and meditation "can degenerate into psychic disturbance and at times to moral deviations." Some fundamentalist Christian organizations consider yoga practice to be incoherent to their religious background and therefore a non-Christian religious practice. Yet many Roman Catholics now bring elements of Yoga, Buddhism, and Hinduism into their spiritual practices.

Yoga in Russia
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev has joined the thousands of Russians eager to learn the ancient Indian art of yoga. "Little by little, I'm mastering yoga," Medvedev said in an April 2007 interview with Itogi, a weekly magazine. Yoga, he explained, helped him relax from the stress of work. It appears that after one year, Medvedev has made huge progress in developing his yoga skills, having mastered shirshasana, the headstand pose. "I can even stay on my head," he told the magazine Tainy Zvyozd in 2008.

Russia’s former First Lady Naina Yeltsin and her daughter Tatiyana practice Iyengar yoga regularly. So inspired is Mrs Yeltsin, that she now wants every home in the country to practice yoga for a healthy lifestyle.
http://www.punemirror.in/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=2&contentid=2009050120090501034137214c435cabf

Khatuna Kobiashvili, the publisher of Yoga Journal Russia, estimated that at least 100,000 people regularly practice yoga in Russia. The magazine - published by The Moscow Times' parent company, Independent Media Sanoma Magazines - sells 55,000 copies a month nationwide, she said. "If we sell this much, this means people are practicing yoga," Kobiashvili said.
(http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/14/world/europe/14iht-russia.4.11975547.html)

Yoga in Canada and South America
In spite of many threats yoga is spreading like wild-fire to every nook and corner of the western world. For instance Canada, especially the West Coast, has witnessed the rise of hundreds, if not thousands, of yoga studios, meditation centers, vegetarian restaurants and Ayurvedic health spas, all of which could be said to have roots in India, in Hinduism. Argentina has a Yoga Eco Park and Bogota, Colombia has a Yoga Monastery.

Yoga in USA
Americans spend about $3 billion a year on yoga classes and products, including clothes, vacations, DVDs and books, according to Yoga Journal magazine. (What a pity Government of India never thought of patenting yoga or producing yoga teachers through schools curriculums). The magazine's 2004 poll of 4,700 Americans estimated that 16.5 million people practice yoga. An additional 25 million said they intend to try yoga.

Surya Namaskar Yagna, Yogathon and Times Square Yagna in USA in 2010
Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh of America has been conducting Surya Namaskar Yagna in the month of January every year. Last year 10,000 participants performed 10 lakh or 1 million namaskars. Several government officials appreciated this event for promoting health. TV Channels like ABC news KAAL, TV Asia, NBC news KTTC, ITV Asia and Radio stations covered the event.

Anju Bhargava, a Hindu member of President's Advisory Council on Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships launched the country's first Yogathon in August 2010. The Yogathon was created in the spirit of President Obama's United We Serve campaign and Active Lifestyle Challenge, by Bhargava's Hindu American Seva Charities (HASC). The Yogathon introduced American youth to yoga as a means to reduce obesity and to promote healthy living for all - adults and youth. Thousands of children and adults participated in the free national Yogathon through one of the 106 sites across 23 states that volunteered to participate.

On June 21 every year more than 800 yoga enthusiasts, some from as far as California and Honduras attended Yoga and Surya Namaskar yagna amidst chanting of Om Namah Shivayah, at Times Square in Manhattan, New York, one of the world’s busiest intersections in search for serenity. The Yagna is organized by Douglass Stewart, a lead yoga instructor and Tim Tompkins, a yoga enthusiast. President of the Times Square Alliance was the sponsor of the event. The event is held to coincide with the summer solstice. "What better way to bring in the summer solstice in the most chaotic place in the city," Mr. Tompkins said.

Celebrities Doing Yoga
While the reclusive actress Greta Garbo, Sting and Madonna posed in yoga postures, the gossip pages linked stars such as Gloria Swanson, Marlon Brando, Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe to various Yoga teachers. Marilyn, Walter Winchell reported, took up Yoga "to improve her legs," but some of her fans who followed her lead no doubt discovered more profound uses for the discipline.

Beginning in the 1920s, Paramahansa Yogananda, a celebrity in his own right after the publication, in 1946, of his Autobiography of a Yogi, attracted students like the composer Leopold Stokowski, the scientist Luther Burbank and the reclusive actress Greta Garbo.

(Maharishi Maheh Yogi …………… To edit)

Statements by Madonna, …. To edit

Christian Yoga

Time Magazine one Yoga

Yoga in Business and Business in Yoga
The corporate world is using yoga to increase productivity. It is also a multi-billion dollar business in USA alone.

Yoga in Business to Improve Productivity
Yoga gives the business houses and their staff an opportunity to experience calmness of mind in the work place. By taking a little time out from the day to day stresses and pressures of the job, employees are re-energized and are able to tackle their jobs with a fresh clarity and vitality. Stretching the body and working with the breath, gradually improves health, reduces fatigue and increases alertness thus leading to improved productivity, feelings of well-being and less time off work due to sickness. Yoga is helping to improve employee productivity, improve work life balance, improve employee health, minimise sick absence, improve decision making, improve creativity, stress management and improve morale. Marketing Yoga in business itself is becoming a roaring business in yoga.

Yoga is a big business in America
According to Yoga Journal magazine's 2004 poll of 4,700 Americans estimated that 1 Crore and 65 lakh (16.5 million) people practice yoga. An additional 2.5 crores (25 million) said they intend to try yoga. Americans spend about 14,000 Crore Rupees ($3 billion) a year on yoga classes and products, including clothes, vacations, DVDs and books, according to Yoga Journal magazine.

A variety of yoga-inspired brands like Prana, Be Present, Inner Waves, Lululemon Athletica as well as Nike and Fila are making styles in Lycra, cotton and microfibers. Prana founded in 1993 in a garage in California has sold clothes for yoga worth IRs. 140 crores ($30 million) in 13 years. Lululemon Athletica, a “yoga-inspired athletic apparel company” based in Vancouver, British Columbia has grown from 10 stores in 2006 to 30 next year and plans to open 200 stores eventually. Yoga Journal magazine is now published in Russia, Spain, Italy, Thailand, Hong Kong and Brazil. Ford Motor features a woman in her 20s taking yoga class in its “Live and Drive” ad campaign for its $18,000 Fusion car. Yoga is growing fastest within the 18-to-24-year-old group.

Yoga for Sports Legends
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American retired professional basketball player, widely considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time. During his 20 years in the NBA from 1969 to 1989, he scored the highest total points by any player in league history – in addition to winning a record six Most Valuable Player Awards. He may be best known for his indefensible sky hook; but the Hall of Fame center believes his secret weapon was really yoga. "Yoga is somewhat hard to quantify in terms of benefits because you see them in all the injuries you don't get." While in L.A., Abdul-Jabbar started doing yoga in 1976 to improve his flexibility, and was notable for his physical fitness regimen. “When Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino came to ask me how to extend his longevity and deal with all the collision-type injuries you get from playing football, I steered him to yoga; the next time I saw him he said yoga was absolutely helpful in his training regimen”, Abdul Jabbar said.

Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs (players for Manchester United and Celtic), Evander Holyfield (Heavyweight Boxing Champion), Pete Sampras (Grand slam Tennis Champion), Venus and Serena Williams (Women’s tennis Champions), Ian Thorpe (Australian) Olympic gold medalist in Swimming, New Zealand All Blacks and Indian National Cricket team practice yoga.

Music Moguls turn to Yoga
Many stars like Madonna and Quincy Jones swear by yoga and some former athletes are hailing it as their only form of exercise. Music Moghul Quincy Jones had a malignant tumor. They said if he survived he would never walk again. Well, he is still alive and walking because of yoga. Yoga can do this. Take on the challenge and learn to unify your mind breath and body.

The Secret Of The Success Of Aussie Cricket Team : Yoga
A report in the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ has suggested that the secret of the Australian cricket win in India was due to Yoga. “The secret weapon of India’s defeat has apparently been yoga” said the report. It said that for the first time a yoga teacher has joined the team providing logistics to the members. It gave them the Indian secret to mental and physical discipline .One of their prolific scorers, Justin Langer was quoted as saying “he never felt fitter and stronger. An Indian yoga teacher devoted two hours to him to teach every yoga pose there is.”
The first Hatha Yoga taught by an Australian was probably in Sydney late in 1949. It is incredible how the influence of Yoga and Indian culture generally has spread so wide and deep by the force of its own energy in so short a time.

Yoga Beyond Body Streches
The path of Action – Karma yoga, the path of Devotion – Bhakti yoga and the path of Knowledge – Jnana yoga are integrated Hinduism. Thus different facets of an individual are given due importance.

One can go to the Harvard Business School and learn how to be a fantastic businessperson, but no one ever teaches people how to better manage themselves through the course of a workday. It is all about learning techniques so that if a curveball comes ones way, one knows how to calm oneself in the midst of everyday chaos. Bhagwad Gita serves as a blue print for overall personal development.

In Conclusion: Yoga for Health, Yoga for Humanity
There are thriving Vedanta groups in most metropolitan cities of the world and a number of Vedanta monasteries, many thousands of Yoga teachers, millions of students and a growing number of people studying Sanskrit, Vedanta, Indian philosophy or Indian music and dance.

Healthy people make healthy societies which generally lead to healthy governments and economies. It's a Hanuman’s tail (domino effect) that starts with individual change or perhaps a pose. One small yoga stretch in Mohan-Jo-Daro 5,000 years ago has become one large Yogathon across the world.

The popular YOGA now-a-days is just one Darshan of Total Hindu Heritage or Sanatan Dharm. Bharat’s amazing culture's strength is in sharing and its universal appeal. Bharat is, after all, to many the `Holy Land'.

Jai Shri Ram

About the Author
Ravi Kumar, an engineer from Chennai, left his job in Larsen & Toubro in 1975 to serve the society as an RSS Pracharak. He was transferred to Hong Kong in 1982. Since then he has been travelling to over 35 countries organising the Hindu society and inspiring them to serve. He has conducted several workshops on Vedic Mathematics in many universities in 20 countries and also at the Royal Society of New Zealand. He has penned three books: Glimpses of Hindu Genius, Ramayan Around the World – a Living Legend and Vedic Mathematics. He is the Intl Joint Coordinator of Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh.

References

1. Wikipedia on yoga

2. Yoga and Vedanta in Australia By Russell Frank Atkinson

3. Yoga Is Big Business By SUSAN MORAN, New York Times, December 28, 2006

4. Yogathon: stretching bodies, stretching minds across America - Author: Dipka Bhambhani - Publication: News Week - Date: August 31, 2010
URL:
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2010/08/yogathon_stretching_bodies_stretching_minds_across_america.html

5. Japanese game for blowing away stress with yoga, The Indian Express, Date: September 23, 2007
URL: http://www.indianex press.com/ story/219582. html

6. Stress Out, Yoga In, by Teresa M McAleavy Date September 25, 2007

HINDU CONTRIBUTION TO MATHEMATICS

2011-02-19T00:45:00.000-08:00

1. Vedic Mathematics and What the World owes to Bharat
Ravi Kumar
Vedic Mathematics or Hindu Mathematics refers to the mathematics that emerged in the Indian subcontinent, from ancient Vedic times until the period of Mathematical genius Ramanujam and HH Jagadguru Swami Bharati Krishna Tirth in 20th century.

Eurocentrism
Many scholars feel that Indian contributions to science, technology and mathematics have not been given due acknowledgement in modern history and that many discoveries and inventions by Indian mathematicians were known to their Western counterparts, copied by them, and presented as their own original work; and further, that this mass plagiarism has gone unrecognized due to Eurocentrism.

Hindus contribution in Mathematics include

01. Arithmetic:
Decimal system, Negative numbers (Brahmagupta), Zero (Hindu-Arabic numeral system), Binary numeral system, the modern positional notation numeral system, Floating point numbers (Kerala School), Number theory, Infinity (Yajur Veda), Transfinite numbers, Irrational numbers (Shulba Sutras)

02. Geometry:
Square roots (Bakhshali approximation), Cube roots (Mahavira), Pythagorean triples (Baudhayana and Apastamba in Shulba Sutras), Transformation (Panini), Pascal's triangle (Pingala)

03. Algebra:
Quadratic equations (Sulba Sutras, Aryabhata, and Brahmagupta), Cubic equations and Quartic equations (biquadratic equations) (Mahavira and Bhaskara II)

04. Mathematical logic:
Formal grammars, formal language theory, the Panini-Backus form (Panini), Recursion (Panini)

05. General mathematics:
Fibonacci numbers (Pingala), Earliest forms of Morse code (Pingala), Logarithms, indices (Jain mathematics), Algorithms, Algorism (Aryabhata and Brahmagupta)

06. Trigonometry:
Trigonometric functions (Surya Siddhanta and Aryabhata), Trigonometric series (Madhava and Kerala School of Mathematics)

Zero is derived from Sanskrit word Shunya
The Hindu word for zero was sunya, meaning empty, or void; this word, translated and transliterated by the Arabs as sifr, is the root of the English words cipher and Zero.

Infinity was known to Vedic Rishis
The Isha Upanishad of the Yajurveda states that "if you remove a part from infinity or add a part to infinity, still what remains is infinity". (Purnamidah Purnamidam …..). In some Buddhist imagery, a mala is twisted in the middle to form a figure of 8. This represents the endless (infinite) cycle of existence, of birth, death and rebirth, i.e. the [infinity of] samsara.

Transfinite Numbers
Transfinite numbers are numbers that are larger than all finite numbers, yet not necessarily absolutely infinite. The term transfinite was coined by Georg Cantor (1845- 1918). The Indian mathematical text Surya Prajnapti (c. 400 BC) classifies all numbers into three sets: enumerable, innumerable, and infinite. Each of these was further subdivided into three orders:
Enumerable: lowest, intermediate, and highest
Innumerable: nearly innumerable, truly innumerable, and innumerably innumerable
Infinite: nearly infinite, truly infinite, infinitely infinite
In the Indian work on the theory of sets, two basic types of infinite numbers are distinguished -asamkhyāta ("countless, innumerable") and ananta ("endless, unlimited"), between rigidly bounded and loosely bounded infinities.

Modern Positional Notation Numeral System originated in Bharat
Georges Ifrah, French author and historian of Mathematics, concludes in his Universal History of Numbers:
“The Brahmi notation of the first nine whole numbers are incontestably the graphical origin of our present-day numerals and there can be no doubt that our decimal place-value system was born in India and was the product of Indian civilization alone.”
Aryabhata stated "sthānam sthānam daśa gunam" meaning "From place to place, ten times in value". Indian mathematicians and astronomers also developed Sanskrit positional number words to describe astronomical facts or algorithms using poetic sutras.

Binary Number Sytem of the Vedic Period
The Vedic scholar Pingala (5th-2nd century BC or earlier) developed advanced mathematical concepts for describing prosody, and in so doing presented the first known description of a binary numeral system. He used binary numbers in the form of short and long syllables (the latter equal in length to two short syllables), making it similar to Morse code.

Vedic Rishi Manava discovered Irrational Numbers
The concept of irrational numbers was implicitly accepted by Indian mathematicians since the 7th century BC, when Manava (c. 750–690 BC) believed that the square roots of certain numbers such as 2 and 61 could not be exactly determined. Hippasus an ancient Greek Mathematician of 5th century BC was drowned at sea for working with irrational numbers.

Negative Numbers or numbers less than zero
For a long time till 17th century, negative solutions to problems were considered "false or absurd” in the West. The use of negative numbers was known in early India, and their role in situations like mathematical problems of debt was understood. Consistent and correct rules for working with these numbers were formulated. The diffusion of this concept led the Arab intermediaries to pass it to Europe. The ancient Indian Bakhshali Manuscript, which Pearce Ian claimed was written some time between 200 B.C. and A.D. 300, carried out calculations with negative numbers, using "+" as a negative sign.

During the 8th century A.D., the Islamic world learned about negative numbers from Arabic translations of Brahmagupta's works, and by A.D. 1000 Arab mathematicians were using negative numbers for debts.

Vedic Rishis solved Square and Square Roots
In Ancient India, the knowledge of theoretical and applied aspects of square and square root was at least as old as the Sulba Sutras, dated around 800-500 B.C. (possibly much earlier). A method for finding very good approximations to the square roots of 2 and 3 are given in the Baudhayana Sulba Sutra. Aryabhata in the Aryabhatiya (section 2.4), has given a method for finding the square root of numbers having many digits. According to historian of mathematics D.E. Smith, Aryabhata's method for finding the square root was first introduced in Europe by Cataneo in 1546.

Classical Indian Number Theory
Hindu Mathematicians were the first to systematically investigate methods for the determination of integral solutions of Diophantine equations. Aryabhata (499) gave the first explicit description of the general integral solution of the linear Diophantine equation ay + bx = c, which occurs in his text Aryabhatiya. He also found the general solution to the indeterminate linear equation using this method.

Brahmagupta in 628 used the chakravala method to solve more difficult quadratic Diophantine equations, including forms of Pell's equation, such as 61x2 + 1 = y2. His Brahma Sphuta Siddhanta was translated into Arabic in 773 and was subsequently translated into Latin in 1126. In Europe, the equation 61x2 + 1 = y2 was solved in 1727 by Leonhard Euler, while the general solution to Pell's equation was found much later by Joseph Louis Lagrange in 1767. Meanwhile, many centuries ago, the general solution to Pell's equation was recorded by Bhaskara II in 1150, using a modified version of Brahmagupta's chakravala method. Bhaskara's chakravala method for finding the general solution to Pell's equation was much simpler than the method used by Lagrange over 600 years later. Bhaskara also found solutions to other indeterminate quadratic, cubic, quartic, and higher-order polynomial equations. Narayana Pandit further improved on the chakravala method and found more general solutions to other indeterminate quadratic and higher-order polynomial equations.

Vedic Origin of Pythagorean Theorem and Pythagorean Triplets
In India, the Baudhayana Sulba Sutra, the dates of which are given variously as between the 8th century BC and the 5th century BC, contains a list of Pythagorean triples discovered algebraically. The Apastamba Sulba Sutra (circa 600 BC) contains a numerical proof of the general Pythagorean Theorem, using an area computation. According to Albert Bŭrk, this is the original proof of the theorem; he further theorizes that Pythagoras visited Arakonam, India, and copied it.

Panini Ashtadhyayi’s contribution to Computer Science
Since 1963 in computer science, Backus–Naur Form (BNF) is widely used as a notation for the grammars of computer programming languages, instruction sets and communication protocols, as well as a notation for representing parts of natural language grammars. The Backus–Naur Form or BNF grammars have significant similarities to Panini's grammar rules (500 BC), and the notation is sometimes also referred to as Panini–Backus Form. Many textbooks for programming language theory and/or semantics document the programming language in Panini-Backus Form.

Vedic Origin of Quadratic Equations
In the Sulba Sutras in ancient India, 8th century BC quadratic equations of the form
ax2 = c and ax2 + bx = c were explored using geometric methods. Babylonian mathematicians from circa 400 BC, Chinese mathematicians from circa 200 BC and Euclid, the Greek mathematician around 300 BC solved quadratic equations with positive roots, but did not have a general formula. In 628 AD, Brahmagupta, an Indian mathematician, gave the first explicit solution of the quadratic equation
ax2 + bx = c
(Brahmasphutasiddhanta (Colebrook translation, 1817, page 346)”

The Bakhshali Manuscript written in India in the 7th century AD contained an algebraic formula for solving quadratic equations, as well as quadratic indeterminate equations (originally of type ax/c = y).

The Fibonacci sequence was well known in ancient India, where it was applied to the metrical sciences (prosody), before it was known in Europe. Developments have been attributed to Pingala (200 BCE), Virahanka (6th century CE), Gopāla (c.1135 CE), and Hemachandra (c.1150 CE). In the West, the sequence was studied by Leonardo of Pisa, known as Fibonacci, in his Liber Abaci (1202). Fibonacci numbers are the numbers in the following sequence:
0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, …..

Indian inventions and Foreigners` claims – Few examples of Eurocentrism

Many scholars feel that Indian contributions to science, technology and mathematics have not been given due acknowledgement in modern history and that many discoveries and inventions by Indian mathematicians were known to their Western counterparts, copied by them, and presented as their own original work; and further, that this mass plagiarism has gone unrecognized due to Eurocentrism.

Pascal Triangle
Indian invention
Varahamihir (488-587AD) Tri-Lostaka
1
1 1
1 2 1
1 3 3 1
1 4 6 4 1
1 5 10 10 5 1

Foreigners` claim
Pascal Triangle. B.Pascal (1623-1662 AD)

Trilostak (Pascal’s Triangle) is explained in Chandas Shastra, an Ancient Indian book on Sanskrit prosody written by Pingala between the 5th and 2nd century BCE. Commentator Halayudha, around 975, used the triangle to explain obscure references to Meru-prastaara, the "Staircase of Mount Meru".

Pell’s Equation
Indian invention
Brahmagupta (628 AD ) N x2 + 1 = y2
Foreigners` claim
Pell`s equation. John Pell (1610-1685)

Pell's equations were studied as early as 1000 BC in India.
They were mainly interested in the equation
X2 – 2Y2 = 1
because of its connection to the square root of two. Indeed, if x and y are integers satisfying this equation, then x / y is an approximation of √2. For example, Vedic Rishi Baudhayana discovered that
x = 17, y = 12 & x = 577, y = 408
are two solutions to the Pell’s equation, and give very close approximations to the square root of two.

Fibonacci Series
Indian invention
Virahank`s ( 600AD) series 0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21.....
Foreigners` claim
Fibonacci series (1170-1250)

The Fibonacci sequence was well known in ancient India, where it was applied to the metrical sciences (prosody), long before it was known in Europe.

Developments have been attributed to Vedic Scholar Pingala (400 BC), Virahanka (6th century AD), Gopāla (c.1135 AD), and Hemachandra (c.1150 AD).

The motivation came from Sanskrit prosody, where long syllables have length 2 and short syllables have length 1. Any pattern of length n can be formed by adding a short syllable to a pattern of length n − 1, or a long syllable to a pattern of length n − 2; thus the prosodists showed that the number of patterns of length n is the sum of the two previous numbers in the sequence. Donald Knuth reviews this work in The Art of Computer Programming.

Indian inventions Foreigners’ Claims
5. Mahavira formula (850 AD) Herigone`s formula (1634 AD)
for combinations n Cr = (n)! / ( r!) (n-r)! ( ! stands for factorial)

6. Bhaskaracharya (1114-1193) Rolle`s theorem (1652-1719)
Formula for relative difference (retrograde motion)

7. Madhav`s theorem (1340-1425) Gregory Series(1638-1675)
x = tan x / 1 – tan 3 x / 3 + tan 5 x / 5 - .......

8. Madhav`s series (1340-1425)
II (pie) = 1-1/3 + 1/5 - 1/7 +............ Leibnitz `s expansion (1646-1716)

9. Narayan Pandit (1356 AD) Fermat`s result (1601-65)
factorization method for divisiors of a number

10. Bhaskaracharya (1114-1193) Euler’s division algorithm
method of finding greatest common divisor

11. Permeshwara`s (1360 AD) Huiler`s formula (1782AD)
Formula for finding circum-radius of a cyclic quadrilateral

12. Nilkanth Somyaji (1444-1545) Euler`s results (1707-1783)
Summations ∑n, ∑n2 and ∑n3

13 Nilkanth Somyaji (1444-1545) Euler`s results
r sine rule: a / sin A =b / sin B = c / sin C

14. Brahmagupta (628 AD Kepler
volumes of frustum of cone and of pyramid

15 Jyeshtha Deo (1500 AD) Euler
formulae for sin(x+y) and cos(x+y) in the text `Yuktibhasha`

16 Jyeshtha Deo (1500 AD), Liebnitz (1646-1716)
Linear equations,

17 Jyeshtha Deo (1500 AD) Liebnitz, by method of integration
volume and surface area of a sphere

18. Shankar Variar (1500-60) Gauss(1777-1855)
Values of II/4, II/16 in series

There is an urgent need for young Indians to do research in these areas and restore the glory to these forgotten Indians.

Hindu Resurgence in 21st Century

2011-02-19T00:23:00.001-08:00

Hindu Resurgence in 21st Century
Ravi Kumar

Hinduism Arrives on the Global Stage
Hinduism has captured the imagination of the world.
Hindus have reasons to feel proud when its ancient tradition of starting an event with chanting of Vedic hymns in Sanskrit was adopted at the kick-start of Commonwealth Games 2010 on 30 October 2009, in presence of Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain and President Pratibha Patil of India at London in a spectacular ceremony. Chanting of Vedic hymns by British children in chorus for several minutes in fluent Sanskrit, that too without reading any script was indeed worth-appreciating.
Hindu priest Rajan Zed opened the US Senate on July 12, 2007 with a Hindu prayer arranged by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Baptist church expressed its concern about the rise of Hinduism in USA. Hindu priests offered prayers at the legislative sessions in the Maryland, Iowa, New Jesey, Nevada and California House and Senates in USA. In October 2009 US President Barak Hussein Obama lit Diwali-lamp at White House amidst chanting of Vedic hymns seeking world peace. In January 2009, Obama in his presidential address mentioned that USA was a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus and non-believers. He carries a key chain with an idol of 4 armed Hanuman.
Sri Sri Ravishankar of Art of Living, addressed the European Parliament of 11 nations at Brussels in May 2006. He also addressed parliamentarians in Argentina, United Nations, business leaders in Europe, World Economic Forum and so on. Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh Saha Sanyojaks Dr Yashwant Pathak and Ravi Kumar have addressed several leading universities of the world including Stanford and Berkley and the Royal Society of New Zealand. Mata Amritanand was awarded an honorary doctorate in humane letters in May 2010 by the State University of New York.
http://www.artofliving.org/intl/Founder/Addresses/tabid/124/Default.aspx
In October 2009, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown lit the traditional diya and started the Diwali celebrations in British Parliament. Ram Nawami too was celebrated in No. 10 Downing Street. Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, added colour to the Diwali celebrations in Britain by visiting Shri Swaminarayan temple and participating in a symbolic ‘Laxmi Puja' ceremony. Diwali was similarly celebrated in the parliaments of Australia, (Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne), New Zealand (Wellington and Auckland) and Canada.

World leaders Admire Hinduism
On 6th Sept, 2003, President of the Republic of South Africa Thabo Mbeki, addressing the Durban university students, said, “Through our actions together, all the people of South Africa will be able to live up to the wise words from the Rig Veda ‘Sangachhdwam, Samvadadwam, ….’:
Come together, talk together, Let our minds be in harmony.
Common be our prayer, Common be our end,
Common be our purpose, Common be our deliberations,
Common be our desires, United be our hearts,
United be our intentions, Perfect be the union among us. (10 - 191:2)

Before China’s Premier Wen Jiabao left for India in April, 2005, China’s state-controlled media, such as the People’s Daily, had highlighted his terming of the impending visit to India “historic” and emphasised Wen’s recitation of a Sanskrit shloka from the Upanishads “Aum Sahana Vavatu …” to call for closer ties.
Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam visited Greece in April 2007. It was a pleasant surprise for him when his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias greeted him in Sanskrit at the banquet ceremony. "Rashtrapatm Mahabhaga, Sur Swagatam Yavana dishe (President, welcome to you)". "I wanted to welcome you in Sanskrit, the ancient Indian language that is related to ancient Greek" the Greek President said.
When Western countries are realizing the importance of Vedic hymns in Sanskrit, it is time that Indian government may set up a separate ministry for development and research of Sanskrit to explore the hidden treasure of literature and medical science in the ancient language. (Taken from Madhu Agarwal's article in the internet).
(http://www.merinews.com/article/commonwealth-baton-relay-starts-with-rigveda/15787156.shtml)

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev has joined the thousands of Russians eager to learn the ancient Indian art of yoga. "Little by little, I'm mastering yoga," Medvedev said in an April 2007 interview with Itogi, a weekly magazine. Yoga, he explained, helped him relax from the stress of work. It appears that after one year, Medvedev has made huge progress in developing his yoga skills, having mastered shirshasana, the headstand pose. "I can even stay on my head," he told the magazine Tainy Zvyozd in 2008.
Russia’s former First Lady Naina Yeltsin and her daughter Tatiyana practice Iyengar yoga regularly. So inspired is Mrs Yeltsin, that she now wants every home in the country to practice yoga for a healthy lifestyle.
http://www.punemirror.in/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=2&contentid=2009050120090501034137214c435cabf
Khatuna Kobiashvili, the publisher of Yoga Journal Russia, estimated that at least 100,000 people regularly practice yoga in Russia. The magazine - published by The Moscow Times' parent company, Independent Media Sanoma Magazines - sells 55,000 copies a month nationwide, she said. "If we sell this much, this means people are practicing yoga," Kobiashvili said.
(http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/14/world/europe/14iht-russia.4.11975547.html)

The Lure of Hinduism
Lisa Miller in Newsweek August 2009 issue writes - 24 percent of Americans say they believe in reincarnation, according to a 2008 Harris poll. So agnostic are the Americans about the ultimate fates of their bodies that they are burning them after death like the Hindus. More than a third of Americans now choose cremation, according to the Cremation Association of North America, up from 6 percent in 1975. She concluded her article “So let us all say "om."

The Oscar winning Hollywood luminary Julia Roberts embraces Hinduism. Roberts said she practiced Hinduism and added "Hinduism is something I am very interested in". Julia often visits temples to hymn, pray and venerate. She also added "Golly, I’ve been so spoiled with my friends and family in this life. Next time I want to be just something quiet and supporting." She has renamed her children as Ganesh, Krishna Balram and Mahalaxmi. Julia is involved with UNICEF charities and has visited many countries, including Haiti and India, in order to promote goodwill. Julia is one of the most popular and sought-after talents in Hollywood.

In the sixties George Harrison, the lead guitarist of the Beatles, embraced Hinduism, learnt Sitar and Indian music from Pandit Ravi Shankar and popularized these in the West. He visited several holy place and temples in India on a pilgrimage and learnt yoga and meditation from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and became a vegetarian. After his cremation, his ashes were immersed in Holy Ganga river. George Harrison chanted the Hare Krishna mantra regularly, and produced the Radha Krishna Temple album making it accessible to people around the world, released spiritual themed songs such as "My Sweet Lord," funded the printing of the Krishna book and donated the Bhaktivedanta Manor to ISKCON.
Donovan, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame British singer-song wiriter and guitarist, all four Beatles as well as Beach Boys lead singer Mike Love and actress Mia Farrow and her sister Prudence developed a strong interest in Hinduism, yoga and meditation and stayed in Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Ashram in Rishikesh.
David Keith Lynch, the American filmmaker, visual artist and "the Renaissance man of modern American filmmaking", advocates the use of meditation techniques in bringing peace to the world. In July 2005, he with the help of several eminent artists launched a Foundation to help finance scholarships for students in middle and high schools who are interested in learning the Transcendental Meditation technique.

The Lure of Yoga
Yehudi Menuhin commonly considered one of the twentieth century's greatest violin prodigies, practiced meditation and yoga to overcome considerable physical and artistic difficulties caused by overwork during the world war –II as well as unfocused and unstructured early training. He also popularized yoga in Europe by arranging BKS Iyengar’s yoga classes in London, Switzerland, Paris and elsewhere. This was the first time that many Westerners had been exposed to yoga.
US Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar may be best known for his indefensible sky hook. But the Hall of Fame center believes his secret weapon was really yoga. "I believe that yoga is one of the reasons that I was able to play as long and as healthy as I did."
(http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/spotlighthealth/2003-09-26-jabbar_x.htm)
Legions of aging baby boomers, battered by decades of aerobics, are flocking to Bikram yoga studios in search of a less jarring way to stay healthy. A survey found 30 million Americans practice yoga at least once a week, a number that is increasing daily. The prestige of celebrity helps draw a growing number of them to Bikram Choudhury, guru to the stars, including George Harrison, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Shirley Maclaine, Raquel Welch, Quincy Jones, John McEnroe and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to name a few. Tennis star Andy Murry after defeating Roger Federer, credited yoga for his success.
(http://www.religionnewsblog.com/851/yoga-and-the-art-of-making-money)
Sting (Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner), the English musician, singer, songwriter, activist and recipient of sixteen Grammy Awards and Madonna world's top-selling female recording artist of all time (Guinness World Records) pose in yoga postures. But long before that stars such as Gloria Swanson, Marlon Brando, Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe also went to various Yoga teachers.

The Lure of Gita
The Bhagavad Gita is part of the great Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata, a vast ancient text that's more than 1.8 million (18 lacs) words long. For most Westerners the Bhagvad Gita is essentially the Hindu Bible, but many of them now realize that it is much more than that. It has a universal message. Of all the religious books, only Gita teaches ethical values. Hence most Management Institutions in the world have included Bhagvad Gita in their curricula to foster ethical values.
Hence in USA the nationwide Panchajanya Project has distributed more than 100,000 copies of the Bhagavad Gita, mostly through economy hotels and motels. Indian-Americans make up about 5 percent of the population but own about 40 percent of hotels and motels in the country, according to the Asian American Hotel Owners Association. A Christian Bible and the Bhagavad Gita share space in a nightstand at the Best Western Windsor Suites in Houston. The nationwide motel Gita project has a goal of distributing 1 million (10 lacs) copies of Gita text.
Many western philosophers and scholars like RW Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Hermen Hesse, Somerset Maugham, T.S.Eliot, W.B.Yeats, JD Salinger and scientists like Albert Einstein, Robert Openheimer, Erwin Schrodinger, Neil Bohr, Dr. Werner Heisenberg, Carl Sagan, Alfred North Whitehead, were inspired by Bhavad Gita.

Hindus Shine World Over
59 year old Kamla Persad Bessesar became the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago in Caribbean in May 2010. She is the first female Prime Minister of Trinidad and is also the first female Commonwealth Chairperson-in-office.
President Obama has appointed Sonal R. Shah whose parents are active members of Ekal Vidyalay and Sewa International to serve as the Director of the new Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation in the White House. When USA faced severe trillion dollar financial crisis, President George Bush in Oct 2008 appointed Neel Kashkari, a Kashmiri Pandit as the head of the new office of Financial Stability.
Several Hindus are now walking the corridors of power in Washington DC. When Obama and Dr Manmohan Singh met one-on-one in Washington recently in Nov 2009, Singh’s principal assistant and note-taker was his private secretary Jaideep Sarkar, a young gun of the Indian Foreign Service. No surprise there. And aiding Obama? Anish Goel, a senior staffer of the National Security Council and a rising star of the US foreign service. Similarly, when the US side engaged New Delhi on Af-Pak issues, the Indians found, much to their surprise, that the Senior Defense Advisor to Richard Holbrooke, the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan was Vikram Singh. China and Pakistan are worried that 26 Indians are serving Obama administration including at least a dozen in senior positions. India now enjoys a better relationship with USA. There is a forward movement on almost all facets of defence cooperation. The US administration has removed the names of nine organisations, mostly ISRO and DRDO subsidiaries, from the entities list and opened the doors for the export of high technology to India. Joint patrolling of the sea lanes (SLOCs) in the Indian Ocean is already being undertaken under the garb of joint naval exercises.

In 2005, at a celebration honoring Alan Greenspan, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, Raghuram Rajan, a University of Chicago economist and then-chief economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), delivered a controversial paper that was critical of the financial sector. Rajan "argued that disaster might loom." The response to Rajan's paper at the time was negative. For example, former U.S. Treasury Secretary and former Harvard President Lawrence Summers called the warnings “misguided.” He was proved correct in mid 2008. Today, one wonders if Rajan had a crystal ball back in 2005.
On 22 March 2007 the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters announced Chennai born S. R. Srinivasa Varadhan as the awardee of the Abel Prize for 2007. What is the Abel Prize? Established in 2002, in many ways the Abel Prize is the counterpart of the Nobel Prize for mathematics (this is reflected also in the amount of prize money). Varadhan is the first mathematician of Asian origin to have won this prize. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan was awarded the 2009 Chemistry Nobel Prize.
Vikash Dhorasoo a French national of Indian and Mauritius origin was part of the French National Football team for the 2006 World Cup. He is the first Indian to play in the world cup. Though he has not been to the country of his forefathers, the French national team player is very clear about his love for Bharat. “I will come to India with the idea of helping the sport grow in the country.”

Sanskrit in the Modern World
Usage in modern times
Many of India's, Nepal's and Indonesia’s scientific and administrative terms are named in Sanskrit, as a counterpart of the western practice of naming scientific developments in Latin or Greek.
Republic of India
'सत्यमेव जयते' Satyameva Jayate "Truth alone triumphs"
Nepal
'जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी' Janani Janmabhūmisca Svargādapi garīyasi "Mother and motherland are greater than heaven"
Indonesian Navy
'जलेष्वेव जयामहे' Jalesveva Jayamahe "On the Sea We Are Glorious"
Aceh Province in Indonesia
'पञ्चचित' Pancacita "Five Goals"
The Indian guided missile program that was commenced in 1983 by DRDO has named the five missiles (ballistic and others) that it has developed as Prithvi, Agni, Akash, Nag and Trishul. India's first modern fighter aircraft is named HAL Tejas. Our mission to the moon was called Chandrayan. Recital of Sanskrit shlokas as background chorus in films, television advertisements and as slogans for corporate organizations has become a trend.

Sanskrit In the West
Recently, Sanskrit made an appearance in Western pop music in two recordings by Madonna- one, "Shanti/Ashtangi" and the second "Cyber-raga," released in 2000 is a Sanskrit-language ode of devotion to a higher power and a wish for peace on earth. The climactic battle theme of The Matrix Revolutions features a choir singing a Sanskrit prayer from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad in the closing titles of the movie. Composer John Williams also featured a choir singing in Sanskrit for Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.
The Sky1 version of the title sequence in season one of Battlestar Galactica 2004 features the Gayatri Mantra, taken from the Rig Veda (3.62.10).
Computational linguistics
There have been suggestions to use Sanskrit as a meta-language for knowledge representation in e.g. machine translation, and other areas of natural language processing because of its relatively high regular structure.

Interaction with other languages
Sa Ding Ding, a Chinese folk singer and song writer now sings in Mandarin, Tibetan and Sanskrit.
Many Sanskrit loanwords are also found in traditional Malay, Modern Thai, Sino-Tibetan, Indonesian, and numerous Philippine languages, Old Javanese language (nearly half) and to a lesser extent, Laotian, Cambodian and Vietnamese.

Bhagwat Gita Manages the Modern Managers
Mata Amritananda, Sri Sri Ravishankar, Swami Parthasarathy, CK Prahlad, Deepak Chopra, Ram Charan, Vijay Govindarajan are in great demand in the western corporate world because the path inculcated by them is the one presented in the Veads and the Bhagwad Gita. About 10% of the professors at places such as Harvard Business School, Northwestern's Kellogg School of Business, and the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business are of Indian descent -- a far higher percentage than other ethnic groups. When senior executives come here, they are exposed to Indian values and Teachings of Bhagwad Gita. The development of a management theory that replaces the shareholder-driven agenda with a more stakeholder-focused approach is now described as Karma capitalism or inclusive capitalism. Hindu Vedic culture has once again proved that corporations can simultaneously create value and social justice.
Britain backed by $19.5 million (Rs 100 Crores) in aid has started a State Funded Hindu school. Krishna-Avanti primary school has a space for 240 children. Pupils study the national curriculum but there is a strong emphasis on Hindu ethos and worship. USA takes up Hindi studies in its universities. India’s rapidly growing industry and business is attracting large Americans to Bharat.

In June 2010 Thailand released four stamps on Hindu deities Lord Ganesh, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Samudra Manthan or the churning of the ocean of milk is one of the most famous episodes in the puranas and is celebrated in a major way every twelve years as Kumbha Mela. An awesome display of this Samudra Manthan can be seen at the new Suarnabhumi airport, Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. This new airport was opened for domestic and international flights in September 2006. The Brahma Statue at Grand Hyatt Erawan, Bangkok was damaged by a hammer-wielding fanatic Muslim, who was later beaten to death by an angry crowd. The figurine was later reinstated into the shrine in May 2006. The ceremony was presided over by the then Prime Minister of Thailand in the presence of a large crowd.

Hindus Around the World
There are about 7 crore Hindus in about 120 countries of the world. Of these Hindus are in good numbers in about 40 countries like USA, Canada, West Indies, UK, Holland, Germany, Kenya, South Africa, Mauritius, Middle East, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan etc.

1. Saga of Trials & Triumph
In countries like Mauritius, South Africa, Fiji, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore and Caribbean countries of Trinidad, Guyana and Surinam, Indians were taken by the British rulers some 120 years back as contract laborers. These Indian were then sold to British Farm owners like sheep, cows or buffalos. Initial years were a sad saga of tears & fears, disease & death, torture, humiliations & hard labor. But it is also a tale of their struggle, determination, strong resolve and final Triumph. Most of these Indians hail from Eastern UP (Bhojpuri dialect) and from Tamil Nadu. Ramcharit Manas and Thevaram (ancient Tamil Hymns in praise of Lord Shiva) kept their faith and hopes alive. The literate among them would read and others listened with unmatched shraddha. Ramcharit Manas & Thevaram saved them from the aggressive conversion efforts of Christian missionaries and Indian Muslims.

Festivals unite Hindus
Celebration of Hindu festivals in large congregations strengthened their faith. Deepavali is the most popular festival and is both a religious and a social event. Hindus invite all their Hindu and non-Hindu friends. Deepavali is a national holiday in Malaysia and in Singapore when all government offices are closed. Nearly 5 lac Hindus gather at Lord Subramaniam Temple in Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the occasion of Thai Pusam; 5 lac Hindus gather at the Ganga Talav in Mauritius on the occasion of Shiv Ratri. Lacs of Hindu and Sri Lankan devotees make a pilgrimage on bare foot to Kadirgamam temple in South Sri Lanka to pay their obeisance to Lord Karthikeya. Thousands gather annually at the (Maha Mariamman) Devi Parvati Temple in Suva, Fiji.

Heads of State in many countries
Hindus came to these distant lands 100 years ago and underwent trials and tribulations like Lord Ram during his Vanavas. Today the Hindus are better off. Like Ram they too are celebrating Deepavali having won the battle of survival. Their proud sons, Sir Shivsagar Ramgulam & Aniruddha Jagannath, Dr Navin Ramgoolam (Mauritius), Mahendra Chowdhary (Fiji), Basdeo Pandey (Trinidad), Bharat Jagdev (Guyana), Devan Nair &, S.R.Nathan (Singapore) Dr Anand Satyanand (New Zealand) have risen to become the Prime Ministers and Presidents in their respective countries. V.S.Naipaul the proud son of Trinidad is a Noble Laureate.

2. Conquering Developed Nations like America, England
Professional Indians like doctors, engineers, IIT graduates, Managers, economists, Computer specialists, Information Technologists are in great demand in developed countries like USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Singapore etc. Here too after some initial struggle, Hindu community has established itself as the most educated, influential and above all most law abiding community amongst various other races. By the dint of their hard and committed work, they have now become the richest community on the basis of per capita income. Even American politicians have started wooing the Indian community.

17 year old Murali Ambatti of New York University became the youngest doctor in US, 4 year old Rohit Puri of Bangkok, Thailand became the youngest child to work on many Microsoft products, several teenage boys and girls in US, UK, Australia and New Zealand have been winning national awards in English language tests, general knowledge and science talent competitions. Very recently C.K.Prahalad of University of Michigan is ranked third in “Thinkers 50” based on a survey of business people, consultants, academics and MBAs. He stands tall next only to strategy guru Michael Porter and Microsoft founder Bill Gates. Business advisor Ram Charan,
Prof. V.Govindarajan and Prof. Rakesh Khurana also find a place among the “Thinkers 50” where Peter Drucker was ranked first before his demise.

Noble Laureates & Wealth Creators
Dr Hargobind Khorana, Dr Chandrasekhar, Dr Amartya Sen and Dr Venkat Ramakrishnan made Indians proud by bagging Noble Prizes in technical subjects.

On 22 March 2007 the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters announced Chennai born S. R. Srinivasa Varadhan as the awardee of the Abel Prize for 2007. What is the Abel Prize? Established in 2002, in many ways the Abel Prize is the counterpart of the Nobel Prize for mathematics (this is reflected also in the amount of prize money). Varadhan is the first mathematician of Asian origin to have won this prize.

In USA many Indians like Indira Nooyi, Vinod Khosla, Vinod Dahm, Sabeer Bhatia, Arun Netravalli, Rajeev Gupta, Sanjay Tejwrika, Rajat Gupta, Rana Talwar (only to mention a few) occupy topmost posts in well known Multinational companies like Pepsi-Cola, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, Stanchart, Mckensey, Sun Microsystem, Intel etc. Dr Ajay Kumar who hails from Meerut is the Director of Aerodynamics in NASA credited with the successful testing of MACH-7 Scramjet engines that can make flight travel from Mumbai to Delhi a matter of few minutes. He is now heading the MACH-10 project. Ms Arti Prabhakar, Director National Institute of Standards, Ms. Preeta Bansal, councellor in White House, Astronauts Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Pandya have proven that Hindu women can accept any challenge in the western world. UK based Shri Laxmi Narayan Mittal CEO of M/S Arcelor-Mittal Group of industries is the largest steel producer in the world. Hindujas, Swaraj Paul, Jatania Brothers, Tom Singh, Bhikku & Vijay Patel, Jasminder Singh, Bharat & Ketan Mehta and Dinesh Dhamija have made UK financially strong.

Influencing West through Yoga, Gita & Hindu Family Values
West is facing a cultural crisis. Increasing rates of broken families, single parents, unwed teenage mothers, drug addicts, alcoholism, homicides, suicides and above all sex abuse by missionary preachers is a great concern to the community which is now studying the Hindu family system with greater attention. Millions of the liberal westerners find solace in yoga, meditation and Bhagwad Gita. All these are growing in the midst of heavy attacks by Christian missionaries which label yoga as devil’s work and Bhagwad Gita as devil’s literature.

Ever since Bhagwad Gita was translated into English in 1785 by Charles Wilkins, it has caught Europe and America like a wild fire. Governor Warren Hastings, Arthur Schopenhauer, Annie Beseant, Margaret Noble (Sister Nivedita), Savitri Devi, Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Max Muller, Aldous Huxley, Rudyard Kipling, Mark Twain, Wilhelm von Humboldt, Will Durant, Jules Michelet, a French historian, Schlegel - History of Literature, Wheeler Wilcox, “India, the land of the Vedas”, Joseph Campbell (Sanskrit) and hundreds of scholars have found a new meaning in their life mission.

In recent times Divine Mother of Pondicherry, Shivaya Subramanya of Shaiva Siddhanta Church, David Frawley (Vamadev Muni), Koenrad Elst, Stephen Knapp, Michel Danino, Alan Ford, Francois Gautier have been very vocal in their appreciation of Hinduism and leave no stones unturned to defend Hinduism against unjust criticisms.

Noble Laureates like Niel Bohr, Erwin Schrödinger (Quantum Physics), Einstein (Theory of Relativity), W.Heisenberg (German Sub Atomic Physicist 1901-1976), other leading scientists like J.R.Oppenheimer (1943-44 Father of Atomic Explosion), Carl Segal (Cosmology), social thinkers of the present era like Emmelin Plunret, A.L. Basham - Australian Indologist, Burke (A German Historian of Maths), Hankel, Hu Shih, former Chinese Ambassador to USA have been inspired by the universal Vedic philosophy, Vedic Sciences and Vedic civilization.

The untiring efforts of Swami Vivekanand, Swami Ramatirth, Paramahamsa Yogananda, Yogi Aurobindo (Auroville), Mata Amritanandamayi, Swami Prabhupad, Swami Chinmayanand, Swami Tilak, Swami Muktanand, Acharya Rajnish, Swami Mahesh Yogi, Shri Shri Ravishankar Maharaj, Swami Dayanand Saraswati and the labors of organizations like Ramakrishna Ashram, Satya Sai Samaj, ISKCON, Saiva Siddhanta Church, Chinmaya Ashram, Divine Life Society, Raj Yoga Centre, Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh, Hindu Sevika Samiti and Vishwa Hindu Parishad have made Hinduism truly global. No wonder the Sultan of Bahrain, Royal family members of Buckingham palace, Benitto Craxi former prime minister of Italy, Mrs Anwar Sadat, Mrs Yeltsin, sisters of former Prime minister of Canada Max Mulrony also speak Hindu philosophy.

3. Gulf Countries
Many Indian engineers, accountants, managers and lacs of skilled and semi skilled workers are working in Gulf countries since the oil explorations in the sixties. They made the hot windy deserts of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Sultanate of Oman and Qatar rich and prosperous by their hard work under highly adverse conditions. Even before oil was found, Sindhi and Gujarati merchants made life bearable. Arabs including Sultans would eagerly await the arrival of ships from India which brought necessary and lifesaving objects like drinking waters, food items, medicines and garments from India. Some of the Indians are so influential that the Royal family members depended on them for financial help. The devote Khimjis had built a Shiva temple in Muscat, Sulatanate of Oman, one hundred fifty years ago. Khimjis contributed overwhelmingly to the development of Oman. In the bygone days they financed Oman crown prince’s travel and education in Bharat. When Indian president Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma and later Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee visited Oman, the sultan gave them highest order of honour with warm personal attention. Recently Prime Minister of Iraq requested Sri Sri Ravishankar Maharaj to teach Sudarshan Kriya to jail mates in Iraq. The Arab royal families depend heavily on Indian professionals like doctors, engineers, administrators, managers, clerks and workers not only for running the affairs of their sultanates but also for the administration and maintenance of the royal palaces. Over 30 lac (3 million) Indians are working in Gulf countries.

4. Shining as the Best Tax Paying Business Community
Indians with business acumen came to in Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Dubai etc. Starting as small traders they have become the most successful community in the midst of world wide competitions. Unfortunately the Hindu especially Gujarati businessmen from Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria had to flee from these countries and seek asylum in UK in the sixties and seventies and from Zimbabwe in recent years after local military regimes replaced the European colonial powers. They have enriched UK and are well respected business community there.

5. Problems of the Overseas Hindus & the Role of Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh
Hindus living in some 120 countries have varied problems. But some common problems need to be addressed in an organized way. In most countries except Bharat, Nepal and Mauritius Hindus are in minority. Preserving Indian languages, Hindu customs, traditions, culture, festivals is a big challenge especially among the youth and children. The influence of western music, dress, language, slang cannot be under estimated. It is here that Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh plays a leading role.

Shakhas and Training Camps
In most countries Hindus form a microscopically small minority in the midst of people belonging to other cultures. The parents therefore struggle to educate the children on Hindu values. The aggressive western culture has ruined the western society and is a threat to Hindu youth. The Indian parents are legitimately worried about the future of their children growing in such a volatile environment. In such places Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh, Hindu Sevika Samiti and Vishwa Hindu Parishad running shakhas, training camps on basic Hinduism, and celebrating festivals and conferences has made a significant change in their attitude. Hindu children now feel proud to practice our ancient ethos and traditions. Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh is active in 40 countries. It runs 750 shakhas in 35 countries. Of these 140 are daily shakhas and the rest are weekly ones. 70 of these are run under Hindu Sevika Samiti for Hindu girls by our trained sisters. The eastern most country in the world is Fiji and the westernmost country is USA. We have shakhas in both these places. The northernmost country is Canada and the southernmost country is New Zealand. Shakhas are functioning here too. In the 1940s shakhas started in Mauritius, South Africa and Kenya. Adarneeya Jagdish Shastry ji held a shakha on the deck of a ship while sailing from Mumbai to Kenya in 1947. Now shakhas have encompassed the globe and is instrumental in uniting the Hindus.

Swargeeya Laxmanrao Bhide laid the foundation of this worldwide movement by his tireless travels to some 60 countries in a long span of 40 years. He was ably assisted in this arduous task by Swargeeya Chamalanlal ji. Now this mantle has fallen on the shoulders of Dr Shankar Tatwawadi ji who in spite of his age goes around the world tirelessly.

HSS shakhas are similar to those in Bharat in some respects and differ in a few details. For example the Bhagwa Dhwaj is same everywhere. The Sanskrit commands, shaririks, khel, utsavs, gatapadhati, Sangh Siksha vargas, shibirs etc are same. The differences are the name Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh, Sangh Prarthana, the way we do dhwaj pranam, and the prarthana ends with the slogan Vishwa Dharma ki jai. Many a places the baudhiks are delivered in English to make it easy for the youth and children to comprehend. In spite of the differences the karyakarta nirmiti in these shakhas is as strong as in Bharat. Many committed karyakartas are from 2nd and 3rd generation Hindus who have never seen Bharat before coming here for sangh siksha vargas. Ten of them are now serving the Hindu cause as pracharaks (Full time celibate social workers). Once in Malaysia there was ghastly fire accident in a chemical factory late at night and most of the victims were of Indian origin. When some karyakartas rushed to Medical Hospital to donate blood, they were pleasantly surprised to see so many other swayamsewaks from other shakhas who had arrived there with the same concern. In most countries whenever there are floods, accidents or other natural calamities, swayamsewaks have readily risen to the occasion. Educationists in UK have observed that hooliganism, vandalism and drug abuse among UK children is seen less in those schools that have a good number sangh swayamsewak children. S/sewaks are seen excelling in academic studies and winning several awards and recognitions.

World Hindu Conferences
Vishwa Hindu Parishad in cooperation with hundreds of other Hindu organizations, has organized large world Hindu conferences in UK, Germany, Denmark, South Africa, Singapore, USA and Trinidad to forge a sense of unity amongst Hindus living in 120 countries. These conferences have been addressed by Heads of States of the host countries like Nelson Mandela, Mrs Margaret Thatcher, David Russel Lange, Jomo Kenyatta, Basedeo Pandey and Devan Nair. Dharma conference held last July in New Jesrey was the largest International gathering of Hindu youth. They assembled to discuss their problems and ways to solve them.

Over 15,000 Hindus gather at the Deepavali celebrations every year in Sydney. Senior federal and state ministers have been attending this festival regularly. Diwali last year was celebrated in London, Washington and Sydney parliaments by lighting the central halls. Hindu renaissance is bound to trigger many such events in future. Hindu resurgence is finding its echo all over the world.

Vishwa Sangh Shibirs
Sangh karyakartas with their family members assemble in Bharat once in five years to discuss their problems, growth and future course of action. The first shibir was held in Bangalore in 1990. The second, third and fourth were held at Vadodara, Mumbai and Karnavati in 1995, 2000 and 2005. The themes of the shibirs were Pradeepyem Jagat Sarvam at Bangalore, Sangha Shakti Vijetreeyam at Vadodara Vishwa Mangala Hetave at Mumbai and Vishwa Dharma Prakashena Vishwa Shanti Pravartake –world peace through universal values of Hinduismat Karnavati. The sankhyas in these shibirs were 250, 350, 450 and 550 respectively.

The fifth Vishwa Sangh Shibir will be held in Pune in December 2010. 600 shibirarthis from some 40 countries are expected to participate. The serene and holy atmosphere of Pune will witness many bustling activities of Hindu resurgence during this period. For many of the shibirarthis this will be their first visit to Bharat in several generations. For them every inch of Bharat is a pilgrim place. They will be spending a fortune as air tickets to reach the shibir. They will come with their own nostalgic ideas about Bharat.
PP Sarasanghachalak, Ma. Madandas ji, Ma. Suresh Soni, Dattatreya and mnay Sangh adhikaris will be present in the shibir.

Hindu Influence on the West
Ever since cholesterol, obesity, heart-attacks, blood pressures have become fatal diseases in the West, they are now turning in lacs and crores to vegetarianism, yogasanas, meditations and pranayams. At least 10% in USA, UK and Europe are now practicing Hinduism in their daily life in one way or the other. The spread of AIDS, pre-marital sex, unmarried mothers, homicides and suicides has emphasized the need for self-control and Hindu family values. Bhagwad Gita is the fastest selling religious book in the world. ISKCON, Saiva Sidhanta Church, Chinmaya Mission, Divine Life Mission, Ramakrishna Ashram, HH Dalai Lama, Sri Sri Ravishankar, Mata Amritanandmayi and scores of other Hindu missionaries and organizations are attracting large non-Indian devotees. Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh is a unique organization in the sense it unites Hindus of all language groups, sects, creeds and other denominations.

In Conclusion
The educational and economic success of overseas Hindus, their rising political, social and spiritual influence across the globe and their practice of Hindu Family values is now catching the world by storm. The new century augurs well for Hindutva.

Some wonder how long it will take before a person of Indian-origin occupies White House, the most powerful post in the world!! Namrata Randhawa, the Governor (chief minister as in Bharat) of South Carolina State is just a heart-beat away from the presidency.

Karlo Duniya Mutheemain

Hindu Dhamo Vijayatam

(Victorious March of Hindu Dharma)

Dharma Jagaran Around the World

2010-03-16T05:16:00.000-07:00

Dharma Jagaran Around the World

1. Dharma Jagaran Around the World 1
2. Muslims Killing Muslims in thousands 3
3. List of Converts to Hinduism Around The World 5
From Islam 5
From Christianity 5
From Judaism 7
4. Who practices Yoga? 7
5. Sanskrit 7
6. Pope Apologizes 8

1. Dharma Jagaran Around the World

Did anyone say Muslims cannot be converted to other religions??

1. Over 10 lakhs of Muslims in Indonesia (Java, Kalimantan, Borneo, Sumetra provinces) have returned to their ancestral Hindu religion. Over 1 lakh Muslims in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have returned to Hindu fold in recent years.

2. Over 20 lakhs Muslims in Indonesia have become Buddhists.

3. Lacs of Muslims including Mullas and Imams are getting converted to Christianity in African war-torn countries every year on an average for a few grains of bread and jam. This is a huge loss and yet rich Arab countries are busy in entertainments. So much for Islamic Brotherhood.

4. Churches are being auctioned in western countries and are being purchased by ISKCON, Swami Narayan Groups, Sri Lankan Tamil Hindus, Afghan Hindus, Sanatani Hindus from Bharat, West Indies and Fiji. Once a Hindu temple for Lord Shiva, Ram, Vishnu, Ganesh or Mata Parvati is built not only Hindus but Whites also visit in large numbers. Britney Spear visits Ganesha temple in Washington with her son.

5. Pope Benedict XVI is going from country to country seeking apology for thousands of cases pending in courts for rape, sex abuse, child sex scandals, pedophiles by Catholic priests, bishops, and choir singers.

6. Earlier Pope John Paul II went to several countries seeking apology for wiping out tribes, aborigine clans, culture, languages, arts, music and religious practices in the most brutal manner.

7. Yoga and Meditation is increasingly becoming popular in the West. Many leading personalities in sports and entertainment field are practicing yoga for maintaining their health and figures. Yoga and Meditation is a Rs 15,000 Crore business in USA alone. More than 10% of the whites and blacks in USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand practice Yoga and Meditation in spite of opposition from church groups. Perhaps there are more yoga centers in west than in Bharat.

8. Fear of Cholesterol and obesity is driving many especially the youth in the west to turn to vegetarianism.

9. There are many Ayurvedic centers in Brazil perhaps next only to Bharat. Many universities around the world have started courses in Ayurveda. Ayurvedic Burqa is in demand in the Arab world.

10. Sanskrit is taught in more than 200 universities around the world. There is more and more demand for software professionals with knowledge of Sanskrit for developing softwares for Robots and Artificial Intelligence. NASA and other research institutes are looking for Sanskrit knowing professionals. President of Greece welcomed President APJ Abdul Kalam in Sanskrit. Mbeki, President of South Africa and Wen Jiabo, Prime Minister of China quote from Vedas.

11. In US senate, many state parliaments and convocation at MIT were inaugurated with Vedic chantings. 30 selected mantras of Vedas have been preserved as World Heritage. UK has started a Vedic Heritage school for children. Mbeki, President of South Africa recited mantras from Rig Veda to emphasize Unity in Diversity. Wen Jiabao,

12. Tony Blair warned with economic sanctions Russia and Kazakhstan for bulldozing Hindu temples. Moscow is now rebuilding the temple at a new location. Prime Minister of Thailand personally took part in the installation ceremony of Lord Brahma statue at Wat Erawan. (The statue was broken by a Muslim fanatic earlier and the Thai public beat him to death in anger).

13. Govt of India awarded Padma Bhushan to Chinese Sanskrit scholar Ji Xianlin who has translated Ramayan into Chinese. Mahabharat has been translated by some of his students. PM Wen Jiabo learnt Sanskrit from him.

14. Gita is taught in leading Management Institutions of the world including Stanford. They arrange lectures by Gita scholars like Swami Parthasarathy.

15. There is lot of scope for movies and cartoons based on Vikramaditya tales, tales from Panchatantra, Puranas, Hitopadesa, Hanuman, Ganesha, Ramayan and Mahabharat to replace Harry Potter.

2. Muslims Killing Muslims in thousands

(So much for Muslim Brotherhood & Pan Islam)

1. Some 30 lac Bangladeshi Muslims killed in 1971 by Pakistan’s Punjabi soldiers.

2. 23 lac Muslims including Shia and Kurdi Muslims died due to Saddam Hussain during his rule in Iraq from 1979 to 2003. During this period he fought wars with Iran and Kuwait.

3. 20 lac Afghan Muslims lost their lives between 1979 and today at the hands of Talibans and Al-Qaeda and the ongoing wars between Hamid Karzai government and Taliban rebels.

4. 20 lacs Muslims have been killed in the tribal wars between different Muslim groups in Sudan since1983.

5. At least 1,000 Muslims are getting killed every day by fellow Muslims in Shia – Sunni clashes, ethnic clashes, clashes between military and Muslim radicals in Islamic countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Middle East, Turkey, Yemen, Egypt, Nigeria, African countries etc.

6. There are 23 Arab countries including Palestine. Of these only eight are Rich Oil Producing countries. These are:
Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya,
Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates

The rest except perhaps Egypt are among the poorest nations of the world with a per capita income of less than 2$ a day.

The oil rich Arab countries will enjoy spending their filthy excess dollars in spreading jihad, Al-Qaida, unrest around the world than feeding their suffering Arab millions. So much for Arab Brotherhood.

7. Muslims believe in one God, Allah, one Prophet, Mohammed, one book Quran. Yet a Sunni Muslim will not pray in a Shia mosque, Sunni and Shia will not pray in a Kurdi mosque, Sunni, Shia and Kurdi will not pray in a Sufi mosque, Sunni, Shia, Kurdi and Sufi will not pray in an Ahmedia mosque and so on. So much for Islamic Brotherhood.

8. There are 52 declared Islamic countries under Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC). In all these countries Sunnies, Shias, Kurdis and other factions are killing each other every day. In addition death toll is raised due to the fight between the militants and the military. The scores of Muslims killing Muslims in these countries is alarming. In Iraq it is 110 Muslims killed by Muslims per day, 55 in Pakistan, 250 in Sudan, 50 in Palestine between Hamas and Al Fatah and so on. Thus about 1,000 Muslims get killed by Muslims every day in the Islamic paradise of Asia and Africa. So much for Islamic Brotherhood.

9. Israel is ready to bomb Iran if it produces an atom bomb.

10. Jews number just 1 crore 40 lacs (70 lacs in Israel and 70 lacs in USA, Germany, Poland etc). Jews around the world have won 180 Nobel Prizes in knowledge based subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Medicine and literature). Muslims are 140 crores in the world (100 Muslims to every Jew) and they have produced just 3 Nobel Laureates (other than Peace Prizes) so far. The reason for this massive difference lies in education, tolerance and respect for womanhood.

11. When Muslims kill Muslims in thousands, there are no angry protests and fatwas. Hence we should encourage the differences among Sunni, Shia, Ahmedia or Sufi Muslims and allow them to settle their old scores. Only then there will be peace.

What BJP Governments Should Do?

1. Our Constitution guarantees protection to Minorities. In Bharat, Sunnies, Catholics and Baptist Church are majority communities in Islam and in Christianity. The real minorities among them are Shias, Ahmediyas, Khojas, Syrian Christians etc. Hence govt should help only these minorities and leave the majorities out of jobs, reservations, educations etc. By dividing the Muslims and Christians we can trigger Shia-Sunni and Catholic – Protestant wars which will be to our advantage.

2. There are a few ethnic militant groups like the Baluchs and Sinds within Pakistan who want to Break-away from Punjabi dominated Pakistan. We should supply them arms, money and logistic support allow Pakistan to break into 3 or 4 smaller parts.

3. Pakistan’s main exports are Basmati Rice, Carpets, textiles etc. India should give incentives, subsidies to all exporters of these items so that they are able to sell in the world market at cheaper prices and kill Pakistan’s exports.

4. Countries like Germany which supply arms to Pakistan should be told that India will not allow their companies to thrive in Indian markets any more. Germany will reverse its policy overnight.

5. When countries give monetary assistance to Pakistan, India should issue a strong warning that if Pakistan uses these amounts for purchase of arms against India, those countries will be held responsible.

3. List of Converts to Hinduism Around The World
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_converts_to_Hinduism
From Islam
• Bukka I - King of Vijayanagara empire who converted to Islam, then reconverted.
• Annapurna Devi - surbahar (bass sitar) player and music teacher in the North Indian classical tradition.
• Aashish Khan (born Ustad Aashish Khan Debsharma) - Indian musician.
• Harihara I - King of Vijayanagara empire who converted to Islam, then reconverted.
• Hassan Palakkode - Malayali writer on Islam.
• Pandit Tansen Pandey (born Ustad Hussainuddin Khan Dagur) - Dhrupad Singer.
• Rizwanur Rahman - Bengali designer who died in a mysterious death.
• Mirza Salih - Prominent Mughal official and member of the Darbar of emperor Akbar.
• Anwar Shaikh - British author.
• Ifa Sudewi - Chief judge for the 2002 Bali bombing trials.
• Mohammad Umer - Bhopal man whose marriage was upheld by the Supreme Court of India.
From Christianity
George Harrison converted from Christianity to Hinduism
1. Agehananda Bharati (born Leopold Fischer) - academic Sanskritist, a prolific author about religious subjects, and a Hindu monk in the Dasanami Sannyasi order
2. Annie Besant - Theosophist, orator and feminist.
3. Job Charnock - The founder of Calcutta.
4. Alice Coltrane - American jazz pianist, organist, harpist, and composer.
5. Nilla Cram Cook - Associate of Mahatma Gandhi.
6. Alain Daniélou - French historian, intellectual, musicologist,Indologist.
7. Ambarish Das (born Alfred Ford) - American businessman, great-grandson of Henry Ford a disciple of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada founder of ISKCON.
8. Bhagavan Das (born Kermit Michael Riggs) - Western Yogi.
9. Shaunaka Rishi Dasa - born into an Irish Christian family and founder of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
10. Urmila Devi Dasi (born Edith E. Best) - leading female disciples of Srila Prabhupada specializing in primary and secondary education.
11. Ram Dass - Spiritual teacher
12. Roy Eugene Davis - American Kriya Yoga teacher.
13. Ma Jagattarini Devi - (born Janne Wesly) former hollywood actress
14. Krishna Dharma - British author and convert to Gaudiya Vaishnavism under ISKCON
15. John Dobson - astronomer and telescope designer
16. David Frawley - author on Hinduism, Yoga and Ayurveda.
17. Heather Graham - American Actress
18. Kelli Williams - American Actress
19. George Harrison - popular English guitarist, singer, songwriter, record producer, and film producer, best known as a member of The Beatles who passed away chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra in the company of monks from ISKCON. He is also known for donating Bhaktivedanta Manor, a Hindu temple to the Hare Krishna community in Britain
20. Jon B. Higgins - American musician, scholar, and teacher known for his rare skill as a foreigner in the field of Carnatic music
21. Lex Hixon - poet, philosopher and spiritual practitioner and teacher
22. Aldous Huxley - English writer who emigrated to the United States, author of Brave New World
23. Christopher Isherwood - Anglo-American novelist.
24. Jomol - Malayali actress .
25. Timothy Leary - Harvard professor and American writer and psychologist.
26. Stephen Knapp - American author and convert to Gaudiya Vaishnavism and member of ISKCON.
27. Swami Kriyananda (born J. Donald Walters) - direct disciple of the yogi Paramahansa Yogananda
28. Joe Don Looney - professional American football player.
29. John McLaughlin - jazz fusion guitar player.
30. Crispian Mills - English musician.
31. Savitri Devi Mukherji (born Maximiani Portas) - French woman who became enamoured with Hinduism and Nazism, trying to synthesise Hinduism with Nazi philosophy and racial ideology
32. Swami B. G. Narasingha (born Jack B. Herber) - American Hindu monk, author, photographer, videographer, and documentarian
33. Sister Nivedita (born Margaret Elizabeth Noble) - Anglo-Irish social worker, author, and teacher.
34. James Pomerantz - senior sitar disciple of Ali Akbar Khan of the Baba Allauddin Maihar Gharana
35. Swami Sivananda Radha - Canadian author on Hinduism and Hindu writer.
36. Leelawathy Ramanathan - Australia-born Hindu writer and activist. Converted upon marrying Ponnambalam Ramanathan.
37. Mathias Rust - German daredevil pilot.
38. J. D. Salinger - American author best known for The Catcher in the Rye.
39. Bhakti Tirtha Swami (born John E. Favors) - American Hindu leader and disciple of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
40. Kenneth R. Valpey - Gaudiya Vaishnava Theologian who studied at Oxford University, St. Cross College.
41. Ricky Williams - Miami Dolphins football player.
From Judaism
• Krishna Das (born Jeffrey Kagel) - singer who performs Indian chants called kirtans
• Ram Dass (born Richard Alpert) - professor of psychology at Harvard University.
• Hridayananda Goswami (born Howard J. Resnick) - American spiritual leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
• Tamal Krishna Goswami (born Thomas G. Herzig) - governing body commissioner of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
• Nina Hagen - German singer

4. Who practices Yoga?
http://www.vinyasaflowyoga.net/athletes.php
1. Abdul Kareem Jabbar – Intl famous Basket ball Player – He now runs a Yoga institute
2. Dan Marino – American Football
3. Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs – players for Manchester United and Celtic
4. Evander Holyfield – Heavyweight Boxing Champion
5. Pete Sampras – Grand slam Tennis Champion
6. Venus and Serena Williams – Women’s tennis Champions
7. Ian Thorpe – Australian Olympic gold medalist in Swimming
8. New Zealand All Blacks
9. Indian National Cricket team
10. Quincy John – world famous Music composer (winner of maximum Grammy Award and Oscar Award for a Black American)
11. John Nash – Noble Prize winner
12. Madonna – Actress and Singer
13. Ricky Martin – Actor
14. Meg Ryan - Actor
5. Sanskrit
Sanskrit is taught in over 200 Universities in Europe, Americas, Australia,
New Zealand, Israel, Gulf countries, Burma, Thailand, Japan etc.

Shradha and interest on Gita, Ayurved, Reincarnation, Indian music, Hindi films are increasing all over the world.

6. Pope Apologizes

http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_2000202,00.html

Vatican City - Following are some instances in which the papacy admitted errors or apologised for actions of the Roman Catholic Church.

1. • 1992: After 13 years of study by the Vatican, Pope John Paul II declared that the church was wrong to condemn astronomer Galileo for maintaining that the earth was not the centre of the universe. The scientist was formally rehabilitated and the pope said Galileo's condemnation had resulted from "tragic mutual incomprehension".

2. • 1992: Visiting a former centre of the slave trade in Senegal, John Paul begged for forgiveness for the Christians involved in the slave trade. "From this African sanctuary of black pain, we begged the pardon from above," the pope said.

3. • 1995: John Paul issued a document saying that the Church was "truly sorry" for any discrimination or mistreatment of women.

4. • 1995: During a visit to the Czech Republic, John Paul asked forgiveness for violence by Catholics against Protestants during the 16th century Counterreformation. "Today I, the pope of the Church of Rome, in the name of all Catholics, ask forgiveness for the wrongs inflicted on non-Catholics during the turbulent history of these peoples."

5. • 1998: In a document on the Holocaust, John Paul expressed remorse for the cowardice of some Christians during the Nazi persecution of Jews, regretting the silence of those who "were not strong enough to raise their voices in protest".

6. • 1999: John Paul denounced the persecution of Jan Hus, a 15th-century religious reformer and precursor of Protestantism who was burned at the stake.

7. • 2000: On a solemn Day of Pardon during the Holy Year, John Paul asked forgiveness for the sins of Catholics through the ages, including wrongs inflicted on Jews, women and minorities. During the ceremony it was the future Benedict XVI, then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who spoke of the Inquisition, confessing "sins committed in the service of the truth".

8. • 2000: In a visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, John Paul said the Catholic Church is "deeply saddened by the hatred, acts of persecution and displays of anti-Semitism directed against the Jews by Christians at any time and in any place".

9. • 2001: On a visit to Athens, John Paul issued a sweeping apology for wrongs committed by Roman Catholics against Orthodox Christians.

10. • 2001: Sending his official word over the internet for the first time, John Paul apologised for missionary abuses against indigenous peoples of the South Pacific.

11. • 2006: Pope Benedict XVI said on Sunday he was "deeply sorry" that Muslims worldwide took offence over a speech he gave in Germany on September 12 about Islam and holy war.

12. 2008 April: Pope Benedict XVI apologized for 13,000 child abuse and women rape cases by Catholic priests belonging to California Churches.

13. Australians and Canadians are also saying that Pope should visit them and seek apology for child abuses by Catholic Church authorities.

Swayamsewak as an Instrument of Social Change

2010-03-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

Swayamsewak as an Instrument of National Change

History is created when a Swayamsewak becomes A Prime Minister, A Chief Minister or A Minister

Seventh and Eighth Golden Chapters in Indian History

When India was engaged in freedom struggle Swatantra Veer Savarkar wrote a well researched book ‘Six Golden Chapters in Indian History’. If he were alive now he would have added a few more Golden Chapters. The Seventh Chapter would have been the Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. In that war India humiliated the combined forces of USA, China and Pakistan. We liberated entire Bangladesh in a matter of 12 days, made USA nuclear warship Seventh Fleet to retreat, engaged the Chinese army all along the northern border, captured General Niazi and 95,000 Pakistan soldiers, misguided and destroyed Pak submarine Gazi, a gift from USA. These still rank among the greatest war victories. We salute our war heroes Field Marshall Manekshaw, Lt General J.S.Arora, Lt General George Jacob, Vice-Admiral Krishnan and the dare devil Indian Jawans for writing this Golden chapter.

Yet one more Golden Chapter was added when a swayamsewak (s/s) became Prime Minister in the 90s. We see how history is created when a s/s becomes Prime Minister (Atal Behari Vajpayee), when a s/s becomes Chief Minister (Narendra Modi) and when a s/s becomes a minister (Nitin Gadkari, urban affairs minister of Maharashtra).

Swayamsewak as an Instrument of Social and National Change: India transformed from a Borrowing Nation to a Lending Nation.
Atal Behari Vajpayee became Prime Minister in 1996, first for 13 days, then for 13 months and finally in 1998 for a full term of five years. When Atal ji became Prime Minister in 1998, India was deeply sunk in foreign debts. The World Bank around that period had warned other nations that India’s credit rating was – 2 B which means that any money given in loan to Bharat may not be repaid. Our slow rate of growth under Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi was mocked by intellectuals as Hindu rate of Growth. In fact calling it Hindu economic growth was a misnomer, it was a Russian economic model.

Sardar Patel was the choice of the nation and that of Indian National Congress to become free India’s first PM. But it was our national tragedy that Nehru used Mahatma Gandhi’s influence to snatch that post. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was son of the soil and had his moorings in Hindu culture. Hence under his leadership, congressmen were very sure India will march towards self-sufficiency and world leadership. Nehru had no grooming in Hindu or Bharateeya ethos and culture. He transplanted Russian model of economy and socialism on our country. It was an economy that could not save Russia and left India with huge foreign debts. As the old saying goes, ‘Raja Bane Vyaparee, Praja Bane Bhikaree’. No wonder India was better off only after we rejected Russian socialism.

Due to the cumulative effect of India’s borrowing for the past 50 years, Atal ji figuratively speaking became the poorest Prime Minister of India. But when he stepped down as Prime Minister in 2004 and handed over the mantle to Dr Manmohan Singh, India had wiped out most of its foreign debts and we had an excess of 125 Billion dollars (Rs. 625,000 Crores) and thus Dr Manmohan Singh figuratively speaking became the richest Prime Minister of Bharat. Where to keep this money is the headache of the new Finance Minister. Such a major transformation can be expected only when a swayamsewak becomes a PM.

This breath-taking revolution took place in the midst of heavy sanctions levied by USA President Bill Clinton after the Pokhran Nuclear Tests in May 1998.
Indian scientists effectively conducted a series of 5 sub-terrain nuclear tests on 11th and 13th May 1998. 24 years earlier they had conducted the first nuclear test in 1974. Nuclear scientists around the word called this nothing short of a miracle. Such success rates were not known in a cutting edge technology like nuclear tests.

They were wonder struck at the success of Indian performance.
Immediately after the Pokhran Nuclear tests, Bill Clinton the president of USA slammed three sanctions against India. In short the three sanctions meant that,

1. no country or financial institution shall give any monetary aid to India since India instead of using the foreign aid for developmental activities was misusing them for nuclear tests,

2. no country shall give any scientific instrument to India; even Russia was told not to ship Cryogenic engines for which India had already paid,

3. no visa was will be issued to any Indian visiting USA and Visa was denied to no less an International scientist than Dr. Kasturi Rangan and to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

All the past Prime Ministers of India like P.V.Narasimha Rao, Deve Gowda, V.P.Singh, Chandra Sekhar, Inder Gujral said in one voice that the pool of Indian nuclear and missile scientists like APJ Abdul Kalam, PK Iyengar, Dr Chidambaram, Dr Kasturi Rangan have been telling them that they were ready for the next round of nuclear tests. But they did not yield to the pressures of scientists for the fear of economic sanctions from USA and the West which will take India to middle ages. Some veteran Congress leaders pointed out that such a foolish act was avoided by Rajeev Gandhi and even by Indira Gandhi when she came to power a second time. Without foreign exchange India cannot import petroleum and food grains and without these all our developments in industries, transport system will be crippled and India will be driven back to bullock cart age.

Needless to say, our electronic and paper media started a crusade against Hindutva agenda and criticized that the scientists were no doubt fool but PM Atal ji was a greater fool in succumbing to their demands. Many articles and letters condemning Atal ji were published in several news media.

But the mood of the nation was in sharp contrast to these so called intellectuals. When surveys were conducted by different agencies under such vitiated atmosphere, the results bore a shock to the media and pseudo secularists. 96% of Indians said they were immensely proud of what Atal ji had done and that they were ready for any sacrifice to teach America a lesson.

Overseas Indians to the rescue of Bharat to negate Economic Sanction
Needing foreign currency urgently, Indian government issued India Resurgent Bonds and requested the overseas Indians to purchase these bonds and help India with much needed foreign exchange. The mood of overseas Indians was also as patriotic as those in Bharat and they purchased all the bonds in record time and urged the government to print more bonds. With dollar in its pocket, Atal ji’s government went about economic reforms to put the wheels of development at a breath-taking pace.

The success story of Disinvestments and Indian Entrepreneurs
Under Union Minister Arun Shourie in Atalji’s cabinet, many loss making government organizations were privatized and were allowed to compete in the world market. In a short time, it was seen that the loss making institutions like State Bank of India, Steel Authority of India and Oil and Natural Gas Commission became highly profit making industries and now rank within 200 of world’s leading industries. Indian businessmen also played their roles and very soon our Mittals, Ambanis, Tatas and Birlas became world players. Among the world’s eight richest entrepreneurs, four (namely LN Mittal, Mukesh and Anil Ambani and KP Singh) are Indians. After all our million year old caste system has given this confidence and sharp business acumen to our vaishya community.

Some years back when Ramesh Chauhan sold his Parle brands to Coca-Cola amidst much criticism, he got a reported Rs. 180 crore. Now Infosys and Wipro propose a takeover of foreign companies of Rs 44,000 crore each ($10 Billion each). This is more than the combined GNP of several African and even European countries. The GNP of Guinea Bissau is $ 0.2 billion, of Gambia $ 0.4 billion. The GNP of Armenia is $ 1.7 billion, Albania $ 2.7 billion, Estonia $ 4.9 billion, Latvia $ 5.9 billion. All major Indian software companies are already MNCs. All of them have branches abroad; all do most of their high-end work abroad using foreign employees, and then do the low-end work very cheaply in India. No foreign company can compete with us.

Suddenly Indian companies look like world-beaters. Infosys is valued in the US stock market at $ 40 billion, more than traditional MNCs like Dow Chemicals, or military-industrial-complex giants like Raytheon and Northrop-Grumman. In the new knowledge economy, brains matter more than physical assets. And it seems Indians can match the world’s best in brain power. This brain power comes to us from our ten thousand year Vedic life style taught to us by our Rishis. Slowly modern Indian youth are forgetting Bharatiya tradition, culture and heritage (due to the influence of our TVs and movies). If this continues Indians in another 500 years will become the dullest people on the globe.

When Laxminiwas Mittal wanted to take over Arcelor, Europe’s biggest steel factory, editorials in European language news papers wrote bitterly against the take over. Media spit fire of Mittal’s audacity. France Preseident Mittrand on his visit to Bharat, made a special request to Indian Prime Minister to tell Mittal not to buy their prestigious industry. Inspite of all these hurdles Mittal succeeded in buying Arcelors. A few months later Tatas were celebrating their acquisition of the Anglo-Dutch steel firm Corus and the catapulting of Tata Steel into world steel’s big-five status (by revenue). It should. The $12 billion deal is the biggest deal out of India and is done by a private sector entity of its own volition away from the shadow of state influence. The AV Birla group’s takeover of the U.S. based aluminum products manufacturer Novelis for a consideration of approximately $6 billion came within two weeks after the Tatas inked their deal with Corus.
A swayamsewak PM made these and many more achievements possible.

The economic sanctions of USA have taken a beating.
A Swayamsewak becoming Prime Minister is epoch making.

The Confidence of Our Scientists in Negating the Second Sanction
Atalji called a meeting of our scientists to inform them about the scientific sanctions impose on us. He said that the Cryogenic ordered on Russia will not come to us and similarly we will be deprived of assistances from other countries for many scientific instruments and equipments. He urged the scientists to reschedule their nuclear, rocket, satellite, super computer plans because of these hindrances. Our scientists requested Atalji to speak to Bill Clinton and make a request on their behalf. Atalji explained that as a PM of Bharat he will not kneel down before anyone especially before Bill Clinton (as it is I have a severe knee problem and so cannot bend before anyone). But our scientists insisted that Atal ji should request Bill Clinton to change the scientific sanctions from 2 years to 20 years, since they do not need any help from USA. That was the self-confidence of our Indian scientists. Two years ago ISRO Chairman Dr G Madhavan Nair announced that we have successfully tested Cryogenic engines. Successful launching of Chandrayaan-I has proved that for the Indian scientists even sky is not the limit. One should also remember that some of the scientists like APJ Abdul Kalam and PK Iyengar are products of remote villages and municipal schools. Many of them have never gone overseas for studies or trainings. They have visited foreign countries only to train their scientists and to share their expertise.

Today most leading countries including USA want to jump on our bandwagons. They compete with each other to be part of the Chandrayaan project.

Microsft Bill Gates and many others denounce US government for the 3rd sanctions
India wisely did not react to Bill Clinton’s sanction against giving visa to any Indian. It was an internal matter of USA. Indian economy can survive without USA but the bigger question is can American economy survive without smart young Indian professionals going there in thousands every year. The owners of world’s largest multinational companies like Microsoft, IBM, Dell Computers, Hewlett Packard, Intel, General Motors, Standard Charted Bank etc got frightened and informed Bill Clinton that this law will not have any impact on India since every other country like Japan, Germany, UK, France, Canada, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Korea were giving visas to young Indians in thousands. They also made it clear that as a result of Clinton’s foolish decision, USA would lose its supremacy and in world market and soon products from Japan and Germany will dominate the world. Made by Indians is the mantra in this new age. Finally they all threatened Bill Clinton that they would scale down their operations in USA and start their offices in India. Around that period Bill Gates of Microsoft made a well studied statement that Indians are the most intelligent people in the world. Bill Gates is qualified to say this since he has employed and tested almost all nationalities in his MNC. US repelled visa restriction on Indians at the earliest.

Bill Clinton who said India was enemy of US in 1998 made a special visit to Bharat in 2000 and addressed the joint session of Indian Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha declaring India as an important economic partner of USA. This turnaround is sufficient to show how a swayamsewak works his way through obstacles. For a swayamsewak every challenge is a God-sent opportunity and he uses it to his best advantage.

How the Third Sanction of not granting visas to Indians was negated
The third sanction of not granting visas to Indians was the most ridiculous of the three sanctions. India never did anything to repel this act. It was done by the MNCs of USA. Owners of world’s leading corporates like Microsoft, IBM, Hewlett Packard, Dell Computers, General Motors and Standard Chartered Bank became panicky on hearing the third sanctions. They all depend on thousands of young talented Indian professionals every year to keep their products to world standards and to drive their corporations floating at the top in these days of high International competitions. They pressurized Bill Clinton government to withdraw the third act. Initially US government suggested that they could import cheap labour from friendly countries like Philippines, Pakistan, Indonesia and even Afghanistan. But it was flatly rejected by US MNCs who were looking for quality professionals. Bill Gates of Microsoft said at this juncture that having worked with professionals all over the world, he can say with authority that the Indians are the most intelligent people in the world. American government repelled the act in no time. Today over 80,000 Indian professionals are needed every year to keep US companies functioning. In 2007 US embassy in India gave visas to 2,00,000 Indians. What a great turn-around!!

Achievements of Swayamsewak Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Urban Affairs in Maharashtra
Commuting in Mumbai was nightmare all these years. Narrow and ill maintained roads, pot holes would hamper speed and damage the vehicles. Reaching airport from Taj Inter-continent was an adventure and missing a flights was not a rare phenomenon. But it is not so any more. How? Here is another success story of a swayamsewak minister.

Nitin Gadkari in his five year tenure as Urban Affairs Minister in Maharashtra built 53 flyovers in Mumbai there by enabling cars, buses or trucks to go non-stop from one end of Mumbai to out of Mumbai. What a great relief it has been to all those who have enduered the night mare of the eighties. They flyovers were built to International standards without draining the tax-payers money. Under Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) scheme these were built by private builders. Nitin repeated this miracle in other cities of Maharashtra including Nagpur, Pune, Sambhaji Nagar, Nasik etc.

Narendra Modi as a Model of Swayamsewak Chief Minister
Gujarat under Narendra Modi is growing at about 13% economically and that keeps National growth rate between 8 -9%. When Tatas were frustrated with West Bengal government over Nano car project, they chose Gujarat as their destination. Within 20 days of the bomb blasts in Karnavati, Gujarat police caught all the culprits hiding in distant places in UP and Bihar. Can any other state compare itself with Gujarat in any of its accomplishments? No wonder even Sonia Gandhi had no options but to bestow on him the best Chief Minister’s Award.

The Sangh as Instrument of Social and National Change in Overseas countries
The success story of Astronaut Sunita Pandya
In 2006 November Sunita Pandya Williams became the second Indian origin woman to fly into outer-space after Kalpana Chawla. She holds three records for female space travelers:
· longest spaceflight (195 days),
· number of space walks (four), and
· total time spent on spacewalks (29 hours and 17 minutes).
· On April 16, 2007, she also ran the first marathon by an astronaut in orbit. Sunita finished the Boston Marathon in four hours and 24 minutes.

Among the personal items Sunita took with her to the International Space Station (ISS) were a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, a small figurine of Lord Ganesha, a letter in Hindi from her father Dr. Deepak Pandya and some samosas.
An IIT student on video conference questioned her ‘were you not afraid being all alone in outer space?’ She quickly answered ‘I was not alone. Lord Ganesh and Srimad Bhagwad Gita were constantly with me. So the question of being afraid does not arise’. This answer coming from a second generation Bharat Vanshi makes us feel proud. But there is something more to it.

Sunita Pandya was selected first in US Air Force and after several years of tough trainings and stringent tests, she was finally selected as an astronaut for ISS in 2006. In all her success the key words are discipline and hard work. From where did she get these qualities? Answering the media persons in Karnavati Sunita Pandya said she received the high degree of discipline in life from childhood from her father Dr Deepak Pandya. Dr Deepak Pandya ji himself had received these qualities of discipline and hard work from RSS shakha that he attended while in Gujarat, Bharat.

The Success Story of Sonal Shah
The new President of USA, Barack Obama has formed a body of 15 advisors. 2 among them Preeti Bansal and Sonal Shah are of Indian origin. Sonal Shah has been given the important task of bringing about a smooth transfer of power from Republican to Democratic Party. Sonal Shah who migrated to US as a child of 2 years has been active in USA with several youth activities and Indicorp. She has served the people of Gujarat during earth quake. She has also motivated several US students to spend some years in sewa Projects of Bharat. Her father Ramesh Shah is the national secretary of Ekal Vidyalay Foundation of America, her mother is vice-president of Overseas Friends of BJP and her uncle Diesh Shah is a HSS Vibhag karyavah in Houston. She won the Person of the year award for her youth activities. Her upbringing in a sangh family has richly contributed to her success in life and many spheres.

Other Exemplary Overseas Swayamsewaks
US Sanghachalak Dr Ved Prakash Nanda is a among the who is who in USA. His views are sought by media on several national and international issues. Many of his past students have been ministers. Most notable among them has been Secretary of State zMs. Condoleezza Rice. His past students have collected money and have established two chairs in Denver University in his name. Even in US universities this is a rare event for a living legend.

Dr. Bhishma Agnihotri was our ambassador at large in the early 2000s. Earlier he was Sanghachalak of Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh of USA. In US history, Dr Bhishma ji has been the youngest vice chancellor and hence the state of Louisiana honored him by declaring one day holiday as Bhishma Agnihotri day. He is also the receipient of an International Peace award from the hands of the President of Israel in the presence of the President of USA.

For 20 long years, Dr. Shiva Subramania was the Main Coordinator or Joint Coordinator of all Space Programs of USA ad for his contributions he has received the highest award from US government. He is an active swayamsewak since his childhood days.

Hasmukh Shah of Bradford, UK works for Ekal Vidyalay. He also endeavors tirelessly for the welfare of the local Indians and Englishmen. In honor of his services, Queen Elizabeth had invited him for a special dinner program.

Vinod Kumar is the President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad of New Zealand. He runs the largest hardware shop in the whole of New Zealand.

Sri Arulananthan is a well known philanthropist in Sri Lanka. The world famous Kadir Kamam temple is run by Vishwa Hindu Parishad of Sri Lanka thanks to the active support of Sri Arulananthan ji. His contribution for the maintenance and running of this temple is enormous. He has been duly awarded by the Sri Lankan government.

Smt. Dr. Usha Ramakishun Jeeta is active with Hindu Sevika Samiti of Mauritius. When Mauritius government selected her as the ambassador to USA, she attended functions in White House and United Nations Head Quarters in New York clad in Bharateeya sarees, a very very rare scenario.

Vishwa Vibhag Saha Sanyojak Dr. Yashhwant Pathak has been able to forge unity among Aborigines and Pre Christian Pagans of the world, thus restoring in them a sense of pride and purpose.

The list is just a sample one. Many of our swayamsewaks and active karyakartas are heads of departments in many universities, running workshops on Ayurveda, Vedic Mathematics, Hindu concepts in Management, Ecology etc.

There is no dearth of creativity, courage and leadership in our swayamsewaks both in Bharat and overseas. They are the harbingers of change, Cultural Revolution, and development, dispelling darkness at dazzling speed and signaling death-knell to the evil designs of deceptive pseudo secular intellectuals.

American Presidents on Christianity

2010-03-16T04:35:00.001-07:00

Contents

01. American Presidents on Christianity. 1
02. World Scholars on Christianity. 3
03. Christianity and India. 7
04. Immoral Popes. 11
05. Christian & Muslim Cosmology (Theory of Creation) 11
06. Top Ten Signs You're a Fundamentalist Christian. 16
07. Hatred Passages from Bible. 18
08. Hatred Passages from Qoran. 19
09. Quotes on Islam.. 21

01. American Presidents on Christianity

President George Washington – 1st President
Father of the Nation
"The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion." (Treaty Of Tripoli, 1796)

President John Adams – 2nd President
"Where do we find a precept in the Bible for Creeds, Confessions, Doctrines and Oaths, and whole carloads of other trumpery that we find religion encumbered with in these days?"

Thomas Jefferson – 3rd President (1801 – 09) & Author of Declaration of Independence (1762 – 1826)

“History I believe furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance, of which their political as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purpose.”

2. "The Christian god can easily be pictured as virtually the same god as the many ancient gods of past civilizations. The Christian god is a three headed monster; cruel, vengeful and capricious. If one wishes to know more of this raging, three headed beast-like god, one only needs to look at the caliber of people who say they serve him. They are always of two classes: fools and hypocrites."

3. "I do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming feature."

4. “Christianity is the most perverted system that ever shone on man”

"The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the Supreme Being as his father, in the womb of a Virgin, will be classified with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter“

"The incomprehensible jargon of Trinitarian arithmetic, that three are one and one is three“

7. "I consider the book of Revelation, the ravings of a maniac”

"The gospel history of Jesus consists of fabrications, superstitions and fanaticism“

9. "Due to Christianity, millions of innocent men, women and children have been burnt alive as witches“

Thomas Jefferson (American 3rd US President (1801-09). Author of the Declaration of Independence. 1762-1826)

James Madison -4th President (1809 – 1817)
Father of Constitution (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836)

“During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What have been its fruits? More or less in all places, pride and indolence in the Clergy, ignorance and servility in the laity, in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution.”

"In no instance have . . . the churches been guardians of the liberties of the people. Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise."

From:
The Madisons by Virginia Moore, P. 43 (1979, McGraw-Hill Co. New York, NY) quoting a letter by JM to William Bradford April 1, 1774, and James Madison, A Biography in his Own Words, edited by Joseph Gardner, p. 93, (1974, Newsweek, New York, NY) Quoting Memorial and Remonstrance against Religious Assessments by JM, June 1785.

President Abraham Lincoln (American 16th US President (1861-65), who brought about the emancipation of the slaves. 1809-1865)

"My earlier views at the unsoundness of the Christian scheme of salvation and the human origin of the scriptures, have become clearer and stronger with advancing years and I see no reason for thinking I shall ever change them"

“The Bible is not my book, nor Christianity my profession.”

William Howard Taft – 27th President

"I do not believe in the divinity of Christ and there are many other of the postulates of the orthodox creed to which I cannot subscribe.“

http://www.chrisspagani.com/religion-quotes.html

Barack Hussain Obama – 44th President

I find it hard to believe that my God would consign four-fifths of the world to hell.
I can't imagine that my God would allow some little Hindu kid in India who never interacts with the Christian faith to somehow burn for all eternity.
That's just not part of my religious makeup.

02. World Scholars on Christianity

George Bernard Shaw Quotations (1856 – 1950) Nobel Prize 1925, Oscar 1938
1. "The bible is a false book, that must be burned and buried"……......................................................

2. "The bible is full of fairy tales and anyone who believes in the bible is unfit to be a parent or vote"..............................................................

3. "Jehovah is no God, but a barbarous tribal idol"……………..........................................

Bertrand Russel (1872 – 1970) UK Nobel Prize 1950 (Literature)

1. "The clergy objected to giving pain killers to women during child birth, lest she escape pain ordered on Eve".........................................................
2. "Historically it is very doubtful that Jesus existed at all".........................................................
3. "The church opposed the abolition of slavery“.......................................................

Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870) UK"Missionaries are perfect nuisances and leave every place worse than they found it"………………………………..............................………………………………......

H.G.Wells (1866 – 1946) UK"You can trust a devout catholic, less than a Nazi spy"..............................................................................………………………………......
"The most evil thing in the world today is the Roman Catholic Church"

Robert Ingersoll (1833 – 1899) USAThe real oppressor of the people is the Bible

Nietzsche (1844 – 1900) German"I call Christianity the one Great Curse”

Voltaire (1694 – 1778) French "Christianity is the most absurd and bloodthirsty religion"

Leo Tolstoy Russian
"What can be more absurd than that the mother of God was both a virgin and a mother".................................................................
"Really no religion has preached things so evidently incompatible with contemporary knowledge or so immoral as the doctrines preached by Church Christianity"

Thomas Paine
"What is it the Testament teaches us? - to believe that the Almighty committed debauchery with a woman engaged to be married, and the belief of this debauchery is called faith?"............................................................................................
"Among the detestable villains, that in any period of the world have disgraced the world of man, it is impossible to find a greater than Moses, if this account be true. Here is an order to butcher boys, to massacre the mothers and debauch the daughters"…………………………...................................................
"The Bible is the word of the Demon, not the word of God"

Mark Twain
"Their naked privacies were probed to make sure they had the hymen intact, After this humiliation, they were sold into slavery"...............................................................

General Booth
"Social work is the bait, but it is salvation that is the hook that lands the fish"........................................................

Charles Duryea Smith
"The Christians attempted to spread some of history's most non-violent teachings by force and violence Thus there were religious wars of unprecedented violence, history bending crusades of blood-shed, and the crushing cruelty of the inquisition, all in the name of the Carpenter from Nazareth".............................................

Charles Smith

"The doctrine of the Virgin Birth brands every natural mother as impure“
...............................................

Colin Maine

"If we examine the Bible- both Old and New Testaments- we find that the Bible God is more a sadistic monster than a god of love. If he were to appear on earth as a human being, he would most likely be incarcerated in a mental hospital as a dangerous psychopath“
..............................................................

Matilda Joslyn Gage
"In 1854, an objector to women's rights cried out: First prove women have a soul, both Church and State deny it"..........................................................................................
"The sale of daughters was practised in England for seven hundred years after the introduction of Christianity"…………………….......................................................

Martin Luther
"Burn all witches".....................................................
John Wesley
"Denying existence of witchcraft is denying the Bible"

Jomo Kenyatta, Father of the Nation, Kenya
"When the missionaries came, they had the Bible and we had the land (Africa). They said, 'Let us pray'. We closed our eyes. When we opened them, they had the land and we had the Bible!"

03. Christianity and India

Colonel James Todd
"It is fortunate for Christians that Hindus have forgotten Portuguese atrocities in Goa and Gujurat"........................................................

Voltaire
'Goa is sadly famous for its INQUISITION, which is contrary to humanity as much as to commerce. The Portuguese monks deluded us into believing that the Indian populace was worshipping the Devil, while it is THEY (The Portuguese) who served him'.

It is Europe’s fortune that the Indians have forgotten this crime on them.

Dr.P.Thomas
"It was the boast of the Hooghly Portuguese that they made more Christians in a year by forcible conversion than all the missionaries in the east in ten years"..................................................

Saint Francis Xavier (1506 – 1552) Spain - France "I destroyed hundreds of Hindu temples”

J.C.Baretto Miranda (Goa Inquisition)
"Every word of theirs was a sentence of death, and at their slightest nod, were moved to terror, the vast populations spread over the Asiatic regions whose lives fluctuated in their hands, and who, on the most frivolous pretext, could be clapped for all time in the deepest dungeon, or strangled or offered as food to the pyre"
.......................................

Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Former President of India

“The intolerance of narrow monotheism is written in letters of blood across the history of man from the time when the first tribes of Israel burst into the land of Canaan. The worshippers of the one Jealous God are egged on to aggressive wars against people of alien cults. They invoke Divine Sanctions for the cruelties inflicted on the conquered.

The spirit of old Israel is inherited by Christianity and Islam

Wars of Religion which are the outcome of fanaticism that prompts and justifies extermination of aliens of different creeds are practically unknown in Hindu India.”

Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Nation)

“This proselytization will mean no peace in the world.
ALL PROSELYTIZING Conversions are harmful to India.
IF I HAD THE POWER AND COULD LEGISLATE I SHOULD CERTAINLY STOP.

It was impossible for me to believe that I could go to heaven or attain salvation only by becoming a Christian. When I frankly said so to some
of the good Christian friends, they were shocked. But there was no help for it.
I developed a sort of dislike for it (Christianity). And for a reason. In those days Christian missionaries used to stand in a corner near the high school and hold forth, pouring abuse on Hindus and their gods. I could not endure this. I must have stood there to hear them once only, but that was enough to dissuade me from repeating the experiment.

Mr. Baker upholds the excellence of Christianity from various points of view, and contends that it is impossible to find eternal peace, unless one accepts Jesus as the only son of God and the Saviour of mankind.

Mr. Coats wanted to convince me that, no matter whether there was some truth in other religions, salvation was impossible for me unless I accepted Christianity which represented the truth, and that my sins would not be washed away except by the intercession of Jesus, and that all good works were useless.

'If this be the Christianity acknowledged by all Christians, I cannot accept it. I do not seek redemption from the consequences of my sin. I seek to be redeemed from sin itself, or rather from the very thought of sin. Until I have attained that end, I shall be content to be restless.' To which the Plymouth Brother rejoined: I assure you, your attempt is fruitless. Think again over what I have said.'

The ancient Jews regarded themselves as the chosen people of God, to the exclusion of all others, with the result that their descendants were visited with a strange and even unjust retribution.

Veer Savarkar
"Change of religion is Change of nationality"..........................................................................................

Swami Vivekananda
“Conversion is not one Hindu less, but One enemy more".........................................................................................

Jawahar Lal Nehru
"The church burnt millions of women as witches"
........................................................................................

Miscellaneous

“Conversions are to blame for some of the religious violence that erupts in the country. Conversions lead to animosity among religious groups. They also lead to retaliation by re-conversion. As a result, communal rioting, arson and looting follow. Induced conversions are a grave threat to national and world peace and harmony.” -- R. Venkataraman (Former President of India)

“Conversion is an act of violence: Aggressive religions have no God-given right to destroy ancient faiths and cultures.”
-- Swami Dayananda Saraswati (Head of Arsha Vidya Gurukul)

“Well-organized religious conversion can be a potential bomb TO EXPLODE CULTURAL VALUES, DISTURB POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS AND TORPEDO NATIONAL LOYALTIES.”
-- Laura Kelly (Author of “Conversions in India a Geopolitical time bomb”)

“Attempts at conversion should be considered a mortal assault on local cultures and should be totally banned. Conversions are forbidden by law in China. Here we take a lenient view of conversion and Christian bodies have been taking advantage of the Hindu sense of tolerance.”
-- M. V. Kamath (Renowned Journalist and Author)

Religious leaders from around the world call organized conversion a form of cultural imperialism and describe it as an aggressive act against indigenous cultures:
-- First World Congress for the Preservation of Religious Diversity

Yogi Aurobindo,- on Islamic Rowdism, September 4 1906, Bande Mataram.
“The idea that by encouraging Mahomedan rowdyism, the present agitation may be put down, is preposterous; and those who cherish this notion forget that the bully is neither the strongest nor the bravest of men; and that because the self-restraint of the Hindu, miscalled cowardice, has been a prominent feature of his national character, he is absolutely incapable of striking straight and striking hard when any sacred situation demands this."

04. Immoral Popes

Popes who fathered Children after the Celibacy Law was passed in 1139 AD.

Pope Innocent III He was pope from 1484 to 1492 AD. He had several children.

Pope Alexander VI
He was pope from 1492 to 1503. He followed Pope Innoceent III.
He was worldly, ambitious and corrupt and fathered many children. 2 of his grand children were Cardinals.

Pope Julius II
He was pope from 1503 to 1513 AD. He followed Pope Alexander VI. He fathered 3 daughters.

Pope Paul III
He was pope from 1534 to 1549 AD. He had 1 daughter and 3 sons.

Pope Pius IV
He was pope from 1559 to 1565 AD. He had 3 sons.

Pope Gregory XIII
He was pope from 1572 to 1585. He had one son.

POPES WHO FATHERED CHILDREN

AFTER THE CELIBACY LAW OF 1139
YEAR OF PAPACY
NOTES
Innocent III
1484 - 1492
Several children.
Alexander VI – corrupt, worldly & Ambitious
1492 - 1503
2 grandchildren were Cardinals.
Julius – II
1503 - 1513
Three daughters.
Paul III
1534 - 1549
One daughter, three sons.
Pius IV
1559 - 1565
Three sons.
Gregory XIII
1572 - 1585
One son.

Sources:
Kelly, J. N. D. The Oxford Dictionary of Popes. Oxford Press. 1986.
H.C. Lea. History of Sacerdotal Celibacy in the Christian Church. 1957.
E. Schillebeeckx. The Church with a Human Face. Crossroad, 1985.
U. Ranke-Heinemann. Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven. Doubleday, 1990.
A. L. Barstow. Married Priests and the Reforming Papacy. The Edward Mellen Press, 1982.

05. Christian & Muslim Cosmology (Theory of Creation)

CHAPTER 1
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
4 And God saw the light, that [it was] good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which [were] under the firmament from the waters which [were] above the firmament: and it was so.
8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry [land] appear: and it was so.
10 And God called the dry [land] Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that [it was] good.
11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, [and] the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed [is] in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
12 And the earth brought forth grass, [and] herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed [was] in itself, after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.
13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.
14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: [he made] the stars also.
17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that [it was] good.
19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl [that] may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.
22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein [there is] life, [I have given] every green herb for meat: and it was so.
31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, [it was] very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

CHAPTER 2
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
[The Muslims say hat the day of rest of God was a Friday, the Jews Saturday and the Christians believe it was a Sunday.]
4 These [are] the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and [there was] not a man to till the ground.
6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
7 And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
11 The name of the first [is] Pison: that [is] it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where [there is] gold;
12 And the gold of that land [is] good: there [is] bdellium and the onyx stone.
13 And the name of the second river [is] Gihon: the same [is] it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.
14 And the name of the third river [is] Hiddekel: that [is] it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river [is] Euphrates.
15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
18 And the LORD God said, [It is] not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought [them] unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that [was] the name thereof.
20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This [is] now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

CHAPTER 3
1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
3 But of the fruit of the tree which [is] in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
6 And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they [were] naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where [art] thou?
10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I [was] naked; and I hid myself.
11 And he said, Who told thee that thou [wast] naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest [to be] with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What [is] this [that] thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou [art] cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire [shall be] to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed [is] the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat [of] it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return.
20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

06. Top Ten Signs You're a Fundamentalist Christian

10 - You vigorously deny the existence of thousands of gods claimed by other religions, but feel outraged when someone denies the existence of yours.

9 - You feel insulted and "dehumanized" when scientists say that people evolved from other life forms, but you have no problem with the Biblical claim that we were created from dirt.

8 - You laugh at polytheists, but you have no problem believing in a Triune God.

7 - Your face turns purple when you hear of the "atrocities" attributed to Allah, but you don't even flinch when hearing about how God/Jehovah slaughtered all the babies of Egypt in "Exodus" and ordered the elimination of entire ethnic groups in "Joshua" including women, children, and trees!

6 - You laugh at Hindu beliefs that deify humans, and Greek claims about gods sleeping with women, but you have no problem believing that the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary, who then gave birth to a man-god who got killed, came back to life and then ascended into the sky.

5 - You are willing to spend your life looking for little loopholes in the scientifically established age of Earth (few billion years), but you find nothing wrong with believing dates recorded by Bronze Age tribesmen sitting in their tents and guessing that Earth is a few generations old.

4 - You believe that the entire population of this planet with the exception of those who share your beliefs -- though excluding those in all rival sects - will spend Eternity in an infinite Hell of Suffering. And yet consider your religion the most "tolerant" and "loving."

3 - While modern science, history, geology, biology, and physics have failed to convince you otherwise, some idiot rolling around on the floor speaking in "tongues" may be all the evidence you need to "prove" Christianity.

2 - You define 0.01% as a "high success rate" when it comes to answered prayers. You consider that to be evidence that prayer works. And you think that the remaining 99.99% FAILURE was simply the will of God.

1 - You actually know a lot less than many atheists and agnostics do about the Bible, Christianity, and church history - but still call yourself a Christian.

07. Hatred Passages from Bible

Taken from King James Bible

And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that [will be] a snare unto thee.
DEUTERONOMY 7.16

Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:
DEUTERONOMY 12.2

If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which [is] as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.
DEUTERONOMY 13.6,8,9

[They shall be] burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust. The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling [also] with the man of gray hairs.
DEUTERONOMY 32. 24-25

Jesus said,
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
And a man's foes [shall be] they of his own household.
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
MATTHEW 10.34-37

He that is not with me is against me;
MATTHEW 10.34-37

08. Hatred Passages from Qoran

YUSUFALI: And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily Allah doth see all that they do.
PICKTHAL: And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is all for Allah. But if they cease, then lo! Allah is Seer of what they do.
SHAKIR: And fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for Allah; but if they desist, then surely Allah sees what they do.
[8:39]

YUSUFALI: But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
PICKTHAL: Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
SHAKIR: So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
[9:5]

YUSUFALI: I will instil terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them."
PICKTHAL: I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each finger.
SHAKIR: I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.
[8:12]

YUSUFALI: Do not marry unbelieving women (idolaters), until they believe: A slave woman who believes is better than an unbelieving woman, even though she allures you. Nor marry (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe: A man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever, even though he allures you. Unbelievers do (but) beckon you to the Fire. But Allah beckons by His Grace to the Garden (of bliss) and forgiveness, and makes His Signs clear to mankind: That they may celebrate His praise.
PICKTHAL: Wed not idolatresses till they believe; for lo! a believing bondwoman is better than an idolatress though she please you; and give not your daughters in marriage to idolaters till they believe, for lo! a believing slave is better than an idolater though he please you. These invite unto the Fire, and Allah inviteth unto the Garden, and unto forgiveness by His grace, and expoundeth His revelations to mankind that haply they may remember.
SHAKIR: And do not marry the idolatresses until they believe, and certainly a believing maid is better than an idolatress woman, even though she should please you; and do not give (believing women) in marriage to idolaters until they believe, and certainly a believing servant is better than an idolater, even though he should please you; these invite to the fire, and Allah invites to the garden and to forgiveness by His will, and makes clear His communications to men, that they may be mindful.
[2:221]

YUSUFALI: (Abraham) said, "Do ye then worship, besides Allah, things that can neither be of any good to you nor do you harm?
PICKTHAL: He said: Worship ye then instead of Allah that which cannot profit you at all, nor harm you?
SHAKIR: He said: What! do you then serve besides Allah what brings you not any benefit at all, nor does it harm you?
[21:66]

YUSUFALI: "Fie upon you, and upon the things that ye worship besides Allah! Have ye no sense?"..
PICKTHAL: Fie on you and all that ye worship instead of Allah! Have ye then no sense?
SHAKIR: Fie on you and on what you serve besides Allah; what! do you not then understand?
[21:67]

YUSUFALI: Verily ye, (unbelievers), and the (false) gods that ye worship besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! to it will ye (surely) come!
PICKTHAL: Lo! ye (idolaters) and that which ye worship beside Allah are fuel of hell. Thereunto ye will come.
SHAKIR: Surely you and what you worship besides Allah are the firewood of hell; to it you shall come.
[21:98]
YUSUFALI: If these had been gods, they would not have got there! but each one will abide therein.
PICKTHAL: If these had been gods they would not have come thither, but all will abide therein.
SHAKIR: Had these been gods, they would not have come to it and all shall abide therein.
[21:99]

09. Quotes on Islam
Winstone Chuchill on Islam

Two times British Prime Minister (1940-1945 & 1951-1955) and winner of Nobel Prize in literature in (1953), Sir Winston Churchill said, “How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy.

The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet (Mohammed) rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property – either as a child , a wife, or a concubine – must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men.”

V.S.Naipaul on Islam

“Islam is in its origin an Arab religion. Everyone not an Arab who is a Muslim is a convert. Islam is not simply a matter of conscience or private belief. It makes imperial demands. A convert’s world – view alters. His Holy places are in Arab lands; his sacred language is Arabic. His idea of history alters. He rejects his own; he becomes, whether he likes it or not, a part of the Arab story. The convert has to turn away from everything that is his. The disturbance for societies is immense, and even after a thousand years can remain unresolved; the turning away has to be done again and again. People (Muslims) develop fantasies about who and what they are; and in the Islam of converted countries there is an element of neurosis and nihilism. These countries can be easily set on the boil”. [In the prologue of ‘Beyond Belief—Islamic Excursion Among the Converted People,’ by Sir V.S.Naipaul, Little Brown & Co, London, 1998, p-1].

Floods Myths in Ancient Traditions of the world – amazing similarities

2010-03-16T04:35:00.000-07:00

Floods Myths in Ancient Traditions of the world – amazing similarities

Water is very essential for the survival of mankind. Hence ancient civilizations sprang on the banks of big rivers. But these ancient civilizations also describe great floods.

There are over 500 Flood legends worldwide. Ancient civilizations such as Bharat (India), America, Babylonia, China, Hawaii, Peru, Polynesia, Russia, Scandinavia, Sumatra and Wales) all have their own versions of a giant floods. Strangely many of these flood tales have several things in common indicating a common source in the remote past.

Common Features in Flood Tales
1. the warning of the coming flood,
2. the construction of a boat in advance,
3. the storage of animals,
4. the inclusion of family, and
5. the release of birds to determine if the water level had subsided.
The overwhelming consistency among flood legends found in distant parts of the globe indicates they were derived from the same origin but oral transcription has changed the details through time.
Vedic India influenced Mitraism of ancient Persia which influenced Sumerian, Babylonian and Egyptian civilizations. They in turn influenced Biblical and Islamic versions. Many Indonesian tales and myths also have an Indian origin. The influence of Ramayan on Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam through the ages is truly amazing.

Hindu Matsya - The Fish Avtar of Lord Vishnu
The earliest extant of flood myth is contained in the ancient Indian group of scriptures called the Puranas. According to Matsya Puran, king Manu was washing his hands in a river when a little fish swam into his hands and begged him to save it. He put it in a jar, which it soon outgrew; he successively moved it to a tank, a river and then the ocean. The fish then warned him that a Great Flood would occur in a week that would destroy all life. Manu therefore built a boat which the fish towed to a mountaintop when the flood came, and thus he survived along with some "seeds of life" to re-establish life on earth.

Sumerian (Eridu Genesis)
The fragmentary Sumerian Eridu Genesis, datable by its script to the 17th century BC.
The story tells how the god Enki warns Ziusudra (meaning "he saw life," in reference to the gift of immortality given him by the gods), of the gods' decision to destroy mankind in a flood—the passage describing why the gods have decided this is lost. Enki instructs Ziusudra (also known as Atrahasis) to build a large boat—the text describing the instructions is also lost. After which he is left to repopulate the earth, as in many other flood myths.
After a flood of seven days, Zi-ud-sura makes appropriate sacrifices and prostrations to An (sky-god) and Enlil (chief of the gods), and is given eternal life in Dilmun (the Sumerian Eden) by An and Enlil.

Babylonian (Epic of Gilgamesh)
In the Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, toward the end of the He who saw the deep version by Sin-liqe-unninni, there are references to the great flood (tablet 11). This was a late addition to the Gilgamesh cycle, largely paraphrased or copied verbatim from the Epic of Atrahasis (see above).
The hero Gilgamesh, seeking immortality, searches out Utnapishtim in Dilmun, a kind of paradise on earth. Utnapishtim tells how Ea (equivalent of the Sumerian Enki) warned him of the gods' plan to destroy all life through a great flood and instructed him to build a vessel in which he could save his family, his friends, and his wealth and cattle. After the Deluge the gods repented their action and made Gilgamesh immortal.

Jewish / Christian Myth taken from Babylonian Myth
Jewish / Christian deluge myth is contained in the Book of Genesis (Genesis 6–9).
God selects Noah, and commands him to build an ark to save Noah, his family, and the earth's animals and birds from the deluge. After Noah builds the ark, "all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened". Rain falls for 40 days, the water rises 150 days, and all the high mountains are covered. The ark rests on the mountains, the water recedes for 150 days, until the waters are gone and Noah opens up the ark. Noah and the animals leave the ark, Noah offers a sacrifice to God, and God places a rainbow in the clouds as a sign that he will never again destroy the Earth by water.

Islamic Myth taken from Jew Christian Myth
The Quran, written in the 7th century AD, tells a similar story to the Judeo-Christian Genesis flood story, the major differences being only Noah and his wife and few believers from the laity enter the arc. The Quranic flood is local to punish only the people of Noah who worshipped Idols. In the Islamic version, Allah sends the Flood to punish those who refuse to listen to Noah's preaching of the oneness of Allah. The Quranic ark comes to rest on Mount Judi, traditionally identified with a mountain near Mosul in modern Iraq;
BABYLONIAN
BIBLE
Take the seed of all creatures aboard the ship
Gen. 6:19 And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring.
I boarded the ship and closed the door.
Gen. 7:1 Come into the ArkGen. 7:16 The Lord shut him in.
I sent out a dove . . . The dove went, then came back, no resting-place appeared for it, so it returned.
Gen. 8:8 He sent out a dove...But the dove found no resting-place . . . and she returned.
Then I sent out a raven. It saw the waters receding, it ate, it flew about to and fro, it did not return.
Gen. 8:7 He sent out a raven, which kept going to and fro until the waters had dried up from the Earth.
I made a libation on the peak of the mountain.
Gen. 8:20 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord (on the mountain) and offered burnt offerings.

Indonesia
In Batak traditions, the earth rests on a giant snake, Naga-Padoha. One day, the snake tired of its burden and shook the Earth off into the sea. However, the God Batara-Guru saved his daughter by sending a mountain into the sea, and the entire human race descended from her. The Earth was later placed back onto the head of the snake.

Ramayan Around The World – A Living Legend

2008-01-08T00:47:00.000-08:00

vishwadharma@gmail.com,
Contents
Acknowledgement and References. 2
The Timeless Tale. 2
The Universal Relevance of Ramayan. 2
Ramayan Scriptures in South East Asian Languages. 4
Ramayana in the West 5
Ramayan in Islamic Countries. 7
Ramayan in Indonesia Islam is our Religion but Ramayan is our Culture. 7
Indonesia Ramayan Presented in Open Air Theatres. 9
Ramayan in Malaysia We Rule in the name of Ram’s Paduka. 9
Ramayan among the Muslims of Philippines. 10
Persian And Arabic Ramayan. 11
The Borderless Appeal of Ramayan. 12
Influence of Ramayan in Asian Countries. 15
Influence of Ramayan in Cambodia. 15
Influence of Ramayan in Thailand. 16
Ramayana the National Epic of Thailand. 18
Influence of Ramayan in Burma. 19
Influence of Ramayan in Laos, 20
Wayang Kulit or South East Asian Puppet Shows. 20
Ramayan in Vietnam, 21
Sino Ramayana. 22
Ramayan in Japan. 24
Award Winning Animated Ramayan. 25
Japanese Interest in Ramayan. 26
Ramayan in Mongolia, Tibet, Korea, Siberia, 27
Sri Lanka and Nepal 28
Ramayan in Bharat 28
Indian Contemporary versions. 28
Ramayana landmarks. 29
The Popularity of Ramayana. 29
Ram Nawami Celebrations of People of Indian Origin. 30
International Ramayana Conferences. 31
Epic Expressions. 31
Modern Ram Setus. 32
Annextures. 33
Appendix – 1 Important Ramayan Names Depending on Foreign Versions. 33
Appendix – 2 Lord Ram Did Exist 38
Appendix – 3 Why Lord Ram will not appear now.. 39
Appendix – 4 Diwali Festival Around the World. 40
Appendix – 5 Significance of Easter to Hindus. 51
Appendix – 6 Pre-Christian Origin of Christmas and Easter. 53
Appendix – 7 Anecdotes on Ramayan From Panchamritam.. 57

Acknowledgement and References
This article is based on numerous emails received, several articles posted on websites by many Rama Bhaktas and admirers of Lord Ram, information available in Britannica Encyclopedia, Microsoft Encarta and Wikipedia and on my personal experiences during my numerous travels in South East Asia. Article by Dr. S Krishnaswamy in the net was of immense us to compile this book. The tireless efforts of Shri Lallan Prasad Vyas in popularizing Ramayan around the world in 20th century cannot be under-estimated. I am thankful to him for the various anecdotes he has shared with me when I met him at shri Kishu Khemlani’s residence in Hong Kong. I am also thankful to Sri Mahadevan, Uttar Tamilnadu Prant Prachar Pramukh for some of the articles he has shared in the annexure.
Ravi Kumar (21 Dec 2007)

The Timeless Tale
So long as the sun and moon shine, the mountains and the rivers exist, the epic poem Ramayan (The Way of Ram) and the name of Lord Ram shall inspire the world.

The epic Ramayan originated in ancient India, where the great poet and sage Maharishi Valmiki wrote it in Tretayug. Epic poet Valmiki is called the Adhya Kavi or the first poet of mankind. Sage Valmiki himself was a witness to the events in Ramayan. He gave shelter to deserted Sita Devi and personally raised Lav and Kush the sons of Lord Ram and Sita Devi in his hermitage (Ashram). He taught the children the story of their father Ram. During the coming centuries, this epic has been re-written in several versions throughout the Asian continent and the Indian sub-continent.

The Universal Relevance of Ramayan
‘Ramanama is for the pure in heart and for those who want to attain purity and remain pure.’ – Mahatma Gandhi.

The number of literary works available to us in all languages from different societies is infinite. So, it looks almost impossible to choose a literary work that can be relevant to all people at all times. Valmiki’s Ramayan is one of the rare literary masterpieces that are eternally relevant and useful. The various types of situations depicted in Ramayana are very similar to those that commonly occur in our lives and hence relevant to all mankind. It describes the nine sentiments (rasas) as follows: Love between Sita and Rama; Valor in breaking the Shiva’s bow while putting the string; Pathos on Kakasura when he surrendered; Marvel in building the bridge for ocean; Humor when Shoorpanakha approached Rama; Terror and Disgust in the battlefield; Fury while slaying RavaNa; Peace in interaction with sages. It only shows its eternal relevance. It is our experience even in our times that Ramayana captured the attention of the people through TV serial, the modern communication media.

The epic Ramayan written in Bharat traveled to South East Asia more than one thousand years before. The Khmer of Cambodia had Reamker and the Thais of Thailand had the Ramakien. Indonesians, Malays, Vietnamese, Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, Mongols, Siberians, Tibetans, Burmese, Sri Lankans, Nepalese, Pakistanis, the ancient Turks, Arabs and the Persians too had their own versions of Ramayan. The Ramayana story was recomposed as Yama Watthu in Myanmar.

The capital of early Thailand was called Ayutthaya, possibly named after Sri Ram’s capital of Ayodhya. Another ancient city in Thailand is Lavpuri named after Ram’s son Lav. The Royal king in Thailand is called ‘Bhumipal Athulyatej, Rama IX’. The country Laos is named after Ram’s son Lav. Burma is named after Lord Brahma and the old name for Vietnam is Champa. Singapore is called the lion city from its Sanskrit origin. The capital city of Brunei is Bandar Sri Bhagwan and that of Indonesia is Jaya Karta the city of Victory.
The Thai kingdom of Ayutthaya, was sacked and destroyed by invading armies from Myanmar in the 18th century, resulting in the loss of literary works. When a new capital was established at Bangkok shortly after, one of the first tasks of King Rama I, who took on the name of the hero of the epic, was to have the lost Ramakian composed again. A painted representation of the Ramakien is displayed at Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaew, and many of the statues there depict characters from it. Thai kick boxing which is based on the military skills of Vali and Sugreeva is now an event in International Olympics.
The story in Myanmar does share some features with the Thai version due to the conquest, but there are important differences, notably the absence of a Buddhist tone to the epic in spite of the fact that most people in Myanmar are followers of Buddhism.
Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia are considered Theravada Buddhist societies. The Brahman mythology derived from Ramayan serve to provide their legends with a creation myth, as well as representations for the spirits that both help and hinder humans on their way to enlightenment, as well as a balance to the superstitions derived from Chinese animism.
The ministers in Malaysia take oath of office in the name of Lord Ram’s Paduka ‘Urusan Seri Paduka’ and the agong or royal president takes oath of office in the name of the dust of Ram’s Paduka ‘Urusan Seri Paduka Dhuli’. Even if a masjid has to be built in Malaysia, the government orders are issued in the name of ‘Urusan Seri Paduka’.
Despite Islam’s ban on theater and dance, the performing arts based on Ramayan and Mahabharat survived in Malaysia and Indonesia. In Indonesia, the world’s largest Islamic nation, Ramayana and Mahabharata are compulsory subjects in most of the universities. Indonesians take pride in saying ‘Islam is our Religion but Ramayan is our Culture’.
This story consciously and unconsciously, through puppet shows, art, temples, stage shows, etc., continues to exert its influence in all these Asian societies. The role of Sri Hanuman is also beyond comparison in all these versions. All across India, temples dedicated to Sri Hanuman far out-number those of Rama or any other character. In Thailand, tattoos or images of Sri Hanuman worn on their bodies bestow strength, courage, endurance and protection against pain.
The Southeast Asian Games in 1997 used Sri Hanuman as its mascot. He is a popular figure or diety in all these countries. Hanuman or Hanumat or Aanjaneya or Anjata or Maruti is known by different names in these countries: Hanoman in Balinese, Anoman and Senggana in Javanese, Haliman in Karbi, Anjat or Anujit in Khmer, Hanmone(e), Hulahman, Hunahman, Huonahman, Huorahman in Lao, Haduman, Hanuman Kera Putih, Kera Kechil Imam Tergangga, Pahlawan Udara, Shah Numan in Malay, Laksamana (yes, and Laxman is known as Mangawarna) in Maranao, Hanumant in Sinhalese, Anuman in Tamil, Anchat or Wanon in Thai and Hanumandha or Hanumanta in Tibetan.
From 1967 to 1979 Cambodia was waging bitter guerrilla and civil wars. About 1.7 million Cambodians, or about 20 percent of the population, were worked, starved, or beaten to death under Pol Pot’s regime. Yet the Ramayan tradition managed to survive under the most terrible conditions in Cambodia, proof of its strong and lasting appeal.
Throughout the tumultuous centuries, and especially more in recent history when nations in the region struggled to become independent and modern entities, Ramayana has survived. It has withstood time and distance by adapting to religious change, political crises, social upheaval, and modernization. The eternal epic provides guidance for coping with change. For many Asian cultures, it has been more than just a story, and a very good one.
Ramayana and Mahabharata the two ancient Sanskrit epics of India exerted a profound impact upon the cultures of South East Asia and have played no small role in the Indianisation of the major portion of that region. Out of ASEAN TEN at least seven nations Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia have received the influence of Hindu culture since the early days of Indian contacts.

Ramayan Scriptures in South East Asian Languages
Many Asian cultures have adapted the Ramayana, resulting in other national epics. Kakawin Rāmâyaṇa is an old Javanese rendering of the Sanskrit Ramayana from ninth century Indonesia. It is a faithful rendering of the Hindu epic with very little variation. Serat Rama is another Indonesian version.
The Khmer (Cambodian) Reamker is quite distinct from the Old Javanese Hindu literary tradition. The Khmer probably received the epic through southern Indian sources, for it also differs from northern narratives. In Indian mythology, Vishnu incarnates as Rama (7th avatar) and later as Buddha (9th avatar), thus enabling the previously Hindu Khmers to continue accepting the epic and spreading it wherever their vast empire reached. Numerous bas-reliefs of the epic at the 10th century Banteasy Srei temple and 12th century Angkor Wat temple are proof of this Hindu-Buddhist syncretism. With the Thai destruction of Angkor during the 14th century, what the Khmers lost the Thais continued as Ramakian. The Khmer version was recomposed in two parts during the 16th or 17th century and 18th or 19th century, probably based on indigenous folk narratives along with Thai traditions.

Thailand's popular national epic is Ramakien derived from the Hindu epic. In Ramakien, Sita is the daughter of Ravana and Mandodari (T'os'akanth (=Dasakanth) and Mont'o). Vibhisana (P'ip'ek), the astrologer brother of Ravana, predicts calamity from the horoscope of Sita. So Ravana has her thrown into the waters, who, later, is picked by Janaka (Janok). While the main story is identical to that of the Ramayana, many other aspects were transposed into a Thai context, such as the clothes, weapons, topography, and elements of nature, which are described as being Thai in style. It has an expanded role for Hanuman. Ramakien can be seen in an elaborate illustration at the Wat Phra Kaew temple in Bangkok, a must see for any foreign visitor.

Phra Lak Phra Lam is a Lao language version, whose title comes from Lakshmana and Rama. The story of Lakshmana and Rama is told as the previous life of the Buddha. In Hikayat Seri Rama of Malaysia, Dasharatha is the great-grandson of the Prophet Adam. Ravana receives boons from Allah instead of Brahma.

Other Southeast Asian adaptations include Ramakavaca of Bali (Indonesia), Maradia Lawana and Darangen of the Philippines, and the Reamker of Cambodia. Aspects of the Chinese epic Journey to the West were also inspired by the Ramayana, particularly the character Sun Wukong, who is believed to have been based on Hanuman.

According to the late U Thein Han a noted authority on Myanmar culture and literature, there are nine literary pieces found in the line of development in Myanmar versions of the Rama story, three in prose are (i) Rama Watthu (17th century), (ii) Maha Rama (late 18th or early 19th century) and (iii) Rama Thonmyo (1904); three in verse namely (i) Rama Thagyin (1775) (ii) Rama Yagan (1784) and (iii) Alaung Rama Thagyin (1905); three in drama such as (i) Thiri Rama (late 18th or early 19th century), (ii) Pontaw Rama, Pt.I (1880) and (iii) Pontaw Rama and Lakkhhana, Pt.I ( 1910 ).

It is impossible to keep count of Ramakathas.

Ramayana in the West
India was the mother of our race and Sanskrit the mother of Europe's languages. She was the mother of our philosophy, mother through the Arabs, of much of our mathematics, mother through Buddha of the ideals embodied in Christianity, mother through village communities of self-government and democracy. Mother India is in many ways the mother of us all.
Will Durant (American Historian 1885-1981)

Hinduism is fast influencing the modern western world in the form of yoga, Bhagwad Gita, vegetarianism, Ayurveda and Sanskrit. In the ancient past too Hinduism influenced pre Greek and pre Roman Etruscan civilization. Wall frescoes and terracotta portraits of 700 BC show scenes from Ramayana. Extensive practice of divination, concepts like God permeates entire universe, cremating the dead, medicine, mathematics, grammar and Aesop tales were due to Hindu influence. Later Etruscans passed on these values to Greek and Roman civilizations and it is no wonder that Greek and Roman languages and later many European languages like German, French, Scandinavian, Slavic languages have rich Sanskrit content.

Some make unnecessary comparisons between Greek epic Homer’s Iliad and Indian epic Valmiki Ramayan. The two were written in different times for different civilization s. Ramayan consists of seven books and 24,000 couplets or 48,000 lines and has been translated into many languages. The Iliad relates in 15,693 lines a momentous episode in the Trojan War. From an Indian perspective it is enough to say that while Sita Devi was abducted by Ravana, Homer’s Helen eloped with Trojan prince Paris, thus inviting the Trojan War and the destruction of Troy. While Ram allows the performance of the last rites of the deceased Ravana with full honors, Achilles ties Hector’s corpse by the heels to his chariot and drags it exultantly back to the Greek camp. He drags the body of Hector for twelve days before ending this indignity. Lord Ram returns the kingdom of Ravan back to his virtuous brother Vibhishana but the Greeks burn Troy to destruction.

The March of Rama, written in French and produced by Alexis Martin and Daniel Briere, is running to packed audiences in Montreal, Canada in April 2007.

The first ever Ram Navami celebration in the House of Commons (London, UK, a thing not possible in the Indian parliament), was attended by 240 guests. Shri. Tony McNulty (MP), the Minister of State, was the host. Smt. Anuja Prashar, Hindu Council UK Executive, welcomed the guests. The Rt. Hon. Hillary Benn (MP), Secretary of State for Culture, welcomed the opportunities for forging greater understanding between Hindu and British cultures. The audience, made up of several community leaders and a significant number of MPs such as Home office Minister Fiona Mactaggart, Adrien Bailey and lord Navneet Dholakia. Shri. Stephen Pound (MP), the Chair Person of Labour Friends of India at the Parliament, confirmed that Hinduism had a lot to teach to the world. He ended his speech by greeting everyone with a ‘Namaste’. Tony McNulty declared to the rapturous delight of all guests, that Ram Navami and Krishna Janmashtami would be celebrated every year at the British house of Parliament. From SANGH SANDESH (March-June 2005), Leicester, UK (English Bi Monthly published by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, UK).
‘Kaun Banega Ramayan Expert’ is the name given to a quiz competition for children of USA conducted during Shri Guruji Centenary year 2006 - 07 by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, America. 3,000 children participated. While preparing for the quiz, the children kept nagging their parents and grand parent for answers to Ramayana related questions and that brought generations closer, noted a report. KBRE was structured as follows: Online registration, A preliminary online quiz and In-person contest at Balagokulam centers. (Based on a write up in http://www.hssus.org/)
More than 16,000 people poured into De Anza College, Cupertino (“Silicon Valley” USA) to be part of an exciting day, to celebrate the Hindu way of life. Hindu Sangam, a one-day grand cultural program aimed at displaying the various Hindu intellectual, cultural and spiritual contributions made over thousands of years, was organized by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh with support from over 40 SF Bay Area organizations including Sunnyvale Hindu Temple as one of the Grand Sponsors. This event was organized on occasion of the first birth centenary of Shree Golwalkal Guruji. The day started with a yagna (offering and prayer) for world peace on the background of September 11. Attendees then participated in programs that took place on eight parallel tracks - Ayurvedic medicine, cultural program, Dharma Vedika (religious philosophy), exhibition, Hindu theme park, Samskritam, Yoga, and youth activities. This was followed by a grand Ramayana play enacted by over 300 children. Shri. Mohan Bhagawat, General Secretary of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the chief guest at Hindu Sangam, addressed the huge gathering and implored everyone to show unity in diversity. The day ended with Smt. Anuradha Paudwal entrancing the audience with her melodious music. Ms. Cindy Chavez, Vice-Mayor of San Jose inaugurated the Parallel Track Programs and said that she was honored to be present at such a grand cultural event. From http://www.rss.org/
Fortis Bank in Roermond, the Netherlands, honors RAAM currencies established by Maharishi Global Financing in The Netherlands, which has targeted its use in farmers cooperatives in South America and Africa for agricultural development. It is an initiative of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, also famous for creating Maharishi Open University. It is currently used side by side with local currency in around 100 shops in the Netherlands. It can be exchanged at a rate of 10 euros for 1 RAAM NL. 200 million euro (20 million Raam) of these notes have been printed. "There are now about 100,000 Raam notes in circulation" the Dutch central bank spokesman said.
The US Raam can be acquired at the rate of US$10 for 1 RAAM. RAAM, is an attempt to create a global currency to eliminate world poverty, describing itself as the "Global Development Currency of the Global Country of World Peace."

Ramayan in Islamic Countries
Ram’s life story is so interesting and inspiring that not only Hindus but also people belonging to other religions are influenced by it. It was rightly said by Brahma in the Valmiki Ramayana, ‘As long as the mountains and the rivers exist on earth, the story of Rama will also be preached in the world’.

Ramayan in Indonesia Islam is our Religion but Ramayan is our Culture
Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim country. Hinduism existed here since first century and Hindu empires like Majapahid Samrajya Shailendra and Sri Vijaya Empires flourished here till 16th century.
In Indonesia, the Hindu Javanese Kakawin Ramayana in the Old Javanese or Kawi language from the 9th century CE closely follows the Valmiki narrative but in an abridged form, for it was based on a summary in a Manuel on Sanskrit grammar. The 9th century Prambanan temple complex in Central Java and 14th century Panataran Temple in East Java is rich with narrative bas-relief carvings of the epic. Javanese influence on the neighboring island of Bali began during the 11th century, and Kawi literature also became a part of Balinese tradition. With the coming of Islam to Java and the rise of sultanates on the island during the 16th century, the Javanese adapted the epic to the new religion. The 18th century sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, more popularly known as Yogyakarta or Yogya, was named after the capital city of Rama, Ayudhay. Rama also became one of the ancestors in the royal genealogy, and new episodes were created and borrowed for the 19th century Serat Rama that is used in the leather puppet theatre up to the present. Java could not entirely abandon fifteen centuries of Hindu Buddhist tradition. The Balinese continued the practices with great exuberance that continues today.
In Indonesia, the world’s largest Islamic nation, Ramayana and Mahabharata are compulsory subjects in most of the universities. In the Indonesian version of Mahabharata, Draupathi has only one husband.
Shri. Sudarshan, who is an Indonesian Muslim and director of the Art department, once explained: “Here in Indonesia, it is our custom to inscribe a verse of Mahabharat or Ramayana in the Javanese language on the tombstone when someone dies. Though we are Muslims, we deeply adore Ram and Krishna”. At the famous 10th Century Prambanan temple in central Java, dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the Ramayana is depicted in bas-relief in several parts. The sultan of Jogjakarta supports the daily performance of a leather puppet show of either Ramayana or Mahabharata in his Palace annexure. He also subsidizes the world’s only daily performance of a dance ballet based on Ramayana, performed with the Prambanan towers as its backdrop. The highlight of the extraordinary show is that all the two hundred artistes are Muslims. When the leading actors were asked how they perform Ramayana with such passionate involvement, the spontaneous reply was, “Islam is our religion. Ramayana is our culture.”
One of the most important landmarks of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, is a gigantic modern sculpture, an extraordinary work of art of Krishna and Arjuna in the chariot with their horses almost flying. Garuda is the national insignia of Indonesia. Their national air carrier is Garuda Airlines. Lord Ganesha appears on the Indonesian currency note. The Dutch ruled Indonesia for 150 years. In these long years they have noticed that in the Hindu island of Bali, there has not been a single incidence of stealing, quarrelling, or any form of violence, greed, lust, anger or any form of crime. This tradition continues to this day. If at all there are any persons in the jails of Bali, they must be foreign travelers they claim. This is the living Ram Rajya Gandhi ji and other freedom fighters dreamt for free Bharat.
The predominantly Hindu territory of Bali in Indonesia has a few thousand Hindu temples. Here one sees the strong influence of Ramayana in the sculptures and performing arts. We see two group dance performances of the Ramayana — one on a modern stage, and the other in a spiritually devout atmosphere of a temple, where some dancers are in a trance.

The Ramayana has long been rendered on the Denpasarnese stage through the Wayang Wong which is a classical dance drama enacting scenes from the Hindu epic in sequel performances that take place over a period of three or four days. A few years ago, a new dance interpretation of the Ramayana was introduced to the island by Kokar, the Conservatory of Instrumental Arts and Dance.
Accompanied by the Gamelan gong orchestra, The Ramayana Ballet is a unique mixture of traditional dance technique and modern motifs of slapstick comedy. The story opens in the forest of Dandaka where Rama, Laksmana and Sita have transformed their banishment into a peaceful life in the woods. Because of their ideal beauty, the royal brothers are usually danced by women: Rama wearing a golden crown and Laksmana a black h eaddress. Their manner is stately and heroic, the refined style of dance reserved solely for regal personages. In contrast to their noble bearing, the demon king called Rawana takes large and dynamic steps, a fiery mode of dance wh ich shows the grand arrogance of a tyrant. Frequently, it is the animals of the Ramayana Ballet who steal the show. In Denpasar theatre, animals have license to improvise fantastic dance styles of their own. One remembers the golden deer that gaily prances before Rama yet always manages to slip from his grasp, the brave Jatayu bird that vainly attempts to rescue Sita, and of course, the inevitable monkey business. On top of adaptations, there are additions; that is to say, characters not found in the original Ramayana in the form of comic characters, Pak Dogol and Wak Long. These two became Rama's trusted companions and assistants after the death of Ravana. Pak Dogol has an unusual figure and plays both heavenly and earthly roles.

Indonesia Ramayan Presented in Open Air Theatres
Travelers to Yogyakarta, Central Java, should not miss the Ramayana Grand Ballet Performance in a moonlit open-air theatre. The two-hour epic performance is presented at least three times a week in the peaceful evening atmosphere around the spectacular Prambanan Temple.
Prambanan temple is Indonesia's biggest and most beautiful Hindu temple situated some 17 kilometers east of Yogyakarta - about 20 minutes drive from the city. Its parapets are adorned with bas-reliefs depicting the famous Ramayana story. The performance in the open-air theatre certainly provides an unforgettable experience. The carefully lit temple provides a spectacular backdrop against which the drama unfolds, with a canopy of stars above. The Ramayana Ballet Performance involves hundreds of artists, dancers and musicians. They perform the famous classic story of Ramayana, accompanied by gamelan musical orchestra.
Rama lives in their midst with no questions being asked.

Ramayan in Malaysia We Rule in the name of Ram’s Paduka
"Hikayat Seri Rama" the oldest extant copy of Malay version of Ramayan is known as a gem of Malaysian art and culture. Described by English scholars as a Malay literary work of "a Hindu prose narration with a few Islamic adjustments here and there" ...at the onset, successive copies gradually omitted more and more "unislamic beginning" of the saga. Another aspect of "adjustment" applies to names. For example, Dewata Mulia Raya or Greatest Divinity in Hindu has been replaced with Allah Ta'ala, the heroine Sita Devi becomes Siti Dewi. Probably the adaptations make it more appealing to the locals. Children got simplified versions as school texts before and during early days of independence at a time when Malay books were scarce.
In Malaysia where Islamisation began earlier during the 13th century, the divine status of Rama was greatly reduced. He is more human, capable of committing errors and susceptible to his emotions, thus retaining and gaining acceptance among Malay Muslims by the 15th century. Through various indigents in Hikayat Seri Rama and Cherita Maharaja Wana that were written during the late 16th or early 17th century, all the main characters are closely related to each other, with Sita as the daughter of Ravana, and Hanuman being the son of Rama and Sita. The contest to win the hand of Sita involves numerous tests of the problem over the succession to the throne. It describes King Dasharatha as the great grand son of Adam, and Ravana becoming the emperor of four worlds by the blessings of Allah. Hikayat is studied today in Malaysia as a piece of literature.
From Pre-historic times of Sri Wijaya empire, through Chola-era in the 11th century cultural and trade relations down to James Brooke, the Banaras-born 19th century English adventurer who became the 'White Rajah' of Sarawak, India has never been far away from Malay popular consciousness. To this day, for Malaysia's princelings, yellow is the colour of royalty, a rajabhishek- style sprinkling of water marks every coronation.
The large number of new episodes, especially in the leather puppet theatre, shows how popular Ramayana remained in Malaysia due to centuries of Cambodian and Thai influences with which it shares many features. Tok Dalang the puppeteer always uses the same puppets. To be double sure there is no confusion, the main characters always have their "fixed colours": Rama is dark green, Sita is yellow, Laskhsmana is red, Hanuman is white and black for the evil Ravana.
In spite of these strong cultural links, Islamic fundamentalism is on the rise in Malaysia. It is a tragedy that in the name of Urusan Seri Paduka Baginda, the Malaysian authorities are breaking Hindu temples one after the other. It is a heartbreaking calamity that 2 million Tamil Hindus in Malaysia are a suppressed and oppressed community praying for the world conscience to wake up.

Ramayan among the Muslims of Philippines
Among one Islamic group on the southern island of Mindanao in predominantly Christian Philippines, Maharadia Lawana is unique. The Maranao people are seafarers with ethnic, cultural, and historical links to other maritime communities and sultanates in the area, so journeys by boat are common in life and literature. While some motifs may have come from Malay and Javanese traditions, the elements have evolved and changed so much between the mid-17th and early 19th centuries that the story can be considered as an independent tradition. These include ball-kicking games, rattan tightropes, and water buffalo and crocodile allies. "Rajah Mangandiri" is another oral tradition Ramayana of the Southern Philippines. Its dance drama was staged in New York in 2000.

Persian And Arabic Ramayan
Variations of Ramayan have also been found in the north, west and central parts of Asia. Between the 13th to 19th centuries, the Persian and Mogul sultanates adapted Hindu culture into Islaamic art and literature, resulting in such works as the 16th century Dastan-e-Ram O Sita and Razmnama from Persia (Iran), and 18th century Pothi Ramayan in Urdu, the language of Pakistan.

A unique illustrated Ramayan of Valmiki translated into Persian by Sumer Chand and illustrated during the reign of Farrukh Siyar in A.H.1128(1715-16A.D.) bears 258 miniatures throwing a flood of light on the art, architecture, costumes, ornaments of the period besides highlighting the composite culture of India in the late medieval period.

Ramayana’s theme is so beneficial for humanity that Akbar the Great ordered it to be translated into Persian along with other Sanskrit classics. Mullah Abdul Qadir Badayuni reluctantly translated it under royal pressure into Persian. Then some other prose writers and poets began to translate or compose it into Persian as it was the language of the elite and court during those days. Out of the so many Ramayanas in Persian, there are two important ones which remained neglected in spite of their admirable moral messages and excellent artistry. The first is the Ramayan-e-Masih, composed by Sheikh Sadullah Masih Panipati, the contemporary of Emperor Shahjahan and Jahangir. It was published in 1899 by Munshi Naval Kishor Press, Lucknow. The other is entitled Balmiki Ramayan, written by S. Mohar Singh who was employed in Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s army. It was published in 1890 by Ganesh Prakash Press, Lahore.

Ramayan-e-Masih did not become popular as it was written during Jahangir’s reign when Muslim readers began to stop taking interest in Hindu scriptures. Masih became a target of hate of the fanatic Muslims for composing the Ramayana. He had to justify his stance in the beginning of his work. He spoke against the fanatics under the heading Dar Mazammat-e-Hussad (condemning the jealous). He stated that they had not taken into account the two naats in praise of the Prophet Mohammad written at the start of the epic, and Paighambarnama, his other epic poem relating the life and exploits of the Prophet.

Though story of Masih’s Ramayana is mainly based on the Valmiki Ramayana yet he does not mention the name of that holy bard even once. Perhaps he could not read Sanskrit and wrote his book after reading Badayuni’s version. He did not divide his Ramayana into cantos or kandas as Valmiki did but wrote it in Persian masnavi style, which resembles the heroic couplet of English. He gives separate headings to all events or episodes. His diction is purely Persian and he seldom uses Sanskrit words. He uses the word zahid for Rishi Valmiki when the latter appears in his Ramayana as the provider of shelter to the exiled Sita. He embellishes his verses with similes and metaphors taken from Islamic lore.

The main defect in his narration is the presence of anachronisms. He makes his characters do things which did not occur in the Ramayana. For example, when Sita is abducted by Ravana, Lakshmana searches for her everywhere. During that search he goes to a pond and asks the fish therein if they have swallowed her. They reply in one voice that they have not gulped her as they had done Yunas in the yore. When Ravana has Hanuman’s tail set on fire, Sita prays to the fire god (Agni Devta) to turn that fire into a rose garden as was done by God when Ibrahim Khalil Allah was thrown into flames. When Sita is highly dejected after hearing the false news of Rama’s death, Trijata consoles her by saying that none can kill Rama as he is as immortal as Issa (Christ). Kumbhkarna says to Ravana that he can easily demolish Sikander’s (Alexander’s) wall. When Sugreev is caught by Kumbhkarna, Angad goes to Hanuman and requests him to get their Rustam (Sugreev) freed from the clutches of the enemies.

Ram belonged to the Sun dynasty and Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, shah (king) of Iran (1941-1979), prided himself as Arya Mihir ‘Sun of the Aryans’. The shah saw himself as heir to the kings of ancient Iran, and in 1971 he held an extravagant celebration of 2,500 years of Persian monarchy. In 1976 he replaced the Islamic calendar with an “imperial” calendar”, which began with the foundation of the Persian Empire more than 25 centuries earlier. 2,500 years ago Persians practiced Mithraism which believed in sun worship. (Mithra in Sanskrit is one of the names of Sun God). Sun God worshipped by Hindus was worshipped by early Persians as Mitra Day on December 25th. The Egyptian pharos followed suit and worshipped their Sun God Amon on 25th December and the Romans following the Egyptians and Persians celebrated December 25th as Natal Solis Invicti or the festival of the invincible Sun God. The European Christians absorbed this festival and called it as the Christmas day.

A concise book containing stories based on sections from Ramayana was published in Arabic language in recent years. ... iran-daily.com/1384/2275/pdf/i12.pdf

The Borderless Appeal of Ramayan
This eternal battle between good and evil, the story of Ramayana has withstood the test of time and nationality. For over thousands of years, this story has captured the imagination of peoples from India to Iran, Tibet to Thailand, Cambodia to China, Japan to Java, Malaysia to Myanmar, Sri Lanka to Siberia, and to the pictorial island of Bali in Indonesia. Local cultures in all these lands have transformed Ramayana, more than any story in the world, into a rich source of inspiration for the arts in a great variety of literary traditions, narrative expressions, artistic manifestations and performance styles.

Mahathir Mohammed, who ruled Malaysia as Prime Minister for twenty two years had some Indianness in him. The name Mahathir stands for 'Maha Dheer', which is the Sanskrit word for the most gallant. In Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country, all the ministers including Prime Minister take oath in the name of the 'Sri Paduka', the Sanskrit version for the footwear of Rama. Remember that Bharata ruled Ayodhya for 14 years worshipping the Rama Paduka during the Lord's 'vanvas'.

The President of Malaysia (who is elected from among the nine sultans) takes oath of office and secrecy in the name of 'Seri Paduka Dhuli', which means the dust of Rama's Paduka. This is because Paduka Dhuli is considered holier than Paduka itself in the Indian tradition.

In Malay, the word Bhasha stands for language, yet another link to Sanskrit. The husband is addressed as Swami, a teacher as Guru, a senior teacher as Maha Guru, a student as Siswa and a senior student as Maha Siswa. Modern buildings are named in Sanskrit – Chaya Surya, Wisma Putra and Wisma Duta to name only a few.
The president of the republic is addressed as Raja Parameswara, the Royal Queen is addressed as Raja Parameswari and the second son of the sultan is addressed with reverence as Laxmana. Most of the royal customs are also based on practices found in Sanskrit literature.

The Royal prince must take a bath called "Ganga Snan" before his Sunnat or before ascending the Royal Throne. The Royal throne itself in Bahasa Malaya is called by the Sanskrit name "Simhasana". Most royal and wedding ceremonies are accompanied with feasts taken on banana leaves. Yellow rice is sprinkled on brides or bride grooms or prince as a mark of blessings. Once a leading Malaysian remarked that if anyone watches his wedding video, he might mistake it for a Hindu marriage.

The wives of Malaysian leaders have formed the organization 'Vanitha Pushpavalli' for their social activities. Most Malay government officers wear black caps (as part of their uniform) similar to those worn by the Maharashtrians. Sarong (similar to South Indian Dhoti) and Kurta is still the official dress of Malay ministers in all important ceremonies. Kite flying, gilli danda and playing with dice are some of the traditional games of Malays. "Wayang Kulit" or shadow puppet shows still popular in the eastern state of Kelantan is based on Ramayana and Mahabharata characters.

Malaysia is not the only Muslim country which rejoices in its Sanskrit, Ramayan and Indian ancestry. Brunei and Indonesia have also borrowed most words from Sanskrit. The capital of Brunei is “Bandar Sri Bhagwan” (Port of the Lord) while Singapore is derived from the Sanskrit word “Simha” meaning a lion. Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia is pronounced in the local language as “Jaya Karta”, the city of victory. Other prominent cities are Prambanan (Park of Brahama), Yogya Karta, Madura, Sumatra, Bali and Surabaya. There is no need to specify that the island Bali is named after the character in Ramayana.

Mr Gus Dur Abdul Rehman Wahid, the former President of Indonesia, who was requested to attend the consecration of an ancient mosque in Surabaya City in the island of Java asked the organizers to arrange for a Hindu pundit from India to perform the Vigneswara Pooja before the Quran could be recited by the Islamic priest. A Hindu Tantrik priest was flown in from Kerala exclusively for the purpose and Mr Wahid sat through the ceremony.

Sukarno, the late Indonesian president, was named after Karna, the legendary hero of Mahabharata. Sukarno's father used to read Koran on Fridays and Ramayana and Mahabharat on other 6 days. Karna was his favourite character in Mahabharat. He wanted his son to be as brave and philanthropic as Karna. He also wanted his son to be on the right side of Dharma and Righteousness which made him name his son as “SuKarno” meaning a good Karna.

The name of his daughter, “Sukarnoputri Meghawati” is yet another indication of the influence of Sanskrit in Indonesia. Meghawati is the Sanaskrit word for "full of clouds". Sukarnoputri is yet another Sanskrit word meaning Sukarno's daughter. The name of the present President of Indonesia is another proof of the country's link with Sanskrit and Indian heritage. The name Susilo Yudhoyono speaks lot about the individual's personality. We in India may hold our breath when we are told that one of the prominent politicians in Indonesia is named Karthikeya Mohammed.

Late Swami Ranganathanandaji, in his book "Eternal Values For a Changing Society", has mentioned about a discussion he had with Sukarno during his visit to Indonesia in 1964. "Though the President agreed to meet me for just 20 minutes, our discussion went on for more than an hour. Sukarno told me that every night he reads at least two pages from the collected volumes of Swami Vivekananda before going to bed,"

In the nineties most Asian countries went through a severe financial crisis. Indonesia was the most affected country. World experts gave many suggestions to arrest the downward slump of Indonesian rupiah with respect to US dollar. Finally Indonesian government printed new 20,000 Rupiah notes with the picture of Lord Ganesha (Indian God for removing obstacles) and it was observed that the depression had ceased.

When the TV serial Ramayan was telecast in Bharat (India) in the eighties, it had magical effects on the Muslims of Pakistan, Bangladesh and even on the fighting terrorists of Kashmir. Family members in these regions were seen glued to the television sets. Mothers would educate their children moral and family values based on Ramayan. In spite of bitter fighting, Kashmir witnessed an undeclared cease-fire for the time interval when Ramayan was telecast.

Ramayan has no parallel in the world of literature.

Influence of Ramayan in Asian Countries
Ramayana came to Southeast Asia by means of Tamil Indian traders and scholars who traded with the Khmer kingdoms (such as Funan and Angkor) and with Indonesian Srivijaya empire, with whom the Indians shared close economic and cultural ties. This is one of the wonders of human history that syncretism has taken place without any violence, bloodshed, colonisation, slavery, child prostitution, anarchism, decimation, abduction of women, castrations, burning of libraries and towns, Jizia, crusades, jihads, inquisitions, ghettoisations, mass conversions, ostracizations, that the world has seen when the west invaded Americas, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and when the Arabs and Turks invaded Europe, Africa and Asia.
The Tamils went everywhere with the message of Ramayan, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (World is one Family) or as the Tamil sayings go ‘Yadum Ure, Yavarum Kelir’ (All belong to my village), ‘Yaam Petra Inbam Peruga Ivvaiyagam’ (Let the world enjoy the Bliss we have enjoyed) and ‘Inbame Suzhga Ellorum Vaazhga’ (Let everyone live happily). The destructive concept of ‘Get, Get and Forget’ was replaced by the Hindu concept of ‘Give, Give and Forgive’. The same faith was reposed by the English historian, Arnold Joseph Toynbee (1889–1975) when he said,

“It is already becoming clearer that a chapter which has a western beginning will have to have an Indian ending if it is not to end in the self-destruction of the human race... At this supremely dangerous moment in history the only way of salvation for mankind is the Indian Way. Here we have the attitude and spirit that can make it possible for the human race to grow together in to a single family”.

Ramayan whether true or false still givesimmense hope to humanity’s future

Influence of Ramayan in Cambodia
If any country in historic times had matched India in its faith in Hinduism, it was perhaps Cambodia. In this war torn Buddhist monarchy, which has met many tragedies in recent times, you find that coronation is complete only with the handing over of ancient gold idols of Shiva and Vishnu by the rajaguru to the king. More than a hundred temples, mostly in a state of ruin, tell the story of the great empire of the Khmers, who worshipped Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma and the Buddha. It is here in Cambodia that Suryavarman built his truly colossal temple dedicated to Vishnu — Angkor Wat, believed by million of visitors, to be most worthy of being included in the Seven Wonders of the world. Angkor Wat, the largest stone temple for any deity in the world, has a nearly 2.7 km circumambulatory passage with gigantic carvings devoted to the epic stories of the churning of the ocean, Ramayana, Mahabharata and so on.
Certain parts of southeast Asia, including the southern Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam were dominated by the Hindu culture during the reigns of Sri Vijaya Empire, Sailendra, Majapahit, Khemer, Angkor, Sukothai and Champa Empires from the 1st to the 16th centuries. Some aspects of Hindu culture, for instance the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, have thrived in those regions to the present day.

Cambodians love for Ramayan, gave to mankind Angkor Wat, probably the world’s largest religious monument ever constructed. Built in the 12th century in Cambodia, it is a renowned Hindu temple complex famous for having the longest running bas-relief (sculpture in which the design projects slightly from a flat background, but without any part being totally detached from the background) in the world. Beautifully crafted, many of the carvings were once painted and gilded. They decorate the 2-m high, galleried walls having roofed walkways that run along the inside of the protective moat, just outside of the temple complex itself. The reliefs depict scenes from the Hindu epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the puranic lore of the Hindu gods Shiva and Vishnu, historical episodes in the life of King Suryavarman II, celestial nymphs known as apsarases, and scenes from the daily life of the Khmer people at the time the complex was built.

Today Angkor is recognized as one of the world’s most valuable cultural sites and as a national symbol of Cambodia. In 1992 Angkor was designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The site covers some 400 sq km (200 sq mi).

Influence of Ramayan in Thailand
Ramayana is immensely popular in Thailand. Huge statues of Sugriva and other characters from Ramayana decorate the courtyard of the Royal palace, surrounded by huge corridors depicting the whole story of Ramayana in large paintings from floor to ceiling. Ramayana sculptures adorn the walls and balustrades of several other Buddhist temples in Thailand. In the Thai version of Ramayana called Ramakian, rediscovered and re-composed by the Thai King, Rama I in the 18th Century, Hanuman is a powerful figure. There are also several areas where Hanuman is worshipped. There is a huge statue of Hanuman on a hillock facing a major Buddhist monastery.

Several kings of the royal family of Thailand (including the present king) adopted the name ‘Rama’, over the last three centuries. Before the capital was shifted to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand (then Siam) was called Ayuthya (Ayodhya) as a mark of respect to Rama.

Ramakien is Thailand's national epic. It is derived from the Hindu Indian Ramayana epic and from the Cambodian Ramayan in the 14th century when they invaded Khmers and defeated them. The Thai kingdom of Ayutthaya, named after Rama’s capital of Ayodhya, was itself sacked and destroyed by invading armies from Myanmar in 1767, resulting in the loss of a number of versions of the epic.

When the Thais established a new capital at Bangkok shortly after, one of the first tasks of King Rama I, who took on the name of the hero of the epic, was to have the lost Ramakian composed again. The episodes were rearranged, however, in a more linear time fashion. In addition, Tamil tradition probably played an important role in the royal literary effort, for the Thai epic has many features in common with southern Indian ideas, such as strong females (which also is an indigenous Thai trait), soul transfer, and characters magically transforming themselves into other beings. Many of the ogres have special powers or weapons, and they are defeated in unique ways with help from Vibhisana. The brothers of Rama and even his sons battle against the surviving ogres and destroy them, thus repeating several motifs and greatly increasing the length of the epic. While the main story is identical to that of the Indian Ramayan, many other aspects were transposed into a Thai context, such as the clothes, weapons, topography and elements of nature which are described as being Thai in style.

Three versions currently exist, one of which was prepared in 1797 under the supervision of (and partly written by) King Rama I. His son, Rama II, rewrote some parts of his father's version for khon drama. The work has had an important influence on Thai literature, art and drama (both the khon and nang dramas being derived from it).

Ramayana give cultural identity to Thailand
Thailand is also called Siam, the country of Lord Vishnu. The Royal Kings are called Rama and their lineage is Chakri dynasty. The present king’s name is Bhumipal Atulyatej, Rama IX. He has been on throne for 60 years since 1946 and true to Rama’s spirit, Janani Janma Bhumishcha Swargadapi Gariyasi, (Mother and Motherland are greater than heaven), he has not left Thailand in these long sixty years and spends six months every years in rural Thailand in the service of the poor and needy from his royal income.
Theravada Buddhism is the prevailing religion in Thailand, with about 95 percent of the Thai majority being Theravada Buddhists. Many Buddhist ceremonies include elements of Hinduism. Thai language is predominantly influenced by Sanskrit and Thai alphabet is derived from the Indian Devanagari script.
The king is the head of state. Although he has very little direct power, he exercises considerable influence on political leaders and moral influence on society as a whole. In the last 70 years of democracy, Thailand has witnessed over 20 democratically elected governments and an equal number of military take-overs. Yet there has never been any bloodshed, thanks to Buddhism and Hinduism in practice there. Even when military tanks surround the parliament and struggle is going on there for the take over (many times shown live on TV) life goes on as usual on the busy streets of Bangkok just three kilometers away. The deposed Prime Minister is given a large sum and flown away to another country and is allowed to re-enter Thailand after six months. The king does not interfere in these changes of governments. He blesses who-so-ever comes to power.

In 1991 General Suchinda conducted a coup d’etat and ousted the elected government of Prime Minister Chatichai. Later the administration deteriorated and the students organized protest marches. General Chamlong Srimuang, a democratically elected Member of Parliament supported the students’ unrest. Unable to control the strife, Gen Suchinda ordered police firing in which many students died. The students went on hunger strike. His Majesty the King who was silent all these days said he was deeply distressed by the unprovoked police firing resulting in the death of the unarmed youth. On hearing his statement, an incredible episode took place to the full view of millions of TV viewers around the world. Both Gen. Suchinda and Gen. Chamlong went to the Royal Palace on their knees and submitted their resignations to the king who is also the constitutional head of the state. Gen. Suchinda has not returned to politics since then.
It may also be of interest for us to note that the king is well versed in four languages namely Thai, French, German and Sanskrit. His daughter Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn is also an expert in Sanskrit and has composed poems in the Deva Bhasha (language of the Gods).
The Power of Lord Rama even in the present materialistic age is unimaginable.

Ramayana the National Epic of Thailand
In the late first millennium, Ramayan epic was adopted by the Thai people. The version recog nized today was compiled in the kingdom of Siam under the supervision of King Rama I (1736-1809), the founder of the Chakri dynasty, which still maintains the throne of Thailand. Between the years of 1797 and 1807, Rama I supervised the writing of the well-known edition and even wrote parts of it. It was also under the reign of Rama I that construction began on the Thai Grand Palace in Bangkok, which includes the grounds of the Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The walls of the Wat Phra Kaew are lavishly decorated with paintings representing stories from the Ramakien.
Rama II (1766-1824) further adapted his father's edition of the Ramakien for the khon drama, a form of theater performed by non-speaking Thai dancers with elaborate costumes and masks. Narrations from the Ramakien were read by a chorus to one side of the stage. This version differs slightly from the one compiled by Rama I, giving an expanded role to Hanuman, the god-king of the apes, and adding a happy ending.

Since its introduction to the Thai people, the Ramakien has become a firm component of the culture. Though many consider it only an adaptation of a strange work from an archaic system of beliefs, it is firmly embedded in the cultural history of the country and the people. The Ramakien of Rama I is considered one of the masterpieces of the Thai literature. It is still read, and is taught in the country's schools.

Influence of Ramayan in Burma
When and how Ramayana came to take pride of place in Myanmar's heart is one of academic debate. But the oral tradition of the Rama story can be traced as far back as the reign of King Anawrahta(A. D.1044-77 ) the founder of the first Myanmar Empire. In later periods there are ample archaeological, historical and literary evidence to show that Ramayana entered into Myanmar culture at an early date. At old Bagan is a Vishnu Temple known as Nat Hlaung Kyaung which is adorned with some stone figures of Rama and Parasu Rama. The Rama story is depicted in the Jataka series of terra-cotta plaques on the panels of Petlcik Pagoda in Bagan.

In a stone inscription in the Mon language, King Kyanzittha (A.D.1084-1113 ) of Bagan dynasty proclaimed that in his previous existence he was a close relative of Rama of Ayodhya. Rama has been continuously present in the cultures of the post-Bagan periods. In all media of visual arts and all forms of literary art, Ramayana was the favorite theme. Contacts with neighboring countries with Hindu cultural influence such as Laos, Thailand and Malaysia further contributed to the development of Ramayana as the popular theme in Myanmar performing arts.

In 1971 the Dance and Drama Division of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts, Ministry of Culture introduced a ballet type of Ramayana performance with brief narration between Acts, lasting less than three hours. It was a hit. The Myanmar Ramayana Ballet toured quite extensively both at home and abroad. Especially in Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and China it drew houseful crowds and it was acclaimed the best at Ramayana festivals.
Ramayan in Myanmar does share some features with the Thai version due to the conquest, but there are important differences, notably the absence of a Buddhist tone to the epic in spite of the fact that most people in Myanmar are followers of Buddhism. Myanmar is geographically closer to India and shares an eastern border with northeast India. This region is home to several tribal groups with Ramayana traditions of their own that differ from classical northern and eastern Indian literature. The rugged terrain, however, was not conducive to extensive cultural contact between tribal groups and court centers in Myanmar. Instead, there are interesting similarities between the 17th century Myanmar Yama Watthu and 19th century Maha Yama with Malay tradition. There are many novels, short stories and songs with the trappings of Ramayana.

The Ramayana occupies pride of place in Myanmar's heart

Influence of Ramayan in Laos,

The Laotian version of Ramayana, called “Palak Palang,” is the most favorite theme of the dancers of Laos. The National School for Music and Dance, in this communist country, teaches the Ramayana ballet in the Laotian style. Several Buddhist monasteries and stupas of Laos have sculptures depicting Ramayana in stone as well as in wood panels. There is a perceptible Hindu-Buddhist syncretism in that entire region. There are sculptures of Rama and Krishna and other avatars (incarnations) of Vishnu in the Shiva temple at Wat Phu Champasak in southern Laos, which has been declared a World Heritage Centre by UNESCO.

Interestingly enough, Lao narratives have much in common with Malay traditions in spite of their ethnic and linguistic differences and the geographic distance between them. Perhaps this may be due to the ancient Cambodian Hindu kingdoms that once encompassed these diverse areas. Subsequent Thai and Vietnamese attacks by land against the Khmer center led to the loss of traditions in the fertile plains, but not in the further reaches of the empire in the remote mountainous interior and distant coasts of the peninsula. The epic takes place mostly in Laos with boat journeys along the Mekong River, a reflection of the geography and isolation in this land-locked country. As in most Asian countries, the origins of local place names are based on events in the story. Rama is considered to be a previous incarnation of Buddha in Laos, just as he is in Cambodia and Thailand. Female characters are very strong and even become strong warriors in Guay Duorahbi that may date from the 15th or 16th century, which is reflected in the independent character of Lao women today. Pha Lak Pha Lam from the 19th century involves the abduction of two women by Ravana, which accounts for its considerable length. A unique addition is a magical flying and talking horse, a motif found in a more basic form in some Malay stories. Hanuman also is the son of Rama as in Malaysia. Dream sequences frequently appear in both Lao and Thai tradition.

Wayang Kulit or South East Asian Puppet Shows
The epic is so famous that some Chinese and Vietnamese opera troupes have adapted it into their repertoires by selecting Ramayana characters from the great number of traditional opera roles. In Myanmar, temple carvings, dances, marionettes, and elaborate appliqué hangings portray scenes from the story.

In wayang kulit, the puppeteer (dalang) manipulates leather figures so that their shadows dance across a white screen. Performances, which typically begin in the late evening and end at sunrise are built around Indian epics Ramayan and Mahabharat. Various types of puppets, court and popular dance dramas, and temple murals and carvings are common throughout Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. It is common to find Ramayana episodes depicted next to Buddhist image stories in temples, as at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. Of all the performing arts, however, nothing else can match the complete spectacle of the Cambodian nang sbek thom and related Thai nang yai. To the accompaniment of gongs, drums, and wind instruments, dozens of large figures cut from leather are animated by many dancers in the front and back of a huge screen lit by fire (even by a large cremation pyre) or electric lights. This clearly shows the close connections between dance and puppetry, for silhouettes of the performers are visible throughout the performance. From the royal courts evolved lengthy dramas with elaborately dressed dancers wearing fantastic masks. Even village groups adapted the masked dance style.
Malay puppeteers perform old and new episodes from the epic with small leather figures that have only one moveable arm. Similar all night puppet plays with stylized figures that have two articulated arms take place in Java, in addition to dance dramas as refined courtly ceremony and popular operatic style. Ancient Javanese temple carvings visually narrate the story in long series of bas-reliefs. The Balinese paint and carve popular scenes and characters from Ramayana for their temples and houses, as well as restaurants and hotels. During religious ceremonies, the Balinese recite the story in poetry, or perform episodes in masked dance dramas and leather puppet plays with shadows cast by the flickering flame of an oil lamp. Mysterious illnesses can be cured by puppet performances in which ogres are destroyed, since the Balinese traditionally believe that evil spirits are responsible for health problem.
The Natya Shastra, written before the Christian era and attributed to a Hindu sage named Bharata Muni, is the world’s oldest, most complete manual for all aspects of performance. It details the requirements for theater architecture, costumes, actor training and performance, music, playwriting, and the emotional exchange that takes place between the audience and the actors. The book relates how the Hindu god Brahma created drama (natya) to entertain and to educate.

Ramayan in Vietnam,
Hindu Kingdom of Champa was a medieval state in what is now Vietnam. Temple inscriptions from Champa indicate that Ramayan epic already was known there by the 7th century CE. However, the tradition disappeared there and has only resurfaced recently.

The Chams, a seafaring people of Indonesian stock, occupied the central and southern coast of Vietnam from Neolithic times. In the 2nd century ad they adopted Indian culture and religion and established the kingdom of Champa. Over the next few hundred years, they repeatedly fought off Chinese attempts to subjugate them. From the 7th to the 9th century, their capital was at Indrapura (Tra Kieu), near Ðà Nang. Here we find Rama and Krishna in the temples that are predominantly dedicated to Shiva or Uma Maheswari. In response to pressure from the expanding Vietnamese in the north, it was moved south to Vijaya, near Qui Nhon, in the 11th century. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Champa fought a series of wars with the Khmers of Cambodia.

Sino Ramayana
"India was China's teacher in religion and imaginative literature, and the world's teacher in trignometry, quandratic equations, grammar, phonetics, Arabian Nights, animal fables, chess, as well as in philosophy, and that she inspired Boccaccio, Goethe, Herder, Schopenhauer, Emerson, and probably also old Aesop."
(source: The Wisdom of China and India - By Lin Yutang

In distant Xinjing in northwest China, the 9th century Khotanes Ramakatha has a Buddist orientation. This probably was due to influences from Dunhuang, an important central Asian Buddhist center during the 7th to 9th centuries. Dunhuang also had a later impact on the 13th century Tibetan Son-om Gar-a and 15th century Zhang-zhung-pa Chowanga-drak-pai-pal. Prof. Ji Xianlin, a Sanskrit scholar from Beijing, secretly translated the epic Ramayan into Chinese in 1976. The students of Ji translated Mahabharat into a set of six volumes and 5,000 copies of the first edition have sold out in 2007 and second edition is in print. The 95 year old Ji is now in hospital near the university.

The 13th international Ramayan Conference was held in China in April 1996, under the auspices of Shenzhen University, in cooperation with the Vishwa Sahitya Sanskriti Sansthan. Scholars from 20 countries attended to continue the international propagation of the Ramayana's moral and artistic values.
The story of the monkey Sun Wu Kong an original Chinese legend that dates back to 600 AD, became in the 16th century Chinese classic Journey to the West, more popularly known as Monkey King, often is compared to Ramayana. Monkey King has been made into popular TV serial and also into one of the best cartoons. While motifs were undoubtedly borrowed from the epic Ramayan, the basic plot does not deal with love, separation, and reunion. There are basic parallels with a monk’s efforts to obtain sacred Buddhist scripture, assisted by a powerful monkey who helps in battles against demons.
Chinese have many things in common with Bharat (India). Chinese word for lion, shih, used long before the Chin dynasty, was derived from the Sanskrit word, simha. The Mahabharata refers to China several times, including a reference to presents brought by the Chinese at the Rajasuya Yajna of the Pandavas. Arthasastra and the Manusmriti also mention China.

China like India has a calendar of 60 years cycle, divided into 12 year elements, most probably taken from the Tamils. Chinese, like the Arabs, were captivated by Indian medical skills and drugs. Chinese medicine was influenced by Ayurveda and similarities include the extensive use of natural herbs and acupuncture. The custom of ancestor worship was an adoption of Indian practice. There is presence of Indian motifs in various Buddhist caves in China. An Indian sage Bodhi Dharma (470 – 543 CE) from Kanchipuram in South India reached China via the Himalayas and Tibet around 520 AD. He is credited to have taught them Chan or Zen Buddhism and 16 forms of Martial arts. The Shaolin temple and the Shaolin cave where he meditated is the centre of attraction for so many Hollywood stunt movies and attract more foreign visitors than any other city in China. Both Arnold Toynbee and Sir L. Wooley speak of a ready made culture coming to China. That was the Vedic culture of India. Jawaharlal Nehru in the Discovery of India has commented:

"Sanskrit scholarship must have been fairly widespread in China. It is interesting to find that some Chinese scholars tried to introduce Sanskrit phonetics into the Chinese language. A well-known example of this is that of the monk Shon Wen, who lived at the time of the Tang dynasty. He tried to develop an alphabetical system along these lines in Chinese."

Indian and China have a common boundary of 3,000 KMs and a common history of 5,000 years. Until recently India and China had coexisted peacefully for over these 5,000 years and 3,000 KMs. This is the magic of Vedic culture that China imbibed from Bharat.

Hu Shih (1891-1962), Chinese educator, scholar, philosopher and former Ambassador of China to USA from 1938 to 1942, said: ’India conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across her border’.

Ramayan in Japan
The most popular award winning animated cartoon on Ramayan was made by Japanese producer and director Yugo Sako. Many Japanese are now reading Ramayan.
Japan has stories that are closer in plot to the epic Ramayan itself although the battles are greatly reduced in number or even eliminated in some cases. These shortened summaries from the 3rd century CE of Ramayana are known as Jataka tales, stories of the former lives of Buddha that usually are embedded in such religious texts as Six Parimitra Sutra. Abridged Japanese variations were written during the 10th century as Sambo Ekotoba and 12th century as Hobutsushu (Jewel Collection). Bugaku and Gagaku are two dance styles (8 to 12 century AD) based on Indian classical dances used for displaying Japanese Ramayan.
A scholar Bharadwaj from Kanchipuram reached Japan in 736 AD. He enriched Japan by bringing Sanskrit, Dharma, Philosophy and Bharatiya dance into their culture. He gave the Devanagari script to Japanese language and installed Hindu idols in the temples. Images of Ganesha and Vishnu have been found throughout Japan. Some Hindu gods have been incorporated into the Buddhist pantheon. For example, Indra, the god of thunder and also the king of gods, is popular in Japan as Taishaku (literally the great King Sakra); Ganesha is worshipped as Sho-ten or Shoden (holy god) in many Buddhist temples and is believed to confer happiness upon his devotees. A sea-serpent worshipped by sailors is called Ryujin, a Chinese equivalent of the Indian naga. Bishamon is a Japanese equivalent of the Indian Vaisravana (Kubera), the god of wealth.

Even Shinto adopted Indian gods, despite its desperate efforts after the Meiji Revolution to disengage itself from Buddhism. The Indian sea god Varuna, is worshipped in Tokyo as Sui-ten (water-god); the Indian goddess of learning, Saraswati, has become Benten (literally, goddess of speech) with many shrines dedicated to her along sea coasts and beside lakes and ponds. Shiva is well known to the Japanese as Daikoku (literally, god of darkness), which is a Chinese and Japanese equivalent of the Indian Mahakala, another name of Shiva. Daikoku is a popular god in Japan. The divine architect mentioned in the Rig Veda, Vishvakarma, who designed and constructed the world, was regarded in ancient Japan as the god of carpenters, Bishukatsuma. The Indian Yama, the god of death, is the most dreaded god of Japan, under the name of Emma-o, the king of hell.

The Indian form of myth of the Churning of the Milky Ocean reached Japan. In a Japanese illustration of it the mountain rests on a tortoise, and the supreme god sits on the summit grasping in one of his hands a water vase. The Japanese Shinto myth of creation, as related in the Ko-ji-ki and Nihon-gi, is likewise a churning myth. Twin deities, Izanagi, the god, and Izanami, the goddess, stand on "the floating bridge of heaven" and thrust into the ocean beneath the "Jewel Spear of Heaven". With this pestle they churn the primeval waters until they curdle and form land."
(source: Myths of Pre-Columbian America - By Donald A. Mackenzie ASIN 185958490X p.190-191).
In Japan, India is addressed as Tenziku which means Heaven.

Award Winning Animated Ramayan
The most popular award winning animated cartoon on Ramayan was made by Japanese producer and director Yugo Sako. Sako's movie, "Prince of Light: The Legend of Ramayana," had already received acclaim abroad as "The Warrior Prince." Moviegoers saw the action-packed, award-winning film in multiplexes across America.
Yugo Sako first visited India in 1985 to film a documentary, "The Ramayan Relics," about an archeological excavation near Ayodhya. He was smitten by the story of Prince Ram's triumph over the forces of darkness, and as his research into the epic deepened, he realized it was much more than just a myth: It encompassed a whole philosophy of living and had historical underpinnings. He read Valmiki's Ramayana in Japanese and went on to study ten different versions, all in Japanese. Although he was a documentary filmmaker, he felt only an animated format could capture the true magic and power of Ramayana. He says, "Because Ram is God, I felt it was best to depict him in animation, rather than by an actor."
Meeting with academics, archaeologists and historians, Sako painstakingly researched the story of Ram, and spent months checking out costumes and architectural details. As a foreigner, he wanted to be extra vigilant in staying true to the epic. All the futuristic gizmos, flying vehicles, and even weapons of mass destruction depicted in the film are mentioned in the Ramayana. Sako collaborated with Ram Mohan, an eminent animator in India, to design the key art. In 1990, he started work in Japan on the principal animation, using over 450 artists.
When Sako first proposed this film, the Indian government had been reluctant to hand over an Indian epic to a foreigner. Now, he's won over the skeptics with his integrity and devotion to details. He knows Valmiki's Ramayana backwards and forwards. Sako finds humanity in his characters. Although Sako is not a Hindu, he is attracted to many of Hinduism's beliefs. “In my mind I feel I am Hindu."
Next on the agenda for Sako is the story of Lord Krishna, the Celestial Cowherd.

Japanese Interest in Ramayan
Japanese women on epic quest SMITA DESHMUKH
TIMES NEWS NETWORK [ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2003 01:17:18 AM ]
Raghukul reet sada chalee aayee, Praan jaye par vachan na jaye.
The students listen patiently, as the teacher discusses the finer points of the Ramayana. But this is no ordinary class. The students are Japanese women, a small community in Mumbai, trying to understand Indian culture.
The group belongs to the five-year-old Bombay Club and consists of around 40 Japanese women eager to learn more about the country of their temporary residence. And guiding them in their quest, the Ramayana, is scholar Shakun Narain.
The group has just completed reading Valmiki Ramayana, and shows great interest in the epic. "There are so many gods, I want to know more about them," says Mari Nakamura, who's been in Mumbai for five years. "Is Ram real? Did he actually live?" questions Atsuo Suzuki, a new entrant to the group. "Why didn't Laxman's wife join him in vanvas?" asks Asaka Hiroe.
The group, which meets once a month, has made steady progress - making regular notes on "tough" words like bhakti and karma. Mariko Izaki is the team leader-cum-translator between the women and Narain.
Though Buddhist, knowledge of the Ramayana is a gateway to the women understanding India. "The book is the soul of India!" declares Atsuo Shiga. The inspiration has led them to several books on gods and goddesses, understanding their roles in Indian mythology. "Japanese society is not religion-conscious, while Indians hold firm to theirs," says Kiyomi Kato. Bonding firmly with the group, Narain is busy helping the women to understand the symbolisms in the epic. "Their dedication is amazing," she says.
With ambitious plans to translate the epic in Japanese, the women are also taking lessons in learning more about the saree. This Saturday, students of the Japanese school will enact Panchatantra, a book which was also translated by the group. As the class concludes, the women are reminded about the triumph of good over evil. "Happy Diwali! Time to celebrate the victory of Ram in Mumbai!"

Ramayan in Mongolia, Tibet, Korea, Siberia,
Mongolia also has its own tale in the 19th century Bolor Toli as part of religious literature. Ramayan discourses were given in Mangolia by Tibetian Lamas. Jeevak is the father of Ram and Laxman. Garud and not Jatayu fights Ravan. Ram is identified as Buddha in the end.
Bharat and Tibet are linked closely by Ramayan. Many versions of Ramayan reached Tibet through Jataka tales since 3rd century. In 1182 to 1251 Sa-shya-Pandit wrote 457 subhshitas called “Subhashit Ratna Nidhi” in Tibetian language. Some of the subhashitas are based on Ramayan katha.
While nothing has been found for Korea so far, this does not mean that the tradition does not exist, only that research needs to be done. Considering the historical, cultural, and religious ties with its neighbors, it would be very unusual if Korea did not have some form of the epic. Koreans pride that an Indian princess from Ayodhya was married to a Korean prince. Every country around Korea has some variation of the story, including Siberia since the 18th century.
Sri Lanka and Nepal
Janakiharan was written in Sri Lanka in the 7th century. According to Dr. M.D. Raghavan, Ethnologist Emeritus of the National Museum of Ceylon and eminent scholar, “Ceylon is full of reminiscences with unmistakable link scenes and stories with Ravana and his days such as Ravan Ella cave, Ravana’s waterfall etc…”

Two versions of Ramayana are present in Nepal. One is written by Mahakabhi Siddhidas Mahaju in Nepal Bhasa. The other one is written by Aadikavi Bhanubhakta Acharya. The Nepal Bhasa version by Siddhidas Mahaju marks a great point in the renaissance of Nepal Bhasa whereas the one of Bhanubhakta Acharya is the first epic of Nepali. The Nepali authors composed Sundarananda Ramayana and Adarsha Raghava in the 19th century.

Ramayan in Bharat
In India too many adaptation of Ramayan are seen in different languages and during different times and situations. Apart from Valmiki Ramayan at least four more Ramayanas were written in Sanskrit. In the 12th century, Bhusundi Ramayana, Adbhuta Ramayana and Adhyatma Ramayana were written. The followers of Jainism adapted the epic in the form of Paumachariyan in the 3rd or 4th century in Prakrit In the 15th century, came the Ram Charitra Manas written by Tulsidas in Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi. In the 17thg century, came the Ananda Ramayana and Rama Balalika in Gujarati. Different versions were written in Assamese (Katha Ramayana), Bengali (Krittivas Ramayan) and Oriya (Jagamohan Ramayana). In Punjabi came Ramavatar, and Ramabalalila was written in Gujarati.

The South Indian languages were not left behind. The Tamil version written in the 12th century was known as Kamban Iramavataram, Malayalam version was titled Ramacharitam, Rangganatha Ramayanam was the Teluga version, and Torave Ramyana was written in Kannada.

Indian Muslims also contributed. In the 19th century Ramavatara Charita was written in Kashmir predominantly a Muslim area. Kerala Muslims have Mappila Ramayana. Being of Muslim origin, the hero of this story is a sultan.

Indian Contemporary versions
Contemporary versions of the Ramayana include Sri Ramayana Darshanam by Dr. K. V. Puttappa (Kuvempu) in Kannada and Ramayana Kalpavrikshamu by Viswanatha Satyanarayana in Telugu, both of which have been awarded the Jnanpith Award. A popular version called Geet Ramayan (Geet = song) in Marathi by G.D. (Gajanan Digambar) Madgulkar (also known as Ga Di Madgulkar or GaDiMA) was rendered in Music by Sudhir Phadke and is considered to be a masterpiece of Marathi literature. The popular Indian author R. K. Narayan wrote a shortened prose interpretation of the epic, and another modern Indian author, Ashok Banker, has so far written a series of six English language novels based on the Ramayana. In September 2006, the first issue of Ramayan 3392 A.D. was published by Virgin Comics, featuring the Ramayana as reinvisioned by author Deepak Chopra and filmmaker Shekhar Kapur.

The Ramayana has been adapted on screen as well, in a television series from the 1980s of the same name by producer Ramanand Sagar, which was based primarily on Ramcharitmanas and Valmiki Ramayana. It created unprecedented records. The message of RAMAYAN cut across all the barriers of caste, creed, language and political boundaries. A media documentation of that is found in the website of the Sagars. A sample taken from there: “After watching a scene in which Lakshman becomes unconscious on being hit by Indrajit’s Naga Pasha, a wealthy businessman in Madras fell seriously ill and went into coma at the shock of seeing Lakshman wounded. The credibility and source of the sequence created a great furore. But the Ramanand Sagar team stood their ground. When they received a request from the businessman’s doctor to help them revive the old man, the Sagar unit worked round the clock and prepared a special clipping which they air-dashed to Madras. Only after the man saw Lakshman reviving back to life in the new clipping – also based on authentic research – did he recover back to normal life from his coma”. (From http://www.sagartv.org/)
A Japanese animated film called Rama - The Prince of Light was also released in the early 1990s. Disney is also in talks to make an animated version of Ramayana for 2012.

Ramayana landmarks
Hindus believe that Rama actually existed, and there are several holy sites in India that point to the reality of Rama's existence, including his birth place, his palace, and the route of his journey to Sri Lanka. Amongst the ruins of the Vijayanagara empire near Hampi, is a cave known as Sugriva's Cave. The cave is marked by coloured markings. The place holds its similarity to the descriptions of 'kishkinda' in Sundarakanda. Rama is said to have met Hanuman here. The place is also home to the famous Hazara Rama temple (Temple of a thousand Ramas).
Shri. K.S. Sudarshan, Sarsanghchalak of RSS, in his Vijayadashami speech at Nagpur on October 20, 2007 narrated: ‘one should take a lesson from the discoveries of Dr. Ramavatar Sharma, who spent 24 years of his life in personally visiting 214 places where Ram had stayed during the 14 years he spent in forests, as also 23 places where Ram had accompanied Sage Vishwamitra upto Janakpur. He has photographed all those temples, lakes, rivers, ghats, huts etc. where Shri Rama treaded. Ramavatar has also prepared a map of them all. The great effort put in by Dr. Ramavatar is a slap on the face of all those who are denying the very existence of Shri Ram’.

The Popularity of Ramayana
Although basically a secular work, the Ramayana incorporates much of the sacred Vedic material. Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman are widely revered as ideal embodiments of princely heroism, wifely and brotherly devotion, and loyal service, respectively. Reciting the Ramayana is considered a religious act, and scenes from the epic are dramatized throughout India and Southeast Asia. Known widely through translations and critical revisions (the best-known version being that of the 16th-century Hindu poet Tulsidas), the Ramayana exerted enormous influence on later Indian literature.
The characters and incidents in Ramayana provide the ideals and wisdom of common life, and help to bind the people of India, regardless of caste and language. No wonder, two of India's greatest festive events - Dusshera and Diwali are directly motivated by the Ramayana. The first commemorates the siege of Lanka and Rama's victory over Ravana; the second, the festival of lights, celebrates Rama and Sita's homecoming to their kingdom in Ayodhya. When two Indians meet they greet each other saying ‘Ram Ram’. Ram is a common name found in each and every state of India. Thus we have famous men like Ram Krishna Paramahamsa, Swami Ram Tirth, Asharam Bapu in the Spiritual field, Chief Ministers MG Ramachandran and NT Rama Rao, Yogacharya Ramdev Baba, National poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, Shri Ram Sharma founder of Gayatri Parivar, Vaidya Shri Ram Sharma President Central Council for Indian Medicines, Ram Prasad Bismil the freedom fighter famous during the Kakori Kand, Archery expert Limba Ram, Cricket captain GS.Ramchand, music director C.Ramachandra and News paper baron Ramnath Goenka, to name only a few from different fields and geographical locations of Bharat. Gandhi ji’s last words were ‘Hey Ram’. When a person leaves this world friends and family members chant ‘Ram Naam Satya Hai’.
Jam Nagar was air-raided by Pakistan in 1965. Since then Akhand Ram Dhun has is going on non stop for the past 42 years at the Ram Temple near Ranmal Talav.
Asifa, a post-graduate in Urdu, living in the Jama Masjid area of Delhi, does the role of Sita in the massive Ramlila celebrations at the Red Fort during the October Dussera festival in the national capital. This has been going on for the past eight years. Asifa takes no remuneration for this. “It is because I look upon Sita as the ideal of Bharatiya womanhood”, she explains. Likewise, Maqbool, an advocate of Bulandshahar, puts aside his black gown and gets down into Ramlila preparations a month ahead. His favourite role is that of Lakshman. Neither Maqbool nor Asifa is a stage artiste. Maqbool says Dussera (Vijayadasami) is not the festival of any one religion. (Source: PATHIK SANDESH (November 2002), Hindi Monthly from Jullandhar)
Ramayan is the soul of India.

Ram Nawami Celebrations of People of Indian Origin
During the colonial rule, Britishers took thousands of Hindus mostly from Bihar, UP and Tamil Nadu to distant countries like Fiji, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Burma, Mauritius, South Africa, Trinidad, Guyana, Jamaica etc. Some of them were sold to Dutch colonists for a pittance as cheap laborers to work in Surinam and Indonesia. They were ill-treated, poorly fed and clothed and punished in every possible manner by their masters while they sweat and bled for them. These countries have become rich thanks to the labor and sufferings of these Indians. The Christian missionaries tried all tricks to convert them. In spite of all these hardships and treacheries bulk of them has remained as Hindus thanks to Tulsi Ramayan and Thevarams of Tamil Nayanmar saints. Ramayan Mandalis and Ramayan Sabhas have protected Hindus around the world.

International Ramayana Conferences
Every year scholars from different countries get together for the International Ramayana Conference (IRC). The conference includes presentations on various themes and workshops based on Ramayana. The IRC was held in India three times, two times in Thailand and one time each in Canada, Nepal, Mauritius, Surinam, Belgium, Indonesia, the Netherlands, China, Trinidad & Tobago and the US. The year 2000 meeting discussed, among other things, the supremacy of the Ramayana philosophy and its significance to the whole humankind in the 21st century. The tireless efforts of Shri Lallan Prasad Vyas in popularizing Ramayan around the world in 20th century cannot be under-estimated.

Epic Expressions
Language, culture, custom, history, and religion have shaped Ramayana throughout Asia, but the basic story can still be recognized in its many different manifestations, ancient and modern. Similarly Ramayan too has influenced their culture, art, folk-arts, music, poetry, painting, sculpture, language and value systems.
Oral and literary versions of the epic have inspired the visual and performing arts everywhere, proof that it remains a living tradition. In India, these include ancient temple carvings in stone and wood, classical and folk paintings, dances, and ceremonial dramas, all sorts of puppets, and toys. Bengali singers travel room village to village, unrolling painted scrolls of episodes from the story to the accompaniment of narrative songs. Every year for at least ten days, Hindus across many parts of India celebrate the Deshara festival. During this time episodes from Ramayana are performed, culminating in the death of Ravana and the burring of huge ogre effigies to symbolist the victory of good over evil.
This Ramayan story consciously and unconsciously, through puppet shows, art, temples, stage shows, etc., continues to exert its influence in all these Asian societies.

The role of Sri Hanuman is also beyond comparison in all these versions. All across India, temples dedicated to Sri Hanuman far out-number those of Rama or any other character. In Thailand, tattoos or images of Sri Hanuman worn on their bodies bestow strength, courage, endurance and protection against pain. The Southeast Asian Games in 1997 used Sri Hanuman as its mascot. Our Baba is a popular figure or diety in all these countries. Hanuman or Hanumat or Aanjaneya or Anjata or Maruti is known by different names in these countries:

Hanoman in Balinese, Anoman and Senggana in Javanese, Haliman in Karbi, Anjat or Anujit in Khmer, Hanmone(e), Hulahman, Hunahman, Huonahman, Huorahman in Lao, Haduman, Hanuman Kera Putih, Kera Kechil Imam Tergangga, Pahlawan Udara, Shah Numan in Malay, Laksamana (yes, and Laxman is known as Mangawarna) in Maranao, Hanumant in Sinhalese, Anuman in Tamil, Anchat or Wanon in Thai and Hanumandha or Hanumanta in Tibetan.
Long ago the Ramayana became popular in Southeast Asia and manifested itself in text, temple architecture and performance, particularly in Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia. Today, it belongs to the whole humanity because it is capable of serving as a code of ethics for all human beings, irrespective of caste, creed, color and religion.

Modern Ram Setus
Chinese emperor built the Great Wall of China to prevent the Mongols from inert-acting with Chinese. Ram built Ramar Palam or the Ram Setu Bridge enabling Sri Lankans to mingle with Indians. These days there are war-fares, strifes, violent conflicts and bitter rivalries across nations because we have too many walls a few bridges. The need today for a peaceful living is to have more Ram Setus.

Ramayan has brought remarkable syncretism, bridging philosophies, religious practices and cultural habits, between Buddhism and Hinduism and between Islam and Hinduism in South East Asia, a phenomenon unheard of in the rest of the world. Muslims in Indonesia take pride in saying ‘Islam is our religion, Ramayana our culture’.

The call for a common currency for South East Asian nations by former Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee may seem strange for the average Indian. But there are demands from countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand for the construction of Trans-Asian highway and railway which in the long run would culminate in the formation of a community of Indian Ocean nations in the lines of European Union.

It is the similarity in the cultural traditions which has inculcated a sense of oneness among the intellectuals in these countries. All these countries lie along the rim of the Indian Ocean. They do have a lot of things in common though national boundaries and international lines of control separate them. But the economic potential of the community of Indian Ocean nations which is the modern Ram Setu is capable to send jitters down the spines of both the USA and the European Union and may inspire Tamilnadu Chief minister K.Karunanidhi and union central minister T.R.Balu plan to break the new Ram Setus.

So, the key message is that this ancient epic from India, through its continuous recitation in all these lands, in multiple languages, in its various versions, has through these centuries become mantra, with all its positive vibrations. Ramayan lets people grasp the difference between right and wrong, and understand the duties of an ideal ruler, mother, father, son etc. from the characters of Ramayana. As we have seen, national boundaries or language barriers or differences in names do not limit the power of the eternal message of this epic.
Universally regarded as one of the world's most important literary works, Ramayana has had a profound impact on the art, culture, family relations, gender, politics, nationalism and chivalry in Asian countries. The everlasting value of this epic tale has been extolled through the centuries, and it has helped in molding the Asian character largely. It would therefore be wrong to say that Ramayana belongs only to the Hindus.
Ram, Ramayan and Valmiki belong to
entire human race and to eternity.
It is India beyond borders.

Annextures
Appendix – 1 Important Ramayan Names Depending on Foreign Versions
In the text Sanskrit names are used, followed in parentheses by the name in the language of the episode when it appears for the first time although shortened forms are used throughout the text, complete names are given below. Only names that are different from Sanskrit are listed, but that proceeded by an asterisk are not found in the Valmiki Ramayana.
While spellings vary considerably, attempts have been mad to include the most common forms. Letters or parts of words in parentheses are optional. In Thai and Lao, the pronunciation usually is shown rather than the actual spelling. Vowel signs and diacritical marks are not shown. However, “c” has been spelt as “ch”, and “s” with any diacritical mark as “sh”, and “n” with a dot above it as “ng” (except in the case of Sri Lanka, pronounced Shri Langka, and Begal, pronounced Benggal). In Myanmar “th” is pronounced as in “thing”, “gy” as “j”, and “ky” as “ch”.

Ayodhya: capital city of Dasharatha’s kingdom
Chinese: Yem-bu-dai, Yen-fu-tiJavanese: Ayudya, Ngayodhya, MandrapuraKhmer: AiyudhyaLao: Meuang Chandahpuli Si Sattahnahgan, Meuang Chandahpuli Si Sattahnak, Kung Si Ahyutdiya Mahanahgan, Kung Si Ahyutdiya Mahahnak, Kung Si Ayuddiya Mahanahgan, Kung Si Ayuddiya Mahahnak (kingdom of Rama’s sons)
Malay: Andyapuri Negara, Ayodyapuri Negara, Ispahaboga, Mandarapura Negara, Sertapura, Siusia Mendarpapura, Tiutia MendarapuraMaranao: Pula Agama Niog, Tanjong BungaMyanmar: YodayaTamil: Ayotti
Thai: Ayudhya, Ayutthaya, LuangTibetan: DzambuVietnamese: Ho Tom Tinh
Brahma: god of creation
Chinese: Fantian-wangJapanese: (Dai) bon-tenJavanese: BramaKhmer: Preah Brahm, Preah Taprohm
Lao: Ph(r) a Bohm, Ph(r) a BommahMongolian: Esrua, Esrun TengriMalay: AdamThai: Phra BromTibetan: Tshangs-pa dKar-po
Garuda: sun bird; king of the birds; vehicle of Vishnu
Chinese: jinchi niaoHindi: garudJapanese: karuraJavanese: garudha
Khmer: khrutLao: kut, khutMyanmar: galonThai: krutTibetan: gNam-mKha’-IDing
Hanuman, Hanumat, Anjaneya, Anjata, Maruti: sof of Anjana and Vayu; monkey leader
Balinese: HanomanJavanese: Anoman, SengganaKarbi: HalimanKhmer: Anjat, Anujit
Lao: Hanumon(e), Hulahman, Hunahman, Huonahman, HuorahmanMalay: haduman, Hanuman Kera Putih, Kera Kechil Iman Tergangga, Phalawan Udara, ShahNumanMaranao: Laksamana (Mangawarna is the name of Lakshmana)Singhalese: Hanumant
Tamil: AnumanThai: Anchar, WanonTibetan: Hanumandha, Hanumanta
Naga: underworld water serpent
Chinese: long, lungJapanese: ryuKhmer: neak
Lao: nakMongol: lusThai: nakTibetan: klu
Rama, Ram, Bhargava: incarnation of Vishnu; oldest son of Dasharatha and Kausalya; husband of Sita; fater of Kusha and Lava
Asamiya: VasumatiBalinese: RamadewaChinese: Lo-moJavanese: Ragawa, Ramachandra, Sri Rama(wijaya)
Khamti: Chao LamanKhmer: Preah Ram, Preah ReamLao: Ph(r)a Lahmahrat, Ph(r)a LammaMalay: Agung Gempita, Seri Rama
Maranao: Radia MangandiriPali: RamapanditaPrakrit: PaumaTamil: Iraman
Thai: Daranoi, Phram, Phara RamTibetan: RamanaVietnamese: Chung Du
Ravana, Dashagriva, Dashakantha, Dashamukha, Asura Vana: ogre king of Langka; husband of mandodari; faterh of Indrajit
Balinese: RawanaHindi: RavanJavanese: Rahwana, DasamukaKannada: Ravula
Karbi: RabanKawi: Rawana, DasamukhaKhmer: Rab(n), Rabana, Krong ReapLao: Bommahchak, Dotsakhan, Haphanasun, Rabbahnasun
Malay: Dauwichit, Gambar mahasakti, maharaja Duwana, maharaja Wana, Rahana, Raja Di Rimba, RawanaMaranao: Maharadia Lawana, Maharadia DuwanMongolian: Mangus, Tesegiriy, TisegiriMyanmar: Datthagiri
Sundanese: RawanaTamil: IravananThai: ThotsakanTibetan: Ashapa, mDa’shagribaVietnamese: Trang Minh
Shiva, Ishvara, Mahadeva: god of destruction and reincarnation
Balinese: Bhatara Guru, Iswara, Mahadewa, SiwaHindi: Ishvar, mahadev, ShivJapanese: Daijizai-ten, Jizai-tenJavanese: Bhathara Guru, Manikmaya, Siwa
Khmer: Preah Eyso, Preah IsurLao: AiyahsunMalay: Bentara Guru, Dewata Mulya Raya, Gangga SaktiPunjabi: Mahadeo
Sundanese: Isora, Mahadewa, SiwaThai: Phra IsuanTibetan: Mahadeba
Sita, Janaki, Maithili: incarnation of Lakshmi; wife of Rama; mother of Kusha and Lava
Balinese: Dewi SitaJavanese: Dewi SintaKannada: SittamaKarbi: Ita KunriKhmer: Neang Seda, Neang Seta, Neang Sita
Lao: Nang SitaMalay: Puteri bungsu Hanyut, Chahaya Keinderaan, Sakutum Bunga Satangkai, Sita Dewi, Siti DewiMaranao: Tuwan Potre malaila Ganding, Tuwan Potre Malono TihaiaMyanmar: ThidaSinghalese: Sitapati
Tamil: ShitaiThai: Nang Piphat That Loi, Nang SidaTibetan: Rol-rNyed-ma, ZitaVietnamese: Bach Tinh
Tara : queen of Kihkindha; wife of Sugriva; mother of Anggada fathered by Vali
Balinese: Dewi TaraJavanese: Dewi TaraKannada: StuareKhmer: Neang Debi TaraLao: nang Kottahrat
Malay: dewi Bermakomala, Tuan Puteri KachaSundanese: Puah NilasitaTamil: TaraiThai: Nang Kaew Dara
Vishnu, Narayana: god of life and preservation; consort of Lakshmi; incarnates as Rama
Balinese: WisnuChinese: No-lo-yenHindi: NarayanJapanese: Bichu-ten
Javanese: WisnuKhmer: Preah Bisnu, Preah Naray(n), Preah NearayLao: Ph(r) a NalaiMalay: Bisnu, Dewa Berembun
Sundanese: WisnuThai: Phra NaraiTibetan; Byisnu

Appendix – 2 Lord Ram Did Exist Pushkar Bhatnagar, 344/1 Lado Sarai, New Delhi 110030 has researched on the actual dates for various events that took place in the lifetime of Lord Ram. This work has been completed by me by using a powerful planetarium software.Those who want to know more about this work may please write to http://us.f537.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=Pushkarbhatnagar@hotmail.com&YY=58861&order=down&sort=date&pos=1&view=a&head=b, Maharishi Valmiki, who wrote Ramayana, was contemporary of Lord Ram and in his book Ramayan, Valmiki has mentioned the position of planets in the sky at different points of time. For instance, the position of all the planets has been mentioned for the day when Lord Ram was born. Moving forward, he mentions that when Lord Ram turned 25 he was supposed to get the kingship of Ayodhya but was eventually exiled for 14 years. He mentions the position of planets again for the day he left for forests. Later on, Valmiki mentions during the last quarter of the 13th year of his exile he fought a battle with Khar and Dushan and on that day a solar eclipse was seen. In addition to the eclipse, the author also describes the position of planets in the sky on that day. Further ahead, six months later, another solar eclipse has been mentioned to mark the death of Bali at the hands of Lord Ram. Again, after about another six months when hanuman went to meet Sita at Lanka, a lunar eclipse has been described to have occurred. Besides these, several other planetary positions have also been mentioned spanning over these 39 years (25 years age + 14 years of exile). With the help of the planetarium software, which generates the sky view on the desk top for any given period of time it has been found that the planetary positions mentioned for the date of birth of Lord Ram had occurred in the sky at around 12.30 p.m. of 10th January 5114 BC. Not only this, the position of planets after the 25 years of the birth of Ram tallies exactly with their description in Ramayana. The software shows that the solar eclipse had indeed occurred during the last quarter of the 13th year of exile and even the position of the planets were also the same as described. Not only this, even the subsequent two eclipses had actually occurred at the specified dates. In this manner the entire sequence of the planetary positions gets verified and all the dates can be precisely determined. The entire dating has been conducted objectively because the software does not permit any manipulation and the verses of Ramayana are also free of any doubts. I have substantiated the findings with the help of archaeological evidences also which clearly show that Lord Ram had walked on earth about 7118 years ago from today.

Appendix – 3 Why Lord Ram will not appear now
The Lord surveyed the Ram Setu and said "Hanuman, how diligently and strenuously you and your vanara sena had built this bridge several centuries back. It is remarkable that it has withstood the ravages of the climatic and geographical changes over centuries. It is indeed an amazing feat especially considering the fact that a bridge at Hyderabad built by Gammon using latest technology collapsed the other day even before they could stick the posters on its pillars."
Hanuman with all humility spoke "Jai Sri Ram, it is all because of your grace. We just scribbled your name on the bricks and threw them in the sea and they held. No steel from TISCO or cement from Ambuja or ACC was ever used. But Lord, why rake up the old issue now."
Ram spoke "Well, Hanuman some people down there want to demolish the bridge and construct a canal. The contract involves lot of money and lot of money will be made. They will make money on demolition and make more money on construction. "
Hanuman humbly bowed down and said "Why not we go down and present our case"
Ram said "Times have changed since we were down there. They will ask us to submit age proof and we don't have either a birth certificate or school leaving certificate. We traveled mainly on foot and some times in bullock carts and so we don't have a drivinglicense either. As far as the address proof is concerned the fact that I was born at Ayodhya is itself under litigation for over half a century, If I go in a traditional attire with bow and arrow, the ordinary folks may recognize me but Arjun Singh may take me to be some tribal and, at the most, offer a seat at IIT under the reserved category. Also, a God cannot walk in dressed in a three-piece suit and announce his arrival. It would make even the devotees suspicious. So it is dilemma so to say."
"I can vouch for you by saying that I personally built the bridge."
"My dear, Anjani putra, it will not work. They will ask you to produce the lay-out plan, the project details, including financial outlay and how the project cost was met and the completion certificate.

Nothing is accepted without documentary evidence in India. You may cough but unless a doctor certifies it, you have no cough. A pensioner may present himself personally but the authorities do not take it as proof. He has to produce a life-certificate to provethat he is alive. It is that complicated. "
"Lord can't understand these historians. Over the years you have given darshan once every hundred years to saints like Surdas, Tulsidas, Saint Thyagaraja, Jayadeva, Bhadrachala Ramdas and even Sant Tukaram and still they disbelieve your existence and say Ramayana is a myth. The only option, I see, is to re-enact Ramayana on earth and set the government records straight once for all."
Lord smiled "It isn't that easy today. Ravan is apprehensive that he may look like a saint in front of Karunanidhi. I also spoke to his mama Mareecha, who appeared as a golden deer to tempt Sita maiyya when I was in the forest and he said that he won't take a chance of stepping on earth as long as Salman Khan is around."

Appendix – 4 Diwali Festival Around the World

Thoughts on Diwali Day

Contents
1. Deepavali Observations Held In White House
2. CANDIAN PM LIGHTS DIWALI LAMP IN PARLIAMENT
3. In UK Prince Charles and PM commend Hindu Community on Diwali
4. Australia, NZ light up for Diwali 2004
5. In Singapore,
6. Efforts by Overseas Hindus to popularise Diwali
7. Diwali as a National Holiday in many countries
8. Legends connected with Diwali Celebrations
9. The day after Diwali Day is Amavasya
10. The third day, i.e., the first day of Kaartik, is Balipratipada
11. Govardhana Pooja and Anna Koota
12. The fourth and final day is Bahu beej.
13. The Massacre of 800 Melkotte Hindus on Diwali Day
14. Pope John Paul II Curses Hindus on Diwali day
15. Jagad Guru Shankaracharya Arrested on the eve of Diwali Day
16. Nirvaana of Mahaveera
17. Aapko is Diwali aur Naye Saal mein ...
18. Diwali Greetings

Deepavali, the festival of Lights, falls in October or November every year.

Here are a few highlights of Diwali celebrations.

1. Deepavali Observations Held In White House

http://news.newkerala.com/india-news/action=fullnews&id=42250

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 11, 2004: US President George W Bush has sent his greetings to the Indian community on the occasion of Deepavali, the festival of lights, the first celebration to be held in the White House after his re-election. "I send greetings to all those celebrating Deepavali, the Festival of Light. Observed by millions round the world, Deepavali is a time for the Hindus to give thanks for their knowledge, happiness and other blessings received," Bush said in his message. "Laura joins me in sending our best wishes. May the coming year be filled with goodwill and prosperity," he said.

Several Indian community leaders attended the White House festivities yesterday, during which former US Ambassador to India and a senior official in the National Security Council Robert Blackwill assured the community that President Bush plans to visit India next year. During the invocation, Deepavali blessings were bestowed upon President Bush, his family, and the people of the USA and the prayer was offered for the world peace and the prosperity of the mankind. Praising the Indian American community, he said Indians must now move beyond writing the checks to the politicians and start asking for return on their investment and begin to participate in the political process more than what was being done currently. The traditional lamp was lit in the presence of about 150 invited guests by Ambassador Blackwill, and the Community leaders.

US house of representatives passes resolution honouring Diwali on 29 October 2007

The US House of Representatives has for the first time passed a resolution recognising the "religious and historical significance" of Diwali. The House Resolution 747, passed by an overwhelming vote of 358 to 0 (with 66 members abstaining), "is the first time the US Congress has ever passed a resolution in honour of Diwali", said Joe Wilson, the co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. "Celebrated by the people of India, the Indian Diaspora and the nearly two million Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains in the US, Diwali is a five-day festival held in the fall that celebrates the values of kinship, knowledge, and goodness," Wilson said. Lastly, it recognises the importance of Indian Americans -- a strong and vibrant immigrant community, he added.

http://www.indiaenews.com/america/20071108/79577.htmDiwali attracts attention of businesses in Texas
Nov 2007
Many mainstream businesses in Houston, Texas are catching on to Diwali -- the popular Hindu festival of lights -- and marketing to the area's growing Indian population. Companies are busy building rapport with the many Indian American clients and employees, just as they have for Christmas. The Houston area is home to about 100,000 people of Indian descent.
For the first time, Houston-based Reliant Energy and Hilton Corp's Hampton Inn plan to send Diwali cards and sweets to more than a thousand small-business owners of Indian descent and to Indian-American franchisees. Hewlett-Packard, Reliant Energy and Anderson Cancer Centre will hold annual Diwali celebrations at their local offices, which will include traditional Indian snacks and sweets like samosas and ladoos. Greeting card maker Hallmark has launched special Diwali cards; porcelain figurine maker Lladro has launched a line of Hindu deities. Wells Fargo and Citibank are running special promotions. This year, both are sponsoring local Diwali celebrations, placing special ads in local South Asian newspapers and pushing their remittance services. More than two million people celebrate Diwali in the US.

2. CANDIAN PM LIGHTS DIWALI LAMP IN PARLIAMENT
Diwali marked yet another milestone for Indians when the Prime Minister joined the celebrations for the first time in Parliament ON November 12th, 2004.

This year, Diwali was a full-fledged celebration in Parliament - a sort of mini-mela. Prime Minister Paul Martin walked in to join his ministerial colleagues, Opposition leader Stephen Harper, and MPs in wishing the Indo-Canadians a happy Diwali. The celebrations began with Martin and Harper lighting the lamps with candle amid applause. People watched the ceremony on TV across the country. In his brief speech, the Prime Minister paid tributes to the burgeoning Indian community for their contribution to the multicultural mosaic of Canada. It says a lot about today's Canada that “twenty years ago, we would not have been celebrating Diwali on Parliament Hill (building),” Martin said. Conservative Party MP Deepak Obhrai, who is the brain behind the Diwali celebrations in Parliament, dwelt on the importance of the festival and thanked the distinguished gathering.

3. In UK Prince Charles and PM commend Hindu Community on Diwali
British parliament is lit on the occasion of Deepawali for the past few years. In Nov 2007, Prime Minister Gordon Brown described Diwali as "a wonderful inclusive festival, which reaches beyond your communities to people of many backgrounds all over the world. The symbolic lighting of lamps, representing life, hope and new beginnings sends a powerful message of unity and peace to us all".
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited the B APS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London, on the afternoon of November 9, 2007, to participate in the celebrations of Diwali. The Royal couple proceeded to the sanctum sanctorum where they offered flower petals at the central shrine and later also performed abhishek of the metallic murti of Shri Nilkanth Varni (Bhagwan Swaminarayan). Upon entering the assembly hall, the Prince and the Duchess each lighted an oil lamp to commemorate their presence on this auspicious day, and then participated in a symbolic Lakshmi Puja while BAPS children chanted Vedic prayers.
" Throughout his address, The Prince repeatedly commended the "peace-loving and values-based Hindu community" in the UK, adding: "It is a remarkable and precious fact that Hinduism as a faith still touches upon every aspect of day-to-day lives - professions, culture and, most crucially, value systems.... All I can say is long may it last in this era of frenetic change and short-term thinking.
"This quiet and industrious approach to life is reflected in your remarkable achievements in education, in business, the professions, and so many other fields. Some of you may feel that your huge contribution to the fabric of Bri tain is not fully recognised, but it is my belief that today, more than ever, your community is one of the most positive forces which helps to bind the country together, and I can only thank you most sincerely for this. It really is a remarkable contribution."
His Royal Highness ended by wishing everyone a "Shubh Deepawali... and every possible success" in the year to come.

4. Australia, NZ light up for Diwali 2004

IANS[ SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2004 09:11:18 PM ]
SYDNEY: The governments of Australia and New Zealand joined the resident Indian community in celebrating Diwali by illuminating their parliament houses in a rare gesture.
In Australia, the northern façade of the gigantic parliament building at Canberra was illuminated at an impressive function Saturday. The Australian Parliament House would be illuminated for three nights.

In Wellington, capital of New Zealand, it was Prime Minister Helen Clark who lit the traditional lamp to inaugurate the first ever Diwali function to be celebrated in parliament house. Clark had visited India only last month.

At the Canberra illumination, around 1,000 people attended the event which was inaugurated by Senator Gary Humphries by lighting a traditional lamp. The Liberal senator was representing the Australian Prime Minister John Howard who is on an overseas trip. Senator Joe Ludwig represented the opposition leader Mark Latham.

"The illumination of the Federal Parliament to celebrate Diwali represents acceptance of Hinduism as a major religious denomination in Australia," A Bala Subramanium, head of the Hindu Council of Australia, said on Sunday. The Hindu Council has organised the illumination.

A number of other parliament buildings have also been illuminated for the first time to celebrate the Festival of Lights.

The exterior of the oldest parliament building in the region, New South Wales (NSW) Parliament House, has also been lit for Diwali. This is the first time the NSW Parliament House has been illuminated for any occasion.

The legislative house building of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has joined the growing list of parliament and legislative assembly buildings to be illuminated for the purpose.

Across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand, the historic Town Hall in Auckland and the Parliament House in Wellington have also organised events to mark Diwali.

A number of cultural events marked the occasion. While Sydney's well-known Indian classical dance artiste Raghvan Nair gave a presentation of his "Ram-Lila", a troupe of Bhangra folk dancers, aptly named "Rangla Punjab" impressed the audience with their scintillating oeuvre.

In New Zealand, Prime Minister Clark said: "The Indian community is of long standing in New Zealand and it is wonderful to see the celebration of Diwali becoming a significant event in New Zealand's cultural calendar."

"I have just returned from a very exciting visit to India - the first New Zealand prime minister to go there in almost 20 years," she said.

"New Zealand and India have traditionally had a close relationship, and I want to see these ties grow even stronger. I acknowledge the efforts and dedication of Indians to making a new life and contributing to New Zealand society," Clark was quoted as saying. In May 2007 Prime Minister Helen Clark inaugurated the Hindu Conference in Auckland.

5. In Singapore,
Deepawali is celebrated as one of the Public holiday in Singapore. Several streets including Serangoon Street is lit up by the government and has a festive outlook and shops declare Diwali mega sales.

6. Efforts by Overseas Hindus to popularise Diwali

Over 15,000 Hindus gather at the Sydney Diwali celebrations organised by Hindu Council of Australia. Many Federal and NSW ministers, Indian High Commissioner and many VIPs attend this colourful function. Impressed by this, the Australian Government has agreed to illuminate the Parliaments in Federal Capital, Canberra and NSW state capital Sydney. Efforts of Hindus and Hindu organisations in Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, Trinidad are responsible for Diwali being celebrated there as an official festival.

Hindus have been celebrating Diwali in more than 50 countries where they live in fairly large numbers. The latest to join this group are the Hindus of China – Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Yi Wu to mention only a few.

Hindus in other countries should unite and make this happen in their countries.

7. Diwali as a National Holiday in many countries

Diwali is celebrated as a National Holiday in the Republic of Singapore, Malaysia, Fiji, Trinidad and Mauritius. (Will some one check if Diwali is a holiday in other countries especially Sri Lanka, Guyana, Surinam, Nepal, Bangladesh, Burma, South Africa etc). In Kenya where over 60,000 Hindus reside, Deepavali is an optional holiday for the Hindu community.

In Malaysia, apart from being a national holiday, people of various ethnicities visit the home of their Hindu friends. They call this practice 'Open House' and state/national level open houses are also held whereby the state or federal govts hold Deepavali open houses for the masses. The homes of the Indian leaders are also thrown open to a throng of people who represent the diverse ethnic make-up which is what Malaysia is all about.
”Last Friday the entire advertising dept of the org I work in dressed in Indian clothes regardless of what their ethnicity was." quotes one of the Malaysian Hindus.

In Singapore, the entire Serangoon street is lit up by the government.

8. Legends connected with Diwali Celebrations

In northern parts of Bharat, Deepaavali is associated with the return of Sri Rama to Ayodhya after vanquishing Raavana. The people of Ayodhya, overwhelmed with joy, welcomed Rama through jubilation and illumination of the entire capital. Well has it been said that while Sri Rama unified the north and south of our country, Sri Krishna unified the west and the east. Sri Rama and Sri Krishna together therefore symbolize the grand unity of our motherland.

9. The day after Diwali Day is Amavasya

Diwali is followed by Amaavaasya, the new moon day, auspicious for offering prayers and gratitude to the bygone ancestors of the family and invoking their memories and blessings for treading the path of right conduct. This is also the sacred occasion for the worship of Mahaa Lakshmi, the goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. The business community open their New Year's account with Her worship. This reminds us of the famous saying of the sage Vyaasa, 'dharmaadarthashcha kaamashcha...' - it is through right conduct that wealth and fulfilment of desires also accrue.

10. The third day, i.e., the first day of Kaartik, is Balipratipada

The third day, i.e., the first day of Kaartik, is named Balipratipada, after the demon king Bali, the ruler of Paataala (the netherworld), who had extended his kingdom over the earth also. On the day, Sri Vishnnu, taking the form of a dwarfish Brahmin by name Vaamana, approached Bali, for a boon of space equal to his three steps. Bali, known for his charity, gladly granted the boon. Vaamana now grew into a gigantic form; with one step he covered the entire earth, with the second he covered the outer sky, and asked Bali where he should keep his third step.

Bali, left with no other choice, showed his own head. Sri Vishnu placed his foot on Bali's head and pushed him down to the netherworld, the rightful territory of Bali's reign. However, Bali prayed to the Lord that he might be permitted to visit the earth once a year. Now it was the turn of Vishnu to grant the boon. And the people too offer their and respect to him on this day.

The annual visit of Bali is celebrated in Kerala as Onam. It is the most popular festival for Kerala where every Hindu home receives him with floral decorations and lights and festoons adorn all public places. Onam, however, falls on the 16th day of Aavani (Sowramaana) in september.

11. Govardhana Pooja and Anna Koota

The pratipada is also the day for Govardhana Pooja and Anna Koota (heap of grains), the former signifying the Govardhana episode in Sri Krishna's life and the latter conveying affluence and prosperity.

12. The fourth and final day is Bahu beej.

The fourth and final day is Yama Dwiteeya, also called Bahu beej. It is a most touching moment for the family members when even distant brothers reach their sisters to strengthen that holy tie. The sister applies tilak and waves aarati to her brother, and the brother offers loving presents to the sister.

Some of you might argue that the origins of these festivals are deep rooted in our mythology. But a myth, it may be noted, is no yarn. It was Ruskin who described the myth as a story with a meaning attached to it other than what is apparent, and a characteristic feature of it, he went to add, is something extraordinary about its circumstances.

13. The Massacre of 800 Melkotte Hindus on Diwali Day

In nearer history, Melkote had been ruled by a dynasty founded by Yaduraya. His clan had built several water retaining structures --kalyanis-- of great effectiveness and beauty. A small scholarly community had thriven there. In early 19th century, Tipu Sultan's army descended on a Deepavali day and massacred 800 citizens, mostly of a sect known as Mandyam Iyengars. Sanskrit scholarship had been their forte. [To this day Melkote does not celebrate Deepavali]. That slaughter rendered Melkote a near ghost town. Its environmentally connected life was broken, kalyanis went to ruin, water shortage became endemic, the hills went brown. Sanskrit lost a home.

14. Pope John Paul II Curses Hindus on Diwali day

In Ecclesia on Asia released in Delhi on the eve of Diwali, in November 1999, Pope John Paul declared:

“Just as in the first millennium, the Cross was planted on the soil of Europe, and in the second on that of the Americas and Africa, we can pray that in the third Christian millennium a great harvest of faith will be reaped in this vast and vital continent. He fervently endorsed the call of his Bishops, the heart of the Church in Asia will be restless until the whole of Asia finds its rest in the peace of Christ, the Risen Lord.”

Many Hindu organsiation resented this message as they thought this as an attempt by the Vatican to uproot Hinduism; a well founded fear. Pope wants to deliver the Hindu community from the darkness of Hindu false Gods or Devils to the bright light of the only True Christian God. This is his Diwali message.

15. Jagad Guru Shankaracharya Arrested on the eve of Diwali Day

The arrest of HH Jagad Guru Shankaracharya of Kanchi Mutt, at the dead of the night, that too on the eve of the Diwali festival, when he was engaged in a special pooja, and then forcing him to travel overnight hundreds of miles (from Mehboob nagar in AP to Chennai), placing him in a lock up as if he is an ordinary culprit, ruling out a request made on his behalf to place him in house arrest – all this makes one to smell a well organized plot. It is really painful that the administration did not feel like showing the ordinary curtsy to such an elderly, revered head of an important religious institution, when he was being taken into custody.

Never in the history of India has an institution of high reverence been so recklessly and disrespectfully dealt with. Compare this with what happened when the Islamic institution of Deoband at Nadwa revered by millions of Muslims was raided, by the Central and state police, in the 1990s for harbouring ISI agents, an act endangering national security.
The raid was called off midway, yes midway, and Narasmha Rao, the then Prime Minister, had to send two of his senior ministers, one a Hindu and another a Muslim, to apologise to Ali Mian, the head of the Nadwa institution. So the law takes `its course' at Kanchi and `another course' at Nadwa.

16. Nirvaana of Mahaveera

To the Jains, Deepaavali has an added significance to the great event of Mahaaveera attaining the Eternal Bliss of Nirvaana. The passing into Eternity on the same Amaavaasya of Swami Dayananda Saraswati, that leonine sanyasin who was one of the first to light the torch of Hindu Renaissance during the last century, and of Swami Ramatirtha who carried the fragrance of the spiritual message of Hindu Dharma to the western world, have brought the national-cum-spiritual tradition of Deepaavali right up to modern times.

17. Aapko is Diwali aur Naye Saal mein ...

Chanakya Ki Buddhi
Bharat Ratna Ki Siddhi

Vajpayee Ki Maryada
Kuber Ki Sampada

Laxmi Mittal Ki Salary
Abdul Kalam Ki Vocabulary

Bhagat Singh Ka Deshprem
Sweetheart Ka Amarprem

Microsoft Ke Share
Rupiyo Ke Dher

Tata Ke Senses
Ambani Ke Licenses

Birla Ka Bangla
Daler Ka Bhangra

Amitabh Ki Style
Madhuri Ki Smile

Bhagwan Ram Ki Personality
Ramdev Maharaj Ki Popularity
World tour Ka Ticket
Tendulkar Ka Wicket
Mercedez Ki Car
Diamond Ka Haar
Aur Logon Ka Dher Saraa Pyar Prapt Ho...
Wish you all Happy Diwali & a Prosperous New year
From Ketan Devani
18. Diwali Greetings
Dear Sir or Madam:
Subject:Diwali Greetings

One more year has passed and if we look back the entire year has been full of sad events like natural calamities, accidents, violence etc. Not only that on each and every front whether it is political, economical, business, finance, social, religion, society, things have deteriorated and in certain spheres the developments have been very shocking, disturbing, upsetting, disappointing, disgusting, depressing and frustrating. I am sure all of us would acknowledge this and hence the need of the day is to exchange and share our views, ideas, share affection, convey best wishes, pray and contribute constructively for the coming year.
If a free society cannot help the many, who are poor,
it cannot save the few who are rich.
Democracy demands discipline, tolerance and mutual regard.
The trouble with future is that it usually arrives before we are ready for it.
You can’t change people. But you can channel them your way.
Never find your delight in another’s misfortune.
Home is not where you live but where they understand you.
When all else is lost, the future still remains.
There is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience.
An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.
Evil is not in the atom, it is in the person.
The tragedy of human history is decreasing happiness
in the midst of increasing comforts.
Every noble activity makes room for itself.
Health is not valued till sickness comes.
A man without patience is a lamp without oil.
PEACE AND JOY.

Appendix – 5 Significance of Easter to Hindus
Ravi Kumar
vishwadharma@gmail.com,
Contents
1. Mother Goddess Eostre. 51
2. The Date of Easter Festival 52
3. What is Easter Egg and Easter Bunny?. 52
4. Spring Festival Celebrations Around the World. 52

Easter Friday this year falls on 5th April 2007. It is one of the few festivals celebrated round the globe as a holiday. Easter is one of the most ancient festivals of the world and has been celebrated in Europe by the pagans for more than 2500 years. Later Christians in order to get popular acceptance in Europe adopted this Pagan festival around 10th century. Easter is closely associated with the Hindu New Year festival known as Varsha Pratipada which heralds the coming of Vasant Ritu or spring season.

1. Mother Goddess Eostre
Eostre is the spring goddess of ancient Anglo-Saxon people. She is the goddess of fertility and ensures progeny and continuity of the race. This is similar to the Indian spring festival Varsha Pratipada also known in different parts of India as Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Yugadi or the Hindu New Year. It falls in March / April every year and proclaims the coming of spring season after the cold winter months. The planet which was covered by snow and appeared brown now becomes green with many plants sprouting all over. It falls around spring equinox.

2. The Date of Easter Festival
Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs upon or next after the vernal equinox (taken as March 21). Easter therefore can fall between March 22 and April 25. Easter following the phases of the moon is not a new phenomenon to Indians. Most Indian festivals also follow the course of the moon. Varsha Pratipada falls on the first day after Amavasya in the month of Chaitra. We also have festivals like Akshaya Tritiya, Ganesh Chaturthi, Naag Panchami or Rang Panchami, Skanda Sashti, Ratha Saptami, Gokul Ashtami, Ram Nawami, Vijaya Dashami, Vijaya Ekadashi, Vinayak Chaturdashi and Guru Purnima falling on different phases of the moon.

3. What is Easter Egg and Easter Bunny?
Millions of eggs and egg-shaped replicas are bought, decorated, given as gifts and happily eaten every Easter by millions of people all over the world.

Why the egg? To understand the egg’s prominent place in Easter celebrations we need to go far back in history to the origins of the festival. The name Easter is derived from Eostre, the ancient Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility whose rebirth after the dark northern winter was heralded by feasting, bon-fires and various rituals involving the egg. The Anglo-Saxons believed Eostre was reincarnated in the form of a hare, since it was widely believed that when hunted, the mother hare would sacrifice itself so that its offspring could escape. The cute little Easter bunny that today pops up on greetings cards or in chocolate shops is a survivor of those beliefs. The ancients saw life and continuity of offspring in the eggs and hence it finds a place in this festival. In the Indian epic Mahabharat, to the question by yaksha as to what has life but does not move Yudhishtra answers as “Egg”. Hindus use paddy and cereals as a sign of life and continuity in their New Year rituals.

In former Yugoslavia, children still design nests for hares in their gardens and next morning find brightly painted eggs deposited there. In Germany and Hungary children carry baskets decorated with painted hares, in which they collect chocolate eggs and other small gifts on Easter Sundays.

While the Anglo-Saxons were wrong in assuming hares hatched from eggs, they were right in associating eggs with Spring renewal.

4. Spring Festival Celebrations Around the World
The rebirth of a spring deity has been celebrated through rituals and feasting not only by Anglo-Saxons but by other cultures all around the world.

Hindus have been celebrating this festival as Chaitra Varsha Pratipada or Yugadi or Cheti Chand or Gudipadwa since times immemorial. This is followed by eight days of fasting for Goddess Parvati. This is followed by feasting for Rama Nawami, the birth of Lord Ram of Ayodhya.

The ancient Egyptians marked the rebirth of the God Osiris with eight days of celebrations.

It is from these celebrations that we get the eight days of Easter, known as Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday and finishes on Easter Sunday.

In ancient Rome, an annual festival was held for the rebirth of the God Attis, whose return was celebrated with banqueting, processions and sporting events. This festival was held just after the spring equinox, and it is from here that we derive the date of Easter, which always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. This means Easter can fall any time between March 21 and April 25;

In China people were offering each other painted red eggs during the Ching Ming (Pure Brightness) festival as far back as 3,000 years ago.

Central to all ancient spring festivals are huge feasts celebrating the fact that the spring was return to abundance after long, lean winters without fresh food.

(This article is based on details available in Encyclopedia Britannica and Microsoft Encarta)

Appendix – 6 Pre-Christian Origin of Christmas and Easter
Ravi Kumar
vishwadharma@gmail.com,
Contents
1. Connections Between Pre-Christian Pagans and Hindus. 54
2. Christmas is Mid-winter Festival of the Pagan Europeans. 54
3. Easter another Pagan Festival 55
4. Spring Festival Celebrations Around the World. 56
5. Venerable Mother Mary. 56

Christmas, considered to be the birthday of Christ, is perhaps the most widely known festival in the world. But not many know that it is pre-Christian in its origin. One may wonder how the birth and the death of Christ can be of pre-Christian origin!! In fact the birth of Christ is shrouded in one more mystery.
· Jesus of Nazereth was born four to eight years before he was 'born.' (His birth was in the reign of Herod, who died in 4 B.C., four years 'before Christ.') In 534 A.D., the first man who calculated the year of Jesus' birth made a mistake-and we've been stuck with it ever since. [Source: Isaac Asimov's Book of Facts] Rob from Kearns, Utah (31 March 1999)

1. Connections Between Pre-Christian Pagans and Hindus

Pre-Christian Pagans in Europe had many things in common with ancient Hindus in India – 7 days in a week, worship of Sun-God, Spring Festival, reincarnation, cremating the dead and immortality of the soul. The heroes who died in the Trojan war were cremated in a manner similar to those in India. Greek mathematician and philosopher Pythagorus in 500 BC studied in Takshashila University in North India and learnt Mathematics (famous Pythogorus Theorem is from Bodhayana Sutra of the Vedic Period), Medicine and Transmigration of the soul. This is called the Pythogorean School of Thought.

2. Christmas is Mid-winter Festival of the Pagan Europeans
Now the Roman records do not throw any light on the life of Jesus Christ and the mystery starts from whether Jesus was a historical figure. But the world celebrates December 25th as Jesus Christ’s birthday. Santa Claus comes on a sledge driven by a reindeer and distributes sweets and plays with children throwing snow on them. Jesus was born at Bethlehem and lived in Palestine all through as recorded in the Bible. But snow games, sledge and reindeer are unheard of things in Palestine. Obviously Santa Claus and December 25th celebrations have their origin in Pre-Christian Europe and not in Arabia or Israel or Palestine.

According to Britanica Encyclopaedia, “the reason why Christmas came to be celebrated on December 25 remains uncertain, but most probably the reason is that early Christians wished the date to coincide with the pagan Roman festival marking the “birthday of the unconquered sun” (natalis solis invicti); this festival celebrated the winter solstice, when the days again begin to lengthen and the sun begins to climb higher in the sky.

“The traditional customs connected with Christmas have accordingly developed from several sources as a result of the coincidence of the celebration of the birth of Christ with the pagan agricultural and solar observances at midwinter. In the Roman world the Saturnalia (December 17) was a time of merrymaking and exchange of gifts.

“December 25 was also regarded as the birth date of the Iranian mystery god Mithra, the Sun of Righteousness.

“On the Roman New Year (January 1), houses were decorated with greenery and lights, and gifts were given to children and the poor. To these observances were added the German and Celtic Yule rites when the Teutonic tribes penetrated into Gaul, Britain, and central Europe. Food and good fellowship, the Yule log and Yule cakes, greenery and fir trees, and gifts and greetings all commemorated different aspects of this festive season.

Fires and lights, symbols of warmth and lasting life, have always been associated with the winter festival of the pagans.”

In other words Christmas is the Pagan Mid-winter festival which in India is called the Makara Sankranti which also falls during this time. It may also be noted that Hindu Makara Sankranti used to fall on 1st Januaray before Pope Gregory XIII introduced the present Gregorian calendar in 1584 by skipping 11 days and later in a day each was eliminated in 1700, 1800 and 1900. This resulted in Makara Sankranti falling on 1st January every year to be shifted to 14th January as is seen today. Similarly the Hindu Solar New Year which used to fall on 1st April before 1584 got shifted to 14th April as is seen today. Thus the Hindu Makara Sankranti and Hindu Solar New Year Days were also festival days in Europe till recently.

3. Easter another Pagan Festival

Easter is the principal festival of the Christian church year, celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his Crucifixion.

Britanicca Encyclopaedia 2002 Deluxe Edition says, “The English name Easter is of uncertain origin; the Anglo-Saxon priest Venerable Bede in the 8th century derived it from the Anglo-Saxon spring goddess Eostre.” But many practices associated with Easter festival go to prove more connections with Pagan beliefs.

Millions of eggs and egg-shaped replicas are being bought, decorated, given as gifts and happily eaten every Easter.

Why the egg? To understand the egg’s prominent place in Easter celebrations we need to go far back in history to the origins of the festival. The name Easter is derived from Eostre, the ancient Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility whose rebirth after the dark northern winter was heralded by feasting, bon-fires and various rituals involving the egg. The Anglo-Saxons believed Eostre was reincarnated in the form of a hare, since it was widely believed that when hunted, the hare would sacrifice itself so its offspring could escape. The cute little Easter bunny that today pops up on greetings cards or in chocolate shops is a survivor of those beliefs.

In former Yugoslavia, children still design nests for hares in their gardens and next morning find brightly painted eggs deposited there. In Germany and Hungary children carry baskets decorated with painted hares, in which they collect chocolate eggs and other small gifts on Easter Sundays.

While the Anglo-Saxons were wrong in assuming hares hatched from eggs, they were right in associating eggs with Spring renewal.

4. Spring Festival Celebrations Around the World

The rebirth of a spring deity has been celebrated through rituals and feasting not only by Anglo-Saxons but by other cultures all around the world.

Hindus have been celebrating this festival as Chaitra Varsha Pratipada or Yugadi or Cheti Chand or Gudipadwa since times immemorial. This is followed by eight days of fasting for Goddess Parvati. This is followed by feasting for Rama Nawami, the birth of Lord Ram of Ayodhya.

The ancient Egyptians marked the rebirth of the God Osiris with eight days of celebrations.

It is from these celebrations that we get the eight days of Easter, known as Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday and finishes on Easter Sunday.

In ancient Rome, an annual festival was held for the rebirth of the God Attis, whose return was celebrated with banqueting, processions and sporting events. This festival was held just after the spring equinox, and its from here that we derive the date of Easter, which always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. This means Easter can fall any time between March 21 and April 25;

In China people were offering each other painted red eggs during the Ching Ming (Pure Brightness) festival as far back as 3,000 years ago.

Central to all ancient spring festivals are huge feasts celebrating the fact that the spring was return to abundance after long, lean winters without fresh food.

5. Venerable Mother Mary
The concept of Mother Mary has also been taken from another source.

Around 11th and 12th century AD many nomadic tribes from Rajasthan and Sind in north India were tortured and harassed by the invading Muslims from Arabia and they migrated to Europe by land route. In Europe they are called GYPSIES. They were worshippers of Mother Parvati (a female deity still popular among Hindus in India). When they were travelling through coastal France, the local inhabitants sought their help in overcoming the loss of lives and property due to continuous flooding. The Gypsies kept their deity Mother Parvati in the local church and offered prayers. To the great surprise of all the sea waters receded giving much relief to the local people. They then requested the Gypsies to leave their female deity so that the sea may not disturb them again.

Thus Mother Parvati, the virgin mother of Lord Ganesh, venerated by the Gypsies or Hindus came to be worshipped in the churches of Europe in the name of Mother Mary.

Appendix – 7 Anecdotes on Ramayan From Panchamritam
(thanks to Sri Mahadevan, Uttar Tamilnadu Prant Prachar Pramukh)
1
It is well known that, even as the freedom struggle raged, Mahatma Gandhi dreamt of a Ram Rajya for Hindusthan. In the free Bharat, Ayodhya movement is thick in the air during the recent decades. It presents Shri Ram as a national hero imbued with noble qualities. The movement is seen as heralding a resurgence of cultural nationalism. What is not so well known is the view of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in this aspect. He wrote in his foreword to a book, Valmiki Ramayana, by Shri. N. Chandrasekara Iyer, a former Judge of the Supreme Court: “Among our great festivals which spread joy and comradeship amongst all our people, there is none which is so popular, more especially in Northern India, as the celebration of the story of Rama and Sita. Valmiki wrote his immortal epic, and in later days, Tulsidas writing in homely language, made this story a part of the texture of the lives of our people. A story and a book which has had this powerful influence on millions of people during some millennia of our changing history, must have a peculiar virtue in it”.
Based on the ‘This Day that Age’ column of THE HINDU ( July 15, 2004).

2
HANUMAN, the 90-minute animation film made at a cost of Rs. 2.5 crore, has been declared a hit by the trade. This film on the Hindu deity and key character of the epic Ramayana, grossed record earnings of Rs. 7 crore from all over Bharat. The box office collections are bigger and better than most other star cast films released last month “This film has appealed to all age groups”, says Shri. Sandeep Bhargava, of Sahara One Motion Pictures that made the film. HANUMAN has been officially recorded as India’s first indigenous animation film in the LIMCA BOOK OF RECORDS 2004 edition.
Based on a report by Shama Bhagat in DECCAN CHRONICLE, November 16, 2005

3
The first ever Ram Navami celebration in the House of Commons (London. UK) was attended by 240 guests. Shri. Tony McNulty (MP), the Minister of State, was the host. Smt. Anuja Prashar, Hindu Council UK Executive, welcomed the guests. Shri. Bankim Gossaiji from Mahalakshmi Mandir, Lewisham, enthralled the room with a recital of the Ramayana. The Rt. Hon. Hillary Benn(MP), Secretary of State for Culture, welcomed the opportunities for forging greater understanding between Hindu and British cultures. Students of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan gave a dance performance in classical Kathak and Bharata Natyam styles with an introduction by Dr. Shastri. The audience, made up of several community leaders and a significant number of Mpssuch as Home office Minister Fiona Mactaggart, Adrien Bailey and lord Navneet Dholakia. Smt. Jayalakshmi, Hindu Council UK Executive, congratulated the British government for its foresight by inviting Hindus to celebrate Ram Navami at the Houses of Parliament (a thing not possible in the Indian parliament). Shri. Stephen Pound (MP), the Chair of Labour Friends of India at the Parliament, confirmed that Hinduism had a lot to teach to the world. He ended his speech by greeting everyone with a ‘Namaste’. Tony McNulty declared to the rapturous delight of all guests, that Ram Navami and Krishna Janmashtami would be celebrated every year at the British house of Parliament. Shri. Rajinder Chopra of Finchley Hindu Society, extended a vote of thanks.
From SANGH SANDESH (March-June 2005), Leicester, UK (English Bi Monthly published by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, UK).

4
‘Kaun Banega Ramayan Expert’ is the name given to a quiz competition for children of USA conducted during Shri Guruji Centenary year 2006 07 by Swayamsevaks living in America. 3,000 children participated. While preparing for the quiz, the children kept nagging their parents and grand parent for answers to Ramayana related questions and that brought generations closer, noted a report. KBRE was structured as follows: Online registration, A preliminary online quiz and In-person contest at Balagokulam centers. Based on a write up in http://www.hssus.org/

5
Those who question the historicity of Shri Ram, should take a lesson from the discoveries of Dr. Ramavatar Sharma, who spent 24 years of his life in personally visiting 214 places where Ram had stayed during the 14 years he spent in forests, as also 23 places where Ram had accompanied Sage Vishwamitra upto Janakpur. He has photographed all those temples, lakes, rivers, ghats, huts etc. where Shri Rama treaded. Ramavatar has also prepared a map of them all. The great effort put in by Dr. Ramavatar is a slap on the face of all those who are denying the very existence of Shri Ram.
Shri. K.S. Sudarshan, Sarsanghchalak of RSS, in his Vijayadashami speech
at Nagpur on October 20, 2007.

6
Eminent Samskrit-Hindi literary person and journalist, Dr. Vidya Niwas Mishra (1926-2005) was on a tour of Indonesia, a county with Muslim majority. He set out to see a few ancient monuments in that country. He was accompanied by one Shri. Sudarshan, director of the Art department of that country. Sudarshan was a Muslim. On their way to Borobudur, the two saw a few persons etching some letters on marble slabs. Mishra wanted to what it was. Sudarshan explained: “Here it is our custom to inscribe a verse of Mahabharat or Ramayana in the Javanese language on the tombstone when someone dies. Though we ae Muslims, we deeply adore Ram and Krishna”. Finding that Mishra was struck with wonder on hearing this, Sudarshan added: “We may have taken to Islam 700 years back. But that does not mean that we should forget our forefathers altogether. Ramayana and Mahabharata are sources of inspiration for us even today”. Mishraji fell silent looking at the face of that Indonesian Muslim scholar..
Based on a report in WEEKLY KESHAV SAMVAD, August 7, 2007.

7
Ramanand Sagar’s mega epic TV serial RAMAYAN, when first telecast in 1987 created unprecedented records. The message of RAMAYAN cut across all the barriers of caste, creed, language and political boundaries. A media documentation of that is found in the website of the Sagars. A sample taken from there: “After watching a scene in which Lakshman becomes unconscious on being hit by Indrajit’s Naga Pasha, a wealthy businessman in Madras fell seriously ill and went into coma at the shock of seeing Lakshman wounded. The credibility and source of the sequence created a great furore. But the Ramanand Sagar team stood their ground. When they received a request from the businessman’s doctor to help them revive the old man, the Sagar unit worked round the clock and prepared a special clipping which they air-dashed to Madras. Only after the man saw Lakshman reviving back to life in the new clipping – also based on authentic research – did he recover back to normal life from his coma”.
From http://www.sagartv.org/

8
Shri Ram, accompanied by Lakshman and Sita, approached the Chitrakoot hills, trudging through a path strewn with thorns. A thorn hurt Shri Ram’s foot. At once Shri Ram started beseeching Mother Earth with folded hands, “Mother, I pray to you to become soft when my brother Bharat comes this way looking for me. For the time being, hide these thorns and stones in your anchal. They have hurt my foot. Alright. But let them not hurt my Bharat”. Mother Earth was astonished. She asked Shri Ram, “Lord, is Bharat so weak that he cannot bear the pain caused by a thorn, while you could bear the pain? I hear that Bharat is a saintly person. Can he not look upon pain and pleasure with equanimity?” Shri Ram replied, “Mother, the thorn will hurt, not his foot, but his heart.” “Why so?” the Mother queried. Shri Ram explained: “The hurt will not bother him. Rather, he would be worried, thinking, ‘my elder brother would have traveled this way. His feet would have been hurt by these thorns and stones’. That very thought would give him intense misery. Therefore, Mother, become soft as lotus petal, whenever Bharat walks this way”.
An anecdote contributed by Shri Ranjit Rawat in PATHIK SANDESH,
Hindi monthly, (Jullundhar – 144 001)
9
Asifa, a post-graduate in Urdu, living in the Jama Masjid area of Delhi, does the role of Sita in the massive Ramlila celebrations at the Red Fort during the October Dussera festival in the national capital. This has been going on for the past eight years. Asifa takes no remuneration for this. “It is because I look upon Sita as the ideal of Bharatiya womanhood”, she explains. Likewise, Maqbool, an advocate of Bulandshahar, puts aside his black gown and gets down into Ramlila preparations a month ahead. His favourite role is that of Lakshman. Neither Maqbool nor Asifa is a stage artiste. Maqbool says Dussera (Vijayadasami) is not the festival of any one religion.
Source: PATHIK SANDESH (November 2002), Hindi Monthly from Jullandhar

10
More than 16,000 people poured into De Anza College, Cupertino (“Silicon Valley” USA) to be part of an exciting day, to celebrate the Hindu way of life. Hindu Sangam, a one-day grand cultural program aimed at displaying the various Hindu intellectual, cultural and spiritual contributions made over thousands of years, was organized by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh with support from over 40 SF Bay Area organizations including Sunnyvale Hindu Temple as one of the Grand Sponsors. This event was organized on occasion of the first birth centenary of Shree Golwalkal Guruji. The day started with a yagna (offering and prayer) for world peace on the background of September 11. Attendees then participated in programs that took place on eight parallel tracks . Ayurvedic medicine, cultural program, Dharma Vedika (religious philosophy), exhibition, Hindu theme park, Samskritam, Yoga, and youth activities. This was followed by a grand Ramayana play enacted by over 300 children. Shri. Mohan Bhagawat, General Secretary of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the chief guest at Hindu Sangam, addressed the huge gathering and implored everyone to show unity in diversity. The day ended with Smt. Anuradha Paudwal entrancing the audience with her melodious music. Ms. Cindy Chavez, Vice-Mayor of San Jose inaugurated the Parallel Track Programs and said that she was honored to be present at such a grand cultural event.
From http://www.rss.org/

Appendix – 8 Ramayan in Computer Language
I found this email in my mail box. It may be of interest to computer wizards.

LAN, LAN ago, in the SYSTEM of I/O-dhya, there ruled a PROCESSOR named DOS-rat. Once he EXECUTED a great sacrifice PROGRAM after which his queens gave an OUTPUT of four SUNs-- RAM, LSIman, BUG-rat and SED-rughana. RAM the eldest was a MICROCHIP with excellent MEMORY . His brothers,however, were only PERIPHERAL ICs.Once when RAM was only 16MB, he married princess 'C'ta. 12 years passed and DOS-rat decided to INSTAL RAM as his successor. However, Queen CIE/CAE (Kayegayee), who was once offered a boon by DOS-rat for a life saving HELP COMMAND ,took this opportunity at the instigation of her BIOSed maid (a real plotter), and insisted that her son Bug-rat be INSTALLED and that RAM be BOOTED to the forest for 14 years. At this cruel and unexpected demand, a SURGE passed thru DOS-rat and he collapsed, power-less. RAM agreed to LOG INTO forest and 'C'ta insisted to LOGIN with him. LSI-man was also resolved on LOGGING IN with his brother. The forest was the dwelling of SPARC-nakha, the TRANSISTOR of RAW-van, PROCESSOR of LAN-ka.

Attracted by RAM's stature, she proposed that he marry her. RAM politely declined. Perceiving 'C'ta to be the SOURCE CODE of her distress, she hastened to kill her. Weeping, SPARC-nakha fled to LAN-ka, where RAW-van, moved by TRANSISTOR's plight, approached his uncle MAR icha. MAR-icha REPROGRAMED himself into the form of a golden stag and drew RAM deep into the forest. Finally, tired of chase, RAM shot the deer, who,with his last breath,cried out desperately for LSI-man in RAM's voice. Fooled by this VIRTUAL RAM SOUND,'C'ta urged LSI-man to his brother's aid. Catching the opportunity,RAW-van DELINKED 'C'ta from her LIBRARY and changed her ROOT DIRECTORY to LAN-ka.
----------------------------------------------------
INTERVAL-----------------------------------------------------RAM and LSI-man started SEARCHING for the missing 'C'ta all over he forest. They made friendship with the forest SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR SU-greev and his powerful co-processor Ha-NEUMAN. SU-greev agreed to help RAM. SU-greev ordered his PROGRAMMERS to use powerful 'SEARCH' techniques to FIND the missing 'C'ta. His PROGRAMMERS SEARCHED allaround the INTER-NETworked forests.

Many tried to 'EXCITE' the birds and animals not to forget the WEB CRAWLERS'( Insects) and tried to 'INFO SEEK' something about 'C'ta. Some of them even shouted 'YAA-HOO' but they all ended up with 'NOT FOUND' MESSAGES. Several other SEARCH techniques proved useless.Ha-NEUMAN devised a RISKy TECHNOLOGY and used it to cross the seas at an astonishing CLOCK SPEED.

Soon Ha-NEUMAN DOWNLOADED himself into LAN-ka. After doing some local SEARCH, Ha NEUMAN found 'C'ta weeping under a TREE STRUCTURE. Ha-NEUMAN used a LOGINID (ring) to identify himself to 'C'ta. After DECRYPTING THE KEY, 'C'ta believed in him and asked him to send a STATUS_OK MESSAGE to RAM. Meanwhile all the raakshasa BUGS around 'C'ta captured Ha-NEUMAN and tried to DELETE him using pyro-techniques. But Ha-NEUMAN managed to spread chaos by spreading the VIRUS 'Fire'. Ha-NEUMAN happily pressed ESCAPE from LAN-ka and conveyed all the STATUS MESSAGES to RAM and SU-greev. RAW-wan decided to take the all powerful RAM head-on and prepared for the battle. One of the RAW-wan's SUN (son) almost DELETED RAM & LSI-man with a powerful brahma-astra. But Ha-NEUMAN resorted to some ACTIVE-X gradients and REBOOTED RAM and LSI-man. RAM used the SOURCE CODE secrets of RAW-wan and once for all wiped out RAW-wan's presense on earth.
After the battle, RAM got INSTALLED in I/O-dhya and spreaded his MICRO SOFT WORKS and other USER FRIENDLY PROGRAMS to all USERS and every one lived happily ever after. Senkottai Sriram, (Issue Editor, Manjari Tamil Digest Monthly Magazine)

Appendix – 9 Ramayan in Sri Lanka
Readers’ Forum (Organiser weekly, 7-10-2007);
On the basis of a little study made, I find that even in the Sangam period, before Christ, in Cirupanarrupadai it is mentioned that a king called Nalliyakadam was one of several kings who ruled over Lanka (Ceylon) with his residence at Amur. Lanka was very much eulogized (Cirupanarrupadai 11:161.221), which was quoted on p. 13 by Rasanayagam Mudaliar in Ancient Jaffna (1926, reprint by A.E.S. Delhi).
Dr. M.D. Raghavan, Ethnologist Emeritus of the National Museum of Ceylon and eminent scholar, writes about Lanka of the Ramayana in India in Ceylonese history and culture, 1969 ICCR Delhi: “Ceylon is full of reminiscences with unmistakable link scenes and stories with Ravana and his days such as Ravan Ella cave, Ravana’s waterfall etc…” In Grihasamhita of Varahmihira both names Lanka and Simhala occur as kingdoms to the south of India. According to him, it appears that the original island of Lanka submerged during the Sangam period when Simhala became popular. Simhaladwipa seems to have been the remnant of Lanka in the ages that followed the submergence; what were left were the more extensive dominions of Ravana’a Lanka (p.7). This shows the name Lanka was pre-Maurya and that the Ramayana was older than Buddhism.

Vedic Sciences

2007-08-20T22:34:00.000-07:00

Vedas a vast Store House of Scientific Knowledge

Scientific Knowledge in Vedic Times. 1
Vedas, Anatomy and Medical Sciences. 2
Vedic Astronomy. 2
Vedic Physics. 3
Vedic Hindu Calendar (Panchanga) and Its Contribution to the World. 6
Vedic Architecture and Vastu Shastra. 7

Scientific Knowledge in Vedic Times
The early Europeans believed in Geo-centrism (earth to be the centre of the universe) before 16th century. They also believed that the earth was created in 4004 BC. After Copernicus and Galileo’s scientific investigations in the 16th and 17th centuries they started believing in Helio-centrism of universe (Sun as the centre of the universe). Harlow Shapely (1885-1972), an American astronomer gave a big blow to this theory on 26 April 1920. He showed that the sun was not the centre of our galaxy and that it was far on the outskirts of the galaxy (about 26,000 light years from the centre). According to him, our position in our galaxy (Milky Way) and the then supposed universe was eccentric. Now the scientists believe that the universe is ever expanding and that it has no known centre. They also believe that the earth is millions of years old.
(Milky Way has at least 200 billion stars like our sun. Milky Way is but one of billions of galaxies in the universe. Milky Way is part of the Local Group which is part of the Virgo Cluster and which in turn is part of Virgo Super Cluster. This is part of the visible universe which is up to 14 billion light years from earth).
The ancient Vedic seers said the universe is “Ananta Koti Brahmanda” or universe is made of billions of galaxies and heavenly bodies. Hence we can understand how primitive science was in Europe before 17th century.
The ancient Indians laid the foundation of mathematical, scientific, spiritual, medical, ethical and psychological knowledge. They measured both time and space and mapped out the heavens. They analyzed the constitution of matter and understood the nature of spirit. They conceived and developed the sciences of logic and grammar and made great advances in fields so divergent as anatomy and astronomy, aeronautics and architecture, music and magic, medicine and mathematics, mythology and martial arts, philosophy and physics, religion and rational logic. In the words of Einstein, “We owe a lot to Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made.” India invented the zero and shared it with the world. Without zero there would be no binary systems and no computers; counting would be clumsy and cumbersome. Can we conclude the contribution of Hindus to science and technology is “Zero?”
Vedas, Anatomy and Medical Sciences
Our present knowledge of the nervous system fits in so accurately with the internal description of the human body given in the Vedas (10,000 years ago). Then the question arises whether the Vedas are really religious books or books on anatomy of the nervous system and medicine.
The word for human body in Sanskrit is Deha and Shareera. Deha comes from Dahyati which means consumed by fire and Shareera is derived from Shara which means that which will decay. Hindus Buddhists and most modern Europeans and Americans cremate the body after death and most Semitics bury the body which decays after some time. Thus in lighter vein we can say that the Hindus, Buddhists… have deha and the Semitics have sharira.
The word for heart in Vedic Sanskrit is “Hridaya”. It is made of three parts - Hri, Da, Ya. Hri comes from Harati which means to receive, Da is short form of Dadati which means to give and Ya stands for Ayati which means to go, to move or to circulate. It is amazing to know how the Vedic seers coined this word since heart has only these three functions. Millenniums later William Harvey in 1628 A.D. was the first European to discover the circulation of blood.
Plastic surgery performed today in the most modern hospitals is similar to the one performed by Sushruta 3,000 years ago. Early Hindu doctors knew bone setting, arresting of blood flow, cataract operations, cure for most ailments and so on… Yogasan and meditation which are very ancient, are sought by over 10% populations in America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Vedic Astronomy
Indian astronomers have been mapping the skies for over 8,000 years and had reached a very high degree of proficiency in astronomy. The six Vedangas deal with six different subjects namely Siksha (phonetics or speech sounds), Vyakarna (grammar), Chhandas (meters or music), Niruktam (etymology or origin and developments of words), Jyotisham (astrology), and Kalpam (ceremonies). Vedic ceremonies are to be performed at specified periods of time and hence accurate measurements of time became imperative.
Exact calculations of amavasyas, purnimas, solar and lunar eclipses, solstices, and equinoxes were known during the Vedic times. In the Vedic times each grahasta was required to do Sandhya vandanam three times a day and on some special days like amavasyas, eclipses etc. During sandhya vandans he has to recite the date of that day since creation. Jyotish Shastra which is part of the Vedangas contains many books that give the position of the planets and moon. Most Hindu ancient books contain references to planetary positions. Mahabharata, written more than 5,000 years ago, has more than 150 references to astronomy. According to the Hindu calendar we are in the 52nd Century of the 28th Kaliyuga in one of many cycles of creation. Hence we have nothing euphoric about 21st century.
Vedic Cosmology is yet another ancient Vedic science which can be confirmed by modern scientific findings and this is acknowledged by well known scientists and authors, such as Carl Sagan and Nobel laureate Count Maurice Maeterlinck, who recognized that the cosmology of the Vedas closely parallels modern scientific findings. Carl Sagan stated, "Vedic Cosmology is the only one in which the time scales correspond to those of modern scientific cosmology." Count Maurice Maeterlinck wrote of "a Cosmogony (the study of the origin of the universe or of a part of it) which no European conception has ever surpassed."
French astronomer Jean-Claude Bailly corroborated the antiquity and accuracy of the Vedic astronomical measurements as "more ancient than those of the Greeks or Egyptians." And that, "the movements of the stars calculated 4,500 years ago, does not differ by a minute from the tables of today."
The ninety foot tall astronomical instrument known as Samrat Yantra, built by the learned King Suwai Jai Singh of Jaipur, measures time to within two seconds per day.
Cosmology and other scientific accomplishments of ancient India spread to other countries along with mercantile and cultural exchanges. There are almost one hundred references in the Rig Veda alone to the ocean and maritime activity. This is confirmed by Indian historian R. C. Majumdar, who stated that the people of the Indus-Sarasvata Civilization engaged in trade with Sooma and centers of culture in western Asia and Crete.
Maha Kalpa or Brahma Ayu is the largest Unit of Time = 311,040,000,000,000 solar years. And “TRUTI” is the smallest Unit of Time = 33,750th part of a Second. According to modern science the known universe is 13.7 billion years old with a diameter of at least 20 billion light years (and probably much larger). Certainly the world was not created in 4004 BC as believed by the Europeans until a few centuries ago.
Shani in Sanskrit means slow and it is the name of planet Saturn. It is so because Shani or Saturn takes 29.46 years to go round the Sun once. Jupiter is called Guru which means the leader or biggest or heaviest (Its radius is 11.21 times and mass is 317.8 times those of earth). Sun itself is called Mitra (friend), Khaga (roams in the sky), Sapta Ashwan (rider of seven hoses) etc. Lord Vishnu the protector of the universe is called Jagadish which is made of two words Jagat and Ish meaning there by Lord of Universe. Jagat it self is made from two words Ja and Gata which means “That which moves”. Hence Lord Vishnu is Lord of only that which moves and not a lord of that which does not move. But in this universe from the tiniest atom to the farthest star there is nothing that does not move. Hindus were so sure of the universe that they called their God Jagdish.
The richness of ancient Sanskrit language and the incredible wealth of knowledge in the Vedas can be inferred from the words they were familiar with.
· Hiranyagarbha = Cosmic Egg
· Neeharika = Nebula
· Krishnatara = Black Hole
· Dhumaketu = Comet
· Griha = Planet
· Upa-Griha = Satellite
· Ulka = Meteorites

Vedic Physics
Classical Physics consists of measurements of length, mass, time and temperature. All physical quantities like velocity, acceleration, force, viscosity etc are obtained from these four measurements. Velocity = distance ÷ time; acceleration = velocity ÷ time; force = mass x acceleration and so on. Vedic seers had several tables for all these four measurements. Here we give one example of each measurement.
Measurement of Length
8 Paramanu = 1 Trasarenu 8 Trasarenu = 1 Renu
8 Renu = 1 Balagna 8 Balagna = 1 Likhya
8 Likhya = 1 Yuka 8 Yuka = 1 Yava
8 Yava = 1 Angula 24 Angula = 1 Hasta
4 Hasta = 1 Danda 2000 Danda = 1 Krosha
4 Krosha = 1 Yojana

1 Danda = 1 Meter 1 Angula = 1.0416 cm
Circumference of earth Sulva Sidhanta agrees with Modern Science
4.02x107 Danda 4.02x107 Meter

Measurement of Mass
10 Krishnala = 1 Maasha
16 Maasha = 1 Suvarna Pala (Gold Pala)
32 Maasha = 1 Raupya Pala (Silver Pala)
48 Maasha = 1 Lauha Pala (Iron Pala)
Many other Forms of Weight were also in usage

Measurement of Temperature (Linka)
1 Pralinka = 1 Padakakshya = 0.885o C
4 Pada Kakshya = 1 Kakshya = 3.54 o C
6 Kakshya = 1 Linka = 21.24 o C
113 Pada Kakshya = Boiling Pt of water = 100 o C
101 Kakshya = Boiling Pt of Mercury = 357 o C
50 Linka = Boiling Point of Gold = 1062 o C
The temperature between Freezing Point of Water and Melting Point of Gold is divided into 50 Linkas

Vedic Units of Time
(a) Smaller Units of Time
TRUTI = 33,750th fraction of a second is the smallest unit of time
100 Truti = 1 Tatpara
45 Tatpara = 1 Nimesha
30 Nimesha = 1 Prana = 4 seconds
3 Nimesh = 1 Vipala = 0.4 seconds
60 Vipalas = 1 Pala = 24 seconds
60 Palas = 1 Ghatika = 24 Minutes
60 Ghatikas = 1 Divas = 1 day or 24 Hours
7 Divas = 1 Saptah = 1 week
15 Divas = 1 Paksha = 1 Fortnight
2 Paksha = 1 Maas = 1 Month
2 Maas = 1 Ritu = 1 Season
6 Ritu = 12 Maas = 1 Varsha = 1 Year
100 Years = 1 Shatabda
10 Shatabda = 1 Sahasrabda =1 Millennium
= 1,000 years
(b) Higher Units of Time
432 Sahasrabda = 1 Kali Yug or Yug = 432,000 years
2 Yug = 1 Dwapar Yug = 864,000 years
3 Yug = 1 Treta Yug = 1296,000 years
4 Yug = 1 Satya Yug = 1728,000 years
10 Yug = 1 Maha Yug = 4.32 Million Years
1000 Maha Yug = 1 Kalpa = 4.32 Billion Years
= Morning of Brahma
2 Kalpa = 1 Day of Brahma = 2,000 Maha Yug
= 8.64 Billion Years
360 Days of Brahma= 1 Year of Brahma = 3110.4 Billion Years
= 3.1104 Trillion Years
1 Maha Kalpa or Brahma Ayu = 100 Years of Brahma
= 311.04 Trillion Years
= 3.1104 X 1014 Solar Years = 311,040,000,000,000 solar years.

Thus the Vedic Seers had thought of the smallest and the largest units of time namely,
TRUTI , the smallest Unit of Time = 33,750th part of a Second
Maha Kalpa or Brahma Ayu, = 311,040,000,000,000 solar years, the largest Unit of Time.

Other Fractions of time
2 Ghatkas = 1 Muhurta = 48 Minutes
60 Ghatikas = 30 Muhurtas = 1 Day
2.5 Ghatikas = 1 Hora = 1 Hour
2 Paksas = 1 Maas = 1 Month
- Shukla Paksha (Bright Half of Moon)
- Krishna Paksha (Dark Half of Moon)

12 Maas: Months
Chaitra, Vaishakh Jyeshtha Ashaadh
Shravan Bhadrapad Ashwin Kartik
Margasheersh Paush Maagh Falgun

6 Ritus Seasons
Vasant, Gresshma, Varsha,
Sharad, Hemant, Sishir

2 Ayanas Uttarayan Dakshinayan

In the 5th century Aryabhatt discovered many laws of physics which we today attribute to Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727). He knew the value of pi. He knew that the earth revolves round the sun, that earth is spherical, that earth rotates on its axis, that earth is suspended in space and that lunar and solar eclipses occur by interplay of the sun, moon and earth. He also knew the laws of gravity, circumference of the earth, distance between the planets and the sun, revolutionary movement of the earth around the sun and so on. Aryabhatta in his Aryabhateeyam in the 5th century at least 1100 years before Galileo and Newton, has said, “Just as a person traveling in a boat feels that the trees on the bank are moving, people on the earth feel that the sun is moving”. Hinduism and Vedic thoughts are criticized by people who only imperfectly understood them, who were incapable of the great effort required to grasp them in their relationship to larger truths.
Vedic Hindu Calendar (Panchanga) and Its Contribution to the World
Vedic rituals are very particular about muhurta or auspicious times. Hence they had accurate measurements of years, seasons, dates and minute fractions of a second. Panchang or Vedic calendar gives much information on all these aspects.
We also see that calendars all over the world bear significant similarities with the Hindu Vedic calendar used in Bharat since times immemorial. The Western Gregorian calendar that we all use today was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 AD. Before 1582 AD, Europe followed Roman calendar, Julian calendar and a correction to Julian calendar by the Roman abbot Dionysius Exiguus in 525 AD. In Europe and their colonies prior to 1582 AD it was common for March 24 of one year to be followed by March 25 of the next year. One can see how close this date is to Hindu New Year day of Chaitra Varsha Pratipada. Again we see that calendars all over the world have seven days in a week similar to Hindu practices. In the Vedas one of the names for Surya Bhagwan is “Sapta Ashwan” or rider of seven horses. In Hindu pantheon Sun God is shown as riding a chariot driven by seven horses. Hindus call Sunday as Ravivaar, Bhanuvaar (or Nyayitru Kizhamai in Tamil). Ravi and Bhanu in Sanskrit and Nyayiru in Tamil mean Sun. Similarly Monday or Moonday is called Somavaar (or Tingal in Tamil). Soma in Sanskrit and Tingal in Tamil mean moon. Saturday is Shanivaar and Shani is the name of the planet Saturn. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are named in English after the Norse Gods Tiu, Woden, Thor and Freya which are similar to their equivalents in Sanskrit namely Mangal, Budh, Guru and Shukravaar. Romans had only ten months in a year but the Hindus had 12 months starting from Chaitra in end March and ending in Falguni. Abbot Dionysius Exiguus in 525 AD added two months to Roman calendar and named them July and August in honor of Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar. The nomenclature of Roman calendar months bears similarities to Sankrit language. Starting from their first month March, the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth months are September, October, November and December. These must have been derived from Sanskrit words Sapta for seven and hence September, Ashta for eight and hence Ashtober or October, Nava for nine and hence November and Dasa for ten and hence December. The clock changes its date at midnight 12 O’clock because when it is mid night in Europe, it is early morning 5.00 O’clock in Bharat when we start our new day. Thus we see that most parts of the world followed Bharat in astronomy and calendar. As we have already seen Europe was not aware till 17th century that the earth was round and that it revolved around the sun. In the absence of these details it is impossible to arrive at a proper calendar and hence it is logical that they all followed the Hindu calendar.
In the Julian and modified Julian calendar till 1582 AD, 1st January and 1st April fell on Hindu festivals namely Makara Sankranti and Besakih the Hindu solar New Year. The influence of Hinduism can be easily appreciated from the fact that these days are declared holidays in Europe.
On 24th February 1582 Pope Gregory issued a papal bull, Inter Gravissimas, establishing what is now called the Gregorian calendar reform. The Gregorian calendar is the calendar which is currently in use in all Western and Westernized countries. One of the Gregorian reforms was the shifting of New Year Day from 25th March to 1st January. The other was to delete 10 days in 1582 (and one day each was deleted in 1700, 1800 and 1900). Initially most countries in Europe continued to observe March 25 as their New Year which was very close to Hindu lunar New Year day or Varsha Pratipada.
Only Catholic countries of Italy, Spain, Portugal and Poland readily adopted the Gregorian calendar upon the promulgation of Pope Gregory’s decree in 1582. France and Luxembourg followed shortly. During the next two years most Catholic regions of Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands came on board. Hungary followed in 1587. The rest of the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland made the change during 1699 to 1701. The Gregorian calendar was adopted in Britain (and in the British colonies) in 1752, with September 2, 1752, being followed immediately by September 14, 1752. Sweden adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1753, Japan in 1873, Egypt in 1875, Eastern Europe during 1912 to 1919 and Turkey in 1927.
Vedic Architecture and Vastu Shastra
Vastu Shastra was codified by Vedic God Vishwakarma, the Lord of engineering and constructions. Mohan-jo-daro one of the most ancient cities of the world had underground sewage system, unthinkable even today in major cities of the world. It had well laid out streets, public libraries, swimming pools, water treatment plants and buildings and unlike most ancient monuments does not glorify graves of monarchs (pyramids, Chinese graves etc). Some of the old structures in India like the Brahadeeshwara temple in Tanjavur, Madurai Temple and the ancient pillar in Delhi falsely called the Kutub Minar boast great engineering skills. The iron pillars built by emperor Ashok in the fourth century BC have not rusted. Ajanta, Ellora and Elephant cave temples are rare master pieces in engineering and paintings. The fort of Kumbalgarh, the Dilwara Jain temples in Ajmer, Gomateshwara rock carvings near Mysore, rock carvings at Mahabalipuram, Sun temple in Konark, Belur and Halebedu temples are among the less known wonders of the world.
Ancient India had several world renowned universities like Takshashila, Nalanda, Vaishali, Kanchipuram, Ujjain and Madurai that attracted scholars from world over.

Spirituality Beyond Religions

2007-06-25T02:10:00.000-07:00

Spirituality beyond Religions
Chanakya
vishwadharma@gmail.com

Contents

1. Major Religious Populations of the World. 1
2. Religious, Ethical and Spiritual Values. 1
3. Religious Values and Practices. 2
4. Good and bad Aspects of Religious Practices. 2
5. Secular Scientific, Ethical Values and Practices. 4
6. Spiritual Values and Practices. 4
7. Steps for World Peace. 4
8. Spiritual Values are the answer for World Peace and Progress. 6

1. Major Religious Populations of the World
The major religious populations of the world today approximately are as follows:

2.1 Billion Christians, (1 Billion Catholics, 350 million Protestants)
1.3 Billion Muslims, (940 Million Sunnis, 170 Million shites)
1.0 Billion Hindus and people following Ancient Religions of the world,
1.0 Billion Atheists and non-religious people,
400 million People of Traditional Chinese Religions,
400 million Buddhists

2. Religious, Ethical and Spiritual Values
Most of them follow one or more of the following three values and practices.
Religious values and practices,
Secular scientific, ethical or moral values and practices,
Spiritual values and practices,

These three values have played a great role in the long human history. War, peace, administration, development, happiness and human life has progressed around these values and their practices.

3. Religious Values and Practices
So long as man is afflicted with disease, death and uncertainties in life, he will always need religion and God. To combat fears, worries, accidents and uncertainties in life man needs hope; and hope comes from faith and faith from religion. Some of the major religious traditions are, Monotheism (belief in only one god), Polytheism (belief in many gods), Vedic theism (belief that every soul is potentially divine and that there is oneness in the universe), Paganism (beliefs and practices associated with the worship of nature), Pantheism (belief that the whole of reality is divine), Animism (belief that natural features of the world are invested with divine power) and Agnosticism (doctrine that the existence of God and other spiritual beings is neither certain nor impossible).

Religious Values are essentially based on what the religious teachings are. These teachings are inscribed in their respective holy books or in their traditions. Celebrations of religious festivals, prayers and worships, wearing certain types of dresses on different occasions, visiting religious places, attending mosques on Fridays, synagogues on Saturdays and churches on Sundays, are some of the common religious practices. Religious practices may or may not be ethical. They may not even be spiritual.

4. Good and bad Aspects of Religious Practices
Prayers and worship:These have done more good than the world has understood. They help to calm thedisturbed mind.

Yoga and meditation
These are now widely accepted as alternative medicinal practices. Manypsychosomatic diseases can be treated successfully employing these methods.

Celebration of festivals
Festivals provide an opportunity for the elders to pass on their culturalknowledge and the meaning of lore to younger generations. Modern festivals andfeasts centering on the customs of national or ethnic groups enrich understandingof their heritage.

Crusade against Pagans
Nobody can deny the good the modern church did in today’s troubled world and yet undeniably the church had a deceitful and violent history. Their brutal crusade in Europe to re-educate the pagan and feminine worshipping religions spanned three centuries employing methods as inspired as they were horrifying.

Malleus Maleficarun – or The Witches’ Hammer
Torturing and executing free thinking women in the name of witch hunting got impetus by the papal bull Summis Desiderantes issued by Pope Innocent VIII in 1484. It was included as a preface in the book Malleus Maleficarum (The Hammer of Witches), published by two Dominican inquisitors in 1486. It indoctrinated the world to the dangers of free thinking women and instructed the clergy how to locate torture and destroy them. The book was translated into many languages and went through many editions in both Catholic and Protestant countries, outselling all other books except the Bible. (Microsoft Encarta). Those deemed witches by the church included all female scholars, priestesses, gypsies, mystics, nature lovers and herb gatherers.

Midwives also were killed for their heretical practice of using medical knowledge to ease the pain of child birth – a suffering the church claimed, that was God’s rightful punishment for Eve’s partaking of the Apple of Knowledge, thus giving birth to the Original Sin. During three hundred years of witch hunts, the church burnt at the stake an astounding five million women.

Evangelizations
Several ancient humane, unorganized cultures, religions, languages and traditions especially in Africa, Australia, South, Central and North America have been wiped out by evangelists.

International Terrorism
Today our civilization has been threatened by religious terrorism. This also has its roots in the minds of people strongly believing in Semitic religious doctrines like jihad and crusade.

Religious values and practices can bring peace at home and in the world only if they accept universal values and be pragmatic in accepting new scientific concepts.

5. Secular Scientific, Ethical Values and Practices
The ethical and moral beliefs stress goodness and truth, law and order, justice and freedom, wisdom and learning, courage and loyalty and mercy and compassion. Special protection is accorded to widows, orphans, refugees, the poor, and the oppressed.

Ethical practices are born out of man’s extension of logics in life to humanity. Thus having experienced hunger for ourselves, we want to help all those who are victims of starvation. We like to be loved and respected. When we extend this feeling, we begin to love and respect others – “Do unto others what you would want them to do unto you”.

Growth of science and scientific thinking since the Renaissance period has made people indifferent towards organized churches. People found a new hope in secular ethical values. Today most educated and democratic societies have begun to appreciate these moral values. Even one billion strong non-religious and atheist people around the world accept the importance of moral values.

6. Spiritual Values and Practices
Spiritual values are experienced when man begins to see divinity in all creations in the universe and find his own relations with each and every aspect of creation. He begins to feel connected not only with men of all races and religions but also with animals, nature and even inanimate things. In ancient times most men experienced this divinity in nature. But with the advent of more organized faith-based Abrahamic religions, these experiences were replaced by very rigid religious tenets and dogmas.

7. Steps for World Peace
Limitations of Religious Values
Semitic religions have wrought havoc in this world by dividing the world into believers and non-believers. In the first millennium they destroyed the pagan religion in Europe. Very few Pagans are now living but there is a greater awareness amongst the Europeans about their ancestors and it is being revived.

In the second millennium, the Semitics decimated the ancient civilizations of the American Aztecs, Mayans, Incas, Red Indians, and aborigines of Australia. Only the Maoris of New Zealand could offer a tough resistance and win. The second millennium also saw the much discredited slave trade under which millions of African natives were reduced to worse than the animal life. This millennium also witnessed the two world wars.

Many scientists and scholars like Copernicus, Galileo, Bruno, Hypatia and Joan of Arc were humiliated, tortured and brutally murdered as their scientific investigations led them to believe facts that were contradictory Biblical ideas. They paid the price with their lives for believing that the earth is round, that earth moves around Sun, that the earth is older than 6004 BC etc.

Limitations of Secular Ethical and Moral Values to bring World Peace
Due to holocaust, world wars and genocides common man in Europe has turned away from church and religion. He now believes more in ethical and moral values and practices. These values have no doubt enriched his life but they also have brought untold miseries to many in the form of consumerism, permissive societies, alcoholism, individual freedom, increasing divorce rates and unwed mothers, single parent families, homicides and suicides.

World Wars
The unbridled greed in man resulted in the two world wars. The numbers of casualties in these wars were:
World War –I: 8.5 million dead and 21million wounded.
World War –II: 55 million dead both military and civilian.
Of these 5.5 million were innocent Jews and Roma (Gypsies).

Civil War in Rwanda in 1994
More recently in 1994 the civil war erupted in Rwanda resulted in an estimated death toll of between 500,000 and 1 million Rwandans, mostly members of the Tutsi ethnic group. On December 15, 1999, an independent panel commissioned by United Nations (UN) secretary general Kofi Annan submitted a report on the UN's response to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. The report concluded that the UN and its member states could have stepped in and stopped the killing, but failed to do so. Many church members including nuns played an active role in the genocide. Bill Clinton while inaugurating the Genocide museum has shed tears for doing very little while the butchery was in progress.

Ecological Disaster
Global warming, the depletion of the ozone layer in the atmosphere, destruction of the world’s rain forests, depletion of fossil fuels are just some of the problems that are now critical. These are a consequence of our style of living causing air and water pollution, groundwater depletion and contamination, chemical and nuclear toxins.

Evil effects of Globalization
Economic consideration is rapidly moving the world into one market. But this globalization will have a bad effect on many treasured values of ancient and universal religions and cultures. Materialism will replace spirituality. It will spell a loss of ancient religious, health and cultural practices such as traditional ways of prayers, fasting, rites, naming ceremony, house warming, birthdays, cremation rituals in different ancient cultures giving way to the Western Anglo Saxon Protestant (WASP) customs and traditions. Ancient traditional food habits, fasts, medicines, games, exercises, recreations will be phased out. Spiritual practices like observing silence, celibacy, meditation, will give in to discos, pubs, picnics, night clubs consequentially resulting in sharp increase in drug abuse, alcoholism, obesity, aids, divorces, premarital sex, abortions and increasing number of unwed mothers and breaking down of families. Ancient cultures in the vein of kindness, truth, sincerity, honesty, are replaced with thrust on profit, publicity, anger and authority. A successful man in modern days is one who possesses more and more. The passion to “Get, get and forget will replace Hindu and ancient values of give, give and forgive”. Service, charity humility, seeing Divinity in others will loose their battles against pride, vanity, hypocrisy and authority.

8. Spiritual Values are the answer for World Peace and Progress
The answer to above problems can be found only in the scientific, universal, spiritual values and practices of the ancient religions. Pagans, aborigines, Maoris, Native Indians and Hindus have always seen divinity in others and even in inanimate things. Every thing that is of use to mankind has been revered by Hindus as equivalent to mother, the symbol of ultimate sacrifice for the common good of the family. Thus the earth which bears us, rivers that sustain us, cow that gives milk, scriptures that teach us universal brotherhood and their likes are all honored as mother. True spirituality proclaims universal oneness. Upanishads talk of consciousness in the singular and this is the basis of peace.

Moreover Hindus perceive the world as one family and not as one market. In a market the foremost thought is that of profit and exploitation of the weak. But in a family the foremost thought is to love and serve all members especially the weak. Thus wherever the Hindus went they went with the message of peace and benediction. History of Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia for 1,500 years since the beginning of Christian era is full of such enduring and inspiring exchange of cultural ethos. Their mission was “Let everyone be happy and let every one be free from afflictions. Let everyone hear the auspicious and let no one suffer”. With their sharp intuitive mind they realized that “Truth is one though scholars may call it variously”. They saw unity in the midst of diversity and happiness in the midst of sufferings.

At this extremely dangerous moment in human history, when any one mad man can press the nuclear button and wipe out entire civilization several times, the only way of salvation for mankind is the path of spirituality beyond religion. Hinduism with its well defined philosophy and past experience is best suited for this purpose.

As Nobel laureate Erwin Schrödinger has said, modern world needs some transfusion of blood from ancient religions to save western science from spiritual anaemia.

(2,030 words)

- 1 - Feb 2006

Pagan Origin of Easter Festival

2007-06-25T02:01:00.001-07:00

Significance of Easter to Indians
Chanakya
vishwadharma@gmail.com,

Contents

1. Mother Goddess Eostre. 1
2. The Date of Easter Festival 1
3. What is Easter Egg and Easter Bunny?. 2
4. Spring Festival Celebrations Around the World. 2

Easter Friday this year falls on 5th April 2007. It is one of the few festivals celebrated round the globe as a holiday. Easter is one of the most ancient festivals of the world and has been celebrated in Europe by the pagans for more than 2500 years. Later Christians in order to get popular acceptance in Europe adopted this Pagan festival around 10th century. Easter is closely associated with the Hindu New Year festival known as Varsha Pratipada which heralds the coming of Vasant Ritu or spring season.

1. Mother Goddess Eostre
Eostre is the spring goddess of ancient Anglo-Saxon people. She is the goddess of fertility and ensures progeny and continuity of the race. This is similar to the Indian spring festival Varsha Pratipada also known in different parts of India as Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Yugadi or the Hindu New Year. It fell on 19th March this year and proclaims the coming of spring season after the cold winter months. The planet which was covered by snow and appeared brown now becomes green with many plants sprouting all over. It falls around spring equinox.

2. The Date of Easter Festival
Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs upon or next after the vernal equinox (taken as March 21). Easter therefore can fall between March 22 and April 25. Easter following the phases of the moon is not a new phenomenon to Indians. Most Indian festivals also follow the course of the moon. Varsha Pratipada falls on the first day after Amavasya in the month of Chaitra. We also have festivals like Akshaya Tritiya, Ganesh Chaturthi, Naag Panchami or Rang Panchami, Skanda Sashti, Ratha Saptami, Gokul Ashtami, Ram Nawami, Vijaya Dashami, Vijaya Ekadashi, Vinayak Chaturdashi and Guru Purnima falling on different phases of the moon.

3. What is Easter Egg and Easter Bunny?
Millions of eggs and egg-shaped replicas are bought, decorated, given as gifts and happily eaten every Easter by millions of people all over the world.

Why the egg? To understand the egg’s prominent place in Easter celebrations we need to go far back in history to the origins of the festival. The name Easter is derived from Eostre, the ancient Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility whose rebirth after the dark northern winter was heralded by feasting, bon-fires and various rituals involving the egg. The Anglo-Saxons believed Eostre was reincarnated in the form of a hare, since it was widely believed that when hunted, the mother hare would sacrifice itself so that its offspring could escape. The cute little Easter bunny that today pops up on greetings cards or in chocolate shops is a survivor of those beliefs. The ancients saw life and continuity of offspring in the eggs and hence it finds a place in this festival. In the Indian epic Mahabharat, to the question by yaksha as to what has life but does not move Yudhishtra answers as “Egg”. Hindus use paddy and cereals as a sign of life and continuity in their New Year rituals.

In former Yugoslavia, children still design nests for hares in their gardens and next morning find brightly painted eggs deposited there. In Germany and Hungary children carry baskets decorated with painted hares, in which they collect chocolate eggs and other small gifts on Easter Sundays.

While the Anglo-Saxons were wrong in assuming hares hatched from eggs, they were right in associating eggs with Spring renewal.

4. Spring Festival Celebrations Around the World
The rebirth of a spring deity has been celebrated through rituals and feasting not only by Anglo-Saxons but by other cultures all around the world.

Hindus have been celebrating this festival as Chaitra Varsha Pratipada or Yugadi or Cheti Chand or Gudipadwa since times immemorial. This is followed by eight days of fasting for Goddess Parvati. This is followed by feasting for Rama Nawami, the birth of Lord Ram of Ayodhya.

The ancient Egyptians marked the rebirth of the God Osiris with eight days of celebrations.

It is from these celebrations that we get the eight days of Easter, known as Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday and finishes on Easter Sunday.

In ancient Rome, an annual festival was held for the rebirth of the God Attis, whose return was celebrated with banqueting, processions and sporting events. This festival was held just after the spring equinox, and it is from here that we derive the date of Easter, which always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. This means Easter can fall any time between March 21 and April 25;

In China people were offering each other painted red eggs during the Ching Ming (Pure Brightness) festival as far back as 3,000 years ago.

Central to all ancient spring festivals are huge feasts celebrating the fact that the spring was return to abundance after long, lean winters without fresh food.

(This article is based on details available in Encyclopedia Britannica and Microsoft Encarta)

-1- March 2006

Ways to Tackle Global Terrorism - Lessons from Hindu Scriptures

2007-06-25T01:46:00.000-07:00

Ancient Wisdom vis-a-vis Global Terrorism
Ways to tackle as reflected in the Indian Classical Literature
Chanakya
vishwadharma@gmail.com,
Contents

1. Ways of the Terrorists. 1
2. Ancient Hindu Texts and Scriptures. 1
3. Leaders who used Strategic thinking to good use. 2
4. Lessons to solve modern day problems. 2

1. Ways of the Terrorists
Who uses modern technology to maximum advantage? none so effectively as the modern day terrorists. They are technology savvy. They use mobiles, computers, automatic rifles, AK-47, hand grenades etc. They are well trained in ways of treachery, sabotage and brutal killings. They have the advantage of striking first. They have no sympathy for women, children and innocent men. They will hide behind burqas and lady agents. They use the naïve and innocent captors as shields and before they escape leave many innocent people bleeding. Hence the battle against them is difficult and long-drawn and needs intensive training.

2. Ancient Hindu Texts and Scriptures
Ancient Hindu scriptures and texts abound in ways to tackle terrorism. Rajadharma of sage Manu, Puranas by Veda Vyasa, Bheeshmaparva in Mahabharat, Panchatantra stories by Vishnu Sharman, Artha Sastra by Sage Kautilya and the chapter on Arthasastra in Tamil text Tiruk-Kural by Sage Tiru Valluvar give insight into terrorist behaviors, their strengths and weaknesses and ways to defeat them by using valor, intelligence, spying, and intrigues.
In the Puranas there are many stories where Lord Vishnu vanquishes rakshas who are similar to terrorists of these days, well equipped with powerful weapons and boons of near immortality obtained from other devas. In Bheeshma Parva Bheeshmacharya the doyen of Mahabharat educates Yudhishtra on war strategies through illustrations and stories. In Panchatantra Vishnu Sharman tells many animal stories to bring home the point that wit is superior to brute force. Kautilya or Chanakya classified foreign agents and spies as thieves and barbarians. Undoubtedly, Kautilya was the first person who endeavoured to re-interpret and re-orient the Indian perspective of power so as to make it capable of handling the barbaric warfare model of the Hellenistic and Abrahamic civilisations. Sage Tiru Valluvar has elaborated the preparations needed by a leader combating terrorism.

3. Leaders who used Strategic thinking to good use
Lord Krishna in Dwapar Yuga, Chankaya in the 4th century B.C. Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century used the lessons from ancient wisdom successfully to annihilate the wicked and evil forces. Lord Krishna helped Pandavas to defeat the much more powerful kauravas on the battle of Kurukshetra. Chanakya was able to defeat the Greek invader Selucas Nicader the army commander of Alexander, the vanquished. Shivaji, the inventor of guerilla warfare liquidated the Bijapur sulans in the south and the mighty Moghuls in the north by his tactful and intelligent war plans. More recently Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Arora and Vice Admiral N.S.Krishnan used strategic plannings and dare-devil acts to defeat the combined forces of Pakistan, China and USA with its much dreaded Seventh fleet during the famous 1971 war that freed Bangladesh in a matter of just 20 days. Gen Niazi and his army of 95,000 Pakistnai soldiers surrendered in what can be called the biggest defeats in the annals of modern war history.

4. Lessons to solve modern day problems
Ancient texts are full of wisdom and lessons for several modern day problems. Hence we should go back to the Vedas, the oldest and yet most modern text of the human race. If we do not forget the continuity, we may find solutions to the present troubles. The continuity of history can become a binder for the present and help us stamp out the present stand-off as it did in the days bygone.

Diwali Around The World

2007-06-25T01:32:00.000-07:00

Thoughts on Diwali Day

Contents
1. Deepavali Observations Held In White House. 1
2. CANDIAN PM LIGHTS DIWALI LAMP IN PARLIAMENT. 2
3. Deepavali Observations Held In British Parliament 2
4. Australia, NZ light up for Diwali 2004. 2
5. In Singapore, 4
6. Efforts by Overseas Hindus to popularise Diwali 4
7. Diwali as a National Holiday in many countries. 4
8. Legends connected with Diwali Celebrations – Lord Krishna. 5
9. Legends connected with Diwali Celebrations – Lord Ram.. 5
10. The day after Diwali Day is Amavasya. 6
11. The third day, i.e., the first day of Kaartik, is Balipratipada. 6
12. Govardhana Pooja and Anna Koota. 6
13. The fourth and final day is Bahu beej. 7
14. The Massacre of 800 Melkotte Hindus on Diwali Day. 7
15. Pope John Paul II Curses Hindus on Diwali day. 7
16. Jagad Guru Shankaracharya Arrested on the eve of Diwali Day. 8
17. Nirvaana of Mahaveera. 8
18. Aapko is Diwali aur Naye Saal mein ... 8
19. Diwali Greetings. 10

Deepavali, the festival of Lights, falls in October or November every year.

Here are a few highlights of Diwali celebrations.

1. Deepavali Observations Held In White House

http://news.newkerala.com/india-news/action=fullnews&id=42250

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 11, 2004: US President George W Bush has sent his greetings to the Indian community on the occasion of Deepavali, the festival of lights, the first celebration to be held in the White House after his re-election. "I send greetings to all those celebrating Deepavali, the Festival of Light. Observed by millions round the world, Deepavali is a time for the Hindus to give thanks for their knowledge, happiness and other blessings received," Bush said in his message. "Laura joins me in sending our best wishes. May the coming year be filled with goodwill and prosperity," he said.

Several Indian community leaders attended the White House festivities yesterday, during which former US Ambassador to India and a senior official in the National Security Council Robert Blackwill assured the community that President Bush plans to visit India next year. During the invocation, Deepavali blessings were bestowed upon President Bush, his family, and the people of the USA and the prayer was offered for the world peace and the prosperity of the mankind. Praising the Indian American community, he said Indians must now move beyond writing the checks to the politicians and start asking for return on their investment and begin to participate in the political process more than what was being done currently. The traditional lamp was lit in the presence of about 150 invited guests by Ambassador Blackwill, and the Community leaders.

2. CANDIAN PM LIGHTS DIWALI LAMP IN PARLIAMENT
Diwali marked yet another milestone for Indians when the Prime Minister joined the celebrations for the first time in Parliament ON November 12th, 2004.

This year, Diwali was a full-fledged celebration in Parliament - a sort of mini-mela. Prime Minister Paul Martin walked in to join his ministerial colleagues, Opposition leader Stephen Harper, and MPs in wishing the Indo-Canadians a happy Diwali.
The celebrations began with Martin and Harper lighting the lamps with candle amid applause. People watched the ceremony on TV across the country. In his brief speech, the Prime Minister paid tributes to the burgeoning Indian community for their contribution to the multicultural mosaic of Canada. It says a lot about today's Canada that “twenty years ago, we would not have been celebrating Diwali on Parliament Hill (building),” Martin said.
Conservative Party MP Deepak Obhrai, who is the brain behind the Diwali celebrations in Parliament, dwelt on the importance of the festival and thanked the distinguished gathering.

3. Deepavali Observations Held In British Parliament

4. Australia, NZ light up for Diwali 2004

IANS[ SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2004 09:11:18 PM ]
SYDNEY: The governments of Australia and New Zealand joined the resident Indian community in celebrating Diwali by illuminating their parliament houses in a rare gesture.

In Australia, the northern façade of the gigantic parliament building at Canberra was illuminated at an impressive function Saturday. The Australian Parliament House would be illuminated for three nights.

In Wellington, capital of New Zealand, it was Prime Minister Helen Clark who lit the traditional lamp to inaugurate the first ever Diwali function to be celebrated in parliament house. Clark had visited India only last month.

At the Canberra illumination, around 1,000 people attended the event which was inaugurated by Senator Gary Humphries by lighting a traditional lamp. The Liberal senator was representing the Australian Prime Minister John Howard who is on an overseas trip. Senator Joe Ludwig represented the opposition leader Mark Latham.

"The illumination of the Federal Parliament to celebrate Diwali represents acceptance of Hinduism as a major religious denomination in Australia," A Bala Subramanium, head of the Hindu Council of Australia, said on Sunday. The Hindu Council has organised the illumination.

A number of other parliament buildings have also been illuminated for the first time to celebrate the Festival of Lights.

The exterior of the oldest parliament building in the region, New South Wales (NSW) Parliament House, has also been lit for Diwali. This is the first time the NSW Parliament House has been illuminated for any occasion.

The legislative house building of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has joined the growing list of parliament and legislative assembly buildings to be illuminated for the purpose.

Across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand, the historic Town Hall in Auckland and the Parliament House in Wellington have also organised events to mark Diwali.

A number of cultural events marked the occasion. While Sydney's well-known Indian classical dance artiste Raghvan Nair gave a presentation of his "Ram-Lila", a troupe of Bhangra folk dancers, aptly named "Rangla Punjab" impressed the audience with their scintillating oeuvre.

In New Zealand, Prime Minister Clark said: "The Indian community is of long standing in New Zealand and it is wonderful to see the celebration of Diwali becoming a significant event in New Zealand's cultural calendar."

"I have just returned from a very exciting visit to India - the first New Zealand prime minister to go there in almost 20 years," she said.

"New Zealand and India have traditionally had a close relationship, and I want to see these ties grow even stronger. I acknowledge the efforts and dedication of Indians to making a new life and contributing to New Zealand society," Clark was quoted as saying.

5. In Singapore,
Deepawali is celebrated as one of the Public holiday in Singapore. The entire Serangoon street is lit up by the government and has a festive outlook.

6. Efforts by Overseas Hindus to popularise Diwali

Over 15,000 Hindus gather at the Sydney Diwali celebrations organised by Hindu Council of Australia. Many Federal and NSW ministers, Indian High Commissioner and many VIPs attend this colourful function. Impressed by this, the Australian Government has agreed to illuminate the Parliaments in Federal Capital, Canberra and NSW state capital Sydney. Efforts of Hindus and Hindu organisations in Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, Trinidad are responsible for Diwali being celebrated there as an official festival.

Hindus have been celebrating Diwali in more than 50 countries where they live in fairly large numbers. The latest to join this group are the Hindus of China – Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Yi Wu to mention only a few.

Hindus in other countries should unite and make this happen in their countries.

7. Diwali as a National Holiday in many countries

Diwali is celebrated as a National Holiday in the Republic of Singapore, Malaysia, Fiji, Trinidad and Mauritius. (Will some one check if Diwali is a holiday in other countries especially Sri Lanka, Guyana, Surinam, Nepal, Bangladesh, Burma, South Africa etc). In Kenya where over 60,000 Hindus reside, Deepavali is an optional holiday for the Hindu community.

In Malaysia, apart from being a national holiday, people of various ethnicities visit the home of their Hindu friends. They call this practice 'Open House' and state/national level open houses are also held whereby the state or federal govts hold Deepavali open houses for the masses. The homes of the Indian leaders are also thrown open to a throng of people who represent the diverse ethnic make-up which is what Malaysia is all about.
”Last Friday the entire advertising dept of the org I work in dressed in Indian clothes regardless of what their ethnicity was." quotes one of the Malaysian Hindus.

In Singapore, the entire Serangoon street is lit up by the government.

8. Legends connected with Diwali Celebrations – Lord Krishna

Narakaasura was a demon king ruling over Praagjyotishapura (the present-day Assam). By virtue of his powers and boons secured from God, he became all-conquering. Power made him swollen-headed and he became a menace to the good and the holy men and even the Gods. The Gods headed by Devendra implored Sri Krishna who was at Dwaaraka (in the present-day Gujarat) to come to their rescue. Sri Krishna responded. He marched from the western end of the country to its eastern end, Praagjyotishapura, destroyed the huge army which opposed him finally beheaded Narakaasura himself.

The populace was freed from the oppressive tyranny and all heaved a sigh of relief. The 16,000 women kept in captivity by the demon king were freed. With a view to removing any stigma on them and according social dignity, Sri Krishna gave all of them the status of his wives. After the slaying of Narakaasura Sri Krishna bathed himself smearing his body with oil in the early morning of Chaturdashi. Hence the invigorating vogue of taking an early morning `oil-bath' on that day.

And all this illumination and fireworks, joy and festivity, is to signify the victory of divine forces over those of wickedness.

9. Legends connected with Diwali Celebrations – Lord Ram

In northern parts of Bharat, Deepaavali is associated with the return of Sri Rama to Ayodhya after vanquishing Raavana. The people of Ayodhya, overwhelmed with joy, welcomed Rama through jubilation and illumination of the entire capital. Well has it been said that while Sri Rama unified the north and south of our country, Sri Krishna unified the west and the east. Sri Rama and Sri Krishna together therefore symbolize the grand unity of our motherland.

10. The day after Diwali Day is Amavasya

Diwali is followed by Amaavaasya, the new moon day, auspicious for offering prayers and gratitude to the bygone ancestors of the family and invoking their memories and blessings for treading the path of right conduct. This is also the sacred occasion for the worship of Mahaa Lakshmi, the goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. The business community open their New Year's account with Her worship. This reminds us of the famous saying of the sage Vyaasa, 'dharmaadarthashcha kaamashcha...' - it is through right conduct that wealth and fulfilment of desires also accrue.

11. The third day, i.e., the first day of Kaartik, is Balipratipada

The third day, i.e., the first day of Kaartik, is named Balipratipada, after the demon king Bali, the ruler of Paataala (the netherworld), who had extended his kingdom over the earth also. On the day, Sri Vishnnu, taking the form of a dwarfish Brahmin by name Vaamana, approached Bali, for a boon of space equal to his three steps. Bali, known for his charity, gladly granted the boon. Vaamana now grew into a gigantic form; with one step he covered the entire earth, with the second he covered the outer sky, and asked Bali where he should keep his third step.

Bali, left with no other choice, showed his own head. Sri Vishnu placed his foot on Bali's head and pushed him down to the netherworld, the rightful territory of Bali's reign. However, Bali prayed to the Lord that he might be permitted to visit the earth once a year. Now it was the turn of Vishnu to grant the boon. And the people too offer their and respect to him on this day.

The annual visit of Bali is celebrated in Kerala as Onam. It is the most popular festival for Kerala where every Hindu home receives him with floral decorations and lights and festoons adorn all public places. Onam, however, falls on the 16th day of Aavani (Sowramaana) in september.

12. Govardhana Pooja and Anna Koota

The pratipada is also the day for Govardhana Pooja and Anna Koota (heap of grains), the former signifying the Govardhana episode in Sri Krishna's life and the latter conveying affluence and prosperity.

13. The fourth and final day is Bahu beej.

The fourth and final day is Yama Dwiteeya, also called Bahu beej. It is a most touching moment for the family members when even distant brothers reach their sisters to strengthen that holy tie. The sister applies tilak and waves aarati to her brother, and the brother offers loving presents to the sister.

Some of you might argue that the origins of these festivals are deep rooted in our mythology. But a myth, it may be noted, is no yarn. It was Ruskin who described the myth as a story with a meaning attached to it other than what is apparent, and a characteristic feature of it, he went to add, is something extraordinary about its circumstances.

14. The Massacre of 800 Melkotte Hindus on Diwali Day

In nearer history, Melkote had been ruled by a dynasty founded by Yaduraya. His clan had built several water retaining structures --kalyanis-- of great effectiveness and beauty. A small scholarly community had thriven there. In early 19th century, Tipu Sultan's army descended on a Deepavali day and massacred 800 citizens, mostly of a sect known as Mandyam Iyengars. Sanskrit scholarship had been their forte. [To this day Melkote does not celebrate Deepavali]. That slaughter rendered Melkote a near ghost town. Its environmentally connected life was broken, kalyanis went to ruin, water shortage became endemic, the hills went brown. Sanskrit lost a home.

15. Pope John Paul II Curses Hindus on Diwali day

In Ecclesia on Asia released in Delhi on the eve of Diwali, in November 1999, Pope John Paul declared:

“Just as in the first millennium, the Cross was planted on the soil of Europe, and in the second on that of the Americas and Africa, we can pray that in the third Christian millennium a great harvest of faith will be reaped in this vast and vital continent. He fervently endorsed the call of his Bishops, the heart of the Church in Asia will be restless until the whole of Asia finds its rest in the peace of Christ, the Risen Lord.”

Many Hindu organsiation resented this message as they thought this as an attempt by the Vatican to uproot Hinduism; a well founded fear. Pope wants to deliver the Hindu community from the darkness of Hindu false Gods or Devils to the bright light of the only True Christian God. This is his Diwali message.

16. Jagad Guru Shankaracharya Arrested on the eve of Diwali Day

The arrest of HH Jagad Guru Shankaracharya of Kanchi Mutt, at the dead of the night, that too on the eve of the Diwali festival, when he was engaged in a special pooja, and then forcing him to travel overnight hundreds of miles (from Mehboob nagar in AP to Chennai), placing him in a lock up as if he is an ordinary culprit, ruling out a request made on his behalf to place him in house arrest – all this makes one to smell a well organized plot. It is really painful that the administration did not feel like showing the ordinary curtsy to such an elderly, revered head of an important religious institution, when he was being taken into custody.

Never in the history of India has an institution of high reverence been so recklessly and disrespectfully dealt with. Compare this with what happened when the Islamic institution of Deoband at Nadwa revered by millions of Muslims was raided, by the Central and state police, in the 1990s for harbouring ISI agents, an act endangering national security.
The raid was called off midway, yes midway, and Narasmha Rao, the then Prime Minister, had to send two of his senior ministers, one a Hindu and another a Muslim, to apologise to Ali Mian, the head of the Nadwa institution. So the law takes `its course' at Kanchi and `another course' at Nadwa.

17. Nirvaana of Mahaveera

To the Jains, Deepaavali has an added significance to the great event of Mahaaveera attaining the Eternal Bliss of Nirvaana. The passing into Eternity on the same Amaavaasya of Swami Dayananda Saraswati, that leonine sanyasin who was one of the first to light the torch of Hindu Renaissance during the last century, and of Swami Ramatirtha who carried the fragrance of the spiritual message of Hindu Dharma to the western world, have brought the national-cum-spiritual tradition of Deepaavali right up to modern times.

18. Aapko is Diwali aur Naye Saal mein ...

Chanakya Ki Buddhi
Bharat Ratna Ki Siddhi

Vajpayee Ki Maryada
Kuber Ki Sampada

Michael Jordan Ki Salary
Abdul Kalam Ki Vocabulary

Bhagat Singh Ka Deshprem
Sweetheart Ka Amarprem

Microsoft Ke Share
Rupiyo Ke Dher

Tata Ke Senses
Ambani Ke Licenses

Birla Ka Bangla
Daler Ka Bhangra

Amitabh Ki Style
Madhuri Ki Smile

Bhagwan Ram Ki Personality
Ramdev Maharaj Ki Popularity
World tour Ka Ticket
Tendulkar Ka Wicket
Mercedez Ki Car
Diamond Ka Haar
Aur Logon Ka Dher Saraa Pyar Prapt Ho...
Wish you all Happy Diwali & a Prosperous New year
From Ketan Devani

19. Diwali Greetings
Dear Sir or Madam:
Subject:Diwali Greetings
12th October, 2005
One more year has passed and if we look back the entire year has been full of sad events like natural calamities, accidents, violence etc. Not only that on each and every front whether it is political, economical, business, finance, social, religion, society, things have deteriorated and in certain spheres the developments have been very shocking, disturbing, upsetting, disappointing, disgusting, depressing and frustrating. I am sure all of us would acknowledge this and hence the need of the day is to exchange and share our views, ideas, share affection, convey best wishes, pray and contribute constructively for the coming year.
If a free society cannot help the many, who are poor, it cannot save the few whoare rich.
Democracy demands discipline, tolerance and mutual regard.
The trouble with future is that it usually arrives before we are ready for it.
You can’t change people. But you can channel them your way.
Never find your delight in another’s misfortune.
Home is not where you live but where they understand you.
When all else is lost, the future still remains.
There is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience.
An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.
Evil is not in the atom, it is in the person.
The tragedy of human history is decreasing happiness in the midst of increasing comforts.
Every noble activity makes room for itself.
Health is not valued till sickness comes.
A man without patience is a lamp without oil.
PEACE FORCE AND JOY.