"Sanaatan Vedic Dharm" and Bhaarat

Sanaatan means eternal. Dharm means duties and responsibilities. "Sanaatan Vedic Dharm" is the most ancient religion. It tells us the way of life as mentioned in the Veds. Ved means knowledge. Ved is derived from Vid, which means "to know." The Veds are the "Sanaatan Gyan," or eternal knowledge, of "Sanaatan Dharm," or eternal religion. The Veds are Shruti (what one listens to). Some of the blessed ancient sages who went into deep meditation listened to the "apauruṣeya" (not a man). The Veds are a divine revelation.

"Hindus" and "Hinduism" were coined by the invaders of this subcontinent. They called the people of this subcontinent "Sindhus," those who live on the other side of the river Sindhu. Some of them pronounced the consonant "s" as "h," so from "Sindhus," it became "Hindus." They also called this subcontinent "Hindustan." So "Hindu" is merely a geographical identity given by the invaders of this subcontinent. It has got nothing to do with religion.

The colonisers called this subcontinent "India," derived from the river "Indus." They further claimed that India was not a country until they did us a favour by colonising us.

Long before the invaders and colonisers, this subcontinent was known as "Bhaarat," derived from the ancient Emperor by the name "Bharat," who conquered the entire subcontinent.

The West may choose to call us whatever they fancy dwelling in their castle of ego. The name of our country is "Bhaarat," not India, and the people are "Bhaaratiyas," not Hindustanis, Hindus, or Indians.

Country: "Bhaarat"

People: "Bhaaratiyas"

Religion: There are many religions practiced in "Bhaarat." The most ancient religion is "Sanaatan Vedic."

Shiva and spacetime

Courtesy - https://i0.wp.com/gethappythoughts.org/wp-content/uploads/dance-final-min.jpg

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I confess that I am just a seeker, and I don't claim to have profound knowledge

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Stephen Hawking stated that the universe was not there forever and that time had a beginning.

The observable universe began with the Big Bang, which happened 13.8 billion years ago, and with it, the concept of time.

What caused the Big Bang?

Some physicists believe that before the Big Bang there was an "initial singularity," which was infinitely dense and contained all the mass and spacetime of the universe. There was a temporary change in the amount of energy within it, which caused it to rapidly expand to what is known as the "Big Bang."

Spacetime is the result of an event that was triggered.

What triggers it is the quest of the scientists.

Whoever triggers it is the quest for the believers.

"Who" has to be there for "What" to happen.

Genesis of Rudra

According to the Shiva Purana, once the Rakshasas defeated the Devatas and banished them from Amravati. The Devatas sought help from Maharishi Kashyap. Maharishi Kashyap meditated and pleased Lord Shiva. He requested that Lord Shiva take birth in the form of his sons. Lord Shiva blessed Maharishi Kashyap and his wife, Surabhi, with eleven sons. They were known as the eleven Rudras, or ekadsh Rudras. Following are their names and significance:

1. Kapali: carries a human skull, or kapala, which symbolises detachment from the material world.
2. Pingal: celestial rhythm that governs the perpetual dance of creation and dissolution.
3. Bheem: protects the universe and upholds dharma with the immensely powerful energy of a storm.
4. Virupaksha: Virup means deformed, and Aksha means eyes, or odd-eyed. This Rudra has three eyes.
5. Vilohit: celestial voyager, the divine force transcending all realms of existence. Omnipresent.
6. Shasta: This Rudra is protective and benevolent. Shasta means teacher, guide, lord, and ruler in Sanskrit.
7. Ajapaad: Lord Shiva drank Halahal poison in this form of Ajapaad Rudra.
8. Ahirbudhnya: protects the universe by transforming into a divine serpent, or Rudra Sapra.
9. Shambhu: Sham=bliss, bhu=source. Shambhu means eternal bliss, which is due to the union of the innermost self, the Atman.
10. Chanda: This fiercest form of Rudra protects the universe by destroying negative energies.
11. Bhav: This Rudra takes away the suffering and is both compassionate and fierce. Lord Hanuman is the incarnation of Bhav Rudra.

Rudra is the one who roars, bursts, or explodes in fiery red. (The Big Bang that scientists talk about.)

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According to Sadhguru (Jaggi Vasudev), Shiva means that which is not or unmanifested. Scientists say most of the universe is not visible but is very powerful. They don't know what it is and call it dark energy. In Yogic culture, this is referred to as Kala. In Yogic culture, time and space are not separate. Time is the reason for space. Kala is both time and space. Kala means darkness, and darkness means space. This is the unmanifested essence of Shiva, which cannot be understood by any sense organ or any instrument of measurement. Only that which stops and reflects light can be seen. If something is beyond the physical, there is no way to perceive it.

Sadhguru further states that Shakti, the energy of Shiva, caused him to become Rudra. Rudra is the one that roars. Rudra roared into an ellipsoid that scientists call the Big Bang. This ellipsoid is the first form, which is called "Linga, Lingam, or Shivling." When he settled down, it was manifested as the creation of a visible universe.

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There are many gods and goddesses in Sanatan dharma; however, the Almighty, or Par Brahm, or the supreme energy, is one and does not have any form—"Nirakaar."

When the Almighty or Par Brahm took a form (became "Sakaar"), he and she appeared as Shiva.

Yes, Shiva is both he and she because Shiva (male) and Shakti (female) are inseparable. There can be no Shiva without Shakti. Shiva becomes Shava, or a corpse without Shakti.

Shiva is the Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh). Those who differentiate between the Trinity, viz., Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, or their better halves, or try to figure out who is bigger, do not please either one of them.

Shiva has five functions (Panchanan Shiva or Sada Shiva).

1. Shristi, or Creation: Shiva is Brahma as a creator. Brahma was created by Vishnu and is ten millionths of Vishnu.

2. Sthithi, or preservation: Shiva is Vishnu as a preserver. Vishnu was created by Rudra and is 10 millionths of Rudra.

3. Samhara, or Annihilation: Shiva is Rudra, the annihilator. Rudra is the incarnation of Shiva and is one thousandth of Mahesha.

4. Tirobhava, or concealment: Shiva is Mahesha as concealer, who conceals and deludes to maintain order and stability. Mahesha is the incarnation of Shiva and is one thousandth of Shiva.

5. Anugraha, or Liberation: Shiva blesses his creations with the truth beyond his Maya or delusion.

The period of time is defined by the creator, Shiva, for Mahesha. Mahesha for Rudra, Rudra for Vishnu, Vishnu for Brahma, and Brahma for the rest of the Almighty’s creations

Our planet’s age is estimated to be 4.6 billion years.

Sanatan dharma has four yugas, or eras, which map to the four ages of Greek mythology.

1. Sat Yug (1,728,000 human years)  - Golden Age

2. Treta Yug (1,296,000 human years) - Silver Age

3. Dwapar Yug (864,000 human years) - Bronze Age

4. Kal Yug (432,000 human years) - Iron Age

Every yuga, or era, is characterised by diminishing human morals and their consequences.

Sat Yug: Humans had the highest moral standards - 100% virtuous; average height was 31.5 feet; and average life expectancy was 100,000 years.

Treta Yug: Human morals diminished by 25% (75% virtuous, 25% sinful); the average height was 21 feet; and the average life expectancy was 10,000 years.

Dwapar Yug: Human morals diminished further by 25% (50% virtuous, 50% sinful); the average height was 10.5 feet; and the average life expectancy was 1,000 years.

Kalyug: Human morals diminished further by 25% (25% virtuous, 75% sinful); the average height was estimated to be 5.25 feet; and the average life expectancy was estimated to be 100 years (beginning of the Kalyug).

The four yugas, or chatur yugas, are cyclical, and they continue till the life span of Lord Brahma.

One day of Brahma is known as a Kalpa or aeon, which consists of 1000 Chaturyg.

1 Chatur yuga = 4.32 million human years, so 1 Kalpa = 4.32 million * 1000 = 4.32 billion human years.

2 Kalpas = 1 day and night of Lord Brahma = 8.64 billion human years.

1 month of Brahma consists of 30 * 2 kalpas.

1 year of Brahma = 12*30*2 Kalpas = 3,110,400,000,000 human years.

Or 3 trillion, 110 billion, and 400 million human years.

The life span of Brahma is 100 Brahma years, or 311,040,000,000,000 human years.

Or 311 trillion, or 40 billion human years.

The life span of Vishnu is 10 million Brahma years.

The life span of Rudra is 10 million Vishnu years.

The life span of Mahesha is 1000 Rudra years.

The life span of Shiva (as Sakaar Parbrahma) is 1000 Mahesha years.

Shiva, as Nirakaar Parabrahma, or the Almighty, has no beginning and no end.

Shiva is omnipresent.

Shiva is the supreme energy and is beyond time. All energies emerge from Shiva and ultimately merge into Shiva.

Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri is the festival of the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. 

It is believed that Lord Shiva finally married Goddess Parvati after her severe, unparalleled austerity.

Devotees celebrate this day by observing a day-long fast and breaking it the next day after the sun rises. 

On this day, the devotees bathe both in the morning and in the evening before performing the first of the four prahar (segment) pujas, which typically begins after the sun sets and continues till the sun rises.

It is believed that Lord Shiva becomes pleased with those who celebrate this day with complete devotion and even grants 'Moksha' (salvation) to those on whom he becomes extremely pleased. 

In the 40th chapter of the Kotirudra Sanghita segment of Shiva Mahapurana titled 'Nishadha Charitra', it is mentioned that long ago, a sinner who was a hunter by profession observed a night-long fast in his search for food for his family. He was unaware that it was the night of Maha Shivaratri. He sat on a Bilva tree near a pond in a forest with some water to drink. Every time he would attempt to shoot an arrow at an animal that would come to quench its thirst, some Bilva leaves and water would fall below where there was a Shiva Jyotirlinga. This happened on all four prahars. Even though the hunter did this unknowingly, he got rid of all his sins and even developed a conscience. Lord Shiva appeared before him and blessed him to live a life of worldly comforts. He also told him that one day he would help Lord Rama, and with Lord Rama's blessings, he would attain Moksha. So it is said that if a sinner can attain Moksha, then there are chances that others who perform puja with complete devotion can attain Moksha too. 

Om Namah Shivay! Har Har Mahadev!

The dichotomy of India's economic growth

While India is currently the fifth-largest economy in the world, most Indians still feel the pinch.

The current government envisages India becoming the third-largest economy in the world by 2030. However, Indians will rejoice more when their per capita income increases commensurately. 

Although I am not an economist, I reckon this can happen when:

1. Education and skill development go hand-in-hand.

2. Every Indian has access to affordable, world-class medical care.

3. India does well both in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

4. Inflation is kept under control, and the vast Indian middle class can earn and save more.

5. The tax burden on the middle class is decreased by taxing the super rich more while giving incentives to the national wealth creators.

6. Efficient law enforcement and timely justice.

7. Immaculate execution of government schemes for the benefit of the poor.

8. Political will and political stability.

9. Population control.

10. Adequate defence budget to keep Indian armed forces strong and motivated.

Although the current government is already working on the above-mentioned areas, we expect a lot more.

I was wondering...

I was wondering...

1. What if we could capture sunlight and the time of day with it? People could go back to appearing and being their younger selves!

2. What if there are "sound" beings who exist or cease to exist with the presence and absence of sound? Or, who would be active or stay dormant with the presence and absence of sound?

Stupid, am I?

Well, I don't care as long as I can wonder about anything!

Roshogolla

Roshogolla not Rasgulla.

Yes, that is the way it is pronounced by Bengalis, and that is how it is supposed to be pronounced since it is a Bengali sweet dish. And for God’s sake, there is no kala (black) rasgulla; that’s Gulab Jamun. Roshogolla consists of chenna (Indian processed cheese), whereas Gulab Jamun consists of khoya.

Chenna is prepared by adding a sour substance like vinegar, lime juice, or yoghurt to boiled milk (1 tablespoon of sour substance in 1 litre of milk), whereas Khoya is prepared by simmering and stirring full-fat milk in a shallow iron pan for several hours till the milk gets thickened.

Roshogolla is the ultimate sweet for me, so it hurts when people casually choose to call it by a different name, or worse, when they can’t distinguish between Roshogolla and other sweets.

Both the states of Odisha and West Bengal are at loggerheads over the origin of Roshogolla; however, in 2017, West Bengal got the GI (geographic indications) tag for a variant known as Banglar Rasogolla.

Preparation: -

Add a sour substance like vinegar, lime juice, or yoghurt to boiled milk (1 tablespoon of sour substance in 1 litre of milk = 5 cups).

As soon as the milk gets curdled (which happens as soon as you stir after adding the sour substance) and you see the whey, pour the curdled milk into a pan covered with a thin cotton cloth.

Wrap the cotton cloth around the curdled milk and gently squeeze the whey out of it.

Rinse the contents of the cloth (keep it covered) with water to get rid of the smell of the sour substance.

Put a weight on the bundle for 5 minutes.

Take out the chenna from the cloth and make small balls of chenna.

Drop these chenna balls gently in the sugar syrup and simmer it for 8–10 minutes.

Switch it off and allow it to cool. Add 1 tablespoon of organic rose water for aroma and taste.

To make syrup, add 2 cups of sugar to 5 cups of water.

Roshogolla

Courtesy - https://thebengalstory.com/english/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/11/rosho-e1541657198134.jpg

Gulab Jamun

Courtesy - https://wallpapercave.com/wp/wp2157279.jpg

Kalo Jam or Kala Jamun

Courtesy - https://www.cookwithmanali.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Kala-Jamun-500x375.jpg

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I don’t claim to be a cook, let alone a good one; however, I love to eat. So anyone is welcome to correct me. I’ll also appreciate any suggestions to improve the content.

Shivling

Courtesy - https://shrikashivishwanath.org/frontend/images/shivlingameaning.gif

If Shivling is not a male organ, then why is it embedded in Yoni?

1. If someone derives sadistic pleasure from ridiculing a religious belief, then please stay happy in your delusional paradise and do not bother to read whatever is written below because you are the one who is all-knowing. So celebrate your knowledge.

2. Let me draw your attention to the fact that we barely understand our visible universe. Having said that, are you saying that we want to use our so-called intellect to understand that entity (the Supreme Being) whom even the creator of our universe, Lord Brahma, does not understand?

Good Luck!

3. The point is that our logic and reasoning can only take us so far, which, trust me, is not even qualified to be called "far." This applies even to the most intelligent lifeforms, which are way more intelligent than mankind. So empty your cup.

Shiva means "The Auspicious One." Linga means "sign or symbol".

Shiva The Almighty, the Para Brahman, the Supreme Soul, the source of all energies, is "Nirakaar" (has no form), "Anadi" (has no beginning), and "Anant" (has no end). Shiva is also known as Shambhu, Swayambhu, and Sadashiva, meaning that Shiva is the eternal soul who has no creator above him. In Sanatan Dharma, a form was required to be given to the formless so that ordinary mortals could worship. That form, symbol, or linga appeared as the "infinite pillar of fire" between Brahma and Vishnu when they were fighting for supremacy.

Vishnu transformed himself into a boar and went down to find the origin of the pillar of fire, but he returned unsuccessfully. Brahma transformed himself into a swan and flew up to find the limit of the pillar of fire. He soared and soared, unable to find Shiva's limit. He met Ketaki Flower on the way, who told Brahma that he had been existing since the beginning. However, even he didn't know its origin or limit. Brahma requested the Ketaki Flower to testify before Vishnu that he had discovered the limit. The Ketaki flower agreed. Vishnu accepted Brahma's superiority when the Ketaki flower testified.

Shiva became pleased with Vishnu and blessed him with equal status, saying that he would also be worshipped. However, Shiva became very angry at Brahma because he lied to become worshipable. Shiva opened his third eye and manifested Bhairav, who severed the fifth head of Brahma. Shiva spared Brahma's life at Vishnu's request. Shiva cursed Brahma, saying he would not be worshipped by anyone. He also prohibited the Ketaki flower from being used for worship. When Brahma begged for forgiveness, Shiva granted him the boon of being the presiding deity of all the yagyas. When the Ketaki flower begged for forgiveness, Shiva allowed it to be offered in worship of Vishnu.

The Tridevs, viz. Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, are the manifestations of Lord Shiva himself. Their "Shaktis," or the core of their energies, are the Tridevis. Brahma's shakti is Saraswati, Vishnu's shakti is Lakshmi, and Mahesh's shakti is Parvati.

Shiva and Shakti are inseparable. There is no Shiva without Shakti, and there is no Shakti without Shiva. Shiva without Shakti becomes Shava.

The Tridevs and rest of the devtas are present in the linga form, and their shaktis are present in the base of the linga. When Linga is worshipped, all the gods and goddesses are worshipped simultaneously.

Thoughts and musings of a commoner

• The divide crosses our minds first before we find excuses to draw boundaries in the name of country, religion, colour, caste, etc. We fail to live up to our true potential when we think that being human is not enough.

• Let's be the way Almighty made us—human—and try to live up to our nomenclature, "Mankind." Let's be "kind" and take care of each other; otherwise, we will hate and kill each other to extinction.

• We do not please our deities and prophets when we kill each other in the name of religion. On the contrary, it is one of our biggest sins. How can those who commit atrocities expect to find a place in heaven? May good sense prevail. May justice prevail.

• The Almighty is present not just in places of worship; he or she is omnipresent, even within us. So it is imperative that we clean our inner selves like we clean our places of worship.

• It's high time we set aside our petty differences and be responsible global citizens by thinking about our planet first, then our nations, then our states, and finally our cities, towns, or villages.

Courtesy - https://img1.picmix.com/output/pic/normal/3/5/5/5/7775553_8d6c7.gif

• Ever wondered why the Almighty did not allow us to use our full brain capacity? Because the Almighty wanted us to collaborate and grow, much like an interconnected network of brains. This is the only way humans can truly become an intelligent species.

• Critiquing people with the aim of finding their weaknesses only makes you miss your opportunity to be a better person by focusing on their strengths and learning from them.

• Criticism is OK as long as it is constructive because it helps you learn and grow (if you are not a "I know it all" person). However, when people criticise for the sake of criticising, it simply fuels negativity.

• Merely counting the sins of others doesn't justify our own. Pujas, ibadats, and prayers don't help much in cleansing our souls. We need to get our acts right, and only then can we seek forgiveness from the Almighty. Our 'Karma' decides our destiny.

• Hypocrisy is when our moral standards (if any) vary based on who, where, and when.

• The entire game of supremacy is an utter waste of time and human intellect. It is the perfect case of a lost opportunity. How much could have been achieved had we collaborated for a unified cause—the development of the human race  

• I remember how my parents would tell me and my siblings not to waste food, explaining that there were many in the world who were not fortunate enough to afford a proper meal daily. Back then, global warming was not such an issue as it has been in the past couple of decades. All the food that we waste ends up in landfills. They begin emitting methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes a lot to global warming. How wise our elders were; had we paid heed to them, we wouldn't have been facing such a crisis.

• Even after our so-called 'Evolution', if all we know is to 'consume' and all we accumulate is 'greed', then what's the point?

• You don't feel insecure when you are in love. If you do, then you mistook attraction for love. Attraction has shelf life, not love. Love is the Almighty's greatest blessing. Unrequited love is not far behind. May good sense and justice prevail.

Spirituality

Some of us think being religious means being spiritual.

Religion consists of observing and performing rituals and practises for the glory of our deities.

Religion is like the cover of a book, whereas spirituality is the actual content. So if a person is religiously inclined but has little or no inclination towards spirituality, then that person cannot stay in constant touch with the supreme energy. That person may try in vain to strike a deal with the supreme energy.

Overdosing on religion without spirituality is harmful because then religion becomes business.

The worst is when we fight and kill each other in the name of religion. That is perhaps the greatest sin we can ever commit. We are all children of the same supreme energy, and there can be only one Almighty—hence the name.

It is silly when we try to figure out who is a bigger god or goddess, and we don’t stop there; we even try to convert others! Do we really think that the one who created us needs our help to stay in power or something? Or will Jesus, Allah, Ram, or whoever we follow be pleased if we try to create a divide or polarise opinion? We actually disrespect our gods and goddesses by doing so.

Religious scholars who spread hatred are among the biggest sinners. Getting a degree from prestigious institutions doesn’t guarantee that those degree holders also have a beautiful mind and soul. It could be possible that what we study is a mere interpretation of the actual manuscripts, and what we preach could be our interpretation of others' interpretations. So it becomes a Chinese whisper, and nobody gets the actual meaning.

So who is a spiritual person?

A spiritual person is one who has inner peace, has control over her or his senses, and thus has the ability to stay in constant touch with the supreme energy.

Everybody needs and wants inner peace, especially when there is a tussle between conscience and the influencer. 

Inner peace soothes both mind and soul, or spirit.

How do we find inner peace?

A believer might pray to the Almighty to show the way, and a nonbeliever might seek some external help from a higher power or try to meditate.

Prayers and meditation bring inner peace. Peace of mind and spirit helps us channel our energies towards what we seek to achieve.

Blessed are those whose desires are beyond personal and materialistic pleasures, because there is no end to them, and they actually fuel greed and lust, and we find ourselves entangled in the chatter again. So it becomes a vicious circle.

Here, a true guru can help.

Courtesy - https://areyougoodandspiritual.blogspot.com/2016/12/swami-vivekananda-s-search-for-true-guru.html

Who is a true guru?

A true guru is one who takes us from Gu (darkness) to Ru (light).

Everyone is not fortunate enough to be blessed or get a true guru.

So what about those who are less fortunate? Do they have any hope?

Every entity that existed before, is existing, or will exist does so due to the presence of the Almighty or the supreme energy within them. Even all the gods and goddesses derive their energies from the Almighty. The Almighty is the one who has no beginning and no end. The Almighty is forever.

So what that means is that only the Almighty, or the supreme energy, is our best friend. Even our parents cannot physically stay with us throughout our lives.

Blessed or not, life is full of challenges for all of us, and if we try to listen to our conscience, we are advised to stay positive and not lose hope. Our conscience is actually the manifestation of the Almighty, who is always within us and who always guides us.