At Lord Balaji's Feet in Tirupati

January/February/March, 2006 US$5.95

Affirming S. anatana D. harma a. nd R. ecording t. he M. odern H. istory o. f a. B. illion-Strong G. lobal R. eligion i. n R. enaissance

At Lord Balaji’s Feet in Tirupati thomas kelly COVER: P. ilgrims t. ouch t. he s. culpted s. tone f. eet i. n T. irumala T. emple’s S. rivari P. adalu s. hrine w. hich m. ark t. he p. lace w. here L. ord V. ish- nu firs. t s. tepped u. pon t. he Ea. rth .(A . bove) Pil. grim sp. ins t. he p. rayer w. heels a. t t. he Hin. du-Buddhist t. emple of. M. uktinath in. N. epal .

january/february/march, 2006 • Hindu Year 5107 Parthiva, the Year of Earthly Prosperity

www.gurudeva.org International Feature: .Trek .with .Us .to .Tirupati, .Lord .Venkatesh- Education: .Parents .Correct .Textbooks .on .Hinduism .60 wara’s .Revered .Temple .Home .in .South .India . 18 Vegetarianism: Entrepreneur P. uts H. is M. oney W. here . Service: Activities .at .World’s .Richest .Temple .Are .a . Your M. outh I. s a. t I. nnovative R. estaurant . 62 Blend .of .Tradition .and .Technology . 30 Biography: Beatle G. eorge H. arrison’s S. piritual L. ife . . 64 Priesthood: Here’s .Where .Priests .for .Hindu . Pilgrimage: Visiting t. he M. uktinath T. emple H. igh . Temples .Around .the .World .Are .Trained . 32 i. n N. epal’s H. imalayas . 66 Conferences: .Four .Hundred .Gather .in .New .Jersey . . To .Form .a .Collective .Hindu .Initiative . 34 opn inio In My Opinion: .Don’t .Let .Yoga .Teachers .Divide . l Ifestyle Yoga .from .Its .Hindu .Roots . 9 Publisher’s Desk: Language: .Hinglish: .India .and .Television . Bodhinatha E. xplains W. hat I. s . 10 Are .Changing .England’s .Speech . 36 Hinduism a. nd W. ho I. s a. H. indu . Letters 12 Insight: Family .Life .and .Monastic .Life: . . . From the Vedas: Hinduism’s .Two .Noble .Paths .Explored . 37 May We. .Hear .and .See .That .which . . 17 Health: .The .Hazards .of .Childhood .Vaccinations . 53 Is .Auspicious .and .Uplifting . Temples: .Hindu .Boy .Finds .Lord .Murugan’s .Grace . 54 Ritual: Hawaii’s New. .Temple Receives. .the .Ancient . d igests Garbhanyasa .Ceremony Midway. .in .Construction . 56 Diaspora 6 Digital Dharma 86 Books: The. .West Would. .Have .Been Much. Different. . Quotes & Quips 14 Had .Polytheism .Prevailed in. Roman. .Times . 58

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thomas kelly POSTMASTER: S. end a. ddress c. hanges t. o H. induism Today, 107. K. aholalele R. oad, K. apaa, H. awaii, 96746-9304. . © 2006 himalayan academy, 107 kaholalele road, kapaa, hawaii 96746-9304 usa. all rights reserved.

BrazilRL . . . B .10 .55 India . . . .INR .85 .00 Mauritius . . MUR 87. .00 Trinidad . . TTD .36 .00 Canada AD. . . .C 7. .50 Malaysia . . . MYR .10 .00 Singapore . . . SGD .7 .50 UK . . . . . GBP .3 .75 www.hinduismtoday.com Faces of Worship The countenance of these ardent devotees reveal the life-changing experience twenty million souls have each year on the journey to South India’s most famous Vaishnava temple for the blessings of the Lord of Seven Hills. Hinduism Today also made this pilgrimage.... Page 18

Basking in Divine radiance: (above) A simple smile reveals the joy of having just experienced the darshan of Lord Bal- aji. (Right) A mother and child, heads newly shaven, enjoy a free meal near the Balaji temple. (Below) A photo taken Visual testimony: (Clockwise from upper left) Lord Balaji’s temple in Tirumala is radiant with feet of Lord Balaji in a small shrine called Srivari Padalu on a mountain overlooking Tirumala. from a satellite shows the mountainous setting of Tirumala gold at daybreak. A zealous student at the priest-training center chants scripture with a full heart. Devotees foster patience as they wait in the non-VIP line for Lord Balaji’s darshan (benevolent just 15 miles from world-famous Tirupati and 125 miles A family on pilgrimage takes a break in the shade. A shaven headed devotee worships the holy look of blessing). (Background) The lush mountainous terrain surrounding Balaji’s abode. from Chennai on India’s southeastern coast.

Tirumala

Tirupati all photos thomas kelly courtesy: google earth f r a n c e / u k protest. At first the French company was silent in response to the onslaught of phone calls Rama Shoes and letters, which only further u s a did puja with the support of enraged Hindus. A month of 2,000 families at three venues: Removed pressure followed, including a Sunnyvale, Fremont and San protest march in front of the 1,000 Youth Ramon. Youngsters now look From Market French embassy in London. forward to the annual event n may, 2004, the french Minelli finally relented,remov - Worship with eager anticipation. Ifashion group Minelli manu- ing the shoes from shelves and It is a testimony to the suc- factured and sold shoes in proffering a letter of apology. Ganesha cess of the American extension France decorated with the The letter was sent to the Hindu he 2005 ganesha puja of India’s RSS. Disciplined, image of Lord Rama. When Forum in Britain, along with Tconducted by the Hindu organized and on the move, this was discovered, Hindu 500 pairs of the shoes. Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) for Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Human Rights and the Hindu Hindu Human Rights lead- Indian craftsmen paint the Deity images for the new temple children in Northern Califor- USA, now has 90 chapters with Forum of Britain mounted a ers were now faced with the Giant windows offer an uplifting view of the main tower from in- nia on September 9 brought a 15,000 families participating responsibility of destroy- u s a side the winter-protected temple with heated floor record number of participants. in weekly, monthly and annual ing the shoes. As they Over 1,000 children and youth events across the country. carried the sacred image a u s t r a l i a of Lord Rama, they Small Community Completes could not simply throw them in the dumpster. Temple on 35 Acres in Iowa New Temple in Perth Suggestions on what to ong time contributor to hinduism today, the late fter 20 years of planning, hard work and fund- do ranged from burning, LDr. Prem Sahai, years ago purchased 35 acres of land in Iowa, Araising, the 6,000 Hindus of Western Australia now have a chemical removal of the near the Des Moines River about 30 miles north of Des Moines. temple in the beautiful, remote city of Perth. The grand con- image, to putting pairs He donated the land to the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of secration of the Perth Hindu Temple was held on September of the shoes in temples Iowa. Seven years later a band of 750 families completed a $1.5 8, 2005. The huge, 13,000-square-foot structure, based on the for worship as sacred million temple there and held the consecration rites in June of Smarta theology, contains shrines for Ganapati, Siva, Shakti, paduka. It was finally 2005, conducted by 11 priests from all over the US. The main De- Vishnu, Subramanya, Navagraha and others. The vision to en- decided to peel off the ity is Balaji. They have two full-time priests, one from Karnataka compass the needs of all Hindus of all denominations required image while chanting “Jai and one from Delhi. Plans are in the works for a separate Indian a large facility—a financial challenge for the small community. Shri Rama,” immerse Cultural Center. See www.iowatemple.org Blessed and encouraged by many visiting saints through the those images in the Gan- years, the group persevered through ups and downs for two de- ges and burn the shoes cades to achieve their goal. It is another triumph for Hindus in amid chanting of slokas far off places. See www.hindu.org.au Minelli’s Rama shoes, no longer sold to Lord Rama. Group Ganesha puja, an innovative model for involving youth

a f r i c a pan-African and international community and younger s i n g a p o r e churches coming from the bodies. These include the Afri- generation through the Chinese community—a phe- can Council of Religious Lead- hi-tech Canadian Museum nomenon which concerns main- Pan-African ers, International Conference of Hindu Civilization. Built Religion’s Big stream religious organizations, on AIDS, Inter-faith Action at the temple complex at sparking new approaches for Hindu Council for Peace in Africa, and others. a cost of 5 million dollars In Singapore outreach to their own youth. The organization has solidified and completed in 2004, the he straits times of sing- Grows Strong and is now doing more work on 17,000-square-foot museum Tapore carried out a 2004 the ground, such as distribution is already getting rave religion survey of 622 residents n september, 2005, the of hospital equipment donated reviews from local commu- in the city. Its July report on the IHindu Council of Africa by a US trust and setting up nity high school groups and results revealed that, despite (HCA) held a conference in a Hindu resource network for Canadian visitors. Dedicat- the hi-tech secular culture of Mauritius attended by 40 rep- Hindus moving around Africa. Pundit Munelal and wife Naveeta on stage in South Africa ed to world peace, the mu- the city, religion remains strong, resentatives from 15 African HCA was recently honored to Visuals worth thousands of words seum focuses on Hinduism’s with 86 percent saying they nations. Started in 1998 as an be accredited as a partner or- trinidad/africa other nations—connecting with teachings of nonviolence follow some religion. Over half outgrowth of the Hindu Coun- ganization with the UN Habitat, a contemporary one-to-one c a n a d a and tolerance. With video of these devote time daily to cil of Kenya, the HCA now in- which is working to alleviate personal style. “We take young screens installed next to dis- prayer, meditation and reading cludes 19 nations. Collaboration slum conditions in mega-cities. Charismatic people from where they are and plays and a multimedia presen- of religious books. Of the total over such a transnational region Seeing education as critical to not from where you want them Museum with tation center underway, it is a population, 42.5% are Bud- is challenging. But through the the future, HCA’s latest initia- Pundit From to be. I use music, jokes, dis- cutting-edge, modern approach dhists, 14.9% Muslims, 14.6% dedicated efforts of Muljibhai tive is a ten-year plan to take cussions on AIDS, drugs. It’s a A Message to promoting positive awareness Christians, 8.5% Taoists, 4% Pindolia, President and Kenya the successful Kenya Hindu Trinidad fusion, a synchronous undertak- eaders of the vishnu of Hinduism in the West and Hindus, 0.6% other and 14.8% representative, the HCA is gain- Religion Education curriculum undit munelal maharaj, ing.” Their 2005 tour of South LMandir, Richmond, Ontario, educating a new generation of with no religion. The percent- Sangeeta Thanapal, 22, one of ing recognition. Activities to and textbooks into the national Psinger, preacher and author Africa was a big hit, and he has Canada, have manifested a bril- Hindus born outside India. For age of Christians has gone up, Singapore’s 100,000 Hindus, date have mostly consisted of educational system of every from Trinidad, along with been invited back in 2006. His liant initiative to bring aware- information and directions see: with the majority of converts found faith in Hinduism’s logic Hindu Council representatives African nation with a Hindu his talented wife Naveeta, is USA/Canada camps are packed. ness of Hinduism to the local www.cmohc.ca to new independent protestant and philosophy at age 18 bringing the Hindu voice to population. inspiring Hindu crowds in See www.punditmunelal.com

clockwise from top: ainkaran krishnarajah, perth hindu temple; hss, usa; clockwise from topleft: hindu human rights; holly mcqueen,  hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 courtesy, the straits times; canadian museum of hindu civilzation des moines register, courtesy paras ramoutar january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today  switzerland cells. The planet would benefit, too, since the greenhouse gases in my opinion created by modern animal agri- Disembodied culture would be greatly reduced. Many animal advocates, includ- Animal Food? ing the US Humane Society, are ew harvest, a washing- in favor of cultured meat, which Yoga Renamed Is Still Hindu Nton, DC-based nonprofit, could be available by 2012. Still, www.new-harvest.org, is devel- one vegan said: “While cultured oping lab-grown meats that may meat could certainly mitigate I challenge attempts to snatch yoga from its roots replace the present method of the ethical, environmental and A key service of Sewa volunteers was helping interview victims, es- raising animals in confined con- health concerns behind the B y s u b has r. tiwari tablish needs and connect them with existing relief programs ditions. They claim that one cell vegan choice, I doubt hard-core hindu renaissance team from an animal, grown and mul- ethical vegans are going to eat it. Hinduism Today was founded January 5, 1979, n the past few months absorbing of the human self u s a Over 240 Sewa volunteers tiplied in a culture, could supply I know I won’t.” Nor would we! by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. It is a I have received several calls into the divine self is never from all over the country fed the world’s annual meat nonprofit educational activity of Himalayan from journalists around the possible, not even in the high- people in shelters for an entire supply. Methods for produc- Academy with the following purposes:1. To country seeking my views est states of grace.” In 2003, Katrina Relief day, breakfast, lunch and din- ing cultured meat include foster Hindu solidarity as a unity in diversity on the question of whether the the Vatican issued a more ner. Other services included growing the cells on small among all sects and lineages; 2. To inform and newly minted “Christian Yoga” conciliatory directive permit- By Hindus assembling hygiene packets for beads, which would result inspire Hindus worldwide and people interest- is really yoga. ting Catholics to engage in the ewa international, in evacuees at the Houston Astro- in processed products like ed in Hinduism; 3. To dispel myths, illusions My response is, “The simple, “New Age” in general and yoga and misinformation about Hinduism; 4. To pro- concert with the Hindu dome and finding alternative hamburger or chicken immutable fact is that yoga specifically, but still warn- S tect, preserve and promote the sacred Vedas Swayamsevak Sangh, helped accommodations for those stay- nuggets; and growing them and the Hindu religion; 5. To nurture and mon- originated from the Vedic or ing against its spiritual and coordinate hundreds of Hindu ing in hotels and motels. Tech on thin, flat membranes to itor the ongoing spiritual Hindu renaissance; Hindu culture. Its techniques meditation practices. “I want volunteers, small temples and professionals helped set up the approximate the look and 6. To publish a resource for Hindu leaders and were not adopted by Hinduism, hinduism today to say simply that the New Indian-American organizations Astrodome Community Tech- texture of beef steak. The educators who promote Sanatana Dharma. Join but originated from it.” These Age presents itself as a false during post-Katrina relief work nology Center, which enabled group says that food-borne this seva by sending letters, clippings, reports facts need to be unequivocally stated in utopia in answer to the profound thirst for in Houston, San Antonio and people to register themselves pathogens like salmonella on events and encouraging others. to subscribe. light of some of the things being written to happiness in the human heart. New Age Atlanta. In less than a week and find their kin online. You and listeria could be better the contrary by yoga teachers. The effort is a misleading answer to the oldest hopes after the hurricane, they raised can help Sewa with their relief controlled and that there Founder: Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami to separate yoga from Hinduism must be of man,” said Cardinal Paul Poupard. This over $100,000 for relief. Hous- work. Go to www.sewausa.org would be no need to slaugh- Publisher: Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami challenged because it runs counter to the document gives its blessings for Catholics ton alone had 150,000 evacuees. to learn what you can do. ter animals that supply the Harvard University lab-grown lamb Editor-in-Chief: Paramacharya Palaniswami fundamental principles upon which yoga to practice yoga, but not as a spiritual dis- Publisher’s Aide: Paramacharya Ceyonswami itself is premised, the yamas (restraints) cipline! Deputy Editor: Acharya Kumarswami and niyamas (observances). These ethical Today, however, we are witnessing an ini- dition of keeping parrots has first Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim Managing Editor: Sannyasin Arumugaswami tenets and religious practices are the first tiative toward yoga from ordinary Christians been continuing for the past and Sikh chaplains, recruited Graphics Director: Sannyasin Natarajnathaswami two limbs of the eight-limbed ashtanga whose positive physical, mental and spiritual 100 years. It was painful to see with the help of representatives Production Manager: Sannyasin Sivakatirswami yoga system which also includes asana heath and well being experienced as a result them fly away. But the birds, from the various faiths. Their Subscription and Distribution Manager: (postures), pranayama (breath control), of “engaging” yoga cannot be denied or ig- debunking AIP (Aryan Invasion threaten downstream villages. known for their tremendous en- names are being withheld Sannyasin Shanmuganathaswami pratyahara (sense withdrawal), dharana nored. This 5,000-year-old system is perhaps Propaganda) is going main- Nepali consumers create 20 ergy, who could copy whatever until they complete training. Contributing Editor: Yogi Japendranatha (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and the best known, most accessible and cost stream. BBC’s website now times less CO2 than American you told them, will be happier Advertising Manager: Sadhaka Jothinatha samadhi (contemplation/Self Realization). effective health and beauty program around. carries an excellent article consumers. Campaigners in now, than living in cages.” the second conference of Correspondents: Choodamani Sivaram, Bangalore; Efforts to separate yoga from its spiritual Yoga is also much more, as it was intended on the faults and dangers of Nepal want rich nations to pay the Hindu Dharma Acharya Rajiv Malik, Prabha Prabhakar Bhardwaj, Madhu center reveal ignorance of the goal of yoga. by the Vedic seers as an instrument which this scientifically untenable for damages they have caused fema’s decision to reimburse Sabha was held in Mumbai on Kishwar, Delhi; Mangala Prasad Mohanty, Orissa; V. I believe such efforts point to a con- can lead one to apprehend the Absolute, theory that promotes racism to the climate. If the United churches and other religious October 16-18, 2005. This body S. Gopalakrishnan, Kerala; Archana Dongre, Los An- certed, long-term plan to deny yoga its Ultimate Reality, called the Brahman Real- and distorts Hinduism. We Nations Educational, Scientific organizations for relief work of ordained Hindu leaders set geles; Lavina Melwani, New York; Dr. Hari Bansh Jha, origin. This effort to extricate yoga from ity, or God. If this attempt to co-opt yoga recommend Hindus use this and Cultural Organization after hurricane Katrina has forth resolutions on three ma- Nepal; Paras Ramoutar, Trinidad; V. G. Julie Rajan, its Hindu mold and cast it under another into their own tradition continues, in several article to protest the continued (UNESCO) turns the mountain come under scrutiny. It raises jor issues relating to the sense Philadelphia; Rajesh Jantilal, South Africa; Iraja Siv- name is far from innocent. It is reminis- decades of incessantly spinning the untruth promotion of this theory in chain into a world heritage concerns about the separation of self-esteem and health of adas, California; Tara Katir, Hawaii. HPI Staff: Janaka cent of the pattern evident throughout the as truth through re-labelings such as “Chris- school textbooks. Go to www. site, then in theory all the of religion and government, po- Hindu society. They are: the Param, Toshadeva Guhan, Clive Roberts, Easan Katir, long history and dynamics of colonizing tian yoga,” who will know that yoga is—or bbc.com, click on Religion and member governments may be litical expedience and account- control of temples by govern- Adi Alahan, Chandra Sankara, Shama Vinayaga, Arja- powers. Firstly, the physical geography of was—part of Hindu culture? Ethics, Hinduism, History. responsible for the damage. ability. Hindu organizations ments treating them as merely na Daswani. Sanskritist: Dr. P. Jayaraman, New York. a people was colonized, then their mental The giant tree of yoga whose limbs reach considering accepting such public charitable institutions Artists: A. Manivelu, S. Rajam. Cartoonists: M. Aru- arena. Now we are witnessing the next high up into the different atmospheres, and indian scientists believe that In septemeber, 2005, Madurai government grants are advised and not as places of worship mugam, Bob Thaves, Ripin Karla. Photo Contributors: phase, the encroachment on the spiritual whose branches stretch across the wide as CO2 emissions increase, the Meenakshi temple released to read the article by Rev. Dr. and cultural value to Hindus; Thomas L. Kelly, Stephen P. Huyler, Dinodia, Dev Raj territory of Hinduism which began in the river offering its protection to so many, ancient glacier in Nepal that all but one of its 60 parrots to C. Welton Gaddy, a Christian, the rampant religious conver- Agarwal, Gilles Flament, Vel Kadressen, Mu Devaray- last few decades. Some of the agents be- cannot deny that its roots are located in a feeds the holy river Ganges the wild. Only a single bird president of The Interfaith Alli- sion that is taking place un- an, Indivar Sivanathan. Web Masters: Nitya Nadesan, hind “Christian Yoga” also draw from the specific place–Hinduism. Seeking shelter may melt down before the was kept to maintain the tradi- ance, the national non-partisan abated without hindrance from Sadhunathan Nadesan. Distribution: USA: Ingram same treasure chest which supports the under its vast umbrella does not entitle you end of the 21st century. Ne- tion of keeping parrots, sacred advocacy voice of the interfaith governments; and the unjust Periodicals, New Leaf, EBSCO Subscription Services, conversion movements of Hindus and other to change the tree; instead, learn from its pal is home to the Himalayan to Goddess Meenakshi. The movement. See www.tompaine. reverse discrimination to which OneSource, Ubiquity. Europe: SWETS Subscription sacred cultures. unselfish display of love and generosity. mountain region whose glaciers birds were set free following com and search for “Keep- Hindus are subjected by organs Service. Malaysia and Singapore: Sanathana Dharma In 1989, Pope Benedict, then Cardinal contribute to the water supply requests from animal welfare ing FEMA Out of Church.” of the State in the country un- Publications. India: Central News Agency Limited, Ratzinger, issued a scathing report against Subhas R. Tiwari is a professor at the Hin- for millions of people in the organizations and state forest der a wholly untenable pretext Delhi. Mauritius: CODIP. Trinidad: Pandit Narendra yoga and warned Catholics of “dangers and du University of America. He is a graduate area. Many of its glaciers are department officials. Priest in october, 2005, the uk of secularism. A full report & Ashwinee Ragoonanan. Printer: Banta Publications errors” from “non-Christian forms of medi- of the famed Bihar Yoga Bharati University turning into lakes whose waters Chonandaram said, “The tra- Armed Forces appointed their will appear in our next issue. Group, Kansas City, Missouri tation.” He stated, “The Hindu concept of with a master’s degree in yoga philosophy.

sewa international;  hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 oron catts and ionat zurr january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today  Publisher’s desk Defining Our Faith A three-fold answer to the basic questions: “Who is a Hindu?” and “What is Hinduism?”

by satguru bodhinatha veylanswami

had the opportunity recently to be kept away from him?” give a number of lectures, classes, semi- As expressed in this statement and in nars and presentations at our monastery Gurudeva’s insight, the Hindu concept in Hawaii, in Hindu temples in Toronto is that each soul is moving ever closer to and Edmonton and at the Dharma God over a period of many lives. And Summit 2005 conference of North Ameri- when a soul reaches sufficient spiritual can Hindu temples and institutions in New maturity, it naturally awakens a con- Brunswick, New Jersey. During question-and- scious desire to know God as its inmost answer sessions and in casually talking to essence, to experience Truth personally. those attending, discussions arose on “Who This spiritual longing then leads the soul is a Hindu?” and “What is Hinduism?” The to take up the practices and study the concerns of those asking the questions varied philosophy of Sanatana Dharma in order

considerably, and therefore the nature of my to complete the process of knowing itself. s. rajam answers also varied somewhat. I compiled my Thus it is quite clear, from the Hindu responses in a three-fold answer that you may point of view, that you cannot keep Sana- find useful when these commonly asked ques- tana Dharma out of a country when it already resides within premised on realization. To be enlightened, one must have per- Three layers of wisdom: Our three pieces of art depict: 1) Hindu- tions come up in your community, business or social circles. the soul of every person in that country, waiting to be expressed at sonal experience of the truths set out in the Vedas. It is not suf- ism as the innate, eternal truth ultimately sought by every soul; some point in the future. We can compare the inherent search for ficient, in Hinduism, to simply own, read and believe in a holy text, 2) the Indian religious tradition that accepts the Vedas as scriptural 1. Hinduism Is the Eternal Faith Truth that exists within the soul to a dormant seed hidden in the even the Vedas. authority; 3) a family of four primary sectarian faiths The first part of the answer to “Who is a Hindu?” and “What is soil waiting for the right conditions to sprout. This first response is Another point regarding Vaidika Dharma is that sometimes the Hinduism?” is that Hinduism is the Sanatana Dharma, or “eternal the philosophical and mystical definition of Hinduism. words Hindu and Indian are used in ways that make them synony- which represent the other denominations. religion.” It is the innate, perennial philosophy. Hinduism does not mous. Of course, they are not. All Hindus are not Indians, and all Including the denominations of sectarian worship in answering have a founder. It has neither a beginning nor an end. It is coex- 2. Hinduism Is the Religion of the Vedas Indians are not Hindus. Strictly using the term Hindu to refer only the question “Who is a Hindu?” also helps distinguish the Hindu istent with man himself. It is not one man’s teaching or interpreta- The second part of the answer to “Who is a Hindu?” and “What to those whose religion accepts the authority of the Vedas helps from the non-Hindu who is studying Hindu philosophy or practic- tion. Nor is it limited to a single facet of religion. It consists of the is Hinduism?” is that Hinduism is the Vaidika Dharma, or religion keep this confusion of terms from arising. This second response is ing yoga. The importance of this distinction may not be readily entire prism. It is a God-centric religion. The center of it is God. of the Vedas. In other words, Hinduism encompasses all religious the scriptural and liturgical definition of Hinduism. apparent. Like other religions, Hinduism has a hierarchy of beings All other religions are prophet-centric. Here is a quote from my traditions that accept the Vedas as scriptural authority. Religious in the inner worlds who work with those in the physical world who Gurudeva, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, on this concept: “The search traditions in India that do not accept the Vedas are Indian but not 3. Hinduism Is a Family of Faiths are Hindus by birth or conversion. This working together of the for Truth, for God, is called the Sanatana Dharma, or the Eternal Hindu. Among these are Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism, which The third part of the answer to “Who is a Hindu?” and “What inner and outer worlds happens most fully in the temple. In those Path, because it is inherent in the soul itself, where religion begins. rejected the Vedas and thus emerged as completely distinct reli- is Hinduism?” is that Hinduism is a religion comprised of four sacred precincts the Deity and the multitude of angelic beings, or This path, this return to his Source, is ever existent in man, and is gions, disassociated from Hinduism, while still sharing many philo- primary sectarian traditions, known in Sanskrit as mata: Saivism, devas, are able to bless, uplift and purify devotees. Those who hold at work whether he is aware of the processes or not. There is not sophical insights and cultural values with their parent faith. Vaishnavism, Shaktism and Smartism. For Saivites, God is Siva. a Hindu philosophy but have not fully entered the faith do not this man’s search and that man’s search. And where does the impe- The Vedas are revealed scripture, or shruti, meaning “that For Shaktas, Goddess Shakti is supreme. For Vaishnavites, Lord receive the same blessings from the Deity, as they have not given tus come from? It comes from the inside of man himself. Thus, which is heard.” They are timeless teachings transmitted to rishis, Vishnu is God. For Smartas—who see all Deities as reflections of the Deity permission to work with them in this way. Permission is Hinduism is ever vibrant and alive, for it depends on this original or seers, directly by God thousands of years ago. For countless the One God—the choice of Deity is left to the devotee. In other given when one formally joins the Hindu religion. It is also impor- source of inspiration, this first impulse of the spirit within, giving centuries the Vedas, particularly their Upanishads, have been words, Hinduism is not just a one faith but a family of myriad tant to mention that Hindus new to the religion through birth or it an energy and a vibrancy that is renewable eternally in the now.” the basis of philosophical inquiry, debate and commentary. This faiths, which hold such divergent beliefs that each is a complete conversion do not simply join Hinduism. Rather, they join one of The idea that Hinduism resides within each of us, in our soul, attention has given rise to countless schools of thought. Revealed and independent religion. Yet, they share a vast heritage of culture Hinduism’s denominations and receive a traditional name through was highlighted in Hinduism Today about ten years ago in an arti- scripture is also the subject of deep study, meditation and yogic and belief: karma, dharma, reincarnation, all-pervasive Divinity, the namakarana samskara, name-giving sacrament. cle about Pat Robertson. As part of his goal of making the United practice, to realize the wisdom of the ancients within oneself. Most temple worship, sacraments, manifold Deities, the guru-shishya Here are some insights from Gurudeva on blessings being States a Christian nation, the evangelical Baptist leader made an of Hinduism’s sacred mantras are drawn from shruti, used for rites tradition and a reliance on the Vedas as scriptural authority. received from the Deity: “The Gods can be and are seen by outrageous public statement that Hindus should not be allowed to of worship, both public and domestic, as well as personal prayer Grasping this overview of Hinduism’s structure is essential to mature souls through an inner perception they have awakened. immigrate to the United States. The late and distinguished spokes- and japa. Though sometimes the Bhagavad Gita is put forward gain a clear understanding of the contemporary Hindu temple. I This psychic awakening is the first initiation into religion. Every man for Hinduism, Ram Swarup of New Delhi, gave an insightful as Hinduism’s core scripture, its “Bible,” this, of course, is not the have met many Hindus, particularly in North America, who find Hindu devotee can sense the Gods, even if he cannot yet inwardly reply which we printed. In part he stated: “Robertson wants to case. The Bhagavad Gita is a historical epic, or Itihasa, accepted the multiplicity of Deities present in many temples to be a source see them. This is possible through the subtle feeling nature. He keep out Hindus from America. But would he be able to keep out as a central scripture by Vaishnava and Smarta followers, but not of confusion. This is even more the case in temples that have Dei- can feel the presence of the Gods within the temple, and he can Hinduism from the seeking humanity? Hinduism resides in all so regarded in the Shakta or Saiva traditions. The Vedas are the ties from Saivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism all in the same hall. indirectly see their influence in his life.” seeking hearts and whenever man’s seeking for God becomes spiri- revealed scriptures that all Hindus hold in common. An understanding of the four traditions can provide worshipers We offer this explanation as a catalyst and encourage readers tual, Hinduism, or the tradition of Sanatana Dharma, automatically It is also vital to mention that scripture in Hinduism does not with valuable insights into the quandary, making it clear which to send letters to the editor sharing additional reflections on what comes in. In what way and how long could man’s innermost truth have the same place as it does in many other faiths. Hinduism is parts of a temple are traditionally Vaishnava, for example, and makes a Hindu a Hindu.

10 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 11 letters nificance after death, and therefore if donat- Europe and the second in that of America of influential Hindus. ing an organ can help another person’s karma, and Africa, so may the third Christian mil- Secondly, I have studied the Gita and Sri- About Arranged Marriage Temple Vandalism age between Western Hindus and Indian we should strongly endorse transplantation. lennium witness a great harvest of faith on mad Bhagavatam and have been bothered by the suggestion that all or even recently a hindu temple was vandal­ Hindus, a division along ethnic lines. My Sameer J. Khandhar this vast and vital continent.” In that con- the belittling remarks about women at many most couples whose marriages have been ized by local kids, a problem that has been view is that a Western Hindu should identify Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA text, I have become aware of a grand scale, places. Convinced that God cannot hold such arranged are not actually happy (“About occurring in different communities across himself as a Hindu. Then one can proceed ∫ [email protected] concerted effort by the Christian leadership unjust, unwarranted and biased views, I think Arranged Marriage,” Letters, Jul/Aug/Sep, America. I feel that such things will not hap- to specify the denomination, if necessary. to pour large financial and human resources it is the need of our time to denounce and pos- 2005) is not only misleading but also inaccu- pen if our temples become a part of the com- If you start out describing yourself meticu- ✔ The article did not say that a transplant into the conversion movement in India. As sibly remove such remarks that create division rate. Although many in the West and a few munity. For example, a temple in our area lously as a Vaishnava bhakta or a Kashmir would “prevent the donor’s soul from its next a result, young volunteers are descending in our community and waste valuable talents. urbanites in the East tend to deride arranged had a big celebration. A couple of police offi- Saiva or any other in order to circumvent incarnation.” It said it “may interfere with in large numbers to study the local culture, Lastly, I have visited India several times marriages as backward and primitive, they cers had been hired to manage traffic while the problem, it will lead to much confusion his moving on to the next incarnation” and way of living, language and vulnerabilities in the past six years and have seen children definitely offer many advantages, provided everyone was inside eating dinner. I re- and a misconception that these are separate explored the Hindu view of karma as it re- to effectively carry out the campaign. In ad- attending missionary schools in far greater we believe that the basis of a human being minded the coordinator that we should take religions, when they are really offshoots lates to sharing body parts and the mystical dition, there are converted Christian groups numbers than when I grew up. The mission- is his/her stability in family life. Cultures some food out to the police officers, which of one central religion, Vedic Hinduism. implications of this growing medical practice. through whom this underground movement ary schools seem to be flourishing in spite of that practice arranged marriage place more they did. This little gesture went a long way. Mahesh Mehta is carried out in the local language and mode their high tuition fees and strict rules, and emphasis on integrity, diligence, humility, The local children who damaged the temple Windsor, Ontario, Canada A Treasure Trove of operation, with tremendous support and with support from local politicians. Because generosity and, above all, tolerance, and didn’t feel that it is part of the community, ∫ [email protected] your magazine has touched a deep backing from their parent organizations in of my sensitivity to the brainwashing and less on love, sex and physical beauty. They so they targeted it. A good solution to this chord in me. I went through the archives the West. In contrast, I sense a sort of apathy alienation from our religion that can easily are married based on practical reasons and problem would be to invite the children as a westerner who embraced hindu­ and read the past issues. Each surpassed and inaction, a lack of united awareness and be perpetrated on children of impressionable believe in working and building love after in the neighborhood to come to a party at ism almost a decade ago, I identified strong- the other in the sheer magic woven into the leadership in the Hindu community. The age, and the anti-Hindu attitude the same marriage. There can be no other matter so the temple once or twice a year. This way ly with Swami Shankarananda’s article. I am articles. Hinduism Today is surely a trea- gold treasure of the Vedas, Upanishads and young generation may carry when they grow significant in shaping their children’s future the children feel connected to the temple. often puzzled by Westerners who clearly sure trove of knowledge and information on culture on which Hindus sleep may be at the up, I wondered why Hindu leaders were not than having them decide whom to marry. Bharat J. Gajjar follow Hinduism yet are hesitant to identify myriad topics and a fitting tribute to the old- brink of extinction. Once the young Hindu making a concerted effort to start equal or Because arranged marriages tend to be Hockessin, Delaware, USA themselves as Hindu. I’ll identify my specif- est religion in the world. next generation is brainwashed, the mission better Hindu schools in every corner of India. the union of two families and not simply ∫ [email protected] ic path and guru to people who would know Mahua Das would be accomplished for the missionaries. Sadashiva Godbole the union of two individuals, they provide them, but for others it’s much easier to just Calcutta, India I propose three points of reform to defend Lynchburg, Virginia, USA checks and balances against problems, such Just Say “Hindu” say “Hindu.” Some Westerners take a mental ∫ [email protected] against these efforts. Recently I saw the mov- ∫ [email protected] as infidelity, alcoholism and gambling, that in reference to swami shankaranan- step back at the exotic label, but I am hap- ie “Veer Savarkar” and was very impressed are likely to cause a marital breakdown. Are da’s article (“Confessions of a Western py to do my bit to demystify and clarify it. In Need of Hindu Reform that he tried to persuade Hindus to abolish Letters with writer’s name, address and daytime phone number should be sent to: all in-laws outlaws? I don’t think so, at least Hindu,” Oct/Nov/Dec, 2005), if you are Mary Romanek over the years i have become aware the caste system. This led me to question the Letters, Hinduism Today based on what I have seen so far. They often a follower of the traditions represented Santa Monica, California, USA of the rapidly increasing exploitation of scriptural basis for, and the prevailing inter- 107 Kaholalele Road serve as built-in babysitters who can impart by Hinduism, it is all right to be called a ∫ [email protected] Hindu weaknesses by international Chris- pretation of, the caste system. I have come Kapaa, Hawaii, 96746-9304 USA confidence in children. The basic premise Hindu, maybe with some qualification, like tian groups in an effort to convert vulner- to the conclusion that the caste system is not or faxed to: (808) 822-4351 of a joint or extended family is interdepen- Western Hindu. To a newcomer, aside from Organ Transplants able Hindus to the Christian religion. Pope preached by God in Hindu scriptures, but or e-mailed to: [email protected] dence and not independence, as is the case the wealth of spirituality and philosophi- i am a hindu physician with a special John Paul II visited India in November 1999 was started as a result of misinterpretation of Letters may be edited for space and clarity and may with most nuclear families. cal knowledge, Hinduism harbors connota- interest in heart transplantation, and there and declared, “Just as the first millennium the scriptures and was perpetuated because appear in electronic versions of Hinduism Today. Vijaya Krishnan tions of historical societal imperfections, the are several statements in your article (“Hin- saw the cross firmly planted in the soil of of the indifferent and possibly selfish attitude ∫ indicates letters received via e-mail Edmonton, Alberta, Canada remnants of which still exist, for example duism’s View of Organ Transplants,” Jul/Aug/ ∫ [email protected] in the caste system. But only Hinduism has Sep, 2005) that I disagree with. I am spe- so many mystical holy men and women on cifically referring to the statements implying the same people that treat their the path of God that none else can match. that a transplanted organ will prevent the Our Men and Women of Vision daughters-in-law as slaves or second-class A person accepting parts of Hindu culture, donor’s soul from its next incarnation, and citizens cannot stand to see their own daugh- such as yoga or meditation, may or may not that by transplanting an organ we are pre- ters get the same abusive treatment from the identify with Hinduism, but a person who venting the recipient’s soul from fulfilling its How to help us find more great writers hands of her in-laws. I believe the problem totally accepts the Hindu tradition should karma. Hindus believe that all living entities is the lack of education and understanding identify fully with it, finding a comfortable have a body and a soul, or atma. While the he founder of hinduism today, generously and send them on assignment of the purpose of life in this transitory world. name for it as suggested above. two are very dependent on each other, they Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, liberally, to report from wherever stories Everyone is responsible for creating bad Hari Dhar are also distinct entities. The atma is eter- was so pleased with our team of are happening, now and in the future. karma by allowing negative energy to take College Station, Texas, USA nal, while the body is not. The atma is not journalists that, in the February 1999 A Hinduism Today Production Fund control of their lives. I believe in arranged ∫ [email protected] bound to a single organ or part of the body, issue, he dedicated an editorial to them. has been established especially for this marriages, provided they are done between therefore if the body is cremated except for He praised their “visionary nature and purpose. As it grows in abundance, it will two families that are compatible spiritually. western hindus are concerned about an organ that was donated, it should have no inherent sensitivity, far beyond expecta- provide our editors with regular and am- If this is not the case, the marriage will not receiving a low status in the Hindu fold. effect on the liberation of the soul from the tions.” He lauded them as major players ple grants to hire the world’s best writers, be successful in the long run, especially They are also denied by some the possibil- dead body. Modern medicine does not try in the unfolding story of Hinduism To- consultants, photographers, scholars and Six among our brilliant team of writers: when children are born. What values will ity of ever becoming Hindus. Exclusion of to prevent a soul from fulfilling its karma, day, its success and impact. Today, seven more. This fund is a part of the Hindu (clockwise from top left) Choodamani the children have? What will be the guide- Westerners from some temples and the re- rather it tries to help make the person and years later, we appreciate them more than Heritage Endowment. You can join in Sivaram, Bangalore; Lavina Melwani, lines used for their upbringing? Vijayshree fusal to admit them as Hindus by some or- soul stronger by recovering from a disease. ever for their savvy contributions, a good this ongoing and most worthwhile effort. New York; Rajiv Malik, Delhi; G.K. Nair, speaks so highly of the Western couples, as thodox priests are not major difficulties. Un- When you ask anyone who has received a example of which is Rajiv Malik’s superb Please consider becoming a Benefactor of Kerala; Archana Dongre, Los Angeles; to how they live so happily, but sometimes touchability is indeed a challenge for Hindus, transplant, they are eternally grateful for the article on the Tirupati temple on page 18 Hinduism Today by making the Fund a Dr. Hari Bansh Jha, Nepal outer looks can be very deceiving. If West- in India and abroad. The derogatory terms improvement and second chance in their life. of this issue. beneficiary in your estate plan of a gift of ern culture is so good, then why are people “idol worship” and “idolatry,” coming from The biggest problem with organ transplanta- As Hinduism continues to blossom in $5,000 or more—in your will, in your life www.hinduismtoday.org from Western culture heading toward other the British Raj, are still sometimes used tion is the lack of donors. This has led to the India and everywhere, Hinduism Today insurance, in a revocable living trust or www.hheonline.org/ht/plannedgiving/ religions and cultures in search for peace? and should be countered. Murti puja (im- increase in the organ black market. As Hin- will need to bolster this team with more charitable remainder trust. Please contact [email protected] Rajesh Bali age worship) is really a unique and glorious dus, we should embrace organ transplantation writers in diverse parts of the world. We us and ask for the Hinduism Today Pro- 808-822-3012, ext 244 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada feature of Hinduism. I don’t prefer the term as a way to help others once our bodies are will need the means to remunerate them duction Fund flyer. ∫ [email protected] Western Hindu because it suggests a cleav- dead. It is the atma, not the body, that has sig-

12 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 13 Frank and Ernest © 2003 t h a v e s . r e p r i n t e d w i t h p e r m i s s i o n .

To reach your goal the fastest, every day make a new attempt; every day feel that you are a fresh flower. Sri Chinmoy, renowned spiritual leader, author, poet, artist, musician and athlete

Self-surrender is the supreme condition of The priest will not ask for your name and nied the dignity of woman, and of having winning the universal life. Men will part birth star before an archana anymore. Your only made her an instrument of pleasure with their wealth, their rights, and even home page URL will do. No more aratis and of passive obedience. Louis Jaccoliot their lives, at the call of religion. But when due to fire hazard. No more bells due to (1837-1890), French author of the Bible you ask them to exchange their human self noise pollution. Sound and light will be de- in India: Hindoo Origin of Hebrew and for the divine self, which is exactly what all livered via headphones and virtual reality Christian Revelation We must respect other religions even as we with the general public, M.D.s are: 26 tolerant. Religious leaders can help by great religions want them to do, they refuse. goggles. The puja tray passed around for respect our own. Mere tolerance thereof is times as likely to be Hindu, 6 times as teaching their congregations how to live For the wine of mortality has a terrible donations is equipped with a credit card Men occassionally stumble over the truth, not enough. Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) likely to be Buddhist, 5 times as likely to in a world of differences without feeling fascination for most of us—and yet by fling- scanner. Dog-eared Sanskrit priest manuals but most of them pick themselves up and be Muslim. Journal of General Internal threatened, without forcing their ways or ing myself into the blazing fire of Universal are replaced with laptops. Sponsors of pu- hurry off as if nothing had happened. Win- Swami Bua Ji, age 115, asked a devotee: Medicine will on others. World bodies can make laws Reality, I do not lose myself. I emerge out jas will be allowed to display a banner ad ston Churchill (1874-1965), Prime Minister What is the Magna Carta of Hinduism? which deplore and work to prevent crimes of the ordeal, shining and deathless. Broth- on the temple website. As soon as the tech- of England during World War II Devotee: I don’t know, Swamiji. SB: Then Mud thrown is ground lost. of violence. It is only when the higher-na- ers and sisters, come, let us strive to be- nology is available, priests will do home what is a Magna Carta? D: It is a law, ture people are in charge that peace will come immortals by losing ourselves in the blessings by holographic projection without Joys and sorrows are time-born and can- Swamiji, and it means “Great Charter.” The monotony and solitude of a quiet life truly come. There is no other way, because Supreme Light. Mahakavi Subrahmanya leaving the temple. Similarly, busy devotees not last. Therefore, do not be perturbed SB: What does it contain? D: This English stimulates the creative mind. the problems of conflict reside within the Bharati (1882-1921), great Tamil poet and will be able to be present at mandatory by these. The greater the difficulties and document contains freedoms and lofty Albert Einstein (1879-1955) low-minded group who only know retalia- Indian patriot family ceremonies from their office. obstructions, the more intense will be your ideals of governance. SB: Right. Then the tion as a way of life. Satguru Sivaya Subra- endeavor to cling to His feet and the more Magna Carta of Hinduism is A no bhadrah At a national and international level, we muniyaswami (1927-2001), founder of Have you ever thought what would happen India of the Vedas entertained a respect for will your prayer increase from within. And kratavo yantu vishvatah (Rig Veda 1.89.i), will enjoy more peace as we become more Hinduism Today if temples were Americanized? Two types women amounting to worship; a fact which when the time is ripe, you will gain mas- which means “Let noble thoughts come to of prasadam, or blessed food, will be avail- we seem little to suspect in Europe when tery over this power. Anandamayi Ma (1896- us from every side.” able—normal prasadam and diet prasadam. we accuse the extreme East of having de- 1982), God-intoxicated Bengali saint Avoidance of Killing Our deepest fear is not that we are inad- equate. Our deepest fear is that we are Tirukural 322: Of all virtues D id Y ou K now ? powerful beyond measure. It is our light, summed by ancient sages, the not our darkness that most frightens us. foremost are to share one’s food Hindu Terms Are in the Dictionary We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, and to protect all living creatures. gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who ords like ashram, This is likely because of dictionary, such as are you not to be? You are a child of God. 324: What is the good way? It is chakra, dharma, guru, the higher profile of Hindu puja, it loses this Your playing small does not serve the world. the path that reflects on how it may karma, mantra and studies and interest in yoga, special treatment. There is nothing enlightened about shrink- avoid killing any living creature. yoga have been fixtures in meditation and ayurveda in Not only are ing so that other people won’t feel insecure the English language for America. We also find this there over a hun- around you. We are all meant to shine, as 327: Refrain from taking precious decades. But did you know expansion of the English vo- dred Sanskrit words in the bondage of finite existence.” It children do. We were born to make mani- life from any living being, even to that they are in the English cabulary significant because it English dictionary now, they defines prana as “a life breath fest the glory of God that is within us. It save your own life. dictionary? Since the ad- bears on a traditional conven- are in most cases accurately or vital principle in Vedic is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. vent of online dictionaries, tion among printers and pub- defined. For example, the and later Hindu religion; any And as we let our own light shine, we un- 328: By sacrifice of life, some gain Hinduism Today’s editorial lishers, which we follow, of Merriam-Webster Unabridged of the three or more vital consciously give other people permission great wealth and welfare, but great staff has periodically looked italicizing words which aren’t Dictionary defines moksha as currents; the principle of life to do the same. As we are liberated from men scorn such odious gains. up Hindu terms, noticing a in the main language of the “release from samsara and lib- moving in the human body.” our own fear, our presence automatically steady growth in the number text. For example, archana is eration from karma together Sadhana is defined as “Hindu liberates others. From A Return to Love by 329: Those whose trade is killing of them which have officially not in the English dictionary, with the attainment of Nir- religious training or discipline Marianne Williamson creatures are deemed defiled by become part of the ever- so it is typeset in italics. As vana for the Hindu or kaivalya through which an individual men who know the defiling nature rajam growing English language. soon as a word appears in the for the Jain; salvation from the attains samadhi.” 76% of doctors in the US believe in God of being mean. s. (83% of all Americans do). But compared

14 h i n d u i s m t o d ay january/february/march, 2 0 0 6 january/february/march, 2 0 0 6 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 15 from the vedas Are you sticking Apprehending the Auspicious your neck out to The Hindu prayer to hear and see that which is divinely uplifting

very upanishad begins with an The Vedic rishis invoked Pushan, explain Hinduism to invocation for blessings followed the Sun God, to bless us by the famed triple repetition of “shanti” or peace, called the Shanti mantras from within themselves as though neighbors, teachers Pada. Swami Chinmayananda expounds spoken by someone else. The term shruti here on the significance of the first verse of itself means “that which is heard.” Every the Mundaka Upanishad and the eternal disciple, when established in his own sub- and co-workers? values inherent in our holy Vedas. jective experience of the Truth indicated by his own master, became himself a mas- No Upanishad study ever started with- ter. When he, in turn, explained and ex- out the guru and the disciple chant- pressed that state of experience to seekers, ing together the Peace Invocation, a he did not claim the discovery but only These educational common prayer. They prayed for the quoted his own guru. Thus, our scriptural cultural evolution of the entire kingdom textbooks preserved their purity and of beings. This national character of the chastity until today and have come down booklets are just Vedic period is stamped so faithfully in to us in the hierarchy of teacher-disciple the words of the Shanti Stanza in each generations. of the Upanishads. In this great prayer We are not to accept any declarations of the Vedic seers that they should hear of the intellect and the mind as part and what you need. and see nothing but goodness and purity, parcel of our eternal Vedas. If we do so, we have the Das Kapital of the Hindus. If we too would have a philosophy that is each one in a society or a community is to O ye Gods, may we hear with changing every fifteen years as in the ardently and sincerely pray so as to meet our ears what is auspicious. O West, where, with every changing vicis- with only auspiciousness and act for the situde of national life, with every war, same, in such a country, at such an era of Worshipful Ones, may we see with every revolution, there is a thorough culture, jails will be redundant, slum areas what is auspicious with our eyes. rearrangement of material values lived. will be unknown, poverty unimaginable, Consequently, there is a change in the at- i n s i g h t I O IF
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She has many forms. Some are © 2004 by Himalayanin saints, temples Academy, and 107 scriptures. Kaholalele Road, Kapaa, Hawaii 96746 Supreme God as Siva, thesatguru To order additional copies of this Educational Insight, e-mail: [email protected] april/may/june ) gentle, some are fierce. Shaktas use */%6*4. Aum Peace! Compassionate One. Saivites
50%": explained by the acharyas, addressed to is not changing or changeable, whatever chants, real magic, holy diagrams, Similar resources on the web include “Four Facts of Hinduism,” “Nine Beliefs of Hinduism” and “How to , 2 0 05  esteem self discipline and phi Win an Argument with a Meat-Eater.” You can access these at h i n d u i s m t o d ay yoga and rituals to call forth cos losophy and follow a I-1 They worship in the temple mic forces and awaken the great kundalini power within the spine. the three groups of probable obstacles in be the outside change in our gross life. and practice yoga, striving to be one with Siva within. Mundaka Upanishad 1.1.1 scriptural study. They are the Godsent (adi daivika), such as lightning, thunder; or commentary by Swami Chinmayananda phenomenal (adi-bhautikta), such as fire, floods, landslides, etc; or purely subjective (adhyatmika), such as inertia, lack of faith, insin- Swami Chinmayananda (1970-1993), Vedantist writer, lecturer, cerity, etc., arising from our own negativities. translator, dynamic spiritual leader and Hindu renaissance found- Unlike the philosophy and the philosophical textbooks in Eu- er of Chinmaya Mission International rope, in India the Upanishads were not commodities for growing ati o The Vedas are the divinely revealed and most revered scriptures, shruti, of c n rich or for earning applauses. To the West, philosophy is one of u a Visit www.himalayanacademy.com/teachingtools Hinduism, likened to the Torah (1,200 bce), Bible New Testament (100 ce), d l the avenues for self-gratification and self-satisfaction; in the East, Koran (630 ce) or Zend Avesta (600 bce). Four in number, Rig, Yajur, Sama e (or call 1-800-890-1008) for contemporary, practical to the rishis and their true children, the Hindus, philosophy is and Atharva, the Vedas include over 100,000 verses. Oldest portions may date for Self-adoration and Self-attainment. The rishis only heard the back as far as 6,000 bce. i n s s i t brochures about the world’s most venerable faith. g h january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 17 SEEKING THE LORD OF SEVEN HILLS

Crowned with gold and jewels: Photographs of the temple’s main deity are not allowed, but the three-foot-tall utsava murti (parade deity) of Lord Balaji (above center) is an exact replica. He is flanked by His consorts, Sridevi (left) and Bhudevi (right). (Facing page) Tirumala’s gold-plated main temple tower is radiant at dusk against the mountainous terrain of Andhra Pradesh.

Join us on pilgrimage to India’s grand Vishnu temple famous for its extraordinary wealth and undying service to the poor

By Rajiv Malik, New Delhi Suddenly, a young boy appeared near the VIPs. lthough the vips were perched on No one could see where he had came from. He an elevated entryway 20 feet above the was disabled and deformed. An old lady was ground, they were still locked into a crowd with him, perhaps his grandmother. As the that seemed to have a mind of its own chanting escalated to a crescendo, the lady and as it inched forward like creeping lava toward boy turned toward the other pilgrims and raised the main sanctum of the temple. This throng of their folded hands in the prayerful gesture. As pilgrims had been tightly packed together for if on cue, the pilgrims showered hundreds of hours, waiting to catch just a glimpse of their be- coins and currency notes upon their heads. A loved Lord Balaji. Although the heat was almost few minutes later, more disabled children ap- unbearable, many of these devotees were chant- peared—seemingly out of no where. They, too,

two photos courtesy tirumala tirupati devasthanams ing, “Govinda, Govinda,” with frenzied intensity. were blessed in the same fashion.

18 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 19 Welcome to the Venkateshwara temple of management of not only the Balaji temple well-advertised liquor and meat shops, and possibly do an appropriate story on a spiri- Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh. Many ardent in Tirumala but eleven other temples in the the city’s hotels feature bars and non-vege- tual place like this without immersing our- Hindus live by the conviction that the mere surrounding area. tarian restaurants, pilgrims passing through selves in worship as true pilgrims. In all of INDIA sight of this temple’s central icon of Lord Ba- One of the world’s richest religious insti- this town on their way to Tirumala will not its majestic elegance, the real charm of this laji assures spiritual transformation. Having tutions, the TTD maintains a high-powered purchase meat and alcohol during festival magic abode of Balaji is obviously its ethe- Andhra now had the experience of seeing this deity temple trust board that is presided over by celebrations. Such items (including ciga- real bhava (devotional spirit), more than its Pradesh myself, I can honestly say that I understand an Executive Officer, and, under him, two rettes) are prohibited by local law during legendary fame, food and fortune. this sentiment completely and most certain- Joint Executive Officers—one for Tirumala these special times. Police actually perform Although this temple is commonly re- ly hope that it is true. According to legend, and the other for Tirupati. These three head luggage checks at designated points be- garded as one of the most glamorous and the Balaji image in this most holy place is up a fleet of deputies and assistants who at- tween Tirupati and Tirumala to confiscate charismatic pilgrimage destinations in the svayambhu, which means it was not in- tend to the institution’s various concerns, in- banned items. world, it is also extolled and sometimes Karnataka Tirumala stalled by man, but miraculously manifested cluding temple management, sculptural con- criticized for its fabulous wealth. Yet, as I Tirupati by God Himself. struction, cultural activities and a multitude Our Work Becomes Worship stand here in this glorious place, I am not Constructed in the ninth century and lav- of responsibilities associated with managing Thomas and I had no idea what to expect mystified that the fifty thousand pilgrims Chennai ishly extolled in ancient Hindu religious liter- a large number of hospitals and schools. when we first arrived in Tirumala. Although who visit Tirumala each day during reli- ature, the temple is nestled 125 miles inland The TTD ensures that at least 50 percent formal arrangements for our visit had been gious festivals feel so uplifted and fulfilled from Chennai, deep in the postcard beauty of Tirumala’s energy needs are self-generat- made far in advance through our Hinduism that they don’t mind spending or giving Tamil of South India’s Seshachalam mountains. It ed—mostly from state-of-the-art windmills Today headquarters in Hawaii, our first im- any amount of money. The source of their is certainly not surprising that such a spe- and solar paneling. pression of the temple was so overwhelming inspiration is obvious. This is a powerful Nadu cial place would attract more than twenty Coping with thousands of pilgrims sev- that we were immediately lost in a blissfully place. Its affluence is not nearly as much Kerala million pilgrims a year. Balaji is a form of en days a week, 365 days a year, is a huge divine amnesia of sorts. Fortunately for us, the result of the entrepreneurial expertise Lord Vishnu who is also frequently referred challenge for the TTD Public Relations a friendly man named T. Ravi was conve- of local businessmen as it is the spiritual to—even in this temple—as Venkateshwara, Department. It was this group of expert niently on hand to rescue us. After briefly passion experienced by its deeply inspired Govinda, Srinivasa and Narayana. people-handlers that we got to know well introducing himself as a representative of pilgrim guests. Tirumala is inseparably linked to a much when we—photographer Thomas Kelly and the TTD Public Relations Department, he Pushkarni Lake is surrounded on all larger town nearby named Tirupati. A half- I—visited Tirupati and Tirumala in the in- invited us to attend a puja (worship ceremo- sides by concrete steps and shrines. As we Sri Lanka million permanent residents reside in Tiru- tense heat of early June on assignment from ny) that was just about to begin in the main arrived, a large number of devotees were pati, as compared with about 10,000 living Hinduism Today. Truth be told, I was sanctum of the temple. taking dainty dips as they quietly chanted in Tirumala. Because pilgrims traveling to under Balaji’s magic spell the instant I was Following the temple’s strict protocol, we the names of Lord Vishnu. Because the Preparing to meet the Lord: Hearty pil- Tirumala from Chennai must pass through asked to do this story. left our shoes, cell phones, tape recorders lake is considered as sacred as the temple, grims assemble in the township of Alipiri Getting oriented: Although many pilgrims Tirupati, it has become an important pilgrim As we walked the dusty roads of Tirupati and cameras in the safe care of our hosts pilgrims are discouraged from taking full at the elegantly-carved entrance-tower to approach the Tirumala Balaji temple in destination in its own right. Tirupati is also on our way to Tirumala, a sea of shaven before proceeding to the ancient Push- baths, washing clothes or using soap in any a stone-paved path that they will follow from Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Tirupati and home to the headquarters of the Tirumala heads stretched out in every direction. Ev- karni Lake near the temple. At the lake, as way. To compensate for this restriction, elab- for eight miles, mostly up hill, to reach the Tirumala are actually in Andhra Pradesh. Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), a mammoth eryone was on the move, coming from or we purified ourselves before receiving the orate bathing facilities are provided nearby. Balaji temple in Tirumala. After their rig- The internationally famous temple (below) organization that employs over twelve thou- going to the famous seven hills of Balaji’s darshan (sight) of Lord Balaji, it suddenly Thomas and I encountered interesting orous journey, they will take a ritual bath attracts millions of pilgrims every year. sand people and oversees the business and abode. While Tirupati is permeated with became apparent to me that we could not devotees at every turn. Just talking to these in the holy Pushkarni Lake (below). all photos thomas kelly

20 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 21 exhilarated people turned out to be an ad- I casually asked a man next to me how (animal mounts). Awestruck and amazed, I venture in itself. As different as they all he was holding up in the discomfort of our wondered to myself how I could ever pos- were, they all had one thing in common: waiting. He surprised me with a beaming sibly write about all of this. Thomas, of They loved Lord Balaji. grin as he said, “This morning I was walking course, was deeply regretting that he had “I have been coming here for the darshan up the footpath to the temple. It was a most not been allowed to bring his camera. All of Lord Balaji since childhood,” said Rama arduous journey. When I reached the outer we could do right now was try to take it all Chandra Murthy, a 38-year-old software compound of the temple, I thought to myself in, one little piece at a time. consultant from Hyderabad. “At least once that I would never do this again. Now, all of Here and there, we spotted fleets of robed a year, our whole family comes together. We my fatigue is gone and I feel completely re- priests moving this way and that, attend- are all devoted to Lord Balaji. He is like our freshed. In fact, I plan to perform anga pra- ing to duties and preparing to perform puja father. He watches over us. When I pray to dakshana (praying while rolling the physical (ceremony). Eventually, two of these puja- him, I do not ask for anything in particular. body) around the main sanctum.” ris invited Thomas and me into a large hall Things just happen automatically.” After crossing the bridge we were back to take a closer look at the priceless works down on the ground level and being forced of art inside. There I took the opportunity The Journey Begins into two narrow lanes, each about three feet to talk with a bright young man who had After our ritual dip in the Pushkarni Lake, wide. We were with the VIPs in one lane. joined us on our spontaneous detour. Where God first stepped down: Peeking out of the dense Ravi and other TTD representives helped Everyone else was in the other lane, moving I asked him what inspired him to come forests covering the seven hills surrounding Balaji’s us move gracefully into the outer portion of at a slower rate. to Tirumala. “Well, my own thinking is that abode, one particularly auspicious high point is legend- the mammoth temple compound. We were To our left there was a concrete wall—to the Lord helps those who help themselves,” ary as the place Lord Vishnu first stepped down upon elated that our first sight of the Lord would our right, more iron fencing. About a dozen he replied. “I try to work hard on my own Earth before taking residence in Tirumala. Today, this be a VIP darshan. It was a grand honor in- industrious food and beverage hawkers were first. Then I pray. Right now I am doing well site is commemorated with a small shrine called Srivari deed. busy trying to sell us water, cold drinks and as a student and hope to be a successful Padalu where devotees perform their own puja (worship We began our lengthy journey to businessman. I know I have tried my ceremony) to a granite carving of the Lord’s holy feet the main sanctum through a com- best in school. So I feel it is okay to before enjoying perhaps the region’s most spectacular plex maze of long, dark corridors. ask Lord Balaji for His grace.” view of Tirumala and the Balaji temple far below. After hurrying along, ducking and Soon enough, the three of us were dodging through these tunnels for again mingling with the others in the about 15 minutes, we suddenly queue. All of this time, the crowd had found ourselves immersed in a thick been moving slowly forward like an crowd of devotees—more VIPs as it unstoppable elephant. I could not turned out. Immediately, we were help pondering how long this might stopped by a security official who have taken had we not been given the asked Thomas to sign a declaration “VIP shortcut.” form stating that he has faith in the The area around the main sanctum Hindu Gods. Even as he was quickly was scintillating with an energy that scribbling his signature, we were be- felt electric. Many devotees in our ing rushed forward down yet another group were still chanting, “Govinda, dark passageway. It was not like we Govinda.” Devotees coming out of had any control over how we moved. the main sanctum, having received

We were being impelled by the roll- all photos thomas kelly their darshan, were enthusiastically ing power of the crowd. Off to the temple: Devotees set out from the Pilgrims joining our chanting. It was a joy- The further we walked, the more Amenity Center near Alipiri where accommodations for ous moment of jubilation. The lines crowded it became. Soon, we were 3,000 pilgrims are available free of charge of devotees, coming and going from all so tightly packed together that Lord Balaji’s abode, were now only a just breathing was difficult. What little air eatables. The cold drinks were quite popular few feet apart. there was hung heavily around us like wet because of the heat. Nearby, some young ladies were offering heat. Just when I thought I could not bear For about an hour we continued moving prayers and prostrating to Goddesses at side such restrictive austerity any longer, we slowly, covering a distance of perhaps half shrines. I overheard a woman right behind emerged up and out of our cavernous envi- a mile. Finally, we reached the front gates me whisper to her relative that they were ronment onto a small overpass. of the innermost temple. Right beyond the praying for happiness in married life. Through the cage-like fencing that bor- entrance, water for feet washing was flowing As the main sanctum finally became vis- dered both sides of this bridge, we were from one side of the giant doorway to the ible, the excitement of the pilgrims escalat- able to inhale some fresh air and observe a other. “This is such an imaginative idea,” I ed. They began to chant louder and faster, large portion of the inner temple complex thought to myself, “making feet washing so “Govinda Govinda.” Finally, their worship from an elevation of about 20 feet above the unavoidable. Very ingenious.” To my knowl- reached a frenzied culmination. The people other pilgrims. It was like being in the crow’s edge, no other temple in India has a feature behind me were shoving more forcefully, nest of a battleship. Everyone was chanting, like this. and we were moving more quickly. A slight “Govinda, Govinda.” Somehow, in the con- sense of panic fluttered through the crowd. fusion of it all, there was a spiritual feeling Approaching the Lord “I wonder if these darshan sessions ever get of peace and contentment. Once inside the inner temple, it was like out of control,” I thought. Suddenly, my mus- The pilgrims varied in age. The young were transported back to some ancient time. ing was cut short. Just as we passed through were tending to the old. Weary mothers A towering hallway, framed with elaborately the last door, He appeared. There He was— were carrying their smallest children while carved pillars, stretched far to our left and Lord Balaji, in all of His magnificent splen- leading others by the hand. There were no right. This corridor and others like it con- dor. What an unforgettable moment! tourists, so Thomas was attracting a lot of nect grand, spacious halls filled with golden The pitch-black granite murti of the De- attention. icons of Gods, Goddesses and their vahanas ity was mesmerizing. Although the delicate-

22 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 23 The gathering place: Thousands of pilgrims informally congregate around a humble peepul tree (above left) near the Balaji temple in the heart of Tirumala. Here they can rest before going into the temple, purchase food at nearby shops, ask questions at information booths and even view video coverage of ceremonies going on inside the temple on close circuit TV. Near this peepul tree, there is a large, open-air pavilion with water, bath and sleeping facilities (below) where pilgrims can relax any time, 24 hours a day, free of charge. ly carved detail of the image was what had just happened. Yes, the exquisitely ornate, most of this resplendent Lord Balaji was still intricacy was lost beneath the right there, indelibly etched in flower garlands that had been my mind, just as I had seen Him. stacked high upon His head and The more I tried to recall His shoulders. He seemed so colos- darshan, the more blissful I felt. sally massive and vitally alive. Such was the power of this ma- How could it be that He was only hadeva (great shining being) who seven feet tall? had just changed my life. I stood before the Lord for There was a policeman stand- only about three minutes. Not ing near us. Because he seemed long. Yet it was a three minutes far more blissfully content than I will never forget. He touched any “peacekeeper” I had ever my heart and soul. I was over- seen, I introduced myself and whelmed. Although this experi- asked him what it was like work- ence was intensely personal, and ing in this holy place. “I am very for that reason, not something I happy with this assignment,” he feel inclined to describe, I will all photos thomas kelly said. “My whole family worships say that it introduced me to a Lord Balaji. They all think that it unique feeling that, since then, I have fre- As is often true in life, we had been at the is a great honor that I have this job. I hope quently referred back to for strength, stabil- mercy of a force larger than ourselves. One to work here for many years to come. My ity and inspiration. thing is for sure. As far as the Lord of this only ambition is to help the pilgrims in all Directly following our darshan, both temple is concerned, each and every devo- possible ways.” Thomas and I were completely oblivious to tee is a VIP. our surroundings. As much as we wanted to After leaving the sanctum, we found a 24/7: (facing page) Even during non-festi- stay right there in the sanctum, the same peaceful spot near the outer perimeter of val times, Balaji’s peepul tree is surrounded force that had pushed us in was now shoving the temple compound to sit for a few min- by pilgrims consumed in a frenzy of cel- us out. Before we knew it, we were outside. utes and attempt to recapture the glory of ebratory activity, even through the night

24 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 25 tering morsels were delicious, young children to get their heads shaved for through the rooms of this head-shaving Mr. Varma explained that hair sales bring they were only a hint of some- the first time in a temple ceremony called complex. Not only were there a lot of people, in about six million US dollars a year. He thing we had both long await- the chudakarana samskara. Often, on an but the floor—because of the tangled masses also clarified that, although the Kalyankatta ed. It was now time to try out auspicious occasions like this, entire families of wet hair—was sticky and slippery. It was Complex is not the only place in Tirumala Tirupati’s famous super-size will have their heads shaved. easy to see why we were not allowed to take where head-shaving occurs, it was the only laddus. Needless to say, we Looking out over the streets and paths pictures. To someone looking in from the one where it is free. were itching with anticipation of Tirupati and Tirumala, we saw literally outside, this place might have easily seemed When a colleague of mine in New Delhi to get our hands on these giant hundreds of people of all ages with newly unphotogenic at best. came to know that I was in Tirupati, she sweets made only here at Lord shaven heads. This is a rare sight—even in Barbers chanted “Govinda Govinda” as called me on the telephone to ask if I might Balaji’s holy feet. India. It was quite an experience to witness they began shaving. When they finished, purchase some long hair for her while I was We were entitled to two of perhaps six hundred sadhus having their they clasped their hands together, palm to there. Thinking this would be an easy thing these jumbo sweets apiece due heads shaved before walking to Ujjain along palm, and again intoned “Govinda Govin- to accomplish, I promised her that I would. to the fact that we had each the holy Shipra River for their initiation into da.” Armed with only a straight razor, they However, when I checked around to see if purchased a hundred-rupee renunciate life. could adeptly shave even a squirming child any of the hair offered at the temple was ticket (about two dollars) to en- According to one legend, Lord Vishnu in five minutes or less. Women often choose available for sale, I could not find anything, ter the temple just hours before. took up residence in an anthill near the to have a “symbolic” haircut during which anywhere. Finally, a beauty parlor owner in We had to do a little bit of place now known as Tirumala, for the pur- only three locks of hair are removed. Tirupati explained to me that hair offered to investigative scouting to actu- pose of performing yogic penance. When After touring the rooms and halls of the the Lord is not available for sale in the local ally collect our just desserts. His friend, Lord Brahma, observed this entire complex, we met Mr. M.K. Ven- market. This was later verified by a senior Eventually we spied a con- noble undertaking, He took the form of a kateswara Varma, Deputy Executive Of- TTD official who said that all hair offered spicuous gathering of folks like cow and went to Lord Vishnu every day so ficer, TTD. He was in charge of the Kaly- by pilgrims is for export only. I must confess us, quite busily involved with that Vishnu could be sustained by holy milk anakatta Complex and had agreed to grant that I was a bit disappointed to hear this, as something relating to food. while performing His austerities. us an exclusive interview. I had also made plans to buy some of this Were they making a purchase? The owner of the cow, who did not fully These laddus were supposed understand this mystical situation and was to be free—or at least already frustrated that his cow kept wandering off thomas kelly paid for. We were told by to feed an ascetic, tried to cut the animal A first experience: Many children have their “first head shaving ceremony,” called the chudakarana some vendors standing nearby with a knife. Because the cow was actually samskara, at the Balaji temple. The purpose of this sometimes disconcerting experience is to foster humil- that these pilgrims were being Brahma, the Lord received a wound in the ity and purity, and to mitigate past karma. sold “covers” for laddus. These head, resulting in a loss of some hair. When covers were small plastic bags a nearby devotee named Neeladri witnessed Making Heart-Felt Offerings served that each and every devotee had designed to be used for holding the scrump- this, she quickly rushed forward to offer her As soon as we felt the urge to move on, we something valuable to offer. With folded tiously sticky sweets. A very good idea as it own hair to replace what the Lord had just joined another group of devotees slowly hands and closed eyes, they would make turned out. lost. Thus was born the tradition of offering moving toward the hundi (temple offering their donations with compelling reverence. After purchasing our bags, we proceeded hair to Lord Balaji at Tirumala. box). This temple receives so much money I was particularly moved when I saw a to the laddu distribution counters, which we that its daily total often makes headlines in wealthy lady remove all the valuables she followed a hungry crowd to find, just around A Visit to the Kalyanakatta Complex newspapers all across India. Many entre- was wearing, wrap them in a yellow cloth the corner. Hundreds of people were forming We visited the Kalyanakatta Complex preneurs treat Lord Balaji as their business and drop them into the hundi. yet more queues to receive their two-pound where over twenty-thousand pilgrims have partner, never forgetting to give Him His Scores of TTD employees work in shifts sweet balls from about 12 stands. This time their heads shaved everyday. There we saw share of their profits. just to count the money and valuables re- we did not wait long. After just a few short hundreds of men, women and children in According to an interesting story still told ceived by the Lord of Seven Hills. These minutes, Thomas and I were walking away, dozens of queues patiently waiting for their by grandmas throughout South India, the offerings include hair, bangles, jewelry, cur- happily devouring our blessed treats. turn with the temple barbers. Although temple’s affluence comes from a debt ac- rency, necklaces, earrings, gold, silver, sugar Sixty million laddus are produced in Ti- it was an extremely hot afternoon, no one crued by Lord Balaji Himself. Long ago, candy, religious icons, wrist watches, prom- rumala every year—just for the Balaji tem- seemed to mind. The barbers, busily taking it seems, the Lord needed a large sum of issory notes, lottery tickets, coins of all de- ple. Mammoth ghee-pumping stations and care of so many patrons, could have easily money to marry a pretty Goddess named nominations and more. conveyer belts have been constructed for been going about their work in a frazzled Padmavati. Although he had no trouble bor- The hundi’s contents are emptied twice a this massive production of Divine sweets. or hectic manner, but they were not. They rowing said funds from Kubera, the God of day in the presence of officials and devotees. We had arrived at the temple around were cool and calm, even devotional, as they Wealth, the amount was apparently so stag- All money received is credited in the Lord’s three in the afternoon. Now it was six in the worked. A head shaving here is referred to geringly massive that it has still not been account in several banks. The valuables are evening. Our VIP journey for darshan had as a “hair-offering ceremony.” fully repaid, even to this day. Hence, some sent to the TTD Treasury in Tirupati. Much taken a little over three hours. Crossing through queues of waiting pil- faithful devotees make their temple offer- of the temple’s donated wealth is invested in grims and stepping over loose piles of hair, ings with the thought that their contribu- charity projects. A portion of it is also spent Head-Shaving at Tirumala we made our way to a place from which we tions are helping to clear this Divine debt. on the upkeep of the temple, as well as the The Venkateshwara temple of Tirumala is could closely scrutinize the barbers at work. Although it is traditional for a Hindu preparation of sacred food offerings, which almost as internationally famous for its head Although we tried to speak with these fast- temple to have a hundi, few have one like are given to devotees free of charge. shaving as it is for its wealth—and its lad- moving artisans, communication of any sort Tirumala’s. Lord Balaji’s hundi is a large cop- Thomas and I made our humble offerings. dus. Every day some 25,000 men, women was difficult at best. That was fine with us. per bowl, open at the top and covered from I also gave donations on behalf of my friends and children have their locks snipped by It was enjoyable just to watch them work. opposite sides with two pieces of white can- and relatives in New Delhi. temple barbers. They were quick, efficient and superbly vas that do not overlap in the middle. This By having their heads shaved in a temple skilled. gap left between the two pieces of canvas Balaji’s Famous Sweets like this, pilgrims strive to bring forward It was difficult to walk or even move provides a rather large opening for devotees Just as we were leaving the temple, we re- their soulful qualities of humility and pu- to drop in offerings of various shapes and ceived some small laddus (sweets made of rity, demonstrating to God and themselves Holy sweets: Balaji’s famous laddus are tem- sizes. wheat, fruit and nuts) as prashadam (blessed that they can surrender their lower nature ple prashadam (a holy sacrament) and must

As we awaited our turn to give, we ob- food offering). Although these mouth-wa- at His holy feet. It is also traditional for very therefore be prepared by temple priests courtesy tirumala tirupaati devasthanams

26 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 27 hair for my wife as a present from my pil- all for free. The TTD has been providing Hill. Our drive to the gurukulam (school) grimage. this service since 1985. was breathtaking in its scenic beauty. A sev- Today, every pilgrim who goes for darshan en-foot-tall carving of Lord Brahma guards A Testimony in the Venkateshwara Temple is handed a the entrance to this school, which is perched Friday, June 3, 2005, will always be a spe- small slip of paper while leaving. This “tick- on 50 acres of glorious mountainous terrain cial day in my life. That was the day I got et” entitles the person to one free meal at covered with dense forests. my head shaved. Late at night—almost mid- the complex. The pathashala is 221 years old. Within night, as a matter of fact—I had this cere- When we visited this busy place to sample its precincts, thousands of priests and San- mony performed in my room at the TTD the cuisine, it was packed. Not only was the skrit scholars have been trained through Guest House in Tirumala. Arrangements food tasty, it was surprisingly varied—espe- the years. Almost all of the Venkateshwara had been made with the kind assistance of cially for such a mass feeding. Each pilgrim temple priests learned their craft here. Al- our guest house manager. The late hour was was given a nutritious meal consisting of five though the school was originally founded to due to the fact that all the barbers were so items, including a sweet dish—and all were train only priests for Tirumala, it eventu- busy. My head took seven minutes to shave. allowed to eat as much as they wanted. ally broadened its scope. Today, it boasts of I timed it. As we entered the restaurant, we observed alumni who perform in prestigious temples Though short and sweet, this experience a large fleet of TTD employees and social all around the world. had a tremendous effect on me. My whole workers moving gracefully like seasoned When the pathashala was established, personality completely transformed during dancers as they quickly and efficiently it had three branches and only a handful that seemingly simple event. I felt differ- served the hungry pilgrims. After one group of students. Now, there are more than 400 ently afterward—as if I had attained some of several hundred devotees finished eat- students studying in 14 branches. The full sort of enlightenment. After all, I had just ing, the whole place was cleaned, reset and priest-training curriculum requires 12 years offered my personal ego in the form of my of study and is called the Vedadhyanam hair at the feet of Lord Balaji. Course. Children begin this training at the I have had my head shaved only once age of eight. Three other shorter courses Picture of harmony: Teachers and students at the Sri Venkateshwara Veda Pathasala near Tirumala prepare to give a special performance before this. There were no pictures of that are offered at the pathashala. Each of these event, which took place in Rishikesh when I takes eight years to complete. Children re- Such esteem, he said, could lead to better always literally overflowing with volunteers “Srivari Seva forms an integral part of was only a year old. Had my parents not told ceiving these courses begin their study at job placement opportunities for students af- for Srivari Seva. These selfless servants were worship at Tirumala,” explained Ravi. “It me about this ceremony, I would not have the age of 12. Although all of these systems ter graduation and open up new opportuni- easy to spot. Not only were they always enlivens the spiritual life of the seekers and known about it at all. prepare students for the performance of all ties for higher education if a student should rushing forward to help, they also wore dis- prepares them to act in accordance with the What I realized now that I certainly didn’t the elaborate temple rituals, the Vedadhya- choose to continue his studies. tinctive saffron-colored scarfs around their will of the Supreme Lord. Through Srivari realize then was how much one’s personality nam Course provides more extensive train- necks so they could be easily identified. Seva, TTD endeavors to perpetuate a noble is tied up in the hair, so to speak. One might ing in chanting the Vedas. All of the teaching Serving Pilgrims Even the police ask them for help. tradition devotedly established by great rightly expect quite a significant psychologi- and living facilities at the pathashala are of All through our journey, Ravi had been of Thomas and I spoke with quite a few of saints who have passed before us. In the cal reaction from the experience of having the highest quality and free of charge. This tremendous assistance to us. As Assistant these kindly souls. One particularly dis- past five years, more than68,000 volunteers the head shaved. Mine was not only positive, includes meals, accommodation, clothes, Public Relations Officer at TTD, he had tinctive young lady made some insightful have participated in Srivari Seva.” it was inspirational. books and medical services. personally arranged many of our appoint- remarks about her service. “Performing Sri- Although it has been said of the TTD One of the nice things about participat- Although I have been fortunate enough ments and interviews with the institution’s vari Seva is a wonderful opportunity,” said that it is overly commercial in requiring ing in a ceremony like this in Tirumala is to observe many impressive gurukulams various departmental heads. He even stayed Chennai resident Shri Priya, age 28. “Our some devotees to pay for darshan and guest that—while you are there—you are among throughout India, this pathashala is by far with us during meetings with some of the main aim is to serve the devotees and pil- house accommodations, it is my feeling that a lot of people who have just had the same the finest I have ever seen. The classroom more important officials. He was our single grims, although we also worship. No one no serious pilgrim could come away from experience. You can move around comfort- cottages are scattered about in picturesque most important liaison. checks up on our qualifications, because worshiping in Tirumala bearing this sort of ably from place to place among literally locations throughout the vast land owned Besides shouldering most of the responsi- everyone qualifies to serve. I am an accoun- criticism. For one thing, the spiritual power thousands of others who look just like you. by the institution. The design of the build- bilities of the institution’s public interaction, tant by trade, but that means nothing here. of Lord Balaji is so undeniably powerful in

Interestingly enough, I felt more “normal” all photos thomas kelly ings is ancient in concept, yet exhibits the Ravi also manages and guides thousands I work side by side with some very sophis- this place that money matters of any sort with a shaven head than without. Toward Helping hands: The loving care extended to highest standards of modern architecture. of volunteers who seek to perform service. ticated people. Some of them have great seem petty by comparison. the end of my stay at Tirumala, I began the poor in Tirumala is world famous Drinking all of this in for the first time, I Such service is referred to in Tirupati and jobs and lots of money. Yet here we are all Aside from that, even from a secular planning for the task of explaining my ap- thought, “Here, the best of the East meets Tirumala as Srivari Seva, meaning “service just human beings serving human beings. point of view, there is no question about pearance to friends and co-workers back served for the next group—all in a matter the best of the West.” of the Lord.” We get so immersed in seva that we some- the fact that the TTD looks out for the home in Delhi. of just a few minutes. This dynamic squad- All of the teachers at the pathashala were “Srivari Seva offers a unique opportunity times forget to even take our own meals. We common man with extraordinary dedi- It is worthy of note that in North India, ron of servants work tirelessly in unbroken more than cooperative in taking time out of to devotees to serve fellow pilgrims in many do not feel hungry when we are doing this cation. Food, medical treatment and a person often gets his or her head shaved continuity from nine in the morning until their busy schedules to host us graciously. different ways,” explains Ravi. “According to work. Such is the greatness of this place.” head shaving are all provided free of when the mother or father expires. I certain- midnight—every day. They even organized a performance in their scriptures, divine grace can be attained not It is traditional in South India for Balaji charge to the poor and the downtrodden. ly didn’t want people assuming that had just This Annadanam Complex is run by the central hall (see photo) so that we could only by worshiping the Deity in the temple devotees to send out elaborate and often ar- Anyone performing Srivari Seva in Ti- happened in my life. So I did worry about Annadanam Trust, which has fixed deposits hear the students collectively chanting Ve- but also by serving His devotees. Through tistically designed invitations to important rumala will tell you that the greatest spiri- this a bit. When I actually did get back to in various banks worth US $20 million. This dic mantras in a most beautiful manner. Af- Srivari Seva, devotees double the benefit family ceremonial events like weddings. As tual benefits are enjoyed by those who serve Delhi, however, I found that my concern trust also receives financial support from ter the chanting, they invited Thomas and they receive from worshiping by perform- might be expected, the TTD receives thou- the weakest and poorest of Balaji’s devotees. was unwarranted. As soon as I mentioned wealthy devotees who donate an average of me to address the assembly. ing selfless acts for other people like them- sands of these invitations. What might not I believe this myself with all my heart and the word, “Tirupati,” no further explanation about two million dollars a year. The interest Later, as we casually perused the facilities, selves.” be quite as obvious is that someone affili- long for my own opportunity to serve the ser- for my appearance was necessary. Everyone from these savings is spent on the mainte- we learned from the principal that great ef- According to Ravi, many of the devotees ated with the institution—usually a devotee vants of the Lord of Seven Hills in that place tacitly understood. nance of the Annadanam Complex. forts were being made to obtain recognition performing Srivari Seva are doctors, engi- performing Srivari Seva—responds to each where my life was changed forever. ∏π from the University Grants Commission for neers, senior management executives and and every single one of these cards. Not only Feeding Thousands Training Priests the courses offered at the pathashala. The other highly qualified professionals. You that, this person also arranges for a special For more general information about the TTD In the heart of Tirumala, right next door We had the good fortune of visiting the Sri principal explained that this acknowledg- would never know it to look at them. They temple ceremony to be performed in the and the Balaji temple contact: http://www. to the Venkateshwara Temple, as many as Venkateshwara Veda Pathashala, a priest ment would further enhance the reputation all served so humbly, they melted into a di- name of the family that extended the invita- tirumala.org/. To purchase an excellent book 60,000 pilgrims a day take their meals at a training school located only a few miles of the institution, as well as place higher val- vinity of oneness. tion, as well as for sacraments from the cer- entitled Tirumala Tirupati the Legends and place known as the Annadanam Complex— from Tirumala at a place called Dharmagiri ue on degrees obtained at the pathashala. Whenever we visited Ravi, his office was emony to be sent to that family. Beyond .... contact: www.vqibooks,com.

28 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 29 TTD Natural beauty: one of TTD’s several exquisitely manicured botanical gardens The Tirumala

all photos thomas kelly Tirupati Devasthanam

ike the many fingers of a few helping hands, computerized appointments for visits with Lord Balaji can be the broad range of services and facilities offered by the booked in advance at all major cities across India. The TTD Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, TTD, is legendary also offers a variety of services in education and medical throughout India and around the world. Referring affec- treatment, as well as the rehabilitation of the poor and handi- Services provided by the TTD: tionately to the Institute’s yearly budget of two million dollars capped. Two secular schools—one founded in 1876 in Vellore (Clockwise from upper left) A thirty-foot-tall statue of for social services, one quick-witted pilgrim redefined “TTD” and the other in 1886 in Tirupati—are alive and well today, Bajrangabali, God of the Monkeys, lords over the entrance to mean “Tradition, Technology and the Devotee.”Certainly, all because of the TTD. Ten square miles of forest are man- to an ornamental garden. The luxurious Srinivasam Pil- the TTD utilizes a unique blend of technology and tradition aged by the TTD via satellite. In the recent past, the institute grim Amenities Complex provides exquisite accommoda- in its service of devotees. While a thousand years of tradition planted 29,500 acres with 10 million saplings to protect the tions to the poor, free of charge. Two craftsmen chip away at a statue of Balaji at the Sri Venkateshwara Institute are strictly honored in the temples’ ceremonial practices, fifty forests from fire. In addition to collecting rare Hindu scriptur- of Sculpture and Architecture. Ancient sacred scriptures percent of the institute’s power is derived from windmills and al manuscripts and teaching Indology, the Oriental Research are preserved at the Oriental Research Institute. (Back- solar paneling.With 16 million people visiting Tirumala every Institute—established by the TTD in 1939—promotes Indol- ground) From within a temple garden behind a TTD guest year, technological efficiency is an important consideration ogy through the publication of relevant anthologies, chres- house in Tirupati, the plateaus looming over Tirumala, that figures into all aspects of the institution’s service. To tomathies, translations, monographs, indexes, dictionaries, about 15 miles away, can clearly be seen. minimize pilgrim’s waiting time at the temple, for instance, encyclopedias and more.

30 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 31 wo r ship ture delineating civil code, social law and moral principle). Students are offered a choice of two courses. The twelve-year course is quite extensive. It covers priest training as well as a deeper study of the Vedas. The eight- year course is specifically designed to prepare students to become fully trained temple priests.

Has the ancient pathashala system changed in any way to adapt to mod- ern times? Many years ago, we only taught priests for the Balaji Temple. When it was decided to expand the priest-training program, this patha- shala began to grow rapidly. Also, a few years back English was intro- duced here as a part of the curricu- lum. We are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of English A forest paradise: Between classes, students enjoy relaxing, chatting and practicing Sanskrit in as a second language. Specifically, exquisite natural surroundings, tastefully accented only with modern conveniences we are teaching the students to read, write and speak in English. There are three working shifts of priests khansa Archakars are also sometimes re- per day in the Balaji temple. Each shift re- ferred to as Adi Vaishnavas. Do graduates of the school generally prefer quires 20 to 30 priests. So every day, between to work at the Balaji Temple in Tirumala as 60 and 90 qualified priests are required just What are the plans for the future of the a first option, or do they sometimes choose to keep the temple functioning at a basic lev- school? At present, we have 24 classrooms to work elsewhere? There is no compulsion el. During festivals, many more are needed. in the pathashala. We plan to construct 45 for a priest to join this particular temple af- So, the need here at home is great. more. All of the classrooms are modern, as ter completing his study. A graduate is free are the living facilities. We also plan to con- Let the day begin: Following a hearty breakfast, students at the Venkateshwara Veda Pathashala head for their first morning class to work at any temple he chooses. The aver- Are there any special qualifications that struct a huge library and an ultra-modern age salary of a priest at the Balaji Temple must be met by young men who aspire to be kitchen. Work on all of these projects will be is US $300 per month, which is considered priests in Tirumala? A priest at the Balaji starting in the very near future. very good here in this country. temple in Tirumala must be born the son of Preparing Tomorrow’s Priesthood In India there are many temples. Priests a Vaikhansa Archakar, a priest who is him- Are there any dangers or hazards associ- who aren’t recruited here can easily get jobs self fully trained in the Vaikhansa Agama. ated with living in the forest like this? The elsewhere. The demand for priests is greater He must also be taught certain priestly sam- Vedic pathashala is also located on holy The headmaster of one of India’s finest priest training schools talks about than the supply. Today, priests who have skaras (subconscious impressions) while still ground. This is what keeps us safe, even been trained in this pathashala are happily in the mother’s womb. This is accomplished though we are in the midst of a dense for- living, learning and teaching in the way of the ancient Vedic forefathers settled all around the world. through a ritual called the Vishnu Bali. Vai- est. It is most interesting to note that never in the history of the pathashala have any of our students gotten injured or even suffered G.K. Ramamurthy, 46, began his priestly this pathashala. These are the Vaikhansa from a snake bite, even though in the for- studies in 1967 at the famous Sri Venkatesh- Agama, the Pancharatra Agama and the est area like this, there are many poisonous wara Veda Pathashala in Dharmagiri near Saiva Agama. The Pancharatra Agama is snakes. Such is the grace of Lord Balaji here Tirumala. After graduating in 1982, he used for worshipping Goddess Padmavati. in this sacred place. There have even been stayed on as a teacher. Since 1992 he has The Vaikhansa Agama is known as the some instances where our students suffered been head principal of the illustrious insti- agama of Lord Venkateshwara. Lord Bala Ji from snake bites in their own native villages tution, which is considered one of the finest is worshipped only through the Vaikhanasa where the probability of receiving such in- priest-training centers in India. Hinduism Agama. In Vaikhansa Agama training, we juries was much less. One of our students Today correspondent Rajiv Malik had the now have 175 students. The Saiva Agamas died from such a snake bite at his home af- opportunity to speak with the distinguished are meant for Siva temples only. Each stu- ter studying here for a number of years with acharya (teacher) when he visited the school dent is free to choose the agama he wants to no such problem of this sort at all. grounds. Here are some excerpts. learn, but he is restricted to the study of that agama only throughout his training here. Is the school enrollment expanding? About How many students are being taught here 30 to 35 students graduate every year. How- and what do they study? We now have 26 Does the school curriculum include educa- ever, the ratio of new students to graduating teachers instructing 400 students in 14 sub- tion on subjects other than those directly students is more than four to one. We are jects. Two thousand priests have graduated related to priest training? We don’t teach expecting to admit 120 new students in the from this institution. We teach the entire philosophy, although the students learn all next few months. This will bring our student gamut of temple rituals. The students here about worship and its practice. This cultiva- count up to 500. By the year 2010 we hope live on the premises. This institution is more tion of personal devotion is fundamental to to have 1,000 students. Naturally, with this like an ashram. all of the other training. The students are kind of expansion, our budget will go up. There are various Agamas in our an- also taught astrology, Sanskrit and the Dhar- Picture perfect: A classic Vedic scene like this—priestly students gathering closely around Now we receive about $500,000 every year. cient literature, but we teach only three in The guru: Acharya G.K. Ramamurthy mashastra (a famous ancient Hindu scrip- their teachers at the Veda Pathashala—is not commonly seen elsewhere in India today This should easily quadruple. ∏π

32 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 33 eration Hindus now growing up (or grown mainstream or be part of their town or coun- Kathy Nanda of Denver spoke on the legal up) in the US. Generally speaking, few or- ty. Speakers encouraged temples to reach out aspects of temple management, including ganizations present said they have adequate more, to study the philosophy, history and financial and fiduciary responsibility, liabil- programs for teaching the youth, though practices of the faiths they are surrounded ity, libel and defamation. She urged temple some, such as the Swadhyaya Pariwar found- by, get to know the leaders of other religious board members to clearly understand their ed by Sri Athavale, have fully developed communities, develop strong connections legal duties and responsibilities. programs of weekly classes and summer with the press, participate in local charities, To assure a future based on the founding youth programs. Several temple directors free clinics, free feedings and the like. principles, stress was given to making sure and managers (and there were dozens there) There was a youth presence from the Hin- the constitution of every temple is strong, for talked about the need for effective programs. du Students Council and the Hindu Ameri- that is the primary guide for future manage- Bodhinatha Veylanswami emphasized in can Foundation. It can also be said, however, ment boards. Constitutions are difficult to his talk the need for the temples to educate that the youth presence was not as strong as change, it was noted, while bylaws can be the parents in Hinduism right along with it should have been, nor was the participa- easily altered by a simple majority vote. the youth. He also stressed the importance tion of women. The Bridgewater Temple of New Jer- of parents’ setting the example in religious- On August 15, India’s Independence Day sey, just a 15-minute drive from the venue, ness, beginning with maintaining a home (and Swami Dayananda’s birthday), attention outlined an innovative program called shrine where the family worships daily. Pass- turned to a constellation of temple issues in a the Traveling Mandir. The motivation is ing on the faith has its strongest promise in workshop organized by the Hindu Universi- to keep college-age students involved in the home, supplemented by educational pro- ty of America. A vital topic was priest train- Hinduism. Their parents organize a tem- grams like temple classes, summer camps ing and duties. Concern was expressed over porary temple at the local college, Rutgers and cultural training. the duties of priests with regard to the tem- in this case, on Sunday morning during the A second prominent issue at the confer- ple ceremonies, and the duties with regard time other students are attending Chris- ence was the poor treatment Hinduism re- to home ceremonies, especially funerals. In tian services. The program includes a puja, ceives in the dozens of textbooks used in India these are traditionally handled by two prayers-meditation and scriptural study. American schools and colleges. Speakers ex- different groups of priests. One group per- The youth reportedly appreciate this effort plained how to approach local school boards forms the temple ceremonies, and the other to give them access to religious observances. at the time books are up for adoption, how performs home ceremonies. In the West, Devotees should be encouraged to include to influence the selection and even future due to a shortage priests, many temples have a donation to the temple in their wills, “even editions of books. Rajiv Malhotra explained priests from either tradition performing if it’s just two percent.” The Salvation Army, the ways American and European academ- both tasks, one of which they are often not America’s richest nonprofit by far, receives a

hinduism today ics have distorted the understanding of trained for. large part of its donations each year in the Summit speakers: (right to left), B.K. Agnihotri, Rajiv Malhotra, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Swami Chidananda Saraswati, Sri Hinduism, and he offered ways that Hindus Another area of focus was the need for form of bequests from wills, the result of Sudarshan, Dr. Pranav Pandya, Swami Nikhilananda, Arumugaswami, Palaniswami and Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami can correct the situation. teachers of Hinduism and counselors to deal long efforts to encourage people to include Speakers associated with temples touched with devotees’ personal problems of. Priests the Army in their will. conferences on the need to integrate with the major- are trained to perform neither of these func- Overall, it was a successful three days, ity community, to become more actively tions, though some priests have done both as Hindus from many parts of the country engaged in their neighborhoods and com- successfully. Participants debated whether came together to share their thoughts on is- munities. They lamented that a number of community members should be trained to sues of mutual concern. For those who would Summit Ponders Next Generation Hindu communities live a rather insular life fulfill the role of spiritual counselor, or if the like to know about and participate in future in America, unaware of the religions of their priests should be so trained, with the gen- plans, please contact Dr. Ved Chaudhary at Hindu Collective Initiative formed by 400 Hindus gathers in New Jersey neighbors and not trying to join into the eral opinion favoring the former. [email protected]. ∏π Speakers: (left to right) Swami Dayananda Saraswati called for a Hindu Collective Initiative; Dr. Ved Chaudary, conference organizer; fter initially wondering if any- conference fostered among the attendees, York; Dr. Pranav Pandya of Gayatri Pariwar, Professor Ved Nanda of the University of Denver exhorts the audience to instill in their children pride for their Hindu heritage one would attend, Dr. Ved Chaudhary the awareness and acceptance of contem- Haridwar, India; Swami Jyotirmayananda of finally had to close enrollment in the porary issues facing the community and an Vivekananda Center, Mangalore; Swamini Dharma Summit 2005 on August 13 overwhelming desire to undertake a collec- Janeshwari Devi of Barsana Dham and oth- when it reached capacity at 400 (including tive initiative to shape the future of Hindu ers. An unexpected guest speaker was Sri representatives from 80 Hindu institutions). traditions in North America.” Sudharsan, head of the RSS. Many intellec- Scores were turned away. Under the inspired The days were long throughout the ses- tuals also spoke, including Dr. Ved Nanda, and personal direction of one of today’s most sions, running from the 7:30 am gathering to Prof. Bhudev Sharma, Dr. David Frawley, Dr. dynamic spiritual leaders. Sri Swami Day- 9:30 or 10:00 pm, with vegetarian breakfast, Piyush Agrawal, Sri Kanchan Banerji and Dr. ananda Saraswati, Dr. Chaudhary organized lunch and dinner provided free by BAPS Rakesh Shreedhar. the Summit to “bring together heads of all volunteers and served at the conference Swami Dayananda Saraswati proposed devalayas, spiritual institutions and dharmic venue at the Student Center at Rutgers Uni- the formation of a Hindu Collective Initia- intellectuals in North America to exchange versity. Rutgers is one of the oldest colleges tive. Swamiji outlined a basic organizational thoughts and ideas, and share experiences in America, founded by Benjamin Franklin structure for continued cooperation. The on how to impart spiritual and cultural edu- in 1766. It is a red brick college near a river, Initiative would allow all Hindu religious cation to our next generation and remove in a 350-year-old town. organizations to work together to shape misconceptions about our faith traditions Major spiritual leaders graced the confer- the future of Hinduism in North America. from the society in order to maintain our ence, including Swami Dayananda Saras- It would address issues such as promoting traditions with dignity.” The conference in- wati; Swami Chidananda Saraswati (Muniji) changes to enhance the participation of the cluded Hindus, Jains and Sikhs. of Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, India; new generation and correcting biased views Chaudary told Hinduism Today, “I con- Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, publisher of Hindu traditions. sider the most important outcome of the of Hinduism Today magazine and HPI; Of paramount concern was the transmis-

conference to be the spirit of unity that the Gurudev Chitrabhanu of Jain Ashram, New sion of Hinduism to second- and third-gen- photos: hinduism today

34 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 35 language Namaste, Aunti-ji, It’s Hinglish Changa, yaar and other Hindi terms enter English dictionaries in the UK

By Ambika Behal, Washington, D.C. lation inhabiting Britain, so it is no surprise origin, drawn from 120 different languages. hrough the centuries, hindus when words such as changa (good) and The Oxford English Dictionary first have periodically donated a part of chuddie also appear. adopted Hindi words when they made their their genius to the Western world. The project to incorporate South Asian way into general use as British colonialists Mathematics, medicine, astronomy dialect in the Collins Dictionary was as- returned from India with new vocabulary and, more recently, yoga, medita- sisted by teacher B. K. Mahal, author of The during the 18th and 19th centuries. Sham- tion, ayurvedic medicine and spicy poo, bungalow, jungle, mantra, pun- food have all found a place in daily dit and catamaran are some of the Western culture. So when you hear words that entered the language in someone yelling “Badmash!” (mean- those days. ing naughty, also, hooligan) on the Juliet Field, Senior Editor of the street in London, don’t automatically Oxford English Dictionary, who assume it is just an Indian vocaliz- noted that badmash is already in ing his Hindi speaking skills. In fact, the dictionary, explained the dic- with no Indian in sight, you might tionary’s guidelines. “Words from hear words such as kunjoos (miser), these languages [of India], and, in- bandar (monkey, mischievous minor deed, from any other foreign lan- boy) or gora (white male) being add- guage, are included in our dictionar- ed to perfectly English conversations. ies when we have collected enough Collins recently released its sev- evidence that they are understood, enth edition English dictionary, used and established in English.” complete with an array of defini- Several Hinglish words are com- tions for “Hinglish” words. The word mon insults. Mahal explained, “It is Hinglish is itself used in two senses. a universal truth that the first words In England, it means the Hindi any adolescent learns from a new words coming into English, while in language are often of a profane or India, it is the hybrid language creat- derogatory nature. Much of this is ed when Hindi speakers intersperse attributed to the way in which ado- English words with Hindi, such as, lescents teach each other new words.” “Pitaji, time kya hua hai?” (“Father, Hinglish integration into English ap- what is the time right now?”). The pears to be following in the footsteps loanwords entering English are of- of Irish, French and German—en- ten those used when the Hinglish tering first as insult words and slowly is almost all English, except for a working their way in. choice term or expression in Hindi, Among the Hinglish words that such as, “I have hazaar things on my feature in the Collins Dictionary mind right now.” (“I have thousands are kutta and kutti (dog and she- of things on my mind right now.”) dog—both of which can be insults), The general public in the UK has haramzaada and haramzaadi (ob- been introduced to Hinglish by noxious male or female), yaar (friend),

mainstream television shows such as bbc changa (an expression of approval or “The Kumars at Number 42,” “Silver Language education: The popular comedy is providing the agreement, from Punjabi), namaste Street” and, most famously, the com- British with a good laugh and a few choice new words (greetings—the only one of these edy “Goodness Gracious Me” which terms used in America so far), motu coined the popular (and vulgar) phrase, Pocket Guide to Being an Indian Girl. Ma- (fat person), rasmalai (sweet, also, an attrac- “Kiss my chuddies.” hal said that this evolution in language is as- tive woman). Another set are English words Jeremy Butterfield, Editor-in-Chief of Col- sisted by the fact that “English is a mongrel adapted to Hindi and returned. These in- lins Dictionaries, explained to Hinduism language” being tugged at by the multi-cul- clude aunti-ji, uncle-ji, freshie (a recent im- Today the reason for including so many turalization of Britain. “Six-year-olds in my migrant) and filmii (Bollywood style drama). loanwords in the new edition. “We thought class aren’t using Hinglish words because it So, when popular English television that the increasing importance of India on gives them credibility,” she said, “They use chef Jamie Oliver yells, “Pukka!” (literally, the world stage and as a growth economy it to express their world. If your world is a “cooked,” but meaning “okay” “finished” was being reflected in the spread of Indian concoction of languages, then no doubt in “complete”) at the final taste of his cooking, words round the world.” Not all the words everyday conversation these languages will the Hindi-speaking population can cheer, are Hindi words.There is a slight Punjabi dance and have accidents with one another.” because English has once again adopted a flair owing to the boisterous Punjabi popu- The majority of English words are of foreign useful term. ∏π

36 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 ati o c n u a

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i n s s t Family Life & i g h Monastic Life The Spiritual Ideals of Hinduism’s Two Noble Paths thomas kelly ehud sperling

Exemplars of dharma’s two paths: Respected leader of Juna Akhara, Acharya Avdheshananda Ji; (right) writer and homemaker Vatsala Sperling of Vermont, USA, with her son Mahar n Hinduism there has always been a choice of here are two traditional paths for the de- vout Hindu of nearly every lineage. The paths to follow—grihastha or sannyasa, family Two Ways of Dharma first is the path of the renunciate. The or monk. Unfortunately, in modern Hinduism second is the path of the householder, I the distinction between the two has become who guides human society and produces From the Sacred Teachings of Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami the next generation. The ancient rishis evolved well- muddled, both in the minds of Hindus themselves as defined principles for both, knowing that unmarried well as in textbooks and other writings that present aspirants would most easily unfold by adhering to Hinduism to the non-Hindu world. ¶Hinduism’s pu- principles of nonownership, noninvolvement in the world and brahmacharya (celibacy), while married rusharthas, four goals of life, are a useful reference men and women would uphold the more complex for understanding the distinction between the two paths. The four goals and material family dharma. Though the principles or guidelines for these two are 1) dharma, or piety; 2) artha, or wealth; 3) kama, or pleasure; and 4) paths are different, the goal is the same: to establish a life dedicated to spiritual unfoldment, hastening the evolution of the soul through knowledge of the forces moksha, or liberation. Those on the grihastha path pursue all four goals, at work within us, and wise, consistent application of that knowledge. and the way they do so changes according to their age or ashrama in life. The Path of Renunciation Those on the sannyasa path renounce artha, kama and family dharma in The two fundamental objectives of sannyasa, renunciation, are to promote the one-pointed pursuit of moksha—liberation from rebirth on Earth through spiritual progress of the individual, bringing him into God Realization, and to intense personal experience of God. ¶For the grihastha, in the first ashra- protect and perpetuate the religion. Sannyasa life has both an individual and a universal objective. At the individual level, it is a life of selflessness in which the ma, brahmacharya, age 12-24, the primary focus is on studying at school sannyasin has made the supreme sacrifice of renouncing all personal ambition, and preparing for profession and married life. In the second ashrama, all involvement in worldly matters, that he might direct his consciousness and grihastha, age 24-48, the primary focus is raising a family and fulfilling a energies fully toward God. Guided by the satguru along the sadhana marga, he unfolds through the years into deeper and deeper realizations. Ultimately, if he career. The third ashrama, vanaprastha, age 48-72, is a time of transition persists, he comes into direct knowing of transcendent Reality. At the universal from family and career to one of elder advisor to the younger generation. level, the sannyasins foster the entire religion by preserving the truths of the The fourth ashrama, sannyasa, age 72 onward, is a time in which the pri- Sanatana Dharma. Competent swamis are the teachers, the theologians, the exemplars of their faith, the torchbearers lighting the way for all. mary focus is on moksha, meaning that religious practices are the main Among those on the renunciate path, there are two lifestyles. In our Holy activity of one’s day. The sannyasin directly enters the fourth ashrama Orders of Sannyasa, these two lifestyles are described as follows. “Some among them are sadhus, anchorites living in the seclusion of distant caves and at the time of his initiation, no matter what his age, skipping over the remote forests or wandering as homeless mendicants, itinerant pilgrims to the other phases of life. ¶One of the most common ways the two paths have holy sanctuaries of Hinduism. Others dwell as cenobites, assembled with their been muddled in modern Hinduism is in the classic textbook notion that brothers, often in the ashrama, aadheenam or matha of their satguru, but al- ways under the guru’s aegis, serving together in fulfillment of a common mis- Hindus believe the world is unreal and that this is why there is so much sion. These devotees, when initiated into the order of sannyasa, don the saffron poverty in India. This, of course, is an incorrect perception. The accurate robes and thereby bind themselves to a universal body of Hindu renunciates, statement is that those on the path of the monk are trained to look at the world as impermanent, or unreal or fleeting. Grihasthas, however are not. They pursue the same ideals of success, family and wealth as do families Voices on Hindu Family Life in Western society. ¶Many thoughtful Hindu lay leaders lament the lack of trained Hindus who can speak out in a knowledgeable way about Hin- eaders of the United Nations dedicated 1994 as the international Year of the Fam­ily. They were seeking to counter a global failure of the family duism. One trend is to train Hindu priests for this capacity, which in the Lunit and the by-products of such a breakdown: crime, delinquent youth, Western world is called a minister. Said another way, Hinduism needs disobedient children, divorce and other household miseries, in other words the more ministers to teach and counsel. Of course, this is one of the roles basic problems of social instability. They decided to inquire of the major reli- gions of the world as to what their views were and are today on family life, all that Hindu monks traditionally fulfill. Thus, another solution is to pro- planned for a multi-lingual United Nations publication, Family Issues as Seen duce and train more swamis and sadhus to serve as competent ministers. by Different Religions, a unique vision of family from the point of view of Jews, ¶This 16-page Educational Insight is drawn primarily from Gurudeva’s Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and Baha’is. The UN approached us at Hinduism Today magazine to define and describe the traditional family values Master Course trilogy (www.gurudeva.org/resources/books/). of the Hindu. In creating the Hindu chapter to the UN book, we joined forces with two of our Hinduism Today correspondents, Archana Dongre of Los An- geles and Lavina Melwani of New York. Their comments provide the “voices” of experience throughout the text. We include excerpts from the resulting article s. rajam here as a sidebar to this Educational Insight on the two paths of Hindu dharma. A scene from olden days in India, a priest and blessings. They present to him a difficulty 38 hinduism today january/february/march, 2 0 0 6 his wife sit before a sannyasin to receive his they face and he gives advice from tradition. january/february/march, 2 0 0 6 hinduism today 39 numbering today three million, whose existence has never modes of expression. ous or low-minded to enter into the field of his experience. yet present. He is enlightened, yet ordinary. He speaks wisely of ceased, an assembly of men inwardly linked in their mutual Brahmacharya for the monastic means complete sexual ab- At times, the renunciate’s sadhana is austere, as he burns layer the Vedic scriptures and ancient shastras and lives them in his own dedication to God, though not necessarily outwardly associated.” stinence and is, of course, an understood requirement to main- after layer of dross through severe tapas. He wears the saffron example. Yet, he consciously remains inconspicuous, transparent. There are three primary currents in the human nerve system. tain this position in life. Transmutation of the sexual energies robe, studies the ancient ways and scriptures. He chants the sa- He is a man on the path of enlightenment who has arrived at a The aggressive-intellectual current is masculine, mental in na- is an essential discipline for the monastic. Transmutation is not cred mantras. He reflects constantly on the Absolute. He lives from certain subsuperconscious [intuitive] state and wishes to stay there. ture and psychically seen as blue in color. This current is termed a repression or inhibition of natural instincts, but a conscious moment to moment, day to day. He is always available, present, Therefore, he automatically has released various interactions with in Sanskrit pingala. The passive-physical current is feminine, transformation of these energies into life-giving forces that lend open. He has neither likes nor dislikes, but clear perceptions. the world, physically and emotionally, and remains poised in a con- material in nature. This current, which is pink or red, is known vigor and strength to the body and provide the impetus that pro- Having stepped out of his ego shell, the sannyasin is a free soul. templative, monastic lifestyle. The basic thought behind the philos- as ida. The third current is spiritual in nature and flows directly pels awareness to the depths of contemplation. This process of Nothing binds him. Nothing claims him. Nothing involves him. ophy of being a sannyasin is to put oneself in a hot-house condition through the spine and into the head. Being yellowish-white, the transmutation begins with the sexual instincts but encompasses Without exclusive territory, without limiting relationships, he is of self-imposed discipline, where unfoldment of the spirit can be sushumna, as it is called, is the channel for pure spiritual ener- transmutation of all instinctive forces, including fear, anger, cov- free to be himself totally. If he has problems within himself, he catalyzed at a greater intensity than in family life, where the exte- gies that flood into the body through the spine and out into the etousness, jealousy, envy, pride, etc. True purity is possible only keeps them silently within and works them out there. If he speaks, rior concerns and overt responsibilities of the world predominate. 6,000 miles of nerve currents. Depending on the nature and when these base instincts have been conquered. it is only to say what is true, kind, helpful or necessary. He never The sannyasin is the homeless one who remains detached from dharma, each individual’s energy expresses itself as predomi- The renunciate fosters the inner attitude, strictly maintained, argues, debates, complains. His words and his life always affirm, all forms of involvement—friends, family, personal ambition—find- nantly physical or intellectual—passive or aggressive—or spiri- that all young women are his sisters and all older women his never negate. He finds points of agreement, forsaking contention ing security in his own being rather than attaching himself to tual. However, in the sannyasin the two forces are so precisely mother. He does not view movies that depict the base instincts and difference. No man is his enemy. No man is his friend. All men outward manifestations of security, warmth and companionship. balanced that neither is dominant, and he therefore lives almost of man, nor look at books, magazines or websites of this nature. are his teachers. Some teach him what to do; others teach him what He is alone, but never lonely. He lives as though on the eve of his

The Two Paths… The Two totally in sushumna. The monastic, whether a monk or a nun, The principle with which he is working is to protect the mind’s not to do. He has no one to rely upon except God, Gods, guru and departure, often abiding no more than three nights in the same is in a sense neither male nor female, but a being capable of all natural purity, not allowing anything that is degrading, sensu- the power within his own spine. He is strong, yet gentle. He is aloof, place. He may be a pilgrim, a wandering sadhu. He may be a

Our center gallery alternately features Scenes of householders and renunciates engaged in worship, service, fellowship and life’s many joys rohini kumar thomas kelly seshu badrinath/pipal productions baby photos of jaffna rajas sivanathan yale univ. press/stephen p. huyler

Scenes from A mother applies a forehead mark for her daughter during puja; a beautifully adorned woman outshines the roses in a Singapore When family life possesses love and virtue, it has found garden; a youth carries kavadi during festival time at Nallur Temple in Sri Lanka; children in Nepal offer lamps during the Chaith both its essence and fruition. Tirukural, verse 5 Family Life festival; a Jaffna-born couple marry in London; a royal priest pours sandalwood paste over a crystal Sivalinga during puja

The Hindu View of Family Voices: My grandma never tired of reminding us that the the best food in the house, even to the extent that family members of devotees. Afterwards, there were joy rides in the temple complex, Hindu families all over the world are struggling—some failing, Hindu religion always glorified sacrifice. It was considered heroic may go hungry to ensure that the guest is well fed. Hinduism taught trinkets and holy pictures and a cold soda. For us, it was a spiritual most succeeding. Our experience is that those most rooted in to make sacrifice for the family members. Hindu epics likeRama - us the love of all living creatures. At lunch time, my mother would Disney World. their Hinduness cope better and are the better survivors. Hindu yana and Maha­bha­rata purport that even great beings like Lord say a silent prayer and set aside a portion to Voices: Where I grew up, mothers ruled households, sheltering one-sixth of the human race, are being Rama and noble kings like the Pandavas had to endure trying be fed to the cows. If a hungry man came to the house, even though they did not go out in threatened. What if the concept of family itself were dying? circumstances and make sacrifices. “So what’s wrong if ordinary the door at mealtime, he was fed and given a the olden days to earn. Sisters were respect- What if the very institution, the caul­dron of our cultural and folks had to make some sacrifices?” she would say. Parents often few coins. ed and given gifts on at least two religious spiritual consciousness, were struck by some fatal disease and make great sacrifices to give a good education to their children. Voices: Growing up a Hindu in India, I occasions. The rituals like Raksha Ban­dhan perished? Who could measure such a tragedy? Who could weep Many Hindu parents have gone hungry to afford quality educa- found that pleasure and pilgrimage, religious and Bhau Bij are woven around pure love sufficient tears? Yet, that is precisely the path which we are tion for their children. The children in turn curtail their free­dom rituals and daily life were intricately inter- between a brother and a sister and bonding semi-consciously following, a path leading to the demise of the and luxury when parents grow old and infirm and need support twined. Religion was always associated with of that relationship. In the former, the sis- traditional Hindu family, the source of our strength, the patron from the younger generation. A Hindu never pities a sacrifice, joy and pleasure, never moralistic teaching. ter ties a specially made bracelet­ around her of our spirituality, the sole guarantor of our future. but glorifies it with appreciation. Grandma made a big point to Every weekend we were taken to the beautiful brother’s wrist, requesting him to protect her Is it our fault that the family is disintegrating? Perhaps. Does us about hospitality. She took it as a spiritual duty to serve guests sandstone Birla Mandir—cold marble below if need be, and in the latter, the sister does it portend uncertainty? Be certain that it does. Is it inevita- as if they were God. This helped a lot in tying her community bare feet, the softness of the marigolds and arati (a worshipful ex­pression of love and ble? Probably not. A final eulogy for the Hindu family may be together and gave the family a loving way to greet the outside rose petals in our hands, the smiling faces of devotion through a tiny lighted ghee lamp)

premature. With that in mind, let us embark on an explora- world. If a guest comes to a family, even unannounced, he is in- Krishna, Siva and Vishnu, the harmonium a. manivel to her brother, wishing him long life and

Voices on Family Life… Voices tion of some of the Hindu family’s truly remarkable strengths. vited in warmly and asked about his well being. He is also served and cymbals and the sheer faith of hundreds A family study teachings of their lineage prosperity. The brother gives her gifts and

40 hinduism today january/february/march, 2 0 0 6 january/february/march, 2 0 0 6 hinduism today 41 monastic contemplative living in a cloistered monastery or semi- planet. It is the monks living up to their vows who sustain the to how his soul is to live through the birth karmas of this incarnation. or even years of choosing a spouse, a process that calls forth the cloistered ashrama. vibration of law and order in the communities and nations of Both paths take courage, great courage, to step forward and embrace wisdom of the two families, community elders, religious leaders In preparation for sannyasa, the aspirant leaves behind family, the world. This is how the devonic [angelic] world sees each the responsibilities of adult life. and those who are trained to judge astrological compatibilities. former friends and old acquaintances and steps out into a new monastic community worldwide. This is how it is and should In making this decision in our tradition we have found it valu- Renunciate life in our Natha tradition and many others becomes pattern of subsuperconscious living. He strives to be all spine- always be. This is how humanity balances out its experiential able for the young man to spend time in a Hindu monastery where a lifetime commitment only when final, lifetime vows of renun- power, all light. When we see him trying, although he may not karmas and avoids destroying itself as it passes through the he can live the monk’s life for a period of six months or more and ciation of the world are voiced. In some lineages, no formal vows be too successful at it if he is going through some inner turmoil darkness of the Kali Yuga. The monastic communities that sur- receive spiritual and religious training that will enhance his char- are even taken, but there are traditionally understood norms of or challenge, we know he is striving, and that is an inspiration round the planet, fulfilling their dharma, compensate for the acter for a positive future, no matter which path he chooses. Only conduct, proprieties and protocol to be adhered to. to us. His very existence is his mission in life. He has dedi- adharma that is so prevalent, thus ensuring that humanity does by living for a time as a monk will he come to truly understand the We might say that one does not choose renunciation, but rather cated himself to live a life of total commitment to the path of not self-destruct in these trying times. We must, for the sake of monastic path and be empowered to make a knowledgeable choice is chosen by it, when the soul is matured to the point when the yoga, and by doing so he sustains the spiritual vibration for the clarity, state here that monastic communities are either strictly between that path and the traditional dharma of the householder, world no longer holds a binding fascination. While considerations householders. It is the renunciate who keeps the Vedic religions male or strictly female. Coed mixed-group ashramas are not raising a family and serving the community. One of the best times of the order that one will join are practical realities, it is vital that alive on the Earth. He keeps the philosophy vibrant and lucid, monastic communities, but classed traditionally as communes. for this sojourn apart from the world, setting aside life’s usual con- the young man choosing renunciate life does so not seeking place presenting it dynamically to the householders. cerns, is just after high school or during an interim break. Then, or position in a particular order, but sets out as a free spirit, un- Monks of every Hindu order are guided and guarded by un- Path-Choosing after the time in the monastery, a firm and positive consideration encumbered, under the guidance of his satguru, willing to serve seen beings who look after their lives as if they were their own. The two paths—householder and renunciate—every young man should be made, in consultation with family and elders, as to which everywhere and anywhere he is sent, be it in his guru’s central Families are blessed who share in and support the renunciation has to choose between them. In Hindu tradition the choice is of the two paths he wishes to pursue. ash­rama, a distant center, a monastery of another guru or alone of their sons born through them to perform a greater dharma made before the marriage ceremony, and, if not, during the cer- Path-choosing is a beginning, pointing a direction, declaring an on an independent sadhana. The clear path is to define the path than the grihastha life could ever offer. It is the monastic com- emony itself. Though guided by the advice of parents, elder family intention. Marriage becomes a lifetime commitment only when itself. Then, proceed with confidence.

The Two Paths… The Two munities worldwide, of all religions, that sustain sanity on this members and religious leaders, the choice is his and his alone as the final marriage vows are spoken. This is preceded by months Know it with a certainty beyond question that the path of renun-

thomas kelly courtesy baps thomaas kelly thomaas kelly thomas kelly “The virtuous householder supportsthomas kelly the needs of amit kumar renunciates, ancestors and the poor.” Tirukural 41 Attempting to speak of the renunciate’s magnitude is like number- Scenes from An ash-covered sadhu in prayer; Pramukh Swami, head of BAPS, initiating a new sadhu in Bhuj; Swami Tejomayananda with ing all the human multitudes who have ever died. Tirukural verse 22 devotees; sadhus sit for a simple meal served on banana leaves; a score of men during initiatory rites in Ujjain to enter the Avahan Renunciate Life Akhara; two Vaishnava yogis perform fire tapas, encircled by burning coals; a holy woman ofJ una Akhara at the Ujjain Kumbha Mela

sweets on both occasions. The Hindu religious mother. In this community it is considered a Voices: When a married daughter visits her parents’ family, Voices: Looking back to my early years, it was the scriptures principles emphasize that women should be re- very great blessing—especially if one has the she is revered like a guest but showered with love like a daughter, that tied our family together. I would hear father and grandfather spected. A Sanskrit saying goes, “Yatra naryastu privilege of being part of a fine, noble family— with blessings and all the nice clothes as well as food the family chanting the Vedic mantras together in the early hours of each day. puj­yante, ­ramante tatra devatah.” It means that for a departed relative to be born again into its can give. I had such a wonderful homecoming in India after I had Everyone I know held the highest esteem for the Vedas, the very wherever the women are honored, those are the midst. There is a profound intuition that when lived for many years in the West. Such a homecoming of a few voice of God, elders would say. I knew they were old, and everyone places where even the Gods rejoice. relatives pass they will return, perhaps soon days is an emotionally gratifying, soul-satisfying event for the girl, said they were profound. But it was not until I was in my teens How is the Hindu concept of family expe- and perhaps in the very same home. So, every- who carries those fond memories for life. that I really discovered the Upan­ishads. Such beauty, such profun- rienced differently from that of other faiths? one watches for the telltale signs. How wonder- Hinduism teaches a constellation of principles which, if followed dity, such humor and insight I had never before or since known. Only in the faiths of India does one encounter ful, the family feels, to care for grandma as she by husband and wife, make the bold assertion that preserving the I would spend hours with the texts, talking with my parents and the tenet that we all experience a multitude of once cared for us! marriage and the integrity of the family holds rewards that far out- friends, wondering myself how these men, so many thousands of families in our journey toward God. In birth Thus, the spiritual insight into rebirth extends weigh benefits they might expect from separation. We work with years ago, had gained all that wisdom—more, it seemed to me then, after birth we evolve, our tradition assures. In the family concept beyond the present, bind- families on a daily basis, solving their problems, helping them to than people had today. Through the years I have seen so many fami- family after family we grow and mature and ing the present to the past, and promising fur- individually follow their path and to mutually work together. Hin- lies whose lives revolve around the sacred texts. While all honor the learn. Thus, in the Hindu family we find that ther continuity with the future. Many Hindu duism teaches them the ideals of dharma, which includes duty, self- Vedas, for some the heart is moved by the Gita, the epics, the Tiru- the past and the future are intricately bound families are aware of such relationships. Many lessness, virtue and faith. When dharma is the shared ideal of every murai or maybe their own family guru’s writings composed only de-

together. How intricately? We know a Sri a. manivel others will consciously seek to be born into a family member—as opposed to self-fulfillment or social-economic cades ago. Whatever texts they are, it’s quite clear in my experience Lankan family who is certain that their daugh- At death, a soul leaving her particular family, knowing that life there will objectives—it is easier to navigate troubled waters, easier to persist that sacred texts do much to bind a family together in thought.

Voices… ter, now nine, is the father’s deceased grand- body received by angelic beings be fulfilling, secure and high-minded. in seasons of loss or lack, in times of emotional or mental difficulty. Then there is faith in karma. The Hindu family believes, in its

42 hinduism today january/february/march, 2 0 0 6 january/february/march, 2 0 0 6 hinduism today 43 ciation is life’s most grand and glorious path, and the singular Hail, O sannyasin, love’s embodiment! Conquer with love all those that censure thee. The successful Hindu householder family is stable, an asset to path for those seeking life’s ultimate goal, Realization of God as Does any power exist apart from love? Thou art eternal! Have no doubt of this! the larger community in which it lives, an example of joyous, con- timeless, formless, spaceless Absolute Reality, that mystic trea- Diffuse thyself throughout the happy world. What is not thou is fancy’s artifice. tented relationships. Members of the family are more interested in sure reserved for the renunciate. Know, too, that renunciation is Let painful maya cease and ne’er return! Formless thou art! serving than being served. They accept responsibility for one an- not merely an attitude, a mental posture which can be equally Day and night give praise unto the Lord. Then live from all thought free! other. They are pliable, flexible, able to flow freely like water. They assumed by the householder and the renunciate. Our scriptures Pour forth a stream of songs to melt the very stones. worship and meditate daily without fail and strictly observe their proclaim that a false concept. My order supports the scriptural Attain the sight where night is not nor day. The Ideals of Family Life individual sadhanas. Their insight is respected and their advice doctrine that the two paths—householder and renunciate—are See Siva everywhere, and rest in bliss. If both husband and wife are on the spiritual path, the householder sought. Yet, they do not bring the world into the home, but guard distinct in their dharmas and attainments, affirming that true Live without interest in worldly gain. family will progress beautifully and deeply. Their love for one an- and protect the home vibration as the spiritual center of their renunciation may not be achieved by those in the world even Here, as thou hast ever been, remain. other and their offspring maintains family harmony. However, the life. Their commitments are always first to the family, then to the by virtue of a genuine attitude of detachment. The householder Then never will cruel sorrow venture nigh. nature of their sadhana and unfoldment of the spirit is different community. Their home remains sacrosanct, apart from the world, may attain great and profound spiritual depths during his life, from that of the sannyasin. The family unit itself is a magnetic-force a place of reflection, growing and peace. They intuitively know unfolding the mysteries of existence in his or her states of con- Best of sannyasins, of one-pointed mind! structure, a material structure, for they are involved in the objects the complex workings of the world, the forces and motivations of templation and, according to our ancient mystics, perhaps ex- Morning and evening worship without fail and relationships of the world. It is the family’s effort to be “in the people, and often guide others to perceptive action. Yet, they do periencing total God Realization at the hour of death, though The holy feet of the Almighty Lord, world but not of it” that gives the impetus for insight and the awak- not display exclusive spiritual knowledge or put themselves above this attainment is reserved for the ardent, sincere and devout Who here and hereafter preserves and safeguards thee. ening of the soul. The struggle to maintain the responsibilities of the their fellow man. grihastha. Many years ago, my satguru, Yogaswami of Jaffna, Sri Cast aside the fetters of thy sins! home and children while simultaneously observing the contempla- Problems for them are merely challenges, opportunities for

The Two Paths… The Two Lanka, wrote the following poem to honor those valiant souls on By steadfast concentration of thy mind tive way, in itself, provides strength and balance, and slowly matures growth. Forgetting themselves in their service to the family and the path of renunciation. Awareness of a separate self thou must extirpate. innate wisdom through the years. their fellow man, they become the pure channel for love and light. thomas kelly thomas kelly deshakalyan chowdhury thomas kelly phal girota/pqrs thomas kelly thomas kelly

Scenes from Father and daughter arrive at a temple in Sri Lanka; women pray at a shrine in Ujjain; ladies throw colored powder The virtuous householder supports the needs of during the jubilant Holi festival; shopping at a roadside market in Jaffna, Sri Lanka; a mom and dad reading to renunciates, ancestors and the poor. Tirukural, verse 41 Family Life their son; taking a stroll in sunny Tirupati; a young couple wait in queue for darshan of Sri Venkateshwara

heart, that even life’s difficulties are part of God’s purpose and ing this in her heart, a Hindu wife in Kuala Lumpur can find her husband’s picture is always there in the ritual ceremonies. His In the strict Hindu family, there is a clear and well-under­stood the fruition of each member’s past karmas. To go through things solace in the midst of the death of a child. Knowing this in his presence is there in the family. She seems to know that the soul can- hierarchy, based fundamentally on age. Younger members are together is natural, expected, accepted. Breaking up, divorcing, heart, a Hindu father in Bangalore can sustain periods of priva- not die, that his spirit lives on. Every year on his death anniversary, taught to respect and follow the directions from their elders, and separating—such reactions to stress don’t resolve karmas that tion and business failure. Each finds the strength to go on. we all gather for the ritual ceremonies. Everybody feels the grief, to cherish and protect those younger than themselves. Even dif- were brought into this life to go through. Voices: There is a beautiful word in the and each religion teaches you to cope in a different way. Her belief ferences of a few months are respected. Many problems that could In fact, they make things worse, create Hindi language, shukur, which means accep- in the undying soul gives her a little solace. She constantly has the arise in less-structured families—and do, as proven in the modern new, unseemly karmas and thus further tance. Sometimes it’s very hard to accept the prayers and the satsangas at home, and they help her in the chang- nuclear family—simply never come up. There is less vying for need for perhaps even more sorrowful cards life deals one, yet the Hindu belief in the ing patterns of her life. attention, less ego conflict, less confusion about everyone’s role and births. The belief in karma—the law by acceptance of God’s will makes it possible to There are many other ideals that help a family survive in Hindu- place. With the lines of seniority known to all, regulations, chang- which our thoughts, words and deeds reap bear incredible hardships. A young friend of ism. An important one is that father and mother are the children’s es and cooperative exchanges flow freely among family members. their natural reactions—helps hold a family my husband went into a coma after going in for first guru, first teacher of things of the spirit. This brings a deep Voices: In the family life, thousands of years ago, a Hindu was together, not unlike the crew of a storm- preventive surgery. They gave him too much honoring to the parent-child relationship. Such a tie transcends told, “Matridevo bhava, pitridevo bhava, acharya devo bhava.” This tossed ship would never think of jumping chloroform, and he never came out of the coma. the physical, emotional, intellectual relationship that is the sum of Sanskrit dictum means, “Be the one who respects his mother as God, overboard when the going gets rough, but He was a young man, his children were young. some family bonds. It brings an air of sacredness into the interac- his father as God and his guru or teacher as God.” Such an ulti- work together to weather the crisis, with In the beginning, his wife was frantic, weeping tions, a deeper reverencing which powerfully connects a daughter mate reverence for the elders creates a profound, serene feeling and their shared goal lying beyond the immedi- all the time. Yet, her beliefs were solid as a rock or son to his mother and father. One sees this expressed so beauti- certainly prepares the mind to receive the good and loving advice

ate difficulty. a. manivel within her, gradually calming her. It’s now five fully in the traditional family when young ones gently and lov­ingly from them in the proper spirit. Bowing down before the elders in Thus, difficult experiences can be serene- A Saivite father shares the teach- years later, and she’s picked up the pieces of touch the feet of their parents. They are worshiping the Divine in respectful salutation and touching their feet is an exclusively Hindu

Voices on Family Life… Voices ly endured by the practicing Hindu. Know- ings with his wife and children her life. Yet she never forgets to have her pujas; their parents and thus being prepared to see God in everyone. custom. When such a deep respect is accorded to family members,

44 hinduism today january/february/march, 2 0 0 6 january/february/march, 2 0 0 6 hinduism today 45 Intuition unfolds naturally. What is unspoken is more tangible Children born to such harmonious people come through from the to stay on the spiritual path, to get back on the spiritual path, to always flowing. This means that he must accept the responsibility than what is said. Their timing is good, and abundance comes. deeper chakras and tend to be highly evolved and well balanced. keep the children on the spiritual path, to bring them back to the for the conditions in the home and for the spiritual training and They live simply, guided by real need and not novel desire. They Should the woman become aggressively intellectual and the spiritual path, too—as a family, father, mother, sons and daughters unfoldment of his wife and children. This is his purusha dharma. are creative, acquiring and using skills such as making their man become passively physical, then forces in the home are living together as humans were ordained to do without the intru- To not recognize and not follow it is to create much kukarma, bad own clothing, growing food, building their own house and fur- disturbed. The two bicker and argue. Consequently, the chil- sions of uncontrolled instinctive areas of the mind and emotions—it actions, bringing back hurtful results to him in this or another life. niture. The inner knowing awakened by their meditations is dren are upset, because they only reflect the vibration of the is imperative, it is a virtual command of the soul of each member of When the wife has problems in fulfilling her womanly duties,stri brought directly into the busy details of everyday life. They use parents and are guided by their example. Sometimes the par- the family, that these two forces, the ida and pingala, become and dharma, it is often because the husband has not upheld his duty, the forces of procreation wisely to produce the next generation ents separate, going their own ways until the conflicting forces remain balanced, first through understanding and then through nor allowed her to fulfill hers. When he does not allow her to or and not as instinctive indulgence. They worship profoundly and quiet down. But when they come back together, if the wife still the actual accomplishment of this sadhana. fails to insist that she perform her stri dharma and give her the seek and find spiritual revelation in the midst of life. remains in the pingala channel, and the husband in the ida One thing to remember: the family man is the guru of his house- space and time to do so, she creates kukarmas which are equally channel, they will generate the same inharmonious conditions. hold. If he wants to find out how to be a good guru, he just has shared by him. This is because the purusha karmic duty and obli- Maintaining a Balance of Forces It is always a question of who is the head of the house, he or to observe his own satguru, that is all he has to do. He will learn gation of running a proper home naturally falls upon him, as well Within each family, the man is predominantly in the pingala force. she? The head is always the one who holds the pranas within through observation. Often this is best accomplished by living in as upon her. So, there are great penalties to be paid by the man, The woman is predominantly in the ida force. When the energies the pingala. Two pingala spouses in one house, husband and the guru’s ashrama periodically to perform sadhana and service. husband and father for failure to uphold his purusha dharma. are the other way around, disharmony is the result. When they wife, spells conflict. Being head of his home does not mean he is a dominant authority Of course, when the children “go wrong” and are corrected by live together in harmony and have awakened enough innate knowl- The balancing of the ida and pingala into sushumna is, in figure, arrogantly commanding unconditional obedience, such as the society at large, both husband and wife suffer and equally edge of the relation of their forces to balance them, then both fact, the pre-ordained spiritual sadhana, a built-in sadhana, or Bollywood and Hollywood portray. No. He must assume full re- share in the kukarmas created by their offspring. In summary, the

The Two Paths… The Two are in the sushumna force and can soar into the Divinity within. birth sadhana, of all family persons. To be on the spiritual path, sponsibility for his family and guide subtly and wisely, with love husband took the wife into his home and is therefore responsible thomaspradip gupta/dinodia hinduism today dev raj agarwal courtesy baps ramakrishna mission thomas kelly

Scenes from Sadhvis meditating in Hardwar ; Swami Arunagirinatha, head of Madurai Aadheenam; a yogi in bliss; Swami Chidananda The Scriptures exalt above every other good the Sarasvati, head of Divine Life Society, giving darshan; sadhus of Swaminarayanan Fellowship (BAPS) with their guru; Swa- greatness of virtuous renunciates. Tirukural, verse 21 Monastic Life mi Gautamananda, head of Chennai’s RK Mission; Swami Achalanand Ji Maharaj of Jodhpur offers words of wisdom

no wonder the family bonds are strong and they remain unified. outward. Such pujas and rituals give an individual a chance to every member of a Hindu family have the same guru, it often around fifty, every member enters the vanaprastha ashrama, a Daily worship in the home is a unique Hindu contribution pause, look inward and concentrate on something more mean- happens that way. This gives all members a shared spiritual point stage of advisor and elder. By formalizing this stage, the Hindu to family sharing. Of course, faith is a shared experience in all ingful, more profound, than mere materialism and the daily of reference, a voice whose wisdom will be sought in times of family gives a place of prominence and usefulness to its senior religious households. But the Hindu takes it a step further, sanc- drudgery of life. Worships and rejoicings in the name of God, decision, difference or unclarity, a voice that will also be listened citizens. They do not just retire, and they certainly are not sent off tifying the home itself with a beautiful fasting and observances of special days enable to, its advice followed. That means that there is a kind of outside to a retirement home. Rather, their advice is sought, their years of shrine room—a kind of miniature temple people to look beyond the day-to-day life to a counselor, a mediator to work out deadlocks, a referee to arbitrate experience drawn upon. Thus, Hinduism gives a place to those who right in the house. The father or oldest larger scheme of things. In the best homes I and settle disputes. Thus, the family need never be stuck in some have served the family in their youth but, with age, can no longer son is the family’s liturgist, leading others know, the father performs the rites daily, and irresolvable impasse. The kulaguru’s counsel can be trusted to serve in that same way. They have a new place. Far from being in daily ritual. Others care for the sacred the family joins and assists. I guess it’s like transcend the personalities involved, to be impersonal and just. a lesser function, it is a place of greater honor. This is one of the implements, gather fresh flowers for the the old adage, “The family that prays together And that simple practice can bring a family through many a quan- greatest gifts that the traditional Hindu family offers, thus averting morning rites and decorate for holy days stays together.” Even in the busy rat race of dary. one of the greatest tragedies: depriving elders of due recognition. or festivals. In Hindu culture, family and life in cosmopolitan cities like Mumbai or Los Hindu heritage gives a strong definition to the growth and Voices: My mother-in-law, right up till she died in her seventies, spirituality are intimately intertwined. Angeles, there are many Hindus who perform maturing of family members, through the application of the ash- was the head of the household. She could do anything with my chil- Voices: Every Hindu family in our vil- at least a mini puja daily. They claim that even ramas. Every member in a family is expected to spend the first dren, and I wouldn’t have the guts to tell her no. She would put kohl, lage had a home shrine where the family the small ritual of a few minutes a day makes twenty-four years or so in the brahmacharya, or student, stage. It’s mascara, adorning their eyes and oil in their hair, and their eyes members worship their Gods. Even the them concentrate, feel elevated spiritually, a time of learning, studying, serving and growing up. Then comes would be black and their hair greasy, but I wouldn’t say anything poorest set aside a place for this. Rituals brings their minds on an even keel, enabling the stage of the grihastha, or householder, and with it marriage, to her. She would bribe the kids with candy, and they loved her for

are periodic celebrations which are reli- a. manivel them to perform better in their line of work. children and social responsibilities. These stages are informally it. It’s a loving relationship, because you do something for someone gious and spiritual in character, and they The preceptor is approached for Another family tradition is the kulaguru, or defined in nearly every culture, but in Hinduism the definitions and they do something for you. The blessings do come on you be-

Voices on Family Life… Voices address the inward feelings rather than blessings, and guidance family preceptor. Though it is not required that are elaborately detailed beyond raising the family. Sometime cause she felt very wanted and happy. She taught me the sanctity

46 hinduism today january/february/march, 2 0 0 6 january/february/march, 2 0 0 6 hinduism today 47 for her well-being. Together they bring the children into their he or she cries or comes home from school, everything is fine. and realizes that he, as a man, flows through a different area of “potluck” off the lower astral plane, or Pretaloka. home and are responsible for them, spiritually, socially, cultur- The child is raised perfectly. This occurs if the wife stays in the the mind than does his wife in fulfilling their respective, but very A man goes through his intellectual cycles in facing the prob- ally, economically, as well as for their education. home, stabilizing the domestic force field, where she is needed different, birth karmas, then everything remains harmonious. He lems of the external world. A woman has to be strong enough, What does it mean to be the spiritual head of the house? He is most, allowing the husband to be the breadwinner and stabilizer thinks; she feels. He reasons and intellectualizes, while she reasons understanding enough, to allow him to go through those cycles. responsible for stabilizing the pranic forces, both positive, nega- of the external force field, which is his natural domain. and emotionalizes. He is in his realm. She is in her realm. He is not A woman goes through emotional cycles and feeling cycles as she tive and mixed. When the magnetic, materialistic forces become The Hindu woman is trained to perform her stri dharma from trying to make her adjust to the same area of the mind that he is lives within the home, raises the family and takes care of her hus- too strong in the home, or out of proper balance with the others, the time she is a little girl. She finds ways to express her natu- flowing through. And, of course, if she is in her realm, she will not band. He has to be confident enough to understand and allow her he has to work within himself in early morning sadhana and ral creativity within the home itself. She may write poetry or expect him to flow through her area of the mind, because women to go through those cycles. deep meditation to bring through the spiritual forces of happi- become an artist. Perhaps she has a special talent for sewing just do not do this. Rather than arguing or talking about their cycles, the man who ness, contentment, love and trust. By going deep within himself, or embroidery or gardening or music. She can learn to loom Usually it is the man who does not want to, or understand how to, is spiritual head of his house meditates to stabilize the forces with- into his soul nature, he uplifts the spiritual awareness of the cloth and make the family’s clothing. If needed, she can use become the spiritual head of his house. Often he wants the woman in himself. He withdraws the physical energies from the pingala entire family into one of the higher chakras. her skills to supplement the family income without leaving the to flow through his area of the mind, to be something of a brother and the ida currents into sushumna in his spine and head. He The family woman has to be a good mother. To achieve this, home. There are so many ways for a Hindu wife and mother to and pal or partner to him. Therefore, he experiences everything breathes regularly, sitting motionless until the forces adjust to his she has to learn to flow her awareness with the awareness of the fully use her creative energies, including being creative enough that goes along with brothers and pals and partners: arguments, inner command. When he comes out of his meditation, if it really children. She has been through the same series of experiences to never let her life become boring. It is her special blessing that fights, scraps and good times. In an equal relationship of this kind, was a meditation, she sees him as a different being, and a new the children are going through. She intuits what to do next. As she is free to pursue her religion fully, to study the scriptures, to the forces of the home are not building or becoming strong, for atmosphere and relationship are created in the home immediately. a mother, she fails only if she neglects the children, takes her sing bhajana and keep her own spiritual life strong inside. such a home is not a sanctified place in which they can bring inner- The children grow up as young disciples of the mother and the

The Two Paths… The Two awareness completely away, leaving the children to flounder. If each understands—or at least the family man understands, plane beings into reincarnation from the higher celestial realms. father. As they mature, they learn of inner things. It is the duty But if she stays close, attends to each child’s needs, is there when for it is his home—how the forces have to be worked within it, If they do have children under these conditions, they simply take of the mother and the father to give to the child at a very early dinodia thomas kelly thomas kelly dinodia thomas kelly reuters/jayanta shaw kumar bhoobun

Scenes from A tiny infant in loving arms; women at the market in Nepal; boys meditate at the Tirunavakarasu Ashram/Gurukulam in He who rightly pursues the householder’s life here on Earth will be Sri Lanka; a family perform havan, the Vedic fire ceremony; a young family, heads shaven as an act of penance, enjoy rice rightfully placed among the Gods there in Heaven. Tirukrual, verse 10 Family Life and curry prasadam at Tirupati Temple; a devotee sings devotional hymns; renowned dancer Paolomi Ashwinkumar

of the family unit and respect for elders. family is unique in many ways. It is significant that Hindus, number- There is a more cosmic definition taught by India’s Venerable Renunciate Tradition ing over one billion today, constitute every grand­ma and village elder, that in truth sixteen percent of the human race. One all of us on Earth are the creation of the One enunciation and asceticism have been integral components vat (“knowing; wise”) sannyasa is the spontaneous withdrawal out of every six people on the planet is Great God; thus, in the broadest sense, we of Hindu culture and religion from the earliest days, the from the world in search for Self Realization which results from a Hindu. So, the ability of that large belong to a single family. Vasudhaiva kutumba­ Rmost highly honored facet of the Hindu Dharma. The ideal karma and tendencies developed in a previous life. Vividisha (“dis- community to preserve its strengths, to kam—“The whole world is one family.” That’s of the life-long celibate monastic, living within the social order and criminating”) sannyasa is renunciation to satisfy a yearning for the pass on its values and cultural treasures, not an innovative notion derived from New yet freed from worldly obligation that he might find and shed his Self developed through scriptural study and practice. Markata san- to protect its members and keep them Age insights or Gaia ecology. It’s been part of spiritual light, started before the Mohenjodaro and Harappa civiliza- nyasa is taking refuge in sannyasa as a result of great sorrow, dis- well and fulfilled is important. Impor- Indian folk culture for thousands of years. tions of five thousand years ago and traces its development in the appointment or misfortune in worldly pursuits. Atura (“suffering tant does not suffice. Crucial, really. On Voices: I was always taught that we as Hin- references in the Rig Veda, to the munis and the yatis, men who or sick”) sannyasa is entering into sannyasa upon one’s deathbed, the optimistic side, as much as eighty dus must have a magnanimous attitude, that our wore long hair and yellow robes, such men as Sanatkumara, Dat- realizing that there is no longer hope in life. percent of Hindus live in rural India, in Hindu religion visualizes the entire Earth as one tatreya and others, all naishtika brahmacharis [lifelong celibates]. Renunciation of the world found a high expression in the monas- the 700,000 small villages which remain family. But while looking at all human beings as Later in the Vedas the sannyasa ashrama, or last stage of the four- tic principles of Jainism and Buddhism, both religions founded by less affected by outside influences and one family, I also saw that elders deeply consid- fold division of life, became formalized, and many references are illustrious sons of India. Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, was thus retain the promise of carrying on ered the smaller family unit, the dynamism of its made to those who after age seventy-two relinquished all in search born and died a Hindu in the seventh century bce. He himself the traditional ways, including language, members’ relationships with one another, and of the Absolute. cherished, lived and promulgated the ascetic ideal within the com-

religion and custom. As all the foregoing a. manivel the pivotal role the institution of family plays in The ancient shastras recognize four justifiable motivations for pass of Hinduism, and his followers made a separate religion of his

Voices on Family Life… Voices amply indicates, the Hindu concept of A devotee sees God in everyone building the society. entering into sannyasa: vidvat, vividisha, markata and atura. Vid- teachings after his death. It is only in Hinduism and the Hindu-

48 hinduism today january/february/march, 2 0 0 6 january/february/march, 2 0 0 6 hinduism today 49 age his first religious training and his education in attention, By both spouses’ respecting the differences between them into it. He will naturally find a refuge in the home if she is doing She knows that his intuition is going to direct his intellect. She concentration, observation and meditation. and understanding where each one is flowing in consciousness, her duty. He will be able to regain his peace of mind there, renew knows he will be decisive, fair, clear-minded in the external world. The parents must be fully knowledgeable of what their child there is a give and take in the family, a beautiful flow of the himself for the next day in the stressful situations that the outside She knows that when he is at home, he turns to inner and more is experiencing. During the first seven years, the child will go forces. The acharyas and swamis work with the family man world is full of. In this technological age a man needs this refuge. spiritual things. He controls his emotional nature and he does not through the chakra of memory. He will be learning, absorbing, and woman to bring them into inner states of being so that they He needs that inner balance in his life. When he comes home, she scold her if she has a hard time controlling her emotional nature, observing. The second seven years will be dedicated to the de- can bring through to the Earth a generation of great inner souls. greets him at the entrance and performs a rite of purification and because he realizes that she lives more in the ida force and goes velopment of reason, as the second chakra unfolds. If theirs is It is a well-ordered cycle. Each one plays a part in the cycle, welcome, offering arati to cleanse his aura. This and other customs through emotional cycles. In the same way, she does not scold him a boy child, he is going through the pingala. If a girl child, she and if it is done through wisdom and understanding, a family protect the sanctity of the home. When he enters that sanctuary if he is having a terrible time intellectually solving several busi- is going through the ida current and will go through emotional home is created that has the same vibration as the temple or a and she is in her soul body and the child is in its soul body, then ness problems, because she knows he is in the intellectual force, cycles. contemplative monastery. he becomes consciously conscious in his soul body, called anan- and that is what happens in that realm of the mind. She devotes Religion begins in the home under the mother’s influence and A contemplative home where the family can meditate has to damaya kosha in Sanskrit. He leaves the conscious mind, which is her thought and energies to making the home comfortable and instruction. The mother goes to the temple to get strong. That is have that uplifting, temple-like vibration. In just approaching it, a limited, external state of mind and not a balanced state of mind. pleasant for him and for the children. He devotes his thought and the reason Hindus live near a temple. They go to the temple to the sushumna current of the man should withdraw awareness He enters the intuitive mind. He gets immediate and intuitive energies to providing sustenance and security for that home. draw strength from the shakti of the Deity, and they return to from the pingala current deep within. That is what the man can answers to his worldly problems. The man seeks understanding through observation. The woman the home where they maintain a similar vibration in which to do when he is the spiritual head of the home. A woman depends on a man for physical and emotional security. seeks harmony through devotion. He must observe what is going raise the next generation to be staunch and wonderfully produc- From the point of view of the Second World, or astral plane, She depends on herself for her inner security. He is the guide on within the home, not talk too much about it, other than to make tive citizens of the world, to bring peace on Earth, to keep peace the home is the family temple, and the wife and mother is in and the example. A man creates this security by setting a posi- small suggestions, with much praise and virtually no criticism. He

The Two Paths… The Two on Earth. There is an ancient South Indian proverb which says charge of that spiritual environment. The husband can come tive spiritual example. When she sees him in meditation, and sees must remember that his wife is making a home for him, and he one should not live in a city which has no temple. into that sanctum sanctorum but should not bring the world light around his head and light within his spine, she feels secure. should appreciate the vibration she creates. If he is doing well in his pradip gupta/dinodia rajesh jantilal hinduism today thomas kelly yoga in daily life, slovakia thomas kelly thomas kelly

Sadhus march with dandas at the Kumbha Mela; Swamis in South Africa conclave with lay leaders; Satguru Sivaya Domestic life is rightly called virtue. The monastic path, rightly Meetings Subramuniyaswami chats with a young seeker; Swami Avdheshananda Ji Giri speaks on Hinduism; the mayor of Bratislava, lived beyond blame, is likewise good. Tirukural, verse 9 of the Ways Slovakia, cuts the ribbon with Swami Maheshwarananda to his new yoga center; sadhus in procession; saints give blessings

inspired religions of Jainism and Buddhism that asceticism is a ized in its present form by Adi Shankaracharya around twelve Aranya, Ashrama and Sagara. Thus, the associated with the dasanami orders, a vibrant and valued mode of life, a part of the natural dharma. hundred years ago. akharas overlap with the Dasanami system. series of ancient monastery-temple com- Though the homeless sadhu and the wandering mendicant ex- Today the total number of monks in India and the world is The akharas’ dates of founding range from plexes in Tamil Nadu. isted before, it was Gautama Buddha who around six hundred not known for sure. Estimates range from one million to as high the sixth to the fourteenth century, though A large number of sadhvis, women years bce, organized what had been an individual sadhana into as five million, as there is naturally no official census or way large monastic orders have existed through- monks, perhaps as many as 100,000, a monastic order, which he termed the sanga. In the early 9th of counting those who live this reclusive life. One of the larg- out India’s long history. Several akharas run are a part of the akhara system, though century, Adi Shankaracharya, the great exemplar of the ide- est of Hindu orders is the sadhu order known as Juna Akhara, hundreds of ashramas, schools and service they live separately from the men, and als of sannyasa who revitalized and restored the ancient ways which has 150,000 sadhus. Sadhu means “virtuous one,” and is institutions. even during the massive Kumbha Mela during his short life of thirty-two years, organized the Hindu a holy man dedicated to the search for God. There are thirteen The majority of sadhus live in various festivals they have separate camps. monastics of his day. In his travels throughout India, he assessed such sadhu akharas. The Juna Akhara and Niranjani Akhara akhara camps scattered all over India. There are also sannyasin orders, such the existing traditions and finally validated ten orders of ascet- are the most prominent. Others include the Agan, Alakhiya, Holy cities, including Rishikesh, Haridwar, as the Nathas, that exist outside the ics, at the same time establishing four religious centers or pithas Abhana, Anand, Mahanirvani and Atal. Most of these orders Nashik, Prayag, Varanasi, Vrindavan and Dasanami and akhara systems. in the North, East, South and West of India, known respectively are considered Saivite; three are Vaishnavite (formed begin- Ujjain have permanent akhara camps. Many Additionally, several large cenobitic as Jyotih, Govardhana, Sringeri and Sharada. Each Dasanami ning in 1299 by Saint Ramananda Ji) and a few are Sikh orders sadhus move constantly from one camp to orders have branches outside India, order is loosely associated with one of the four centers. A fifth patterned after the Hindu monastic system. Akhara is a Hindi another. Those swamis and sadhus who are such as the Ramakrishna Mission, with prominent pitha, associated with Sringeri Matha, is in Kanchi- term meaning “wrestling arena.” It can mean either a place of not a part of an akhara live in independent 1,000 sannyasins; Swaminarayan Gadi, puram, also in the South. Thus, the ancient order of sannyasa verbal debate or one of physical combat. Sadhus of the various mathas and ashramas situated all over the with 1,500 sadhus; BAPS Swaminarayan extends back to time immemorial, structurally influenced by akharas may also hold allegiance to one of the ten Dasanami country, or wander as mendicants. There is Sanstha, with 700 sadhus and brah- a. manivel Renunciate Tradition Gautama Buddha about twenty-five centuries ago and revital- orders: Saraswati, Puri, Bana, Tirtha, Giri, Parvati, Bharati, also the important aadheenam tradition, not macharis; and the Chinmaya Mission,

50 hinduism today january/february/march, 2 0 0 6 january/february/march, 2 0 0 6 hinduism today 51 inner life, is steady and strong, and she is devoted, she will flow How can he not be successful in his purusha dharma in the along in inner life happily also. She must strive to be one with outside world when he has the backing of a good wife? She is him, to back him up in his desires and his ambitions and what he naturally perceptive, naturally intuitive. She balances out his wants to accomplish in the outside world. This makes him feel intellect, softens the impact of the forces which dash against his strong and stand straight with head up. She can create a success- nervous system from morning to night. Encouragement and love ful man of her husband very easily by using her wonderful intui- naturally radiate out from her as she fulfills her stri dharma. tive powers. Together they make a contemplative life by building Without these balancing elements in his life, a man becomes the home into a temple-like vibration, so blissful, so uplifting. too externalized, too instinctive. In the home, the mother is likened to the Shakti Deity. She is It is the man’s duty, his purusha dharma, to provide for her the power, the very soul of the home. None other. So she has to and for the children. The husband should provide her with all be there. She has to be treated sensitively and kindly, and with the fine things, with a good house which she then makes into a respect. She has to be given all the things she needs and every- home, with adornments, gold and jewels and clothes, gold hang- thing she wants so she will release her shakti power to support ing down until her ears hurt, more bracelets, more things to keep her husband, so that he is successful in all his manly endeavors. her in the home so she is feeling secure and happy. In return When she is hurt, depressed, frustrated or disappointed, she au- she provides a refuge, a serene corner of the world where he tomatically withdraws that power, compromising his success in can escape from the pressures of daily life, where he can regain the outside world along with it. People will draw away from him. his inner perspective, perform his religious sadhana and medi-

The Two Paths… The Two His job, business or creative abilities will suffer. This is her great tations, then enjoy his family. Thus, she brings happiness and siddhi, her inborn power, which Hindu women know so well. peace of mind to her family, to the community and to the world. welling divine life society anandamayi ahsram archives hinduism today bharatiya vidya bhavan

Ramana Maharshi; Swami Chidananda Sarasvati; Anandamayi Mahatmas Ma; Trichy Mahaswamigal; Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati

with 100 swamis and swaminis. most part, growing, thriving, while monastic traditions in other The famed Kumbha Mela is fundamentally a gathering of the faiths are facing an erosion of numbers. This bodes well for the great monastic orders of India. At the high point of the Mela future of Hinduism, for the monastics are the spiritual guides festivals, hundreds of thousands of renunciate monks travel in and inspirers. grand procession to a nearby river’s edge for the shahi snan, While Hindu monasticism is not a centralized system, it does “royal bath,” while pilgrims line the streets to receive their bless- have a competent and substantial organized leadership of guru ings. The Kumbha Mela is a time to elect new akhara leader- revered by their followers. There are also various oversight ship, discuss and solve problems, consult with the other akharas, bodies. Among the akharas, for example, there is the Akhara meet with devotees and initiate new monastics. Parishad and the Chatur Sampradaya. The Delhi-based assem- There are countless sadhus on the roads, byways, mountains, bly, the Acharya Sangam, is a voice for some 15,000 sadhus. riverbanks, and in the ashramas and caves of India. They have, Contrary to modern misconceptions, Hindu monks and fami- by their very existence, a profound, stabilizing effect on the lies are closely associated, each helping the other in their cho- consciousness of India and the world. It is well known that sen expression of dharma. Many sadhus and swamis personally through their austerity and renunciation, the sadhus and san- guide the lives of hundreds of families. Many run institutions nyasins help consume and balance out the karma of the com- that provide social service. Even orders that keep their distance munity at large. They are honored for the unseen benefits in from society work to bring the philosophical teachings to the the wise culture of India, and many people help support them masses. Others live a strictly reclusive life, going deep to the with donations. source of existence in their meditations and uplifting mankind

Renunciate Tradition Today, Hindu monastics and their institutions are, for the through their mere existence.

52 hinduism today january/february/march, 2 0 0 6 ayurveda chances of dying from pertussis itself is just in one in several million. Some vaccines make little sense, such as for hepatitis B. We know how the dis- ease is contracted. The risk factors can be avoided, making the vaccination unneces- Beware Vaccinations sary. The side effects of the vaccination may be 100 times worse than getting the Lifesavers that they’ve been, proliferation of disease itself. A nine-year-old boy was brought to my clinic with a diagnosis of childhood vaccinations brings its own hazards juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. While tak- ing his history, it became evident that the immune system was triggered adversely b y D r . virender sodhi following a hepatitis B vaccination. He developed a high fever and all his joints lthough immunization has successfully reduced swelled. He was put on prednisolone, a the incidence of diseases such as smallpox and polio, vac- powerful steroid with adverse effects itself. cination can cause side effects, some minor and some Finally, his parents sought my advice. Af- quite major. We have reached the point where the side ter nine months of treatment and detoxifi- effects may pose more risk than the disease being vacci- cation, he went into remission. nated against. It is even possible that the widespread use of vac- Vaccine ingredients include known cines is contributing to the trend of deteriorating health among toxicants and carcinogens such as thim- North American children. More children are being vaccinated for ersol (a mercury derivative), aluminum more diseases today—21 shots by the time they reach first grade. phosphate, formaldehyde (for which the Evidence is everywhere. One survey found that children re- Poisons Information Centre in Australia ceiving the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine were six times claims there is no acceptable safe amount more likely to develop asthma than children not receiving this that can be injected into a living human vaccine. In 1993, Japan suspended the use of mumps vaccine body) and phenoxyethanol (your car’s due to the high incidence of mumps meningitis as a complication. antifreeze). Some infants receive 100 times the EPA’s maximum The Autism Research Unit at the University of Sunderland reports allowable amount of mercury through vaccines. Some of these an increased incidence of parents’ claiming that their child’s au- ingredients are gastrointestinal toxicants, liver toxicants, respira- tism was the result of, or compounded by, vaccination. Said one tory toxicants, neurotoxicants, cardiovascular and blood toxicants, researcher, “Many times each week, we are contacted by parents reproductive toxicants and developmental toxicants—to name just who talk about the effect they saw when their child was vacci- a few of the known dangers. Chemical ranking systems rate many nated, often describing harrowing scenes of extremely rapid re- vaccine ingredients among the most hazardous substances, and gression, from perfectly ordinary children to children who exhibit they are heavily regulated. In the December 1994, Medical Post, very severe behavioral and physiological problems.” California’s Canadian author of the best-seller Medical Mafia, Guylaine Lanc- autism rate has mushroomed 1,000% over the past 20 years, with tot, MD, stated, “The medical authorities keep lying. Vaccination dramatic increases following the introduction of the measles- has been a disaster on the immune system. It actually causes a lot mumps-rebella (MMR) vaccine in the early 1980s. England also of illnesses. We are changing our genetic code through vaccination. had dramatic increases in autism beginning in the 1990s, following One hundred years from now we will know that the biggest crime the introduction of the MMR vaccine there. against humanity was vaccines.” International studies have implicated vaccination as a cause of As a parent, you should be informed, and calculate the risk SIDS. SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is a “catch-all” diag- versus the benefit. My children are only vaccinated for polio and nosis given when the specific cause of death is unknown. Estimates tetanus. They both got measles and chicken pox. They recovered range from 5,000 to 10,000 cases each year in the US. One study without complication, thanks to natural medicine. If your kids found the peak incidence of SIDS occurred between the ages of have skin rash, diarrhea or some other serious condition, ask your two and four months in the US, precisely when the first two routine doctor and get more information from the Internet before getting immunizations are given. In the 1970s, Japan raised their vaccina- them vaccinated. If there is any family history of auto-immune tion age from two months to two years. Their incidence of SIDS disease, avoid vaccination, or delay it until the immune system dropped dramatically. They went from an infant mortality ranking is more mature. Mother’s milk is the best vaccination for babies. of 17 to first in the world. That is, by not immunizing infants, they Nutrition is of utmost importance. Eat organic, whole foods with achieved the lowest infant SIDS death rate in the world. plenty of fruits, vegetable, good oils, even organic butter or ghee. A study of 13,612 children ages two months to 16 years was Add supplements. Vitamin A has been shown to reduce the mortal- published by the UCLA School of Public Health on the effects of ity of measles. Zinc, B-vitamins and omega three and six oils are diptheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine. It concluded, “Subjects very beneficial. Hygiene is of utmost importance, as it will prevent who had been vaccinated were more likely to have histories of a lot of disease. Traditionally, the holy basil plant was planted in asthma, severe allergic reactions, and any allergy or allergic reac- the center of house, which warded off many varieties of bugs and tion. Vaccinated subjects were also more likely to have had sinus- has strong antiviral properties. Other antiviral, antibacterial plants itis or sinus problems, or allergy related nose and eye symptoms in planted around the house included neem, mango, acacia, amla and the past year. DTP or tetanus vaccination in children is associated haritaki. Finally, remember that it is your duty and right to make a with a lifetime history and twelve-month prevalence of many al- final decision whether or not to vaccinate your child. lergies and related respiratory symptoms. Vaccinations may be partly responsible for the increase of asthma and other allergic dr. virender sodhi holds an M.D. (Ayurveda) from India and a hypersensitivity disorders.” Another study showed the risk of seri- N.D. from Bastyr College of Naturopathic Medicine, USA. E-mail: ous adverse reaction to the DTP vaccine as one in 1,750, while the [email protected]. Web: www.ayurvedicscience.com.

january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 53 temples Murugan’s abode: (left) The gold-covered vimana over the temple’s central sanctum; (right) Palani Temple sits on a large hillock

Meeting Lord Murugan smearing vibhuti on every forehead. Coming out into the sunlit courtyard, we felt as though we had been ejected from the How my young son found religion in India hot and dark womb of Mother Earth. Mahar did not wipe off the vibhuti, as he would certainly have done at home! By Vatsala Sperling to have a darshan (sacred sight) of Lord We began looking at a statue of Sage Rochester, Vermont, USA Murugan. They stood in serpentine queue Bhogar and Meikandar told us about the n a 137-kilometer road trip extending to eternity. “We might have sage, who is believed to be a contemporary from Madurai to Palani Hills in to camp overnight,” Ehud said. But on a of Sage Agastya, a rishi mentioned in the South India, we saw many people whim, we entered the Temple Administra- epic Ramayana. “Many thousands of years walking. Ramakrishna, our young tion Office to see if someone could help us. temple while explaining the beauty, ago, Sage Bhogar lived on this hill,” began driver, explained to our six-year-old Mr. E. Meikandar was in the office, as if myth, truth and legend. Mahar stayed very Meikandar. “He was very sick and had trav- son Mahar, “These pilgrims have resolved to by carefully plotted appointment, and asked, close to Mr. E. Meikandar, listening carefully. eled all over the world looking for a cure. walk from their homes to Palani Temple. It “How may I help you?” We loved this ques- Soon we found ourselves seated on the floor Disheartened and unsuccessful, he returned

will take them many days and nights. They tion and spoke with him about our desire to a few feet away from the Deity. The priests to this hill. One night Lord Siva appeared to photos: ehud sperling carry their offerings on their heads and go offer Mahar’s hair to Lord Murugan. Soon offered a special archana worship for the him in a dream and said, ‘Ask Murugan to barefoot. When Lord Murugan calls, you he was leafing through the articles that I three of us, smeared vibuthi, holy ash, on heal you.’” Meikandar recounted how, ac- these constitute the prasadam given to the ing, appearance and circumstances. Heal us simply go.” have published in Hinduism Today and our foreheads, adorned Ehud with a rose cording to the Siva Purana, the six-year-old pilgrims as they visit Lord Murugan from from this sickness of identifying ourselves The atheist in Mahar must have winked he recognized the picture of its founder, garland from the feet of the God and said, Lord Murugan renounced the world upon all over the world and pray to be healed,” with our body.’” with disbelief, thinking, “Ha ha. How can Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. “Hawaii “Be well.” Overwhelmed with emotion, I losing a contest with his brother, Lord Ga- Meikandar said, waving his hands over the He had quietly climbed onto my lap. As Murugan call? Statues don’t speak.” Ever Swami has visited this temple. He is real, found myself crying. Mahar sat saucer-eyed, nesha, and took refuge on this hill. It is now milling crowd of devotees. I held my child in a loving embrace, a mes- since he turned two, Mahar had offered con- you know,” Meikandar offered. He was en- stunned and quiet. Ehud was ecstatic. Ra- one of the six power places, shakti sthala, of We were approaching the huge metal sage flashed on my mind’s screen: “We offer sistent protest to my daily puja worship at our chanted by the books that I have authored, makrishna, overjoyed, said, “Murugan, the Lord Murugan. offering box where Meikandar advised us a little child’s birth hair at the temple, but home shrine. My husband Ehud and I had How Ganesh Got His Elephant Head and child’s hair, our prayers and ourselves are at “Saint Bhogar took the dream about Muru- we could drop in our offering of birth hair. think about it, the child is not yet rooted spoken to him softly as well as sternly about How Parvati Won the Heart of Shiva. And your temple. Bless us with your grace.” gan to heart. He created an amalgam of “Mom,” queried Mahar, “This man keeps deeply in his sense of self. He is still living his opposition, but nothing had come of when he saw our wedding pictures in our Behind us thousands of pilgrims mur- nine minerals. Mixed with herbs, the amal- saying that the pilgrims are praying to be in the realm of innocence, instincts, feelings these conversations. Mahar’s resistance sad- book A Marriage Made in Heaven, he was mured, chanted, sang and prayed. Smoke gam became harder than rock. From it he healed. I don’t see any sick or injured people and physiological reflexes that are innate to dened me but Ehud, ever the optimist, always overcome with joy. “You are more devoted bellowed from burning camphor; incense sculpted a small statue of the child Muru- here. Everyone looks healthy and they’re so his biological being. But this rite of passage, said, “Don’t worry. India will work on him.” than many Hindus,” he said to Ehud. “You and lamps hung low. Amidst the ringing of gan. Then he began a rigorous practice of loud, chanting all these prayers. What sick- samaskara, does send a clear message to the So here we were, in India, heading to must get in to see Lord Murugan. Come bells, priests continued doing archana after collecting water every day from a pond on ness do they have?” mother; it gives her a chance to begin learn- Palani Temple, the most revered of all with me.” He literally pulled Ehud out of archana, ritual bathing after ritual bathing, the plains below the hill. Each day he car- Finally, Mahar had caught up. His rational, ing to let go.” temples to Lord Murugan. When Mahar the administration office and we ried it up the hill and bathed the statue. He logical brain was working, and he was asking After conception and the birth of a child, was born, we had made a resolution that followed. Offerings: Mahar and his mother, author Vatsala lived on the water that poured off the De- a real question. At six years of age, he does the very first thing that happens is the snip- we would visit Palani Temple and offer his He gave us a grand tour of the Sperling, place his birth hair into the giant hundi ity from this sacred bath and was eventu- study homeopathy with me at home. I talk ping of the umbilical cord. Mother and child birth hair to Lord Murugan. From our clean, (offering box) of the Palani Temple ally healed from his illness, freed from his to him about personal and social hygiene are two separate beings. The child is born roomy, air-conditioned car, Mahar watched miserable disease. and tell him anecdotes from the good old from the mother, and, yet he is distinct and hundreds of barefoot pilgrims passing by. “As legend has it, there is a vast system of days when I ran the clinical microbiology separate from her. The first lesson, therefore, Unmindful of the dismal, disorderly and of- tunnels and caves under the hill. No one department in a children’s hospital. I read is that a mother must let go of the precious ten times filthy external conditions, the pil- has ever ventured near them. One day, Sage to him about healthy eating habits, exercise, child from her womb. There is no other way. grims set one foot in front of the other and Bhogar went into a tunnel and never came preventive medicine, vaccinations and what At the namakarana samskara, a child gets marched on to visit Lord Murugan. out. Some believe he still lives on, but no not. He studies pictures of human anatomy his own name, and from now on he will be Normally, just like a seasoned lawyer, Ma- one can see him,” Meikandar said. and can clearly distinguish, for example, be- encouraged to leave it behind as a legacy. har would have cross-examined Ramakrish- Mahar was totally absorbed in the story tween cross sections of the larynx and the Soon enough, the sacred time of breast-feed- na on his theory about “When Lord Muru- of a statue not more than two feet high that auditory canal. Very aptly, he had observed ing comes to an end and, with annaprasana gan calls.” Instead, he watched the endless had healing powers, and the invisible sage that people around him looked apparently samskara, the child is given solids to eat stream of pilgrims and asked him, “Do they living in the subterranean network of tun- healthy. “What’s wrong with me, Mom, that and the mother hands her child over to the eat, get water to drink, use rest stops? Do nels. His fanciful imagination was surely I must pray to be healed? What’s wrong care of Goddess Annapoorna, the universal ghosts and goblins bother them at night?” engaged. with you? Is Papa sick, too?” He questioned mother. Though she will continue to cook Hmmm. Curiosity instead of world-weary “The nava pashana (nine poisons) statue me, needing a truthful answer. for the child, the nourishment will come skepticism—a good sign, I thought. of unknown composition and formula has We held his birth hair together and from the Goddess. Then the child goes Due to the special celebration of Krit- been bathed every day for thousands of dropped it into the hundi. Then we sat down through mundan samskar—the removal of tika in commemoration of the six Krittika years. Devotees have sipped the water to savor the moment, to relish the great and birth hair. The mother sees that the child women who raised Lord Murugan, the from this bath with faith. Murugan is also intense darshan we just had and digest the no longer wears on himself what he wore temple was flooded with pilgrims. Thou- bathed with panchamritam, five elixirs of stories and legends that we had heard. in her womb, that is, the birth hair. Mother sands of men in black dhotis were on immortality, honey, milk, ghee, yogurt and “A sense of ownership, an idea that our offers this hair at a temple and prays for the the premises, too—pilgrims who were, cow urine mixed with dates, banana, jag- body is ‘I’ is the sickness we all have, Ma- well-being of the child as he grows up and

in fact, on their way to Lord Ayyappa’s gery and edible camphor. Vibuthi is also har,” I whispered. “By offering our hair, we away from her. That is the point of growing abode, Sabari Malai, and had resolved all photos ehud sperling used for the bath. Then the entire statue of let go of that sense and idea. The offering is up—to grow away! Then comes the akshar- to visit every temple along the way. A Lord Murugan is covered with a thick coat our way of saying to Lord Murugan, ‘At your abhyasa, introducing the child to reading, sea of humanity, dripping with devo- of rakala chandanam (a special sandalwood feet, we have let go of our sense of self, we writing and math and handing him over to tion, milled about with a single aim, paste) that is allowed to dry overnight. All do not claim ownership to our physical be- Goddess Saraswati with a prayer, “O Mother,

54 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 55 I will teach him to read and write, but you teach him wisdom.” And so on and so forth. With these dis- creet steps, the distance between the moth- er and child keeps growing. These numer- ous rites of passage mark and celebrate each milestone. Were these rites designed by our great and wise ancestors for impressing upon women that, although they birth and nurture human beings, they must ultimately learn to let their children go? While they continue to be a source of emotional, physi- cal and spiritual comfort for the child, they must learn to set the child free from stric- tures and unhealthy attachments so that the child may one day give to the world all that he can and is meant to give. These lessons about letting go can be

learned by women without their ever hav- all photos: hinduism today ing to renounce the household and join a monastic order. Monasteries are often the playing field of men. Women are given plenty of opportunity to learn to love with- out owning and to nourish without expect- ing anything in return. As they raise their Establishing a temple: (Far left) The completed main sanctum and tower of Iraivan Temple. children, they are constantly reminded by (Clockwise from above) The golden box containing 81 sacred items; priests perform arati for sacred rites that without love, life is mean- nine kumbhas representing God Siva; the Vedic fire ceremony which began the event; Ga- ingless; without the spiritual strength to let napati Sthapati (left) and assistant architects carefully prepare the box and the niche in the go, love is meaningless. Mahar held me tight, sanctum wall; Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami enters the sanctum for the final blessing. as he does when he can sense that by em- a n c ie n t r it u al bracing I am letting him read my mind and heart. Our eyes, both misty and soft, met for a long, long time. I was overcome with awe and respect for an ancient culture that recognizes es- A Temple sentially nurturing role of women and gives them ample opportunity for tasting renun- ciation within the framework of rites to be performed in the household, amidst joyous celebration and good food. This is not a cul- ture based on denial. This culture accepts Comes Alive the saying “Sansaram sagaram,” “The world is an ocean.” If women are open to seeing the many possibilities that are presented to them for attaining renunciation and wise The sanctum of Hawaii’s all-granite Siva liberation, while staying truly connected to and rooted in the family, the world—familial temple is energized by a rare, traditional rite and external—becomes an ocean that teach- es them how to stay afloat. n the early morning hours of july of pregnancy, in which herbal substances Back home in Vermont, we are easing 21, 2005, a rare ceremony was held are ingested to promote the health and back into our routine—minus the daily op- for the San Marga Iraivan Temple at spiritual protection of the baby at the time position from Mahar to my daily puja. Hav- Kauai’s Hindu Monastery, also home of the quickening, the baby’s first move- ing seen thousands of barefoot pilgrims, all to Hinduism Today’s editorial offices. ments in the womb. The objective is simi- drawn by an ancient statue of Murugan, all Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati, the temple’s chief lar with the temple, which is regarded as praying to be healed, the boy has made architect, and Adisaiva priest Kandasamy a living being. This ceremony is a crucial peace with my puja routine. He is begin- Gurukkal conducted the garbhanyasa, lit- moment in the temple’s spiritual manifes- ning to learn and recite shlokas, and he erally “embryo placement.” This ceremony tation. Eighty-one substances, including prays to Ganesh first thing in the morning is only done to mark the halfway point in gold, gems, herbs, roots, various types of and before going to bed at night. I could not the construction of all-stone temples, so it soil, grains, medicines, miniature puja ar- have brought about these changes in him by is rarely performed these days. Ganapati ticles and symbols of God Siva were placed showing him pictures of India or talking to Sthapati has only conducted two others in in a small golden box. The box was then him about that country. Did a visit to Lord his 50 years of building. sealed in a niche inside the sanctum, con- Murugan in Palani bring about this magic? The garbhanyasa ceremony enlivens or sidered the womb. The substances nourish Did India work her magic on him? We of- divinizes the inner sanctum of the temple the energy seed that will continue to grow ten wonder, and we continue to pray that for the first time. It is akin to the ceremony and one day germinate at the temple’s final the magic will be real and lasting. ∏π done for a mother, around the fifth month consecration. ∏π

56 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 57 The hazards of monotheism: Author Jona- to name only a few. book reviews than Kirsch is a popular written on biblical, Kirsch focuses on the reign of Emperor literary and legal topics. Other books by Julian, the last polytheistic emperor of Rome. him include Forbidden Tales of the Bible Historically called “The Apostate” because and King David: The Real Life of the Man of his conversion from Christianity to Pa- What if Rome’s Pagan Who Ruled Israel. ganism, Julian issued a tolerance edict in 362 decreeing the reopening of pagan temples “The Christian rigorists regarded themselves and the restitution of temple properties. as soldiers, ready to march forth as crusad- This was in stark contrast to his predeces- Religion Had Prevailed? ers in a holy war, and they characterized sor, Constantine I, who legalized Christian- anyone who refused to take up arms in the ity and suppressed paganism. In the end, service of the Only True God as a civilian, monotheism’s final triumph at the death of An persuasive book explores the repercussions a slacker, a paganus.” Emperor Julian in battle with a Christian Kirsch also provides readers with the army was not so much a spiritual defeat of of Christianity’s ascendency in ancient times historical usage definition of the word athe- polytheism, but rather the political success ist. “Ironically, the word atheist was first of monotheism. Kirsch states, “They were used by pagans to describe Christians be- both driven as much by grudges and griev- cause they denied the very existence of the ances as by true belief, and intimate family By Tara Katir, Kapaa, Hawaii In the fourteenth century bce, a young Gods and Goddesses whom the pagans so politics mattered as much as the wars and od against the gods: the histo- Egyptian pharaoh, Amenhotep IV, through revered. What to Christians was as an act of conspiracies in which they were engaged.” ry of the War Between Monotheism the power of his absolute rule, commanded conscience, the pagan saw as an act of dis- Julian’s life was ended by a spear thrust two and Polytheism is the latest from the Egyptians to worship but one God. This loyalty and disrespect. All that was required years into the pagan counterrevolution of the pen of Jonathan Kirsch, author, revolutionary move to restrict worship of of them was some simple demonstration of his reign. Kirsch and other historians have journalist and attorney. In this book, the Divine to one God would set the stage their civic virtue.” speculated what our world would be like Kirsch details the earliest historical conflicts for what was to become a 3,000 year bloody This rigorism—extreme strictness in en- today if Julian had lived and succeeded in of monotheism and polytheism as they oc- and acrimonious conflict over how human forcing religious belief and practice—was “bringing the spirit of respect and tolerance curred in ancient Europe, North Africa and beings worshiped. “Like Moses [who lived a not always expressed through self-discipline back into Roman government and thus back the Middle East up to the death of Emperor century later], who is shown in the Christian or self-affliction. Kirsch explains that rigor- into the roots of Western civilization, and Julian on June 26, 362 ce. His contention is Bible to condemn the worship of a golden ism is possible only when men or women be- even more tantalizing to consider how dif- that from its first historical appearance in bull and other graven images, Amenhotep come so convinced of their version of truth ferent our benighted world might have been ancient Egypt, monotheism has been an in- rejected all the traditional icons of paganism that it becomes a matter of life or death. if he had succeeded.” tolerant belief system. Monotheism’s intoler- and chose a simple geometric shape to sym- “Turning inward, rigorism may inspire a true Once in control, Christianity spread across ance created conflicts then, and it continues bolize the God Aton.” Amenhotep repudiat- believer to punish himself by holding back a Europe with a vengeance. Kirsch writes of to create conflicts that plague us today. West- ed all the Gods and Goddesses in favor of a bowel movement or feeding himself on raw Christian monks who, in the third century erners who take pride in their monotheis- single God. No idols were fashioned in Aton’s vegetables [examples from hermits of early ce, “Urged on by the most militant of the tic belief’s bringing “civilization” to those image because his was a form that could not Christianity]. Turned outward, however, rig- bishops, took it upon themselves to search for of polytheistic customs may find Kirsch’s be imagined; rather Aton was symbolized by orism may inspire the same man or woman and destroy any expression of paganism that analysis sobering and disconcerting. a circle of gold. Amenhotep closed all tem- to punish others who fail to embrace the re- they could find. They delighted in pulling Over thousands of years, recounts Kirsch, ples to other deities and had their ritual wor- ligious beliefs that he or she finds so compel- down altars, smashing statuary and ruining human cultures have worshiped a host of ship suppressed. Statues were shattered and ling. Rigorism in one’s beliefs and practices shrines and temples. They set upon any un- diverse Gods and Goddesses. This polythe- their names and images literally chiseled off can readily turn into the kind of zealotry fortunate man or woman whom they suspect- istic worship of the Divine, while not totally existing monuments. While his radical reli- that expresses itself in unambiguous acts of ed of engaging in pagan rituals of worship.” benign, historically did not create conflict gious practices were short-lived, the ultraist terrorism. The very first use of the wordzeal At the end of Kirsch’s book, I was com- between neighboring peoples. As Symma- paradigm shift he initiated would be prac- in the Bible is used to describe God’s approv- pelled to conclude that little had been ac- chus, a pagan governor of the fourth century ticed in the extreme by a legion of believers al of an act of murder, one Israelite murder- complished during this 3,000-year conflict of ce declared, “What does it matter by which in this new monotheistic worship. ing another Israelite and his Midianite lover.” monotheism versus polytheism, which often wisdom each of us arrives at truth?” (See Monotheism, in its exclusive devotion to In the modern world, rigorism or religious segued into political gain. And nothing had his entire speech in defense of paganism at the worship of one God, has inspired a fe- terrorism, inexplicably has been carried been gained by the creative and grim tech- www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-10/Npnf2- rocity and fanaticism that are mostly absent out by monotheists against other monothe- niques of torture, warfare and missionary 10-46.htm.) With this flexible posture to- from polytheism, says Kirsch. He explains, ists—all followers of the Abrahamic religious zeal—usually masquerading as educational ward worship of the Divine, little conflict “At the heart of polytheism is an open-mind- traditions, Muslims, Jews and Christians. opportunity and social aid—to effect change would arise between worshipers of differ- ed and easygoing approach to religious belief “The worst excesses of the Crusades and the in those whose worship of the Divine was

ent Gods and Goddesses. Kirsch asserts, and practice, a willingness to entertain the painting by ercole de roberti, the destruction of jerusalem Inquisition were inflicted by Christians on somehow unacceptable. The monotheistic “The core value of paganism was religious idea that there are many Gods and many Jews and Muslims, all of whom claimed to origins of this proclivity Kirsch outlines; yet tolerance—a man or woman was at liberty ways to worship them. At the heart of mono- ily targeted as the origin of religious terror- Maccabeean warfare waged against the pa- believe in the same God. But the first ca- what readers may ponder is the appalling fe- to offer worship to whatever God or God- theism, by contrast, is the sure conviction ism or religious fanaticism. Kirsch points out, gan Syrian king and later, when the Zealots sualties in the war of God against the Gods rociousness of the killing—all in the name of dess seemed most likely to grant a prayerful that only a single God exists, a tendency to that, to the contrary, “It begins in the pages of fought against the pagan emperor of Rome. were found among those tolerant polytheists God. Ending with a chronology of events, a request, with or without the assistance of regard one’s own rituals and practices as the Bible, and the very first examples of holy Kirsch gives readers the derivation of the whom we are taught to call pagans.” Rig- list of major historical figures, bibliographic priests and priestesses.” However, in a small the only proper way to worship the one true war and martyrdom are found in Jewish and word pagan, which helps us understand orists today are found a plenty—Christian notes for each chapter and an extensive bi- geographical area of the Western world an God. The conflict between these two funda- Christian history. The opening skirmishes in how truly acrimonious this warfare was in fundamentalists who murder physicians who ography, the book invites readers to research event occurred which presaged a change in mental values is what I call the war of God the war of God against the Gods took place the past and remains today. Derived from perform abortions, Islamic suicide bombers for themselves monotheism’s virulent strug- humans’ personal relationship to the Divine. against the Gods. It is a war that has been in distant biblical antiquity, when Yahweh is the Latin paganus, pagan originally meant who murder innocent people in public plac- gle for supremacy over polytheism. ∏π This development would set in motion what fought with heart-shaking cruelty over the shown to decree a holy war against anyone someone who was a country bumpkin, or a es, Afghani Taliban extremists who blasted jonathan kirsch, god against the gods—the history was to become a devastating polarization of last thirty centuries, and is a war that is still who refuses to acknowledge Him as the one village dweller. The Roman military used apart the 1,600-year-old Bamiyan Buddhist of the war between monotheism and polytheism, pagan penguin putnam group publisher, 375 hudson street, enormous proportions—all in the name of being fought today.” and only God worthy of worship.” Biblical to denote a civilian as distinguished statues, Catholic and Protestant extremists new york, new york 10014; us$25.95; 336 pages. divine worship. In our world today, Islamic tradition is eas- myth turned to recorded history with the from a soldier ready to fight. Kirsch explains, in Northern Ireland bombing one another—

58 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 59 Hinduism by the book: At left is a page from the teacher’s manual for World History Modern Times, a tenth grade textbook from McGraw-Hill/Glencoe publishers. The two columns at right are the student’s book, the single column to the left is advice to the teacher. The material suffers from factual errors, bias and a lack of focus on the cen- tral religious tenets of Hinduism. At the urging of Hindu parents, the Virginia school board rejected the book.

view of Hinduism and what it stands for, we had to take steps to educate the county of- ficials and create awareness among the Hin- dus,” he explained. Bahadur added, “The books contain factual inaccuracies, distor- tions, bias, prejudice and personal opinion about Hinduism and the history of India.” Bahadur analyzed the eight textbooks awaiting adoption by the school board. One was a Grade 5 textbook, World History (Harcourt Horizons) written by Michael J. Berson and published in 2005. It includes in its section on Hinduism, “Over time, people made up stories to help them better under- stand the ideas expressed in the Vedas. Later

these stories were grouped together in epic mcgraw-hill poems, such as the Mahabharata.” Bahadur Unequal presentations: The description of Hinduism above is both inaccurate and unap- objected that the epics should be regarded pealing, while the description of Christianity reads like a Sunday church sermon. as “made up,” when they are regarded by Hindus as factual history. In a recent Cali- Vijay Kumar, a systems engineering gradu- from the on-going cycle of rebirth] but does fornia dispute over texts, the Jewish commu- ate student at The University of Maryland not attach the notion of salvation to it.” But nity successfully got one book excluded be- College Park. He is assisting the commit- in the sections on other religions, Kumar ob- cause it referred to the Jewish exodus from tee with his expertise in Hindu philosophy served, the means to salvation is presented Egypt circa 13th century bce in a similar and literature. The findings, as summarized quite clearly. In the case of the Abrahamic fashion, that this key event in Jewish history by the FCPS, were: 1) the treatment of religions—Judaism, Christianity and Islam— may never have happened. Hinduism and India emphasizes clichés; 2) salvation is expressed in terms of a perma- At the same time, Christianity is por- there is a focus on material that is not im- nent state of eternal life in heaven. The Hin- trayed in an unjustifiably favorable light. portant or illuminating; 3) the treatment of du concept is somewhat different, but the For example, the 10th grade World His- Hinduism is oversimplified and often lack- idea is still that there is a higher form of ex- tory book (excerpts illustrated on this page) ing context; 4) the exotic is often overem- istence to be attained by means of the reli-

mcgraw-hill states, “Why was Christianity able to attract phasized while other religions are examined gious life. Unfortunately, this is not conveyed so many followers [by the third century ce]? from the perspective of followers; and 5) the by the texts, leaving the impression that education First, the Christian message had much to of- material does not adequately present the Hinduism does not offer a means of salvation. fer the Roman world. Christianity was per- fundamental belief systems of the religion. FCPS decided to drop only one book after sonal and offered salvation and eternal life Experiences with “scholarly panels” in other the scholarly committee’s review, as a result to individuals. Christianity gave meaning areas have been mixed, as these scholars are of “stiff opposition from parents,” said Ba- and purpose to life.” Nowhere does the text often themselves the source of misinforma- hadur. That is World History Modern Time. Textbooks Get It Wrong mention the bloody armed conflict and po- tion on Hinduism. The committee recommended additional litical machinations which actually brought Kumar said, “Everything in the books teacher training for social studies teachers, about Christianity’s spread, as recounted in leads back to caste as a central concept. For supplementary material on Hinduism, buy- Abysmal presentation of Hinduism stirs a parental revolt in Virginia the book God against the Gods, The History example, many textbooks say reincarnation ing of books only after corrections and teach- of the War Between Monotheism and Poly- justifies karma which justifies caste.” He ing 5th grade students about Hindu daily theism (see review on preceding pages). added that most textbooks also cover the workship and the Holi and Deepavali festival. By Ambika Behal, Washington, D.C. du parents have discovered: textbooks and tion, signed by 200 local residents, brought Alice Reilly, Social Studies K-12 Coordi- Aryan migration and reincarnation; some Venkataraman said that the Hindu com- r. rakesh bahadur, whose chil- teachers across the United States are woeful- the Hindu complaints to the FCPS board. nator for FCPS, said, “As a result of public cover karma, the Vedas and Vishnu or Siva munities in Fairfax County plan to keep up dren are in the Fairfax County Pub- ly ill-equipped to provide an accurate view “Our concern is that incorrect books dis- comment from Hindu parents, our school worship as a facet of modern Hinduism. their work until their children can come lic School (FCPS) system in north- of Hinduism. Our 5,000-year-old Hindu cul- tort the minds of the young Hindu children. system sought the advice of scholars in this Kumar gives the example of “cow wor- home and say that writing on their tests ern Virginia, told Hinduism Today, ture is being summarized in a mere page or Also, these books make them feel embar- area.” A scholarly panel was brought togeth- ship,” which is a common subject for the that “Hindus believe in only one Supreme “One day my daughter came home and said, two, as part of a few classes. But now there rassed about their religion because their fel- er to analyze the textbooks and make rec- Hindu section. “Ask a Hindu school child God” is marked as “correct” by their teacher. ‘Daddy, what you teach us about Hinduism are efforts underway in several parts of the low students are getting a distorted view of ommendations as to what further steps the about cow worship and you will most likely He concluded, “Until the above objective is is wrong, since the description of Hinduism country, including Virginia, Texas and Cali- Hinduism,” said Vittal Venkataraman, one school board could take with regard to the receive a puzzled look and the response, ‘I realized, we will remain engaged and help in my textbook is different.’” fornia, to bring changes to the teaching of of the parents working alongside Bahadur. concerns of parents. The committee com- don’t go home and worship a cow,’” Kumar the school board adopt books and other Bahadur ([email protected]) had Hinduism in public schools. Bahadur’s expe- “When we found out the books used at the pared the texts’ description of Hinduism said. “Of all the textbooks we reviewed, only educational materials which are free from just experienced firsthand what many Hin- rience is typical of these efforts. His peti- school presented a conflicting and biased with other world religions, according to one mentions the concept of moksha [release distortions and prejudice.” ∏π

60 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 61 health / society A Million-Dollar Vegan Vision A retired Silicon Valley entrepreneur puts a fortune on the line to bring a master chef’s compassionate cuisine to mainstream USA Incredible Ahimsa Dishes: Produce from 16 organic farmers on Kauai goes into the Blossoming Lotus haute cuisine. These By Mark Hawthorne, California It may sound like a New Age pipe dream, Monastery, home of Hinduism Today, to mouth-watering photos from the Vegan Fu- hapter one of a new vegan cook- but it’s not. Angel investor Bo Rinaldi is a bless the restaurant’s opening in 2004. “I sion World Cuisine cookbook, show dishes book begins, “Aloha and welcome serious business force. Once a renowned characterize our work at the Blossoming Lo- that draw vegan VP’s of AOL from New to a transformation journey into new talent agent in Silicon Valley, he negotiated tus as a spiritually transformative process,” York to Hawaii, because they know it’s here realms of culinary creation. Vegan contracts for over a thousand software en- says Rinaldi. “The business is characterized dawn jewell World Fusion Cuisine is a peaceful and lov- gineers who helped develop products for as the best of everything we can possibly starr rinaldi ing approach to food preparation that unites Apple, Adobe, ETrade, NetFlix and more. find from the vegan world. People come in Angel Investor, Culinary Master and Vegan Wonder Food: (left) Bo Rinaldi in his study in cooking traditions from around the world. Previously, as a VP of Marketing, he helped because they understand that food is trans- Award Winning Cookbook: The commit- Oregon and (above) Mark Reinfeld outside the Lotus on Kauai; (below) Super Shakti’s ComputerLand grow from 30 formational, that it’s healing. We try to lay ment to sharing the ideals of nonviolence Spanikopita casserole; the ingredients behind the food. Prices run to $50.00 for a hand- to over 500 stores. Before com- down the most unbelievable meals on the with those who may not be able to visit crafted entree, plus side dishes, but $9.00 also gets you a hearty meal—“The Monk’s Bowl.” puters, in the sixties, Bo was planet.” They do this with considerable care, Hawaii led Reinfeld and Rinaldi to collabo- a young herbalist in Southern making everything by hand, right down to rate on the absolutely gorgeous and must- California. His products from the condiments. “Our chai as well as our have-in-your-kitchen Vegan World Fusion those days are still on the market. bread are handcrafted here at our restau- Cuisine cookbook. It is a celebration of In 1999 he sold the software rants,” he says. “It’s an evolving process, and sustainable living intended to nourish the agency and immersed himself it’s working.” soul as well as the body. With its delicious in yoga and sadhana for six Lotus was recently named the number- recipes, luscious photographs and words of years, striving to get back to one vegetarian restaurant in Hawaii and is wisdom, this book looks as natural on the his roots. He says an inner mes- the state’s first Certified Green Restaurant. coffee table as it does in the kitchen. All the sage drew him to Kauai, and Their award-winning cookbook is getting recipes from the book were created at the when he had the “Radical Mys- rave reviews. In addition to the Hawaii res- Blossoming Lotus. Like the restaurant, they tery Meal” at the Blossoming taurant, they have opened a Blossoming Lo- reflect the culinary styles of a many nations, Lotus Cafe, it struck a chord. tus Cafe in the Yoga in the Pearl studio in including India, Mexico, Thailand, France, Bo recognized a unique spirit Portland, Oregon, and are planning a robust Italy and Greece—“Hindi’s Bindi Masala,” behind the restaurant’s vegan franchise program. “Domo Arigato Heavenly Arame Salad,” team. Within a week, Rinaldi, Chef Mark Reinfeld has created hundreds “Mother Africa’s Spicy Kale and Yam”—what

a committed vegan, became of tried and tested recipes. He says the Lo- executive chef Reinfeld calls “world fusion amy archbold amy archbold the restaurant’s main investor. tus is special because of “the acknowledge- cuisine.” As of 2006, he has put in over ment that all food is sacred, giving thanks for “The book’s message is very clear,” says terest. Soon after returning to New York, After major financial success, Bo retired a million dollars into a new, preparing, serving and enjoying the abun- Rinaldi. “The way to get off of our pharma- Reinfeld started a vegan consulting service from software development in 1999. “When full-blown Blossoming Lotus dance of the Earth. World fusion cuisine ceuticals, to get off of factory farming, to get called the Blossoming Lotus. A string of I was able to decompress, I turned within a Restaurant (often called simply unites the culinary traditions from around off of our highly processed food system—to successful commissions followed, including lot more,” he says. “I married, and my wife “Lotus”), the www.VeganFusion. the world to emphasize our unity. We hold really reclaim our lives—is go to your farm- creating a menu for the luxury spa at the had some health challenges. We found that com website and the delightful an intention for healing and love, and this er’s market and make a few recipes out of Peninsula Hotel in Manhattan and a vegan when we adopted a vegan lifestyle, those Vegan World Fusion Cuisine vibration enters into the food. Sensitive peo- the book. We’ll do anything to help you un- manual for the Credit Suisse First Boston, health challenges were minimized. I had cookbook. ple notice this without a doubt. The names derstand that this is one of the most effective one of the world’s largest financial institu- lost track of what was going on in the natu- Behind the creative, vegan of the recipes are selected to further impart ways to bring peace to life. It’s easy, it’s fun, tions. But his spiritual quest led him to dis- ral foods world, because I had been in tech-

amy archboldfusion cuisine is Mark Reinfeld, this healing vibration, so simply mentioning it’s inexpensive, and most of all, it’s rewarding card life in the Big Apple, give up most of nology for 15 years, but I found that there Carpe Diem Carrot Almond Pate Nori Rolls: Almonds, a master executive vegan chef the names of the recipes brings a blessing: on every level. That’s what it’s about for us.” his possessions and travel to California. He was now much more science to support the carrots, lemon juice, ginger, turmeric, shoyu and a from New York who came to Mahadev’s mango chutney, Bliss of Krishna The Founders: After graduating from col- eventually settled on Kauai and gave Blos- vegan lifestyle. As I applied this to help my touch of salt and pepper blended together into a pate, Kauai for spiritual retreat in tropical rice pudding, Shiva Shakti Himala- lege and going to law school in New York, soming Lotus new wings, feeding people as wife’s healing, I once again realized we’re rolled with assorted veggies into Nori seaweed sheets 2002. He decided to help Ga- yan stuffed bread.” Reinfeld traveled the world on a spiritual karma yoga. really onto something here. If we could and graced with green decorations briel Zingaro transform a small Of course, it also helps to have the finest odyssey. From Europe in 1989 he went to Bo Rinaldi was born in 1948, the year greatly reduce our use of animal products, Internet Cafe called The Portal ingredients. In acquiring these, the Lotus Israel and India. “It was during that journey of Gandhi’s mahasamadhi. “I read my first we could actually solve the world’s hunger Through conscious and wise food choices into an all-vegan business. Two days after supports more than a dozen local organic that my focus started shifting inward. On Gandhi biography at 12,” he says. “I saw and problem and bring true peace to the planet. we can heal our bodies and restore balance the new cafe opened, Bo Rinaldi and his farmers, orders whole grains from natural- the Kibbutz one day I was asked to collect felt to my core the meaning of nonviolence, And things started to click.” to our planet. By honoring the cuisine, art wife, Starr, walked in and recognized the food manufacturers and buys fruits and chickens for slaughter. I started helping out and how challenging it is to manifest in our The vegan fusion initiative is an innova- music and spiritual traditions of the world’s potential of Reinfeld’s and Zingaro’s vision. vegetables from the farmer’s markets. Be- and suddenly realized I wanted no part of culture. I began to see the need to speak tive model for modern karma yoga, showing cultures we cultivate understanding and Everyone’s lives changed in a big way. It was ing 100 percent vegan, the restaurant serves it. That’s when there was a real change in out, which I did at school, the YMCA—any- us how people can put their fortunes and peace.” Spawned from the small Blossom- time to take the message to the world. nothing that comes from an animal or in- my diet. It was the beginning of a period where people would listen. I still find myself their lives to work for a higher cause. ∏π ing Lotus restaurant on Kauai, Hawaii, it Rinaldi, Reinfeld, Zingaro and the others sect (such as honey). You will have to leave of deep self-reflection.” Traveling through drawing upon ancient Hindu wisdom as a is a fresh incarnation for ahimsa, the seed of the 12-member Blossoming Lotus LLC your goat cheese at the door, but you will India and Nepal “opened up another part of beacon of sanity. I became an herbalist and Visit www.blossominglotus.com or con- of a new enterprise initiative to spread the are passionate about their seva. They even be delighted with the Lotus’ amazing “Live my being,” he says. After such experiences, developed health food products before go- tact Bo Rinaldi at [email protected]. vegan message to the world. called upon the monks from Kauai’s Hindu Almond Milk Cheeze.” studying law just didn’t hold the same in- ing into the computer world.”

62 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 january/february/march, 2 0 0 6 hinduism today 63 eryone and everything. All living beings are eternal souls, part and parcel of God, the texts declared. Our job is to manifest that divin- ity. This, the Hindu tradition said, is Sanatana Dharma, the eternal religion, which dwells in all be- ings. “Through Hinduism I feel a better person,” he told a reporter. “I just get happier and happier.” John, Paul and Ringo were his closest friends, and in 1968 he in- duced his fellow Beatles and their partners to join him and his then wife, model Patty Boyd, on a re- treat to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram in Rishikesh. The Beatles’ days in Rishikesh consisted of a ca- sual breakfast, morning meditation classes until lunch, leisure time in the afternoons, and sometimes as many as three more hours of medi- tation in the evenings. George and his friends found their creative

energies heightened in the peace- keystone canada/zuma press ful atmosphere of the retreat. In The early seekers: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh, 1968, with John Lennon and Paul McCart- Rishikesh, the Beatles composed ney to his right and George Harrison, actress Mia Farrow and folk-singer Donavan to his left more than forty songs. Many were recorded on the White Album, and others song’s title over and over. George wrote a India, to record an album of traditional In- would appear on their final LP,Abbey Road. choral line using the word “Hallelujah” as dian songs and mantras with Ravi Shankar. They all appreciated their time in India, but the refrain, and then switched mid-way to George considered “Chants of India” one

express syndication/getty images it was George who took away a lasting im- the phrase “Hare Krishna.” of his most important works, as it allowed Chanting the Divine Name: Former Beatles singer and guitarist George Harrison sits with members of the Hare Krishna sect, August, 1969 pression that this was his real life’s work, to George’s spiritual journey was not an easy listeners to “listen to something that has its go deeper into India’s millennial teachings one. His wife Patty left him, in large mea- roots in the transcendental … beyond intel- bi o graphy and realize his eternal relationship with the sure because his commitment to God grew lect. If you let yourself be free … it can have Divine. stronger than his commitment to their part- a positive effect.” Returning to London, he met disciples nership. Fans derided him for taking his George never stopped making music or of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, faith onstage and exhorting them to “Chant trying to send a spiritual message out into George Harrison’s Spiritual Life founder-acharya of the International Society Krishna! Jesus! Buddha!” when it was rock the world. But these callings seemed less ur- for Krishna Consciousness. George identi- and roll they wanted. The press was oc- gent to him in his later years than they had fied with the American devotees, young casionally cruel in its judgment of his post- as a young man. He once described himself people his own age, who had rejected mate- Beatles music. And for a while, some bad as someone who had climbed to the top The Beatles went from super stardom to India, Swami Vivekandanda, rialism for higher ground. In their company, habits from his rocker days—in particular of the material world, then looked over to George began to chant the Hare Krishna alcohol and drugs—returned to haunt him. find that there was much more on the other Paramahamsa Yogananda, Maharishi’s TM and Lord Krishna mantra daily and to read the Bhagavad Gita. On visits to Los Angeles, George spent side. There, on the other side of the mate- Signs of George’s devotion to yoga and time at the Self-Realization Fellowship es- rial mountain, was the call of his eternal self By Joshua M. Greene, New York ing, thanks in large measure to his daily sic. In 1966, he met maestro Ravi Shankar meditation filled his home. Incense sweet- tate in Encinitas, overlooking the Pacific and his relationship with the Divine. n 1966, george harrison, lead gui- meditations and yoga practice. and thrilled to the sound of a sitar, to the ened the air. A small altar sat on the mantle Ocean and only three miles from Ravi George’s life started in music and ended tarist of the most popular rock group It may be difficult for someone who didn’t lull of its sympathetic strings and the way of the fireplace. Pictures of favorite teach- Shankar’s home. Ravi had met SRF founder in music. In Los Angeles, surrounded by ever, the Beatles, said, “The people of In- grow up in the sixties to understand the sig- it could stretch a single note to imitate the ers and paintings of Deities from India’s Yogananda in the 1930s and had given his family and friends and the chanting of dia have a tremendous spiritual strength nificance of a Beatle’s committing to India’s yearning of a heart in love. Later that year, scriptures decorated the walls: Lakshmi, first US concert at the Encinitas retreat in God’s holy names, his soul left its body on which I don’t think is found elsewhere. The spiritual teachings. A large percentage of George continued his sitar lessons in Srina- the Goddess of Fortune; elephant-headed 1957. The organization strictly honored its November 29, 2001. spirit of the people, the beauty, the goodness— baby boomers, as the generation born after gar, an extended village at the foot of the Ganesh; Krishna playing with his friends in members’ privacy, a privilege George appre- His son Dhani said, “You know, I read a that’s what I’ve been trying to learn about.” World War II were called, took their cues Himalayan Mountains surrounded by fields the cowherd village of Vrindavan. George ciated after the notoriety of his affiliation letter from him to his mother that he wrote In 1969, devotees from the London Radha about beliefs, behavior and politics, as well of golden saffron flowers. In this idyllic set- found Indian theology exciting and sensual, with Krishna devotees. The quiet ambience when he was twenty-four. He was on tour Krishna temple invited me to take part in an as wardrobe and hairstyle, from what the ting he practiced music and spent hours filled with meditative music, tasty food, fab- of the Encinitas estate and the organization’s or someplace when he wrote it. It basically album of mantras and prayers that George Beatles did and sang. If Americans had any reading about India’s ancient teachings. As a ulous stories of eternal worlds, and all the focus on achieving heightened awareness says, ‘I want to be self-realized. I want to find Harrison was producing at Apple Studios. impression of Hinduism at all, it was usually boy, George had been an indifferent student, satisfactions a newcomer to the spiritual through Kriya Yoga had a calming effect. God. I’m not interested in material things, Meeting him for the first time, I was struck distorted by British missionary prejudice. By but during that visit he was rarely without journey could ever hope to find. In later years, George retreated from his this world, fame—I’m going for the real goal. by his humility, by his understated humor, publicly declaring his appreciation for yoga, a book in his hands, including Swami Vi- Producing records with spiritual messages pop celebrity into the life of a humble gar- And I hope you don’t worry about me, mum.’ and by his excitement over the music we meditation, karma, dharma, reincarnation vekananda’s Raja Yoga and Paramahansa provided an ideal way for him to make use dener. He took great pleasure in tilling the He wrote that when he was twenty-four! had gathered to make. Recording these and other concepts identified with India, Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi. of his musical skills and his influence with earth, in planting jasmine bushes, in freeing And that was basically the philosophy that ancient songs was his way of letting people George helped reverse nearly three hun- What he learned of India’s spiritual cul- the record industry. In 1970, he released a magnolia tree from wild brambles, and he had up until the day he died.” ∏π joshua m. greene is an author, filmmaker and com- know “there’s more to life than boogying,” as dred years of anti-Hindu ignorance and bias. ture amazed him. Unlike institutional reli- “My Sweet Lord,” inspired by the Edwin bringing his neglected Friar Park grounds munications consultant specializing in issues of he put it. At that time, the Beatles were dis- There was a trajectory to George’s spiri- gions that barely tolerate one another, here Hawkins Singers’ “Oh Happy Day,” a gospel back to a state of beauty. faith. this article is drawn from his new book, here comes the sun: the spiritual and musical journey of solving, but George’s solo career was grow- tual life, which began and ended with mu- was a world view that encompassed ev- classic that featured a chorus repeating the In April 1996, he flew to Madras, South george harrison, www.herecomesthesunbook.com.

64 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 65 worship Discovering the Magic of Muktinath The physical hardship of a pilgrimage magnifies its life-changing, spiritual effect

By Hari Bansh Jha, Katmandu, Nepal ous miles from Muktinath, the aircraft I was By noon I had been on the move for near- ust one day before i departed on flew so dangerously close to the jagged ly five hours and was growing quite tired. on pilgrimage to Muktinath, a pious mountain ranges that, at least on one occa- The journey thus far had been mostly up- friend of mine dropped by my home in sion, I instinctively clutched the arm rests hill and the heat was becoming oppressive. Kathmandu for a casual visit. When he of my chair, dead sure that if this wasn’t my I had been pushing myself like a soldier, and came to know of my impending expedition, finest pilgrimage, it would certainly be my this willful approach was beginning to wear he lit up like a light. Suddenly, he a little thin. Ripe for a change of couldn’t stop talking. “According to perspective, I suddenly remembered legend,” he exclaimed, “the sins of a something Ramana Maharishi once man planning any serious pilgrim- said. “In approaching a temple or a age to a holy place become clutched holy place,” he had explained, “one with fear and run for high ground to should walk slowly, like a pregnant hide in his hair. This is why so many woman.” This made a lot of sense pilgrims shave their heads before to me right at that time. Suddenly, going on pilgrimage.” I found myself chanting the Lord’s Even as my rational mind was name and thoroughly enjoying an picking over this allegorical state- unhurried ramble toward a desti- ment for philosophical loopholes, my nation which was beginning to feel friend was continuing his inspired more like it was within, rather than proclamation. “To further guarantee ahead.

the eradication of their sins,” he said, As I was about to reach the Muk- thomas kelly “these serious pilgrims practice disci- tinath temple, I recalled something plines like chanting the Lord’s name, else I had been told by a bare-footed, meditating on His presence, asso- half-naked, dread-locked Indian as- A Queen named Subarn Prabha when I stopped for lunch at a hotel in On the road in and up: The austere Bonpo village ciating with holy people along the cetic I had met at this same place reconstructed the temple that is here Kagbeni on my way home. Kagbeni is a of Lubra is situated in the Kali Gandaki region of way, practicing charity and walking some ten years ago when fate had in 1826, but the image of Lord Muk- charming town filled with people who Western Nepal en route to Muktinath. Its residents rather than riding, as much as pos- thrown the two of us together on a tinath, made of copper, is believed to come to perform shraddha (ancestor follow the Bon tradition of worship, which is older sible. Is this your plan? Will you be pilgrimage. At one point, he turned have been there since the 16th centu- worship). Local residents contend that than Buddhism and believed by some to be the origi- doing all these things?” to me and said, “Coming from a for- ry. And the Shaligram upon which the there is no place on the Earth as sacred nal religion of the Tibetan people. Though followers “I certainly intend for this to be eign land, even a King must face cer- deity is installed has been there much as Kagbeni for honoring the ancestors. of Bon are a minority, they continue to flourish. my finest pilgrimage ever,” I stam- tain hardships.” Truly, God’s wisdom longer than that. As I left Kagbeni for Jomsom in the mered, feeling almost defensive. At shines everywhere. After worshiping Lord Muktinath, afternoon, the wind along the Gan- the very least, I was now in a proper In addition to the image of Lord I paid homage to Jwalamukhi, the daki River was blowing at its peak. Al- mood for Muktinath and all of the Muktinath, devotees coming to “ever-burning flame,” located in the though this part of Nepal is notorious spiritual adventures it might have in the Muktinath temple worship a same temple complex. The existence for fierce winds, this was just about store for me. simple black, glossy stone known of this flame is said to be supernatu- as bad as it gets. When the govern- Muktinath is to Hindus and Tibet- as a Shaligram. Representing Lord ral. I could certainly see no apparent ment established a wind power plant an Buddhists what Mecca is to Mus- Vishnu to the Hindus and Buddha to cause for it nor indications that it had here about ten years ago to produce lims and Jerusalem is to Christians. the Buddhists, this Shaligram, which been tended or nurtured by devotees. electricity, the project was abandoned Mukti means “liberation,” and nath bears a 400-million-year-old life his- According to one legend it was the re- when the plant itself blew away.

means “Lord.” Thus, Muktinath thomas kelly tory and can only be found in the sult of a penance performed by Lord As I walked, the wind was so strong I literally means “the Lord of Lib- The destination: The famed temple of Muktinatha at 13,000 Krishna Gandaki river, was named Brahma invoking fire on water. had to apply the full weight of my body eration.” Several Hindu scriptures feet above sea level; prayer flags flapping in the wind after a holy man known as Sha- Night fell with a chilling cold. Af- into it just to move ahead, even slowly. mention Muktinath, especially the lankayan Rishi who attained enlight- ter looking long and hard for a place I was constantly holding my face in my Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas. A last. Following a remarkably graceful land- enment under a tree in Muktinath during to sleep close to the temple complex, I hands to guard against the piercing pilgrim approaching the 96 square miles of ing at about 7:30 in the morning, I most hap- Vedic times. Today in honor of this legend, finally found a rather expensive hotel sand that was biting every square inch

Muktinath, also referred to as Mukti Kshet- pily prepared to take up the last portion of the 96 square miles surrounding Mukti- which was more costly because it was of my exposed skin. When I reached hinduism today ra and Shaligram Kshetra by pilgrims, feels my journey on foot. nath is referred to as Shaligram Kshetra. supplied with goods airlifted in from Jomsom in the late afternoon, I was Rock solid divinity: Saligrams, like the one in the a palpable divinity that invites an ultimate By 8 o’clock, I was walking with vigorous Nothing can express the joy I felt when outside. I was happy to pay the extra relieved at first. Then I thought: “Oh Muktinath temple and those shown above, are 400- merging with God. determination toward Muktinath. I met a my eyes first fell upon the beautiful pagoda- money for the heat alone. When the dear! Time to get back on that plane.” million-year-old fossilized ammonites characterized I set out for Muktinath on October 30, number of wonderful foreigners along the style temple of Muktinath just before sunset. sun sets in this part of the world—even Consoling myself with the thought that by what appear to be discus marks. These marks are 2004, traveling the first part of the journey way. Because tourist season in this part of I was 13,000 feet above sea level, and felt during the warmest part of the year— the blessings I had received from Lord revered by Hindus as auspicious indications of Lord by plane to avoid the frequent roadblocks set the world lasts from the beginning of Octo- like I was in some other world. I even for- heat is a valuable commodity. Happily, Muktinath would always be with me Vishnu, who carries a discus. Saligrams are found up as a result of Nepal’s on-going insurgency. ber to the end of November, there were not got that I was tired. “How long have people while that night was freezing cold, I even if I perished in flight, I promised only in one river of Nepal. It is said that worship of On the flight coming into Jomsom, a small many locals on the trails at this time, as they been coming here to worship?” I mentally remained warm. myself that, if I lived to tell this tale, I the Saligram requires no special initiation and guar- township which is some 25 or 30 mountain- avoid outsiders. asked myself. No one knows. It was almost noon the next day would. And so I did. ∏π antees spiritual emancipation.

66 hinduism today january/february/march, 2006 january/february/march, 2006 hinduism today 67 Visit www.hindu.org

T ech n o l ogy /W or l d geography Google Unleashes Stunning Satellite Images to the World n october, 2004, google acquired the between 1963 and 1967, the US Corona Wat in Cambodia. And, as you would ex- IKeyhole Corporation, which has offered, series KH (Keyhole) spy satellites brought pect, views are all from the top, and the since 2001, a $69 program to download home hundreds of thousands of hi-resolu- 3D views are rendered, not real images. and view satellite images. It wasn’t big tion images that were declassified in1996 . Google-powered: Google brings unprec- news until the summer of 2005, when Hence the name, “Keyhole.” But only a edented tools for educators, researchers, Google announced that it would offer a small percentage of KH hi-res images travelers, students and business. Create, new version called Google Earth—for free! comprise Google Earth’s patchwork of save and e-mail placemarks and tours, and Suddenly millions the world over were able images from different satellites using dif- follow intricate tours already prepared by to soar over Mother Earth, zoom down on ferent technologies. A large percentage others. For a price you can get GPS device Zanzibar, hover over the swimming pool is from older, lower resolution Earthsat support, drawing tools and better printing. of their neighbor’s house in Rio de Janeiro, environmental studies images and more For sheer mind-expanding fun, this blogger, count the cars on the street parked next to recent sources. Any given view may be a Kanaka Ravi Kumar, says it well: “I’d like the Kremlin in Moscow or fly like a strato- composite of several images, some 30 years to congratulate all technicians behind this spheric bird over the Himalayas. old. So, lower your expectations if you are awesome creation. I’m very much thankful The “wow” factor of Google Earth is off looking for real-time and universal super to them. Opening this site is an odyssey, a the charts and will certainly change the resolution. You get hi-res in San Francisco, never-ending adventure.” way the next generation thinks about the but won’t find anything like it for Angkor earth.google.com world. There it is, right in front of you, one world, one family, on screen. What you can see: During the cold war, google earth images

google earth images Left, the Venkateshvara Temple of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; above, Earth from over India Hawaii Your Family’s Perfect Pilgrimage Destination

Come to the ultimate Hindu pilgrimage destination. Here you will find Kadavul Hindu Temple, with its daily 9am Siva puja to the mystical Nataraja deity, established in 1973 by Satguru Sivaya Subramuni- yaswami. Also you can visit the currently being con- structed, hand-carved granite Iraivan Temple, the many sacred areas of San Marga, such as Muruga Hill, the twelve-foot Dakshinamurti, the Narmada Sival- ingam where you can conduct your own abhishek- am, the sacred Wailua River and more — all available to Hindus for worship, meditation, japa and quiet reflection. Plan your pilgrimage to Iraivan Temple now—an icon of Hinduism’s beauty and strength!

Kauai’s Hindu Monastery 107 Kaholalele Road Kapaa, Hawaii 96746-9304 • USA [email protected] • www.sanmarga.org Tel: 808-822-3012, Ext. 239 • Fax: 808-822-4351 For Hawaii travel planner, see: www.bestplaceshawaii.com/ • www.gohawaii.com J u l y t o S e p t e m b e r E n d o w m e n t C ontribution s

Kauai Aadheenam Monastic Endowment Pravin Trivedi 40.00 Thank You Bodhinatha Fund Karnataka Temple Development Fund Anonymous US$753.75 Vayudeva Varadan 54.00 Anonymous 51.00 Name Missing Here 18.00 David Joseph Ebacher 7.00 Matthew Wieczork 4.00 Hotranatha Ajaya 51.00 Anonymous 12.51 Ajay & Lata Shah 5,000.00 Other Donations 6,300.00 Ashish Suresh Chitnis 1,500.00 Hiranya & Saraswathi Gowda 900.00 HHE helps provide Hindu institutions with a permanent and growing source of income. Other Donations 31,744.33 Total 8,502.50 Amarnath & Latha Devarmanai 324.00 Total 930.51 Total 37,505.08 David Joseph Ebacher 6.00 Toshadeva Guhan 108.00 Sri Subramuniya Ashram Scholarship Fund Sri Ganesha Hindu Temple of Utah Endowment Fund Individual donors may establish a fund which benefits a specific project or organization, Jai Murugan 42.28 Iraivan Temple Endowment Anonymous 12.48 Daren Clare 7.00 Sadhunathan Nadesan 1,008.00 Norman C. Carr 10.00 Aaron Mathias 10.00 Total 12.48 Manoharan Navaratnarajah 150.00 or an institution may establish itself as the beneficiary. Donations are invested in a broadly Ishwar & Alka Datt 106.50 Shanta Devi Periasamy 345.00 Total 17.00 Maruthu Pandian Dharmalingam 5.00 Sri Subramuniya Kottam Fund Sethu Rathinam 300.00 Ramu Govindasamy 3,137.25 Craig Bagdasar 50.00 Aran Sambandar 66.00 Swami Vipulananta Children’s Home Endowment diversified portfolio of marketable securities to provide a regular grant each year. Currently Mohan Rao Korukonda 108.00 Aran Sendan 108.00 Craig Bagdasar 50.00 Nathan Mudrick 108.00 Total 50.00 Vayudeva Varadan 60.00 Chandran Nagalingam 200.00 Total 50.00 HHE holds sixty-three professionally managed endowment funds that benefit orphanages, Raja Vishnu 70.00 S.V. Ravi Rahavendran 906.00 Kumbhalavalai Ganesha Temple Endowment Total 4,189.28 Sara K. Sivasurier 109.63 Craig Bagdasar 50.00 Hindu Literature Fund temples, ashrams, educational institutes, monasteries, homes for the elderly and various Raja Vishnu 5.00 Manoharan Navaratnarajah 75.00 Gowri Nadason 341.40 Other Donations 21,218.94 Total 125.00 Mathavasi Travel Fund Dawn Pisturino 25.00 Total 25,914.32 Kailash Sivam Dhaksinamurthi 200.00 Nigel Subramaniam Siva 300.00 Total 200.00 Tommy Stinson 5.00 publications in Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Malaysia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and the USA. HHE Dancing with Siva Endowment Total 671.40 Kauai Aadheenam Annual Archana Fund Daren Clare 7.00 maintains an office at the Hindu Monastery on the Hawaiian island of Kauai and is overseen Maruthu Pandian Dharmalingam 352.10 Total 7.00 Udayan Care Endowment Fund Tarakini Gunasegaran 3.30 Anonymous 25.00 Hinduism Today Complimentary Subscription Fund Tirunyanam Gunasegaran 2.50 Total 25.00 Hiranya & Saraswathi Gowda 102.00 Hinduism Today Production Fund and managed by the monastic stewards and staff. For information visit www.hheonline.org. Thanesh Kumar Kumaravel 158.74 Total 102.00 Saroja Devi Manickam 6.00 Anonymous 12.51 Saivite Hindu Scriptural Fund for the Visually Impaired Toshadeva Palani 16.50 Vinay Aggarwal 100.00 Kishore G. & Subha Pathial 15.00 Akileiswaran Samuthiran 10.99 Total 112.51 Himalayan Academy Book Distribution Fund Alex Ruberto 30.00 COMPLETE LIST OF 63 ENDOWMENTS Jayasutha Samuthiran 13.30 Daren Clare 7.00 Total 45.00 David Joseph Ebacher 7.00 Padmini Samuthiran 115.17 Hindu Orphanage Endowment Fund Total 14.00 01 Kauai Aadheenam Monastic Endowment 34 Mauritius Saiva Dharmasala Endowment Palaka Shivam 50.00 Anonymous 327.00 Devaladevi Sivaceyon 2.67 Lila Shakti Devi 25.00 Sri Chandra Madhab Debnath Endowment 02 Iraivan Temple Endowment 35 Alaveddy Pasupatheeswarar Temple Fund Nutanaya Sivaceyon 2.67 Natraj Narayanswami 15.00 Shyamal Chandra Debnath 50.00 Kauai Aadheenam Yagam Fund Patudeva Sivaceyon 2.67 Alex Ruberto 45.00 Total 50.00 Chandran Nagalingam 200.00 Hemavalli Sivalingam 0.80 Rodney & Ilene Standen 30.00 Total 200.00 03 Kauai Aadheenam Annual Archana Fund 36 Hindu Heritage EndowmentAdministrative Fund Kantha Ruben Sivalingam 0.80 Jeremiah Umakanthan 51.00 Manitha Neyam Trust Fund Rohini Sivalingam 0.80 Matthew Wieczork 5.00 Bala Sivaceyon 10.70 Yogaswami Hindu Girls’ Home of Sittandy Fund 04 Hinduism Today Lifetime Subscription Fund 37 A. Shanmugam Family Fund Potriyan Sivanathan 10.75 Total 498.00 Girish Skanda 26.00 Total 10.70 Lila Shakti Devi 25.00 Javanya Skanda 8.36 Panshula Ganeshan 25.00 05 Hindu Businessmen’s Association Trust 38 Kauai Aadheenam Endowment for Hindu Religious Hindu Education Endowment Natraj Narayanswami 20.00 Subasene Skanda 25.00 Tiptur Shiva Temple & Youth Hostel Fund Thiru & Debbie Thirupuvanam 500.00 Jutikadevi Sivaraja 108.00 Total 809.12 Daren Clare 7.00 06 Kailasa Peedam Gift Fund Art and Artifacts Total 500.00 Total 178.00 Total 7.00 Hinduism Today Lifetime Subscription Fund 07 Hindu of the Year Fund 39 Murugan Temple Pillaiayar Shrine Fund Suntheram Family Trust Fund Sri Arjunan & Srimathi Dhalama Monastic Fund Ved Chaudhary 240.00 Mahajana College Fund R. Suntheram 1,000.00 Thanabalan Ganesan 11.00 Barbara Curl 240.00 Anonymous 8.34 08 Boys School for Iraivan Priesthood 40 Thank You Bodhinatha Fund Total 1,000.00 Total 11.00 Sundar Mani Dixit 240.00 Total 8.34 Hemanth Grandhige 1,001.00 Malaysia Hindu Renaissance Fund 09 Kauai Aadheenam Matavasi Medical Fund 41 Mathavasi Travel Fund Suguneswary Gunasegaran 27.64 Loving Ganesha Distribution Fund Kerala Temple Trust S. Ramachandran 10,005.00 Isanah Kameni 29.20 Anonymous 802.00 Kishore G. & Subha Pathial 1,001.00 Total 10,005.00 10 Nadesan Family Lord Muruga Shum Fund 42 Udayan Care Endowment Fund Gassa Patten 102.32 Eric Jautee 80.00 Total 1,001.00 Dee Pollock 82.50 Chandran Nagalingam 200.00 Pooled Income Fund Trust (PIF) Charles & Jan Roberts 30.00 Manoharan Navaratnarajah 75.00 11 Iyarappan Temple Trust 43 Saivite Hindu Fund for the Visually Impaired Gowri Nadason 40.28 Nigel Subramaniam Siva 240.00 Total 1,157.00 Taos Hanuman Fund Satya Palani 50.00 Satheesan Sudhakaran 132.00 Anonymous 12.48 12 Tirunavukkarasu Nayanar Gurukulam 44 Sri Chandra Madhab Debnath Endowment Barathy Sockanathan 62.76 Meghasyamarao Theertham 161.25 Total 12.48 Total 2,525.91 Saiva Agamas Trust Total 153.04 13 Kauai Aadheenam Renovation Endowment 45 Murugan Temple Yalpanam Festival Fund Daren Clare 7.00 Total 7.00 Kapaleeshwara Temple Orphanage Hindu Businessmen’s Association Trust Auslin Mangal Lawrence 50.00 Total Contributions $98,858.41 14 Sri Subramuniya Ashram Scholarship Fund 46 Puri Monasteries Fund Easvan Param 1,429.97 Aaron Mathias 10.00 Spiritual Park of Mauritius Endowment Total 1,429.97 Ganesan & Rajalakshmi Ramalingam 75.00 Daren Clare 7.00 15 Sri Subramuniya Kottam Fund 47 Manitha Neyam Trust Fund Total 135.00 Funds at Market Value, Sept. 30, 2005 Total 7.00 Boys School for Iraivan Priesthood Total Endowment Funds $6,688,539.58 16 Malaysian Hindu Youth Education Trust 48 Tiptur Shiva Temple & Youth Hostel Fund Anonymous 12.51 Kapaleeshwara Temple Orphanage Total Pooled Income Funds $202,277.69 Mauritius Saiva Dharmasala Endowment Maruthu Pandian Dharmalingam 38.20 Jayanthi Vasudevan Naiker 300.00 Daren Clare 7.00 17 Kumbhalavalai Ganesha Temple Endowment 49 Mahajana College Fund Bala Sivaceyon 9.89 Total 300.00 Total 60.60 Total 7.00 Grand Total US$6,890,817.27 18 Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Devasthanam Trust 50 Kerala Temple Trust Manjung Hindu Sabha Orphanage Fund Alaveddy Pasupatheeswarar Temple Fund Kauai Aadheenam Matavasi Medical Fund Anonymous 4.17 Craig Bagdasar 50.00 19 Malaysia Hindu Renaissance Fund 51 Taos Hanuman Fund Anonymous 450.00 Mirta Noemi Cotto 30.00 Tyler Comer 201.00 Total 50.00 Chandran Nagalingam 200.00 20 Hinduism Today Production Fund 52 Kapaleeshwara Temple Orphanage Maruthu Pandian Dharmalingam 25.00 Total 234.17 Carmel V. Hawn 657.65 Kauai Aadheenam Religious Art and Artifacts Fund Arul Karttikeya 350.00 Rajadeva Alahan 153.00 21 Vishwamata Gayatri Trust Fund 53 Manjung Hindu Sabha Orphanage Fund Gowri Nadason 120.85 Pazhassi Balamandiram Orphanage Fund Total 153.00 Chandran Nagalingam 200.00 Ganesan & Rajalakshmi Ramalingam 75.00 22 Hindu Orphanage Endowment Fund 54 Pazhassi Balamandiram Orphanage Fund Nalakini Niranjana 100.00 Total 75.00 23 Hindu Education Endowment 55 Karnataka Temple Development Fund 24 Jeyanandarajan Family Fund 56 Sri Ganesha Hindu Temple of Utah Endowment Fund 25 Sundari Peruman Memorial Scholarship Fund 57 Swami Vipulananta Children’s Home Endowment MISSION STATEMENT: Hindu Heritage Endowment is a publicly supported, charitable organization 26 Suntheram Family Trust Fund 58 Hindu Literature Fund 27 Hindu Press International Endowment Fund 59 Hinduism Today Complimentary Subscription Fund recognized as tax exempt by the IRS on April 22, 1994. Employer ID 99-0308924. Founded by Satguru 28 Loving Ganesha Distribution Fund 60 Himalayan Academy Book Distribution Fund Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, its philanthropic mission is to provide secure, professionally managed 29 Swami Agnivesh Endowment Fund 61 Kauai Aadheenam Yagam Fund financial support for institutions and religious leaders of all lineages of Sanatana Dharma. 30 Saiva Agamas Trust 62 Yogaswami Hindu Girls’ Home of Sittandy PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS: Halbert, Hargrove/Russell, Investment Counsel; Alvin G. Buchignani, 31 Spiritual Park of Mauritius Endowment Endowment Esq., Legal Counsel; and Hirose, Kato and Co., CPA. HHE is a member of the Council on Founda- 32 Positive Discipline Endowment 63 Sri Arjunan & Srimathi Dhalama Monastic Fund 33 Tirumular Sannidhi Preservation Fund tions, an association of 2,000 foundations which interprets relevant law and management and invest- ment principles. HHE Stewards and Staff: I want to participate. Where should I Send My Donation? You can send your gift to an Standing left to right are the stewards; existing fund, create a new endowment or request information through the address below. Dona- Paramacharya Palaniswami, tions may be made online at www.hheonline.org or use the HHE tear-out card in this magazine to Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, join our family of benefactors who are Strengthening Hinduism Worldwide. Thank you. Paramacharya Ceyonswami and Sannyasin Saravananathaswami. Hindu Heritage Endowment Seated is the HHE staff: Sannyasin Kauai’s Hindu MONASTERY Shanmuganathaswami, charitable funds 107 Kaholalele Road manager, and Sadhaka Jivanandanatha, Kapaa, Hawaii, 96746-9304 USA charitable funds accountant. 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"The best way to receive is to give. The giving of dakshina advances As I Knew Him As I Knew Him nonattachment, and thereby Bhakti and Jnana. Give one and receive tenfold." Ý«iÀˆi˜ViÃ]Ê"LÃiÀÛ>̈œ˜Ã]Ê>˜` S HIRDI S AI B ABA Ý«iÀˆi˜ViÃ]Ê"LÃiÀÛ>̈œ˜Ã]Ê>˜` ,iviV̈œ˜ÃʜvÊ>Ê ˆÃVˆ«i ,iviV̈œ˜ÃʜvÊ>Ê ˆÃVˆ«i LÞÊ,œÞÊ Õ}i˜iÊ >ۈà LÞÊ,œÞÊ Õ}i˜iÊ >ۈà Those seeking divine blessings can help foster world peace by iÜ]ʈÀÃÌÊ `ˆÌˆœ˜ sponsoring one or more of the yagnas listed below to receive the benefits listed. iÜ]ʈÀÃÌÊ `ˆÌˆœ˜ 108 Vedic Priests will conduct the yagnas in Andhra Pradesh, India. >À`VœÛiÀÊÊ* œÌœÃ >À`VœÛiÀÊÊ* œÌœÃ P A R A M A H A N S A £ÈäÊ*>}iÃÊÊf£Ó°ää P A R A M A H A N S A Poor feeding - $27, $54, or $108+ ($54 serves 200 meals). £ÈäÊ*>}iÃÊÊf£Ó°ää Y O G A N A N D A fÓ°ääÊ«œÃÌ>}iʈ˜Ê1°-° Y O G A N A N D A Ganapati (Removal of Obstacles), Mahalakshmi/ Kubera (Prosperity), Rudra (Health & Longevity), fÓ°ääÊ«œÃÌ>}iʈ˜Ê1°-° As I Knew Him "ÕÌÈ`iÊ1°-°Êfx°ää As I Knew Him Navagraha & Nakshatras (9 planets & 27 stars) (Fulfillment in all areas), Chandi/Durga "ÕÌÈ`iÊ1°-°Êfx°ää 6ˆÃ>]Ê ]Ê ˆÃVœÛiÀ] (Family/conjugal harmony), Brahma - Gayatri - Saraswati (Education), Big Problems Yagna (Mars, Sani, 6ˆÃ>]Ê ]Ê ˆÃVœÛiÀ] >˜`Ê
“ ÝÊ>VVi«Ìi`° Rahu, Ketu, Hanuman, Subramanya & Naga Pratistha), Sai Baba (Rama) (Spiritual illumination), >˜`Ê
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Ê*ÀiÃÃ*ÀiÃà (Peace of mind, liberation), Hanuman (For courage and success), Dhanvantari (Perfect health), *°"°Ê œÝÊÇ Sudarshana Chakra (Vision of light). $1,008 per yagna. *°"°Ê œÝÊÇ >Ži“œ˜Ì]ÊiœÀ}ˆ>>Ži“œ˜Ì]ÊiœÀ}ˆ> Putra-Kameshti (Seven day yagna for progeny) $2,500. Sponsorship of entire yagna $10,008. ÎäxxӇäää£ÎäxxӇäää£ To be a sponsor, send tax deductible check, money order, or credit card info to: //i\ÊÇäȇÇnӇ{ÇÓÎi\ÊÇäȇÇnӇ{ÇÓÎ Experiences, Observations,Observations, and and Reflections Reflections SSSB Temple World Peace Acct, P.O. Box 507, Pittsburgh, PA 15146; (412) 374-9244, >Ý\ÊÇäȇÇnӇ{xÈä>Ý\ÊÇäȇÇnӇ{xÈä ofof aa DiscipleDisciple e-mail [email protected]; website www.baba.org. Include birthstar and gotra if available. VÃ>ˆ˜VJVÃ>‡`>ۈðœÀ}VÃ>ˆ˜VJVÃ>‡`>ۈðœÀ} R O Y EE UU GG EE NN EE D D A A V V I IS S For information, contact Sai Sastri at [email protected], (808) 823-0108. ÜÜÜÜÜÜ°VÃ>‡`>ۈðœÀ}°VÃ>‡`>ۈðœÀ}
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Ü>Ài˜iÃð L ETALLTHE D ENIZENSIN A LLTHE W ORLDSBE H APPY . 83

A traditional Hindu ashram Gitananda Ashram ● Weekly and Summer seminars ● Certification courses ● Samnyas training centre ● Siddha Siddhanta Yoga ● Sri Vidya traditions ● Yoga ● Yoga therapy ● Ayurveda ● Indian dance and music ● Special puja

Located in an ideal setting immersed in My Lord of Light nature’s peace and silence where you can enjoy the bliss of ancient Oriental culture. Thou who Art The AUM of the Cosmos. PO Box 51, 17043 Carcare (Sv) Italy ● tel: +39-158-4692 Thou who are all Ears. fax: 584838 ● [email protected] ● www.hinduism.it Hear my cries. My eyes are in tears for HIM.

Feel my pulse. My heart pounds for HIM.

Moment to Moment In the depths of the Night My mind wonders of HIM.

Palm my forehead: I run a temperature; Burning in the fires of my longing for HIM.

Thou who removes obstacles. Thou who opens doors. Test me no longer; Lift me to HIM!

I kneel before The Emperor of the Galaxy. The Power. The Glory.

HIS EYES Like two moonbeams Shine through the window of my heart.

And as a lily opens to the moonlight In the darkness of the Night, My heart blossoms in HIS SIGHT.

By Dr Arjunan Subramaniam, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Composed in Thirupatturre, Tamil Nadu, India, 23rd to 25th March 2005. 84 85