Debts

Even a small toy from a toy store comes with instructions. However, a child arrives with no such instructions as such. How should one live? What are our debts or obligations? This must have bothered humanity from the dawn of civilization. Ancient seers of India proposed three debts, which everyone should fulfill. Debt implies there is no way out of it. The three debts are:

1. To the Devas (divinities that sustain our existence/mother nature), 
2. To one's parents, and 
3. To the learned. 

Debt to the Devas is fulfilled by doing some good deeds simply for goodness sake. Having a spirit of sacrifice, without expecting anything in return.

Debt to parents is fulfilled by raising or helping to raise a child. 

Debt to the learned is paid by making an effort to learn the contribution made by the learned.  All the know-how we take for granted is a product of people who toiled before us.

In pragmatic terms, it simply means that we be nice to the world we live in, help/ raise a child and learn something for leading life.

Credit: Credit for precisely re-writing the above words (modified a bit post his rewrite) once I sent him an initial writeup goes to Sri Koti Shreekrishna Tatachar.

Gaayatri Mantra

Sharing the write up of the famous and ancient Gaayatri Mantra. This is a translation and write-up by Sri Koti Shreekrishna Tatachar who is also the author of English Translations of two significant and very relevant ancient works: the puruSHasUktam and Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
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Gaayatri mantra (Rig Veda 3.62.10)

The mantra is attributed to Sage/Rishi Vishwamitra.

gaayantam traayate iti gaayati

Gaayatri is that which protects those who recite it

Arrangement of verses in a particular rhythmic or measured pattern is called a poetic meter. There are many such meters, and one among them is the gaayatri meter. This meter has 24 syllables (axara).

In the Bhagavad Gita, the Lord declares it as the best

gaayatri chhandasaam aham  

"Of meters, I am gaayatri": BG, Ch. 10 v.35

Gaayatri mantra has three functions:

• First it wakes us up.
• Next it stimulates us to connect with the path of Divinity.
• Finally it surrenders us to Divinity; we are united with the Divine.

Om bhU-r-bhuva-s-suvaH ||
ta-thsa-vi-tu(r)-va-raE-Nyam | bha(r)gO-daE-va-sya-dhI-ma-hi|

dhi-yO-yO-naH:-pra-cO-da-yA-t||

Brahman, Earth, Space, and Heaven!

May He stimulate our intellect

We meditate on that adorable light of the divine sun

Om bhU-r-bhuva-s-suvaH ||

[Om = Brahman, bhUH=Earth, bhuvaH= Space, suvaH=Heaven]

Brahman, Earth, Space, and Heaven!

[We are immersed in our own little world. By invoking some of the great spheres of existence and the all-pervading Lord, we wake up to a greater reality of our existence. All the mundane things that used to haunt us become insignificant. This awakening is the first step in spiritual progression. This single stride itself brings about a lofty transformation in our life. 
Note: This line is the Gaayatri shiras or heading - the mantra starts with the next line].

ta-thsa-vi-tu(r)-va-raE-Nyam | bha(r)gO-daE-va-sya-dhI-ma-hi|

[tat=that, savituH=Sun, varaENyam= adorable, bhargO=light, daEvasya= of

divine, dhImahi= we meditate]

We meditate on that adorable light of the divine sun

[We are now aroused to connect with the divine. In this gaayatri mantra, the object of reverence is "solar brilliance" that sustains life. Thus, this mantra is also called the savitaa gaayatri mantra. We have gaayatri mantras for viSHNu, shiva, gaNEsha, subrahmaNya, laxmi, durga, sarasvati, hamsa, agni, narasimha, garuDa, brahma, pranava and so on. In fact gaayatri mantra can be tailor-made to any

deity, person or object of reverence.

As we progress, divinity becomes our habit. Once it is A HABIT, it is very hard to break. If we take A out, HABIT remains, if we take B out, ABIT remains, if we take A out BIT remains, if we take B out, IT remains. I is ego which is very hard to break, thus IT remains!]

dhi-yO-yO-naH:-pra-cO-da-yA-t||

[dhiyO=Intellect, yO=He, naH:= Our, pracOdayAt= Stimulate]

May He stimulate our intellect

[The final step is total surrender to the divine. Seeker unites with the sought. We become a habitat for divinity. A person with Brahman-consciousness is ever happy! He rejoices rejoices and rejoices (nandati nandati nandati eva) under all circumstances  (Adi Shankaracharya in Bhaja Govindam)].

-Koti Sreekrishna

Note:  

Shree Koti Shreekrishna's works can be found at:

http://www.cincinnatitemple.com/articles/puruSHasUktam.pdf
http://newbhagavadgita.blogspot.com/2009/01/contents.html - A New Bhagavad Gita Translation by Koti and Hari

Shree Koti has also written good articles and write-ups on Hinduism:

http://www.fmhtcc.org/HINDUISM_Primer_v6.pdf
http://www.fmhtcc.org/HINDUISM_Advanced_Topics_v6.pdf

Note: Transliteration Scheme follows the Harvard-Kyoto method: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard-Kyoto convention

Dharma

The Sanskrit word "Dharma" stands for "that which upholds". Simply speaking if one upholds Dharma, then Dharma will uphold them. The word Dharma has other meanings such as Law and Responsibility but the core meaning (based on the root "Dhru" meaning "Hold") is "that which upholds".

An amusing fable to drive home the point: A woodcutter was sitting on the branch of a tree and cutting it. He used a very good axe and did a great job cutting the wood. He focused really hard on his job and was confident he would succeed in his act of cutting the wood. He was successful in this short term act, but as you might have guessed he fell down because he cut the very branch on which he was sitting on.

"Beneficial to most", largely beneficial or for greater good is also Dharma. Almost every activity has some negativity associated with it. That which benefits the most is Dharma.

If one were to contemplate and reflect deeply on any action, the light of "Dharma" will shine at them. Dharma is that which is naturally right. In all actions, reflect on what is "Dharma".

When seeking material wealth: One should seek wealth in order to sustain oneself but one should always make sure that Dharma is adhered to (for e.g. does it benefit the most and is for the greater good?). In other words, put first things first... if what you are doing does not uphold Dharma, then avoid it even if it promises great wealth. Wealth that is earned by following what is naturally right is long lasting.

This is the wisdom of the ages - perhaps forgotten in the din of daily life but something to remember time and again!

Thanks Giving

The spirit of giving thanks is important.

The external actions of thanks giving might be many - as seen by many types of celebrations and rituals.

What is really aspired for is an attitude of gratitude! Even if a person might not participate in external acts/ rituals, when the attitude of gratitude percolates through one's life, it makes every day a day to rejoice and be thankful for, and every act is an act of thankfulness!

Truth vs. Tradition

In any contest between truth and tradition, truth should prevail.

Credit: This is a note from a new translation of the Bhagavadgita; posted with permission of the author.

Guru

Credit: This article is based on an earlier posting by my Guru. With his permission, I am republishing it with some additional comments.

Guru has multiple meanings which include teacher, father, elder brother, heavy, big, strong, tough, famous, hard to digest etc. The one most relevant to this article is that derived from Gu and Ru; Gu means darkness or ignorance and ru means dispeller or remover. Thus Guru literally means remover of ignorance. Gurus can be male or female, old or young, and come from all backgrounds. The Guru can be an event, a book, an observation etc; an animate being, or an inanimate object that symbolizes a learning.

Do we absolutely need to have a Guru? It is possible to reach the goal in our spiritual journey without the aid of a Guru. However, it is a lot easier with the guidance of a Guru. Incidentally, when the student is ready, the Guru appears!

The Guru-disciple (Shishya) relationship is perhaps the most sacred relationship in the Hindu tradition. Right from the Vedas (Acharya Devo Bhava - Teacher is like God) to the colloquial way the youngsters address their friends across India (Khya Guru, Yenu Guru, Yenna Vaadhyare, etc.) imply how deeply the word Guru has percolated into contemporary times. A special day "Guru Poornima" is dedicated during July-August months to pay respect to Guru.

We may argue that in the ancient times there was no internet or press or phone or radio or television and the only means of communication was through word of mouth and thus the Guru-shishya tradition started. Why has it sustained right to this day?

The reason for this is that the role of Guru is more than just communication of information. The ten-fold qualities of a Guru are as follows:

1. Guru is true, simple, and direct.
2. Guru does not steal our money, instead steals only our ignorance and anxiety.
3. Guru can lead us to a spiritual path without severe asceticism.
4. Guru brings peace of a cave and the experience of solitude right to our houses.
5. Guru lets us see heights of the Himalayas and Kailash in meditation (metaphorically speaking).
6. Guru does not give us wrong advice to renounce our property and wealth of this world, instead makes us renounce our ego.
7. Guru breaths in a divine factor and help us to transform our mundane life into a sacred existence.
8. Guru bestows a new life in which we can face all sorrows cheerfully.
9. Guru strives to make us attain perfection in this very world.
10. With the guidance of a Guru, we will be able to see this world as heaven and not as a place of sorrow and suffering.

A Guru will wake us up and may even walk with us side by side, but no Guru will carry us and deliver us to the truth. That we have to do ourselves, as declared in the Bhagavadgita (Chapter 6, verse 5) thus:

BG 6.5 One should elevate oneself by one’s own efforts;
one should not degrade oneself;
indeed the self alone is one’s true friend or enemy.

Thus, the Guru is right within us as well! Patiently waiting for us to turn inward!

Guru Mantra from Guru Gita:
The Guru is Brahma; the Guru is Vishnu;
the Guru is the great God Shiva.
The Guru alone is the supreme Brahman, the absolute.
To the great Guru, I offer my salutations.

Another relevant verse from the Bhagavadgita (Chapter 4, Verse 34):

BG 4.34 You must learn that knowledge from those who have realized the truth.
You should approach them with humility, sincere enquiry, and willingness to serve.
They will impart that knowledge to you.

Simplicity

A joke and the truth should never be explained in too much detail!

Karma Yoga - Action with detachment

Credit - The article below is based on reading various translations of the teachings of the Bhagvad Gita esp. a new work in progress translation from someone I know, who added that "yogah karmasu kaushalam" - Doing the best we can with what we have and where we are- after all that is the best any one can do!

Life is a set of actions, some voluntary and some involuntary and internal.
Action is inevitable, giving up action is impossible for our very nature forces us to act.

It is possible to renounce the attachment to the results of the actions. Either by realizing that all actions are due to our connection with material nature or by making all our actions as an offering to God. This is the spirit of Karma yoga - the yoga of renouncing the attachment to the fruit of the actions.

Karma Yoga is not one of defeatism, on the contrary it is one of incessant action where the focus is not distracted by attachment to the results. Where the action is the focus. You should have goals but you need to also realize that the action is in your control where as the results are controlled by many factors. You, the doer are just one of the factors. There are tools and ways the tools are used, there is of course the timing of your action and finally there is a chance factor or providence. All these factors influence the results - hence the need to focus on your action without attachement to the results.

Experiencing the fruit of your action is also unavoidable. There will be good results and sometimes bad results. Savour the good results ... and bear the bad ones with patience.

Strive to be good ... Realize that the universe around you is in perpetual motion...
Perform action while striving to stay detached for lasting peace!

Relevant Gita Verses:

2.47 You have control only over your actions but never over their results. The expected results should not be the motivation for action.
Also, don’t shirk away from your work. One is never in complete control over the outcome of an action. See 18:13-15.
It is pointless to worry about something that we cannot control. Focus on work without fear of failure or greed for success.

2.48 Do your work without getting attached to it; treat success and failure alike. Such equanimity is called yoga. Attachment to work indicates clinging to a possible outcome.

18.13-15 Five factors govern the outcome of all actions as proclaimed in the scriptures.
The situation, the individual, the tools one has, how one uses the tools, and the unknown causes. Whatever one does with his body, speech, or mind, with good or bad intention, the same five factors determine the outcome.
“Unknown causes” imply many events and forces that shape the outcome of our initiatives. We have limited or no control over them, because the “unknown” by virtue of being unknown is untamable. It can positively or negatively impact the out come- we may get lucky or lose out entirely. Because, it is not just us, four other factors determine the outcome.
Thus, the individual does not have control over the outcome.
See 2:47.

Credit for Bhagavadgita translation - Coming soon... The New Bhagavad-Gita: Timeless wisdom in the language of our times by Koti Sreekrishna and Hari Ravikumar is a fresh translation of the Bhagavad-Gita into plain English.

Eternal vs. Ephemeral

The key to respecting diversity in humanity is for the individual to reflect on what is eternal and what is ephemeral. When you read the multitudes of stories and myths of the past, you might differ with others on your interpretation of the ephemeral aspects but if you reflect deep the eternal aspects will have a much greater degree of correlation.

Focus on the eternal aspects; then loving your fellow being will be easier for you.

The Eternal Path

Note: This article has been published with permission from the original author, Koti Shreekrishna Tatachar.

HINDUISM (Sanatana Dharma or The Eternal Path)

H stands for Harmony
Hinduism respects all religions and thus aspires for mutual tolerance and respect.
Hinduism does not encourage hate or distrust.
Hinduism is intolerant of intolerance.
It does not actively seek converts.

It has the capacity to assimilate all the Faiths and the Philosophies.

I for Incarnation (Avataara)
God descends to Earth in any form and under any sky as may be needed to uphold DHARMA (righteousness). There is no space, time, form or numerical limitation to Avataaras. Another way to look at this is: History has shown that during a great crisis, someone rises to the occasion, assumes leadership, and brings about change.

N for Non-Violence (Ahimsa)
Hinduism recognizes that life supports life. One should avoid causing unnecessary injury (in thoughts, words or deeds) to one-self or other fellow beings including other life forms.Vegetarianism is glorified by some Hindu sects, but never a prerequisite to be a Hindu. While eating, it is recommended to eat with an attitude of gratitude and without a sense of entitlement.

D for Dharma (Righteousness)
We should always protect Dharma (support what is right). This is regarded as a necessity, because Dharma is the basis of harmonious life. If we don't support Dharma, it will be as if chopping the very branches of the tree (of life) we are resting on.

U for Unity of existence
Everything and all beings are inter connected or inter related and are essentially the manifestation or extension of the one Supreme Being. Hindu worldview emphasizes conduct more than creed. It celebrates the diversity of existence and embraces the world as part of a big family.

I for Inherent Value
The God is Omnipresent & Omnipotent. Both the manifest and the un-manifest are a projection of God. They are supported, directed and controlled by God as well. The God can be worshipped in any 'Form' or 'No Form'. Just as the Flag is a symbol of a Nation, an Idol for the Hindu is symbolic of the God. A Hindu worships the God enshrined in the Idol, not the idol itself.

S for Supreme Reality (Brahman)
Supreme Reality is both unmanifested and with form, impersonal and personal, transcendent and immanent. The Supreme Reality is known by many names.

M for Moksha & Mantra
Dharma (Virtue), Artha (Material prosperity), Kama (pleasures) & Moksha (liberation from cycles of birth & death, harmonious union with God) are the goals of life.
The secondary objectives (Artha & Kama) are sandwiched between the primary objectives of (Dharma & Moksha).
Adherence to one's own inherent talents (attitudes & aptitudes) in achieving these goals is suggested.
Moksha is the ultimate goal of Hindu life.
There are numerous paths and innumerable opportunities.
It can happen by one way or the other and in one life or the other.

The various paths for Moksha include:
Karma Yoga - Selfless good deeds
Gnaana Yoga - Knowledge of Brahman
Bhakti Yoga - Faith or Devotion
Prapatti (sharNaagati) Yoga - Total Surrender
Raaja Yoga - Control of body, mind and intellect
Mantra Yoga - Union with God through repetition of a Mantra, etc.

Mantra is a sacred word or a verse used for prayer. Some examples below:

The most sacred Mantra of Hinduism is AUM/OM. AUM represents our beginning (Spring), being (Summer), passing away (Fall) and immortality (Winter). The A, U and M are followed by silence.
OM iti Brahma, OM iteedam Sarvam (Shiksha Valli, Taittireeya Upanishad )
OM is Brahman, All this is OM (OM is The One - OM is The Many)
(OM is the WOMb of everything)

sarvE bhavantu suKhinah sarvE santu niraamayaah.
May all be happy, may all be healthy
sarvE bhadraaNi pashyantu ma-kashchit dhuhkha-bhaag bhavEt.
May all be prosperous, may none suffer

Om shaantih shaantih shaantihi
Om Peace Peace Peace. Peace in all our 3 realms of existence
(Surroundings, body and mind)

-  Koti Shreekrishna

Note:  

Shree Koti Shreekrishna's Hinduism write-ups can be found at:
http://www.fmhtcc.org/HINDUISM_Primer_v6.pdf
http://www.fmhtcc.org/HINDUISM_Advanced_Topics_v6.pdf

Shree Koti Shreekrishna's translation works can be found at:

http://www.cincinnatitemple.com/articles/puruSHasUktam.pdf
http://newbhagavadgita.blogspot.com/2009/01/contents.html - A New Bhagavad Gita Translation by Koti and Hari