MMIINNDD--TTRREEEE

Volume-I | Issue-9 | May 201

Image Courtesy: www.freedigitalphotos.net Mind---Tree, May 2011 111 wikimedia.org

MMIINNDD--TTRREEEE Volume-I | Issue-9 | May 2011

We are eager to have your valuable opinions @ [email protected] or [email protected] Bhakthi Bhakthi Yoga teaches people the path of Love – to love all as you Bhagwan Sathya Sai Baba is one of the love yourselves, and prosper by rarest Karmayogis India has ever pro- love. Then no harm can come to duced. He has you. It will only spread joy and wiped the happiness to all. is present tears from the withered faces of the poor and the mar- ginalised Indi- ans. For his be- lievers, he was a demi-God who had definite mesmeric powers. Surpris- ingly, he could also attract millions of human beings towards his abode. May be he had several critics who used to uncharitably criticise him and his charitable disposition. But that did not dissuade him from his destined spiritual duty and yeoman’s service to in all beings as Love. They all en- the people around him. Undoubtedly, deavour to merge their love with he will be remembered for the amaz- the Ocean of Love that God is. ing spiritual service and the philan- Wherever Love is evident, take it Happiness cannot be experienced that it is God’s own Love. God is through spiritual practices. the greatest Lover of mankind. It can be experienced only through Therefore, when anyone decides Divine Love. – Baba to serve humanity whom He thropic works he could undertake for loves, God showers Grace in the welfare of the mankind, whereas plenty. When the human heart his die-hard critics had only one- melts at the suffering of others point agenda to “bare” him naked.He and expands as a result of that showed that serving the mankind is sympathy, believe that God is tantamount to serving the God in all present there. That is the sign of respects. Probably, there are few par- the validity of the path of devo- allels in the world for his unique way tion (Bhakthi Yoga). of spirituality.

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Divine Speak What water can do, gasoline cannot and what copper can, gold cannot. The fra- A plum once said, 'just because a banana gility of the ant enables it to move and lover came by, I converted myself into a the rigidity of the tree enables it to stay banana. Unfortunately, his taste rooted. Everything and everybody has changed after a few been designed with a Pro- months and so I became portion of uniqueness to an orange. When he said serve a purpose that we I was bitter I became an can fulfill only by being apple, but he went in our unique self. You as search of grapes. you alone can serve your Yielding to the opinions purpose and I as I Alone of so many people, I have can serve my purpose. changed so many times You are here to be you... that I no more know who Just YOU. I am. How I wish I had remained a plum and waited for a plum lover.' There was a time in this world when a Just because a group of people do not ac- was required and he was sent; A time when a Christ was required and he You are a Masterpiece was sent; a time when a Mahatma was required and he was sent; a time when a cept you as you are, there is no necessity J.R.D.Tata was required and he was sent. for you to strip yourself of your original- There came a time when you were re- ity. You need to think Good of yourself, quired on this planet and hence you for the world takes you at your own esti- were sent. Let us be the best we can be. mate. Never stoop down in order to gain recognition. Never let go of your true In the history of the universe, there has self to win a relationship. In the long been nobody like you and to the run, you will regret that you traded your infinity of time to come, there will be no greatest Glory - your uniqueness, for mo- one like you. Existence should have loved you so much that it broke the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar mould after making you, so that another of your kind will never get repeated. You are original. mentary validation. Even Gandhi was You are rare. not accepted by many people. The group You are unique. that does not accept you as YOU is not You are a wonder. Your world. You are a masterpiece. Your Master's piece. There is a world for each one of you, Celebrate your Uniqueness. where you shall reign as king /queen by just being yourself. Find that world... Coutesy: JAYAPRAKASH NAIR In fact, that world will find You.

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We are eager to have your valuable opinions @ [email protected] or [email protected]

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Shankar, Ramdev, Swami Mind Agnivesh and former Indian crick- eter Kapil Dev,many celebrities showed their public support through Twit- Along with members of the India Against Corrup- ter. On 6 April 2011 Sharad Pawar resigned from tion movement, former justice of the Supreme the group of ministers formed for reviewing the Court of India and Lokayukta of draft Lokpal bill 2010. The move- Karnataka N. Santosh Hegde and ment gathered significant sup- , a senior law- port from India's youth, visible yer in the Supreme Court, through the local support and on drafted an alternate bill called social networking sites like Face- the (People's - book and Twitter.[46] There have budsman Bill). This bill provides also been protests in Bangalore, more stringent provisions and Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, wider power to the Lokpal Guwahati, Shillong, and Aizawl, (Ombudsman). Hazare began a among other cities of India. On 8 fast unto death from 5 April 2011 April 2011 the Government of In- at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to press for the demand dia accepted all demands of the movement. On 9 to form a joint committee of the representatives of April 2011 it issued a notification in the Gazette of the Government and the civil society to draft a new India on formation of a joint committee. It ac- bill with stronger penal actions and more inde- cepted the formula that there be a politician Chair- pendence to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas man and an activist, non-politician Co-Chairman. (Ombudsmen in the states), after his demand was According to the notification, Pranab Mukherjee rejected by the Prime Minister of India Manmohan will be the Chairman of the draft committee while Singh. He stated, "I will fast until Jan Lokpal Bill is Shanti Bhushan will be the co-chairman. “The Joint passed". The movement attracted attention in the Drafting Committee shall consist of five nominee media, and thousands of supporters. Almost 150 ministers of the Government of India and five people reportedly joined Hazare in his fast. He said nominees of the civil society. The five nominee that he would not allow any politician to sit with Ministers of the Government of India are Pranab Mukherjee, Union Minister of Finance, P. Chidambaram, Union Minister of Home Affairs, M. The story of Hazare‘s transformation began Veerappa Moily, Union Minister of Law and Jus- in 1964 at a Delhi railway station bookstall tice, Kapil Sibal, Union Minister of Human Re- after he bought a book on Swami Vivekan- source and Development and Minister of Commu- anda. Enthralled by the great sage‘s life and nication and Information Technology and Salman by his dictum that the noblest thing a man Khursheed, Union Minister of Water Resources can do is work for the good of others, and Minister of Minority Affairs. The five nominees Hazare avidly began reading religious texts of the civil society are Anna Hazare, N. Santosh and biographies of social reformers. And af- Hegde, Shanti Bhushan Senior Advocate, Prashant ter his escape from the Sabre jets at Khem- karan, in September 1965, Hazare became a Bhushan, Advocate and Arvind Kejriwal. On the vegetarian, gave up cigarettes and liquor, morning of 9 April 2011 Hazare ended his 98-hour and vowed to remain a bachelor devoting hunger strike by first offering lemon juice to some himself to public service. of his supporters who were fasting with him. Hazare then broke his fast by consuming some lemon juice. He addressed the people and set a him in this movement. Politicians like Uma Bharti deadline of 15 August 2011 to pass the Lokpal Bill in and Om Prakash Chautala were shooed away by the Indian Parliament. Real fight begins now. We protesters when they came to visit the site where have a lot of struggle ahead of us in drafting the the protest was taking place. Social activists, in- new legislation, We have shown the world in just cluding Medha Patkar, Arvind Kejriwal, former IPS five days that we are united for the cause of the officer Kiran Bedi, and Jayaprakash Narayan lent nation. The youth power in this movement is a their support to Hazare's hunger strike and anti- sign of hope. Anna Hazare said that if the bill does corruption campaign. People have shown support not pass he will call for a mass nation-wide agita- in Internet social media such as Twitter and Face- tion. He called his movement as "second struggle book. In addition to spiritual leaders Sri Sri Ravi for independence" and he will continue the fight.

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and wrote four works in- India cluding one on astronomy. The last ruler of this dy- nasty was Lakshamanasena under whose reign the Mus- MedievalMedieval HistoryHistory ofof IndiaIndia lims invaded Bengal, and For a period that has come to be so strongly associ- the empire fell. ated with the Islamic influence and rule in India, Me- The Pratihara dieval Indian history went for almost three whole The greatest ruler of the centuries under the so-called indigenous rulers, that Pratihara dynasty was Mihir included the Chalukyas, the Pallavas, the Pandyas, Bhoja. He recovered Kanauj (Kanyakubja) by 836, and the Rashtrakutas, the Muslims rulers and finally the it remained the capital of the Pratiharas for almost a Mughal Empire. The most important dynasty to century. He built the city Bhojpal (Bhopal). Raja th emerge in the middle of the 9 century was that of Bhoja and other valiant the Cholas. Gujara kings faced and de- The Palas feated many attacks of the Between 8th and 10th centuries Arabs from west. A.D., a number of powerful Between 915-918 A.D, empires dominated the east- Kanauj was attacked by a ern and northern parts of In- Rashtrakuta king, who dev- dia. The Pala king Dharm- astated the city leading to pala, son of Gopala reigned the weakening of the Prati- from the late 8th century A.D. hara Empire. In 1018, Kan- to early 9th century A.D. nauj then ruled by Rajya- Nalanda University and Vik- pala Pratihara was sacked ramashila University were by Mahmud of Ghazni. The empire broke into inde- founded by Dharmpala. pendent Rajput states. The Senas The Rashtrakutas After the decline of This dynasty, which ruled from Karnataka, is illustri- the Palas, the Sena ous for several reasons. They ruled the territory vaster dynasty established its than that of any other dynasty. They were great pa- rule in Bengal. The trons of art and literature. The encouragement that founder of the dynasty several Rashtrakuta kings provided to education and was Samantasena. The literature is unique, and the religious tolerance exer- greatest ruler of the cised by them was exemplary. dynasty was Vijaysena. The Chola Empire of the South He conquered the whole of Bengal and was suc- It emerged in the middle of the 9th century A.D., cov- ceeded by his son Ballalasena. He reigned peacefully ered a large part of Indian peninsula, as well as parts but kept his dominions intact. He was a great scholar of Sri Lanka and the Maldives Islands. The first important ruler to emerge from the dynasty DID YOU KNOW? was Rajaraja Chola I and his son and successor Rajen- dra Chola. Rajaraja carried forward the annexation …...that theCholas are featured in the History of policy of his father. He led armed expedition to dis- the World board game, produced by Avalon tant lands of Bengal, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. Hill? The successors of Rajendra I, Rajadhiraj and Rajendra II were brave rulers who ……that Rashtrakuta literature and inscriptions fought fiercely against show that Kannada was not only popular in the the later Chalukya modern Karnataka region but the linguistic kings, but could not change had spread further north into present check the decline of day southern Maharashtra and to the northern Chola Empire. The later Deccan by the 8th century ? Chola kings were weak and incompetent rulers. …..that the power of the Gurjara Pratihara army The Chola Empire thus lingered on for another cen- that effectively barred the progress of the Mus- tury and a half, and finally came to an end with the th lim invaders beyond the confines of Sindh? invasion of Malik Kafur in the early 14 century A.D. Source : http://india.gov.in/knowindia

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Caravel CHARAKA A caravel is a small, highly maneuverable, two- The Father of Anatomy or three-masted lateen-rigged ship, created by Charaka, sometimes spelled Caraka, born c. 300 BC was the Portuguese and used also by them and by one of the principal contributors to the ancient art and sci- the Spanish for long voyages of exploration ence of Ayurveda, a system of medicine and lifestyle devel- from the 15th century oped in Ancient India. He is sometimes referred to as the The caravel was developed in the Atlantic un- Father of Indian Medicine Ac- der the order of Henry the Navigator and be- cording to Charaka's transla- came the preferred vessel for Portuguese ex- tions health and disease are not plorers. Initially, the Portuguese used carracks predetermined and life may be to explore along the west African coast and into prolonged by human effort and the Atlantic Ocean. The carrack (or nau) was attention to lifestyle. As per the state of the art in late medieval shipbuild- Indian heritage and science of ing. But these larger, full-rigged square-sailed Ayurvedic system, prevention of ships could not always be sailed with the preci- all types of diseases have a more prominent place than sion necessary for inshore surveying in un- treatment, including restructuring of life style to align with known waters. The explorers soon came to pre- the course of nature and four seasons, which will guarantee complete wellness. Charaka was the first physician to pre- sent the concept of digestion, metabolism and immunity. According to his translations of the , a body functions because it contains three dosha or principles, namely move- ment (vata), transformation (pitta) and lubrication and stability (kapha). The doshas are also sometimes called hu- mours, namely, bile, phlegm and wind. These dosha are produced when dhatus (blood, flesh and marrow) act upon the food eaten. For the same quantity of food eaten, one body, however, produces dosha in an amount different from another body. That is why one body is different from another. For instance, it is more weighty, stronger, more energetic. Further, illness is caused when the balance among the three fer the caravel, as well as the barge (barca) or dosha in a human body is disturbed. To restore the balance the balinger (barinel) of around 50 to 200 tons. he prescribed medicinal drugs. Although he was aware of Being smaller, the caravel could sail upriver in germs in the body, he did not give them any importance. shallow coastal waters. With the lateen sails Charaka knew the fundamentals of genetics. For instance, attached, it could go fast over shallow water he knew the factors determining the sex of a child. A ge- and take deep wind, while with the square At- netic defect in a child, like lameness or blindness, he said, lantic-type sails attached, it was very fast. Its was not due to any defect in the mother or the father, but in the ovum or sperm of the parents (an accepted fact to- economy, speed, agility, and power made it day). esteemed as the best sailing vessel of its time. Charaka studied the anatomy of the human body and vari- The exploration done with caravels made possi- ous organs. He gave 360 as the total number of bones, in- ble the spice trade of the Portuguese and the cluding teeth, present in the body. He wrongly believed Spanish. that the heart had one cavity, but he was right when he considered it to be a controlling centre. He claimed that the heart was connected to the entire body through 13 main channels. Apart from these channels, there were countless DID YOU KNOW? other ones of varying sizes which supplied not only nutri- ents to various tissues but also provided passage to waste ... that in 2008 Hewlett-Packard created products. He also claimed that any obstruction in the main a prototype of the theoretical fourth channels led to a disease or deformity in the body. Under the guidance of the ancient physician Atreya, Ag- and last passive circuit element, the nivesa had written an encyclopedic treatise in the eighth memristor, that may one day revolu- century B.C. However, it was only when Charaka revised tionize electronics, although the theory this treatise that it gained popularity and came to be was devised in 1971? known as Charakasamhita. For two millennia it remained a standard work on the subject and was translated into many

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Artificial intelligence Euclid Euclid , also known as Euclid of Alexandria, was an Artificial intelligence (AI) is the intelligence of Egyptian Greek mathematician, often referred to as the machines and the branch of computer science that "Father of Geometry". He was active in the Greek colony of aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as Alexandria during the reign of Ptolemy I (323–283 BC). His "the study and design of intelligent agents" where Elements is one of the most influential works in the history of mathematics, serving as the main textbook for teaching an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its mathematics (especially geometry) from the time of its environment and takes actions that maximize its publication until the late 19th or early 20th century. In the chances of success. John McCarthy, who coined the Elements, Euclid deduced the principles of what is now term in 1956, defines it as "the science and engi- called Euclidean geometry from a small set of axioms. neering of making intelligent machines." Euclid also wrote works on perspective, conic sections, The field was founded on the claim that a central spherical geometry, number theory and rigor. Euclid's con- property of humans, intelligence—the sapience of tributions were built on the Greek culture of philosophical Homo sapiens—can be so precisely described that investigation into which he was born, relying on the works it can be simulated by a machine. This raises phi- of thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Eudoxus, and Theaetetus . losophical issues about the nature of the mind and "Euclid" is the the ethics of creating artificial beings, issues which anglicized ver- have been addressed by myth, fiction and philoso- sion of the Greek phy since antiquity. Artificial intelligence has been name (Εὐκλείδης the subject of optimism, but has also suffered set- — Eukleídēs), backs and, today, has become an essential part of meaning "Good the technology industry, providing the heavy lifting Glory".

Little is known about Euclid's life, as there are only a handful of references to him. The date and place of Euclid's birth and the date and circumstances of his death are unknown, and only roughly estimated in proximity to contemporary figures mentioned in refer- ences. No likeness or description of Euclid's physical ap- TOPIO, a humanoid robot, played table tennis at pearance made during his lifetime survived antiquity. Tokyo International Robot Exhibition (IREX) 2009 Therefore, Euclid's depiction in works of art is the product of the artist's imagination. The few historical references to Euclid were written centu- ries after he lived, by Proclus and Pappus of Alexandria.[8] for many of the most difficult problems in com- Proclus introduces Euclid only briefly in his fifth-century puter science. AI research is highly technical and Commentary on the Elements, as the author of Elements, specialized, and deeply divided into subfields that that he was mentioned by Archimedes, and that when often fail to communicate with each other. Sub- King Ptolemy asked if there was a shorter path to learning fields have grown up around particular institutions, geometry than Euclid's Elements, "Euclid replied there is [ the work of individual researchers, the solution of no royal road to geometry." Although the purported cita- specific problems, longstanding differences of tion of Euclid by Archimedes has been judged to be an interpolation by later editors of his works, it is still be- opinion about how AI should be done and the ap- lieved that Euclid wrote his works before those of Ar- plication of widely differing tools. The central chimedes. In addition, the "royal road" anecdote is ques- problems of AI include such traits as reasoning, tionable since it is similar to a story told about knowledge, planning, learning, communication, Menaechmus and Alexander the Great. In the only other perception and the ability to move and manipulate key reference to Euclid, Pappus briefly mentioned in the objects. General intelligence (or "strong AI") is still fourth century that Apollonius "spent a very long time with among the field's long term goals. the pupils of Euclid at Alexandria, and it was thus that he [13] acquired such a scientific habit of thought." It is further Courtesy: en.wikipedia.org believed that Euclid may have studied at Plato's Academy in Athens. Courtesy: en.wikipedia.org

Mind---Tree, May 2011 777 Events in MAY MAY May 1 is Labor Day in many countries. May is the fifth month May 1 is May Day in the United Kingdom, how of the year in the Gre- ever the public holiday is held on the first Mon gorian Calendar and day in May. one of seven Gregorian May 3 is when the Polish Constitution Day is months with the length celebrated in Poland. of 31 days. May is a May 3 is Japanese Constitution Day Japan month of autumn in the May 4 is the day of Remembrance of the Dead Southern Hemisphere in the Netherlands and spring in the Northern Hemi- May 4 is Liberation Day in Denmark sphere. Therefore May in the South- May 5 is when Cinco de Mayo or the Batalla de ern Hemisphere is the seasonal Puebla is celebrated in Mexico. equivalent of November in the Northern Hemisphere and vice May 5 is the Children's Day in Japan and Korea versa. The month May has been May 5 is Liberation Day in the Netherlands named for the Greek goddess Maia, May 5 is Europe Day in Europe who was identified with the Roman May 8 is VE Day in Western Europe era goddess of fertility, Bona Dea, May 9 is Europe Day in the European Union whose festival was held in May. Con- May 10 is Golden Spike Day versely, the Roman poet Ovid pro- May 10 is Mother's Day in Mexico, Guatemala, vides a second etymology, in which and Salvador. he says that the month of May is May 12 is International Nurses Day. named for the maiores, Latin for May 12 is the day of the Finnish language in "elders," and that the following Finland. month (June) is named for the iunio- res, or "young people" (Fasti VI.88). May 12 is International Awareness Day for In both common Western calendri- Chronic Immunological and Neurological Dis cal systems, no other month begins eases (CIND). on the same day of the week as May. May 15 is the beginning of Tourette Syndrome This month and June are the only awareness month. two months that have this trait, May 17 is Norwegian Constitution Day. though the first day of August in a May 21 is when the Battle of Iquique is cele common year and the first day of brated in Chile. October in a leap year are also May 24 is when Eritrea celebrates its Inde unique. No other month ends on the pendence Day . same day of the week as May. May 25 is the May Revolution (or Revolución de Mayo) .": 4:.#0-4 May 25 is Towel Day, in tribute to Douglas Ad ams. Birthstone - Emarald The second Sunday in May is Mother's Day in the United States. Each year in May, the Eurovision Song Contest is held. The Indianapolis 500 is held on the Sunday be fore Memorial Day. Labor Day in Queensland, Australia, is cele brated on the first Monday in May. In Canada, Victoria Day is celebrated on the last Monday on or before May 24. The last Monday of May is Memorial Day in the United States. Birth flower - Rose

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RELIGIONRELIGION (0% */ )*/%6*4. Vaishnava tradition often translates it within its per- spective as primeval or original Personality of , but also considers the terms such as Supreme For God, as is, is beyond any attributes of form, Personality of Godhead and Supreme God as an equiva- color, shapes ... That is, God does not have any specific lent to the term Svayam , and may also choose form or name. In this state God is referred to as nirguNa to apply these terms to , and many of (attributeless god). However God takes forms as their associated . perceived by humans and this perceived form is called Earlier commentators such as translated saguNa brahman (god with (good) attributes). These the term as "he who has bhaga- forms could range from calm to fierce to yogic (1). Each vatta"; meaning "he who has the quality of possessing all form has its significance. For example when one is de- good qualities". Others have translated it simply as "the pressed and sees the form of God Strong and Powerful, Lord Himself".] Followers of Vishnu-centered sam- the seeker feels the moral boost that God would definitely pradayas of rarely address this term, but be the support for the right thing. Similarly when in an believe that it refers to their belief that Krishna is among auspicious ceremony would like the God to be the calm the highest and fullest of all Avatars and is considered to provider of boons. In a spiritually elevated state, the be the "paripurna Avatara", complete in all respects and choice would be the yogic form of God. The forms pro- the same as the original. According to them vide a basis for worshipper to easily pursue the Krishna is otherwise incomprehensible Supreme. So Hinduism sup- described in the Purana as the Purnavatara ports both form as well as formless worship of the God. (or complete manifestation) of the Bhagavan, while other Whether one worships in saguNa or nirguNa way, it is incarnations are called partial. ultimately the same God Brahman Svayam Bhagavan The Vedantic school of also has a no- Svayam bhagavan is a theological term that tion of a Supreme Cosmic Spirit called Brahman, pro- refers to the concept of absolute representation of the nounced [brəhmən]. Brahman is the impersonal aspect monotheistic God as Bhagavan himself within Hindu- of Absolute Truth. Absolute Truth is realized in three ism. stages: as Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan, Brahman It is most often used in Gaudiya Vaishnava Krishna- realization is the first step of the Hindu transcendental- centered theology as referring to Krishna. The title ist. The path which leads to this realization is called Svayam Bhagavan is used exclusively to designate Jnana, usually followed by Shankara- mayavadi Krishna.[ Certain other traditions of Hinduism consider him to be the source of all philosophers. Hinduism advises against speculating avatars, and the source of Vishnu himself, or to be the same as Narayana. As such, he is about the Absolute (as it may long for millions of life- therefore regarded as Svayam Bhagavan. times), but straight to get to -yoga, as it is a direct The term is seldom used to refer to other forms of path and includes both Brahman and even Paramatma Krishna and Vishnu within the context of certain reli- realization (attained by yogis through mystic gious texts such as the , and also on four-handed Narayana or Vishnu on Vaikunthalo- within other sects of Vaishnavism. kas). Even himself, being a greatest im- When Krishna is recognized to be Svayam Bhagavan, personalist supported this viewpoint: one has to give up jnana and take to worship of Parabrahman, - it can be understood that this is the belief of Gaudiya that is Krishna. See also: Bhaja Govindam. Vaishnavism, the , and the Nim- Courtesy: en.wikipedia.org barka Sampradaya, where Krishna is accepted to be the source of all other avatars, and the source of Vishnu himself. This belief is drawn primarily "from the famous Did You Know? statement of the Bhagavatam"(1.3.28). A different viewpoint, opposing this theological concept ...that There are many Hindus in Arab is the concept of Krishna as an of Narayana or states, many due to the migration of In- Vishnu. It should be however noted that although its is dians to the oil-rich states around the usual to speak of Vishnu as the source of the avataras, Persian Gulf? this is only one of the of Vaishnavism, who is also known as Narayana, and Krishna and behind each of those names there is a divine figure with ...that Hindu temples have been built in attributed supremacy in Vaishnavism. Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, The theological interpretation of svayam bhagavān Qatar, Kuwait, Yemen and Oman? differs with each tradition and the literal translation of the term has been understood in several distinct ways. Trans- ...that Hinduism first came to Muscat in lated from the Sanskrit language, the term literary means 1507 from Sindh? "Bhagavan Himself" or "directly Bhagavan". Gaudiya

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RELIGIONRELIGION God in Islam ISLAM

In Islamic theology, God (Arabic: as a unified whole, with God being a single concept Allāh) is the all-powerful and all-knowing creator, that would describe or ascribe all existing sustainer, ordainer, and judge of the universe. Islam things:"God is the First and the Last, the Outward puts a heavy emphasis on the conceptualization of and the Inward; God is the Knower of everything God as strictly singular (tawhid). God is unique (Sura 57:3)" Some Muslims have however vigorously (wahid) and inherently One (ahad), all-merciful and om- criticized interpretations that would lead to a monist nipotent. view of God for what they see as blurring the distinc- Creation and ordering of the tion between the creator and universe is seen as an act of the creature, and its incom- prime mercy for which all patibility with the monothe- creatures sing God's glories ism of Islam. and bear witness to God's The indivisibility of God im- unity and lordship. According plies the indivisibility of God's to the Islamic teachings, God sovereignty which in turn exists without a place. Ac- leads to the conception of uni- cording to the Qur'an, "No verse as a just and coherent vision can grasp Him, but His moral universe rather than an grasp is over all vision. God is existential and moral chaos above all comprehension, yet (as in polytheism). Similarly is acquainted with all the Qur'an rejects the binary things" (Qur'an 6:103) modes of thinking such as the God responds to those in idea of duality of God by argu- need or distress whenever ing that both good and evil they call. Above all, God Name of Allāh written in Arabic calligraphy generate from God's creative guides humanity to the right by 17th century Ottoman artist Hâfız Osman act and that the evil forces way, “the holy ways.” have no power to create any- According to Islamic tradition there are 99 Names of thing. God in Islam is a universal god rather than a God (al-asma al-husna lit. meaning: "The best names") local, tribal or parochial one; an absolute who inte- each of which evoke a distinct attribute of God. All grates all affirmative values and brooks no evil. these names refer to , the supreme and all- Tawhid constitutes the foremost article of the Mus- comprehensive divine name. Among the 99 names of lim profession. To attribute divinity to a created en- God, the most famous and most frequent of these tity is the only unpardonable sin mentioned in the names are "the Compassionate" (al-rahman) and "the Qur'an. Muslims believe that the entirety of the Is- Merciful" (al-rahim). lamic teaching rests on the principle of Tawhid Islam teaches that God, as referenced in the Qur'an, Courtesy: en.wikipedia.org is the only God and the same God worshipped by members of other Abrahamic religions such as Chris- tianity and Judaism. Did You Know? Oneness of God Oneness of God or Tawḥīd is the act of believing and ...that about 13% of Muslims live in affirming that God (Arabic: Allah) is one and unique Indonesia, the largest Muslim coun- (wāḥid). The Qur'an asserts the existence of a single try? and absolute truth that transcends the world; a unique and indivisible being who is independent of ...that Converts and immigrant com- the entire creation. According to the Qur'an: munities are found in almost every "Say: He is God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, part of the world? Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him." (Sura 112:1-4, Yusuf Ali) ...that Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Thy Lord is self-sufficient, full of Mercy: if it were God's Moses and Jesus and his apostles are will, God could destroy you, and in your place appoint whom God will as your successors, even as God raised all confirmed as being Muslim by the you up from the posterity of other people." (Sura 6:133, Qur'an? Yusuf Ali) According to Vincent J. Cornell, the Qur'an also pro- vides a monist image of God by describing the reality

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