As you probably know, Pluto has been demoted as a planet; it's a dwarf planet now. This makes our solar system live with only 8 planets.
In India, we have this concept of "Nava graha" which literally means "Nine planets". Though it has a different meaning altogether in its definition and usage, some "intelligent" people used to boast that we already know long back that there are 9 planets in solar system. (Pity them, most of them don't even know that Pluto was discovered only in 1930.) I don't what they will be thinking now. :)
Friday, August 25, 2006
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Seeking truth relentlessly
Some of my friends asked me why the title "Seeking truth relentlessly" for my blog. That one symbolises a person in history of India (some prefer to call it "mythology") who was seeking truth relentlessly.
For those uninitiated, there was this small boy whose father was performing a yaga (a fire ritual). It was a practice in India to gift something to poor people during the yaga - and whatever is given should be of good quality and should be one that's close to the heart of the giver. This father was giving away old cows that couldn't give milk. The young boy saw this act of his father. Being the one who was close to father's heart, the boy asked his father "whom you're going to gift me to?" When asked repetitively, the father got irritated and said "I give thee to Yama deva (the lord of death.)". The boy went to Yama loga (the place where Yama resides). He waited there for 3 days at the doorsteps without any food. It's considered a sin to have a guest wait. So, Yama begged his pardon and told him that he'd be granted 3 boons.
The boy asked his three wishes: first, that his father should be ridden of anger and recognize and accept him when he goes back to his home. Yama granted the wish.
Second, the boy asked to learn Agni vidya (the knowledge of fire) from Yama. Yama granted this wish too.
Third, the boy asked to learn Atma vidya - the knowlege of soul - what happens to the soul after death. Yama was stunned. Yama said "Dear boy, please don't ask this alone. This is one thing even great sages are trying to figure out and it's tougher for even them. So, drop this and ask for anything - wealth, emperorship or whatever you like." But the boy didn't waver; he persisted and requested Yama deva to grant that wish. Yama accepted his request and taught him Atma vidya.
This young boy is still remembered for his persistence to seek truth relentlessly.
And his name is Nachiketa.
For those uninitiated, there was this small boy whose father was performing a yaga (a fire ritual). It was a practice in India to gift something to poor people during the yaga - and whatever is given should be of good quality and should be one that's close to the heart of the giver. This father was giving away old cows that couldn't give milk. The young boy saw this act of his father. Being the one who was close to father's heart, the boy asked his father "whom you're going to gift me to?" When asked repetitively, the father got irritated and said "I give thee to Yama deva (the lord of death.)". The boy went to Yama loga (the place where Yama resides). He waited there for 3 days at the doorsteps without any food. It's considered a sin to have a guest wait. So, Yama begged his pardon and told him that he'd be granted 3 boons.
The boy asked his three wishes: first, that his father should be ridden of anger and recognize and accept him when he goes back to his home. Yama granted the wish.
Second, the boy asked to learn Agni vidya (the knowledge of fire) from Yama. Yama granted this wish too.
Third, the boy asked to learn Atma vidya - the knowlege of soul - what happens to the soul after death. Yama was stunned. Yama said "Dear boy, please don't ask this alone. This is one thing even great sages are trying to figure out and it's tougher for even them. So, drop this and ask for anything - wealth, emperorship or whatever you like." But the boy didn't waver; he persisted and requested Yama deva to grant that wish. Yama accepted his request and taught him Atma vidya.
This young boy is still remembered for his persistence to seek truth relentlessly.
And his name is Nachiketa.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Equality - Truth or Myth?
Well, the title may sound esoteric to some.
There are two viewpoints that I'm thinking of - "material" and "spiritual" viewpoints.
"Spiritually", all are equal, there's no second thought. I firmly believe and follow Advaita.
But "Materially" (I mean in terms of materialistic aspirations and related actions), I don't believe in equality. In that case, equality is the bane for growth. When two things are seen equal, there's no competetion among them, so no real growth. For example, when I certainly know that one of my friend or team member is my EQUAL, I don't care much; I keep doing things as I used to. But it's only when I see that I'm not equal to some one and I'm less capable than him, I get fired up and attempt at bigger, better things. Similarly, when I see some one not as capable as me, I make an attempt to bring that person upto my level. (It's the classic moon-earth relationship - moon always trying to fall into earth but missing it every time, thus keeping both going!)
My spiritual side always says that the person who dislikes me is also the same as me - we both are sparks of same spiritual fire. But my material side never accepts some one as better than me if he's REALLY not better.
You may think what's all this non-sense. But you know, my next post may be about Communism and Captitalism. :)
There are two viewpoints that I'm thinking of - "material" and "spiritual" viewpoints.
"Spiritually", all are equal, there's no second thought. I firmly believe and follow Advaita.
But "Materially" (I mean in terms of materialistic aspirations and related actions), I don't believe in equality. In that case, equality is the bane for growth. When two things are seen equal, there's no competetion among them, so no real growth. For example, when I certainly know that one of my friend or team member is my EQUAL, I don't care much; I keep doing things as I used to. But it's only when I see that I'm not equal to some one and I'm less capable than him, I get fired up and attempt at bigger, better things. Similarly, when I see some one not as capable as me, I make an attempt to bring that person upto my level. (It's the classic moon-earth relationship - moon always trying to fall into earth but missing it every time, thus keeping both going!)
My spiritual side always says that the person who dislikes me is also the same as me - we both are sparks of same spiritual fire. But my material side never accepts some one as better than me if he's REALLY not better.
You may think what's all this non-sense. But you know, my next post may be about Communism and Captitalism. :)
Sunday, August 13, 2006
My Latest Composition
I'm part of a cultural organization - Sudhodaya Children Association - run by my aunt. Yesterday, we celebrated our 49th anniversary. The event went fine, and the moments were nice. My friends and I sung a song that was written and music composed by me. I've uploaded it in my website. Enjoy!!
P.S.: That song is a copyrighted work. Any misuse is illegal.
P.S.: That song is a copyrighted work. Any misuse is illegal.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Newyork Nagaram
My first post in this blog!
I've been hearing "Newyork Nagaram" song for the past 2 days. It's almost 50-60 times a day! To guys who know about me, this doesn't come as a big deal - I get crazy about something that I really like a lot. This song is one such thing.
The song starts with a humming and that's followed by simple chords in guitar. First section (called pallavi in India) gets right into the heart - the lyrics and music are so much in sync that I started feeling like I'm in 50th floor in a hotel in Newyork watching through the glass windows and dreaming about ..... well, nothing! :). (Though I've never been to Newyork, I have an idea of how it'll be, through pics and videos.)
The sections that follow greatly back the pallavi up and altogether make this song a superb number.
I recommend it to all who require sleeping pills. This will make you throw away your pills!
I've been hearing "Newyork Nagaram" song for the past 2 days. It's almost 50-60 times a day! To guys who know about me, this doesn't come as a big deal - I get crazy about something that I really like a lot. This song is one such thing.
The song starts with a humming and that's followed by simple chords in guitar. First section (called pallavi in India) gets right into the heart - the lyrics and music are so much in sync that I started feeling like I'm in 50th floor in a hotel in Newyork watching through the glass windows and dreaming about ..... well, nothing! :). (Though I've never been to Newyork, I have an idea of how it'll be, through pics and videos.)
The sections that follow greatly back the pallavi up and altogether make this song a superb number.
I recommend it to all who require sleeping pills. This will make you throw away your pills!
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