Hinduism Today, May, 1997

Published on June 2016 | Categories: Types, Magazines/Newspapers | Downloads: 66 | Comments: 0 | Views: 1280
of x
Download PDF   Embed   Report

Hinduism Today, May, 1997

Comments

Content


111$2.95

Affirming Sanatana Dharma and Recording the Modern History of a Billion-Strong Global Religion in Renaissance
MITA (P) No: 245/04196
PPS 120114196

Canada .... . .. C$3.95
Europe .. . . .. US$3.50
India ........ . Rs.50
Malaysia . . ( . . . . . RMS
Mauritius . ..... . Rs.30
Nepal . . . . . . . Rs.BO
Singapore .... . . . . S$4
South Africa . US$2.95
Sri Lanka .. . . Rs.BO
HINDUISM To,,",y was founded January 5, 1979. by Salguru Sillllya Subramuniyaswami
to strengtben all Hlndu lineages. Published by Himalayan Academy, 107 Kaholalele
Road. Kapaa, Hawaii 96746·9304 USA. Editorial Office Ph: 1·808-822-7032. Sub-
scriptions: 1·808-822-3J52 or 1-8OQ.89().1008. Advertising: 1·808-823-9620 or 1·80().
850-1008. All·department falC 1·808-822-4351. USA subseripUons: "S35Il year, 86512
years, 89513 years, $5OOIlifetime. Foreign rates on request. Q 1997 Himalayan Acade-
my. All rights reserved. JSSN# 0896-080L
CORRESPONDENTS: Gown Shankar &: Anandhi Ramachandran, Ohenna!; Chnodarnanl
Shilllll'8m. Bangalore; Rajiv Malik &: M. P. Mohanty. Deihl: V. S. Copalakrishnan, Ker·
ala: S. C. Debnath, Bangladesh: Arcbana Dongre, Los Angeles: Lavina Melwani , New
York; P. Bhardwaj, Kenya: Dr. Hari Bansh rha, Nepal: P. Ramoutar, Trinidad: Vetcha
Rajesh, London: Ravi Feruman, San Francisco: Dr. D. Tandalllln, Ohicago: V:C. Julie
Rajan. Philadelphia: Radhika Srinillllsan, New Jersey: Sbikha Malaviya, Minnesota.
Web Masters: Dew Seyon: Sadhunathan Nadesan. Scann1ng: Vikram Patel, New York.
COVER: An elderly Orissqn woman still works in the fields to feed
family, including a great-granddaughter. She's lucky. Many seniors in
shunted aside, forced into impersonal old-age homes and forgotten. Seelr):)ag,es
·MAY, 1997
INTERNATIONAL
Human Rights: Can Canes Correct Kids? 17
Cover Story: Old Questions:
Aging Matters in Modern India 22
Math-a-Magician: Manjul Bhargava
Chalks Up the Morgan Prize 28
Economics: Dr. S.K. Bajaj Unearths the
Truth about Indian Agricult ure 34
Religion and State: India's High Court
Mandates Temple Management 49
Honored: 199i s Temyleton Prize,
... US$l27 MiL, Goes to Shastri .4thavale 52
"LIFESTYLE
Cliillienge: Tragedy Reveals Artist's Gift 27
Astrology: When Mars Meets Saturn 27
Insight: Sacred Pilgrimage 30
Business: America Likes Mantras 40
• Music: Professorial Percussionist 47
Children: Toddlers' Tailored Toys 48
OPINION
Publisher's Desk: Exploring the Difference
Between Good Money and Bad 6
Editorial: The Kwest for Komedy 8
My Turn: Our Venerable Elders 10
Letters 14
Healing: Growing 44
Minis,ter's Message: Vegetarian Dharma 50
DIGESTS
Quotes & Quips
Diaspora
Briefly
9 Evolutions 44
11 Digital Dharma 54
20
http://www.HlndulsmToday.kaual.hl.us
1tt7 EdIter'1 Cbolce
webllta award
I
participate learn explore
Make a Donation to
Hinduism Today
Hinduism Today
Home Page
A Daily Chronicle of
Kauai’s Hindu Monastery
Subscribe to the Print
Edition of Hinduism Today
Hinduism Today
Archives Online
Amazing Publications,
Viewable Online
Submit an Article to
Hinduism Today
Read the Story of
Hinduism Today
Shop at the Himalayan
Academy Online Store
Send Comments
To the Editor
(e-mail)
Subscribe to Hindu
Press International, a
Daily News Summary
An Audio Library
Of Inspired Talks
I
am pleased to welcome you to the free digital edition of Hinduism
Today magazine. It is the fulfllment of a vision held by my Satguru
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, founder of Hinduism Today, to bring the
magazine’s profound Hindu teachings to the widest possible audience.
The text of each issue has long been available on the Web, right back
to 1979, but without the photographs and art. Now you have here the
entire contents of the printed edition, with all photos and art. Plus, it
is interactive—every link is live; click and you go to a web page. You
can participate in the magazine in a number of ways, accessed through
buttons on the right. And you can help support this free edition in two
ways: make an online contribution (even a small one); patronize our
specialized advertisers. Explore the resources here, enjoy our latest
edition and e-mail us if you are inspired.
PUBLISHER'S DESK
Good Money,
Bad Money

Bad money can never do good deeds.
Nor can good money used wrongly reap right results.
BY SATGURU SIVAYA SUBRAMUNIYASWAMI
Y SATGURU, THE VENERABLE
Sage Yogaswami, discriminat-
ed between good money and
bad money and taught us all
this lesson. Money coming
from dharmas honest labor was pre-
cious to him to receive, and he used it
wisely in promoting the mission of the
mission of his lineage. Money coming
from adharmic attainments was dis-
tasteful to him. He warned that such
gifts would, when spent, bring the
demons from the Narakaioka into the
sanctum sanctorum of our shrines to
create havoc in the minds of devotees. This has been the unsought-
for reward for receiving bad money-funds gained through ill-got-
ten means-for 'many ashrams this century. One day a rich mer-
chant came to Yogaswami's hut with a big silver tray piled with
gold coins and other wealth. Yogaswami, knowing the man made
his money in wrongful ways, kicked the tray on the ground and
sent the man away.
Yes, there is such a thing as good and bad money, because, after
all, money is energy. Why is money energy? Money gives energy.
Money is power. Money is a form o£prana captured in paper, in
silver and most importantly in gold. Actually, gold is real money,
the basis of all paper money, coinage, checks and bank drafts. All
the money in the world fluctuates in value according to the price
of gold, as far as I know: And, mystically, if you have gold in YOl,lf
home or your corporation-I mean real gold-your real wealth will
increase according to the quantity of gold you have.
Good money is righteous money, funds derived from a righteous
source, earned by helping people, not hurting people, serving peo-
ple, not cheating them, making people happy, fulfilling their needs.
This is righteous money. money does good things. When
spent or invested, it yields right results that are long lasting and
will always give fruit and many to grow with its interest and
dividends from the capital gains.
On the contrary, bad money does bad things-money earned
through selling arms, drugs, taking bribes, manipulating divorce,
performing abortions, gambling, fraud, theft-money gained
through a hundred dark and devious ways. Bad money issues from
a Dad intent which precedes a wrongdoing for gain or profit. That
is bad money. When spent or invested, it can be expected to bring
unexpected negative consequences. Good money is suitable for
building temples and other institutions that do good for
Bad money is sometimes gifted to build temples or other social
6 HINDUISM TODAY. MA¥ , 1997
institutions, but often only to ease the
conscience of the person who commit-
ted sins to gain the money. Nothing
good will come of it. The institution will
faiL The temple will be a museum, its
darshan nil; its ghakti, though expected
to be present, will be nonexistent. Bad
money provokes bad acts which are long
lasting, and it sours good acts within a
short span of time within the lives of
the people who receive it.
In 1991 I composed an aphorism to
guide those who have sought my opinion
on this matter. It says, ''All seekers of
truth know bad money can never do
good deeds and refuse soiled funds from
any source. Nor can good money us.ed
wrongly reap right results. Ill-gotten
money is never well-spent, but has a
curse upon it. Aum."
Some postulate that using bad money
for good purposes purifies it. That is a
very unknowledgable and improper con-
cept, prana, which is money,
cannot be transformed so frivolously.
Many among this group of misguided or
naive individuals have lived to witness
their own destruction through the use
of tainted wealth. Also, 'we come into
the illegality of laundering money. Mon-
ey cannot be laundered by religious in-
stitutions. Money cannot be legally laun-
dered by banks. Money cannot be
laundered by individuals. FUrther, we
kno"! that those who give ill-gotten
bounty mQney to a religious institution
will subtly but aggressively seek to infil-
trate, dilute and eventually control the
entire facility, including the swami, his monastic staff, members
and students. If bad money is accepted, it will bring an avalanche
of adharma leading to the dissolution of the fellowships that have
succumbed, after which a new cycle would have to begin, of build-
ing back their fundamental. policies to dharma once again.
My own satguru set a noble example of living simply, only
overnighting in the homes of disciples who live up to their vows
and only accepting good money. He knew that accepting bad
money brings in the asuras and binds the receiver, the ashram or
institution to the external world In a web of obligations. How does
one know if he has received bad money? When feelings of psycho-
logicai obligation to the giver arise. T his feeling does not arise after
good money is given freely for God's work. Bad money is given
with strings and guilt attached.
Our message to religious institutions, ashrams and colleges is:
don't take bad money. Look for good, or white, money-known in
Gun money: A man sells weapons of destruction to a mercenary
(above), then offers it to the head of an ashram in a misguided at-
tempt to purify it and ease his conscience. The sainVis not fooled.
...................... " ................ 4 ................................ ...................... ..................... u ......... .
Sanskrit as shukladana. Reject bad, or black, money-called krish-
nadana. If you don't know where the money came from, then tact-
fully find out in some way. How does the donor earn his living?
Did the money come from performing abortions, gambling, ac-
cepting bribes, adharmic practices of law or shady business deal-
ings? Is it being given to ease the conscience?
Even today's election candidates examine the source of dona-
tions exceeding $10,000 or more-investigating into how the per-
son lives aI'\d how the money was gotten-then either receive the
gift wholeheartedly or turn it back. When the source is secret, the
source of gain is suspect. When the source is freely divulged,.: it is
freed from such apprehension. In the Devaloka, here are devas,
angels, who monitor carefully, 24-hours a day, the sources of gain
leading to wealth, because the pranic bonds are heavy for the
wrongdoer and his accomplices.
Imagine, for instance, an arms seller who buys his merchandise
surreptitiously and then sells it secretly or in a store-shotguns and
pistols, machine guns, grenades and missles-instruments of tor-
ture and death. Money from this enterprise invested in a religious
institution or educational institution or anything that is doing good
for people will eventually turn that institution sour, just like
putting vinegar into milk.
The spiritual leader's duty is to turn his or Her back to such a
panderer of bad money and show him the door, just as an honest
politician would turn back election donations coming from a sub-
versive source, gained by hurtful practices, lest he suffer the cen-
sure of his constituancy at a later time, which he hopes to avoid to
hold his office. A politician has to protect his reputation. The spiri-
tualleader will intuitively refuse bad money. He doesn't need
money. When money comes, he does things. If it doesn't come, he
also does things but in a different way.
In Reno, Nevada, for many years the. gambling casinos gave col-
lege scholarships to students at high schools. Then there came a
time of conscience among educators when they could no longer
accept these scholarships earned from the sin of to send
children forward into higher studies. They did not feel in their
heart, mind and soul that it was right. Drawing from their exam-
ple, we extend the boundaries of religion to education and to the
human consc'ience of right conduct on this Earth.
Humans haven't changed that much. Over 2,000 years ag9, Saint
Tiruvalluvar wrote in his Holy Kural, perhaps the world's greatest
ethical scripture, sworn·on in Indian courts of law in Tamil Nadu:
The worst poverty of worthy men is more worthwhile
than the v.;ildest wealth amassed in wlcked ways (657).
What is gained by tears will go by tears. Though it begins
with loss, in the end goodness gives many good things (659).
Protecting the country by wrongly garnered wealth
is like pre; erving water in an pot of clay (660).
Riches acquired by mindful means, in a manner that harms
no one, will bring both piety and pleasure (verse 754).
Wealth acquired without compassion and love
is to be eschewed, not embraced (verse 755).
A fortune amassed by fraud may appear to prosper
but all too soon perish altogether (verse 283).
'Finding delight in defrauding others yields the fruit
of undying suffering when those delights ripen (verse 284).
MAY, 1997 H I NDU ISM TODAY ?
I

EDITORIAL
So Funny
About Hinduism?
trickery and satire. In folktales, there is, of
course, the magical Panchatantra, one of
the world's greatest colle"ctions of fables,
filled with repartee, jest and jocularity-all
in the name of learning about life. As the
true story of the Panchatantra goes, a
Kashmiri king who lived over 2,000 years
ago had three bl6ckhead sons. He found
they learned best through illustrations, and
gathered master storytellers to weave para-
In our kosmic kwest for komedy, we stu1Jlble
on ancient and farce-seeing Indian texts
bles about friendship, money, bad conduct
and such. Children love these, and if read-
ers have never encountered them, you
should. One of the finest translations from
the Sanskrit is by Arthur Ryder in' an edi-
tion by the University of Chicago Press.
BY THE EDITOR
H, RELIGION, THAT SOBER, SOMBER, SOMNIFEROUS
science, so soulful and oh-so-solemn. Perhaps. But only one
whose funny bone has been surgically removed would re-
main unaware of the rich, even zany, Hindu comic tradi-
tion (believe me, writing a humorous editorial for Islam
Today or Shintoism Today would pose greater challenges). That it
is widely ignored may be due to the fact that India's cultural and
philosophical gifts are often approached with reverence, even awe.
So the playful parodies perish, whacky wisdom is waived and
mirthful merriment maligned. This is a loss for us alL In his Anato-
my of Satire, Gilbert Highet noted, "If you want to understand any
age, you ought to read not-only its heroic and philosophical books,
but its comic and satirical books." In Indian aesthetics, comedy is
called hasya-rasa (from hasa, laughter) and is one of nine "tastes,"
of which some others are heroism, fear, tranquility and love.
As with most things plebeian and profound, Indian humor has
established a beachhead on the World Wide Web. An Alta Vista
search returned 6,000 pages (and that's just the English). Most of it
is laughably disappointing. Among the best we found:
http://www.webhead.comlwwwvVindiaiindia208.html;
http://w2.meer.netiusers/genius/indolinklHumoriindex.html;
http://members.aoLcomiindialinksihumor.htm; and
http://ugweb.cs.ualbhta.cal-srinivaslindialhumor/
Humor is rampant in Hindu literature, both sacred and secular.
The Rig-Veda rishis jested about the ordinary human state of
mind, full of imaginings and opportunism: "Our thoughts wp.nder
in all-directions and many are the ways of men: the cartwright
hopes for accidents, the physician for the cripple, the priest for a
rich patron and the frog for a pond to plunge into. For the sake of
Spirit, 0 Mind, let go of these wandering thQ.ughts" X. 112.1. In the
same Veda (X.l21) there are clever metaphysical puns in the
Hymn to Who that presage Abbot and Costello's "Who's on first?"
Where else is there laughter in Heaven, bantering among the
Gods? In most faiths, there's rqrely a smile in the
sacred texts, and heaven and its deni!Zens are sel-
dom viewed as having a lightheart-
ed side. Yet laughter is so won-
derfully human, so natural and
somehow necessary for a full
and healthy life, whether hen';
or hereafter. It seems destined
that the Divine would have immense
capacity for the joy and fun He built
into His creation.
The Puranas are filled with bawdy (sometimes salacious) jests
and amusing deceits. The Mahabharata excels in its master-t of
8 HINDUISM TODAY.
The stories of Birbal are rich. Raja Birbal
(1528-1583) was an impoverished but wit-
ty brahmin writer who became one of
Emperor Akbar's favorites. The tension between Hindus and Mus-
lims in Akbar's court was real in those days, and Birbal had an un-
canny ability to leaven it with levity. Their comic battle was waged
at the expense of his Muslim brothers, though sometimes Akbar
himself was the target. One day Akbar lamented to Birbal, '1\s em-
peror, I am allowed to meet only wise and learned men. Show me
the ten greatest fools in the kingdom." Birbal brought him a collec-
tion of morons, figures typical of the fool in Indian literature: the
first man, riding a horse, carried a bundle of firewood on his head,
reasoning that the burden would be too heavy for the horse if he
placed it on the saddle; another was found looking at night for a
ring he had lost, searching not where he dropped it in the dark un-
der a tree, but in a nearby clearing where the light was better. Bir-
bal brought eight such simpletons to the king who soon reminded
him that he had asked for ten. "There are ten," the trickster
laughed, "including you and me-the two biggest fools of all-you
for giving me such a ludicrous order, and me for obeying it! "
Of Indian humor, Lee Siegel, who spent five years studying it,
says, '1\t the core of hi.dian comedy there is an irony, a revelation of
the humanness of the Gods and the divinity of human beings. The
human comedy has two heroes-the fool and the trickster. The di-
vine comedy recapitulates the human. The and fool find
their wholeness embedded in consciousness as the laughing child,
and that child is deified as Krishna. As that God has been ex-
amined for the ways in which He reveals the seriousness of humor
and its capacity to affirm life, so Siva has been invoked to indicate
the humor of seriousness-the ludicrousness of all human endeav-
ors in the face of death." Both Krishna and Siva sanctify humor,
but in different ways. Krishna giggles and teases, Siva roars with the
ascetic's scoff Either way, their laughter links Heaven and Earth.
This not -so-serious side. of Hinduism is evident in saints and
sages. Some consider wittiness a warrant of egolessness and spiri- .
tual attainment, for the greatest souls are often jovial, and many go
for the jocular vein. Ramakrishna was notoriously playful, as was
MlJktananda in recent times. Ma'ny outstanding swamis today
are (arce-seeing humorists, tickling us with words until we
weep with laughter, droIling all over ourselves. Then they
smile that know-it-all grin that tells the world
they know something it doesn't. Why not?
They are liberated, done with sorrow.
'You'd be happy, too! Laughter can be an
embrace with Loving Existence, a self-
transcendent sharing of the essence of
things, of Brahman's inmost heart, our in-
nermost Self Humor is like God. You can't
explain it. Either you get it or you don't.
/

U'
/
"What you have is His gift to you, and what you
do with you have is your gift to Hif)1."
"Today is the golden present. Today we are
OK. So enjoy it. Do what good we can.
Tomorrow will happen only then, not to-
day. ¥y guru, Swami Sivananda, used to
say, ' D.I.N. , D.I.N.' DO IT NOW, DO IT
NOW." Swami Satchidananda speaking to
the HINDUISM TODAY staff during his Jan-
uanJ visit to our Hawaii ashram
/
''I've i:tlways been a supporter of mind over
matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
,
Swami Chlnmayananda (1916-1993)
A 'devotee heard his guru say, "God is in
everything and everyone." As he walked
away pondering this wisdom, an enraged
elephant appeared on the road ahead.
"Run!, Run!" shouted the mahout. The man
thought to himself, "I am God and the ele-
phant is also God, why should I be afraid?"
The charging elephant knooked the man in
the ditch. Bruised and upset, the man set
off to see his guru to complain. After hear-
ing the story, the guru said, "You are right
that both you and the elephant are God. /
But why did you not listen to the mahout,
who is also God, and get out of the way?"
A small income is no cause for failure, pro-
vided expenditures do not exceed it.
Tirukural Verse 478
"I slow, [brother] , but I still ahead of
you!" A Pidgin English bumper-sticker
spotted on a rusty old pick-up truck. It
reflects the casual way of living which still
exists on the Hawaiian Islands
Seeker: "Guruji, what is the difference be-
tween the Vedic and Agamic teachings?"
I
Sage: "In the Vedas man becomes GocJ...:in
the Agamas it's the other way around."
"If an evil person falls in the well, what
should be done? Pull him up. Do not think
that the bad will always be bad, lead them
to the right road." From the Nitya Sut;ras of
Nltyananda of Ganeshpur i who attained
mahasamadhi in 1961
DID YOU KNOW?
Word Power!
ANSKRIT (MEANING "CULTURED,"
"purified" or "refined") is one of
the oldest languages in the world.
The vastness, versatility and power of
expression of Sanskrit can be appreci-
ated by the fact that it has 24 words to
describe rainfall, 65 for earth and 67
for water. The
language, written in the Devanagiri
script, has been undergoing a revjval.
Ten years ago Forbes magazine wrote,
"Sanskrit is the most convenient lan-
guage for computer software."
OR CONTEMPLATE OUR
DESTIN'(
AND BEST OF ALL ..
MAY , 1997 HINDUISM TODAY 9
/
/

I. L ' .
Loving Ganesa, at once simple,
deep and practical. teaches ever so
many ways that Ganesas grace
can be attained by sincere devo-
tion, song, prayer and meditation
to bring greater harmony.
contentment and spirituality into
ones daily life. An BOO-page illus-
trated resource by Satguru
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. $ 1 9.95
plus shipping (US $2,
Foreign $4). Also in bookstores.
1-800-890-1008
1-808-822-3152
http;!/www.HinduismToday.
kauai.hi.us/ashram
LOVING
GANESA
HIMAlAYAN ACADEMY PUBUCATIONS
I 07 KAHOLAlELE ROAD
KAPAA. HI 96746-9304 USA
BOOKS YOU CAN TAKE. SERIOUSLY

MY T'URN
, /
Elders: Our Blessing
Not Our Burden
Hindu traditions that honor elders are
diminishing due to nuclear families
BY, P R A B HAP R A B H A 1<: ARB H A R D W A J
a J"''''L1 TWO DECADES AGO
left India to live and work
Af;ica. On my
return, I noticed
certain changes on the shopping
scene. I was looking for New
X\ ar greeting cards and, to my
shock, discovered every card I
liked was produced by HelpAge
India to raise funds for the less
fortunate elderly. No other well-
known charities were represented. Why is
the most popular charity in India Help-
AgeJi In India, a country predominated by
Hindus elders-especially parents-have
had a place of honor through thou-
sands of years of tradition. The wh'ole
household revolves around the wishes, even
the whims and fancies, of seniors. Why do
these aged suddenly need help? These
questions are mind-boggling. The popular
belief is that Westernization, urbanization
and the breaking up of the joint family is
responsible for this situation. Hindu elders
are regarded as a burden on societYzin-
stead of holqing the traditional position of
receiving respect and giving guidance. In .
my childhood, I, started my day by seeking
blessings from my grandparents. That
lifestyle was the norm then, but such ex-
tended families are rare in India today.
I have often pbserved that when a com-
munity moves to a new country they tend
to preserve their culture and religion by
putting them in a deep This is an
effort made to maintain their idel1tity. They
do not permit their cultural values to be
diluted or eroded. ·Ih Africa, I have never
come across an Iridian or Hindu home for
the aged. Hindu people occupy the seat
of power and respect in their own house-
holds. It is very difficult for me to accept
such a difference between a transplanted
Hindu society on another continent and
the origin3.l society.in the motherland.
Equally sh0cking is the need for the en-
actment of Himachal Pradeshs
law [see page 25]. Ins a great
i,nsult to all Hindus. Neglect of
parents is usually attributed to
urbanization. However,
Himachal Pradesh does not
have any major city. It is hilly
and backward by more than
one criteria, so these reasons
become irrelevant.
I believe Hinduism is not
only a religion but a way of life based upon
age-old religious customs, social traditions
and family ties and values. Does this bill
reflect the loss of all that? In my opinion
this is the biggest cultural loss, greater than
any bio-divt'lrsity loss of any species on this
Earth.
I have been able to analyze the situation
and have arrived at a c:jifferent perspective.
The need for homes for the elderly has
arisen from the current t(8nd for small
families. Culturally, parents are not able to
accept any help from daughters, especially
married daughters. So, elderly no sons
end up in the care homes. Secondly, the
middle class predominates in Indian soci-
ety. Both parents work away from the
Ihome. There are no longer daughters-in-law
available to take care waged parents. I
Tpirdly, improvement in medical treatment
has increased the average life span.
citizens (above 65) who have living I1arents
do not have the capacity to look after their
aged paren1:s even if they have the desire.
Lastly, but most importantly, it is the ques-
tiQn of parental attitude. Young parents
work very hard to raise and educate their /
children. But they never explain to their
children what they as parents will need.
Children grow up into adults knowing their
rights but not their moral responsibilities.
MRS. BHARDWAJ and her husband, retired
army officer Col. Bhardwaj, are former res-
idents of Kenya now living in India.
------------ -- --- ---;----
Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, left, opens Gandhi institute
TRINIDADIINDIA
Hindu Leader's Indian Roots
TI
INIDAD'S PRIME MINISTER, BASDEO PAN DAY, BECAME
one of only four Hindu heads of state in the world after
his election last year. His grandparents came as inden-
tured laborers to work on British-owned sugar plantations in
Trinidad in 1908. His first-ever visit to India in January was a
joyous, emotional time as the proud motherland greeted her son
of distinction from the other side of the world. Panday and his
wife Uma shed tears on arrival at Azamgarh, his grandmother's
farming village a few miles north of Banaras in Uttar Pradesh.
Thousands lined the 20-km route from his hotel to the Banaras
Hindu University (Asia's largest, with 20,000 students and a fa-
vorite school among Trinidad students) to see the 64-year-old
lawyer, trade unionist and cane-cutter's son who made it to the
top. In his address to the students he spoke of his Gandhian-like
struggles in the trade union movement when he was tear-gassed
and jailed, and his committment to harmony in Trinidad.
C H A 1\1 T Y / <? U LT U R E
Light Work
jarat) but also .included As-
samese, Rajasthani and Bengalj
numbers. The highlight was
the "Deep Nritya" where 16
H
INDU ANATH A'SHRAM stu- girls, each 12 lamps and
dents (orphans) from Nadi- one on their heads, turned the
ad, Gujarat, gave a superb folk 208 lights into various arrange-
dance performance in Florida ments such as the trishul (tri-
recen.tly to close the Asian dent1 and swastika (symbol of
American Hotel Owners Asso-
ciatioN convention. The 29- The Hindu Anath Ashram,
member troup included singers, founded in 1908, has received
musicians and dancers. The au- the patronage of great men like
dience was so enthralled that I Mahatma Gandhi and Vallabhai
$32,000 in donatioI\s was spon- Patel. The institution has raised
taneous raised for the orphan- over 250 girls and successfully
age. The India Tribune, report- arranged their marriages. To-
ing on the convention, said ' day there are 50 boys and 110
most of the dances were in the girls being brought up at the
Raas and Garba style (of Gu- Ashram.
CLOC ... ·WISE FROM TOP: HINDUISM TODAY, COREL, SHELTON HETTlARACHI, COREL
SRI LANKA
. Gayatri Gets
A Face Lift
D
ESPITE WAR IN SRI LANKA,
Hindu that are
not under siege continue to
thrive as seen in the recent sec-
ond Maha KiImbhabhishekam
of the Lankatheesvarar Gayatri
Temple in Nuwara Eliya, s6uth-
ern Sri Lanka. The consecration
ceremonies installed a Gayatri
Goddess Deity made in India of
nine spiritual elements in a new
temple to replace the old one.
Devotees from allover the
world joined founder and spiri-
tual guide, Swami Murugesu,
who propounds the power of
chanting the ancient Vedic
prayer called Gayatri mantra.
Murugesu (right) installs Deity
President switches to
THE WHITE HOUSE
Did Yale Yoga
U
.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT
in January notes that Presi-
dent Clinton stopped painful
jogging and switched to a new
workout that includes stretch-
ing, push-ups and occasional
weightlifting each morning. Re-
marking that maintaining flexi-
bility is the key to good health
as one ages, he says, "I feel a lot
better. It my energy level
up." It appears a number of
Oval Office advisers have taken
up yoga. When asked if he
would follow suit, Clinton said
that his wife Hilary once took
him to a yoga class while they
were at Yale Law School. But
he has no imIl1ediate plans to
resume yoga postures.
TRENDS & TRADITIONS
NEW YORK
Girls Sway Boyfriends
C
OURTNEY CENTNER IS AN
English student and Ani-
mal Defense League coordina-
tor in Buffalo, New York.
While her January Vegetariron
Journal article presumes a less-
than-conservative lifestyle, 0n
the positive side she details as-
sertive veggie girls' methods in
"converting all the meat-eating Lasses lead beaus flT"om beef
boys who have crushes on us.
My girlfriend and I decided that we would transform any
prospective beau into a vegetarian. You can practically talk your
partners into it! Try not to inundate them with t00 much infor-
mation. Add vegetarian related comments to your conversations;
take them to vegetarian restaurants. If you fmd out he's a jerk,
no harm done-just one more vegetarian in the world."
MAY , 1 9 9 7 HI N D U ISM TO DAY 11
/
/
FAMILY LIFE
Poll Plumbs Wedded Ways
j\DECEMBER1gg6REPORTIN
.i=\India Today surveys the
state of marriage in India. It
says the media- TV, l(lagazines,
newspaper columns and
movies-projects a false image
of liberated couples getting
quickly divorced. An "India To-
day-Marg poll shows a tradi-
tional core at the heart of mid-
dle-class India, where aFranged J
marriages are still preferred

RIGHTS
,
and the ties of matrimony in-
soluable." The poll covered 616
people in the 20-35 age group;
81% said' their marriages were
arranged; 94% said their mar-
riages were successful.
But India's traditional com-
mittment to vows may be. the
only thing unchanged. A
sweeping matrimonial transfor-
mation is underway, affecting
everything from joint family
structure to the intimate details
of conjugal life. "There is a
gnawing, growing fear amongst
the young about marriages
breaking up." Young w0uld-be-
weds are looking closely at long
term compatibility, instead of
tying the knot by forced
arrangements or fleeting infat-
uation. Couples, with young
educated wives taking the lead,
are working hard at new forms
of intimacy, companionship and
understanding. An old ideal,
the Jodi or "pair," (the indissol-
ubility of the couple like Sita-
Ram, Radha-Krishna) is taking
new form in the concept of
marriage as partnership. M0re
husbands say they are closer to
their wives than their mothers.
Extended farhilies are breaking
up as couples reject restrictions
that in-laws impose on the new-
lyweds' relationship. Nuclear
couples face new stress, and
young wives lose built-in controls
over husbands· with violent tem-'
pers, bUT the drive for quality
time together is making India's
marriages as strong as ever.
YOUTH
Kool, Kapil!
Being Kind to Kine Beings
K
APIL CHADHAURY, A 1=7- .
Hindu ,youth from
Springfield, Illinois, was in the
limelight in a Newsweek ad
sponsored by Amway and Ju-
nior Achievement. JA is a pro-
gram in wlJich local business-
men volunteer time to guide
students to set up and run their
own companies. They raise
capital by selling stock, develop
a product and, hopef}llly, turn
a profit. Kapil became presi-
dent of a mini-company which
grossed US$11,582 selling 300
Monopoly-like games in the
three-week holiday season qf
1995.
DEITIES AND DEVAS
Math Angel?
w:
EN DANIEL GREEN RAN
a simple mandelbrot (raIj-
dom image generating pro-
gram), a picture appeared
"complete With eyes, ears,
headdress, arms and crossed
legs. An Indian cQ-worker in-
stantly recognized it as God •
Ganesh." The "coincidence" was '
froot-page news in Australia's
Knowledge of Reality magazine,
and Green says, "If I were reli-
gious, I would certainly take
\ V fHILE MANY'OF HER SISTERS
W roamed free in India, one
young cow waited outside a
slaughterhouse in Massachusetts,
USA. People Weekly reported
t;hat the 1,400 pound heifer
miraculously jumped the 5-foot
fence and evaded for a
month until vegetarian school
teachers Meg (photo) and Le}Nis
Randa bought her for $1. They
captured her with grain, named
her Emily and let her stay on
school grounds, where Meg, 40,
says, she is "an ambassador of
compassion for animals." Emily
gets letters now saying, "Because
of you, I don't eat meat anymore."
Rights have been sold for a
movie on the bovine's life.
Kapil, when asked about
challenges he faced growing up
as an American vegetarian Hin-
I du, told HT, "Dealing with, the
cultural and social differences
with my parents. They didn't like
me watching a lot of TV." I
But careful guidance has paid
off Named JA's "President of
the Year" last May, Kapil started
Picture Perfect, selling framed
motivational sayings. His own
message to Hindu youth:
this as some sort of sign." Emily in her well-decorated barn paid for by film producer'S gift
"Working hard can insure suc-
cess. Stay focused. Get involved."
12 HINDUISM TODA;Y MAY, 1997
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: INDIA TODAY - RAvl SHANKAR, ruCB SAAL, DANIEL
PEOPLE WEEKLY © -FRANK VERbNSKY
Aryan-Invasion Theory Debunked
Vedic Aryans and the Origins of Civilization: a Literary
and ScientifiC Perspective, by N. Rajaram and D. Frawley,
combines new insights into the meaning of the Vedas and
other ancient scriptures with scientific analysis of
sources. Systematic comparisons of Indian, Egyptian and
Babylonian science show that Harappan civilization corre-
sponds to that of the Sutric period, after the Vedic period.
Hence, the Rg Veda is the product of an earlier layer of civiliz-
ation, before Egypt, Sumer and the Indus Valley. As a result,
the view of Mesopotamia as the cradle of civilization is no
longer tenable. • US$20 + $5 pstg. Checks to: World Heritage
Press, 1270 St-Jean, St-Hyacinthe, PQ J2S 8M2 Canada.
Custom Tours to India
Kali Travel is uniquely qualified to
organize custom-made tours t6 satis-
fy the needs of any type of group,
organization or individual and to
structure an itinerary appropriate to
their specific needs and interests.
For more information, contact:
Kali Travel Ltd.
169-12 Hillside Ave,
Jamaica, NY 11432 USA
Tel: 1-718-291-9292
Barsana Dham, Austin, Texas
Surrounded by
green meadows,
wild flowers
and rose gardens,
beautiful Radha
Kund and Maharas
mandal is the jewel
of Shree Raseshwari
Radha Rani Temple
which enlightens
the world with its
radiance of Divine
love. Barsana Dham is the main US center of the International
Society of Divine Love. It provides the experience of the true
devotional environment that prevailed in the ashrams of the
historic saints of Vrindaban (India) 500 years ago.
During their visit, guests of Barsana Dham enjoy our com-
fortable guest rooms and fresh vegetarian meals as they take
part in the ashram's devotional routine of daily prayers, dar-
shan and satsang with H.D. Swami Prakashanand Saraswati.
"Barsana Dham is a world of divine love and purity. It is
bliss. My visit was a whole new joy that shall stay in my mind
for the rest of my life." -a visitor from Mumbai, India.
The International Society of Divine Love, Barsana Dham
400 Barsana Rd., Austin, TX 78737-9075 USA.
Tel: 1-512-288-7180. Fax: 512-288-0447.
Special upcoming events at Barsana Dham:
• July 4-6 Weekend intensive with Shree Swamiji
• August 23 Krishn Janmashtami celebration
• October 18 Radha Rani Rath Yatra Celebrations
Moneesh Gifts and Books
• Religious Books: Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism,
· Judaism, Islam, Christianity and other modern faiths.
• Religious Statues: wood, stone, metal, crystal-1 in. to 5 ft.
• Pooja Items: incense, dhoop, floral oils, beads and malas.
• Clothing: kurta pyjama sets, silk saris and punjabi sets, pooja
clothes, wool shawls, cotton, rayon and silk prayer shawls.
• Natural Remedies: homeo, bach flower, vitamins, ayurvedic
and herbal. preparations, massage oils and and more.
• Posters and Pictures: posters and calendars of deities, all sizes.
• And much, much more • Mail Order Inquiries welcome.
Free Catalog: Moneesh • 467 Brickman Rd., Hurleyville, NY
12747 USA. Tel: 914-434-8990 • Fax 914-436-5878.
Meditation and Life
By Swami Chinmayananda.
"Offers a logical reason for medita-
tion, the process of meditation, hints
for taming the mind and achieving
physical, mental, intellectual and
spiritual harmony."-India West
$12.00 plus $3.75 postage.
(888)-CMW-READ or (215)-396-0390
http://www.chinmaya.orglpublications
Chinmaya Publications,
560 Bridgetown Pike
Langhorne, PA 19053-7210 USA
Roy Eugene Davis,
a widely-traveled teacher,
author and direct disciple of
Paramahansa Yogananda,
has taught in the kriya yoga
tradition for more than four
decades.
Request information about
his books and classes in the
USA, India, Europe and
other countries.
Center for Spiritual Awareness
PO. Box 7-H
Lakemont, Georgia
30552-0007 USA
Tel: 706-782-4723 • Fax 706-782-4560
http://web.infoave.neU-csainc • E-mail [email protected]
In India:
A Master Guide to Meditation (Rs. 55)
The Book of Life (Rs. 65) by Mr. Davis.
Motilal Banarsidass
41 UA. , Bungalow Road
Jawahar Nagar, Delhi 110 007
• Offices and stores also in Patna, Bangalore, Madras,
Varanasi, Calcutta and Pune .
If by mail, add Rs. 15 each book for postage.
_______ meBR(
Beastly Pageant?
THESE MEN AND WOMEN ACTIVISTS (BAN-
gl}lore Battlefield," COVER ST0RY, March
'97) should turn their attentioti and ca,m-
paign against the low-grade films churned
out every year iIi hundreds 'by Bollywood
where women are portrayed as vampish
dolls of pleasure and sex objects. I agree
with Mark West that the Indian screen is
more damaging to our ancient culture. It
was truly embarrassing for Hindus like me
living outside of India to witness their fa-
naticism at the time. I do understand their
fears and objections and share many of
them, but they nave damaged the Hindu im-
age worldwide by the extremist measures
they proposed to take and the sheer vehe-
menee of their threats and overtones of vio-
lence. Indians themselves have many deeply
ingrained prejudices regarding women and
their physical attributes. How marly matri-
monial ads do we see where boys advertise
for -and girls advertise themselves as-"fair,
slim and attractive" as essential require-
ments? How many girls born in Indian fam-
ilies have a ruined self-confidence because
they have been taunted for being born dark-
skinned rather .than light-skinned? A beau-
ty page,ant can neither enforce nor destroy
these attitudes. Let's stop making this beau-
ty pageant a dumping ground for all the
problems Indian women have. Let us ad-
dress the serious problems of child brides,
dowry murders, wife beating, infanticide
and aborting of femilie babies. In my opin-
ion, these are the truly obscene menaces to
sQciety. The West, or beauty, is not
responsible for them. We ,
RUKz'UNI DEVI
DUBLIN, IRELAND
BEAUTY PAGEANTS ARE DANGEROUS! I AP-
plaud Jayati Ghosh and her .supporters. I
pray this Western poison never reaches the
lips pf India's purity and high regard for tol-
erance. They devalue the spirit of wom-
ankind, reducing her to a commodigr to be
used and disposed of.lThe standardization
of beauty has devastated many women in
the West. When I was a psychiatric aide,
many of our young American women suf-
fered from anorexia nervosa, starving them-
selves to fit a beauty ideal which is far from
ide;li. Sadly, it does not matter if a woman in
our country is artistic, compassionate, nur-
turing and kind. If one do€s not fit the phys-
ical ideal of thinness, one is treated as a less-
er being. It is as though only the outer shell
of a woman matters and not the richness of
her voice. The spirit of woman is too
precious to be compartmentalized into tiny
notions She is meant to be free. To .
me, giving an US$80,000 cash prize to Miss
Greece is a waste of money. Why not give
14 HINDUISM TODAY MAY, 1997
LETTERS
that $80,ObO to a spiritual woman who gives
of her heart and her soul-a woman who
serves her village in providing medical care
and nurturing? I think the West has lost the
true spirit of womanhood. I mourn such a
loss. Womanhood is not about make-up and
fitting an image ot: perfection that few of us
can obtain. Womanhood is about nurturing,
love and the joy of expression. 1 pray the
West's notions of womannood does not
reach your Indian shores. It hurts too much.
WENDY SCHULJAN
NEW YORK, USA
I WAS SOMEWHAT BEMUSED BY 'THE CAP-
tion above the photo of students burning
beauty pageanf effigies. It says "Delhi uni-
versity students in traditional Indian
garb." But all the people within the photo
are wearing what appears to be Western
shirts, jeans or trousers, and sneakers. Per-
haps the caption was intended to read
"students, in nontraditional Indian garb."
In any case it seems ironic that students
are protesting a "cultural invasion of India
by the West" while wearing clothing ,
which is itself a product of that invasion.
What happened to dhotis sayis?
MR. KIWI
"[email protected]
V We had the same question, hence our
tongue-in-cheek caption. We are glad some-
one noticed.
Bali's Different Dharma
w'HEN I SURFED YOUR WEB SITE, IT WAS
like finding a treasure. We share the same
spirit and faith, yet Hinduism in Bali is
somewhat different from the rest of Hindus
of the world. We don't understand why Hin-
dus respect cows. Bali Hindus eat beef (ex-
cept our priests). Our children are not en-
to learn the Vedas because parents
fear they will become crazy. Most 0f us nev-
er,heard of them. Every village in Bali has at
least three temples. Our priest never gave us
spiritual gui<;lance nor did we hear of the
Upanishads or the Bhagavad Gita. We can
only give a few explanations ab6ut our ritu-
als. We have our own unique symbol of
. 'i\um." I'll will be grateful if you could help
me enlighten the Indonesian Bali Hindus.
PUTU BACUS KRISHNA
BALI, INDONESIA
"[email protected]
Caught in Indra's Web
I MUST SAY THAT YOUR EXQUISITELY
beautiful religion and philosophy truly in-
spire me. I became so peaceful and loving
to all living things that I quickly converted
to strict vegetarianism. Could you please
send me something that explains your most
important beliefs and how I might get in
touch with a Hindu, especially a guru?
SCOTT GOOLSBY
IDAHO, USA
"[email protected]
The Yogic Life
\
IN THE WEST, YOGA IS SEEN AS A FORM OF
exercise, with some "breathing" ex-
ercises thrown in. Dr. Swami Gitananda
Giri, late, of Pondicherry in South India,
taught us that"'Yoga is Life." He taught that,
Without an understanding of and adherence
to the yamas and niyamas [ethical restrmnts
and observances] as outlined by Patanjali
any attempt to "do" yoga could not succeed.
Most importantly, he taught us to seek the
guru within, satguru, that Truth which we
must all strive to realize. I would not call my-
self a Hindu; but Hinduism and yoga are in-
extricably part of each other. And any seek-
ers of the path could not1ielp but be moved
by Swami Bua's word ("Truth Prevails,"
MINISTER'S MESSAGE: February ' 97). Sure-
ly in what he said lies the key to the Truth,
the answer to the ills of the world.
Calcutta Kudos
RUDHRA KUMAR GIRl
QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
I ALWAYS FELT DEEP CONNECTION TO THE
staff of HINDUISM TODAY, particularly Sat-
guru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami f0r nis tire-
less efforts to inspire the people of this
troubled planet to a higher energy field, to
a higher quality of life. Swamiji's leadership
to uphold the time1ess spiritval heritage of
Mother India and Sanatana Dharma will
be remembered by seekers of Truth all
over the world.
SWAMI SRUDDHANANDA
LOKENATH DIVINE, LIFE MISSION
CALCUTTA, INDIA
"[email protected]
.....1 NEVER KNEW SUCH A WORK OF HINDU
brilliance ever exist¢ until I bought your
February issue. I'm enormously (mpressed
with its contents. I particUlarly like your
Karma Kat.
ANIL MAHABIR
TRINIDAD, WEST INDIES
Le,tters with writers name, address and daytime
phone number, should be sent to:
Letters, HINDUISM TODAY
107 Kaholalele Road
KAPAA, HI, 96746-9304 USA
or faxed to: (808) 822-4351
or e-mailed to:
[email protected]
Letters may be edited for space and clarity and may
appear in electronic versions of HINDUISM TODAY.
" INDICATES LEITERS RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL
Ayurveda Holistic Center
Books by Swami Shankar
Purushottam Tirtha:
Yoga Vani
Instructions for the attain-
ment of Siddhayoga during
sadhana.
postpaid: US$13.50 (USA)
$16.50 (Canada)
Guru Bani
100 ways to attain inner
peace. How to live a spiritual
life-for monks and families.
postpaid: US$9.50 (USA)
$12.50 (Canada)
Ayurvedic Products Distributors-wholesale or retail
catalog: $1.00 (free via e-mail) • Consultations • I-year
Ayurveda Certification Courses in person or by
correspondence (US mail, or e-mail).
Ayurveda Holistic Center
clo Swami Narayan Tirtha Math
82A-H Bayville Ave. Bayville, NY 11709-1671 USA
TeVfax: 1-516-628-8200
Ask for Swami Sada Shiva Tirtha
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: httpllwww.holistic.com!listingsl11709acl.html
Sattwa Chai
Nestled in the foothills of the
rain-drenched cO'astal range
of Oregon, a small community
of Ammachi devotees creates
the world's finest chai. Pure
premium spices; cardamom,
cinnamon, clove, black pepper
and ginger combined with
Assam black tea (or pepper-
mint in our naturally caffeine-
free beverages) for a nourish-
ing taste of heaven on earth.
We have four unique blends:
• Sattwa Sun: a classic blend
of premium spices and
black tea such as you might
drink at a fine Indian
restaurant-if you get lucky.
• Kovalam Spice: like the "Sun" only blended for more fire.
• Shanti Herbal: Sattwas natural caffeine-free chai. The
same wonderful spices with a pinch of Northwest pepper-
mint, chamomile and fennel. Great evening tonic.
• Choco Chai: to the traditional Sattwa spices we've added
our own proprietary pure chocolate base.
Cost: Four-pack with 20 servings/box just US$25.00, (includes
shipping). 1 and 51b. bulk quantities available at substantial
savings. Pre-blended and easy to make.
For orders and free brochure call toll free 1-888-841-CHAI.
Fax: 503-538-5125 (USA). Email: [email protected].
Ganapati sitting (or dancing), Ram
Darbar, Lakshmi, Shiva-Parvati,
Durga, Shirdi Sai Baba, Hanuman,
Santoshi Ma, Tirupati Balaji, Vishnu,
Shiva Nataraj, Krishna, Krishna with
Cow. 3 to 5" (7 to 12 cm) high. $19.95
to $39.95. $3.50 shippg. Catalog.
Discounts for retailers and temples.
-Nirvana Collection-
289 Route 416, RR3, Campbell Hall,
NY 10916 USA • Tel: 1-800-374-2304
or 1-914-294-1498 • Fax 914-294-3870.
Hinduism Today SE-Asia Subs. offices
In Singapore:
Sanathana Dharma Publications
Bukit Panjang Post Office • PO Box 246, Singapore, 916809
Kindly contact: Mrs. Dohadeva: 957 66 012 • Thanam:
952 69 586 • Uma Maheswaran: 980 42 2379.
In Malaysia:
Sanathana Dharma Publications Sdn Bhd. (391870K)
No: 15, Lintang Besi, off Jalan Melawi
41000 Klang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Kindly contact: Chudikadevi Saravan, 03 331 9242
Rohini Kumar, 03 774 2946 • Thanabalan, 044219326
Chinmaya Family Talks and Camps
By Swami Tejomayananda.
A happy blend of spiritual,
cultural and social interac-
tion. Experienced teachers
offer the essence of Hindu
scripture at all levels: adult,
youth, and children.
• Bhagavad Gita
• Sreemad Bhagvatam
• Other texts • Meditation
• Interactive groups
• Drama, cultural programs
• Arts and crafts
• Recreation, and more ...
TalkslJ nana Yagnas: .
July 7-11 Buffalo, NY
July 12-18 Toronto, Canada
July 19-25 Washington, DC
716-633-1633
416-663-6553
301-384-5009
Vedanta for spiritual growth • Values for lasting happiness.
Family Camps:
July 27-Aug 3 Michigan
Aug 4-10 Vancouver, Canada
Aug 11-17 San Francisco, CA
Chinmaya Mission West • Krishnalaya
PO Box 129, Piercy, CA 95587-0129 USA
Tel: 707-247-3488 • Fax: 707-247-3422
810-732-0288
604-433-3441
408-998-2793
16
Pooja, Devotional and Wedding Items
Pre-packaged items for
havans • Religious statues
• Religious Books in Eng-
lish, Sanskrit, Gujarati
and Hindi • Kohlapur
chappals, silk paintings,
brahmni booti, kut, agar,
tagar, bhojaptra, lotus
34159 Fremont Bvd •
Fremont, CA 94555 USA •
Tel: 510- 793-7930 -::;
Fax: 510-793-7026
Pooja
International
seed • Men's, children's kurta, pajamas, sari blouses, sari falls
and petticoats, children's clothes • Jaintri and Panchang •
1997 shipment from India just arrived. Ask for list of items.
• Prompt delivery • M.Card, Visa, Am.Ex credit cards OK.
Call1ndia-52C/min, 7days/wk, 24hr/day
Bangladesh-69C/min.
China- 55C/min. Pakistan-69C/min.
Sri Lanka-69C/min.
UK-24C/min. Australia-29C/min.
Domestic-18C/min.
Callback worldwide available.
VGT calling cards: $45 or $90.
Vignesh Global Telecom, Inc.
PO Box 2337, Santa Cruz, CA95063-
2337 USA Tel: 408-464-1212,
800-555-0276. Fax: 408-464-1333.
E-mail: [email protected]
VJghnesh Global
Telecommunications, Inc.
Meditations with Shri Anandi Ma
Shri Anandi Ma-Master in
the tradition of Kundalini
Maha Yoga, will be offering
public meditation programs in:
• Midland, TX: May 2-3.
Tel: 915-563-3718
• Jersey City, NJ: May
9-10. Tel: 212-877-7339
• Woodbury, CT: May 23-
24. Tel: 203-598-3323
•. Boston, MA: June 6-7.
Tel: 617-491-4091
• New York, NY: June 27-
28. Tel: 212-877-7339
Shaktipat initiation will be offered by appointment each
weekend. "With Shaktipat, the student is saturated with
Divine Energy. After Shaktipat, the Kundalini is permanent-
1y awakened and, like a mother, constantly cares for and
nourishes her infant. One may be of any religion, caste, or
creed to benefit; for all persons, the field of inner joy is the
same. After Shaktipat, the Shakti will take the student to the
ultimate goal, without doubt."
For general information about Shri Anandi Ma, Kundalini
Maha Yoga or Shaktipat contact:
Dhyanyoga Centers • PO Box 3194
Antioch, CA 94531-3194 USA. Tel: 510-757-9361
http://www. dyc. orgl
New selection of books, gifts,
music and videos on:
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Alternative healing
• Vegetarian cooking
• Flower essences
• Yoga philosophy
Also:
• Mystical music
• Books-on-tape
• Spoken audio
• Mantra music
• Chanting tapes
['l

:.' " -:,:., )
i3ooks. m,..;c. a",/ f;;i{ts
(or "8ody. nl;,uI. mul'Spirit
• Books by Yogananda, Kriyananda and more
For a free catalog, call now:
800-424-1055 toll free in US, or 916-478-7600.
Crystal Clarity Publishers
14618 Tyler Foote Rd.
Nevada City, CA 95959-9316 USA
Fax: 916-478-7610
http://www.consciousnet.com/CrystalClarity
E-mail: [email protected]
Vedic Astrology
• comprehensive, in-depth
life readings
• annual updates
• predictions
• marriage compatibility
• advice on business,
finance and legal matters
• gem therapy
• puja recommendation
• astro-palmistry
• rectification of unknown
birthtimes-and more.
Stephen Quong (Umananda)
has studied and practiced
astrology in Asia and America
since 1970. He has been awarded the titles of "Jyotisha Kovida,"
"Jyotisha Vachaspati" and "Life Fellow" by the Indian Coun-
cil of Astrological Sciences (founded by Dr. B.V
Raman). His professional background includes executive
positions in government, finance and publishing. He is a
long-time devotee of Sri Ma Anandamayi and has close
contacts with many other contemporary spiritual teachers.
Please call or write for free brochure.
Office: 1-916-938-2997 (voice/fax)
17513 Grizzly Den Road
Lake Shastina, CA 96094 USA
E-mail: [email protected] • http://www:jyotisha.com
HUMAN RIGHTS
The Caning Backlash
>
Schools try to briI;lg back corporal
punishment-but is it right? Does it even work?
'!j 18TH-CENTURY AMERICA AND
most other countries, the' master of
the house could freely beat his wife, his
:' child, his dog or his slave. Around 1830
people realized slaves were human beings,
too, and laws eventually granted them free-
dom and the human right not to be beaten.
A century or so later people realized dogs
had fecli.ngs, and laws were passed against
mistreatment of animals. Recently, society is
taking wife-beating seriously and has slowly
begun to put a stop to it. Now, with the 21st
century nearing, it may/ have come the turn
of children to gain their'right as human be-
ings to not be beaten.
A 12-year-old UK boy who caned by
his stepfather challenged- British laws allow-
ing 'Teasonable physical punishment of chil-
. dren" and is getting his case heard before
the Court of Human Rights in
France. A decision by the court would be
binding, and a finding in favor of the boy
could force Britain to oha1lge its laws about
punishing children. "This is a landmark de-
cision for children, the first step towards
confirming that have the same
rights as adults to protection from violence,"
said Peter Newel, Goordinator for the British
• . End Physical Punishment of Children.
students. "But between growing indiscipline
among our schoolchildren and the problem
of abuse, the former is the greater evil," stat-
ed an editorial in the New Sunday Times
which endorsed the return of the cane. -
/ Caning is commonly employed in schools
for such minor infractions as being late to
class, talking in class, not bringing one's
r
produce better behavior, but rather arouses
a seething anger in the child which later re-
sults in antisocial and violent tendencies.
Malyysia's schools are faced with an
alarming growth of gangsterism and drug
use, among students. This has, in part, fueled
the call for the cane. It is not clear, however,
how punishment for such offenses as talking
in class would prevent a teen from becoming
a drug dealer. Discipline problems in some
American schools, such as in Los Angeles,
are so bad that metal detectors are installed
at the doors to catch students entering with
guns or knives.
It is common for parents to tell teachers to ....
do whatever is necessary to make their chil-
dren study and behave, .including striking
them. But Malaysia's International Trade and
Industry Minister, Rafidah Aziz, said, "If I
have my way, I would have
these parents grilled for not
monitoring their children's
activities. We believe that
many youths are involved in
vice because 'there might be
something wrong at home."
A widely published UK
study pinpointed one thing
wrong at home: mothers are
out working. Researchers at
North London University
found that children with
working mothers are twice as
likely to fail the GCSE (final
high school) exams as those
whose mothers stay at home
to bring them up. Children of
working mothers, especially
boys, were more likely to have
behavioral problems. A re-
cent Dutch study found that
women with high status jobs
were more likely to have chil-
dren who failed to reach their
academic potential.
A hot subject in todays international de-
bate about child abuse is corporal punish-
ment in schools. The practice of hitting stu-
dents was reduced or abandoned in many
countr.ies in the 1980s or earlier. But growing
incliscipline in and outside class has caused
many tr;1 call for the return of the teacher's
paddle. In a UK poll, 68 percent of the pub-
lic were in favor of the cane's return. Teach-
ers, however, say they will not beat pupils,
even if given the power. Nigel de Gruchy,
general secretary of the National Associa-
tion of Schoolmasters said teachers do not
feel it will be effective. A real concern is ret-
ribution by the student-in February, a 16-
year-old boy in Alaska, USA, shot dead the
school principal who had frequently disci-
plined him. In India thugs c$l be hired by
students to harass or even cripple a teafher
Children: Do they have a right to not be beaten?
/
Patrick Morgan, of the In-
stitute of Economic Affairs,
says the evidence will force
working mothers to rethink -
what is for their chil-
dren. "The entire deba'te has
been hijacked by a feminist
clique, determined to uphold
women's rights. But what
about the rights of the
child? . ;You can always go
. who cl'ares beat them.
. In Malaysia, caning had been greatly re-
duced since 1983. About one percent of the
country's 300,000 teachers had been report-
ed for abusing their authority to strike a
child-not a great percent, yet it represents
3,000 abusers and' perhaps 300,000 abused
books or scoring low on tests. Students are
. hit on their hands or buttocks with long, rat-
tan canes, are slapped, have their ears twist-
ed, a rubber band snapped against their ear,
or their hand held against their head, one
finger pulled back as far as and
then released sharply. Some teachers admin-
ister diScipline with restraint, others with
uncontrolled anger. Studies on corporal pun-
ishment suggest the method does not really
,
back to work, but the damage done in a
child's early years ca,n never be rectified."
Indiscipline to the point of criminal be-
havior among youths is a serious problem in
countries around the world. The question
teachers and parents face is whether misbe-
havior can be solved by more physical pun-
ishment in schools, and just how such poli-
cies infringe children's right to be protected,
as adults are, from physical abuse.
MAY , 1997 HINDUISM TODAY 17
/
South Asia Books
Your path to India for 28 years.
4,000 titles in active stock.
Newest titles in stock
(Prices-net and include shipping)
• Mahadevan. Hymns of Sankara. rep.
• Griffith. Hymns of the Rigveda.
• Pandey. Hindu Samskaras.
• Hiriyanna. Essentials of Indian Philosophy.
• Monier Williams. Sanskrit-English Dictionary
• Singh. Siva Sutras.
• MacDonell. Vedic Grammar for Students.
• Miller. Hindu Monastic Life. revised edition
• Wade. Music in India, Classical Traditions.
• Whitney. Atharva Veda Samhita. 2 vol.
• WJ. Wilkins. Hindu Mythology. pa. rep.
Also: 3,000 titles on our new web site.
us$ 7.50
28.00
8.00
12.00
40.00
9.00
9.00
24.00
16.00
54.00
9.00
Vedic Astrology, Pujas, Fire Ceremonies
Pandit Pravin Jani, Vedic as-
trologer for over 30 yrs.
• Life reading
• Prediction of life events
• Marriage compatibility
• Medical astrology
• Business or career
• Auspicious timing of events
• Spiritual interpretation
• Special pujas and upayas for
adversely affected planets
Full range of Vedic religious
ceremonies including:
For·the new illustrated Motilal1996 catalogue containing
350 items, or for lists of books on yoga or ayurveda, novels,
children's books, write or call:
• Weddings • Vastu shanti (house blessing). Blessings for
business/abundance • Removal of negative planetary influ-
ences· Fire ceremonies (yajiias) for health, spiritual growth
abundance and/or removal of obstacles.
Conducted in VedidSanskrit, explanation in English or Gujarati.
South Asia Books • PO Box 502
Columbia, MO 65205-0502 USA
Tel: 573-474-0116 • Fax 573-474-8124
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://members.socketis.netl-sab/sab. html
Visa, MC, checks accepted.
AMERICAN INSTITUTE
OF VEDIC STUDIES
Correspondence Courses On:
Ayurvedic Medicine
Vedic Astrology
For information
on Vedic Sciences
and latest
Vedic Research
Send SASE to:
DcMdFraNlev
('kmodevo Shostra). Director
American Institute of Vedic Studies
P.O. BOX 8357
Sadte Fe, NM 847504-8357
USA
Pravin Jani • PO Box 13866, Berkeley, CA 94712-4866 USA
Tel: 510-843--0212, fax: 510-655-3382. E-mail: [email protected]
" ... Many people who have had their charts analyzed by him
think that the greatest value to them has not only been in
reaching their full potential, but in acquiring a greater sense
of self-confidence and self assurance ..."- Sister Makinya
Sibeko-Kouate, radio programmer and producer
The Oracle of Rama
India's Renowned Oracle
by David Frawley
$12.95208 pages, illustrated
ISBN 1-878423-19-3
The Tibetan
Book of Healing
by Dr Lopsang Rapgay
$1 2.95 208 pages, illustrated
ISBN 1-878423-21-5
To order: add $3.50 shipping and contact:
PASSAGE PRESS 8188 So. Highland Dr., 0-5, Sandy, UT 84093
(801) 942-1440; FAX (801) 943-7268
To order with Visa, Mastercard, American Express call 1-800-873-0075
One Man's Quest for the Self
The true story of one man's
quest for the pure Self within.
Relive with him his years
with Paramhansa Yogananda
in the monastic order of Self
Realization Fellowship. Expe-
rience with him incredible
visions and encounters with
extraterrestrials and beings of
other dimensions, culminat-
ing in a meeting with a living
Being of Light called I am
that I am.
"Here is one of the most im-
portant documents of our
time" -John Michell, Author of The View Over Atlantis
"Norman Paulsen is a man whose being shines with the light
of cosmic consciousness. He is an articulate spokesman for
the role of near death experiences in human evolution and
planetary regeneration"-Kenneth Ring, Ph.D. , author of
Heading Toward Omega and Life at Death
"To Norman, dear one: May your birth bring happiness to
many spiritually, may your birthdays be filled with God-
Consciousness. With unceasing blessing."-February 3, 1951
Paramhansa Yogananda, author, Autobiography of a Yogi
Soft cover • ISBN #0-941848-05-1 • 496 pg'/illustrated,
8 color plates. US$25 including postage.
Builders Publishing Company .1305 North H StlA-289-T
Lompoc, CA 93436-3335 USA
Geo Vision. Software
P.O.Box 2152, Fairfield, IA 52556
1-800-4JYOTISH
(515) 472-0855
We offer a wide selection of
Sri Chinmoy's inspirational
and instructional written
works, including essays,
poetry, plays and extensive
answers to questions asked
by seekers.
Music includes soul-stirring
audio and video perform-
ances by Sri Chinmoy and his
students on instruments from
allover the world.
Just published-
Sri Chinmoy's long-awaited
trilogy, Commentaries on the Vedas, the Upanishads and the
Bhagavad Gita: The Three Branches of India's Life-Tree
and a 4-CD set of selections from Sri Chinmoy's fifty Peace
Concerts offered in honor of the 50th anniversary of the
United Nations.
Call or write for our free catalog!
Heart-Light Distributors
PO Box 85464-H
Seattle, WA 98145-1464 USA
Tel: 800-739-2885 or 1-206-527-2099
Fax: 1-206-527-2099
DOS, Windows and Macintosh
Only $185 incl. manual, atlas, and
technical support. Optional classical
texts/yogas module: $99. Demo:
$14.50 Payment by check or credit
card. FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING
A ; YOGA THERAPY WING" is being added to
five Delhi-area hospitals. It's a decision
reached over two years ago when Delhi's
Health Minister visited the Vlvekananda
Yoga Kendra hospital in Bangalore. He was
impressed by their success with diabetes,
cancer and ulcer patients. The is
now charged with training therapists.and
instructors for the new wingsl.over 150 so
far. "It is our dream that yoga therapy will
become a normal form of treatment in
most hospitals in the near 'future," said the
Kendra's Dr. Nagendra.
JUST AS KRISHNA lovingly herded His eows,
primatologists tried to tenderly trap and re-
locate over six-
hundred Rhe-
sus monkeys-
nearly half the
sacred city's
"Hanuman
sena"-from
Vrindaban to
si·x other forest- Vrindaban monkey
ed sites 20 to .
40 miles away. The monkeys had long been
a nuisance to the residents-19% said they
had been bitten, 96% harassed. But it wC!s
growing mamourishmenj: and disease
among the monkeys whicl.! prompted the
removal to better areas. Careful to preserve
family units, not a sirfgle monkey was re-
portea injured in what is believed to be the
world's lqrgest monkey translocation. ,
HONG KONG HINDUS are among the up to
8,000 mostly Indian and Pakistani citizens
chosen to receive full British National
Overseas passports. The decision partially
resolves the danger that non-Chinese eth-
nic minorities possessing British Depen-
dent-Territory Citizen passports would be
rendered stateless when Britain gives Hong
Kong back to China in June.
. -/
THAIPUSAM MAY BE a safer, more traditional
festival now at Malaysia's Batu Caves. Mod-'
ern drums and bongos have been banned
from devotional ceremonies; "only tradi-
tional musical instruments are to bellsed in
the functions," said Sri Subramaniaswamy.
Temple secretary G. Gopalakrishna. Also
banned ar-e whips, and over three- .
feet in length. The annual Murugan festival
is -certainly more efficient at Singapore's Sri
Thendayuthapani Temple, where instead of
shaving 7,000 heads at the temple tank on
Thaipusam all but 500 pilgrims had
their heads snaved a day or two earlier.
! ,
I
20 H INDUISM TODAY MAY, 1997
NAZHAT SHAMEEM, FIJI'S Director of Public
Prosecutions, says the courts have a duty to
preserve religious tolerance by imposing
sentences strict enough to deter those who
would break into clturches or temples and
violate peoples' religious freedom. A man
who pleaded guilty to vandalizing the im-
age of a Hind\! deity receiveCl. just a sus-
pended sentence. He said he was acting on
instructions of the Bible when he damaged
the statue, "God said people should not
worship idols." Ms. Shameem notes in most
': of the 76 such incidents over the last two-
years, the suspects remain unknown.
,
PARENTAL RESPECT IS PART of the new daily .
regimen for New Delhi's school students in-
stituted by former election commisS'ioner
T.N. Seshan. A gov-
ernment-issued cal-
endar containing Dos
& Don'ts for children
includes this at the
top Qf the list: "Today
I have greeted or
touched the feet of
my parents." After
that cOlnes things Seshan's campaign
like being on time,
being quiet, not fighting, finishing home-
work and caring for books. Students are ex-
pected to evaluate themselves daily
SAFEGUARDING TilE HIMALAYAN environment
means protection even from pilgrims.
GUidelines recently decreed by the High
Court in Allahabad include regulating
burning of trash and collection of non-
biodegradable materials, relocating tea
shops from too near the glacier between
BhQjbasa and Gomukh and placing toilet
facilities every 2.5 miles between Bhojbasa
and Gangotri. Environmentalists, however,
say th e Court and state are still too accom-
modating to development and tourism, and
inMferent to the delicate alpine meadows
so easily distllrbed by tourist's trash and
grazing cattle.'
·1
BHUTAN'S KING Jigme Singye Wanchuk has'
. granted US$5,500 to promote the teaching
of SansKfit in two pathasalas (traditional
schools). Noting that the royal gift will
strengtheJ,1 the teaching of Hinduism in the
predominantly Buddhist kingdom, Devi
Charan Dayal, pandit of the Dhoban
pathasala, said "We Me very grateful for
the grant because it Signifies the King's
sU13port to his citizens and his encourage-
ment in preserving. our cultural heritage."
GRtENPEACE, the international non-govern-
mental organization dedicated to environ-
concerns, hopes to see Greenpeace
India fully formed and self-sufficient in two
years. Known for its "Save the Whales" cam,
paign at sea, and for its anti-rmclear flotilla
in the South Pacific, Greenpeace hopes to
distribute information aimed at holding In-
dias industrial development in check while
offering alternative technologies.
,
,
RIGHT-WING TERRORISTS are claiming re-
sponsibility for anti-Indian attacks in South
,Africa, including three Christmas Eve
bombings which killed four and injured
scores of others. "The bombers demanded
that Indians be withdrawn from Parlia-
ment The bombers said they did not re-
gard Indians as indigenous people, describ-
ing them as 'anti-Christ because they did
not accept Jesus Christ," .reports India
Abroad. The Mandela government has con-
demned the attacks, adributing them to
people unprepared to forget the "days of
the apartheid era."
SADHANA AND SHASTRAS for MBAs? Sure. It's
part o£ the Vedantic Approach in Manage-
ment curriculum for post-graduate Busi-
ness Administration students at the Sri
Sringeri Institute of Management,
founded in part by Swami Paramananda
Bharati. The two-year, full-time program
has alr the rigors of a business school, but
also includes transformational workshops
and selt-developmt nt sadhana so
that students "will acquire strength, fear-
lessness and wisdom to identify and tra-
verse the difficult path to the goal of life."
MONUMENT TO SAINT Tiruvalluvar is pro:
ceeding once again in Tamil Nadu. Chief
Minister M. Karunanidhi says his govern-
ment is committed to
' preserving Tiruvallu-
var's legacy and to ;"
propagating his time- .
less .ethical opus, the
Tirukural. The mas-
sive statue of the
weaver-saint will be
located on a small
land offshore, next tel
the Vivekananda,
Rock Memorial at
Kanyakumari. Tiruvalluvar model
BRIEFLY is compiled from press, TV and
tqire-service reports and edited by RAVI
PERUMAN, award-winning radio journalist
at KGG in San Francisco. .
CLOCKWISE FROM, TOP: HELMUT INDIA TODAY, HINDUISM TODAY,
\ ,
Books-5,OOO Titles
The Major Distributor of
books from India.
A sampling from our catalog:
• Ganesha: The Auspicious ...
The Beginning. Shakunthala
Jagannathan. pap. US$17.00
• Hinduism: All Introduction.
Shakunthala Jagannathan.
Pap. $12.95
• Introduction to' the Puranas.
Pushpendra Shastri. $12.00
• Iswara Darshan. Sri Swami
Tapovan Maharaj. pap. $8.95
• Gita Rahasya. B.G. Tilak.
$25.00
• Meditation. Narayan Dutt Shrimali. $25.00
• What Becomes of the Soul After Death. Sivananda. pap. $8.00
• Prana Pranayama Prana Vidya. Swami Niranjananda
Saraswati. pap. $12.95
• Hatha Yoga Pradipika: Light on Hatha Yoga. Swami
Muktibodhananda Saraswati. pap. $14.95
• Third Eye & Kuncf.alini. B.S. Goel. $22.00
• Chanakya's Neeti Scripture. R.K. Sharma. pap. $14.95
Visa/MC accepted.
NATARAJ BOOKS
7073 Brookfield Plaza • Springfield, VA 22150-2915 USA
Tel: 1-703-455-4996 • Fax: 1-703-912-9052
email: [email protected] • Please ask for our free catalog
Sri Ramana Maharshi
The Society of Abidance in Truth
offers hard-to-find books on
Advaita Vedanta and Sri Ramana
Maharishi through: Treasures of the
Heart (retail) and SAT Darshanam
Books (wholesale). Send $2 for
wholesale or retail catalog:
SAT, 1834 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA
95060-1700 USA • Tel: 408-458-9654
Tel/fax 408-425-0407
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http:/www.SATRamana.org
A Video Pilgrimage through India
Some 60 sites are covered,
places as hard to find as
they are hard to get per-
mission to film. Very per-
sonal, affectionate. If you
can't get to India, enjoy
this video- US $39.95.
Brahma Jyoti Studios
2000 N. Ivar Ave #7
Hollywood, CA 90068-3960 USA
Tel: 1-213-466-9370. Checks payable to M. Cianciara, please.
SOCIETY
To Be' Elderly in
The aged suffer silently as materialism steals their traditional seat of honor '
I
By M.P. MOHANTY, NEW DELHI
OR UNTOLD CENTURIES I$ INDIA, IT
had' been routinely regarded as im-
moral to neglect the needs of one's el-
In 1996. it became clearly illegal.
The passing of the Maintenance of Par-
ents and Depenci'ents Bill of Himachal Pfa-
de'sh attempts to insure proper care for any-
one who is dependent upon another. It has
raised significant concern over the care of
India's aged, but it also applies to children,
wives and widows [see page 25]. The pass-
ing of such a law in Himachal Pradesh, a
22 HINDUISM TODA.Y M4Y, 1997
small hill state known for the culture of its
peace-loving, religious people, ilas greatly
shaken the conscience of thoughtful ob-
servers of Indian soCiety. Hindus around the
world are inquiring, "Why do we need a law
to make us care for our elders? Are they not
attended to by their families?"
Mr. Pran Nath Malik, 70, a retired govern-
ment servant now living in Delhi, gives -an
ominous answer-"No. The population of old
people is in· the tens of millions. As
about half of 'our total population are living
below the poverty line, most of the aged poor
are merely existing, without proper food,
shelter or medical care. The assistance pro-
viaed by the government is.negligible. Social
and religious organizations also are not doing'
much. We can see many elderly living as beg-
gars in the big cities. Many die of hunger."
I Those who do not starve to death may die
of loneliness. The tales of dereliction are
bone-chillingly crueL HINDlJISM TODAY
writer Shikha Malaviya of Mitmesota re-
counted one example upon her recent return
to the US from India. "For some people, old
age means shouldering a burden. Take the
case of the Miglanis (not their real name), a
Hindu family in New Delhi living next to my
uncle. From the outside, they appear to be
an honest, caring and religious. family. A
plaque of Lord Krishna playing the flute
above the main entrance of their home
greets visitors. Inside, however, lies a differ-
ent story. For more than two years, ,Mr.
Miglani's father lived in a makeshift room
with a tin roof on the back verandah. He was
not allowed in the main house and was ver-
bally abused constantly by his children and
grandchildren. Mr. Miglani Sr. was ill, but did
not receive proper treatment and eventually
died of neglect in the summer of 1995."
Malaviya says the elderly, and often their
children, take illness too lightly, and go much
too long before diagnosis or treatment. "My
grandmother has a heart' condition called
angina. She also has gastric trouble. For one
month she had palpitations, fever and painful
gas attacks, but she didn't go to the hOspital
until four days ago. She shares the attitude,
like many others do in India, that 'it isn't bad
until its really bad: The cost of healthcare
Waiting and wanting: Many aged spend their
final clays in the c,ity of liberation
inhibits many from getting regular checkups,·
let alone treatment for ailments."
Another grim account of callousness
comes from Delhi businessman Govind
Chandra Rout. He confessed that, "Even in
our Orissan village, yes, in my own family,
old people are being neglected. The old
mother of my cousin has been left in1 he vil-
lage alone. She is begging. There are thou-
sands of such examples. Sons beat their old
parents, even the educated ones. I do not
want to name them or blame them. I tell you
a fact: one son refused to recognize his poor,
Old father when his father came to school to
meet him. The old father died unattended.
This same son later retired as a senior gov-
ernment official. When he died, both of his
own sons, staying in Bombay and the US,
failed to come and perform the funeral };ites.
You can see, this was the result of his karma."
Rout recalls and keeps alive the ' way it
used to be. ' '1\.s children, we learned that our
father is the Adi Guru, first teacher, and I
still impart these Hindu values to my grand-
children. The doors of our home are always
open for saints. Every morning and evening
we assemble and pray to Lord. J tell them to
be truthful and religious. This way of living
must be taught in schools at the primary lev-
eL We must preserve our great heritage. Un-
fortunately, today's generation believes they
know it all, and better than us."
The symptoms of neglect are usually less
tragic, but they clearly indicate the change
in ethos that se'ems to have infected the na-
tion. This reporter recalls an incident at a
frienel's place. Grandmother had wanted to
watch a classical music concert, while the
grandson was eager for the latest pop news
on Zee TV, a private television channeL In
walks the father, who settled the argument
by scolding his mother, "Why don't you let
him watch his rock show? You can catch an-
other concert when we are not here." The
old walked away in a huff. It is a re-
vealiIlg incident, and it is all too common.
Ajay Sunder of HelpAge, India, the most
active Indian for the elderly, explains
a primary source of distress for seniors. "For
the senescent in the upper and mid"dle class-
es, the problems are loneliness and depres-
sion. If these problems remain unaddressed,
they intensil:y into bitterness and a feeling of
being unwanted, especially in the really old.
. For those in the age bracket of 60 to 70 the
solution can lie in involving themselves with
volunteer work or any activity in the neigh-
borhood. But the problem becomes
for those beyond 70 or 75."
68, finds hersetf regret-
ful ten years after the death of her parents-
in-law. Both of her sons are away in the US,
and her only daughter struggles with a busy
"To live on a
footpath in the
winter is hell."
RARI BILAS, 70
RAJASTHAN
career and a demanding family, with little
time for Raji. Between loneliness and bore-
dom, Raji her in-laws' predicament.
"Now I wish I had spent more time with
them and not lost my temper so often. They
only needed a little understanding, patience ,-
and reassurance that they were cherished."
Remorseful, she realizes how concrete theit
contribution to the family was. "I never had
,
to worry about what my children were doing
·after schooL And on occasions such as wed-
dings, they were always there to guide us."
No time, no place: All fingers point to the ' / '
breakdown of the joint family tradition
["JOint Family at Risk," January, 1997] as the
root cause of neglect. ConcerJl over the dis-
solution of this social order, along with the
rising presence of women'in the workplace,
hp.s primarily focused on children growing
up without mothers at their side. But the el-
derly are equally dependent and vulnerable.
"The ideal situation is, of course, caring for
the aged in their own homes," offers Sunder.
"But for many, attending to aged people
seems a tedious, time-consuming and often
unproductive affair. Given the pressures of
managing a home, careers and the conflict-
ing needs of children and old people, it is
the elders in the family who are expected to
adjust to the youngers' needs while their
own take a back seat." One analy;;t observed
that "The breakdown commenced when the
maharajas, Indias regional kings, were de-
posed. Until then, these monarchs and their
families modulated society and kept the
joint and extended family structure, intact:"
What has resulted is a distorted attitude
toward the aged. Social activist and educator
Rekha Vohra Bhalla implores, "Do we not re-
ali'l:e how lonely they are? They do not re- .
quire luxury. What they ....seek is love, affec-
tion and company. They want their ch:ildren
to be with them in the evening oflife, to pro-
vide warmth and comfort them. The whole
concept of age-care in India is an ancient
part of our civilization, whereas ageing as a
problem is a product o:(..modern India. Earli-
er, old people were taken care of within the
joint family. Our cult.ure and ethics taught us
not to neglect them. We were mor-ally bound
to take care of them. Our value system has
changed. This is the real problem."
Hari Bilas (photo above), whom I met at a
traffic light, drove home this point. He
looked like a mendicant, yet he insisted, "I
am not a beggar. I have my elder brother and
his family, and the government of Rajasthan
MAY, 1997 Hl'NDUISM TODAY 23
pays me Rs.lOO a month. But I have chronic
asthma, and I need tea and medicine ·at reg-
ular intervals, including two-to-three times
during the night. At home, they feel dis-
turbed to assist me. So I stay here on the
footpaths. I carmot afford an old-age home.
Life is misery. I certainly feel marginalized
and discriminated against, and it-saddens
me, this lack of respect towards us, the poor
and old. It was not this way in our times. We
looked up to elders, respected their experi-
ence and knowledge and learned from them."
The modern' Indian family has left the el-
ders behind. "We have divided our families
based on economy," ,Bhalla elaborated. "The
middle-class is moving to cities in search of
opportunities, leaving old parents in rural ar-
eas. At least there, neighbors, friends and
other relatives do take care. But in cities it is
very difficult. Rents are so high that we can
afford only small flats or apartments. So, we
claim that due to lack of space and monetary
considerations parents carmot be accommo-
dated. Actually, space,is not the real problem,
not even the financial burden, but we do not
have an honest approach. We have/become
small-hearted due to modernization."
Gift buys grief: One way seniors are left in
the INrch is in the transfer of estates and as-
sets to their children. In the West, this trans-
action usually takes place after death through
a legal will. In India, it has been common to ,
legally transfer such properties and accounts
long before death. When performed ethical-
ly, this practice frees the elder of the burden
of property and money management so that
he may better advise his children and inten-
sify his spiritual disciplines-¢.e natural
functions of this stage of life. It is rightfully
understood that the children would continue "
,
'ill our times, we were
given moral am;} spiri-
tualles::;ons in school.
This has stopped. I
blame the Western
, materialistic lifestyle.
We have scrapped our
spiritual teachings. "
COVIND CHANDRA ROUT, DELHI
as a &!orified maid, he was bundled off to this
pay-and-stay home. His son claims the rented
apartment in which they live is too small to
accommodate all of them.
H.e. Bakshi, Former Joint Secretary of
the Prime Minister's Office, cautions par-
ents to be wary of this trap. "Old people
must have independent financial support.
While living, you should not transfer prop-
erty to your son, but make a wilL Children
should inherit the property only after death.
Without financial support, you are a loser. I
know of a case in Patel Nagar, Delhi, where
the retired person transferred his property
while living. Afterwards, he was treated as a
virtual slave. He was moved against his will
to a small room on the roof. Later, he was
dumpeJ into the garage."
Even lawmakers were alert to this familial
flimflam. Section 18.1 of the Himachal
Pradesh Bill states, "Where any person, who
after the commencement of this Act, has
transferred, by way of gift or otherwise, his
property, subject to the condition that the'
transferee shall provide the basic amenities,
and basic physical needs to the transferrer
and such transferee refuses or fails ,to pro-
vide such all}enities and physical needs, the
said transfer of the property shall be
deemed to have, been made by fraud or co-
ercion or under undue influence and shall at
the option of the transferrer be void."
"We have not left
our alto-
gether.. .yet."
to care for the But in an inhuman . '--"""--"""L....:_---'
twist, once the transfer is made, sons may
completely neglect the parents, ,sometimes
even ejecting them from the home. A retired
Indian administrative officer has been forced
to spend the last few years of his life in an
old-age home. Indignant, he explained that
he had transferred his assets to his son. While
the mother has been allowed to stay at home
REKHA BHALLA, DELHI
24 HINDUISM TODA,Y 1997
Who will help? "This problem must be han-
dled," beseeches Bhalla. "Tomorrow we will
grow old. We have to shock ourselves w;ith
the reality that our children might put us in
old-age homes, uncared for. Are we preparing
for such a fuhIre?" India today has nearly 60
million elderly people, and demographic pro-
jections forecast 75 million by the year 2000.
Yet assistance for the aged has been a low
priority among the varioG.s welfare schemes
being implemented by the government and
voluntary agencies. Critics concede that the
government simply does not have the re-
sources to effect a significant change.
,Most governmental and private agencies
and persons engaged in care of seniors thinK
that the malaise of p'bverty among the multi-
tude of elderly can only be offset if signifi-
cant funds are made available for implement-
ing welfare programs-homes for the aged,
eye-care, walkers and other handicapped
aids, day-care, health-care, mobile medicare
vans, etc. Current prClgrams concentrate in
and towns and do not impact people in
rural areas. Bakshi concludes, "This is a
tremendous crisis that can be solved only by I
public-spirited individuals and institutions."
HelpAge deputy director Liniaye admits
that rest homes are a secondary choice. "Our
programs work towards resettling them with-
in their families. But when their children are
abroad or no one is there to look after them,
they 'pan resort to this option." A ,Primary
source of fundraising for HelpAge is· the sale
of greeting cards, and many Indians become
aware of the plight of India's through
HelpAge cards. They even gave me a shock.
Out of the total one-hundred and eleven new
year's greeting cards that I received this year,
sixty/two are HelpAge cards. On the back of
each card reads, "The less elderly
need your love and care. When you buy this
card you contribute to making their world
healthier and happier." HelpAge is leading
the way, but many more need to follow.
admonishes. "We were young and needed
them. So we will jolly-well look after them
in return, They are part of our life. "
"It is important to remember that old age
in our religion is associated with the sannyas
ashrama (stage of renouncing materialism
and attachment to embrace God and spiritu-
ality), and that old age is a stage of spiritual
evolution," stresses Malaviya. "Old age does-
n't mean gray hair, stiff joints and slurred
speech. There are volumes we can leai'n from
the wisdom they have culled from their own
successes and failures. Growing old is an in-
evitable physical and mental transition that
doesn't have to be painful or debilitating. We
need to accommodate the needs of elders
1iithout their asking, and we can't do that
until we understand what aging is all about."
tures state that whatever thought that you
have in the last moments influences your
next birth. One should die with positive, no-
ble anj spiritual thoughts. Old people should
bellow the path of dharma. They have the
full, experience of life. They are society's
thought-bank. They should educate the
younger generations from day one, tell their
experiences-how they feel at this age. It will
help them in this life, and improve the next."
Legislature does not automatically make a
society good and caring. And though passing
a law is relatively simple, the efficacy of im-
plementation and enforcement remains to be
seen. At least the verdict for this negligency ",
case has been handed down-"Guilty."
Where the softer versionsfoflaw-the natur-
The way it was: Of course, not every elder
is forsaken. For Jayanti Nair, looking after
her ailil'lg parents and in-laws was never a
matter of choice. "They looked after us," she
M.e. Bhandari, president of Bharat Nir-
man (Build India) and editor of Mystic In-
dia, echos the ideal for elders, "Our scrip-
#'
al justice of our cultural expectations-seem
to have failed, it now requires courts for el-
·derly care to be enforced. .;
HELPAGE INDIA, C-14. QUTAB INSTITUTIONAL AREA, NEW
DELHI 110016 I NDIA. PHONE: 91- 11- 686-5675
Together: This distinctive
Rajasthani elder has
maintained close fellowship
with his grandchildren
It's the Lavv
The bill that dares to arrest neglect
lMACHAL p!lADESli' s
Maintenance of Parents
and Dependents Bill
(number 29 of 1996)
paints a bleak picture of the
care of India's elderly. On the
last page of the bill, Minister-
in-Charge, Vidya Dhar, gives a
Statement of Objectives and
Reasons: '10 the developing
age of science and technology,
our old virtues are giving way
to materialistic and separatis-
tic tendencies. The younger
generation are neglecting their
wives, children and aged and
infirm parents, who are now
being left beggared and desti-
tute on the scrap-heap of soci-
ety, thereby driven to a life of
vagrancy, inlmorality and
crime for their subsistence.
Thus it has become necessary
to provide compassionate and
speedy remedy to ameliorate
the difficulties being faced by
those so neglected."
The bill is not limited to
protection of the elderly. It
encompasses, with stipula-
tions, parents and grandpar-
ents, wives, sons, unmarried
daughters, widowed daugh-
ters, any widow of the son,
minor illegitimate sons and
illegitimate daughters.
The government will form
tribunals as needed in each
district to deliberate applica-
tions. Section 3.1 of the bill
clarifies, 'Any person, who is
unable to maintain himself
and is resident in the State of
Himachal Pradesh, may apply
to the Tribunal for an order
that [the responsible party]
pay a monthly allowance, or
any other periodical payment
or a lump sum for his mainte-
nance." Depending on who is
applying, the person held re-
sponsible for maintenance
may be the children or grand-
children, the husband, the
father, and where father is
dead, the mother, or the per-
son who takes any share in an
estate of the ancestor.
Section 3.4 defmes the
broad ctiteria of maintenance
eligibility. "This Act shall ap-
ply to that person if the Tri-
bunal is satisfied that he is
suffering from infirmity of
mind or body which prevents
or makes it difficult for him to
maintain himself or that there
is any other special reason."
The Bill continues with a defi-
nition of what constitutes
need. parent is unable to
mainfain himself if his total or
expected income and other
fmancial resources are inade-
quate to provide basic ameni-
ties and basic physical needs
including (but not limited to)
shelter, food and clothing."
Vidya Dhar states in his
conclusion, "In our society, the
maintenance of aged parents
had been a matter of great
concern and of personal
obligation. Our ancient seers
held this obligation on the
highest pedestal by declaring
that, 'The aged mother and
father, the chaste wife and
infant child must be main-
tained, even at great cost.'
This Bill seeks to achieve the
aforesaid objectives."
MAY, 1997 Hl'NDUISM TODAY 25
/
The Ayurvedic Institute
Dr. Vasant Lad, Ayurvedic
Physician and Director of the
Institute, with visiting faculty,
offer the Ayurvedic Studies
Program, seminars and pri-
vate consultations.
Yearly Curriculum:
• I: Introduction to philosophy,
theory and systems (Fall).
• II: Introduction to Ayurvedic
assessment (Winter).
• III: Intra. to management of
imbalances (Spring).
• Correspondence Course by
Dr. Robert Svoboda, Ayurvedic Physician
• Weekend and Intensive Seminars: Ayurvedic Cooking, Psychol-
ogy, Herbology, Ayurvedic Pulse Reading, Sanskrit, Jyotish, etc.
• Panchakarma-purification and rejuvenation by licensed staff:
oil massage, herbal steam, cleansing diet, herbal therapy, etc.
• Ayur-yoga-integrating Ayurveda and Yoga for the purpose of
returning each person to his or her balanced state.
• Ayurvedic and Western herbs, extracts, oils, books, audio
and video tapes and a quarterly journal.
Write/call for our mail order catalog and information:
The Ayuvedic Institute • PO Box 23445
Albuquerque, NM 87192-1445 USA
Tel: 505-291-9698 • Fax: 505-294-7572
Marriage Rites and Rituals of Hindus
Hindu Marriage Samskara
by Dr. Prem Sahai. .
This book is a guide and
practical manual for under-
standing, conducting and
recording the marriage
experience. Dr. Sahai gives
step-by-step procedures in a
clear and organized, but not
overly complicated, manner.
By studying this book, a GOU-
pIe can deeply appreciate the
HIMBll
MARRIAGE
SArt1SKARA
MARRIAGE RlrES AND IUTUALS OF HfNDUS
profound step they are taking AI
in their lives, and consciously PREM SAH
embrace with joy the fullness
of this noble rite of passage. It is designed not only to inform,
but to be a lifelong part of the family archives.
"Highly recommended. A must to go back to our ancient tra-
ditions" - Hinduism Today
150 pg. Hard bound. US$18.00 in US, $22.00 in Canada and
$27.00 worldwide, including airmail shipping.
Available from Himalayan Academy Publications
107 Kaholalele Road, Kapaa, HI 96746-9304 USA
Phone: 1-800-890-1008 ext 238 - within USA
Phone: 808-822-3152 ext 238 - for overseas
Fax: 1-808-822-4351- 24 hours
Classical Music of North and South India
Highest quality
award-winning
titles of music from
around the world.
Our catalog has a
wide variety of
CDs and cassettes
to choose from,
including three
stellar recordings of
Trichy Sankaran,
featured in this
issue: Lotus Signatures (pictured), Sunada, and Laya Vinyas .
Other Indian artists you'll find in our catalog include:
• Dr. N. Ramani. The Dagar Brothers
• Tarun Bhattacharya. Irnrat Khan
• Shankar and Zakir Hussain,
• v'G. Jog. e.S. Sachdev
• Purna Das Baul· A. Kanyakumari
• Sultan Khan. K. Subramaniam and more.
To order Lotus Signatures (US$15.98 + postage) or any other
recording, or to get a free catalog of music from around the
world call 919-932-9600 or write:
Music of the World, Ltd • PO Box 3620 (HT)
Chapel Hill, NC 27515-3620 USA
Check out our website:
http://www.rootsworld.comlrw /motw
A Comprehensive Approach to Yoga ...
...based on the teachings of
Paramhansa Yogananda
(author of Autobiography
ofa Yogi) .
• Yoga and Meditation
Retreat.
• Yoga teacher training.
• Spiritual communities.
• Catalog of books,
music and videos.
• Ananda's home-study
course in yoga and
meditation.
For a free cassette on Mystical Music and Talks
call or write:
Ananda
14618 Tyler Foote Rd
Nevada City, CA 95959-8599 USA
Tel: 916-478-7560 Extension 7025
Ananda Home Page: http://www.ananda.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Ananda, founded in 1968 by Swami Kriyananda, a
direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, is not
affiliated with Self-Realization Fellowship.
CHALLENGES
Devotional
Artist by
Fate
I
Personal disaster
uncovers 4idden gift
AWRENCE PAUL IS A THIRD-GENERA-
tiowPakistani Hindu whose family orig-
inally hailed from Gujarat, but elected
to stay in Karachi after Partition. One
fateful night in 1989 while taking a shortcut
home across a trainyarcl"he was attacked and
robbed by twelve men, beaten severely and
left for dead. He regained consciousness just
as a train was bearing down upon him.
Pulling himself off the tracks, he lost both
legs as the train passed over him. Unable to
work any longer, h ~ s family finances deteri-
orated untiJ his mother was forced to take a
job. Lawrence then turned to artwork,
which had been his hobby, as a way to help
the family. "I never stUC'lied with anyone, no
ASTROLOGY
Lawrence's art: Artist at work retouching a painting. Lord Siva blesses Goddess Parvati.
one ever taught" me. God gave me a gift of
art. It is a power to help my struggle in1ife,"
he said. An excellent artist, he doesn't make
as much as he might, since most ' of his
pieces are ' devotional works. He has done
life-size statues of Lord Siva, Goddess Dur-
ga and Shirdi Sai Baba, plus a variety of oil
and watercolor -paintings. His commissioned
portraits are noted for their sensitive depic-
tion of the subject's personality, "Peop)e are
forever kll0cking on his door, even coming
from far away places," his sister-in-law
Yvonne, reports. "But since he does mainly
devotional work, a lot is for free or materials
cost only."
"My dream is to stand and walk berore my
mother again," Lawrence says-something
possible with minor surgery, artificial legs
and rehabilitation. Beyond ..... a used, \]S$14
wheelchair, little has been done for him in
Pakistan where his treatment options are in-
a9.equate. Yvonne is raising money to bring
him to the USA. Here the surgery and his
rehabilitation would be a relatively routine,
if costly and extended, process. To assist in
his effort to walk again, contact: Yvonne
Paul, 11100 Highway 99 South, Ashland
Oregon, 97520, USA. ..,.;
Mars-Saturn Opposition
posed are all more likely to
surface at these times. Unusu-
al and harsh weather patterns
prevail as well.
defeated, their spirit remains
optimistic; 3) While it gives
tremendous experience in
dealing with life, by making
the person go through all
kinds of difficult situations,
these very experiences enable
the person to rise above the
circumstances and become
successful; 4) Things which
are difficult to change can be
changed. It is because of this
planetary combination people
or countries can make radical
changes which would other-
wise take ages. These changes
ultimately bring progress; 5)
These planets remove the stag-
nation of laziness to promote
action and busy-ness; 6) This
planetary connection pro-
motes hard work, which is al-
ways good; 7) Mars, when as-
pecting Saturn, gives its power
to Saturn. The power of Mars
is energy and action. It makes
people awaken to the chal-
lenges of life and become ac-
tion oriented."
F
ROM DECEMBER 17, 1996,
through March 24 of this
year, Mars was in Virgo
opposite Saturn in Pisces,
as will occur again from June
3 to August 4. This combina-
tion makes for an opposing,
confrontational vibration in
the world, caused by the
Earths being directly in-be-
tween the aggressive force of
Mars on one side and the re-
straining energy of Saturn on
the opposite. This opposition
affects persons differently ac-
cording to their birth chart (it
especially affects those with
prominent Virgo or Pisces),
but in general it results in fac-
ing more obstacles in life. Pro-
jects started will face added
set-backs, have to be re-
vamped and started over
again. At times, life may seem
I
like one enormous gridlock.
The mind and senses tend to
conflict, causing impulsive
acts. Anger, resistance to au-
thority, resentments or re-
vengeful feelings when op-
Sri Chakrapani VIlal has a
special gift of seeing the posi-
tive side of these difficult
planetary periods: "Though
this combination is most de-
structive, there are always ele-
ments of positive influences
that manifest. In fact, this as-
sociation makes the progress
faster than otherwise possible,
whether in politics, economics
or social structure. What is left
after the destructive influence
is positive and progressive: 1)
This combination enhances
the ability to think and use
logic, diplomacy and strategy
which will help in surmount-
ing the difficulties; 2) It makes
the person rise to the occasion
and fight it out and not get a
sense of defeat. Even when
Mangala: A personified
depiction oj the planet Mars
MAY , 1 997 H I' N D U ISM TO DAY 27
,
EDUCATION

Harvard's #2 graduate brillance with art and atman
By LAVINA MELWANI, NEW YORK
OU COULD HAVE HEARD A PIN DROP.
After all, the event was one of awe-in-
spiring pomp and' circumstance in that
blue-chip, Ivy League temple of higher
learning-Harvard UniversIty. Manjul Bhar-
gava'stepped up to the microphone, clad un-
derneath his graduation gown in his Indian
kurta and pajama. As one of the top two stu-
dents graduating in Harvard's 1,600-strong
1996 class, he had been invited to lead the
commencement. Surrounded and undaunt-
ed by the trappings of maipstream America,
he began with teachings from the Vedas.
Manjul recalls, "I thought this would be the
perfect beginning to this auspicious ceremo-
ny. I recited in .sanskrit some of my favorite
verses, and a translation into English was
read immediately afterwards and broadcast
on radio throughout-the Boston area."
Yes, you can take the boy out ofIndia, but
you certainly can't take India out of the boy!
Confident and proud of his Hindu culture
and identity, thIS young Ontario-born son of
a chemist father and mathematician mother
has proven that he is-truly Aryabhatas de-
scendent in mind and spirit. This January
he received the prestigious Frank and Bren-
nie Morgan Prize for outstanding research
in mathematics by ' an undergraduate stu-
dent. Manjul, whose academic CMeer has
been flawless, received the award for the
four papers he submitted to the Morgan
Prize- Committee. His Senior Honor's The-
sis, "On P-orderings and polynomial func-
tions on arbitrary subsets of Dedekind-type
rings" unifies and generalizes the results of
about 20 previous papers, many by well-
known mathematicians.
This may all sound a bit cerebral to ordi-
nary mortals like us, but in Cllse you think
tIkt Manjul is one of those Super I.Q .. ·brains
with the social life of a nerd, thinJ5: again! He
was editor'of the school magazine Ventures,
played on the tennis and bowling teams and
was in the Ecology and French Clubs. He
attracted academic awards and scholarships
throughout school and college as
as honeycombs draw bees. He cheerfully
admits: "I never really liked going to school,
and so I rarelY attended. Instead, I spent
most of my childhood biking, playing tennis
and . basketball with neighborhood kids,
writing, flying kites, reading recreational
28 HINDUISM TODA.Y M4Y, 1997
math books, and learniI).g to play the sitar,
guitar, violin and the tabla."
Manjul, the winner of the First Annual
New York State Science Talent Search, al-
most didn't graduate because of his carefree
inclination to skip classes that couldn't teach
him anything he didn't know already. After
all, he had completed all his high school's
math and computer courses by grade!
Still, he did manage to graduate-as the class
valedictorian, no less.
At Harvard, he was awarded the Thomas
Hoopes Prize for outstanding research work.
While taking gradua(e courses, he also
taught undergraduate mathematics as a
teaching fellow for three years and was a
three-time recipient of the Derek Bale
Award for Excellence in Teaching. b-ll this
before he reached voting age!
Even at Harvard, Manjul found time to
pursue Sanskrit, table tennis and the tabla,
which. he played at various musical perfor-
mances in the Boston area. His extended'
Hindu family, with whom he spent many va-
cations in Jaipur, nurtured in him an over-
whelming love of India. His grandfather, Dr.
PUFUshottam Lal Bhargava, was a renowned
scflolar of Sanskrit and ancient Indian his-
tory, and was recently honored by the presi-
dent of India for his groundbreaking re-
search. His mother, Dr. Mira Bhargava, is a
noted mathematician, but as Manjul ob-
serves, is also a wonderful and dedi-
cated traditional Indian mother and
homemaker."
Though Manjul grew up in several cities
in C¥ada and the US, Hindu values were
instilled in him as a child. He says: ""My first
language was Hindi, and I picked, up most of
school, but ManfUl stood his ground: "Some-
times kids I ate with would make fun of me
for not eating meat-' You've never had a
hamburger in your life?' they'd ask incredu'-
lou sly. I would remind them that what they
were eating were slices of dead cow and pig,
and I'd relate cruel and gruesome stories of
Proof positive: Manjul, 22, points to one of his formulas
which earned him the Morgan Prize. Three of the four
honorees of this prestigious award hqve been Hindu.
the slaughterhouse to them. This
generally grossed them out
enough to never make fun of
vegetarianism again. In f$.ct , af-
terwards many of diem stopped
eating meat altogether-at least
in front of me!"
. /
my English later on from school and from
friends. I took a leave of absence from
school in the second half of my sophomore
year and spent it in Jaipur with my grand-
parents. I learned Sanskrit at the Rajasthan
Sanskrit ViClyapeeth and took further tabla
lessons from my teacher there."
While he was growing up::discussions of
the Vedas, the Puranas and the Mahabhara-
. ta were as common as those on current news.
All major Hindu holidays were celebrated
with puja, arati (offering of lights) and lots
of festive food. His Hindu upbringing did
not clash with Wowing up in America.
The family's staunch vegetarianism did
cause some minor clashes in elementary
Manjul's commitment to vege-
tarianism persists, and at Har-
vard he was involved with the
Animal Welfare Committee. The
idea is fa raise awareness of ani-
mal rights through such activi-
ties as fur protests and examin-
ing the humane treatment of
laboratory animals. Recalls Man-
jul: "I was very surprise a to be
·the only Hindu member on the
committee. While it is gratifying
to see so many non-Hindus be-
coming dedicated to the cause of
ahimsa, I wish that more Hindus
would get involved ip proII].oting
" this noble Indian practice."
. As a youth in North America,
Manjul had one minor problem:
the Hindu holidays almost never
coincided with school holidays.
He .says, "I would miss many
school days throughout the year
for various Hindu festivals. But
to tell you the truth, I always
found sitting through classes all
day rather dull and boring, and
so was very happy on those days
when I was able to skip school,
all with a valid excuse, too!"
How does he feel about being
raised half in the East and half
in the West? Manjul observes, "I
am so glad to have grown up in
two cultures! It has allowed me
to extract the best of two worlds .
The wisdom and values of Hindus together
with the confidence and work ethics of
Americans has really been an Inspiring
combination. It has also allowed me to grow
up as a truly multilingual person and to be
exposed to fuany different schools of litera-
ture, music and art."
. Because of his frequent trips to India and
his exposure to Indian culture at home, he
feels very much a part.of the home country
too. He thinks young Hindus growingup in
21st century US should hang on to their cul-
ture and religion. "People don't reaJize the
tremendous advantage of growing up in two
different cultures," he points out. "Hinduism
is an especially adaptable, rational and uni-
versal way of life, and growing up in Ameri-
ca does not in any way prevent one from
holding on to our Sanatana Dharma."
Ind>ed, Manjul has taken bits and pieces
from both cultures and created his own
universe. He wears kurta pajamas but
also Western clothes; he is adept at comput-
er science but also fascinated by Vedic gani-
ta jyotisha, or astronomy. He says, 'Tve read
the marvelous exposition of ganita jyotisha
by Aryabhata (4th century) who is recog-
nized worldwide as the founder of modern
astronomy and trigonometry."
Living on American campuses and ex-
posed to the hard-sell of television shows ,.
and commercials, how has the handsome
bachelor dealt with dating? He points out
that this is certainly an issue on which the
Indian and American cultures differ, adding
-that young Indians in America are under
tremendous pressure by their peers to date.
He says, "I personally have chosen not to
date and have a large circle of close friends
-male and female, mostly American-who
have accepted and respected my decision. I
attend social functions, not with a date, but
with family members or fhends."
As for marriage, Manjul protests: "I
haven't thought much about marriage yet, so
I can't say whether I will have an arranged
marriage eventually-I'm only 22 and am in
school for a couple more years!" He does add
though that he would not insist on marrying
from the same community but would cer-
tainly hope to marry someone who shares
his Hindu values, speaks Hindi, enjoys Indi-
an music and likes the natural sciences.
At Harvard, he graduated summa cum
laude in math and waj awarded the presti-
gious Hertz Fellowship which he. is current-
ly using to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics at
Princeton University. He eventually hopes
to be a mathematician at a research institu-
tion: "I would really like to open some sort of
chain of national math and science guruku-
las (schools) in India. There is so much
mathematical and science talent in India,
but unfortunately, such talent is not fostered
anti attended to as it is in the United States." .
Asked what helps him,.get through rough
times, Manjul points to' the ten ca'i-dinal
virtues of Hinduism-the yamas and niya-
mas-as prescribed in the Manusmrti, in-
cluding fortitude, forgiveness, truthfulness,
absence of anger and pursuit of knowledge.
To that he adds, "Growjng up in a tradition-
al Hindu family also makes tough times
much easier, as fam\ly members are always
willing to sacrifice their own time and re-
sources when others are in need. My moth-
er especially has be'en the paramount exam-
ple of sacrifice, having dedicated almost her
entire life to the well-being of our extended
family." And the ornnipotent' Ganesha sitting
in the family shrine in New York extends a
helping hand, too! wi
MAY, 1 997 H I'N D U ISM TO DAY 29
,
/
INSIGHT
Sacred
Pilgrimage
Searching for God, atoning for
misdeeds or begging for boons,
pilgrims visit the holy places
IVE DUTIES, CALLED PANCHA KRIYA, FORM
the traditional minimal practices expect-
ed of every Hindu: upasana (worship);
utsava (holy days); dharma (virtuous liv-
ing); tirthayatra (pilgrimage); and sam-
skara (rites of passage). Thus, most Hindus pro-
ceed on pilgrimage from time to time, choosing
from among the seven sacred rivers or seven lib-
eration-giving cities, the twelve Siva mandirs or
the vast temple complexes of Mathura and Vrin-
davana, or thousands more holy places of India.
Some visit the hallowed sanctuaries of Sri Lanka,
Bali, Nepal and Bangladesh, Southeast Asia 0r
the modern temples of Europe, America and
Australia. How we follow the pilgrims' way is
more important than where we go.
The concept of Mrshana is inextricably woven into tirthayatra
(literally "journey to the river's ford"), and all of its encounters, mun-
dane and metaphysical. In fact, one cannot understand how a Hin-
du experiences pilgrimage without a deep appreciation for the not-
so-obvious concept of Mrshana, which means "sight or vision." The
direct encounter, or seeing, of the Divine, is the ideal that carries a
Hindu on pilgrimage. He wants to see holy men and women, to see
holy shrines, to see the images abiding in the ancient sanctums. Ul-
timately, he wants to see God, to have a personal, life-changing, bliss-
engendering, karma-eradicating vision of Truth within himself. The
pilgrim also wants to be seen by God, to reveal himself, uncover
himself, stand before God and be known to Him. Darshana is the
essence of every pilgrim's journey, the rationale, the inner and out-
er goal. Working diligently with himself, the pilgrim observes his
yogas and his sadhanas (disciplines) so that his seeing may be pure
and untainted. Traditional questors' practices of snana, the sacred
bath, especially at the confluences of rivers, and munMna, shaving
of the head, are part of attaining that purity.
Pilgrimage is a pan-human religious behavior, practiced by all cul-
30 HINDUISM TODAY MAY, 1997
tures in much the same manner and for similar reasons-boons, ex-
piation of sins, healing, nearness to God and enlightenment. A pil-
grim of ancient Egypt testified, "1 made myself a stranger to all vice
and all Godlessness, was chaste for a considerable period, and of-
fered the due incense in holy piety. I had a vision of God and found
rest for my soul." The Aborigines of Australia travel to Ayer's Rock
and other places of the continent. American Indian tribes undertake
a "vision quest" at their sacred places. The Olympic Games were
originally part of a pilgrimage to the temple of Zeus in Olympia,
Greece. The Christians of the Middle Ages traveled to the holy city
of Jerusalem, often at great personal peril. Muslims are expected
once in their life to perform the hajj, the visit to Mecca, holiest city
of Islam-about 10% are able to do so. Buddhists visit the four-sanc-
tified sites: Buddha's birthplace in Lumbini, Nepal; his place of en-
lightenment at Bodhgaya, India; Deer Park (Sarnath), where he
gave his first sermon; and Kusinara, where he had his great depar-
ture. Jains pilgrimage to Mount Abu in Rajasthan and Parasnath in
Bihar; Sikhs to the Golden Temple at Amritsar; Shintoists to Mount
Fiji in Japan. There are numerous places in China sacred to Taoists
and Confucianists. Catholics are ardent pilgrims-four million a
year to Lourdes in France, a million to Fatima in Portugal, to name
just two destinations. Protestant Christians are possibly unique for
rejecting the practice of pilgrimage as "childish and useless works."
But even they can be found at Lourdes or Jerusalem. Not only the
practices but even the people are the same. What Hindu pilgrim
would not recognize from his own experience the Christian charac-
ters of John Bunyan's novel Pilgrim's Progress- Mr. Worldly Wiseman,
Mrs. Hopeful, Mr. Faithful, Mrs. Much-afraid and Mr. Ready-to-halt?
Pilgrimage is not a vacation, a chance to "get away from it all" and
enjoy scenic vistas in far-off lands. The true blessing of pilgrimage
comes with singlemindedness of purpose, rather than combining it
(especially as a secondary purpose) with visits to relatives or the
handling of business or professional concerns. Pilgrimage is a going
toward holiness and a going away from worldly life. Sri Swami
Satchidananda of the Integral Yoga Institute told HINDUISM TODAY,
"There is a tradition that when you take a pilgrimage you temporar-
ily become a sannyasin [renunciate]. It is called yatra sannyasa. You
go as a sannyasin, doing with simple things and depending on God."
"Pilgrimages," explains Swami Chidanand Saraswati (Muniji) of
Parmath Niketan, in Rishikesh, "may be undertaken for realizing
specific desires; as a prayashchitta (penance) for cleansing one's sins
or for spiritual regeneration. Seekers go on pilgrimages in quest of
knowledge, enlightenment and liberation. The great acharyas like
Shankara, Ramanuja and Madhva went on pilgrimages to teach
Sanatana Dharma." Pilgrims perform the shraddha rites at an aus-
picious place in honor of their ancestors. They seek the company of
holy people. By such proximity, the pilgrim hopes to absorb a bit of
the saints religious merit, or maybe to capture a glimpse of the lofty
state of the knower's consciousness.
The Mahabharata, in the Tirthayatra section, lists hundreds of
holy destinations. Sage Pulastya describes to Bhishma a tour cir-
cumambulating all of India in a clockwise fashion, beginning from
Pushkara in Rajasthan, then to Sornnath and Dwarka in the West,
to the Himalayas, across the top of India through Varanasi and Gaya
to the mouth of the Ganges in the East, then southward to Kanyaku-
mari, back up the western side of India to Gokarna in Karnataka,
and ultimately returning to Pushkara. The existence of this pilgrim-
age route in ancient times proves, they say, that undivided India was
a one culture unified by a one religion. In Hindu Places of Pilgrim-
age in India, Surinder Mohan Bhardwaj states, "The number ofHin-
du sanctuaries in India is so large and the practice of pilgrimage so
ubiquitous that the whole of India can be regarded as a vast sacred
space organized into a system of pilgrimage centers and their fields."
The continuous circulation of tens of millions of pilgrims through-
out India has forged a national unity of great strength. Swami Chi-
danand explains, "Pilgrimages have culturally and emotionally uni-
fied the Hindus. They have increased the generosity of people.
Pilgrims learn and appreciate the many subcultures in the different
regions, while also appreciating the overall unity."
The pilgrim, according to Sage Pulastya, must have contentment,
self-control and freedom from pride and anger. He must eat light,
vegetarian food and regard all creatures as his own sel[ "The pil-
grims," notes Ma Yoga Shakti, "should not entertain anything which
is not spiritual. A pilgrim must go with total surrender, with a total
faith in God, that it is only with God's grace that he can finish the
pilgrimage." All along the way, there is help from others. "People
know you are a pilgrim," Swami Satchidananda continued. "They
say, 'We cannot go ourselves. We are all busy in the world. Please, by
helping you, you can go and get some benefit, and parts of it will
come to us.' " Pilgrims often sense a divine guidance during their
journey, as obstacles unexpectedly disappear and needed assistance
comes in a timely, unplanned fashion. Helping pilgrims is an impor-
tant obligation. The langar, free vegetarian kitchen, and free rest
houses at pilgrimage sites are common methods of assistance.
In addition to participation in the normal temple or festival events,
the pilgrim's devotional practices include circumambulation,
bathing, head shaving, sraddha offering to ancestors and prostration.
Prostration and circumambulation are sometimes combined in the
rigorous discipline of "measuring one's length"-prostrating, rising,
stepping forward two paces and prostrating repeatedly around a sa-
cred site. There are pilgrims who undertake this formidable
penance the entire 33-mile path around Mount Kailas. Many desti-
nations have a prescribed set of observances for pilgrims. Some,
such as that to the temple of Lord Ayappan in Sabarimala, have
complex disciplines requiring months to complete.
Pilgrims pay obeisance to every Deity along their way. After wor-
shiping at all the shrines in each temple, one fmds a quiet place in
meditation. Manasa puja, "mental ritual worship," is then performed
to the Deity who stands out most strongly in one's mind, explained
Swami Satchidananda. It is not enough to run from shrine to shrine
taking Mrshana for "just five minutes:' as the tour guides insist. One
must also reflect internally in meditation and thus become open to re-
ceiving the gracious boons of the God. Even a life-changing vision of
God may come to the pilgrim in his meditation, or later in a dream.
H.H. Swami Prakashanand, an ardent devotee of Radha-Rani, ex-
plains how to conclude a sacred journey. "Normally while going to a
holy place people think of God, but as soon as they have the Mrshan
of the Deity and they start back home, their mind is totally engrossed
in business affairs. This is not correct. While coming back he should
be further engrossed in feeling the closeness of God. Otherwise it is
a sight-seeing trip." It is customary to return with holy water, vibhuti
(holy ash) and other temple sacraments and place them upon the
home altar after lighting a lamp. This establishes the holy places'
blessings in the home and keeps the pilgrimage alive for months.
MAY, 1997 HINDUISM TODAY 31
/
Divine Destinations
HE EARLIEST PILGRIMAGE DESTINATIONS ARE THOUGHT TO BE
the saptanadis (seven holy rivers), hence the Sanskrit term
for pilgrimage, tirthayallra, literally "journey to the river's
ford." These seven rivers-Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Sarasva-
ti, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri-remain preeminent among
holy sites on their own accord and in association with the temples
along their course. Each Hindu sect holds certain sites in high re-
gard, though few Hindus would pass up the opportunity to visit any
of the great sanctuaries. Paramount is the Kumbha Mela, the largest
gathering of humans in the world, according to the Guinness Book of
World Records. The 1989 Kumbha Mela at Prayag drew 30 million
devotees. The month-long festival is held four times in each 12-year
cycle of Jupiter, once each at Haridwar, Prayag, Nassik and Ujjain. A
bath in India's sacred rivers yields immeasurable blessings. Hun-
dreds of thousands of holy men emerge from caves and forests to be-
stow their blessings on humanity at the Kumbha Mela.
Haridwar, where the river Ganges enters the Gangetic Plain, is
the gateway to the sacred Himalayan shrines, tirthas and ashrams.
It attracts thousands of pilgrims year-round. The Kumbha Mela is
held here when Jupiter is in Aquarius and the Sun in Aries-next oc-
curring in January-February of 1998. Prayag, "place of sacrifice," at-
tracts millions who travel great distances and endure hardships for
a purifying bath to absolve sins and seek moksha, freedom from re-
birth, in the confluence of three rivers-Yamuna, Ganga and the in-
visible Sarasvati. This city holds the biggest Kumbha Mela of all
when Jupiter is in Taurus and the Sun in Capricorn. The next one
will be in January-February of 2001. Near the source of the Go-
davari River in Maharashtra, Nassik is revered as Lord Rama's forest
home during exile. One of ten cave temples here was Sita's abode,
from which Ravana abducted her. Shrines of the area include the
Kapaleshvara and Tryambakeshvara Siva temples. The Nassik mela
(festival) is much smaller than those of Haridwar and Prayag. It next
occurs in August-September 2003, when both Jupiter and the Sun
are in Leo. Historic Ujjain is one of India's seven cities of liberation.
Pilgrimage moments: Elderly women hike 46 km to Amamath cave
in ] ammu. Evening Ganga puja in Banaras. QUiet moment of medi-
tation before Lord Vishnu at Badami, Kamataka State. The infirm
are carried by hired porters to difficult sacred destinations.
This site of the relatively small 1992 Kumbha Mela, on the Shipra
River in Madhya Pradesh, shelters an array of destinations, including
the Mahakala Siva Temple and the Amareshvara Jyotir Linga. Its
next mela will be April-May 2004, when Jupiter enters Leo with the
Sun in Aries. A biannual Kumbha Mela of the South was begun in
1989 by Sri la Sri Tiruchi Mahaswamigal and Sri Sri Sri Balagangad-
haranathaswami of Bangalore at an auspicious site near Mysore.
Among the foremost religious retreats for SaiYites is Chidam-
baram, the great Siva Nataraja temple, site of the Lingam of Akasha,
located in Tamil Nadu. It was here that Lord Siva performed the
Tandava dance of creation, overcoming the arrogance of the rishis,
and where sage Patanjali later lived and wrote the Yoga Sutras. Here
also lived Rishi Tirumular, author of the Tirumantiram. The glisten-
ing roof of the main sanctum contains 17,500 solid gold tiles, one for
each breath a human takes in a day.
High north in Uttar Pradesh is Kedarnath, one of the twelve Jyo-
tir Linga temples of Lord Siva. It was established at the foot of the
Himalayas by the five Pandavas after the Mahabharata war to atone
for their sins. Recent improvements have made the previously ardu-
ous ascent to this 12,000-foot sanctuary easier, but unfit trekkers are
still cautioned about the cold and the 5,000-foot hike from Gau-
rikund, the last motorable outpost.
One of the greatest and most austere pilgrimages, Mount Kailas,
Himalayan abode of Lord Siva, is sacred to five religions. Pilgrims
perform a three-day, 33-mile circumambulation of the peak. At the
foot of Kailas lies Lake Manasarovara, symbolizing a quieted mind,
free from all thought. Kailas is the Mount Meru of Hindu cosmolo-
gy, center of the universe. Within 50 miles are the sources of four of
India's auspicious rivers.
The Ramanathaswamy Siva Linga Temple at Ramesyaram near
India's southern tip was built by Lord Rama in penance for killing
Ravana, a brahmin. Two Lingams (egg-shaped icons) are worshiped
there, established by Sita and Hanuman. Each day the abhishekam
(bathing) is performed with Ganges water. The temple is enormous
in extent, with a mile of stone corridors. Pilgrims bathe in the sea
and at 22 wells, each of which removes a particular kind of sin.
Pilgrims to Banaras, Siva's City of Light, bathe at the ghats (riv-
er steps) along the River Ganges to cleanse the sins of a lifetime.
Most pilgrims attend Siva Linga puja (devotional rites) at Kashi Vish-
wanatha, foremost of the 1,500 temples here. The devout journey
here at life's end.
One of the greatest Shakta temples is Vaishno DeYi. Those who
climb the mountain trail in the Trikuta mountains north of Jammu
are rarely disappointed as they implore the Goddess for boons. It
was here in the Himalayan foothills that Vaishno Devi, a devotee of
Lord Vishnu, defeated the demon Bhaironatha. Though hid-
den within a cave, the shrine receives more than 20,000
pilgrims a day, even when wintery snows are
piled deep outside.
At the very tip of India, where the Bay
of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Ara-
bian Sea meet, lies the ancient shrine of
Kanyakumari, Goddess Parvati as the eter-
nal virgin. It was here She defeated the de-
mon Bana. Boats take pilgrims offshore to
the Vivekananda Rock Memorial; where
the young swami cognized his mission
to begin a Hindu renaissance.
Madurai, the Athens of India, holds
the labyrinthine Meenakshi Sundaram
temple. Here Siva came as Somasundarar
to wed the Pandyan Princess
Meenakshi, a manifestation of Par- Pilgrim: Searching for God
vati. Thus, this edifice encases two
temples, one to Siva and another to Sakti. The towering entry gates,
1,000-pillared hall, sacred tanks and shrines vibrate with thousands
of years of worship at this seven-walled citadel on the Vagai River.
Only a few centuries ago the Kalighat temple was established in
what was then a remote jungle near the river Ganges. The now
highly congested Calcutta expanded to envelope the shrine, which
is filled daily with devotees' cries of "Kali Ma, Kali Ma," beseech-
ing blessings from the incomparable Protectress and Mother of lib-
eration.
Kamaksha is the Goddess of Love. Her holiest sanctuary is a
small temple built on the rock of Nila Hill near Gauhati in Assam.
The town and its legends are described in the Mahabharata and the
Kalika Purana. This temple of magic for the sincere devotee contains
no image of the Goddess, but in the depths of the shrine is a cleft in
the stone, adored as the yoni of Sakti.
VaishnaYites revere Ayodhya, birthplace of Lord Rama, "Jewel of
the Solar Kings." Here devotees worship and seek the blessings and
boons of the seventh incarnation of God Vishnu. This orthodox
Vaishnava town in Uttar Pradesh is among Hinduism's seven most
sacred cities. Temples and shrines in every quarter honor famous
sites of Rama's celebrated life, including the reclaimed Ram Janmab-
hoomi shrine and a temple to His devout servant, Hanuman.
Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna, eighth incarnation of
God Vishnu. Mathura and nearby Vrindaban and Gokula are an out-
door paradise for devotees visiting places of the Lord's youth. A ten-
mile circumambulation of the city takes enchanted pilgrims to
dozens of shrines and bathing spots for this beloved God's blessings.
Puri, in the state of Orissa, is the site of the famous Rathayatra,
car festival, held around June each year at the sprawling, 900-year-
old Jagannatha temple complex. A million pilgrims flock for dar-
shana of God Vishnu as Lord of the Universe, and His brother and
sister, Balabhadra and Subhadra. Using 500-meter ropes, throngs of
devotees pu1l40-foot-tall wooden chariots to the Gundicha temple.
Along with Yamunotri, Gangotri and Kedarnath, Badrinath lies
in the area known as Uttarkhand, high in the Himalayas. During the
half-year when not blocked by snow, hearty pilgrims climb 10,000
feet to the temple of Badrinarayana, where God Vishnu sits in med-
itation with a large diamond adorning His third eye and body be-
decked with gems. Pilgrims take a purifying bath at the Tapt Kund,
a sacred hot water pool.
India's richest and most popular temple, Tirupati, daily draws
25,000 pilgrims. They joyfully wait hours for a precious two seconds
of darshana of the two-meter tall, jet-black image of the wish-ful-
filling Sri Venkateshwara, or Balaji. His diamond crown is the costli-
est ornament on Earth. The temple is a Dravidian masterpiece of
stonework, gold and jewels. Head-shaving here is a prized testimony
of penance and devotion, and famed laddu sweets are the pilgrim's
prized gift of blessed food.
In ancient times the rishis of the Rig Veda sang in praise of pil-
grimage: "Flower-like the heels of the wanderer, his body grows and
is fruitful; all his sins disappear, slain by the toil of his journeying."
So meaningful is pilgrimage in the Sanatana Dharma, the world's
oldest religion, that Hindus today have thousands of destinations, at
which God awaits the pilgrim.
Recommended Resources: Hindu Places of Pilgrimage in India [comprehensive study for
North Indian sites], Surinder Mohan Bhardwaj, University of California Press, 2120 Berkeley Way, Berke-
ley, California, 94720. Pilgrimage Past and Present In the World Religions [useful for Western faiths], Si-
mon Coleman and John Elsner, Harvard University Press, 79 Garden Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts,
02138-1425. Pilgrimages and Journeys, [fIne children's book], Katherine Prior, Thomson Learning, 115
Flfth Avenue, New York, New York, lQOO3. l Hlstoricalltlas of South Asia [maps and historical accounts],
Joseph E. Schwartzberg, Oxford University Press, 200 Madison Avenue, New York, New York, 10016.
Journeys to the lands of the Gods [a pilgrims diary, especially good for South Indian sites], Rajalingaro
Rajathurai, Printworld Services Pte Ltd, 80 Genting Lane, #04-02 Genting Block, Ruby Industrial Com-
plex, Singapore 349565
/
I
ECONOMICS
India:-Once
P'lentiflil
Records -reveal British diminished crops
anc;l dismantled a native system of abundance
OST OF US COLLEGE-EDUCATED
Indians were taught that ineffi-
cient technologies and low pro-
ductivities pervaded through
long ages in practically all parts
_ of .India," states Dr. S.K. Bajaj:
dIrector of the Centre for Policy Studies, a
Chennai think tank. In the 1920s Gandhi's
Young India pr.esentep some proof of a rich
and prosperous pre-British India. Then in
the 1960s, the Centre's founder, historian Sri
Dharampal, discovered at the Thanjavur
Tamil University a set of palrnleaf records
documenting a British survey of 2,000 vil-
lages of Chengalpattu, a large area sur-
rounding present -day Chennai. "Startling
features of Tamil society in the 18th centu-
ry emerge from these palmleaf accounts,"
said Bajaj. "Between 1762 and 1766 there
were villages which produced up to 12 tons
of paddy a hectare. This level of productivi-
ty can be obtained 'only in the best of the
Green Revolution areas of the coumry, with
the most advanced, expensive and often en-
viroIlJllentaily ruinous technologies. The an-
nual-availability of all food averaged five tons
per household; the national average in India
today is three-quarters ton. Whatever the
ways of pre-British Indian society, they were
definitely neither ineffective nor inefficient."
Food production is just one aspect of the
colonial impact geing addressed by the
Centre. The Chengalpattu records are part
of Dharampal's research which has uncov-
ered a politically, technologically and eco-
nomically vibrant Indian society of the il.8th
cEi,ntury. "That society was dismantled and
atomized by the British, by force," states the
Centre's brochure, "and the diverse skills of
the Indian people were pushed out of the
public sphere and n;tade to rust and decay.
For India to become a vibrant and dynamic
nation again, we only need to re-awaken the
political, economic and technological skills
of our people." The records are especially
useful for understanding how Hindu reli-
gious institutions were originally supported,
and why they declined under British rule.
Dliarampal believes Indians must redis-
cover their nation's traditional sense of chit-
ta, mind, and flow of time, kala. "Since we
have lost practically all contact with our tra-
dition, and all comprehension of our chitta
and kala, there are no standards and norms
on the basis of which to answer
that arise in 9rdinary social living. Ordinary
rndians perhaps still retain an innate under-
standing of action and right thought,
but our elite society seems to have lost all
touch with any stable norms of behavior and
thinking. The present attempt at imitating
the world and following every passing tad
Ola leaf records: Sample of the meter-long palmleaf manuscripts of the British survey
34 HINDUISM TODA,Y Y, 1997
can .... hardly lead us anywhere.
We shall have no options until
we evolve a conceptual frame-
work of our own, based on chit-
ta and kala, to discriminate be-
tween right and wrong, what is
useful for us and what is futile."
The Centre's three main re-
searchers .are: M.D. Srinivas, a
theoretical physicist teaching at
the University of who
specializes in Indi"an science;
T.M. Mukundan, a mechanical
engineer specializing in tech-
nologies such as water manage-
ment and iron smelting; and J.K.
Bajaj, also a theoretical -physi-
cist, now involved in economy,
agriculfure and energy.
The Chengalpattu data was a
Godsend for the Centre, and has
allowed them to support many
of their central theories about
pre-British 1ndia. The accounts
. detail a complete economic, so-
cial, administrative and religious
picture of the society. Every
temple, pond, garden and grove
in a locality is listed, the occupa-
tion, family size, hpme aI).d lot
.... size of 62,500 households metic-
, ulously recorded. Crop yields
between 1762-66 are tallied. Per
capita production of food in this
region (which is of average fer-
tility) was more than five times
that achieved on average today.
Hajaj and his associates didn't
do all their work in a library.
The team set off in person
across the Chengalpattu region to verify the
picture presented in the leafs. They found
most of these villages deserted-.perhaps
since !.he beginning of the 19th century-by
all who had any resources, education or
Inhabitants had left behind their pala-
tial houses, their temples and groves. Aban-
doned as well were the eyrs-the irrigation
tanks and channels-often cut across by
roads which left· dry land on
one side and stagnant water on the other.
Their inspection confirmed
many aspects of the inscribed leaves.
Of importance to Hindu history is how the
religious institutions were maintained. Lands ....
callen many am were assigned for the sup-
port of various fundions, .Including religious
activities. Certain percentages of the pro-
duction from this land were divided among
·the various public functions, such as admin-
istration, army, education and religious insti-
tutions. Small temples received incorhe from
nearby villages. Larger ones, such as those of
the great center of Kanchipuram, received
income from over a thousanCl. villages. The
amount dedicated to religion from the
many am lands, according 'to the leaves, was
a. substantial four percent of the total pro-
duce of the region. It supported temples,
academies of learning, dancers and musi-
cians. A portion was also provided for Mus-
lim and Jain institutions. This system result-
ed in the vast network of temples, most now
neglected, seen across South India.
The British government changed this sys-
tem. In some areas they calculated a per-
centage figure of total tax revenue going to
the institutions and fixed it as a dollar
amount, in 1799 dollap. Some institutions
still receive this same govermpent allot-
Hovv the Green
Revolution failed
D
B. RAMON DE LA PENA OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAW All IS ONE OF
the worlds foremost experts on rice. He also ha'ppens to be a neighbor
of the ashram from which HINDUISM TODAY is produced. Asked to
comment on the Chengalpattu reports, he said: "Such yields as 12
tons per hectare were definitely possible with the old methods and two crops
a year. The best modern US production is eight to nine tons per hectare (one
annual crop). The world average is presently three to five tonslhectare. Be-
fore the Green Revolution [which introduced new, high-yielding strains] the
average was one to one-and-a-half tonslhectare. The Green Revolution
worked in some areas but not in others. The short variety of rice developed
for it grew just one meter high. To be productive, it needed fertilizer, and the
fields had to be kept weed free. The old varieties were two meters high, not
so suspectible to weed competition, resistant to insects and did not need fer-
tilizer. If the new varieties are not managed correctly-with fertilizers, pes-
ticides and insecticides-the harvest is less than with the old methods of
minimum input. New is not always better."
MAY, 1997 Hl'NDUISM TODAY 35
/
o
/
No pain, no grain: Himalayan women winnow grain. Such ancient methods created an abundance unmatched in India today.
, -,
ment-worth next to nothing to-
day. Others became owners of
the land from which a' share of
production once came. This in-
troduced its own set of
also still with us today, where
temples are unable to collect the
rep.t. The collective result was
that the great religious and cul-
tural institutions of the 18th cen-
tury decayed and lost touch with
the community. The ,British tax-
es were so high there was no
money left to support the admin-
istlfation or cultural establish-
ments. School teachers, musi-
cian;' dancers, keepers of the
irrigation works, moved away, or
took to farming. By 1871, 80% of
the area was engaged in agricul-
ture (up from less than 50% ear-
lier), and many of the services
and industrial activities that
dominated the Chengalpattu
ci'ety of the 1770s ceased to exist.
The value of the Centre's re- '
search is obvious: India, and Hin-
duism with it, flourished in the
pas.t-without the
Green Revolution or the Industri-
al ,Revolution or the Worker's-
Revolution. Dharampal, Bajaj and'
their associates want India to look
back at this time, dissect and un-
derstand it, and use that indige-
nous. knowledge to reinvigorate
the world's largest democracy._
Dharma's Foundation
Dr. J.K. :8ajaj lauds duty to create and s?are abundance
11 reliabte statistics indi-
cate that the average
availability and con-
sumption of food in
our country is among the low-
est in the world. We on the
average eat at least one-third
less of staple foods thqn the
norm in almost every other
part of the world. And In,dia
is perhaps the only major
countr.}: of the world where
cattle do not share in the pro-
duce of the lands. The Indian
people and cattle are living in
a state of hunger while highly
.' fertile Indian lands, even
those that fall in the plains of
the great life-giving rivers,
such as the Ganga, are lying -
idle. This has been the situa-
tion of India for about two
hundred years.
India was never so callous
abollt scarcity and hunger.
Growing an abundance of.
food and sharing it ln plenty,
annabahulya and annadana,
have always constituted the
foundation of dharma. All
else, even the search for mok-
sha, liberation, is built on this
foundation. We believe that if
India is to come into her own
and assert her civilizational
greatness in the present-day
world, then first of.all we
have to overcome
scarcity and recov-
er the traditional
diScipline of en-
suring plentiful
food to share with
all.
111 order to prop-
agate anq: make this
discipline a national pri-
ority, we invited prominent
saints to the temple of Sri
Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, on
October 11, 1996. Srimat
K.aliyan Vanamamali Ramanu-
ja Jeer Swami told our gather-
ing that scarcity in India is not
merely an economic failure, it
is a moral failure. Sri Kanchi
Kamakoti Shankaracharya
said we neither need to learn
anything from any-
where, nor esta:blish any new
institution. We only have to
recollect the memory of the
discipline that has always
been with us. Tirumala-Tiru-
pati Devasthanam's exec-
utive officer, M.K.R.
Vinayak, said an-
fladana was dis- ,
continued not due
to a lack of food-
grains, but a
of moral values.
The assembled
saints unanimously
blessed the release of our
book, Annan Bahu Kurvita, in
Hindi, Tamil and English,
which treats all aspects of
annabahulya and annadana.
Annan Bahu Kurvita is
available from: Centre for Pol-
icy Studies, 2, Thyagarajapu-
ram, Mylapore, Chennai, 600
004, India.
36 HINDUISM TODA.Y MY, 1997
/
SEATTLE
S.F. BAY AREA
LOS ANGELES
SANTA FE
DALLAS
CHICAGO
WASHINGTON D.C.
NEW YORK
BOSTON
Children, merge in your Self.
This is the true goa of human birth.
Strive for That! Though Truth
resides in all living It will
shine Gnly tbroug sadhana.
J'
-AMMACHI
"She reaches out through hugs,
drawing thousands into Her
embrace. It is a spiriTual experience,
an embrace that opens up the soul ."
-LOS ANGELES TIMES
"Mata Amritanol"ldamayi shines ClS a
supef Qva of motherly spiritudl1 . II
-HINDI:JISM TODAY
May 30 - June 3
June 5-17
206-742-9288
510-537-9417
818-623-0503
505-982-9801
214-380-0951 (Dallas)
713-437-1860 (Houston)
630-325.-9867
301-258-1 979
301-206-5117
914-668-7646
June 18-22
June 24-27
June 29-30
July 1-3
July 5-6
July 7-9
July 10-11 617 -666-3920
Meet Ammachi, a genuine sai.nt from sou,them .. the talks, de)lotional si nging
and the extraordmary of IndIvIdually receIvIng her blessip..Q.
All R'lib iO' programs are fre 9 charge. (
('
CLASSIFIED
Classified ads are uS$25 for 20 words, $1/word
for each add'nl word, payable in advance
• Hinduism Today, 107 Kaholalele Rd, Kapaa,
Hawaii, 96746-9304 USA. Tel: 800-850-1008 or
808-823-9620 • Fax: 808-822-4351.
E-mail:
Announcements
All USAtemples are invited to enroll as members
of the Council of Hindu Temples of North
America. For details and application forms:
The Secretariat, CHTNA, Hindu Temple Society
ofN. America. 45-57 Bowne St., Flushing, NY
11355-2202 USA. Tel: 718-460-8484.
Astrology
Consult reputed Vedic astrologer Jyotish
Bhaskar, Jyotish Shiromani Krishnan, on all
problems. Recipient of several prestigious
awards, including the recent award of Jyotish
Vachaspathi by leas India. Appreciated by sev-
eral clients for his accurate predictions and
guidance. Also excellent correspondence course
on Vedic Astrology. Book entitled Ashtaka Var-
ga Made Simple for the Western Astrologer is
available for sale. Call 972-783-1242 (USA).
Ayurvedic/Health
Panchakarma retreat. Medically supervised
one-week complete detoxification program
with Scott Gerson, MD, recognized authority.
Authentic and economical. Tel: 212-505-8971
(USA). [email protected].
Recipe of the Sages. Classical ayurvedic reme-
dies prepared strictly, following ancient texts
(Ashtanga Hydriya, Sahasrayoga, etc.). Just
arrived from India: massage oils, head oils,
ashwangadadi, lehyam, agasthyarasayanam,
chavanaprash, dasamoolaristhan, draksharish-
tam, and more. Call/write for catalog & price
list. Tel: 800-455-0770. Tri-health Inc., PO Box
340, Anahola, HI 96703-0340 USA.
Meat substitutes: Textured Vegetable Protein
and Instant Seitan. Fat-free, quick-cooking.
Free catalog: 800-695-2241. PO Box 180-HT,
Summertown, TN 38483.
Ayurvedic tours in India. Panchakarma,
massage, herb gardens, lectures, secrets.
Also arrange Sanskrit-learning retreats.
Beginners and advanced. Health Tours.
Tel: 1-505-323-7233 (USA).
Building Fund Drives
Sri Venkateswara Temple, Bridgewater, NJ. Un-
der construction, Kumbhabhishekam in 1998.
Sponsor bricks or send tax-deductible dona-
tions to HTCS, 780 Old Farm Road, Bridge-
water, NJ 08807-1264 USA. Tel: 908725-4477.
www.indiareview.com
Hindu Temple of Kern County opening soon.
Your tax-deductible donations are needed and
appreciated. HTKC, 4105 Cabernet Drive,
Bakersfield, CA 93306. Tel: 805-872-0141.
Computer
The best software for Hindi, Sanskrit, Gujarati,
Punjabi, Bengali with diacritical marks.
The Hindi Word Processor for Windows
from Krishna Software. US$109.00 + US$10.00
shipping. MasterCard/M.a. Tel: 416-315-3186.
PO Box 86065, Oakville, ON L6H 5V6,
Canada. Email: [email protected]. Dis-
tributorship available.
Cost-effective Tamil software, Kamban.
Windows 3.1, 3.11, 95 compatible (not for Mac):
2 fonts; 3 installations; US$59, money
order/draft. USA: A. Nallappan 3387 Foxtail
Terrace, Fremont, CA 94536. Tel: 510-795-
7701. Other countries: Binnary Trading,
33 Moon Beam Walk, S(277 243), Singapore.
Tel: 65-8726596. Internet: Lakshman@
cyberway. com.sg
Devotional Supplies
Ganges clayfired statues for puja, meditation.
Sixty beautiful handpainted images including
hard-to-find Narasimha, Kalki, Jagannatha,
Chaitanya, Shankaracharya, Dhanvantari. Color
catalog, US$2. JBL, Box 163 H, Crozet, VA
22932-0163 USA.
Quality Incense
from India. Golden Rose.
Nee! Kamal. Pure Sandal-
wood cones, and more.
Fax: 970-949-5826 USA
Email: Vel@vailnet
Education
Hindu University of America summer intensive
courses, Florida campus. Hinduism, Sankhya
Yoga, Raja Yoga, Sanskrit, meditation, music,
Hindu psychology, etc. Hindu University of
America, 8610 Vesta Terrace, Orlando, FL
32825-7934 USA Tel/Fax: 407-277-5959.
E-mail: [email protected]
Free Products and Services
Free educational flow charts on all aspects of
Hinduism. Write to Viswanath. Am I a
Hindu? [ISBN 1-879904-06-3] Box 56697,
New Orleans, LA 70156-6697 USA.
For inspiration, call (808) 822-SIVA(7482) day
or night for a recorded sermonette by Satguru
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. A total of sixty dif-
ferent upadeshes are changed daily, Each on is
from 10 to 18 minutes-covering topics such as-
chakras, handling karma, fear and other states
of externalized consciousness, affirmations,
putting teachings into practice, color medita-
tions, and many more.
Help Wanted
Priest wanted: Hindu temple of St. Louis is
seeking a Hindi-speaking priest well versed
in Sanskrit and all types of Hindu worship
services. Send C. V. to 725 Wiedman Rd. St.
Louis, MO 63011. USA Tel: 314-230-3300.
Physician wanted: Anjali, Society for Rural
Health and Development located in Northern
Gujarat, India, is seeking a physician to work
in a local hospital with a group of dedicated
professionals inspired by Swami Ramkrishna
Paramhansa and Swami Vivekananda. Anjali,
with its own campus including staff quarters,
is a well-established non-profit organization
providing a range of rural health and develop-
ment services to a large number of villages. The
position will provide free living accommoda-
tions and a reasonable salary by prevailing In-
dian standards. The ideal person for this posi-
tion must have a strong desire to help
underprivileged people of rural India. For
more information, in India, write to Anjali, PO
Ranasan, Pin 383305, Dist. Sabarkantha, Gu-
jarat. In USA call 561-743-1017.
Immigration
Canada Immigration
Complete preparation of application
package for U5$1,000 only. Leading team
of immigration lawyers and consultants.
Contact Surya Consulting, Inc.
Tel: 709-747-4709· Fax: 800-330-3670.
Jewelry
Affordable jyotish gems/jewelry. Vedic
astrological prescriptions filled. Paramahansa
Yogananda bangles. Meditation beads. Free in-
formation. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Order by
mail from King Enterprises, 1305 N. H St/A-
289-T, Lompoc, CA 93436-3335 USA. Call
1-805-693-0911 (business hours).
OM Nama Shivaya trimetal bracelets. Excel-
lent quality. Spiritual healing properties. US$9.
Tabla sets. $100. Amarveda, Box 883, Marion,
VA 24354-0883, USA. Tel: 540-782-9987.
Malas: rudraksha, US$9 (7 mm). Rose quartz,
$15 (6 mm). Tulsi, $5. Sandalwood, $9. Garnet,
$15 (6 mm). Hematite, $9 (6 mm, also called
black diamond). Lotus seed, $5. Tabla sets,
$100. Amarveda, Box 883, Marion, VA 24354-
0883, USA. Tel: 540-782-9987.
Music and Art
Exquisite Vedic paintings done to order at very
reasonable prices. Call Pushkar at
904-462-0144. PO Box 1094, Alachua, FL
32616-1049 USA.
East Indian instruments and gift items. Gi¥1t
selection of instruments: harmoniums, tabla,
daggas, kirtan instruments, audio/video tapes.
Also incense, spiritual books, etc. For a beau-
tiful catalog, send US$1 to Encinitas Imports,
PO Box 230419-H, Encinitas, CA 92023-0419
USA. Tel: 619-436-9589.
Portable Bina harmoniums: Excellent quality
and sound. 3 114 octaves, 2 sets of reeds, 2
drones, carrying case. US$450 includes UPS
shipping and tax. Ananda, 2171 EI Camino,
Palo Alto, California 94306-1504 USA. Tel:
415-462-8151
Hindu devotional paintings imported from In-
dia. Catalog, write: Lakshmi International,
411 Madison St. , Boonton, NJ 07005-2051 USA.
Web site: http://www.lakshmi.com
Devotional sculpture: Classic stone-cast
murthies of Hindu deities for your home or
temple. Ganesh, Shiva, Laxmi, Sarasvati, '
Durga. Height: 2 ft. (61 cm) or 4-5 ft. (1.2-1.5
m). Commissions available. Catalog: tel: 800-
608-8632 or 515-472-8115. Vedic Sculpture
Studio, 607 W Broadway #144, Fairfield, IA
52556-3200 USA.
Brass statue of Kali, 7 inches. US$20. Also
available in large sizes and in black marble.
Tabla sets. $100. Amarveda, Box 883, Marion,
VA 24354-0883 USA. Tel: 540-782-9987.
Products/Stores
Jay Store: Houston's oldest Indian grocery
store. Over 5,000 items- pooja articles and
much more. UPS daily. 10AM-8PM every day.
Tel: 713-783-0032 (USA).
Purity Farms organic traditional ghee. 100%
pure, from cows raised completely free ofhor-
mones, chemicals or pesticides. A delight to
cook with! Wholesale/retail. Tel: 303-647-2368.
Overseas Subscribers: Hinduism Todaymailed
directly to you in any country of the world! No
matter where you live, subscribe to Hinduism
Today and receive your copy of HT within
weeks of publication date. Subscription rates:
Canada: 1 yr, CAN$48. 2 yrs, $88. 3 yrs, $132.
Life, $700. Outside of North America: 1 yr, US$41.
2 yrs, $77. 3 yrs, $113. Life, $500. Mail your ad-
dress and payment or fax your Visa or MC
number to: Hinduism Today, 107 Kaholalele
Road, Kapaa, HI 96746-9304USA. Fax: 808-
822-4351
Professional Services
Worldwide construction in masonry and con-
crete. Will travel anywhere. 25 year experi-
ence. References available. For free estimates,
contact: Sankara and Sons, 6136D Kala Kea,
Kapaa, HI 96746 USA. Tel/fax: 1-808-823-
6698. Mobile tel: 1-808-639-2809. E-mail:
[email protected]
Publications
Amar Chitra Katha for children. Illustrated col-
orful tales on Hindu mythology. Discounts to
schools, distributors. ACK Agency, PO Box
1414, Los Altos, CA 94023-1414 USA. Tel/fax:
415-961-7878.
Sri Aurobindo books: Complete works of Sri
Aurobindo, the Mother, Shri Madhav Pandit.
Additional titles on Yoga, Philosophy, Ayurve-
da and Alternate Health. Exclusive distributors
fOT Samata Books Classical Spiritual Texts.
Free Catalog: Lotus Light, Box 325HT, Twin
Lakes, WI 53181-0325 USA.
For latest Indian magazines/newspapers-
subscriptions available. Also available: Hindi,
Gujarati magazines and much more. Call
Emkay Advertising. Tel: 281-933-4005.
Fax: 281-498-6286 (USA).
Auromere: Sri Aurobindo books, classical spir-
itual texts, ayurveda books, children's books
from India, ayurvedic products, incense, and
much, much more .. For free catalog call: 1-800-
735-4691 (USA).
"India Ink" on the Internet
Books on India/Hinduism. Featuripg this
month Loving Ganesa and Dancing with
Siva by Satguru Sivaya Subramaniyaswami.
Available from India Ink at www.
[email protected]
Palani Panchang 1997. Trivedi's American
Panchang available in English or Gujarati.
US$9 (+ US$2 s/h). In 3 versions for NY, Chica-
go, San Francisco times. 510-490-1533. De-
vendra Trivedi, 4831 Piper St, Fremont, CA
94538-2525 USA.
Reach out to Hindus worldwide. Your classified
or display ad in Hinduism Today will reach out
to more than 100,000 Hindus in over 120 coun-
tries every month. In USA call, 1-800-850-
1008. Outside of US: 808-823-9620. Fax: 808-
822-435. E-mail: [email protected].
hi.us. Internet: http://HinduismTo day. kauai.
hi.us (USA)
Free metaphysical booklist:
Dreams, Healing, Inspirational, Mysticism,
Oriental, etc! (www.sunbooks.com) Sunbooks,
Box 5588 (HT), Santa Fe, NM87502-5588 USA.
Real Estate
Magnificent historic stone building in NW
North Carolina mountains. 20,000 sq ft. Ideal
center. ' Very reasonable price for right cause.
Dr. Gandhi, Tel: 540-782-9987 USA
Vacation/Retreat
Beautiful rooms by the ocean. Ayurvedic
meals. One hour north of San Francisco.
Brighton Beach HAUS. Tel: 415-868-9778.
Videos
Acclained spiritual videos: Sadhana-India's
holy men, see the kumbha mela. 60 min.
US$33.95 pstpd (ck) Pal and Catalog available.
Penny Price Media. 355C Lake Pleasant Dr.
Staatsburg, NY 12580 USA. 914-876-0239,
Fax 914-876-0260.
Yoga
Yoga in Daily Life
Yoga classes, guest lecturers, satsang.
Yoga related items, books, audio and video
tapes and more.
1310 Mt. Vernon, Alexandria, VA22301 USA
Tel: 703-299-8946 • Fax: 703-299-9051
The Yoga Research Center is dei:licated to re-
search and education on all aspects of Hindu,
Buddhist, and Jaina Yoga. YRCpublishes "Yoga
World" bimonthly newsletter and two booklet
series. Subscriptions: US$18.00; membership:
$35.00. Yoga Research Center, PO Box 1386,
Lower Lake, CA 95457-386 USA. Tel: 707-
928-5751. Fax:707-928-4738.
Yoga at home video series, all levels, with
Ramesh Yogi, Indian guru, 25 years experi-
ence. US$25 each, inc!. postage. Yoga Center,
PO Box 36-D-67, Los Angeles, CA90036-1363
USA Tel: 213-876-9970. http://www.in-
dolink.comlgloballyogaCntr.html
Sri Chinmoy Ayurvedic Institute Tamil, Hindi, Sanskrit Summer Courses
The Sri Chinmoy Institute of Ayurvedic Sciences offers
authentic training in the ancient traditions of Ayurvedic .
Medicine. Comprehensive programs taught in all areas:
nutrition, pulse diagnoses, Ayurvedic skin care, massage,
Panch Karma (cleansing and rejuvenation), and herbal
medicine. Taught by Virender Sodhi, MD. (Ayurved), N.D.
and N.D. staff Now enrolling evening and weekend seminars.
June 26-Aug 19, 1997
Sri Chinmoy Institute of Ayurvedic Sciences
2115112th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004-2946 USA.
Tel: 1-206-453-8022 • Fax: 1-206-451-2670
e-mail: [email protected]. http/www.ayush.com
The Center for South and Southeast Asian Studies, University
of Michigan (USA), offers intensive Beginning and Intermedi-
ate Tamil, Hindi and Beginning Sanskrit in the summer term.
Courses are equivalent to a full year's language instruction.
College students, high school seniors, and other adults are
eligible to apply, no later than April 15.
For details, contact Marga Miller: Tel: 313-764-8571
Fax: 313-936-0996 • E-mail: [email protected].
'We are going to strengthen
Hinduism in our area. Our orphan-
age children are good in studi es
and leading a religi ous-centered
life. The gurukul am is playing a
vital rol e in preserving and main-
taining our Hindu identity." These
are hard times for Sri Lankan
children. Please give freely to
the Endowment Fund for the
Tirunavakkarasu Nayanar
Gurukulam in Batticaloa.
1-800-8 9 0- 1 008 Ex t . 2 35
1-808-822- 3152 Ext . 235
http:// www.HinduismToday.
kauai. hi. us/ashram/
HHE.html
ENDOWMENTS
HINDU HERITAGE ENDOWMENT
107 KAHOLALELE ROAD
KAPAA. HI 96746-9304 USA
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF HINDUISM

BUS I S S
Amerioan Maotras
Sanskrit words plunge into the mainstream
HE HEADLINE IN A RECENT MACWEEK
-, . magazine, "Netscape's Good Karma,'"
is typical of a growing trend of corpo-
rate America tb adopt Sanskrit terms.
The fascination for "cool" words from India
such as guru and karma first developed in
the 1960s when hip baby-boomers put on
Nehru jackets and swayed to the sitar
sounds of Ravi Shankar. Today these words
of the rishis are common in movies and tele-
vision and the norm in periodicals ranging
from computers and finance to gardening,
sports and theatre.
Companies in the US have adopted Hindu
names such as Shiva Corp. (communications
Avatar Systems (hard drives) and
Digital Guru (computer bookstore). Man-
ag'ers and CEOs in US firms . are being
dubbed "cOIp-puter gurus" or "investment
pundits," titles which originally indicated a
teacher in any subject, such as music, dance
and sculpture, but especia1ly in religion. The
. usage of the word guru is so omnipresent
that ever;: garden enthusiasts can fill in a dig-
ital application to qualify as a "Virtual Gar-
den Curu" on the World Wide Web. Just
type . name in the box which says
"Guru Applicant." . '"
Guru or pundit may be an honOFific title,
but you have to be an industry, giant to be
pnmounced an avatar. Borrowed from the
SanSkrit word for the forms in which Vishnu
to Earth, avatar now "deifies" a
powerful leader or a modern folk hero and is
used in expressions like "consider- the
avatars of 70s culture." Avatar also names a
new. wave of cyber-characters, cartoony be-
ings Internet surfers can use to float around
and communicate with other avatars in vir-
tual chat rooms on the Web.
Other terms of t,9-e times indude mantra,
meaning "my.stk formula," a y.rord of choice
when describing hot new trends or ways of
doing business. Phrases such as "liquidity,
profitability, and growth, which has become
a real mantra for the company," found in
Fortu.ne magazine, are becomiI1g corn.IDon-
place in the pages of economic arid financial
news, including the Wall Street Journal.
Karma, the law of cause and effect, is be-
..-jng taken seriously, even on Wall Street. One
'Money Daily writer .-commented, "There is
still enough good karma among i{vestors to
halt the market's downward mobility."
In the"70s programmers coined computer
terms like "guru meditation," used to n,ame
the cryptic message indicating what the
problem was when Amiga computer's sys-
tem crashed and "cycle of reincarnation,"
ferring to a funcQon in computer hardware.
Now Hindu Deities are becoming favor-
ites for software names, and people are play-
ing games on the Web using a connection
named Kali. In one shoofem-up game called
Qescent, the slipped in a mes-
sage of nonviolence. By entering a secret
code a player can stop the enemy ships from
firing-the code word: "ahimsa." II
Saraswaf; Dev;: A Remarkable CD
Enjoy 75 min. of Sanskrit and
Hindi songs composed and
performed in a North Indian
classical style by Aditya Ver-
ma, a dynamic young artist
whose musical lineage draws
from the greatest teachers and
performers of Indian music,
Pundit Ravi Shankar and
Ustad Aashish Khan.
A musical tribute to the
Goddess of inspiration and
beauty. Saraswati Devi
celebrates classical Indian
music and the ancient tradi-
tion of Mantra. "This album is an auspicious beginning for
me," says Aditya Verma who sees his music as the means to
share Indian culture.
• Composer: Aditya Verma • Vocals: Kala Ramnath
• Tabla: Narendra Verma • Narration: G.S. Birla
New release price: US$15 CD, $10 Cassette., $4 shipping
and handling. Overseas additional $4 please.
For orders or free catalogue: Galaxy Publications & Recordings
351 Victoria Ave. Westmount, Quebec H3Z 2Nl Canada
Tel: 1-800-307-2292 or 514-484-8090 • Fax: 1-514-488-3822
www.palmistry.comlGalaxy.html
Karunamayi
Bhagavati
Sri Sri Sri
Vijayeswari
Devi
Natural Healing Through Ayurveda
Pictured is our featured
product -of-the-month from
our assortment of ayurvedic
products.
Prevent colds and flus
naturally! Chy-wan-prash,
the Indian "one-a-day" is
considered one of the best
health tonics in the world.
With over 40 selected herbs,
the main ingredient is the
amla fruit which alone
contains 20 times more
Vitamin C than orange juice.
A complete health tonic for whole family!
This is but one from our over 225 Ayurvedic products im-
ported directly from India. Buy directly from the USA's
largest bulk importers of Ayurvedic products. For the past 25
years, our buyers have been traveling to India 3 or 4 times a
year to insure our herbs are up to import regulatory standards.
Bazaar Of India Imports • Since 1971
1810 University Ave • Berkeley, CA 94703-1516 USA
Tel: 800-261-7662 or 510-549-9986
Fax: 51O-548-1115 • E-mail: [email protected]
Send for free, full 64-page catalog.
CITY DATES CONTACT
Dal l as Apri l 6- 10 972-407-9440
Houston April 12- 14 713-463-00 15
San Antonio April 15-16 210 - 434 - 1738
Santa Fe Apri l 18-20 505-986-0266
Los Ange l es Apri l 23-27 8 18-954-0453
Sa n Francisco April 30-May 3 5 10-58 1-9488
Portland May 5-7 503-297-218 1
Seattle May 8-13 206-391-9582
West Coast Retreat May 10-12 206-391-9582
Chicago May 15-18 630-963-8246
Phi l adelphia May 20 - 21 215-721-2883
East Coast Retreat May 22-26 215-721-2883
Washington, D.C. May 28-29 301 - 977-5666
Boston May 31-June 4 617-522-3083
New Jersey June 6-7 201-843-8429
New York June 7-1 1 7 18-595-2994
birth, Sri Karunamayi has been revered as an incarnation of the Divine Mother, Sarasvati,
Goddess of Knowledge, Music and the Arts. On behalf of humanity, She meditated in a 'remote forest for
ten years. Come. Receive Her guidance in meditation and human values. Experience the fullness of
Karunamayi's unconditional love. For more information, httpj/www.globeworks.com/karunamayi
-/
The Year in Review
/
-
Hindu Heritage Endowment
1 '
1996, Annual Report
-
",
-
",
, .
-I
The mission of Hindu Heritage is to provide permanent financ,ial security, t;1:trough managed endowments, for institutions around the
world that promote and preserve classicsU and traditional Hindu cultUl;e and values, Below is a listing of the endowments managed by Hindu Her-
itage Endowment at the end of,1996, showing the balance in each endowment. '
ENDOWMENTS SUPPORTING EDUCA-
TIONAL INSTITUTIONS OR PROGRAMS
ENDOWMENTS THA1; SUPPORT HINDU
SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS
018. Sri Siva Subramaniya Swamf Dev- ....
016. Malaysian Bindu Youth Educational
Trust: Malaysia. $9,030.67.
;" 012. Thirunavukkarasu Nayanar GurUkularri
- Fund: Amparai District (Hindu Or-
phanage F,-\nd), Sri Lanka. $16,815.83.
ENDOWMENTS THAT SUPPORT HINDU
, TEMPLIlS AROUND THE WORLD
002:-: Iraivan Temple Endowment: Kauai,
Hawaii, USA $657,507.90.

011. Iyarappan Temple Trust: Thiruxaiyaru,
Tamil Nadu, In,)!ia. $5,099.34.
003. Kauai Aadheena'm Annual Archana
Fund: Kauai, Hawaii, USA. $33,278.70.
ENDOWMENTS DEDICATED TO PUBLISH-
ING HINDU BOOKS OR JOURNALS
604. Hinduism Today Distribution Fund:
Kauai, Hawaii, USA. $229,517.65.
005. Hindu Businessmen's Association Trust:
Kauai, Hawaii, USA. $102,387.00.
ENDOWMENTS-THAT SUPPORT WORLD
HINDU RELIGIOUS LE.(\DERS
007. Hindu of the Year Fund: Kauai, Hawaii,
USA. $6,663.44/ '
006. Kailasa Peetham Gift Fund: Kauai,
Hay.'aii, USA. $128,'365.51.
/
ENDOWMENTS THAT SUPPORT HINDU
MONASTIC COMMUNITIES .
001. Kauai Aadheenam Monastic Endow-
ment: Kauai, Hawaii, USA. $674,165.58.
014. Sri Subramuniya Ashram Scholarship
Fund: Kauai, Hawaii, USA. $5,875.63.
009,. Mathavasi Medical Fund: Kauai, Hawaii,
-: USA. $16,444.42.
ENDOWMENTS THAT SUPPORT HINDU
MONASTIC COMMUNITIES
001. Kauai Aadheenam Monastic
ment: Kauai, Hawaii, USA. $674)65.58.
014. Sri SubramuniY<l Ashram SchOlarship
Fund: Kauai, Hawaii, USA. $5,875.63.
009. Mathavasi Medical Fund: Kauai, Hawaii,
USA. $16,444.42.
•MEMORIAL AND FAMILY ENDOWMENTS
010. Nadesan Family Lord Murugan Shum
Fund: Kauai, Hawaii, USA. $12;308.57.
, .
025. Sundari Peruman Memorial Scholarship
, Fund: Kauai, Hawaii, USA. $5,356.05.
037. A Shanmugam Family Fund (Ipoh):
Tamil Nadu, India. $5,067.07.
038. The William E. Daniels Endowment for
Hindu Religious Art and Artifacts:
Kauai, Hawaii, USA. $5,067,.07.
/ FUNDS IN THE PROCESS OF FORMATION
(ENDOWMENTS ACtIVATE AT'US$S,OOO)
013. Himalayan Academy Scholarship Fubd:
Kauai, Hawaii, USA.
015. Sri Subramuniya Kottam Fund: Kopay,
Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
017. Kumbhalavalai Ganesha Temple En-
, dowment: Alaveddy, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
",
asthanam Trust: Lautoka, Fiji.
019. Dancing with Siva.E.ndowment: Kam1i,
, Hawaii, USN.
020. Hinduism Today Endowment Trust:
Kauai, Hawaii, USA.
ot1. Vishwamata Gayatri Trust FUlfd: Delhi,
India.
023. Sri Lanka Refugee Relief Fund: Jaffna,
,
Sri Lanka. ....
024. Jeyanandarajan Family Fund: Jaffna, Sri
Lanka.
026 Kailasa Peetham Travel Fund: Kauai,
Hawaii, USA.
027. Nallai Aadheenam Trust Fund: Jaffna,
Sri Lanka.
028. Loving Ganesa Distribution' Fund:
Kauai, Hawaii, USA. '
029. Saiva Dharma Shastras Endowment:
Hawaii, USA.
030. Saiva Agamas Trust: Worldwide.
031. Panchamukha Ganapati Endowment:
Ri,;,iere du Rempart, Mauritius.
032. Kalakshetra Scholarship F\lnd: Madras,
Tamil Nadu, India.
033. Tirumular Sannidhi Preservation Fund:
Tiruvavaduturai, Tamil Nadu, India.
034. Mauritius Saiva Dharmasala Endow-
ment: Riviere du'Rempart, Mauritius.
. .
",
.f HINDU HER'ITAGE '107 KAHOLALELE ROAD' KAPAA, HI 96746-9304 ;l;1SA
TEL (USA) 800-890"1008,808-822-3152 FAX: 808-822-4351
E - MAIL: Sadhaka_Adinatha(1j>Hindui.smToday.kauai.hi.us
,
", ,
,
",
,
,
/
,
./
./
./
Paid Advertisement
1996 Annual Report
Page 2
Serving Hindu I!JStitutions Around the World
I
t was ,the poverty and lack of education that 28
. years ago attracted a school principal Thiru
Tambiah to Northern Sri Lanka's Amparai Dis-
trict, an agricultural area now torn oy civil war. There,
using his small pension income, he he dedicated his
retirement years to social-religious service in the re-
gion, eventually establishing and running a small or-
phanage for boys called Thirunayukkarasu Nayanar
Gurukulam. Tambiah passed away in 1995, but his vi-
sion live on: "We are going to strengthen Hinduism in
", our area. Our gurukulam children are good in sJudies
and leading a religious centered life. The gurukulam is
playing a vital role in preserving and maintaining our
traditional Hindu identity." So writes B. Chandres- -
.
waran, current gurukulam treasurer. Orphanages are
often themselves orphaned by society, hidden away
and ignpred. But this one is a powerhouse, despite a
lim!ted 'budget. The youths raise much of their own
food, care for themselves ancl serve the district by
cleaning temples, organizing festivals, helping at hos-
pitals and co.mmunity ,centers, holding religious
classes ap,d more. This year they a reli-
gious library for the, village. Hindu-Heritage Endow-
ment provides additional support through the Thiru-
navukkarasu Na1anar Gurukulam Endowment Fund.
Donations:to the fund are invested, and earnings pro-
vide a stable, secure income. To invest in such a fund
is to ens;'ue the future of Hinduism.
Statement of Revenues and Expenses for the 12 months ending December 31, 1996
Endowmenf Endowment Total
Operating
.f
Income Principal All
-,
Fund' _
;"
REVENUES
Contributions
Dividend andlnterest Income $1,174.58
TOTAL REVENU,ES $1,174.58
EXPENSES
/
-Charitable Grants
Advertising and Promotion $5,279.94
Amortization
/
$1,956.36
Office Expense $11,470.67
Transfer of HHE Administrative Fee ($17,299.38)
TOTAL EXPENSES $1407.59
Excess of Revenues Over-Expenses before Investment Activity
Realized and Unrealized gain on Investments
", Decreased Valuation of Donated Land
Fund Balances, Beginping of the Year
Fund Balances, End of the Year.
/
",
.
$173.17
($59.84)
Fund
$110,902.49
$110,902.49
$93,603.11
..
$17,299.38
$110,902.49
$0.00
$0.00 --:
Fund
$244,531.24
$244,531.24
$0.00
$244,531.24
$33,082.53
($100,000.00)
$1,854,270.30
$2,031,884.07
Funds
$244,531.24
$112,077.07
$356,608.31
$93,603.11
/
$5,479.94
$1,?56.36
$11,470.67
$0.00
$112,310.08
$244,298.23
$33,082.53
($100,000.00)
$1,854,270.30
$2,031,824.23
,
",
....
Hindu Heritage Endowment is a publicly supported charitable organization which received recognition of its tax exempt status from the IRS
in April, 1994. Its employer ID number is 99-0308924. The foundation n\aintaiIi an office at the Hindu Monastery on Kauai, Hawaii, and is
overseen by four trustees: Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, Acharya Veylanswami, Acharya Palaniswami and Acharya Ceyonswami.
",
.
.J
..
;'
.
/
HEALING
Coming of Age, ..
Lady,
,
A girls puberty· may be a tumultuous time, but
careful tutelage can guide her into
BY DE V A NAN D A' TAN D A V AN, M . D .
ERE Arm THREE IMPOR-
'tant milestones which we
reach in our lifetimes-child-
, hood, from birth to age 16
(kapha) , adulthood :from 16 to 5Q
(pitta) and old age from 50 on-
wards (vata). These three cycles
co-exist with the cycle of the
body's constitution, and at the
juncture of each period a great
turmoil naturall¥ occurs.
During the first transition, called puber-
ty, the body and mind are growing, matur-
ing and adjusting to a new purpose in life;
Le. , procreation. Puberty brings with it a
collision between kapha and pitta which,
in itself, is tryi?g . •
Parents should teach their daughters
what to expect when puberty begins. On
it starts at about age ten but may
occur as early as eight. The first signs are
budding of the breasts ana growing of pu-
bic and underarm hair. Coarse hair on the
legs llild arms may also appear. The body
experiences a surge of growth that begins
at the feet ap.d leads to,an awkward gait.
This is followed by a lengthening of the legs
whit;.h may produce even more clumsiness.
Often a skin condition called acne devel-
ops which brings great concern to the girl
because it is unsightly/ and she may be the
only one in her class to be so marked. This .
can best be treated, as can all of the indica-
tions of puberty, by eating a pitta-satisfying
ayurvedic diet, by having plenty of exercise
and by seeing that the digestive process is
always functioning at an optimum. -
While these external metamorphoses are
happening, marked are going on
within the' body. The sexual mgans begin
to-trow, as well as an awareness of them.
Hormonal changes commence which will
initiate menarche, but this beginning of the
menstrual cYge comes fairly late in tHe pu-
berty process. It may initially occur as a
feeling of or only as a spot of
I
44 TODAY MAY, 1997
blood. As she develops further, .
the flow increases. the
ovaries begin producing -eggs,
the Dow usually becoPJ-es more
regular. In the meantime, the
breasts continue to enlarge, and
their ultimate size is determined
by genetic and-other factors
which CanD.ot be predicted.
Along with physical changes
come psychologtcal traJ'}.sforma-
tions which may lead to erratic behavior,
moodiness, inactivity and self-protecting
attimdes. These must be understood as a
part of the grand process of growing into
adulthood. Many children may not desire
this change bftcause' they have developed a .
dependency on peing a child. On the other
hand, most welcome it with and
look at it as a time of great challenge.
./ A blooming young lady.may feel a need
to experiment with her independence by
desiring to do more things for herself and
separating Sit times from authority figures.
Usually this is not a troublesome phase if it
is understood as a' normal part of develop-
ment. The main emotional probfems to be
dealS-with are self-consciousness, a feeling
of isalation and of "being different:"
;reaching celibacy and planning early for
the coming-of-age samskara, the ritukala,
will help her.tp adjust to this period of
change and prepare for adult responsibili-
ties. A persistent healthy <;liet, g' ood exer-
cise' meditation, parental guidance and uri-
. derstan0.ing siblings will insure that she
grows ali'd matures into a graceful, beauti-
ful, loving, alluring, mystifying and exciting
embodiment of Shakti, capable of bearing
wonderful children.
r
DR. TANDAVAN, 76, retired nuclearphysi-
cian and hospital staff lives in
Chf:cago, where he specializes in alternative
healing arts. Visit his home page at the
HINDUISM TODAY Website. ,
I '
EVOLUTIONS
SUCCESSOR: Swami Radhananda to
Swami Sivananda Radha who passed
away in November 1995. Initiated into
sannyasa by Swami
Sivananda in 1956,
Swami Radba found-
ed the Yasodhara
Ashram located on
the remote banks of
Kootenay Lake in
British Columbia,
Canada. Swami
Radhananda contin-
ues her gurus work
and offers year-round live-in yoga
training programs and retreats for chil-
dren, teens, men and women.
ARRIVED: A Thrkmenistan Airlines Boe-
ing 757 at Amsterdams Schipol airport
carrying 173 Sri Lankan Tamil refu-
gees. All have requested asylum and
are allowed to stay while their pleas are
being processed, which could take
years. The Dutch practice a policy of
leniency toward Sri Lankans, com-
pared with some less sympathetic
neighbors. No reports indicate the air-
craft was forced to fly to the Nether-
lands nor did the Dutch give permis-
sion to
land.
Stealthing into Holland
NO REDUCTION: In the 20-year prison
term of former ISKCON leader, Klr-
tananada Swami Bhaktlpada, following
an assessment of his physical condition.
He plead guilty in August for his part
in a fraud scheme. Suffering from vari-
ous ailments, it was recommended he
be placed in a chronic care unit of a
" federal prison in Kentucky. He still has
a small but loyal following of devotees.
BLESSED: Sarah Ferguson, Britain's roy-
al Dutchess of York, with sacred ash
and a gold chain and cross, apparently
out of thin air, by Sri Satya Sai Baba.
Visiting India
with a holistic
bealer, salwar-
kameez clad
"Fergie" told re-
porters in Bang-
alore she is in-
terested in
practicing
homeopathy. Dutchess does India
-
What Is Enlightenment!' Magazine
On the cutting edge of con-
temporary spirituality, What
Is Enlightenment? magazine
brings a fresh perspective to
the most challenging and
important spiritual questions
of our time. Inspired by the
passionate inquiry of spiritu-
al teacher Andrew Cohen,
What Is Enlightenment? is a
dynamic forum which brings
together pioneering thinkers
from a broad spectrum of
paths and disciplines. Its
thoughtful and engaging es-
says, dialogues and
interviews are a thrilling exploration of the fundamental is-
sues at the heart of the spiritual quest.
Featured in our current issue, Can Science Enlighten Us?
Science, Spirituality and the Revelation of the Unknown:
• Huston Smith • Rupert Sheldrake • Amit Goswami
• Fritjof Capra • E. F. Schumacher • David Bohm
U.S. Subscription Rates: 1 year (2 issues), US$11;
2 years, $20; 3 years, $29. Call for international rates.
Available at bookstores or by calling:
800-376-3210 (USA), 413-637-6000.
Visit our website at http://www.moksha.org/wie
Two Modern Classics by Lex Hixon
Great Swan
Meetings with Ramakrishna
"A vital pastel portrait of one of
Hinduism's most extraordinary sages,
19th century guru of Swami
Vivekananda. Its factually faithful but
fearlessly free style makes an ageless
voice intimate, earthy and contempo-
rary." - Hinduism Today
"Great Swan offers deep insight into
the true nature of an advanced being. "
- Deepak Chopra 320 pages 6 x 9 0-9431914-80-9
$16.95 paper (Larson Publications)
Available in fine bookstores or direct: 1-800-828-2197
Learn at Home by Mail
Self study courses:
• Hindi in 2 months • Sanskrit in 6 months
• Speak Hindi in 2 weeks
Other Vedic University Publications:
• How to befriend God • Win the battle of life • Happy
Home • Valmiki Ramayana • Unknown facts revealed
Call or send us an e-mail for a free catalog:
Vedic University of America, 10509 Caminito Basswood
San Diego, CA 92131-1704 USA. Tel: 1-619-578-7790
Fax: 1-619-578-8293 • E-mail: [email protected]
Visit us on the internet: http://www.cris.coml-vedicul
Gurani Anjali (Guruvi)
Author, poet, songwriter and artist.
Hear her message for the body, mind
and spirit. Experience the Yogic per-
spective. Books: Ways of Yoga, Rtu
(meditational poems), and the soon-
to-be released: Think on This. Audio
cassettes: Someone is Calling, From
the Silent Depth Within Me and
other works. Yoga Anand Ashram.
Tel 516-691-8475 • Mailing address:
49 Forrest PI, Amityville, NY 11701-
3307 USA • http:/www.santosha.com
Mother of the Universe:
Visions of the Goddess &
Tantric Hymns of Enlightenment
"Lex Hixon is a poetic genius with deep
knowledge of eastern wisdom. These songs
are prasad."
-Professor Bhabani Ganguli,
Ramakrishna Mission Institute
of Culture, Calcutta
Ecstatic love poems to the
beautiful, black warrior Goddess
Kali by the 18th century Bengali
poet Ramprasad, given new
expression in Hixon's vibrant re-
creations.
223 pages 6 x 9 0-8356-0702-X
$16 paper (Quest Books)
(Visa/MC orders only). Check or MO in US funds to Larson Publications, 4936HT Rt. 414, Burdett, NY 14818. Add $4.50 s/h
for first item, $.50 for each additional item in same shipment. Free catalog and additional information, call 607 546-9342,
M-F 9 am - 5pm EST.
4j
BETRAYAL
OF THE SPIRIT
My Life hebind tbe HeadlineJ
of tbe Hare Krubna Movement
NORI J. MUSTER
Foreword /nJ Larry D. Shinn, Pre.Jident of
Berea College, leading Hare Krifhna expert
"Nothing less than mesmerizing. . . Confronts the
ways in which traditional patriarchy and philosophi-
cal rigidity regularly defeated spiritual vitality.
Muster's book is an important testimony that might
be instructive to those involved in the leadership of
any religious movement." --- PuhliJherd Weekly
"A delightfully written narrative tapestry that pre-
sents a controversial and marginal religious move-
ment in the United States." --- Larry D. Shinn, from
the foreword
Combining behind-the-scenes views of an often besieged religious
group with a personal account of the author's struggle to fmd
meaning in it, Betrayal of the Spirit takes the reader clos than
any other source so far to the reality of life in the Hare Krishna
movement.
Nori J. Muster, a California native, joined the International Soci-
ety of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) --- the Hare Krishnas---
in 1977, shortly after the death of the movement's spiritual master,
Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. She worked for ten
years as a public relations secretary and editor of the organization's
newspaper, the ISKCON WorLJ Review.
Her story of the Hare Krishnas' decline is a gripping presentation
of facts gleaned from personal reminiscences, published articles,
and internal documents. Betrayal oj the Spirit details the dynamic
of schisms that forced some 95 percent of the group's original
members to leave.
MUSIC
A Master's
in Rhythm
Professor Trichy
Sankaran delivers
dynamite drums
While steeped in tradition, Trichy has
been taught by his exposure to the world's
music to think in contemporary w.ays. Be-
twee!}.. concerts in Chennai and classes in
Toronto, he also composes music for game-
lan, Indonesian orchestra, and he experi-
ments in Jazz and Western classical tradi-
tions. He has performed with such Jazz
greats as Charlie Haden, Anfhony Braxton
and Dave Brubeck. When asked what led
him to the gamelan, Sankaran reminisced,
"I went to Bali"in 1982 to study the spread of
Hindu culture in Java and Bali. I was so in-
trigued by their music, which is also percus-
sive, that I composed Swara- Laya for the --:
Evergreen Club Gamelan Ensemble of To-
ronto, which involved tunIng my instrument
to the pitches and scales of the gamelan. "
. On a roll: A poundi,1;tg, pulsating, palpitating preceptor
.j
For Sankaran, cross-cultural excursions
·stem from an understanding of other tradi-
tions rather than a penchant for stylized hy-
brids. He notes, "In India, there are some
who mix a few instruments together and call
it ' Karnatak jazz' without knowing exactly
how jazz works or even its hIStory. Thats not
right. People here simply laugh. " When
asked if, with his ventures into other musi-
cp..! styles, he is still committed to pure mri-
dangam tradition, he beat back at once, "Of
course. Thats my music, and thats my God."
EW PERCUSSIONISTS VENTURE FROM
the orchestra into the limelight, and
. fewer stay for lOI'lg. :Sut Prof Trichy
Sankaran, the mridangam maestro who
heads the Indian Music Studies at York Uni-
versity, Ontario, is'a multI-faceted exception.
With the dexterity of a craftsman and the
wisdom of a, philosopher, Sankaran has ele-
.. vateR the mridangam, South Indian barrel
drum, to the rare position of a solo instru-
ment. You may have heard his facile fmgers
fly on HMV recordings from the 1960s, be-
hind such stalwarts as T.R. Mahalingam,
Emani Sankara Sastry or S. Balachander. But
in three compact disc releases on the Music
of the World label, the spotlight shines on
him-and he doesn't blink.
For Sankaran, who was born a Hindu in
Poovalur, just outside of Trichanapoli, Hin-
duism is inseparable from his music. "The
rhythms that I play are a reflection of my
culture and beliefs. The instrument itself
has religious significance. The mridangam is
supp6sed to have been played by Lord
Ganesha, and the rhythms are of Lord
Siva-He gives the rhythm to the universe.
The five basic sounds of the mridangam:
tha, dhi, thorn, nam and jem, have come
from the five faces of Siva-Isana, Tatpu-
rusha, Aghora, Vamadeva and Sadyojata."
Trichy considers the Shankaracharya of
Kanchi Peedam to be his spiritual' guru. He
confided, "I have had the blessings of the
Sankaracharya on many, many occasions.
Whene.ver I go to India, I try to visit him in
Kanchipuram." Trichy labels himself a "true-
blue Brahmin" and a "strict vegetarian." He
said, "1 worship Siva and Vishnu and per-
form Ram nam japa .}repetition of Ramas
name) morning and evening." During his
prayers, when the music moves him, he may
perform for the Gods. He explains, "1 wor-
ship through my instrument and through my
music. That is the most pleasurable thing for
me-to play for the divine beauty of it." ~
By R ADHIKA SRINIVASAN, New Jersey
Hearing Is Believing
The second disc, Sunada
(pure sound), contains a tradi-
tional ensemble spiritually em-
powered throughout with the
sublime sounds of the vina,
played with aplomb by
Karaikudi Subramaniam. Yet
in terms of both aesthetics, en-
ergy and devotional beauty,
the newest release, Lotus Sig-
natures, surpasses all else. The
mellifluous expression of Dr.
rhythmiC segments heighten
the devotional songs, as
Sankaran deftly shows how
subtle and measured treatment
on the mridangam can embell-
ish and empower a melody. A
superb studio recording, Lotus
develops into a virtual concert,
including a glorious rendition
of the raga Kiravani. The alter-
nating solos of the percussion
ensemble give a fitting finale
E
YA-VINYAS (RHYTHMIC
elaboration), Sankarans
first CD with Music of
the World, is a delightful
display of dazzling drum wiz-
ardry. Only two short tracks
include melodies played on the
vina. Sankaran recalls, '1 found
it very fulfilling, especially the
piece where my mridangam,
kanjira (frame drum) and kon-
nakol (voice) were super·im-
posed using over-dubbing."
Laya complements Sankarans
f
hands-on manual, RhythmiC
Principles and Practice of South
Indian Drumming (Lalith Pub-
lishers) and comes as a pre-
lude to his instructional video.
N. Ramani, the phenomenal
South-Indian flautist, is
matched and magnified by the
flawless textural finesse of
Sankaran. Delectable Cross-
to the realm of improvisation
that this recording soars into.
LALrrB PUBLISBEBB. 3 1 MANADON
ORlVE. NORTH VORK. ONTARIO M2M 1 w8
CANADA· MUSIC OF THE WORLD, P.O.
BOX 3620. CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLI-
NA 275J5 USA
MAY , 1997 HINDUISM TODAY 47
'/
Surrounding Iraivan Temple is an
extraordinary botanical garden par-
adise, providing an area of
contemplative, natural beauty.
Pilgrims enjoy groves of plumeria,
konrai, hibiscus, heliconia, native
Hawaiian plant species and more.
At the entrance to the 5 J-acre
sanctuary is a forest of healing
rudraksha trees. Send US$ J 2 to
purchase a single-bead necklace of
a sacred rudraksha, receive as aUf
gift another bead to plant and sup'
port the Ira ivan Temple project.
1-808-639-8886
http://www. HirnduismToday.
Kauai.hi.us/ashram/fraivan.htmf
RUDRAKSHA
FOREST
SAN MARGA IRAJVAN TEMPLE
107 KAHOLALELE ROAD
KAPAA. HI 96746-9304 USA
A TEMPLE BUILT TO LAST 1. 000 YEARS
l . '

CHILDREN
Dolls of Devotion
Why settle for trite toys for tots ,
when kids can play with the -Gods?
ECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF
tion, they say, and to one in-
ventive mother, Rukmini Devi Dasi,
Hindu children need divine dolls to
play with. "Children want heroes," she ex-
plruns. 'And the media: provide a host to
choose from-Barbie, Barney, Ninja Turtles,
G.I. Joe and others. But its in the Vedic liter-
ature that we find the most heroic personali-
ties. When Cabbage Patch dolls were popular,
I saw how attached children became to them.
Those mundane dolls became their heroes."
Rather than introducing her own daughter,
Mallika, to such secular companions, Rukmi-
n' created her own, aptly calling them Dolls
of Devotion. "For Malhka's third birthday, I
made twenty-five and Krishna,
Lord Chaitanya, Nityananda, Sita, Rama,
Hanuman, Lord Nar.asimha and many more.
My idea was .not to start a business. I just
wanted to give my daughter an opportunity
to play in Krishna consciousness." But good
news travels fast, especially when carried on
the jubilant children,. and soon Ruk-
mini's dolls were the
heart's desire of
Mallika's young
fr-iends. "Other
parents saw the
'dolls and asked
me to make some
for their children. Now
I receive orders from all
parts of the world."
Rukmini recalled that
her original inspiration de-
veloped out of her own child-
hood desire for a Krishna doll, which went
unfulfilled. "I grew up in an ISKCON ashram
where a few of my friends had dolls of Lord
Jagannatha, and I wanted to have Krishna
dolls, too. An Indian lady gave me a doll, but
because it wasn't related to Lord Krishna, I
didn't like it. By t4e time I got a Krishna
doll, I was already out of the ashram. So, I
regret that I didn't get to grow up taking
care of Lord Krishna. But this made me de-
termined to proVide my own children with
sacred dolls."
. Rukmini confesses that she
still loves her dolls. "Not only do
the dolls ,help the children's
awareness of Krishna, they also
improve mine: When I make the
dolls, I become fully absorbed in
thoughts of the Lord." Each doll
is custom made, signE1d and dat-
ed and takes 13 hours or more to
make. Their sacerdotal threads
come from cloth worn by temple
Deit!es. For Rukmini, "they are
too ' much\ work to mass-pro-
duce." She recommends that
parents train their children t9
consider them sacred and han-
dle them reverently. ,
, "Several mothers ordered.Lord
Narasimha dolls [photo above 1
because their Ghildren had dis-
turbed sleep," relates Rukmini!
"The children had so much faith
in Narasimha that as soon as they
< received Him they slept peace-
fully. Parents call or write from
all ever the world thanking us for
doing this service. This response
keeps me going." ...-
L
_ -.o.JL-_....,.-___________ ----!.---l RUKMINI DEVI DASI, POST OFFICE BOX 14 23,
'" ALAETUA, FLORIDA 32616 USA
Two dolls: Mailika Devi Dasi, the doll-maker's daughter
Government-run Goddess: The sanctum sanctorum of Va ish no Devi Temple in Jammu
,
RELIGION AND STATE
Court OK's Takeover
/ .
State can administrate Vaishno-;Devi temple
j
JA,NUARY DECISiON BY INDIA'S SU-
COtITt validated the 1988 gov-
takeover of the Shri Mata
Devi Shline in Jammu. The
court did not allow the government to take
title to any of the. temple lands or posses-
sion§, or to alter the temple's tenets, customs
or usages. But the two-member division
bench did validate complete control of the
national shrine's finances, including the ap-
pointment and pay of priests and all other
personnel. The court ruled the government
can terminate the rights of the hereditary
priests was also done recently at Tirupati
temple). ' The decision stated that the right to
religion guaranteed under ArtiCles 25 and 26
of the Indian Constitutiowis not an absolute
or unfettered right. The state may make leg-
islation limiting or regulating any econom-
ic, financial, political or secular activity as-
sociated with religious belief, faith, practice
or custom. A second part of the ruling gave
the State Governor, who is ex-officio chair-
man of the Vaishno Devi governing b6ard,
sole power to oversee the sh,(ine, which re-
ceives a mind-boggling 20,000-plus pilgrims
each day of the year. He is no longer re-
quired te consult with members of the gov-
erning board. .
Under Vaishno Devi's original manage-
ment, the daily aonations were allotted in
turn to the hereditary priests of the Bari-
daran Association. Each of these nearly
1,000 families collected the day's receipts
once in three years. Little was set aside for
the temple's upkeep, and as a result it was in
a state of considerable neglect-in part
prompting the ' government takeover. Even
other Hindu institutions in Kashmir, i"nitial-
.ly sh6cked at the takeover, admit the temple
has been improved by the ruling. The COUl\t
directed that the Baridaran Association-
which mounted the court challenge to the
government takeover-receive compensa-
tion as a result of their loss of income.
Most temples in India are under
government control, but this has not neces-
sarily n;sulted in better management. A
Times, of India editorial, lauding the Supreme
Court decision, said, "In Tamil Nadu tem-
ples have failed collect crores of rupees of
arrears of income due from land and build-
ings. Ther,e have been numerous of
ancient idols and valuables disappearing
arid being replaced with fakes. " Another
newspaper 'believed the ruling could lead to
government control of mismanaged Christ-
. ian or Muslim religious properties. Inquires
by HINDUISM TODAY indicate that even in-
formed people in Delhi are not sure what
the ruling means with respect to non-fundu
religions. It would be an historic-and there-
fore in policy if the' govern-
ment were to impose state management
upon Christian or Muslim organization, no
matter how they were managed. ..
,
Calypso
for Hindu Kids
A musical
RINIDADI, HINDUS BLASTED A GOV-
ernment minister's proposal to make
calypso-the native folk music-a com-
pulsory subject in the Caribbean na- "
tion's primary schools. "We strongly object to
any compulsion on this matter, which must
be a matter of choice for parents and school
boards," said Sat Maharaj, secretary-general
·of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha. The
Sabha runs 20 schools and is one of the
largest Hindu organizations in Trinitlad.
Calypso is a home-grown musical form de-
veloped by, and very popular among, Black
Trinidadians, the descendants of African
slaves brought to the islands to work the sug-
ar plantations. The calypsbnian singer com-
p,Oses a simple ballad with highly imagina-
Calypso singer: Voice of social conscience
tive language sung to a syncopated rhythm.
It has from the beginning been the satirical
and consequential Black voice on politics
and social issues. Many a politician has lost
an election after street singers poured thinly
veiled scorn upon him or his policies.
Pundit Ramesh Tiw$U"i of the Edinburgh
Dharmic Sabha in Trinidad said the propos-
al was made by the, minister somewhat in-
nocently with the thought that all children
should learn about this local art form. But
the Hindu community felt calypsos political
orientation would have a detrimental impact
on )Toung minds. Calypso fans believe the
art form-which has been t onsiderably in-
fluenced by Indian music-can and should
be appreciated by all Trinidadians. ..
MAY , 1 99 7 HI N D U ISM TO DAY 49
MINISTER'S MESSAGE
manifest in the temperament of man: the
quality of sattva, or goodness and purity,
Roots
of 'RIghteousness
rajas, or passionate activ{ty and tamas,
inertia and darkness. Meat -eating leads to
darkness of mind, thoughts, vision and ac-
tion. It stimulates everything that is against
the tenets of Hindu Dharma. The Gita
advocates that fodd should be tasteful, juicy,
stable, qualitative and good looking. It '
should increase age, good mind, physical
strength, strength of sense, health, physical
and mental happiness and brotherly feel-
ings. This kind of food is sattvic and pre-
ferred by people with pious minds. In the
Yajur Veda we find a prayer, "May our sons,
animals, cows and ho?'ses be protected from
",iolence-caused death." The great poet
The basis of true religion is nonviolence. and
its fund<:tmental practice is vegetarianism
BY SWAMI P·RAGYANAND
ANATANA DHARMA, TODAY KNOWN AS HINDU DHARMA,
the eternal religion, is an integration of nature and sci-
entific principles. Being a part of nature itself, its na-
ture is sanatana-eternal. Dharma is synonymous with
prakriti, or primal nature. Dharma is the nature of indi-
viduals like salt's salinity, sweetness and the bitterness
of neem. The nature of dharma is to be humane. Animal na-
ture is pashuta (bestial). Dharma is a way of life. It is mental
discipline. It relates to life in its entirety.
Our sages, saints and biologists have proved that God creat-
ed two categories of inimals-vegetarians and nonvegetari-
ans-each with unique characteristics from birth. Vegetarians
are born with open eyes; meat-eaters with closed eyes. Puppy
dogs' eyes open days after birth. Vegetarians have small teeth to
chew vegetables. Meat-eaters have large teeth to grab, and
chew meat. Dogs, cats and lions must carry prey with 'their teeth.
Nails also distinguish vegetarians and meat-eaters. Vegetarians have
sI\lall nails, whereas meat -eater animals have big, sharp claws, to
tear their prey. Vegetarians have long intestines. They eat fibrous
vegetables. This kind of food is digested quickly, but meat residues
remain there for seven and more days. Meat-eaters have short in-
testines. Vegetarian animals drink water with the lips, whereas
meat -eaters use theiNongue. Vegetarians perspire through pores in
the skin; meat -eaters cool themselves through their tongue. Dogs
reject certain human food, like honey which comes from flowers.
Even animals understand what to eat and what not to eat. The
elephant, which is very powerful, is a vegetarian, but the is a
meat -eater. When a vegetarian becomes a meat -eater, that goes
against nature. It is also leads to mental perversion. According to
ones food so be<;omes one's mind, and the you drink affect
your speech. So, human beings have become more degenerate than
dogs because they eat meat, which is dog food, but reject human
food. All human beil'lgs are born pure vegetarians. Nonvegetarian-
ness is thrust on him or her. PEi!ople in ancient times lived on fruits,
ro'ots and ate greens and vegetables. But when animals died in forest
fires they got roasted, and humru(beings started eating them and
became n6nvegetarians. But it is not the food of civilized peoples.
All <;ommunities, from the Middle East to Tibet, dispose of dead
bodies by cremation or burial, but always away from the city, not
downtown. Yet human beings have made their own stomachs the
mobile mortuary, the grave yard,' the cemetary for dead goats,
cocks, pigs and other animals, inviting fatal diseases like cancer.
And if ghosts, 16wer astral spirits, earthbound souls come to grave-
yards, will they not also come to meat-eaters?
The entire approach and direction of Sanatana Dharma is based
on understanding of the three principles of primal nature which
50 HINDUISM TODA.Y My\Y, 1997
saint Tulsidas said, "The highest righteous-
ness and the law of scripture is non-
violence ... Mercy-compassion-is the root
of righteousness, and the root of'sin is inju-
rious intention." But we are not merciful;
we kill chickens, goats, etc., innocent beings
every day, just to fill our bellies.
No religion preaches violence. Jainism
exhorts, "nonviolence is the highest religion."
Likewise, one of the ten commandments of
the Christian Bible is "Thou shall not kill." It
is evident from this that Christanity is also
not in favor of meat-eating. The Ramayana,
says, "There is no dharma like benefitting
others, and no sin like giving agony to oth-
ers." It is better to follow the Ramayana in practice rather than just
ritually reading it. The definition of religion is that what is not fa-
vorable to one's own self should not be done to others. We do not
like our children to be hurt. Then w):J.at right do we have to cause
pain to the children of other creatures? Kindness is the only reli-
gion. Otherwise we are just demons and devils-man in appear-
ance, but animal in nature-of human form but animal conduct.
Vegetarianism is natural, based on a universal truth. Ultimately,
nature is beyond or above human capacity to whereas dis-
tortions and perversions are manmade. Hindu dharma, the natural
universalfaw of righteousness, is beyond human actions. It is eter-
nallike God Al,mighty. Anyone against nature is distorteg, and
their religion. is not religion at all. And those sects in which meat
eating is prevalent are man made, having a beginning and an end.
Throughout the world, people are realizing that meat-eating
cannot be justified on any grounds. So, not Himlus, wherever
they are, commit the sin of distorting Hinduism with the fallacy
and misconception that it rationalizes meat-eating as modern and
progressive. Hinduism is the best means of achieving the highest '
progressiveness. It needs to be practiced with faith and
cy. Vegetarianism is an integral aspect of it. There is no basic
mora.! or ethical sanction for meatieating, and certainly no sap.c-
tion for jt.in the philosophy of Hinduism.
SWAMI PRAGYANAND, 51, based at Pragya. Dham, New Delhi, ha.s
'been teaching Hinduism throughout the world for over a decade
and is responsible for inspiring thousands to become vegetarians.
\
Tamil Teacher Software for PC!
The ultimate multimedia-
style Tamil teacher!
• Colorful animation!
• Video gam!? format!
• Speaks Tamil!
• Used allover the world!
• 1000s of copies in use!
• Order your copy today!
Kalvi-Tamil Teacher Pro-
grams for pes teach formal
Tamil, step by step. No
parental guidance is required
for learning the fundamentals!
For the first time, all the 7
programs are integrated into a
single program with a common
Tamil Teacher
Software
The story of one man's lifetime
search for the Supreme Reality
through pilgrimage to hundreds
of temples and sacred places
from Kedarnath and other
Himalayan sites, to Kanya
Kumari in the South of India
from spiritual renaissance in'
the Hawaiian islands to pow-
erful Kathirkamam in Sri
Lanka. Interspersed are clear
explanations of Hindu beliefs
and practices and recountings
of visits with many contempo-
rary luminaries, including
Sathya Sai Baba, Prof TMP
user interface. Learning Tamil is only a mouse-click away! Mahadevan and Princess Irene of Greece.
1. akaram Teaches the 12 Tamil vowels
2. consonants Teaches the 18 Tamil consonants "The urge to go on a pilgrimage sprouts in the devotee's mind
and from then on, the urge becomes a compulsion and the
devotee performs the pilgrimage to the desired place no mat-
ter how difficult the route or the problems encountered."
3. alphabets Teaches the 216 vow-consonants
4. numbers Teaches counting in Tamil up to 1,000
5. drops Teaches 450 two-letter Tamil words
6. triplets Teaches 450 three-letter Tamil words
7. squares . . Tamil tic-tac-toe-type word game
Clea: pronunclatlOn of letters and words. Easy installation.
Users Guide.
224 pp. Soft S$22.90 (US$19.90), hard S$29.90 (US$24.90)
Pnntworld Services Pte Ltd • 80 Genting Lane, Genting Blk,
#04-02 Ruby Industrial Complex, Singapore 349 565
Special price, .all 7 programs: US$75 -free shipping anywhere.
Softech CreatlOns, 2910 Brightwater Lane, Abingdon, MD
21009, USA. • Tel: 410-515-3611. Fax: 410-569-7277.
Tel: 65-744-2166 • Fax: 65-746-0845
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.printworld.com.sg Web: http://members.aol.comlkalvi • E-mail: [email protected]
1,008 p .• $19.
95
paper
lavishly illustrated
ISBN 0-945497-47-4
Shipping: to USA, add 10%
to other countries, add 20%
Exceptional Answers to
Eternal Questions
!l) anang w;th S;va, H;ndu;,m', O,""mpomry Ca",h;,m, ;; th, m,;'"fu1
, work of SIVaya.Subramumyaswaml, a tradItIonal satguru immersed, for
. half a ill an ongoing global Hindu renaissance. This books is
as an illvaluable resource by the bhakti, the practicing yogi and the
scholar professOl:s require it as a basic textbook for a variety of courses,
at Furman Umverslty and DIckenson College, USA, for example.
Hindus, yoga enthusiasts, and anyone interested in spirituality will
be o-:erJoyed thIS reference work of Hindu belief and culture. The best
EnglIsh overvIew of Hlllduism available today-Napra Review
The swami concisely answers 155 key questions, ranging from "What is the ultimat I
f hi I
· C?" "H . . e goa
o y to ow are Hllldu arranged?" ... a 40-page timeline, a 200-page
leXIcon of Hllldu terms, a comparabve gUIde to major religious traditions and .
£ t h' r ' . . I hildr ' apnmer
or eac lllg reo IglOuS es to c en ... enriched by extensive scriptural quotations
and reproductlOns of RaJPut art. -Yoga Journal
HIMALAYAN ACADEMY PUBLICATIONS
107 Kaholalele Rd· Kapaa, Hawaii 96746-9304 USA' Tel: 1-800-890-1008, ext. 238 or
808-822-3152, ext. 238 • Fax: 1-808-822-4351' e-mail' letters@HI'nd ' 'T'dk'h'
h
. . . . . ulsm,o ay. aual. l.US
ttp/ /www.HllldmsmToday.kauaJ.hl.us/ashram/
Dancing with Siva and other HAP titles available in:. Australia: Yoga in Daily Life Tel: 02 951 8 7788 Fax: 02 951 8 7799. .' . . .
Fax. 604 5241395. Europe: Om Vishwa Guru Deep Hindu Mandir PH/Fax 36 11143504 email: [email protected] hu • In Canada. Int Yoga In Dally Life: 6045242942
11-n7:1668 Fax:11-751-2745 •. Jiva Rajasankara Fax: 91-80-839-7119 email: jiva@gi asbg01.vsnl.net:in • M dla. Manoharlal Publishers Delhi: PH:
cations. PH. 03 331 9242. MaUritiUs: Salva Siddhanta Church PH: 412-7682 Fax: 412-7177. New Zealand' I d' E alaysla. HindUism Today / Sanatana Dharma Publi-
(RUSSian Language edition.of Dancing with Siva) Centre of Tantra Sangha Tel: 70 95 465 0339 Fax: 70 95 Tel: 09 3773733 Fax: 09 3733300 • Russia:
Sanatana Dharma Publications: Tel: 957 66 012 • South Africa: Wizard's Warehouse Tel: 021 461 9719 Fax: 021 45 1417
al
l. • Singapore: HindUism Today /
662 8741 Fax: 809 662 3351 • UK: Hinduism Today Tel: 0171 9379163 Fax: 0171 460 1819 E-mail : easan1 @ I • Trinidad. Aswlnee & Narendra Persad Tel : 809
www.pacific-basin.com/indiainklindiaink.htmlao.com • Also available from India Ink on the Internet at:
__ ______ --__ ____
<::l
Selfless feat: Cooperative efforts help his team to Spiritually elevate the masses
HONORED
Athavale Earns Award
Accepts US$1.21-million Templeton Prize in NY
P.
ANDURANG SHASTRI ATHAVALE,
founder and leader of a spiritual self-
knowledge movement that has liber-
ateu millions from the shackles of
poverty and moral dissipation, secured the
1997 Templeton Prize for Progress in Reli-
gion. The award was announced on March
5, 1997 at the Church Center for the United
Nations in New York City.
Begun in 1972 by. renowned global in-
vestor Sir John Templeton, who
lepers and others now live their lives with
dignity and compassion.
The Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan,
president of India from 1962 to 1967, used
his position to offer a healing voice of uni-
versallove and wisdom for all, regardless of
race or religion. He also advocated a non-ag-
gressive military posture with Pakistan and
worked to end political corruption. For his
efforts, he received the prize in 1975.
CULTURE
Yoga for Kids
Athavale, 76, known as Dada (brother) by
his co-workers, began bhavpheri (devotion-
al visits) in 1954. With le'ss than 20 helpers,
he went to the villages around Bombay to
spread the message of love for God and love
for all people, considered by the workers to
be God's children. Believing in self-knowl-
edge as the preliminary condition for an in-
ner growth that leads to a loving, enlight-
ened' social concern and outreach, Athavale
initiated the practice of swadhyaya-a San-
skrit word meaning self-study.
Swadhyaya has spread to nearly 100,000
villages across India and is estimated to
have directly improved the lives of 20 mil-
lion people. Athavales Hindu philosophical
beliefs ask people to recognize the inner
presence of God which, he says, leads to a
sense of self-esteem as well as an awareness I
of the divine presence within all persons.
This belief has led to the betterment of in-
dividuals and communities around the world.
In nominating Athavale, Texas A&M Uni-
versity professor Betty M. Unterberger
wrote, "Motivated by a deep commitment to
the service of God's work, Athavale has
sought nothing less than the creation of a di-
vine world undergirded by a divine current
of thought."
In a statement prepared for the March
press conference in New York, Athavale
said, "This award is to advance the human
spirit's quest for love and understanding of
God and expansion of spiritual resources. I
see it as a tribute to the conviction that ex-
istence of God is central to life, and true re-
ligion is the guiding principle of life. It is my
experience that awareness of nearness of
God and reverence that power creates
reverance for self, reverence for the other
and reverance for the entire creation." ..
felt that the Nobel Prize unfairly
excluded religion from its hon-
ored 9isciplines, the prize is giv-
en each year to a living p'erson
who has shown extraordinary
originality in advancing hu-
mankind's understanding of God
and/or spirituality. Valued at
£750,000, (US$I.21 million), it is
the world's largest annual mone- T
HE ADVENTURE OF
Yoga" is a delightful ohil-
dren's book written and
illustrated by Moo and
Don Briddell. The main char-
acters, Magnolia and her
brother Doon, are led on a
journey with their hatha yoga
master and guide, Ijimaws
allowed to pass through each
kingdom. The journey teaches
them philosophical principles,
such as seeing the great 'Love
Force" in all things. Here is
truly an innovative, interactive
approach for teaching hatha
yoga and spiritual values to
children, ages 3-8.
PUBLISHER: WOOD-MOUNTAIN MAKINGS
77 EAST MArN STREI:.I
DAt.1..ASTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA 17313
tary award. I
Many Templeton Prize win-
ners have been well-known per-
sonalities such, as Mother Tere-
sa, who won in 1973, Rev. Dr.
Billy Graham in 1982 and 1983
recipient Aleksandr Solzheriit-
syn. But most have earned the·
prIze through pursuits often re-
moved from the public eye-in-
cluding Baba Amte, a wealthy
Hindu lawyer who abandoned
the comforts of money to devel-
op communities in India where
(for fun, read that backwards).
Their goal is to reach the top
of the Mountains-at -All, or
simply On the way, they
must perfect asanas (yogic
postures), in order to please
the animal or plant each pose
represents. Only then are they
52 HINDUISM TOJ),AY 1997
Perfect poses: Frogs and fish are pleased with kids' posflures
The All Attractive Couple
© by Vishnu Dasa
A window into the spiritual world,
where love divine is eternal. Radha,
the Goddess of compassion and Her
Consort, Krsna, the reservoir of all
pleasure, bestow their unconditional love
on all. Lim.ited edition litho, signed and
numbered, on acid free museum. paper.
Measures 28" x 32". Regularly $108
Offered to the Mystic Trader's friends
for the special price of $59. (#P-
DIVINE)
a color catalog.
Explore t he sights and sounds of Hinduism and seven other religiOns
CELEBR ATION
India's Fairs
Festivals
place, or should we say, the CD.
Magic Software takes you on an
interactive ride through Bud-
dhism all the way to Zoroastri-
anism. You can read about each
faiths beliefs and historical
backgrounds along with an ex-
planation of the religions unique
calendar. Click on a sound but-
ton, and words and phrases are
pronounced for you. Festivals
and ceremonies are described in
detail and video vignettes take
you inside of shrines and march
you in parades only those within
the religion are privileged to see.
This is a powerful tool for build-
ing tolerance and understanding
of others' beliefs and practices.
Available for US$39.95, it's for
Windows only (not againl ).
Write to: Magic Software Pvt.
Ltd., F-6 Kailash Colony, New
Delhi, 110 048, India.
I
F YOU HAVE EVER WONDERED
where to learn about the why
and how of celebrations of In-
dias major religions, this is the
ARTS
Web
Laureates
A
NASUYA SENGUPTA' S
"Silence," a poem
about woman not speak-
ing out, became famous
when Hillary Rodham
Clinton recited it during
her 1996 India tour. And
now other Hindu poets
are waxing poetic on the
Web. Examples at In-
dolink (genius. net!
...
indolinklPoetry Itgor Indx
.html) include Srinivas
Uppugunduris "Final
Journey," a reading on
reincarnation, and Bhar-
gavi C. Mandava's poig-
nant piece concerning
an aged grandmother
entitled, "Moonsweets."
Writes Mandava, "She
stares straight ahead as
if rudraksha beads were
passing beneath her
thumb, but she is not
meditating-she is cook-
ing." You can also read
the classic poetry of
Rabindranath Tagore
such as "Benedic-
tion," "The Gift" and
"The Banyan Tree" and
selected works of Swami
Vivekananda including
"The Song of the Sann-
yasin," "The Blessing"
and "Quest for God."
Some of the Web's best
RESOURCES
JOtJrneyto
the East
TIME SEARCHING
sites dealing with
Eastern religions, orien-
tal culture and Asian
countries on the Web.
The people at Panthers
Cave (check out their
Hawaiian pages) have
collected links to over
120 of some of the best
and most unique. Spe-
cializing in Nepal, you
can also browse through
travelogues full of photos
from Bhutan, Bangla-
desh, Pakistan, Tibet
and Myanmar. Visit rare
Asian art and photo gal-
leries and dance, music,
Sanskrit, astrology and
Buddhism pages. Listen
to broadcasts at Radio
Asianet and find Indian
Internet providers, on-
line newspapers, univer-
sities, chat and FTP
sites. You can even shop
on-line for Asian cloth-
ing, handicrafts and
spices. Go to lava. net!-
panther/east.html
HEALTH
Teen
E-zlne
N
OW A BUDDING
digital magazine is
on the Web-"Teen Veg-
etarian." :Published by
and for like-m.inded veg-
etarian teens, it's a pl€lce
to read and submit arti-
cles and book reviews,
share recipes, link to
vegetarian websites and
organizations and find e-
mail addresses. And
that's a breath of fresh
air for some veggie
teens. One 16-year-old
girl from Calgary, Cana-
da, wrote in the pengal

;;; CI - :J

- J.a.-.I.:"_*_ • __ ...... _01 __ _
'" .
..
:
____________
Hot new website for youth
section, "I have been a
vegetarian for 4 years
and am working towards
being vegan. It's hard
growing up surrounded
by animal-eaters. I've
never another vege-
tarian! I'm looking for
anyone who wants to
talk!" Make new friends
at geocities.comiHot
SpringS/2657 I
The mind, indeed, is this wQrld
TherefQre, it shQuld be purifled effQrt.
Qne becQmes what is in Qne's mind-this is the secret.
Y:A.J UR M:A. ITREY;1I. UP:A.NISH:A. D 6.34

Sponsor Documents

Or use your account on DocShare.tips

Hide

Forgot your password?

Or register your new account on DocShare.tips

Hide

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link to create a new password.

Back to log-in

Close