A lot has been said, but not by me. I give weblinks of few articles in 'Vichaar Shoonya' because its just that their voices are not in all the noise that gets heard.
1- The disgraceful Armed Forces Special Powers Act allows the army the right to, among other things, shoot to kill based on mere suspicion that it is necessary to do so in order to "maintain the public order". For more details please read this article. This law is applicable in Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland. Interestingly the residents of these states don't find it exciting to sacrifice their fundamental rights for the rest of us. I see their point.
2- The Ready-made Garment Industry: Global Chain Of Imperialist Exploitation : A revolt of ready-made garment workers have broken out in the last two years in different so-called ‘developing’ countries. A report by Debabrata Mondal.
3- Anjumans deprive Muslim women of microcredit by S A Aiyar, Economist.
4- How the Servant Became a Predator: Finance's Five Fatal Flaws by William K. Black, Univ. of Missouri: What exactly is the function of the financial sector in our society? Simply this: Its sole function is supplying capital efficiently to aid the real economy. The financial sector is a tool to help those that make real tools, not an end in itself. But five fatal flaws in the financial sector's current structure have created a monster that drains the real economy, promotes fraud and corruption, threatens democracy, and causes recurrent, intensifying crises.
5- ‘India is prospering, but Indians are not’ by Mani Shankar Aiyar : The same people who are brushing under the carpet that our relative position on the HDI has not increased are the very same people who are boasting again in comparative terms that ours is the second highest rate of growth. So, obviously, the high GDP growth is not translating itself into commensurate high HDI growth, with the consequence India is prospering, but Indians are not.
6- 'Indian democracy in a state of emergency' : Arundhati roy talking to Karan Thapar
7- Business Of Knowledge- Article on Higer Education.
8- Ten Simple Rules for Choosing between Industry and Academia. --- Journal from Computational Biology.
9- Lessons for life, in black and white. - On power of books.
Showing posts with label Religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Religion. Show all posts
Friday, November 27, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
DYSTOPIA
NYTimes journalist, Anand Giridhardas once asked Mufti Shabbir Alam Sidiqi, an important Islamic cleric, whether disenfranchised Muslims were losing faith in India and taking solace in fundamentalist ideas.
“What you have in India you have in no other country,” he replied. “In this republic there are rights. We can demand our rights, speak out. In other countries: eat, drink and shut up. Go to Saudi Arabia: you can’t speak. There is Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Dubai, Iraq, Iran. These things are nowhere. They are all dictatorships.”
Indian democracy should not work. Democracy brings little to the poor, the state is corrupt, politicians lack principles and ideas. Yet we as citizen with no reason to hope continue to believe, vote, speak, petition for better India.
One fine day, to understand life of people practicing Wahhabi Islam and searching about censorship on blog in Middle East, I came across this blog: The Religious Policeman.
It states on its first page: In Memory of the lives of 15 Makkah Schoolgirls, lost when their school burnt down on Monday, 11th March, 2002. The Religious Police would not allow them to leave the building, nor allow the Firemen to enter.
That shivered me deep inside and I dig the digital archives for complete archaeological survey. The blogger has been commenting on Saudi Arabia, off and on, for two years. I have read it completely now and the whole trauma of horrifying real life stories is not going way. Power, Politics, Money and Religion have clubbed together for violation of each good emotions, humanity stands for. It has confirm my worst fears that we humans are living in dystopian society. Here is living example of George Orwell's "1984" in this world. A concrete jungle made on petro dollars..
And then I just cherish in vanity that I have taken birth in India. How lucky I am to have freedom and human rights.......
“What you have in India you have in no other country,” he replied. “In this republic there are rights. We can demand our rights, speak out. In other countries: eat, drink and shut up. Go to Saudi Arabia: you can’t speak. There is Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Dubai, Iraq, Iran. These things are nowhere. They are all dictatorships.”
Indian democracy should not work. Democracy brings little to the poor, the state is corrupt, politicians lack principles and ideas. Yet we as citizen with no reason to hope continue to believe, vote, speak, petition for better India.
One fine day, to understand life of people practicing Wahhabi Islam and searching about censorship on blog in Middle East, I came across this blog: The Religious Policeman.
It states on its first page: In Memory of the lives of 15 Makkah Schoolgirls, lost when their school burnt down on Monday, 11th March, 2002. The Religious Police would not allow them to leave the building, nor allow the Firemen to enter.
That shivered me deep inside and I dig the digital archives for complete archaeological survey. The blogger has been commenting on Saudi Arabia, off and on, for two years. I have read it completely now and the whole trauma of horrifying real life stories is not going way. Power, Politics, Money and Religion have clubbed together for violation of each good emotions, humanity stands for. It has confirm my worst fears that we humans are living in dystopian society. Here is living example of George Orwell's "1984" in this world. A concrete jungle made on petro dollars..
And then I just cherish in vanity that I have taken birth in India. How lucky I am to have freedom and human rights.......
Thursday, June 4, 2009
1989 --- 20 Years Back
The year 1989 brought a revolution without a revolution. The rise of leftist and democracy in Latin America against the history of dictators and MNC's exploitation was getting started. Dissident in politics about Kashmir comes in main news after 1989 and the old wounds were turned green by proxy war started by a bitter neighbour. There was a whole generation that was not moving away and a generation that hasn't necessarily moved in the main stream all over the world.
History--
The fight of moulding history by hardliners in Communist, Islamist and ultra nationalist to make themselves either victim or victor of oppressive regime is the peak point of academic debates in post 2nd world war era. The function of monuments or massive representation of leaders is to offer a stylized version, or in the worst case a mythologized version of history. History when contradicts the memory of living, then nation or community is on the way of self destruction. History should be unbiased interpretation of past rather than revolving around great figures as a sign of a certain respect for their turbulent lives. By omitting a critical and honest discussion of past and by glorifying and romanticizing history, the generations are deprived of learning about the forces and dynamics that shape culture, society and nations.
Racism---
The effects of the internal unrest and international condemnation led to dramatic changes beginning in 1989 in SA. And in few years apartheid ended in South Africa. I slightly differ from funda of international pressure of human right groups for ending years of racial discrimination. A short narration from Deepa Mehata would be enough to clear my stand --- It was just amazing how the colour of one’s skin decides one’s future. What struck me about the story was how racism is rooted in economics. I went to Johannesburg during the Apartheid days, around 1975. There was two lines, one for the Whites, one for the rest - the Indians, the Chinese, the Arabs, all non-Whites. Then I went there two years later, when there was a huge oil boom in the Middle East. And I suddenly see all others were still in the Coloured Line, but the Arabs were in the White Line. So, racism is all about money. Suddenly in one year, the Arabs became White! If the perception about India is changing today, it is because of its economic situation. It’s not that they have suddenly found a long lost love for us. [3]
Communism---
It was marked by the fall of Soviet Union or epitome of Communism into several pieces. The fight against communism back then revealed the belief in the meaning of human freedom. The violet revolution is eastern Europe was breakthrough in the era of oppressive regime of Communist USSR. Tiananmen square massacre and Fall of Berlin Wall was the core of all change that shake communism history round the world.
History--
The fight of moulding history by hardliners in Communist, Islamist and ultra nationalist to make themselves either victim or victor of oppressive regime is the peak point of academic debates in post 2nd world war era. The function of monuments or massive representation of leaders is to offer a stylized version, or in the worst case a mythologized version of history. History when contradicts the memory of living, then nation or community is on the way of self destruction. History should be unbiased interpretation of past rather than revolving around great figures as a sign of a certain respect for their turbulent lives. By omitting a critical and honest discussion of past and by glorifying and romanticizing history, the generations are deprived of learning about the forces and dynamics that shape culture, society and nations.
Racism---
The effects of the internal unrest and international condemnation led to dramatic changes beginning in 1989 in SA. And in few years apartheid ended in South Africa. I slightly differ from funda of international pressure of human right groups for ending years of racial discrimination. A short narration from Deepa Mehata would be enough to clear my stand --- It was just amazing how the colour of one’s skin decides one’s future. What struck me about the story was how racism is rooted in economics. I went to Johannesburg during the Apartheid days, around 1975. There was two lines, one for the Whites, one for the rest - the Indians, the Chinese, the Arabs, all non-Whites. Then I went there two years later, when there was a huge oil boom in the Middle East. And I suddenly see all others were still in the Coloured Line, but the Arabs were in the White Line. So, racism is all about money. Suddenly in one year, the Arabs became White! If the perception about India is changing today, it is because of its economic situation. It’s not that they have suddenly found a long lost love for us. [3]
Communism---
It was marked by the fall of Soviet Union or epitome of Communism into several pieces. The fight against communism back then revealed the belief in the meaning of human freedom. The violet revolution is eastern Europe was breakthrough in the era of oppressive regime of Communist USSR. Tiananmen square massacre and Fall of Berlin Wall was the core of all change that shake communism history round the world.
Tiananmen would not have happened without the rift between Zhao Ziyang and the hardliners, and the Berlin Wall would not have fallen without Gorbachev shaking up the Soviet regime. After 20 of change, the fundamentals remain the same. In a one-party system, a small crack at the top can open up the chasm at the bottom. Behind the façade of self-confidence, harmony and stability, the ghost of 1989 still haunts a closed regime of China and Russia that was hoping to erase and transcend it. [1]
Economy---
A era of changed has gone from past 20 years. The political awakening and fight for human rights has reduced for the betterment of trade and living standards. But this freedom from communism brought with it paradoxes of unchecked capitalism. The rise of middle class has changed the equation in the favour of India and China. Unequal distribution of Economic Freedom is at the basis of India & China's uneven development. The reason is simple, the areas in which the middle and upper classes make their living have seen the highest degree of liberalisation, while the areas in which the poor earn their livelihood have seen the fewest reforms. [2] The huge chunk of industrial production of west runs on oil and cheap labour. While Saudi provided oil, china provided exploitable labor class for the rise of US regime in the post cold war era.
Jehad---
Rise of Islamist was marked from 1972 oil well exploration on Saudi land by American Companies. Investment of petro dollars into Wahabi Islam & jehadi group is also cause of spread of terrorism in South Asia. From then, The identification with Islam have became in such an ethical orientation flow pattern, which is largely about the theological concepts haram - the Forbidden - and halal - the Permitted - structured. The defeat of Soviet in poppy land Afghanistan was the mark of rise of Talibs gathered around by hardliner Muslims. The mistake of America in not rebuilding Afghanistan & leaving behind arms in the hands of jehadis is now paying them after 20 years.
Right Now---
It is everybody's business to ensure that no one is deprived of their right to say what they wish, even if it is deemed by some to be offensive. If we want the pleasures of pluralism and diversity, we have to accept the pain of being offended by extro and intro inspection. That is the level of tolerance should be brought in our diverse and democratic society in future. Now the slump of US economy in global recession and militant Islam uprising is providing a new base for a big change.
The rise of emerging markets and the relative decline of developed countries indicate the reorientation of global economic order. G-7 may found its counter in BRIC now. There are also concerns, the critical one being to what extent this economic power will manifest itself as political power—a process that history suggests is inevitable.
The stability of nuke armed Pakistan will now determine the future of world politics. The axis of attention has shifted from east Europe to Pakistan now. Something that rest of world is fighting against extremist Muslims, i.e. to bring reforms and renaissance in their culture in the light of changing times. 20 years from 1989, again we are on the verge of adapting revolutionary change in our economic and political system. We can only predict what lies in womb of future.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Open Your Eyes
With 'Lyrics of life ', A blog devoted to the poetry only is started by me. I will try to transfer all of mine favorite poems from my blog into this to give it more space and voice. And for reading purpose, here comes a good post.
1- If Lahore is Pak’s soul, and Islamabad its mind, then Karachi—in all its scrappy glory—is Pakistan’s guts. I consider Pakistanis as our brothers whose fate is inter twisted with us. Taliban has grown so much that even journalist fear to venture in SWAT valley. Journalists don’t talk about fear much. It goes against the grain of the culture; the lone wolf, the impassive observer, the tough guy in tough places telling tough truths. Are they slave of our own public images? Then change your perspective by reading e-magazine by Pulitzer center on crisis reporting. 'Killing Fields' film is must watch for everyone who wants to witness the cruelty of genocide and war.
#The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper journalism, literature and musical composition.
2- For generations, people who would now be termed ‘Islamophobes’ have recounted a striking fable about Islamists and irony. It takes place at the ancient world’s great receptacle of wisdom, the library of Alexandria. When a Muslim commander ordered his men to raze the site, some of them demurred. “Surely”, the dissenters responded, “it is not right to wantonly destroy these books?”. Their leader disagreed: “Either the books will contradict the Koran”, he told them, “in which case they are heresy; or they will agree with it, in which case they are superfluous”. This is a mythical story told to put us in wrong perspective against Islam. Read further in this topic in “Has Islam a Place in a Modern World?”
3-The success of US model is assembling persons or attracting brain power from different parts of the world and yet maintain the dialogue between them in one language. The one language concept is opposition of diversity but it helps in communicating across the language barrier of intellectuals belonging to different country.There past and connection to other world nourished the diversity factor needed for healthy debate in the society.But have you ever hear of Child labor in America. Go through this blog post and discover ugly side of the U.S.A.
1- If Lahore is Pak’s soul, and Islamabad its mind, then Karachi—in all its scrappy glory—is Pakistan’s guts. I consider Pakistanis as our brothers whose fate is inter twisted with us. Taliban has grown so much that even journalist fear to venture in SWAT valley. Journalists don’t talk about fear much. It goes against the grain of the culture; the lone wolf, the impassive observer, the tough guy in tough places telling tough truths. Are they slave of our own public images? Then change your perspective by reading e-magazine by Pulitzer center on crisis reporting. 'Killing Fields' film is must watch for everyone who wants to witness the cruelty of genocide and war.
#The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper journalism, literature and musical composition.
2- For generations, people who would now be termed ‘Islamophobes’ have recounted a striking fable about Islamists and irony. It takes place at the ancient world’s great receptacle of wisdom, the library of Alexandria. When a Muslim commander ordered his men to raze the site, some of them demurred. “Surely”, the dissenters responded, “it is not right to wantonly destroy these books?”. Their leader disagreed: “Either the books will contradict the Koran”, he told them, “in which case they are heresy; or they will agree with it, in which case they are superfluous”. This is a mythical story told to put us in wrong perspective against Islam. Read further in this topic in “Has Islam a Place in a Modern World?”
3-The success of US model is assembling persons or attracting brain power from different parts of the world and yet maintain the dialogue between them in one language. The one language concept is opposition of diversity but it helps in communicating across the language barrier of intellectuals belonging to different country.There past and connection to other world nourished the diversity factor needed for healthy debate in the society.But have you ever hear of Child labor in America. Go through this blog post and discover ugly side of the U.S.A.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Irrational Faith -2
My Life: I make deals with the god to make things work in mine favor and in exchange of it, promise to amend any bad habit. Even God holds his end, I forgot about the promise and life goes as natural till appearance of next crisis. I hope that you don't fall in mine category. I feel like bribing an omnipresent and omniscient invisible force by chocolate to finish my tiny work. Even it means to alter the whole world for me over billion others. Few months ago, I had huge belief in mysticism. The middle way sounds like solution to extremism and Godard's theory of incompleteness was final nail in believing that human could ever solve mystery of universe. I was thinking mystery of nature as Pandora box or downward spiral. It was like considering to walk on a path without knowing starting and end point.The philosophical point of middle path appear to be golden rule is still merged with my theology currently. It is still retained in me despite several extremist decision about life taken by me. I am hugely diverted by mind as making middle path rule as ideal rule but practical life is quite different and my moody nature always betray me in following any planned route. Now I claim about my ignorance about God than calling myself either atheist or agonist. The writing of Vivekanad and Osho inspired me very much, due to which so called blasphemy is now gone. I have now no problem with presence or denial of god. It is like choosing between emptiness of non believer and denial of inquiry by believer.
Article (Previous Part):-
We know what god or anything should be about. We don’t search, we already know. And that makes us to fall in trap of faith. If the eternal god exist,and all the holy books know completely about him.Then what is the need to search for him. It is not blasphemy but a doubt on ability of humans to explain everything by logic or faith only. Little knowledge is dangerous thing and in matter of god, a arm of genocide in the hand of extremists. Religion is dangerous because it allows human beings who don't have all the answers to think that they do. Most people would think it's wonderful when someone says, 'I'm willing Lord, I'll do whatever you want me to do.' Except that since there are no gods actually talking to us, that void is filled in by people with their own corruptions and limitations and agendas.
Evolution debate is now gaining my attention now days and denial of holocaust is also one of the issues caught my me on Internet. The fall of Catholicism was started in the time of reformation and renaissance but industrial revolution was major blow to it. It attracted best brains to divert their area from Latin, religion and philosophy to natural sciences and technology. Still core region of Islam, Arab and U.A.E. are outpaced by slow speed of reformation. Remember, Taliban was recognized in Afghanistan by Pak, UAE and Saudi Arabia. The caste system in Hinduism is more degradatory than apartheid and must be abolished by us only.
Today, I can't find a single voice to take strong action on extremist Hindu or Muslim, only condemnation for news. Muslims killing Hindus and Hindus giving it back to Muslims when the point of concern should be man is killing man. In a land where men would rather kill their own than give up the fight, what hope is there for peace? Hoping that all is not lost in the fight against hate.
Article (Previous Part):-
We know what god or anything should be about. We don’t search, we already know. And that makes us to fall in trap of faith. If the eternal god exist,and all the holy books know completely about him.Then what is the need to search for him. It is not blasphemy but a doubt on ability of humans to explain everything by logic or faith only. Little knowledge is dangerous thing and in matter of god, a arm of genocide in the hand of extremists. Religion is dangerous because it allows human beings who don't have all the answers to think that they do. Most people would think it's wonderful when someone says, 'I'm willing Lord, I'll do whatever you want me to do.' Except that since there are no gods actually talking to us, that void is filled in by people with their own corruptions and limitations and agendas.
Evolution debate is now gaining my attention now days and denial of holocaust is also one of the issues caught my me on Internet. The fall of Catholicism was started in the time of reformation and renaissance but industrial revolution was major blow to it. It attracted best brains to divert their area from Latin, religion and philosophy to natural sciences and technology. Still core region of Islam, Arab and U.A.E. are outpaced by slow speed of reformation. Remember, Taliban was recognized in Afghanistan by Pak, UAE and Saudi Arabia. The caste system in Hinduism is more degradatory than apartheid and must be abolished by us only.
Today, I can't find a single voice to take strong action on extremist Hindu or Muslim, only condemnation for news. Muslims killing Hindus and Hindus giving it back to Muslims when the point of concern should be man is killing man. In a land where men would rather kill their own than give up the fight, what hope is there for peace? Hoping that all is not lost in the fight against hate.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Irrational Faith-1
This post is formed by compiling various lines from Internet. Not quoted as original writeup by me but an authentic work to represent mine thinking. Topic will be continued in future as series.
A lethal combination of blog post and documentary input have created havoc inside me to scan the topic of faith. I was provoked to write as a human what I feel. Either I was doubting belief or believing doubt. A thorough philosophical analysis and balancing act about religion and God is done by my friend Rajneesh in his blog brilliantly as he has heard whisper of my conscious secretly.The belief that is not based on evidence is one of the world's great evils. Inspite of providing some peace to the common man, the logic devoid faith has created violent extremist in every religion and nation.
Now, I am diverting my anger towards Islamic and Communist regime for expressing my point of view. Many moderates assume that religious "extremism" is rare and therefore not all that consequential. But we know, religious extremism is not rare, and it is hugely consequential. There is always huge pathos in moderates when hardliners take reign in their hands and take community/ nation in hell. Moderates can plainly speak hollow words when gun barrels and violent action leads the way of destruction. This infidelity of moderates is explained as being too tolerant towards intolerance.
In one of his essays, Professor Russell says “I sometimes have the impression that in the field of Islamic studies more than most, scholars feel a need to be ‘diplomatic’ (which, let us face it, is only a polite way of saying ‘less than completely honest’) so that influential people will not be offended." And then he refers to Hardy in the Explanatory Note to Tess—that ‘if an offence comes out of the truth, better it is that the offence come out than that the truth be concealed.’
Several authors have identified how the writing of history in Pakistan has been systematically distorted to foster an artificial identity and ideology. In History perhaps more than in any other subject, there needs to be a clear balance between presenting complex facts and arguments in a concise and objective manner. Islamic and communist hardliners uses history and educational system as their tool to create mass support to them. It is like amnesia to common public having limited access to finer details of the history and information. History when contradicts the memory of living,the nation or community is on the verge of self destruction. By omitting a critical and honest discussion of these factors and by glorifying and romanticizing these conquests the student is deprived of learning about the forces and dynamics that shape history, in particular those that have shaped the destiny of our own land. Point of view of student become limited and many parameters are not being considered for the fear of creating doubt in the mind of learner. Exposed constantly to a one dimensional, mono-visual world in texts which allows no room for discussion or debate and subjected to a teaching methodology that encourages rote learning as the only means to passing exams. The gender and class biases seed's are sown here in the young minds.
A lethal combination of blog post and documentary input have created havoc inside me to scan the topic of faith. I was provoked to write as a human what I feel. Either I was doubting belief or believing doubt. A thorough philosophical analysis and balancing act about religion and God is done by my friend Rajneesh in his blog brilliantly as he has heard whisper of my conscious secretly.The belief that is not based on evidence is one of the world's great evils. Inspite of providing some peace to the common man, the logic devoid faith has created violent extremist in every religion and nation.
Now, I am diverting my anger towards Islamic and Communist regime for expressing my point of view. Many moderates assume that religious "extremism" is rare and therefore not all that consequential. But we know, religious extremism is not rare, and it is hugely consequential. There is always huge pathos in moderates when hardliners take reign in their hands and take community/ nation in hell. Moderates can plainly speak hollow words when gun barrels and violent action leads the way of destruction. This infidelity of moderates is explained as being too tolerant towards intolerance.
In one of his essays, Professor Russell says “I sometimes have the impression that in the field of Islamic studies more than most, scholars feel a need to be ‘diplomatic’ (which, let us face it, is only a polite way of saying ‘less than completely honest’) so that influential people will not be offended." And then he refers to Hardy in the Explanatory Note to Tess—that ‘if an offence comes out of the truth, better it is that the offence come out than that the truth be concealed.’
Several authors have identified how the writing of history in Pakistan has been systematically distorted to foster an artificial identity and ideology. In History perhaps more than in any other subject, there needs to be a clear balance between presenting complex facts and arguments in a concise and objective manner. Islamic and communist hardliners uses history and educational system as their tool to create mass support to them. It is like amnesia to common public having limited access to finer details of the history and information. History when contradicts the memory of living,the nation or community is on the verge of self destruction. By omitting a critical and honest discussion of these factors and by glorifying and romanticizing these conquests the student is deprived of learning about the forces and dynamics that shape history, in particular those that have shaped the destiny of our own land. Point of view of student become limited and many parameters are not being considered for the fear of creating doubt in the mind of learner. Exposed constantly to a one dimensional, mono-visual world in texts which allows no room for discussion or debate and subjected to a teaching methodology that encourages rote learning as the only means to passing exams. The gender and class biases seed's are sown here in the young minds.
I strongly favour that both doubt and faith should be judged on the basis of logic. I don't deny my diversion towards 'Anubhuti' concept of Hinduism which favours 'Anubhuti' above 'Gyan' as wholesome. But it strongly recommends to obtain 'Gyan' through rational thinking. Received wisdom is something that kills of any form of criticism, and our own ideas to question. The problem with us is that we form judgments rather than asking questions. We have killed our curiosity, because we have already found out the meaning of life.Its sad!...Always eternal quest for truth start and continue with a doubt only.
"With or without religion, good people can behave well and bad people can do evil; but for good people to do evil - that takes religion."-Steven Weinberg
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Chiranjeevin:Immortal in Hindu Mythology
Chiranjeevins are the eight long-lived persons in Hinduism. The word is a combination of "chiram" (long) and jeevi (lived). This word is often confused with immortality ("amaratva").
1-Ashwathama, a man cursed to immortality and eternal suffering without love from anybody for his role in the murder of the five sons of the Pandavas and his attempted murder of Arjuna's grandson.
2-Mahabali, a righteous demon king who conquered heaven, earth, and the underworld, but was forced to give it back by Vamana.
3-Vyasa, a sage who narrated the Mahabharata, he was also a sage in the epic.
4-Hanuman, who served Rama.
5-Vibhishana, Ravana's brother who was made King of Lanka by Rama.
6-Kripacharya, a teacher of the princes in the Mahabharata.
7-Parashurama, an avatar of Vishnu.
8-Markandeya, a great sage.
There are several other personages known as chiranjeevins, like Jambavantha (Jambavan). However, in Hinduism, "immortal" does not mean eternal. Even immortal things are dissolved at the end of the universe, including its secondary creator Brahma. The only eternals are Vishnu and Shiva of the Trimurti, i.e. manifestations of Brahman (the Supreme Reality), Sheshanaga (the Eternal Serpent), and the four Vedas.
1-Ashwathama, a man cursed to immortality and eternal suffering without love from anybody for his role in the murder of the five sons of the Pandavas and his attempted murder of Arjuna's grandson.
2-Mahabali, a righteous demon king who conquered heaven, earth, and the underworld, but was forced to give it back by Vamana.
3-Vyasa, a sage who narrated the Mahabharata, he was also a sage in the epic.
4-Hanuman, who served Rama.
5-Vibhishana, Ravana's brother who was made King of Lanka by Rama.
6-Kripacharya, a teacher of the princes in the Mahabharata.
7-Parashurama, an avatar of Vishnu.
8-Markandeya, a great sage.
There are several other personages known as chiranjeevins, like Jambavantha (Jambavan). However, in Hinduism, "immortal" does not mean eternal. Even immortal things are dissolved at the end of the universe, including its secondary creator Brahma. The only eternals are Vishnu and Shiva of the Trimurti, i.e. manifestations of Brahman (the Supreme Reality), Sheshanaga (the Eternal Serpent), and the four Vedas.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Remarks on AMU
AMU Sucks!!!! :I was much astonished by reading this blog article about communal ragging in Aligarh.AMU is the one of the best university,the Muslims can boast off.I was thinking of my fellow Muslim students who never faced such a communal ragging due to their religion.
When the world is moving forward in term of tolerance,most educated Muslim minds are behaving like irrational citizens of India.
#I am changing the name of topic as it shows AMU in dark color without ant evidence.
When the world is moving forward in term of tolerance,most educated Muslim minds are behaving like irrational citizens of India.
#I am changing the name of topic as it shows AMU in dark color without ant evidence.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Religious Intolerancy
"God does not speak; it does not mean anyone can do anything in the name of religion."
This line just shake me from a long sleep of religious attachment. Religion is a personal thing rather than group subject.
Acc. to wiki- 'A religion is a set of common beliefs and practices generally held by a group of people, often codified as prayer, ritual, and religious law.'
I differ from this statement from the point of view of common beliefs of group of people. Each people can have different religion and faith in the same society. A religion must be tolerant enough not sticking to a yardstick principle. Tolerance is lacking in religion in terms of tradition but intolerant enough in raising war with each other.
Now after so much blood is shed in the name of religious conflict, non of the religion holds true for a human being. When universal compassion and human emotions does not matter to man in front of materialistic world, no religion is capable enough take that place.
This line just shake me from a long sleep of religious attachment. Religion is a personal thing rather than group subject.
Acc. to wiki- 'A religion is a set of common beliefs and practices generally held by a group of people, often codified as prayer, ritual, and religious law.'
I differ from this statement from the point of view of common beliefs of group of people. Each people can have different religion and faith in the same society. A religion must be tolerant enough not sticking to a yardstick principle. Tolerance is lacking in religion in terms of tradition but intolerant enough in raising war with each other.
Now after so much blood is shed in the name of religious conflict, non of the religion holds true for a human being. When universal compassion and human emotions does not matter to man in front of materialistic world, no religion is capable enough take that place.
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