अयोध्या। राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ के सरसंघचालक मोहन भागवत ने कहा बाहर से देखकर संघ को समझ पाना बहुत मुश्किल है। यह संगठन स्वामी विवेकानंद जैसे महापुरुष को आदर्श मानकर परिस्थितियों का डटकर सामना करने में विश्वास करता है। उन्होंने स्वयंसेवकों को भारत माता को देवी और उनके हर पुत्र को भाई मानते हुए राष्ट्र सेवा करने की नसीहत दी।
वह रविवार को यहां अवध प्रांत से जुड़े 22 जिलों के स्वयंसेवकों की सभा में बोल रहे थे। उन्होंने कहा कि संघ स्वयंसेवकों के बूते चलता है। उनकी संख्या ही हमारा प्राण है। इसी संख्या बल से हमारा आत्मबल बढ़ता है और हमारी वाणी का प्रभाव पड़ता है।
भागवत ने कहा कि संघ के लिए शाखा ही सब कुछ है। शाखा में एक भी सदस्य की अनुपस्थिति का पूरे संघ पर प्रभाव पड़ता है। भागवत ने कहा कि जब परिवेश ठीक रहेगा तभी देश का विकास होगा। हमारे संतों-महापुरुषों ने परिवेश को ठीक करने के लिए ही जीवन समर्पित कर दिया। इसी कारण वे हमारे आदर्श बने हैं।
उन्होंने स्वामी विवेकानंद की अयोध्या यात्रा जिक्र करते हुए बंदरों से उनके संघर्ष व डटकर खड़े होने पर बंदरों के भागने के प्रसंग का उल्लेख किया। कहा कि डटकर खड़े होने अथवा परिस्थितियों का सामने करने से ही विजयश्री मिलती है। भारत माता को देवी व उनके प्रत्येक पुत्र को अपना भाई मानकर कर्म करने की आवश्यकता है। इस कार्य में यदि तरुणाई भी जुट जाय तो देश की तकदीर बदल जाएगी।
सर संघचालक ने कहा कि हमें हिंदू होने का अभिमान करना चाहिए। देश में स्वार्थ के आधार पर राजनीति हो रही है और जातिवाद का जहर घोला जा रहा है। इन परिस्थितियों से उबरते हुए हमें योग्य भारत का निर्माण करना होगा। उन्होंने कहा कि संकट के समय आपकी सुसुप्त शक्तियां जाग्रत हो जाती हैं। यदि हम इसी को हमेशा जाग्रत रखें तो हर लक्ष्य प्राप्त किया जा सकता है। उन्होंने कहा कि भारत को अपने इतिहास-संस्कृति से सबक लेकर आगे बढ़ना चाहिए।
इस अवसर पर विहिप के संरक्षक अशोक सिंघल, सह संघचालक देवेंद्र प्रताप, प्रांत संघ चालक धीरज अग्रवाल भी मौजूद रहे। संचालन अनिल मिश्र ने किया।
Monday, February 27, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
तीन हजार से अधिक वनवासी स्वधर्म में वापस
तीन हजार से अधिक वनवासी स्वधर्म में वापस
Bhubaneswar(visakeo)
उड़ीसा के सुन्दरगढ़ में गत 23 फरवरी को स्वधर्म वापसी का विशाल कार्यक्रम सम्पन्न हुआ। विश्व हिन्दू परिषद द्वारा आयोजित इस कार्यक्रम में 102 जनजाति गांवों के 658 जनजाति परिवारों ने स्वेच्छा से अपना मूल हिन्दू धर्म स्वीकार किया। 658 जनजाति परिवारों में कुल 3127 लोग थे, जिनमें 1513 पुरुष तथा 1614 महिलाएं थीं। इन परिवारों को कुछ समय पूर्व ईसाई मिशनरियों ने ईसाई मत में जबरन मतांतरित कर दिया था। कार्यक्रम की अध्यक्षता विश्व हिन्दू परिषद के कार्यकारी अध्यक्ष डा. प्रवीण भाई तोगड़िया ने की।
स्वधर्म वापसी के लिए आयोजित महायज्ञ के शुरू होने से पहले 500 से अधिक महिलाओं ने इब नदी से पवित्र जल लेकर कलश यात्रा निकाली। इसके अलावा विहिप द्वारा झारसुगुड़ा रोड से एक मोटर साइकिल रैली निकाली गई जो शहर का भ्रमण करने के बाद कार्यक्रम स्थल पर पहुंची। रैली में सौ से अधिक वाहन सम्मिलित हुए।
स्वेच्छा और उल्लास के साथ पुन: हिन्दू धर्म स्वीकार करने वाले परिवारों को धन्यवाद देते हुए डा. तोगड़िया ने कहा कि जनजाति भारत की जड़ें हैं। यह हमारी वर्षों पुरानी परम्परा और संस्कृति के संरक्षक हैं। हमें कुछ भी करके इनकी तथा इनके अधिकारों की रक्षा करनी होगी।
जनजातियों को मिलने वाले आरक्षण के संबंध में बोलते हुए उन्होंने कहा कि बहुत से ईसाई अभी भी गरीब जनजातियों को मिलने वाले शिक्षा, नौकरी, ऋण आदि से संबंधित आरक्षण का लाभ ले रहे हैं। इस पर तुरन्त रोक लगनी चाहिए और सभी मतांतरित ईसाई या अन्य ईसाइयों को जनजातियों को मिलने वाले आरक्षण की सूची से बाहर किया जाना चाहिए। उन्होंने कहा कि जिस तरह अनुसूचित जाति से ईसाई मत में मतांतरित व्यक्ति को अनुसूचित जाति के आरक्षण का लाभ नहीं मिलता। ठीक इसी तरह जो जनजाति ईसाई मत में मतांतरित हो जाए उसे जनजाति आरक्षण की सूची से बाहर कर दिया जाए। उन्होंने कहा कि इस संबंध में संशोधन के लिए सन् 1975 में श्री कार्तिक उरांव ने संसद में एक विधेयक प्रस्तुत किया था, परन्तु बिना कोई ठोस कारण बताए उसे ठंडे बस्ते में डाल दिया गया। जबकि 300 सदस्यों ने संशोेधन के पक्ष में हस्ताक्षर किए थे।
डा. तोगड़िया ने कहा कि विहिप जनजातियों का जीवन स्तर उठाने तथा उनके अधिकारों की लड़ाई लड़ रही है। उन्होंने कहा कि जनजाति क्षेत्रों में शिक्षा, स्वास्थ्य व रोजगार को लेकर विहिप द्वारा हजारों की संख्या में सेवा प्रकल्प चलाए जा रहे हैं। इन सेवा प्रकल्पों की संख्या आगामी दिनों में और अधिक की जाएगी।
बजरंग दल के राष्ट्रीय संयोजक श्री सुभाष चौहान ने कहा कि वनवासियों के उत्थान में अपना जीवन लगाने वाले स्वामी लक्ष्मणानंद सरस्वती की हत्या को तीन साल पूरे हो चुके हैं, पर अभी तक हत्यारों को पकड़ा नहीं गया है। कुछ लोग जंगलों में छुपकर उनकी हत्या की जिम्मेदारी ले रहे हैं। स्वामी जी ने उनको किसी प्रकार से हानि नहीं पहुंचायी थी, तो फिर उन्होंने स्वामी जी की हत्या किसके कहने पर और क्यों की? इसको उन्हें स्पष्ट करना चाहिए।
कार्यक्रम में स्वामी जीवन मुक्तानंद पुरी, विहिप के केन्द्रीय सत्संग प्रमुख डा. बसंत रथ, विहिप पश्चिम उत्कल प्रांत के अध्यक्ष श्री प्रदीप बहिदार, विहिप के प्रदेश संगठन मंत्री श्री शरत कुमार प्रधान तथा राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ के प्रांत संघचालक श्री बिपिन बिहारी नंद व अन्य वरिष्ठ पदाधिकारी उपस्थित थे। कार्यक्रम का संचालन क्षेत्रीय धर्म प्रसार प्रमुख श्री अच्युतानंद कर ने किया। इस अवसर पर बड़ी संख्या में स्थानीय गण्यमान्य नागरिक भी उपस्थित थे।
Bhubaneswar(visakeo)
उड़ीसा के सुन्दरगढ़ में गत 23 फरवरी को स्वधर्म वापसी का विशाल कार्यक्रम सम्पन्न हुआ। विश्व हिन्दू परिषद द्वारा आयोजित इस कार्यक्रम में 102 जनजाति गांवों के 658 जनजाति परिवारों ने स्वेच्छा से अपना मूल हिन्दू धर्म स्वीकार किया। 658 जनजाति परिवारों में कुल 3127 लोग थे, जिनमें 1513 पुरुष तथा 1614 महिलाएं थीं। इन परिवारों को कुछ समय पूर्व ईसाई मिशनरियों ने ईसाई मत में जबरन मतांतरित कर दिया था। कार्यक्रम की अध्यक्षता विश्व हिन्दू परिषद के कार्यकारी अध्यक्ष डा. प्रवीण भाई तोगड़िया ने की।
स्वधर्म वापसी के लिए आयोजित महायज्ञ के शुरू होने से पहले 500 से अधिक महिलाओं ने इब नदी से पवित्र जल लेकर कलश यात्रा निकाली। इसके अलावा विहिप द्वारा झारसुगुड़ा रोड से एक मोटर साइकिल रैली निकाली गई जो शहर का भ्रमण करने के बाद कार्यक्रम स्थल पर पहुंची। रैली में सौ से अधिक वाहन सम्मिलित हुए।
स्वेच्छा और उल्लास के साथ पुन: हिन्दू धर्म स्वीकार करने वाले परिवारों को धन्यवाद देते हुए डा. तोगड़िया ने कहा कि जनजाति भारत की जड़ें हैं। यह हमारी वर्षों पुरानी परम्परा और संस्कृति के संरक्षक हैं। हमें कुछ भी करके इनकी तथा इनके अधिकारों की रक्षा करनी होगी।
जनजातियों को मिलने वाले आरक्षण के संबंध में बोलते हुए उन्होंने कहा कि बहुत से ईसाई अभी भी गरीब जनजातियों को मिलने वाले शिक्षा, नौकरी, ऋण आदि से संबंधित आरक्षण का लाभ ले रहे हैं। इस पर तुरन्त रोक लगनी चाहिए और सभी मतांतरित ईसाई या अन्य ईसाइयों को जनजातियों को मिलने वाले आरक्षण की सूची से बाहर किया जाना चाहिए। उन्होंने कहा कि जिस तरह अनुसूचित जाति से ईसाई मत में मतांतरित व्यक्ति को अनुसूचित जाति के आरक्षण का लाभ नहीं मिलता। ठीक इसी तरह जो जनजाति ईसाई मत में मतांतरित हो जाए उसे जनजाति आरक्षण की सूची से बाहर कर दिया जाए। उन्होंने कहा कि इस संबंध में संशोधन के लिए सन् 1975 में श्री कार्तिक उरांव ने संसद में एक विधेयक प्रस्तुत किया था, परन्तु बिना कोई ठोस कारण बताए उसे ठंडे बस्ते में डाल दिया गया। जबकि 300 सदस्यों ने संशोेधन के पक्ष में हस्ताक्षर किए थे।
डा. तोगड़िया ने कहा कि विहिप जनजातियों का जीवन स्तर उठाने तथा उनके अधिकारों की लड़ाई लड़ रही है। उन्होंने कहा कि जनजाति क्षेत्रों में शिक्षा, स्वास्थ्य व रोजगार को लेकर विहिप द्वारा हजारों की संख्या में सेवा प्रकल्प चलाए जा रहे हैं। इन सेवा प्रकल्पों की संख्या आगामी दिनों में और अधिक की जाएगी।
बजरंग दल के राष्ट्रीय संयोजक श्री सुभाष चौहान ने कहा कि वनवासियों के उत्थान में अपना जीवन लगाने वाले स्वामी लक्ष्मणानंद सरस्वती की हत्या को तीन साल पूरे हो चुके हैं, पर अभी तक हत्यारों को पकड़ा नहीं गया है। कुछ लोग जंगलों में छुपकर उनकी हत्या की जिम्मेदारी ले रहे हैं। स्वामी जी ने उनको किसी प्रकार से हानि नहीं पहुंचायी थी, तो फिर उन्होंने स्वामी जी की हत्या किसके कहने पर और क्यों की? इसको उन्हें स्पष्ट करना चाहिए।
कार्यक्रम में स्वामी जीवन मुक्तानंद पुरी, विहिप के केन्द्रीय सत्संग प्रमुख डा. बसंत रथ, विहिप पश्चिम उत्कल प्रांत के अध्यक्ष श्री प्रदीप बहिदार, विहिप के प्रदेश संगठन मंत्री श्री शरत कुमार प्रधान तथा राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ के प्रांत संघचालक श्री बिपिन बिहारी नंद व अन्य वरिष्ठ पदाधिकारी उपस्थित थे। कार्यक्रम का संचालन क्षेत्रीय धर्म प्रसार प्रमुख श्री अच्युतानंद कर ने किया। इस अवसर पर बड़ी संख्या में स्थानीय गण्यमान्य नागरिक भी उपस्थित थे।
3,127 people adopt Hinduism
Returning to Hindu fold in Odisha
3,127 people adopt Hinduism
Bhubaneswar(visakeo)-
In an unprecedented event of the like nature, about 3,127 coveted Christians came back to Hinduism on February 23, in Sundargarh. Out of the total number, 1513 are men and 1,614 are women. This was achieved through paravartanjajna (Homecoming) organised by the VHP in which VHP’s International Working President Dr Pravin Togadia was present as the chief guest.
While thanking villagers who returned to their ancestors’ religion, Dr Togadia said, “Vanvasis are the sons of the soil. They are the custodians of our age old rich traditions and culture. We all must do good to protect them and their interests. The facilities which the Vanvasis are entitled to get for their sustainable development, has been hijacked by the evangelists. Many Christians are availing of the quota meant for the poor Vanvasis depriving them from their legitimate rights, jobs, loans, lands etc. This should immediately come to an end. Christians should immediately be delisted from the reservations meant for the Tribals. Those who convert to Christianity from Scheduled Castes Scheduled Tribes should not be given the benefits of reservations.” “In 1975, a Bill for amending the Constitution to this regard was brought in by Shri Kartik Urav who was a Tribal from Odisha. About 300 Members of the Parliament had signed the Bill agreeing that the Tribals who got converted to Christianity should be de-listed from the reservations. The amendment was about to be passed but got shelved for unknown reasons. It should be brought back again and be passed immediately.
Dr Togadia appealed to all to support activities to educate, empower and enable Tribals to prosper. VHP is running over 40,000 schools, residential schools, colleges for tribal children in tribal areas all over the country, which produce doctors, top government officers and successful scientists. VHP provides medical facilities including hospitals, ambulances, blood banks and primary health care centres for Tribals in their native areas for quick medical help. There are self help centres and vocational guidance units where women and men are being imparted with education how to live a dignified life in the society.” Dr Togadia said. He also appealed to the public for regular contribution towards protection of dharma, culture and heritage.
Dr. Togadia also inaugurated the new building of ‘Ahalya Nivas’ a destitute home run by the VHP in Cuttack. In a press meet in Bhubaneswar, Dr Pravin Togadia said the newly formed National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) by the Central government is an “eyewash” and an attempt to "grab” powers enjoyed by the State governments. Talking to reporters Togadia asked: “If the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was so sincere about fighting terror, why it removed Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), conferred Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan, shared power with a government which withdrew special power to the army which is combating terror in Jammu and Kashmir?”
Dr Togadia said the Central government was not at all serious about countering terror and only wanted to usurp the law and order powers of the states. If the Central government is serious about countering terrorism, it should first show its sincerity by coming out with a law stronger than POTA, he said.
“Let the Central government first protect the police and army personnel who are fighting against terror,” Dr Togadia said, demanding that the NCTC in its present form, the “brain child” of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, be withdrawn immediately.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Communal Violence Bill a jihad against Hindus: Pravin Togadia
BHUBANESWAR (vsk)
Coming down heavily over the proposed National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) by the Centre, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) asked the Union Government to roll back its decision to form the anti-terror agency.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad international general secretary Pravin Togadia on Wednesday demanded immediate withdrawal of the newly created National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) which is to become operational on March 1 under Intelligence Bureau (IB).
“The VHP is opposed to NCTC as it would infringe upon the rights of the states and destabilise the federal structure,” Togadia told mediapersons here.
“If the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government was so sincere about fighting terror, why it removed Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), conferred ‘most favoured nation’ status to Pakistan and contemplated lifting of the Armed Forces Special Power Act in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Lack of seriousness on the part of the Centre to fight terrorism is reflected in its inability to award capital punishment to Afzal Guru and Kasab, he said. Instead, NCTC is a ploy to divert attention of the people from various corruption cases plaguing the Centre.
The VHP will also oppose religion-based reservation, he said adding that it goes against the Constitution. Togadia who is on a two-day visit to the State said VHP would launch a nationwide campaign, Hindu Roti and Sikhya Bachao, starting from Somnath in Gujarat from February 27.
Coming down heavily over the proposed National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) by the Centre, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) asked the Union Government to roll back its decision to form the anti-terror agency.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad international general secretary Pravin Togadia on Wednesday demanded immediate withdrawal of the newly created National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) which is to become operational on March 1 under Intelligence Bureau (IB).
“The VHP is opposed to NCTC as it would infringe upon the rights of the states and destabilise the federal structure,” Togadia told mediapersons here.
“If the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government was so sincere about fighting terror, why it removed Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), conferred ‘most favoured nation’ status to Pakistan and contemplated lifting of the Armed Forces Special Power Act in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Lack of seriousness on the part of the Centre to fight terrorism is reflected in its inability to award capital punishment to Afzal Guru and Kasab, he said. Instead, NCTC is a ploy to divert attention of the people from various corruption cases plaguing the Centre.
The VHP will also oppose religion-based reservation, he said adding that it goes against the Constitution. Togadia who is on a two-day visit to the State said VHP would launch a nationwide campaign, Hindu Roti and Sikhya Bachao, starting from Somnath in Gujarat from February 27.
आतंकवाद के खिलाफ केन्द्र द्वारा प्रस्तुत एनसीटीसी कानून में कोई दम नहीं-प्रवीण भाई तोगड़िया
भुवनेश्वर, vsk संवाददाता
विश्व हिन्दू परिषद के फायर ब्राण्ड नेता प्रवीण भाई तोगड़िया दो दिवसीय ओड़िशा दौरे पर भुवनेश्वर पहुंचे हैं। भुवनेश्वर में पत्रकारों से बातचीत करते हुए श्रीतोगड़िया ने कहा कि आतंकवाद के खिलाफ केन्द्र द्वारा प्रस्तुत एनसीटीसी कानून में कोई दम नहीं है। उन्होंने कहा कि यह कानून आतंकवाद को कड़ाई से दमन करने का इरादा ही नहीं रखता है। केन्द्र सरकार के
आतंकवाद विरोधी नीति पर सवाल उठाते हुए श्री तोगड़िया ने कहा कि केन्द्र आतंकवाद को मिटाना ही नहींचाहता है। अगर ऐसा होता तो फिर पोटा कानून का हटाया जाना कहां तक सही है। प्रवीण भाई ने कहा कि केन्द्र आतंकवाद को मजहब से जोड़कर देख रहा है, जो उचित नहीं है। उन्होंने कहा कि केन्द्र की कांग्रेस सरकार हमेशा से मजहबी उन्माद फैलाना चाहती है। हाल ही में अल्प संख्यक वर्ग को आरक्षण दिए जाने के पीछे यही मंशा है। उन्होंने कहा कि ओबीसी कोटे से अल्प संख्यकों के लिए आरक्षण का अलग मुद्दा बनाना पिछड़ी जातियों के अधिकार पर खुला आक्रमण है। विश्व हिन्दू नेता ने कहा कि देश में बड़े पैमाने पर धर्मान्तरीकरण की प्रक्रिया चल रही है, जिस पर रोक लगाना जरूरी है। उन्होंने हिन्दू रोटी व शिक्षा बचाओ अभियान के नाम से नए आंदोलन छेड़े जाने की सूचना दी है। प्रवीण भाई के साथ पत्रकार वार्ता में बजरंग दल के संयोजक सुभाष चौहान सहित प्रदेश विश्व हिन्दू परिषद के वरिष्ठ नेता मौजूद थे। आज भुवनेश्वर के बाद श्री तोगड़िया कटक जाएंगे। वहां से उनका अनुगुल जाने का कार्यक्रम है। गुरुवार को सुन्दरगड़ जिले में धर्मान्तरीकरण के खिलाफ एक बड़े कार्यक्रम में तोगड़िया के शामिल होने की सूचना है। प्रवीण तोगड़िया ने कहा कि केन्द्र आतंकवाद से लड़ने की मंशा ही नहीं रखता है। उन्होंने कहा कि यदि ऐसा होता तो आतंकी का साथ और अफजल गुरू को फांसी देने की मांग में केन्द्र टाल मटोल का रवैया क्यों अपना रहा है।
विश्व हिन्दू परिषद के फायर ब्राण्ड नेता प्रवीण भाई तोगड़िया दो दिवसीय ओड़िशा दौरे पर भुवनेश्वर पहुंचे हैं। भुवनेश्वर में पत्रकारों से बातचीत करते हुए श्रीतोगड़िया ने कहा कि आतंकवाद के खिलाफ केन्द्र द्वारा प्रस्तुत एनसीटीसी कानून में कोई दम नहीं है। उन्होंने कहा कि यह कानून आतंकवाद को कड़ाई से दमन करने का इरादा ही नहीं रखता है। केन्द्र सरकार के
आतंकवाद विरोधी नीति पर सवाल उठाते हुए श्री तोगड़िया ने कहा कि केन्द्र आतंकवाद को मिटाना ही नहींचाहता है। अगर ऐसा होता तो फिर पोटा कानून का हटाया जाना कहां तक सही है। प्रवीण भाई ने कहा कि केन्द्र आतंकवाद को मजहब से जोड़कर देख रहा है, जो उचित नहीं है। उन्होंने कहा कि केन्द्र की कांग्रेस सरकार हमेशा से मजहबी उन्माद फैलाना चाहती है। हाल ही में अल्प संख्यक वर्ग को आरक्षण दिए जाने के पीछे यही मंशा है। उन्होंने कहा कि ओबीसी कोटे से अल्प संख्यकों के लिए आरक्षण का अलग मुद्दा बनाना पिछड़ी जातियों के अधिकार पर खुला आक्रमण है। विश्व हिन्दू नेता ने कहा कि देश में बड़े पैमाने पर धर्मान्तरीकरण की प्रक्रिया चल रही है, जिस पर रोक लगाना जरूरी है। उन्होंने हिन्दू रोटी व शिक्षा बचाओ अभियान के नाम से नए आंदोलन छेड़े जाने की सूचना दी है। प्रवीण भाई के साथ पत्रकार वार्ता में बजरंग दल के संयोजक सुभाष चौहान सहित प्रदेश विश्व हिन्दू परिषद के वरिष्ठ नेता मौजूद थे। आज भुवनेश्वर के बाद श्री तोगड़िया कटक जाएंगे। वहां से उनका अनुगुल जाने का कार्यक्रम है। गुरुवार को सुन्दरगड़ जिले में धर्मान्तरीकरण के खिलाफ एक बड़े कार्यक्रम में तोगड़िया के शामिल होने की सूचना है। प्रवीण तोगड़िया ने कहा कि केन्द्र आतंकवाद से लड़ने की मंशा ही नहीं रखता है। उन्होंने कहा कि यदि ऐसा होता तो आतंकी का साथ और अफजल गुरू को फांसी देने की मांग में केन्द्र टाल मटोल का रवैया क्यों अपना रहा है।
Viswa Sambad Kendra State unit organised an inter-school debate competition
Visakeo holds debate competition
Bhubaneswar: The Viswa Sambad Kendra State unit organised an inter-school debate competition on ‘Swami Vivekananda: Carrier of Indian Culture’ at the Saraswati Sishu Vidyamanir, Karavelanagar here on Sunday. The competition was held among students from Class VIII to Class X.
In all 199 students participated. Raghunatha Pati, Bikramkeshari Parija, Sanjaya kumar Panda, Lakhman Panda, Samir Mohanty, Suant Panda, Ashok Sahu, and Niranjan Nayak were members on the jury. Ashook kumar shaoo, general secretary of the organisation said the winning students will be rewarded at a function to observe the birth anniversary of Maharsi Narada at Jayadev Bhawan, Bhubaneswar on May 7.
Bhubaneswar: The Viswa Sambad Kendra State unit organised an inter-school debate competition on ‘Swami Vivekananda: Carrier of Indian Culture’ at the Saraswati Sishu Vidyamanir, Karavelanagar here on Sunday. The competition was held among students from Class VIII to Class X.
In all 199 students participated. Raghunatha Pati, Bikramkeshari Parija, Sanjaya kumar Panda, Lakhman Panda, Samir Mohanty, Suant Panda, Ashok Sahu, and Niranjan Nayak were members on the jury. Ashook kumar shaoo, general secretary of the organisation said the winning students will be rewarded at a function to observe the birth anniversary of Maharsi Narada at Jayadev Bhawan, Bhubaneswar on May 7.
राजधानी भुवनेश्वर के लगभग सभी मंदिरों में महाशिवरात्रि के अवसर पर भक्तों की अपार भीड़ उमड़ी
भुवनेश्वर vsk संवाददाता,
प्रसिद्ध लिंगराज, केदारगौरी, मेघेश्वर, रामेश्वर राम मंदिर सहित राजधानी भुवनेश्वर के लगभग सभी मंदिरों में महाशिवरात्रि के अवसर पर भक्तों की अपार भीड़ उमड़ी। लिंगराज मंदिर में तो भोर से ही लोग लाईन में लगे दिखाई दिए। हाथों मेंपूजा की सामग्री लेकर अपनी बारी का इंतजार करते लोगों में काफी उत्साह देखा गया शिकन कहींभी भक्तों के चेहरे पर नहीं दिखी। महाशिवरात्रि के मौके पर शहर के शिवालयों में भक्तों के पूजा-अर्चना-दर्शन के लिए विशेष व्यवस्था की गई। बेलपत्ता,कच्चा दुध, धतुरा, कनेर, फुल-फल लेकर भक्त लोग कतारबद्ध होकर शृंखलित खड़े दिखे।
वर्षों बाद सोमवार के दिन महाशिवरात्रि का पावन त्यौहार आया है। इसे लेकर भक्तों में उत्साह चरम पर है। शिवालय व देवालयों में भगवान आशुतोष का जलाभिषेक किया गया। लिंगराज मंदिर सहित शहर के विभिन्न शिवालयों में जागर यात्रा के विशेष प्रबंधन किए गये हैं। प्रशासन की तरफ से भी शिवरात्रि के मद्दे नजर कानून व्यवस्था बनाए रखने के लिए विशेष प्रबंध किए गये हैं। खासकर लिंगराज मंदिर के आसपास सुरक्षा के पुख्ता इंतजाम किया गया। यहां मंदिर के बाहर अस्थाई पुलिस कैंप भी लगाया गया है। महिला भक्तों के लिए महिला पुलिस को सेवा में लगाया गया है। विभिन्न मंदिरों में जागर यात्रा के लिए तैयारी की गई है। व्रत-धारी आमतौर पर जागर के दीप दर्शन के उपरान्त ही अन्न जल ग्रहण करते हैं। व्रत धारी सुबह से ही निष्ठा व भक्ति के साथ भगवान भोले शंकर की आराधना में लीन रहे। अनेक मंदिरों में भजन संध्या का आयोजन किया गया है। स्थानीय राम मंदिर में महाशिवरात्रि के मौके पर भजन संध्या का आयोजन किया गया। काशी विश्वनाथ से आए भजन गायक अनूप मिश्र भगवान भोले नाथ को प्रसन्न करने एवं राजधानी वासियों को अमन चैन हेतु बाबा भोलेनाथ की आराधना संबन्धित गायकी पेश किए। राममंदिर के मुख्य पुजारी महारूद्र झा ने बताया कि शाम करीबन 7:30 बजे से भजन कार्यक्रम की व्यवस्था की गई है।
प्रसिद्ध लिंगराज, केदारगौरी, मेघेश्वर, रामेश्वर राम मंदिर सहित राजधानी भुवनेश्वर के लगभग सभी मंदिरों में महाशिवरात्रि के अवसर पर भक्तों की अपार भीड़ उमड़ी। लिंगराज मंदिर में तो भोर से ही लोग लाईन में लगे दिखाई दिए। हाथों मेंपूजा की सामग्री लेकर अपनी बारी का इंतजार करते लोगों में काफी उत्साह देखा गया शिकन कहींभी भक्तों के चेहरे पर नहीं दिखी। महाशिवरात्रि के मौके पर शहर के शिवालयों में भक्तों के पूजा-अर्चना-दर्शन के लिए विशेष व्यवस्था की गई। बेलपत्ता,कच्चा दुध, धतुरा, कनेर, फुल-फल लेकर भक्त लोग कतारबद्ध होकर शृंखलित खड़े दिखे।
वर्षों बाद सोमवार के दिन महाशिवरात्रि का पावन त्यौहार आया है। इसे लेकर भक्तों में उत्साह चरम पर है। शिवालय व देवालयों में भगवान आशुतोष का जलाभिषेक किया गया। लिंगराज मंदिर सहित शहर के विभिन्न शिवालयों में जागर यात्रा के विशेष प्रबंधन किए गये हैं। प्रशासन की तरफ से भी शिवरात्रि के मद्दे नजर कानून व्यवस्था बनाए रखने के लिए विशेष प्रबंध किए गये हैं। खासकर लिंगराज मंदिर के आसपास सुरक्षा के पुख्ता इंतजाम किया गया। यहां मंदिर के बाहर अस्थाई पुलिस कैंप भी लगाया गया है। महिला भक्तों के लिए महिला पुलिस को सेवा में लगाया गया है। विभिन्न मंदिरों में जागर यात्रा के लिए तैयारी की गई है। व्रत-धारी आमतौर पर जागर के दीप दर्शन के उपरान्त ही अन्न जल ग्रहण करते हैं। व्रत धारी सुबह से ही निष्ठा व भक्ति के साथ भगवान भोले शंकर की आराधना में लीन रहे। अनेक मंदिरों में भजन संध्या का आयोजन किया गया है। स्थानीय राम मंदिर में महाशिवरात्रि के मौके पर भजन संध्या का आयोजन किया गया। काशी विश्वनाथ से आए भजन गायक अनूप मिश्र भगवान भोले नाथ को प्रसन्न करने एवं राजधानी वासियों को अमन चैन हेतु बाबा भोलेनाथ की आराधना संबन्धित गायकी पेश किए। राममंदिर के मुख्य पुजारी महारूद्र झा ने बताया कि शाम करीबन 7:30 बजे से भजन कार्यक्रम की व्यवस्था की गई है।
विश्व संवाद केन्द्र ओड़िशा शाखा अन्त:विद्यालय भाषण प्रतियोगिता का आयोजन
भुवनेश्वर : स्थानीय यूनिट-3 सरस्वती विद्या मंदिर में सुबह 8 बजे अन्त: विद्यालय भाषण प्रतियोगिता का आयोजन किया गया। इस भाषण प्रतियोगिता में 8वीं कक्षा से 10वीं कक्षा के मध्य छात्र-छात्राओं ने भाग लिया।
विश्व संवाद केन्द्र ओड़िशा शाखा की ओर से आज एक अन्त:विद्यालय भाषण प्रतियोगिता का आयोजन किया गया। स्थानीय यूनिट-3 सरस्वती विद्या मंदिर में सुबह 8 बजे आयोजित इस भाषण प्रतियोगिता में 8वीं कक्षा से 10वीं कक्षा के मध्य छात्र-छात्राओं ने भाग लिया। भारतीय संस्कृति के वार्तावह स्वामी विवेकानंद शीर्षक इस प्रतियोगिता में बड़ी संख्या में विद्यार्थियों ने भाग लिया। रघुनाथ पति, विक्रम केशरी परिजा, संजय कुमार पण्डा, लक्ष्मण पण्डा, सुमन्त पण्डा, अशोक साहू प्रमुख ने निर्णायक की भूमिका निभाई। विश्व संवाद केन्द्र के संपादक अशोक साहू ने सूचना दिया है कि स्वामी विवेकानंद शतवार्षिकी पालन के अवसर पर यह प्रतियोगिता आयोजित की गई है। कुल 119 प्रतिभागियों को लेकर हुई प्रतियोगिता के सफल प्रतिभागियों को आगामी नारद जयंती के अवसर पर 7 मई को सम्मानित किया जाएगा।
विश्व संवाद केन्द्र ओड़िशा शाखा की ओर से आज एक अन्त:विद्यालय भाषण प्रतियोगिता का आयोजन किया गया। स्थानीय यूनिट-3 सरस्वती विद्या मंदिर में सुबह 8 बजे आयोजित इस भाषण प्रतियोगिता में 8वीं कक्षा से 10वीं कक्षा के मध्य छात्र-छात्राओं ने भाग लिया। भारतीय संस्कृति के वार्तावह स्वामी विवेकानंद शीर्षक इस प्रतियोगिता में बड़ी संख्या में विद्यार्थियों ने भाग लिया। रघुनाथ पति, विक्रम केशरी परिजा, संजय कुमार पण्डा, लक्ष्मण पण्डा, सुमन्त पण्डा, अशोक साहू प्रमुख ने निर्णायक की भूमिका निभाई। विश्व संवाद केन्द्र के संपादक अशोक साहू ने सूचना दिया है कि स्वामी विवेकानंद शतवार्षिकी पालन के अवसर पर यह प्रतियोगिता आयोजित की गई है। कुल 119 प्रतिभागियों को लेकर हुई प्रतियोगिता के सफल प्रतिभागियों को आगामी नारद जयंती के अवसर पर 7 मई को सम्मानित किया जाएगा।
Friday, February 17, 2012
योग व प्राणायाम स्वास्थ्य ठीक रखने श्रेष्ठ उपाय
राउरकेला,vsk संवाददाता :
योग व प्राणायाम स्वास्थ्य ठीक रखने एवं जीवनचर्या का श्रेष्ठ उपाय है। अष्ट चक्र से शरीर की आठ व्यवस्था को ठीक किया जा सकता है। इसे शरीर चिर स्वस्थ व दीर्घायु होता है। महिला पतंजलि योग समिति के राज्य प्रभारी डा. मीनाक्षी मिश्र ने सेक्टर-17 सरस्वती शिशु मंदिर परिसर में आयोजित योग प्रशिक्षण शिविर के समापन समारोह में यह बात कही।
भारत स्वाभिमान का उल्लेख करते हुए उन्होंने कहा कि योग युक्त व स्वाभिमानी व्यक्तित्व से ही स्वामी रामदेव के स्वस्थ विश्व गठन व समृद्ध भारत के लक्ष्य को पूरा किया जा सकता है। आजादी के 65 साल के षड्यंत्र का उल्लेख करते हुए उन्होंने देश में गरीबी व वर्तमान अर्थव्यवस्था पर चिंता प्रकट की। उन्होंने स्वाभिमानियों से राष्ट्र की रक्षा के लिए क्रियाशील होने की बात कही। सुंदरगढ़ पतंजलि योग समिति के महामंत्री तथा वरिष्ठ योग प्रशिक्षक कपिलेश्वर महाराणा ने स्वस्थ व शांति के लिए योग ही एकमात्र सामर्थ शक्ति है। जिला महिला योग समिति के महामंत्री आरती साहू ने भी अपने विचार रखे। योग प्रशिक्षण प्राप्त श्रेष्ठ प्रशिक्षु वंशीधर साहू, शिवदत्त नायक, पूष्पांजलि मल्लिक को पुरस्कृत करने के साथ ही सभी को परिचय प्रमाणपत्र प्रदान किया गया। पांच दिवसीय योग प्रशिक्षण शिविर का संचालन शिक्षिका सविता महापात्र ने किया। इसमें मदनमोहन बेहरा, नगेन्द्र नाथ मिश्र, प्रदीप साहू आदि ने किया। समावर्तन उत्सव में जिला अध्यक्ष अक्रूर मार्था ने अध्यक्षता की। कार्यकारी अध्यक्ष ज्ञानरंजन मिश्र ने अंत में धन्यवाद ज्ञापित किया।
योग व प्राणायाम स्वास्थ्य ठीक रखने एवं जीवनचर्या का श्रेष्ठ उपाय है। अष्ट चक्र से शरीर की आठ व्यवस्था को ठीक किया जा सकता है। इसे शरीर चिर स्वस्थ व दीर्घायु होता है। महिला पतंजलि योग समिति के राज्य प्रभारी डा. मीनाक्षी मिश्र ने सेक्टर-17 सरस्वती शिशु मंदिर परिसर में आयोजित योग प्रशिक्षण शिविर के समापन समारोह में यह बात कही।
भारत स्वाभिमान का उल्लेख करते हुए उन्होंने कहा कि योग युक्त व स्वाभिमानी व्यक्तित्व से ही स्वामी रामदेव के स्वस्थ विश्व गठन व समृद्ध भारत के लक्ष्य को पूरा किया जा सकता है। आजादी के 65 साल के षड्यंत्र का उल्लेख करते हुए उन्होंने देश में गरीबी व वर्तमान अर्थव्यवस्था पर चिंता प्रकट की। उन्होंने स्वाभिमानियों से राष्ट्र की रक्षा के लिए क्रियाशील होने की बात कही। सुंदरगढ़ पतंजलि योग समिति के महामंत्री तथा वरिष्ठ योग प्रशिक्षक कपिलेश्वर महाराणा ने स्वस्थ व शांति के लिए योग ही एकमात्र सामर्थ शक्ति है। जिला महिला योग समिति के महामंत्री आरती साहू ने भी अपने विचार रखे। योग प्रशिक्षण प्राप्त श्रेष्ठ प्रशिक्षु वंशीधर साहू, शिवदत्त नायक, पूष्पांजलि मल्लिक को पुरस्कृत करने के साथ ही सभी को परिचय प्रमाणपत्र प्रदान किया गया। पांच दिवसीय योग प्रशिक्षण शिविर का संचालन शिक्षिका सविता महापात्र ने किया। इसमें मदनमोहन बेहरा, नगेन्द्र नाथ मिश्र, प्रदीप साहू आदि ने किया। समावर्तन उत्सव में जिला अध्यक्ष अक्रूर मार्था ने अध्यक्षता की। कार्यकारी अध्यक्ष ज्ञानरंजन मिश्र ने अंत में धन्यवाद ज्ञापित किया।
मैट्रिक परीक्षा मार्च 19 से शुरू होकर 31 मार्च तक चलेगी
कटक,vsk संवाददाता
माध्यमिक शिक्षा परिषद (बोर्ड) द्वारा परिचालित मैट्रिक परीक्षा 2012 के लिए कार्यसूची तय हुई है, जिसके मुताबिक मैट्रिक परीक्षा मार्च 19 से शुरू होकर 31 मार्च तक चलेगी। 19 से 27 मार्च तक हर दिन एक सिटिंग सुबह के समय 7:30 बजे से 10 बजे तक परीक्षा होगी। 28 मार्च से 31 मार्च तक दो सिटिंग पहले रेगुलर की सिटिंग सुबह 7:30 बजे से 8:45 बजे तक चलेगी। फिर दूसरी सिटिंग एक्स रेगुलर छात्र-छात्राओं का सुबह 9:45 बजे से 11 बजे तक चलेगी। 19 मार्च को रेगुलर एवं 20 मार्च को एक्स रेगुलर छात्र-छात्राओं को मातृभाषा परीक्षा, 21 मार्च को रेगुलर एवं 22 मार्च को एक्स रेगुलर छात्र-छात्राओं का अंग्रेजी परीक्षा चलेगी। ठीक उसी तरह 23 मार्च को रेगुलर एवं 24 मार्च को एक्स रेगुलर छात्र-छात्राओं की हिन्दी या संस्कृति विषय की परीक्षा होगी। 26 मार्च को रेगुलर एवं 27 को एक्स रेगुलर छात्र-छात्राओं की गणित परीक्षा चलेगी। इसके अलावा 28 मार्च को चलने वाली दो सिटिंग में से पहले सिटिंग में रेगलुर एवं दूसरे सिटिंग में एक्स रेगुलर छात्र-छात्रा विज्ञान-1 पर्चा का परीक्षा देंगे। ठीक उसी तरह 29 मार्च को विज्ञान-2 का पर्चा है जबकि 30 मार्च को भुगोल व अर्थनीति का पर्चा होगा। 31 मार्च को इतिहास व नगर विज्ञान विषय की परीक्षा होगी। इस साल परीक्षा मैदान में 5 लाख से अधिक रेगुलर, एक्स रेगुलर के छात्र-छात्रा अपनी किश्मत आजमाएंगे। इसके लिए तमाम तैयारियां अंतिम पड़ाव में है। जून महीने के अन्दर परीक्षा परिणाम घोषित किए जाने सूचना बोर्ड के अध्यक्ष ड.सत्यकाम मिश्र द्वारा गणमाध्यम को दी गई सूचना से जानने में आई है।
माध्यमिक शिक्षा परिषद (बोर्ड) द्वारा परिचालित मैट्रिक परीक्षा 2012 के लिए कार्यसूची तय हुई है, जिसके मुताबिक मैट्रिक परीक्षा मार्च 19 से शुरू होकर 31 मार्च तक चलेगी। 19 से 27 मार्च तक हर दिन एक सिटिंग सुबह के समय 7:30 बजे से 10 बजे तक परीक्षा होगी। 28 मार्च से 31 मार्च तक दो सिटिंग पहले रेगुलर की सिटिंग सुबह 7:30 बजे से 8:45 बजे तक चलेगी। फिर दूसरी सिटिंग एक्स रेगुलर छात्र-छात्राओं का सुबह 9:45 बजे से 11 बजे तक चलेगी। 19 मार्च को रेगुलर एवं 20 मार्च को एक्स रेगुलर छात्र-छात्राओं को मातृभाषा परीक्षा, 21 मार्च को रेगुलर एवं 22 मार्च को एक्स रेगुलर छात्र-छात्राओं का अंग्रेजी परीक्षा चलेगी। ठीक उसी तरह 23 मार्च को रेगुलर एवं 24 मार्च को एक्स रेगुलर छात्र-छात्राओं की हिन्दी या संस्कृति विषय की परीक्षा होगी। 26 मार्च को रेगुलर एवं 27 को एक्स रेगुलर छात्र-छात्राओं की गणित परीक्षा चलेगी। इसके अलावा 28 मार्च को चलने वाली दो सिटिंग में से पहले सिटिंग में रेगलुर एवं दूसरे सिटिंग में एक्स रेगुलर छात्र-छात्रा विज्ञान-1 पर्चा का परीक्षा देंगे। ठीक उसी तरह 29 मार्च को विज्ञान-2 का पर्चा है जबकि 30 मार्च को भुगोल व अर्थनीति का पर्चा होगा। 31 मार्च को इतिहास व नगर विज्ञान विषय की परीक्षा होगी। इस साल परीक्षा मैदान में 5 लाख से अधिक रेगुलर, एक्स रेगुलर के छात्र-छात्रा अपनी किश्मत आजमाएंगे। इसके लिए तमाम तैयारियां अंतिम पड़ाव में है। जून महीने के अन्दर परीक्षा परिणाम घोषित किए जाने सूचना बोर्ड के अध्यक्ष ड.सत्यकाम मिश्र द्वारा गणमाध्यम को दी गई सूचना से जानने में आई है।
श्रीक्षेत्र साहित्य संसद के 51वें साहित्य सम्मेलन
पुरी : श्रीक्षेत्र साहित्य संसद के 51वें साहित्य सम्मेलन सर्वमंगला पाठागार में सम्पन्न हो गया है। इस सम्मेलन में ब्रज सुन्दर मिश्र ने अध्यक्षता किया। मुख्य अतिथि के रूप में सारला पुरस्कार प्राप्त विशिष्ट कवि और नाट्यकार हरिहर मिश्र। मुख्य अतिथि श्री मिश्र ने सम्मेलन में उद्बोधन देते हुए कहा कि हर व्यक्ति पूरे विश्व में शांति कामना करता है। इस शांति को प्राप्त करने के लिए भगवत विश्वास ही एकमात्र मार्ग है। इस अवसर पर एक कविता पाठ उत्सव का आयोजन किया गया था। पूर्णचन्द्र महान्ति, छायाकान्त मिश्र, प्रसन्न महान्ति प्रमुख कविता पाठ किए थे। संसद के संपादक रविन्द्र नाथ पटनायक सम्मेलन संचालन किए थे। छायाकान्त मिश्र ने धन्यवाद ज्ञापन किया।(vsk)
नवीन पटनायक बीजु पटनायक नहीं-भाजपा
भुवनेश्वर, vsk
मुख्यमंत्री द्वारा तीसरे मोर्चे के वक्तव्य को लेकर प्रतिक्रिया आनी आरंभ हो गई है। प्रदेश भाजपा प्रवक्ता अशोक साहु ने मुख्यमंत्री की टिप्पणी पर चुटकी लेते हुए कहा है कि नवीन पटनायक बीजु पटनायक नहीं हैं। भाजपा प्रदेश उपाध्यक्ष ने कहा कि नवीन पटनायक एक सुविधावादी राजनेता हैं, राष्टी्रय दलों को साथ लिए बगैर तीसरे मोर्चे जैसी बातें करना मुर्खता है। उन्होंने कहा कि देश में हमेशा तीसरे मोर्चे की पहल होती रही है और कम्यूनिष्ट दल इसके लिए हमेशा कोशिश करते हैं वर्तमान में कम्युनिष्ट पार्टियों की ताकत जिस तरह से कम हो रही है उससे स्पष्ट होता है कि तीसरा विकल्प का प्रयास संभव नहीं होगा।
उधर मुख्यमंत्री नवीन पटनायक के तीसरे विकल्प की अवधारणा को सही ठहराते हुए सीपीआई के राज्य साधारण संपादक दिवाकर नायक ने कहा कि यह एक सकारात्मक बयान है देश को आज तीसरे मोर्चे की जरुरत है। सीपीएम ने भी नवीन पटनायक का बातों का समर्थन करते हुए कहा है कि वर्तमान तीसरा मोर्चा ही एकमात्र विकल्प बचा है।
मुख्यमंत्री द्वारा तीसरे मोर्चे के वक्तव्य को लेकर प्रतिक्रिया आनी आरंभ हो गई है। प्रदेश भाजपा प्रवक्ता अशोक साहु ने मुख्यमंत्री की टिप्पणी पर चुटकी लेते हुए कहा है कि नवीन पटनायक बीजु पटनायक नहीं हैं। भाजपा प्रदेश उपाध्यक्ष ने कहा कि नवीन पटनायक एक सुविधावादी राजनेता हैं, राष्टी्रय दलों को साथ लिए बगैर तीसरे मोर्चे जैसी बातें करना मुर्खता है। उन्होंने कहा कि देश में हमेशा तीसरे मोर्चे की पहल होती रही है और कम्यूनिष्ट दल इसके लिए हमेशा कोशिश करते हैं वर्तमान में कम्युनिष्ट पार्टियों की ताकत जिस तरह से कम हो रही है उससे स्पष्ट होता है कि तीसरा विकल्प का प्रयास संभव नहीं होगा।
उधर मुख्यमंत्री नवीन पटनायक के तीसरे विकल्प की अवधारणा को सही ठहराते हुए सीपीआई के राज्य साधारण संपादक दिवाकर नायक ने कहा कि यह एक सकारात्मक बयान है देश को आज तीसरे मोर्चे की जरुरत है। सीपीएम ने भी नवीन पटनायक का बातों का समर्थन करते हुए कहा है कि वर्तमान तीसरा मोर्चा ही एकमात्र विकल्प बचा है।
पुरी श्रीमंदिर तथा विश्व प्रसिद्ध कोणार्क सूर्य मंदिर के सुरक्षा व्यवस्था को लेकर चिन्ता प्रकट की गई है
पुरी श्रीमंदिर तथा विश्व प्रसिद्ध कोणार्क सूर्य मंदिर के सुरक्षा व्यवस्था को लेकर चिन्ता प्रकट की गई है। उक्त दोनों प्राचीन व प्रसिद्ध मंदिरों की सुरक्षा व्यवस्था के दायित्व में रहने वाले भारतीय पुरातत्व सर्वेक्षण संस्थान (एएसआई) के महानिदेशक डाक्टर गौतम सेनगुप्त ने मुख्यमंत्री नवीन पटनायक से मुलाकात कर इस संबन्ध में चर्चा किए हैं। चर्चा के समय एएसआइ डीजी डाक्टर सेनगुप्त ने मुख्यमंत्री से कहा है कि पुरी श्रीमंदिर का जगमोहन की अवस्था ठीक है, मगर सिंहद्वार की अवस्था ठीक नहीं है। काफी साल पहले इसके निर्माण के समय खपरा, बांस व अन्य सामग्री का प्रयोग किए जाने से इसकी अवस्था खराब हो गई है। एएसआई की तरफ से काफी गम्भीरता के साथ संरक्षण कार्य किया जा रहा है। उसी तरह कोणार्क सूर्य मंदिर के बारे में डाक्टर सेनगुप्त ने कहा है कि इस विश्व प्रसिद्ध कीर्तिराज को संरक्षित रखने के लिए सभी प्रकार के कदम उठाए जा रहे हैं। कोणार्क मंदिर के परिसर से जल निष्कासन की व्यवस्था की जा रही है। यहां आवश्यकीय अनुध्यान करने के बाद आवश्यकीय कदम उठाए जाएंगे। सचिवालय में आयोजित इस बैठक में एएसआई महानिदेशक व अन्य अधिकारियों से मुख्यमंत्री ने कहा कि पुरी श्रीमंदिर हिन्दु धर्म का पवित्र तीर्थ स्थान है। यह पूरे विश्व में एक प्रसिद्ध तीर्थ स्थल है। भंिवष्य में इसकी सुरक्षा अच्छे ढंग से किए जाने की आवश्यकता है। उसी तरह विश्व प्रसिद्ध कोणार्क का संरक्षण भी बहुत जरूरी है। इसमें एएसआई द्वारा किसी प्रकार की गलती किया जाना ठीक नहीं है। मुख्यमंत्री ने इस अवसर पर धौली, शिशुपालगड़ एवं राजधानी की तटीय हीरापुर चौंसठ योगिनी पीठ के उपयुक्त संरक्षण व पारिपािर्श्वक विकास पर बल दिए। मुख्यमंत्री ने कहा इन तमाम ऐतिहासिक स्थलों को प्रदूषण से बचाने के लिए इनके चारों तरफ एएसआई बड़े बड़े पेड़ लगाए। उसी तरह तकनीकी ज्ञान कौशल सम्पन्न कर्मचारियों द्वारा इनकी सुरक्षा करे।
बैठक में उभय एएसआई एवं राज्य संस्कृति विभाग विचार विमर्श कर संरक्षण कार्य को नियमित तौर पर जांच करने के लिए सलाह दिए हैं। मुख्यमंत्री ने कहा है कि मैं खुद इनकी जांच करूंगा। इन स्थलों पर विकाश कार्य किस तरह से चल रहा है, उस बारे में हर महीने मैं खुद जानकारी लूंगा। मुख्यमंत्री ने कहा है कि इन तीर्थ स्थलों के विकास में किसी प्रकार की अवहेलना करना ठीक नहीं है।
उसी तरह बैठक में निर्णय लिया गया है कि विश्व प्रसिद्ध कोणार्क मंदिर के सुरक्षा के लिए स्वतंत्र कदम उठाए जाएंगे। कोणार्क मंदिर में मौजूद पत्थर के अवस्था के बारे में जानने के लिए एण्डोस्कोपी कैमरे का प्रयोग किया जाएगा। खारे पवन से कोणार्क व पुरी श्रीमंदिर को बचाने के लिए आवश्यकीय कदम उठाने को एएसआई की तरफ से दिल्ली अधिक रसायनविदों को बुलाया जाएगा। कोणार्क में लगाए गए बांस आदि को हटाकर यहां किस प्रकार से स्थाई सुरक्षा व्यवस्था की जाएगी, उस बारे में भुवनेश्वर आईआईटी की तरफ से एक योजना बनाई जाएगी।
संरक्षण कार्यक्रम की देखरेख करने के लिए एएसआई एवं संस्कृति विभाग की तरफ से एक उच्च स्तरीय समन्वय कमेटी बनाई जाएगी। इस कमेटी की महीने एम एक बार बैठक होगी। श्रीमंदिर एवं कोणार्क मंदिर संरक्षण कार्य का नियमित अनुध्यान करने को एएसआई का एक उच्च पदस्थ अधिकारी पुरी में रहेंगे। कोणार्क मंदिर परिसर से जल निष्काशन समस्या का आगामी दो महीने के अन्दर समाधान कर लिया जाएगा।
बैठक में उभय एएसआई एवं राज्य संस्कृति विभाग विचार विमर्श कर संरक्षण कार्य को नियमित तौर पर जांच करने के लिए सलाह दिए हैं। मुख्यमंत्री ने कहा है कि मैं खुद इनकी जांच करूंगा। इन स्थलों पर विकाश कार्य किस तरह से चल रहा है, उस बारे में हर महीने मैं खुद जानकारी लूंगा। मुख्यमंत्री ने कहा है कि इन तीर्थ स्थलों के विकास में किसी प्रकार की अवहेलना करना ठीक नहीं है।
उसी तरह बैठक में निर्णय लिया गया है कि विश्व प्रसिद्ध कोणार्क मंदिर के सुरक्षा के लिए स्वतंत्र कदम उठाए जाएंगे। कोणार्क मंदिर में मौजूद पत्थर के अवस्था के बारे में जानने के लिए एण्डोस्कोपी कैमरे का प्रयोग किया जाएगा। खारे पवन से कोणार्क व पुरी श्रीमंदिर को बचाने के लिए आवश्यकीय कदम उठाने को एएसआई की तरफ से दिल्ली अधिक रसायनविदों को बुलाया जाएगा। कोणार्क में लगाए गए बांस आदि को हटाकर यहां किस प्रकार से स्थाई सुरक्षा व्यवस्था की जाएगी, उस बारे में भुवनेश्वर आईआईटी की तरफ से एक योजना बनाई जाएगी।
संरक्षण कार्यक्रम की देखरेख करने के लिए एएसआई एवं संस्कृति विभाग की तरफ से एक उच्च स्तरीय समन्वय कमेटी बनाई जाएगी। इस कमेटी की महीने एम एक बार बैठक होगी। श्रीमंदिर एवं कोणार्क मंदिर संरक्षण कार्य का नियमित अनुध्यान करने को एएसआई का एक उच्च पदस्थ अधिकारी पुरी में रहेंगे। कोणार्क मंदिर परिसर से जल निष्काशन समस्या का आगामी दो महीने के अन्दर समाधान कर लिया जाएगा।
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http://vskpunjab.org/
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http://www.sewabharathi.com/
http://www.socialcause.org/modules.php?module=index
http://vishwasamvadkendra.blogspot.in/p/vsk-links.html
http://vskap.blogspot.in/
http://vskjodhpur.blogspot.in/
http://samvada.org/
http://www.vskmumbai.com/
http://vskpunjab.org/
http://vskkashi.blogspot.in/
http://www.vskgujarat.com/
http://www.vhv.org.in/
http://www.sewabharathi.com/
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Remembering Sri Guruji’s thoughts on ‘Country and Its Culture’ on his 106th Jayanti
Culture’ on his 106th Jayanti
February 16th, 2012, 11:34 pm
Today, on the auspicious day of Magha Bahula Ekadashi, nation remembers Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar (February 19, 1906 – June 5, 1973), popularly known as Pujyaniya Guruji, on his 106th birth day. He was the second “Sarsanghchalak” (supreme chief) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.Guruji known for his deep insights on cultural nationalism. Here is a text which reepresents Sri Guruji’s thought on Country and its Culture.
-Editor
MS Golwalkar -Sri Guruji
GURUJI on The Country and Its Culture
(With friends and pressmen on Several Occasions)
‘HINDU’, ‘BHARAT’ ETC.
Q : What does the word “Hindu’ indicate, according to you?
A : The word ‘Hindu’ denotes a society. That is the current meaning also.
Q : Is the word ‘Hindu’ to be found in our Shastras?
A : Why not? The word is formed with the letter Hi from the Himalayas and Indu from the Indu Sarovar (the Southern Ocean), conveying the entire stretch of our motherland.
The Brihaspati Aagama says :
Himalayam samaarabhya yaavad-indu-sarovaram
Tam devanirmitam desham hindusthaanam prackakshate.
Q : Why not the word ‘ Arya’ instead of ‘Hindu’?
A : ‘Arya’ is an old and proud name, no doubt. But it has gone out of use especially for the last thousand years. Moreover the mischievous propaganda carried on by the British during their rule here has poisoned our people’s mind with the cooked-up Aryan-Dravidian controversy. Thus the word ‘Arya’ would not bring up before our eyes the entire picture of our country and our people.
Q : Why not the word ‘Bharatiya’ instead of ‘Hindu’?
A : No doubt, Bharatiya too is our own name, associated with us since hoary times. But today there is a misconception regarding that word. It is commonly used as a translation of the word ‘India’ which includes all the various communities like the Muslim, Christian etc., residing in this land. So, the word ‘Bharatiya’ is likely to mislead us when we want to denote our particular society. The word ‘Hindu’ alone connotes correctly and completely the meaning that we want to convey.
Q : Is the name Bharat in vogue since ancient times?
A : Yes. In our Sankalpa we say, Jambu Dweepe Bharata khande…..
Q : Then how is it that in you prayer you refer to the Hindu Bhoomi?
A : You forget that at the end of the prayer we chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai.
Q : You have always equated the ‘Indian Nation’ with ‘Hindu Rashtra’. How far is it correct?
A : Let me try to clear, at the very outset, one misconception about ‘Hindu Rashtra’. The word Hindu is not merely ‘religious’. It denotes a ‘people’ and their highest values of life. We, therefore, in our concept of nation, emphasize a few basic things : unqualified devotion to the motherland and our cultural ideals, pride in our history which is very ancient, respect for our great forefathers, and lastly, a determination in every one of us to build up a common life of prosperity and security. All this comes under the one caption : ‘Hindu Rashtra’. We are not concerned with an individual’s mode of worship.
Q : Do you opt for a Hindu State?
A : The word Hindu State is unnecessarily misinterpreted as a theocratic one which would wipe out all other sects. Our present state is in a way a Hindu State. When the vast majority of people are Hindus, the State is democratically Hindu. It is also a secular state and all those who are now non-Hindus have also equal rights to live here. The State does not exclude any one who lives here from occupying any position of honor in the State. It is unnecessary to call ours a Hindu state or a secular state.
MS Golwalkar Sri Guruji
Our Cultural Characteristics
Q : With all the multitude of faiths, sects, castes, languages, customs and habits, how can you call this a single society at all? Where is the single way of life you call ‘Hindu’?
A : Well, this questions stems from a superficial view of our Hindu life. A tree, for example, appears to be full of heterogeneous parts like the branches, leaves, flowers and fruits. The trunk differs from the branches, the branches from the leaves all as if entirely different from one another. But we know that all these apparent diversities are only the varied manifestations of the same tree. The same sap runs through and nourishes all those parts. So is the case with the diversities of our social life which have been evolved down these millennia. They are not more a source of dissension and disruption than a leaf or a flower is in the case of tree. This kind of natural evolution has been a unique feature of our social life.
Q : How do you define ‘Hindu culture’?
A : Well, we feel it, though we cannot define it!
Q : What is the use of a thing which we cannot define?
A : For example, the entire course of medical science is evolved in order to protect life. But even the most modern scientists have not been able to define what ‘life’ is. But that has not come in the way of the utility of medical science. The outward manifestation of ‘life’ and its impact on man is sufficient to convince us of its actuality. So our culture does have a reality, a vital role in our life; but we cannot express or define it.
Q : Hindu culture is often dubbed as being anti-progressive, against equality, and a shield for all money bags and express of define it.
A : Our Upanishads have declared in declared in that famous sloka Ishaavaasyamidam sarvam. …that ”God permeates all Creation. Whatever is left over by Him, after offering Him, enjoy only that much. Do not rob what belongs to others.” It means that out of whatever wealth we acquire, only the minimum should be used for one’s sake and the rest offered to society. Manu has said that to claim or to make a personal use of more than that, is verify an act of theft against society.
With such unambiguous commands of our culture before us, will such charges stand even for a single moment?
Q : In the cultural sense in which you use the term ‘Hindu’, does it mean that Muslims, Christians etc., can be Hindus without giving up their respective religions?
A : The question itself implies the distinctness of these people. When someone calls himself a Hindu the declaration must necessarily have connection with his behavior as a Hindu.
Q : If behavior is to be the test, it will be observed that many Hindus are just like Muslims or Christians in the method of eating, drinking and living. If you could assimilate such Hindus, why not the Muslims?
A : After traveling all over the country I have experienced that there is an intrinsic unity in the Hindu society. All perceptible differences are superficial. That unity has created in us a certain point of view of looking towards things. Even after the slavery of a thousand years it is still existent in one form or another.
Q : Don’t you think that culture changes according to time?
A : The fundamentals do not change. The outward expressions do change.
Q : Can you mention any one of the aspects of Hindu culture you want to emphasis?
A : That all Hindus are one and equal.
Q : Don’t you think that bread is more important than culture?
A : Christ has said that man does not live by bread alone.
Q : May not the development of Hindu culture hinder the evolution of a composite culture?
A : It need not. Firstly, a composite culture, if any, cannot grow on weak and deficient constituents. Secondly, the basic culture of the country, while absorbing elements of other cultures, retains its identity and name.
Q : Does the revival of Hindu culture involve of ‘Varna Vyavastha’ also?
A : No. We are neither for nor against caste. All we know is that it served a great purpose in critical times and that if the society does not need it any more, it will pass away and nobody will be sorry for that.
Q : Is it (Varna Vyavastha) not a must for Hindu Society?
A : It is not an avasthaa or a condition of society. It is only a Vyavastha, a system. You may keep it or reject it according as it serves the purpose or not.
Q : Does Hindu Dharma advocate war as the remedy for conflicts between countries?
A : No. Our Dharma looks upon war as the last resort, not to be undertaken lightly at the very first provocation.
Q : Is there any place for violence in the life of a society?
A : Yes, but it should be used as a surgeon’s knife. Even as a surgeon uses his knife to perform an operation to get rid of an infected portion to save the patient, so also violence in certain extraordinary circumstances can be used to cure the society of any malady that needs such a surgical intervention. Further, certain other conditions should be fulfilled. One who applies violence should have perfect control over it, should know when, where, to what extent and how far to apply it, when to end it and how to repair the damage caused, if any.
Q : Is belief in rebirth well founded?
A : Definitely. Recently a Western scholar had been touring our country collecting evidences in that regard. Merely because we do not remember our previous birth, it is no proof of its non-existence. Why, can we remember what we ate on such and such a day? There are some who remember their past lives.
There is an instance of my own experience. Some years back, I went to a village for a Sangh programme. That was the first time I was going to that village. I was taken to the house where I was to stay. It was an old house – more than hundred years old. As soon as I reached the house, I went directly to the room where arrangements had been made for my stay. The host was amazed. I told him that I had a feeling that I had once stayed in that very house and in that very room.
Q : Are the followers of RSS strict vegetarians?
A : No. Our Shastras have not made any rule. Only the higher thing is recommended, that is all. Manu says :
Na maamsa-bhakshane dosho na madye na cha maithune
Pravrittireshaa bhutaanaam nivrittistu gareeyase.
(It is no vice if one takes to non-vegetarian food, wine and sex. They are all natural for a human being. But he should aspire to rise above them.) Our Shastras have taken the comprehensive nature of the world into consideration and made rules for different living beings to suit their different tastes, aptitudes etc.
Q : At least is it (vegetarianism) recommended in the Shastras?
A : Yes, it is – but not made a flat rule.
Q : Then, why banning of cow slaughter by legislation?
A : Because the cow is a special case. It cannot be classed with other animals. Even in the Vedas only cow is called aghnya, not others.
Q : So you don’t plead for the stopping of slaughter of other animals?
A : No. Let us understand the spirit of our Shastras. They are not like other religions. They do not command us to go in a single narrow lane. They have taken into consideration all the human weaknesses. For example, it is told that one should try to dissociate himself from Kaama, Krodha, accumulation of wealth etc., and contemplate on Brahman. It is recommended. But everyone is told to marry and enjoy a happy and prosperous life. It is not possible for everybody to identify himself with Brahman. That higher thing is only recommended. That is the speciality of our Dharma. It is all-comprehensive and very practical. That is why it is called Dharma and other religions are called only Mata which make a flat rule.
Q : The cow, the very embodiment of humility, beneficence and innocence is taken as the symbol of our culture. A lion which is described as ‘the king of animals by his own prowess’ is also our cultural symbol. How can both of these contradictory things be reconciled?
A : Yes, both are our cultural symbols. Shri Krishna on the one hand preaches the Bhagavad-Gita and on the other holds the Sudarshana. The command of our culture is Idam Braahmam Idam Kshaatram.
Q : What is the speciality of Hindu culture in respect of womanhood?
A : Except his wife, a Hindu considers all the rest as mothers. The others consider the entire womenfolk except their mothers as objects of enjoyment.
Q : What is the special feature of Mahabharata?
A : It is a complete treatise on Dharma – the social order, Artha – the science of administrative and wealth, Kaama – the essence of human wants and their gratification, and Moksha – the supreme goal of all religions and philosophies.
Q : There is a common notion that our scriptures preach only individualism and not corporate life. How far is it true?
A : The oldest and the supreme scripture of ours is RigVeda. It sums up by giving certain specific directions to the people to live a corporate, organized and glorious life. It says : “Our minds should be one, our thoughts should be similar, we should help one another and bring prosperity and happiness.”
Q : What is the proof that the Hindu way of life is founded on a firm base?
A : There were countless attacks from various foreign groups such as Shakas, hunas and Muslims. We stood like a rock and faced them keeping the frame of our society intact. Then came the European people like the Portuguese, French, Dutch and the British to annihilate us in a shrewd manner. Still, we have continued to live as the same people. In addition to the galaxy of saints and emperors right from the beginning of history, modern Bharat has produced giants like Vivekananda, Ramatirtha and Mahatma Gandhi. Is this not a sufficient test to prove that our Hindu life is founded on a firm base?
Q : No man is born as Hindu or Mussalman or Christian. It is only later on that distinctions are made.
A : This may be true of others. But for a Hindu, he gets the first samskaar when he is still in the mother’s womb, and the last when his body is consigned to the flames. There are sixteen samskaars for the Hindu even before we emerge from the womb of our mother. We are born as Hindus. About the others, they are born to this world as simple unnamed human beings and later on, either circumcised or baptized, they become Muslims or Christians.
Q : Usually Muslims and Christians are not allowed inside the Hindu temples, whereas there is no such bar for the Hindus to enter mosques or churches. Why?
A : That is because a Hindu considers a church or a mosque as a place of worship, and reveres it as such. It is not so with the Muslims or Christians. They consider idol-worship a sin. They – especially the Muslims – pride themselves as idol-breakers. In fact, in our own country, countless number of broken idols and desecrated temples stand testimony to this attitude of theirs. They may not know the Hindu mode of worship but that does not matter. We shall have no objection even if they kneel and pray with devotion in their own fashion and in their own language, when they come to our temples. But with their attitude of sworn enmity it would be a sacrilege if they are allowed to enter our temples.
Q : In these days when power has come to mean only a means to wallow in luxuries and enjoyment, Lal Bahadur Shastri alone appeared to be an exception. His family continued to live in a rented house even while he was the Prime minister.
A : That is in line with our tradition. Chanakya, even when he was the Prime Minister of the vast Magadha empire, continued to reside in a small hut outside the capital. And so was Shri Madhavacharya who founded the famous Vijayanagar empire. He would conduct all the state affairs during the day remaining in the capital and return to his hermitage in the night.
Q : What was the role of the Joint Family in our social set-up?
A : Joint Family has been a great cooperative institution in our society. But it has by no means been the same unchanging thing throughout history. Even now, the family in the North is not what it is in Malabar, Economic and social forces are disintegrating it. But I feel that something should take the place of the Joint Family and the caste as social security systems. The old bond of love and service between man and man should not break even though the form of its fulfilment changes.
(With the Editor, Illustrated Weekly, November 1972)
Q : Why do you pin your faith on religion when most of the world is turning irreligious and agnostic?
A : Hinduism is on firm ground because it has no dogma. It has had agnostics before; it will survive the wave of irreligiousness better than any other religious system.
Q : How can you say that? The evidence is the other way. The only religions which are standing firm and even increasing their hold on the people are based on dogma – Catholicism, and more than Catholicism, Islam.
A : It is a passing phase. Agnosticism will overtake them, it will not overtake Hinduism. Ours is not a religion in the dictionary sense of the word; it is Dharma, a way of life. Hinduism will take agnosticism in its stride.
(With Moulvis at Coimbatore, 1956)
Q : Will not belief in One Name, One God, One Scripture help achieve human unity as Islam says?
A : Do you believe that God likes only Koran and not Geeta? Do you believe that He will come only if you call Him in the name of Mohammed and would refuse to come if you call Him Rama? Do you think that God understands only Arabic and no other language?
We Hindus believe that each individual can worship the Form of his choice in his own way. All can attain Him – if the effort be sincere and honest. And that is why Hinduism is not a proselytizing religion. The very idea of conversion starts with the assumption that mine is the only sure and correct way and all others must be converted to it. Do you believe in this? This, if said in respect of attainment of God, will be speaking too low of Him. In fact in Hinduism we not only tolerate another man’s religion or way of worship, but we have a respect for it.
Q : But Hindus themselves are taking to converting Muslims and Christians nowadays?
A : It is not ‘conversion’ into Hinduism. It is only giving an opportunity for those who had been made to change the faith by force of circumstances in the past, to return to their ancestral faith. Is it not a fact that only a handful of Muslims came to our country from outside? All the rest have only came to our country from outside? All the rest have only changed their faith for well-known reasons. Returning to one’s ancestral faith is not conversion at all, it is merely home-coming.
(With friends)
Q : Would you welcome conversion from other faiths to Hinduism?
A : If the sheer force of the tenets of Hinduism attracts the non-Hindus to the Hindu fold, then it is welcome.
Q : Who is a Hindu?
A : One who observes his religion without assailing others.
Q : Today all the important movements have a world-wide base. Whether they are economic systems like Capitalism and communism, or religious systems like Islam and Christianity, they all work on the international plane. By comparison, Hinduism sounds parochial and limited.
A : The international look is more an appearance than a fact. Behind each of them, is a powerful country – or group of countries – trying to control the rest of the world. It is bloated insolent nationalism, not honest internationalism. Unfortunately the weak-kneed Hindu is dazzled by such show of self-confident power.
I consider Hinduism the one true system of peaceful international living. It is a truer base for internationalism than all other ‘isms’ put together.
(With friends at Thane, November 1972)
Q : What are the unique characteristics of Hinduism, which are not found in other religions?
A : The idea of Ekam sad vipraah bahudhaa vadanti (Truth is one, sages call it variously) is one of the unique ideas o Hinduism. Secondly, whereas the others have been pursuing an outward search for happiness, our philosophy has concentrated on the inward search. It is this inward happiness that has been termed as shreyas.
The social order, if it has to secure maximum happiness to all, must be able to ensure shreyas to one and all. The philosophical basis for the incentive to do this lies in our concept of the community of soul and its realization. Bhagavad-Gita has said Ishwarah sarva-bhootaanaam hriddeshe:rjuna tishthati. Such a categorical assertion of the identity of soul in all living beings is found nowhere else.
February 16th, 2012, 11:34 pm
Today, on the auspicious day of Magha Bahula Ekadashi, nation remembers Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar (February 19, 1906 – June 5, 1973), popularly known as Pujyaniya Guruji, on his 106th birth day. He was the second “Sarsanghchalak” (supreme chief) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.Guruji known for his deep insights on cultural nationalism. Here is a text which reepresents Sri Guruji’s thought on Country and its Culture.
-Editor
MS Golwalkar -Sri Guruji
GURUJI on The Country and Its Culture
(With friends and pressmen on Several Occasions)
‘HINDU’, ‘BHARAT’ ETC.
Q : What does the word “Hindu’ indicate, according to you?
A : The word ‘Hindu’ denotes a society. That is the current meaning also.
Q : Is the word ‘Hindu’ to be found in our Shastras?
A : Why not? The word is formed with the letter Hi from the Himalayas and Indu from the Indu Sarovar (the Southern Ocean), conveying the entire stretch of our motherland.
The Brihaspati Aagama says :
Himalayam samaarabhya yaavad-indu-sarovaram
Tam devanirmitam desham hindusthaanam prackakshate.
Q : Why not the word ‘ Arya’ instead of ‘Hindu’?
A : ‘Arya’ is an old and proud name, no doubt. But it has gone out of use especially for the last thousand years. Moreover the mischievous propaganda carried on by the British during their rule here has poisoned our people’s mind with the cooked-up Aryan-Dravidian controversy. Thus the word ‘Arya’ would not bring up before our eyes the entire picture of our country and our people.
Q : Why not the word ‘Bharatiya’ instead of ‘Hindu’?
A : No doubt, Bharatiya too is our own name, associated with us since hoary times. But today there is a misconception regarding that word. It is commonly used as a translation of the word ‘India’ which includes all the various communities like the Muslim, Christian etc., residing in this land. So, the word ‘Bharatiya’ is likely to mislead us when we want to denote our particular society. The word ‘Hindu’ alone connotes correctly and completely the meaning that we want to convey.
Q : Is the name Bharat in vogue since ancient times?
A : Yes. In our Sankalpa we say, Jambu Dweepe Bharata khande…..
Q : Then how is it that in you prayer you refer to the Hindu Bhoomi?
A : You forget that at the end of the prayer we chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai.
Q : You have always equated the ‘Indian Nation’ with ‘Hindu Rashtra’. How far is it correct?
A : Let me try to clear, at the very outset, one misconception about ‘Hindu Rashtra’. The word Hindu is not merely ‘religious’. It denotes a ‘people’ and their highest values of life. We, therefore, in our concept of nation, emphasize a few basic things : unqualified devotion to the motherland and our cultural ideals, pride in our history which is very ancient, respect for our great forefathers, and lastly, a determination in every one of us to build up a common life of prosperity and security. All this comes under the one caption : ‘Hindu Rashtra’. We are not concerned with an individual’s mode of worship.
Q : Do you opt for a Hindu State?
A : The word Hindu State is unnecessarily misinterpreted as a theocratic one which would wipe out all other sects. Our present state is in a way a Hindu State. When the vast majority of people are Hindus, the State is democratically Hindu. It is also a secular state and all those who are now non-Hindus have also equal rights to live here. The State does not exclude any one who lives here from occupying any position of honor in the State. It is unnecessary to call ours a Hindu state or a secular state.
MS Golwalkar Sri Guruji
Our Cultural Characteristics
Q : With all the multitude of faiths, sects, castes, languages, customs and habits, how can you call this a single society at all? Where is the single way of life you call ‘Hindu’?
A : Well, this questions stems from a superficial view of our Hindu life. A tree, for example, appears to be full of heterogeneous parts like the branches, leaves, flowers and fruits. The trunk differs from the branches, the branches from the leaves all as if entirely different from one another. But we know that all these apparent diversities are only the varied manifestations of the same tree. The same sap runs through and nourishes all those parts. So is the case with the diversities of our social life which have been evolved down these millennia. They are not more a source of dissension and disruption than a leaf or a flower is in the case of tree. This kind of natural evolution has been a unique feature of our social life.
Q : How do you define ‘Hindu culture’?
A : Well, we feel it, though we cannot define it!
Q : What is the use of a thing which we cannot define?
A : For example, the entire course of medical science is evolved in order to protect life. But even the most modern scientists have not been able to define what ‘life’ is. But that has not come in the way of the utility of medical science. The outward manifestation of ‘life’ and its impact on man is sufficient to convince us of its actuality. So our culture does have a reality, a vital role in our life; but we cannot express or define it.
Q : Hindu culture is often dubbed as being anti-progressive, against equality, and a shield for all money bags and express of define it.
A : Our Upanishads have declared in declared in that famous sloka Ishaavaasyamidam sarvam. …that ”God permeates all Creation. Whatever is left over by Him, after offering Him, enjoy only that much. Do not rob what belongs to others.” It means that out of whatever wealth we acquire, only the minimum should be used for one’s sake and the rest offered to society. Manu has said that to claim or to make a personal use of more than that, is verify an act of theft against society.
With such unambiguous commands of our culture before us, will such charges stand even for a single moment?
Q : In the cultural sense in which you use the term ‘Hindu’, does it mean that Muslims, Christians etc., can be Hindus without giving up their respective religions?
A : The question itself implies the distinctness of these people. When someone calls himself a Hindu the declaration must necessarily have connection with his behavior as a Hindu.
Q : If behavior is to be the test, it will be observed that many Hindus are just like Muslims or Christians in the method of eating, drinking and living. If you could assimilate such Hindus, why not the Muslims?
A : After traveling all over the country I have experienced that there is an intrinsic unity in the Hindu society. All perceptible differences are superficial. That unity has created in us a certain point of view of looking towards things. Even after the slavery of a thousand years it is still existent in one form or another.
Q : Don’t you think that culture changes according to time?
A : The fundamentals do not change. The outward expressions do change.
Q : Can you mention any one of the aspects of Hindu culture you want to emphasis?
A : That all Hindus are one and equal.
Q : Don’t you think that bread is more important than culture?
A : Christ has said that man does not live by bread alone.
Q : May not the development of Hindu culture hinder the evolution of a composite culture?
A : It need not. Firstly, a composite culture, if any, cannot grow on weak and deficient constituents. Secondly, the basic culture of the country, while absorbing elements of other cultures, retains its identity and name.
Q : Does the revival of Hindu culture involve of ‘Varna Vyavastha’ also?
A : No. We are neither for nor against caste. All we know is that it served a great purpose in critical times and that if the society does not need it any more, it will pass away and nobody will be sorry for that.
Q : Is it (Varna Vyavastha) not a must for Hindu Society?
A : It is not an avasthaa or a condition of society. It is only a Vyavastha, a system. You may keep it or reject it according as it serves the purpose or not.
Q : Does Hindu Dharma advocate war as the remedy for conflicts between countries?
A : No. Our Dharma looks upon war as the last resort, not to be undertaken lightly at the very first provocation.
Q : Is there any place for violence in the life of a society?
A : Yes, but it should be used as a surgeon’s knife. Even as a surgeon uses his knife to perform an operation to get rid of an infected portion to save the patient, so also violence in certain extraordinary circumstances can be used to cure the society of any malady that needs such a surgical intervention. Further, certain other conditions should be fulfilled. One who applies violence should have perfect control over it, should know when, where, to what extent and how far to apply it, when to end it and how to repair the damage caused, if any.
Q : Is belief in rebirth well founded?
A : Definitely. Recently a Western scholar had been touring our country collecting evidences in that regard. Merely because we do not remember our previous birth, it is no proof of its non-existence. Why, can we remember what we ate on such and such a day? There are some who remember their past lives.
There is an instance of my own experience. Some years back, I went to a village for a Sangh programme. That was the first time I was going to that village. I was taken to the house where I was to stay. It was an old house – more than hundred years old. As soon as I reached the house, I went directly to the room where arrangements had been made for my stay. The host was amazed. I told him that I had a feeling that I had once stayed in that very house and in that very room.
Q : Are the followers of RSS strict vegetarians?
A : No. Our Shastras have not made any rule. Only the higher thing is recommended, that is all. Manu says :
Na maamsa-bhakshane dosho na madye na cha maithune
Pravrittireshaa bhutaanaam nivrittistu gareeyase.
(It is no vice if one takes to non-vegetarian food, wine and sex. They are all natural for a human being. But he should aspire to rise above them.) Our Shastras have taken the comprehensive nature of the world into consideration and made rules for different living beings to suit their different tastes, aptitudes etc.
Q : At least is it (vegetarianism) recommended in the Shastras?
A : Yes, it is – but not made a flat rule.
Q : Then, why banning of cow slaughter by legislation?
A : Because the cow is a special case. It cannot be classed with other animals. Even in the Vedas only cow is called aghnya, not others.
Q : So you don’t plead for the stopping of slaughter of other animals?
A : No. Let us understand the spirit of our Shastras. They are not like other religions. They do not command us to go in a single narrow lane. They have taken into consideration all the human weaknesses. For example, it is told that one should try to dissociate himself from Kaama, Krodha, accumulation of wealth etc., and contemplate on Brahman. It is recommended. But everyone is told to marry and enjoy a happy and prosperous life. It is not possible for everybody to identify himself with Brahman. That higher thing is only recommended. That is the speciality of our Dharma. It is all-comprehensive and very practical. That is why it is called Dharma and other religions are called only Mata which make a flat rule.
Q : The cow, the very embodiment of humility, beneficence and innocence is taken as the symbol of our culture. A lion which is described as ‘the king of animals by his own prowess’ is also our cultural symbol. How can both of these contradictory things be reconciled?
A : Yes, both are our cultural symbols. Shri Krishna on the one hand preaches the Bhagavad-Gita and on the other holds the Sudarshana. The command of our culture is Idam Braahmam Idam Kshaatram.
Q : What is the speciality of Hindu culture in respect of womanhood?
A : Except his wife, a Hindu considers all the rest as mothers. The others consider the entire womenfolk except their mothers as objects of enjoyment.
Q : What is the special feature of Mahabharata?
A : It is a complete treatise on Dharma – the social order, Artha – the science of administrative and wealth, Kaama – the essence of human wants and their gratification, and Moksha – the supreme goal of all religions and philosophies.
Q : There is a common notion that our scriptures preach only individualism and not corporate life. How far is it true?
A : The oldest and the supreme scripture of ours is RigVeda. It sums up by giving certain specific directions to the people to live a corporate, organized and glorious life. It says : “Our minds should be one, our thoughts should be similar, we should help one another and bring prosperity and happiness.”
Q : What is the proof that the Hindu way of life is founded on a firm base?
A : There were countless attacks from various foreign groups such as Shakas, hunas and Muslims. We stood like a rock and faced them keeping the frame of our society intact. Then came the European people like the Portuguese, French, Dutch and the British to annihilate us in a shrewd manner. Still, we have continued to live as the same people. In addition to the galaxy of saints and emperors right from the beginning of history, modern Bharat has produced giants like Vivekananda, Ramatirtha and Mahatma Gandhi. Is this not a sufficient test to prove that our Hindu life is founded on a firm base?
Q : No man is born as Hindu or Mussalman or Christian. It is only later on that distinctions are made.
A : This may be true of others. But for a Hindu, he gets the first samskaar when he is still in the mother’s womb, and the last when his body is consigned to the flames. There are sixteen samskaars for the Hindu even before we emerge from the womb of our mother. We are born as Hindus. About the others, they are born to this world as simple unnamed human beings and later on, either circumcised or baptized, they become Muslims or Christians.
Q : Usually Muslims and Christians are not allowed inside the Hindu temples, whereas there is no such bar for the Hindus to enter mosques or churches. Why?
A : That is because a Hindu considers a church or a mosque as a place of worship, and reveres it as such. It is not so with the Muslims or Christians. They consider idol-worship a sin. They – especially the Muslims – pride themselves as idol-breakers. In fact, in our own country, countless number of broken idols and desecrated temples stand testimony to this attitude of theirs. They may not know the Hindu mode of worship but that does not matter. We shall have no objection even if they kneel and pray with devotion in their own fashion and in their own language, when they come to our temples. But with their attitude of sworn enmity it would be a sacrilege if they are allowed to enter our temples.
Q : In these days when power has come to mean only a means to wallow in luxuries and enjoyment, Lal Bahadur Shastri alone appeared to be an exception. His family continued to live in a rented house even while he was the Prime minister.
A : That is in line with our tradition. Chanakya, even when he was the Prime Minister of the vast Magadha empire, continued to reside in a small hut outside the capital. And so was Shri Madhavacharya who founded the famous Vijayanagar empire. He would conduct all the state affairs during the day remaining in the capital and return to his hermitage in the night.
Q : What was the role of the Joint Family in our social set-up?
A : Joint Family has been a great cooperative institution in our society. But it has by no means been the same unchanging thing throughout history. Even now, the family in the North is not what it is in Malabar, Economic and social forces are disintegrating it. But I feel that something should take the place of the Joint Family and the caste as social security systems. The old bond of love and service between man and man should not break even though the form of its fulfilment changes.
(With the Editor, Illustrated Weekly, November 1972)
Q : Why do you pin your faith on religion when most of the world is turning irreligious and agnostic?
A : Hinduism is on firm ground because it has no dogma. It has had agnostics before; it will survive the wave of irreligiousness better than any other religious system.
Q : How can you say that? The evidence is the other way. The only religions which are standing firm and even increasing their hold on the people are based on dogma – Catholicism, and more than Catholicism, Islam.
A : It is a passing phase. Agnosticism will overtake them, it will not overtake Hinduism. Ours is not a religion in the dictionary sense of the word; it is Dharma, a way of life. Hinduism will take agnosticism in its stride.
(With Moulvis at Coimbatore, 1956)
Q : Will not belief in One Name, One God, One Scripture help achieve human unity as Islam says?
A : Do you believe that God likes only Koran and not Geeta? Do you believe that He will come only if you call Him in the name of Mohammed and would refuse to come if you call Him Rama? Do you think that God understands only Arabic and no other language?
We Hindus believe that each individual can worship the Form of his choice in his own way. All can attain Him – if the effort be sincere and honest. And that is why Hinduism is not a proselytizing religion. The very idea of conversion starts with the assumption that mine is the only sure and correct way and all others must be converted to it. Do you believe in this? This, if said in respect of attainment of God, will be speaking too low of Him. In fact in Hinduism we not only tolerate another man’s religion or way of worship, but we have a respect for it.
Q : But Hindus themselves are taking to converting Muslims and Christians nowadays?
A : It is not ‘conversion’ into Hinduism. It is only giving an opportunity for those who had been made to change the faith by force of circumstances in the past, to return to their ancestral faith. Is it not a fact that only a handful of Muslims came to our country from outside? All the rest have only came to our country from outside? All the rest have only changed their faith for well-known reasons. Returning to one’s ancestral faith is not conversion at all, it is merely home-coming.
(With friends)
Q : Would you welcome conversion from other faiths to Hinduism?
A : If the sheer force of the tenets of Hinduism attracts the non-Hindus to the Hindu fold, then it is welcome.
Q : Who is a Hindu?
A : One who observes his religion without assailing others.
Q : Today all the important movements have a world-wide base. Whether they are economic systems like Capitalism and communism, or religious systems like Islam and Christianity, they all work on the international plane. By comparison, Hinduism sounds parochial and limited.
A : The international look is more an appearance than a fact. Behind each of them, is a powerful country – or group of countries – trying to control the rest of the world. It is bloated insolent nationalism, not honest internationalism. Unfortunately the weak-kneed Hindu is dazzled by such show of self-confident power.
I consider Hinduism the one true system of peaceful international living. It is a truer base for internationalism than all other ‘isms’ put together.
(With friends at Thane, November 1972)
Q : What are the unique characteristics of Hinduism, which are not found in other religions?
A : The idea of Ekam sad vipraah bahudhaa vadanti (Truth is one, sages call it variously) is one of the unique ideas o Hinduism. Secondly, whereas the others have been pursuing an outward search for happiness, our philosophy has concentrated on the inward search. It is this inward happiness that has been termed as shreyas.
The social order, if it has to secure maximum happiness to all, must be able to ensure shreyas to one and all. The philosophical basis for the incentive to do this lies in our concept of the community of soul and its realization. Bhagavad-Gita has said Ishwarah sarva-bhootaanaam hriddeshe:rjuna tishthati. Such a categorical assertion of the identity of soul in all living beings is found nowhere else.
A Book Release on Balasahebji Deoras
A Book Release on Balasahebji Deoras
A Book of Telugu version, which is the Biography of Param Pujaniya Sri Balasahebji Deoras 3rd SarSanghachalak of RSS, published by Navayuga Bharati will be release tomorrow (12 February, 2012 Sunday) at 5.30 PM, at Sardar Patel Hall, Kesava Memorial School, Narayanaguda, Hyderabad by Sri Srikant Joshy of RSS. The book translated by Sri Rambhaoo Haldekarji, Kshetra Karyakarini Sadasya of Agneya Kshetra, written by Sri Sarat Hebbalkar of Maharashtra in Marathi.
Sri Sarat Hebbalkar, Sri Rambhaoo Haldekar, Sri Ajay Santhi (Senior Writer) will be the Guests of honour in this programme.
A Book of Telugu version, which is the Biography of Param Pujaniya Sri Balasahebji Deoras 3rd SarSanghachalak of RSS, published by Navayuga Bharati will be release tomorrow (12 February, 2012 Sunday) at 5.30 PM, at Sardar Patel Hall, Kesava Memorial School, Narayanaguda, Hyderabad by Sri Srikant Joshy of RSS. The book translated by Sri Rambhaoo Haldekarji, Kshetra Karyakarini Sadasya of Agneya Kshetra, written by Sri Sarat Hebbalkar of Maharashtra in Marathi.
Sri Sarat Hebbalkar, Sri Rambhaoo Haldekar, Sri Ajay Santhi (Senior Writer) will be the Guests of honour in this programme.
Sarsanghachalak performs Maha Mastakabhisheka
"Sri Bahubali is an icon of non-violence and represents national integrity. Bahubali brought the dharma in practice in life. He is a Mahapurush,” said RSS Sarsanghachalak Sri Mohan Bhagwat. He was participating in the 4th day of Maha Mastakaabhisheka of Sri Bahubali at Venoor Jain shrine on January 31. Maha Mastakabhisheka is a festival held once in 12 years, when the image of Gomateshvara is bathed with milk, curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins.
Speaking on the occasion Sri Bhagwat said, “Implementation of religious theories in practical life is not easy. It requires strong will. Values in dharma is the current need of the world. Life should be filled with eternal values like sacrifice, patience and non-violence. The Indian way of life teaches to earn by two hands and serve by 1000 hands. Helping the needy is what our dharma has specified. Dharma is the only factor, which unites the society, all of us,” he said.
Udupi Pejawar seer Swami Vishwesha Theertha, Jain seer Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji of Shravanabelagola, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Sewa Pramukh Sri Sitaram Kedilaya, RSS top functionaries Sri Mangesh Bhende, Dr Kalladka Prabhakara Bhat, Sri Kajampady Subrahmanya Bhat, Sri DM Ravindra, Sri Chandrashekar Bhandary and Sri Dishesh Kamat of Samskrita Bharati were also present during the ceremony. Dr D Veerendra Hegade, Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala Temple, felicitated the Sarsanghachalak Sri Mohan Bhagwat.
Bahubali, also called Gomateshwara, is a Jain deity. According to Jain history he was second of the hundred sons of the first Tirthankara, Rishabhadevji, and king of Podanpur. The Adipurana, a 10th century Kannada text by Jain poet Adikavi Pampa (941 CE), written in Champu style, a mix of prose and verse and spread over in sixteen cantos, deals with the ten lives of the first Tirthankara Rishabhadevji and his two sons, Bharat and Bahubali.
Bahubali’s elder brother, Bharat, was envious of his wealth, grandeur, strength and success. His desire was for all of Bahubali’s kingdom and wealth, and thus, Bharat decided to attack the lands Bahubali ruled. Fearing that the war would destroy both the kingdoms, as well as thousands of innocent soldiers, the ministers of both sides began negotiations. After much thinking, it was decided that a personal contest between the two brothers would be a better option than war. The brothers were required to enter three traditional forms of martial contest: drishti yuddha, jala yuddha, and malla yuddha.
The last battle was to be fought by hitting heads with fists. Bharat had the first shot, because he was older than Bahubali, which knocked Bahubali nearly to the ground. Then, it was Bahubali’s turn. Bahubali’s name means ‘Bahu’ – arm, and ‘Bali’ – strength, he was known for the immense strength of his arm. Everybody knew and worried that if Bahubali’s blows struck Bharat, Bharat would probably die. This contest could have been easily won by Bahubali striking Bharat. But as Bahubali raised his arm to land a blow, he paused, realising that fighting his elder brother for land, wealth, and power was neither sane nor righteous. Indeed, it would have been a grievous moral failure for a son of a Tirthankara.
As a rule for a Kshatriya, once he has taken action, it is not possible for him to withdraw or retreat. So, instead of landing a blow on his elder brother with his raised arm, he simply changed direction, pulling out his own hair with the same hand, thus avoiding striking Bharat. With this, he put aside all of his possessions, and became a solitary renunciant. Learning from this example, Bharat came to understand the folly of his greed for land, money and power forgiving his younger brother. Bharat continued to ruled for some time, until eventually joining Lord Rishabdev as a solitary renunciant.
The fight with his brother troubled Bahubali, so after much contemplation, he decided to give up his kingdom and take up the ascetic life. He took to meditation with a thirst for truth, but – it was for ego that he took to meditation on his own. Among monks who accept monastic vows, one must bow to all others who have accepted previously regardless of age. Bahubali knew that if he went to Lord Rishabdev (Aadinath) for permission to take monastic vows, he would have to bow down to all his 98 younger brothers, who had renounced before him. Bahubali began meditating with great resolve to attain supreme knowledge, but did not succeed because his ego, which stopped him from visiting his father’s court, did not allow him to attain this Keval Jnana.
However, Bahubali was adamant. He continued his practice unmindful of the vines, ants, and dust which enveloped his body. Concerned, his sisters Brahmi and Sundari asked Tirthankar Adinath about their worldly brother Bahubali. Tirthankara Adinath said although just moments away from enlightenment, Bahubali could not achieve it because he didn’t realise that he was standing on ‘the elephant’ – ego. Now understanding his folly, the sisters approached him and said ‘O more bhai, ave to gaj ti utro’ (O my dear brother, at least now get down from the elephant). This saying from the sisters led Bahubali to question “Am I really standing on any kind of elephant?” From this question he soon realised that the elephant he was standing upon was his pride and ego. As Bahubali realised his mistake, shedding his pride and ego, truth and enlightenment dawned upon him. Blessed with the knowledge of Truth, Bahubali went to see his father who welcomed him. Bahubali began teaching and showing people the right path.
Bahubali is a major figure in Jain hagiography. His story exemplifies the inner strength of Indian culture. He won everything from his brother and could have become an emperor, but he returned everything to the brother. Bahubali is considered the ideal of the man who conquers selfishness, jealousy, pride and anger.
Speaking on the occasion Sri Bhagwat said, “Implementation of religious theories in practical life is not easy. It requires strong will. Values in dharma is the current need of the world. Life should be filled with eternal values like sacrifice, patience and non-violence. The Indian way of life teaches to earn by two hands and serve by 1000 hands. Helping the needy is what our dharma has specified. Dharma is the only factor, which unites the society, all of us,” he said.
Udupi Pejawar seer Swami Vishwesha Theertha, Jain seer Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji of Shravanabelagola, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Sewa Pramukh Sri Sitaram Kedilaya, RSS top functionaries Sri Mangesh Bhende, Dr Kalladka Prabhakara Bhat, Sri Kajampady Subrahmanya Bhat, Sri DM Ravindra, Sri Chandrashekar Bhandary and Sri Dishesh Kamat of Samskrita Bharati were also present during the ceremony. Dr D Veerendra Hegade, Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala Temple, felicitated the Sarsanghachalak Sri Mohan Bhagwat.
Bahubali, also called Gomateshwara, is a Jain deity. According to Jain history he was second of the hundred sons of the first Tirthankara, Rishabhadevji, and king of Podanpur. The Adipurana, a 10th century Kannada text by Jain poet Adikavi Pampa (941 CE), written in Champu style, a mix of prose and verse and spread over in sixteen cantos, deals with the ten lives of the first Tirthankara Rishabhadevji and his two sons, Bharat and Bahubali.
Bahubali’s elder brother, Bharat, was envious of his wealth, grandeur, strength and success. His desire was for all of Bahubali’s kingdom and wealth, and thus, Bharat decided to attack the lands Bahubali ruled. Fearing that the war would destroy both the kingdoms, as well as thousands of innocent soldiers, the ministers of both sides began negotiations. After much thinking, it was decided that a personal contest between the two brothers would be a better option than war. The brothers were required to enter three traditional forms of martial contest: drishti yuddha, jala yuddha, and malla yuddha.
The last battle was to be fought by hitting heads with fists. Bharat had the first shot, because he was older than Bahubali, which knocked Bahubali nearly to the ground. Then, it was Bahubali’s turn. Bahubali’s name means ‘Bahu’ – arm, and ‘Bali’ – strength, he was known for the immense strength of his arm. Everybody knew and worried that if Bahubali’s blows struck Bharat, Bharat would probably die. This contest could have been easily won by Bahubali striking Bharat. But as Bahubali raised his arm to land a blow, he paused, realising that fighting his elder brother for land, wealth, and power was neither sane nor righteous. Indeed, it would have been a grievous moral failure for a son of a Tirthankara.
As a rule for a Kshatriya, once he has taken action, it is not possible for him to withdraw or retreat. So, instead of landing a blow on his elder brother with his raised arm, he simply changed direction, pulling out his own hair with the same hand, thus avoiding striking Bharat. With this, he put aside all of his possessions, and became a solitary renunciant. Learning from this example, Bharat came to understand the folly of his greed for land, money and power forgiving his younger brother. Bharat continued to ruled for some time, until eventually joining Lord Rishabdev as a solitary renunciant.
The fight with his brother troubled Bahubali, so after much contemplation, he decided to give up his kingdom and take up the ascetic life. He took to meditation with a thirst for truth, but – it was for ego that he took to meditation on his own. Among monks who accept monastic vows, one must bow to all others who have accepted previously regardless of age. Bahubali knew that if he went to Lord Rishabdev (Aadinath) for permission to take monastic vows, he would have to bow down to all his 98 younger brothers, who had renounced before him. Bahubali began meditating with great resolve to attain supreme knowledge, but did not succeed because his ego, which stopped him from visiting his father’s court, did not allow him to attain this Keval Jnana.
However, Bahubali was adamant. He continued his practice unmindful of the vines, ants, and dust which enveloped his body. Concerned, his sisters Brahmi and Sundari asked Tirthankar Adinath about their worldly brother Bahubali. Tirthankara Adinath said although just moments away from enlightenment, Bahubali could not achieve it because he didn’t realise that he was standing on ‘the elephant’ – ego. Now understanding his folly, the sisters approached him and said ‘O more bhai, ave to gaj ti utro’ (O my dear brother, at least now get down from the elephant). This saying from the sisters led Bahubali to question “Am I really standing on any kind of elephant?” From this question he soon realised that the elephant he was standing upon was his pride and ego. As Bahubali realised his mistake, shedding his pride and ego, truth and enlightenment dawned upon him. Blessed with the knowledge of Truth, Bahubali went to see his father who welcomed him. Bahubali began teaching and showing people the right path.
Bahubali is a major figure in Jain hagiography. His story exemplifies the inner strength of Indian culture. He won everything from his brother and could have become an emperor, but he returned everything to the brother. Bahubali is considered the ideal of the man who conquers selfishness, jealousy, pride and anger.
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