SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 2020 (PAGE 3)

SCARED SPACE STUDENT-A valuable Lord of Dhyanpur treasure of the country Capt Purshotam Sharma ed Him to fetch ‘Gopi Chandan’ from town known as Kalanaur. Thousands of Dwarka (Gujrat) which He brought and people, men and women, young and old, Swami Ram Swarup ued. presented to His revered Guru with thronged to join Lal Ji’s prayers, ‘san- hri Shri 1008 Parmahamsa Bawa Nowadays when we eulogise the true stories of Sri Ram, Lal Dayal Ji Maharaj whose 665th humbleness. Immensely pleased, Guru keertans’ and discourses sessions and When the question to attain vidya by a student arises then Sri Krishna Maharaj, King Janak, King Harishchandra, SBirthday falls on January 26th, Maharaj administered some ‘Gopi became His followers and devotees. One the student must attain the following preach of Vidur Neeti Dashrath and their public then usually we forget that such 2020, was born on Monday, the second Chandan’ mixed with sacred dust on among them was Shri Dhyan Dass. One shloka 8/6 in his life- pious dignitaries got the eternal knowledge of Vedas from of bright fortnight of Maagh Vikrami Bawa Lal Ji’s ‘Lalaat’ (forehead). day, Bawa Lal Ji found Dhyan Dass "The student if is desirous of experiencing worldly merri- ancient Rishis traditionally. The said pious dignitaries proved Samvat 1412 in Village Amli of Lahore Impressed by His disciple’s Divine love, gloomy and made out that he was think- ment then he should leave vidya [study] otherwise he who is that to get such Vedic knowledge and adopt it's preach in dai- (now in Pakistan). Known as Lal Dass, Guru Maharaj found in Lal Ji worthy dis- ing of making a hermitage for Him. Bawa desirous of attaining Vidya, he never thinks about experienc- ly life is the main motto of human-life. So, it is regretful that Faqir Lal, Lal Dayal, Swami Lal, Baraji ciple qualified for oneness with the Lal Ji then pointed out towards a seclud- ing worldly merriment etc". has broken the tradition of listening and attaining vedic Lal, he had long sojourn of 300 years in ‘Brahmo’. ed place at six miles distance from Therefore, Vidur Neeti concludes that the student who is knowledge by students from a learned Acharya. mortal body. His parents Lala Bhola One day, both Master and the Disci- Kalanaur suitable for Ashram. Ashram desirous of worldly merriment should leave vidya (study) and In this regard, see what Rigved mantra 8/100/12 preach- Ram and Smt Krishna Devi were pious ple, on their way back from Nagar Kot, was soon built and named Dhyanpur by he who is desirous of attaining vidya, he should leave world- es here that assume that soul is telling to his body that Oh! souls who nursed the Lal (Ruby) to boy- stopped at a spot from where another Bawa Lal Ji Maharaj Himself. It is now ly merriment etc. friend, we must destroy sorrows and obstacles which come in hood with deep love and care. Zodiacal path led to different direction. Swami looked upon as a great shrine. The meaning of word- Vidya is the position at the time of birth showed that Chaitanya Ji Maharaj ordained Bawa Bawa Lal Ji said that through Yoga, voice/speech which gives knowledge. The aspi- He was incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He Lal Ji to opt for either of the two ways equilibrium of mind is attained to fall in rant who ardently desires to gain knowledge is has mastered whatever came His way. and proceed to deliver the message and communion with the Supreme, through called Vidyarthi-Student. Regarding obtaining of traditional knowl- One day, Lal Ji saw from some dis- mission of righteousness to the people. Dispassion the worldy temptations are vanquished, through knowledge the veil edge (Vidya) we will have to pay our attention of ignorance is removed and the Divine towards previous vedic yugas, where Brahma Wisdom dawns and it is through Devo- (learned of four Vedas) used to preach different types of moral duties and spiritual knowledge tion that love of God is attained. By fol- from Vedas in a Yajyen. Such preach is called lowing any one out of these four ways, Vidya. (Rigved mantra 10/71/11 refers). an aspirant can swim across the ocean of Vidya i.e. Divine knowledge gives salvation, if ‘samsara’ and can become one with Him we follow it. provided grace of perfect Guru us When we attain worldly knowledge, by which achieved. materialistic articles are obtained/gathered and Source of all creation is ‘Naad Brahm’ also other matters are obtained to live upon only, (Primordial vibration). Aspirant’s Devo- it is called Avidya. Please note that in present tion will certainly bear fruit if he has times, only avidya is being preached everywhere unflinching faith in his Master and fol- and hence problem. A deep study of Vedas lows his directions kicking off the ego. reveals that both vidya and avidya are necessary Soul is Eternal and unaffected by attrib- for human-life. utes (‘Gunas’) of nature. Attributes of That is why, Yajurved mantra 40/14 nature are like waves of a river which states that a person who knows and follows rise and merge in the river itself. Soul vidya, he realizes God and when he also and body when together cause joys and knows and follows avidya, he overcomes the sorrows. fear of death. Therefore, Vidya and Avidya In self-realization state, the soul are required to be known and progressed simultaneously, being the main motto of dwelling in the body is like a King sitting human life. on the throne. And in state of ignorance, Nowadays, mostly the students are told that the same soul is unknown -king-guest in education is the means to earn money to live some stranger’s house. Those who have upon, the present education being one-sided i.e. controlled the mind and senses and are related to said worldly matters only. unaffected by joys and sorrows liberate In the absence of proper arrangement of Gov- themselves from the births and deaths ernment ( as was provided by Kings in ancient cycle and become ‘Jeevan Mukta’ like a times) if one-sided progress , either in spiritual- fried seed that never sprouts. Those who ism or in worldly matters is attained by the stu- tance Swami Chaitanya Ji Maharaj Bawa Lal Ji most humbly obeyed His died in ‘Kaashi’ (body is called ‘Kaashi’) dents then surely illusion would generate in the cooking the rice in unique process. An Spiritual Master and set forth on His are liberated. But those who die carry- students as well as public and Government. And earthen pot filled with water and rice Mission instilling in masses the spark of ing with them worldly desires unfulfilled student being the invaluable treasure of the was put on ‘Chullah’ formed by holding spiritual awakening. are bound to be re-born. Whatever exists country would be effected by illusion and conse- his both the feet together and fire unde- Bawa Lal Ji stayed in Saharanpur for in this outer world is found in our inner quently violence, corruption, dishonour to meath was instantaneously produced by one hundred years. He was gifted 100 world also. women, malnutrition and several other problems would Yoga Shakti. After the meal was finished bighas of land for the Ashram and 800 Bawa Lal Ji Maharaj bade ‘adieu’ to emerge in the country. (Atharvaved mantra 11/3 (1)/31-33 life by getting vedic knowledge and science/philosophy and the eartnen pot was thrown away. Upon bighas for running it by the then Emper- this world of senses attaining refers). thus obtain salvation. this, it occurred to Lal Ji that He had or. This is called ‘Bawa Lal Ji Ka Bara’. ‘Mahasamadhi’ in 1656. So, necessary amendment in education system connecting It is sad that the present educational system is total- ly against the ancient gurukul educational system. The found the Master he had been longing Free Langar was established there. Bawa Thousands of people visit the Holy it to traditional education is the need of present time. In view of the above facts, four Vedas and the Vedic liter- present educational system is mostly deficient of code of for. Then He picked up three grains of Lal Ji started His day with morning dip Shrine of Bawa Lal Dayal Ji Maharaj’s ature preach the boys and girls to concentrate on studies for ethics in respect of students and you know, the person cooked rice left over in the broken pot as in Holy Ganga at Hardwar and made to Lal Dwara at Dhayanpur from all over ‘prasad’ and promptly slipped into and fro journey with ‘yogic’ powers. One whole of life while discharging all moral duties. The students who misconducts in life, he can not be purified by Vedas the world to seek His blessings. The must always keep themselves away from all kinds of violence, even. So, Government should pay utmost attention to trance. Swami Ji told Lal Ji that ‘God is day he could not make it. Ganga herself shrine is doing immense good to the One’’. Keep chanting ‘Hari Om Tat Sat’. appeared before Him and gushed out riots and other controversies. generate vedic values and morality in all students and mankind. There are hundreds of Lal Manusmriti shloka 1/108 preaches that the knowledge fulfil their reasonable demands to make the nation Chaitanya Ji Maharaj initiated Lal Ji from a spot near His feet. Thence-on- Dwaras all over the country and abroad wards, He bathed in that gushing Holy mentioned in Vedas and Smritis (i.e. religious books based on strong. into ‘Sannyas’ imparting Him the too humming with spiritual activities Vedas, written by Rishi-Munis) and holding the same in life Students are priceless gems to lead the country to get pond. One day, Holy Ganga again Supreme knowledge on the bank of and engaged in philanthropic acts of is the best authentic moral righteousness. And therefore the progress. Therefore, virtuous conduct, moral duties, ethical appeared and suggested Bawa Lal Ji to Raavi in the prescribed sacred manner. helping the poor and destitute. thoughts/deeds done against the vedas and smritis are total- behaviour, good character with control over senses, kindness, He called upon Lal Ji not to be enmeshed leave Saharanpur and make Panjab His All arrangements exist for the com- ly sinful acts. As was facilitated by Kings in the previous yugas, nationality and religious thoughts etc. are some of the good in worldly pleasures by falling prey to next abode. He explicitly carried out Her fortable stay of the pilgrims in Lal our Government should also make necessary arrangements to qualities which are required to be generated within each and temptations but take refuge in the lotus advice and left for Panjab. Dwara. A free ‘langar’ functions for the include listening of Vedas in present educational system so every Indian student and the duty of generating such quali- feet of His Guru. He further command- In Panjab, He reached in a small devotees. that the said eternal tradition of listening to Vedas is contin- ties within student, rests on parents and the Government. SOCIETY ART & CULTURE Celebrating Colorism Dogri Literature in Diksha Chowdhary sages and tend to purchase the prod- Few days ago, Zozibini Tunzi ucts. Some people face so much that became the first black Miss Universe. Don't go out in the sun, you will get they often go for pricey skin lightning And the reason why people were so treatments. Although women are more surprised about her win, was her skin Kolkata Lit Festival dark. Don't drink tea, you will get dark. pressurized to be fair, men have start- tone. She even confessed her struggles Don't go out without a sunscreen, ed to get influenced too. of being black. If she wasn't black, you will get dark. Obviously, there are enough adver- there would be no people who would Kunwar Viyogi’s be surprised. Complaining over complexion tisements to make them believe that begins the moment when a 'not so fair they can't be handsome if they aren't Our preference for light skin does- work found new child' is born. Indians have an unique fair. Same goes with women. Adver- n't only create beauty standards, it cre- kind of obsession when it comes to tisements exhibiting that if you apply ates inferiority complex among a lot of fans in Kolkata, whitening creams on your face, you people too. This feeling can be debili- having fair skin. Apply chickpea flour including legendary with curd daily, is the most unneces- will become confident instantly, is tating at times. Light skin is respected sary advice you will get if you are an loathsome. Celebrities that we get while dark is not. Especially dark writer and columnist Indian. The family members are the inspired by, are often seen doing woman have to suffer a lot. A shocking first who take the charge to start the advertisements claiming fair as more case is of a women who was burnt by Bachi Karkaria, unpleasant discrimination. attractive and demanding. These kind her husband because he thought she of endorsements lead to normalisation People believe that fair skin is relat- wasn't fair enough to keep his pride. 'I Bengali icon and was put in the last row despite being a good celebrated musician dancer, due to my colour- says a school student.' Usha Uthup and 'People don't talk to me. I know it's due to my colour. Bollywood actor, They don't like me around- states a college student.' theatre artist and Even after a lot of cam- writer Saurabh Shukla. paigns, our so called beau- ty standards haven't changed one iota. Excelsior Correspondent Rimi Chatterjee. The panel explored how modern literature What we really need is and popular culture including comics and films have the pow- to change our mentality he Kunwar Viyogi Memorial Trust took the work and er to redefine philosophy and spirituality. Philosophy and lit- towards a 'not so fair' per- vision of Dogra legend and award-winning poet Group erature students joined the discussion for a vibrant exchange son. We are all creations of TCaptain Randhir Singh aka Kunwar Viyogi to the pres- of ideas at the iconic bookstore. God, and each creation is tigious Kolkata Literature Festival. On day 3, the Trust was at Kolkata’s famous Allen Park to beautiful and unique in it's The foundation hosted multiple cultural events in the three host the session, ‘Can modern literature sustain feminism as own way. We need to day festival including poetry jams, discussions on modern lit- a force of reform?’. Moderated by Ayushman Jamwal, the pan- respect and celebrate each erature, mythology and Kunwar Viyogi’s fight for women’s elists included former U.S marine and author, Anuradha Bhagwati, who spoke about her fight against racism and sex- other a little more and rights through his writings. ism as an immigrant child in the United States in her book most importantly cherish “As part of our mission to promote Dogra culture, it was essential to take Kunwar Viyogi’s message to the Land of ‘Unbecoming: A Memoir of Disobedience’. Universi- what we are. Accepting Tagore,” said Ayushman Jamwal, Senior News Editor at CNN- ty professor Garima Gupta also joined the panel, highlighting of cruel colourism. yourself is the key. Com- News18 and curator of the Trust. “We created a platform for the feminist themes of Kunwar Viyogi’s work namely in his ed to intellect of a person. The more This is not the end. There are adver- menting on someone's colour just to artists and scholars for discussions on modern literature and winning poem ‘Ghar’. Garima Gupta fairer a person, the more intelligent make them feel bad is absurd, because social issues in the boom of the social media era.” also spoke about the writer’s fight against the patriarchy and he/she would be, is a big stupid mis- tisements in the newspapers, demand- ing a 'fair' bride/groom. Fair is cele- our society is made up like that. Being On day one of the festival, the Trust hosted a session on anti-women atrocities in Jammu. Both emphasised the pow- conception. We often attach meaning- called fair is not an abuse while being ‘Poetry in the social media era’ at the iconic Oxford Bookstore. er literature possesses to boost the feminist movement, while less and senseless conclusions with brated this much, that even if you go to a store to buy a normal moisturizer or dark is taken as an abuse. A lot of peo- The panel comprised of celebrated local poets including Garima Gupta called for a wider and inclusive discussion of someone's colour. Like, some believe ple say that black is their favourite Karuna Ezara Parikh and Sufia Khatoon along with musician different societal perspectives to empower the fight. that fair people are from good families other skin care products, the staff will colour, why this notion changes when Somak Sinha, who heads the multi-talented fusion band Adb- Kunwar Viyogi’s work found new fans in Kolkata, includ- while dark skinned aren't. Some don't give you an uninvited advice for light- it comes to a person? India will never hudam. Ayushman Jamwal moderated the panel and recited ing legendary writer and columnist Bachi Karkaria, Bengali even treat dark skinned people equal- ning your skin. Even Salons don't stay poems from his acclaimed book Silent Sun, sharing his award- icon and celebrated musician Usha Uthup and Bollywood ly. behind. For them perfect skin is 'fair develop fully, if our people would not change their mentality. They need to winning poem on Triple Talaq titled ‘Am I Not God’s Child?’, actor, theatre artist and writer Saurabh Shukla. They relished People even celebarte being fairer skin'. stop comparing white with black. Both and the story of how he crafted the verse. Adbhudam capped the poet’s sonnets and lauded the Trust’s work to take Dogra and can't afford a tinge of tan. Tan Fair people get advantage over dark off the session, wowing crowds by elevating Kunwar Viyogi’s are beautiful. literature to new heights. makes them feel ugly. It's not their skinned people most of the times- says sonnets with music, boosting the power of the poet’s lyrics. “Kolkata is a global cultural hub and is fertile ground for mistake only, our so called big brands my own experience. The growth of skin Brands really need to stop gushing On day two of the festival, local students flocked to the the revival of Dogra literature. The vision and work of leg- don't skip a tiny chance to put fair lightning products in India is boom- about the benefits of being fair. Rather Oxford Bookstore as the Trust hosted the session ‘Pop culture endary writers like Kunwar Viyogi need such platforms to be skinned people in the category of ing. I wish the love for self and respect they should embrace every colour. and modern mythology’. As an avid columnist for The Speak- spread across the nation,” says Ayushman Jamwal. “We will 'BEAUTIFUL' and 'HANDSOME'. We for others would boom in the same Because every colour is DIFFERENT ing Tree, Ayushman Jamwal hosted the session with celebrat- see Kolkata again, and the city’s art lovers here will see and get unsighted by their insensible mes- way. and BEAUTIFUL in it's own way. ed cultural academics and writers including Pinaki De and hear Kunwar Viyogi’s work and vision again.”