Vamsi’s Tabloid

How often we have heard lives of “Gurus” being discussed and various interpretations being made out of those, by people of various religions. You name any religion, and you find “gurus” in that religion, and the incidents happenning in his/her life are learnt, analysed, discussed, and interpreted in very many ways.

Now, how do you know what “interpretation” would be the “Correct Interpretation” as far as one applies them in real life day-to-day incidents ?

Women in Hinduism and Islam

Take for example, the religion of Islam. Its said that the first disciples of Prophet Mohammed were women ! … and the Hadith states that women are considered inferior when compared to men, and Islam says that TWOwomen are equal to One man ! … does this mean that you “disrespect women” ?

If a women who avenges some physical assaults against her by a man, throws acid on “One” eye of that man … do “interpret hadith” saying that since women are inferior to men, this particular women’s “both” eyes should be blinded ? … The Bhagawat Gita also says that Women generally are inferior to men.

I would say, perpetrating such acts against women are a henious crime ! … whether its Islam or Hinduism. Its a simple thing, how can a society prosper when its women are suffering ?

So, what is this statement that “women are inferior to men” in religious texts mean ? … it means that women are generally “weak”, both physically and mentally … and men are twice stronger than them ! … hence women should be treated and cared for properly !

I certainly would respect all the religions, on a simple logic … how can the teachings of a prophet or a guru be false ? … the onus of interpreting them in the “right way” lies on the learner of these teachings !

And what crieteria should one adopt while interpretting “religious teachings” ? … They are, betterment of society, no one is in either mental or physical pain unnecessarily, everybody is happy and leading prosperous lives ! … for the purpose of religion is itself for the better of society !

Life of Sati and the Shakti Peeths

There are many incidents in the lives of gurus that actually have a bearing on the future generations or future “yugas” as called in Hinduism.

Take the example of the Story of Sati. She gave up her life by jumping in the sacrificial fire, when her husband Shiva was humiliated in front of her … and as the story goes, Vishnu cut her body in different parts … and those parts fell on the Indian Sub-continent … and the places where those parts fell are considered as “Shakti Peeths” by the Hindus.

Now, the question arises as to why would you believe in this story ? … how do you that actually it was sati’s body parts that fell on these areas ?

I would say, yes i believe … its because this is the “belief” of Hindus across various languages/cultures in the vast country that is India … certainly people who “believe” in these 108 shakti peeths are no fools … if they were, certainly there would be some “discrepancies” as to the proper places where those body parts fell ! … there is no such discrepancy at all !

And even if i believe in this story … and since this story of Sati was the sole reason for the inhuman practice of Sati against women in India some centuries back … why should i consider “religious teachings” to be a Guiding Principle for one to follow … if a women follows Sati Devi by immolating herself by sitting in her husbands pyre, which is inhuman, then were is the need for religious teachings ?

I would say, the incidents happenning in a gurus life are beyond our comprehension ! … and its said that one should not follow in “everything” a “guru” does, because the ways of a guru are mysterious !

And what crieteria should one adopt while interpretting “religious teachings” ? … betterment of society, no one is in either mental or physical pain unnecessarily … everybody is happy and leading prosperous lives ! … for the purpose of religion is itself for the better of society !

In this Story of Sati … the immediate reason i can comprehend from the Vishnu’s cutting of Sati’s body … is that to make the people of the world know that the places where these “Shakti Peeths” are present, are the “boundaries” of the “Hindu Land” … and this is the “Spiritual Boundary of Hindu Faith” … the “Core of Hindu Rashtra”.

Shakti Peethas

May be the lord knew that the Hindus might face difficulties in Kalyug, and hence this story clearly specifies, that he has given a “hint” to the Hindus that “Fear Not, this land is Hindu Land” !

Maybe one can find many other “interpretations” … but i can think only this !

How can the women be forced to sit on their husbands pyre … dont people know that either a man or women is just a “Soul” as per Bhagawad Gita … and their miseries/sufferings are as per their Karma … and unless the “unfortunate widows” live and clear of their “Bad Karma” … they will not have better futur e in the journey of the sould that they are ! … so where is the “necessity” for this practice of Sati in India ?

Good that this Practice of Sati was abolished … never imitate a guru in “everything” … in this case “Sati Devi” is a guru … and imitating her in this act of immolating is a “crime”.

It does not mean that, since Sati Devi didnt like eating fruits, you should stop eating fruits ! … use your common sense !

Religion or Economy … which to choose ?

I have this wonderful blogpost of Satbirji in which he asks as to which one we should give importance to, Religion or Economy … the background subject is the Ram Sethu project controversy in Tamil Nadu, India.

Well, this certainly is an interesting controversy. Its interesting because we have Hindus who say that Ram Sethu was built by Lord Rama … and we have Non-believers like Karunanidhi of DMK party in Tamil Nadu who says … who is Lord Rama ? … was he an engineer to construct a bridge ? … which college he studied from ?

Well, in the days of Lord Rama, there were no Colleges ! … there were only Gurukuls ! … to satisfy the curiosity of our TM CM.

Then we have some enviornmental agencies who say that building a canal across Palk Strait would be disastrous for the enviournment. Some say, that this is the barrier that actually protects the state of Kerala from the risk of Tsunami.

Firstly, i must state that I am for both religion as well as economy !

Having said that, i would see if any aspects of religion have a bearing on the economic decision that i take !

Lord Rama and Vanaras building Ram Sethu

In this case, surely Scientific Studies have proved that there is a Sethu in the area. And the Hindu Scriptures across various languages also state that Lord Rama with the aid of “Vanaras” had built this sethu.

I would certainly “Believe” that this sethu was built by Lord Rama ! … considering the evidences above !

Now, coming to benefits of having this sethu, maybe the Lord knew that there would be Tsunami … and one reason to build this barrier was to protect the people from Tsunami, other than rescuing Sita from Ravana ! … who knows, for the ways of the lord are always mysterious !

Moreover, there will be serious environmental impact if canal is dredged across the sethu, as confirmed the scientists.

I would say, just for the sake of few more ruppees, why should one undertake a project, the consequences of which cannot be comprehended ?

Now coming to these rantings of non-believers like Karunanidhi, talking and rediculing GOD … history has shown repeatedly that such people are always humbled by the almighty GOD … maybe Karunanidhi is very much eager to get humbled by the lord !

Vamsi.