SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2016 (PAGE-3)

SACRED SPACE NATURE Dharma originates from Veds Vanishing Wildlife of Indian Himalayas Swami Ramswarup Ji, Yogacharya Almighty God mentioned in Vedas.To can never get peace, would not be able to Prof (Dr) R.D. Gupta region of , the wildlife of Western ibex and musk deer. However, these understand and discharge the duties discharge moral duties and can never Himalayan region, covering Jammu days wildlife of cold. Arid Zone of Indi- and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, an Himalayas is much threatened, and God preaches in Vedas towards nation. spend long, happy life, no matter whether India, one of the world's biggest pop- To maintain virtuous conduct accord- he is rich or poor. So it is sad that due to ulated country after China presently hav- Uttrakhand, Punjab and Haryana, protection is vital if the ancient wild life that the main motto of ing to Vedas. To realise all living beings ignorance, most of the people are after ing population of 1.34 billion people, varies widely Jammu and Kashmir ecosystem is to be protected for the pos- like one's own soul.So, happiness and materialistic articles and pomp and has a rich heritage of wildlife vis-à-vis infact, is the only state in the country terity. human life is to realise God where Oriental and European species of Protection of wildlife sorrows of others should become our own show. They have forgotten their eternal long history and tradition of its conserva- wild animals, are present. However, Although the Wildlife Departments by following eternal vedic happiness and sorrows. Must take inter- vedic culture then question to discharge tion. Despite this fact are heavy deforestation as well as over graz- of all the Indian Himalayan states have est in eternal vedic spiritualism (so, in their duties according to Vedas does not now confronted with a sad paradox i.e; path. Although Vedas contain ing of the grasslands, have totally dam- tried and are trying their best to pre- arise. As a result, question of attaining wildlife of the country is diminishing. Vedas the Dharma(pious deeds) and the aged the habitats of the wild animals serve the wildlife through various proj- unlimited knowledge right happiness/salvation, maintaining broth- More than 66 species of the mammals, eternal truth are synonymous to each and water sheds. As a result some of the ects yet it becomes the duty of every cit- 38 those of birds and 181 of amphib- from straw to Brahma includ- other). Actually, if in the matter of Dhar- erhood by destroying the sorrows, prob- species of wild animals and plants have izen to preserve the wildlife on priority. ians, have not been found in the country ma -pious deeds/righteousness, there lems, illness also vanishes away. gone totally extinct. Generally the west- For this purpose the protection of ing creation yet, Atharvaved and as such are now included in the Hence, we must understand that def- ern Himalayan states particularly forests is the need of the hour. It is emphasis that the main sub- schedule of Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh and because the forests including grass- ject matter of the Vedas is to They have been declared as endangered Jammu and Kashmir have been divided lands act as an abode of wildlife and and rare species. Recently, the Wenting into 4 Himalayan regions viz. Trans serve as source of their food and feed. know/realise the Almighty cheeta a fastest running wild animal has Himalaya, Great Himalaya, Middle Hence, illicit cutting of trees should be God while discharging all become extint. The royal Bengal tiger Himalaya and outer Himalaya includ- totally stopped. One must recollect the has also been found in the declining list. ing submountainous tract of Haryana, following proverb, while felling the moral duties according to Similar is the status of Asiatic lion, the Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttrak- trees and plants. vedas. Vedas further edu- population of which used to occur in a hand. Submountainous tract of Siwaliks "Plants are the basis of life on the number of forests of the country but now having altitude ranging from 300 to planet earth - Prithivi Lok. All living cate us that at first step the the Asiatic lion is confined only to the Gir 900m is locally called Kandi belt. Kan- organisms including wildlife and deeds done for the welfare of Forests Sanctury present in Gujarat. di belts of Jammu, Nurpur, Kangra and human beings cannot survive without Like other parts of the country, the the human beings to main- Indian Himalayas which sprawal over tain good character to attain 14 states both in western and eastern region, are also one of the most threat- Samadhi by practice of Ash- ened wildlife support ecosystem. tang Yog Philosophy and to Destruction of Habitat and shifting cul- tivation in north east hill states viz; do pious deeds with pure Arunachal Pradesh, , Tripur, intellect is called "Dharma" Meghalaya, Mizorum, Nagaland, Sikkim and parts of Assam and West (righteousness). Bengal are the main threats to the sur- That is why, Manusmriti Shloka 2/6 inition of Dharma mentioned in Vedas vival of primates in the Himalayan hills states that - "Vedaha Akhilaha Dharma exist the eternal traditional views based and ancient vedic culture written by of these states which formerly had the Moolam" i.e., all Vedas are the root from on vedic evidence and which are benefi- Rishi-Munis is - pious deeds done richest primate diversity in the country. where deeds are originated/known. So, cial not only for all human beings, but The fate of several globally endan- according to Vedas and not present reli- the dharma (righteousness), pious deeds also for all living beings then the mind of gered wildlife species of the aforesaid gion etc. are preached by God in Vedas and is not the society will be steadfast on the said Himalayan states has been threatened made by anybody else either man or Dharmaand the public would also take If we also pay our attention towards owing to the dwindling of grasslands. woman. Poorva Mimansa Shastra Sutra interest to follow the Dharma. On the Bhagwad Geeta shloka 3/15 then we will These days, Assam has almost no grass 1/1/2 also states that God gives order to other hand, if the base of the Dharma will be able to know that the pious deeds orig- lands of any significance for conserving all human beings that whatever deeds are be on blind faith, bad traditions, selfish- inate from eternal knowledge of Vedas wildlife. In the first ever World Wildlife discharged by human- beings according ness, conservative views, false convic- and as such Vedas emanate directly from Fund Survey of Grasslands in the North Hamirpur (Himachal Pradesh), used to them". It, therefore, becomes the duty to vedas, those are called "Dharma" tions andpolicy withoutargumentation God ( Yajurved mantra 31/7 also refers). Cashar Hills, Hermen and Barak Valley, be the home of tiger (Cheeta or Chitra) of every one of us to protect them at all (pious deeds) and on the contrary, the then the destruction of society starts Study of all four Vedas and our ancient it was observed that previously these has now almost become extinct. It is due costs". deeds which are not inspired by God in quickly. vedic culture has very well revealed that tracts had more area under grasslands to the heavy deforestation and denuda- Rehabilation of the degraded forests vedas but are Wrong credity of the Dharma gener- in the absence of eternal worship of God but now they merely have 2 per cent area tion of the thickly forest areas including and eroded areas is the need of the hour. done by human-beings those are ates corruption, self-made bad tradi- nobody can attain permanent peace/sal- under grasslands of the total geograph- bamboo forests. More than 100 years Greater thrush must be laid on bringing called "Adharma" (irreligious deeds-sin). tions, characterlessness, foolishness in vation, which destroys all types of sor- ical area. This has adversely affected ago the bamboo forests were so thick more and more wilderness under pro- This is the eternal definition of pious and discharging duties, dissimilarity, rows and promotes universal brother- rich wildlife of the north east hill region that people of the said areas used them tected area network". More and more impious deeds. casteism, downfall and exploitation of hood, in the absence of which violence/ of the Himalayas. Rich elephant grass as roofs for crossing from one place to "National Parks" and "Wild life Sanctu- another. But they are now no more Again, a person who does the deeds women, violence, hatred and also gener- militancy cannot be overcome. So, to jungle once existed in the flood plains of aries" are required to be set up. To run except in few places like Jasrota. Indo- according to Vedas and in turn he gets atesunlimited badness. As a result the spread international brotherhood and to the main rivers confined to the Barak them smoothly, more and more funds ra and Bilaspur areas of Jammu and happiness in the present life and also gets nation becomes hollow. valley, southern Nagaon and Hamren are required to be sanctioned by all the overcome the violence also, Samved Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. salvation then such pious deeds are The fourth sign of Dharma quoted but now it has totally exhausted. This Governments fallings under jurisdic- mantra 50 states that every human being Other wild animals like wild cow, called Dharma (religious deeds). above contains the traditional and eter- has badly influenced the rich wildlife of tion of Indian Himalayas. must listen to vedic knowledge from a horse, hare, porcupine have also Followings are the signs of nal spiritualism. Said spiritualism is only the region. A large number of animals Overgarzing of the pastures/grass- learned acharya, who knows four Vedas declined in their numbers. Similar is the Dharma(pious deeds). mentioned in Vedas, this spiritualism and birds are now on verge of extintion. lands should be discouraged. In grass- and has realised God after doing hard They mostly consist of wild buffalo, status of a number of birds like peacock, To understand and obey the orders of states that until a person realises God he lands always introduce the legunes. practice of Ashtang Yog Philosophy. black buck and wild ass. Previously house sparrow, crow, quail etc. It is Introduction of legumes will not only main grass lands of Bagon, Burapahar, point to mention that previously with improve an environment of grasslands SOCIETY Deochuri (Part of Kaziranga), Laokhe- the starting of monsoon a number of but also ameliorate their soil fertility by wa and Kochmara in which at least 50 voices of peacocks and frogs dwelling in way of fixing atmospheric nitrogen in species of mammals and 150 species of forest and water bodies (ponds0 used to the soils of these lands. in India birds lived at one time. Besides, variable be listened by people passing by these Stop poaching and indiscriminate population of the Indian rhinoceros water bodies. killing of animals as well as shooting of G V Joshi minorities should include sections of peo- of Jews eventually made their way to Asian elephant, wild water buffalo, In high Himalayan regions rare ani- birds. A provision of heavy punishment ple who, on account of their non-dominant Madras 9 now Chennai) in the 16th centu- swamp deer, tiger, Bengal floricon mals found are Kashmir stag (hangul) is required to punish the defaulter. The Jewish community in the Pune city position in the country as a whole, are tar- ry. They maintained trade connections with swamp patridge and greater adjutant snow leopard and markhor. Markhor is Wherever it is possible sheep breed- is thankful for the minority status granted gets of discrimination and therefore deserv- Europe, and their language skills were use- stork etc; were found to occur abun- now an endangered species and may face ing farms should be developed for the to it after the Government of Maharashtra ing of special consideration. ful. Although they spoke Spanish, in India dantly, have now become the most glob- extinction in near future from the higher nomads to settle. This will check the approved the proposal in the month of June While the subject of defining ‘minority’ they learned Tamil and Malayalam from the ally threatened wildlife species due to reaches of Pir Panjal mountain range in denudation of forests and soil erosion 2016. Senior members of the community is under consideration by the Government . They were diamond business- the disappearance of grasslands. Not Jammu and Kshmir, Dhauladhar range done by the livestocks of nomads. Plant said that this would not only give the com- of India and the supreme court, and men. only this, the forest cover in the north in Himachal Pradesh and Central more and more trees. For this purpose, munity not only the recognition, it whether it is a state subject or central, there The Baghdadi Jews consists of Jews east hill states has disappeared at an Himalayan range of Uttrakhand. Other the school, college and University stu- deserved, but also spread awareness about is no doubt that Jews in India are a minor- from West Asia, mainly from Baghdad and alarming rate during the last 4 decades. animals of this area are black bear, brown dents are required to be involved. them and help them to contribute towards ity , a minute minority in any state or as a Syria who came in the 19th century as This has resulted in the vanishing of the bear and musk deer. Setup agroforestry, where it can be the welfare of the community. country. traders and refugees. They settled in Bom- entire wildlife population of slow loris These animals which stand confined done. Adoption of agroforestry by the In the words of Daniel Penkar, president The Jews of India are not one singular bay, Calcutta and Pune, They first arrived pig tailed macaque and hoa lock gabion. to Indian Himalayan range, are also in farmers in their fields fulfills to the basic of the Succath Shelomo , “This is community. Among themselves they are in Surat which was then the most important Killing of primates for their meat is a decline. needs such as fuel wood, fodder, food, a welcome move and there is a general feel- divided into different communities. Each port on the West Coast. They spoke Arabic serious menace in north Coachar hills of Indian cold Arid Himalayan Region, timber which in turn will assist in reduc- ing of gratitude and happiness among the community has its own culture, background or Persian and English. At one time, there Assam and parts of Nagaland and Mizo- represented by Lahaul and Spiti and ing the pressure on the forests, conserv- members of the community. The Govern- and origin. Each community claims its were about 5000 of them, today less than ram border area, central and eastern Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh and that ing them and thereby, protecting the ment has done the right thing and it is com- arrival in India in different ways and times 200, most of them having emigrated to Arunachal Pradesh, parts of Meghalaya, of Ladakh by Jammu and Kashmir, wildlife and also ameliorating environ- mendable.” “Jews will now be able to avail and it is not always clear how they really U.K., Australia and Canada. Tripura and Manipur. abounds in wild horse, wild goat, ment. came to India. As of today, there are a num- The Bene Ephraim (also called “Telugu all Government schemes and subsidies and Like North Eastern Himalayan Tibetan wild sheep, Ladakh stag, yak, (The author is Ex Associate Dean Cum Chief Scientist KVK, SKUAST, Jammu) scholarships, he further added. ber of Jewish groups in India. Jews”) are a small group who speak Telugu; A Synagogue is a Jewish house of wor- The oldest Indian Jewish community is their observance of dates to 1981. The are Mizo and Kuki BOOK REVIEW Music in holy Adhi Granth

At the time of independence, Name of Book : Adhi Granth Mein Sangeet Sarita and sweet language. music as most powerful medium of Author : Savita Bakshi Everlasting Impact communication. It is a known fact that there were seven active syna- Publisher : Highbrow Publications, Bari It had aN everlasting impact of his this leaves deep impact of the shabad Brahmana, Jammu spiritual impact on masses. This was of Guru Granth Sahib among the com- gogues in Kerala. Today there Pages : 292 known as “Gurmat Sangeet” which mon masses. Price : Rs. 575 caught the imagination of the people The second chapter “Raga and the and had deep, everlasting impact. Adhi Granth” is study of power of O P Sharma is a regular only in the The book under review is first of its music to colour, impress and have deep imprint. The subsequent four Paradesi Synagogue of Cochin. The book entitled “Adhi chapters”: “Raga and Music Tradi- Granth Mein Sangeet Sarita” tion,” “The Medival Age, Raga and Guru Granth Sahib” and “An Analysis tribesmen in Manipur and who in Hindi authored by well of the Guru Granth Sahib” are scholar- are recent converts to Jewish religion. known Sitarist musician, Savi- ly research done by Ms Bakshi. ship. It is the Jewish equivalent of a church, in Kerala, based in the port city of Cochin. In addition there are , ta Bakshi is a detailed and an Another chapter is on study of ragas mosque or temple. They have been in India for at least 1,000 who claim Israeli origin - speculated to be and their musical characteristics and Jews are now India’s seventh minority years if not more. one of the lost tribes - and call themselves authoritative study on the notations. There is also “Journey of group, along with Muslims, Christians, At the time of independence, there were Bnei Menashe. Each group has active syna- Music in various Ages” which is seven active in Kerala. Today musical features in the holy Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains and Parsis. India is gogues. detailed account of different music there is a regular minyan only in the Parade- one of the few countries in the world where As of today, it is the who pre- Adhi Granth. arts in India since time immemorial. Jews have never faced any harassment or si Synagogue of Cochin. A minyan is the dominate the Jews in India. Some say that The author, a well known Sitarist of The fifth Guru Arjun Devji compiled persecution. quorum necessary for public worship Jammu has remained as Special Sec- they came from the ancient kingdom of and edited the holy Adhi Granth which India has approximately 5,000 Jews out among Jews. It is the smallest congregation retary in the J&K State Academy of Israel after they were defeated by the Assyr- comprises works of 17 Bhakti saints of which nearly 2,500 are in Maharashtra. which is permitted to hold public worship Art, Culture and Languages and super- ian king in 722 B.C.E. Some believe that and seers However, according to government author- and one made up of ten men. annuated last year. She has con- when the kingdom of Judah was destroyed Informative and Enlightening ities, the Government has no official record The world-renowned Paradesi Syna- tributed to the enrichment of literary gogue was first built in 1568, reconstructed and taken by the Babylonians in This book authored by a musician, of the number of Jews in Maharashtra, as and cultural heritage of the State as in part and enlarged over the years. The syn- 586 B.C.E. some of the Jews reached the Sabita Bakshi and publishedby High- there was no special column for Jews in the also given Sitar performances both census form. Many of them were considered agogue is situated at the north end of Syn- West Coast ofIndia. Oral tradition and brow Publications is very valuable within and abroad winning applaud as Christians. An accurate census has nev- agogue Lane, a narrow street lined on both probably the most favored one is that they work and should be read by all those and appreciation. er been done. sides with houses that were once Jewish descended from the Jews who fled in 175 interested in music as also our proud What is a minority? The Constitution of owned and occupied. B.C.E. from the Syrian-Greek ruler Anti- Research Study “Adhi Granth Mein Sangeet Sarita” religio-cultural heritage. Ms Bakshi India has used the word ‘minority’ or its plu- Today the Paradesi Synagogue is said to ochus Epiphanes, were ship wrecked at has done a commendable job and this be the oldest functioning Jewish house of contains 17 chapters devoted to ele- ral form in some Articles, 29 to 30 and 350A Navgaon near the port of chaul on the book is for valuable contribution. I was to 350B, but has not defined it anywhere. prayer not only in South India, but in the broate and deep study of various fea- Konkan Coast. informed that the author is going to But by a general understanding a minor- whole country, and even the entire British tures of Raga and Music in the Sikh kind as it is a detailed study of devo- Seven men and 7 women survived and publish its Punjabi as well as Dogri ity Group is a subordinate group whose Commonwealth. It is visited by thousands from there the Bene Israel spread to many holy scriptures. It makes an interest- tional music of the holy Sikh scrip- of tourists from India and abroad each year. editions for much wider circulation members have significantly less control or of the surrounding villages in the Konkan. ing and informative reading for this tures. It is noteworthy work of exten- It is open six days a week, except on Friday unique subject in the language which and readership. power over their lives than members of a Most of the Bene Israel people have sur- sive research by an expert in the field dominant or majority group or any section afternoons and all day Saturday when it is is easily understandable by one and all. I have gone through this valuable names ending with ‘’kar’’ identifying with of music. It is valuable book indeed. of citizens having a distinct language, script closed. It is very well maintained. Significantly, Guru Nanak Devji, book and found it worth reading by the villages where they resided. There are Valuable book and culture. Chennai Jews: The so-called Spanish founder of Sikh faith choose the every reader especially, the musiciolo- 142 such surnames. In a new study, it has The first chapter deals with th Gur- According Dr Zoya Hasan, a Professor at and Portuguese Jews, Paradesi Jews and unique medium iof musical kirtans for gists, academicians, students and all been revealed that the Bene Israel commu- mat Sangeet which is a tradition of Kir- Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, and a British Jews arrived at Madras during the spreading the divine message (“Ban- tan performance that focuses on those interested in the rich heritage of 16th century. Following expulsion from nity in India carries genetic proof of their member of the National Commission of ies) among the masses in very simple Shabad (main message) through India. Minorities, a meaningful conception of Iberia (now Spain) in 1492, a few families Jewish roots. (Starline Syndicate Service)