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Affirming Sanatana Dharma and Recording the Modern History of a Billion-Strong Global Religion in Renaissance
APRIL, 1997'
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A-/CL "CJ~
"
I
OPINION
• Publisher's Desk: Raising Children
Without Hitting Them
-8
Ed,torlal: Unintended Consequences 8
My Turn: Saving Our Culture
in Turbulent Times 10
Lfrers 14
A rology: What P~rtends Hale-Bopp? 38
Healing: Mercury Fillings, Are We
Slowly Poisoning Ourselves? 44
-!plster's Message: Your True
~mpanion: the Self Within 50
.
DIGE§TS
5:" Quotes'" Quips '9 Evolutions 44
. Dlaspora 11 Digital Dharma 54
04 . Briefly 20
,
MITA {P} No: 245/04196 Canada .. .. .C$3.95 India . .. . . ~ .. Rs.50 Nepal . . .. .. Rs.BO
«
COVER (clockwise): Jaffna-born UK couple gets married in London; Theertliam
' http://www.HlndulsmToday.kaual.hl.ul
Fiji . . . ..... FJD2.00 Malaysia .... . .RM5 Singapore ... .. . .S$4 Festival at Nallur Temple, Jaffna, September 12, 1996; damaged temple in Jaff~ ,
PPS 120114196
Germany . ... DM4.5 Mauritius . . .. . Rs.30 South Africa . Rll.50 Jaffna Municipal Building, 1996; Tamils flee August fighting, See pages 22-2 '' Ap .. 1IIr: .:. . .,t
AIuaIatId I'NII;'
"
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Time.In and Time Out: a reasonable ~ay, he will be separated from other people." K.F.
. McCormick, M.D. , explains the procedure: "Time Out means mov-
ing the child from the problematic situation to a quiet place apart
over the islands. In Mauritius and Guyana I sought Him in terms of I and you. But He who knows not I from
How Hinduism's problems turned out to. be today Hindus are a majority; in Fiji and you taught.\lle the truth that I indeed is you. And now I talk not of
Trinidad they are nearly so. Ironically and I and you. Tlrumantlram, Verse 1441
opportunities, and other things·that bite back inadvertantly, the British handed 0ver sev-
eral small and beautiful countries to the
. Hindus. Unintended consequences. Onqe a chief minister, in a: sudden spirit of renunciation, said,
BY THE EDITOR English was introduced into India to cre- "I don't want to possess anything, I just want to be free." He
ate a class of clerks and subordinate func- renounced the world and went to sit in front of a temple. The
ONSIDER THE HUMAN PLIGHT, MADE PITIFUL NOT BY SOME tionaries to interpretate between rulers and the ruled. Instead, it king went tq the minister and inquired, "What is it you have
merciless OmnisCience but by meddling man himself Try- became a major tool of nationalists who engineered the' country's
gained by leaving everything to sit here like thiS?" The mi~ister
ing to do one thing, he inadevertantly invites the complex independence. It also opened the doors of modern professions' to
forces of karma to retaliate in sometimes vindictive and al- Hindus abroad and fueled a Hindu renaissance. Ditto the transla- looked up at the king and replied, "Yesterday I was standing and
most always unpredicted ways. Let's survey how man has tions of Indian texts and scriptures, scribed by missionary scholars you were sitting. Today I am sitting and you are standing.
scientifically improved things to the brink of disaster, wreaking so they could better understand and expose the pagan texts as That is the first gain."
havoc where help was his -hope, drawing down n~ture's revenge. "containing precious little." In fact, these translations' created new
Here in Hawaii a blatant example slithers around-the rapacious respect for Sanatana Dharma, attracting inquiring minds like
"A spiritual man has to have the upper hand on the lower nature."
mongGose, brought to the islands by plantation owners to control Emerson and Thoreau. For the first time, Europe came to know
rats who were ~evouring sugar cane crops. Not only was the rat the profundity of Indian philosophy, and, as Delhi's Ram Swarup
nocturnal while the mongoose was diurnal (so they never met), but notes, "Christianity began to be subverted from within, without a pne day two children were talking as children do. One said, "If
the mongoose morphed from savior to savager, killing chickens and single missionary from India visiting Europe." Something similar you show me where God is, ru give you a mango." The other child
driving rare "!:>irds to' ex~inction's edge. Unintended consequences. happened with the monumental scholarship of Sir William Monier
-
looked around for a moment, then offered, ''I'll give you two man-
Behold the ominous green sea of kudzu taking over the American Williams, who labored for decades on A Sanskrit-English Dictio-
goes if you can show me where God is not!"
Southeast and costing hundreds. of millions to eradicat!1. The vine nary to empower missionaries in translating the Bible and thus
didn't come from Mars. Seventeen million seeds were intentionally make·Christian propaganda more effective. Far from serving that
introduced from Asia by govern- r-;;~V"'7""""'~""""::::-:-:~-::-==="""""""""..,.,.,.=;;+.:-::====-, purposE<, today his work draws Question: What do you get when you cross an agnostic with a
m,ent agriculturalists seeking to ,.. ~ thoughtful scholars into Hinduism dyslexic insomniac? Answer: Someone 'who stays up all night won-
stop erosion and revitalize the ~£ through the language and strengthens dering if there really is a'Dog.
soil. Its vigorous, astonishingly un- ~ g the Hindu's self-ul1derstanding. Unin-
managable growth habits were ~~ tended consequences. ltfoM,
It is easy to get what you think of, if you can get yourself to think
never considered, ans:! it now de- :: ~
~~
stroys entire forests, 'engulfs build- ,..,..
ings and pulls down telephone /~:;
Its happening ag~ today. Witness
the massive diaspora of Sri Lanka's
Tamil Hindu community. Ethnic fight-
Nor of it. Tirukural, Verse 540
poles (really!). To kill it, spec;:ial ~~ ing has driven 700,000 Hindus from "Not compassi~ to jivas) but service to them as Siva."
herbi~ides were developed, B~ their homeland, forcing the~ to find "Knowledge devoid of devotion is like chewing stones." Sri Ramakrisna (1836-1886)
which, wouldn't you know, so ef- ~ ~ refuge around the globe [see story
Mata Amritanandamayi
fectively poison the soil that noth- 8 ~ page 22]. But they are not languishing.
ing can grow for a year. Erosion ac- Their innate. ambition, love of educa-
tually increases where it was planted! tion and commitment to community I'VE EVEN TAKEN A FIRM VOW
Unintended consequences. have brought Lanka's refl,lgees more opportunity than oppression. NEVER TO EAT ANYTHING
Edward Tenner calls these "revenge effects" in his bestseller They have become profeSSionals, buitt temples and strengthened . AFTER I GO TO SLEEP, AND
Why Things Bite Back. Tenner distinguishes such consequences their situation in almost every case. Yes, they have suffered sJ.eeply. BEFORE I WAKE UP.
from mere side effects in this )Nay: "If a cancer chemotherapy But they are now established, and their enhanced financial and in-
treatment causes baldness, that is not; a revenge effect, but if it in- telleqtual resources are feeding back to families and causes in Sri
duces another, equally lethal cru;¢er, that is a revenge effect." His Lanka. T:t:Sing to rein in the Tamil Hindus, the Singalese Buddhists
catalog of such events is mindboggling. He notes how home securi- have spread them like wildflower seeds across the .planet where
ty systems installed by the hundreds of thousands diminished safe~ they (along with their spiritual and cultural heritage) are taking
ty. Why? Because. cheap systems became popular, and these flood- root and flourishing as never before.
ed police stations with false alarms. In Philadelphia, a mere 3,000 One is reminded of a Guru Nanak story. Inhospitably received
of 157,000 calls over three years ·were re!tl, diverting the equivalent in a village, he bestowea a seeming blessing, saying, "May God
ot58 full-time officers to answer them and promoting crime in keep you together always.".Warmly welcomed in another, he ut-
these neighborhoods. Unintended consequences. tered an apparent curse, '':May God scatter you e.verywhere."
Hinduism has historically been more the foisted upon than the Pressed to explain, he offered: "It is better that bad people stay in
foister, and thus is a net beneficiary of revenge effects. Consider one place so their influence is limited; similarly, it is best that good
the British enterprise of indentured laborers, developed after slav- people are dispersed so their influence becomes widespread."
AYBE IT'S JUST TOO COLD OUTSIDE TO REMAIN COOlS Asanas • Pranayama
Critically acclaimed by many scholars, tology. Scientology is an applied religious In Greece, an Athens court j
~ ~
ters with Babaji-known to millions
through Paramahanasa Yogananda's publications and independent thinkers. !:'.::::::=~
_rr.. ..........
"""~
'efJ philosophy of self-imprpvement, founded in
1954 by American science fiction writer and
called the Church a danger to so-
Autobiography of a Yogi. His message Its thought-provoking essays and Aoo(IofI<rr.."Jf_ I'I~ ciety and ordered'1t to close, stat-
~.- .... --", ~
philosopher L. Ron Hubbard, who died in ing that "It is an organization
of Truth, simplicity, Love and humor are guaranteed to stimulate and ~ ... __ ,., \,,~19
karma Yoga. 27 stunning photos of entertain a thinking mind. ------ \)'\eS'f\l 1986. The Church, centered in Los Angeles, with medical, social and ethical
~\.'" estimates eight million members worldwide Grievances: SCientology leader with open letter tQ Kohl practices that are harmful." The
Babaji. $13.91 (incl. tax, sib) overseas, One year (four issues): US$6.00. 0.'" .
$15.08. Checks to: Pola Churchill, THINK, Box 451 (including India), and 30,000 in Germany. move followed numerous com-
PO Box 1537 Beverly Hills, CA 90213 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-0451 USA Trouble in Germany surfaced last sum- into bankruptcy, splitting their families and plaints from relatives of members of the
USA. Tel: 213-980-7927. Email: rcad@worldnet.att.net mer when youth members of Germany's rul- seeking "demination" of German society, ac- Church who claimed their Greek center
ing Christian Democratic Party demon- cording to a NEWSWEEK report. The re- transformed their kin into moody or suicidal
strated against the hit movie "Mission spected, magazine noted, "The Church has automatons. Scientologists called the case a
Impossible" because its star, Tom Cruise, is often been accused of brainwashing and sham. International president Jentzsch crit-
a Scientologist. In December, Germany said fleecing its members and of intimidating its icized the case in a letter faxed from Los
Printworld Services Pte. Ltd. it would set up a central office to coordinate critics with threats and lawsuits." Angeles, stating "It is unfortunately reminis-
a federal and state carhpaign against the Scientologists countered with newspaper cent of the former junta that ruled Greece
Shri Anandi Ma-Master in Specialists in English language books from around the world Church of Scientology, and would keep peo- ads, most recently an open letter to Kohl in as a totalitarian state, and the assault today
the tradition of Kundalini which focus on Hinduism, Indian civilization and culture. ple linked to the group out of certain public the International Herald Tribune signed by is simply because the mission is not ortho-
Maha Yoga, will be offering jobs, such as counseling and teaching. Ger- 34 non-Scientologist Hollyw.ood VIPs includ- dox according to the prevailing vested inter-
public meditation programs in: • Ma, Who is a Hindu? By N.T. Nair. Provides a common man Chancellor Helmut Kohls government ing Goldie Hawn, Dustin Hoffman and ests in Greece."
platform for all sects and classes of Hinduism. Not dry or accused the Church of driving its recruits Oliver Stone. It called on Germany to bring From Associated Press reports
• Albuquerque, NM: Mar. technica. Suitable for enhancing life's everyday.
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• Midland, TX: May 2 & 3. • Journeys to The Lands of the Gods by Rajalingam Rajathurai. UTHOR L. RON HUB- norm," Hubbard asserts, and tional behavior. Therapy re-
Tel: 915-563-3718 The authorinduces in the reader a desire to realize-self- bard began his move- "Observation of his activity quires working with an 'audi-
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harmonious synthesis of theory and practice of Hinduism ics: The Modem Science of faction." Dianetics believes in a thetan
Shaktipat initiation will be offered by appointment each integrates the temporal and spiritual life. Hinduism is man- Mental Health. The book was The Encyc/:opedia Britanni- as the soul OI: life energy
weekend. "With Shaktipat, the student is saturated with centered. From the vast body of speculative and rational an immediate best seHer. It is a ca explains, 'f\.ccording to Dia- which. reincarnates. Most
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nourishes her infant. One may be of any religion, caste, or • The Shakti Worship in Hinduism by N.T. Nair (in preparation) called Dianetics. Its goal is mental image. Painful experi- the system, nor are personal
creed to benefit; for all persons, the field of inner joy is the • The Non-Resident Indian- From Non-Being to Being by to create a "Clear." A Clear, ences, called engrams, are not observances such as vegetari-
same. After Shaktipat, the Shakti will take the student to the Chandrashekhar Sastry. "A verbal panavision of the Indian Hubbard explains in the intro- completely available to the 'an- anism. It holds that man is
ultimate goal, without doubt." immigrant the world over. Flawlessly authentic. Every Indian duction, is a person free of all alytic: or conscious, mind. fundamentally good, and what
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For general information about Shri Anandi Ma, Kundalini pressions as well as any psy- periences, engrams, which are rations whioh can be removed
Maha Yoga or Shaktipat contact: Printworld Services Pte. Ltd. • 80 Genting Lane, Genting Elk chosomatic illness. His intelli- part of the 'reactive or sub- permanently through self- Bible of Scientology: A com-
Dhyanyoga Centers • PO Box 3194 #04-02 Ruby Industrial Complex, Singapore 349 565 gence will be "high above the conscious mind, cause irra- knowledge. plex analysis of human psyche
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Website: http://www.printworld.com.sg APRIL, 1997 HINDUISM TODAY 17
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plete compendium of formulas for manu- Monks of the Ra- Digest reports, noting only "25 of the legends. Any age, esp. 4-20 prevent certain disorders of heart, hip dysplasia and bladder-
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C.S.R. Prabhu, Technical D~rector of India's sands of devotees jobs by the churches. But the Chettier back to 2,000 BeE. Sus-
National Informatics Centre, says among. were to retrace rarely accept Christ unless they are in a pense, humor, insight into human nature and ancient India. Dr. Eric Weisman and Associates
the alloys being tested are tamogarbha Swami's route desperate situation." PC or Mac. • Multisync Trends, Inc. • 540 Gotham Pkwy 287 E 6th St. Suite 270
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zinc which had unusual corrosion resis- Chenmu in honor Norodom Ranariddh, his head and eye-
tance to salt water for a copper alloy, cha- of Swami's crowning achievement. A huge brows ceremoniously shaved, preserved a
pala grahaka, a high-quality ceramic and portrait taken at the Parliament needs long royal family tradition by entering a
bhandhira loha, a soundproof alloy. India's three vehicles to transport in the parade. Buddhist mOlJ.astery for one week "I be-
aerospace and defense industries are both The Ramakrishna Math has appealed to came a monk to learn the teachings of Bud-
said to be interested. the state for possession of the IS5-year-old dhism and to clear my mind in order to
Vivekananda Illam, where Swami stayed for have good character and show gratitude to
PRISON DIETS IN INDIA, called "woefully in- nine days upon returning from the West. my parents and cOlJ1patriots," said the
adequate" by the India's National Human prince. The largest, albeit ina~tive , Hindu
Rights Commission, are now going-veggie. SRI LANKA IS SUPPORTING UN observans e of temple in the world is Angkor Wat in Cam-
Having considered regional differences and two Islamic holidays. Eid-ul Fitr and Eid- 00dia. It is a common tradition in South-
requirements, and based on advice from ul-Adha, the end of Ramadan and the Hajj, east Asia for young men to spend a certain
the National Institute ~~~ir.~!i?i~ which fallon different dates each year ac- number of months as monks.
of Nutrition in Hy- ~ cording to the Islamic calendar, will now
derabad, "We recom- join Christian Good Friday and Christmas CONSTABLES CAN'T WORSHIP KALI anymore-
meI}.d only a vegetar- as thy only religious festivals observed by at least not in the precincts of Tripura.
ian diet, and its cost the United Nations. There is no indication Such annual worship is customary but, as
comes to about th{lt other world religions will receive the ,., Press Trust of India reports, "in a bid to
US$O.SO per day." said same recognition. 'dissociate govern- /' w----.r""",,,,='"
NHRC chairman Jus- ment machinery
tice Ranganath ANONG, THE FLOATING NUN, is attracting thou- from all kinds of reli-
Misra. Now, veggie cuisine sands of tourists each day to he' temple in gious activity, the
Kanchanaburi, 70-miles west of Bangkok, . government in Tripu-
SPEAKING OF SOUND SCIENCE... Tom Kenyon, . Thailand. Ten times daily the Buddhist ra has directed the
Director of Research and Development at nun, wearing her white habit, enters the state police to stop "..
Acoustic Brain Research, writes, "The temple pond, raising her arms and crossing performing worship
Vedic rishis of ancient Intlia coined a term- her legs in poses of the Buddha and Hindu of Deities inside ,
that conveys their experience-of the world Deities. But as reported by the AP, "though the premises of po- Kali Ma outlawed
as vibratory in nature. The term nada brah- she never treads water or touches bottom, lice stations."
man means literally 'the world is sound: her face never falls below the surface.
And modern quantum physics would agree Anong says total concentration ~d the BRIEFLY is compiled from press, TV and
with the basic tenet." Kenyon is studYing po~d spirits enable her to float serenely." wire-service reports and edited by RAVI
the affect of r£.antras, chanting and rhyth- PERU MAN, award-winning radio j ournalist
mic drumming on brain processes and BUDDHISM IS BURGEONING in France, where at KGO in San Francisco.
is erse r
tend to wax vague when pressed for details. priesthood and lay ministry see to the sys-
Several tragedies have inadvertently re- tematic teaching of c!J.ildren, and oversee
... vealed some of the methods. The most re- the necessary adjustments .
. cent was 'the apparent sinking of a boat and In ' this global su(vey, HINDUISM TODAY
unconfirmed drowning of 209 refugees-in- spoke with Sri Lankan Tamil Jeaders in
cluding 50 Tamils-in the Mediterranean on more than a dozen nations who candidly de-
December 25, 1996. Police reports cJfsclose scribed their situation and the future. Each
~ the Tamils had paid US$8,OOO each to a Co- lamented the daily agony of knowing their
~ lombo/ 'agent" to be transported by air to family and friends suffer, back in their
~
karam, 51, founder and . Sivalingam, 63, of Hel- teaches Tamil there. He gained local fame in Tamils stranded in Thailand, the Philip-
trustee of the Sri Manika Vinayakar Alayam sinki, was the first to ar- 1994 for his Tamil translations of the nation- pines and Taiwan, according to Dr.
Governments struggle with flood of refugees of Paris. Refugees are treated well by. the rive of 100 Sri Lanka al epic Kalevala-a book of old Finnish bal- Rasalingam. A few contract workers are
government, he explained, but only 300 Tamils I).ow in Finland, lads, lyrics and prayers as precious to Finns reported to be in Brunei and Sabah.
have passed the stringent citizenship re- which lies at the north- as the Devaram hymns are to Tamils. Some Sri Lankans pass through Malay-
SWITZERLAND HAS ENJOYED dozen small temple's around the cC'lUntry. quirement to read and write French fluent- ern end of the Baltic Sea between Sweden The reception for all refugees in Finland sia on their way to other countries.
"a thotisand years of peace Many areas have Tamil language and reli- ly. Like Germany, France is struggling with and Russia. ' It was easl for him to stay in has changed dramatically since 1983. The
and, at 700 years, is the old- gion classes, but the Mamandram. president a huge refugee population and a soaring un-
est democracy in the world. was not at all satisfied with the level of ed- employ~ent rate. ./ ,
It has achieved this despite uc'ation. The temples are staffed by brahmin The Tamil community has s~veral temples
being divided, like Sri Lanka, into regions
according to language-German, French
and Italian. Switzerland accepts asylum
priests from Sri Lanka who are doing. the
pujas and samskaras. The priests also have
to work, but they appealed to the govern-
that celebrate all festivals and provide sam-
skaras. There are also a few language and
culture classes. Christianity has claimed
Warm Welcome
seekers, and cares for them generously, but
there is simply no future for. them in the
country. Of the 40,000 Sri Lankan Tamils
ment and were granted permission to find
jobs, in flower shops instead of meat- and
liquor-serving restaurants.
about 4,000 converts here, says Sandera-
sekaram. "They promise to get yqu a jon. But
if they can really do it, why don't' they help
in Cold Norway
ther~, only a few dozen may ever achieve Christian conversion is a significant prob- the millions of unemployed French people?"
citizenship, according to the president of the lem, ~d in 1993 the Mamandram. organized The Christian-dominated country imposes Earlier Jaffna project opened ~oors
Swiss Hindu Mamandram.- About 20 per- a conference to fight it. Even two brahmins ~ignificant restrictions on other religions-
sons a month have been deported back to ha~e been converted and now go about con- for example, no non-9 hristian place ofwor- PRE-lg83 .BOAT-BUILD- the ' maritime project. Fifty
£ri Lanka, mostly recent arrivals. High un- fusing the people by reciting Sanskrit ship may be identifiable from the Street. ing project in Jaffna have graduated as doctors so
employment is contributing to a growing mantrams and saying, "This mantram is not sponsored by Norway far, others as engineers~an
Swiss resentment. Peter Wittwer, the gov- for Murugan, it is really -for Jeh'ovah." Esti- Sallaswamy's wife died provided an unexpect- early example of the second
ernment representative in charge of all for- mates are that 3,000 have been converted: in the aftermath of the ed access to this Scandanavian generation moving easily into
eigners in Zurich, commented favorably 1983 riots, "for wan't of country. Tiru N. S. Pirabu of top' professions. Forde: Tamil children join in city's International Day parade
upon the conduct and religiosity of the Sri "We are all Jaffna, our >pedical attention in Co- Drammen, a government trans- The fIrst arrivals had:to make ,.
Lankans when he attended a large peace children are half Jaff- lombo," he states, with- lator and social worker, reports do, however, and as a result are with saving a local industry in music. Now in its fifth year, it
ceremony-held at Zurich'~~:Sivan Temple. nalhalf German, and our out further elabQration. He was left with there are now 8,000 Tamns in spread all over tll.e country the town of Vardo. has 15 telfchers and 280 chil-
Employment opportunities are limited. fear is the next genera- three boys, ages six, four and three months. Norway, of whom half are ~iti- . working in restaurants, facto- Refugees have established dren, ages 3 to 18. All the
The Mamandram. preSident, for example, tion German," laments E. Veera- Devastated by his loss, he left the boys with zens. The first batch ot Tamils ries, health and the fish indus- . five privately funded Tamil sch001s operate in public
was an accountant and university lecturer gathiyar, 50, of Berlin. He has beer; in Ger- relatives and fled to Europe, ending up in were a thousand students ad- try. Tamils are respected for schools. Sivada-s is principal of schools rented at nominal rates
in Sri Lanka. Today he is a waiter, managing many since 1985 along with his wife and son, Denmark. Now 54, he lives in Skjern work- mitted to language school in their disciplined work habits, the Cultural Center for Tamil from the local municipal coun-
a restaurant liguor buffet. Even tHis is 'con- 18, -and daughter, 16. An accou~tant in Sri ing as a translator for the Danish govern- 1984, as a result of contacts be- and earn enough that most own children in 'oslo. It is a week- cil. "This is better than other
sidered a step"up from the kitchen jobs held Lank:a with a government post, he delivers ment with no intention of returning to Lan- tween Jaffna famils and gov- homes and cars. A' recent news- end school teaching Tamil lan- European count't ies for Ta-
by most refugees. Nonetheless, pay is good. newspapers in Germany. There are perhaps ka. His boys joined him in 1989. His eldest ernment personnel involved ,in paper report credited them guage, Hinduism, dance and mils," said Sivadas. .,.;
Since 1994 the community has begun a 50,000 Sri Lanka TaIllils in the country, son, Kumaran, now 19, said, "In the begin- , )
I
26 HI NDUISM TODAY AP'RIL , 1997 APRIL , 199 7 HI' NDUISM TODAY 27
country is now flooded with thousands of the displaced-Tamils in recent years have en- TIMELINE
foreigners, including Somalis and others . couraged ~hem to settl~ down in their new
from Africa. ¥ost Tamils in Finland try to country, accept t1e karm~ that brought them 500 bee: Prince Vijaya and 700 followers
move on to other countries. Those that stay there, attain citizenship and think about the from Bengal arrive in Sri -Lanka.
aI}! often sent to the North to work-the future of their children. Tl:J.ey are beginning 306 bee: Sinhalese become Buddhists.
frigid outpost where nomadic r:appland~rs to do this. As seen in this report, a certain lev- 432 ee: Tamil Pandyan king invades.
herd reindeer. There they experience the el of economic security has been attained in 470: Pandyans ousted by Sinhalese.
"midnight sun," as the area lies above the most countries. Nearly all refugees are better 1017: Rajaraja Chola annexes Lanka to India.
Arctic Circle. For 73 days in the summer the off than they were ilJ. war-torn Lanka-a fact 1070: Sinhalese oust Cholas. ,
sun never sets below the horizon, and for 73 that compounds guilt with daily distress as 1200: South Indians briefly· wle Lanka.
days in winter never rises abo~ it-hard- 1:hey worry about family and frien:ds left be- 1400: Tamil kingdom founded in Jaffna.
sl)ip duty for those born and raised,in the hind. CommUI}ities have recognized that cul- 1591: Portu,guese gain control of Lanka.
balmy tropics. If they can stick it out, each ture, religion and language are not being ad- Massive Catholic conversidn activity follows.
will be granted permanent status, but most equately transmitted to the new generation. 1658: Dutch gain control.
try for Canada, Germany or France. Tamils of the diaspora have begun a 1796: British gain control.
Pirabu of Norway reports there are about unique "peace prayer" at meetings. Each 1910: Growth of nationalist movement.
25,000 Tamils in Italy. Some work in vine- touches the forehead, then raises both arms 1947: Independence granted; English-edu-
yaras and housekeeping "in very baa condi- head-high, palms out, chanting "aum" sever- cated elite rule the country. PEACE PROSPECtS
tions." One group is well established near al times while thinking thoughts of peace 1956: Bandaranaike's SLFP comes to power,
Palemlo, according to the TRO. He believes and well being. By thus sending energy;
there' were once 30,000 Tamils in the Neth- prana, back' to loved ones in Lanka, they
erlands, but government pressure forced sooth their own emotional strain an(1 subtly
Sinhala declared sole official language, state
support of Buddhism becomes law.
1959: Bandaranaike assassinated.
Can They Find a Solution,
some 10,000 to leave. Unknown thousands serve peace's possibility. In Lanka, too, re- 1978: Tamil secessionists gain strength. i
are helplessly stranp.ed in Hungary, Turkey, ports are that people are becoming more re- 1983: LTTE kiU 14 soldiers; thousands die Mutual distrl:lst remmns the biggest hurdle
Poland, Russia and ' other East European ligious, ·turning to God in their hearts and in organized anti-Tamil Dots in Colombo.
countries, unable to get jobs or move on. relieving hardship through prayer. Yet real 1987: India and Sri Lanka sign peace ac-
Hindu religious leaders traveling among peace reID-ains a distant hope. ~ cord with devolution of powers to Tamils. RI LANKANS ELECTED CHANDRlKA heavily-armed encouragement. Parts of the
Indian army enters Jaffna. Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, in 1995 on former VSSR have peacefully become inde-
1990: Peace accord [ails, Indian army leaves a platform of peace. She acknowledged pendent countries.
1995: Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratun- that previou~ governments had not Tamil leaders acknowledge tq.at the ,devo-
Wh~re 'Have Lanka's Tami~ Found Refuge? ga, admitting Tamils' '1egitimate griev- only failed to solve her country's situation, lution pac.kage initially presented by Chan- Lost landmarks: (from top to bottom) Cen-
ances," elected president on peace platform. but that their insincere "methods resulted in drikas government is generally acceptable. tral post office and Veerasingham Hall; bad-
The majority of the Lankan Tamil reflJgees have found sanctuary in Canada, Australia, 1995: Chandrika presents wide-ranging de- acts of outright violence." A year and a half That plan creates a federation of regions ly-damaged Jaffna public library; the now
New Zealand and ,the J]K, Commonwealth countries wherein their status is most firm. volution package. Cease-fire fails. later military acl:ion has only increased and wherein councils would control local police, headless Saint Auvaiyar statue in down-
European countries accepted thousands to tens of thousands. Some are well settled, oth- 1996: 400,000 Tamils flee in front of "Oper- peace is no closer. At the moment, the Sin- education, land use, industry and taxation. town Jaffna near the bus station
ers are unsettled guests. Thous~mds are stranded in former Eastern Bloc countries, Rus- ation Riviresa," as army conquers Jaffna. halese hold Jaffna and have the upper hand. It grants a level of autonomy similar to that
sja, Africa arid Soufueast Asia. A sizeable number, 60,000, are contract workers in the 1997: India sends minister to Colombo with But they face c6ntinue'd desertions from of each state in the USA. But, they say, some
Gulf. States and some African and Asian countries. India supports 200,000, most~ in camps. renewed commitment to govt. peace efforts. their army and periodic military setbacks. third party must take an interest. Who
The worst of these took place in the fall of might that be? India has tried in the past.
•. 1996when 1,200 Sinhalese soldiers died in a The "UN is preoccupied with other conflicts.
single attack on the Mullaitivu army base. The oil-less island is low on America's list ~
Still, ethnic disputes of equal or greater priorities. The Tamils have suggested Nor-
violence are being resolved in other parts of way or Canada as a mediator (60 Norwe-
the world. The Israelis and Palestinians are gian observers are guaranteeing the latest
reaching agreements on coexistence in a sit- Israel-Palestinian agreement). One thing is
uation with many parallels to that of Sri certain: Unless Sri Lanka gets on the world's
Lanka.;rhe Serbs, Croats and Muslims of agenda, the 14-year-old conflict between
the former Yugoslavia have finally stopped two peace-affirming communities, Bud-
killing each other- albeit with NATO's dhists, and Hindus, will not end soon. ~
0
pean Parliament in 1995, 'We are con-
vinced that the Tamil national question can
~
~
be resolved by peaceful means. It is the
< government which should take the initia-
..,'"
~
tive to resume the peace process.»
28 HINDUISM TODAY A P RIL, 1997 '" APRIL , 1997 HI' NDUISM TODAY 29
,
INSIGHT himself to celibacy and renounced a place in his fathers business be-
cause it did not allow him time to meditate and study the sc'riptures
he loved so deeply. Around 1890, he found a quiet job as a storekeep-
aswami
He is mother, father and guru: Each morning in his austere hut
er for an irrigation project in Kilinochchi. Here, he lived like a yogi,
often meditating all night long. He demanded utter simplicity of him-
self, and purity. Purity would be what he later called all his devotees
to achieve-in mind, speech and action. What appeared to others as
incomprehensible austerities were, to Yogaswami, natural, necessary
and even blissful strivings which brought him ever closer to God, who
he called Siva. Yet, all of this was just a rudimentary preparation for
He held Truth in the palm of his hand, with its cowdung floor, Yogaswami would rise before the sun and the life he would live with his satguru.
spreading love and knowledge of Siva light camphor to drive the night outside. His only worship was con-
ducted at a small shrine which held the holy sandals of his satguru,
Yogaswamis satguru, Chellappaswami, was intense, unpredictable,
unfathomable. Once Yogaswami related to a devotee, "If it were you,
Chellappaswami. He would offer a few flowers to the tiruvadi, and you would not have lasted one day with Chellappa." Yogaswami lived
E STRODE POWERFULLY ALONG THE ROADS light an oil lamp. Soon devotees would arrive, eager to catch him ear- over five years with him, from 1905 to 1911. At another time, a devo-
1y before he marched out on the roads, for he would daily walk 20 to tee said to Yogaswami, "Chellappaswarni has gone away, but he gave
and fields of his island each day, and those who 40 miles, alone. He continued this reginlen into his eighties. Devotees everything to you." Yogaswami at once clarified the process of his
saw him coming would move warily to the oth- would quietly come forward, touch his feet and sit on the mats. At his gurus "giving." "Did I receive it freely?" he retorted. "I obtained it by
er side, avoiding the man whose look and voice could gesture they would sing, usually from the Thevarams and other Tamil digging up a mountain! " Chellappaswami's outward appearance was
scriptures and mystic poems. of a rumpled vagrant. He would speak to himself and shout at those
pierce the soul and shake the spirit of anyone he met. A Sri Lankan teacher, the late Tiru T. Sangarappillai Thirunelveli, who passed by. He ate with the crows. Very few people recognized or
The white-haired, dark-skinned sage knew their vividly remembered the ashram during its height in the 1940s and acknowledged his divine stature. Thus, when Yogaswami began to
1950s. "I used to go early in the morning. I would see hand carts, bul- follow Chellappaswami as a disciple, he was also deemed a madman,
thoughts, and sometimes spoke them aloud. He saw lock carts and motor cars all lined up on the road. Many would come
their future, and not infrequently intimated what lay out bearing fruits, fruit trays and paper bags. Others would enter, tak-
a guise not uncommon among masters of the Natha Sampradaya.
Yogaswami knew, however, that the day-to-day life that most peo-
/
ahead. If you didn't want to know your inmost Self, ing milk and fruits. On one side people would worship. On the other ple led could not give him the truth he sought. With his guru, he joy-
people would chant the Tamil Vedas. People would wait patiently fully denied himself the most basic of physical needs, including food,
you didn't want to meet Yogaswami on the roadside. outside unable to enter. Inside people would be seated in silence. shelter and sleep, and ultimately transcended all of them. After Chel-
He dressed in white and lived simply, immersed Such was the sight of the devotees. He would shower his grace on lappa's passing in 1911, Yogaswami spent years of intense tapas under
each one. He would sit in perfect silence; then he would sing. He an olive (illuppai) tree. The junction at the illuppai tree was well traf-
not in things of this world but in an expanded con- would ask the devotees near him to sing. On many occasions I stayed ficked, so Yogaswami always had stones at his side to pursuade loi-
sciousness of the timeless, formless, spaceless Self, the night. At times we could sleep only after midnight. Even then, terers to move on. His practice during this period was to meditate for
Paras iva. Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, Muslims Gurunathan would wake up by four, perform his ablutions and sit in three days and nights in the open without moving about or taking
deep meditation. After his meditation, he would worship God with shelter from the weather. On the fourth day he would walk long dis-
and even atheists sought his wisdom, whether it be divine songs. In this way his humble ashram slowly became known as tances, returning to Columbuthurai to repeat the cycle.
delivered with heart-melting love or heart-stopping a temple to a living God." After some years, Yogaswami allowed a few sincere seekers to ap-
You are not these flesh and bones: Sage Yogaswami passed his proach. They worried that his sadhanas were too severe, and urged
power. It was 125 years ago that Sage Yogaswami, the early days in search of God, and lived his later life in union with Him him to take care of himself. Eventually, they persuaded the yogi to
satguru of Lanka's Tamil Hindus for half a century, [see timeline below]' His devotional and contemplative nature blos- move into a nearby one room thatched hut they had built for him.
was born. Inwardly, it is believed, he continues to somed early on. Even in his childhood, he rushed to the temple, cried Even here he forbade devotees to revere or care for him. He prohibit-
tears of joy during worship and eagerly undertook penance, such as ed anyone even to rethatch the roof. His closest followers would do so
guide his followers, now scattered around the globe. rolling around the temple in the hot sun. As a young adult, he vowed only when he was away, being sure to be finished before his return.
their lives profoundly. would feed her and at- from afar. He Not a word was spoken. as he always did. Valli age 91. The nation
Many realized how tend to duties as she sat would prepare Back in Jaffna he ex- was a gentle cow. But stopped when the radio
b1essed they were only in samadhi. Upon her di- remedies for ill plained, 'We said all that this day she rushed her spread news of his Great
after years had passed. rective, her devotees, devotees. Cures had to be said" master, struck his leg Departure, and devotees
Yogaswami's infinite some the most learned always came as Followers became and knocked him down. thronged to Jaffna to bid
compassion never ceased elite of Sri Lanka, trans- he prescribed. more numerous, so he The hip was broken, not him farewell. Though en-
The pandit cancelled his to impress. He would ferred their devotion to When not out visiting went to India on pilgrim- gave them all work to do, a trivial matter for an 89- lightened souls are often
discourses, located and regularly walk 10ng miles Satguru Yogaswami after devotees, Yogaswami age to Banaras and seva to God and to the year-old in those days. interred, it was his wish
rushed to Siva Yogaswa- to visit Chellachchi Am- her passing. would receive them in Chidambaram. His fa- community. In Decem- Swami spent months in to be cremated. Today, a
mi's ashram, prostrating maiyar, a saintly woman He would mysteriously his hut. From dawn to mous letter from Banaras ber, 1934, he had them ing both "servant of Siva" the hospital, and once temple complex is being
at his feet. His visit to immersed in meditation enter the homes of devo- dusk they came and lis- states, 'Mer wanderings begin his monthly jour- and "service to Siva." released was confined to for he could no longer erected on the site of the
the hut became the clari- and tapas. Yogaswami tees just when they need- tened, rapt in devotion. far in an earnest quest, I nal, Sivathondan, mean- As the years pro- a wheelchair. escape on long walks. hut from which he ruled
on call that here indeed ed him, when ill or at the In 1940, Yogaswami came to Kasi and saw gressed, Swami more Devotees were heart- He was, he quipped, Lanka for 50 years.
was a worshipful being. time of their death. He the Lord of the Uni- and more enjoyed tra- stricken by the accident, "captured." With infi-
From then on people would stand over them, verse-within myself versing the Jaffua penin- yet he remained unshak- nite patience and love,
of all ages and all walks apply holy ash and safe- The herb that you seek is sula by car, and it be- en. He ever affirmed, he meted out his wis-
of life, irrespective of guard their passage. He under your feet." came a common sight to "Siva's will prevails wiili- dom, guidance and
creed, caste or race, was also known to have One day he visited Sri see him chaperoned in and without-abide in grace throughout his
went to Yogaswami. remarkable healing pow- Ramana Maharshi at his through the villages. His will." final few years.
They sought solace and ers and a comprehensive Arunachalam Ashram. On February 22, 1961, Swami was now con- At 3:30 AM on a
spiritual guidance, and knowledge of medicinal The two simply sat all af- Swami went outside to fmed to his ashram, and Wednesday in March of
none went away empty- uses of herbs. Countless ternoon, facing each oth- gi~e his cow, Valli, his devotees flocked to him 1964, Yogaswami passed
handed. He influenced stories tell how he healed er in elequent silence. banana leaf after eating, in even greater numbers, quietly from this Earth at
<
ZL-__________________________~~------_.--------------------------------~~----------------~----~ DR. KALPANA CHAWLA
In training: Dr: Kalpana Chawla in space suit for astronaut training session at the Johnson Space Center in Texas, USA
" . , lator of the space shuttle cockpit where all you don't even dare ask." found and marI;ied her own man, American
PROFILE the s,\",itch layouts and the displays are iden- Indeed, Chawla has always marched to flying instructor Jean Pierre Harrison, who
tical to the real thing." the beat of her own drummer. A passionate shares her passion for flying.
sea. One firm will scatter a loved one's re- By SUSAN HERREL "Wealth that is acquired by proper means
mains over any chosen city from a hot air THE CHAMPAIGN NEWS GAZETTE (AP)
Galaxy Publications & Recordings in a manner that harms none
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Tel: 1-800-307-2292 or 514-484-8090 • Fax: 1-514-488-3822
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./
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I
and,even by brushing the teeth. The mer-
cury vapor is absorbed through the lungs
W I} discussed other aspects of dental
hygiene in the August 1989 issue of HIN-
moral and spiritual condition of the
people of Sri Lanka.
DISCOVER THE INDIA YOU'VE
NEVER KNOWN. It's time to come home
~
directly into the arterial blood at a rate of Dl,JISM TODAY and warned of another toxic " N3I'-r-,dnifC!!IT
80 percent. In the brain it is preferentially element, fluoride, found in fluoridated TRANSITION: Swami Aseshananda, age and revisit your roots, where an incredible new "'Il!l!~~ .'II-IJltlJIlII.
stored in the pituitary gland and hypothal- toothpastes and mouth rinses. Fluoride 97, on October 16, 1996, at the Vedanta India awaits. An India beyond your town, beyond your Everything you'd never expect'"
amus. It binds to hemoglobin, causing de- produces marked and irreversible changes Society of Portland, Oregon. A Rama-
creased transportation of oxygen to the in the teeth and bones. Gn Nov. 14, 1996, a krishna monk since 1921, he was the experience, perhaps even beyond your imagination.
Call 1-800-GO INDIA for your complimentary
tissues and can destroy kidney cells, lead- London Telegraph headline confirmed, last living monastic disciple of Sri Sara- From the breathtaking Himalayas to the white sand beaches India Travel Guide, or write to: MSI, 25-15 50th Street.
ing to kidney failure. . "Colgate pays out for fluoride damaged da Devi. Arriving in the US in 1947, he of the Indian Ocean you'll find an unmatched panorama Dept CP, Woodside, NY 11377
The greatest affect of elevated mercury teeth," Thwas proven that a 10-year-old boy served as as-
in the system is neurotoxic, leading to had the condition called dental fluorosis sistant to Swami
of tradition and technology, of diverse cultures and
memory loss along with a.tingling and loss' which developed due to small but frequent Nikhilananda in architectural splendor, of natural wonders and seemingly NAME
of sensations in the peripherai nerves. swallowings of fluoridated toothpaste. New York and endless recreational adventures. It's time to see the India
There may be hormonal changes, since it is Swami Prabha- ADDRESS
you haven't seen.
selectively stored in the pituitary, the grand DR. TANDAVAN, 76, retired nuclea: physi- vananda in Cal-
conductor of the nervous and hormonal cian and hospital staff president~ lives in ifornia before CITY STATE ZIP
system, Mercyry also passes the placental Chicago, where he specializes in alternative heading the So-
barrier and can adversely affect the fetus healing arts, Visit his home page at the ciety's center in
with possible physical and mental defects. HINDUISM TODAYWebsite. Portland. A life of seva in US
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Mandala Abhishekam March 25-May 11, 1997, sponsorship: RM 5,000 per day (daily 1008-conch abhishekam)
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• Mahotchava-Vilha (Kodiyetratam) May 12-May 21, 1997, sponsorship: RM 2,800 per day 256 B High Street North
• Piraayachitha Abhishekam May 22 , 1997 . Vairavar Pongal May 27, 1997 Manor Park, For details on Siva Yogaswami's world tour, please call
The renowned Sri Kandaswamy Temple was established in 1902, and for the past 4
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MEDICINE cctrding to the Tantras taught to Swami by
his guru, are congregational-singing and
Your reen~ge
. ' Vagetarian '
praying while priests perform puja rites to·
the Gods. The impassioned and engrossing
daily and weekly worship in the small Shak-
ti and Sivalinga temple attracts many unin-
Nutritionist advises how to keep' erp. healthy formed onlookers. According to Swami,
"They quickly di~cover that Hinduism is
much more devotional than Christianity. As .
people are drawn to Hindu worship, their
lifestyle becomes more pure, more spiritual.
Many soon 'become staunch vegetarians.
They learn Vedic excercises, ayurveda and
• I
begin to use astrology." Twice a year the
Sangha organizes intensive seminars on
tantric<sadhanas. PeoPle from allover Rus-
sia come together in groups of 30 to 50 for
comfortable lodging and soulful learning.
During retreats, they partake of Hindu veg- I
MINISTER'S MESSAGE
the Lord. Each day and each nig.ht become another exquisite gar- With g¢at respect, with great love, I welcome you all with' all Deities, people, borders,
land for yOU to offer. my heart. Sadgurunath Maharaj Ki Jay! Your own, symbols, etc. Use the
The, teachings of the sages are penetrating. Take them in. TheY"
are valuable. Evell if you are able to grasp only a minuscule por-
Fetch browser to get a
tion of what you hear or read; allow your heart to embrace it. Al- quick overview, then
low the teachings to penetrate 'y'our being. It doesn't matter if you double clic on a page
ar~ hearing a teaching for the first time or for the thousandth
for a detailed preview.
time, allow it to reveal a newer, greater meaning. Let it enter you.
Then that tiny' ray will expand' and your intellect will be illumined SWAMI CffiDVILASANANDA, or Gurumayi, is the successor of the
by its radiance. ' renowned Indian saint Swami Muktananda. She ·teaches Siddha
In.the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna tells his disciple, Ar~na: Yoga meditation to students in India and allover the world.
freedom . and. equity fully developed and has found solutions to some of the
.N WHAT HAS BEEN HAILED AS A FIRST
greatest problems of life, I would point to India ...
11
'for South Africa, Vipra Kiriti Pillay, 48,
has been appointed a full-time uni- - Max Muller
formed Hindu chaplain to the 458 Hin-
dus serving in the South African National
Defense Force (SANDF).
The assignment of the Vipm (meaning
"Reverent" or "Learned One") is in keeping
with the fledgling South African democra':.
cy's white paper on defense, which empha-
sizes freedom of religion provided that "re-
ligious observances are conducted on an
equitable basis and "1 ttendance at them is
fr.ee and voluntary."
Until now, only Christian chaplains were
appointed to full-time positions, while part-
timers served more than 900 religious
groups in the defense force. The Hindu Ad-
visory Board, cnaired by Swami Saradanan- tours meet the special
d\l of the Ramakrishna Center, recommend-
ed the appointment to the SANDF "My requirements of groups,
appointment came as something of a sur-
prise," said the new 'chaplain, "as some of
the others that were in contention were organizations, and
more academically (Iualified." Spiritual steward: Vi pm Kiriti Pillay
, with Chief Petty
. Officer Chinnappa (left)
Chaplain Pillay completed a teaQher's di- i dividua/s. We work
ploma as well as ORe in indlistrial engineer- member of the base requests counseling, we have been given an opportunity to learn
ing. ~ut his involvement in spirituality has this takes pr~cedence over everything." more about Hindus and Hinduis~ as well."
been- even more impressive. He joined the Sub Lieutenant Linda Heslop, the Publk The Vipra begins each day at 7:30AM, dis-
closely with you to
Ramakrishna Center for studies in 1965 and Relations Offic~r at the base, sees a Hindu cussing matters of moral, spiritual and in-
was ordained a priest in 1969 by Swami chaplain as a much needed post, 'l\lthough Ispirational valu~. Every Thursday at noon tructure an itinerary
Shivapadananda. He studied Sanskrit, Indi- we have been working with Hindus all this he leads a lively servi~e of bhajan, sat~ang
an philosophy and Hindu theology for near-
ly three years at Kailas Ashram
time, it is only with this a.ppointment !hat apd discussions on Hinduism. Of the 280
Hindus stationed at the Vipras operatio~
tnat results in smooth
at Rishikesh, India. Returning to base in Durban, about 40 to 50 at a time at-
Durban, he worked volunt~ily tend the services, which are infor~al, un- travel and total
at the Ramakrishna Centers structured/and voluntary. Although he plans
while maintaining his regula( to draw up a syllabus, talks and discussions
currently revolve around day-to-day experi-
satisfaction.
job. For the last ten years, he has
been ministering to the congre- ences and real-life situations. In another dis'
gation in Chat?worth, South cussion program called FOCUS, the Hindu
Africa's largest Indian townShip. and Christian chal'llains present their re-
Now in Durban, where the 'spective views on topics such as suicide,
b~lk of Hindu servieemen and drugs and alcoholism. '
women are based, Vipra' Pillay ht honor of his auspicious appointment,
states: 'l\lthough my work is the Hindu Advisory Board designed a spe-
mainly with the Navy, I also cial rank insignia unique to Chaplain Pillay's , 169-12 Hillside Ave.
minister to the needs of Hindus position-a lamp and a flame. .- Jamaica, NY 11432
in the Army and Air Force. If a On board: Teaming up with Sub-Lieutenant Heslop By AJITH BR!DGRAJ, South Af1"ica
.\
52 HINDUISM TODAY A..\ RIL , 1997
el: 718-291-9292
JOURNALISM
].\ Woman
Thing
ow YOU CAN DIS-
N cover some of the
best of Hindu womens
journalism on the Web.
The Journal of South
Asia Women Studies of-
fers scholars an opportu-
nity to practice one of
the ancient 64 kalcM or
SERVICE their 1200-year-old message and mission. This arts, drama and story-
humble site, created by MaheshNet, introduces the telling-by submitting
Kamakoti Peetam Page Mutt, its founder, Adi Sankara, and the Jagadgurus papers which address
who succeeded him. Their activities are highlight- theoretical and practical
IKE MANY SWAMIS IN BHARAT, THE SAN- ed, including havans, social service, revival of tra- issues relating to South