Righteous waste

Irawati Karve's Yuganta is about a lot of things, suffice to call it an eye-opener, as a study of history foremost ought to be.
But the biggest lesson for me in it was how it argued that "saints" have brought more damage to this world than "sinners"!

It showed how a righteous Bhishma could have avoided the Mahabharata not once but multiple times in his life. It is so true. Even Yudhishtira behaves as his word is more important than his wife, and allows a most despicable behavior on her in front of his own eyes.
Indeed, it was eventuality up to a street-smart Krishna to ensure the Pandavas got what they desired, win the bloodiest war and lay claim on a kingdom they really did not deserve to rule. For Krishna understood the true nature of life. And even though he couldn't have spoken in clearer terms of the gray nature of life, the Bhakti movement in later centuries made him a God, replete with an ideal childhood and romantic youth. When a cold study of the complex character, teachings and true life-story of Krishna could have opened up our minds, we obviously find it easier to numb our minds endlessly repeating "Hare Krishna".

Karve further posits how Gandhiji could really have avoided the bloodshed of partition and it's aftermath that we suffer even today. He even failed his family to stand by what is "right". Arguable, controversial, but food for thought.
Few can deny that there couldn't have been a greater mass-murderer in the past century than Hitler. And yet, he was puritanical, almost saintly in personal-life.

Even today: The honor killings, the caste and class prejudices, even when we judge people based on their personal tastes and choices.

Life in true nature is harmony, is rhythm. Both the waxing and waning are important. There has to be beautiful birth and ghastly death. One who realizes this no more has questions. The why does this happen, the why me and the how could he.

We need to start seeing life as a cycle, as the weeks, the seasons, even birth-death-rebirth. Give up the austerity that gives grief to others. Hold true to your priorities for better or worse.

Yuganta is a must-read.
You need to accept both the good and bad in you, to be complete.

Gods do make mistakes

All that happens, happens for the best? Maybe. But God does everything right? I no longer think so. Gods do make mistakes, bad choices as humans do. I think now that they are in this with us, living and learning. So you are better off letting things happen on their own, than ask the Gods for something. Could turn out, your wish gets granted, and it's the worst thing that could have happened to you. Neither surrender to God and ask him to make your choices. Could turn out that you could have made a better choice than God himself. Life seems to have shown me that you are better off trying to achieve what you want, and let the law of karma that governs the universe decide if it's good for you, or whether you deserve it.

Pleasing a God and getting something might be the only plausible way out, if you want it that badly in this birth, but I'd say you are better off not asking for such interventions. Even the Gods have no influence over Karmic law. There will be a price to pay, ranging from not feeling what you thought it would feel like after achieving it, to outright losing something you need more in return.

Wish for something, having an aim is not wrong. Moreover wishing it also helps  contribute to karmic effort.
Work towards it, but don't ask a God for it!
If you deserve it, you will get it.

What Krishna said about one having influence over only the action and not the fruits of the effort, there is great meaning to it.
He never suggested making Him a God or asking any God for wishes. He did so for our good.
But as is often said, without constant reminding, Good is easily forgotten!

The Best came through Rest

Why the hurry, the rush, the haste
Why the rat race, it's all a waste
Lay back, look up, take a breath deep
No matter what, the best came through rest

There's life, there's death, but do we really live
Walk fast, look busy, but is anything done
Go slow, be thorough, gain a little focus
No matter who says, the best came through rest

In rest came nirvana, in rest came creation
In rest came inventions, discoveries, the greatest innovations
In rest came us, our best, and the best of us
No matter whether, the best came through rest

I'd Die for a little Thirst

To drink what is wet, to kiss what is soft
To embrace nights and days alike
For that one sight, that arch, that ouch
What I'd not do, I'd die for a little thirst

In a desert of dryness, bodies ugly and placcid
Where there is no interest, no charm nor thrust
Emotionless, abnormal and lacking spark
Such place am I, I'd die for a little thirst

Where pleasure is natural, peaceful and joyous
And homes are happy, fulfilled and beautiful
Where you take care, of self and others
Such soul I look for, I'd die for a little thirst

The Rain is Here

The coming of rains, has shaken

Birds and beasts , from slumber

The earth is refreshed, the grass drenched

And so are insects, now easy prey

My child is watching, with eyes awonder

At the fury of rain-spears on Earth

In innocence, he realizes not

This is the Sky, making love to her

And in this mirth, will be born new life

As nature, nourished by sunlight

As life stands still, in cozy abodes

The dance of creation, is ever-abound

A Gloomy Day

Perhaps they stayed in office today
I see no one at five thirty pm

Perhaps the sun set early on us
I see only dark clouds above us

Perhaps the winds went back to sleep
I see no hush just gentle breeze

Perhaps the water feels tied and tired
I see no ripples just a placid tier

Perhaps the birds and beasts will rest
I feel no jest, just doze at best!

Be Still, Be Quiet..

Be Still, Be Quiet, what is this rush
Every problem was solved, with stillness ablush

Be Still, Be Quiet, what is the hurry
It is not worth, just causes more worry

I have not listened, I have not felt
Of what use is then, this life behind I left

Be Still, Be Quiet, my mind is asleep
In Prayer and Meditation, is greatness achieved

How much do I Love You

My son, my dear, how much do I love you
I realize I love you, more than my life itself

My son can I measure, the vastness of love
When it's as expansive as the endless horizon

My child can there be, a limit to love
When it feels limitless like the sky above

My heart are there areas, this love does not touch
It must be like those where the air has not reached

Yes there can be, a reflection of love
O child you are that, of creation immortal

Loving Nature, Bless thy son

Dear Nature, the living whole
Bless thy spirit, on my son's soul
Build thy strength, on my son's health
Kindle thy thought, in my son's mind

He is not, unknown to you
For indeed, he is born of you

Does He Know

My son looks out, at the blue expanseless sky
Does he know, that it lays bare
Potentials limitless, in this life

He wonders at green, the grass and tree
Does he know, that it instills
Immortal calmness, within world ever-changing

My son points out, bird he exclaims
Does he know, that it teaches
To spread your wings, take risks to win

Intent alone is Not Enough

For long I have said that in Life, all we can have is intent; everything else just happens. I still agree with it, at the macro or big-picture level. But it for sure cannot be used as an excuse to inaction. Change was brought about only when people stepped into action. If one would just watch with a fair understanding of what's not right, and with honest intent, but yet keep watching and do nothing, tomorrow would not be a better day.

Good intentions do not override wrong actions. In the Gita it is written that no action is wrong if the intent is right. I do not agree with that now. Because intent is hard to judge; it is personal, subjective and incomparable. That's why strict adherence to law, and more importantly, the spirit of the law, is more important. I'm happy to note that most democracies in the world today have matured enough to realize this.
So it wrong to stop your car in the middle of the road to let another driver from the curb join in, especially when there could be a vehicle behind you, not expecting you to stop; it puts their life in danger. Then again, the spirit of the law is upheld when you do this to save a life, say a kid who jumped on the road.

Good actions override intent. Although I'm not sure I completely understand this, the example I contextualize this statement, is in the role of the law-enforcer or war-soldier of a country. They are at the frontline, defending the nation and upholding it's laws in order to protect life and liberty. In my eyes, their actions deserve the most respect, even more than the doctor who saves lives. However, standing at the front line, they might be unable to see the big-picture, the why. At that point in time, it is their actions that matter most, irrespective of their then understanding of the reasons, the intent. Or even their own personal intentions, as long as those actions do not exceed their scope!

Poison Ivy

It stings of poison, it tastes as much
I still know not if it is

I chew it in, I drink it up
As if ignorance be bliss

Some part of it, makes me immune
Some part of it, meets me with death

I chew it in, I drink it up
It is but gift of God

Neelakanta!

Oh Shiva, brave Neelakanta,
Did you drink the poison whole
In one gulp, or in drops bitter

Ishwara, how did you learn
To consume, yet not ingest it in
You hold it in your throat once pure

Nataraja, did the poison's effect
Make you stagger, as I now feel
A listless, no purpose, an expressionless reel

Shambo, you are the very equanimity
I now know what you really did
Consumed the poison that could others kill
And yet not drink it, for immortal bliss

This way you free those around of sin
Yet confident control about your own peace

The American Way of Life

As my client manager often puts it, if someone wants to live in a carboard box in America, he can. The concept of individual liberty is hard to digest for some nations. Coming from another democracy (India), I can understand. Not so for most countries, where they believe government intervention to "protect" the "dignity" of human life, religion, and culture. Again, coming from India, I understand them to. Since India is a multi-cultural, multi-lingual, secular democracy where all religions are given equal respect by the constitution.

In America, individuals are at liberty to have the most of life. Those who wish to be patriotic, conservative, liberal, or even lethargic, they can have it all. Those with enterprise can become as rich as they can make it happen. Those who want can binge and gamble to death. The economy is consumer-driven. It thrives on individual freedom. Supply generating demand of something different all the time.

If you want meditation, yoga, ayurveda, it's fine. And if you want allopathy, workouts, and quick-fix surgeries, most welcome! Want to drive cars even if it kills the air you breathe, feel free! And if you are those environmentally-conscious, there is a bus or train stop; maybe a mile away, but there is one!

And, most importantly, society values individual freedom. And this is the part which is slightly different in India. Legislature, execute, and judiciary all thrive at being moral police also in India. Can't blame them; the majority population want them to. But that, is a different topic.

If you go by the spirit of the American way of life, some of the most vexing questions posing society do have easy, even if not-easily-acceptable answers:

- We promise equal opportunity, not equal outcome: The way America is the greatest superpower is because it's economy is closest to the law of nature. Government interventions like higher-taxation to help the  lowest class, will be a step back. I'm not talking right or wrong here, only facts. And I'm saying maybe it is ok to not be first, if the price is the health and basic necessities of your citizens.

- Abortion: The individual has the right of giving birth.

- Gay marriage: The couples involved have the right

- Gun ownership: The individual has the right to own it.

- Monopolies and too-big-to-fail: The marketplace will take care of itself. Government should not intervene.

I'm not taking sides above. This is just an extrapolation of the natural behaviors in terms of the current way of  life. If this should change, social views of the majority must also change, enough to modify current laws!

Pumped-up and Fizz Out!

I contemplate on how the developed society works. On why people eat food from outside all the time, and home-kitchens are more for specials with guests / traditional fests. On why, inspite of being natural vegetarians, humans chug in huge chunks of meat, caffeine and sometimes even energy drinks in a day. On why popping-in supplements and pills is okay if it makes you look and feel "better". And I see why, but also ask why not?

On average we live 70years of what I can say productive lives, after which much of it is truly retired for most, where they cannot contribute. Even of these 70, most people are employed to contribute to the mainstream from the ages of 22 to around 60, say 40 years. A diet of meat and caffeine keeps us aggressive, alert and arguably, more productive, than one that lacks it. On average, if you just look at an 8hr workday, a person on such a diet is likely to contribute more. But more if work involves physical labor (laborers) or motivating people (leaders).

As we move to move higher intellect / spiritual roles, a calm environment makes the most difference. Spiked nerves or aggressive/muscular physiques are not really their need or domain, and even works against the balance needed. Most roles in society, I'd say falls in this category: Scientists, medical doctors, scholars and researchers, planners, administrators, even modern IT developers.

But if you feed a soldier on vegetables, you will most likely not get the best out of him.

But controlling diet based on your love, work and leanings, should truly be a personal choice. Although idealistic, a government or spiritual head should not coerce these. Each individual should understand the good and bad effects of his diet on the role he plays for moving society forward, and "eat" accordingly!

To Recast Recycling

Even today I saw a notice at work that prescription drugs can be dropped off at one location in town, and I sighed. Who has the time in this busy era to keep segrgating garbage at home, and then drive down to this location  just to drop off drugs. If recycling has to really work, then incentives are a must.

And for recycling has to scale up, then we need government / private enterprise to segregate garbage for optimum recycling / safe disposal as applicable. The model used in India, albeit incomplete, is in the right direction. There we see garbage collectors sorting through trash and picking out plastic and other recyclable items. They hand it over to collection centers to earn their living.
This model is also accepted in the US although the incentive is yet not good enough by US standards.

A time has to come where, anywhere in the world, a business enterprise is made with sorting and segregating trash, ensuring recycling of all that can be, and safe disposal of that which cannot. Mere individual effort, though laudable, will not make the cut, pun intended.

Free-Market or Regulation?

A topic that constantly churns in mind is what is better, the free-market of economic policy or balanced regulation. With the passing away of former British PM Margaret Thatcher, attributed as the "savior" of the British economy by championing free-market and supply-side economics, this debate again springs to mind.

There is now enough empirical data that no economy can blossom without a dose of free-market principles that encourage competition. The rainbow of innovation is only possible upon the promise of the pot of gold at the end of it. Bluntly put, socialist and communist policies do not have even the carrot-at-the-end-of-the-stick incentive.

But outright capitalism is also like swinging the pendulum to the other extreme. The biggest danger is business monopolies and behemoths influencing and lobbying government to adopt policies that benefit a select few and is against public good. In the 2008 financial crisis we also saw how market greed created a glut that caused a global recession.

A balance is a must. "Optimum" taxation is required so that the poorest, thus so for whatever reason, do not die hungry or are denied emergency medical treatment. But beyond that, tax code must be kept gracious, such that most exemptions prove needless. Retirement should not be a given. So pension/social security, etc schemes should be curtailed. But when a person retires his medical and food expense should at least be supported. The rest, have to be through provident fund/ 401k savings. Apart from basic services like education, defence, environment and administration, transparent free enterprise, indeed, would be the best course forward!

The question of Euthanasia

The freedom to live must come with that to die. A person, who after due deliberation and after considering all parameters of impact to self and others chooses to die, he must be allowed to. Not less the study done on near-death experience that death by natural causes is a beautiful experience, and that through unnatural causes including suicide is indeed, painful.

Euthanasia though comes down to weighing options. Beautifully analogized in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film Guzaarish, a person disabled and helpless might feel as suffocated as one shut immobilized in a closed container. Who are those  to judge, who haven't experienced it.

We can make such a person aware of how much he is loved, and would be missed, by family and friends. He can be made to realize how still, he can contribute to society and make life more wholesome. He can be shown examples of others worse off, who have made the most of it, become role models and immortalized their memory and name. If even after that the person chooses death over the suffering each minute, and we know that it is not a hasty decision, then we must facilitate it. Obviously , if he wants to wear a suicide vest to damage other life and property, it cannot be allowed. He cannot be allowed to physically impact the lives of others around.

Civil society does exert it's power of killing anti-social elements who choose to harm others even at the cost of their own lives. This we do in defense of live and to maintain order. We even choose to put to death such elements who have been captured, which I do not agree with.

If we choose the guiding principle followed in permitting Euthanasia, put such guilty elements to life-sentence in solitary confinement with no exposure to natural elements, and with minimum food and water to survive at worst. If they want to be executed that bear this, so be it.

In summary, death for self should be allowed, and be permitted upon the individual's choice after empathizing with his options.

Verse of the Day

I am neither that, nor this
If I knew what I am, there is no reason to exist
A million stars twinkle all night
Not one with Purpose, nor one with None

Hinduism: Original Thoughts..

As Shivaratri passed by and I sat listening to Shiva-stuti songs and meditating upon him, I realized how deeply mature Hinduism as a religious order was. There is no concept of conversion to Hinduism, for the simple reason that it does not matter. You may follow it if you wish, or any other religion (or not), if you will. The path to salvation are many. And this is the reason why Hinduism kept reiterating that it really was just a way of life. A way of life that any other religion can equally well teach you. A way of life to lead a satisfactory, happy life. A way of life, above all, to fulfill your role and move closer to salvation.

In its earliest Vedic knowledge, Hinduism stressed that understanding our creator is complex. It won't be easy to accept that we are, in the end, our own creator. That just a set of rules keeps running this endless cycle. The law of Karma. Hinduism learnt that the ordinary person needs someone to look up to; a guide, a role model. And thus came the concept of the God-symbols.

With the prominence it gave to constant inquiry (if unto itself), Hinduism had advanced in ancient times, in every form of knowledge. Sad but true that the political powers that be, over centuries, did not cultivate or protect it. Worse still, they twisted its learnings to their own benefit by doctrines like the caste-system-by-birth. Hinduism originally espoused that a Brahman (religious priest/spiritual head) is one who understands Brahma. It need not necessarily be a Brahman's son. That is, your inclinations (determined most by your Karmas, of this birth and past) should lead you to efforts and make you what you become. For obvious reasons, the higher powers twisted these original thoughts to their own benefit...and Hinduism has been misunderstood since..

Slowly over time, pushed into defense by repeated manipulations, Hinduism titled itself as a religion, in the name of retaining identity and ensure survival. If the very concept of religion were not introduced, the world today might have been one..