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THEORY OF KARMA IN EASTERN RELIGIONS. Theory of Karma in Eastern Religions Author. Dr. H. K. Gandhi. Swami Dwiroopanand (Read No Copy Right details of SP Note in end pages). Perfect Laws of Mother Nature (God). (Scientific Proof of God). Contact: Dr. H. K. Gandhi C/O Dr. Pankaj H. Gandhi. PH: R (904)-733-1579. Mob: (904)-472- 6857 (Email : [email protected]) INDEX. Ch. No. Heading Page No. -----------------------------------------------------------------------1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Introduction. Different meanings of word Karma. Perfect Justice Of God For All Beings. Karma, Akarma And Vikarma? Jainism And Buddhism About Karma. Karma Theory In Hinduism. Computer Page Set : By Dr. H.K.Gandhi More Info: Website; www.gandhigitadharm.com 2. 4. 8 10. 14 16 7. Desires (Vasanas) Or Kamas Drive To Do Karma. 19 8. Time - Space And Karma Theory (I). 22. 9. Time-Space And Hindu Mythology. 26 10. Jainism And Buddhism About Time Space. 30. 11. Gita About Time And Space. 33. 12. Success And Survival Come By Karma Only. 37. 13. Karma Yoga - The Art Of Correct Actions. 41. 14. Perfect Laws Of God Of Karma. 46 15. Self-Realization –By Writing Autobiography. 50 16. History, Scriptures And Message Of Hinduism. 66. 17. Chart No. I. And Chart Ii. 69. 18. Is God A Fact Or A Fiction (Truth Or Myth)? 73 Publisher: Vinod Bhatt. Adhiatma Vigyan Prakashan Mob: 98246-53043. (Res) 2630-1891 Add: C-3, Krishna Apts, B/h Lake view Flats, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad-380015. (Contact - For Sales In India and abroad). Books Of Dr Gandhi Available at: GANDHI GITA DHARM SANGH - NARODA C/O K.K.Shah. 94260-51251 Price: Amulya. (Priceless) Edition: 1st. 1000 copies. Year: 2010 Printing Press. 19. International Gandhi - Gita Dharma Sangh (Igds - I). 76. 20 Inter-National Gandhi - Gita Dharma Sangh. ( Igds - Ii). 83. Publications, Special Note and List of AudioCDS by Dr Gandhi. 1 1. INTRODUCTION. Knowledge and practices of Karma Yoga brings name, fame, family love, good health, wealth and political power. Correct actions (Karma Yoga) bring everything that one wants or can dream of. The general and exact scientific meaning of Karma is discussed in this booklet. In general sense Karma means (a) job or work (b) any activity. (c) But the correct meaning of Karma in Vedanta Darshana is "Action done by an individual with his/her five organs of Karma " These are Speech, hands, legs, excretory and sex organs. From this knowledge roots the concept of fundamental human rights. "Karmani ave adhikaraste Ma Faleshu Kadachana".Gita Ch-2. Karma or actions done in past births bring happiness or unhappiness (Sukkhas and Dukkhas) in this life is strong belief of many Indian religions. Karma of past life cumulate and decide religion, caste, color, sex and bring unhappiness and sufferings in this life for an individual. How this happens was my unanswered question. I used to ask questions to our priests. Who were you in your previous life? What was your name, where you stayed and what did you do in past birth? No body could give me a satisfactory answer with confidence. The word Karma had remained a mystery for me. At age of 55, I started study of Gita in Oct 1979 after hearing a lecture on Karma Yoga by Rev. Swami Shree Chinmayanandji in Ahmedabad. That lecture produced a profound effect on my mind. I memorized that chapter and it gave me great understanding of the correct meaning of word Karma. Within three months I saw the divine light of God. This is described as cosmic experience or 'Darshana' of God in Hindu scriptures. Karma produces a Time-Place bondage from which no one ever escapes. One can do Karma but the fruits of actions (Karma) are never in hands of doer (SELF or KARTA). The results are in hands of other people, God, Mother Nature, or TIME which is mostly the future (Prarabdha). Present “Time and Place” always get linked and binds the doer of Karma. Past actions can't be undone or repeated. Karma Yoga brings predictable results in this very life. Yoga (Ch. 6- Gita) teaches mind control and how invisible laws of Mother Nature work. It indicates goals and develops positive attitudes towards fellow humans. Correct actions -KARMA YOGA brings peace of mind. It gives courage to face difficult times. "Karmani ave adhikaraste". To act or not to act is in hand of SELF (ATMA). To do Karma or action is basic human right or God given right for all human beings, male or female, young or old in any country of world. Political systems like democracy advocating freedom of speech, choice of sex partners and freedom of work and jobroot from this meaning of Karma. These five organs of actions are God given organs to every human being, male and female. How to use them, or not to use is basic human right. The commandments and taboos of religions preach correct use of Karma organs. They show right path and save one from doing wrong Karma (Sins, crimes or mistakes). Sins are committed under grip of ego-centric (selfish) desires. If Karma are done with noble motives, the results are good and perceivable with senses and mind. A good Healthy life and fair monetary gains are its immediate rewards. All World religions believe in one way or another in law of Karma and perfect justice of God. Karma lead to rebirths, heaven and hell is preached in Hinduism and Jainism. Knowledge of how the laws of Karma work for every individual in a perfect way, provides direct as well as indirect proof of 2 God's rules working equally for all creations, living and nonliving. Open minded students of world religions should particularly study Karma theory from Gita even if they don't believe in previous births and re-births or Moksha. Karma binds equally all humans whether they believe in God or not. Hindus believe in One God and in many angles (Devas). Jainism and Buddhism are atheist or Nir-Ishver-Vadi philosophies which don't believe in a creator God or Devas. Jainism stresses on Non-violence and Hinduism preaches duty, truth, active family life, celibacy and devotion to God. The fine points about beliefs regarding Karma in Indian religions are discussed in this booklet. Hindus and Jains both believe in Sanchit Karma and an unending birth- death cycle of soul. They try to get Moksha (liberty from birth-death cycle) by Yoga practices. This booklet explains the scientific meaning of Karma, Yoga, Moksha and Nirvana. It would remove mysticism about Karma and provide a new angle of looking at Karma theory to students of religions. The theory of Karma is neither mystic nor difficult to understand. To believe in previous births and rebirths is not easy and logical for most people. Most People want to be rich and get all kinds of material happiness and comforts in this very life. To get birth in a poor or rich family is not in hand of anybody. But by doing good duty bound Karma anyone can become rich and enjoy all material happiness in this life. Right and wrong Karma done in this life explain the rule of Karma working perfectly and equally for every body. Correct Karma done at right place and right time bring predictable results (fruits). Idleness, inaction and ignorance (Tamas) lead to poverty, diseases, fears, worries, un-necessary tensions and early death. The study of Gita and practices of Patanjali Yoga removes worries and tensions and gives understanding of correct Karma. Planned goals and all possible dreams of future are achieved by Karma (Sankalpa Siddhi). Yoga teaches how to maintain good health (Nirogi jivan) which leads to long survival. Sankhya Yoga brings material successes (Siddhies). Bhakti Yoga brings faith and Darshana (vision) of God. All the three Yogas are discussed in Gita. Regular study of Gita creates faith in invisible God and in its all manifest visible forms including self or ATMA. Politics and religion are not separate subjects. Indian priests mostly neglect politics and preach false contentment, negative life and family Tyaga meaning renunciation of family and wealth. They ask to live in poverty and advise inaction due to fear of bondage of Karma leading to birth-death cycle. But Krishna in Gita says, "Fight for your rights, be rich and remain active till the last moment of life (death)". Benevolent Karma must be done to establish a good political rule or kingdom of God on earth (Rama-Rajya). Karma Yoga means correct goals and non-stop actions with a sense of devotion and duty. Giving true knowledge is a noble activity (Yagna), compared to donations of money or food to poor. "Shreyad Dravayamaya Yagnat Gyana Yagnaha Paramtapah. Gita. "It is better to give knowledge compared to giving material wealth to poor. Gift of knowledge is higher than that of money". May God bless you, your friends and family with good health, good thoughts, family love and self-confidence (Atmashraddha) in life. 3 2. DIFFERENT MEANINGS OF WORD KARMA. What Is Karma? Difference between human beings and animals. A Sanskrit verse declares:Ahara Nidra Bhaya Maithunam Samanyametat Pashunam Naranam. Dharmohi ako adhika vishesaha Dharmen hina Pashubhi samana. 2. Actions done under drag of selfish intentions desires (Vrutties), wants, passions etc., (Sa-Kam-Karma). 3. The correct scientific meaning. Action done by 5 organs of actions (Karma Indriyas) of an individual. 1. Job or work done by an individual. (Pravrutti). 1. In the earliest Vedic and Smruti era ‘work or job’ (Pravrutti) done by an individual (Vyakti - manifest soul, Atma) was called his/her Karma. This formed the basis of job oriented four class system of the king Manu. In the Gita Lord says, Chatur varnayam maya shrustam Guna Karma Vibhagayoho. Tasya Kartarapi mam viddhi Akartarm avyayam. Gita. Ch.IV- V- 13. Lord says: “I created the four classes of people on basis of jobs done by them and 3 inherent qualities (Sat, Rajas and Tamas - 3 Goona). I am eternal maker and breaker of this arrangement”. Different jobs are done by people living in a town, village or a country. To gain knowledge and teach is job (Karma) of a teacher. Men of knowledge like teachers, religious Gurus, doctors, engineers, artists, singers, etc., were called Brahmins. To give protection to people is Karma of warriors, army, police and kings. They were called Kshatriyas. People doing business and farming were called Vaishyas and all remaining class of employees (servants) of above 3 classes were called Shrudas. A Brahman’s Karma was to gain knowledge and guide people on right path. It was called Brahman Dharma. But in course of time the classes turned into birth-rights giving and preserving classes. "Sleeping, eating, doing sex and living with fears and worries are common in animals and men. All animals do these actions (Karmas). Only religion - Dharma (meaning sense of sacrifice and duty towards the fellow human beings) adorns and differentiate human beings from lower animals”. In Indian religions THE KEY WORDS KARMA AND DHARMA are used in many different meanings. Its reason is this. Nearly ten thousand years have passed for evolution of Indian scriptures. In 2nd issue of GGDS we studied different meanings of Dharma. We will learn first different meanings of Karma before studying another important chapter of KarmaYoga in the Gita. In first six chapters of the Bhagavat Gita, the word Karma is discussed in great details. Karma Yoga means right or correct actions done at proper place and proper time. The word Karma generally means jobs, acts, actions, deeds etc,. But these create confusion in minds of curious students of religions. Average people are not very clear about exact meaning of Karma, they remain in darkness, and people who get attached to only one holy scripture or to only one Guru also remain in darkness. Three common but different meanings of the word Karma. 1. Activity or a Job (Pravrutti) done by an individual. 4 “In this world and (the universe made up of) many worlds, God is pervading everywhere and is present in everything. If you possess something, give its benefits to others and then enjoy it. Give, share and then enjoy. Do not grab anybody's wealth. (Do not steal, don’t accumulate great material wealth)”. “Doing actions (Karmas) in this manner and this manner alone, you expect to live one hundred years. Actions done in this manner (Sharing and co-operation) will not bind you. Otherwise Karmas always produce bondage in human relations”. The omnipresence of all pervading ONE GOD is nicely declared in first two lines. The third line says GIVE (Tyaga) and the fourth line says DO NOT BEG, do not accept donations (Ma grudha), renounce, donate, give, share and then enjoy. Do not steal (Asteya) or grab by force (parigraha) anybody's wealth. The commandments and moral guidelines of all religions root from such famous verses. The manner in which Karmas should be done is shown in the first verse, and how to do Karmas without bondage of sin is shown in the second verse. By correct practice of only these two verses any individual can become a noble and a benevolent personality. Actions done without greed - to help others do not bind the self (ATMA). By doing such actions one can expect to live a long life of hundred years in good health and happiness. There will be no bondage of actions (Karmaanubandhan) if actions are done in above manner, namely sharing and giving. These verses lay the foundation of ‘Sanatan Dharma’. Dharma explains how to do Karma. 2. Actions done under drag of Desires. (SA-KAMA KARMAS). The Upanishad Rishies observed that all Karmas are always preceded by some inner instinct, wish, want or desires (KAMA) good or evil. Ego-centric selfish-desires are called Vasanas. Desire is the provoking force which leads an individual to do some activity (Vruttis lead to Pravrutti). During this era the Karma meant actions done under drag of desires and instincts (Vrutties). To survive and live long is a natural desire. Thirst and hunger are natural instincts which make any person to drink water or eat food. Actions done to satisfy Vasanas are called Sa-Kama-Karm or Rajasik Karma. I want a car, a nice home, lot of money, many material objects, political power etc., are called unnatural desires. Yoga and scriptural study teach how to win false and selfish desires (Vasanas). Selfish Karmas lead to sins. Sins bring miseries and many failures in life. When the Vasanas are controlled and conquered, the person becomes a real Karma-Yogi. Then he does many selfless good actions which bring mental happiness, spiritual joys and material successes also. In the Gita “religion” means an individual’s duty and not any sectarian label. All Karmas must be done with a sense of duty. All religions (Dharma) preach what are good Karmas and sinful (selfish) actions. In the Ishavasya Upanishad, (2000 BC) the word Karma is used in meaning of selfless deeds. Ishavasyam eedam sarvam, yat kinch jagatyam jagat, Ten tyaktena bhunjithaha, ma grudha kasyaswid dhanam. I. Kurvan ave eeha karmani jijivishet shatam samaha; Avum tvayi nanyathetosti karma na lipyate nare. II Ishavasya Upanishad. V. 1 & 2. 3. Actions done by 5 Karma Indriyas (organs of actions). Desire-less action (Nish-Kama Karma) is impossible according to Gita. Hence Gita preaches a practical way of 5 benevolent goal oriented actions (Sat-Karmas). Do your daily obligatory actions with sense of duty and noble purpose (Artha) and achieve higher goals in life. The correct and scientific meaning of word Karma became better understood in the third era (Yuga) of Darshan Period. Sankhya, Vedanta and Yoga are three popular and famous Darshans. (7th-5th century BC). Vedanta Darshana explains Karmas mean activities done with 5 Karma Indriyas of an individual (ATMA). Karmas always produce Time-Place bondage for the individual self (or doer). I get bound to my Karmas, my son gets bound to his Karmas, and my wife will get bound to her Karmas. In short the bondage of Karma occurs at individual level only. dislikes (Raga and Dweshas) soon arise in mind. Usually people try to repeat the pleasurable past experiences and try to avoid contact (Sanga) of disliked things or persons. The properties (Goonas) of objects are perceived by the mind (psyche or Manasa) and the impressions are recorded in a subconscious mind (Chitta). This is called memory (Smruti) or knowledge of past events. Knowledge is collection of past experiences and memories in mind. We like to hear praises, good news, see beautiful things, persons and hate bad news, criticism, bad smells, dirty sights and ugly people. An example makes above point clear. Give a child a tablet of sugar. He likes it. Next time give a tablet of quinine. He hates or dislikes it and throws away. He learns to love sugar and hate quinine. Same happens with other four senses, namely skin, eyes, ears and nose. Only with hard training (Tapas) one learns to win 5 senses and mind. Than he or she can with-stand many adverse situations. Karmas are the responses of love or hate are expressed with one or more of the 5 organs of actions (Karma-Indriyas). Totality of responses become the behavior Acharana of that person. Sanchit Karmas mean accumulated total Karmas of any individual. Sanchit Karmas are like deposits of money made in a bank. Karmas must be guided by Dharma in all situations. This is the message of Karma-Yoga in the Gita. Correct knowledge of the five organs of ACTIONS is very important for understanding of the Perfect Laws of God. The five organs of actions are: 1. Speech (Vani). is a unique human ability. It is at root of audio-knowledge (Shruti-Gyan), and the holy mantra OM is at root of SPEECH. 2. Two hands. Also a special gift of God to human beings only. Many skills are done by hands, e.g. grabbing, holding, writing, playing music, shooting with a gun etc.,. 10 useful organs are given to all human beings by God. Religion Teaches ‘when to use and when to control’. The knowledge of 10 human organs (Indriyas) is very essential to understand the perfect and scientific meaning of Karmas. God has given to all human beings ten organs, - the 5 senses and 5 organs of actions. The 5 senses (Gyana Indriyas) are Eyes, Ears, Skin, Tongue (as organ of taste) and Nose. 5 Hindu deity Gods are ever linked with above 5 senses. The Sun-God is linked with Eyes, 10 (Digpals) Gods of different directions are linked with Ears, Water-God (Varuna) with tongue, Air-God (Vayu - Maruta) with Skin and one imaginary deity God- Asvinikumar is linked with Nose. The 5th. step of Yoga teaches how to conquer the 5 senses. The sense organs are very important instruments which bring information (knowledge) of material objects of outside world. Mind is called the sixth sense in the Gita. The mind records this information when different objects make contact (Sang) with these sense organs. But feelings of likes and 6 3. Two legs. Walking, running, dancing, jumping, kicking, etc,. 4. Organs of excretions. The organs of passing urine and stool are called Upastha Karma Indriyas. 5. The organs of sex. Sex organs in males and females are called Prajanana (Karma) Indriyas. How Muladhar-Chakracontrols last two Karma organs is studied in Yoga. Five deity Gods are also linked with above five Karma organs. Fire (Agni) is linked with speech (!), Indra (God of Heaven) with hands, Vishnu (God of material wealth) with legs, Yama (God of death) with excretions, and Prajapati Brahama (God of creation) with sex organs. Only by self meditation and study of 8 steps of Yoga, one understands the organs, attached deities, Perfect Laws of Karma and how the bondages of Karma occur. The visible as well as mythological deities explain the purpose of these organs and how the deities help a person to do actions. By meditation in the presence of a self realized and learned teacher (GURU) one learns how the desires drag the mind. When an action occurs, the individual (ATMA) ever gets bound to his or her Karmas. How to control all 10 organs is learned by Dharma study in Yoga. The Dharma of males and females differ because of difference in sex organs. Otherwise the 9 Indriyas (organs) are common in both sexes and do same jobs. When a Karma organ is used Karma occurs at that Place, and the present Time always gets linked to it. When a Karma organ is used bondage of action (bandhana) always takes place. The act of sex is called 'Sambhoga' Karma, meaning ‘Enjoy together’. Sex activity should be done in holy matrimony - Dharma. This is also a duty during middle span of life (Dharma during 25 to 50 years). Sex is done to propagate race and not for physical joy. Earning money by truthful means, and raising children is very important duty during this age period. These activities are not Karmas. Thinking in mind is not Karma or action, though some books and teachers call it Karma. One pointed thinking is called meditation (Akagrata or Dhyan -7th step of Yoga). Seeing and hearing are also not Karmas as some Swamies preach. Seeing, hearing, touching, smelling and tasting are all knowledge gaining activities. To call these activities Karmas is scientifically wrong according to Vedanta Darshana. Summary: 1. Knowledge is the highest wealth of any person, compared to money. Gain knowledge and give benefits of your knowledge and wealth to the community, country and entire mankind. Keep your eyes and ears open. but do not get attached to these senses. 2. Three common meanings of Karma are explained. No Karma is possible without Kama (Desires). Kama must be guided by Dharma. Lord also says, “I am Kama-(desires) if it is not against Dharma. (Ch-VII- Vr-11) 3. Memorize 10 organs (Indriyas) and their functions. Yoga practice in daily life brings super human control of Karma Indriyas, and victory on Sense organs and temporary joys. 4. Understanding of Perfect Theory of Karma is not very difficult. Karma-Yoga brings mental peace, worldly successes and wealth which are enjoyed in this very life. To believe in past lives or future births is very difficult for most people. 5. Do not worry about next births but make correct plan of future of this real life. Live life happily by doing good Karmas. Share your wealth, money and knowledge with others is teaching of the Gita and Upanishad Rishies. Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism link Karmas with previous births, the present life and a life after death (Punar-janma). 7 6. To get liberate (Mufti,- Moksha) from birth-death cycle is of the 4 goals for a Hindu and a Jain. A life lived with noble goals does not produce bondage of actions and leads to Moksha in later age. Then there is no rebirth or further sufferings. 7. By conquering wrong desires it is possible to achieve Moksha, Nirvana or Moksha, a mental state of wonderful peace by practices of Yoga meditation. Meditate upon the “Perfect Laws of Karma”. 8. Time-Place bondage of Karmas is a worth meditating subject. It applies to all individuals at all places. Any Karma can be done only at the present moment of time (Today and now) and at one place only. There is no exception in the design of God. 9. Bhagvan - is Hindu name for God in the Gita. Bhagvan means maker of the destiny, future or luck. Every individual (Atma) is maker of his or her destiny according to Karmas done by him or her. This becomes soon evident by self meditation and self realization. 10. In above sense can I say “I am Bhagvan (God), maker of my own destiny” and so everyone is also a manifest God?. 3. PERFECT JUSTICE OF GOD FOR ALL BEINGS. Many religions believe that the soul (spirit or Atman) within our body is divine and imperishable spark of God. It once got separated from God like a drop of water separated from ocean. A water-drop by itself doesn't possess power of an ocean but it possesses many qualities of the original source. A grain of sand is not earth, but earth is made up of many grains of sand. Similarly a human being has many divine qualities but he is not and can't be God. Hindus believe that the soul had passed through nearly 8.4 million cycles of births and deaths in past since life started on earth. The soul lived as unicellular animals like amoeba and later as earth-worms and various insects and animals. The present human form is a special gift of God. It is the fruit or result (Fala) of accumulated deeds (Sanchit Karma) of many previous lives. Human being is highly evolved and unique creation of God. Humans possess many extra organs (Indriyas) not seen in lower animals. Three such organs should be remembered in the study of theory of Karma. These are speech, hands and intellect. With speech we express our thoughts and with two hands we do many actions and deeds, which lower animals can't do. We think with mind, intellect and spoken words. Intellect means reason or logic which discriminates between right and wrong. Hindu and Jain priests believe that births, deaths and rebirths occur according to perfect rules of Sanchit Karma. To get freedom (Moksha) from this Birth-Death cycle is an important goal of human life. Moksha or Nirvana is achieved by meditation and reaching a desire less state of mind called Samadhi. Different routes and vehicles can take us to the top of a mountain. We can climb on feet, ride a horse, drive a car or fly by a helicopter to reach the top. The starting point may be from east or west, north or south. But the final destination is 8 top of the mountain. Religions are like different paths and the scriptures are like maps which give directions to a traveler. All humans are given identical vehicles namely similar bodies. By doing correct Karma, by devotion (Bhakti) and by path of self knowledge shown in Gita, one can reach the top and SEE Infinite God. Supreme God is endless and formless like an ocean of space. By path of Yoga and Samadhi one merges with God. Then one becomes a free soul (Muktatma) and is liberated from the birth-death cycle. Religions scriptures (maps) show rituals and give commandments. Yoga is a special scriptures of Hinduism which leads to a state of Samadhi. Many Yoga Ashramas and centers are located in Himalayas and other places. Jains learn Yoga in Jain Upashrayas (monasties). Buddhist monasties also teach Dhayana Yoga. It is believed that Sanchit Karma of past births vanish when Samadhi state is reached by Yoga. All past prophets of world religions must have reached Samadhi state at some point in their lives. Following verses of Gita declare Hindu beliefs regarding rebirths and suggest different ways to achieve Nirvana and merge with God. Beliefs of life after death, and MOKSHA or salvation are seen in many religions of world. Lord Krishna says:Bahuni me vyatitani janmani ch tava Arjunaha, Tan aham vetha sarvani na tvam vetha Paramtapaha. Gita Ch-IV. V-4. "In past I and you have passed through many lives. I remember them all but Oh Paramtapa (man of great penances) you don't remember a single birth". Janma Karma ch may divyam avum yo vethti tatvataha, Tyaktva deham punarjanmam naiti mamaiti so Arjuna. Gita Ch-IV. V-9. "He, who knows that his birth is divine and meant for divine activities (Karma) during life, doesn't get rebirth after death and merges with Me". Vit-raga bhaya krodha, man-maya mam upashritaha Bahavo gyana tapasa puta madbhavam agataha. Gita Ch-IV. V-10. "Having liberated from attachments (Raga), fears (Bhaya) and angers (Krodha), and keeping ME in their minds, many souls became virtuous and merged with my divine spirit (Satchit-ananda swaroop) via path of penances and selfknowledge". Two paths of achieving liberty from birth death cycle (Moksha) are shown in these verses. First easy path (verse 9) is of doing divine Karma. The second difficult path (verse 10) says get liberated from worldly attachments, angers, fears (of death), know your self and do penances (Gyana and Tapa). The human form is divine gift of God and not a perishable mass of flesh and bones, or a pot of urine, stool and blood as some scripture like Vivek-chudami of Shankara says. Benevolent acts done with aim of public good brings liberty (Moksha) from birth-death cycle in no time. This is nicely said in verse No. 9. The second path is of hardships (Tapas), self-knowledge, liberty from family attachments and controlling the angers. To win fear of death is very difficult in young age. Hence the first path of good Karma is relatively easy. Both paths bring same result. Summary:1. The justice of God is equal for all beings. Benevolent deeds (Punya- Karma) lead to heaven and sins (Pap-Karma) lead to hell is said in all religions. 2. Gita shows two time tested paths to achieve a state of Moksha and get liberty from birth-death cycle. Moksha is 9 achieved when self (Atma) SEES and merges with universal cosmic spirit Brahaman, Parmatma or God. 3. Such beliefs are seen in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Their dead bodies are placed in graves. God sends holy souls to heaven and evil ones to hell according to good and bad deeds (Karma). The concept of 'doom's day' in Christianity and 'quamat day' in Islam look like the laws of Sanchit Karma of Eastern religions. 4. KARMA, AKARMA AND VIKARMA? Purnam adam Purman idam, Purnat Purnam Udachyate, Purnasya Purnamadaya Purnamavavashishyate. A famous Upanishad Mantra. "This is perfect, that is perfect; from perfect arises perfect. When perfect leaves perfect, still perfect remains". This visible universe (of God) is perfect and every creation (of God) is also perfect. In a non-commitent manner the Upanishad Rishi declares the perfect laws of Mother Nature (Prakruti). The deeper meaning of such short declarations could only be understood by religious discourses and knowledge of the perfect theory of Karma. Karma are done by gross body and the results are perceivable at mental and physical level by the doer (karta) in this very life. The laws of Mother Nature (God) work in an invisible manner hence they look Mayavi, illusionary or mystic. Self knowledge (Atma-Gyana) brings an end of this mysticism and opens a bright path of self confidence (Atma- Shraddha) and courage. The eternal rules of God (Sanatana Niyamas) are unfolded by meditation. A bright way of living in harmony with Mother Nature becomes visible with study of Upanishads, Gita and Yoga-Vedanta Darshans. People want comforts and material happiness. Nobody wants to suffer, an early death, diseases or remain poor. The knowledge of laws of Karma brings success, good health and permanent joys in life. Many people have faith in God but they suffer because they have no knowledge of the laws of Karma. Money earning is an important Karma but don't get bound to money (Lobhi) and don't make it the only goal of life. Indian priests link Karma with past births and future lives. Such talks further complicate the mysticism of Karma theory. It 10 is removed by understanding of the purpose of Karma, how Karma cumulate (become Sanchit), where they get recorded and how they bind the doer (Karta) to his destiny (Prarabdha) or future. The mysticism of Karma is nicely expressed in Gita’s chapter No IV verses No 16, 17.and 18. Lord says, Oh Arjuna (God says Oh man):Kim karma kim akarma eti kavayopi atra mohitaha, tat te karma pravakshyami yad gynatva mokshyase ashubhat (16). Karmano api bodhavyam bodhavyam ch vikarmanaha akarmanaha cha bodhavyam gahana karmano gatihi. (17). Karmani akarma yaha pasyet, akarmani ch karma yah, sa buddhiman manushyeshu sa yuktah krusnan akarmakrut. (18). "Even poets of great learning are in illusion (MOHAnot very clear in mind) about what is action (Karma) and what is inaction (Akarma); therefore I tell you how rules of Karma work. By knowing these you will be liberated (Moksha) from unhappy situations in future". (16). "You should know what are actions (Dharma Karma), what are special actions (ViKarma or special things to be done in special situations), and what are inactions (things not to be done at all). Because the speed of Karma is fast and mystic". (17). Speed of actions is faster than the speed of light(!). Karma can be done at the present time only. Meditate upon 'today and now', the 'present time (Vartamana Kal)'. "One who sees 'actions in inactions' and 'inactions in actions' is an intelligent person in human society. He is the doer of correct deeds or actions and a non-doer of wrong deeds". (18). The taboos and moral commandments given by all great prophets of world religions arise from their observations of events taking place in Mother Nature and behavior of human beings in social relations. What are Karma, AKarma and ViKarma? Three words are used in above verses. Actions (Karma), inactions (AKarma- opposite of Karma) and special actions (ViKarma). Opposite words sometimes explain the meaning better than the use of synonyms. A student should remember the plot of Gita in order to understand these words. Arjuna is on a battle field and a great war is about to start. He has to do a special activity (Vikarma) but is thinking of inaction (Akarma). The 700 verses of Gita is a dialogue between Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna in this set of circumstances. Bondage to actions occurs is known to Arjuna but only Krishna knows that bondage to INACTIONS also occurs. One can't run away from duty bound actions (Kartavya Karma) in battle field of life. Survival (Jijivisha) demands struggle (Sangarsha). Non-stop Karma is the law of Mother Nature. The kingdom of Pandavas was snatched away by fraud in a dice game. An attempt to strip naked Pandava queen Draupadi was done in the royal court by their cousins Kauravas in presence of dignitaries like Bhishma and Dhrona. After suffering great hardships for thirteen years and all attempts of a compromise having failed, the decision of war was taken unanimously by the Pandava brothers as the last choice. 11 Drums were sounded and bugles were blown. Armies of both sides were facing each other. At such a moment Arjuna, the Pandava prince and a key warrior, asked Krishna to take his chariot between the armies with a view to have a last glance of the warriors. Arjuna observed his kith and kin, Gurus, respect-worthy elders like Guru Drona and Grandshire Bhisma, friends and relatives standing with clubs, bows and arrows in a mood of war. To fight or not to fight this war was Arjuna's dilemma because he could foresee the bloody and devastating results of war. Arjuna was in duality of mind. Arjuna got gripped by emotions of attachments and respect towards Gurus. He became depressed (Vishad) and unsteady in mind. Lord Krishna asked Arjuna to engage in the war. In war one should forget relations like Gurus and pupils. Arjuna wanted to run away from this situation and become an ascetic (Sanyasi). What should be the correct action (Karma) in such a situation was his question. Able good people can't run away from duties and responsibilities (Dharma) is the message of Krishna and Gita. Gita, like many Hindu scriptures is written in a questionanswer style. It explains and preaches Karma Yoga - correct dutiful actions in such a set of circumstances. The advice of his good friend Krishna is to "Fight the war and fight well". To fight this war was 'Vikarma', the special action demanded from Arjuna. It was his Dharma- Karma or duty bound action. To do them well is Karma Yoga (Yogaha Karmau kaushalam). Some actions appear wrong at first sight and one is tempted to run away or resort to an easy path of inaction (AKarma). Guru Drona and Grandshire Bhisma had remained inactive (Akarmi) when Draupadi was in great trouble in their presence. They had committed many duty neglected sins (Acts of omissions) by their inactions (AKarma). The line between ViKarma and AKarma is very delicate. Running away from responsibility is easy. But it doesn't solve problems or bring any positive results. Actions done with a sense of duty (Dhrma) is the correct course. Such situations come in lives of able and intellectual individuals as well as average emotional peoples. "To do or not to do", "to be or not to be", "to act or not to act" are the questions and the duality grips minds of many intellectuals. Discussion with or company of good, trust worthy friends, Gurus, parents (Satsanga) clears many doubts. Religious scripture like Gita, Bible or Koran provide correct and self uplifting thoughts and guidelines. It is easy to understand that "actions bring results and inactions don't bring any results". But in some situations 'inaction' becomes the best path. When to act and when not to act is nicely explained in above verses. Even educated people don't understand the mystic laws of Karma without devoted study of Gita. It is not easy to grasp the deeper meaning of such verses without background of Upanishads and meditation. We make wrong decisions and commit sins (Pap-Karma) under grip of ego- centric desires and angers (Kamas and Krodhas), and attachments (Ragas- Aasaktis) and bad company (Sanga doshas). People remain idle when it is the moment for action. Drona and Bhisma had committed many sins of inactions. Repeated reading of scriptures and meditation explains how the perfect rules of Karma work. By discussions with trust worthy friends (Satsanga) one makes less mistakes (commits less sins) in life and gets desired successes (Siddhies), develops self confidence (AtmaShraddha) and faith in rules of Mother Nature (Prakruti or God). Rules of Karma govern all humans, all animals and all non-living objects like sun, moon, rain, stones and sand. It is 12 wrong to think that non-living objects don't do any Karma. Lord declares in Gita. Mayadhykshena Prakrutihi suyate sachar-acharam. hetunanen Kaunteya Jagat vi-parivartate Gita (Ch-9. V.10). Lord says ; "Under my supervision and authority the rules of nature work in living and non-living objects in an equal manner. The world of material objects is constantly changing according to my rules in a perfect manner." The sun does the Karma of giving light, heat and governs the Universal time. Water of oceans change forms from solid to liquid and liquid to gases. These are not man ruled activities or things. Wind brings rain. A dynamic roller of non-stop actions (Karma) is going on in Mother Nature. Actions done accumulate and binds the doer. Actions done in awareness (conscious state of mind) or ignorance (unawareness, subconscious or dream state of mind) accumulate in an invisible manner (become Sanchit) and bind the doer (Karma-anu-bandhanas result). This storage of Karma occurs in minds of close relatives like father-son, husband wife, brother-brother and friends etc. Right Karma brings happiness and wrong Karma bring sufferings. A murderer might escape a capital punishment in human governments but a sinner has to suffer for his sins according to laws of Karma designed by nature or God. Knowledge of good actions or Sat-Karma, ViKarma and when not to act AKarma removes mysticism and brings successes in life. Summary :1. The basic instinct of every born is survival and successes. Nobody likes poverty, diseases and death in life. Correct decisions, and actions done with a sense of moral duty (Dharma-Karma-Yoga) brings all desired results in this very life. 2. Without true knowledge of actions, inactions and special actions (Karma, AKarma and ViKarma) people either remain idle (Akarmi) or do wrong things (commit sins). 3. The laws of Karma are simple and work in an equal manner for living material bodies and non-living objects. They are not mystic but work in an invisible (mystic) manner. The knowledge of laws of Karma provide a direct as well as an indirect proof of One God. 13 God's bank the accounts of Karma on two sides never come to a zero point. The bank of God rewards for good deeds and fines (punishes) for bad deeds (Sins). Every Self (Atma or an Individual) has to suffer for bad Karma (sins) and enjoy the fruits of good Karma. One has to suffer for sins even if he has a credit balance of many good deeds in life. Generally the two sides don't reduce to a zero point, and next birth occurs to suffer or enjoy the balance of Sanchit Karma according to Jainism. Thus a cycle of births and deaths goes on. Jains believes that our present birth is the result of accumulated Karma (Sanchit Karma) of many past lives. Happiness and unhappiness (Sukkhas and Dukkhas) come to SELF (ATMA) due to Sanchit Karma. Nobody can ever escape the effects of Sanchit Karma. One has to suffer or enjoy the results of all good and bad Karma until the balance comes to a zero point on both sides. Jainism shows a way to burn out (Karma-Kshaya) Sanchit Karma. Living human beings have to do some activities (Karma) for survival. Daily good and bad Karma accumulate on two sides of account so long as one lives. To bring a zero point to this account is the aim of human life. When this point occurs one is liberated from birth -death cycle. Jain scriptures call this state as 'Kaivalya or Kaval Bhava'. Jainism advises a path of non-violence and penances (Tapas) which vanish past Karma (Karma-Kshaya). Suffer the effects of Karma and don't accumulate new Karma (Sins). Slowly a state of 'Kaivalya Bhava' is reached. Then the Sanchit Karma vanish and one gets liberated from birth- death cycle. "Ahimsa Parmo Dharmah". 'Non violence is the top most religion - the first code of religion'. 5. JAINISM AND BUDDHISM ABOUT KARMA. "Ahimsa Parmo Dharmah". 'Non-violence is the top most religion It must be the first code in any religion. Lord Mahavira, worshipped as 24th incarnation (Avatara) of God in the lineage of Jain prophets, revised Jainism in 6th century B.C..In same century Lord Buddha established a new religion and philosophy called Buddhism. Jainism and Buddhism were the earliest well organized branches of an ancient Vedic religious tree of India. Before the births of Lord Mahavira and Lord Buddha, Vedic Brahmins used to slain sheep and goats and offer them to Fire God (Agni-deva) and Rain God (Indra-deva) in name of religious rituals and fire sacrifices called Yagnas. These religious practices were challenged by these two great souls. They brought real light to the Upanishad truths that same soul pervades in all living beings. Non-violence was truly established in religious field by Buddha and Mahavira, five centuries prior to birth of Jesus Christ in west. In those days Hindu religion was known by different names like Veda-Dharma, (knowledge is religion), Arya-Dharma (religion of the Aryans, duties of four classes), Sanatana Dharma (The eternal religion), Varna-Dharma, Ashrama Dharma (Religion of the four goals of 4 varnas at 4 age quarters), or class doctrines of an Aryan King Manoo, etc. Hindu name was given to all the above Indian religions in the 12th century A.D., by Muslim invaders. KARMA THEORY IN JAINISM. The word Sanchit Karma comes from Jain literature. Sanchit Karma could be compared with daily wages earned and cash deposited in the bank of God. The banker has credit and debit accounts of all individuals (ATMAS). If 100 dollars are deposited and 50 dollars are taken out in human banks, a credit balance of 50 dollars remains. But in 14 Hindus also believe in non-violence, but as second doctrine of religion and not the first. The first doctrine of Hinduism is truth (Satyam). Patanjali Yoga in its first step (YAMA) teaches five important points for health, happiness, success and survival. The words are: Satyam (truth), Ahimsa (non-violence), Asteyam (No thefts, no cheating), Aparigraha (no greed of money, or political powerful high position, non acceptance of alms or begging for food, money but living with self-respect), and Brahamacharyam (well controlled sex desires, Celibacy). The second step (Niyama) of Ashtang Yoga gives five more points, namely Saucham (cleanliness of body and mind), santosha (satisfaction in all situations in life), tapa (Enduring hardships, or penances), Swadhyaya (self-study) and Ishverparinidhanam (Surrender to God's will, or destiny). diet avoiding even potatoes and onions is taken through out life. Any vegetable tumors growing in ground are forbidden. There is life in food grains, and germs in water and air. Eating food, drinking water and breathing air leads to violence is Jain view. Such strict vows are practiced for the whole life by many Jains and their priests. Living in this style, one accumulates less sins and burns out most past sins or Sanchit Karma. Some Jains priests fast unto death. They observe two or three months unbroken fasts and die a voluntary death, which is the natural result of starvation. This is called Santharo or a kind of suicide. To do nothing (Akarma) and suffer is not practical for many people. Such beliefs don't encourage doing benevolent humanitarian activities. Such practices and preaching lead to self-centered attitude or a negative way of detached living. Jainism preaches renunciations of wealth and detachment from family life. People living in families commit more sins due to family attachments (Ragas) and love. Because of such beliefs, Jains don't enroll in military services but prefer business and trading. War means violence and violence must be avoided at all costs according to Jainism. Gita also declares :Ahimsa samata tusthihi tapo danam yasho ayashaha Bhavani bhava bhutanam matta eva pruthag vidhaha. Gita. X-5. "Non-violence, equality of all, satisfaction, penances, donations, fame or defame, are mental attitudes arising in mind. This is my design which creates different divine (Vibhooties) or average human personalities or attitudes." According to Jainism non-violence is not only first but only way to achieve freedom from birth-death cycle. Do minimum Karma (Sins) in this life and try to wash away the effects of Sanchit Karma by strict vows of non-violence. This brings Karma Kshaya (reduction of Karma). Various penances (Tapashcharyas) are shown in Jainism to achieve Karma Kshaya, which leads to Kaivalya (Moksha). Severe body torchers are done to follow non-violence. A seeker of Kaivalya (Moksha) won't wear shoes to protect ants and insects. Some won't wear even clothes, renounce family life and live in dark monasties. Weeks and months long fasts are observed and water is not taken after sunset. Vegetarian KARMA THEORY IN BUDDHISM. Though Lord Buddha himself didn't believe in previous births and rebirths. Such beliefs have entered some divisions of Buddhism in later centuries. Buddhist Lamas in Tibet believe in re-births of great souls. When a great Lama monk dies, boys born in nearby areas are picked up and trained in monasties as future Buddhist priests or monks. A division of Buddhism, the Zen philosophers also do not believe in rebirths. Zen mostly practice Dhyana Yoga (art of concentration, 7th step of Patanjali Yoga) and try to develop a thoughtless state of conscious mind called "Satori", a worriless, tensionless, relaxed state of mind. Live the present moment of life (today and now) with full attention is Dhyana. 15 Enjoy life without any bondages of marriage. These are only one or two points about Zen philosophy. Late controversial religious scholar of India, Acharya (Bhagavana) Rajnish started his career as a Jain priest and philosopher, but in later years he used to practice and preach the Zen philosophy and enjoy sex without marriage. Recently a movement of Vipashyana is started by a great personality Shree Goenkaji of Itarasi. It teaches meditation and self control. In Shree Lanka similar activity known as Vipassana is going on by Buddhist priests. Live Today and Now moment of life is their main theme of teachings. Summary:1. Like Hinduism, Jainism also believes in law of Karma. Good and sinful deeds cumulate (become Sanchit). Sanchit Karma lead to cycle of births and deaths. They try to achieve Kaivalya. Then one gets liberated from this cycle. Jainism believes in non-violence as the most important religious doctrine and the only way to burn out Sanchit Karma and achieve Moksha. 2. Except Lamas in Tibet, other divisions of Buddhism don't believe in rebirths, but they believe in non-violence, compassion, (Karuna or daya) and equality of all humans. Lord Buddha re-established the Upanishad truths that the same soul pervades in all living beings. Moksh (liberty), Kaivalya or Nirvana is reached by Selfmeditation and Yoga practices. 6. KARMA THEORY IN HINDUISM. "Karmanu bandhini manushya loke". Gita. CH-XV. V-2. "In human society actions binds self (Atma) to destiny (Prarabdha) or future". Like Jainism, Hinduism also believes in Sanchit Karma and rebirth of soul. Every event happening in the life of an individual (Atma) can be explained on the basis of past Karma, desires and laws of mother-nature (Prakruti), Efforts done (Purusharth) and final destiny made by God (Prarabdha). This is perfect designed by 'One Universal Invisible Infinite God'. Many orthodox Hindus priests and average people believe that birth in a higher caste (Varna) and rich or poor family is due to Karma of previous births. Congenital defects like deafness and blindness, getting sex as a boy or girl, good or poor health, and various diseases affecting an (ATMA or) individual, and the last event of even death, in short every position and event of life is linked to perfect laws of God, and the theory of Karma. Beliefs of Hindus regarding destiny (Prarabdha) and laws of God are similar to those seen in Islam. Islam strongly believes in will of God or the law of destiny. Jains don't believe in God but believe in rebirths resulting due to bondages of Sanchit Karma. Both Hindus and Jains believe that Karma accumulate in an invisible manner and decide destiny, rebirths and deaths. Upanishad Rishies traced roots of Karma and invented that an unending chain of desires dwells in mind of every human being. Past experiences of likes leads every man to do or repeat actions giving pleasures. For example the joy of eating a sweet dish produces attachments to sweet items of food and a desire for sweets foods again. Skin likes moderate temperatures. One tries to avoid extremes of heat and cold. Smell of roses is liked. People like to hear words of praise, 16 and don't like criticism. The five senses drag humans to do Karma for getting sensual joys. Any ego centric desire is called Vasana or Kama. Vasanas are at root of all actions (Karma) was the observation of ancient Rishies. The rule of Vasanas leading to actions is called law of “Karya- Karana Siddhanta”. Behind every deed (karya) or action (Karma, Behaviour or Acharana) done by any human being there is a reason or cause (Karana). Things don't happen without reason. To find the reason or cause (Karana) is the subject of Buddhi (intellect). Only a few make use of intellect in a perfect way. Most people live at sense organ level or emotional level of mind and do good or wrong deeds, enjoy or suffer and perish one day. The following verse explains this beautifully. Dhyayato vishyan punsaha, sangaha teshu upajayate Sangat sanjayate Kamah, Kamat krodha upajayate Krodhat bhavati sam-moha, Sam-mohat smruti vibhramaha Smruti bhrunshat buddhi nasho, buddhi nashat pranashyati. Gita. II- 62,63. "A human being runs after material objects giving sensual joys. In course of time he gets attached to things producing likes and avoids dislikes. Desires to possess and repeat past joyful experiences (likes) arise in mind. When such desires are not satisfied, anger is the result. Anger leads to a hypnotic state of mind (Sam-Moha) and memory (Smruti) is lost (Amnesia occurs). When memory is lost intellect (Buddhi) vanishes. When intellect (ability of reason) vanishes, the person becomes lost path, falls in moral values and perishes". Buddhi is the highest ability of a human being. We think with Buddhi and not mind. Buddhi and mind, the inner psychic organs, were studied in great details by ancient Indian scholars. How a person suffers and falls in life due to loss of intellect (discriminative power-Buddhi) is shown in a scientific manner in above two verses. Intellect depends upon memory power. Unwanted things, people and events and unsatisfied desires lead to angers. Anger leads to loss of memory power (Amnesia). "I want a new car, I want to marry a beautiful girl or boy, I want a new home, I want to be a leader and people should obey my orders. I want to be rich, I want this and I want that", are examples of Vasanas. Individuals at different ages have different desires. Kamas or desires lead to actions or Karma. Ego centric or selfish desires (Vasanas) lead to sins. Sins are the bondages of Karma which bring unhappiness in future life (destiny). Gita and Hindu Upanishads declare that bondages to Karma.don't occur when selfless actions (divine actions) are done with a sense of duty and aim of helping others. Hinduism and Jainism differ in this point. According to Jainism all actions -even benevolent actions - lead to bondages and rebirths. Hindu Upnishads don't agree with this view and preach a path of benevolent and desire less actions. Lord Krishna in Gita says:"Na mam karmani limpanti na me Karmafale spruha Eti mam yo abhijanati Karmabhihir na sa badhyate. Gita IV - V-14. "Actions don't bind me (God) because I don't expect rewards (fruits) of my actions; He who knows this law, won't get bound to his Karma". By doing selfless (desire less) actions like God and his many assistants (Devas) like sun, rain etc, one remains a liberated individual (Mukta-atma). Yoga teaches how to control (Sanyama) mind and desires (Vasanas). Self control comes by 17 Tapas or penances. Hindu 'Tapas' are simple and very easy compared to very difficult 'Tapas' (long fasts) preached in Jain scriptures. The present birth is like an airplane trip from New York to Bombay and a halt at London. You enjoy or suffer as per class of travel allotted with the money paid (Sanchit Karma). You eat, drink, relax or suffer according to either you are a first class or an average class traveler. Either you pay your debts (we have to pay for drinks in 'C' class) or receive rewards from family members (free drinks in 'A' class). Scriptures advise. "Pay debts (Give) and don't create new debts (get obligations) from others. "Rivers don't drink their water, trees don't eat their fruits, cows don't drink their milk. They live for helping others. In same way the noble saints help and live for others". (A famous Upanishad Verse). "Be your-self. Live a simple but noble and active life. Do good deeds. Be satisfied with the present situation. Try to control selfish desires - Vasanas. Learn to control greed of money and comforts gained with material things. Renounce wealth as if you are paying your old debts. Renounce false egos and don't expect great rewards". We run after money and make debts to buy things which give us short term joys and sensual pleasures. Seeing some body's T.V, a desire to buy a T.V arises. 'Vasana' to buy a T.V leads to a chain of Karma. Short term joy results when first T.V. arrives in home. Next day the T.V screen gets damaged by kids playing toys. Anger and unhappiness results. Spanky given to children binds you in kid's minds as a demon. You get bound to actions done in anger. Bhoga na bhokta vayamev bhokta, tapo na taptum vayamev tapta; Kalo na yati vayamev yata, trushna na jirna vayamev jirna (A verse from Bhartuhari Niti Shatak. 8th century A.D.) "You don't enjoy the sense objects, the sense objects enjoy you. (you don't smoke but a cigarette smokes your lungs); penances (Tapa) don’t burn sins, but penances burn your body; time doesn't pass but you pass on a running belt of time and 'Trushnas' or wants never get old- only your body gets old". Life passes in this way and one day a white hair appears on head or eye brow. If Vasanas don't come to an end in old age or before death, then next birth occurs to satisfy remaining desires. Sanchit Karma decide caste and wealth of parents (!). If freedom from desires is not gained and death occurs then the soul gets next birth in a higher or lower caste or in a male or a female form. One might be born in lower animal forms like a dog, a deer, a bird, a goat, a snake, a fish, an ass, a bull, a cow etc., according to his attachments to these animals. A desire-less action is impossible, hence Gita shows a middle path of Yagna-Bhavana. "Give more and expect less. Learn to forget your credits. Receive less obligations, but remember to pay debts. Give more and get less". With this attitude one can live a long, healthy, peaceful and perfect life of many success. Knowledge is real wealth of a person and not money is Vedic preaching. Most desires do get fulfilled during this present life, if a plan given by Hindu scriptures is followed. Always remember your debts. But people need guidelines. Everyone is indebted to their parents and teachers. The obligations of parents and teachers (Matru-runa, Pitru-runa and Guru-runas) are easy to remember and repay. Respect and obey your parents and teachers and care for them in their old age is essence of Hindu religion and culture. Moderation in eating, winning the taste of food items and vegetarian diet, compromises in money matters and satisfaction with present situation (Santosha), no greed or jealousy are the attitudes preached in Gita. "Satyam eva Jayate, only 'Truth' wins in the end". 18 "Honesty is the best policy". Non-violence (Ahimsa) is a code for Hindus but violence is permitted under certain circumstances to preserve truth, protect the chastity of women, freedom of the country and public property. Summary:1. Sufferings and joys, happiness and unhappiness coming during life to an individual (Atma) is explained on the basis of "Sanchit Karma", a theory similar to Jainism. 2. But Hinduism preaches to remain active and do good Karma, with a sense of duty (Dharma) and not to worry about results. 3. Mostly the fruits or results of Karma come in this very life. 4. Religious Scriptures give guidelines regarding what are good and bad Karma. 5. Merciful God gives next births only when desires remain unsatisfied. 6. Remember your debts to parents and teachers and pay them with respect. . 7. Hindus link three things with rebirths namely, unpaid debts (Runanu-bandhas), unfulfilled desires (TrushnasVasanas) and Sanchit Karma. 7. DESIRES (VASANAS) OR KAMAS DRIVE TO DO KARMA. Vasanas mean selfish and ego centric desires. Desires (Kamas) related to senses constantly arise in mind. Some scholars use word Vasanas in meaning of sex desire. Thus the word Kama is used to mean passions, 'Vasanas', wants, expectation (Apeksha), wish (Ichcha), hope (Asha), need, ambitions (Mahatva-akankshas), four goals in life (Dharana- 6th step of Yoga), natural instincts (vrutties) like hunger, thirst etc. All these words indicate some kind of desire in mind. Hindu Rishies believe that actions done by an individual at any time root from desires (Kamas). Selfish or ego centric desires (Rajasik Kama or Vasanas) lead to un-social and immoral behaviors, deeds or sins (Papas). Arjuna asks why people commit sins. Arjuna Uvacha. Atha kena prayuktoyam papam charati purushaha anichhchhan api Varshneya baladiva niyojitaha Gita . III- 36. "No body wishes to commit sins, yet a person commits sins as if he is dragged by some invisible force. Oh Lord, please explain me why this happens?" Bhagavana Uvacha "KAMA ashah krodha ashah rajo-guna samudbhavam; Mahashano mahapapma viddhyayam eeha vairinu Gita III- 37. Lord replied: 19 "Desires and angers when linked with selfish motives is the reason. Know these two great enemies which produce wild fires and great sins". The Sanskrit word KAMA is translated as only sex passion by many Indian Gurus and priests. Indian Gurus preach a man to be free from lust of a woman. Husband and wife are two halves of human units. Their bodies are different in sex organs only, but their goals and souls should be united. Life long celibacy - Aajivan Brhamcharya is not the Hindu way. Scriptures like Ramayana and Mahabharata give stories of Rama and Krishna and teach moral obligations (Dharma) and ideal rolls of husbands and wives. Duties of husbands, wives, sons, brothers, priests and kings are indicated in these scriptures and religion of love in bilateral family relations is preached since thousands of years. Kamas or desires are of two kinds. (1). Natural instincts and of (2). Material or artificial wants of man made “Things of Comforts”. 1. Self-preserving desire (Vrutties, Jijivisha- instincts of survival) and race preserving desires (instincts - Vrutties) are inborn natural desires. "I want to live, I don't want to die" is natural instinct from birth in all living creatures. Life depends upon presence of soul in body, but also on “Food, water and air to maintain life”. 2. Un-natural desires for material things arise in human minds only. Greed (Lobha) of money, possession of perishable objects of comforts, top status in a family or political authority in a country, becoming a leader in community etc, etc. are un-natural human desires. At certain age these desires must come to an end. Hunger and thirst are self preserving natural desires and food, water and air are the life preserving needs. A thirsty person walks to get water. When he drinks water the desire of thirst is satisfied. Water is made by God, but we have to do Karma to get it. Act of walking to get water is done to satisfy the instinct of thirst. Thus one can say that most natural desires get satisfied according to Karma done by individuals (Atmas) during life. To drink water is not a sin, but dirty water contains germs and can produce diseases. To avoid killing of these germs (violence), Jains boil water before drinking ! Sex desire or passion is also a natural desire (instinct) at certain age. Sex instinct plays an important roll in propagation of race, preservation of family unity and care of children. Love of mother and father for their children is natural race preserving instinct. Some Gurus explain it as Moha and Maya, described in Hindu scriptures. Sex activity or love making starts at teen age. Mental and physical control (celibacy or Brahamacharya) of sex desire is necessary for good health and co-operative family and community life. Some Indian scriptures describe sex (Sambhoga-Karma) act as animal Karma. Animals also do sex under drag of passion. They do sex during fixed times of a year. But when some humans do unwanted or forced sex activity to women, they behave worse than animals and commit sins like rape. Sex control during student age is a good training if one wishes to achieve higher goals in life. Chastity (Sheel) brings great fame and name. Pre- and extra-marital sex is looked upon as great sin (crime) at all places and in all religions. Religions give vows of marriage. Marriage is a socio- political bondage for co-operative family life, propagation of race, and care and cultural training of next generation in all civilized countries. Suppose a vergin girl does sex. She gets bound to Karma of sex according to rule of nature even if she does it with consent, in ignorance or by force. Her chastity is lost. She might get AIDS or become pregnant. Her male partner may refuse to care for the girl or the child. She will suffer mental and physical consequences in future (Prarabdha). In this way the perfect rule of Karma binds a person to his or her destiny or future. 20 To help such a girl or the orphan child is a noble Karma (Dharma-Karma). Krishna's life is full of inspiring stories of helps of this kind. Six major and many minor mental (psychic) enemies are described in Indian scriptures. Kama or desire is number one enemy and most difficult to win. Many minor enemies like greed and thefts etc root from Kama. To achieve a high political or economic position is a good ambition if it is achieved by honest means and used to help suppressed or the poor. Average people, living in family need money to buy basic needs like food, clothes and home. They have to do job (Karma) which demands devotion, truth and honesty. Vasanas of getting things like cars, costly jewelry and palatial houses, etc, make people to do sinful deeds (wrong Karma). Money can buy such things in human society and greed of money and Vasanas drive a person to do many wrong Karma or sins. Three most important topics, Karma-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga (devotion) and Gyana-Yoga (knowledge of self) are discussed in Gita. Karma Yoga is path of active life and fulfillment of noble goals and desires. Four age related goals are given in Indian scriptures. One goal needs to be achieved in one age quarter. 'Kama' or fulfillment of all desires is also a goal given during third age quarter. (i) Get worldly knowledge and also “Learn and remember your moral duties” (Dharma). (ii) Earn money with gained knowledge and stay on path of morality. (Artha). (iii) Fulfill all remaining desires in life with the money earned and knowledge. (Kama). (iv) When body gets old after age of 75, get liberated from all material desires and fear of death. A state of mind called Moksha (Nirvana) comes naturally. Eight steps of Patanjali Yoga teach how to control desires and emotions like angers arising in mind. By following above plan, one lives a long life and satisfies most desires. When desires end, one reaches Nirvana or moksha by practice of Samadhi, the last step of Yoga. A Yogi develops great memory power, wonderful selfcontrol and lives with peace of mind during all adverse or happy situations in life. Yoga study opens a divine third eye of intelligence which imparts three tense sense called Kundlini Shakti. Such a person is able to visualize (see) clearly all events of past, present and future. Summary:1. The word Kama has many meanings besides sex desire. The word Vasana means ego-centric selfish desires. Desires lead to actions. Greed of possessing material things leads a person to commit sins. Greed of money and unnatural material desires come to an end by Self-study and Yoga practices of meditation. 2. Karma must be done for survival and race preservation. Food, water and fresh air are the basic needs of life. In human society one needs money to buy needs like food, water, home and clothes. An attitude of compromises, control of sex and un-natural material things and wants bring great mental peace. 3. Actions done with knowledge gained from parents and teachers and morality bring successes and happiness in life. Speaking and sex are called actions. Sex control should be developed during teen age period and observed for entire life. 4. By a plan of four goals (Purusharths) during four age periods, a person lives a healthy long life and fulfils all desires and achieve Moksha. 21 Facts of Science. Distance travelled by light in one second (Time) is used to measure long distances of SPACE. Light travels 186,000 miles or 300,000 Kms per second. This linear distance is used as unit for knowing distances between stars and galaxies. The distance of 92,900,000 miles between sun and earth can be expressed as 8-Light Minutes. Time is relative concept of mind. It is movement of Earth and Sun in space. Maps show lengths and breadths of countries and oceans. The directions are decided by sunrise and sunset. Thus we know that 'Time and Space (Place)' are in constant Yoga (bondage, welded, interlinked, ever in union). Both are beginning-less, endless, invisible and relative concepts of human mind. With three words we understand Time. PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. With three words we understand Space. LENGTH, BREADTH AND HEIGHT. When we talk about a PLACE, only two dimensions of LENGTH AND BREADTH are implied. We can imagine big land areas by small drawings on paper by maps. We can understand sq. miles of lands of cities and nations. (Kshatrafala). ALL UNIVERSAL BODIES ARE IN CONSTANT DYNEMIC MOTION (Gati). This visible universe- made up of planets, stars, suns, moons and all objects visible to eyes –is in a dynamic speed or motion. Try to imagine and feel how fast these motions are. In one second, all animals, humans and non-living objects like stones, houses, cars, airplanes, etc, on Globe Earth revolve at a speed of 1/2 a mile/sec, in a marry-go-round like spinning motion. During same second Globe Earth moves 20 miles in a similar circular path around the sun, and The sun travels 250 miles in galaxy with its family of nine planets in same one second!. One rotation of earth on its axis makes day and night or 24 hours. Hour is divided into minutes and seconds by man made clocks. We speak about time with numbers and words. We measure land areas (place) by man made units like feet, yards, meters, miles and kilometers. We need four seconds to take one breath (Prana). One heart beat takes one second - 0.8 second to be exact. As long as heart beats and we breathe, we are alive. This second or moment is always 'today and now'. 8. TIME - SPACE AND KARMA THEORY (I). Karma done and their TIME-PLACE bondages decide the destiny (Future, Fate, Prarbdha) of any individual (Atma). To understand this law of time-place bondage of Karma remember: (1). Karmanu bandhini manushya loke. GITA. Ch-XV "The doer gets bound to his/her Karma in human society". Bondages of Karma occur to individuals (Atmas). My Karma binds me, my son's to him and my wife's to her, and so on. (2). Any Gross body can do Karma at the PRESENT Moment of TIME only. (Kal-bandhana of Karma). Present time is always 'Today and Now' for every living person. (3). Actions (Karma) can be done at PRESENT PLACE only (Desh-bandhan). Remember these facts in understanding the theory of Karma or God's Perfect Laws of Karma. 22 Today and Now' (zero moment) of Universal Time is linked with entire past, present and future days and months of human calendars for all religious people, Priests, Gurus and Political heads of all countries. Try to imagine above three different non-stop (continuous) circular speeds (Chakra-Gati) while sitting in a room or walking on earth? It takes some time and meditation to comprehend this time-place bondage of body to thoughts, Karma, senses and mind. Earth, having diameter of 8000 miles is surrounded by a mass of air about 200 miles thick. Air is surrounded by an endless mass of Light and SPACE. Without air (oxygen) all living creatures would die, airplanes and cars won't run and fire won't burn. Our physical bodies are made from the food we eat. Food comes from earth, but the energy (Calories) in food comes from sun. All sources of energy on earth could be traced to sun. yesterday. Nobody knows what would happen tomorrow. Future is always dark, ever unknown or never born. The laws of TIME, SPACE (PLACE), ENERGY AND MATTER of physical sciences work uniformly on human bodies and minds. They apply to all living creatures and to non-living objects like stars, sun, rain, clouds, air, sand, rock, gold, silver, money, cars, houses, and idols of Gods in temples also. Material objects make contacts (sanga) at a 'Place and Time' with the five senses (eyes, ears, skin, tongue and nose). The properties (Goonas) of objects like shape, sound, touch, taste and smell are perceived by the conscious mind and recorded in memory. If attention (Dhyana) is perfect, then time-place information also gets stored in subconscious mind (Chitta). This is called memory (Smruti) of material world. Knowledge of any individual is mostly audio-visual memories of events of past. Daily we see new things, hear new thoughts and share these experiences with others, mostly by speaking and hearing. Meditation teaches how to think about material objects in a frame of time and place and positive manner. The law of physics states: "Two material objects can't occupy the same space at the same time". This law works on human minds too. "Two thoughts can't occupy the conscious mind at the same time". When one thought gets erased from mind, then only a wave of new thoughts can enter in mind. If a person remains attached to past events and wrong beliefs (religious, political, social or economic), the growth of mind, intellect and knowledge stops or comes to an end. All humans have five senses (Gyana Indriyas) and five organs for actions- namely speech, hands, legs, organs of excretions and sex (Karma Indriyas). When one or more Karma organs are in action, thoughts stop in mind for that SCIENCE ABOUT TIME AND SPACE. Theoretical physics is a branch of modern science. Albert Einstein’s equation E = MC2 has proved beyond doubt that both "TIME & SPACE" are relative concepts of human mind. Instead of three words past, present and future, modern scientists use two words- SIMULTANITY (saha) AND CONTINUUM (satatam- nitya) for Time. Scientists link the 3 dimensions of space with time as the fourth dimension. But they forget the three divisions of time, namely past, present and future. Past is the real life which every body has lived. Present is the day or moment of our real existence (Today), and Future is the time that will come. But future comes second by second, hour by hour and day by day. Tomorrow becomes today, and today becomes 23 span of time. Mind is conscious but thoughtless as long as one is doing some Karma with hands, feet, speaking, (chanting Mantra or singing prayers) or doing sex. This is a subjective experience and could only be confirmed by self-experiment (Atma-anubhuti). Try it just now and confirm that chanting loudly some Mantra, walking or dancing and clapping with hands- stops the thoughts in mind. Mind becomes blank or thoughtless without any tranquillizers or sleeping drugs. Scientists link three dimensions of space with time, whereas Hindu Rishies link the three divisions of time with 'place and self'. This way of thinking is called attention (Dhyana). In meditation 'who am I' is the topic of study. The subject of study and the object of study are one- namely one's own Self (Atma). This self study leads to an understanding that the laws of time and place work equally on all things and beings. Global human community co-exists or lives simultaneously in fixed spaces of their physical bodies at different places. 'Aham' is the Sanskrit pronoun for I or myself. 'Aham' also means Ego. I in America and my relative in India live the same day and moment of universal time in a time continuum. We have 'simultaneity' of existence (Saha-astitva or co-existence) at different places on globe earth. The time place law works for a husband in office, his wife at home and their children at school. Their bodies are at different places but there is an identical divine soul within their bodies. It is PRESENT at all places, at all Times. Their bodies do Karma at different places but at same time. In this way time-place bondages of Karma occur to individuals. Husband doesn't know what his wife did at home, and wife doesn't know what her husband did in office. By speaking and telling they tell their stories of past at home. Faith and trust are needed to believe these stories. With spoken words and numbers we understand calendars, days, months, years, dates, weeks and years. But we never try to know our own self, our ten organs, mind, intellect, soul and Today. The relationship of body with Today is constant (C of Einstein). It is either zero or infinite. Today is the last day (doom's day) of universal time. In Time continuum of universe the human community coexists. The limitations of time and place that apply to me, also apply to every human being, how great, rich or strong he or she may be. We are equal human beings- brothers and sisters, provided we remove from our minds false egos of strength, knowledge, sex, caste, creed, color, money, nationality and religions. UNDERSTANDING OF UNIVERSAL TIME. Holy books open with statements like God created world in seven days and then HE created Adam and Eve (man and woman). There is no indication where God lived (place) before those first seven days and when (time) did the first second of the first day start. Scientists ask logical questions. When and by whom this universe was created? How old are the stars, planets, (Earth is a planet), suns and the galaxies? These are time related questions about universal bodies. Scientists believe that the earth is 400 billion years old. What difference will it make if you or I say that it is 50,000 trillion years old? It does not change my or your birth and death dates in 2010, nor our clocks and colanders or its relationship with the last day of universal time or today. No living human of today was present before two centuries. Life of every body had started on his or her birth date or 'Today' of universal time. Every born shall die in future on a fixed day, which will also be 'Today' of universal time. 24 about religion and God”. Limited and imperfect human beings had tried to describe the infinite and perfect God by words so that others can understand the rules and mercy of Eternal God and HIS eternal laws. 5. Today is the last day of universal time (doom's day) and NOW is the moment of our existence. By understanding soulbody relationship, one understands omni-presence of an undying, constant, changeless and divine soul. It creates faith, self-confidence, attitude of equality, compassion, and love. 6. Real self confidence comes when fear of death is gone by knowledge of perishable nature of body and imperishable nature of soul. My death date and that of all human beings is fixed. It is always 'today and now'. 7. I can't change laws of Mother Nature, but I can change laws made by men- political, religious or social. Today is in reality the day of my, your and every body's existence. I can never cross this threshold of universal time. Similarly no living human can and will ever be able to cross it in future. The bondage to all human bodies of the 'Last day of universal time' or today is constant. It is the eternal law of God. Will this universe end when I die? Will this world come to an end when any great man dies or many people die in a war? Self study (Swadhyaya) explains fixed rules of Mother Nature (God). Then the limitations of knowledge, self, relatives and all humans to time and place become clear in mind. We all are imperfect but equal human beings limited by time (Death), space, place and bondages of Karma. Summary :1. Time and space are related to movements of universal bodies like earth, sun and moon. Universal time and space are limitless and infinite, but are inter-linked (united) or inseparable from each other. 2. By knowing the relationship of soul with body, one understands the bondage of soul, self and body to universal time-place and Karma. 3. Only five Karma can be done with five organs of actions. Speaking is Karma which binds the speaker to future. Speak truth, keep your promises, etc, become moral codes. With five senses we gain knowledge and these activities can't be called Karma in the strict sense of word. Similarly meditation (one pointed thinking) and attention (Dhyan) can't be called Karma. 4. With words, maps, directions and numbers we can understand things and places. The knowledge of any person (Atma) has limitations of time- place and spoken language. It is generally audio-visual memories of past events only. This rule applies to spoken words of great prophets and scriptures. Hence any scripture can't be accepted as the “Final word 25 Picture No. 1 Please See following 3 pictures, Charts and thoughts from my published Gujarati books, Published during 1982 to88, with English remarks to understand Space Time and Distances and Size of Earth, Sun Etc. Explanation Of Picture No. 1 TO IMAGINE SIZE OF SUN IMAGINE A 10 x 10x 10 FEET SIZE SPACE OCCUPYING SMALL ROOM OR HUT. NEXT IMAGINE A ROUND FENCE AROUND THIS HUT AT A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 10 FEET. NOW IMAGINE A 1 INCH DIAMETER TABLE TENNIS BALL PLACED AT FENCING OF THIS PLACE. IT IS SPINNING ON ITS OWN AXIS AND ALSO AROUND THIS HUT IN A NON-STOP MOTION. THE ABOVE MENTIONED IMAGINARY PICTURES ARE SHOWN IN ADJOINING PICTURE ABOUT SIZE OF SUN AND EARTH AND APPROX. DISTANCE BETWEEN THE SUN AND EARTH. 26 Explanation Of Picture No2. Picture No2. Note following Points:-. Earth is at a Distance of . 930, 000, 000 miles away from Sun. There are only two Planets between Earth and Sun, - Mercury (Budha) and Venus (Shukra) at a distances of 360,000,000 miles and .670, 000, 000.miles, respectively). Next to Earth is located Mars (Mangal), at a distance of 1400, 000, 000 miles from Sun. 4 Next one is Jupitar (Guru) at a distance of 4840, 000, 000 miles from Sun. It is the biggest planet in Solar family of planets. All other planets like Saturn (Shani), Uranus (Prajapati) and others are at very great distances. Earth rotates on its axis in one day (24 hrs) and also makes one circle around Sun in 365 days, which makes one year of our human Calendar. Mercury takes – according to human Calendar -80 days to complete one circle around Sun, but it rotates only once during this journey. Thus if we are living on Mercury, then one day will be equal to one day (!). Some Planets like Earth have one Sub-Planet – moon. Saturn has 6 moons and Jupiter has also moons. Imagine above distances and Speed at which all planets are revolving around Sun. Pic No. 2. 27 Solar family of 9 planets and their distances from Sun and their sizes are shown in this Picture Any man standing on Earth has to Realize how small I am, in these Diamentions of Earh and Sun. Chart From an Essay on Panch Mahabhuta From a Gujarati book Raj Yoga (1985) By Dr. H. K. Gandhi - Explanation Of Picture No.3 Picture No.3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------Diameter of EARTH AND SURROUNDING AIR IN SCALE :1 Mile = 1 PAGE Thickness of any Book. Pic.No.3 Diameter of Earth = 8000 miles =4 BOOKS OF 2000 PAGES. Air Atmosphere = 200 miles around earth. = One Small Booklet of 200 Pages. Imagine with above Dimensions. Height of Himalaya is about 5 miles high, = 5 pages and Maximum Depth of Pacific Ocean =5 miles = 5 pages deep. Jet Air-planes fly at height of 35 000 Feet = 7 pages height. Now Imagine one human being Height 6’ - standing On Globe Earth comparing in above dimensions. When he talks about World, what does he mean? He talks about God and Religions and fights for ownership of Land, Oceans, Mountains and even Air Space Now a days! 28 . Bhagavatum is a popular scripture among Vaishnavas, the worshippers of Vishnu. Hindus believe that only Lord Vishnu takes human forms to destroy the evil doers and re-establish religion at different places. All prophets, saints and messengers of God at all places and times are looked upon as incarnations (manifest human forms) of Lord Vishnu. This is the correct Hindu attitude which makes Hinduism a broad minded religion. All prophets give a common message of love and co- operation, preach noble ideas and they re-establish true religion. Mythology is a symbolic way of personifying invisible forces of nature and super-human qualities seen in a few people. These are called Devas (Gods) and Devies (Goddesses). Nearly 330 million Gods and Goddesses were created in Hindu Puranas in course of time. This visible universe is the body of Vishnu and two invisible deities, the assistants of one God. Ganapati and Sharda or Saraswati are invisible children of God Shiva and Brahma. 1. God of all souls and living creation is Brahama. His wife is called Brahamani. 2. God who maintains all lives is Vishnu. His wife is Laxmi (money). 3. God who destroys all living and non-living things is Shiva (God of TIME - or Kala). His devoted wife (Goddess of love and devotion) is known by many names like Bhavani, Uma, Amba, Kali, Durga, Chamunda, Parvati, Jagat- janani etc. Ch. No. 9. TIME-SPACE AND HINDU MYTHOLOGY. The study of parallels in science, space-physics, philosophy and astrology with time-space beliefs of three eastern religions, namely Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism unfolds how the beliefs regarding previous births, present life and life after death (Punar-janmas) had evolved in India. This study explains how the perfect theory of Karma (actions) work for all individuals at all places and times. It also provides a proof of One God, HIS diverse visible (Sakar) and invisible (Nirakar) forms coexists and the eternal (Sanatana) laws of Mother Nature (Prakruti). Hindus believe that both Time and Space are INFINITE like God, meaning beginning less and endless (Anadi and Ananta). Jains explain time-space with a theory of comparisons or relativity (Sa-pekshavad) and Buddhists believe that only the present life and present time is absolute truth and space is zero or void (Shunyavakasha). But all Indian religions believe in laws of Karma, nonviolence as an important slogan of spiritual life, self realization, control of passion (sex), control of desires by some penances (Tapascharyas), equality of all human beings at all places and the same soul pervading in all living creations. Eighteen mythological Hindu scriptures called Puranas give humorous and inspiring stories of three main Gods Brahama, Vishnu and Shiva (Mahesha). Six Puranas are devoted to one deity God. These are three assistants of Infinite God. They do activities of creation, maintenance, and destruction in nature (Prakruti) since dawn of life on earth. Shreemad Bhagavatum, a popular Vishnu Purana describes 10 major incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Rama (1500 B.C.), Krishna (1200.B.C.) and Buddha (600.B.C.) are the 7th, 8th, and 9th human incarnations of Lord Vishnu. SYMBOLIC MEANING OF SOME GODS AND GODDESSES IN HINDU MYTHOLOGY. Brahama is totality of spirits or divine souls in all life. His virgin daughter Sharda or Saraswati is symbol of beauty, knowledge, music, arts and speech. She sits on a peacock, the most beautiful bird and holds a 'Vina' in her 29 hands. She wears a white dress. It means keep no biases in mind if you wish to learn something. She is goddess of Education, Vidya-Devi, and always respected by students and even three deity Gods Brahama, Vishnu and Shiva. Vishnu symbolizes all visible objects and total matter (mass) in universe. The word Vishnu is made up of two parts. 'Vishva' means universe and 'Anoo' means atoms. All things - living and nonliving- perceptible to ears, eyes and other senses are different forms of sleeping body of Lord Vishnu. The sun, the moon, stars and planets are different parts of Vishnu. A mountain or a stone is Vishnu, an ocean or a drop of water is Vishnu, a cloud in sky or a river on land is Vishnu and a flower or a butter-fly is manifest form of Vishnu. Brahama, Shiva and many Gods and Goddesses are formless and invisible (Niranjan and Nirakar) deities. Only Vishnu is visible and assumes many diverse forms. Deity Gods symbolize qualities in humans, birds and animals, and also the creative, sustaining and destructive forces observed in Mother Nature. Our gross bodies are made from five basic elements (Mahabhutas), namely earth, water, air, fire (energy) and space. First three elements represent three forms of Vishnu namely solids, liquids and gases, like ice, water and steam. Gross objects like land, water and air are composed of fine atoms. Vishnu could be imagined as 1/3 visible portion of one invisible and infinite God. Vishnu's wife Laxmi symbolizes money and land. Money is a man made thing but very necessary for family needs. Money can buy land, food, water and fresh air in a country or a society. A rich person, who cares for his family, other dependents and employees without ego is a living Vishnu (Vaishnava Jana). Be a king, be boss (Dhananjaya) and not a slave of money is the message of Krishna in Gita. Eagle, the high and fast flying bird, is vehicle of Vishnu. Keep your dreams and goals high is the message. Vishnu has no children. HE is father of all living and nonliving forms. Fertile land, giving fruits and grains and feeding us like a loving mother, is symbolism of Laxmi as land. Land belongs to God. Love and serve mother-land and don't fight for land is the message. Shiva means cosmic energy (Shakti) in the infinite space. Two subtle basic elements fire and space represent Shiva. Maha-Kaleshvera is another name of Shiva which means 'Great God of Time'. Space is ever united with time. Energies like heat, light, speed, electricity etc, are the invisible forms of Shiva. Fire and light are fine matter particles travelling at different speeds in space. We get light and heat from sun (form of Vishnu) as fine matter particles (Anoos) or electrons. All material bodies, gross or fine are in constant motion and they change place and forms. Eternal laws govern the speed of earth, stars and sun in universe (general theory of Einstein). The motion of atoms in gross matter is energy (special theory of Einstein). When gross bodies disperse into fine atoms, energy is liberated. When fine atoms re-unite to form gross bodies, energy gets bound within gross bodies. There is power in unity of a group (Sangh Shakti). Unity within family or a nation means strength, peace and prosperity. Today we know that light is matter and it could be expressed as grams of light. One gram of light = 50 million KWH units of electricity. Human symbolism of Shiva is a powerful man of the knowledge of universe. Ignorance or darkness is destroyed with knowledge or light. Shiva's vehicle is bull. His musical instrument is drum suggestive of time (rhythms) in a song or dance. Bhavani symbolizes motherly love at all places in family. 30 Shiva has two sons, Ganapati and Kartikeya. Kartikeya is a charioteer of Sun God. The chariot of sun has seven horses which represent seven colors of light. Ganapati or Ganesh is the well known elephant-head deity God worshipped by many Indians. Ganapati symbolizes a good leader. 'Gana' means a group of people and 'Pati' means a boss or a husband. He is a male God of literature. Big ears of elephant suggest "keep ears open and listen to people". Big head indicates store more and more knowledge in head. Maximum knowledge is gained by hearing. A big Ganapati rides on a rat. In ego of leadership don't forget the people you are riding, is the message. A leader must have strength, knowledge and thick skin like an elephant. One who gets angry by criticim can't become a leader. Elephant is a vegetarian animal having long life of hundred years. A strong body and successful life of hundred years is possible with vegetarian diet. Ganapati has a pen, a book, a bow and an arrow in his four hands. These are the tools of a leader. Ganapati has two beautiful wives Riddhi and Siddhi. Riddhi means wealth and Siddhi means success or fame. Leaders and rich people are respected at all places. Thus by idols one learns how to live long, be strong, be a leader and succeed in life. In mythological story of Shiva Purana, Lord Shiva slains the head of his son and fits head of an elephant. All fathers should give best education to their sons is the message. But all strong, successful, knowledgeable and wealthy leaders at all places should remember that Shiva, (The God of death or time) is their father. Leaders are created by need of time and destroyed by time. A combination (union or Yoga) of spirit, matter and energy (fractions of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) makes one living being. Death occurs when the soul (Brahaman) leaves the body. After death the five elements (Vishnu and Shiva) disperse and merge with original universal elements (Mahabhutas) in space. They reunite to create new bodies from the eternal seeds of God. In this way a cycle of births and deaths of all creations goes on and on. A non-stop cycle of births (creation), existence (maintenance) and deaths or destruction of bodies goes on since millions of years. A human being can do activities like Brahama, Vishnu or Shiva, or become a local leader like Ganapati. But one can't ever be the supreme God (Bhagvan). All prophets of religions are the manifest human forms of Vishnu and not the Supreme God. Shiva is called Bhoot-nath (Boss of creations). 'Bhoot' means a ghost or holy spirit without body. BhootKal means past time. All living people and creatures have memories of past and existence at present time. Deaths of all Bhoota also occur at the present time or Today and now. All manifest forms and bodies are limited by space and bound by time, by a fixed invisible law. Mama yonir mahad Brahama tasmin garbham dadami aham, Sambhavaha sarva bhutanam tato bhavati Bharata. Gita: XIV -3. Lord says, "Oh seeker of divine light (Bharata), I (as Krishna manifest) belong to the highest species of humans. I give seeds to all species and thus many species are created in the world". The word seed in this verse could be interpreted in gross sense as a sperm (or ovum). It can also be understood as a good thought. One inspiring idea can infuse courage to live. We belong to the highest species of humans (Mahad-Yoni) and we can give new thoughts is the message of God in this verse. Summary:1. A comparative study of beliefs regarding Time-Space in modern science and astrology explain the eternal laws of God 31 or Mother Nature. Three Indian religions link Time-Place with existence, death, births and previous births. 2. Three imaginary Gods- Brahama, Vishnu and Shivawere created by Puranic Hindu Rishies to explain three constant activities going on in nature, namely creation, maintenance and destruction. Brahama is pure undying spirit, Vishnu is gross material body, and Shiva is heat or energy in body and universal space as cosmic light. The visible universe is sleeping body of Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva and Lord Brahama are invisible deities. 3. Space is linked with time. Many deity Gods and Goddesses of Hindu mythology are wives, children and grandchildren of three main deity Gods. Laxmi means money and land. Saraswati is Goddess of arts, music and speech. Ganapati is symbol of a good leader. Live long with vegetarian diet, gain knowledge, be strong, get wealth and fame is the message. Different tools, dress and vehicles of deity Gods represent human and animal qualities. 4. Only Lord Vishu assumes variety of forms and takes human births at different places to uplift religion and guide the people. All prophets, saints and benevolent men of knowledge are human forms of Vishnu. 5. Supreme God is One, Infinite, beyond time, space, and human words. One God could be realized with mythology and study of self. We dwell in universe and universe dwells in our minds as OM (speech or Vani) and knowledge. 6. Self-knowledge leads to understanding of fixed rules of omni-present God, working equally for all humans, at all times and all places. The rules of Karma bind believers (theists) and non-believers (atheists) alike. 10. JAINISM AND BUDDHISM ABOUT TIME SPACE. Jains, Buddhists and many Hindus believe that the soul (Brahaman or Atma) in all living creations (Humans, animals and plants) is same. Pure soul without body is divine, changeless and immortal by its nature. It is part and parcel of God. Such beliefs had created slogans like "Soul is God, soul is truth, soul is wise (Pragnanam Brahamaha), I am that (So aham), the holy spirit is God, I am Brahaman" and therefore 'I am God'. In order to understand these slogans it is necessary to understand a word ATMA, usually used in meaning of soul. What is ATMA or Soul (Spirit)? The word ATMA is used in the sense of soul in many Sanskrit and Jain scriptures. Jains like Hindus believe that soul is the divinity within us. But there are other meanings in which word ATMA is also used in literature. The word ATMA has four different meanings. (1). I or My-self, 1st person singular pronoun "I". (2). Soul. (3). Self. (correct and scientific meaning) (4). One individual (Vyakti). One single living creature is called manifest soul (Vyakta-atma). These different meanings have created great confusions and mis-understandings in the minds of students of Indian religions. Karma (actions) done by self or an individual in past and the events happening in his/her life explain the perfect laws of Karma. It leads to conviction of uniform laws of nature working equally upon all humans, animals and plants. Supreme God could only be realized in an indirect way by study of Self and time-space bondage of gross body with soul and Karma. Self or one individual (Atma) can establish a 32 relationship with God like father-son (Jesus Christ), husbandwife (Mira) or friend-friend (Krishna-Arjuna). Let us examine a verse of Gita which indicates the correct meaning of the word Atma. Six times the word Atma is used in this verse. Translated as soul it doesn't carry any meaning. But translated as my-self, your self, her self or an individual it carries a great message. Uddharet Atmana atmanam, na atmanaam avasadeyet Atmvaivatmano bandhuhu Atmavaiva ripuratmanaha. Gita. Ch. VI-5. Lord says "Uplift yourself by yourself alone, don't think you are inferior to any body; Self is brother of self, and self is enemy of self. You are your own brother and you are your own enemy". The eight steps of Patanjali's Yoga leads to selfrealization, bondage of self with time, and relationship of body, mind and intellect and the ever changing universal bodies. Sixth chapter of Gita teaches Yoga of meditation. Jainism about Time-Space. Based upon study of self, a philosophy of Syad-Vad was started by Lord Mahavira, a brilliant Kshatriya prince and contemporary of Lord Buddha in 6th century B.C.. Lord Mahavira said that Time-Space are relative words. Gunas or properties of material objects, time and space could only be understood by comparison (relationship) with other material objects. To call Mr. T. a tall person, one needs a short person Mr. S for comparison. But Mr. T will be a short person if he is compared to a third person Mr. High who is taller than Mr. T. Thus short or tall are relative qualities. To call someone beautiful one needs to find what is ugly. Thus we see that the world of material objects is full of diversities and many opposites. A day is understood as presence of sun in the sky. In a dark cave there is no light. But we can't say there is permanent night in a cave. In Yoga study I have to identify myself, without any comparison. Soon I would realize that to compare any two individuals is wrong. But there is a common factor in all living individuals. It is the soul, wrongly called Atma. Life depends on the presence of this soul element within body. When soul leaves body we die. Jains don't believe in mythological deity Gods of Hindu Puranas, but believe in rebirths. During 4th century A.D., many Jain saints had developed arithmetic and a system of three number calculus, zero, one and two. It was called possibilities (Shakyata) and probabilities (Sambhava). Time and Space (Place) relationship was explained with study of self, body and soul. It was known as theory of relativity (Siddhanta of Sa-apeksha-Vad), very similar to modern theory of relativity of Albert Einstein. To explain this highly intelligent theory of relativity of time, space, matter, soul, Karma and events (Sa-apeksha Vad) a teacher has to give many examples of events happening in daily life. Even well read and educated Jains don't understand the logic of Syad-Vad at the first attempt. When genuine curiosity arises, it is possible to understand this philosophy of 'SyadVada' by study of scriptures, self-study and practice of the eight steps of Yoga. Hindu Rishies simplified this theory by giving practical doctrines of Dharma (morality) in family relations. In family living, every individual (Atma) has some obligations (duties or Dharma) and expectations (Apekshas). We all expect truthful moral conduct, chastity in sex relations, help, co-operation and many material comforts. 33 Money plays very important role in expectations between father-son, husband-wife, friend- friend, brother-brother, brother-sister, mother-daughter, mother-son, and in-laws. All these relations are called Sa-apeksh relations or relations of duality of Self or Atma. Practical guidelines were necessary for happiness, harmony and love in families. Hindu Rishis advise to decrease expectations and pay attention to family obligations (Dharma). In course of time, an individual (Atma) becomes liberated from family bondages (Ragas) which produce desires, emotions and attachments. When a desire less and unattached attitude (Anapeksha bhava) develops, liberty or Moksha is gained. Mind remains peaceful in all situations. Students of world religions should know at this stage that Jainism and Buddhism are atheist philosophies. Jains believe in non-violence, self- control and laws of Karma, but they don't believe in a creator God of universe or authority of Vedic deity Gods like sun, water, air, fire, land, light, heat, rain, food etc. on bodies. They believe that soul or spirit is beyond the bondages of all these material things (Dravyas). All three Indian religions believe that the same soul pervades in all living creatures and non-violence is an important code of any religion and spiritual life. today and now is the real time. Past can't be changed and future is ever unseen. Buddhists call space as void (Shunyavkasha), but Hindus believe that there is no void or empty space in this universe. Hindus and Jains consider space as one of the five basic element of the gross bodies. In 7th century A.D., Adi-Shankaracharya, a great Hindu scholar had started a slogan similar to Buddhist philosophy, "Braham satyam, Jagat mithya". The visible world is false and only soul or spirit is real and absolute truth. Shankara preached that our material bodies and things in world are perishable, changing and false or imaginary. Many Hindu saints still preach this theory of falsehood. It was discarded by the later Acharyas like Vallabha Acharya and Ramanuja Acharya, and saints like Kabira and Mira, who lived between 11th and 15th centuries. They revised the old slogan of Shankar-Acharya and declared that "Braham satyam, Jagat satyam". The soul is true and the material world (Jagat) and entire universe (Vishva) filled with many material bodies is also true and perfect. A path of Bhakti and faith in God was started. Devotion is the only way to realize and see God every where. During last 500 years, Vaishnava philosophy and worship of Krishna and Rama has become more popular and many temples have been built. The art and the riches of old Shiva temples were looted and destroyed by the Muslim invaders during 1000 to 1300 A.D. period. Births and deaths of souls occur and happy and sorrowful situations come to individuals in life according to laws of Karma. Karma done with devotion and true knowledge brings happiness. Buddhism about Time-Space. Our material body is an important instrument for practicing religion or spiritual study. Buddhism believes that Time and Space don't exist without material body and material objects. Space reduces to zero if there is no matter in this universe. If there is no movement of earth, sun and stars, there won't be any time. Space is described as void (ZeroShunavakasha) in Buddhism. Regarding 'time' Buddhism preaches 'Live today and live well'. According to Buddhism the present life is real life, and 34 Karma done with perfect attention (Dhyana) brings predictable results according to Buddhism. Control of mind, compassion, an attitude of equality and self control are the greatest virtues of a person. It leads to Nirvana in course of time. Summary:1. Jainism and Buddhism don't believe in a creator God but believe in equality of humans, same soul pervading in all creatures and non- violence. Lord Mahavira gave an intelligent theory of Syad-Vada (Possibilities and probabilities) which explains relativity of time and space. 2. Buddhism believes that "Today and now is the absolute and real time". Live today with fullest attention in present. Don't worry about remote future, past births and next births. 3. Hindu Rishies gave practical doctrines of Dharma in family relations like, "respect fathers, mothers, teachers and guests as living deities near you". 4. A philosophy of falsehood of world (Mithya-vad) similar to Buddhism was started by the first Shankaracharya in 7th century A.D. which was revised by later saints. There is voluminous literature about Time- Space, soul, mind, intellect and body in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist scriptures. 11. GITA ABOUT TIME AND SPACE. Bhagavat Gita, a section in the epic of Mahabharata is the most read Hindu scripture. Gita in its eighteen chapters and seven hundred verses discusses three interrelated topics namely, actions (Karma), devotion (Bhakti) and Self-knowledge. Karma bind individuals (ATMAS), hence Karma should be done with knowledge, devotion and faith on self (selfconfidence) and work of God. God's work means truthful benevolent deeds without expectation of rewards (NishKam-Karma). Even God does Karma when HE becomes manifest or assumes human forms. Important points about Karma are that one has to do Karma for living or survival. Doer (KARTA) gets bound to his actions, actions can't be repeated and the results of actions are never in the hands of the doer. Karma are done by gross body. Body has a time bondage, and therefore Karma have a TIME bondage too. Time is compared with a flowing river. You can't take bath twice in the same water. No one can stop the flow of Time- river. Meditation about self, time and place leads to understanding of limitations of time-place bondage (Deshkal-Bandhan) that apply to self and similarly to all human beings. We all on Globe of Earth are bound by time and place (Desh-kal). This knowledge creates a wonderful sense of equality of all human beings. Knowing this bondage creates selfconfidence and faith in one's own self (Atma-Shraddha), knowledge and Karma done in past and vision for Karma, Akarma, and Vikarma to be done in future. First six chapters of Gita discuss the philosophy of Karma. Karma are done by five Karma Indriyas or organs 35 of actions (Speech, hands, legs, sex and excretions) at present time only. In human society, actions accumulate. Events in life of a person occur according to Karma done by him or her self (atma). Middle six chapters discuss mind, emotions, love, devotion and unshakable faith. God could only be realized by the path of total surrender and Devotion (Bhakti) and not by knowledge (Veda) or material successes achieved by doing Karma. This is said in Gita (Ch-XI-last 3 verses) and by many saints. Faith means 100 % trust without reason or logic. Faith and belief (Shraddha and mata) are subjects of mind. Wants and desires arise in mind. Emotions like jealousy, anger, greed, fear, love and hate, and false egos of superiority and inferiority (six inner enemies) also dwell within mind. Average people need simple doctrines in life to see God nearby and not high philosophy or scriptural knowledge. In the 9th chapter of Gita, Lord shows his manifest human forms at all places in following manner. "I am mother, I am father, I am grand-father, I nourish, I am holy mantra Om and I am three Vedas (Knowledge), arising from Om". This verse is essence of Gita, Upanishads, Hindu culture and beliefs about many Gods (Devas) in manifest and visible forms staying near us. The following well known daily prayer for Hindu children roots from above verse. "You are the mother and you are the father, You are the brother and you are the friend; You are my knowledge (Vidya, skills) and You are my wealth (money); You are everything I see, Oh infinite God. How to do good actions (Karma) and realize God by a path of devotion or duty (Bhakti) is shown in a verse of Gita. Sanniyamya indriyagramam sarvatra sama buddhayaha Te prapnuvanti mam evem sarve bhoota hite rataha. Gita .XII-V.4). Lord Says ; "If you wish to see me face to face, (1) Develop control of 10 organs (5 senses and 5 organs of Karma at Body level), (2) Develop an attitude of equality for all living creations and human beings (love at mind level) and (3) Do your all Karma for happiness and welfare of all living beings (sympathy, compassion at soul level)". Three practical guidelines to realize God are given. Control of 10 organs don't mean meditation for days and months and do nothing and remain idle. The message of Gita is "remain active in humanitarian works till death". The difference between Jainism and Hinduism is that Jainism preaches extreme degree of penances (Tapascharyas), family detachments and minimum activities (Karma). Last six chapters discuss Self (Who am I?), true knowledge, three types of basic human instincts (Good, selfish and evil- Sat, rajas and tamas), and shows the residence (Param-dhama) of God in Ch-15). People of logic and reason raise questions regarding existence of God or HIS uniform rules and justice. These chapters are for intellectual people who wish to know the formless and invisible God. By a path of self knowledge (Gyana-Marg), self-analysis and self study one realizes a fraction of divinity dwelling within one's own heart. VERSES IN GITA ABOUT TIME AND SPACE. Yatha AKASHA sthito nityam vayuhu sarvatrago mahan, Tatha sarvani bhutani 36 mat-thani eti upadharaya. Gita-IX-6. "Like air pervading every where and residing in SPACE (Akasha), I pervade every where and in all creations. The creations dwell in me and I maintain them." Lord Vishnu is God of Total Matter in universe. HE maintains all creations with basic elements like land (food), water and air, essential for all lives. Its 1/4 surface area is land and 3/4 area has large oceans. This mass of land and water is surrounded by a layer of 200 miles of air. Earth, water and air support and maintain all lives. Our bodies are made-up of five basic elements namely, earth, water, air, fire (light- heat-energy) and SPACE. After death these five body elements merge with five universal elements. Irrespective of sex, age, color, nationality or religion, all bodies decompose and disintegrates after death which occurs according to fixed rules of nature. Death of every born (individual or Atma) occurs at a fixed moment "today and now". Today is like a Dwandwa- Samasa which joins past with future. When soul leaves a body, all physiological systems stop working. Air in body merges with air of atmosphere; water, which forms 70% of body weight merges with water in air; earthly elements like calcium and many minerals merge with earth. Lord Vishnu is present everywhere, within and outside our bodies. These five elements re-unite to make foods, plants, fruits, flowers, wood, herbal medicines, sand and rocks. Energy comes to earth from the sun as light. Sun's heat or light heats ocean water. Clouds are formed. Wind God (Maruta) pushes clouds towards land. Rain God (Indra) gives us pure distilled water from sky. We breathe fresh air (oxygen) and give out carbon dioxide. The green leaves of plants in presence of sun light take-up carbon-dioxide from air and re-unite it with water to form carbohydrates. Solar energy is entrapped in carbohydrates. When we eat food, carbohydrates of food disintegrate in body and solar energy (calories) is released. Sun and moon are described as eyes of Lord Vishnu. Earth (Dharati) or land is wife of Vishnu. Land belongs to God and not to humans. KALAHA kalayatam asmi. Gita . X-30 "I am TIME (Kala) in Kali-Yuga". 'Kaliyuga' is the present span of time, an era where time is most talked about but least understood. We speak "time is money or I have no time". Work and rewards, and distances of space are measured with time (days, months, years). Only few know the meaning of time (God is invisible Time). KALOSMI loka-kshyakrut pravrudhho. Gita. X-32. "I am ever increasing TIME. My job is to kill people”. Time is healer and time is killer. Ahamav akshayaha KALO Aksharanam akarosmi dwandwah samasikasya cha Ahamav akshayaha KALO dhata aham vishvato mukhum. Gita. X-33. "I am 'A' in alphabets, I am conjunction (Two word joiners) in grammar (Dwandwa-samasa), I am imperishable TIME and I feed all mouths in the world". Air resides in Space. Today we know that globe earth is a round ball of mud having a diameter of 7800 miles. 37 In outer space Vishnu and Shiva exist as cause and effect, sun and cosmic light. If there is object, there must be a maker of that object. Different material objects are perishable but have different qualities. Similarly our physical bodies, minds and intellect are time bound, perishable but have different qualities. Brahm tatva (Atman) symbolizes spirit which is imperishable, constant and qualityless. Vishnu being matter exists as three qualities in manifest forms. (Land, water and air). Shiva is cosmic energy, space and time. Hindu Puranas describe in mystic or imaginary way, one nameless God doing three different activities (Karma). Brahma creates, Vishnu maintains and Shiva (time) destroys all creations. Lord declares "I am ever increasing and imperishable TIME. I am killer TIME. The limitations of time-place (TimeSpace to be exact) apply to all material bodies living and nonliving. Only spirit or soul is imperishable. Body can't live without soul and soul can't do any Karma without body, mind and desire. All Human Karma have time place bondage because they are done by body. By meditation such points are understood. can also be arranged in a time frame what we call as planning. Today is the day of actions and decisions. There is nothing like absolute present time or 'now'. Now is the passing moment of time. Speak the word 'now' and the moment is gone. It becomes past. When ever and where ever I am present (living) is reality. Just as I have got the memories of my past, every person has memories, beliefs and experiences of past only. Memories of past is called knowledge. Old age, death and diseases, loss of a good job or a political position, death of loved one and thoughts about loosing money, property or a position grips mind and produces fears, worries and unhappy moods. Today I can dream of so many future events like winning a lotto, a world tour, tasty food dishes and parties and become happy in mind. Hopes of getting a good job, political position, marriage with loved persons, heritage of money and property etc. These are dreams and thoughts of bright future. But I have to do Karma to turn dreams into realities. No dream becomes reality without doing Karma. I have to go to a store, spend a dollar and buy a lotto ticket to win a jackpot, though I know there is .00000000001 percent chance of winning. Thus the destiny or future is always linked to Karma done in present or today. Summary:1. Gita's first six chapters discuss the laws of Karma and how the bondages of time-place work equally on all creations. Middle six chapter discuss mind, devotion and faith, and last six chapters discuss self, intellect and knowledge (Buddhi and Gyana). 2. Meditate on 'Today and Now and Here'. It will ignite a spark in mind and show limitations of time-place that apply to self and all individuals. Meditate upon Time and place (Today, now and here). 'Today' is the last day of universal time. Today unites unchangeable past with unborn and unknown future. Tomorrow becomes today and today becomes yesterday. No living human being can ever cross this Last day or Today or dooms day or day of judgment). But one can think in mind about events of past (History) as earlier or later in a limited span of time. Similarly future actions 38 3. God can be seen and realized by the path of Bhakti and noble deeds done to help other people. To help God's creations is worship of God. Bhakti means 100 % faith in God, surrender to God, and respect and love for all creations. 4. Only Vishnu God takes human forms to deliver his message of truth, love, compassion and moral duty (religion). Brahma and Shiva are formless Gods. Shiva is God of time and energy (heat) and Vishnu is God of material things like land, water and air, and all material things like money and cars made by mankind from earthly elements. One should remember that all man-made material things are perishable and of temporary nature. 12. SUCCESS AND SURVIVAL COME BY KARMA ONLY. Karmani ave samsiddhim asthita Janakadayaha Loka sangrahamam evapi sampashyan kartum arhasi. Gita Ch. III-20. "Only by doing Karma, Kings like Janak (father of Sita and father- in-law of Lord Rama) and others had achieved many successes. You have to do Karma, if not for your self then for other people also. By doing auspicious Karma you will be remembered for long time". Yad yad acharati shreshtaha tad tad eva eetaro janaha Sa yat pramanam kurute Lokaha tad anoovartati. Gita Ch. III-21. "The actions, behavior and habits of great men are mimicked by average people and young generation. They believe that this is the correct style and standard of living". Children learn language, habits, manners, religion and attitudes from parents, Gurus, political leaders and friends. When we read life stories of great people we note that no success is achieved without hardships (Tapascharyas). During their young days all men of fame remained active day and night. They had struggled to bring about radical changes in economic, social, political or religious fields. There was never a moment of ease or sleep in their lives. Definition of success is difficult and varies with individuals, age, aims, place and goals. Success means financial gains or achievement of a political position. Very few people are interested in God or success in field of religion and knowledge. 39 To become a star in field of sports, music or drama is also success. Devotion to duty and constant practice brings such successes. Comforts gained with money are easy and for short term only. Many Indian priests call money as material thing and advocate a path of isolation and family detachments. But they live a lavish life of great comforts with donations collected from ignorant fools like followers. This is not the correct preaching nor is it possible for most people. Money is necessary at every step in life. Earn money by truth and honesty is Upanishad teaching for a family man. Money (Artha) is given as second goal during age of 25 to 50, after getting education and knowledge of Dharma (Duties) in young age or first student age quarter in Hinduism. The second chapter of Gita is called Sankhya Yoga. Sankhya means numbers. The present style of writing one to nine numbers and Zero was invented in India in 4th century A.D. by Arya Bhatta. Numbers play an important roll in money matters. Get the best education, do your job with devotion, earn money, and give the benefits of your wealth and knowledge to needy family members and friends. Charity begins at home. Live an active life of a successful Karma Yogi till middle age is the message of Gita. Yoga of spiritual meditation may be practiced in later age after achieving economic goals. Get rid of all evil desires but fight for your basic human rights. Do your duty to the best of your ability and knowledge. This is real Karma Yoga. To become rich one should worship money-Goddess (Laxmi-Devi) and not waste time in activities like gambling, playing cards, reading garbage literature, fiction stories or watching cartoons on TV. TIME is a great Hindu Deva (Maha-Deva or Shiva). "Make the best use of time" is a well known proverb. Learning skills like painting, crafts, knitting etc. and doing creative activities keeps one busy and active. Knowledge is a higher wealth than money. Keep mind and ears open. If you can't earn money today, then learn some new things but don't remain idle, waste time and sleep. Kankshatah karmanam siddhim, yajantaha eeh devata, Kshipram hi manushim loke, siddhir bhavati karmaja. Gita. Ch IV -12. "If you want success of your actions, then remain well united with Devas. In human society success will come in short time by doing actions guided by Devas." This verse indicates a path of quick success in life. "Remain united with living Gods (Devas) near you". Father, mother, and teachers are living Devas at all places. Family love, obedience to parents and teachers, discipline and cooperation (Yoga) in family brings material success, comforts and happiness. The word Upanishad means staying nearby. Supreme God is invisible and beyond description. Upanishads describe many Gods and Goddesses. Some are manifest and visible but many are unmanifest and imaginary forms of one infinite God. The Devas and Devies have limitations of time and place but they stay near us. 1. Food, water, air, land, sun, fire, rain, light, moon, etc. are natural Devas or manifest forms of Lord Vishnu which maintain life. Money (Laxmi) and education (Vidya) are man made Goddesses to be worshipped with respect. Spending extravagant money is insult of Goddess Laxmi and sale of knowledge is insult of Devi Saraswati. This is Hindu culture. 2. Mothers, fathers, teachers, brothers, trust worthy friends and guests (Atithi) coming to our homes are living 40 Devas. They help but sometimes punish too. Hear their words of wisdom, views and experiences and follow their advice when in doubt. They help in spirit of sacrifice (Yagna) and love without expecting great rewards. By mutual help and cooperation in family, friends and neighborhood, one remains happy. An attitude of indebtedness, respect, truth, and humbleness towards parents, guests and teachers is Hindu culture. Parents spend money and time to give good education to children. They have limited knowledge, hence the roll of teachers (Gurus) in a community was well recognized since Vedic times. The real wealth of any individual is knowledge and not money. With knowledge one can earn money at any place. To demand money for giving knowledge was against moral codes for teachers and Brahmins. A moral duty was laid upon the beneficiaries to give something to guru is called Guru Daxana. Repay the debts of parents and teachers. Devan bhavayatanen te deva bhavyantu vaha Parasparam bhavayantaha shreyaha param avapsyatha. Gita. Ch. III-11. "Please the Devas (Parents and teachers) with affection and love. Devas would return love and help. By mutual love and help everyone prospers in life". Ishttan bhogan hi vo deva dasyante yagna bhavitaha tair dattan apradayebhyo yo bhumkte stena ave saha. Gita. Ch. III-12. "Devas give desired gifts in spirit of sacrifices (Yagna). One, who receives the gifts of Devas but don't return their debts is a thief". Yagnashisthashinaha santo muchyante sarva kilbishaihi Bunjate tu agham papaha ye pachanti atma karanat. Gita. Ch. III-13. "Divine nature saints and parents (Devas) are steadfast in their spirit of sacrifices (giving). These liberated souls have no worries; Those who cook their food for themselves and don't share (selfish), suffer results of their sins". Children are ever indebted to parents and Gurus. It is their duty (religion) to respect and care for their parents when they grow old. This provided a social security structure and no pensions or old age retirement insurance were needed. In materially advanced countries, grown up children forget the obligations of parents and teachers in name of freedom and independence. They are called sinners and thieves in Gita. Obligations and debts of parents and teachers (Pitruruna, Matru-runas and Guru-runas) must be remembered and returned first when grown up sons start earning. This is nicely expressed in the above verses. Sankhya philosophy describes three inborn tendencies (Goonas or vrutties) present in all individuals (Atmas) which are difficult to change. Previous births are explained on the basis of three instincts (Good=Sat, active but selfish=Rajas, and idle, ignorant and evil=Tamas). As the child grows good and bad habits, and right or wrong attitudes are imprinted in his mind, knowingly or unknowingly by parents, friends, teachers, religious priests and the history of the place. These memories remain for ever as religious, political and social beliefs. The knowledge of a person is linked with the spoken language of birth place and young age. Thus all humans have different personality makeup. But there are 41 some uniform rules of Mother Nature which apply to and govern all human beings. God's equal justice could be understood by self study and how Karma decides the destiny of a person. Company of good people (Sat-sanga) uplifts from darkness (Ignorance) and company of selfish (ego-centric) people teach (Rajasik) selfish deeds. Friendship of criminals and drug addicts leads to (Tamasik) or devilish activities. Good friends (Sat-sang), saints and study of scriptures transforms Tamsik into Rajasik and Rajasik into saintly personality. Evolution (Utakranti) means uplifting in life. When the three qualities -Sat, Rajas, and Tamas- are recognized and under self control, innermost divine soul unfolds. One transcendence and lives in peace of mind and spiritual bliss (Moksha or Nirvana). This is the state of great prophets of world religions. They live with an attitude of love, non-violence, compassion and equality. They have minimum expectations and no revenge. sex life, child care and giving shelter to guests with respect are the duties (Dharma) of a house-holder. 3.KAMA= Fulfill all desires by money earned and path of Dharma. Fulfill desires of your childhood. Care for family members with earned money. When family duties and obligations are over, knowledge and wealth should be used for community needs. Partial retirement is guideline. This third quarter is called Vana- Prastha. Literally it means "Go to jungle". It means "Serve poor and needy in villages and remote areas". 4.MOKSHA = When health declines, liberate mind from desires and family attachments (wants and rewards). In course of time a state of Nirvana or Moksha comes. Meditation, retirement, detachment from family ties and devotion to God should be activities during the last age quarter. This is called Sanyasa Ashrama. Summary:1. Though one has no right upon the out come of Karma, visible success of Karma comes by uniting with living Devas like, mothers, fathers, teachers, brothers and friends. Listen to good advises of experienced and trust worthy friends near by. Respect and obey parents and pay their debts. 2. Sharing happiness and sorrows in a family is religion. Renouncing wealth and knowledge without expectations is saintly way of life. To return the debts of parents and teachers is duty of children. One who forgets the sacrifices of parents and teachers is called a thief in Gita. (Ch-3). Always try to learn new things and remain active. Actions that do not harm others but help are Sat Karma. Ego centric actions are Selfish or Rajsik Karma. Actions Hindu Upanishads give four goals – one goal for each quarter- during hundred years of a life :1.DHARMA= Get the best education and know your duties (Dharma) in student age. During first age quarter a student (Brahamachari) tries to get best education and observes the vow of celibacy. Sex control is linked with this first age period only. Observe sex control if you want to be a successful person, a leader or a scholar. Greatest wealth is knowledge and selfdiscipline. Dharma (religion) or duties must be learned during young age along with school education. 2.ARTHA= During second age quarter one earns money by path of morality (Dharma) and learned skills. This quarter is known as Grahastha Ashrama. Marriage, 42 done in ignorance are Tamasik Karma. One who does good actions and surrenders the results to God is a Karma Yogi. Keep company of good people (Sat-Sanga) and help the poor, the weak and the sick. 3. A plan of living a long, successful and healthy life of hundred years is shown by the Upanishad Rishies. Keep an attitude of equality and respect for all human beings. 4. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha are the four Goals indicated for a Hindu during four age quarters of life. One goal should be achieved during one age quarter. Remember that Purushartha for Moksha is to be done after 75 years only and not during the early young years of life period, by a student or a family man, during house holder’s age period (Grahastha-Ashrama). 13. KARMA YOGA - THE ART OF CORRECT ACTIONS. (The Gita Chapter 3 in brief). The Gita is a unique and very popular scriptures of Hinduism. It is studied by scholars and priests of all religions. But it is a master piece of human psychology. It discusses what is mind, intellect, soul and body, besides religion, art of self-realization, self- upliftment and the relationship between man and God in a logical manner. The Gita also provides a scientific proof of One supreme God. This makes The Gita a wonderful holy scripture at all times for all people at any age. Its first six chapters discuss a popular philosophy of Karma.(Karma Mimansa). The word YOGA in The Gita means 'Karma Yoga' and the word GYANA means 'Self- Knowledge' or Atma-Gyana. in all its chapters. If a student remembers these two abbreviations then the meaning of many verses will become more clearer. The Gita and Hindu Upanishads are written in a symbolic (metaphoric) style. The battle field ‘Kuru-Kshatra’ is not some historic place near Delhi, but it is in the mind. What to do and what not to do, what is right and what is wrong action is many a times question in a given set of circumstances. Lord Krishna in The Gita says, "Conquer first thy inner enemies like desires, angers, greed of money, family attachments (Ragas), hate, jealousy, sense of revenge, and many false egos (like ego of wealth, sex, beauty, knowledge, political power, strength etc., etc.). Then you can judge and do correct actions". Arjuna, a great warrior and Pandava prince was in two minds (duality of mind) on the battle field of Kurukshatra. “To fight or not to fight” the war was his dilemma. The fight was against his own relatives and respect worthy teachers. Arjuna wanted to run away from the battle field. He had doubts and questions regarding the morals (Dharma) in this war. His trust 43 worthy friend Krishna (God incarnate in human form) removed his doubts and showed him the path of duty (Dharma) and correct actions. The third chapter of The Gita is called Karma Yoga. A brief translation of its verses is presented below. KARMA YOGA. The chapter starts with a question of Arjuna. Arjuna asks. "Oh Lord, you told me (in the 2nd chapter’s ending verses) that intellect is higher than actions (Karma). My intellect says not to engage in this bloody and devastating war against my relatives and teachers. I am in illusion (Moha), not clear in mind. Please tell me one thing and show me the right path of actions so that I can excel in life, be happy and succeed?" Vs.(1-2). The cause of Arjuna's dilemma was family attachments and respect towards Gurus. But it led to neglect of duty (Dharma). Lord shows him two paths- not one. One path is of happiness gained by Karma Yoga (duty bound actions). The second path is that of spiritual happiness, gained by Selfknowledge (Sankhya Yoga).V. (3). Na Karmanyam anarambhat Naishkarmayam purushoshnute, Na ch sanyasanadeva siddhim samadhigachhati. (4). "If you don't do any action (Karma) it is not a “Desire less state of mind” (Nish-karmya bhava). If you abandon actions in the middle, which are already started, then also success never comes to you". (4) The following short story will make above point clear. Once a hunter ran after a beautiful deer for three days and nights in a deep jungle. Finally he killed the deer with arrow. He thought "Now I will take some rest and sleep for a while and then carry the dead deer to my home". A man, hidden behind the bushes, was watching his activities. When the hunter was fast asleep the thief came out and carried away the ready kill. Rest and sleep resulted in loss of the fruits of actions for the hunter. The hunter abandoned his actions in the middle. The Pandavas had planned for this war and made arrangements for years. Arjuna wanted to run away from battle field at the last moment. Success or failure of actions (Karma) do come in life. But one has to remain alert, (Jagruta) and complete the action started until the goal is reached. Slogans and proverbs are guide lines for average people, but they are not the final and absolute truths. One proverb says, "Delay is dangerous". Second proverb will say. "Hurry makes curry". Which one you will believe? Krishna shows the path of correct actions (Karma Yoga) in this chapter. “Any born, cannot remain idle even for a moment. Nature demands that all living beings have to do some activities. Karma are inter-woven in all deeds”. (5). "He is a hypocrite who withholds his organs of actions but thinks in mind of many objects of sensual pleasure and joys”. (6) “But one who has controlled his (ten) organs and mind, and does actions in an unattached manner is doing Karma Yoga - correct actions. He excels in life”. (7). "To perform given duties and actions is better than idleness (inaction). You will not be able to maintain body (in good health) by inaction" (8). “Some activities are destined for you by Mother Nature. You must do them. If you remain inactive, body’s journey of life (100 years to live) will not be completed”. (9) 44 Religion in family relationships: How to live in family relations and sense of duty is nicely narrated in the following verses. "Lord Brahama (Prajapati), having created bisexual living beings advised them to live in cooperation, enjoy (Sex) life, and procreate their races" (10). Absolute celibacy preached by many religious priests, or freedom of sex in unrestricted manner practiced by some followers of Rajanish is not the correct path in sex relations. Men and women have to live in cooperation and play the roles of mothers and fathers after creating children. This is the advice of the Lord of all creations. A great advice for all children. "Please the Devas (near by angels like parents and teachers) with respect, affection and love. Devas help, return their debts with love. By mutual love and help everyone will prosper and become happy". (11). Grownup children are thieves if they forget the obligations of parents. "Devas give desired gifts in spirit of sacrifices (YagnaBhav). One, who receives gifts from Devas but do not return the debts is a thief". (12). "Divine nature saints (Angel like parents and teachers) are steadfast in their spirit of sacrifices (giving love). Liberated souls have no worries; but those who cook for themselves and do not share (are selfish), suffer the results of their sins". (13). In the verses Nos.14, 15 & 16, Lord points to Arjuna a cycle of non-stop actions going on in Mother Nature and the universe. The sun (deity God of Hindus) is giving light and heat. The heat of the sun makes clouds and rain (another deity GodIndra). Food (deity God- Anna Deva) grows with rain. Food nourishes bodies of all living creatures. Living beings must do Karma to preserve life and propagate the race. These verses indicate that even non-living natural objects do the jobs given to them by the Lord. A human being cannot remain inactive and idle if he/she wants to become happy, survive and succeed. “Those who are contented, self centered, and satisfied with their self and possessions have nothing more to do”. (17) “Even if they do some actions, or not do anything, it has no effect. Because such people have nothing to give to, or get from others. (18) Therefore Oh, Arjuna, you ever remain active, but unattached and do non-stop activities. In this way you will excel and achieve the highest goals in life”.(19) "By doing correct Karma only, Kings like Janaka (father of Sita and father- in-law of Lord Rama) and others achieved great successes. You have to do Karma- if not for yourself then for the people. By doing auspicious Karma you will be remembered for a long time. (20) “The deeds and behaviors of great and noble are mimicked by average people and young generation. They believe that this is the correct path and ideal standard of living". (21). People follow the life styles of rich and famous. Lord says: "I am the king of this universe. I have nothing to gain or to loose. But when I take human form I have to do Karma without a blink in the eye. If I don't do Karma and sleep, people will follow my example and neglect their work. A panorama of disorder will emerge. The order and harmony in nature will come to an end”. (22, 23 & 24) “A family attached person does his activities with goal of achieving material results. In same way a detached and wise person must do Karma to help people until the end of his life with the fullest zeal”. (25). 45 “Do not call any person a fool if he is doing wrong actions, but by showing the correct actions by your own example, lead him on the right and correct path”. (26) The following famous verse declares eternal laws of God or Mother Nature. Prakrutehe kriyamanani gunaihi karmani sarvashaha Ahamkara vimudha atma Karta aham eeti manyate. "All activities in the world occur according to fixed rules and inherent qualities of nature. Only an ego gripped human being says and believes 'I' did this and 'I' did that". (27). The first person singular pronoun of Sanskrit ‘AHAM’ has a second meaning. It means EGO. The Gita is written in such a manner that Lord, speaks in first person- as 'I'. “All material objects and all living creatures in the universe possess some natural qualities (Goons) and are doing activities accordingly. One who knows this does not get attached” (28). The three (Goons) qualities seen in nature are creation, preservation and destruction. From this observation three mythological Deity Gods, Brahama- Vishnu and Shiva were created in (Puranic) ancient times. Similarly, in every human being there are 3 goons. There are potentials of doing creative, preservative and destructive activities. (See Sankhya Darshan of Kapil). To fight and destroy a tyrant ruler or a person is not a sin but a good action. Shiva is mythological auspicious Hindu deity of energy and time, who destroys evil things and recreates good things. “The activities of foolish and ignorant- in the grip of inborn natural qualities are going on. A wise person should not try to change them”.(29) In following verse Lord says that as long as you are alive, you must remain active like a soldier on the battle field of life. "Surrender to me thy all actions with inner consciousness and devotion. Don't expect rewards and keep no attachments. If not sick with fever, you have to do actions and fight this war". (30). "He who knows this law doesn't get bound to actions. He remains free from tensions and worries. One who doesn't understand, becomes a lost path person, even if he may be a great scholar knowing many subjects, and laws of nature". (31 & 32). “One who knows the natural tendencies and laws of nature, also acts according to his inner urges. One cannot stop such activities”. (33) “The senses drag a person to do activities according to likes and dislikes, (love and hates). One should not come under the drag of senses, because they lead on a wrong path”.(34) In Hinduism, the word ‘Dharma’ (religion) is linked with an individual or Atma. The word 'Swa-Dharma' in this verse suggests, "My duty, thy duty, her duty and so on". I have to do my duties at all times is the best course in all situations. Please read this important verse, in which word Dharma is used for four times.. Shreyan swa dharmo vigunaha par-dharmat swanusthitat, Swa dharme nidhanam shreyaha par dharmo bhayavahaha. "To do one's Dharma (duty) is good, even if it is a small job and unrewarding. To die doing one's duty (Dharma) is the best course. One should not try to do else's 'Dharma', because to do other’s duty is dangerous". (35). 46 if he happened to be Arjuna’s Guru. In this war Guru Drona was on the side of the evil relatives- the Kauravas. Many doubts of Arjuna were cleared by this time. Now Arjuna asks Krishna a very intelligent question. This verse is translated and interpreted in many controversial manners. By quoting this verse orthodox priests ask people to remain attached to their own religion and die in name of religion. Such verses are also seen in Koran and other religious cults. This has lead to religious martyrdom, phantasms and Jihad’s. True meaning of 'Jihad' is dying for doing God's work and propaganda of noble thoughts. The word meaning of Dharma in Sanskrit is moral duty and it is linked with self or individual. The same individual has to play different roles at different places and times. Different occasions demand different duties and different actions. The duty of a warrior on battle field is to fight and not to run away. The duty of a teacher is to teach and give knowledge, and not to ask for fees. Not to give knowledge to a curious student is a sin. Duty of a mother is to cook food and care for children. If she eats herself without caring for family it is sin. The duty (Dharma) of father is to do job and bring home the pay check. If he wastes money in alcohol, drugs or gambling, it is sin. When such duties are neglected or inter-changed a dangerous situation arises in family. A critical situation results if an infantry man is doing the work of an air pilot in a war. Dangerous situation arises when less experienced couples make vital family decisions, without consulting experienced parents and grand parents. Arjun’s Guru Drona had refused to teach Karna and Akalavya because they came from backward class. Akalavya learned bowmanship by himself alone. Once Drona saw this boy and inquired who taught him. Aklavya said “you are my mental Guru”. Drona asked him to give in Guru-Dakshina his right thumb. (so that Akalavya would loose his power of throwing good arrows). He asked for fees even after refusing to teach, and without teaching. It was a malicious act or sin for a Brahmin. Krishna advises Arjuna to kill such a person, even What is the definition of a sin? "No body wishes to commit sins knowingly. Yet people commit many sins (make mistakes in life) as if they are dragged by an invisible force. Oh Krishna please tell me why such things happen?" (36). All religions advise not to commit sins, or ask for forgiveness for the sins. In the ending verses (37 to 43), Lord explains the root cause of all sins. Once you know how sins occur, you will remain alert and avoid them. This is the beauty of The Gita, compared to scriptures of other religions which give doctrines, commandments and taboos. "When desires and angers, mixed with selfish motives (Rajas) grip the mind then sins are committed. These inner tendencies (instincts, desires) are the greatest enemies of any individual. They burn you, destroy you. Recognize them and conquer them by self-discipline". (37). "The sex of an embryo is not visible under cover of placenta, fire is under the cover of smoke, and a clear image is not visible in a dirty mirror. In same way desires produce a veil over knowledge. Like an ever burning wild fire, all ego centric desires are the greatest enemies of all men of knowledge". (38 & 39). “Desires reside in sense organs, mind, and intellect, and cover them like a veil. Therefore control all sense organs at first, and slain great enemy -desire, which destroys scientific talents and knowledge”. (40, & 41) "The organs of knowledge (senses) and organs of actions are good, but mind is higher than the organs. 47 Intellect is higher than mind. But the highest of all is 'THAT' (spirit, soul, the divine self)". (42).In many verses divine spirit or Brahaman (ATMA) is referred to as nameless ‘THAT or THIS’. (See Kathopanishad V-III-10.) " Oh man of mighty-arms, desire (Kama) is most difficult of all the enemies to conquer. Recognize it by use of own intellect and the supreme soul within you. Conquer and slain inner enemy- DESIRES. (wants, wish, expectation, hopes, passions etc.). (43). When God assumes human forms he is alert, and ever active for noble deeds. People of ability and knowledge should set an example to average people by doing noble selfless Karma for community welfare. People who have given knowledge in religious or scientific fields, and done selfless deeds for mankind are the immortal souls. 7. Meditate upon 5 organs of actions and 5 senses, mind and intellect. All visible world of material objects perceived by the senses and mind is constantly changing according to fixed laws of Mother Nature. The inborn desires drag all living beings to do actions. 8. Only a human being possesses the ability of reason and say no to wrong desires, but if the occasion demands, duty bound actions must be done. This is the message of Karma Yoga Chapter. SUMMARY: 1. God is not a person but an invisible creator, maintainer and destroyer of all material objects, plants and animals and human bodies in the universe. 2. Karma can be done with 5 Karma Indriyas or organs of action (Speech, hands, feet, excretory organs and sex organs). To preserve self and race and to become successful, Karma must be done according Dharma. Actions once started must not be abandoned in the middle, and completed. Don't remain idle for a moment. 3. The word Dharma is wrongly translated as 'religion'. Dharma in Hinduism means the 'sense of moral duty'. For people of different talents and abilities at different age periods, specific goals and duties are indicated. 4. To perform one's duty is the best course. To do other's job is dangerous. Conquer selfish desires and angers. Ego centric desires (Vasanas) are at root of all sins. 5. It is difficult to win and slain the greatest inner enemy, desire (passion). To do nonstop ‘duty bound actions’ in best possible manner, is Karma Yoga. 6. God constantly does Karma via his various assistants (Devas, angels) like sun, rain, air and Land. 48 deeds. Their rewards are eternal and long lasting. Right actions brings right results. God does not give rewards to some and neglect others. One may believe in God or not, but the laws of Karma work perfectly and equally for all living creations in the Nature (Prakruti). Law No.4. Always use intellect (Buddhi) or common sense in making decisions. One has to overcome likes and dislikes, (Raga and Dwesha) and act on duty (Dharma, morality). God has given Buddhi or intellect (power of discrimination between right and wrong) to human beings only. Take time and think (Meditate) well. Then decide firm plan of actions and continue the actions with full devotion (Bhakti Yoga) till the job is done and goal is reached. Correct decisions and actions done today is Karma Yoga. Perfect attention in goals and constant awareness in actions is Dhyana Yoga. Attention or concentration (Dhyana) is the 7th step in Raja Yoga.. Law No. 5. A job done in the best possible manner using intellect is Karma Yoga". "Buddhiryukto jahatiha oobhe sukruta dushkrute, Tasmad yogaya yujjaswa Yogaha Karmahu kaushalam. Gita II.- 50. " There is nothing like good or bad actions (Karma). Use intellect and do all actions to the best of your ability and skills. Good or bad actions or good or bad persons are relative concepts. For example, it is a sinful act to make the birds fly away while they are eating grains by making noises. But the same action becomes a holy deed if a bird killer has spread net and scattered grains to catch birds. In the later situation 14. PERFECT LAWS OF GOD OF KARMA. A few selected verses of Gita. Law No: 1. You have right of actions only, and no right on the fruits of actions. "Karmani ava adhikarasthe Ma faleshu kadachana, Ma karma fala heturbhu, Ma te sangaha astu swa karmani." Gita. Ch.II-47. "You have right of actions only, and no right on the fruits of your actions at any time. Never expect fruits of actions; do not get attached to actions done in the past." Any action can be done only once. Do all actions to the best of your ability and leave results (fruits) to God. One has no control over the out come of actions at any time. At times one feels he is working hard but there are no rewards. Make firm decisions and then do correct actions: Law No. 2 Actions always bind the doer to his destiny in human society'. Karmanu bandhini manushya loke". Gita Ch. XV-2. “Karma bind all beings (ATMAS) to their destiny or future”. Karma done in past have accumulated and made the present; and those done today will add and decide the future. Law No. 3. God doesn't spin a wheel of fortune or plays a game of dice. Karma are like different seeds. The tree of Karma takes some time to grow. One reaps what one saws. Actions done with noble motives and sense of duty (Dharma) are holy 49 the noises warn birds from the trap. It is a holy action (PunyaKarma). Law No. 6. Karma and Dharma (morality) must go hand in hand. All actions must be guided by the sense of duty (Dharma) and not by selfish desires or/and attachments. Do Karma to discharge duties towards self, family, society and country. Only human beings can judge between right and wrong. Do not be guided by selfish desires (Kama), passions (Vasanas), anger (Krodha) and greed (Lobha). All decisions must be made by unbiased intellect. Remain firm about decisions once made after deep thinking. 15..SELF-REALIZATION – By WRITING AUTOBIOGRAPHY. SAMPLE By Swami Dwiroopanand. (Dr H. K. Gandhi in Past Life!) (This chapter is divided into 6 parts for purpose of preparing short articles for publishing in local news papers, magazines etc,. Perfect Laws of Karma work on all individuals can be proved and understood by writing Autobiography). Part I. Who are you? Or (Who Am I?) If some one asks this question, what will be your answer? You will say I am Mr. Gandhi H. K. or Mr. George B.J. (Name). Someone will say I am a “Doctor or an Engineer”.(Knowledge). Others will say I am American or an Indian (Nationality). But in fact one really does not know his or her true SELF or real “I”. Do you think that you really know your true self better than your spouse or kids and friends? No, you really do not know your true self. You will know it better after writing your own short biography in your own hand writing and words. I present a sample of my auto-biography. You can also try and write a few pages in this manner. My Birth Date. I was born on Nov.-16-1924 in Naroda, a village near city of Ahmedabad, in Gujarat, India. It was the ‘Last Day of Universal Time’, what people called it “TODAY”. When I have written all events of my past years and of yesterday, my story will come to an end. This will be also 50 “Today”. We all have memories of past only and existence at present moment. This law applies to every living human being on Globe Earth. I will write about my childhood, young age and student days in school and college. I will write about my marriage, births of children and death events of family members and friends. I will write about independence movement of India and part I played. I will write about my failures, successes and achievements and lessons I learned. Thus it is not difficult to write an autobiography. Only thing needed is your ‘will and firm desire’. Start with determination and continue in a nonstop manner. Everyone has something to remember, share, enjoy and some story to tell, and some message to give to growing young generation. I see a dead body. (1934-5). After the death of my father in 1925, Roopaliba managed our home, until her death in 1935. I remember her beautiful Mona Lisa like face and immense love for me. Up to age of six years I used to sleep with her. I remember all events of her death as if it occurred only yesterday. I was 10 years old. It was a moment of great grief and sorrow for me and my widow mother. I remember I had cried for days and months. For the first time I was looking at motionless and speechless dead body of my loving grand-mother. Being the only male son in family, I was forced by relatives to walk to the cremation place on the bank of river Sabarmati for performing final fire rites according to Hindu custom. After her death our financial condition worsened. It was a challenge for my mother to run home and arrange funds for my school education and other needs. Her only hope and goal was my good cultural growth and education. After the death of grand-mother in 1934, my mother wanted to know details of business and annual balance sheet from the cousin grand father. We used to receive only Rs. 25 ($4) per month from our "A.C. Gandhi and Brothers" firm in Ahmedabad in 1934. Accounts and any increase in monthly maintenance were denied by the managing partner. So my mother filed a court suit. It went on for next ten years. Ultimately we had to make compromise in 1944 and give up the right over the firm after getting a nominal cash money only. My Memories of Childhood. We were financially hard pressed in my young days. My father Kantilal died at his age of 19 years and my mother Sitaben was 17, when I was only six months old. In Hinduism a woman generally cannot re-marry after death of husband. She remained widow for her entire life. She died in 1974. Born in 1869, (the birth year of Mahatma Gandhi) my grand-father Ambaidas Gandhi was an adventurous and successful business man. Old records indicate that he was running three firms in the year of his death 1910, one in Rangoon (Burma), second in Bombay a third in Ahmedabad. After his death two firms were taken over by local partners. My grand-mother Roopaliba was a very beautiful but illiterate lady having no knowledge of business. Her second son Mangaldas had died at young age of 13 by drowning in a lake. She lived for 25 years after the death of my grand father and gave me wonderful love and moral support to my mother. Our Ahmedabad firm was managed by a cousin brother of my grand father, who was made partner by my grand father. My brave widow mother Sitaba. "Behind every successful man there is a woman". Most people understand that this woman is wife. But now I understand that it is the mother and wife comes later in life. Mother is the greatest teacher, a living Goddess in the world as our scriptures preach. Wife enters the life of a man in 51 late twenties. By this time 90 % of the personality make up of a growing boy is already formed, which is very firm and not easily changeable. A hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world. The cultural mind of child is molded more by the mother than the father. A good mother gives love and a good father gives money for education and teaches discipline. My mother Sitaba played both these roles. She was very strict and will not allow me to play in the street with other boys if I had not completed my home work. She taught me truth and honesty, self respect, endurance of hardships, but above all faith in God. Sitaba faced many difficulties and hardships in her young age. But her penance (Tapascharya) was rewarded in later life. She was a fighter of truth and a woman of self-respect. She filed a court case to get our due share and money from grand father's firm. In spite of poverty she was very hospitable and social. She always welcomed guests and treated them well. Sitaba took interest in finding husbands for her many nieces and daughter's of many relatives, as in India marriages are arranged by parents and elderly people and not by dating. I can never forget the discipline, devotion, love and care she gave me in young age. I will never be able to repay her debts. She had raised me with great moral and financial support, which she received from her mother and four brothers in Naroda. She always guided me on the right path of family love and respect for the elderly uncles. She was very happy to see her five well educated grandchildren at the time of her death (at her age of 67) in 1974. She suffered a short illness of stomach cancer. My two daughters Ila and Varsha, who were in America, rushed to India on hearing the news of her terminal illness. We moved from Naroda to Ahmedabad in our own bungalow on C.G Road in Ellisbridge area in 1961. She was very happy at this place with her grand children. She did many religious activities. Now she started her pilgrimages and visited many temples of India. She has written a nice travelogue of her pilgrimages. Day and night she would sing devotional songs. Daily she would go to a nearby Shiva temple in early morning at 5 a.m. to offer prayers to Lord. She was a devoted and compassionate lady. Seeing a poor beggar she would give alms, clothes, food etc. When I retired from private practice, I converted my clinic into a charitable medical center and created a charitable trust in her name in 1981. But I had to close it within two years, for want of service minded doctors and devoted staff. Marriage, children and family. After the death of grand mother, my mother Sitaba and me were only two individuals in our home. So I was married on March-8-1943, as per wish of my mother and relatives. It was an arranged marriage by relatives. Mostly we stayed with joint family of four maternal uncles at Naroda. It was a village located 5 miles from Ahmedabad. Naroda is now a part of mega-city of Ahmedabad. My maternal grand father Ishverbhai Patel was a leading farmer (Mukhi) in Naroda. It was a big and caring family. I became father of my first daughter Ila in 1946, the first year of medical college. My second daughter Varsha was born in 1950, the last year of my medical college. Let me explain, why I got married during my student age. We have a custom of early marriages. I had passed with good grades in high school. Boys of my age were getting married. To add a family member, moral support and help in the legal cases going on in the courts, my mother and uncles wished I should get married. She selected the girl and I got married without dating, arguments or protest. The moral support and good advice of my father-in-law Kunvarlal (Bapuji) worked. All court cases got 52 settled with his compromising attitude, guidance and wisdom in 1944-45. family practice in a village for earning money due to family needs, and financial responsibilities. Economic conditions now improved. To fulfill my dream of becoming a surgeon, I enrolled as an external PG student in 196O, after 10 years of practice, at suggestion of my good friend Dr. P. P. Mehta. He was a good teacher and popular physician of Ahmedabad. I passed M.S (part I) at the first trial. Regular students needed two or three trials to pass this. I appeared for final part II in 1964 (after 3 years). For the first time I failed in this exam. I know it was due to increasing practice, family responsibility and lack of time for studies. After coming to America I appeared for the E.C.F.M.G. in 1983. My score was 66 % without great preparations. I joined computer courses, medical billing courses and income tax courses in USA to learn the tax laws of this country. I always read new thoughts from any corner on any subject. But now I spend more time in reading and writing on religious subjects. Because I know that if I don't give out my thoughts, views, and gained knowledge and personal experiences by writing or speaking on audio-tapes, my acquired knowledge will die with me. It is with this kind of self realization, I write books, magazines, booklets and short flyers since last 10 years. I have no aim of any financial gains. I also do not know who will read my literature. But I feel like writing and I write. This kind of attitude is described in the Gita as “NishKama Karma Bhav”. Hopes and dreams of bright future give courage and keep us alive. We do many activities (Karma) for survival, gaining knowledge, progress and getting financial prosperity for self and family members. But we forget God until diseases, old age and difficulties arrive in life. We are never conscious of the constant changes occurring in our body, mind, intellect, knowledge and ever changing human relations. Part II. I am always a student. I joined school at age of seven, but I always secured A grades in my class from the start. My rank remained first or second in all grades. Today in India and abroad I see three year old kids sent to K.G.. I feel piety for them. This is the age for playing. Parents want their children to become genius doctors like Doughy Houser and scholars like Einstein. But they forget that geniuses are born and not made by sending children to school at very early age. Parents and teachers can only mold their characters by teaching good morals and teaching history, math etc. I remember all the good grades in schools and colleges I scored. I was first in Ahmedabad center (among 42,000 students) in the high school graduation test (Matric) of Gujarat State in 1941. I was first class first in biology- Intermediate Science (BGroup) examination of Gujarat university in 1945 and third among all the students admitted to K.E.M. Medical college in Bombay State of British India. Bombay State included then districts of Sindh (today in Pakistan), Gujarat, Vidharbha, and State of Maharastra. I can never forget the days of economic difficulties (Tapas) that a bright student has to face for getting education in early years of life. I had to get loans for books and fees from relatives and friends besides some scholarships from charitable institutions. I did part time jobs to continue my studies. Finally I graduated in medicine from K.E.M. Hospital, Bombay in 1950. I wanted to continue my studies and become a surgeon. But I had to give up my dream of surgery and start 53 With passage of time my gross body, places where I lived, relatives and my economic conditions have changed. But the changeless soul within me is same. It does not change and my knowledge is ever increasing. These changes occur according to fixed laws of God, but I was not aware of this in my young days and youth period. All material things are constantly changing according to fixed laws of Mother Nature. This is nicely said in the following verse. Lords says:Mayaadhyakshane prakrutihi sooyete sacharaacharam Hetunanena Kaunteya jagat viparivartate The Gita. (Ch. IX- 10). "I pervade inside and outside every (non-living and livingJad and Chetana) object in the universe. Constant changes occur in the gross bodies according to fixed rules (laws of Mother Nature - Prakruti) made and supervised also by ME". This is an ever changing world and universe. All material bodies undergo fixed changes. A new born baby becomes a child, then a teenager, a youth, and an old man. Diseases and death also occur according fixed design of God. With spoken words and knowledge gained we can understand these changes. With our own eyes we can see, understand and experience these changes. Once I was son of my mother and father, and grandson of my grand-mother. Then I was a student of many teachers (Gurus) in schools and colleges. After my marriage in 1943, I became a husband, then a father of five children. Today I am grand-father of 10 grand-children. But I am still a young and curious student. There is a blank unrecorded empty disk in every brain. There is always plenty of room for new thoughts and new ideas. If you do not learn new thoughts and views of other people, and learn new skills every day, a good portion of your memory disk (called Chitta) ever remains blank. The following verse of great wisdom has always inspired me during my entire life. Na chor choryam, na ch raj haaryam Na bhratru bhajayam na ch bharkari Vyaye krute vardhat ave nityam Vidya dhanam sarva dhanam pradhanam "Knowledge is the greatest wealth of any individual. A king cannot tax it, brothers cannot divide it, a thief cannot steal it, and it is weightless. But above all, knowledge is such a wonderful wealth that it increases by spending!". Keep your mind, eyes and ears open and daily learn new things. Give gained knowledge to others who want it. Give it free, without expecting any rewards. Do not sell knowledge. Knowledge is God with you and within your self. Vidyaeducation or knowledge is the greatest wealth of any individual. Give its benefits to others at all times. It will increase and not decrease. Learn new thoughts and remove wrong beliefs by self knowledge (Atma-Gyana) and the Gita study in a scientific manner. Read the life and thoughts of all great men of divine vision like Jesus, Rama, Krishna, Mahavira, Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi. Read scriptures of all religions like Bible, Koran, stories from the Ramayan and Mahabharat etc. Remember that divine knowledge cannot be sold. This is Real Hindu Heritage or Vedic culture. Good thoughts must be propagated free without expectations of money or rewards. Develop your (SadBuddhi) unbiased intellect to think with broad vision without any material attachments. ALWAYS REMAIN A LIFE LONG STUDENT IS MY MESSAGE FOR EVERYONE. 54 We immigrate to USA. I do not know why, but by some inner instinct I wanted to send all my children to USA.. That dream always remained in my sub-conscious mind (Chitta). For the college education of growing children, we moved our residence from Naroda to Ahmedabad in 1960. The student in me also was inspired. I also joined the medical college as external part time student to fulfill my dream of becoming a surgeon. I failed in my last examination of surgery. But I was able to give best education to all my children in the colleges located in our area. To achieve this duty bound goal, I daily drove 15 miles two ways, two times to run my well established practice of ten years in Naroda area. I continued this life style and driving for next 20 years, until I closed my clinic in 1982. The dream of sending my children to USA became a reality in 1972 when my eldest daughter Ila graduated in pharmacy as first class first student in her college. She got the 3rd preference Visa for USA. She was my first child who came to USA. One by one, other children followed. Sweet and sour memories of joys, difficulties, separations and reunions are linked with the years between 1972 and 1980. My second daughter Varsha (Dentist) and her husband Mahesh Patel (Ph.D. in computer engineering) had immigration problems due to our ignorance of immigration laws. After studying Immigration Laws from this experience, I wrote my first book on immigration laws of USA. in simple Gujarati language to help average people. A medical doctor wrote a book on immigration laws of USA, without going to any law school. After marriage in India, my third daughter Daksha (M.A. born in 1951) came to USA in 1978. Then my doctor son Pankaj (born in 1953) and his wife Kshama came to USA in 1980. In 1981, me, my wife Jashoda and youngest son Rupesh (born in 1963) came to USA. My dream of 1958 became a reality in 1981. In 1981 I decided to close my practice and stay permanently in USA, with children. My will (Hath-Yoga) to come to USA was very strong. According to our joint efforts and accumulated (Sanchit) Karma we (my family) were rewarded in 1982. Karma done by all family members got accumulated. TODAY we all are in USA, a different place than Ahmedabad or India. I do not know about tomorrow. The laws of Karma have worked so far. Joint efforts (Purusharth) of family members are visible as progress, achievements of set goals, prosperity, and some failures also. But we should forget all disappointments and failures, and always keep positive attitudes. We are all fairly well set and happy in USA. People staying in any country are like a big family. United hands of the people of a country (national unity), lead to country's prosperity and progress. The attitude of caring, sharing and sense of sacrifice is called LOVE. Love is fostered by giving cultural training and moral discipline (religion). For family unity and prosperity leadership, correct decisions and right Karma by all family members are necessary. It brings joy and happiness to all members. Hinduism is not an organized religion. But it is a worth studying age old culture and heritage. It has many Scriptures, and Stories of practical messages of true religious life (KulDharma) for happy and united family living. Part III. Memories of medical practice. After my graduation in 1950, I started first private practice in the city of Ahmedabad which I shifted to Naroda within six 55 months. I practiced at this place for next 32 years, from 1951 to 1982. (TIME-PLACE BONDGE). Economic conditions improved in course of TIME. There were successes and failures in profession and other businesses, which I tried. I have mentioned earlier that I wanted to become a surgeon. It was my dream of college days. In 1957 I tried to enter into politics, contest an election and become a state legislator. Sometimes I thought of leaving medical practice and start business of building construction, pharmaceuticals and radio dealership and so on. I became a partner in a radio-agency and a pharmaceutical company. But I lost money as I WAS A SLEEPING PARTNER. I had no knowledge of those trades. I had many dreams and plans of becoming rich in a short time in the early days of my slowly growing medical practice. No plan worked. Only my medical knowledge was rewarding me slowly but steadily. For 32 years as medical doctor, I have treated hundreds and thousands of patients. Naroda in those days. It was a central bigger village located between 30 surrounding smaller villages. During first ten years I was the only qualified MBBS medical doctor in this area. I had to make home visits to villages within range of 20 to 30 miles, at nights, in rainy seasons, and during hot summer days of tropical climate. The facilities of transport were poor. During early years, I used bicycle, then a two wheeler motor cycle. In 1957 only I was able to buy my first second-hand car for Rs. 1700. I used it for next 8 years. Some people could not afford fees for car expenses so they brought their bullock carts. I had to accept this method of transport and make home visits in surrounding villages nearly daily or on alternate days. As required by the need of local people, my office hours were from 8-30 a.m. to 1-30.p.m. first session; and 5-30 p.m. to 9-00 p.m. as second session. I used to treat nearly 100 to 150 patients per day, seven days a week. (Only half day holiday on Sundays). It included all types of cases, medical and surgical, children, adults, gynecology, cases of delivery, ophthalmology and orthopedics, burns and injuries and what not! We had to make a quick clinical judgment, and treat the case immediately with whatever medicine was available. There was no medical insurance system. There were no pharmaceutical drug stores in Naroda. We examined patients and gave all the medicines from our clinic. My fees were only One Rupee, for adults and 50 paise (cents) for the children. We charged Rs 2 to 5 for injection shots. Home visits charge was Rs. 3/- during day time and Rs. 5/- during night hours. There were no separate consultation fees. Everything was included in the fees for medicines dispensed from the clinic. When I compare this style of medical practice with the prevalent medical system in foreign countries like USA, Canada and UK, etc., I feel that we did a far better job with less equipment, fewer diagnostic tools and limited transport facilities. Today the practice of medicine in advanced countries is getting more and more complicated by the entry of intermediate agencies like the health insurance, HMOs and Medicare systems. The patients pay premiums in advance for receiving treatment in future, but the doctors also pay premiums for mal practice law suits. Ultimately the costs get accumulated, and the burden is born by honest tax payers and the healthy people. A complicated billing system and many text books of availability of benefits have emerged. One most important factor in mental healing of a patient is sacrificed, viz.,“the doctor patient relationship and faith in doctor”. This vital element has practically disappeared even in India today. My patients were highly satisfied with what ever I gave. If something went wrong, there were no mal-practice law suits. 56 Except for an occasional mishap, due to drug reaction or non-availability of proper drugs, our overhaul results were fairly good. We were respected like angles (living Gods), by the families, our patients, and the village community. I have forgotten the memories of thousands of patients and their illnesses. But all my patients remember me as their savior. My patients had great faith in my (little) knowledge and in my honest practice. Faith in the words of a family doctor is a very important factor in healing and recovery from sickness. This I have experienced in thousands of cases. It was not my medicine nor my diagnosis, but their faith in me was the greatest factor in their cure. If a doctor treats his patients with devotion and care, the memories of a doctor always remain permanently engraved in minds of patients. This is the greatest earning of any doctor. I firmly believe this after my experiences and conviction after 32 years of family practice. Once I was visiting my nephew in Chicago, who had moved in his new home. An Indian neighbor came to meet me. "Dr. Uncle, do you remember this young guy? He is from our place Naroda". My nephew asked. "No, I don't remember" I replied. The visitor said, "Dr. Uncle, You can forget me but how can I forget you. I am Ramesh, son of Krishnakant Joshi. You were our family doctor for many years. I had tuberculosis in childhood. My parents had lost all hopes of my survival. But you had cured me from a serious disease. Whenever my mother brought me for shots, I used to cry at the top of my voice, abused and cursed you. It created an atmosphere of a thunder storm in your clinic. But you have given me a new life. When Deepak (my nephew) informed me that you were coming here, I wanted to meet and see you after 25 years and apologize for the misbehavior of my young age". It was a moment of great surprise, unexpected joy and divine happiness for me to meet that naughty boy Ramesh and see him healthy and well placed in life. I recollected immediately the memories of his abuses, mischievous behavior and the drama he used to create in my clinic. To see such a patient healthy after 25 years was a moment of great joy, and a sense of satisfaction and pride. There were no ill feelings in my mind either then or now. I believe that the true earnings of a doctor is to see such cured patients and the sense of gratitude and joy of life on their faces. Now I will record some of my public life and social activities. I start a new branch of IMA. After a few years of practice, I have always remained active in medical politics and activities of Ahmedabad Medical Association; and later on in the Naroda Medical Association, a branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA). Once I was Jt. Secretary in Ahmedabad, a branch of IMA, having nearly 1500 members. I was active on its Working Committee for five years or more. Doctors staying and practicing in Naroda area were not able to attend the clinical meetings held during the night hours in Ahmedabad. It was a distance of 15 miles. So I decided to start a new branch of Indian Medical Association in Naroda area. I took the initiative and enrolled nearly 40 members. We started an independent Naroda Branch of Indian Medical Association. I became first founder president, and my friend Dr N.D. Israni its secretary, of Naroda branch of IMA. I remained active in its growth and all its academic, humanitarian and social activities until I came to USA. This activity brought unity, harmony and friendship among the medical community in Naroda area. It helped us to solve local problems and was very instrumental in avoiding unfair competition. We arranged regular clinical meetings by inviting 57 leading doctors from Ahmedabad. We learned many new things in fast developing medical science. We arranged family gatherings of local doctors. Once I became the vice president of the Gujarat State branch of IMA. community. I have learned from this experience that when the trustees of a charitable institution give such freedom to a visionary teacher, he works with his fullest devotion and zeal. The institution grows, prospers. All are benefited in long run. My Educational activities in Naroda. There was no high school in Naroda. I had faced great difficulties during my student days for high school education. I had to waste nearly 3 hours daily in going to and coming from school. I had to walk daily a distance of three miles, and travel by train or bus from Naroda to Ahmedabad. My eldest daughter Ila - now 12 years old- was facing similar difficulties for going to a high school in Ahmedabad, during the years 1957-58. I believed in giving the best education to my children, children of relatives and all the people of Naroda. So I took an initiative and started a non-profit charitable education trust with co-operation of local people in 1958. We collected donations and purchased a good plot of land. The high school was started with five classes and 250 students. I have memories of fund raising projects, its growth and many social, legal and other difficulties we faced to bring this high school to its present status. I had ever remained active in educational field during my medical practice. The high school in Naroda area was started in 1958. It has grown into a big tree having classes from K.G to 12th grades. It has nearly 3000 students, and the classes run from KG to early college grades. At this point I wish to pay my respect and tributes to its first principal Mr. V. D. Chandarana. He was an average school teacher in nearby Sabarmati high school. I invited him to join our budding high school. We gave him fullest freedom and tried to meet all financial needs. We agreed with his all reasonable and good decisions in the interest of students and Part IV. My Social and Public-Service Activities and Memories of Naroda Lions Club. God gave me a chance to serve the community from which I was earning. A new Lions Club, a branch of Lions International was starting in Naroda in 1970. It gave me many good friends and opportunities to serve people. I joined it as a Charter Member. Then I became its treasurer, secretary, and president in 1975. I visited Lions International head quarters in Chicago during my first visit of USA. in 1976- the year of bicentennial celebrations of America's independence. I have memories of Mr. Reagan loosing the presidential nomination against Mr. Ford in the republican party. Naroda was rapidly transforming into an industrial township. There was no maternity facility or ambulance service. Delivery cases requiring emergency treatment were at great risk. Under the auspices of Lions Club we started a maternity facility and a free polio vaccination center. Both these projects are nicely running today. We arranged every year free diagnostic camps and sometimes Free cataract operation camps. Naroda Lions club started an English medium school for the Non-Gujarati Indian families working in different industries. During these years (1970 to 1981), I became close friend of a devoted Lion, Mr. Himatlal Shah. His noble nature always inspired me. We worked hand in hand during all humanitarian projects and activities of Naroda Lions Club. He was general 58 manager of the Ruby coach builders. In the year 1981, one communist minded worker assassinated this divine soul. Mr. Himatlal Shah was a friend of poor and ever helping brother of all Lions. He was a living angle of kindness, love and a true servant of suffering humanity. In a small matter of trifling demand, not agreed by the management, the murderer entered his cabin with liquid thinner, threw it on Mr. Shah, and ignited fire. He was burnt alive in his office. He died within a few minutes on the spot. This divine soul died performing his duties like a martyr on the battle field. I had always doubts regarding the mercy and omnipresence of God. It was a day of great sorrow and mourning for his wife, my family members, all the Lion members, friends and entire village of Naroda. I have dedicated my first religious book 'Egos and Desires' to this true LION, a true Jain, and brother of my past birth, Mr. Himatlal Shah. He was a family member for my children and a brother, friend philosopher and guide for me. He was younger than me in age but he was my Guru in many social and economic matters. He was a true Lion, an inspiration for all Lion friends and all who came in his contact. a good government job, and started a packing industry of his own in Naroda area. One day we were gossiping about old friends- who is where and what he or she is doing. We could remember many old friends and an idea of re-union gripped our minds. We started working on it. The first grand re-union of nearly 50 college friends was arranged within six months. All were in different walks of life, like doctors, lawyers, engineers, judges, politicians, business-men, teachers, professors, and good positions in government. Most of us were meeting after an interval of 20 years. It was a day of great joy and jubilation for all of us. They came from distant places with their families. At this age period of our lives, our sons and daughters were studying in the Inter-science classes of different colleges. We decided to continue this activity and arrange one annual re-union every year at different places. They were arranged in Bombay, Baroda, Cambay, Anand and sometimes at holiday resort places. The local Ahmedabad group started regular monthly dinner meetings and family gatherings. I remained its permanent president, secretary and treasurer without any funds to manage. This activity continued for next 15 years and all loved it. It brought many friends and families close. Some friends became in-laws when their children started knowing each other, dating and got married. Sorrowful memories of many friends who died during these years are also with me. We were able to help their children and widows in many ways, financial, legal and medical problems. I will not record these events. But I record one sad event of the death of one Inter-Science group friend, Dr. K.G. Mehta. He was a busy family physician of Ahmedabad. He would leave his home in the morning at 6. am, and return at mid-night. This was his routine for 360 days of a year. No rest, no vacation, only devotion to duty and work. Re-union of old college friends. The memories of friendship of school and college days are always selfless, divine and cherished at all places. The story of Krishna and Sudama tells us such inspiring messages. I do not remember names of many school friends, but the memories of many college friends are ever in my heart. In 1964 I started a re-union of the old class friends who studied in the Inter-Science class of Gujarat college in 1945. With the help of similar minded friend, Mr. P.M. Patel, we prepared a list. Mr. Patel had worked as police officer in the crime branch of Bombay for some years. After division of Gujarat and Maharastra States in 1958, he had resigned from 59 One day KG got a minor heart attack but with God’s grace recovered from the first attack. He reduced the pace of work. Now oft and on for check up he would visit our common friend Dr. P. P. Mehta (MD.). Dr. P. P. Mehta was a famous teacher, physician and a leading cardiologist of Ahmedabad. Dr. KG. was once on the examination table in the office of Dr. PP.. Cardiogram machine was recording heart beats. Everything was fine and within normal limits at the start. Both old friends were chit chatting about medical politics of the city. But in a fraction of second, DR. PP noted unusual waves suggesting ventricular fibrillation (Heart changes before death). Before KG could speak a word, and PP could do anything, heart of KG stopped for ever. When the news were disclosed to family members and friends, no body was ready to believe it. The death of a healthy doctor in such a set of circumstances was impossible. Today when I reflect upon this event, I can only say that the PLACE and TIME of death (destiny) of Dr. KG. Mehta was pre-written by God. A cardiologist and personal friend could not save his friend's life with all the facilities at his hand. Nor he could extend KG's life span, even for a few more minutes or seconds. During my trip of India in 1988, I had misfortune of attending the cremation ceremony of my great buddy, and renowned cardiologist of Ahmedabad- Dr. P P. Mehta. He was four years younger than me. Dr. PP was a chain smoker, even after knowing as a cardiologist that smoking is harmful for the heart. He could not quit this most addictive habit. After suffering from some pancreatic trouble, he reduced the number of cigarettes per day but not stopped completely. Dr. PP got a severe heart attack. I went to see him at his residence while he was recovering from this attack. Always jolly, smart, active, cheerful and ever talkative Dr. PP appeared silent and depressed. He wanted to hear from me talks on religion and God. I advised him to withdraw from very busy practice and partially retire. He agreed. But on the third day of this meeting, I received news that the heart of a famous cardiologist of Ahmedabad had stopped for ever. The time of death for every born is today and now. The Gita says, "Jatasya hi Dhruvo mrutum". Every born has got to die. Most of us forget this eternal law of God, and run after temporary sensual pleasures like smoking, drugs and alcohol. We think of impossible dreams and improbable events to happen in our future lives. But we forget that the laws of Karma, actions done good and bad, binds every individual slowly and steadily to his or her destiny in a perfect but invisible manner. Part V. My economic positions and attitudes. I had no bank balance to start my practice. I had started my first clinic in Ahmedabad in 1951 by borrowing money from relatives and friends. In the city practice of India, doctors have a system of giving personal credits to patients. Only a few new and unknown patients come and pay cash. In this way the families remain attached to doctors. Some families pay their bills on monthly basis, but many pay on yearly basis. Compared to insurance system abroad, the fees are paid after receiving the treatment and not in advance of some expected sickness in future. In a city like Ahmedabad, a new doctor has to wait for some years before he is able to enroll some permanent families and make both ends meet. I had to close my Ahmedabad Clinic within six months for these reasons. I shifted my practice to a less competitive but known place, Naroda. It was a village without electricity in those days. But it was my birth place. I had lived there as an orphan child. Every one knew me in Naroda. From the very first day my 60 practice started with a good swing. But for the first ten years, there were many obligations and debts to be paid. Only after 10 years in 1960, I was able to purchase a plot and built my residential bungalow in Ahmedabad. My net savings and bank balance after ten years of practice were only Rs. 3000 Rupees, (= $ 100). Again by borrowing loans from relatives and friends I completed its construction in 1962 and repaid all debts by 1966. In next year I purchased a new car and extended 2 floors on bungalow with Life Insurance Loan in 1967-68. Now I started investing surplus money in Shares and bonds. This phase of extra money came nearly after 16 years of hard life and active practice. Doctors are poor accountants. In those years I learned Indian style double entry book keeping. It helped me to file my income tax returns, and I knew my financial position and assists. I taught this simple Indian method of book keeping to some doctor friends. After learning it some doctor friends thanked me for teaching this accounting system. completely unconscious, in a state of total paralysis. It was a severe brain stroke. I was practically a dead person. The control over the urinary and stool functions was lost, pupils were dilated and not reacting to light. All the signs suggest a state of deep coma and poor or no hope of recovery. During that week of deep unconscious state a big crowed (nearly 1500 people) of relatives, friends, and patient families from Naroda and surrounding villages was gathering in the premises of the Hospital. They were praying for my recovery. God heard their prayers and gave me a new birth! My wife and two sons came running at a moments notice. After a week of their arrival, I regained little consciousness. I was able to recognize them. My face and left half of body showed paralytic signs. It was an attack of cerebral ischemia, I was informed later. I remained in bed for three months. But with grace of God I am able to drive on American high ways. I drive from Florida to Michigan, Philadelphia and New York. All the memories of past years are as sharp as one could observe from this biography. I know with fullest conviction that I am alive today, because God wanted and wants me to live and do HIS work. All my religious books were written and published after that sickness of 1982. Many relatives like my maternal grand mother in Naroda, my mother, cousins, uncles, friends like Dr. KG, Dr. PP, Mr. Himatlal Shah, and great leaders like Gandhiji and Nehru, great scientists like Einstein and many leaders of Europe have died during the span of my life. I have perfect memories of all these deaths and all great historic events. While I was recovering from that sickness, one day I got inspirations to write a prayer in English. It is based upon the theme of all Upanishads and the Gita - A prayer to One Infinite God of Universe. I published it in 1988, in my first English book-“ABC of Hinduism”. I come back from heaven. After immigrating to USA in 1981, I had come to India to close my clinic. I established a charitable trust in memories of my mother Sitaba and converted my private practice into a charitable clinic. Only cost of medicines was charged. The salary of doctor, staff, utilities and rent were paid from the trust funds. My date of return to USA was Jan 17, 1982. Air flights were confirmed. Two days prior to this date, I got little fever in the afternoon and became completely unconscious in the evening. It was a serious sicknesses. I was admitted in V. S. Hospital, and my family members in USA were informed by phone as all children and wife were in USA. My closest doctor friends like PP and many other doctors treating me in hospital had lost all hopes of my recovery. I was 61 (See this poem in my website). scientific meanings of key words like Dharma, Karma, Ego, Atma, Bhraman, Jagat, Vishva, etc,. What do we understand when we use the word Karma? It is generally translated as actions, acts or deeds. I started real study of the Gita and other Upanishads by reading translations of authors like S. Radhakrishnan, Swami Chinmayananda, Dada Athavleji and many others. Everyone had some difference in their approach and translation of these Sanskrit words and the text. I was always searching the scientific meanings of Sanskrit words. Within three months of devoted study of this only one chapter of the Gita, I saw divine cosmic light one night. It changed my mind, attitudes, life’s goals and activities. I have described this event in all my books and magazines. People spend years to see this divine light of God. Why I was rewarded in such a short time, and with study of only one chapter of the Gita? Why I was selected by God to see His Divine Cosmic Light of Holy Cross of Jesus Christ, at a particular date and time of Christian calendar, in India without any background of Christian faith and while reading the Gita, a Hindu scripture? This is still an unanswered question for me. Sometimes I ask myself. Am I the same individual (Atma) who was born on Nov.-16-1924 in India, who wanted to be a surgeon, a politician, a businessman, and struggling to be rich in short time, having many dreams?. All these years I was slave of sensual joys and circumstances. I practiced medicine for 32 years in a small village, though I wanted to be a great surgeon in a big city. People who know me could never imagine that an atheist doctor would be writing books on theology, religion and God in his later life. Sometimes I say to my friends that God inspires me to write this type of spiritual literature. HE wants me to become HIS spokesman and instrument. But I also know that nobody believes such statements and remarks. An atheist turns to spiritual study. There was no time for any religious study or activity during busy medical practice. I had no faith in God, temples or any Guru in those days. Yet once in a while I would go to attend religious lectures, if there was some famous and noble religious teacher. During the years 1965 to 1970, I was under hypnotic influence of late Acharya Rajanish. He was a great scholar and speaker on religious subjects with intellectual appeal and logical approach to religion and God. But when he declared himself as Bhagvan (as Living God), I was disappointed. Education, medical aid, service of the needy, poor and suffering humanity as preached by late Swami Vivekanand, Mahatma Gandhiji, Jesus, Buddha and also preached in the Gita, is worship of God. This I believed during the years of sixties and seventies. The mythological stories of Hindu Puranas, narrating magical wonders of Bhrama, Vishnu and Shiva, never inspired any faith in my mind. Once in Oct., 1979, I heard a week's discourse on the 3rd Chapter of the Gita, Karma Yoga, by Rev. Swami Shree Chinmayanandji. It was arranged on the historic and famous ground of Gujarat College, Ahmedabad. I had studied in this college during my pre-medical years of college. A crowd of nearly 25,000 people was gathering daily. In morning hours Swamiji was teaching the famous text of Vivek-Chudamani of Adi-Shankaracharya. I was attending both these sessions with fullest devotion and attention. I used to close my evening clinic to attend these lectures. These lectures ignited a spiritual quest for the first time in my mind. I memorized the Sanskrit verses of Karma Yoga- the 3rd chapter of the Gita, and constantly meditated upon the 62 has become enlightened. I now understand the short proclamations of Upanishad Rishies like; "I am Brahaman, I am the immortal soul or undying ‘ATMAN’. My soul is changeless, imperishable, immortal and divine in nature. It was, is and shall ever be at all times and at all places, even after it leaves my present physical gross body". In the Mahatma Gandhi book I wrote a second English poem, “Immortal Souls”. It is based upon a famous Upanishad Mantra of Bhrad-Aranyak Upanishad, “Mrutor Mam Amrutam Gamaya”. (See Website for this poem). Part VI. My present activities. To keep my self busy in writing books on Hinduism and world religions. I do not worry who will read them and what rewards they will bring to me. During the years 1982 to 88, I have wrote and published four chapters of the Gita and two books on Yoga-Vedanta Darshan in Gujarati and one book in English- ABC of Hinduism for Indian children staying abroad. During my interim visits of India, I had started a bi-monthly magazine "Vignan-Dharma Sandesh" (Science and religion). But after four issues I had to close it due to lack of devoted staff. To write and publish my thoughts and experiences is the only goal of my remaining life. In 1992, I published my dream book, “Mahatma Gandhi”, Ambassador of God for the 21st century. It is a religio-political book. In it I have given my observations of the post independence years of India and the causes of economic down fall of Indian currency. I have made constructive suggestions regarding the changes to be made in the constitution of India. It will bring true world peace. In it I have suggested a new idea of International GitaGandhi Dharma Sangh, (IGDS) for religious education of future generation in any part of the world. Any new and radical religious thoughts take some time to get well rooted, to grow into a big tree and give fruits. I know this well. But this only mission of my remaining life. I will try my best to propagate this idea of IGDS as long as God permits me to breath in His world. Now I perfectly know the exact date of my death. Signs and symptoms of old age and physical limitations are visible. Relations, activities, needs, knowledge, places and time are ever changing. But my conscious mind and inner most 'Self' Now I know that my body and soul - both are part and parcel of the supreme Brahaman or GOD. God is within every human being in the heart as love, in the mind as sympathy and compassion, in intellect as common sense and good thoughts. Like humble words of Sir Isaac Newton on his death bed, I also say, "I have tasted a teaspoonful of water from the endless ocean of divine knowledge. I know many things about my past, present and the world history. I have clear memories of all events that have occurred during my life. This is the story of every human being and his or her limitations of place and time. My journey of life has reached the Last Day of Creation of Universe, TODAY and NOW. It is like a rigid and un-tress passable dead end. Anyone can know and learn many things, subjects and skills. Yet the endless ocean of knowledge ever remains unknown. No one knows what is going to happen “TOMORROW”. Even Lord Rama did not know, though he was God incarnate. I pray God only this “Please keep me a life long student". Another Way of writing Autobiography. Become a third person and tell your story. 63 This is a new short method. I suggest for those who want to understand - Real Spiritual-Self (Soul) and world of material objects seen and perceived by five senses. To gain this knowledge, called Self Realization (Adhiatma Vidya), people in India renounce family life, go to Himalayas to find some Guru, who can show them God by path of Self Realization. I indicate a simple method of self realization. This is not difficult. Try to write only one or two pages. Write a few lines as if a third person is giving your introduction to your family members or to some unknown audience. "Born in 1924, Dr. H.K Gandhi was a poor boy. His father died when he was six month old child. He was raised by a widow mother. He became a medical doctor and practiced as a family doctor for 32 years in a village, Naroda. He believes in giving good education to children. He wanted to send them to USA. In later life at age of 55, he turned to religious study. Today he writes books on religious and philosophical subjects. His worldly knowledge has increased with age. His Karma has given him all desired fruits. His places of residence and goals (Desires) in life have changed many times. In 1982 he suffered from a severe brain stoke but recovered. He is alive today in 2008, which he now believes is due to wish and grace of God. After 15 years of study of world religions Dr. Gandhi, now Swami Dwiroopanand, believes that, God is One and TODAY is the last day of Universal TIME or “Dooms day”, or “Day of Judgment” for all living beings on Earth. His imperishable (Akshara-atman) soul has not changed and not left his ever changing body. But now he knows with conviction that he is going to die on a day called “Today". This “Perfect Law of God”, applies to every human being who refer her/him Self , as “I”. Summary:After writing these events of life (autobiography), I have come to understand my true Self, and fixed rules of God. This is Self Realization. 1. Entire mankind was, is and shall ever be bound to the last day of universal time. We all are equally created human beings. We all will die according to His fixed rules. 2. The eternal laws of God could only be understood by the path of self realization, and a few more words, like Atma, Karma, Dharma, Jagat (world), Vishva (Universe) and SPACE AND TIME. 3. Death of every born occurs at a fixed moment, the last day and moment of universal time. This moment is always TODAY and NOW. 4. My cardiologist son will not be able to change the moment of my death even if I am under his care in the Mayo clinic of USA. 5. Thinking positively, looking back on my past and the life I lived so far, I can say this. I have not wasted my life. Besides discharging family responsibilities, I was able to help relatives, friends and the community. By writing religious books today, I am trying to help the future generations. I have earned good will, respect and blessings of countless patients and friends. 6. I was instrumental in starting a high school and maternity facility in a rural area like Naroda. The blessings of innumerable students and countless mothers is the real earning of my life. They do not know me and I do not know them. 7. I have a dream of starting a college, a hospital and a Yoga Ashrama in Naroda area, and a Gandhi-Gita Ashrama some where in USA. 8. I am aware of the political system in India, the minds of the people, the teachers, the doctors and business community 64 at large. They are not ready TODAY for my radical religious and political thoughts. 9. Politicians of India are not ready for decentralization of central powers, political changes according to Vision of FREE India of Mahatma Gandhiji. I have a dream of starting some service projects in the places of my grand parents and some place near Naroda, from where I have earned my wealth and living. To repay such debts is my religion, duty or Dharma. This I have understood after study of scriptures for last 20 years. These are some dreams of Swami Dwiroopanand TODAY. (Above notes were written in 2000. I wish to start a Gandhi Gita Dharm Sandesh Magazine in India and USA). --------------------------------Next Note in 2008. During last 8 years (From 2001 to 2008), I have published 2 magazines of Gita Ch-12 and Ch-15, 5000 copies each, and four more books. Two in Gujarati, -‘Prarabdh and Purusharth, and Vignanna Rushio’, and three books in English -“Will Power of Positive Mind”, “Ashtang Yoga” and “Pranayama”cures BP in 90% cases, in May, 2008). ------------------------------------Last Note on Feb – 26 - 2010. Email Add. [email protected] I have started a website, www.gandhigitadharm.com So far I have published 5 Books in English and 10 books in Gujarati. I am trying to place all my published English and Gujarati books in above website. I have About 60 Audio Cds in English and 40 Audio Cds in Gujarati. The list of my books and Audio Cds, is in last pages and also in my website. I have some unpublished books and small booklets, and various articles on political and religious subjects which I wish to place in Magazine section of my website. --------------------------------------------------My age is now 85 and physical limitations of health due to diseases are evident. 1. I am under going Cancer treatment for my Lungs. 2. I have constant Lumber pain due to lumber vertebrae degeneration, not permitting me to sit for long time. 3. I take Injections for back pain and doing PT exercises. I feel some improvement, but not enough to travel by plane for long time. 5. My both Palms are blunt due to Carpel Tunnel syndrome. I wear gloves all day and night. 4. If all goes well, then by Sept 2010, I want to go to India if God wishes. I have this strong wish of going to India and spend remaining life there in Naroda and publish a regular religio Political magazine just as Gandhiji did in Africa and in Ahmedabad after coming from Africa. 5. There is need for total revision of our Parliamentary type of Democracy and constitution, inherited from British and rewrite a new constitution on American type of Presidential Democracy, with more powers to states and minimum topics like currency, Military, disaster reliefs, etc,. I wish to live for 100 years or 125, as Gandhiji wished if I can as I do not believe in next births. Aham Bhramasmi, Shivo Aham, Aham Vishnu. Tat Twamev asmi. OM Tat Sat. 65 learning and removal of wrong ideas and beliefs. Only by speaking we can pass over the acquired knowledge to the next generation. Books are in fact the spoken words of great people who lived in the past. Thus the symbol OM represents arts, different branches of knowledge (Vedas) and sciences. Knowledge is stored in the brain as words heard or read as dots of OM OM. The number 3 in symbol OM indicates many trios like three Vedas, three Hindu Gods; Brahama, Vishnu and Shiva; three qualities in Mother Nature, the creation maintenance and destruction; three dimensions of space and three dimensions of time; three qualities of material objects Sat, Rajas and Tamas etc. The three important doctrines for a Hindu are (1) Truth - Satyam (2) Non-violence (Ahimsa) and (3) Brahmacharyam or Chaste (pure) sex life. If one adopts only these three morals in life then God is on his/her side. Such an individual can live a long life of great achievements and successes. Yoga meditation teaches to search unity in diversity and diversity in the unity, Patanjali Yoga (Yoga of eight steps Astanga Yoga) is a perfect science of body and mind. It promises good health, wealth, will power, success and happiness for men and women of any faith. God is infinite, beyond imagination, beyond all holy books, beyond all religions and beyond description of any human language (even beyond OM). Hindus believe that there is one formless God of this ever changing universe. Gita gives a short definition of God in three words. “OM TAT SAT”. God is the ultimate reality or final truth. The word Dharma is used in the sense of 'moral duties' in Hindu scriptures. Religion is linked with an individual (Self). It is called "Swadharma" or "my duty" in the Gita. All individuals (Atmas) are free to worship God in any manner or in form they like. But an individual gets bound to his good or bad Karma or 16. HISTORY, SCRIPTURES AND MESSAGE OF HINDUISM. Yavanartha Udapane Sarvataha Samplutodake, Tavan Saesvehu Vedeshu, Brahmanasya vijanataha.. Gita II-46 Books of knowledge (the Vedas) are like an endless ocean which surround us on all sides, A Brahmin ( a man knowing Brahman, soul or spirit ) is one who knows what to know and what not to know (who has a discriminative ability). Hinduism is an ancient culture (Sanskrit) and not any organized religion. This 10,000 years old culture is an ocean of literature on religious socio-economic, philosophical, political, spiritual and self-uplifting topics. But it has one unique scripture, the Gita in this great ocean, which has made Hinduism stand like a rock in the dark ages during the 800 years of rule of Islam and Christianity. The scripture of Bhagavat Gita is about 2500 years old. Its seven hundred verses are found in the epic of Mahabharata. It is in form of a dialogue between Arjuna, a man of great intellect and ability, and Krishna, the Lord of Universe. Arjuna is in dilemma about the moral obligations on one side and his family ties on the other. Gita has inspired many scholars and Acharyas during last 2000 years. Gita had inspired a great soul Mahatma Gandhi. He fought against the powerful British Empire and brought true liberty (Moksha) to the 700 million people of India. Speech is an unique gift of God given to human being only. It is an organ of action (Karma Indriya) according to Vedanta. Words arise from OM - the holy symbol of Hindus. OM is related to Prana, the vital system of respiration. We are alive as long as we breath. All spoken languages (Vani) arise from OM. Language is the root of all worldly (material) knowledge, the Vedas or Shruties (Audio Knowledge). Speaking, listening and discussing is an age old way of 66 actions. Good actions bring happiness and bad ones bring unhappiness in life. The study of scriptures teach us what are good and bad Karma. Speaking is also Karma or an action. The sex act is also Karma. Sense of duty (Dharma) guides an individual to do the right Karma. He commits less mistakes (sins) by knowing the “Dharma”. Mahatma Gandhi once said,” There can be as many religions as the number of human beings in this world” All Indians religions preach tolerance and respect for other faiths. Hindus do not believe in forced religious conversions. The land of all Hindus India (Bharat) has remained the motherland for learning Yoga - the art of searching God, spiritual study and great religious thoughts. Different groups of important Hindu Scriptures and their short messages are listed here in brief. The groups are arranged in order of their evolution. (Two charts at the end of this chapter summarize this evolution of scriptures in a time frame, important events of history, and the years of origin of world religions.) 1. Vedas (Shruties) and Upavedas (like Aurvedamedicine) Vedas are the scriptures of the early Aryans. Knowledge is God was their belief. Natural elements like Rain, Sun, Fire, Water, Air, Land etc. were worshipped as Devas or manifestations of God (Assistants of God). Three Vedas developed during the first 5000 years of human civilization. The three Vedas were Rig, Yajur and Sam Vedas. Many SideVedas, the Upa-Vedas also developed. Fire rituals (Agni-puja) to please the rain God (Indra) was a Vedic ritual of God worship which is still practiced by orthodox Hindus, Animals were slain and offered to fire God. After establishment of organized religions like Jainism and Buddhism, animal sacrifices to fire God stopped. Later on Hindus started burning food grains and butter in the Fire-Rituals! 2. The Smruties or Memories from Manu. The VarnaDharma. The Smruties were the second group of scriptures that developed after the Vedas. First Aryan King Manu (2500 BC) dictated duties (Varna-Dharma), the privileges (Rights) and the punishments (Shikshas) for all sinning men and women in the four class structure of his kingdom. The Brahmins, the Kshatriyas, the Vaishyas and the Shudras were the four job oriented classes (Karma-Varnas) to start with. In course of time, these classes became God made, Birth-rights giving hereditary Varnas. The right of learning Vedas, chanting Mantras and verses was denied to the Vaishyas (Business), Shudras (Servants) and women. Along with achieving the goals in life, one should uplift into a higher class or Varna and achieve Liberty from family attachment (Moksha) in later years of life. Respect and obedience towards parents and teachers is the essence of Hindu Dharma and culture. Observance of celibacy is an important vow during student age in all classes. Hospitality to guests is a vow during Grahastha Asharama. Caring and serving all the classes is a vow during third VANPRASTHA AGE. Renunciation of gained wealth and positions and search of God by meditation “Should be the goals of life’s journey during the fourth age quarter or Sanyasa Asharama.’ (See Charts of Ashram and Varna Dharma on Pg No.68) 67 MANU-SMRUTI’S VARNA - DHARMA. Chart- 2.) ASHRAM DHARMA of UPANISHAD RISHIES. (CHART 1) *** FOUR VARNAS (CLASSES); FOUR ASHRAMAS, (AGE QUARTERS) & FOUR GOALS FOR A HINDU. 4 goals DHARMA ARTHA KAMA MOKSHA Brahm Chary Grahastha Vanprastha Sanyasa 4 Ashramas Ashrama Ashrama Ashrama Ashrama (1 to 25 Yrs) (25 to 50 Yrs) (50 to 75 Yrs) (75 to 100.) 4 Varnas \I/ Learn Vedas Simple life. Desire to get Saintly life BHRAMINS High morals Live on gifts fame in some in isolation, Teachers Celibacy. Give from students branch of liberty from Doctors benefit of & donations of knowledge, all family Judges & knowledge to lower three search of God bondages & Lawyers etc. others classes. and religion attachments Learn use of Fight criminal, Earn good Retire. KSHATRIYAS weapons and protect border name & fame Become a laws of the of country, as a noble Rajarshi, Kings, Army state. Protect And good king caring for a Saintly police, land, people people. law, people, King ; guide Government and trade Sacrifice life and equal young kings servants etc. on battle field justice in morals and justice Learn Maths, Earn money, Care for state, Saintly life/ VAISHYAS agriculture, be rich and serve other give good rain fall, stars help state classes, advice / tell Business & cattle care, /employee social work history of Farmers economics give donations and give heroism Class. seeds etc. to Brahmins. donations. Learn family Earn money Try to uplift No saintly SHUDRAS skills, respect by serving into a higher retirement till and serve 3 higher class class end of life ; Skilled workers, higher class give donation Vaishyas by teach family manual to Brahmins money and love & unity. servants and gaining skills laborers. 4 AGE QUARTERS OF 100 YEARS OF LIFE = DUTIES AND GOALS TO BE ACHIEVED DURING ONE AGE QUARTER OF LIFE. 1ST. ASHRAM: STUDENT (VIDYARTHI) BRAHM CHARYA ASHRAM. GOAL LEARN DHARMA. Hinduism lays one VOW for Students: NO SEX ACTIVITY DURING STUDENT AGE. 2ND. ASHRAM: GRAHASTHA ASHRAM: GOALS; MARRIAGE AND EARN MONEY = ARTHA 3RD. ASHRAM: VANPRASTHA: PARTIAL RETIREMENT FROM FAMILY. GOAL; KAMA. 4TH. ASHRAM: SANYASA : TOTAL RETIREMENT AND RENUNCIATIONS. GOAL MOKSHA. PRESENT IS EXISTENCE, OUR PRESENCE IN WORLD. IT IS ALWAYS TODAY AND NOW. NOTE THE ZERO POINT OF TIME BETWEEN DEATH AND BIRTH = TIME -ZERO = BOTH ARE ALWAYS TODAY AND NOW.= DEATH = TODAY AND NOW =DOOMS DAY BIRTH CYCLE. SANYASA ASHRAM 75 TILL DEATH GOAL LIBERTY OR MOKSHA FROM BIRTH DEATH CYCLE TOTAL DETACHMENTS FROM FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY; POLITICAL POSITIONS AND WEALTH AND NO DESIRES OF WORLDLY COMFORTS, EXPECTATIONS FROM RELATIVES OR FRIENDS ETC. JOURNEY OF LIFE STARTS IN WOMB BRAMCHARYA ASHRAM OR Student age UP TO AGE-25. EDUCATION BY PARENTS AND IN SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES FROM TEACHERS. STUDENT ALSO LEARNS DUTIES AND MORALITY FROM RELIGIOUS PRIESTS BY HEARING SCRIPTURAL STORIES FROM 50 TO 75 YEARS VANA-PRASTHA ASHRAM PARTIAL RETIREMENT FROM FAMILY ATTACHMENTS AND JOBS BUT ACTIVE IN SERVICE OF ALL LIVING BEINGS. FROM 25 TO 50 YEARS GRAHASTHA ASHRAM.(Family life) MARRY WITH SUITABLE PARTNER LIVE IN FAMILY HOME AND GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD. EARN MONEY BY GAINED KNOWLEDGE AND PATH OF MORALITY, LEARNED SO FAR FROM PARENTS, TEACHERS, GUESTS AND GURUS. A HOUSE HOLDER IS SUPPOSED TO CARE FOR CHILDREN AND ELDERLY. THIS IS CONSIDERED BEST PERIOD OF ANY ONES LIFE SPAN . DHARMA TEACHES TO RESPECT PARENTS, TEACHERS AND GUESTS COMING TO HOME. TREAT THEM LIKE GODS NEAR YOU. THIS IS VOW AND ADVICE FOR ALL HINDU HOUSE HOLDERS.. RESPECT MONEY. IT IS GIFT OF GOD TO YOU. LAXMIJI IS WIFE OF VISHNU. SPEND WITH JUDGMENT AND IN THRIFTY MANNER. SAVE FOR OLD AGE NEEDS. EXTRAVAGANT SPENDING IS INSULT OF LAXMIDEVI. TRY TO FULFILL ALL DESIRES LIKE TRAVEL, PILGRIMAGES, READING, WRITING, LEARNING MUSIC, ARTS, AND TEACHING WITHOUT EXPECTATIONS OF MONEY HIS LEARNED SKILLS, EXPERIENCES ETC. KAMA IS GOAL OF THIS IMPORTANT AGE QUARTER OF LIFE. KAMA MENAS DESIRES. FULFILL ALL DESIRES IS THE ADVICE. THIS NEEDS YOGA MEDITATION . The classes were Job Oriented and not birth-rights giving in early times. But with passage of time they turned into hiraretic, privilege preaching classes. Brahmins (men of knowledge) guided other three classes in all moral codes, laws, sociology, economics and political matters. Knowledge was preserved by creating short sentences (Mantras, proverbs) and musical verses (See Sam Veda Hymns). A woman was looked upon as property of her husband. A man could marry more than one woman, but a widow could not remarry.. Wives were burnt alive upon the death of husbands (Sati system). Inter-class marriages were forbidden; but a Brahmin could marry any girl from lower three classes, a Kshatriya could marry a girl from lower two classes, and a Vaishya could marry a Shudra girl, but not from the higher classes. The stories of Ramayan and Mahabharat indicate such practices. Birth as a Female, a Vaishya or a Shudra class was believed to be due to sins committed in previous lives. The majority class of Shudras had no right to study, Vedas, learn weapons or trade. They were supposed to remain life long servants or employees of the upper three classes. Such verses were added in Manu Smruti by the Brahmins of the later ages so that their sons might enjoy all privileges and class rights created in name of religion. The Shudras were not untouchables to start with. The Bhagavat Gita redefines this class privileges and affirms that all human beings are equal in eye and laws of God. Hinduism was a Veda (knowledge) oriented culture and a male privileged society. There was no idol worship in the earlyVeda, Upanishd and Gita age periods. 68 A brief description of the duties for a student during first 25 years is given below. Students used to study in Ashramas of Rishies located in jungles and river banks. like Gods; Respect unknown people and guests like Gods. (Try to be like Gods). Do only those actions which are free from blemishes and not others; Teachers used to say, "We are also human beings. You have stayed with us for many years. You have observed our virtues and vices". Follow only our virtuous actions and no others” These were the advises of the Upanishad and the Vedic Rishies. The Vedic Rishies advised their students to marry and propagate family lineage. They asked them to earn money by honest means, be rich and happy. Gurus accepted their own human limitations and faults and told students not to follow their vices but virtues. Today’s Bal-Brahamacharies and Jagat Gurus. To propagate secular religions, heads of religions (Sampradayas) are in search of young disciples. Success (Siddhi) of a priest is judged by how many young disciples he brought them under his fold (made them bald headed) during his life. They hypnotize bright young graduates, detach them from family life and convert them into life long celibate Sanyasies or Bal-Brahamacharies. Aversion and hatred is created towards money, sex (Kanchana and Kamini); marriage and family life (Sansara) by telling stories of hardships and miseries of unhappy husbands and wives. Sanyasa was a way of family detachment during the fourth and not the first age quarter according to four Ashram Dharmas of Manu Smruti. Today’s Gurus preach like this. “The world is false (Jagat mithya) and is full of Moha and Maya. Run away from family responsibility, wear saffron clothes, be a naked fakir, beg for daily food, sit idle in caves of Himalayas, meditate and observe long fasts, starve to death, liberate Self from all bondages of Karma to get Moksha”. Our modern Gurus think that they are faultless, and perfect incarnate Gods. Their words must be trusted and accepted without questions and GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS OR Vidyarthi Ashrama, Or BRAHAMACHARYA -ASHRAMA . After completing studies in schools of teachers (Gurukulas) when students went home, practical advises were given to students in few short sentences by the head teacher. They were called Dixanta Pravachana or ‘Graduation Lectures‘. These are eternal guidelines (Sanatana Dharma) for all students at any place at all the times. Satyam Vada; Dharmam Chara; Acharayaya priyam dhanam aahrutya; Praja Tantum ma Vyavatchchatsee: Satyat Ma Pramaditavyam: Dharmat ma Pramaditavyam; Kushalat ma Pramaditavyam; Bhootyai ma Pramaditavyam; Swadhyaya Pravachanabhyam ma Pramaditavyam; Dev Pitru Karyabhyam ma Pramaditavyam; Matru devo bhava ; Pitru devo bhava; acharya devo bhava; Atithi devo bhava. Yani avadyani karmani, tani sevityani; no itrani; Yani asmakam soocharitani, tani twyopasyani; no itrani. These short sentences mean :“Speak the truth; Do thy duties; Earn wealth that is loved by the teachers: (Teachers love money earned by sincere and honest work and not by cheating or robbing or by doing trades like drugs and smuggling). Don’t break thy family lineage (Marry and raise children): Don’t remain idle in finding Truth. Don’t remain idle towards duties; Don’t remain idle towards joys and happiness; Don’t remain idle towards material wealth; Don’t remain idle towards daily Self study; Don’t remain idle towards work of God and parents; Respect mother like Goddess, Respect father like God; Respect teachers 69 doubts. This is not the message and preaching in Gita, Question answer sessions between Gurus and pupils is an age old method of teaching Dharmas in Hinduism and all the eastern religions. But our Gurus make us chant repeatedly in every lecture, verses like:Gurur Brahama Gurur Vishnu, Gurur devo Maheshvaraha Guru Shakshat Param Bhahamah Tasmai shree Gurve namaha. Like blinded followers we chant without understanding the meaning. Find a true Guru and liberate your minds from such meaningless chanting. I have changed one word underlined in above verse and see what happens. This is the correct meaning of this shloka. Gurur Brahama Gurur Vishnu, Gurur devo Maheshvaraha Guru Shakshat AHAM Bhahamah Tasmai shree Gurve namaha. I am top most manifest living soul (Bhraman). decrease. Try to learn new thoughts and remove wrong beliefs by self-knowledge. This socio-political system of Manu had created a heaven on earth, ‘Devabhumi‘ in the North Western parts of India, the present land of Pakistan and Punjab (land of five rivers). It is known as the Indus valley culture in history. Names like India, Sindh, Hind, Hindus etc. root from the name of a big river Sindhu, or Indus. It is one out of the five rivers flowing in this region. Sindhu means an ocean. 3. The Upanishads (Spiritual Scriptures ) and six major Darshans (Philosophies ). The word Upanishad means “staying near by". After King Manu, between the 15th and 5th centuries BC, great scholars called the ‘Rishies’, developed nearly 240 Upanishads. Mother, father, teachers and unknown guests were to be respected like living Devas or "Gods assistants staying near us." This is the practical message of Upanishad Rishies and the essence of Hindu culture. This is delivered in a wonderful manner in partly historic but mostly mystic stories of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata epics written about 1000 BC They are not historic stories as most Hindus believe. Philosophical subjects like life before birth, life after death, the soul, the self (ATMA), the divinity within (Brahaman), unity and love in family, equality of all creations (Samatvam), sharing joys and sorrows, inter-dependence and the indebtedness to parents, awareness of duty (Dharma) and age related goals (Ashrama Dharmas = Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha) are discussed in the Upanishads. Upanishads have remained popular Hindu scriptures among all intellectual students of world religions and philosophies. From Upanishads developed in course of time six major Hindu Darshans or Philosophies. Sankhya, Yoga and Vedanta are the three popular Darshans. The study of Upanishads and Darshans leads to a cosmic experience Once a teacher asked a tricky question to students, “Tell me the name of highest wealth which thieves can’t steal, kings can’t tax, can’t be divided among brothers like money and property and which has no weight while carrying. But its unique and highest quality is that it increases with spending whereas other wealth decrease by spending.” No body could answer. The answer is given in the following Sanskrit verse. Na chor choryam, na ch raj haaryam Na bhratru bhajayam na ch bharkari Vyaye krute vardhat ave nityam Viydya dhanam sarva dhanam pradhanam Vidya, education or knowledge is the greatest wealth of an individual. Give its benefits to others, it will increase and not 70 (Darshana) of God. Sankhya means numbers, Yoga means union and Vedanta means the end of knowledge. Epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata narrate stories of Ram and Krishna - the 7th and the 8th incarnations of Lord Vishnu. They preach morals, ideals and duties in family relations between friends, brothers, husband and wife, and children. Living Devas like the Mother, the Father and the Teachers (Gurus) help us daily but they have limitations of knowledge and a bondage of place-time (Goonas, Shakti, Desh and Kal). In the 18 chapters of Bhagvat Gita Lord Krishna evaluates all the above mentioned scriptures and explains the mono-theistic as well as multi-theistic views regarding God, the laws of Karma, devotion to duty, Self-knowledge (Adhiatma vidya) and relationship of Self (Atma) with one God of Universe. Gita in its first six chapters discusses ‘Laws of actions or philosophy of Karma and self-duty (Swa-Dharma). The theory of Karma explains how invisible laws of Mother Nature work equally for all and how one can succeed and become rich in material world by proper actions. The laws of nature (Prakruti) work equally on all classes and creations. A devoted student of the Gita gets convinced about God and may see and experience the divine light of God. All the above mentioned scriptures were composed between 8000 and 500 BC and passed over to the next generations by oral recitation of verses. It was the period before the birth of Mahavira, Buddha, Moses, Jesus or Mohammed. 8. The Puranas – Mythological Scriptures of Imaginary Gods Puranas are the mythological scriptures for the common men. By telling humorous stories of three imaginary Gods namely, Brahama - the God of creation, Vishnu, the God of preservation and Shiva, the God of destruction (TIME), and their three wives Brahamani, Laxmi and Parvati or Uma. The Puranas preach moral duties (Dharmas) to husbands, wives parents and children. Among the eighteen Puranas, Shrimad Bhagvatum is the most popular Purana. It describes ten major incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Only Lord Vishnu takes birth in human form when morality is at its lowest level immorality is rampant and when the priests and the kings have forgotten their duties (Dharmas). Nine Avataras of Vishnu have occurred so far. The predicted 10th incarnation is that of Mahatma Gandhi. The beauty of Hindu scriptures is that they are written in poetry form and hence easy to remember, sing and chant. Secondly they are in a question-answer form. A curious student asks questions and the learned teacher gives the answer. The Gita is a scripture of great literary heritage, not only for the Hindus but for all seeker of God and religions and the entire mankind. An unbiased student would find answers to all his moral questions particularly in the Gita. Study of Gita and practices of Yoga leads to a cosmic experience of formless God and a state of Nirvana - the ultimate goal of human life. Gita has quenched the thirst of all intellectual seekers for almost last two thousand years. 5. Buddha and Jain Darshans and commentaries of Acharyas on Gita. Two great personalities were born in the sixth century BC They opposed the fire rituals and animal sacrifices performed by the Vedic Brahmins in the name of God and religion. They re-affirmed the Upanishad preaching, that the same soul pervades in all living beings. They established two great religions, the Buddhism and the Jainism and tried to remove the discriminatory class system of Manu in the religious field. A golden era of nearly 1500 years came to India after great king Ashoka accepted Buddhism as a state religion (3rd cent. BC) and sent missionaries of peace in the East and the West. 71 A great Son of God was born in Bethlehem. He preached the message of love and forgiveness. But he was crucified by his own people. Roman empire came down and the Vatican Church of Rome came into existence in the 5th century AD In the 7th century AD the first Shankracharya re-affirmed the Vedas and the Upanishad truths forgotten by leading priests of his times. He wrote commentary on the Gita. In the same century a great messenger of God, Mohammed united the Arab tribes, quarreling and fighting in the name of different idols of God. He declared that there is only one God, and called Him, Allah. He gave doctrines of the Koran and founded a religion, the Islam. Islamic invaders came to India in the 10th century and robbed the gold accumulated in Hindu temples. They established an Islamic rule during the 12th century AD in Delhi. Three great Acharyas lived during 12th and 15th centuries AD and wrote commentaries on the Gita. Krishna worship became popular. Vaishanava path was started by Vallabhacharya in the 15th cent. AD After the 12th century there was Islamic rule for the next six centuries in most parts of India. But Hinduism survived because it had the Gita. After Vallabhacharya, came Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu who started a variation of Vaishnava path, the Gauda Sampradaya, recently popularized as Isckon by Swami Prabhupada. Many Swamis and saints have studied the Gita and started their own separate paths of worship of Krishna and Ram. Islamic rulers were defeated and British rule started in the 17th century AD Swami Sahajananda started Swaminarayan path in Gujarat in the 18th cent. AD Great Guru Nanak established the Sikh path. Many sects and paths have developed during last three centuries. Swami Vivekananda carried the message of Hindu culture and Gita to America and Europe in the 19th century. But no Swami ever thought of the political slavery in India. Only Mahatma Gandhi understood the real message of truth, equality and human rights preached in the Gita. He fought with weapon of non-violence and brought independence to India in 1947. But he was assassinated before the constitution of India was written. (Study the two charts in next four pages of BC and AD periods of evolution of Hindu scriptures. Note the centuries of origin of Jainism and Buddhism in the East and Judaism, Christianity and Islam in the West and the after-effect of religions on history and world events. The importance of the Gita will become evident. The four Acharyas have only written commentaries after some centuries. Hence it is chosen for study in International Gandhi-Gita Dharma Sangha) 72 17. Charts of Summary of Evolution of Indian 2500 BC 1500 BC Learned Brahmins move towards planes of Ganges and develop 240 Upanishads. The Upanishads are scriptures of Self-knowledge * Ishavasya 1st Upanishad is nearly 2000 years prior to Christ. Upanishads preach respect of fathers, mothers, teachers and guests. These are near by Devas in human relations. Hebrew religion started in West by Abraham, Moses liberates his people from the slavery of Egyptian kings and gave his ten commandments. Scriptures. CHART NO. I. BC ERA FROM OM ( VEDA ) TO CROSS ( VEDANTA) (Order: OM Vedas - Smruties - Upanishads - DarshansGita-Jainism & Buddhism) Start of Civilization : Animal man becomes a civilized man : OM OM OM OM OM OM OM OM —> Words ——> 1500 BC to 700 BC Upanishads Develop. Katha, Mandukya, Mundako, Prashna, Chandogya, Brahad-Aranyaka, Samhitas develop, Darshanas like Purva mimansa by Jaimini in 10th cent., Vaishashik by Kanad 8th cen. Nyaya by Gautama and the Sankhya by Kapil (7th cent.) develop.* Yoga Vashista was a popular Yoga * Probable period of Rama as kind of Ayodhya 15th cent BC He is the 58th son of Manu. Bahrain, Dushyanta, Santanu are moon worshipping kings. *Krishna may have lived in 12th & 13th cent. BC * Valmiki wrote Ramayana (10th or 8th cent. BC) Vyasa wrote Mahabharata and Gita, Experts believe that Gita was added later. A great war might have occurred in India between 13th to 10th cent. BC. Greek culture starts and Homer (7th cent. BC.) writes Iliad & Odessy in West. This pre Buddha period of 7500 years is poorly documented ERA in history of India. The 6th Century is important Century of world history Mahavira is born in India. He Re-organizes Jainism. Budha is 40 years younger than Mahavira, He starts new religion Buddhism. Atho-Jarathust starts Zoroastrian Speech, Man starts speaking Man learns to Speak and name objects and relations. *Speech roots from OM. All world languages arise from OM. *Life depends on breathing (Prana). OM is related to breathing and is symbol of audio-knowledge (shruti = Vedas). Confirm this by chanting OM and its relationship with expiration phase, Close eyes, Chant OM; observe that thoughts disappear while chanting OM. Vedas are as old as the time, when man started speaking on earth. Period before 10,000 years. To Indus valley culture 2500 BC Aryans developed —>Rig, Yajur and Sama Vedas. In Vedas there is worship of natural elemental like sun, water, air, land, fire etc. as Gods and Goddesses. Indus Valley culture was an early civilization started during 25th cent. BC King Manu declared in Manu Smruti the four classes and their duties (Dharmas). The classes were Brahmins, Khshtriya, Vaishya, and Shudras. Inter class marriages were tabooed. All donations were for Brahmins only. It became rigid hereditary system in course of time. 73 religion in Persia (Iran) Laotse in Laos (East) starts his TAO religion and philosophy. Cong fut’se preaches his noble practical principles in China, Gita is written during this period. (Mostly during post Buddha Era). Gita is extract of all Upanishads. It evaluates Vedas Manusmruti and the six Darshans* Sanskrit grammar perfected by Panini. *Ink invented in India, The art of paper making from wood was invented in China. Orally preserved literature became written documents. King Ashoka accepted Buddhism (in 3rd Cent.) as state religion. He sent monks in east & west * Charaka & Sushruta develop medicine (Aurveda). 18 Puranas of mythological stories of Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma get added during 4th (BC) to 1st cent. (AD). It led to Idol worship seen today. Patanjali perfected his Ashtanga (Raj) Yoga in this period. Charvak wrote his materialistic Darshana and denounced notion of next births. Chanakya wrote his great political and economic doctrines, (4th cent. BC) Era of highest Greek culture and Philosophy. Scholars like Democrats, Aristotle, Pluto, Socrates Pythagoras, Hypocrites, etc. develop science. medicine and philosophy. Some wrong quotations of Aristotle remain eternal truths for 2000 years. Archiemedes in Italy states his laws of flotation and invents pulleys. Alexander invades India (2nd cent.) but returns when he sees trained elephants in battles against his army and cavalry. He dies before reaching his land. It was an era of start of science, astrology, math and geometry etc.. CHART. II A.D. ERA OF 2000 YEARS AFTER CHRIST. A.D. ERA OF PURANAS, ACRAYAS, COMMENTARIES & DIVISIONS. 1st cent. AD. to 5th cent. AD (Order :- Mythology, Commentaries, Saints, Devotees Avataras, Prophets etc... Jesus Christ is born who preaches love and forgiveness. Revises old Sermons. Jesus is Crucified * Maharshi Vatsayan writes Kama-Sutras (Joy of Sex). Great temples of Jains, Buddha and Hindus are built in Eastern countries, Invention of Zero by Arya Bhatta * Fall of Roman Empire in 4th Cent. Vatican Church established in the 5th cent.* Jain Scholars start Dwianki Math with (0, 1, 2) and calculate square and cube roots, India at peak of peace and prosperity 6th cent. AD to 10th Cent. AD Shankara re-affirms veda and starts his Adwaita Philosophy in 7th cent. Mohammed starts Islam in West. Arabs get united and Islam spreads in Egypt, North Africa, Spain, Turkey, Iran. It arrives in India during 10 and 12th cent. Mohammed of Gazani destroys Somnath temple in Gujarat and robs great gold. King Bhartuhari writes famous 300 verses of Niti, Vairagya, and Shrungara. Indian lady Lilavati perfects Arithmetic tables which Arabs take to Europe. 11th cent. AD to 15th Cent. AD Prithvi Raj defeated by Mohammed Ghori. Islamic Rule starts in Delhi. Ramanuja and Madhava-Acharyas preach Dwaita and Vishitha Adwaita with Gita. Kabir-12th, 74 MAN landed on moon in ’69, Space conquered but real peace is yet to come. Gulf war between Islamic nations 90-91. Germany reunited (91). Communism fails, but Gorbachov wins the peace noble prize, Great turmoil in Europe. Indira & Rajiv Gandhi assassinated in '84 & 90. Surdasa-13th, Mira & Tulsi 15th, wrote devotional songs & Ramayana. Vallabhacharya preaches shudh Adwaita with Bhagavatum and starts Vaishnava temples. 15th cent. AD to 19th cent. AD Protestant path started in Europe and the dark ages of Europe ended. Mogul king Akbar rules in Delhi. * Mira, Tuldidas Surdas keep alive Bhakti. Spanish and Portuguese explorers find sea routes, Columbus invent America calls India. Chaitanya Gauda Path, Guru Nanak Sikh Path. Poet Narsinh Mehta in Gujarat, Vascodegama finds sea route to India, French, Britishers and Portuguese arrive for business in India. Fall of Islamic rule and start of British rule 1757. Guru sects increase in India. Sahajananda started Swaminaraya Path. Inventions of Science - Newton and Galilio * Political turmoil Europe * Hegan, Marks, Napoleon. Vivekananda goes to USA Gandhiji in S. Africa starts Freedom movement (1892). Golden Dawn of the 21st century awaits. Only Gandhi-Gita Dharma Sangha will save India and World May God awaken genuine curiosity towards HIS search and liberate everyone from his or her wrong religious beliefs and attitudes. 1900 to 1991 The century of Great Events (20th Century) Einstein - theory of special and general relativity (1905-15). Rabindranath Tagore wins noble prize 1912 * 1st world war.* India and Pakistan Independent 1947. * Gandhiji assassinated 1948 * Isckon movement in USA by Prabhupada -1966* Islamic Pakistan and Bangaladesh fight and separate 1972 * Nehru’s socialism and dynasty rules India up to 1990 * Two Atom bombs destroy Japan in 1944 - Yet it is a rich nation. India is poor country TODAY.* Indian Swamis built 2500 temples in Haridwara while millions of students study under trees in villages.* 2nd world war in Europe. Human HEART transplanted & 75 of Christianity, nor I had any great attachments to Hinduism, religion or even God. I never believed in myths or rituals. My knowledge of Hinduism was hear-say, I did not meditate, nor practiced Yoga. But I had started writing notes of my scattered thoughts on religious subjects after Oct., 1979. I recorded this event and experience the next morning in my note book. Devoted Christians believe that the resurrected HOLY SPIRIT OF JESUS CHRIST is pervading everywhere. Later I read Swami Vivekanand had experienced same spirit of Jesus Christ during his meditation practices under the guidance of his Guru Swami Ram Krishna Parmhans. But why I was chosen in India by Almighty God to SEE (Darshana) this light of HOLY CROSS exactly at a particular time of the Christian calendar? This is still a question for me and I have no answer. Is this called 'Shakshatkara' or DIVINE EXPERIENCE OF GOD that the Hindu scriptures describe? Today I understand its little meaning. God had chosen me to become His instrument in finding parallels in Eastern and Western religious thoughts. During the last twelve years I have published a few books on Gita, Vedanta and Indian philosophy. An atheist doctor practicing in a remote village of India could not have written these books. I get inspiring thoughts when I start writing on such subjects. I have witnessed mercy and care of God in all events that occurred in my life after 1979. I am more than convinced that GOD is one, Omnipresent and Almighty. He was, is and will ever be with me during all events that will happen in my future life also. After this experience I lost interest in my well established medical practice of 30 years. I withdrew from practice and social commitments. By the end of 1982 I closed my clinic and immigrated to USA I was a crazy reader from the childhood. Now I turned to subjects like world history, history of religions, 18. IS GOD A FACT OR A FICTION (TRUTH OR MYTH)? “It was a cold winter night. I was fast asleep on the second floor of my clinic at Naroda, a suburb of Ahmedabad, India. I woke up perspiring like a moist sponge. My clothes were soaked with sweat. Body hairs were raised in surprise. I wiped my face and eyes. I saw a shining ball of dazzling light outside the window. The brightness of light was greater than thousands of suns in the sky. From the east window a ball of light entered the room. It pervaded in all objects like tables, chairs, books etc. and entered my body. For a few seconds I experienced that I was weightless and floating in a soft cloud of light. My total existence and all things in the room were in tune and oneness with this light. I realized that everything was made of that light. There was no sun in the sky at midnight. I realized it was something else. I saw at my wrist-watch. The TIME was 12.00 MIDNIGHT, the zero hour between Christ’s year 1979 and 80. It was DEC 31,79. I still remember that I saw a SHINING CROSS along with that bright light in the background”. Only at a later date I understood that it was the ‘Cosmic Light’ of God and the holy spirit of Jesus Christ. I did not understand any significance of that event at that time. Even today after twelve years I do not know its meaning. But I am sure about this. Whatever I experienced and saw on that night was not a dream or imagination. I am very positive about this. It was a real experience in the fullest conscious state of my mind. Three months prior to that date, I had started the study of Bhagavat Gita, a divine song of the Lord of Universe. After attending a week’s discourse on ‘Karma Yoga’ (Ch-3 of Gita, The Yoga of correct action) by Swami Chinmayanandji in Ahmedabad during October-1979, I got interested in the study of Gita for the first time in my life. I had no background 76 history of science, life stories of scientists and philosophers etc. I never read these subjects before. In 1981 I came across a book, THE TAO OF PHYSICS by Fritj of Capra, Prof. of high energy physics at Berkly University, California. Mr. Capra also describes a similar experience of SEEING the cosmic light and the figure of Lord Shiva (Nataraj), a deity God worshipped by Hindus. He saw SHIVA in the open sky during daytime. This inspired him to write his book. This book discusses nicely the eastern religions, science, and philosophies. With the help of the famous equation of Albert Einstein, E=MC2, Prof. Capra beautifully corelates science and the verses of the Gita and Upanishads, Space and Time. In the preface of his book Mr. Capra writes :“I saw cascades of energy coming from the outer space, in which particles were created and destroyed in rhythmic pulses; I ‘saw’ the atoms of these elements and those of my body, participating in this cosmic dance of energy ; I felt its rhythm and I ‘heard’ its sound and at that moment I KNEW that this was the Dance of Shiva, The lord of dancers worshipped by the Hindus” Is God a fiction or fact, a myth or truth, or beliefs and blind faith of illiterate, uneducated and ignorant masses? Is there something like a maker of this wonderful and perfect universe? When such questions arise in mind of a reasoning individual of great achievements (Siddhas), a true seeker of God is born. Then such a person starts real search of God in the true sense. Most people do not care for God or religion. They simply believe in rituals and traditions. Others are not interested in God or religion. They simply believe in idols as God. All scriptures of major world religions proclaim that ‘God is One’, But no scripture has a method by which one can SEE God and get 100% conviction about God. Why there are so many Gods and Goddesses in Hinduism? Is God of Muslims, Jews, Christians and Hindus different or one? A man of reason and science wants proof of God, direct or indirect. The theory of Karma preached in Gita provides a proof of the Laws of Mother Nature, which govern all individuals in an equal manner. Happiness and sorrows come to a person according to right and wrong Karma done by him or even not done by him (Akramas) at proper times. (Theory of Karma, Akarma, and Vikarma). It is time that people of reason and spiritual quest should study all world religions as Gandhiji has recommended. The Upanishads, Patanjali Yoga and the Gita provide a time tested path of SEEING the formless God (Nirakara but not Nirguna God). Anybody can see God face to face by devoted study of Gita and search of God with the inquisitiveness of a scientist. You will SEE HIM. The search starts with study of SELF (ATMA). It ends in Self (Atma). Gita says that the divinity dwells within your HEART. God cannot be seen with our normal eyes or senses. But omnipresence of God can be felt by the waking or conscious MIND, when all egocentric desires (Vasanas) and false beliefs regarding God, come to an end, Then love compassion and an attitude of equality for all humans develops. This is spiritual evolution. In Capra’s book there are many quotations from the Gita and Upanishads Prof. Capra has nicely presented parallels in science and religions. He has explained the bondage of “TimeSpace” and the interplay of the opposites. Gita and Upanishads describe these as duality (Dwandvas) of mind. Hindus strongly believes in a cycle of births and deaths of soul (Atma). You are born at a particular place and time according to desires and actions (Vasanas and Sanchit Karma) of previous lives. It is difficult to explain such mystic or illogical religious beliefs to men of intellect and reason. 77 Sometimes I ask myself. Was I an American or a Christian in previous life who was inspired by Swami Vivekanand who came to USA in 1892. He gave spiritual talks in America and Europe. Is possible that a desire to get birth in India would have remained in my mind at the time of my death when I died as an American? Is this possible? If this is not logical, than the beliefs of previous births are misguiding and one should not waste time to prove or disprove such notions and beliefs. It is easy to understand that Karma of this life operate in this life mostly. This can be proved to a fair extent. The spirit in me and all creations is one. The same spirit was present in all great souls of past who inspired people in different lands. In this sense I can say that I have lived many previous lives. I was Veda Vyasa the writer of Mahabharata and Gita about 2500 years ago. I was Shankaracharrya in 7th century and Arya Bhatta in 4th century AD I had lived as many scientists who gave knowledge in different countries of the world. In same way I can say that I was Jesus, Moses, Buddha, Ram and Krishna many centuries ago! By reading thoughts of all these great personalities we get tuned to their minds, feelings, and devotion to God. In a verse of Gita, Lord Krishna says:Bahuni me vyatitani janmani tava ch Arjuna ; Tan Aham vettha sarvani natvam vettha Paramtpaha. Gita Ch IV-5. “ I have lived many lives in past and I know them all. But Oh man of great penances (Paramtapa), you do not remember any life, though you have also lived many lives in past’. Only a seeker like Arjuna can see a glimpse of God. A scientist like Mr., Capra can hear ‘HIS’ sound, and get divine inspirations. This is a subjective self experience, which occurs at individual level only. ‘Only one successful soul, one in a million knows Me perfectly‘. (Gita. VII-4). A scientist, an artist, a lover of truth and non-violence is very near to God compared to rich people giving big donations or narrow minded priests of secular religions. A verse of Shiva prayer describes invisible Shiva, the God of cosmic energy and time, as follows :“Asit giri samam syat, kajjalam sindhu patre, Sur taruvara shakha, lakhini patra bhurvihi, Likhati yadi grahitva sharada sarva kalam, Tadpi tava gunanam param isham ne yati”. Shiva Mahimna Strotrum - (32) “The description of Lord always remains incomplete, even if Goddess SHARDA (Goddess of music, speech and knowledge) turns oceans into ink, land into paper, trees into a pen and describes the qualities, kindness and mercy of God till the end of time” (Dooms Day). God is beyond words and beyond OM but religion is within the range of OM. Morality (Dharma-religion) could be explained by words. Religion is like a map which indicates the goals in life and shows directions and ways of achieving those goals. Achievement of goals, bring joy and happiness in life. Speech or spoken language Vani) roots from OM. If there is One God, then there should be only one religion, Open minded and able people must come forward to find common factors in all religions and re-establish a new religion, A religion must provide guidelines to priests and political leaders also. Lord in the Gita (Ch, IV-7 & 8) declares that He sends divine messengers in every era (Yuga), Whenever ethical values decline, God assumes human forms or sends messengers to help the poor, uplift morals, and punish the sinners, Divine souls and prophets of religions at different places were the human forms, incarnations (Avatars or Vibhooties) of God according to this verse. Their life stories and message is same. Mohammed fought against idol worship 78 spoken languages of the people. His thoughts on ‘Swadeshi’ are based on sound economic principles. Swadeshi means “Use the products made in your own country." He was a selfless saint who has showed us a path of truth, noncooperation, non-violence and struggle for human rights. We must not have hatred towards enemies in our minds. Mahatma Gandhi was a true Karma-Yogi. Rabindranath Tagore, the winner of the peace Nobel Prize (1912) writes:“Go ahead, Go ahead , even if Nobody listens thy voice, God ahead, Oh man. If nobody joins, keep on Going all alone, all alone, but go ahead Oh man, If your path is true and love is your weapon, you shall reach your goal, Go ahead, Oh man, Go ahead, Go ahead, Go ahead, all alone, Oh man go ahead,“. Sir Sarvapalli Radha-Krishnan, ex-president and a renowned scholar of Hindu scriptures wrote, “ Thoughts of Gandhi should be broadcast in all the world languages daily for fifteen minutes. It will bring true world peace “ My sincere Namaskaras and salutations to all true Gurus, Saints and Prophets. Hari Om Tat Sat. (God is absolute truth) Om Shantihi, Om Shantihi. Om Shantihi Let peace prevail Let peace prevail Let peace prevail. of many Gods by different Arabs tribes. Christ fought against the priests and the rulers. He was crucified by his own people. God's search needs the fearlessness of a martyr. Only after centuries people understand the message of love and equality of humans, preached by all prophets. Then people worship such martyrs as God. Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed and Gandhi belong to this class of super-human beings. Lord Mountbatton in a interview said these words to Attenborough, the producer of the movie 'Gandhi,' “Mr. Attenborough you are making a movie of a man of caliber of Jesus Christ and Buddha. Please see that you do not do any injustice to this great soul (Mahatma).” After my twelve years of study of the Gita I say that Mahatma Gandhi was an incarnation of God (Vibhooti). Lovers of Gandhi should come forward, unite and start a new world community (Religious Union -Sangh). International Gandhi Gita-Dharma Sangh (IGDS) is based on this theme. Men and women of any religion can join this movement without renouncing their old religious labels or beliefs, or practices of worship. With modern tools of communication like press, transport and T.Vs., we can propagate Gandhiji’s thoughts on subjects like education, ideal political system, sociology, economics, sex, marriage, diet, health, religion and God. These are worth studying by people of all countries. He has given us great literature, which will help everyone and bring world peace in the 21st century. Mahatma Gandhi was a fighter of political freedom, but he fought with a gun of non-violence and bullets of love. He believed in democracy, yet he said, “Only I am the only true communist in this world”. He was a lawyer, but an advocate of poor and the untouchables. He preached village autonomy as an ideal system for any government. He strongly believed that the borders of a country must be decided on the basis of 79 It has no religious or political taboos or borders. Men and women of any religion, any country, either sex, color, caste, creed and political views can join this international, inter-faith movement without renouncing their religious and political beliefs, methods of worship of God prayers, rituals or their churches, temples and mosques. First you watch the activities of a local IGDS and then join it in any category you like. Various Categories any person joining are:(1) Full time devoted men, women and families who will take a vow of donating 10% of their yearly income for starting and stabilizing one local IGDS. (2) Part time supporters who wish to preserve their own faiths but wish to join this movement, (3) Talented people for printing the literature of IGDS. (4) Volunteers who cannot give money or talent, (5) Well wishers who want to help in educational and humanitarian activities, (6) People who wish to study Gita or participate in only prayers without any commitment etc. etc.. 19. INTERNATIONAL GANDHI – GITA DHARMA SANGH (IGDS - I). Aims and objects. The main aim of IGDS is to propagate Gandhi’s political and religious views and the true message of the Bhagavat Gita. Members of IGDS must be lovers of Gandhi and his views about the Eternal religion preached in the Gita. They will study Gita, Gandhi’s life, literature. other world religions and their own religion in a systematic manner. They will actively propagate One God theory, the message of Gita, Gandhi’s views about world religious, love, sociology, economics, politics, non-violence and Satyagraha (Pursuit of Truth). The Organization (Sangh). This movement will be called “International Gandhi-Gita Dharma Sangh” (IGDS). This is not any sectarian religion (Sampradaya), philosophy, political body, community, business organization or a group of social reformers. Yet IGDS wants all these ideas under one umbrella. Activities of IGDS will be guided by the eternal (Sanatana) moral and ethical codes found in the world religions, cultures and noble heritage of all places and countries. Who can become members ? People believing in (1) Gandhi as a latest prophet, Avtar, Tirthankar, Vibhooti. (2) The 11 commandments and 7 seven sins indicated by Gandhi. (3) One God of Universe (or even a non believer of God). (4) Gita as a scripture to be studied for moral codes in life, and divine messages of all prophets can join this movement. HOW CAN YOU START ONE IGDS UNIT. Step. No. I. Find five devoted families and form an adhoc committee. To start a local IGDS, only five or more Gita and Gandhi loving families staying nearby are needed. When five families agree to start and join in this movement with fullest devotion, donations and service mindedness, an adhoc committee may be formed. These families shall devote 3 to 4 hours of time every week for prayers, publication of literature, money and food (Prasada). They will become ‘Patron Families’, trustees and pillars of IGDS in course of time. Step No. II. 80 Arrange weekly prayer meetings and invite known friends. By rotation, families will arrange weekly prayer meetings followed by vegetarian lunches and dinners (no beverages) at members homes. Every family will try to invite a new friend or a neighbor of different faith to appraise him about the movement. Free literature and books be given to invited guests. Weekly prayer session of three hours will include the Gita study, events from Gandhi’s life, his inspiring thoughts, prayers, 'Aarti' and stories by children and good points about other religions. Prayers and views of other religions should be welcomed from the invited guests. Gandhi’s political meetings were always preceded by prayers from all religions. Question answer sessions for 1/2 hour for the guests and members should be encouraged. Hindu mythology may be explained by telling the symbolic meanings of the Gods and Goddesses. Continue this activity till 20 devoted families join whole heartedly, and funds are available for a hall. Step. No. III. Register the IGDS and elect a working committee When more than 20 families join, a legal body may be formed and registered as a non profit religious organization. Name it IGDS of — (name of place ). Legal constitution may be adopted and appointments of office bearers done. Then the question of more fund raising for a ‘Gandhi Hall’ may be considered. people, institutions like the libraries, churches and schools. This should be an important activity of any IGDS from its inception. Try to invite other Indian religious communities like Jains, Swami-narayanas, Kabir lovers, Shikhs, Vaishnavas, Shivaites and other groups in foreign countries. They must be treated as welcome guests at all times. Do not expect any contributions. They can worship their Gods in the half hour time limit. They can help the literary activity. In disputes and expansion of activities, the local IGDS will obey the orders of seniors and the head of IGDS. Step. No. V. Plan for a Gandhi Hall and/or a Gandhi Ashrama. When sufficient devoted members join, fund raising for a hall or an Ashrama may be considered. Declare firm norms and guidelines before getting donations. Gandhi’s photo will be placed at a central place. One photo of Krishna Arjuna chariot will be placed (or painted) on the back wall of the main dias. Only pictures (and not the idols) of Avatars like Krishna, Ram, Buddha, Mahavira, Jesus Christ, Buddha etc.. and saints like Kabira, Mira, Tulsi and other Hindu deity Gods and Goddesses can be kept on the side walls of the hall. Idols of mythological Gods should not be permitted. IGDS will not encourage idol worship. There is only one formless (Nirakara Brahman and OM). IGDS will respect all messengers of God. Be very strict and clear about this particular point before starting any fund raising activity and receiving donations, particularly from the Indian friends believing in idol worship of Gods. Otherwise there will be many legal problems in future as we see today in many towns in USA and India. Important events of different Indian religious groups can be celebrated in these Halls. Members of all faiths should participate in such activities. The aim should be to unite and accommodate all secular Indian group. The hall should be Step. No. IV. Publish a weekly or monthly magazine of Gandhian Philosophy and thoughts. Before reaching the step of registration, every IGDS shall publish some literature (even a page or two) giving Gandhi’s life events, inspiring quotes and views in the local languages of people. This literature must be distributed freely to local 81 available to any religious groups for prayers and other religious functions with minimum charges or free. IGDS will prepare a new cadre of Gita-Gandhi Rishies. A new cadre of science minded teachers knowing Gita will be prepared from middle-aged seniors at all centers in different countries. The Gita-Gandhi priests will be men of achievements (Siddhas) in life and not simple escapists or idle retired persons. They will live a simple but active life having good knowledge of history, geography, science, other world religions and local laws and economics. They will be fearless service minded men and women of high morals, broad vision, non-violence and chaste life. These priests will guide the general policies of IGDS, teach Gita to others, carry out simple rituals and prepare newer codes for marriage, death events etc. They will learn and teach subjects like music, paintings and fine arts and try to give medical aid , guide people in tax matters, and act as family friends. They will preach good manners by their own examples. Priesthood at young age is a wrong practice. It is not a correct way of life according to Hindu scriptures. Ideal age for priesthood is 45 and above. Younger people must remain volunteers and students. Family men should not become full time priests before the age of 40 or 50. Goals of IGDS: Initial and Ultimate. The ultimate goal of this movement is one Gandhi Asrama and/or one Gandhi Hall in every big township, city and village of all the countries of world. In course of time a head quarter in a district or country may be established which will supervise and co-ordinate local IGDS units according to need of people (in manner of service organizations like Lions International and the Rotaries). Children of teachers shall not inherit the post of head-priest or become owners of the community property. The property shall always remain with "Board of Trustees" elected from the groups of families who regularly donate 10% or more of their income. The board of trustees will see that every IGDS becomes a self sufficient unit in course of time. Step. No. VI. Appointment of the head-priest. Appointment of a head-priest (Maha-Acharya) may be done on basis of knowledge and devotion to the cause. Full or part time paid local priests may be appointed as per need of the local community. They will perform rituals of marriages, death events and other ceremonies. Full time head-priest may receive honorarium, shelter, clothes, transport, and token gifts. A central publication of IGDS news will keep informed all local IGDS units in a town or state, about the activities of different units and such other matters. Come forward, learn Gita and Join IGDS movement.. Open minded devoted people of all faiths are invited to join IGDS movement. The activities of all IGDS units will be coordinated by a central IGDS organization. Nearby smaller units of IGDS can join hands and build a common Mahatma Gandhi Hall or Ashrama. Ashramas will provide residential facilities to seniors, IGDS priests, visiting guests, temporary accommodation for students, accommodation at low cost to visiting guests of local families, etc..etc.. Every month, units in the vicinity can meet in Ashramas or Halls. Asrama residents will work as honorary teachers, volunteers, and priests, etc..etc.. Libraries of the world religions, philosophical and Gandhian literature will be maintained in Gandhi Halls and Ashramas. Any curious student can learn world religions at such centers and participate in the activities of IGDS. Yoga classes and other educational courses, can be arranged to teach different skills for earning livelihood. This was the dream of Gandhi of true education. He called it ‘Basic education’ or ‘Buniadi Talim’. 82 If we desire Hindu unity abroad and in India, we need one prophet and one scripture. Gandhi Gita Dharma Sangh or IGDS movement is a scientific revision (Dharma Sansthapana) of Vedic and Upanishad heritage of all the Bharatiyas, and not an addition (Sthapana) of one more Idol. All unbiased, educated Gita-Gandhi lovers of Indian origin and Indians of other faiths like Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrians etc., can join this movement as “Friends of Gandhi-Gita Sangh and supporters of the holy scriptures of the world”. More points SEE next chapter. 20 INTER-NATIONAL GANDHI - GITA DHARMA SANGH. ( IGDS - II). Why we should start or join IGDS ? The progress of science in the 20th century and during last 30 years is so great that all religious and political leaders are stupefied and stunned. They do not know correct and sound principles of politics and morals that can bring peace for all people at all places. The socio-economic moral doctrines of secular religions always need periodic revision, though the higher morals given by great prophets are fairly true. Average men and women are not interested in God or religion but want material comforts brought by science, and peace in family. IGDS will become instrumental to satisfy these needs. People will understand God and need of religion in life. By correct understanding of religion, the minds of people running after sensual pleasures and money will change to spiritual consciousness and noble behaviors. They will lead other people from darkness to light, from slavery to freedom, from unhappiness to happiness and finally to a state of etern divine bliss and joy. Mahatma Gandhi was a man, one in a million, born in India after thousands of centuries. He started study of Gita at the age of 21, when he was a student of law in England. He understood the correct meaning of only two verses from an English translation of Gita by Sir Arnold Edwin. It changed his life, thoughts, attitudes, goals and his vision of life. The verses were :Dhayato vishayan punsaha sangah teshu upajayate, Sangat sanjayate kamah kamat krodhobi jayate; Krodhat bhavati sam-mohaha sam-mohat smruti vibramaha, Smruti branshat buddhi-nasho Buddhi-nashat pranashayati. 83 Gita Ch. II-verses 62-63 "A person runs to get pleasure from many sensual objects and gets attached to them. Desire to get more pleasure from same objects arise in the mind . When he is not satisfied he becomes angry. Anger leads to profound illusion (sammoha). Illusion leads to memory loss (amnesia). When memory is lost, intellect (buddhi) vanishes. (It is the discriminative or judgment ability with in us.) When the intellect (reason, logic) is lost the person degrades in morals and perishes". The causes of happiness and sufferings are explained in these two verses. Keep your mind and intellect free from sensual desires and emotions (like anger, greed, illusions, attachments and passions). Then only you can think with reason in a logical manner and excel in life. IGDS is a not a religion, but a movement to propagate Mahatma Gandhiji’s noble thoughts, philosophy, true message of Gita and all world religions. Men and women of any faith, who know and love Gandhiji can join this movement. IGDS will teach social, economic, political and moral guidelines to people speaking many different languages. This will bring better understanding of religions, family peace, self-joy (Atmaanand) and prosperity to its followers and a better religiopolitical world order in the 21st century. Hippocratic Gurus. Ritual minded Hindu priests do not study the Gita. Temples have turned into giant enterprises of God business by immoral aristocratic Gurus, their sons and grandsons. IGDS will become an organization of open minded and devoted people. It will preserve all good points of ancient heritage and culture and add some noble traditions from other religions also. IGDS will preach and propagate Eternal Doctrines, the true message of the Gita and views of Gandhi in different fields. Proposed activities of IGDS IGDS will carry out the following Humanitarian activities according to needs and resources of local members, IGDS will work in harmony with local political and religious leaders, observe strict vows of non-violence and avoid all kinds of conflicts as far as possible. Local units will become important pillars of political help and awareness, but will always remain devoted to Gandhian philosophy. The important activities of IGDS will be as follows. These are just a few initial guide lines :1. Moral, ethical and cultural education of young generation by involving them in different educational and humanitarian activities. 2. Loans, scholarships and education aids to deserving bright students. 3. Free subsidized legal and medical help to the needy and poor children of members. 4. Adoption of orphans and shelter to senior males, widows or separated young and old females. 5. Encourage inter-caste, inter-religious and international marriages. 6. No forced religious conversions will be practiced in IGDS, but it will remain active in propaganda of Gita- Unity of world religions by IGDS The main object of IGDS is to bring religious and political harmony in the world. Hinduism has many time tested principles and guidelines in political and economic matters. There are thousands of scriptures, many Gods and Goddess, countless number of saints, Gurus and Swamis in Hinduism. Hindus are divided into 20,000 Sampradayas (Secular religions) and GURU-attached groups today. There is no central organization to question immoral activities of debauchers priests or wrong preaching delivered by 84 Gandhi thoughts. Members can preserve and practice the old religion of their birth. 7. A code of marriage vows and ethics will be prepared later on. Right of choice of husband by the girl, Swayamvar Pratha. But once married divorce will not be an easy matter. Consent of parents on both sides will remain a welcome step in marriage. 8. IGDS will form panels of judges to settle minor or major disputes between husbands and wives, parents and children, brothers and friends, and all members by arbitration and compromises. This was the role of priests in past. 9. Free knowledge of economics, laws and medical subjects will be given to members by arranging talks on state laws, tax laws and health issues. 10. Help and education to infirm, illiterates, seniors and handicapped in the locality. 11. Residential facility for a few days to IGDS guests or at moderate rates for a few months to students and short times visitors, in the Ashrams. 12. Ready-made food items and kitchens for low income families and local residents. 13. More and more humanitarian services and projects for developing love and brotherhood in neighborhood. about God, but the Gita provides a proof of God. Moreover Gita provides answers to many spiritual questions and practical problems arising in day-to-day life. Hence it is chosen as a single scripture for study for all members of IGDS. Lovers of humanity at large, and seekers of God and believers of need of morality or religion in life, are requested to join this movement and propagate this idea of International Gita Gandhi Dharma Sangh (IGDS) to their friends. Scientific proof of One God It is not possible to show or prove presence of God to a man of logic and scientific attitude. Scientists ask proof of God. Questions regarding presence of God may satisfied to some extent if one reads the next chapter. HARI OM TAT SAT (God is Truth) For carrying out the above mentioned activities IGDS will build Gandhi Halls and Ashrams in different parts of cities and villages of all countries. The Halls and Ashrams will become important centers of spiritual activities for active seniors. Why study only the Gita ? Gita shows a path of conviction about God to any man of reason and science. It is a time-tested path of self-realization (ATMA GYAN), and self-study (SWADYAYA) but it needs genuine curiosity and devoted efforts. Other religions talk 85 Special Note: No Copy Rights. Publications of Swami Dwiroopanand ( DR. H. K. Gandhi) Gujatari Books. 1. Ahamkar and Vasana (False Egos & Selfish Desires). Gaurav and Purusharth. (1983) 2. Mana, Chitta and Buddhi. (Mind, Subconscious Mind-Memories, and Intellect). 3. Karma Yoga Gita Ch-3. Art of Perfect Actions or Karma. (1984) 4. Bhkti Yoga Gita Ch-12. Who is a real devotee of God? (1984) 5. Raj Yoga Gita Ch-9. Art of Uniting with the King of Universe. (1985) 6. Purushottam Yoga Gita Ch-15. Union with the Supreme Lord. (1985) 7. Shri Krishna Sharanam Mama. Three Different Krishnas in Bhagavat, Mahabharat and the Gita. (1994) 8. Prarabdh and Purushartha. 16 Inspiring Stories in Gujarati - (2001). + Two Essays on (a) Practical Meaning of Devi Laxmiji & (b) Diagnosing Early Cancer. 9. Vignan-na Rushio (Part-1) Sapexvad, Adiatma-Vidya and Evoltuion of Science and Dharm (2003) 10. Tamare America Javu Chhe? Do You want to go to America? (1981). All articles and paragraphs presented in booklets and my all books have No Copy Right. They are FREE for down loading and re-printing in any local community news bulletin of any religious or social nature. A book by Swami Dwiroop (Dr HK Gandhi in Past), “MAHATMA GANDHI – AMBASSADOR OF GOD FOR ENTIRE MANKIND IN 21ST CENT.(Published in 1992), and some more books and small booklets are now Free for Down Load from my website. It is a religio-Political book, worth knowing by all Lovers of Mahatma Gandhi and growing Youth of all religions. You can reprint any Chapter or Paragraphs. Any Gandhi Gita lover can Translate in any Indian or any Language. My IGDS mission indicated in my website and Mahatma Gandhi book, needs to be read by all open minded Educated people like Lawyers, Doctors, Comp-Engineers, and Teachers. Gujaraties lovers of Gandhiji staying anywhere must read and Start 0ne IGDS unit (details in website) because Gandhiji was a Gujarati. You can Publish Chapters or selected Paragraphs in any Indian News Paper, Social or Community News letters without Permission of Author. English Books. (11). ABC OF HINDUISM. Basics of Hinduism for Growing Youth and Parents staying Abroad. (1988) (12). MAHATMA GANDHI - Ambassador of GodFor Entire Mankind in 21st Century. (1992).(Down Load from website FREE) A New Scientific Religion (Sanatan Dharm) with Proof of One God of Universe. (13). WILL POWER OF POSITIVE MIND. Goldin, Gita and God. (2003) Goldin’s work “Wind Mill of Mind”, Meditation & Positive Thinking in the Gita. Recently Published English Books: (14). ASHTANG YOGA. – (2008) (15) PRANAYAMA Cures Blood pressure in 90 % Cases. (2008). =============================================== Un-Published Eng. Books: (1). THEORY OF KARMA IN EASTERN RELIGIONS or The Perfect Laws of Mother Nature (God). (2). HINDUISM AND WORLD RELIGIONS. Cream of all religions and Scientific Proof of One God. (3) Spirituality, Scienceand Art of Self Meditation (Adhiatma-Vidya). (4-5-6) Vignan-na Rushio (Part-1, 2, 3) I believe that "Divine knowledge can't be sold". For More visit website www.Gandhigitadharm.com. I request to Look into books section about my books and nearly 100 audio Cds (60 in Eng and 40 in Gujarati) on different subjects for growing Yuth of all religions. Website www.gandhigitadharm.com USA. :- Mobile Ph: (904)-472-6857. (USA) Email: [email protected] Thanks Nameste From Dr. H. K. Gandhi. INDIA : c/o Adhiatma Vigyan Prakashan c/o Vinod Bhatt Ph: Res. 2630-1891. Add: C-3, Krishna Apts, B/h Lake view Flats, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad-380015. 86 Audio CDs for Growing Youth on All Religions & God. Set of 8 Audio CDs. PERFECT LAWS OF GOD or Karma Theory in 3 Eastern Religions. CD- 1. Introduction. Different meanings of Karma. Concept of Basic Human Rights in Gita. (3 Talks 1Hr.20 Min) CD- 2. Jainism, Buddhism & Hinduism about Karma Beliefs. Moksha, Nirvana and Kaivalya. (3 Talks 1Hr.20 Min) CD- 3. Universal Space-Time. Einstein’s Theory of Relativity & facts of Science. Today and Now Universal Time Lincks with Karma (2 Talks 1Hr.20 Min) CD- 4. Hindu Trinity Gods & Universal Time-Space. Verses from Gita about Universal Time Space. (2 Talks 40 Min each) CD- 5. Jainism Buddhism about Time Space. (2 Talks 1Hr.20 Min) Material Successes long Survival possible by Karma Yoga. CD 6. Karma Yoga- Gita Ch. 3 Running Translation of all Verses. English Prayer of One God from Upanishads ( in 1983). (1Hr.20 Min) CD- 7. Self Realization By Writing Autobiography: Sample by Dr. H. K. Gandhi. (A new easy path of Self-Realization or AtmaGyan) (1Hr.20 Min) CD- 8 What did I Learn from my Autobiography? Is God a fact or fiction? (2 Talks. 40 Min each.) My Divine Experience of Seeing Holy Cross of Jesus on Dec-31-1979. Learn at Home or in Temples - Hinduism, Gita, Yoga and World Religions. By Swami Dwiroopanad: (Dr. H. K. Gandhi in past life). Special Note:- There is No Copy Rights on these Audio-CDs. Devoted Individuals can make copies and give FREE to Relatives and Friends. Set of 10 Audio CDs.. For Youth Education of Hinduism for Indians Abroad. CD No 1. 10,000 years of Hinduism in 45 Min. CD No 2. Pride of India’s Scriptural Heritage. CD No 3-A. Different 8 meanings of Dharma (religion) CD No 3-B. What is Spirituality? “Be Your self”. CD No 4-A. What is OM ? Breathing & Speaking CD No 4-B. Meaning of symbol of OM. CD No 5-A. Origin of world Languages from OM. CD No 5-B. Origin of Grammar in Languages. CD No 6-A. Origin of Vedas From OM. CD No 6-B. From OM arise Vedas and Upanishads. - Set of 4 Audio CDs. Isha Vasya Upanishad. 45 Min Talk. 1Hr. 10 Mins talk. 45 Mins Talk 45 Mins Talk 45 Mins Talk. 45 Mins Talk. 45 Mins Talk. 50 Mins Talk. 45 Mins Talk. 35 Mins Talk. Set of 4 Audio CDs - Miscellaneous CDs.. CD-A. Mythology in Hinduism. Symbolic Meaning of Idols in Temples. (45 Mins). CD-B. Mythology in Hinduism Symbolic Meaning of Trinity- Bhrama, Vishnu and Shiva. (45 Mins). CD-1. My Eary Random thoughts on Concept of “One God” in 1980. (45 Mins). CD-2. My Early Thoughts on Gyan, Karma, Atma-Self, Time-Place, and Universe. in 1980. (45 Mins). A Scientific Upanishad Study at Home. CD No 1. Introduction to Isha Vasya Upanishad. (3 Talks 30 Mins each). Purnam Adah Purnam Eedam - Verse, Universe is Body of Vishnu, Symbolic Meaning of E=MC2 . CD No 2. Isha Vasya Upanishad. Verses- 1,2,3. +Chant Gita Chs-12 & 15. 1Hr. 10 Mins CD No 3. Isha Vasya Upanishad Verses- 4 to 10. + Chant Gita Chs-12 & 13. 1Hr. 10 Mins CD No 4. Isha Vasya Upanishad Verses- 10 to 18. + Chant Gita Chs -12 & 15. 1Hr. 10 Mins Set of 9 Audio CDs. Ashtang Yoga Discourses. . CD-1. Introduction to Ashtang Yoga: (3 Short Talks of 20 Mins each). a. Why study Yoga? b. Benefits of Yoga. c. Overview of 8 Steps. CDs-Nos. 1 to 8. Ashtang or Patanjali Yoga Work Shop at Hindu Temple, Jax. FL. (One Day Work Shop Discourses in 1995) Total Work Shop - Time approx. 8 Hrs. 87 CD-1. Gita Ch-XIII. Verses 1 to 10. Khsetra Kshegrana Yoga. -45 Mins. Talk. CD-1. Gita CH-X. Verses 1 to 10. Vibhuti Yoga. Become a Noble man- Vibhooti 45 Mins Talk. Set of 7 Audio CDs. Comparison of World Religions. CD-1. Introduction to Comparative world religions. + Gandhi Book Introduction 1 Hr. CD-2. Comparative world religions. - What is not religion? 45 mins. CD-3. Comparative world religions. Ages of Six Major World Religions. 2 talks. 45 Mins. CD-4. Comparative world religions. From Om to Vedas & Upanishads till 500 BC. 45 Mins. CD-5. Comparative world religions. From 500 BC – to Mahatma Gandhi. + QA with Youth. 45 mins. CD-6. Comparative Religions: (1990) Two Short Talks on Hinduism & Islam in a School In MI. Each 30 Mins. CD-7. Sermons on the Mount -Cream of Holy Bible. in 1989, Bharatiya Temple Troy-MI. 1HR- Talk. CD.1. Gita Ch-VII. Gyan-Vignan Yoga, Gita overview & Translation of All Verses. 01 Hr. 10 min Talk. CD-1. Karma Yoga- Gita Ch. III Running Translation of all Verses. + Prayer of One God. (1Hr.20 Min) CD-1. Vedant Darshan. (5 Basic Universal Elements- Panch Maha Bhuta) 45 Min.Talk CD-1-A. Sankhya Darshan. Prakruti & Purush 45 Min. Talk. CD-1-B. Sankhya Darshan In Gita + (Hindi Self Intro at Bharatiya Temple, MI). 45 Mins Talk. Gujarati Audio CDs. (From discourses given in INDIA and USA ). Total about 41 CDs Set of 5 Audio CDs. Audio Cds of my Political Thoughts. (4 Eng and 1.Gujarati).. 10 CDs. SET of Mahabharat Katha. (From Raj-Gopalachari’s English Mahabharat 1984) 5-CDs SET of Ashtang Yoga (Patanjali’s Raj Yoga) (Lectures in India. 1995). 3-CDs SET of Gita Ch-III- Karma Yoga. (1). Vrs-1 to 15. (2). Vrs-16 to 30 (3).Vrs 31 to 43. 3-CDs SET of Gita Ch-IX. Raj Yoga. (1). Vrs-1 to 14. (2). Vrs-15 to 24 (3).Vrs 25 to 34. 2-CDs SET of Gita Ch-XII. Bhakti Yoga. (1). Vrs-1 to 12. (2). Vrs-13 to 20. 2-CDs SET of Gita Ch-XV. Purushottama Yoga. (1). Vrs-1 to 12. (2). Vrs-13 to 20. 1 CD. Life and Message of Bhagvan Lord Buddha. (1984). 2. CD Life and Message of Jainism and Lord Mahavira-(1984) 10 CDs Six Hindu Darshans and one of Charvak. (1981-2) 3 CDs Mari Atma Katha Part- 1,2,3. (Memories of my past Life). CD-1.A. Kashmir Issue. Root Causes & Suggestions. B. Who was Mahatma Gandhi?- 1 Hr. 10Mins. CD-2. Kashmir Issue.5 Short Talks on Raja Kalasya Karanam.. 1 Hr. 20 Mins. CD-1. War against Terrorism (after Godhra Kand on Jan-20 –2001, my views). 4 Short Talks. 1 Hr. 20 Mins CD. 1. Homage to Mahatma Gandhiji. / Gandhi’s Views about Religion. 3 Short Talks -1 Hr. 10 mins. CD-1 Messiah of Mankind, Mahatma Gandhiji, Song of Life-story on even of Death/ Obituary of World Leaders on Last Day of Death. Total 1 Hr. 20 Mins. CD-1 Gujarati….. Congressne kadho. (during 2002 elections time in Gujarat - India) 3. Talks- 1 Hr. 10 mins ( Each CD about 1 Hr & 20 Mins). Set of 11 Audio CDs. Gita Verses and Darshans in the Gita. Total Time of One CD is about - 75 Mins. Above English & Gujarati Audio CDs Provide:- CD-A. Introduction to Gita. (1990) + Message of Gandhiji & Immortal Soul-Prayer. (1 Hr.20 Mins). CD-B. Introduction to Gita. (1990) + Plan of GGDS + One God Prayer. (1 Hr. 20. min). CD-1-A. Krishna Character in Mahabharat. (my thoughts in 1982-July).55 Mins Talk. CD-1-B. Krishna Character in Mahabharat. (my thoughts in 1982-July).55 Mins Talk. (1). Home Study courses of World Religions for ‘Curious & Open-minded Religious Students’. (2). Sat-Sang of Religious and God discourses for Growing Youth of Indian Community. There are Sloka, Bhajans & Arti in many CDs. 88 Mission: (a). World Peace by Better understanding of All Religions. (b). Message of One God Of Universe and Religion with facts of science in Gita. (c). Propagate Religio-Political Views of Mahatma Gandhi and, (d). Science of Psychology in the Gita and ASHTANG YOGA. Visit www.gandhigitadharm.com for more about Mission of IGDS. Contacts ( USA) (1). Dr. H. K. Gandhi Mob : 904-472-6857. Email : [email protected] (2) Mr. Chiman Patel (Detroit MI) Mob : (248) 396 – 1313 Res : (248) 852 – 2102 Email : [email protected] Contacts ( INDIA ) (1) Mr. Vinod Bhatt. Mob : +91 98246 3043 Res: (079) 2630-1891 (2) Mr. K.K. SHAH Mob No : +91 94260 51251 Email : [email protected] 89