Kathak

                                                                               


The word "Kathak" is used in Brahma Mahapuran for dancers, actors and singers. In Mahabharata and Natyashastra one can find the word "Kathak" too. In Pali language "kathako" means "lecture". In Nepalese language the word "kathiko" is available which means 'who explains' or 'teacher'.


In excavation of Mohanjodro and Harappa, which are one of the most ancient civilizations in the world, people found some sculptures, which represent a sort of dance poses. Their hand gestures and body poses are quite similar to the existing kathak dance forms.


The most ancient known Indian book on art is "Natyashastra" which was written by Saint Bharat about 500 BC. After that "Sangeet Ratnakar" - basically music oriented book - which was written by Sharang Dev in 13th century, is the next strongest support to Kathak word. In its Nrityadhyay (chapter of Dance) it is written:


Kathaka Bandinshchatra Vidyavantah Priyamvadah Prashansakushlashchaanye Chatura Sarvamatushu
It means: "who explains the characters and educated and sweet and soft speaking person, who is expert in explaining and is from good descent (i.e. Brahman), clever in making poems and explaining them is Kathak".


Long long ago when nat, bharat or kushilav people were explaining religious and mythological stories in the temple premises with the help of dance and music they had good position in the society. Later on some immoral practices became the cause of their degradation and they were expelled from the society. With time they came back again with a new face where they sang, danced and explained the religious stories and also had share in the religious ceremonies. Most of them were Brahman and they lived very strict and religious life. Again they retained name, position and money. Some technical words of Kathak dance like 'Tatkar', 'Gat' are used in ancient dance and music books like Sangeet Darpan, Sangeet Makrand and Kohal Rahasya.


Muslim invasion in Kathak
Muslim king came to India and ruled more than 800 years. All Muslim kings brought dancers, poets, musician and other artist form Persia and Arab countries. To adapt their art to India and to establish its form in India they used many tactics. They are the following:


Indian music and dance was connected with Hindu religion very deeply so that they destroyed Hindu temples, the books about art were also destroyed.
Some Indian instruments were changed, for example tabla was made by cutting the pakhawaj in two pieces and each was played with entirely different technique so that experts in playing pakhawaj could not compete with new artists, whom was given preference at the king's court.
They stopped supporting Hindu artists, forced them to change religion and name and demoralized among persian artists.
Good teachers and dancers were forced to dance for the king and not for the God. Spiritual values of dance were ignored and only materialistic values were approved. The dancers were asked to dance with glass of wine in hands and offer it to the king. If during dance wine fell on the ground dancer and teacher were punished, beaten and tortured. If dancer danced successfully, he was lifted up with prizes and intimacy with the king. As a result dance become game of foot rather then the whole body work. Love events or the dance in which there was description of love between Krishna and Radha, were remaining as it is because that satisfied the dirty thoughts of the king and courtiers. On the other hand dance included many gestures from Arab dances and work of wrist, Ghungru and facial expression were added a lot to dance.
It was difficult for the king to speak Hindi words, that is why all the vocabulary of dance was supplanted by Urdu words; Urdu and Persian literature was introduced in Kathak dancing. Gazal, rubai, tarana are some of the compositions which were added to Kathak that time continue to be an important feature till today.
Dance and music at king's court was performed alongside with some circus, magic show or other lower forms of art. For example one can see the pictures painted in 14th to 19th century showing courtiers enjoying circus and dance at the same time.
Here start the different schools and traditions, which are now famous as gharana. Different Hindu and Muslim kings and nawab of different states gave support to different artists and there dance changed its shape in accordance with the condition and the mood of the sponsor. Mainly in three places dancers were concentrated and after these places the three main gharana of Kathak are named.


In Jaipur City Hindu kings supported Kathak and taandav oriented Kathak dance was cultivated and called 'Jaipur Gharana'.


In Avadh, which later on was named Lucknow, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, who himself was a good dancer, invited many Kathak artists and teachers. Lasya oriented Kathak dance was established in this tradition. Influence of Muslim culture was clearly visible in it. Softness and elegance was the specialty of this Gharana. This Gharana was named as 'Lucknow Gharana'. In Banarus third Gharana was established.

Benares Gharana

The Benares Gharana was developed by Janakiprasad. It is characterized by the exclusive use of the natwari or dance bols, which are different from the tabla and the pakhawaj bols. There are differences in the thaat and tatkaar, and chakkars are kept at a minimum but are often taken from both the right- and the left-hand sides with equal confidence. There is also a greater use of the floor, for example, in the taking of sam.'parans' are also done effectively in this gharana on the 'mrudunga'


Raigarh Gharana
This was established by the Maharaja Chakradhar Singh in the princely state of Raigarh in Chhatisgarh in the early 20th century. The Maharaja invited many luminaries of Kathak (as well as famous percussionists) to his court, including Kalka Prasad (the father of Acchan, Lacchu and Shambhu Maharaj) and his sons, and Pandit Jailal from Jaipur gharana. The confluence of different styles and artists created a unique environment for the development of new Kathak and tabla compositions drawn from various backgrounds.Some of renowned dancers of this gharana are Late Pt.Kartik Ram,Late Pt.Phirtu Maharaj,Late Pt.Kalyaandas Mahant,Late Pt.Barmanlak,Pt.Ramlal,Alpana Vajpeyi,Suchitra Harmalkar,Mohini Moghe,Bhagwaandas Manik,Bhupendra Bareth,Vaasanti Vaishnav etc.




A COURTESY OF  indiandance.ru

                                                                              

Dard-e-Radha

Brooding Love

Madhava:

Your moon-faced love

Had never guessed

That parting hurts.

Radha is tortured,

Dreading you will leave.

Love has robbed her of all power,

She sinks clasping the ground. 

Kokilas call,

Startled, she wakes

Only to brood again.

Tears wash the make-up

From her breasts.

Her arms grow thin,

Her bracelets slide to the ground.

Radha's head droops in grief.

Her fingers scar the earth

Bleeding your name. 

Counterfeit

When you stay before my eyes

You make me feel your love is firm,

But out of sight how different you are!

How long does false gold shine?

Master of sweetness, I know your ways.

Your heart is counterfeit.

Your love is words.

Speech, love and humor

All are smooth

And only meant to tease

When you shed a girl,

Do you laugh?

Are your arrows always

Poisoned with honey? 

Vidyapati 

All My Inhibition Left Me In A Flash

All my inhibition left me in a flash,

When he robbed me of my clothes,

But his body became my new dress.

Like a bee hovering on a lotus leaf

He was there in my night, on me!

True, the god of love never hesitates!

He is free and determined like a bird

Winging toward the clouds it loves.

Yet I remember the mad tricks he played,

My heart restlessly burning with desire

Was yet filled with fear! 

Vidyapati 

River And Sky

Oh friend, I cannot tell you

Whether he was near or far, real or a dream.

Like a vine of lightning,

As I chained the dark one, 

I felt a river flooding in my heart. 

Like a shining moon, 

I devoured that liquid face.

I felt stars shooting around me.

The sky fell with my dress, 

leaving my ravished breasts.

I was rocking like the earth.

In my storming breath

I could hear my ankle-bells,

sounding like bees.

Drowned in the last waters of dissolution,

I knew that this was not the end.

Says Vidyapati:

How can I possibly believe such nonsense? 

Vidyapati 

Shattered Desire

Swelling breasts, hard, like golden cups.

Those wanton glances have stolen my heart,

O beautiful one, protest no longer.

I am eager as a bee, let me take your honey.

Darling, I beg you, holding your hands,

Do not be cruel, have pity on me.

I shall say that again and again,

No more can I suffer the agony of love.

Says Vidyapati:

Shattered desire is death. 

Vidyapati 

Signs Of Youth

Radha’s glances dart from side to side.

Her restless body and clothes are heavy with dust.

Her glistening smile shines again and again.

Shy, she raises her skirt to her lips.

Startled, she stirs and once again is calm,

As now she enters the ways of love.

Sometimes she gazes at her blossoming breasts

Hiding them quickly, then forgetting they are there.

Childhood and girlhood melt in one

And new and old are both forgotten.

Says Vidyapati: O Lord of life,

Do you not know the signs of youth? 

Vidyapati 

Thinner Than A Crescent

Her tears carved a river

And she broods on its bank,

Hurt and confused.

You ask her one thing,

She speaks of another.

Her friends believe

That joy may come again.

At times they banish hope

And cease to care.

O Madhava,

I have run to call you.

Radha each day

Grows thinner

Thinner than the crescent in the sky… 

Vidyapati 

Time And Love

As I guard my honor,

My love in a foreign land

Ravishes beauties

Who belong to others.

Safely he will come,

But he has left me dead.

O traveler, tell him

That my youth wastes away…

If time goes on

Life too will go

And never shall we love again… 

Vidyapati 

Vidyapati Thakur (1340 - 1430), also known by the sobriquet Maithil Kavi Kokil (the poet cuckoo of Maithili) was a Maithili poet and a Sanskrit writer. He was born in the village of Bishphi in Madhubani district of Bihar state, India. He was son of Ganapati. The name Vidyapati is derived from two Sanskrit words, Vidya (knowledge) and Pati (master), connoting thereby, a man of knowledge. 

Vidyapati's poetry was widely influential in centuries to come, in the Hindustani as well as Bengali and other Eastern literary traditions. Indeed, the language at the time of Vidyapati, the prakrit-derived late abahatta, had just began to transition into early versions of the Eastern languages, Bengali, Oriya, Maithili, etc. Thus, Vidyapati's influence on making these languages has been described as "analogous to that of Dante in Italy and Chaucer in England." 

Vidyapati is as much known for his love-lyrics as for his poetry dedicated to Lord Shiva. His language is closest to Maithili, the language spoken around Mithila (a region in the north Bihar), closely related to the abahattha form of early Bengali. 

A COURTESY OF POEM HUNTER .COM

Ganga River of Life

                                                                          

The mighty Ganga is not only the river but much more to the millions for whom the Ganga is a symbol of faith, hope, substance and sanity. Therefore the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared on November 4, 2008 that henceforth the Ganga would be known as India's 'national river'. The Prime minister has also announced the proposal to set up a separate high powered Ganga River Basin Authority to stop its pollution and degradation. Chaired by the Prime minister, the authority would have as the members the chief ministers of states through which the river flows, besides working closely with ministers of water resources, environment and forests, urban development and others as well as agencies working on  river conservation and pollution management. 


   The first Prime Minister of India  Jawaharlal Nehru wrote in his book  "The Ganges, above all, is the river of India which has held Indias heart captive and drawn uncounted millions to her banks since the dawn of history. The story of the Ganges, from her source to the sea, from old times to new, is the story of Indias   civilisation and culture, of the rise and fall of empires, of great and proud cities, of adventures of man."  


  The Ganga will be pure and free of pollutants by 2020, the Centre promised before the Supreme Court on October 23, 2010. Without dwelling on the past when nearly 1,000 crore was spent under the failed Ganga Action Plan initiated in the late 1980s, attorney general G E Vahanvati assured a Bench comprising Chief Justice S H Kapadia and Justices K S Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar that the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) headed by the prime minister would deal with river pollution in a comprehensive manner. 


  In a significant step on November 1, 2010, the government has given in-principle nod for declaring the 135-km stretch of the Ganga between Gaumukh and Uttarkashi as an eco-sensitive zone seeking specific activities to protect the rich biodiversity of the region.


 The National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) in its meeting held on November 1, 2010 also approved discontinuation of 3 hydro projects,-Bhaironghati, Pala Maneri and NTPC's Loharinag Pala proposed on the river. 


  On April 28, 2011 the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the Project for cleaning of River Ganga to be implemented by the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) at an estimated cost of Rs. 7000 crore. The share of Government of India will be Rs 5100 crore and that of the State Governments of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal will be Rs 1900 crore. 


  On June 28, 2011 Indian officials signed an agreement with the World Bank to use a $1 billion loan to finance the first major new effort in more than 20 years to cleanse the revered Ganges, one of the world’s dirtiest rivers. The long-awaited loan is part of a government project that aims to halt the discharge of untreated wastewater into the river by 2020. The project, founded in 2009, replaced the 1986 Ganga Action Plan, the last large-scale attempt to address the pollution. That initiative was able to introduce waste water treatment in certain areas, it failed to halt raw waste disposal into the Ganges.


 History  The Ganga is mentioned in the Rig-Veda, the earliest of the Hindu scriptures. The Ganga is mentioned in the nadistuti (Rig Veda 10.75), which lists the rivers from east to west. In RV 6.45.31, the word Ganga is also mentioned, but it is not clear if the reference is to the river. RV 3.58.6 says that "your ancient home, your auspicious friendship, O Heroes, your wealth is on the banks of the Jahnavi (JahnAvyAm)". This verse could possibly refer to the Ganga. In RV 1.116.18-19, the Jahnavi and the Gangetic dolphin occur in two adjacent verses.  
  
 During the early Indo-Aryan Ages, the Indus and the Saraswati were the major rivers, not the Ganga. But the later three Vedas seem to give much more  importance to the Ganga, as shown by its numerous references. According to the Hindu Purans, Goddess Ganga used to exist only in Heaven. Then prince Bhagirath worshipped Ganga to descend on earth.This is why Ganga is also known as Bhagirathi. In the Mahabharath this story is also mentioned. In fact, Ganga is a major character in the Mahabharath, where she is the mother of Bhisma.
   
Another version of the myth tells us that Ganga descended to earth to purify the souls of the 60,000 sons of  an ancient ruler, King Sagara, who had been burnt to ashes by an enraged ascetic.
   
Ganga in Hindu religion   According to Hindus the river Ganga  is sacred. It is worshipped by Hindus and personified as a goddess, who holds an important place in the Hindu religion. Hindu belief holds that bathing in the river on certain occasions causes the forgiveness of sins and helps attain salvation. Many people believe that this will come from bathing in Ganga at any time. People travel from distant places to immerse the ashes of their kin in the waters of the Ganga; this immersion also is believed to send the ashes to heaven. Several places sacred to Hindus lie along the banks of the river Ganga, including Haridwar and Kashi. People carry sacred water from the Ganges that is sealed in copper pots after making the pilgrimage to Kashi. It is believed that drinking water from the Ganga with ones last breath will take the soul to heaven. Hindus also believe life is incomplete without bathing in the Ganga at least once in their lifetime.

 In most Hindu families, a vial of water from the Ganga is kept in every house. This is done because it is auspicious to have water of the Holy Ganga in the house, and also if someone is dying, that person will be able to drink its water.  Many Hindus believe that the water from the Ganga can cleanse a persons soul of  all past sins, and that it can also cure the ill. The ancient scriptures mention that the water of Ganga carries the blessings of the Lords feet. Hence mother Ganga is also known as Visnupadi (Emanating from the Lotus feet of Supreme Lord Sri Visnu). Some of the most important Hindu festivals and religious congregations are celebrated on the banks of the river Ganga such as the Kumbh Mela or the Kumbh Fair and the Chhat Puja.
  
Around 70 million Hindus from around the world participated in Kumbh Mela at the Hindu Holy city Prayaga (also known as Allahabad). The most important city sacred to Hinduism on the banks of the River Ganga is Varanasi or Banaras. It has hundreds of temples along the banks of the Ganga which often get flooded during the rains. This city, especially along the banks of the Ganga, is an important place of worship for the Hindus as well as a cremation ground.


Chhath an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the Lord Sun (सूर्य)  is mainly celebrated in northeast region of India in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, some parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand on the banks of Ganga  This year on November 12, 2010 Chath Puja  the urban populace prefer to visit other water bodies like ponds or lakes or remain confined to their homes for performing the Chhath rituals as river Ganga has shifted away at different ghats and its water stands highly contaminated..


Economy
  The flora and fauna found along Ganga banks are vital to nutrient and water conservation, and control of soil erosion.  451 million people living in its basin are directly and indirectly dependent upon the Ganga. Watered by the monsoons, this silt-enriched land produces a significant portion of the rice, wheat, millet, sugar, and barley needed to feed the world's second most populous nation. The rain feds the land, dilutes the river's muddy stream, flushes out excess sediment and suspended matter, and revitalizes the river where its flow was sluggish.  The Ganges and its tributaries provide a perennial source of irrigation to a large area. The Ganges can swell a thousand-fold during the monsoons.
   
Haridwar, Allahabad, and Varanasi are the the source of tourism and  attract thousands of pilgrims to its waters.  Thousands of Hindu pilgrims arrive at these three towns to take a dip in the Ganges, which is believed to cleanse oneself of sins and help attain salvation.


   Ecology
   The Ganga has been described by the World Wildlife Fund as one of the world’s top ten rivers at risk. It has over 140 fish species, 90 amphibian species, and five areas which support birds found nowhere else in the world. According to studies reported by environmental engineer D.S. Bhargava of the University of Roorkee, the Ganges decomposes organic waste 15 to 25 times faster than other rivers.  The Ganges has an extraordinarily high rate of reaeration, the process by which it absorbs atmospheric oxygen. When organic waste is dropped into it, as much as 60 per cent of the BOD is processed within an hour. The water quality samples also suggest that the Ganges retains DO much longer than does water from other rivers.  
   
In a recent finding, the scientists have observed that various species of fishes which helped in keeping the river water clean are facing extinction. In its place, numerous marine species are thriving in the river. Marine species like Sea Bass, Rostellascaris, Xenentodon Cancilla, Clarius Gariepinus or Thai Magur have been found in the fresh water of Ganga in Allahabad and its surrounding districts.

 Gangetic dolphins were once found in abundance in the river Ganges. But over the years a steady increase in pollution in the river has dwindled the population of Dolphins. River Dolphin declared as National Aquatic Animal and on January 19, 2010, Ministry of Environment and Forests included in the Schedule I for the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.  According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Gangetic dolphins are in grave danger with their population declining at a rate of 10 percent annually. Industrial discharges, sewage, pesticides and the rotting remains of dead bodies have increased pollution levels in the River Ganges over the years despite government promises to clean-up the holy river.
  
M Omair from the University of Michigan in the US has collected zooplankton samples from Haridwar, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, and Kolkata. He found that many of the zooplanktons that are eaten by the small fish have tumours. The small fish are in turn eaten by the bigger fish and so on, so the ill zooplanktons are getting into the entire food chain, including humans who eat fish from the river. "It is a bad sign for the environmental health of the Ganga," Omair said. 


Ganga a national heritage  On September 22, 2008  Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured giving river Ganga a national heritage status, a statement by the Hardwar-based Ganga Raksha Manch said. The prime minister pledged to revive the glory of the river and look into the issue of pollution in the river along its stretch from upper reaches in Hardwar to Ganga Sagar in the Bay of Bengal.  In a boost to the Ganga cleaning programme, the government has cleared projects worth Rs 1,394.11 crore for the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar.


A COURTESY OF Gits4u.Com

                                                                               

Armaan

Diya Jale Tere Angan Mein

Gunje Tere Ghar Mein Azan

Har Khushiyan Tere Kadmon Ko Chume

Khudah Ke Khusboo Se Maheke Tere Makan

Tere Har Safar Mein Na Ho Koi Dikkat

Log Tujhse Kare Dil Se Mohabbat 

Tune Na Rahe Ab Kavi Vi Tanha

Har Ek Dil Pe Rahe Teri Hukumat

Tu Chhuye Teri Khowahishon Ki Asman

Tu Yun Hi Rahe Thori Manchali Aur Thori Si Nadan

Koi Gum Tujhe Ab Na Sataye

Tere Hothon Pe Khilti Rahe Muskaan

Suraj Se Bhi Ho Zayda Teri Roshni

Tu Agar Chhuye Mati  Ko 

Toh Wo Sone Sa Chamke Alishan

Meri Saath Hain Teri Har Kadam Pe

Meri Doah Se Saaje Teri Har Armaan

                                                    To My Lovely Lioness :D <3
                                                Mmmmmmmuuuuuuuaaaaahhhhhh :O
                                                     Happy New Year !!! :-)

                                                                             

Manas

                                                                                   
Like every year, the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is being organized by the Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs starting end May/early June to September 2008. The pilgrimage or 'Yatra' is open to all Indian citizens above18 years of age who wish to proceed to Kailash and Manasarovar for religious purposes.


About Mount Kailash


The holy Mount Kailash is situated in the western Tibetan plateau in the northernmost region of the Himalayas. Also referred to as Mount Meru and Kang Rinpoche, or snow jewel, Mount Kailash is a 22,028 ft high peak known for being the abode of Shiva. Hindus perform a 'parikrama' or walk around the 32-mile circumference of Mount Kailash, an act that is believed to wipe away all sins. Four holy rivers originate from Mount Kailash: the Indus, the Brahamputra, the Karnali and the Sutlej.



The holy Mount Kailash is situated in the western Tibetan plateau in the northernmost region of the Himalayas. Also referred to as Mount Meru and Kang Rinpoche, or snow jewel, Mount Kailash is a 22,028 ft high peak known for being the abode of Shiva. Hindus perform a 'parikrama' or walk around the 32-mile circumference of Mount Kailash, an act that is believed to wipe away all sins. Four holy rivers originate from Mount Kailash: the Indus, the Brahamputra, the Karnali and the Sutlej.


About Mansarovar Lake


Travel 18 miles southeast of Kailash, and you arrive at the placid blue circular Lake Mansarovar, also known as Tso Rinpoche or 'precious lake' in Tibetan. Bathing in the freezing cold water of the lake which is said to contain miraculous powers is considered to be of massive spiritual benefit.
About the Yatra


The duration of the Yatra is 26 days. In addition, Yatris will need to spend 4 days in New Delhi to obtain visas, undergo a comprehensive medical examination and complete other formalities. This year, 16 batches each consisting of a maximum of 60 pilgrims will take part in the Yatra. The first batch is expected to depart from New Delhi in the last week of May/first week of June and continue till the end of September 2008.
Cost of Travel


Applicants should ensure that they possess an Indian Passport. The cost of the Yatra will include Rs. 19,250 to be paid to Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN), Rs. 1,950 to be paid to ITBP for medical examination / tests at Delhi, and US$ 700 to be paid to the Chinese side, besides additional expenditure on equipment, clothing, food, baggage, ponies, etc.
An Arduous Yatra


The Indian Mountaineering Foundation has recognized the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra as a trekking expedition with an element of life risk involved. The Yatra is extremely arduous - much more than Vaishnodevi or Amarnath Yatra, and involves trekking at altitudes as high as 19,500 feet, under hostile conditions, in extreme cold and on rugged terrain, and may prove hazardous for those who are not physically fit.



The Indian Mountaineering Foundation has recognized the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra as a trekking expedition with an element of life risk involved. The Yatra is extremely arduous - much more than Vaishnodevi or Amarnath Yatra, and involves trekking at altitudes as high as 19,500 feet, under hostile conditions, in extreme cold and on rugged terrain, and may prove hazardous for those who are not physically fit.


Fitness Test a Must


Applicants should be physically healthy, medically fit and are required to undergo a comprehensive medical examination in New Delhi. A second medical test to ascertain reactions to altitude trekking is done at Gunji, after 6 days of the Yatra, at a height of 3500 meters.
How to Apply


Complete applications in the prescribed format should be sent to Under Secretary (EA) Room No. 255-A, South Block, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi-110011 in mid-March every year as stipulated by the Government of India. The selection of Yatris will be done by Ministry of External Affairs through a computer-generated random gender-balanced selection process.


A Courtesy Of About.Com  

                                                                               

Kashmakash

Meri Manzil Ek Hain 

Lekin Meri Kadam Hain Do

Ek Rahe Jana Chahe Piche

Aur Ek Kaheta Hain Aagey Barho

Ek Taraf Meri Ek Mehfuz Si Ashra Hain

Dussri Taraf Meri Dil Mein Raftar Ki Jaswah Hain

Main Ek Hi Saqsh Hoon Sau Roop Mein Banta

Mere Irade Hain Ek Lekin Pehchan Alag Hain

Main Halat Ke Samne Jhukti Hoon

Kavi Girti Hoon Kavi Uthti Hoon

Main Tanha Sa Raheti Hoon Duniya Ke Nazar Mein

Lekin Mann Mein Baheti Hain Khayalon Ki Lahar

Main Na Jhukti Hoon Na Kavi Rukti Hoon

Kya Meri Safar Andhera Mein Hain

Yah Main Ujalon Ki Taraf Karti Hoon Rukh

Meri Waqt Jo Sikhati Hain Roz Sabak 

Kya Uska Naam Khushi Hain Yah Woh Hota Hain Dukh

Jo Hota Hain Mere Saath Woh Kyun Hota Hain

Yeh Dil Hasste Hasste Kyun Rota Hain

Yeh Meri Nasib Hain Yah Meri Hain Hasil

Yeh Chahat Hain Meri Yah Phir Samjhota Hain

Meri Atma Meri Badan Yeh Ek Nehi

Yeh Dono Alag Si Kaya Hain

Ek Mein Na Hoti Hain Koi Tabhdeeli

Aur Dussri Hisse Mein Hazaron Saya Hain

Yeh Pahechan Aakhir Kya Hain

Ek JaazBaat  Hain Ek Qayamaat Hain

Yah Koi Hain Imtehaan Jo Har Pal Samne Aaya Hain

 Koi Haqeeqat Hain Yeh Ya Phir Yeh Ek Maya Hain  

M-e Z :-)

                                                         

                                                                             

Soul

                                                                                      
Who are you?


YOU ARE NOT THE BODY BUT A SOUL COVERED IN A MATERIAL BODY.


This is the main teaching of the Bhagavad-Gita.
“As the embodied soul continously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change.” Lord Krishna, Bg. 2.13
You are a soul covered by a material body.
Your are bewildered by maya, the illusion of identifying the self with the body.
In this material body you will suffer the pangs of birth, old age, disease, and death.


You will reincarnate from body to body, life after life. At death you will take on another body in the animal kingdom, or again in the human species. What your next body will be is dependent on your karmic actions (good and bad actions) taken in life.


Just as we change worn out clothes, furniture, cars, shoes, houses, jobs, and even partners. We will change our body at death. Just as a manufacturing company designs products today to make tomorrow. You are designing your next body today with your current actions.
There are 8.4 Million different material bodies that the individual soul keeps circulating in. So don’t get too attached to this body.


Once again you are “too busy” in eating, sleeping, mating, and making a career. Once again you have “no time” to enquire into the absolute truth. Once again you cling to temporary material enjoyment in your short life span. You keep running like mad after the mirages in the desert, castles made of sand, and the gifts of Santa Claus. (Mirages are seeing things which are not there, castles made of sand take hours to make but come down with a single blow, and there is no Santa Claus).


Most people are very busy in the Modern Lifestyle of partying, discoing, meat eating, intoxication, and relationships. While engaging in these demonic activities, you forget the naked truth of death, which you will have to meet.


Like animals, you do not realize that you are going to be slaughtered, by the laws of nature. You are busy in material enjoyment, the so-called jolly life, but actually you are like the chickens, cows, and goats waiting in the slaughterhouse. Death is certain and it can take you at anytime. At death, the laws of nature will act, and will you get another body according to your work.


Human birth is rare and now that you have attained a human form of life, you should utilize your developed consciousness to inquire into the Absolute Truth. Yet most humans engage in the life style of eating, sleeping, mating and defending, which is available even in the animal kingdom without the hassle of nine-to-five jobs, marital problems, medical operations, and the bother of tax returns.


A person in the mode of goodness knows that death is born along with his birth. He knows that he is dying at every second. He therefore prepares himself for the next life or for liberation from the cycle of birth and death all together. He enquries: Who am I ? Where have I come from? Where am I going after this life?
An ignorant person is ‘too busy’ with materialist life, satisfying only his genetals and belly. He forgets that death is certain and just around the corner.
Human or animal consciousness?


If you simply eat, sleep, mate, and enjoy material life. Then you are no different from the animals. The animals also eat, sleep, mate, and enjoy material life. In fact, if you simply want to engage in these activities, then you are better off in the animal kingdom. The animals engage in all these activities without the bother of jobs, bills, marital problems and other humanly conditions of life.


Those humans who spent their life simply eating, sleeping, mating, and enjoying material life will be upgraded to a higher level at death. So they can continue with these activities but without the hassle of jobs, bills, marital problems and other humanly conditions of life in their next life. They will be born in the animal kingdom. God is very fair and merciful, he satisfies all our desires. If you behave like an animal then you will be one in your next life, at your own request.


The difference between human and animal consciousness is that humans are inquisitive.
Real human beings enquire:
Who am I?
Where have I come from?
Where am I going after this life?
Who exactly is God?
How can I escape from the cycle of birth, old age, disease, and death?
How can I become immortal?


Animals do not enquire. They simply eat, sleep, mate, and enjoy material life.
Humans are compassionate, they always think of others. The animals mind their own business and don’t think of others.


Humans are charitable. It is the duty of every human being to perform welfare activities for the benefit of those who are less fortunate with their wealth, intelligence, and words. The animals are not charitable; they simply enjoy everything for them selves.
Are you human or animal?


Human birth is rare - don't waste it.
The Scientific Theory of Evolution – Charles Darwin Theory
Charles Darwin is famous worldwide for his evolutionary theory. According to his theory, one species evolved into another. Thus one body changes into another. We evolved from the animals, our closet relatives in the animal kingdom are the monkeys.
The Vedic Theory of Evolution


The Vedic scriptures also state an evolutionary process, but the definition is different from that of Charles Darwin. There are 8.4 million different species of living beings in the whole of creation as follows:
900,000 species of aquatic.
2,000,000 species of plants.
1,100,000 species of insects.
1,000,000 species of birds.
3,000,000 species of beasts.
400,000 species of human beings


All these species were created by God and like Charles Darwin’s theory; we also evolved from the animals but not by changing the same body, but by transmigration of the soul from one body to another.
Changing bodies from birth to death, and the evolution of 8,400,000 species.

Every living being is a soul (including plants and animals) covered in a material bodEvery living being is a soul (including plants and animals) covered in a material body. The soul takes one body then quits it to take another and so on. Going through all the various species in the plant and animal kingdom (8 million) and then finally taking a human body. The human body is the highest and most elevated of all bodies.

Once we attain the human body, if we misuse or fail to utilize the higher consciousness then we again fall down in the plant and animal kingdom. Then again we have to go through the evolutionary process, moving from one body to the next in the plant and animal kingdom for 8 million births before we get another human birth.

“As the embodied soul continuously passes, in the body from childhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change.” Lord Krishna (Bg. 2.13)

“As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.” Lord Krishna (Bg. 2.22)

What Do the Non-Vedic Religions Say About Evolution

The one-man made religions, Christianity and Islam, do not believe in an evolutionary process. The Muslims and Christians believe we only live once, thus this is the only life. They believe in resurrection. At death we are buried and we have to wait in our grave for the Day of Judgment on which day God either sends us to heaven forever, or hell forever. The humans have a soul but the plants and animals do not. They are simply created as food for the humans.

The Vedic scriptures state that even the plants and animals can go to the kingdom of God, but they have to wait for their human incarnation. If one lives a sincere life regardless of his religion, he will slowly be elevated in spiritual life which will one day lead to liberation from the cycle of birth and death and thus attain the kingdom of God. There is overwhelming evidence to support the Vedic theory of evolution, thus transmigration of the soul from one body to the next, reincarnation.

The Vedic theory of evolution is very scientific and only differs from Charles Darwin’s theory in terms of the method.

According to the Vedic religion the plants and animals do have a soul and the animals were not created as food for the humans. The animals are made of flesh and blood just like the humans and they do feel pain and have intelligence, just like the humans.

Higher and Lower Life Forms

There are 400,00 different species of human beings. Most of these species are uncivilized.

Within a species of human beings there are many different conditions in which one takes birth into.

Variety of colors:

Born black.

Born white.

Born gray etc..

Within each color of human beings there are different nationalities that one can be born into. Note that until 5000 years ago, there was only one nationality for all the humans in the world, Bharat Varsian. Which means the sons of Bharat or India. Yes, the whole world was called Bharat Versa or India until 5000 years ago.

Born Indian

Born American

Born Chinese

Born Saudi Arabian

Born African etc..

Within each nationality of human beings there are different religions in which one takes birth into. Note that until 5000 years ago, there was only one religion in the whole world, the Vedic religion.

Born Hindu (Vedic)

Born Muslim

Born Christian

Born Jewish etc..

Within each religion that a person is born into there are different health conditions that one takes birth into:

Born healthy

Born diseased

Within each diseased or healthy body that one takes birth into, there are different financial situations:

Born rich

Born poor

Within each financial situation that one takes birth into, there are different family situations that one can take birth into:

Born with loving and caring parents

Born with mean and un-caring parents

Born without a parent (one parent died before your birth)

Born with no parents (both parents died soon after your birth)

Etc….

There are so many other permutations of conditions that one can be born into. Thus a good human birth is extremely rare.

So What Determines Our Next Body and It’s conditions at Birth?

People are mad after sense gratification. When a person considers sense gratification the aim of life, he certainly becomes mad after a materialistic life style and engages in all kinds of sinful activity.

Every person takes birth in a particular country, in a particular city, on a particular street, to a particular mother with a particular religion and financial situation. Exactly according to what the person (the soul) deserves.

“When one dies in the mode of goodness, he attains to the pure higher planets of the great sages. When one dies in the mode of passion, he takes birth among those engaged in fruitive activities; and when one dies in the mode of ignorance, he takes birth in the animal kingdom.” Lord Krishna (Bg. 14.14-15)

“Those situated in the mode of goodness gradually go upward to the higher planets; those in the mode of passion live on the earthly planets; and those in the abominable mode of ignorance go down to the hellish worlds.” Lord Krishna (Bg. 14.18)

Your consciousness at death will determine your next body

“The living entity in the material world carries his different conceptions of life from one body to another as the air carries aromas. Thus he takes one kind of body and again quits it to take another.” Lord Krishna (Bg. 15.8)

“Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, that state he will attain without fail.” Lord Krishna (Bg. 8.6)

Life on all Planets is Miserable

“From the highest planet in the material world down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place. But one who attains to my abode, O son of Kunté, never takes birth again.” Lord Krishna (Bg. 8.16)

So how do we become totally Happy and free from all miserable conditions?

First you need to know what is real happiness. Becoming free from the cycle of birth and death, and free from all diseases is real and everlasting happiness. This means taking birth in the spiritual universe called Vaikuntha. You cannot go to the spiritual universe with your present body, only when you quit it and also if you have the qualifications to enter it.

“That supreme abode of mine is not illumined by the sun or moon, nor by fire or electricity. Those who reach it never return to this material world.” Lord Krishna (Bg. 15.6)

“That which the Vedäntists describe as unmanifest and infallible, that which is known as the supreme destination, that place from which, having attained it, one never returns-that is My supreme abode.” Lord Krishna (Bg. 8.21)

How Can We Enter The Kingdom Of God?

“One can understand me as I am, as the supreme personality of Godhead, only by devotional service. And when, by such devotion, one is fully conscious of me, one can enter into the kingdom of God.” Lord Krishna (Bg. 18.55)

“Whoever, at the end of life, quits his body remembering me alone at once attains my nature without a doubt.” Lord Krishna (Bg. 8.5)

The Regulative Principles For Human Beings

It’s not easy to give up a materialist and lusty life style, which most people are engaged in. Controlling the senses is like controlling the wind, which is very difficult. But when you realize that if you waste this rare human birth then you will have to go through the evolutionary process of transmigrating from one body to the next for millions of births before you get another chance of human birth, then it becomes a little easy.

Here are some basic starting points to end a demonic life style.

Stop being a serial killer, become a vegetarian.

Stop behaving like the dogs on the street. No sex before marriage or outside marriage.

Stop losing your consciousness, no intoxications (no drugs, no alcohol etc..).

Don’t speculate on your wealth, stop gambling.

All humans dream of going to the kingdom of God (the spiritual universe).

The non-Vedic religions say it’s ok to kill animals (eat meat). But in the kingdom of God there is no killing. So why don’t you start this practice now?

In the kingdom of God there is no sex, so why don’t you moderate your sex life now?

In the kingdom of God there are no intoxications, then why don’t you stop it now?

In the kingdom of God there is absolutely no speculation, so why don’t you stop speculating now

Don’t satisfy your desires

“A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires-that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but is always still-can alone achieve peace, and not the man who strives to satisfy such desires. A person who has given up all desires for sense gratification, who lives free from desires, who has given up all sense of proprietorship and is devoid of false ego-he alone can attain real peace.” Lord Krishna (Bg. 2.70-71)

The plants/animals are on a fixed cycle of transmigration from one body to the next in the plant/animal kingdom. They will have to go through 8 million births before they get another human birth. Yes the plants and animals are ex-humans. And most of the humans will be plants and animals in the future.

The humans have been through the 8 million births in the plant and animal kingdoms. But if a human misuses or fails to utilize the higher consciousness, then he (the soul) will once again have to go through the 8 millions births in the plant and animal kingdoms. Only a fool would waste this rare human birth.

Where Will You Be in 50 years Time?

Where you will be in 50 years time is a serious thought to consider now, because you won’t be here.

A Courtesy of gitamrta.org