the idiotic or impish or the donkey-like part distorts the facts

The issue of balance and equipoise has worried great philosophers and thinker or all hues and ideologies-believers and non-believers, half believers and so on.

One part of the mind understands reason and fairly knows what is safe and good for it and the body housing it.

Then the idiotic or impish or the donkey-like part distorts the facts and impulses in myriad ways and this happens even more when more than one human thinking unit is present and the group form and think tank, and the tank is always leaking or ls filled with high-pressure gas ready to explode.

The tendency to defeat oneself for no good reason appears to be inbuilt in our psyche and all thinkers are just attempting to tame or annihilate this tendency- to kill it before it kills us.

Right from Pranayama, Yoga, and any art of living methods canvassed anywhere in any age was an attempt to reach such a realistic balance.

Whether human kind really succeeded in it is a debatable issue.

The use of temporary pacifiers and peacemakers like liquid spirits and drugs and other social sops have also not entirely succeeded.

There is real peace and constancy of mind for a man... and only for a man who is either not yet born, or is already dead.

I agree. One thing that has kept me in reins is that I chant Vishnusahasranamam repeatedly. Substitute that chant with any divine name of any faith and I am confident that it works. Vishnusahasranamam has worked for me for years and years.

My usage about a dead or the unborn is a hyperbole- in fact no one knows a man who is dead or who is not born-I was just articulating the difficult proposition of attaining absolute peace of mind. Only the best among the best may go anywhere near that blissful peace. I was attempting to articulate that concept, albeit inadequately. There can hardly be any difference on that premise. We have to travel long distances even to get the inkling that such a bliss is existing.

my mind is a donkey.. It refuses to accept things and accommodate

I am not able to shrug off the tendency to classify ideas, things and people as good, average or repulsive and permitting such mental classification to develop my attitude of cordiality, just toleration or even acute hatred towards them on a permanent and rigid basis..

After all, nothing is good, average or repulsive on a permanent scale of time and space..

Certain acts, thoughts, and views may make them so temporarily.. and it is not only their action but my own response to it that finally shapes my attitude ..

But then my mind is a donkey.. It refuses to accept things and accommodate changes...

Then the donkey knows the language of kicking and thrashing only..

the flow of time is forging ahead without interruption

I read views that the new year is not an Indian one..

I have great difficulty in agreeing to that ,

My view in Sanskrit on the issue is just reproduced below..

वस्तुतः कालस्य प्रवाहः निर्बाधम् पुरो गच्छति.I..

भारतीयं वा पाश्चात्यं वा संवत्सरस्य आरम्भः जनानां चिन्तायां एव वर्तते.. I

यदि सम्यक् संख्यासु भारतीयाः अपि अद्य नवदिनं मन्यते तर्हि तद् युक्तं एव..I

अतः एतद्दिवसं भारतस्य नववर्षदिनं न भवति इति वादः न स्वीकार्यं इति मे मतिः..I

नवजातं संवस्तरं सर्वेषां ऋद्धिप्रदं भवेत् इति भगवन्तः वासुदेवाः अनुगृह्णन्तुI

meaning..

actually the flow of time is forging ahead without interruption. The beginning of a year, be it Indian or Western, is in the the thoughts of the people..

If Indians in adequate number are too celebrating new year, it is only right..

When it is so , the view that it is not new year for India is not correct in my opinion.

May the newly born year produce progress as blessed by the Lord Vaasudeva.

sooner or later every despost failed

with some sensible self talk, I can decide or at least convince myself as to how I should behave and interact with others..

but I have often made the mistake of expecting the way others should behave and interact with me.. It is a grave error.. mistake .. even sin

If I do not want to hear a voice, I should clear away from the origin of the noise or I can close my ears, even with an earplug..

But I cannot afford to shut the mouth of the person making the noise..

Even the mightiest and the cleverest despots failed because they wanted to make others adjust their behaviour to suit their own autocratic ways..

And sooner or later every despost failed, or would fail..

incometax officer

A friend and colleague asks..what should one remember when he becomes an income tax officer for the first time..

My answer is

The capacity to lead  comes by instinct and observation..nothing special happens when one becomes an ITO.

An open mind and fighter instinct..should be there.

And the realization that the officer is a judge and at the same time the advocate for Revenue should be kept in mind.

And you are making your decisions..there can be appeals on the issue up to the Supreme Court..

So it should be remembered that you are a judge..however small the issue is.

And in the practical way..the department exists only if the assessee earns income. So we should never destroy the source of income or the one who earns

( I think that question was put to me because I worked as ITO and higher capacities for three decades)

Vyasa is just a staus.. like a generic name

Vyasa is just a staus.. like a generic name for a poet or scribe.. nothing more. They assign authorship of everything to this composite name

Researchers are of the conclusion that Mahabharatham evolved through two millenniums or perhaps even one millennium more. Some parts of Bharatham would have been added as late as even five hundred years ago. But the core structure, storyline and philosophy have taken solid shape at least 2000 years ago. The main part of Adiparva.. which can be equated to the primary structure of Mahabharatham that goes by the name Jayam was there for 3000 plus years.

But Srimad Bhagavatham is substantially not older than 500 years..perhaps some parts might be slightly older. Not older than 750 or 800 years. The persuasive effect of Bhakti movement in preference to vedantic, advaitic, karmic or yajnic ways are too pronounced in Bhagavatham.

Of course people giving discourse either in Ramayanam or Bharatham or Bhagavatham would either swear or vouchsafe that the contents are authentic according to the occasion and as per the text they deal with. They also would try to bring in reconciliation over paradoxes through very laboured and unrealistic explanations.. and the aam a AdmI audience would lap it up.

But the lines followed are indeed varying and contradictory often. Sensible persons should accept this and should imbibe the spirit of the works rather than dwelling on stories and creating fights. A culture that is continuously flourishing for more than 5000 years cannot be uniform and will not repeat stories like parrots

prolonged contact produces laxity

अतिपरिचयादवज्ञा विशिष्टेऽपि वस्तुनि प्रायः।

लोकः प्रयागवासी कूपे स्नानं सदा कुरुते॥

atiparicayādavajñā viśiṣṭe'pi vastuni prāyaḥ|

lokaḥ prayāgavāsī kūpe snānaṁ sadā kurute||

Even in respect of things of exceptionally great value and merit, people tend to be negligent, and their attitude may even turn slightly contemptuous, when they are exposed to such thing for too long.

People living in Prayaga, where three most sacred rivers meet and people from all over the world visit for holy dip in such confluence of holy waters, take their daily bath using the waters drawn from the wells locally.

The supreme sacredness of the theertham is lost on the local inhabitants perhaps due to too much of familiarity

Description of Karma (My understanding)

Description of Karma (My understanding)

Very broadly Karma can be divided into four parts viz.; (1) accumulated actions (2) Actions begun; set in motion (3) Being made (4) Coming, arriving, and living.

(1)Accumulated actions:Sanchita karma this means accumulated actions, implying the sum of all karmas of this life and past lives.(2) Actions begun; set in motion: Prarabdha karma which means Actions begun; set in motion." It is that portion of sanchita karma that is bearing fruit and determining the events and circumstances of the present life, including the nature of one's bodies, personal tendencies and associations. (3) Being made: Kriyamana karma means “Being made." The karma being created and added to sanchita in this life by one's thoughts, words and actions, or in the inner worlds between lives. What we are currently creating through our choices right now. It is our creativity that is unfolding, it is our "free will” (4) Coming, arriving, and living: Agama karma means "coming, arriving," and, "living, set in motion." These are the actions that we are scheduling for the future. Actions that will or will not be accomplished depending on the choices (free will) that we are making now and those that we have made in the past. While some kriyamana karmas bear fruit in the present life, others are saved for future births. Each of these types can be divided into two categories: arabdha (literally, "begun, undertaken;" karma that is "sprouting"), and anarabdha ("not commenced; dormant"), or "seed karma”. In a well-known comparison, karma is evaluated to rice in its various stages. Sanchita karma, the residue of one's total accumulated actions, is likened to rice that has been harvested and stored in a granary. From the stored rice, a small portion has been removed, husked and readied for cooking and eating. This is prarabdha karma, past actions that are shaping the events of the present. Meanwhile, new rice, mainly from the most recent harvest of prarabdha karma, is being planted in the field that will yield a future crop and be added to the store of rice. This is kriyamana karma, the consequences of current actions. For each of the three kinds of karma there is a particular method of resolution. Non-attachment to the fruits of action, along with daily rites of worship and strict adherence to the conventions of dharma, stops the accumulation of kriyamana. Prarabdha karma is resolved only through being experienced and lived through. Sanchita karma, normally unreachable, is burned away only through the grace; and diksha of the satguru, who prescribes sadhana and tapas for the benefit of the disciple. Through the sustained kundalini (the vital force lying dormant within one until activated by the practice of yoga.) heat of this extreme penance, the seeds of un-sprouted karmas are fried, and therefore will never sprout in this or future lives.

genuine quality and girth alone can keep a person at the top

 

उन्नतं पदमवाप्य यो लघुर्हेलयैव स पतेदिति ब्रुवन्।

शैलशेखरगतो दृषत्कणश्चारुमारुतधुतः पतत्यधः॥

इन्दिश्चे स्प्रूचे १२६४ ३७९४ कव्यप्रदीपे कुवलयानन्दे

unnataṁ padamavāpya yo laghurhelayaiva sa patediti bruvan|

śailaśekharagato dṛṣatkaṇaścārumārutadhutaḥ patatyadhaḥ||

indiśce sprūce 1264 3794 kavyapradīpe kuvalayānande

“When a person who is basically very insignificant, of little worth and quality, reaches a position of great heights, position of significance, then he would easily fall down, slide down to the bottom very fast “. Signifying and announcing this fact, a tiny pebble which has managed to reach the huge collection of rocks in the mountain, gets displaced so unexpectedly even by a gentle, soft, chance breeze, and falls down to the bottom without any delay.

Fate and chance might carry even an insignificant person of no subtance to great heights in life. But if he is not of the quality warranted for such exalted status, in all probability he would get displaced from such position even without the provocation of any major serious role player, and he would just slide down and reach the status richly deserved by him.

Here, the pebble has reached the top of the mountain somehow. Nature reserves the area for huge rocks that can withstand onslaughts of natural elements. The pebble is tiny. It is remaining in an unstable state of equilibrium. Even a chance breeze just dislocates it, and quickly it descends to the bottom.

Yes, chance may carry one to the top. However, real quality and girth alone can keep him at the top.

K v a

यःa person लघुः who is light, of no real worth उन्नतं high, exalted पदं status अवाप्य having reached सः he हेलया with great ease, with great speed एव only पतेत् will fall इति thus ब्रुवन् saying शैल शेखर a huge collection of rocks गतो having reached चारु मारुत by a soft, gentle wind धुतः moved, agitatated दृषत्कणःpebble अधः towards bottom पतति falls down fast

no method on this earth that could ever turn an evil fellow in a sensible and decent gentleman

दुर्जनं सज्जनं कर्तुं उपायो न हि भूतले।

अपानं शतथा धौतं न श्रेष्टं इन्द्रियं भवेत्॥

durjanaṁ sajjanaṁ kartuṁ upāyo na hi bhūtale|

apānaṁ śatathā dhautaṁ na śreṣṭaṁ indriyaṁ bhavet||

It would appear that there is  no conceivable method or trick on the surface of this earth that could ever turn an evil minded fellow in a sensible and decent gentleman

See, even if one’s anus is washed a hundred times, that will not turn into a noble organ of the body..

repay in the same coin

 

उद्धताः अलमुद्धर्तुमौद्धत्यं दुरितात्मनाम्।

क्षाराणामेव सामर्थ्यं मलनाशाय वाससाम्॥

सुभाषितार्णवे इन्दिश्चे स्प्रूचे १२३९ mahaasubhaashitasangrahe 6818

uddhatāḥ alamuddhartumauddhatyaṁ duritātmanām|

kṣārāṇāmeva sāmarthyaṁ malanāśāya vāsasām||

subhāṣitārṇave indiśce sprūce 1239

We can counter Arrogance and violence most of the time only through reply in the same coin. If a rowdy bull is charging against you, you cannot stop it by chanting mantras from Vedas or by playing music. Attack by force, using heavy sticks etc., only would do the trick. This couplet from an old compilation Subhaashitarnava, underlines this idea. To counter the evil activities, brash talk and action coming from people who are intent on creating trouble, people who are arrogant and are raring to abuse us and attack us, the people best suited are the ones who are themselves brash, arrogant and who are not averse to using brutal force and equally harsh words.

See, if your clothes have got dirty heavily, mild washing and soft treatment will not help in removing the dirt. You have to use concentrated alkaline preparations like potash, lime, or washing soda concentrate, to clean the garment. Maybe you have to apply some beating too.

k v a

दुरितात्मनां arrogant people intent on harming औद्धत्यं arrogance and vanity उद्धर्तुं to uproot and remove उद्धताः arrogant, brash people अलं are suited, are best suited वाससां of clothes मलनाशाय for removal of dirt सामर्थ्यं capacity, efficiency क्षाराणां corrosive, alkaline mixture एव alone

look back may not mend everything

 

उत्पन्न परितापस्य बुद्धिर्भवति यादृशी।

तादृशी यदि पूर्वं स्यात्कस्य स्यान्न महोदयः॥

इन्दिश्चे स्प्रूचे १२१० वृद्धचाणक्य

utpanna paritāpasya buddhirbhavati yadṛśī|

tadṛśī yadi pūrvaṁ syātkasya syānna mahodayaḥ||

indiśce sprūce 1210 vṛddhacāṇakya

Even the man with worst mind-set and attitude would soften and be remorseful and would reveal sufficient tolerance and understanding once he has faced a setback and has just recovered from the situation, groaning with mental and physical bruises. In that state of mind, he would be prepared to be more genial, more understanding. Vriddha Chanakya here raise a poser

If a person, who is normally cantankerous would look genial and accommodative after having faced a difficult situation. Had he shown the same level of tolerance and understanding even before the onset of such adverse situation, he would have perhaps not faced the situation at all. In addition, even if he had to face adversity, he would have been far more stoic and even happier. Is it not?

We feel sorry after pulling the trigger, after using unpardonable words, after committing grave errors. All these are just like crying over spilt milk. On some occasions, we may be able to repair some damages. Nevertheless, broken fences never mend perfectly.

kva

उत्पन्न after the onset परिपातस्य remorse, repentance, second thoughts नरस्य man यादृशी of the same type बुद्धिः mind-set, attitude, behaviours भवति happens तादृशी of that same type बुद्धिः attitude यदि if पूर्वं earlier स्यात् is there कस्य for whom न not महोदयः भवति great happiness and celebration happens?

sustained initiative alone can keep the society afloat

 

उत्थान हीनो राजा हि बुद्धिमानपि नित्यशः। प्रघर्षणीयः शत्रूणां भुजङ्ग इव निर्विषः॥ इन्दिश्चे स्प्रूचे १२०० ३७७१ महाभारते

उत्थानेनामृतं लब्धं उत्थानेनासुराः हताः उत्थानेन महेन्द्रेण श्रैष्ठ्यं प्राप्तं दिवीह च॥ इन्दिश्चे स्प्रूचे१२०१ ३७७२ महाभारते

उत्थानेनैधयेत्सर्वमिन्धनेनेव पावकम्। श्रियं हि सततोत्थायि दुर्बलोऽपि समश्नुते॥ इन्दिश्चे स्प्रूचे१२०२ ४४९ कामान्धकीयनीतिसारे

utthāna hīno rājā hi buddhimānapi nityaśaḥ| pragharṣaṇīyaḥ śatrūṇāṁ bhujaṅga iva nirviṣaḥ|| indiśce sprūce 1200 3771 mahābhārate

utthānenāmṛtaṁ labdhaṁ utthānenāsurāḥ hatāḥ utthānenan mahendreṇa śraiṣṭhyaṁ prāptaṁ divīha ca|| indiśce sprūce1201 3772 mahābhārate

uthānenaidhayetsarvamindhaneneva pāvakam| śriyaṁ hi satatotthāyi durbano'pi samaśnute|| indiśce sprūce1202 449 kāmāndhakīyanīti

A king, a leader of the people, a ruler, even if he is very wise and skilful, if he does not exhibit initiative, strength and willingness to be in action on a sustained and continuous basis, would become the target of derision and attack by enemies, and he would rather look like a snake which has no venom within.

It was only through sustained action, unrelenting efforts and great initiative that the Gods could churn out the milky ocean and obtain ambrosia or amrutham. The same initiative kept them afloat and enabled them to defeat their enemies the Asuras and to retain their suzerainty. It was through great collective initiative that Mahendra could establish his unchallenged authority in heaven and in this earth too.

One should ensure that augments his resources, valour and initiative on a continuous basis, just as if one maintains a burning fire aflame through adding sufficient fuel. A person who is in the peak of action and enthusiasm, motivated by initiative, even if he is somewhat weak compared to the adversaries, manages to score victories, and for him glory, accolade and material benefits too would follow in plenty.

A saga of pep messages from ancient texts.

K v a

उत्थान हीनः lacking in initiative, lacking in capacity to lead from the front राजा the king बुद्धिमान् wise and learned too सन् being अपि still नित्यशःevery day, on a day to day basis निर्विषःpoison less, non-venomous भुजङ्ग snake इव like शत्रूणां of enemies प्रघर्षणीयः target for easy defeat, target of insult and slightening भवति. Becomes

उत्थानेन through valour and initiative अमृतं ambrosia लब्धं was won, churned out उत्थानेन through initiative असुराः the inmical demons हताः were defeated and killed महेन्द्रेण by mahendra, the Indra उत्थानेन एव through valour and initiative alone दिवि in heaven इह here on earth च too श्रैष्ठ्यं प्राप्तं superiority was attained.

It is a million dollar question.

 

Nice presentation and seamless vocabulary coupled with use of mellifluous words can create a positive impact initially.

However, the content alone carries the day ultimately.

There are writers of porno whose style and skills of presentation can beat even the best, and the most articulate and erudite authors

There are singers of limericks and parodies who can present music at par with the greatest classicists or star singers.

Often they attract our attention and the attractive packaging and window dressing often prompt us to praise them undeservedly, and we even take the wrong route, deviating far too from what is proper

However, can fingers and throat carry a person in the path of popularity forever?

Alternatively, is it not right to convince ourselves that heart, brain, emotions, and discretion should apply proper brakes at right moments and guide us?

It is a million dollar question.

INADEQUATE APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE

 

असम्यगुपयुक्तं हि ज्ञानं सुकुशलैरपि ।

उपलभ्यं चाविदितं विदितं चाननुष्ठितम् ।।

- विदुरनीतिः

asamyagupayuktaṃ hi jñānaṃ sukuśalairapi ।

upalabhyaṃ cāviditaṃ viditaṃ cānanuṣṭhitam ।।

- viduranītiḥ

Even those who are masters or great experts in some strain of knowledge fail to put to use such knowledge and expertise adequately.

Moreover, most people are pathetically unaware of the wealth of knowledge that is at their disposal, that too without any restriction.

Added to this they never act positively and decisively either to acquire such knowledge or to apply such knowledge optimally even when they are well aware of the wealth of resources placed at their easy disposal.