Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
95
Affirming Sanatana Dharma and Recording the Modern History of a Billion-Strong Global Religion in Renaissance
HINDUISM
wa r n e r b r o t h e r s
TODAY
COVER: Anger can be a formidable obstacle on the path, and our Insight section offers practical advice on anger manage-
ment; (above) Defending Your Life is about two people reviewing their past lives at “Judgment City” in our movie feature
IN T ER NAT IONA L
Feature Story: Explore the Hindu Concepts Multimedia: Devadasi Murai, Interactive CD of the
Found in Hollywood Blockbusters 18 Dancers’ Tradition, and Lalitha Sahasranama 63
Art: The Smithsonian’s Sackler Gallery Showcases Books: Surprising Biography of Sri Ramakrishna,
the Art of the Himalayas in Washington, D.C. 30 Plus Temples and Latest Children’s Books 64
Festivals: Join 40 million Hindus at the Medicine: Ayurveda’s Advice on Diabetes 65
River Festival in Andhra Pradesh 34 Politics: America’s Next President Needs More
Transition: The Life and Times of Sita Ram Goel, Hinduism, Says US Newspaper Editor 66
Hindu Renaissance Thinker and Writer 52 Commentary: The Reality Behind Movie Violence 67
Environment: Ex-Rancher Howard Lyman Warns
Meat Diet Damages Our Health and Our Planet 58 OPINION
In My Opinion: How We Got Our Temple’s
LIFEST YLE Teens Interested in Hinduism 9
Youth: Dedicated Teachers and a Savvy Curriculum Publisher’s Desk: Work is Worship 10
Letters 12
Inspire the Kids at this Temple’s Sunday School 38
Insight: Anger Management for the Spiritual Seeker From the Vedas: Yoga, the Path to God 16
by Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami 40 DIGESTS
Education: Meet the Amazing Dr. Thiagarajan,
Letters to the editor, subscription and editorial inquiries may be sent to Hinduism Today, 107 Kaholalele Road, Kapaa, Hawaii 96746-9304 USA,
letters@hindu.org. HINDUISM TODAY (issn# 0896-0801), July/August/September, 2004, Volume 26, No. 3. Editorial: 1-808-822-7032 (ext. 227); sub-
scriptions, copy or bulk orders: (from USA or Canada:) 1-800-850-1008 or (from all countries) 1-808-240-3108, subscribe@hindu.org; advertising:
1-888-464-1008, ads@hindu.org. All-department fax: 1-808-822-4351. HINDUISM TODAY is published quarterly by Himalayan Academy, a nonprofit
educational institution; Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, Founder; Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, Publisher; Paramacharya Palaniswami, Editor-
in-Chief. USA subscriptions: us$35/1 year, $65/2 years, $95/3 years, $155/5 years, $1,001/lifetime. Contact us for international rates. In India: Central
News Agency Limited, 4E/4 Jhandewalan Extn., New Delhi 110055, Tel (011) 367-0534, E-mail: subs@cna-india.com. For permission to publish a
dinodia
HINDUISM TODAY article, call 1-808-822-7032 (ext. 227) or fax 1-808-822-4351. Printed in USA.
© 2004 himalayan academy, 107 kaholalele road, kapaa, hawaii 96746-9304 usa. all rights reserved.
through hell, even before ance and patience—then not more he forgives. Confucius
death. So, you have no only do you yourself remain in
enemy worse than anger. peace, but the other’s anger
Sri Vidyaranya Swami
will gradually diminish.
Dalai Lama
Hindu sages have long warned that anger is the greatest obstacle to spiritual advancement. Our Insight Section in this issue explores “Anger Management.” Page 40
N ewsweek’s march
22nd society feature
story, “America Masala,” was
They bring together the best
of the East and the best of the
West.” Included were not only
yet another manifestation of the success stories of doctors
the synergy between Hindu and software engineers, but also
a new breed of South Asians in
a diversity of fields: art, show
business, finance, cuisine,
banking, writing, US politics Prison inmate with supplies gifted by the Hindu Society of Kenya
and more. In subsequent let-
ters to the editor, South Asians east africa
Hindu leaders of West Africa at puja in Ghana’s Hindu Monastery
africa
expressed their appreciation for
the coverage, but also pointed African Hindus Serve
out that South Asians still have
African Council Mobilizes a large marginalized US popu-
lation that has yet to taste the
God in Women’s Prison
I n early june, 2003, shri
Muljibhai Pindolia, president
institutions were enthusiastic
about Pindolia’s plan. It was pro-
Balinese Hindus pray silently during the spring equinox, Indonesia
success portrayed in the article.
Also, especially since 9/11, dis-
crimination and racial violence
H indus in kenya continue to set high marks for social
outreach programs. On March 8, 2004, International Women’s
Day, the Hindu society of Kenya joined together with the Prison-
of the Kenya-based Hindu posed that the Accra national bali fires, turned on no lights, did against South Asians are still re- ers Care Programme, a Kenyan NGO, to visit Nairobi’s Langata
Council in Africa (HCA),
toured Hindu institutions in the
body could be the coordination
center for Togo, Benin, Burkina New Year not go to work or leave their
homes or make any noise. Tour-
alities that aren’t so rosy. Anoth-
er Asian wrote that credit also
women’s prison. They brought much needed supplies, toiletries and
personal health care items that would otherwise not be available to
West African nations of Ghana, Faso, Niger, Mali, Sierra Leone, ists were also required to stay should be given to the US itself: prisoners. The prisoners celebrated the visit by putting on a fashion
Togo, Benin and Nigeria. He
sought to mobilize Hindu insti-
Ivory Coast, Senegal and Chad.
Muljibhai then went to Togo and
Silence in Bali quiet, and even the airport was
closed from 6am until 6am the
“These achievements would not
have been possible but for the
show for their guests featuring handmade-in-prison clothing.
to the inner worlds, in Mumbai, advisor to leaders of nations, a usa the inside the fires of teaching,
Makes It Big India. A passionate, compas-
sionate voice for Mother Earth
globe-trotting star at hundreds
of conferences, teacher of tens Modern Day worship and sadhana were kept
burning by 100 devotees, in-
In Dilbert of thousands of children and
champion of Earth and her Gurukula cluding babies and elders. It was
a joyful, all-family, gurukula-
liladhar j. bharadia; agence france presse, clockwise from top: newsweek, nigel parry; agence france
6 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 b ay i s m o y o ; u n i t e d m e d i a , s c o t t a d a m s press, simon maina; udayabhanu panickar; hinduism today j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2004 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 7
environment use, pollution and solid waste. It
was started by Ritu Primlani,
IN MY OPINION
Greening 30, director of the non-profit
The Eateries
Thimmakka’s Resources for En-
vironmental Education (TREE).
Primlani was born in India and
Winning the Hearts of Youth
G reening ethnic restau-
rants (GER) is a California
project targeting 180 San Fran-
infused with environmentalism
by her father, a botany profes-
sor at Benares Hindu University. When teachers become students, learning is fun
cisco Bay Area ethnic restau- She received her Masters at
rants to reduce energy and water UCLA. “Restaurants are the
greatest consumers of energy
B Y D A H Y A B H A I K . PAT E L
per square foot, more than any
HINDU RENAISSANCE TEAM
other US industry. They are HINDUISM TODAY was founded January 5, 1979, y wife sushila and i We rearranged our classes so
also the largest producers of by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. It is a conduct a youth pro- that we were all sitting in a
recyclable and compostable solid nonprofit educational activity of Himalayan gram for teenage Hin- circle, instead of in rows. This
waste (generally 83 percent of Academy with the following purposes:1. To dus at our local mandir last change alone solved many
their solid waste is divertable).” foster Hindu solidarity as a unity in diversity (a Hindu worship center) in communication problems.
c o u r t e s y d a h ya b h a i k . pat e l
Restaurant owners are respond- Holi: The Hindu spring Festival of Colors is escalating globally among all sects and lineages; 2. To inform and Berlin, New Jersey. When we With all these modifications,
ing positively because they inspire Hindus worldwide and people interest- initially volunteered to per- the youth started feeling much
f e s t i va l s ed in Hinduism; 3. To dispel myths, illusions
save money by complying with South Africa, where the tradi- form this service in 1994, the better about the program. Ac-
and misinformation about Hinduism; 4. To pro-
energy and recycling regulations. tion had nearly died, Gujaratis program consisted primarily of tually, they became inspired
What one lady and a team of vol-
unteers can do—in the first year,
Festival of celebrated Holi throughout the
country. In this conflict-rid-
tect, preserve and promote the sacred Vedas
and the Hindu religion; 5. To nurture and mon- kids attending academic disser-
tations presented by respected
beyond even our highest
expectation. Of their own ac-
44 cooperating restaurants saved
163,000 kilowatt hours of energy
Colors Grows den period, the Holi spirit of
burying the past, setting aside
itor the ongoing spiritual Hindu renaissance;
6. To publish a resource for Hindu leaders and
educators who promote Sanatana Dharma. Join
scholars on topics related to
Hindu religion and culture.
cord, they began pulling in
new class participants with
and over two million gallons of
water; 342 tons of solid waste
were diverted from landfills
H oli, also known in some
communities as “Phagwa,”
was always big in India, espe-
all differences in a riot of color,
overcoming hatred with joy-
ful play, letting go the old to
this seva by sending letters, clippings, reports
on events and encouraging others. to subscribe.
Our classes took place from
10 am until twelve noon on
the second and fourth Sundays of each
an assortment of innovative
recruitment plans including
visiting and talking with parents, volunteer-
and owners saved about $2,172 cially among North Indians. But embrace the fullness of faith in Founder: Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami month during the school year. Although ing to help with youth activities, creating in-
a year. Primlani estimates that this year the Hindu spring festi- nature’s youthful emergence, Publisher: Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami we were very enthusiastic about our new formational booths at local Indian functions,
nearly 107,000 pounds of CO2 val, spearheaded by Caribbean is seen by many as yet another Editor-in-Chief: Paramacharya Palaniswami project, it got off to a very slow start. All talking to friends at school and communicat-
were saved from being released Hindus, drew tens of thousands much needed Hindu contribu- Publisher’s Aide: Paramacharya Ceyonswami too often, my wife and I were the only ones ing with their own parents about what they
Primlani with restaurant owner into the atmosphere. in Queens, New York. And, in tion to a world in conflict. Deputy Editor: Acharya Kumarswami present at the beginning of each morning were doing for the youth program.
Managing Editor: Sannyasin Arumugaswami session. The youth trickled in as late as My wife and I were so impressed. These
Graphics Director: Sannyasin Natarajnathaswami 11:30 am, and the average class attendance kids were really taking the classes to heart
tary and Alternative Medicine, clothing symbols because they Production Manager: Sannyasin Sivakatirswami had dropped to about ten kids per ses- and working passionately to help them
a consultative body to the US are able to show “compelling Contributing Editor: Yogi Japendranatha sion. Those who came did so only because grow. After a year, the class attendance rose
National Institutes of Health. interest” in reducing lawless- Advertising Manager: Sadhaka Jothinatha their parents told them to. It was not hard to 85 and included kids as young as twelve
This is the first time ayurveda ness in school. But no compel- Correspondents: Choodamani Sivaram, Bangalore;
to foresee that this program in its present years of age. Now, Jain and Sikh children
FLORIDA APPEALS COURT HAS municipal leaders decided to has been included. ling interest was shown for the Rajiv Malik, Prabha Prabhakar Bhardwaj, Madhu
form would most certainly self destruct are joining in, and parents are reporting
made an important decision for provide a large plot in Pul-i- head scarf. The outcome of this within two or three years. We had to do that their children are looking forward to
Kishwar, Delhi; Mangala Prasad Mohanty, Orissa; V. S.
US Hindu leaders to note: that Charkhi, about 12 kilometers NORTH AMERICAN SIKHS FLEW case will also apply to future something fast. the classes so much that they don’t want to
Gopalakrishnan, Kerala; Basudeb Dhar, Bangladesh;
the town of Surfside violated east of the capital, so the small 150 birs (holy books) of Sri attempts to limit expressions First, we tried to understand the problem miss even a single session.
Archana Dongre, Los Angeles; Lavina Melwani, New
the Religious Land Use and community can perform its cre- Guru Granth Sahib on a char- of Hindu religion by students, by understanding the youth. After all, the Today, one of our typical Sunday morn-
York; Dr. Hari Bansh Jha, Nepal; Anil Mahabir, Paras
Institutionalized Persons Act mation rituals. tered plane from Amritsar to such as wearing a bindi. classes were for them. Here were some of ings includes prayer, worship, yoga asanas,
Canada to replace old and Ramoutar, Trinidad; V. G. Julie Rajan, Philadelphia; religious storytelling, chanting, games and
when the town tried to take our insights: 1) Young people like to be giv-
away the legal rights of two IN A VICTORY FOR WOMEN’S tattered copies in Gurudwaras DR. ANURADHA BOSE, OF THE Rajesh Jantilal, South Africa; Iraja Sivadas, California; en incentive; 2) They don’t like to be told scriptural study.
Jewish synagogues to stay in rights, in March, Delhi High across the continent. Treated as Christian Medical College in Tara Katir, Hawaii. HPI Staff: Janaka Param, Toshade- what to do; 3) They enjoy a free learning The most important aspect of conducting
the business district. The Act, Court judge Justice Vikramajit the holy guru, each book had Vellore, India, said in a study va Guhan, Clive Roberts, Easan Katir, Adi Alahan, environment in which they are encouraged a successful youth program is recognizing
which applies also to Hindu Sen made history by ruling that, its own seat. No other cargo in The Lancet Medical Journal, Chandra Sankara, Shama Vinayaga, Arjana Daswani. to raise questions and offer feedback, even that teachers are also students. Throughout
temples, states, “No government “(upon divorce) as much as one was allowed. that family conflicts, domestic Sanskritist: Dr. P. Jayaraman, New York. Artists: A. about the teaching program itself; 4) All this process, my wife and I have learned to
shall impose or implement a half of the husband’s earn- violence, failed romances and Manivelu, S. Rajam. Cartoonists: M. Arumugam, Bob youth are not the same—the concerns of understand teenagers more deeply by sin-
land use regulation in a manner ing should be divided equally THE US JUSTICE DEPARTMENT mental illness have pushed the Thaves, Ripin Karla. Photo Contributors: Thomas L. older teens, for instance, are far different cerely respecting their views, ideas, thoughts,
that treats a religious assembly among the other members of filed a complaint against the suicide rate of young people in Kelly, Stephen P. Huyler, Dinodia, Amit Kumar, Dev from those of younger teens. opinions and feelings. We have also discov-
or institution on less than equal the family. The archaic rule Muskogee, Oklahoma, Public southern India to the highest in Raj Agarwal, Gilles Flament, Vel Kadressen, Mu Deva- Keeping all of this in mind, we embarked ered that successful communication with
terms with a nonreligious as- (of allowing only 1/5 of the School district for suspend- the world. Suicide accounts for rayan, Indivar Sivanathan. Web Masters: Nitya Nade- upon making some fundamental changes to youth is best accomplished by creating a
sembly or institution.” husband’s disposable income ing an 11-year-old Muslim one-half to three-quarters of all san, Sadhunathan Nadesan. Distribution: USA: Ingram the existing program. They were as follows: warm environment with few restrictions.
as alimony) was a vestige of a girl for refusing to remove her deaths in young women and a Periodicals, New Leaf, EBSCO Subscription Services, We cut the length of the speeches in half,
KABUL CREMATION-GROUND bygone era.” head scarf, alleging that their quarter of deaths in young men OneSource, Ubiquity. Europe: SWETS Subscription allowing thirty minutes for open discussion. Dahyabhai K. Patel is a mechanical engi-
challenges have been resolved suspension violated the equal in the region. Suicide is a lead- Service. Malaysia and Singapore: Sanathana Dharma We replaced some lecture sessions with neer who immigrated to the US in 1974
for Afghanistan’s minority Sikh DR. BALA V. MANYAM WAS protection clause of the Four- ing cause of death in 15-19 year Publications. India: Central News Agency Limited, workshops on cooking, arts, crafts, public from Gujarat. He and his wife now live in
and Hindu community. With appointed in April to represent teenth Amendment of the US olds worldwide. In 2000, an es- Delhi. Mauritius: CODIP. Trinidad: Pandit Narendra speaking and more. We gave the youth op- Voorhees, New Jersey. He is General
prompting from an Institute for ayurveda on the National Advi- Constitution. Schools have been timated 815,000 young people & Ashwinee Ragoonanan. Printer: Banta Publications portunities to communicate with newcomers Secretary to the Board of Trustees of
War and Peace report, Kabul sory Council for Complemen- successful in banning gang worldwide took their own lives. Group, Kansas City, MO and encouraged them to make new friends. the India Temple Association.
the monthly;
8 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 epa photos, paul hilton j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 9
PUBLISHER’S DESK Working in the home: A mother
prepares dinner for her family.
Fulfilling her homemaker dharma
Career and family should not be viewed as separate from by perceiving all your spiritual,
mental and physical actions as
religious life. They are integral to fulfilling your dharma. fulfilling the will and design of
God, rather than merely fulfill-
ing personal ambitions. Try this,
B Y S A T G U R U B O D H I N A T H A V E Y L A N S WA M I even at work. Yogaswami’s words
to a young man just starting his
ver the last year, i have met our inner ability to rise up to overcome career were, “You are going out
with a surprising number of it. Paramaguru Yogaswami stressed this to work. You must dress well and
Hindus visiting our Hawaii tem- point to his devotees in Sri Lanka a half look dignified. Everything should
ple and monastery who have century ago: “Do your work. Work is sva- be an offering to God. The world
shared the concern that “We dharma—following your pattern.” is an altar.”
are so busy with our professional and One day, after I had explained all of
family life that we have little or no time this, a devotee from Los Angeles asked, 4. Work on yourself
to devote to religion.” Their perspective “How can I bridge the gap in my life? All the good habits and self-con-
is based on the concept that work and I have a job that I don’t enjoy, and my trol we develop in our outer life
worship are totally separate. Worship is boss is not kind to me. It’s only my few are useful in our inner life as well.
what is done in the temple and shrine minutes in meditation that give me any For example, if we develop good
room. Work is what is done in the fields, solace. My work doesn’t seem like wor- concentration in our school stud-
the factory or the office. The attitude is, ship at all!” In response, I offered four ies as a youth and carry this on in
“We are working to earn money to sup- remedies: 1) integrate religious practice our adult life by being focused on
port ourselves; we are worshiping to receive the blessings of the into the workplace; 2) seek opportunities the tasks we do at work, we will
Gods.” The two realms are unrelated when viewed in this way. to help and serve others; 3) strive to see have developed a strong ability to
This, of course, is not the highest Hindu perspective. Great souls all your actions as serving God; 4) utilize concentrate. So, when we sit down
tell us that work—when performed in the right spirit—is wor- your efforts at work to strengthen your to meditate, our thoughts are
s. rajam
ship. What is it that transforms work from a secular pursuit into a powers of meditation and worship, and naturally concentrated and it is
religious one? It is the overview that through the process of living build good character. easy to control the mind. However,
life we unfold spiritually. It is the knowing that through fulfilling if we let our mind wander during
our natural duties in life, honestly and to the best of our ability, 1. Integrate spirituality into your work our studies and as an adult day-
we make spiritual progress. Why? Because work puts us in situ- A basic way we can make our work a form of worship is to intro- karma yoga, or union through service. Karma yoga produces spiri- dream while working, when we sit down to meditate, we will find
ations where we interact with other people, especially when we duce religious practices into our work routine. Doing this, even tual progress in that certain past negative karmas can be mitigated, it impossible to control our thoughts.
hold our dharmic responsibility over an extended period. Through in small ways, brings blessings to our place of work and gives it a meaning lessened, as well as new positive karmas created for the Another important ability we develop in our work is willpower.
interacting with others, we learn important lessons and, as a result, more spiritual atmosphere. Many devotees take a five-minute med- future. Normally it is thought of as service done at a temple or Willpower is the strength to carry out one’s decisions, wishes or
gradually deepen our understanding, improve our behavior and itation/yoga break twice a day. Others keep a small photo of their ashram, but it is wise and prudent to extend it as widely in your plans. People who regularly make plans and fail to carry them out
become a more spiritual person. In doing so, we work through the guru or chosen Deity nearby to keep them uplifted and reminded life as you can, such as helping others in your workplace beyond lack willpower. For example, a student plans to get up early all
karma we created in the past and create new karma to be faced in of their highest aspirations. A woman in Maryland said that twice what is expected, willingly and without complaint. This counter- week to study for his tests, but when his alarm rings, he shuts it off
the future. With this in mind, we can see that our daily work con- daily she sits for a moment, breathes deeply and basks in apprecia- acts the instinctive tendency to only serve oneself, to promote one’s and decides to continue sleeping instead. We cultivate willpower
tributes to our spiritual progress just as much as attending pujas tion for God’s ever-flowing grace. A New York grocery store owner own goals and career and to help others only begrudgingly—which by finishing and doing well every task we undertake—in fact,
in the temple, worshiping in our home shrine, going on pilgrimage, keeps a shrine in the corner where he does puja every morning, ultimately makes you a lonely, unhappy, limited person. The fact is, doing it a little better than our expectations. Nothing is done with
singing bhajans, meditating or studying scripture. Paramaguru asking Ganesha to bless his business for the day and remove any the more selfish we are, the less happy we are. And the less selfish half our mind thinking about something else. Nothing is dropped
Yogaswami captured the essence of this perspective when he said, negative forces and obstacles. The stone craftsmen here on Kauai we are, the happier we are. Gurudeva gives an excellent summary in the middle. Developing these two important habits produces an
“All work must be done with the aim of reaching God.” perform a ceremony each morning at the worksite before com- of the benefits of karma yoga: “Through service and kindness, you indomitable willpower. First, finish each task. Second, do it well.
From the Hindu perspective, all of life is sacred, and perform- mencing their work of erecting Iraivan Temple, and once a year can unwind the subconscious mind and gain a clear understanding My guru taught, again and again, “The more you use your personal,
ing our duty is dharma. Dharma is a rich term that means “way hold an elaborate ceremony to worship their tools, so that God may of all laws of life. Your soul will shine forth. You will be that peace. individual willpower, the more willpower you have.”
of righteousness, religion and fulfillment of duty.” From this lofty work through those tools in the year to come. My Gurudeva, Sivaya You will radiate that inner happiness and be truly secure, simply The workplace is a veritable classroom for spiritual progress.
view, every deed is a part of our religious practice. Everything Subramuniyaswami, tells us: “Ganesha influences events slowly and by practicing being kind in thought, word and deed.” Life brings us many opportunities to fail and every opportunity to
we do is an act of worship and faith. There are no purely secular subtly, in unseen ways. Situations will change for you, unexpected succeed at the tests it offers us as we strive to be the best we can
activities. Our worship in the temple is part of our dharma, and doors will open, and accustomed ones will close as you are pro- 3. Dedicate your actions to God be. If your boss is mean to you, be grateful for the karmic chal-
our work or occupation is part of our dharma. pelled through His grace toward your inevitable glorious future.” The Hindu concept that work is worship defines a lofty, refined lenge and go out of your way to be kind to him. If, as a homemaker,
We all have certain duties in life. It is the duty of children to way of living—taking each situation, each duty, each challenge your daughter continually makes you furious, study out how to
go to school and become educated. It is the duty of adults to earn 2. Seek ways to serve and encounter as an opportunity to grow, to learn, to serve and control your anger. If you find a fellow employee intolerably annoy-
an income to properly raise, educate and care for their children. Gurudeva told a group of devotees, “Give and give until it hurts.” thus mature into your highest spiritual potential. No matter what ing, look to yourself to see what it is that keeps you from accepting
Our natural profession in this life is based on the professions we He was prescribing the means to overcome selfishness—a quality type of work it is, be it at home or in an office building, whether him just the way he is. The list of opportunities is endless.
have fulfilled in our past lives, plus the karma we bring into this that is as prevalent today as ever. He was also pointing to an effec- pleasant or distasteful, interesting or monotonous—with the right One of the profound beliefs of Hindus is that God is in all things.
life. This is our svadharma, our ideal pattern in life, and fulfilling tive way to make our work part of our worship. The secret lies in attitudes, willpower and persistence, you can transform it from Therefore, for us, there is no meaningful division between secular
it to the best of our ability causes us to make spiritual progress. helping others in selfless ways—with no expectation of payment, secular labor to a spiritual exercise that will advance you on the and religious life, for God is always there, in our job, in our boss, in
The mystic law is that no challenge can come to us that exceeds presents, praise or prestige. This is a spiritual practice known as path and uplift you and all those around you. This can be achieved our projects, if only we are subtle enough to see that truth.
10 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly /aug u s t / s e p t e m be r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly /aug u s t / s e p t e m be r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 11
LETTERS affect curriculum in the rest of the Univer-
sity; Emory College and Graduate School are
Government of India and various provincial
governments have systematically starved
Switzerland and prepare a list of Indian holy
days for the local Hindu community. As well,
An Impressive Team papers. He also goes around the US and it messy, though that is strictly my personal committed to a secular, liberal arts education. departments of Sanskrit in universities and I am active in teaching and scientific writ-
i had the golden opportunity to read educates people about our culture. You also opinion.” Democracy does not make things To imply otherwise is misleading and factu- other centers of higher learning? It is very ing on religion and culture here in Europe.
a copy of Hinduism Today which was missed David Frawley and Arvind Sharma, “messy.” It makes things run smoothly, and ally incorrect. important to know if this is true because: I enjoy and benefit from your journal. Can
given to me by Shri Rajesh Khanna whom to mention a few. more people will participate. This is just a Secondly, the characterization of Emory’s 1) Sanskrit is the mother of all Indo-Europe- you please throw some more light on the
I met at the Arupadai Veedu Temple in Govinda Prabhu beginning. As more Indians learn American curriculum and teaching of Hinduism is also an languages; 2) Our scriptures are written in Hindu year 5105? When will 5106 start?
Chennai along with some members of your New York, New York democratic ways, they are going to want to incorrect. The scene that is caricatured in Sanskrit, and all our rituals are performed in Does it start on a fixed Gregorian calendar
renaissance team. It was a wonderful ex- ∫ govindaprabhu123@hotmail.com participate in running their temple activities the cartoon is simply untrue, since Dr. Cour- Sanskrit; 3) If it is adopted as the official lan- date? Is there a more specific name to this
perience to meet foreign nationals totally in that manner. tright’s book Ganesa: Lord of Obstacles, Lord guage of India (as Hebrew is in Israel), San- calendar system? What was the occasion at
devoted to the Hindu religion, in the most ✔ Yes, you are correct, many Hindus do- One time I attended a temple meeting and of Beginnings has never been taught in an skrit can become a great unifying force for the start of this system of years?
conventional Hindu dress. I have taken the ing good work are not mentioned in the they appointed a man as the president. Then undergraduate classroom. We stand by our all Indians; 4) It is the most well organized Dr. Satish Joshi
privilege of telling as many people as pos- article for lack of space. We received over he said, “Do it this way, because I said. I am record of achievement in developing a bal- language suitable for use with computers; Zurich, Switzerland
sible about your team. a hundred responses to our request for the president.” Then I taught them how to anced and leading program in South Asian 5) Our ancient culture has survived in spite ∫ sajoshi@swissonline.ch
M.R. Krishnan names, and from those chose a cross-sec- run democratically, that when there was a Studies at Emory. of a multitude of barbaric invasions and op-
Chennai, India tion of people from around the country. We disagreement, to ask one of the members to Deepika Bahri, Joyce Flueckiger, pressive rulers who did their best to wipe out ✔ Starting with your last question, the
∫ mrkrishnan44@rediffmail.com specifically did not include scholars, such as put a resolution on the floor, discuss the reso- Laurie Patton and Rakesh Ranjan our heritage. years are counted from the beginning of the
Drs. Frawley and Sharma, who have in any lution, let someone close the resolution, vote, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia The principles of satya [truthfulness] and Kali Yuga, calculated as 3101 bce. This is the
∫ reljbf@emory.edu
Blast Those Queue Jumpers case appeared several times in Hinduism and then let the majority idea prevail. ahimsa [nonviolence] from our scriptures are system of the Tamil calendar which we fol-
i was reading your article on the Today. We don’t share the same evaluation In America, people know the democratic needed more today for the survival of the hu- low. The New Year commences on the first
Kumbha Mela festival (Apr/May/Jun 2004) of Daddy, Am I a Hindu, because of its fre- way, and they learn it in their churches and Sanskrit Starvation man race than at any time in history. They day of the month of Chaitra (April/May),
with great interest and awe. It makes me quent references to Christianity. schools. In India, all temples are run by a thank you very much for the excel- should be propagated very widely through considered auspicious because the Sun en-
proud to see how millions still carry on small group of people, and most of them are lent article “The Abuse Hinduism Receives the support and teaching of the Sanskrit lan- ters Aries, the first sign of the Zodiac at this
this age-old tradition and how Hinduism is Denim Is Not from India not run in a democratic way. One time there in US Schools Is Intolerable” (Apr/May/Jun guage and literature. Communities of Hindus time. There are several other calendars in
thriving. I had the opportunity to visit India i love your magazine and everything was a disagreement in a US temple and I told 2004). in all countries need to think about ways use in India, and they have different New
again after 19 years. The most unforgettable in it, but to my surprise you wrote that den- one of the trustees that what he was pro- On April 16, 2004, Hindu Press Interna- to support the study of Sanskrit at all levels Years.
experience was the visit to Thirumalai. Un- im fabric came from India. Denim comes posing was not in the constitution. He said, tional reported on a news item “Neglect Af- from elementary school to university. I hope
fortunately, as we proceeded through the from de Nimes, which in French means “of “Don’t worry, I’ll change it.” That shows that fects Sanskrit Academy.” The Sanskrit Acade- we can convince the central and provincial Letters with writer’s name, address and day-
queue for darshan of the Deity, mayhem Nimes,” Nimes being a town in the south of they don’t want to follow their constitution. my and Research Institute in India continues governments in India and other philanthrop- time phone number, should be sent to:
Letters, Hinduism Today
started. There was a huge concentration of France. That is where the denim fabric comes For the US, every temple should make an to be neglected and starved of resources even ic organizations to support the survival of 107 Kaholalele Road
people at the end of the queue. We were from and was invented in the 16th century. effort to write a good constitution and fol- though it is doing an excellent job. The HPI Sanskrit. Kapaa, Hawaii, 96746-9304 USA
literally sandwiched together to the extent Frederick Douillet low it properly. The democratic way is the report quoted an official from the institute: Arun J. Mehta or faxed to: (808) 822-4351
that my amma’s bangles were bent. If that San Francisco, California best way to resolve disagreements peacefully “This is the only Sanskrit research institute in Vancouver, Canada or e-mailed to: letters@hindu.org
wasn’t enough, when we actually saw Lord ∫ frederick.douillet@paymap.com and have more participation from all of the South India. We are just about managing to ∫ amehta91326@yahoo.com
Letters may be edited for space and clarity
Venkateswara, we were allowed less than ten members. Democracy says an organization do skeletal work. The lack of funds has bro- and may appear in electronic versions of
seconds to pray before being shoved away ✔ You are right, denim does come from de or social unit is governed ultimately by all ken the back of the institute.” The Tamil New Year Hinduism Today.
by the temple staff. Nimes. It is not known where this particular its members or their elected representatives. Is there any historical evidence that the i am a hindu from india settled in ∫ indicates letters received via e-mail
Frankly, I haven’t come across a temple weave of cotton was first created, only that it This is the means of making sure all are given
with this many people visiting on a normal was present in France, Italy and India in the empowerment for ultimate efficiency and
day. It is undoubtedly one of the great pilgrim 16th century. The fabric coming from India brotherhood.
places in the world and continues to astonish
people. Many have second thoughts of going
was actually called “dungaree,” owing to its If you are a member of a temple, ask for a
origins near the Dungri Fort outside Mum- copy of the constitution and read it. See if it
Bonds of Solidarity
there, mainly due to the poor crowd control. bai. So, it was not correct to say in our Did is being followed. If it is not properly written,
There is a saying among the devotees that
hardship must be suffered to appreciate Lord
You Know that “Denim Comes from India.” participate in making changes to the mem-
bers’ satisfaction.
Join Us to Strengthen Hinduism
Venkateswara. But I’m sure God wouldn’t like Democracy in Hindu Temples Bharat J. Gajjar
people to suffer to see Him, and, moreover, hindus cannot live without democ- Hockessin, Delaware t was satguru sivaya subramuniyaswami’s vision that gave
the hardship is usually suffered by walking racy, but at the same time they do not know ∫ bgajjar@comcast.net rise to Hinduism Today in 1979. He saw Hinduism as a vast trea-
up the hill or by fasting. how to work within the democratic way. sure, as humanity’s greatest asset and best hope. The time has come,
The management there has improved tre- Recently, articles have been printed saying Emory University Is Secular he would say, to first learn the subject well, then figuratively “shout
mendously over the years, but more needs that members have taken the Ganesh Tem- we would like to clarify a few fact- Hinduism’s virtues from the rooftops!” He made it Hinduism Today’s
to be done. I would really like to see a bet- ple in New York to court. The newspaper ual misconceptions about your recent por- first mission to help put the world’s Hindus in touch with each other,
ter management there and, in the future, a says, “The Queens Supreme Court late last trayal of Emory University in the Hinduism giving ample coverage to builders of the contemporary Hindu renais- Sharing a vision: Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
smoother flow of people and a more pleasant year dissolved the temple’s board of trustees Today April/May/June 2004 issue, whose sance—countless dedicated souls, including Swami Chinmayananda, conferring with Ram Swarup in New Delhi, 1995
trip for all Hindus and others alike. and appointed a referee to oversee an elec- cover story is “Tackling 10 Misconceptions Ram Swarup and Sita Ram Goel (article in this issue, pp. 52-55). Per-
Sanjeev Kumar toral process for the temple. The decision is About Hinduism.” The portrayal of Em- haps Hinduism Today’s best accomplishment has been to forge bonds of Hindu Heritage Endowment, have been established
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia a landmark, since only a few Hindu temples ory is found in the cartoon pull-out titled of solidarity and clarity of vision across all five continents, all denomi- to provide grants to enhance production capacity and
∫ ksanjeevk@hotmail.com in this country have elections.” Dr. Uma My- “Hinduism as Taught in American Schools.” nations, all walks of life and cultural origins. widen magazine distribution to worthy institutions.
sorekar, society president, says, “For all these First, although Emory University was We are optimistic at Hinduism’s progress in 25 years, and privileged You can help greatly—by becoming a Benefactor, for
Why No Mention? years, we just followed what had been done founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church to be a small but strategic part of it. We are also overwhelmed with example, by making the Hinduism Today Production
in your article, “oh, for a fair view in the temple, and no one ever said anything.” in 1936, its programs today are entirely secu- the sense of oh-so-much-yet-to-do in the next 25 years and beyond—in Fund the beneficiary of a gift of $5,000 or more in
of Hinduism” (Apr/May/Jun 2004), I am That means they do not have a democratic lar, with the exception of those of the Candler order to reveal Hinduism in all its awesome relevance, to ensure that your estate plan. For details, please contact us:
surprised that you made no mention of Ed election. She also said, “I tell them we will School of Theology (other leading American its soothing, tolerant voice is heard ever more clearly, and its golden
Viswanathan or his book, Daddy, Am I a do whatever the court says, but I also advise universities, such as Harvard and Yale, show teachings made more widely available. To this end, a Hinduism Today www.hheonline.org/ht/plannedgiving/
Hindu? The book has received very good them not to have elections in their temples, this same historical development). In no way Production Fund and a Hinduism Today Distribution Fund, both part 808-822-3012, ext 244 • hhe@hindu.org
reviews from many magazines and news- it will only politicize the temple and make does affiliation with the Methodist Church
12 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 13
Frank and Ernest © 2001 THAVES. REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION.
You shine, all living things emerge. You disappear, they go to rest. Recogniz-
ing our innocence, O golden-haired Sun, arise; let each day be better than
the last. Rig Veda (X, 37, 9)
comes from the verb odhu, meaning “to 3,000 odhuvars. Now, after a long decline, Vira Saiva saint plined self-denial that those who
a. manivel
chant.” These often humble, quiet men the tradition is being revived and several attain it may even delay the mo-
memorize astonishing numbers of verses schools for training young men in the an- Hindu society has been the meeting point ment of death.
Songbird: Dharmapuram P. Swamina- from the Tirumurai, a twelve-book col- cient art of temple singing are springing as well as the melting pot of as many spiri-
than, South India’s preeminent odhuvar lection of the hymns and writings of 24 up in South India. tual visions as the human psyche is capable
14 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / a u g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly / a u g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 15
FROM THE VEDAS
The Vedas are the divinely revealed and most revered scriptures, Swami Nikhilananda (1895-1973) was founder and
sruti, of Hinduism, likened to the Torah (1,200 bce), Bible New spiritual leader of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center
Testament (100 ce), Koran (630 ce) or Zend Avesta (600 bce). Four
in number, Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva, the Vedas include over of New York from 1933 to his Mahasamadhi in 1973. His
100,000 verses. Oldest portions may date back as far as 6,000 BCE. four-volume Upanishad translation was completed in 1959.
16 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / a u g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly / a u g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 17
Namaste, movie lovers! Grab your popcorn
bucket and super-sized soft drink and join
our film festival host, Mark Hawthorne, as
he takes us through movie history. First
Mark showcases movies that draw directly
on a Hindu belief, most commonly reincar-
nation, for their central plot. In Part Two
he unveils spiritualist movies, those that
present the interaction of this world and
the next, but do not go into reincarnation.
Finally he highlights the “spiritual cinema,”
films with decidedly Hindu themes—like
the “Force” of Star Wars and the maya-like
world of The Matrix—along with heavy
doses of other theologies. Now, on with the
show…
AS WE EXPLORE HOLLYWOOD
ies, and the movies they are making are no
longer just about cowboys and cops, teen-
age angst and tragic happenings. More
MOVIES BASED AROUND SOME and more movies are telling us about life’s
meaning, about the interconnectedness
18 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 19
spent the war years in the US,
penning novels and screenplays
“Now people accept the paranormal, the possibility of dimen- Kenai, the older brother is killed
sions out there,” said director Robert Wise and—through the power of the
that turned to Hinduism for their
inspiration. Maugham wrote The
the possibility or even during filming in 1976. Though a bit dated, aurora borealis, inhabited by the
the movie is entertaining, informative and spirits of the tribe’s ancestors—is
Razor’s Edge after visiting Bhaga-
van Sri Ramana Maharshi in In-
the likelihood that respectful of Hindu ideals. transformed into an eagle. The
Not surprisingly, Audrey Rose (rated PG wise woman counsels Kenai to
dia, for example, while Isherwood
lived at the Vedanta Society in
there is life after life for some intense moments) was marketed as accept this outcome as the will of
a horror film. The 1970s saw a tremendous the universe, but he determines
Hollywood, writing film scripts
and helping Swami Prabhavanan-
and that we go from amount of spiritual material in the media, to kill the bear, arguing that’s
but this was also the decade that gave audi- what a man should do—and even
da with translations of the Upa-
nishads and Bhagavad Gita. Now
lifetime to lifetime. ences The Exorcist, The Omen and Carrie though it was his own careless-
(all very scary movies involving young peo- ness that allowed the bear to steal
mainstream films incorporating
the spiritual concepts found in
They certainly accept ple and the supernatural), and Hollywood the fish at all.
was eager to ride these paranormal coattails He succeeds, but older brother
Hinduism are commonplace—par-
ticularly the ideals of karma, maya
it in a film setting, to the bank. Audrey Rose does not seem to Sitka, now a spirit, transforms
know if it wants to be a spooky melodrama or Kenai himself into a bear. This
and reincarnation—and virtually
no explanation is necessary. Film-
and that is a huge a commentary on reincarnation. While the “instant karma” ensures Kenai
scenes of Ivy “re-experiencing” the death will see the world with a decid-
maker Stephen Simon develops
movies that explore human be-
change in 30 years.” of Audrey Rose are played up for effect, the edly ursine perspective. Kenai’s
message of the story is really the principle rebirth as an animal, a concept
liefs and values, including What —stephen simon, producer, of reincarnation and how one life leads to common to both the Hindu and
Dreams May Come. He observes, and impacts another; hence, the tragic con- Native American traditions, is
“Today you can start a movie with What Dreams May Come clusion of Audrey Rose belies a message of artistically emphasized: the film
pa r a m o u n t p i c t u r e s
the assumption that people accept hope. The movie ends with a quote from literally opens up when Kenai
and understand reincarnation.” judicated in a New York courtroom! Those the Bhagavad Gita: “There is no end. For enters the animal world, shifting
(See article, page 26.) defending reincarnation bring in a Hindu the soul there is never birth nor death. Nor, from the standard 1:85:1 aspect
Audrey Rose: One of the ear- holy man to explain the concept and why having once been, It is unborn, eternal, ever- ratio to the widescreen 2:35:1
liest mainstream Hollywood hundreds of millions of Indians believe in existing, undying and primeval.” while the color palette becomes
disney
treatments of reincarnation was it. During this testimony, we see scenes of Brother Bear: Last season’s account of highly saturated. Not only is Ke-
Audrey Rose. This 1977 film a Hindu funeral procession in India, which reincarnation is found in Disney’s Brother nai a bear, but he is shortly be-
Mystery: Murdered in one life, tormented in the stars Anthony Hopkins as Elliot ends at a cremation ghat. Because of their Bear, a spiritually ambitious animated fea- friended by a frightened cub, that Lesson in karma: In Disney’s Brother Bear, a boy
next, the heroine strives to resolve her fate Hoover, a man who believes his belief in reincarnation, the maharishi, as ture aimed at young audiences in which the of the bear he killed. Denahi, is reincarnated as a bear to learn another view of life
daughter has reincarnated as an- he is identified, tells the court, Hindus are transmigration of souls takes center stage finding only Kenai’s clothes and
High Noon in 1952 to A Beautiful Mind in other girl, Ivy, born only minutes after the able to live each life in a spiritually produc- in a story aimed to teach tolerance of those this new bear nearby, misinterprets the path may be Rutt, a moose who practices
2001. And now they are on the verge of ex- violent death of his child, Audrey Rose. His tive manner. One could nitpick some of the who are different. Set along the northwest tableau and begins hunting the bear, think- yoga. Although the asanas are named, they
ploring a nearly Upanishadic vision of the belief comes in part from a visit to India, movie’s philosophical details, but Hindus coast of prehistoric North America, the ing it killed Kenai. It is a lesson in karma, are not identified as yoga—another indica-
cosmos, inner and outer. Indeed, movies are during which he discovers the Hindu prin- will be amazed at the forthright presentation. story involves three brothers: brave older Kenai killing the bear in one life and then tion of how much audiences have come to
the philosophical texts of today’s youth. For- ciple of samsara. “They believe this life is “I don’t think we’re going to prove reincar- brother Sitka, spirited middle brother De- being hunted by humans in the next. As accept Hindu concepts. (Be sure to watch
tunately, many of them are rich in meaning. not the end,” he explains to Ivy’s incredulous nation in this picture, but I’m very open to nahi and the troublesome younger brother well, with the cub he orphaned now in tow, the closing credits, featuring a humorous
And just as the Western world is suddenly parents. “This is one act in a vast cosmic the whole possibility of the supernatural, Kenai. Each wears a small, carved represen- Kenai faces the consequences of his action. scene with Rutt giving yoga instruction.)
enamored of Indian food and fashion, it is drama.” The screenplay for Audrey Rose tation of the animal spirit that has chosen The spirituality in Brother Bear will be Brother Bear (rated G, though there is some
slowly drawing toward deeper Hindu philo- and the novel upon which the film is based Audrey Rose: (left to right) A formal trial him. Sitka wears an eagle, Denahi a wolf, familiar to Hindus. A fundamental message violence) received mixed reviews when it
sophical understandings in, of all places, the were written by Frank De Felitta, who in- is held as to the truth of reincarnation. and Kenai a bear, for, as the tribe’s wise of the film is that we are all connected, just was released in 2003. Movie critics gener-
movies. vestigated reincarnation after witnessing Called to testify are a Hindu swami (im- woman tells him, the bear represents love. as the Vedas teach that through atman we
While the movies of the 1940s might not his six-year-old son play ragtime tunes on probably swearing on a Bible) who effec- But Kenai doesn’t like bears, and he doesn’t are all part of the universal soul of Brah- Defending Your Life: (left to right) The newly
have explicitly presented Hindu philosophy, the piano—an instrument his son had never tively explains the Hindu view of death. think love is a manly quality, so we’re not man. Also, through mitigating past karma, deceased are wheeled into Judgment City;
there was much going on behind the scenes learned. Indeed, the movie and the novel During his testimony scenes of funeral surprised when he impulsively picks a fight forgoing retaliation and accepting responsi- Meryl Streep and Albert Brooks view their
in Los Angeles. British authors like Maugham, present a compelling case for reincarnation, rituals in India are shown, including this with a bear who tries to steal the brothers’ bility, Kenai-as-bear is managing his karma. very different pasts in the Past Lives Pavil-
Christopher Isherwood and Aldous Huxley with scenes depicting the very concept ad- at a Banaras ghat. fishing catch. When Sitka steps in to protect A character even further along the spiritual ion; Shirley Maclaine as the Pavilion’s host
wa r n e r b r o t h e r s
united artists
7 7 —> 7 A —> 7 A 8 8 —> 8 A —> 8 A 9 9 —> 9 A —> 9 A 10 10 —> 1 0 A—> 1 0 A 11 11 —> 1 1 A—> 1 1 A 12 12 —> 1 2 A—> 1 2 A
20 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 21
| || | | 7 | || | | K–200 8 FUJI | || | | 9 | || | | 10 | || | | FUJI 11 K–200 | || | | 12
pa r a m o u n t p i c t u r e s
pa r a m o u n t p i c t u r e s
Lives past and present: Barbra Streisand gets parents who watch this with their children. movie is to speculate how karma and re- Many manifestations: (left to right) The of the mind and the body as the content and
skeptical. They are taken aback when Lama
reincarnated in On a Clear Day, You Can Dead Again: Bringing us back to modern incarnation work, though he reduces them little Buddha prostrates in return to the the container,” he says, holding a cup of tea,
Norbu suggests that Jesse should perhaps be
See Forever; hypnotism in Dead Again; chil- times is the psychological thriller Dead to mere sound bites. “It’s the karmic credit lama; Captain Nemo and his Kali shrine in which he then breaks. “Like the mind after
raised as a Buddhist monk in Bhutan.
dren in Little Buddha observe the real Bud- Again, in which reincarnation plays a key plan,” he glibly tells Mike and Grace. “Buy League of Extraordinary Gentlemen; his death, the tea moves from one container to
The movie actually weaves two narratives:
dha as they listen to their lama’s story role in telling parallel stories in different now, pay forever.” To further emphasize re- submarine’s Siva Lingam coning tower the next, but it is still tea.” The emphasis
while the story of Jesse and his eventual
time frames that meet at a dramatic cross- incarnation, Branagh uses secondary play- on reincarnation stresses continuity and in-
journey to present-day Bhutan is told, we
ally praised its spiritual elements and hand- roads in the third act. The film opens in ers in dual roles, appearing as one character and led to the formation of the Association terdependence. Once in Bhutan, Jesse and
also learn the tale of Prince Siddhartha, the
drawn animation, while ranking it as one black and white, recounting the tragic ro- in the Forties and then another in the Nine- for Past-Life Research and Therapies (now his father discover there are now two other
Hindu prince who grew up to become the
of Disney’s lesser efforts, and moviegoers mance of German composer Roman Strauss ties. The film is a well-made thriller in the the International Association for Regression children being considered as possible rein-
Buddha 2,500 years ago. These sequences
made it a marginal success with just over and his pianist wife Margaret, played by tradition of Hitchcock and surprisingly as- Research & Therapies Inc.). On a Clear Day carnations of Lama Dorje: a poor boy from
are cleverly told to Jesse using a book Lama
us$85 million in U.S. ticket sales. In the Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson. tute, even profound, philosophically. It por- You Can See Forever (rated G) failed at the the streets of Kathmandu and a rich Indian
Norbu gives him about the enlightenment
surprise ending, Kenai elects to remain a Roman and Margaret live a lavish life in trays the interlocked karmas of Roman and box office, perhaps a casualty of the change girl. By the end of the film, Jesse and his two
of Siddhartha (Keanu Reeves). In an impor-
bear, care for the cub and live in peace with post-World-War-II Hollywood filled with Margaret, now reincarnated, and the people in American moviegoers, who by 1970 new friends have learned the true mean-
tant scene in the film, Lama Norbu explains
humans—all useful points of discussion for grand parties, music and intrigue. When from the 40s, now much older, originally were favoring gritty, realistic dramas. It also ing of the cycle of life, death and rebirth.
reincarnation to Dean. “In Tibet we think
Margaret is found murdered, sus- responsible for Margaret’s murder. Despite suffers from a dearth of memo- Faring only slightly better among
Born in Seattle: In Little Buddha, Tibetan lamas say picion falls on the jealous husband, generally enthusiastic reviews from critics rable music, which is surprising Forgetting to forget: This romantic comedy involves a rein- critics than it did with audiences,
one of their own has reincarnated in America who is found guilty and executed. like Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times, considering the creative forces carnated soul who remembers too much Little Buddha (rated PG for mature
The story then shifts to color and who gave it four stars, Dead Again (rated R behind it. Critics have noted themes) was panned for not going
moves ahead forty years. Branagh, for profanity and violence) received only a that director Vincente Minnelli’s deep enough with the material and
who also directed, now plays tepid reception at the box office in 1991. big-screen version features badly was a bona fide bomb at the box of-
Mike Church, a Los Angeles pri- On a Clear Day: Giving reincarnation the truncated songs that have been fice in 1993. Still, the Washington
vate investigator looking into the genuine show biz treatment is On a Clear shifted to different characters Post called it “botched but beauti-
case of a woman who has lost her Day You Can See Forever, starring Barbra or simply deleted. Not having ful,” while Spirituality & Health
memory, played by Thompson. Streisand. Making its debut on the Broad- seen the stage version, I cannot magazine commended the film’s
For convenience, Mike refers to way stage in 1965, this musical from play- compare the two, but I wasn’t “straight-ahead focus on death.” I
the amnesiac woman as “Grace,” wright and lyricist Alan Jay Lerner was particularly fond of the film. Still, was one of the few who saw this
and, in trying to learn her iden- adapted for the screen five years later. Strei- it is about reincarnation and the in its theatrical release, and while
tity they meet a hypnotist, who sand plays Daisy Gamble, a modern New complexities knowledge of past I found some of the acting wooden,
brings to light the story of Roman Yorker who believes hypnosis can cure her lives introduces into the present including Keanu Reeves as the Bud-
and Margaret, all displayed in the smoking habit, so she seeks the help of Dr. one—a recurring theme in many dha, I enjoyed it enough to have
pages of Life magazine. Yes, Mike Chabot (Yves Montand), a professor of psy- of these movies.. seen it three times now. Children
and Grace look a lot like Roman chiatry who lectures on hypnosis at a local Little Buddha: A rare Western will likely find it interesting, too.
and Margaret, they all agree. But medical school. During their hypnotherapy film dwelling almost entirely on Orlando: A less direct treatment
the detective is cynical. sessions, Daisy speaks of a previous life as a samsara is director Bernardo of reincarnation can be found in
As the story unfolds, we see nineteenth-century English woman named Bertolucci’s Little Buddha. In Orlando, an impressive screen
there is clearly more of a con- Melinda Tentrees. This provokes Chabot, a a monastery in Bhutan, Lama adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s
nection than physical resem- man of Western science, to seek the advice Norbu (Ying Ruocheng), a Ti- 1928 novel. The story spans four
blance. Like the character of Ivy of his colleagues, who are quick to laugh betan monk, is delighted to learn centuries, beginning in England
in Audrey Rose, Grace is plagued at the suggestion of reincarnation. But re- that his teacher, Lama Dorje, in 1600 with Orlando (played by
by nightmares of an untimely search into Melinda Tentrees proves Daisy who died nine years earlier, may actress Tilda Swinton) as a young
death. Oblique clues of an af- is telling the truth, thus supporting the case now be in a boy living in Seat- nobleman who has found favor with
terlife are layered on as the film for rebirth. tle, where the monks have long Queen Elizabeth I. In the twilight
bounces back and forth between The plot was likely inspired by the case of had a dharma center. The boy’s of her reign, the monarch gives
the noir 1940s and the blossom- Virginia Tighe, a Colorado housewife who parents, Dean and Lisa Conrad Orlando the deed to her ancestral
ing romance of Mike and Grace: underwent hypnosis in 1952 to cure her al- (Chris Isaak and Bridget Fonda), home with some strings attached:
Dining with Roman one evening, lergies and revealed detailed accounts of life are not religious people and nei- “Do not fade, do not wither, do not
c o l u m b i a / t r i s ta r
Margaret spills a glass of wine; as a nineteenth-century Irish woman named ther believes in reincarnation, so grow old”—words the ambitious
Roman tells her she has “more Bridey Murphy. Her hypnotherapist, Morey when monks appear at their door aristocrat takes to heart. Since we
beauty than grace.” Mike also Bernstein, wrote a best-selling book on the saying their son Jesse (Alex Wi- see Orlando pass through each cen-
seeks advice from Dr. Carlisle case, The Search for Bridey Murphy, which esendanger) may be the reincar- tury without aging, like a Victorian
miramax
(Robin Williams), a former psy- was the basis for a film of the same title, nation of a venerated Buddhist Babaji (the never-aging saint of the
chiatrist whose main role in the launched a reincarnation debate in America master, they are understandably Himalayas) we are not surprised
22 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 23
of Tom Cruise, made Vanilla Sky does not use the word karma,
one of the most successful films of the product of a person’s actions,
2001 with more than $100 million thoughts and deeds is depicted
in domestic ticket sales. as being one of two fates: rein-
Defending Your Life: After the carnation or moksha. And Brooks
intensity of Vanilla Sky, you may is obviously having fun with the
enjoy the comic take on the after- principle of reincarnation. When
life found in Defending Your Life. Daniel and Julia check into sepa-
Life is good for Daniel Miller (Al- rate booths at the Past Lives Pavil-
bert Brooks), a divorced advertis- ion, Shirley MacLaine leads them
ing executive, until he smashes his through the steps to view their
new BMW into a bus and is killed. previous incarnations. While Julia
He finds himself in Judgment City, sees she was once heroic Prince
a place between planes of exis- Valiant, Daniel discovers he was
tence that looks a lot like south- an African warrior chased by a
ern California; here the weather lion. “Who are you?” Julia shouts.
is always 74 degrees and you can “Lunch,” says Daniel. After watch-
eat all you want without gaining ing Hindu concepts represented
weight. Daniel is told that he must so faithfully, we’re surprised
appear before a tribunal that will when the film cheats a little with
determine whether he goes on to a the final scene.
higher existence or is reincarnated With Defending Your Life (rated
back on Earth. PG), Albert Brooks lived up to his
Daniel’s defender in this court reputation for creating good films
is genial Bob Diamond (Rip Torn), that few people see in theaters. A
who tells him that it can take many Brooks fan myself, I found this to
lifetimes to reach the state where be one of his best. Although it re-
pa r a m o u n t
one is ready to move on. This is ceived very high praise from most
faithful to the Hindu concept of critics, the film never found an au-
moksha, the liberation from rebirth dience and earned only $16 million
a person enjoys only after going Musical reincarnation: The Clear Day story was drawn from in the U.S. in 1991. That’s a shame,
through all the experiences in the the real life reincarnation case of Bridey Murphy since this is suitable for family view-
physical world. In court, scenes ing and is a fun look at samsara. But
from Daniel’s life reveal moments of fear while Julia will not. Julia and the other ma- then, that’s show business, and Defending
and anxiety—scenes that illustrate how im- ture souls who have been liberated depart Your Life remains just one example of how
portant the motive behind an action can be. Judgment City in one tram, while Daniel filmmakers in the West are not only inspired
The theme here, we understand, is resolving and those destined for reincarnation leave by Hindu philosophy but can now assume
karma. Between court proceedings, Dan- in another. Seeing Julia moving on, Daniel we’re familiar enough with these concepts
iel meets and falls in love with Julia (Meryl suddenly overcomes his fears and escapes to enjoy the story and not be weighed down
Streep), a joyful woman who seems destined from his tram to hers, thus apparently by- with definitions. ∏π
for liberation from samsara. When he sees passing rebirth. It’s the standard ending for a Mark Hawthorne writes about Asian phil-
that Julia’s most recent life was filled with romantic comedy, but rather implausible in osophical and religious traditions.
love and benevolent actions, such as going the Hindu view of reincarnation and what
back into a burning house to save the fam- is required for liberation from rebirth. Altered realities: (left to right) Cruise’s
ily cat, while his life was filled with fear and Brooks, who also wrote and directed character is cryogenically frozen; In Broth-
anxiety, Daniel worries he will be reincar- the film, creates an afterlife filled not with er Bear, Aurora Borealis lights cause Kenai
nated and separated from Julia. pearly gates and angels, but in which spiri- to incarnate into the bear he has just killed;
When the final ruling comes, it’s no sur- tual reckoning means you must account for Kenai and his young friend talk about a
prise that Daniel must be returned to Earth your actions on Earth. Although the film bear’s worst enemy—man
| || | | 10 | || | | FUJI 11 K–200 | || | | 12
disney
7 —> 7 A 8 —> 8 A 9 —> 9 A 10 —> 1 0 A 11 —> 1 1 A 12 —> 1 2 A
j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 25
GHOSTS
s
film
Skeptics claim that such results show the to unresolved personal circum-
power of the media; indeed, movies with stances on the earthly plane; their
gram
people talking to ghosts—or ghosts com- release from this karma is neces-
p o ly
municating with people—are more popular sary for reincarnation to proceed.
than ever. Two ghost movies have proved to Sensing his paranormal abilities,
h o l ly w o o d p i c t u r e s
be especially popular with audiences. they solicit Cole’s help to resolve
It’s no surprise that director M. Night their earthly issues. Sam, too,
Shyamalan would incorporate messages must resolve issues on Earth be-
into The Sixth Sense that resonate with fore he can move on; in the mean-
a l a s ta i r m u i r
a l a s ta i r m u i r
Hindus. Bruce Willis plays Malcolm Crowe, time, he is directly involved in the
a child psychologist who begins treating a karmic payoff for the two charac-
new patient, eight-year-old Cole (Haley Joel ters responsible for his death.
Osment). Cole has become a reluctant and Shyamalan was surprised to dis- Scary movie: Haley Osment as Cole and Bruce Willis
helpless channel for ghosts with unresolved cover Western audiences weren’t as Dr. Crowe teamed up in Shyamalan’s classic More than entertainment: Stephen Simon, producer of What Dreams May Come, believes movies can help convey spiritual lessons
issues in their lives on Earth. Only when familiar with the Hindu concept
Malcolm believes Cole is truly interacting of the afterlife. He says, “It’s just an accepted Ghost (rated PG-13 for violence and TRENDS
with the next world, with two-way commu- thing in India that there are ghosts or spirits strong language) was not as well received
nication with astral plane “ghosts,” is he able in the house, and so it was something I as- by critics, but that didn’t stop filmgoers
to help him, and Cole is then able to help sumed was common here, but I guess not.” from buying more than $200 million worth
the ghosts resolve their issues. Bruce Joel Rubin, who wrote the screen- of tickets in the US, making it the second-
Movies As the Modern Theological Medium
The movie Ghost also involves spirits who play for Ghost, says he was inspired by a highest grossing film of 1990 (though prob-
have unfinished business on planet Earth, trip to India and studying Buddhism in Ne- ably not suitable for children). It is a bit Even Hollywood isn’t prepared to accept a Godless, meaningless world
but in this case, the ghost is here to assist the pal. “My supposition in the movie,” he says, sappy, making it a favorite among those who
living. Patrick Swayze is Sam, an investment “is that there is a larger universe that we in- love romantic films, but its message makes
counselor who is killed by a mugger one habit—that we exist before we are born, that it worth watching, and Whoopi Goldberg’s piritual cinema” is what producer/ in Time, discusses how movies like The require movie stars, but that just focus on
night, but turns away from the welcoming we exist after we’re born and that life is a Oscar-winning performance as the medium director/author Stephen Simon calls a Truman Show, Stars Wars and The Matrix the story and the empowerment and the
light of the afterlife to remain on Earth in particular passageway, and how you engage who can hear Sam is great fun. ∏π new genre of films examining who we explore the nature of life, love and time in beauty of being human. And that’s what
his spirit form and observe as his girlfriend, that life is very meaningful.” are and why we’re here. He explains his book The Force Is With You: Mystical Spiritual Cinema is.” Simon observes that
Molly (Demi Moore), mourns and attempts to The Sixth Sense (rated PG-13 for intense Where worlds meet: (left to right) Eight- that individuals and cultures that lose their Movie Messages That Inspire Our Lives.
piece her life together. Sam needs to tell her thematic material and violent images) is year-old Cole consults with Dr. Crowe; a connection to the unseen divine essence He says, “There is a huge void when it First reality show: (left to right) Truman
she’s in mortal danger from the same people one of those rare films where critical praise little girl poisoned by her mother appeals become devoid of love, respect and com- comes to movies that make us feel better with his make-believe family; worldwide
who killed him. Here again the astral world matched ticket sales. It was the second-high- for Cole’s help; Sam confronts the medium, passion. Simon, a producer on films such as about being human beings—films that do viewing of the Truman Show; Truman
and the physical interconnect dramatically. est grossing movie of 1999, at $293 million. played by Whoopi Goldberg in Ghost What Dreams May Come and Somewhere not have to be made for a lot of money or takes a final bow before exiting his world
pa r a m o u n t
pa r a m o u n t
pa r a m o u n t
7 7 —> 7 A —> 7 A 8 8 —> 8 A —> 8 A 9 9 —> 9 A —> 9 A 10 10 —> 1 0 A—> 1 0 A 11 11 —> 1 1 A—> 1 1 A 12 12 —> 1 2 A—> 1 2 A
26 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 27
hitting homeruns. For that reason, deal,” he says. “The whole movie was about the true nature of reality and his role in com- for thematic elements involving
the average cost of making and legitimizing the entire reincarnation pro- bating those who control it. The protagonists death, some disturbing images
marketing a major studio film cess. Now people accept the possibility or of The Matrix populate an illusory world and and language) was not a box-of-
today is $90 million. When you even the likelihood that there is life after discover that only an unplugged/awake world fice success, though it was well
spend that kind of money, they life and that we go from lifetime to lifetime. is the real world. It sounds Hindu, but the received by many film critics in
have to go for huge, broad-based They certainly accept it in a film setting, movie is also loaded with Christian symbol- 1998, notably Roger Ebert, who
movies.” and that is a huge change in 30 years.” ism. Still, the closing credits of the final in- called it “a film that even in its
In such an environment, many If the Seventies were a time for reincarna- stallment run to the chanting (in Sanskrit) of imperfect form shows how mov-
producers regard movies with tion to be more accepted by mainstream au- “Lead me from unreality to reality, lead me ies can imagine the unknown,
spiritual themes as problematic. diences, we seem to be at the beginning of from darkness to light, lead me from death can lead our imaginations into
“Studios don’t believe in the sub- a new era for maya. “The concept of what’s to immortality,” from the Brihadaranyaka wonderful places.” Other crit-
ject matter of spiritual movies real and what’s not real is something that is Upanishad. ics, though noting the compel-
enough to make them without fascinating to people because we’re living in Simon believes Star Wars has a powerful ling visuals, were unable to see
star power, for instance, Bruce an age where we’re questioning that,” says spiritual message. The first of six episodes beyond the story’s many deaths
Willis in The Sixth Sense. And I Simon. “In 2001 we had a whole group of from filmmaker George Lucas, Star Wars is and could not recommend it.
never would have gotten What movies that question reality: Vanilla Sky, a powerful experience in the genre of Spiri- Bringing in more than $125
Dreams May Come made if we Mulholland Drive, Waking Life and Me- tual Cinema, according to Simon, because million qualifies The Truman
hadn’t gotten Robin Williams. We mento. The granddad of these, The Matrix, of “the Force.” The Force is described as Show (rated PG for thematic
were basically told, ‘Robin Wil- came out just two years earlier. When that an energy field created by all living things, elements and mild language)
liams or Tom Hanks, or we’re not happens, you know we are questioning the binding the universe together, and it’s what as one of 1998’s financial hits,
making the movie.’” world. What is real and what is illusion?” gives the story’s heroes—Jedi knights—their and critics almost universally
But that wasn’t the only ob- While a lot of Hindus would interpret many power. Lucas told Time magazine in 1999: praised it. Among the few dis-
wa r n e r b r o t h e r s
stacle Simon overcame with this of these movies in terms of maya, they may “I put the Force into the movie in order to senting voices was Janet Maslin
film, which is based on the book also be derived from the bleak concepts try to awaken a certain kind of spirituality of The New York Times, who ob-
lucase film
by Richard Matheson and deals of existentialism. The difference is that in in young people—more a belief in God than served that the film’s conclusion
with two soul mates and their Hinduism all of creation is divine, while in a belief in any particular religious system. I is too conventional for the plot’s
afterlives: one mate braves hell existentialism, it is meaningless, or evil. wanted to make it so that young people would inventive set-up. This is a good
in search of the other. The plot Central to the plot of The Truman Show is begin to ask questions about the mystery.” film for family viewing, leading
It’s all maya: Poster for The Matrix, about a world is similar to the end of the Maha- that life is an illusion; that is, the world Tru- The spirituality in Star Wars is so uni- to a discussion of maya. The Force: A western set in outer space, nothing sparked
where humans live in a machine-induced dream bharata, in which Yudhishthira’s man Burbank (Jim Carrey) sees is not the real versal that many world religions, from Ad- The Matrix (rated R for theological discussion like Star Wars
virtue is tested, though this ap- world. In fact, everyone knows it’s an illusion ventism to Zoroastrianism, have found their sci-fi violence), on the other
movie studios used to produce films for ev- pears to be a coincidence. While the film’s except Truman, who goes about his life un- beliefs reflected in the movie. Hindus, for hand, is not suitable for children, though much of our cultural landscape, how can we
ery audience, a practice that changed when strongest message is the power of love, aware that he is the star of a television show example, will recognize the disciple’s search it also met with kudos from reviewers not examine its many sources and consider
corporations took control of movie studios, What Dreams May Come features an after- watched 24/7 by millions around the world. for a guru in Luke Skywalker’s search for and audiences alike, who raved about its impact? With $270 million in domestic
cutting traditional movie moguls out of the life in which one’s belief creates experience, Truman catches on relatively late in life when Jedi master Yoda in The Empire Strikes its state-of-art visuals, meaningful plot ticket sales, Star Wars was the number-one
business. These moguls might have had and being reincarnated is a matter of choice. the enormous film set he lives in—an entire Back, the second Star Wars installment. and kinetic action. It took in more than film in 1977, and has gone on to earn $798
their faults, but they were visionaries who “When I first read the novel What Dreams town, the sky and miles of ocean—and the Yoda instructs Luke in the use of the Force, $171 million in domestic ticket sales. million around the world, ranking as the
were willing to take chances, and they loved May Come, in 1979, the idea of spending actors he calls friends begin to let clues slip. which seems to have much in common with Finally, Star Wars (rated PG for sci-fi vio- twelfth biggest box office draw of all time.
making movies. “Corporate thinking has almost an entire movie in an afterlife set- In the end, Truman Burbank breaks free of Shakti, and teaches him that life is an illu- lence) redefined the word “blockbuster.” It’s The first three Star Wars films—Star Wars,
replaced entrepreneurial thinking,” says Si- ting was completely crazy to people. I think the veil of maya and enters the real world—or, sion, filled with “crude matter.” hard to believe there’s anyone who hasn’t The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the
mon, “and, as we all know, corporate think- one of the reasons it took me 20 years to at least, Southern California. But, as Simon Simon sees good prospects for spirituality seen this space western. The New York Jedi—will be available on DVD in Septem-
ing is much more cautious. It’s much more get the movie made is that the world wasn’t points out, The Matrix is where this nascent in movies and predicts there will continue Times critic Vincent Canby warned in his ber, and you’ll find in these stories many
conservative. It is much more focused on ready for it.” One thing that made the pub- interest in illusion apparently began. Keanu to be a growth in films focusing on illusion. original 1977 review, “The way definitely Hindu principles to appreciate and discuss
the bottom line. Because of the corporate lic ready, says Simon, was the 1975 film The Reeves is Neo, a computer hacker who learns “I think the questioning of reality is a huge not to approach Star Wars is to expect a with younger members of the family. ∏π
takeover of Hollywood, the primary focus Reincarnation of Peter Proud, about a col- issue, and it’s going to become more of an is- film of cosmic implications or to footnote
of the studio business is to create big, broad- lege professor who gradually realizes he is Different worlds: (left to right) Testing sue as we get into this new century, because it with so many references that one antici- Movie religion: (left to right) William’s
based movies: huge action movies, dumb the reincarnation of a murder victim. “To reality in The Matrix; underground ship we’re evolving as a species and we’re asking pates it as if it were a literary duty. It’s fun character with an astral guide; Yoda with
comedies, sequels, movies that star people have reincarnation in the title and be about in The Matrix; Robin William’s character questions that we did not ask before.” and funny.” Indeed it is. But Star Wars has the young Luke Skywalker in Star Wars;
from television. They really are focused on somebody being reincarnated was a big and wife in What Dreams May Come What Dreams May Come (rated PG-13 become such a phenomenon, influencing so battleship in the midst of an attack
lucas film
pa r a m o u n t
7 7 —> 7 A —> 7 A 8 8 —> 8 A —> 8 A 9 9 —> 9 A —> 9 A 10 10 —> 1 0 A—> 1 0 A 11 11 —> 1 1 A—> 1 1 A 12 12 —> 1 2 A—> 1 2 A
28 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 29
ART
Aesthetic Himalayas
Stunning Washington D. C. exhibition showcases exquisite
Buddhist and Hindu art from Nepal, Tibet and Kashmir
By Helen Asquine Fazio, New Jersey site ivory of the fasting Buddha to a life-size wrote his PhD, with special focus on Nepal,
any years ago, when i was in the portrait of a Nepalese king as a multi-armed, under the guidance of historian Nihar Ran-
middle of my master’s degree in Art cosmic Deity. Other objects on view include jan Roy. In 1962 he received the Common-
History, I was doing research in the intricately detailed manuscript illuminations wealth Scholarship of Cambridge and got
archives of the Carnegie Institute on palm leaf, paper and wood, and brightly his second PhD. And in 1967, he moved to
Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I was colored thangkas (cloth paintings) depicting the United States. Currently, Dr. Pal is visit-
interested then in Japanese prints, but in mandalas, Deities and teachers. Stunning ing curator of Indian, Himalayan and South-
the underground climate-controlled storage stone, wood and bronze images of Deities, east Asian Art at the Art Institute of Chi-
of Pittsburgh’s most major museum I came many embellished with gemstones, gild- cago, curator emeritus of the Norton Simon
upon my first Tibetan thangka, a traditional ing and paint, are included. The melding Museum in Pasadena, California, and the
hanging scroll painting. It was a depiction of of Hindu Gods and Buddhist theology and author of over 50 books on South Asian art.
the ferocious Mahakala, the Buddhist (and artistic methods produces some astounding One reason for the misunderstanding of
Hindu) God who guards the wheel of time. Himalayan art is exemplified in the case
I asked the then curator of Asian arts what of Nepalese Hinduism and Buddhism,
it was, and he replied, “Oh, that’s a primi- wherein the Deities of each faith are often
tive fantasy of debased northern Buddhism shared. A Nepalese Hindu of the Newari
from the wild parts of the Himalayas. Don’t caste will customarily worship both Hindu
take it seriously.” A couple of years later and Buddhist Deities, yet the juxtaposition
when I joined my husband in his Himala- of Hindu and Buddhist elements has often
yan Kingdom Art Gallery venture, I was to been misinterpreted by outsiders to mean
learn to take the art of Himalayan Asia very that the Newar does not know what he or
seriously, indeed. she is doing. It has been suggested that the
los angeles county museum of art
When, in the 1960’s, art historian Dr. Himalayan regions are far from the centers
Pratapaditya Pal decided to specialize in the of culture and thus provincial. Furthermore,
art of the Himalayan regions, he faced the the ferocity of some of the Deities of Hi-
problems of an uneducated general public, malayan Buddhism—such as Llamo, the
and more shockingly, an uneducated intel- guardian Mother Goddess of Tibet and the
lectual community, which did not consider Inner Yamadharmaraja, the dispeller of ig-
r . s . v e n k ata c h a l a m
the arts of Kashmir, Nepal and Tibet to be norance—has been off-putting to foreign
“high art.” That evaluation has all changed eyes because viewers do not know the seri-
with “Himalayas: An Aesthetic Adventure,” ous philosophy behind the ferocious images.
organized by the Art Institute of Chicago. I The Sackler Gallery worked to educate
went to see it on display at the Smithson- its public on Himalayan art through a series
ian Institute’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in of wonderful programs and lectures during
Washington D.C. It features 163 Buddhist, the exhibition. Dr. Pal himself spoke at the
Hindu and Bon paintings and sculpture cre- Origin of Kathmandu: Bhim Dahal, per- October opening (the exhibit closed January,
ated between the 7th and 19th century. forms the dance story of Manjusri, patron 2004). A film series, concerts of Himalayan
Works on view were created in an aston- God of the Kathmandu Valley music and chanting, demonstrations of the
ishingly large variety of media, scale and techniques of Himalayan art, dance presen-
color, ranging from a tiny, rare and exqui- images, such as that of Lord Ganesha (page tations, a lecture by Dr. Robert Thurman,
m e t r o p o l i ta n m u s e u m o f a r t, n e w y o r k
Buddha, from Jammu and Kashmir, 8th Pal’s triumphant response that unequivocally an art historian whose insight and enthusi-
century; Hindu God Kumara on His pea- validates his faith in the monumental contri- asm are infectious. She was daily on site in
r . s . v e n k ata c h a l a m
p r i vat e c o l l e c t i o n
cock, 10th century Nepal, stone; Copper bution of the art traditions of the Himalayas.” the gallery to watch over the exhibition and
statue of Goddess Chamunda from Nepal, Born in Bangladesh, Dr. Pal grew up in to inform and guide the docent staff as they
14th century; Terracotta of Mahasiddha Calcutta. He did his doctorate in fine arts make the close educational connections be-
Kirava, Nepal, 13th century. and history at the University of Calcutta and tween the exhibition and the visiting public.
j u ly / a u g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 31
Ganesha in Tibet: The Tibetan Deity Tsog
dag (“Lord of Accumulated Merit”) de-
picted in a manuscript ordered by the fifth
Dalai Lama in 1670 on ritual prayer. The
attributes of Lord Ganesha are preserved,
including His rodent mount.
r . s . v e n k ata c h a l a m
Singh, Mr. Eckerd and Mr. Dahal for their
progressive and enriching work and to the
unnamed artists themselves. ∏π
m u d ava r aya n
Waters of life: Lord Siva as Godavari rains
grace on Earth as water from two vessels
m u d ava r aya n
Mass prayer: Tens of millions of pilgrims begin to assemble at
the Godavari River in Rajmundhry, Andhra Pradesh, on the
m u d e i va r aya n
34 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 35
F E S T I VA L S maintain order. While thorough efforts have time the river itself takes on great mystical sharamam and Antharvedi in the East Go-
obviously been made to anticipate every powers capable of revitalizing life, curing davari Districts.
Forty million devotees seek grace and redemption conceivable emergency, the atmosphere is physical ailments and bestowing spiritual To enrich the festival, the State Tourism
still permeated with an uncertain feeling of unfoldment. Often referred to as South In- Department organized cultural exhibitions
during a twelve-day Siva festival in Andhra Pradesh impending chaos as the drama actually be- dia’s Maha Kumbha Mela, Godavari Push- and ethnic food festivals in these towns.
gins to unfold. In the end, however, all will karam occurs only once in twelve years. Also featured were literary and cultural
turn out well—primarily because of careful According to ancient legend, a great sage programs, including religious discourses,
By Mangala Prasad Mohanty, Orissa they are able to penetrate the thick crowds planning and precautions. and devotee of Lord Siva named Gouthama devotional music, poetry readings and stage
t is one moment past midnight on and reach the water. Many wait for the most Godavari, a Burmese word for “river,” is performed such rigorous penance in South plays. All through the twelve days, priests
Monday, July 28, 2003—the first day of astrologically auspicious moment, which is also a name for Siva in the form of flowing India that he actually succeeded in bringing were furiously busy everywhere, perform-
South India’s famous Godavari Push- 12:59 pm on Wednesday, July 30. Still oth- water, like “Ganga” or the “Ganges.” A push- divine grace down to Earth in the physical ing family religious rites along the river. In
karam festival. Already thousands of ers linger longer, patiently taking their turn karam is a distinguished event. Hence, the form of flowing water, right from the tress- particular, the rituals honoring death anni-
devotees from all over India have flooded in the natural timing of the colossal event. Godavari Pushkaram is an auspicious occa- es of Siva’s henna-red hair. The place this versaries are a primary custom performed
nine temple towns in Andhra Pradesh dedi- By the end of the first day, over a half mil- sion dedicated to the worship of Siva with sacred water is said to have fallen is called during Godavari Pushkaram.
cated to the celebration of this twelve-day lion pilgrims have taken their coveted holy prayers for the descent of divine grace for Triambaka, located in the Nasik district of In Rajmundhry, just before the festival be-
religious extravaganza honoring Lord Siva. dip. By the festival’s end on August 10, that the improvement of life. Maharasthra. Triambaka is the origin of gan, a giant Siva Lingam was installed near
I am here in the town of Rajmundhry, figure will rise to an estimated forty mil- It is believed that benefits derived from the river Godavari, which flows from there the main river ghat to creatively assist the
the nerve center of this grand, state-wide lion—more than twice the number of those religious disciplines practiced during Go- across India into Andhra Pradesh. pilgrims in taking their holy bath (see pho-
event. Although I have attended many large who participated in the same festival when davari Pushkaram are compounded expo- The nine temple towns hosting the festi- tos). This massive Lingam is bathed with
religious festivals like this, I continue to be it last occurred, in 1991. nentially. Such disciplines include the per- val in the state of Andhra Pradesh this year water from the Godavari, which overflows
amazed at how each one seems to maintain The state government of Andhra Pradesh formance of charity, japa (the recitation of are Basara in Adilabad; Dharmapuri and its base to shower nearby pilgrims gathered
m u d ava r aya n
its own sense of awe. There is a raw potency spent us$38 million in preparation for the mantras), worship, meditation and ritual Kaleswaram in Karimnagar; Bhadrachalam to receive the blessings of the sacred water.
in this slowly flowing mass of people—like event, and the Central Government con- bathing. Ritual bathing is especially popular, in Khammam; Kovvuru in West Godavari, I was one of those devotees. I was blessed. I
the quiet dynamism of an elephant that usu- tributed more than eleven million. These since it is believed that during this festival Rajmundhry and Pattiseema; and Drak- am blessed. ∏π
ally remains subdued, yet could erupt with preparations included elaborate arrange-
As in days of old: A nameless sadhu with uncontrollable force at any moment. Such is ments to establish lodging, dressing facilities,
matted locks smiles benignly as thousands India, its peace and its power, side by side. public toilets, drinking water, cloak rooms
of devotees (below) crowd near the Goda- Every single pilgrim here is determined and shoe stands. Two hundred TV control
vari River. Police boats are strategically to do one thing: Take a holy dip in the Goda- centers were erected to monitor crowds, and
positioned to provide safety for bathers. vari River. Some bathe right away, as soon as thirty thousand police were dispatched to
m u d ava r aya n
One of nine: Of the nine towns chosen for the celebra-
tion of Godavari Pushkaram, Rajmundhry is considered
m u d ava r aya n
the most auspicious. A huge Siva Lingam was built and
bathed with water from the Godavari (right), overflowing
onto devotees seeking blessings near the golden domed
Rajmundhry Siva temple (below).
m u d ava r aya n
m u d ava r aya n
ship skills, primarily to become
teachers for the younger chil-
dren. There are nine kids in
this program now. They work
on developing leadership skills
and on meeting goals through
such projects as putting to-
gether bhajana books and re-
sources for the younger kids’
classes, conducting seva proj-
ects, gathering inspirational
quotes for study circles, writ-
ing plays and individual study
projects like the eight limbs of
yoga and others. Then they
s e s h u b a d r i nat h / p i pa l p r o d u c t i o n s
work on how they can take
that information and gear it
down for the younger kids.”
s e s h u b a d r i nat h / p i pa l p r o d u c t i o n s
38 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly / a u g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 39
WO CARS BANG FENDERS AT AN INTER-
section; tempers flare and a fistfight
breaks out. In a store nearby, a man
stomps off in a fury, cursing the
clerk for declining his credit card.
In an apartment up the street, a mother
screams at her daughter to clean up her
room. Down the block, a schoolgirl
pouts because her father won’t let
her date an older boy. Around
the corner a man slaps his eight-
year-old son because he won’t
MManagement
sit still in the car. Anger is every-
anagement
where. It is the most powerful and
hurtful emotion we possess. Yet, the
average person succumbs to it help-
lessly, willingly, lapsing into insane
episodes now and again without
thinking much about it. Many
WAYS
WAYSTO
TOTAME
TAMEOUR
OUR would defend
were an ally,
a tool they
it as if it
DEADLIEST
DEADLIESTEMOTION
EMOTION would not live
without.
By By
Satguru
Satguru
Bodhinatha
Bodhinatha
Veylanswami
Veylanswami
j u ly /aug u s t / s e p t e m be r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 41
The Perils 1It is restraint that restrains rage when
it can injure. If it cannot harm, what 3 Forget anger toward all who have
offended you, for it gives rise to 5 If a man be his own guard, let him guard
himself against rage. Left unguard- 7 As a man trying to strike the ground with
his hand can hardly fail, just as surely will 9 If hostile thoughts do not invade
his mind, all his other thoughts
Of Anger does restraint really matter? teeming troubles. ed, his own wrath will annihilate him. one who treasures his temper be destroyed. may swiftly manifest.
Anger and the spiritual path: Finally, there are those who are attacking others with words or fists. Webster compares the terms the monastery. One carpenter, James, was more prone to anger wars, suicides, murder and many other forms of crime are basi-
striving to live a life following spiritual principles but are at times for anger as follows: “Anger is broadly applicable to feelings of than the other. Every few minutes, when something didn’t work cally products of anger. In fact, anger makes even a handsome
unable to control their anger and as a result end up hurting resentful or revengeful displeasure; indignation implies righteous out right, he would react by swearing loudly and at length. About person look ugly. I suggested to a friend, who is remorseful about
others and breeching Hinduism’s core principal of nonviolence, anger aroused by what seems unjust, mean or insulting; rage sug- once a week the two men would have a huge argument and his flashes of anger, that he keep a large mirror facing his office
ahimsa, as well as creating new negative karmas to live through gests a violent outburst of anger in which self-control is lost; fury James would drop his tools, stomp off the job and drive away desk. In case the anger-prone person has a lively sense of humor,
in the future. It is to these individuals, who are striving to control implies a frenzied rage that borders on madness; ire, chiefly a with tires squealing in defiance. It was definitely an interesting this mirror-therapy is likely to work.”
anger, even eliminate it from their pattern of behavior, that this literary word, suggests a show of great anger in acts, words, looks, study in anger and human nature, showing how anger is simply People’s natures are quite different in their tendency to anger.
Insight is addressed. etc.; wrath implies deep indignation expressing itself in a desire an accepted part of life for many people. Some are usually calm, but occasionally flare up. Others anger
To improve our understanding and control of anger, it is to punish or get revenge.” Swami Budhananda (1917-1983) of the Ramakrishna Mission, quite easily. Many people are quite selective about whom they
helpful to look at the concept of the three-fold nature of man: Learning to control anger is such an important part of harness- noted in a series of talks on anger (published in Vedanta Kesari, get angry with—perhaps just their spouse.
1) superconscious or spiritual, 2) intellectual or mental and 3) in- ing the instinctive nature that the 2,200-year-old, South Indian www.sriramakrishnamath.org): “The evil effects of anger are My Gurudeva, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, observed
stinctive or physical-emotional. It is the instinctive nature, the scripture on ethics, the Tirukural, devotes an entire chapter to innumerable. The first thing that happens to an angry person is that anger is the most difficult fault to overcome, because it man-
animal-like nature, that contains the tendencies to become angry the subject. It is, in fact, the chapter that precedes “Avoidance that he forgets the lessons of wisdom he has learnt in life. After ifests in so many different forms: pouting, long silences, shout-
and harm others. The goal of living a religious life is to learn to of Injuring Others”—the order of these chapters itself suggesting that, he loses control over his thoughts and emotions. He be- ing, yelling, swearing and more. In Living with Siva, Gurudeva
control these animal instincts—as well as the ramifications of the that to successfully practice nonviolence we need to first control comes overactive, with his highly charged ego as his only guide. lists the eight forms of anger from the book Angry All the Time
intellect and the pride of the ego—and thereby manifest one’s anger. The Tirukural warns that anger gives rise to teeming trou- He loses his power of discrimination, sense of proportion, and (see sidebar): 1) sneaky anger; 2) the cold shoulder; 3) blaming
spiritual nature. Spiritual striving produces gradual improvement bles. It kills the face’s smile and the heart’s joy. Left uncontrolled, becomes aggressive in manner, hostile to his own welfare. When and shaming; 4) swearing and yelling; 5) demands and threats;
in harnessing and transmuting our instincts, intellect and ego, it will annihilate you. It burns even friends and family who try anger becomes the second nature of a person, physical health 6) chasing and holding; 7) partly controlled violence; 8) blind
with the entire process of soul evolution spanning many lifetimes. to intervene, and easily leads to injuring others. and equanimity of mind suffer, and inner peace vanishes in a rage. These are called the eight rungs on the ladder of violence,
Anger is the instinctive behavior of responding to challenging A few years ago we had a perfect opportunity to observe seri- trice. Anger can destroy friendships, families, business partner- an analogy that Gurudeva found quite helpful in showing how
situations by becoming frustrated, upset, enraged to the point of ous anger. Two carpenters were building a house next door to ships, professional prospects. Communal and ethnic riots, arsons, anger can easily snowball. For example, an evening might start
‘The
v v
a-vrittis, the thought-waves, which being gross, we can appreciate and feel. They can be more ea
“The chitt sily controlled, but what about the
Eight Rungs on the Ladder of Violence finer insti
manipula
ncts
te it,
?
c
H
a
o
n
w
fig
c
h
an
t
t
w
h
it
e
h
y
i
b
t;
e
b
c
u
o
t
n
I
trolled? When I am angry, my w
c annot succeed perfectly in the
ho
fig
le
ht
m
u
in
n
d
til
b
I
e
c
c
a
o
n
m
g
e
e
s
t
a
d
huge wave of
ow
anger. I feel it, see it, handle it, can easily
n to its causes
.” , RA
SWAMI VIVEKANANDA JA YOGA
1: Sneaky Anger 2: The Cold Shoulder 3: Blaming and Shaming 4: Swearing, Screaming, Yelling
a l l a r t b y a . m a n i v e l ( e x c e p t c h a k r a a r t, p. 4 5 )
You act and speak normally but You shun another person and You fault others for something You lose control over your speech
purposely neglec t to do make it clear you are mad that happened and then tell and scream and yell at others.
certain tasks others have about something. How- them they are “no good” Those who have a habit of
asked you to do, pre- ever, you abs olutely in order to make them swearing are most prone
tending that you forgot refuse to let him or feel shame. Example: to this form of anger.
all about the duties. her know what it is. an employee makes a Example: A teenage
Example: A teenage E xample : A wife is simple mistake at work, girl has admitted to
boy, upset with his upset with her hus- and her boss is upset. a minor wrongdo-
father for firmly disci- band for working late Rather than help resolve ing at school. Her
plining him, retaliates and, rather than talk the problem, he points teacher, known for his
with sneaky anger by the issue through, gives blame at her, demean- foul mouth, yells at her
chronically “forgetting” him the silent, cold shoul- ing and intimidating her harshly, using cruel, out-of-
to do his household chores. der for the entire evening. with personal criticisms. control words to punish her.
42 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly /aug u s t / s e p t e m be r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 43
with a mild expression of anger that seems harmless enough but come across anyway, which stimulates that lower chakra until as an ocean wave or a butterfly’s wing. Anger is an instinc-
soon escalates into shouting and swearing and culminates in
physical violence.
one day their cynicism will turn into really good anger. Then
they build up new karmas they never had before, which they
tive-emotional protest to what is happening at a particular
moment. “Things are just not right!” anger declares. The
Wheels of Consciousness
Anger and the chakras: We gain useful insights into the na- will live with until they are faced with those karmas.” source of peace and contentment is the opposite senti-
ture of anger and how to control it by relating it to the Hindu Swearing is even more problematic, as it stimulates the lower ment—a wholesome, intelligent acceptance of life’s condi- The fourteen chakras are centers of force and conscious-
system of chakras, the subtle centers of consciousness within chakras to a greater degree than sneaky anger, the cold shoulder tions, based on the understanding that God has given us ness within the inner bodies of man—with corresponding
each individual (see sidebar). There are seven primary chakras or cynicism. Therefore, it is quite important in managing anger a perfect universe in which to grow and learn, and each nerve plexuses, ganglia and glands in the physical body.
along the spinal column and in the head. When our awareness to break the habit of swearing. challenge or seeming imperfection we encounter is an Where we reside in the range of chakras deeply influences
is flowing through these chakras, consciousness is in the higher Step one for conquering anger: For those on the spiritual path opportunity for spiritual advancement. Gurudeva wrote: our state of mind, our actions and reactions. Anger is the
nature. The seven chakras, or talas, below the spine, down to the who are striving to control anger, there is an important first step. “We are all growing toward God, and experience is the
predominant consciousness of the vitala chakra, second
feet, are all seats of instinctive consciousness, the origin of fear, That is to acknowledge that anger is a serious problem that easily path. Through experience we mature out of fear into
among the seven lower chakras, all of which are instinc-
anger, jealousy, confusion, selfishness, absence of conscience and leads to violence and is a quality that should be totally absent fearlessness, out of anger into love, out of conflict into
malice. The eighth rung on the ladder of violence—blind rage— from those dedicated to making progress in their spiritual life. peace, out of darkness into light and union in God.” tive realms of distress, darkness and confusion.
corresponds to the second lower chakra, called vitala. Gurudeva I gave the following advice via e-mail to a devotee who was The second remedy is a first-aid technique to apply
explains, “Anger comes from despair or the threatening of one’s working to refrain from expressing occasional anger toward a during angry outbursts. It is to visualize light blue flood- 1 SAHASRARA… Illumination—CROWN OF HEAD
self-will. When people are in the consciousness of this chakra, parent: “Thank you for sharing the details regarding your angry ing out from the center of your spine into your aura, 2 AJNA… Divine sight—THIRD EYE
they are even angry at God. With their wrath, they often strike encounters with your parent. I would suggest you reflect on the displacing the blackish reds that anger automatically
out at those around them, leaving a trail of hurt feelings behind seriousness of disharmony in the home. It is taking a few steps displays in the colorful field of subtle energy ra- 3 VISHUDDHA… Divine love—THROAT
them. From sustained anger arises a persistent, even burning, backward in spiritual progress. When you do sadhana, you move diating within and around your body. Mystically,
sense of resentment.” forward. But if you become angry regularly, you step backward, this has the effect of moving your awareness out 4 ANAHATA
ANAHATA… Direct cognition—HEART
When someone goes into a blind rage, he has dropped far and as a result you could end up standing still. It is like trying to of the angry state of mind into a more peaceful 5 MANIPURA… Willpower—SOLAR PLEXUS
below the chakras of memory and reason—the muladhara and save money for a special purpose. You save for a while, but then mood. The third remedy is to worship Lord Ga-
svadhishthana. Therefore it is no wonder that afterwards he become angry, which is like spending what you saved for the last nesha, the elephant-faced Lord of Dharma, a 6 SVADISHTHANA… Reason—BELOW NAVEL
may not even remember what happened. His consciousness was month. It is difficult to make your financial goal. By taking anger compassionate God, ever available to assist
7 MULADHARA… Memory—BASE OF SPINE
totally in the vitala chakra, having given up its normal faculties more seriously, you are more motivated to avoid it at all costs.” embodied souls with immediate needs to
of memory and reason. The devotee recently e-mailed again saying the advice had further their evolution. Remedy four is a 8 ATALA… Fear & lust—HIPS
Many people think that sneaky anger and the cold shoulder helped her cope with the force of anger. She had taken the first penance, setting aside a specified sum of
are natural and harmless. Gurudeva warns that, while they step—acknowledging that it is a serious problem, an unaccept- money every time you experience anger. 9 VITALA… Raging anger—THIGHS
are not as vicious as yelling and screaming or throwing objects able mode of behavior for those on the spiritual path. The fifth remedy is to skip the next meal
against the wall, these practices stimulate the lower chakras and Seven remedies: With this resolve firmly in mind, she was if you become angry. These two sacrifices are 10 SUTALA… Retaliatory jealousy—
jealousy KNEES
over time can easily lead to the more violent expressions of anger, ready to take the second step, which is to apply remedies to designed to remold deep-seated subconscious
a r t b y i . waya n m a r ya
11 TALATALA… Prolonged confusion—CALVES
as well as the experience of other lower-chakra emotions, such improve her behavior. On pages 46-48, in the illustrated side- patterns, called vasanas, convincing your sub-
as fear and jealousy. For these reasons, it is best not to indulge bar, we offer seven remedies. The first is to affirm the Hindu conscious that you are serious about controlling 12 RASATALA… Selfishness—ANKLES
in either sneaky anger or the cold shoulder. Sarcasm and cyni- philosophy that everything in the universe is perfect; the entire your anger, and gradually subduing any occur-
cism can also be forms of anger. Gurudeva said, “People who physical, mental, emotional and spiritual flow of events is moving rence of wrath. Remedy six, the flower penance, is 13 MAHATALA… Consciencelessness—FEET
are cynical are expressing their anger and contempt with snide in perfect harmony and exquisite coordination according to the a way of letting go of angry feelings that you hold 14 PATALA Malice & murder—SOLES OF FEET
remarks. They may seem to be joking, but their sharp feelings divine laws of karma and dharma. Each happening is as perfect toward another person. Offering flowers with
5: Demands and Threats 6: Chasing and Holding 7: Partly Controlled Violence 8: Blind Rage
You demand that others behave You approach or pursue others You physically strike someone for You physically attack a person
as you want them to or and physically restrain them the purpose of forcing him or with total loss of control, to
threaten you will do some- against their will and pre- her to do what you want, the extent that when you
thing dr as tic i f they vent them from leaving but without losing con- return to normal con-
don’t, such as hurt them your presence. Exam- trol. Example: A young sciousness, you may not
or yourself. Example: ple: A woman’s fian- boy is caught stealing even remember the
An argument between cee has been accused at a neighbor’s home. incident. Example: A
two business partners of seeing another The owner, outraged, sassy teenager delib-
gets out of hand and woman. Incensed, she confronts the boy erately insults an over-
reaches the point where follows him to work, and swat s him sev- weight stranger. Instead
the younger threatens grabs him desperately eral times with a stick, of just scowling, the fiery
to beat up his associ- and insists they talk about wrongly thinking that this man flies into a blind rage
ate unless he gets his way. the problem right now. will reform the errant youth. and beats him mercilessly.
44 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly /aug u s t / s e p t e m be r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 45
a loving heart has the effect of dissolving the resentment and liver maladies, hypertension, etc. Balance is achieved by calming
awakening forgiveness—be it toward a parent, spouse, employer,
sibling or friend. The seventh remedy is to perform three kindly Anger’s
Anger’sRousing
Rousing
Threat
Threat
…… and Retorts from Patience, yoga, shitali pranayama, walks, mantra, self analysis and divert-
ing the anger into a different form. Ayurvedic medicine also
acts toward someone who has disturbed you. Universal Love and Discrimination advises cooling foods and environment.”
For a loved one or close acquaintance, the Dr. Vasant Lad, director of the Ayurvedic Institute (www.ayur
acts can be performed openly. For others, such ANGER : “I will make the people veda.com) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, offers basic remedies for
as business associates, employers or fellow blind and deaf. I will overpower potentates. I can infuse I will pull out the venom- anger in The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies:
employees, your good deeds may be done them with wrath and suffocate fury, resentment, wrath, ous tooth of this demon, “Pitta is necessary for right understanding and judgment, but
subtly, even without their knowledge. It may them with rage. I will catch indignation into the minds Anger.” VISHVA PREMA , when it gets disturbed or out of balance, it creates misunder-
be difficult to fulfill this, as it requires you hold of even wise men. They of all in the twinkling of an Universal Love, cried out, standing and wrong judgment, leading to anger and hostility.
to go against the instinctive compulsion to eye. I am very powerful. I “I will! I am the water to Here are several simple home remedies to cool down that hot
shall neither harken to what
hold on to hard feelings. But acting kindly pitta and keep tempers under control.
concerns their own happi- will disturb the tapas of the quench the fire of anger.”
toward offenders releases you from the grip “Diet: Perhaps most important, a person who becomes angry
ness, nor reflect what they aspirant and even yogis and Finally, VIVEKA , Discrimina-
of seething anger, as surely as the sun dis- easily or often should follow the pitta-pacifying diet, especially
pels a morning fog, dissolving it in the light had read in the scriptures. In destroy serenity. ATMAN, tion, roared: “I will! When I avoiding hot, spicy and fermented foods, citrus fruit and sour
of higher consciousness. The seven remedies a moment I can destroy even the soul, despaired, “Alas, rise, anger dies.” fruit. Favor simple, bland foods and cool drinks, and avoid alco-
are designed to help seekers objectify their the learned, the famous, those who will help me now?” hol and drinks with caffeine.
anger, to see it in a clear, detached manner, as who are attentive to duties, KSHAMA , the virtue of Swami Sivananda (1887-1963) “Keep cool: It’s also not recommended for people with a pitta
a force that they have the power to harness the charitable and the mighty Patience, spoke up: “I will! founder, Divine Life Society body type to take saunas or steam baths, to get overheated from
and transmute into higher forms of expres- exercise or sports, or to be in too much direct sun.
sion and ultimately be free of it altogether. “Oil massage: Rub some bhringaraj oil or coconut oil on your
Diet and ayurveda: What we eat influences scalp and on the soles of the feet. That will help to bring down
our state of consciousness and where we are in firm. And when a man is in possession of a and homeopathy. The Hindu medical science, ayurveda, views the excess pitta. You can do this every night before getting in bed
the chakras more than most people realize. The Hindu ideal firm memory, all the bonds which tie him down anger as a primary sign of imbalance of the three bodily humors, to regularly moderate pitta.
of following a strict vegetarian diet has many benefits, includ- to the world are loosened.” A vegetarian diet helps put us in known as doshas. Dr. Virender Sodhi of Bellevue, Washington “Sandalwood oil: Another simple and effective way to help bal-
ing lessening the tendency to become angry. Eating meat, fish, touch with our higher consciousness and is therefore quite help- (www.ayurvedicscience.com), explained, “Anger is under the con- ance your emotions is to place a drop of sandalwood essential oil
fowl and eggs, on the other hand, opens the door to lower con- ful in increasing our control over anger, as well as the other lower trol of the pitta dosha. Pitta is intelligence, anger, digestion, fire, on the third eye area between your eyebrows, as well as on the
sciousness and makes it harder to stay out of the states of fear, states of mind. sight and so on. At the mental level, we have four drives: anger, throat, breastbone, navel, temples and wrists.
anger, jealousy and the subsequent remorseful emotions that In the healthcare industry, anger is viewed as an insidious mal- attachment, ego and desire for sex. Although all these are normal “Herbal teas: Take ½ teaspoon of chamomile and 1 teaspoon
follow. Food is largely a matter of temperament. The Chando- ady that, if not harnessed, leads to serious illness, causing high animal behaviors, imbalance in these leads to imbalance of their of fresh, finely chopped cilantro leaves and steep them in 1 cup
gya Upanishad (7.26.2) teaches: “When the food is pure, mind blood pressure, various diseases and even fatal heart attacks. It respective doshas. Just as attachment increases kapha, anger in- hot water for about 10 minutes. Allow this tea to cool before you
becomes pure. When the mind becomes pure, memory becomes is addressed with prescription drugs, aromatherapy, massage creases pitta. Imbalance in pitta dosha can cause excessive anger, drink it. You can drink it three times a day, after each meal.
our subconscious has been cleared of past reactionary patterns and reprogrammed thoroughly, you not take exception to things that
Seven
SevenRemedies
Remediesfor
forthe
theHabit
HabitofofAnger
Anger “When y
happen in
you have
the world. In understanding, you love everyone and embrace every event. You intuitively sense jus
in your memory banks knowledge of each happening acquired during all the lives you have eve
do
t what they are all going through, because
r lived.” SATGURU SIVAYA SU AMUNIYASWAMI
BR
H
ave you ever suggested to someone who was furious at 1: Affirm: Everything Is Perfect! 2: Fill Your Aura with Light Blue 3: Worship Lord Ganesha
you that he shouldn’t get so angry? Perhaps you offered,
“It certainly doesn’t make me feel very good when you From a mountaintop perspective, If you are overtaken by anger and The worship of Lord Ganesha is
unleash that force on me! And it’s not good for you either!” What God is everywhere, in all things, resentment— emotions which helpful in overcoming all emotional
was the result? He just got madder, right? “How dare you tell me and everything is in a state of bal- fill your aura with blackish red, problems, including anger. As He is
not to get angry, you #%*$¿ !” The point is, no one can change a ance and perfection at every point streaked with yellow—sit in medita- seated on the muladhara chakra,
person except that person himself. We only change when we in time. Affirm this Hindu wisdom tion, breathe and visualize light blue tuning in to His shakti helps raise
want to change. Are you ready? Controlling anger could well be regularly to cultivate patience and entering your aura and surrounding us up into the muladhara chakra
viewed as the very first exercise in spiritual life, because it stands wise acceptance, even of situa- your body. The light blue will neu- and therefore out of anger and
so squarely between the soul and peace of mind while living in tions that tend to arouse anger. To tralize the fiery reds, and before fear into a calm, stable state of
a physical body. Nothing is more fundamental to conquer, and do so, be seated, close your eyes, you know it the anger and resent- mind. In fact, you can slowly seal
doing so unleashes great energy and provides emotional sta- breathe deeply and affirm quietly ment will be gone. Simply relax and off these lower states of mind and
bility for all other endeavors. The work is well worth the effort. to yourself, “I’m all right right now, visualize soothing blue radiating keep awareness permanently lifted
So, here are some sharp tools—powerful enough to make even and everything is as it should be out from the center of your spine above fear and anger through the
a nice person nicer. They are philosophical, penitential, meta- from a mountaintop point of view.” into your inner and outer aura. regular worship of Lord Ganesha.
physical, devotional and psychological. Use them in good health!
46 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly /aug u s t / s e p t e m be r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 47
v I will permit no man to narrow
and degrade my soul by
There is nobody who lives
happily with anger.
Suppose you have a weakness of
getting angry easily. Now, what you
There should be no yelling in the
home unless there is a fire.
an early stage, rather than wait for
that anger or hatred to arise fully.
making me hate him. should do is this: Once you become
Sagely
Shantideva David O. McKay The Dalai Lama
Booker T. Washington normal again, go and sit in the family
When we speak with hatred and A nagging sense of discontent, a Resentment is like taking poison and
shrine room if you have one, or sit in
If you are patient in one moment anger, it leads to unhappiness feeling of being dissatisfied, or of waiting for the other person to die.
“Ghee nasya: Dip your little finger into a jar of brahmi ghee (or it—that is, if we are content to live on the instinctive level of our mental, physical and devotional exercise that enables us to dance ing in and around the temple and picking flowers for the pujas.
plain ghee) and lubricate the inside of your nostrils with a small being, which many people are. But each soul inevitably reaches with Siva by bringing inner advancement, changes in perception These simple acts of charya [humble service] are recommended,
amount. (Make sure your nails are trimmed so you don’t scratch a point where it seeks to harness the natural instincts. Gurudeva and improvements in character. Sadhana allows us to live in the but should not be extended to intense worship. Then, and only
yourself.) Then gently inhale the ghee upward. This sends a explained, “Anger is also, like fear, an instinctive control, and refined and cultured soul nature, rather than in the outer, instinc- then, their life will be in perspective with the philosophy of
calming message to the brain. at one time served its purpose. The onrush of anger served to tive or intellectual spheres.” But, Gurudeva warned, every time Sanatana Dharma and begin to become one with Siva’s perfect
“Shitali pranayama: Make a tube of your tongue; breathe deeply protect man’s private interests in critical situations by injecting you become angry, you destroy one month’s worth of spiritual universe. Brahmadvara, the door to the seven chakras below the
through your mouth down into your belly, hold the breath for a adrenaline into his blood and thus preparing him for defense. striving and practice, or sadhana. So, if you don’t control anger, muladhara, will then be sealed off as their experiential patterns
few seconds; exhale through your nose. Do about 12 repetitions. But as man evolves closer to his real, actinic being, he discovers performing sadhana is a waste of time. Hence, the number-one settle into the traditional perspective of how life should be and
“Yoga postures: Good yoga asanas for pitta include the camel, that actinic love, understanding, compassion and wisdom are sadhana is anger management. Gurudeva is adamant that seek- each individual should behave within it.”
cobra, cow, boat, goat and bridge poses. Avoid the headstand or higher qualities than anger.” ers refrain from any serious meditative practices until anger and When working to harness the instinctive nature, what is it that
other inverted poses, such as the plow and shoulder stand. Managing anger is important for anyone who seeks success at other lower emotions have been harnessed. “Those who remain tells us how well we are doing? It is the subtle irritation, the seed of
“Meditate: There is an ancient method of meditation that in- sophisticated endeavors and stable, wholesome relationships. For prone to anger should not do raja yoga or any form of intensive wrath, that preceeds every form of anger, from the cold shoulder
volves watching your every emotion come and go, without either aspirants seeking self-transformation on the spiritual path, it is mantra, japa, or pranayama amplification of the energies into to blind rage. Viewed in this way, the impulse to anger is—at the
naming it or trying to tame it. As the feelings arise, breathe absolutely essential, for only when the lower nature is subdued higher chakras—lest that collective energy plummet into the beginning of the path, the intermediate stages and even subtly at
deeply and exhale the emotions out.” can the divine nature be fully expressed. corresponding lower chakras and be vented through fear, anger the upper reaches—our astute teacher, signaling to us each split-
Anger and spiritual striving: Anger is a natural emotion, a Daily spiritual efforts designed to bring forth the divine nature and jealousy. Rather, they should perform the always healing second opportunity to be more patient, more understanding, more
protective function of the instinctive mind, not to be vilified or are known as sadhana, such as japa, meditation and yoga. As vasana daha tantra [writing down and burning recollections of compassionate and to find a better way to cope with tense situ-
feared. It is a part of our nature, and it is normal to express Gurudeva wrote, sadhana, spiritual discipline, is “the mystical, the past] and confine themselves to karma yoga, such as clean- ations and keep closed the door to the lower chakras. ∏π
t
4: Pay for Each Burst of Ire 5: Don’t Eat the Next Meal 6: Offer Flowers 7: Perform Three Kindly Acts
An effective and practical financial For those who can easily afford to Put up a picture of the person you If you have gotten upset with
remedy is to put a sum of money, put five dollars in a jar frequently, are angry with and for 31 days another person, do three kindly
such as five dollars, in a jar each an alternate penance is fasting. place a flower in front of the pic- acts to make up for it. This releases
time you become angry, and later Each time anger arises, simply skip ture. While doing so, sincerely for- you from your anger and guilt even
donate that money to a favorite the next meal. Denying yourself a give the person in heart and mind. if he or she is unaware of your good
orphanage or temple. Consistently meal has a potent impact, deeply When it becomes difficult to offer deeds. Example: A husband shouts
performed, this penance soon impressing your subconscious mind. the flower of forgiveness, because abusively at his wife after returning
makes it too expensive to get If you follow this without fail, the hurtful memories come up from from work. After apologizing, he
angry! This remedy impresses the instinctive nature soon catches on the subconscious mind, write down takes her dining to a place of her
subconscious mind that expressions that whenever it expresses anger it the memories and burn the paper choosing, buys her an item that she
of anger have karmic costs, and that will soon experience hunger, and in a trash can. Say, “I forgive you, needs for the kitchen and gives her
anger can be completely eliminated in this way is motivated to better for I know that you gave back to some free time by taking care of
by sincere efforts to overcome it. control this destructive emotion. me the karma that I set in motion.” the younger children for a half-day.
48 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly /aug u s t / s e p t e m be r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 49
chology, all diseases take their origin in anger. Rheumatism, heart- control anger. Be careful and vigilant and watch the ripple, then
MINISTER’S MESSAGE is a positive sign of inner strength. disease, nervous disease are all due to anger. It takes some months only you are a sage.
Self-restraint, or self-control is a for the restoration of normal equilibrium in the nervous system. Whenever there is a little irritability, stop all conversation and
sign of great mental strength. An Passion is the root, and anger the stem. You will have to destroy observe mauna (the vow of silence). Practice of mauna daily for
in “anger management.” What you’ll be taught in therapy for anger rated receiving Because anger-related stumbling block for the
in such a course can be previewed from looking the wrong catalog order by mail as health issues and resulting aspirant. He give an eso-
through, as we did, a few of the hundreds of books 60, getting cut off in traffic as 70, heart attacks in their 40s teric analysis of the causes
written on anger management by psychologists, her son’s refusing to clean his room were cutting careers short. of anger and the means to
counselors and other experienced professionals. a 75 and her mother’s request to Dr. Schiraldi, who advocates Best picks: There are also many cultivate its opposite, com-
Most begin by explaining the costs of anger. The drive her home from a bar because Arrested: Anger leads to endless ills improving one’s spiritual life, resources on anger management on the Web passion, a prime virtue of
Anger Control Workbook (189 pages, New Harbinger she’s too drunk to drive a full 90. offers this evaluation: Buddhism.
Publications, $17.95) cites a startling research study. Angry, dysfunctional people direct their hostility at their nearest and dearest. “Sometimes anger signals a lack of spiritual peace or balance. Although Most really angry people would likely need more than
A group of law students were given a test measur- Most coping methods involve learning to put intelligent thought between the Freud and Ellis attributed neurotic guilt to religion, the research paints a a book to deal with their problem, such as the motivation
ing hostility at the beginning of law school. The incipient feeling of anger and its actual expression. Rather than flying into a rage different picture. In adults, the religiously committed are less stressed, less of a judge’s orders or a doctor’s dire prognosis coupled
researchers tracked their history 25 years later and at the driver who cuts you off in traffic, consider the situation a moment. Was it depressed, less likely to commit suicide, less likely to abuse drugs and are with the help of a professional counselor. Still, there is a
found that “Twenty percent of those who had scored deliberate, or did he not see you? And even if it was deliberate, what good does it more satisfied with life and marriage. They live longer, with lower rates lot of useful information in them, and you can gain a bet-
in the top quarter of the hostility scale in law school do to get angry about it? of high blood pressure and other diseases. In short, the preponderance ter understanding and some skill in handling your own
were dead.” Only five percent who scored in the low- Another method is to visualize an upsetting scene, such as walking into your of evidence suggests that religious commitment is associated with better anger as well as that in others around you. The three
est quarter had died. Many studies show that angry son’s messy room and imagining a non-angry interaction with him about it. mental, physical and social health. Such benefits are not predicted by reli- reviewed here are a good start, and many more books
people are unhealthy and suffer devastating conse- Repeat this mentally until you can do it without becoming upset. While most rec- gious affiliation or denomination (e.g. Methodist, Muslim, Jew), but by the are available on the topic.
quences to job, family, marriage, children, friends, ommendations are based on Western psychology, some are reminiscent of Hindu depth of one’s faith—the degree to which individuals live their faith. In the anger control workbook, by matthew mackay & peter rogers, new
harbinger publications, 5674 shattuck ave., oakland, ca 94609 usa.
strangers, finances and spiritual well being. practices—repeating a few words, such as “calm down” over and over, like a man- research, religious commitment is typically operationalized as attendance anger management sourcebook, by glenn r. schiraldi & mellissa hall-
Most authors then describe the types of anger, the tra, or breathing and relaxation techniques similar to those of hatha yoga. at a church/synagogue/mosque/temple, prayer and reading sacred works. It mark kerr, contemporary books, 2 peen plaza, new york, ny 10121, usa .
healing anger, the power of patience from a buddhist perspective, by
whys and hows and possible coping strategies. The All the books we read give substantial value to religion and spirituality as also includes a relationship with God, making beliefs an important part of the dalai lama, motilal banarsidass, 41-u.a. bungalow road, jawahar
Anger Control Workbook has you rate your anger a means to gain balance in life, but The Anger Management Source Book by one’s life and connecting with others in the religious community.” nagar, delhi-110 007 india. e-mail: mlbd@vsnl.com
50 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly /aug u s t / s e p t e m be r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 51
TRANSITION
Ardent atheist turned born-again Hindu, Sita Ram Goel committed
the better part of his 82 years on Earth to restoring Hindu dignity
ita ram goel will be remembered On December 3, 2003, at the age of 83, seven years old then and too young to un-
by Hindus in India and around the world Sita Ram Goel passed away peacefully in derstand the kind of work he was doing. In
for a long time. For most of the last half of his sleep following a long illness. It was a 1964 there was some talk of his being ar-
the twentieth century, he and mentor- quiet end to a humble yet dynamic life dedi- rested, but even at that time I was not re-
friend Ram Swarup produced hundreds of cated to the revitalization of Hinduism and ally aware of what was going on. All I knew
books, articles and pamphlets extolling the the evolution of India. We at Hinduism was that he had written a book criticizing
glories of Hinduism while warning of its Today were honored to have maintained a Nehru, following the war with China, and
most malicious foes. They were a bold and fruitful association with him for more than a lot of people were getting upset. As time
outspoken twosome who published their 20 years and will long remember our visits went on, my father brought together some
works through the Voice of India (VOI), Hindu scholars interested in defending
a publication house they created just for Hindu society. This group stimulated the
this purpose. Although both Sita Ram creation of the Voice of India in 1980. It
Goel and Ram Swarup have now passed was only then that I began to read my
away, the VOI is still active—dedicated father’s articles with interest and finally
exclusively to the promotion of issues im- understood his work as a Hindu activist.
portant to the modern-day Renaissance At that time I was 35 years of age. Now
of Hinduism, a cause for which Sita Ram I am 54.
Goel gladly and courageously dedicated
his life. What inspired your father to become an
Born on October 16, 1921, Sita Ram activist? He felt that the Hindu society
Goel finished his formal education with was going through a crisis and that a Hin-
an MA in History in 1944 from the Uni- du renaissance was necessary. He wanted
versity of Delhi. Yet he spent his en- to do his part in bringing about change,
tire life pursuing and sharing a broad but gained the confidence and guidance
spectrum of knowledge on a variety of to do so from Ram Swarup, his close
subjects. He was well versed in several friend and advisor. Together, these two
languages and came to be respected as a men wrote pamphlets that were forceful
scholar of literature, philosophy, religion, and strong, with titles like “Hindu Soci-
and sociology. By his own account, he ety Under Siege,” “Defense of Hinduism”
drew his primary inspiration on all these and “Perversion of India’s Political Par-
subjects from Plato and Sri Aurobindo. lance.” Eventually they decided that, to
Although he developed a keen interest do this kind of controversial work, they
in communism during his college years, needed their own publication house.
he turned against the ideology in 1949
h i n d u i s m t o d ay
when he came to understand the plight of What was your father’s most important
people living in communist Russia. After contribution to the Hindu renaissance?
1950, he committed himself to inform- We are proud that he brought forward
ing the Indian people of the real theory new ideas in defense of Hindu society,
and practice of communism in Stalin’s and that they were well written. We can
Russia and Mao’s China. His careful and Friend and mentor: For 50 years, Ram Swarup now see that people from all over the
tediously researched work during this co-authored articulate, powerful Hindu Renais- country and around the world were af-
time rightly earned him a reputation as sance literature with Sita Ram Goel fected by this literature. Even the RSS
a formidable activist. (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and the
h i n d u i s m t o d ay
Rivals both respected and feared his with him in New Delhi at his home and BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), both Hindu
mighty insights, which were too often too during his one visit with us here in Hawaii. nationalist organizations, used his literature.
true and well-articulated to easily refute. He is survived by his two sons, Saroj Kumar Not having such material themselves, they
Sita Ram Goel chose to fight his battles so Goel and Pradip Kumar Goel. used Voice of India publications to give
far above the common, war-torn terrain of Today, Pradip manages the Voice of India, their positions substance.
human emotions that contenders not match- which is supported both by donations and
ing his wit were left to look like fools. Hence, by VOI profits which are invested back into What was the core of your father’s mes-
The
TheSagely
SagelyActivist
Activist
direct challenges to his writings were few, publications. Hinduism Today correspon- sage? In the good old days, my father used
if any. The most damaging effect upon his dent Rajiv Malik recently chatted with Pra- to run an organization called the Society for
work came from rivals following a strategy dip in New Delhi about his father, the state Defense of Freedom in Asia. Ram Swarup,
of “strangling by silence,” a crafty tactic of of Hinduism today and the prospects for In- who was also associated with this organiza-
blocking the publication of his name and his dia tomorrow. Here are some excerpts. tion, helped to bring about its focus. He pro-
works. Such a passive confinement, however, claimed that humanity had suffered three
was not nearly enough to stop his intellectu- When did you first realize your father was terrible tragedies: Christianity, Islam and
al assault on anti-Hindu forces. The writings a Hindu activist? In 1952 my father brought communism.
The lion in winter: Sita Ram Goel shortly before his passing of Sita Ram Goel are alive and well today. us to New Delhi from Calcutta. I was just Christianity is not now as bad as it used
52 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 53
to be. The cruelties once practiced in the my father was released, the case took a long When he was active, he never required as the right idea got promoted. Initially, I keep doing this as long as I am able.
name of that religion have been eliminated time to settle. It was introduced in 1987 and people to come to his house for a meeting. had our publication rights drawn up with So far as editing these publications is con-
by reforms. Now the only threat from the was finally settled sometime in 2000. In the Rather, he would go and meet them at a a copyright clause, but my father directed cerned, we would need some very highly
Christians comes from their missionary end, all that happened was we were asked place of their choosing. me to remove it and let the people use the qualified people to do this, writers who are
work. Because of the collapse of Soviet Rus- to delete certain portions of the book. We Although he could have easily remained material any way they wanted. at least as qualified as my father and Ram
sia, communism has also suffered a setback complied. But the antagonism of the whole fully occupied writing his own books, he Swarup. At the moment, I am not aware of
and has been weakened. The biggest danger incident really wore us down. was always willing to help edit and organize Why did your father write only in English? such people. It is far better that we just ask
humanity faces today comes from militant the works of others. In fact, he used to insist Many people asked my father why he did our established writers to present their own
Islam. Sooner or later, we must take care Did your father have a support group dur- that it was a part of his duty to promote the not write in Hindi. His response was that points of view rather than have them at-
of this threat that comes from these people. ing troubled times? Most of my father’s work of other deserving scholars. His first because the Christians and Muslims were tempt to modify the works of people who
My father was saying this years ago. As I Muslim and Christian friends deserted him concern was to help the Hindu cause. He using English to put forward their message, were established experts in the subjects
review his works today, I realize that his as- when they came to know that his writings was a selfless man. and the media supporting them was Eng- they handled.
sessment of so many things was absolutely spoke against their religious beliefs. Al- lish-based, he felt it was appropriate that his
correct. He was ahead of his time. though father put across his views in a very
Can you tell us a little about your mother? work should be published in English. He What about bringing his writings to the In-
My mother was always at home looking af-
polite and analytical manner, there was also made the point that the people who ternet? Right now, we have 28 titles on the
Did you ever feel that your father and ter us and performing her puja (worship).
often strong reaction. He used to say that spoke Hindi as a first language were already Internet. Our website is www.bharatvani.
your family were in danger because of his She was a pious lady. Her primary duty was
just because he criticized Christianity, that with him ideologically and did not need to org/books. I must admit, however, that this
amit kumar
work? Were there ever any threats? I could to take care of the family. She was not re-
did not mean he did not like Christians. be educated or persuaded. effort is minimal at most. We just do not
not say that we were really ever in ally concerned with what my father have the capacity to go into a more elabo-
danger. We may have thought so at was doing. She had a high regard for What do people most frequently request rate web presentation. Others might offer to
the time. But, yes, there were some “One day I meditated on ahimsa, Ram Swarup and took him to be an from VOI? We are contacted often for our undertake this work on our behalf, but we
threats. My father would get post- enlightened person. She always as- publications on Hindu philosophy. Our best The son and the father: Pradip Kumar ourselves cannot. Our primary obligation
cards saying he was indulging in which had remained an abstract sumed that, because my father was authors in this field are David Frawley and Goel displays books published by Voice of is to perpetuate the printed material. Also,
anti-Muslim activities and that one
day his sons and grandsons would
concept for me so far. Soon I found always working with him, nothing
could go wrong. She died in 1981.
Koenraad Elst. Of course, the works of my
father and Ram Swarup are also in demand,
India. (Below) Sita Ram Goal at approxi-
mately 40 years of age.
putting these works on the Internet is ex-
pensive. The Voice of India is not a commer-
be converted to Islam. Also, the fact myself begging forgiveness from all but they focused on Islam and Christianity. cial venture. Whatever money comes from
that father’s friends were frequently How did your father’s work impact selling the VOI publications is invested back
coming to him and advising him to those I had hurt by word or deed. you and the rest of his family? By How would you assess the current response into printing and distribution.
act cautiously had us all a little wor- my father had fulfilled his fa- to VOI publications? Today, the response is
ried. But he used to say that he had
This was not an exercise in generali- 1980 milial obligations and had lived a full quite satisfactory, but our publications are Can you summarize your father’s legacy?
fulfilled his duties and was ready to ties. Person after person rose into life. All of his children were married fairly low priced and therefore yield low My father created an awareness of certain
face whatever consequences might and further business dealings were profit margins for book sellers, which means surreptitious forces threatening Hinduism
come. He definitely had some spiri- my memory, going back into the dis- of no interest to him. He told us that the books are not usually kept in stock in and the fundamental culture of India. He
tual power backing him up. All
these threats that we received af- tant past, and I bowed in repentance he wanted to go full-time into writ-
ing and explained why.
the stores but rather are kept on display so
that orders can be made directly to us by
made it his life’s mission to expose the real
intentions of people who were disguised as
54 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 55
success in popularizing Sanskrit to
his love of God and, not surprising-
ly, blessings derived from chanting
Vedic mantras.
The scholar’s sacred Sanskrit re-
citals never fail to give prominence
to a rich and varied selection of
powerful prayers from the Vedas or
Upanishads. These presentations
always start in a very traditional
way with the famous Gayatri Man-
tra, followed by a chant called the
Sahasranamam. The only musical
instrument he uses is the tambura
(a simple stringed instrument), and
this only to provide sruti (a drone
sound furnishing a basic tonality).
Dr. Thiagarajan is the head of the
Department of Sanskrit at Presi-
dency College in Chennai, India.
He is the youngest to be appointed
to that position in the school’s 160-
year-old history. The Sanskrit de-
partment is 125 years old.
Dr. Thiagarajan was born in a
poor family in Injikkollai village
in Tanjavur district of Tamilnadu.
His father, D. Rajagopal, was a
temple auditor, and his grandfa-
ther, Dasaratharama Sastry, was a
h i n d u i s m t o d ay
respected Sanskrit scholar.
At an early age, Thyagu—as
h i n d u i s m t o d ay
56 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 57
the head, hooves and bones are rendered, intended to increase milk production in
High-level Hinduism: Dr. Karan Singh along with other farm animals, euthanized cows. Besides leading to increased use of
during an interview at the 2000 meet- cats and dogs and sold for animal feed. Reg- antibiotics in cows, milk from cows injected
ing of world spiritual and religious ulations now ban feeding ruminant protein with rBGH has been definitively demon-
leaders at the United Nations to other ruminants, but they still munch on strated to possess an elevated level of Insulin
the ground-up dead horses, dogs, cats, pigs, Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 has been
chickens and turkeys, as well as blood and implicated in colorectal, thyroid, bone and
fecal material of their own species and that breast cancers.”
of chickens. Eighty percent of food poison- Our dying planet: “There is a moral basis
ings can be traced to tainted meat. About 80 for the vegetarian diet for which the inde-
percent of pesticides used in America is tar- terminate value of an animal’s life takes on
geted on four specific crops—corn, soybeans, irrelevance. And that is the environment, a
cotton and wheat—the major constituents of value as absolute as the value we all place
livestock feed. Animals store pesticides in on human life, since humanity will not long
their fat. They get their most concentrated survive on a planet poisoned by the meat in-
doses of these carcinogens when they eat dustry. We tend to respond to predictions of
other animals. And we, in turn, get even looming environmental disaster by putting
more concentrated doses of carcinogens the matter out of our minds. We may label
when we eat them. The evidence that an “alarmist” someone who contends that our
animal-based diet is implicated in our soar- global pattern of environmental abuse will
ing cancer rates—our number-two killer—ri- All in one place: Hundreds of points and threaten civilization as we know it within,
b e l i e f n e t. c o m / ly n h u g h e s
vals the evidence of its contribution to our facts about the cattle industry assembled in say, thirty years. But does the time frame
number-one killer, coronary heart disease.” a book that can be read in a day or two. make a difference? Would we be satisfied
From farmer to lobbyist to vegan: “My if only our children or grandchildren live
wife, Willow Jeane, would comment about for organic food labels. Petrochemical in- normal lives before the planet becomes un-
my farm: ‘Are you sure we’re going in the terests were against it. But President Bush bearable?
right direction?’ She would note that the reluctantly signed it into law on November “When we dare to think of the threats fac-
trees were starting to die and that in spite 28th, 1990.… One hot day, I started think- ing our planet, we must consider a complex
of the herbicides, the weed problem seemed ing about all the issues, personal and politi- web of interrelated problems: air pollution,
to be getting worse. The challenge for the cal, feeling cynical about my work. Most of water pollution, land contamination, soil
Giant feedlot in Alberta, Canada: Confined cows are unnaturally fattened on grain and rendered animal protein, then pumped with anti- fifteen feedlot operators in our area had the bureaucratic subsidies I was fighting for erosion, wildlife loss, turning verdant lands
biotics. Insets: (left) Howard F. Lyman; (right) Czechoslovakian cow from a 200-head herd that was destroyed because of one BSE case. been to defeat nature. And we found that went to the raising of feed crops, not human into deserts, rainforest destruction and glob-
we could do it, but only by destroying the food. Suddenly the circle came together for al warming. Mankind’s profligate consump-
B O OK R E V I E W: H E A LT H , E N V I RON M E N T land, and with it, ourselves. me. We were, as a civilization, making one tion of animal products has made a signifi-
“Before my back operation, faced with big mistake. It was killing us as individuals, cant contribution to all of these ills, and it
Howard Lyman, once a “factory” cattle revelation of the horrific facts behind the with a stream of sometimes lurid facts and
58 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly / a u g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 59
PROFILE precincts even once, and his life has been Today, due to the inspiration and hard work of 24 classrooms. It employs 43 teachers and
one of exemplary simplicity and auster- Balamurugan and the people who help him, it 12 staff members and provides education for
ity. Aside from worshiping and meditating covers more than 30,000 square feet. 900 students.
How Lord Muruga remade three times daily—at 4:30 in the morning, Over time Swamiji has also become a The hospital, which Swamiji began con-
12 noon and six in the evening—he remains spiritual guide and social leader for the resi- structing in 1988, now has 26 staff members
A man and saved a temple fully available as a servant of the God that dents of Kilminnal. Besides catalyzing their and makes medicine available at subsidized
appeared before him during his one un- mystical and religious inclinations, he also rates to local residents. Monthly eye camps
forgettable life-changing experience. Most provides assistance of a more practical sort. sponsored by the hospital provide poor
By Kesava Mallia, Chennai of his time is spent fully immersed in the So far, he has built a school, a hospital and a villagers with cataract operations, free of
arch 20, 1968: it was a dark day supervision of temple construction and the number of roads; and provided much-need- charge. Medical specialists from Chennai
indeed for the priest at the Ratnagiri Hill hosting of guests. At 9:00 pm he retires to ed water to the area by digging wells and visit every Sunday. The Accident Relief
Temple, located between Vellore and Ar- his room for meditation and sleep. His few constructing massive tanks for water storage. Center, aided by State Government and run
cot about a hundred miles from Chennai. personal needs are easily met. It’s no wonder the local people love him and by the hospital, provides a fully equipped
Three months had gone by since he was Swamiji is an expert in working with gladly volunteer their time and energy to mobile van—the first of its kind in the Vel-
last paid, and his patience was running out. “How people. He takes special care to become lift large, heavy granite stones to the hilltop lore district—for emergency outcalls.
much longer must this go on?” he thought to himself. knowledgeable in every aspect of temple for the temple construction. The future of Kilminnal and the Ratnagiri
He was in a particularly sour mood this morning construction so that, whether he is talking In 1987, Swamiji began building his Hill Temple look bright as long as 64-year-old
and decided to not perform his obligatory daily wor- with sthapatis about stone work or silver- school for the youth of the surrounding ru- Balamurugan Adimai is around. Although
ship service in the main shrine of the temple. smiths about metal crafting, he can nego- ral areas by first constructing the Ratnagiri one might assume that the continued im-
About this time, Satchidanandam—a 27-year-old tiate knowledgeably on even the smallest Nursery, which opened with two teachers provement, maintenance and management
clerk—strolled into the temple for his usual morning details of their work. He even becomes and 18 students. of the temple, school and hospital facilities
worship. When he saw the condition of the main actively involved with the supervision of Through the years that followed, he con- that have already been created might con-
shrine, he was shocked. Not only were the lamps photographers and journalists who come structed additional buildings to provide stitute a full-time job, such might not be the
and incense not lit, but also fresh flowers and sac- regularly to publicize the progress of the on- classroom and library space for education case for the ever-vibrant Balamurugan.
raments had not been gathered and prepared. Nor going renovation. in a variety of fields including math, science, If the past provides any indication of what
had the puja implements been cleaned and set out. The neglected Ratnagiri Hill Temple, for language, literature and computer science. the future might bring—which usually it
“Where is the priest?” he thought to himself. “Why which songs were composed and sung by Today, Swamiji’s school campus includes does—there should be good reason to as-
is he not performing the morning puja?” Satchi- Saint Arunagirinathar in the 14th century, ample kitchen and bathroom facilities, a sume that more dynamic creativity can be
danandam could not help feeling a special concern was originally only 200 square feet in size. large conference hall, several libraries and expected from Balamurugan Adimai. ∏π
for the welfare of this particular temple. His father,
Kandaswami Mudaliar, had initiated the construc-
tion of the 156 steps leading up to its entrance in The Ratnagiri Hill Muruga Temple:
h i n d u i s m t o d ay
1936 and orchestrated its kumbhabhishekam (major Saint Arunagirinathar composed and sang
consecration) in 1938. songs in this temple during the 14th cen-
h i n d u i s m t o d ay
Although young Satchidanandam was discouraged tury. Balamurugan brought it back to life
by what he saw, he still circumambulated the shrine at the dawn of the third millennium.
and stood before the Deity to pray. As he began
to commune with the shakti that he felt emerging
from within the shrine, he fell into a swoon. The ex-
perience took him by surprise. Nothing like this had
God’s
ever happened to him before. As he leaned against
a pillar for support, his body quivered with bliss as
his head filled with a golden light. Just as he was
about to merge into a sea of oneness, Lord Muruga
appeared before him in His etherial body. Although
the presence of this legendary God was powerful,
He vanished almost as soon as he appeared—like
a bolt of lightening. Slowly, young Satchidanandam
settled back into a calm and peaceful physical con-
sciousness. He knew it would take some time to
fully digest what had just happened. For now, how- What One Man’s Dedication Wrought
ever, he was aware only of a mighty determination
Slave
1968: Satchidanandam enjoys a vision of Lord Muruga. Local villagers name him
to restore this neglected temple to the state of its “Balamurugan.” 1970: Balamurugan begins his service. A well is dug for the temple
original elegance and beauty. At that very moment, and nearby village of Kilminnal. The main Ratnagiri mandapam (worship hall)
the transformed young man took a vow to never and an entrance Ganesha shrine and mandapam at the base of Ratnagiri Hill are
leave the Ratnagiri Hill Temple until it had been constructed. 1973: Two more temple mandapams and a large marriage hall are
fully renovated. Thus began the work that was to be built. Six staff buildings and eight guest cottages are also constructed. 1974: An
his life’s mission. ornate temple entry arch is erected, and electricity is installed to provide night
The residents of the nearby village of Kilminnal lighting for the temple. 1975: A five-story rajagopuram (main temple tower) is
stopped calling the young man “Satchidanandam.” completed. Two 8,000-liter water tanks are installed for use by local residents. A
Instead, they referred to him as Balamurugan Adi- large dining hall and kitchen are built. 1978: A post office and police station for
mai—or just “Swamiji” for short. In the 36 years that Kilminnal are constructed. Ten staff buildings and four guest cottages are added
have passed since the clerk-turned-holy-man took to the temple. 1988: The long-term construction of a school for local youth begins.
his vow to do this work, he has not left the temple A 25-bed hospital is completed. 2003: A separate building for computer training is
constructed for the school. Science and library annexes are also added.
A changed man: Villagers call him “Balamurugan”
60 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / a u g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly / a u g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 61
SIDHIS
H E R I TAG E tion and devotion. The recording especially
showcases Courtney’s vocal versatility and
talent by allowing her to explore beyond her
formal training in Hindustani classical mu-
sic. She and husband, musicologist/percus-
sionist David Courtney, perform and teach
throughout the US. They have also orga-
nized music workshops internationally.
For Houston Hindus, the 41-minute CD,
which was recorded and edited by David
Courtney, does the community proud. Pro-
ducers of the CD are Rani and Guntupalli.
Four hundred of the CDs have been donat-
Behold these Asian Indians of African descent ed to distinguished non-profit organizations,
such as The AAPI Charitable Foundation,
Pratham, Tobacco literacy programs and
Ekal Vidyalaya. Proceeds from those sales
By Anil Mehrotra people who came from Africa but now live will benefit the education of children in In-
s the red sun sets and a silken throughout Southeast Asia. In India, about dia. The CD sells for $10 and is available
darkness creeps in, twelve dark- 30,000 Sidhis make their home in and exclusively at http://www.chandrakantha.
skinned men with Negroid fea- around Junagadh, Gujarat. com/products_and_services/lalitha.html.
tures and painted faces perform These Africans first arrived in India dur-
the “Jungle Dance” by the light ing the twelfth century, mainly as soldiers,
of flickering torch fires in Zanzibar, Africa. sailors and merchants. Some were warrior-
Passing tourists might not consider this slaves to Indian kings who valued them for
scene unusual, but it is. These performers their loyalty and fighting spirit.
Dancing for
don’t just live down the street. They are Sid- Through the generations that followed,
hi tribesmen from India who are of African the Sidhis that remained in India adapted to
descent, performing in their ancient home- the lifestyle , yet retained some ancient cul-
The Gods
land while on a world tour to honor and tural practices and a few syncretic forms of
preserve their cultural heritage. Although worship. Today, their only link with Africa Honoring the Devadasi
their music and dance is authentic and their is through their music, dance and the few
love of their legacy is true, they will admit customs they have maintained. They speak
that—although they respect this land of no African languages and do not know the evadasis are the hereditary
their ancestors—they are quite happy to be specific origin of their ancestors. temple dancers of South India. Now,
living in India. Sidhis of India are dedicated to a Muslim a new educational CD-ROM, entitled
As the evening stretches into night and Sufi saint named “Sidi Mubarak Nobi,” who Devadasis pays them
Remembering Devadasis,
the pounding drums cast a mesmerizing saint studied Sufism in Iraq but lived in In- CD RELEASES long overdue respect. Highly trained in
spell over the crowd, the aged among the dia. Also a businessman who dealt in the their craft and exemplary in their devotion,
audience become more and more attentive, sale of agates, he first visited Gujarat seek-
straining their ears and narrowing their ing these semiprecious stones for clients in
eyes as they attempt to recall strains of mu- Africa and the Middle East. Eventually he
Singing Prayers of Praise these performers never dance to entertain.
Their art is, as they describe it themselves,
“ritual attendance to the Gods.” Hence, each
sic they have almost forgotten. They have became famous for his power to heal the devadasi continually strives to merge her
not seen or heard anything like the perfor- sick and settle disputes, and the Sidhis of
mance they are now witnessing since be- India flocked to him. When he died, his
Texas talent makes Houston Hindus proud humanness in Divinity that she might be-
come a “Goddess walking on Earth.” She
fore their grandparents died. Yet, they feel body was entombed at Junagadh in Gujarat, never marries, for her husband is the God
it through their nerve system as if their an- which thereafter became an important pil- of the temple in which she performs. It is for
cestors were pounding the dust and drums grimage destination for Indian Sidhis. By Kalyani Giri, Houston, Texas The CD begins traditionally with the Him that she dances.
themselves. The Sidhis’ stage performance consists of hen friends chandrakantha Ganesh Sthuti, paying obeisance to the The South Indian temple, its presiding
As the performance continues, the trance- dancing and drumming. Eight performers Courtney, Kalpalatha Guntupalli remover of obstacles, Lord Ganesha. The Deity and the devadasis that dance within
like rhythms gradually charge the atmo- dance while four play drums called mugar- and Swaroop Rani get together, meditative Dhyana Slokas follow, calling on its precincts are all tied together. This CD-
all photos courtesy of india perspectives
sphere with electrifying power. The crowd man and musical drone boxes called malun- their conversation skims the usual the listener to summon a mental image of ROM tries to give some sense of this inter-
sways. The music intensifies. Finally, one ga. Their featured dance, called the zikr, is subjects: children, work and life in gen- Sri Lalitha. The Lalitha Sahasranamam is relationship. It centers around a 50-minute
dancer throws a freshly plucked, husked co- a riveting amalgamation of agility, strength eral. Yet, sometime last year while play- renowned for its exquisite use of descriptive video sequence of temple dancing, per-
conut high into the black cavernous sky. The and speed, characterized by a feverish, cli- fully humming a tune together, something words and imagery. Presented as a conver- formed by a highly accomplished devadasi,
crowd looks up. The coconut comes down, matic ending. special happened. Two of the three—then sation between Lord Hayagreeva and Sri which runs on screen along with a slide pre-
smashing on the head of one of the danc- “The general population in India thinks the third—got inspired. Guntupalli, an emi- Agasthya Maharishi, it celebrates the beauty sentation that shows and explains how the
ers with a thud, splitting and spraying the we are Africans,” says Yunus, a Sidhi from nent doctor with a passion for music, and of the Goddess Devi, describing Her abodes dance relates to the festivals and ceremonies
stage and the audience with its milk. The Jambur who speaks fluent Gujarati, but no Rani—also a physician—proposed the idea and the many ways She is worshiped. of the temple. There is also a shorter interac-
crowd is thrilled with this ecstatic climax. Swahili. “We are Indians. Swahili is the lan- of a musical collaborative effort to Courtney, It is the belief of Hindus that the Lalitha tive part of the CD which allows the viewer
The show is over. guage of our forefathers, and we should not Houston’s prima donna of song. The result? Sahasranamam, if chanted with devotion, to acquire—according to his choice—defini-
The Sidhis are a diffused community of forget it. Though we do use it in some of our A CD of the sacrosanct Sri Lalitha Sahas- purifies and elevates the soul. While there tions of terms, descriptions of temple ceremo-
songs, we do not know its true meaning. We ranamam Sthotram, enchantingly recited in have been many artistes over the years who nies and map routes of festival processions.
Preserving a passionate past: Sidhis from enjoy going to Africa to perform the jungle the Raga Saraswati by Courtney and Guntu- have recorded this shloka, the Courtney/ indira gandhi national centre for the arts,
India perform their hereditary dances for dances, but we would never want to settle palli. Accompanying them on the Saraswati Guntupalli rendition is engaging because 3-dr. rajendra prasad road, new delhi-110001
phone: 91-11-3383271. e-mail: ignca@doe.ernet.in.
Africans in Zanzibar down there permanently.” ∏π veena is Vimla Ahobila-Vajjula. it is an amalgam of training, sophistica- fax: 91-11-3381197, 91-11-3383495.
j u ly / a u g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 63
1920. Though an English version
was produced in 1950, it has long
him to the temples in Texas, Chicago, Liver-
more and Nashville, to name a few. The book
AYURVEDA diabetes will run away. There is much truth
in this saying. Studies have shown that indi-
Dreaded Diabetes
been out of print. The present very is well produced, a worthy addition to any viduals who walked fast for 45 minutes per
readable translation is by Swami Hindu home. day have much more blood-sugar controls
Chetananda, a monk of the Ra- hindu temples of north america, by mahalingum
kolapen, titan graphics and publications, 3733
than those who did not walk.
makrishna order since 1960 and north goldenrod road, winter park, fl 32792 usa. There are specific herbs known to help
mkolapen@aol.com.
minister of the Vedanta Society of the diabetic. The first of these is gurmar
St. Louis. The book is highly rec-
The time-tested remedies of Ayurveda can (Gymnema sylvestre) which regenerates
ommended for anyone with an in-
terest in this great modern Hindu Children’s Books the pancreas. The name itself implies
its actions. Gur means “sugar” and mar
saint. It is lengthy, and some parts dramatically improve the diabetic’s life means “to kill.” Ayurvedic tradition has
are extremely detailed, but it is inders keepers? is a picture story- known for centuries that Gymnema
filled with fascinating accounts of book for children up to sixth grade by sylvestre can help diabetic patients, but
Sri Ramakrishna’s extraordinary Robert Arnett, the acclaimed author BY DR. VIRENDER SODHI recent scientific research is proving its
experiences. and photographer of India Unveiled. benefits. Gymnema extract has shown
sri ramakrishna, his divine play by swami
saradananda, vedanta society of st. louis,
The hardcover book (36 pages, Atman yurveda is an ancient science that has been positive clinical results in both Type I and
205 s. skinker blvd., st. louis, mo 63105 usa. Press, $16.95) is beautifully illustrated by practiced for over fifty centuries. Modern science is Type II diabetes. In patients with Type I
catalog@vedantastl.org.
Smita Turakhia. It is the story of a foreign done through a hit-and-trial basis: making a hypoth- diabetes, it reduced the insulin require-
64 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly / a u g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 65
POLITICS OPINION not use a chainsaw to kill—just a shotgun.
Imagination, special effects and prosthet-
66 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j u ly / au g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 j u ly / a u g u s t / s e p t e m b e r , 2 0 0 4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 67
JANUARY TO MARCH ENDOWMENT CONTRIBUTIONS
Kauai Aadheenam Monastic Endowment Charles & Jan Roberts 121.00 Nathan Mudrick 11.00 Spiritual Park of Mauritius Endowment Manitha Neyam Trust Fund
Anonymous 259.00 Vatsala Sastry 252.00 Total 16.00 Anonymous 5.00 Anonymous 5.00
Subhash Kumar Choudhary 50.00 Linda Seeley 75.00 Nathan Mudrick 11.00 Nathan Mudrick 11.00
Rajendra Giri 30.00 Kumbhalavalai Ganesha Temple Bharath Ramaswamy 3.19 Bala Sivaceyon 20.92
Jiva Shanmuga 102.00
Endowment
KARNATAKA TEMPLE DEVELOPMENT FUND
Arul Karttikeya 292.00 Palaka Shivam 200.00 Total 19.19 Total 36.92
Nathan Mudrick 11.00 Devaladevi Sivaceyon 5.22 Anonymous 5.00
Hotranatha Ajaya 450.00 Tirumular Sannidhi Preservation Fund Mahajana College Fund
Other Donations 6,879.90 Nutanaya Sivaceyon 5.22
Himalayan Academy 3,000.00 Craig Bagdasar 50.00 Anonymous 5.00 Anonymous 5.00
Dasa Sivam 214.00
Nathan Mudrick 11.00 Nathan Mudrick 11.00 Total 5.00
Dr. and Mrs. Hiranya and Saraswathi Gowda recently
Total 10,521.90 Potriyan Sivanathan 5.22
Manoharan Navaratnarajah 75.00 Bharath Ramaswamy 3.19
Ananda Sivanesan 91.52 Kerala Temple Trust
Iraivan Temple Endowment Total 591.00 Total 19.19
Girish Skanda 10.96 Anonymous 5.00
created an endowment (#55) to help build one small Anonymous
Manish & Soniya Bhaskar
Ishani Chowdhury
26.00
100.00
50.00
Subasene Skanda
Robert Sorrells
10.00
216.00
Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Devast-
hanam Trust
Mauritius Saiva Dharmasala Endowment
Anonymous 5.00
Hotranatha Ajaya
Jiten Bardwaj
450.00
100.10
have nowhere else to go. He traveled to India early Kauai Aadheenam Annual Archana Fund
Hemakheshaa Naatha Batumallah 6.00
Gunavadee Caremben 1.90
Bharath Ramaswamy
Total
3.19
175.66
Anonymous
Sandeep Kakaria
5.00
50.00
Anonymous
Total
5.00
5.00
Kapaleeshwara Temple Orphanage
Anonymous 5.00
Jiten Bardwaj 100.10
in 2004 and hired a sthapati (architect) to design a Somasundaram Caremben
Sukanta Caremben
1.90
1.90
Kailasa Peedam Gift Fund
Anonymous 5.00
Nathan Mudrick
Other Donations
Total
11.00
5,435.56
5,501.56
Kauai Aadheenam Religious Art and
Artifacts Fund
Vasudevan Jayanthi
Nathan Mudrick
100.00
11.00
Anonymous 5.00
model temple. His fund allows someone living in the R. Ganesh
Rajendra Giri
Tarakini Gunasegaran
60.00
101.00
2.00
Total
Hindu of the Year Fund
5.00
Vishwamata Gayatri Trust Fund Rajadeva Alahan
G. S. Tiwari
153.00
1,000.00
Jayanthi Vasudevan Naiker 200.00
Ganesan & Rajalakshmi Ramalingam
Anonymous 5.00 75.00
USA to donate funds through HHE to build a small Tirunyanam Gunasegaran
Isanah Kameni
4.50
52.63
Anonymous
Nathan Mudrick
5.00
11.00
Nathan Mudrick
Bharath Ramaswamy
11.00
3.18
Total
Thank You Gurudeva Fund
1,158.00 Bharath Ramaswamy
Sivadas Sivarajah
3.19
10.00
Total 16.00
temple in a village in Karnataka, taking advantage of Amouda Koothan
Egilen Koothan
Saravan Koothan
0.78
62.35
2.73
Boys School for Iraivan Priesthood
Total
Hindu Orphanage Endowment Fund
19.18 Anonymous
Somnath Bannerjee
44.60
51.00
Total 504.29
Manjung Hindu Sabha Orphanage Fund
Anonymous 5.00
an existing architectural plan. The Gowdas utilized Anonymous 5.00 Jiten Bardwaj 100.10 Anonymous 5.00
Souda Koothan 4.68 Jiten Bardwaj 100.10 Maria Cristina Berisso 108.00
Usharani Kuppusamy 26.15 Ajit S. Adhopia 169.22 Rajendra Giri 10.00
Subhash Kumar Choudhary 50.00 Subhash Kumar Choudhary 50.00 Stephanie Devi Corgatelli 64.87 Nathan Mudrick 11.00
income-tax savings to create the endowment for their Saroja Devi Manickam
Bhaveshan Moorghen
Shanda Kumaran Moorghen
9.05
5.85
5.85
Rajendra Giri
Nathan Mudrick
10.00
11.00
Lila Shakti Devi
Rajendra Giri
75.00
30.00
Amarnath Devarmanai
Bob Freedman
324.00
25.00
Total 26.00
Bharath Ramaswamy 3.18 Pazhassi Balamandiram Orphanage Fund
temple-building project, as donations given in the USA to charities in India through HHE are tax Gunasekaran Kandasamy 104.58 Rajendra Giri 10.00
Udeyadeva Moorghen 5.85 Bala Sivaceyon 19.34 Nathan Mudrick 11.00 Anonymous 16.00
Shivakumaran Muniandy 13.00 Murali Krishnaswamy 200.00
Total 198.62 Christian Langers 150.00 Manoharan Navaratnarajah 150.00 Jiten Bardwaj 100.10
deductible. They further leveraged their giving by donating appreciated stock, and thus were able to Suhashini Muniandy
Adi Sankara Perumal
Anjeeni Devi Perumal
1.20
35.05
88.41
Kauai Aadheenam Matavasi Medical Fund
Anonymous 5.00
Nathan Mudrick
Natraj Narayanswami
11.00
75.00
Shanta Devi Periasamy
Alex Ruberto
230.00
45.00
Rajendra Giri
Nathan Mudrick
10.00
11.00
Nicholaus C. Persaud 123.48
give significantly more through HHE than they could by sending money directly to India. Specifical- Rajendra Giri 10.00 Bharath Ramaswamy 3.18 Sivadas Sivarajah 150.00
Kirtideva Peruman 5.85 Jeremiah Umakanthan 25.00 Ganesan & Rajalakshmi Ramalingam
Niroshnee Peruman 17.55 Gunasekaran Kandasamy 104.57 Alex Ruberto 45.00
Aran Sendan 51.00 Vayudeva Varadan 72.00 50.00
Gowri Nadason 90.09
ly, Dr. Gowda donated stocks to HHE to establish the endowment, thus saving the capital gains tax Akileiswaran Samuthiran
Jayasutha Samuthiran
Hitesvara Saravan
16.94
23.71
250.00
Vayudeva Varadan
Total
72.00
281.66
Rodney & Ilene Standen
Usha Varma
30.00
50.00
Venkatarao Vemula
Total
51.00
1,461.57
Bharath Ramaswamy
Total
3.19
313.77
he would have incurred had he sold the stock and donated cash. He and other interested parties can Sathialingeswari
Patudeva Sivaceyon
78.43
5.22
Iyarappan Temple Trust
Anonymous 5.00
Matthew Wieczork
Total
190.00
1,238.98
Mathavasi Travel Fund
Anonymous 5.00
Karnataka Temple Development Fund
Hiranya & Saraswathi Gowda 8,225.00
Total 8,225.00
give donations to the fund, of which up to 70% may be sent to India to build temples. The remaining Hemavalli Sivalingam
Kantha Ruben Sivalingam
Rohini Sivalingam
1.94
1.94
1.94
Bharath Ramaswamy
Total
3.19
8.19
Suntheram Family Trust Fund
Ramachandran Suntheram 1,500.00
Jiten Bardwaj
Rajendra Giri
Total
100.10
10.00
115.10
Sri Ganesha Hindu Temple of Utah En-
Total 1,500.00
30%, the average tax savings, is added to the principal of the endowment. Each year a percentage of Javanya Skanda
Siven Veerasamy
3.00
51.00
Tirunavukkarasu Nayanar Gurukulam
Anonymous 5.00 Hindu Press International Endow- Udayan Care Endowment Fund
dowment Fund
Thomas F. Fellowes 100.00
Rajendra Giri 10.00 Jutikadevi Sivaraja 108.00
the endowment (currently about 4%) is given as a grant to help maintain and operate temples that Total 950.30 Jiten Bardwaj 100.10 ment Fund
Nathan Mudrick 11.00 Anonymous 5.00 Christian Langers 150.00 Aditya Vinadhara 108.00
Hinduism Today Distribution Fund Aran Sendan 51.00 Hotranatha Ajaya 450.00 Bharath Ramaswamy 3.19 Total 316.00
have been built. A principal of $50,000 in the endowment, for example, would generate a grant of Anonymous
Sri Aurobindo Centre
243.50
800.00
Total
Kauai Aadheenam Renovation En-
167.10 Rajendra Giri
Bharath Ramaswamy
10.00
3.19
Total 163.19
Saivite Hindu Scriptural Fund for the
Ayurvedic Formation Fund
Bharath Ramaswamy 3.19
Priya Alahan 112.50
$2,000 or Rs 90,539 annually. There is no charge to open a fund with HHE, and the minimum fund
Total 468.19 Visually Impaired Total 3.19
Vinaya Alahan 355.00 dowment
Cecelia Autar 252.00 Anonymous 5.00 Loving Ganesha Distribution Fund Anonymous 5.00 Pooled Income Fund Trust (PIF)
Rajendra Giri 10.00
size is just $5,000. The annual fee, both for professional investment management teams and admin- Anil Ananda Badhwar 95.10 Nathan Mudrick 11.00 Anonymous 5.00 Gowri Nadason 30.00
Surinder M. Bhardwaj 150.00 Total 16.00 Rajendra Giri 10.00 Aaron Mathias 25.00 Satya Palani 75.00
Rohit & Bisram Deocharan 99.00 Christian Langers 150.00 Nathan Mudrick 11.00 Total 105.00
istration overhead, is approximately two percent of the principal, and all wire transfer and bank fees Banu Devi Deva
Chellappa Deva
517.00
214.20
Sri Subramuniya Ashram Scholar-
ship Fund
Manoharan Navaratnarajah
Gassa Patten
75.00
811.00
Bharath Ramaswamy
Total
3.19
54.19
Anonymous 5.00
for sending money to India are paid by HHE. Ravindra Doorgiat 155.85 Total 1,051.00 Sri Chandra Madhab Debnath En- Total Contributions $76,959.33
Rajul & Heidi Gandhi 111.99 Total 5.00
Swami Agnivesh Endowment Fund dowment
Rajendra Giri 10.00 Sri Subramuniya Kottam Fund Hotranatha Ajaya 450.00 Anonymous 5.00 Funds at Market Value, Mar 31, 2004
T. Iswarah Kumar 35.50 Anonymous 5.00 Rajendra Giri 10.00 Nathan Mudrick 11.00 Total Endowment Funds $5,368,740.65
Rushikesh H. Mehta 99.00 Craig Bagdasar 50.00 Total 16.00
SRI GANESHA HINDU TEMPLE UTAH FUND
Jutikadevi Sivaraja 108.00 Total Pooled Income Funds $203,543.16
Easvan Param 224.99
OF Gassa Patten 107.64
Shanta Devi Periasamy
Andrew Schoenbaum
310.20
10.00
Total 568.00
Puri Monasteries Fund
Grand Total $5,572,283.81
Adi Sankara Perumal 99.98 Total 375.20 Saiva Agamas Trust Anonymous 5.00
Gunalan Ponniah 391.42 Anonymous 5.00 Nathan Mudrick 11.00
Aditya Vinadhara was instrumental in the creation and development of a Hari Raniga
Brinda Rao
800.00
800.00
Malaysian Hindu Youth Education Trust
Anonymous 5.00
Matthew Wieczork
Total
50.00
55.00
Bharath Ramaswamy
Total
3.19
19.19
temple for Lord Ganesha at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Utah. After
the installation of the Deity in the newly built temple on May 4, 2003, Aditya
explained that plans for the temple included building a community center, MISSION STATEMENT: Hindu Heritage Endowment is a publicly supported, charitable organization
elderly housing and day-care facilities and creating an endowment for the recognized as tax exempt by the IRS on April 22, 1994. Employer ID 99-0308924. Founded by Satguru
future. In less than a year, the plans for the endowment manifested with the Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, its philanthropic mission is to provide secure, professionally managed
creation of a multi-donor fund (#56), the Sri Ganesha Hindu Temple of Utah financial support for institutions and religious leaders of all lineages of Sanatana Dharma.
Endowment Fund. Aditya was impressed with the success of the Iraivan
Temple Endowment (#2), which currently supports the temple’s maintenance PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS: Halbert, Hargrove/Russell, Investment Counsel; Alvin G. Buchignani,
budgets on $144,000 per year in grants. He felt that the security of such an endowment within HHE Esq., Legal Counsel; and Hirose, Kato and Co., CPA. HHE is a member of the Council on Founda-
for the Utah temple was important to avoid the pitfalls of a “quasi-endowment,” the practice of plac- tions, an association of 1,931 foundations which interprets relevant law and management and invest-
ing general donations into an investment account, which, though it may be thought of as an endow- ment principles.
ment, is not truly protected and could later be spent by a different board of trustees. The principal of I WANT TO PARTICIPATE. WHERE SHOULD I SEND MY DONATION? You can send your gift to an
each of the fifty-six HHE endowments, however, is existing fund, create a new endowment or request information through the address below. Dona-
protected and cannot be spent. For the Utah tem- tions may be made online at www.hheonline.org or use the HHE tear-out card in this magazine to
ple, the grant income is restricted to maintaining join our family of benefactors who are Strengthening Hinduism Worldwide. Thank you.
the gardens and grounds of the current 5.3 acres,
plus any future connected temple lands, mainte-
nance and repair of the temple, care of plants and HINDU HERITAGE ENDOWMENT
ponds, paths, fencing, gardeners, puja supplies, KAUAI’S HINDU MONASTERY
gifts of prasadam and festivals. Visit the Utah Gane- 107 Kaholalele Road
sha Temple online at www.sriganesh.faithweb.com Kapaa, Hawaii, 96746-9304 USA
Tel: 808-822-3012 Ext 244 • Fax: 808-822-3152
hhe@hindu.org • www.hheonline.org
Nataraj Books—15,000 Titles Quality Ayurvedic Products
Direct from Kerala, India
The Major Distributor of
For the books from India.
diverse needs Nataraj TRI-HEALTH offers the finest Ayurvedic Herbs,
Food Supplements, Medicinal Oils, Aristhams,
of the affluent. A sampling from our catalog:
Books Leyhams and other Rasayanas (Rejuvenators)
prepared in strict accordance with the sacred
• Brahma Sutras classical texts.
Sekhar Vemparala Vemparala & Associates Swami Sivananda. US$20.00 And... when on Kauai (Hawaii) be sure to experience
CFP , ChFC, CLU, MBA American Express Financial Advisors Inc. • Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. our luxurious South Indian Massage Treatments.
Senior Financial Advisor IDS Life Insurance Company Swami Venkatesananda. Free Catalogue and new product updates:
First Floor, 1256 Route 202/206 $14.95
Bridgewater, NJ 08807 TRI-HEALTH, PO Box 340, Anahola HI 96703-0518 USA
1-800-437-8526
• India Unveiled.
tel: 800-455-0770 or 808-828-0252
sekhar.c.vemparala@aexp.com Robert Arnett. $45.00 oilbath@aloha.net www.oilbath.com
• Hindu Encounter with
Mondernity. Shukavak N.
Dasa. $24.95
• Ganapathi Exists or Not?
Reveals through Rudraaksha. Shubhakaran. $12.95 U.S. Immigration for Hi-Tech Clients
• Rudraaksha the Mystic Seed: Reveals the Myth of Siva
and Linga Puraanas. Shubhakaran. $35.00 Initial telephone or e-mail consultation is complimentary!
• Lahiri’s India Ephemeris of Planets’ Positions
for 2000 AD. $5.00 Areas handled: • US Immigration matters, with emphasis on
employment based and business related visas. • Matters con-
Nataraj Books cerning Indo-US joint ventures, government liaison work in
7073 Brookfield Plaza India, international law & trade.
Springfield, VA 22150-2915 USA
LAW OFFICES OF CHETAN P. TANNA, INC.
Tel: 1-703-455-4996 • Fax: 1-703-912-9052 16466 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite 230
Visit our website also: www.natarajbooks.com San Diego, California 92128-2533 USA
E-mail: nataraj@erols.com Tel: 858-674-7470 • Fax: 858-674-7471
Please ask for our free catalog • Visa/MC accepted greencard@usa.net • chetanp@pacbell.net
In Salutation
In Salutation
to the
to the
San San
Marga
Marga
Iraivan
Iraivan
Temple,
Temple,
by Dr
byArjunan
Dr Arjunan
Subramaniam,
Subramaniam,
Kuala
Kuala
Lumpur,
Lumpur,
Malaysia,
Malaysia,
26th26th
September
September
to 3rd
to 3rd
October
October
2003,
2003,
Navaratri
Navaratri
DaysDays
Hawaii
Your Family’s
Perfect Pilgrimage Destination
Come to the ultimate Hindu pilgrimage destination. Here you will find
Kadavul Hindu Temple with the mystical Nataraja deity, established in 1973
by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. Kadavul Hindu Temple, with its daily
9am Siva puja, and the many sacred areas of San Marga, such as Muruga
Hill, the twelve-foot Dhaksinamurthy, the Narmada Sivalingam—where you
can conduct your own abhishekam, the sacred Wailua River and more are all
available to Hindus for worship, meditation, japa and quiet reflection. Plan
your pilgrimage to Iraivan now—an icon of Hinduism’s beauty and strength!
Bottom left photo shows Shanmugam Stapathi, chief architect, standing in front of the com-
pleted towering sanctum. Atop the sanctum, work is progressing nicely on the temple tower,
called the vimanam, which means a creation so accurate in dimension, so perfect in rhythm,
so beautiful in form and so charged in spirit that it bridges man with God and the whole cos-
mos. The crowning jewel of Iraivan Temple is a giant cupola carved out of a single stone that
weighs seven tons. Its final resting place will be on top of the vimanam. The fully hand-carved
granite Iraivan Temple will be the first temple in hundreds of years to have such a crown. As
Iraivan Temple heads towards completion, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness an
ancient tradition at work continues to fade away. Now is the time to pilgrimage to Siva’s island
paradise and witness the making of a temple built to last the next millennium and beyond.
75
Deities Gilded in 24 K. Gold American Institute of Vedic Studies A Glimpse of Divinity
By Mukund M. Hanumante, PhD
Ganapati sitting (or dancing), Ram
Darbar, Lakshmi, Shiva-Parvati, Expand your horizons in
“ Contains a clear exposition of
Durga, Shirdi Sai Baba, Hanuman, Vedic and Hindu Dharma. japa-yoga, chanting a mantra or
Santoshi Ma, Tirupati Balaji, Vishnu, Practical teachings of g r oup of spirit uall y char ged
Shiva Nataraj, Krishna with Cow. Vamadeva Shastri (Dr. words to quiet and concentrate
3”-5” (7-12 cm) high. US$19.95 to David Frawley). Authentic the mind on its Godward path.”
—Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
$39.95. $3.50 shipping. Catalog. Vedic knowledge in a clear
Discounts for retailers and temples. modern idiom. Books, “ A channel for blessings from Sri Swami...
For seekers of knowledge and wisdom...
Nirvana Collection courses, conferences and A vision of life that transforms...
94 Route 416, Campbell Hall, NY research information from We felt the horizon of Joy ever widening
in our hearts...” [reader responses]
10916 USA • Tel: 800-374-2304 or the ancient Rig Veda to US
Hard cover • 180 p. • color • $25 (incl. s&h in USA)
India in the Planetary Age.
845-294-1498 • Fax 845-294-3870 77 AKKALKOT SWAMI SAMARTH FOUNDATION
Dr. Frawley’s latest books: http://home.att.net/~swamisamarth • mukund@juno.com • 504-443-5633
• Hinduism and the Clash
of Civilizations
Life Insurance and Estate Planning Yoga’s True Bedrock Revealed! • Vedantic Meditation:
Lighting the Flame of Awareness Custom Tours to India
In an increasingly complex field of Millions of seekers have experienced • The Rig Veda and the History of India
• How I Became a Hindu: My Discovery of Vedic Dharma Kali Travel is uniquely qualified to
laws and available financial strate- the benefits of yoga, but most are
organize custom-made tours to satis-
gies, it is wise to rely on professional unaware of its ethical underpinnings— Courses from the Institute: fy the needs of any type of group,
counsel for retirement and estate until now. Written by yoga master • Ayurvedic Healing Correspondence Course for Health organization or individual and to
planning. For information, contact Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, this Care professionals • Astrology of the Seers Vedic Astrology structure an itinerary appropriate
one of the most highly trained book, illustrated in full color, details the Correspondence Course. to their specific needs and interests.
financial advisors in the USA: twenty traditional ethical principles that
Niraj P. Baxi, MSI, CLU, ChFC are essential to serious success in yoga. American Institute of Vedic Studies For more information, contact:
19925 Steven’s Creek Blvd 224 pages, 5½” x 8½”, $19.95 PO Box 8357, Santa Fe, NM 87504-8357 USA
Cupertino, CA 95014 Kali Travel, 169-12 Hillside Ave
call 1-800-890-1008 tel: 505-983-9385 • fax: 505-982-5807 • vedanet@aol.com
Jamaica, NY 11432-4498 USA
Tel: 800-686-8436/408-725-7117 • www.vedanet.com (Note our Vedanet resource guide
1-718-291-9292
nbaxi@insuranceplanning.com and on-line books and information.)
store.himalayanacademy.com www.kalitravel.com
Bhagavad-Gita
DVD Sanskrit Academy
By Swami Promoting Sanskrit Language and Culture
Chinmayananda
The great master and
foremost teacher of Vedanta,
Swami Chinmayananda,
gave this Bhagavad-Gita
commentary in Piercy, ●
● Sanskrit classes for all ages
California in 1991.
individuals or groups
The video production is by the internationally acclaimed
award-winning producer & director, Bradley Boatman. The by correspondence with
original 56 videos have been made into an equal number of
DVD’s and they consist of The Logic of Spirituality, Introduc- continuous guidance
tion to the Gita, and the Bhagavad-Gita chapters 1 to 18 (701
verses). Total time duration is 106 hours. Each DVD is insert- elementary, intermediate
ed into an individual slipcase and placed into 5 wallet-style
cases. The wallets are encased in a durable and beautiful box.
or advanced levels
The total weight is only 3.13 pounds and the size is 5.5 inches
square. The price is now $600. Free shipping for orders in the ●
● Translation Service
USA & Canada. The study of the Bhagavad-Gita in your own
home with this great teacher is a real blessing for the whole
family. For more information please contact:
Contact: Dr. Sarasvati Mohan, Director Sanskrit Academy
Chinmaya Publications West
560 Bridgetown Pike, Langhorne, PA 19053, USA sanskrit_academy@yahoo.com
Tel: 888-CMW-READ, 215-396-0390, Fax: 215-396-9710 www.samskrtam.org
publications@chinmayamission.org • www.chinmayapublications.org
76 77
Ask for this Booklet—it’s Free!
A Unique, Simple, By Roy Eugene Davis, a
disciple of Paramahansa
, ,
Vydic Yagnya Centre is dedicated to helping bring peace, contentment, inspiration and
general happiness into the lives of sincere devotees by the intercession of Gods and
Devas through the traditional Vedic yagnya, or holy fire ceremony.
aastu rectification yagnyas are available for houses that are non-sthapatya-vedic. If there are inaccuracy
V issues with your house, business site or office, we will perform a traditional vydic Vaastu-rectification Yagnya
on site, including installation of a copper-plate yantra. This first part of the year is one of the most auspicious
times to do Vaastu Yagnyas. (Astrological consultation is also available: family, health, wealth, romance, marriage etc.)
Special Lakshmi Yagnyas for prosperity and success in business—traditional, powerful and highly focussed—have
,
remarkable impact, often measurable in improved sales and profits.
Our Yagnyas have also proved highly effective in resolving personal, health, family or professional issues. If you have
concerns in any area of life, please feel free to consult with our highly trained priests in utmost confidence. They will con-
sult astrology, perhaps suggest certain sadhanas or mantras, and tailor a ceremony to your needs, or your group’s needs.
All consultations are free of cost.
Contact us about other yagnyas and spiritual services we provide to make your life happy and abundant.
80 81
Chakrapani Ullal, Vedic Astrology Working Together
World-renowned teacher
and advisor, Chakrapani Ullal,
consults internationally with
people from all walks
of life. As the founding hon-
orary chairman of the ACVA
(American Council of Vedic
Astrology), he has played To Uplift People and Communities
an active role in bringing to-
gether the Eastern Indian
Vedic astrologers and
Western astrologers. Consid-
ered a teacher of teachers, he
www.kindlelife.org
travels widely as an author, Links to charitable and worthy institutions worldwide.
lecturer and consultant.
1. Make donations to the institutions of your choice
Born into a traditional Hindu lineage of astrologers in via Kindle Life (in accord with US regulations).
South India, Chakrapani began his training at an early age
2. Apply for inclusion of your favorite charities.
and enjoyed associations with many of India’s most revered
and celebrated saints and sages. With over 45 years of experi- 3. Contact us to learn about other possibilites in
ence, his depth of knowledge and unique understanding giving—or to help us to develop them.
of how astrological principles apply to different cultures 4. Visit site to access Hindu scriptures.
are sought out by people from all over the world. For more
information and a schedule of his upcoming itinerary,
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service of others.
please contact:
—Mahatma Gandhi
Chakrapani Ullal • 12044 Kearsarge Street
Los Angeles, CA 90049-4113 USA Tel: 1-510-653-6927
Tel: 310-476-9942 • Fax: 310-471-3205 Non-profit Organization
Federal ID# 94-330847, CA state ID# 2072724
info@vedicastrology.com • www.chakrapani.com
I sit
Besides the Cosmic dancer
Daily Lessons for Self-Transformation! Decked with jasmine flowers
And roses of deep red hue.
SINGAPORE
Sept 14 Senpaga Vinayagar Temple 6-5811-006
MAURITIUS
Sept 16 Draupadee Ammen Temple 466-2066
19 Ganesha Chaturthi at 418-3734
Saiva Dharmasala, La Pointe www.gurudeva.org/bodhinatha/ In remembrance of the Supreme Consciousness, by Dr. Arjunan Subramaniam, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 5th September 2002
Part IV, Shiva as Lord Muruga—The One Saviour will appear in the October-November–December 2004 issue.
84
Visit www.hindu.org
SACR E D S I T E S claimed as a sacred space by
every ethnic group in the coun-
Power Center try. Obviously a power point
between worlds, Kataragama is
in Sri Lanka shrouded in mysterious legends
and graced by evolved souls.
w w w. a g i i v i d e o . c o m
las, in the steamy jungles tive articles on the lore of this
of southeastern Sri Lanka, intriguing site can be found
lies Kataragama, the abode at http://kataragama.org. Be
of Skanda-Murugan. This pil- prepared for days of fascinating
grimage center for devotees of reading and links transporting
Lord Skanda is unique in being you into Lord Murugan’s realm.
Turn off your TV! Take the kids to a wonder world of Indian tales.
PA R E N T I N G T O O L S and eloquent voice of Kanai L.
w w w. k ata r a g a m a . o r g
Mukherjee (“Grandpa”) narrat-
Grandpa Says ing hundreds of audio and ani-
mated videos on CDs, DVDs