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Affirming Sanatana Dharma and Recording the Modern History of a Billion-Strong Global Religion in Renaissance Y.G. Julie Rajan, Philadelphia. Web Masters: Deva Seyon: Sadhunathan Nadesan.

~ ~~~~~~~~~~

MARCIJ,1997·

A~~cy~·
INT~rRNATIONAL
Law and Order: A Cross Comes Down 17 i
Cover Story: Bangalore Battlefield:
Beauty Pageant Turns Ugly 22 '
Sage of Arunachalam: Ramana Maharshi
and His Teaohing of ''Who Am I?" 26
Mental Heath: A Curative Temple for
the lv,[entally Challenged 34
Religion: Catholic Fathers Adopt!Adapt
Hindu Worship Rites 4'9
Photography: Marcus Leatberdale Plays
with Light in a-Darkened World 52
. LIFE:STYLE
InSight: Tulsi and Rudraksha, Two of
OUf Most Venerated Botanicals 30
Horology: Seven Days for Seven Gods 36
Fashion: Wow! You Look Just Divine ,,0 -
• Cinema: 'Deep River,' a Japanese
Spiritual Odyssey in India 47
Striving: Yoga in the Indian Army 48
OPINION
Publisher's Desk: Meditation Can Be
More th~ You 13argained For 6
Editorial: Fear of Clashing Cultures 8
My Turn: Malaysian Mentor's Musings 10
Letters , ' '- 14
Heallng: DHEA: Fountain of Youth? 44
Minister's Message: Yoga's Daily Gifts 50
DIGE.,STS
Quotes" Quips 9 Evolutions 44
Diaspora 11 Digital Dharma 54
Briefly 20

./.
Canada ....... C$3.95 India ....... , .Rs.50 Nepal . . . . . . . Rs.BO Sri Lanka ... . Rs.BO
PPS 120114/96' Fiji .. . ..... . .FJD2_00 Malaysia ..... ... RM5
• ,COVER: Eighty-eight joyous contestants for the M1 s World pageant perform at the
Singapore .... .... S$4 Trinidad ..... TDIB.OO
Germany ..... .DM4.5 Mauritius ... .. .. Rs.30 South Africa . US$2.95 Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, on a set replicating the ruins at Hampi. On. Novem-
UK . . . . . . . . £2.00
ber 23, 1996, Miss Greece was crowned. Outside, troubles brewed. See pages 22-25: http://www.HlndullmTaday.kaual.hl.ua/
'.
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t
PUBLISHER'S DESK
Meditation Can Be More
. ,
Than You Bargained for
On the path to enlightenment, every .paxt of
ones nature has to be faced and reconciled
B Y, SAT G U R U S I V A Y A SUB RAM U N I Y A S W A M I
ESPERATE STATES OF
mind are disturbing '
many people these days.
They are caught in emo-
tional turmoil and
entanglement, scarcely kn9wing
how to get themselves out of it, or
even fully realizing what state
they Me in. This condition, which
often deteriora!es as \he years go
by until nervous difficulties and
mental illnesses set in, can be
alleviated by the simple practice
of meditation. Those who are
content to live in a mesh of men-
tal conflict, which is not only
conscious but subconscious, will
n~ver get around to meditation or
even the preliminary step: concentration. But a person who is wise
enough to struggle with his own mind, to try to gain the mastery
of his mind, will learn the vital practice of meditation. Just a few
moments each morni,ng or evening enables him to cut the entan-
gled conditions that'ereep into the conscious mind during the day.
The consistent practice of meditati<m allows him to live in higher
states of consciousness, with increasing awareness and per:ceptiol1
u~~~~~ . modern life lor solace.
'There are surprises, many of them, for the beginning meditator,
as well as for those who are advanced-unexpected consequen~es
tha~ are often more than either bargained for, because on the road
to enlightenme~t, every part of one's nature l.!as to be faced and
reconciled. This can be difficult if the experiences of life have
been unseemly, or relativeiy easy if the experiences have been
mostly comfortable. What is it that meditation arouses to be dealt
with? It is the reactions to life~ happenings, recorded in. the sub-
conscious mind, both the memory of'each experience and the
emotion connected to it. Buried ~way, normally, waiting to burst
forth in the next birth or the one to follow it, these vasanas, or
deep-~eated impressions, often come forward at the most unex-
pected moments gfter serious meditation is begun. It is the shakti
power of meditation that releases them. There can be no repressed
secrets, no memories too woeful to confront for the serious medita-
tol':' These experiences can be scary if one is "in denial" about cer-
tain embarrassing or disturbing happenings.
When this upheaval occurs for you, and it will, combat,the pa-
per dragon with the deep inner knowing that the energy of the .
body has its source in God, the light of the mind that makes,
6 HINDUISM TODAY. MA~ CH, 1997
thought p'ictures recognizable also has
its source in God, and nothing can or
has happened that is not of one's own
creation in a past life or in this. Thus
armed with Vedic wisdom, we are in-
vincible to the emotions connected with
the memory of formerly locked-away
experiences. When they come rolling
out, patiently write down the emotional
impressions of hurt fE{elings and injus-
tices of years gone by and burn the
paper in an open fireplace. Seeing the
fire consume the exposed vasanas, the
garbage of yesterday, is in itself a great
release. The experienced meditator
seeks -out the unwholesome areas within
hims'elf, enCieavoring to expose and.rid
himself of each knot of karma. The be-
ginning meditator may be shocked and
shrink from even continuing the prac-
tice of meditation as his inner mind
plays back unhappy thoughts that im-
pose themselves upon his shanti. Many
stop meditating altogether at this point
and turn instead to the distractions of
But true meditatien happens because
of soul evolution. We evolve into medita-
tive practices from bhakti, the yoga of
devotion. The transition is earned
through past good karm,(l,$, not chosen
as an intellectual'or recreational pas-
time. As the transition of external wor-
ship to internal worship is made, the
devotee has to face all bad karmas I
cheerfull)( and honestly in order to re-
solve them and move forward.
- Sitting in a state of real meditation, one must be more alive and I
alert than a tight-rope walker suspended without a net, on a taut
cable 300 feet above the earth. He must be the master of himself,
all the while seeking to identify with his pure soul being, not al-
lowing attention to be pulled here and there-to the physical body,
to outside sounds; to thoughts of the past or to concerns about the
future.
Upon entering a state of meditation, one may find that aware-
ness is enmeshed in a struggle between two states of mind: the
I
Internal resolution: The meditator must become master of hts own
mind, facing positively each past eXperience as it arises
.............. . . ... ...... . . .. ...... . ..... ............. . . ..... ........ . . . . . .... ... . . . . .. ......... .,1•••• • • • •••• • ••• .. ......... . ..
J
mind into tne Self is the destiny of all living on this planet, for
most in a life to come.
Meditation can be sustained only if one lives a wholesome life,
free from emotional entanglements and adharmic deeds. Intensive,
consistent meditation dispels the antagonistic, selfish, instinctive
forces of the mind and converts those channels of energy into up-
lifted creative action. The same force works to'make either the
saint or the sinner. The same force animates both love and hate. It
is for the devotee to control and direct that one force so that it
works through the highest channels of creative expression. When
this soul force is awakened, the refined qualities of love, forgive-
ness, loyalty and generosity begin to unfold. In this ascended' state
of concentrated consciousness, the devotee will be able to loOk
down on all the tense conditions and involvements within his own
mind from a v.iew far "above" them. As the activity of his thoughts
subsides, he begins to feel at home in that pure state of Being,
released from his identification with and bondage to lower states
of mind. A profound feeling of complete freedom persists . .
Meditation is similar to watching the play of light and pictures on
television. Identify with the pictures, and emotion is experienced.
Identify with the light, and peace is experienced. Both light and
/
energy forms have .their source in God. Begin this evening, while
watching the news on TV, by keeping awareness more within the
light than the pictures. By all means, begin tlilS ancient, mystical
art, but as you progress, don't be surprised when regrets, doubts,
confusions and fears you hardly knew you remembered loom up
one by one to be faced and resolved. Perform the vasana daha
tantm: simply write down all the regrets, doul;>ts, confusions and
fears in as much detail as possible, then burn the paper in a fire
place or garbage can. Claim the release from the past impression
that this tantm imparts. Begin searching within now. .
THE VED A S SAY .. .
The Search Is Within
The mind, indeed, is this fleeting world. Therefore, it should
be purified with great effort. One becomes like that which is
in one's mind-this is the everlasting secret."
KruSHNA YAj UR VEDA , M AITREYA UPANISHAD 6 .24
One should meditate on the atlm.an, which consists of spirit.
whose embodiment is life, whose form is light. whose essence
is space which changes its form at will. swift as thought"
S H Uk'LA YAjUR VEDA, S BATAPATHA BRAHMANA 10.6 .3 .2
The Self cannot be attained by the weak. nor by the careless,
nor through aimless disciplines. But if one who knows strives
by right means. his soul enters the abode of God.
ATHA1WA VEDA, M UNDAKA U PANJSHAD 3.2 .4
The cosmic soul is truly the whole universe. the immortal
source of all creation. all action. all meditation. Whoever
subconscious of the past and the conscious, external, waking state
discovers Him. hidden deep within. cuts through the bonds
concerned with the present and future. The experienced medita- of ignorance even during his life on earth.
tor learns that he is the watcher, pure awareness. When concentra- ATRARVA VEDA, MUNDAKA UPANlSHAD 2 . 1. 10
tion is sustained long enough, he dives into the superconscious,
intuitive state of mind. It enables ilie meditator, in time, to unravel He who knows God as the Life of life. the Eye of the eye.
the mystery. An integrated, one-pointed state of being is the goal- the Ear of the ear. the Mind of the mind-he indeed
a state of inner perception without vacillation, with the ability to comprehends fully the Cause of all causes.
move awareness through the mind's various states at wilL To 'be- S HUKLA YAJ UR VEDA. BRlBADRARANYAKA UPANISHAD 4.4 .18
come the ruler of the mind is the goal. To then go beyond the
MAR C H , 1997 HINDUISM TODAY 1

EDITORIAL
Zzam.mpf-Kaboom!
Knowing thii, you know much about life:
"What is the sound of one culture clashing?n
BY THE EDITOR
AS IT ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY, THIS ANGUISHING ABOUT
who we are, this defensiveness bordering on paranoia about
our cultural turf and collective identity? Or h?s something
changed and no one sent out a notice? Clearly, all around us
groups are reevaluating their intellectual and social histories,
reestablishing their place in the human cosmos. It's a tribal thing,
though tribes can be as big as all of Islam or Buddhism. The Hopi
Indians in New Mexico are fighting the US government to keep
electricity away from sacred sites. Europe's Pagans are coming out
of the closet, advancing themselves as an alternative to the relative-
ly young cultures that sidelined them. In many places once-con-
quered peoples and their once-silenceq heritages are making a
comeb,ack that their once-smug conquerors find threatening.
In the media cultures are clashing as never before. Witness the
page 22 feature on the Miss World beauty pageant in Bangalore,
India. Not that such things never happen in India. They do, but
seldom have they engendered such a virulent response from the
masses. The world took it seriously when that youngman immolat-
ed himself in protest of what he deemed a kind of human "cattle
show" that spelled, for him, the unacceptable desecrat'6n of Indian
womanhood. Though one man died, tens of thousands lived to
strike, blockade, march, parody and speak out against the coql.-
mercialization of a woman's body, reflecting a similar sensibility
that is awakening in the US, with beau-
ty contests quietly refocusing on con-
testants' oratory, personality and talent.
Yet, many educated Indians sided
with South African journalist Ramesh
Jetpalal who offered that "In matter~ of
sex, Hindus as a rule avoid the ex-
trem~s of prudery and prurience," call-
ing the protest "fatuous and asinine"
and the protesters "freaks and fanatics."
And there are other such clashes in this
issue: one on foreign media invading
India, another on foreign morals invad-
ing Malaysia, a third on foreign mis-
sionaries appropriating Hindu sacred
ic0ns, and more. We didn't even have space to write about the
township of 500 cowherders who .decided to ban television from
their borders lest precious time in the dairys be squandered.
Business is perhaps the most talked-about crossroads where
these clashes happen. McDonald's felt the cr]lnch with the Hindu
aversion to beef-eating and caved in last year, opening the only
one of its 20,000-plus restaurants. that does not serve cow carcass-
es....Pepsi and Coca Cola have struggled mightily to gain a foothold
in Bharat, and had to learn new ways of operating a company.
In its November 25 issue, NEWSWEEK noted the trend for corpo-
rate heads of multinationals to come from other cultures. in dollar
term~, the transnational mergers and acquisitions of compantes
8 HINDUISM TODAY; MA,RCH , 1997
has grown from a few billion dollars in
1980 to nearly 250 billion in 1996. Com-
panies no longer tie themselves to geo-
"Nonviolence i~ mightier tn8n the mightiest we8pon
graphic or political boundaries; they play
in any country where it pays. British Tele-
com merged with the Yankee firm MCI,
and folks wondered how the Brits would
, of destruction devised by m~n."
take the new American bosses. A tall
Texas woman, Marjorie Scardino, who
once ran a shrimp boat, was named cor- Mah~tma Gandhi (1869-1948)
porate head of a UK publishing firm,
Pearson. In Germany, Ernie Drew, anoth- Amassing great wealt~ is gradual, like the gathering of a theater
er Texan, made it on the board of
Hoechst, a chemical giant, and soon the
crowd. Its d,ispersal is sudden, like that same crowd departing.
Tirukural, Vers e 332
.j
meetings were conducted nicht au,f
Deutsch but in English! More amazing yet is the head of f.ipans "-
auto titan, Mazda. LastJune Scotsman Henry Wallace was ap- "If you create enough papa '(bad karma), you'll need another mama."
pointed to lead the failing company, and he doesn't even speak
Japanese! Unthinkable a few years back, such things are happen- "Being a vegetarian doesn't actually make you live longer. It just
ing fast and furiously now.
Global cultural invasion is empowered by technology. ·Phones, seems longer."
CPUs and TVs are ubiquitous, FedEx can send a package to any
remote hamlet, and films are instantly translated, dubbed and "East meets West and West eats meat." Title of a song on Tana
repackaged for foreign distribution, a task that took years before Ravi, t hey say this
Mana, by sitarist Ravi Shankar.
/
cave-dwelling yogi
and only month* now. If you loved the old ways, the new ones can is profo undly
be downright loathsome. On top of all this comes the 'newest inter- connect ed to
loper, the Internet, rushing information, ideas and images across the cosmos. DID YOU KNOW?
borders in a nanosecond, without stopping to be frisked, without
flashing a visa or declaring the purpose of its visit.
Though this is changing fast, so far the Internet is a North
Smokin' Guns! f
American and European tool, and other cultures are rightly fearful UNPOWDER, THE FIRST" /' \ •
of its power to change and inform citizens. China is working fran- explosive invented, is a ,f/j
tically to have its own Internet. Malaysia is creating JARING (q na- potent mixture of saltpeter,
tional net that will sift out unfit content from abroad) and Arabian "The nuclear family is just waiting to explode." Satgurti Sivaya
sulfur and charcoal used ~o
nations are outright outlawing it. The Internet provides the ulti- Subramuniyaswami, on the trend offamilies breaking a~rt power guns, cannons and ar-
tillery. It was long thought that ;<~~~~~
mate in cult;ural traffic and therefore collisions.
But wait a minute! Do I hear the sound of one culture clashing? A m~untain climber falls off the edge of a precipitous cliff, but
Outside of Asia these ·very struggles proliferate. The mythic the Chinese invented it, but re- '~,
iconography of Michael Jackson, the halfway to the bottom, grabs a vrotruding root and hangs on. cent translations of ancient Hindu manuscripts issued from an
evils of Internet, the tyranny of1:ele- Casting his eyes heavenward, he cries out, "Is anyone.up there?" A American university prove that Hindus had,the formula long
vision, the menace of materialism, voice floats down to him, saying, "Yes, my son. Let go of that root before it was recorded in China.
the loss of childhooCl innocence are you hold, and I will briRg thee up here." After a long paus~ the
all on the minds and agendas in the man reappealed, "Anyone else up there?;
West, too. Peoples of all nations are
clashing with the selfsame t::ulture, A minister and an unbeliever engaged in a public debate. T,he
usually branded Westernization. Disciple! "0, all knowing one, take me to the place of perfect minister was declared the winner because, after listening to his
Those who worry underestimate peace." Master: "If I take you there, it will no longer be peaceful." opponent, the unbeliever snickered, "Thank God I'm an atheist!"
I
the staying power of our heritage,
and overestimate the damage that
changes bring. To fight for zero ' 6UT ONLY A TEACHER
THE 600K5 CAN TELL YOU ...
ehange is retrothink, reminiscent of ' EXPLAIN CLEARLY
those who struggled vainly against HOW TO GET INTO
the automobile and the airplane (re- A P05TURE ...
member the fatuous argument "If eod wanted man to fly, He
would have given us wings"?). Would we want to live today in the YOU CAN'T LEARN
oo
one-bath-a-month US cowboy culture? The Japanese Samurai HATHA YOGA FROM A 600K. o
manner? Indias Harappan society? Most would say no. Our global t YOU NEED A TEACHERI
Hindu family is strong enough to have our chapatti and eat it too:
to allow some among us to keep the ancient fires burning, even re-
sisting modernizations, and to encourage others to explore and ex- o
periment. Even as individuals, we can run after change while o
keeping both feet on the Eternal Path. In fact, there is no way on
Earth that we can destroy the Sanatana Dharma, anymore than
we can destroy sunshine. So, stop worrying, everyone. Be happy.
Better yet, be blissful.
raARCH , 1997 HINDUISM T0DAY '9

Loving Ganesa, at once simple,
deep and practical, teaches ever so
many ways that Ganesas grace
can be attained by sincere devo-
tion, song, prayer and meditation
to bring greater harmony,
contentment and spirituality into
ones daily life. An BOO-page illus-
trated resource by Satguru
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. $ 19.95
plus shipping (US $2,
Foreign $4). Also in bookstores.
1-800-890-1008
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http://www.HinduismToday.
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LOVING
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HIMALAYAN ACADEMY PUBUCATIONS
I 07 KAHOLALELE ROAO
KAPAA HI 96746-9304 USA
BOOKS YOU CAN TAKE. SERIOUSLY
Our Future in a Fast-
Moving World
In Malaysia,. as elsewhere, concerns
about cultural survival abound
BY DR. S.M. PONNIAH
WELCOME THIS OPPORTU-
nity to "take my turn" and
)herald the advent of a new
_millennium in HINDUISM To-
DAY. This allows me to take stock
of some of the major historical
events that have affected Sana-
tana Dharma and to anticipate
what the new millennium holds
for Hinduism and its adherents,
both in India and beyond.
India is a sub-continent that gave birth to
Hindu civilization but has been, in the last
500 years, subjected to alien rule and to
thought alien to Sanatana Dharma. The
price of freedom from British imperialism
was the division of the sub-continent. "Secu-
lar India," the birthplace of Sanatana Dhar-
rna, is today wedged between two theocratic
states. It has ceased to subscribe to the
Hindu, Buddhist and Jain concept of ahim-
sa, and does not accept the principle that
"the light is one, but the lamps are many."
However, Sanatana Dharma, the eternal
dharma of the Hindus, has withstoocl. the
test of time for the last five or six millennia.
It is like the iofty Himalayas that stand
firm, silent and serene, or the mighty Gan-
ga which continues to flow unhindered.
The Sanatana Dharma continues, to give
spiritual strength and sustenance to every
Hindu, whose faith is in God. It stands -
firm upon a philosophical foundation,
strengthened by its language and literature,
dance and drama, art and sc,ulpture. It is
sustained throughout the ages by its Vedic
and Agamic practices. The ancient Vedic
voice echoes: "Lead us from the unreal to
the real. Lead us from darkness to light.
Lead us from death to immortality." It is a
voice which continues to excite the hearts
and inspire the minds of millions of men
and women.
However, my faith in Sanatana Dharma,
as a Malaysian, is often shaken by the
events that occur daily in the world around
me, and the indifference of
Hindus toward their cultural
and religious identity. I often
ask myself, "Will Sanatana
Dharma be able to survive in
the new millennium before us?"
Besides international terrorism
and religious fundamentalism,
international developments are
questioning our time-tested
belief in dharma.
Is ,Sanatana Dharma equipped to con-
front the powerful forces of modern sci-
ence and technology, which have no doubt
brought progress but have, at the same
time, dehumanized mankind? The modern
mass media, which has brought the world
closer, has effectively exploited human
weaknesses, rather than its strengths. The
combined forces of sciE1nce, technology and
media have made the Hindu quest for per-
fection of man (sadhana) somewhat irrele-
vant to present-day Hindus, who live in a
rapidly changing world which leaves little
time for reflection or meditation) Social ills
and crimes have assumed global dimensions.
Throughout the world, moral decadence is
swelling into a tidal wave difficult to stem.
I Having been cut off from the roots of
their ancestral religioN and its values, t}le
m.odern Hindu youths' future in Malaysia
is becoming a cause of concern for all par-'
ents. They have begun to refer to th~ir
children as the '10st generation." Have we a
remedy? I
In answering these questions, the leaders
of the Hi.ndu community everywhere have
an urgent duty to perform to renew our
faith in Sanatana Dharma. We must join
forces not only to endeavor, ensure and
enlighten, but also to defend Sanatana
Dharma and our Hindu heritage.
DR. S.M.PONNIAH is an educationist, poet,
fath er and former National President of the
prestigious Malaysia Hindu Sangam.
One of Sorcar's spice Ganeshas
SUCCESS STORY
Multi-Media
ANICK SORCAR'S SPICE
M Ganeshas bring India's
multi-media to the US. His re-
cent Denver show drew world-
wide attention for his collages
of news clippings which
portray newsmakers like
Gandhi. As a boy, he ex-
celled in helping his ma-
gician father with light-
ing, backdrops and sound
effects. Later he received
awards for his Denver
Airport lighting system,
multimedia art and ani-
mati0n. Such is the value
of taking a career that
flows fmm the family
It's in his blood. Rock crusher--an amazing 16-ton punch,
INDONESIA
Muslims Burn
Java Churches
N OCTOBER A MOB OF
10,
O 2,000 enraged Muslims
from the town of Situbondo, East
Java, Indonesia, destroyed one
Hindu temple, two Christian
scho61s, an orphanage and 24
Christian Churches. They were
seeking a local Muslim sect
leader named Saleh who had es-
caped from a court hearing
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: ONE COUNTRY,
ARYA VAIDYA SALA, CHRIS:TlANITY TODAY
TECHNOLOGY
Rock Crusher
,
, fILLAGE WOMEN USUALLY
V work with hand-held ham-
mers for a we~k, suffering in-
juries, to produce a knee-high
pile of gravel worth US$8 for
roads and concrete. A South
African Bahai, Crispin Pember-
ton-Piggot, has invented a rock
crusher that requires no fuel,
oil or spare parts, only costs
US$1,435 and weighs just 200
kg. It can safely produce ten or
more wheel barrows of crushed
rock a day. Designed in consul-
tation with the ladies and com-
puter modeling, the machine's
hand-turned fly wheel shatters
any rock between two plates
with a sudden 15,000-kg force.
It could revolutionize village-
level gravel production through-
out the world.
l00076.3536 @compuserve.com
P O. Box 3223, Manzini,
Swaziland
t
where he had been charged with
blasphemy against Islam. It was
rumored he hid in a church. Five
people, a Christian minister, his
family and one worker, died
/
Six trained masseurs giving intensi.ve ayurvedic oil therapy
HEALTH
India's Ayurvedic "Tourism"
TATISTICS ON INDIA TOURISM SHOW A DECLINE IN SIGHT-
S seeing visitors but a growth rate of 10% among tourists com-
ing to India for health reasons. Many "five-star" ayurvedic clin-
ics are completely booked. Dr. T. R. Chandrashekaran, from
Kerala, who oversees the small, four-rooms only, quality care
Kairali Health Resort in New Delhi, told HINDUISM TODAY, "We
are seeing about 100 visitors a month from Japan, Germany,
Switzerland, USA, etc. They stay an average of 14 days for seri-
ous problems like arthritis or spinal spondylitis which require
complex treatments and deep daily oil massage. We provide
everything, all the food and ayurvedic herbal preparations. Oth-
ers may only have single-day treatments like the 17 Japanese
coming tomorrow." A 14-day stay would cost 25-30,000 rupees
(US$700-835). Very reasonable, considering that a simple two-
hour knee operation in the US would cost US$8,000 and you
would be out of the hospitial in 6 hours, while a hospital stay of
14 days with physical therapy would run US$20,000 and up.
trapped in a church blaze. Ac- - will work shoulder to shoulder t~
cording to Christianity Today, foster peaceful coexistence be-
more than 200 Indonesian tween religious communities."
churches have been been The incident marred Indonesia's
burned 9r vandalized since 1991. reputation for religious harmony
S'tubondo Muslim, In this worlds fifth most popu-
Catholic, Protestant lous nation, 85% pr,ofess Islam,
and Hindu leaders
promptly issued a joint
but acutally the majority follow a
unique, syncretic faith of Hindu-
statement condemning
the riot, saying, "We
ized indigenous spiritual beliefs
overlaid with Islam. The consti-
hope religious and tution includes religious tolerance,
cornrnuni~leaders and representatives from Islam,
Hinduism, Taoism, Catholicism
Java church gutted by and Protestant Christianity hold
angry Muslims government seats.
MARCH , 1997 HINDUISM TODAY 11

Page for July 14, 1997: wild polar bears resting on rrwm's back
PUBLISHrNG ARTS
Unbearably Beautiful
ELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP' S 1997 DESK CALENDAR
S Inner Reflections is, no exaggeration, simply stunning.
Each weekly page is faced with a phenomenal photograph
from life's awesome visual wealth highlighted with a spiritual
quote from Paramahansa Yogananda. Even the occasional sur-
realism remains true to the radiance of real nature. For the fifth
year in a row, the calendar won the gold medal in the US Na-
tional Calendar Awards competition.
INDIA
ing mystical books, holistic
Mystique '96 health systems, magnet therapy,
village handicrafts, spiritual, so-
, AST SEPTEMBER, NEW DELHI cial welfare, educational ;md re-
L-ho'sted a 5-day event called search institutions, rudrakshas,
"Mystique India, '96" coupled gems, yoga, aura photography,
with a Non-Resident Indian wpnosis, vastu, yantras- you
(NRI) conference. An estimated get the i~a. Over 150 as-
300,000 visited over 100 consul- trologers, palmists and numerol-
tants and 200 modern stalls ogists gave free consultations.
(costing US$I,OOO each) present- Ayurvedacharyas and other
therapists gave visitors
free treatments, while
NRIs tackled every-
thing from internation-
al banking to match .-
making. For informa-
tion on the '97 event:
Bharat Nirman,
588 Asiad Village,
New Delhi, 110049
Organizer M. C. Bhan-
dari, 2nd from left .
12 HINDUISM TODAY. MARCH, 1997
Two Incomes
Equ'als Double Stress
HE AVERAGE ANNUAL US
T family dual-income is.
US$54,865. When only the hus-
band is employed, that figure
drops to U8$38,255. That's one
reason working moms who
want to go home find it hard to
quit. But Linda Kelley, author
of Two Incomes and Still
Broke?, says, "They may waste
huge amounts because-they
don't have time to comparison
shop. They may spend on such
stress reV':'ards as get-away-
from-it-all vacations. Then
there are guilt-buys for the chil-
dren whose parents are rarely
SPORTS
Kareem Jabba'r Yogi
V AREEM ABDUL-Jt\BBAR,
~guably the greatest bas-
ketball player of his time, prac-
ticed yoga throughout his 20-
year career, even after he
converted to Islam. Yoga maga-
zine reported that the 7-foot 1-
3/8 inch Ka'reem says, "Yoga
was the best way to keep my
elasticity. I used it preventively
because its really effective in
TRENDS & TRADITIONS
C ROSS -C ULTUR A L
Krishna's New Rock Opera
i\ SWISS I8KCON DEVO-
.t=\tee Guido J. von Arx has
conceived a rock opera
called "The Song Divine,"
dedicated to ISKCON's
founder Srila Prabhupada
on the occasion of his 1996
birth centennial. Based on
the Bhagavad-gita, Maha-
bharata and the Srimad-
Bhagavatam, it "synthesizes
the ancient wisdom of the
East with the modern music Opera's art: Krishna at battle.
and art of the West." With
music by Vlatko Stefanovski and Hariprasad Chaurasia, the
English script by Arx is in clear, rhyming verse. In Scene Three,
Krishna advises Arjuna: "Perform your duty. Stand and fight!
Rejoice in its beauty. And spread its light."
CLOC},...W ISE F ROM T OP: WAYNELYNCWMAST ERFILE, MANICK SQHCAR,
home." It can be done, she ad-
vises.'First figure the cost of
working.,Add up child-care,
commufing, wardrobe, lunches
out, convenience goods, house-
cleaning help and second in-
come taxes. Some couples actu-
ally lose money on their second
income. P:mject a tighter bud-
get basedo n the husband's in-
come. Prepare for more time .
alone and finding new friends
and activities. Mothers who
quit work cite the one-year
mark as the point when they
felt comfortable in their new
[original?] roles.
that respect. Yoga is an integral
part of a well-organized train-
ing. It v.cill help someone
achieve elasticity, persistence
or whatever he wants." When
he retired in 1989, Kareem had
set NBA records for most
points (38,387) most field goals
(15,837) and most minutes
played (57,446).
Bhagavathi Karunamay i, Sri Sri Sri Vijayeswar~ Sri Penusila available. But is was too little and malnutrition remains rampant. The
Kshethrtam, Rupurmandal Nellore Dst., AP, South India
up to. prov~.de much-needed ~ehef. ,ThIS noble project, w:hIch may cost Rs 10 crores, has yet to manifest and is in dire need of fi-
nanCIal aSSIstance. Some of Ainma s devotees have contnbuted and Mother, who believes "example is better than precept" has
donated one of her kidneys for a needy patient. Please help .
• Donations can bemailedtoDrs.M.P. NagarajorM.P.Mouliswar.17836MillcreekDr.• Rockville.MD 20855-1019 USA.
CITA PRODUCTIONS, RAIIV MALIK
New from Blue Dove Press...
'J\n extraordinary account of the Roy Eugene Davis,
experience of selflessness." Joseph a widely-traveled teacher,
Goldstein, author of The Experience author and direct disciple of
of Insight . Paramahansa Yogananda,
has taught in the kriya yoga
Collision with the Infinite tradition for more than four
by Suzanne Segal
US$14 + $3 s./h. Orders or free catalog:
decades.
Blue Dove Press • PO Box 261611 Request information about
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Tel: 619-271-0490. Fax: 619-271-5695 USA, India, Europe and
E-mail: BlueDPress@aoLcom other countries.
Center for Spiritual Awareness
PO. Box 7-H
Lakemont, Georgia
30552-0007 USA
Sivananda Yoga'Teacher Training
4-weeks intensive in the Tel: 706-782-4723 • Fax 706-782-4560
Sierra foothills of California. http://web.infoave.netl-csainc • E-mail csainc@stc.net
May 3-Jun 1 '97.
Asanas • Pranayama In India:
Meditation • Mantras A Master Guide to Meditation (Rs. 55)
Raja Yoga • Vedanta The Book of Life (Rs. 65) by Mr. Davis.
Bhagavad Gita • Kriyas Motilal Banarsidass
Anatomy • Physiology 41 u.A., Bungalow Road
For Free Brochure: Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm Jawahar Nagar, Delhi 110 007
14651 Ballantree Lane, Grass Valley, CA 95949-9731 USA • Offices and stores' also in Patna, Bangalore, Madras,
Tel 800-469-9642 or 415-681-2731 Varanasi, Calcutta and Pune.
(founded by Swami Vishnu-devananda, pictured) If by mail, add Rs. 15 each book for postage.
AN APPEAL
FOR HOSPITAL BUILDING
AND EQUIPMENT
HEALTH IS WEALTH is an adage. Even if one possesses wealth,
he must have health to enjoy it. Where one does not have
material wealth but has physical health, then he or she
can be happy and earn the wealth needed for living.
r-/1 bout 7 !ears ago, a dreadful fir~ env~loped Sri Mathrudevi Vishwa .
~ Shanthl Ashram and surroundmg villages. Helpless women and chil-
dren lost their lives. Mother Sri Vijayeswari Devi, with innate com-
passion, took on herself to provide relief, for 'which the victims have been
most gratefuL Then she devised a plan for permanent medical relief to the
poor and needy tribespeople of some 150 villages near her ashram. Qualified
medical volunteers responded quickly, surveyed the area and the people, and
counseled about health and hygiene. Centers were set up and medicines made
beloved mother began supplying a balanced diet wherever possible, then pro-
. " .posed t~at a fully equipped hospital with at least 30 beds to begin with be set
Tel: 301-977-2347 or 301-577-2341 Thank you for your positive response.
 A Comprehensive Approach to Yoga..• I

LETTERS Books by Swami Shankar ... based on the teachings of

Purushottam Tirtha: Paramhansa Yogananda
Don't Believe in MantrasP request yo'u to keep this point in mind when of Indians will look at our culture as a relic (author of Autobiography
THE FOLLOWIl:'IG STORY WHICH I READ IN publishing articles on such divisive issues. ofyn ancient civilization. Yoga Vani ofa Yogi).
T~e Essentials of Hinduism by Swami RAHUL DEOLIA ED VISWANATHAN Instructions for the attainment
Bhaskarananda 'provides an afuwer to ~e UNITED KINGDOM NEW ORLEANS, WUISIANA, USA
of Siddhayoga during sadhana. • Yoga and Meditation
question "Why are mantras powerful?" " ee6lrd@ee.surrey.ac.uk postpaid: US$13.50 (USA) Retreat.
raised by Mr. A: Subramaniam (LETTERS, Impressed $16.50 (Canada) • Yoga teacher training.
December '96). . OOpS!-!2qOO I HAVE REALLY BEEN ENJOYING THE JANU,
• Spiritual communities.
"During a religious discourse, a Hindu I NEED TO POINT OUT THAT THE PHOTO- ary issue. I am glad to have .read your Pub- Guru Bani • Catalog of books,
saint told the assembled group tlJ:at a person graph on the cover depicting a jtiint family lisher's Desk and am so impressed with the 100 ways to attain inner peace. music and videos.
",)10 chants a mantra regularly for, many in Kerala is reversed left to tight. I fear that integrity otyour mission. It makes me want How to live a spiritual life-for • Ananda's home-study
years develops a pure mind, which enables this might give rise to a wrong idea as to to be even ,more invollled. Congratulations monks and families. course in yoga and
him to see God. At this, someone in the au- how one should wear the holy threads across on what you are doing. postpaid: US$9.50 (USA) meditation.
dience stood up and said, 'Sir, I can't believe their chest and also how the sari is worn in STEPHEN P. HUYLf"R $12.50 (Canada)
in the efficacy of mantras. A mantra is just a South Indian states. • CAMDEN, MAINE, USA
, -/
word. How can' it have the power to purify R AJARAMAN Ayurvedic Products Distributors-wholesale or retail For a free cassette on Mystical Music and Talks
anyone's mind and give him God-vision?' " rajaraja@aol.com ,Aryan Invasion Was TrueP Not catalog: $1.00 (free via e-mail) • Consultations • I-year call or write:
'What! You don't believe in the power of I READ WITH INTEREST THAT THE ARYAN
Ayurveda Certification Courses in person or by correspon- Ananda
manliras?' exclaimed the saint, 'You're the Same Goal in Different Ways invasion theory was a myth according to Mr. dence (US mail, or e-mail). 14618 Tyler Foote Rd
worst fool I've ever seen in my whole life!' I :AM THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE Dinesh Agrawal (Aryan Invasion Theory, MY Nevada City, CA 95959-8599 USA
Since the saint had called him a fool in the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America.: As you TURN, July '96). How does he ~xplain Rig Ayurveda Holistic Center
presence of the entire audience, the man mentioned in your current editorial, Hindu Veda verse 1.32 which says, "Indra fighting do Swami Narayan Tirtha Math Tel: 9l6-47~-7560 Extension 7025
felt extremely hurp-iliated. H,is face red- solidarity is the mission of your monastic or- to break down the fortresses to open the cave 82A-H Bayville Ave • Bayville, NY 11709-1671 USA
dened and he starred shaking with sup- der ("Ghronicling Hinduism's Modern Ex- to free the floods imprisoned and set the sev- TeVfax: 1-516-628-8200 Ananda Home Page: http://www.ananda.org
pressed anger. Pointing out his reaction, the perience," PUBLISHER'S DESK, January '97). en rivers loose, while the black captives Ask for Swami Sada Shiva Tirtha E-mail: Ananda@oro.net
saint said, 'You don't believe in the power of You are t,rying to achieve this by informa- watched under guard." The world's ancient, E-mail: ayurvedahc@holistic.com
words, but look at thte power of the word tion .and communication. We at the VHP best irrigation scheme and the cities with Ananda, founded in 1968 by Swami Kriyananda, a
'fool'-what a strong effect it's had on you, are trying to do the same by working at the straight streets were destroyed. By whom? Web: http//www.holistic.comllistings/11709acl.html direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, is not
and yet you de~y the power of mantras ?'" grassroot level. Hindu unity ,and soJidarity is Was it not by those who did not know the Free interactive dosha self-test and articles. affiliated with Self-Realization Fellowship.
ASHIM K. BHATTAOHARYYA the goal of VHP also. We can be comple- value of the irrigation scheme and their cul-
METAIRIE, LbUISIANA, USA mentary in this great effort. Most of us are ture or language-the Aryans who came
full (j)f zeal and enthusiasm but lack the spir- from beyond Himalayas on recently domes-
Understanding the Transition itual and philosophical knowledge. Your ticated horses? If, as Mr. Agrawal says, they
I LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT· DEEP WITHIN US teachings and various articles in your mag- were indigenous people, they would have
known the value of the irrigation schemes
all is the knowing that death can be a glori-
ou,s experience, thal it is only the process
azine do a wonderful job in fulfilling that
deficiency. and the cities. The Aryans further went to Vedic
divide the people by despising black and
that most fear and many try to delay. One of
the many good points in this ediltorial
./
YASH PAL LAKRA
BWOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN, USA brown people, and}<eeping kings, the army
and the rich landowners on their side, heap-
Astrology
(' Great Departure," EDITORIAL, January '97)
that deserves the reader's Closest attention is Concerned about Children
the following sentence: "Many terminal pa- I DO NOT SEE VIEWS OF CHILDREN
,
EX-
ing untold suffering on the ordinary masses.
K. MAILVAGANAM
in Paradise
tients are under ·sedation, so instead of the pressed in your magazine, and that has to be ISAACS, CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA
March 14- 11, 1991
conscious death Hindus esteem, there is a corrected. 'We have to know what exactly
dim and drugged insensibility. at the end." I their views are on a regular basis. Growing Rig Veda verse 1.32 cited by Mr. Mmlva-
wish I could convey to you how much I . up in a Western society with our Eastern
agre..e with this. At the most critical point in value system is not easy. Unluckily, temples
one's' life, this practice becomes nothing are riot offering a lot of opportunity for chil-
ganam does not contain the statement he
quotes. We have not dis overed any irrigation ,
schemes. The cities and straight streets
,.-which we have discovered were not de-
ASTROLOGY for more
infonnation
more than a pain killer for the liviOg, and dren to express their views. Children are contact:
the one moving on is not fully keen and u~der quite a lot of peer pressure. In schools 'stroyed by any hum1l9 hand. There is no ev-
able to celebrate w hat follows. and colleges, they are subjected to name idence whatsoever for the destrucflon of In- INSTITUTE OF
calling as weIr as extreme anti-Eastern pro- dus Valley cities by human hands. March 14-11, 1991 VEDIC
BOB BOTIK
" rbotik@tab.com paganda. Many of them- find it difficult to PROF. SHIVA G. BAJPAI KEAUHOU BEACH HOTEL, ASTROLOGY
relate their problems to tneir parents, sinte CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
KaNA, HAWAII
NOR'I'HRlDGE, CALIFRONIA, VSA P.O. BOX 2149,
Squeamish about Vegetarianism . most of the parents are brought up in India (5 miles south.of Kona
in very"'congenial surroundings. All of us, SEDONA,
YOU HAVE PUBLISHED MANY ARTICLES ON on the Big Island)
vegetarianism, but I feel that I must bring have to know all their problems and come Letters with writer's n~e, address and daytime ARIZONA 86339
the following points to 'Your notice. Our out with proper solutions. Views of children phone number, should be sent to: (520) 282-6595
Hindu community is divided enough as it of South Africa, United States of America, Letters, HINDUISM TODAY
to register with Visa
stands, in this present day and age. The veg- Mauritius, etc., that you have Rublished 107 Kaholalele Road 9 SPEAKERS, INCLUDING:
KAPAA, HI, 96746-9304 USA or Mastercard call
etarian debate is a very touchy issue which were an eye opener to all the Hiti'dus. I do or faxed to: (808) 822-4351
CHAKRAPANI ULLAL, DAVID FRAWLEY, DENNIS HARNESS,
drives our people farther apart. This is only not see Hinduism as a religion but as the or e-mailed to: CHRISTINA COLLINS, DENNIS FLAHERTY, JAMES KELLEHER, 800-900-6595
causing damage to our communitY, and oth- true culture of India. We have ' to focus on letters@HlndulsmToday.ka..uai.hi.us EDITH HATHAWAY, LINDA JOHNSEN, AND WILLIAM LEVACY
ers, not to mune names, are taking advan- chil'clren to safeguard our culture. Other- Letters may be edited for space and clarity and may
tage of the fact that our community is divid- wise, we will lose our children, and they appear in electronic versions of HINDUISM TODAY. BEGINNING AND ADVANCED CLASSES
ed and blind to see these facts. I would will lose our values, and future generations " INDICATES LETTERS RECEIVED VIA E- MAIL REGISTRATION FEES: (FOR MAIN SYMPOSIUM 3/14-3/16)
$195 BY FEBRUARY 28TH, $245 AFTER FEBRUARY 28TH
14 rfiNDUISM TODAY MARCH, 1997
Autobiography of a Yogi Superconsciousness
by Paramhansa Yogananda by J. Donald Walters
(Swami Kriyananda)
$14.95
The verbatim reprinting of $10.99
Yogananda's original 1946 unedited A culmination of nearly 50 years of
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http://www.dyc.org! Website: http://www.printworld.com.sg
of ~vangelicals, ''All of a sudden, are we ex-
L AW AND ORDER pected to renounce our faith? Do only un-
faithful people have rights in this city?"
City's Cross Must Go,
On foe other side, attorney Fred Blum,
representing the American Jewish Congress,
a plaintiff in the case, said, "The worst part
of the city argument was that the Gross rep-
resented San Francisco. What it told me is I
cannot be a San Franciscan, because a ,
Latin cross could never represent me." Bar-
bara Bergen, regional director of the Jewish
Anti-Defamat\on League, commented, "We
are gratified that the court upheld the prin-
cipal of separation of church and state. We
consider it fundamental to the protection of /'
both'majority and minority rights."
A few months earlier tMe same court had
ordered the removal of a 51-foot cross in an
Oregon state park because it "clearly repre-
'Sents government endorsement of religion."
That cross had been challenged since its
.
construction in 1965, and was ruled against
in 1969. City officials then redesignated the
cross as a "war memorial." That ruse sur-
vived two more court challenges eefore the
appeal's court final ruling to remove it.
Landmark violates religious neutrality laws The same court's ruling in favor of the
Quetzalcoatl statue in San Jose (about 50
miles south of San Francisco) was based on
N TWO DECISIO,NS JUST DAYS APART BY "The Mount Davidson <;ross carries grf;at re- their assessment that the figure had little
the Un~ted States Federal Court of Ap- ligious sigaificance. Indeed, to &uggest oth- "current religious significance," as the Aztec
peals in San Francisco, California, a 103- erwise would demean this powerful reli- religion is no longer practiced on a large
foot cross on top of that city's highest hill gious symbol. Thus, we conclude that its scale. This mattered little to fundamentalist
was ordered removed, while. a ten-ton statue presence on public land violates the No €hristians who, according to newspaper re-
of the Aztec God Quetzalcoatl was allowed Preference Clause of the Califc;>rnia Consti- ports, "contend that Quetzalcoatl was a
to remain in a San Jose city park. The seem- tution." FUrther appeals to his decision are blood-thirsty demon who demanded human
ingly contradictory Au g6st, 1996, decisions possible. sacrifice," ignoring the fact that the cross is
have provoked new controversy, and further Many Christians were upset with the also an icon of human sacrifice. In the Aztec
appeals are ~xpected. court's verdict and hoped some way would religion, the Quetzal; bird represents the
The Mount Davidson cross, as it is known, be f~md to keep the towering cross stand- heavens and the. coati, or snake,. represents
has been a southern landmark for San Fran- ' ing. "I don't think th~ rights of Christian the Earth. Quetzalcoatl was worshiped by
cisco since 1934. In 1990 seven individuals people are to be thrown out," said Rev. P. T. the Mexican civilizations until the Spanish
of various faiths filed a lawsuit arguing the Mammen of tlJe San Francisco Association invasion 500 years ago. The San Jose statue
cross was a "pre-eminent symbol of Chris- depicts a plumed snake coiled
tianity" and alienated people of. other be- upon a pedestal. . -
liefs. The first judge to hear their case dis- San Jose has a large number of
missed)t, but the appeals court ruled the Chicano residents originally from
cross did indeed violate the "no preference" Mexico and Latinos from coun-
clause in California's state constitution. That tries of Central and South Ameri- .
clause protects the :'free exercise and enjoy- ca. The US$409,000 sculpture was
ment of religion without discrimination or commissioned by the city iN hon-
preference." It is a much broader assurance or of their ancestors. But that
of government neutrality than the U.S. fed- community is itself divided on
eral Constitution's First Amendment guar- the ~culpture. Manuel Salazar, a
antee of separation of church and state. devout Latino Catholic, said, "It is
. In 1993, the same aPEeals court ruled the demonic. W~ wish not to be rep-
CIty of San Diego in Southern California resented in this way." But Valdez,
a playwright, said at a meeting of
public land. tn doing so the justices set supporters and opponents of the
down five considerations ill cases of public sculpture, "To those people that
ownership. They are: religious significance resist the true spirit of Quetzal-
of the symbol in question, size, visibility, ab- coatl, let me tell you, speaking as
sence of other religious symbols nearoy and a Chicano, that we have had 500
possible historica1' significance. years of the Sp~ish Inquisition.
In ruling against the San Francisco law- We don't need another month of a
SUit, Judge Diarmuid O'Scannlain wrote, Aztec God: Ten-ton Quetzalcoatl in San Jose, California Protestant Inquisition."
MARCH , 1997 HINDUISM TODAY 17
,
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The Tallest Hanuman Ever in India

For the Welfare of the World Community
Jr,.e most beautiful and colorful way home The Shri Viswaroopa Panchamukha Anjaneya Swamy Foundation has started a project to
is the Way that is both ancient and new. install a SHRI VISWAROOPA PANCHAMUKHA ANJANEYA, in Periyakuppam village, near
That is the Way of Grace. Tiruvallur, Madras, India. The idol of the Lord will have five faces - Lord Anjaneya, Lord
Veera Ugra Narasimha, Lord Pakshi Raja, Lord Lakshmi Varaha, and Lord Lakshmi
In a drop of grace even stones melt. Hayagreeva. It will be 32 feet tall and sculpted in a single gr.een Granite stone; the size will
reflect a look true to his name and stature.
Lecture & Darshan Tour The cost to complete this project is approximately one-half million US dollars, financed
entirely through the donations, gifts, sponsorship of kind hearted devotees, philanthropic
Date: Locality: Contact: institutions, and business establishments throughout the world. Our immediate need is to
908-560-3521 shape the stone at Hassan, Karnataka and to reduce its present 400 ton weight to a more
February 5 New Jersey transportable size. .
212-353-9252
February 6 New York City
215-247 -3305 Shri Viswaroopa Panchamukha Anjaneya
Swamy Venkatesa Bhattachariar is a divine
February 7* Philadelphia, Pennsylvania spring of our time. Fondly called
713 -564-2216
February 8-9* Houston, Texas MANTRAMURTHY DASAN by his numerous
94 1-334-4294 Your kind contributions by cash or cheque may be sent to: devotees around the world, Swamy is the
February 9-16* Fort Lauderdale, Florida
770-937-9323 Shri Viswaroopa Panchamukha Anjaneya Swamy Foundation founder trustee of SHRI VISWAROOPA
February 16 Atlanta, Georgia PANCHAMUKHA ANJANEYA SWAMY
46 8/2 Krishnapriya Apartment FOUNDATION. This important project was
For more Information please contact: started with the blessings of Poojya Sri
~f~ From February 7-1 6, workshops with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar may also be attended. Babu Ranjendra Prasad First Road
West Mambalam
India
UK
Dr. P. Lakshmi (91444811280)
Mr. Shanti NBhardwa (44 1477 533866)
Paramacharyal, of Kanchi Kama Koti Peeta.
Madras - 600 033 INDIA USA Mr. M.K. Srtdhar (4087322739) Swamiji has taken this great task upon
Mr. M.Nachiappan (65 7370291) himself for the welfare of fellow beings on a
91 444811280
Divine order.

AJlINDU
. PRAYER recited by Pundit S. Rama-
;
krrshnan opened the Maryland state gener-
al assembly in the US. It was the first invo-
cation ever outside the Ohristian-Judeo
tradition, and the doing of Kumar Barve,
the first assembly member of Indian origin.
The US Congress also opens wit4 a daily
prayer, usually Christian, sometimes'Jewish
but only once of another faithLlslam.
JESUS WILL FOLLOW SHIVA and Rama into In-
dian television history this year when the
state-run network, Doordarshan, long-
known for serialized dramatizations such as
the Ramayana, broadcasts a mind-boggling
100-part series on the life and teachings of
the Nazarene. Even American television
natworks have never given Christianity's
founder his own serial, although nonde-
nominational angel shows have been doing
well this season.
DURGA PUJA was celebrated throughout
Bangladesh in late October. More than
20,000 ritual pavilions were erected this
year, slightly mgre
than last year.
Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina as-
sured Hindus
gathered at Dha-
ka's Dhakeswari
Mandir, "You will
have·the equal
right to practice
Bangladesh festival
served, the airport should be shifted a little
away," warns Brijendra Singh.
EARTHSAVE'S 1997
catalog serves
healthy portions of
vegetarian and envi-
ronment-related re-
sources, every thing
from videos to books
to t-shirts sporting
the text of "How To Bhoomidevi's friend
Win An Argument
With A Meat Eater." Contact: 706 Freder-
ick Street, Santa Cruz, California 95062-
2205 USA.
TIBETANS IN EXILE are applauding the Dis-
ney Company for backing a film about the
life of his holiness, the Dalai Lama. "Princi- Ganapatis are static,
ples have won, and we are ecstatic that Dis- while our Vinayakas
ney will continue its role in the production
despite threats made by China that the en-
tertainment company's plans of expanding • Ganesha Mela
into China would suffer," said a spokesman
for the .government-in-exile. A Chi~ese
ForeigR Ministry spokesman said singing
the praises of the Dalai Lama "does not
conform with reality." Meanwhile, the
movie's director, actors and dozens of oth-
ers have reportedly been "blacklisted,"
marked for denial of entry visas into Tibet.
Sri Ramana Maharshi
Some 60 sites are covered, The Society of Abidance in Truth
places as hard to find as offers hard-to-find books on
they are hard to get per- Advaita Vedanta and Sri Ramana
mission to film. Very per- Maharishi through: Treasures of the
di~orce cases filed each day. In America, sonal, affectionate. If you
2 0% of new marriages end in divorce. Heart (retail) and SAT Darshanam
can't get to India, enjoy Books (wholesale). Send $2 for
this video-US $39.95.
AN ILLUSTRATED BOOK on India , designed to wholesale or retail catalog:
celebrate Bharat's 50th year of indepen- SAT, 1834 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA
dence, is being compiled by Arun Narayan 95060-1700 USA • Tel: 408-458-9654
Toke, publisher of the multicultural chil- Tel/fax 408-425-0407
dren's mag~ine Skipping Stones. Contribu- E-mail: ramana@cruzio.com
tions of artwork and stories from children Web: http:/www.SATRamana.org
and adults are invited. Contact: P.O. Box
3939, Eugene, Oregon 97403 USA.
LORD GANESHA'8. MOVING among massive '
crowds is nothing new, especially during Santoor Rhythms of Kashmir on CD India on Interactive CD ROMs
Chaturthi festivities in Mumbai or Pune.
But to see the elephant God move through Kashmir-a Rainbow of Karishma-the Wonder
the crowds, you have to Melodies on Santoor. An- that is India, the fascinating
go to Uttar Pradesh, to extravaganza of rhythm sights and sounds of her
Chandausi. "Marathi and melody, by Bhajan people, land, history, culture,
Sopori, master of Kash- legends. Any age, esp. 4-20
mir's Santoor, or Shat- yr. PC only. • Panchatantra:
are not," said Sarvesh tantri Veena. '~ fusion of Fables from India , dating
Gupta of the Shree the traditional, classical, back to 2,000 BeE. Sus-
Sufiana and folk .. " (BS). pense, humor, insight into
Parishad. "They are Coin Ganesha Multisync Trends, Inc. • 540 Gotham Pkwy • Carlstadt, NJ human nature and ancient India. PC or Mac. • Multisync
mechanized to move 07072-2410 USA • Tel: 888-815-1947 or 201-842-8900 Trends, Inc. • 540 Gotham Pkwy, Carlstadt, NJ 07072-2410
their limbs." Meanwhile, back in Maharash- Fax: 201-842-0666 • http//www.padminimusic.com USA • Fax: 201-842-0666
tra, one recent 18-foot murti of'Ganapati
immersed during the last annual parade
was covered completely in 25-paise coins-
60,000 of them worth US$428.
BEWARE THE KARMA "OLICE. A reporter re-

your religion with full dignity and honor,

and there will be none to interfere in it."
IF ONLY HINDUS had such a resource.... The
government of Germany collects and dis-
tributes a "church tax." '~t present, the two
main Protestant and Roman Catholic de-
nominations each receive roughly US$5 bil-
lion a year in church tax," reports ENI Bul-
letin. But major tax reforms, planned for
1999, could reduce that income by a third,
with disastrous impact upon the churches.
Part of the problem is too many atheists
from the former East Germany complain-
ing about the tax.
• from Bharat, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Singapore,
MODERN AIR TRAVEL is threatening the an-
cient Khajuraho temple complex, in central
Indias Madhya Pradesh, Which lies less
than two miles from the airport. The shakti
of{he Deity is not ail devotees are feeling
inside the 900-to 1,200-year-old Siva, Vish-
nu and Jain architectural tr.easure. The vi-
brations oflow-flying jets shake tHe sfones
enough to cause gaps between the blocks.
"If the ancient monuments ru:e to be pre-
20 aIN DuIsM TODAY MARCH, 1997
THE POLITICS OF RELIGION is prompting the
staunchly atheistic Communist Party of In-
dia (Marxist) to rethink its position on reli-
gion, which Karl Marx once called "the-opi- pretty practical-for a joke-it advised, "In
ate of the masses." "We should no longer
ignore Hinduism, in view of its popular ap-
peal. Rather, Hinduism must be modified
for the poor and the oppressed," said party
secretary Chitrabrata Mazumdar.
"AHI"'SA AND ITS S'IGNIFICANCE in the new
w,?rld order," and the "concept and prac-
tices of Hinduism-Buddhism-Shintoism"
were among the themes discussed at the
recent International Conference on the
Great Religions of Asia, held in Kyoto,
Japan. Attendees included 100 delegates
Myanm~, Korea and Japan.
HINDU'S ARE DIVORCING MORE. Some say be-
cause' it's easier to do since the Hindu Code ease that started first with cattle and then
Law was enacted. 13ut that was 40years
ago, and the divorce rate has only soared in
the last five. Why? Some speculate it's
We~tern influences on Indian s~ciety; oth-
ers say it's due to better educated, personal- PERUMAN, award-winning radio journalist
ly empowered women. Delhi is seeing 20
cently saw a "Notice of Karma Violation"
sitting on a colleagve's desk which looked
just like an official traffic ticket. Seeming
accordance with the laws of the universe
and karma, you are hereby required to
make immediate amends. Failure to comply
will cause this already negative ttnergy to
come reeling around the planet right back
into your life."
, WE'LL ALL BE VEGGIE in another 1,000 years.
'So envisions Arthur C. Clarke, Sri Lanka's
most famous foreign ;esident and science-
fiction writer, in his new book 3001: The
Final Odyssey. London's Sunday Times says
Clark forecasts "that humans will no longer
raise animals for eating, and that vegetable
protein has replaced corpse food, which,
Clarke writes, was on its way out at the enq
of the second mi\!ennium because of a dis-
spread to other animal foods."
BRIEFLY is compiled from press, TV and
U}ire-seroice reports and, edited by RAVI
at KGG in San Francisco.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: EARTHSAVE ; NO CREDIT; BASHUDEB DHAR
BOOKS
- For centuries, the West has enjoyed beautifLJI translations of the
Upanishad, known as the Vedanta, "end" or "culmination" of the
Vedas. But, alas, the other three major parts of the world's old-
est scripture have, as a rule, been poorly rendered. We at Hi-
malayan Academy could hardly believe our eyes when we stum-
bled on this thoughtful anthology of the Samhitas, Brahmanas,
Aranyakas, Upanishads and other major scriptures. This Vediec
epiphany tells the stery of the rhythms of nature, history and
man. Translation and commentary are the work of the brilliant
renaissance thinker; Raimon Panikkar. It rs the fruit of twelve
years of sadhana on the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi, living
in a Siva temple, between 1964 and 1976. Secholars consider it
perhaps his most Significant contritlution to the literary world .
Chapters on:
4. frail and Decay
1. Dawn and Birth 5. Death and Dissolution
2. Germination and Growth 6. New Life and Freedom
3. Blossoming and Fullness 7. Twilight
HIMALAYAN ACADEMY PUBUCATIONS Moti/al Banarsidass, Delhi, 1977, smythe sewn, cloth bound,
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S P ·E C I A L REP 0 R T
, Contested Contest
Beauty pageant syrs often violent debate OI}; future of India's culture
./
By CHOODIE SHIVARAM, B'A NGALORE persons-women and men-from the field
WORLD '96 BEAUTY PA- of cinema and art supported the pageant
is now over. The world with a cocky, "What's wrong? Such contests
was crowned on Novem- have been going on for years." • ing themselves "Indian Tigers" threatened
23 in Bangalore, India, be-" Communists deplored the event as capital-
a live TV audience of 2.5 ist exploitation of women and part of the
viewers in 120 countries.
multi-national ' corporations' carefully
The other 87 pretty representa- planned plundering of India. Women's
tives' returned to their countries. All the groups found the e.vent degrading to women.
n€>ise and flurry has died down. The newly The organizers were surprised by 'the pro-
anointed Miss World, Irene Skliva of tester's vehemence, but not by the opposi-
Greece, US$80,000 and many perks richer, is tion, as beauty contests have been a favorite
rendering service 'under the banner of target of feminists since the 1960s.
"Beauty with a Purpose." When Amitabh Bachchan's ABCL compa-
What remains behind are the issues the ny announced Bangalore as the venue, com-
pageant raised. Thousands of women (and plaints began. Mrs. Hemalatha Mahishi, em-
men) across Bharat protested, calling the inent advocate-and general secretary of Jagriti
beauty pageant "demeaning to our culture," Mahila Adhyaana Kendram, condeJIlned his
"deval~ing to our tradition," "promoting vul-and alL-such contests: "They' are a disgrace
garity and obscenity," and "a disgrace to to womanhood. Our women throughout the
womanhood." An equal number of eminent ages,have been known for their prowess. Is
beauty any achievement? I can
understand if these women were
competing with intellectual
achievers."
. "Such contests do not enhance
the prestige of women, but only
demean them," stated Ms. Ku-
midhini Patti, general secr~tary
of All India Progressive Women's
Association, during a protest
march.
"An Indian woman is a beauti-
ful person. Her role as a mother,
wife, daughter, her patience and
values make her a total person.
She does not let go of her family,
come what may. Beauty contests
jwige the physical attributes of
women by the Western yardstick.
It's an insult ,to Indian women.
We cannot allow this precedent,"
stated Mrs. Kamal Kanteer-
avaswamy, a housewife who reg-
ularly assists needy people.
Eric Morley and his wife Julia
founded the Miss World pageant
/ in 1951,.and held it annually in
London until 1990. Ra'pidly di-
minishing interest in England
forced moves first to America,
~ then Sun City, South Africa, and
~ now India. The Los Angeles
Sponsor: Amitobh Baehc~an meets press at pageant. Times observed, "Among current
I
22 -ruNDUISM TODAY MA'RCH, 1997
sentiments is the suspicion that India has
become a dumping ground for the West's re-
jects, and the Miss )Yorld pageant surely fits
the bill."
, This isn't the first threat to Miss World. In
the early 70s a British activist group, the
Angry Brigade, planted a bomb near the
event site. In the late 70s protesters stormed
the stage at the pageant finale at London's
Royal Albert HalL Conti~ued pressure from
feminist groups has forced a recasting of
contests in the West as a judging of talent,
intelligence and accomplishment, as well as
beauty~whence the new Miss World slo-
gan, "Beauty with a purpose."
Eric Morley defended his contest: "Pro-
testers go on about culture, but it does not
help to have a closed society." His wife, Julia
appealed to them, saying, "There's apurpose
behind this pageant. Let's give up this rebel-
lion and join hands." •
But the protests only heated up. Various
Burning an effigy: Delhi university 1pud.ents, in traditional Indian garb, bum conte$(ant ef-
figiesJ to denounce pageant as cultural invasion of India by West
factions ranging from rightist groups to ex-
treme leftists, youth organizations and vol-
untary societies jOined to voice their
protests. Akila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Pari-
shad, the BJP youth wing, wel?t from college
to college condemning the pageant as "a cul-
tural .invasion and promotion of Western
concepts of beauty, degrading to our
women." Bangalore colleges and schools had
to be closed for two days before the contf0-
versial event. ..-
Matters worsened when the Chief Minis-
ter of Karnataka, instead of ironing out the
differences and GOming to an understanding
with the protesters, resort~d at public func-
tions to scathing verbal attacks on the
protesting women. He even stated at one·
point, "If women want to show themselves
in the nude, let them, and let those who
want to see, see." In fact, it seemed as if the
government was a de facto sponsor of the
event, which irked many protesters.
. minute second.. thoughts, none did. Members
·show." On November 14 India was stunned
Dismissing a court challenge to the con-
test by Mahila Jagran Samiti (Forum to
Awaken Women) , Bangalore Justice S. Ra-
jendra Babu lectured: "Coming as you do
. from the' land where there is worship of
nude women by tantrics,... where erotic
sculpture is part of traditional temple archi-
tecture, where Vatsayana wrote on the'art of
love in the Kamasutra, necessary sense and
sensibHity regarding culture and decency-
to discern between art and beauty on one
hand and obscenity on the other hand-
should always be maintained." One high
MARCH , 1997
,
court judge told HINDUISM TODAY' during
an informal chat, "These women obviously
did not come up with an intelligent, coher-
ent ar$Ument against the contest."
With this, clear battle lines were drawn
betr-reen the government and the protesters.
Kinay Narayana Sashikala of the Mahila Ja-
gran Samiti announced a twelve-member
suicide squad would immolate themselves at ,
the pageant while the show was. on. But due
to the extreme police protection, or last-
did storm into a Godrej showroom and
smeared cowdung on the equipment.' An
unknown (and likely fictitious) group call- ..-
bomb attacks. BJP parli'amentarian Uma
Bharati threatened: "We will give our lives,
we will take lives, but we will not allow the
by the self-immolation of 24-year~old Suresh
Kumar. He lit himself afire in front 'of hun-
dreds of people at the Madurai train station
while shouting anti-pageant slogans. He was
a member of the Marxist Democratic Youth
Federation. His death especially shocked
the event organizers. •
. Additional security forces were called,
and 12,000 police personnel posted for duty
in Bangalore-at a cost to the event of more
than US$l million. Section 35 of the Police
Act, prohibiting assembly of four or more
persons, was invoked-a law meant f0r
Hmes of severe unrest and rioting. "This was
required in the wake of threats to disrupt
the pageant, and also the safety of the con-
testants who had come from different coun-
tries," saia the police commissioner.
More voices joined in chorus. About
10,000 women from allover India came to
Bangalore and took out a march from the
city railway station. "Some groups from out-
side India wrote to us expressing solidarity,"
reported Mrs. Nesargi. The city witnessed a
host of seminars and panel discus;;ions oy
both pro- and anti-pageant activists. Televi-
sion channels were full of interviews and
discussions on the issue.
At a seminar organized by the All-India .
Mahila Samskritik Sanghatan, prominent
personalities from the fields of law,1itera-
ture and science spoke against the contest.
A literary figure and former chief justice of
Karnataka, High Court nonagenarian, Nit-
tor Srinivasa Rao, expressed full support to
the protest, and said, "<;ontests based on the
attraction of a woman is unacceptable to the
country." Among tho,'le who also raised their
voices were former chief justice of India,
M.N. Venkatachaliah, E.S. Venkataramiya,
fmmer supreme court judge V.S. Krishna
Iyer, Magsaysay award winner K. V. Subban-
na, the doyen Kannada Foet, Pu. Thi.
Narasimhachar, prominent literary figures
A.N. Murtliy Rao and Channavira Kannavi.
To counter growing opposition, ABCL put
HI' NDUISM TODAY 23
forth a survey report supposedly conducted were crying foul about culture, a number of purpose? Godrej co-sponsored the Miss on the 'global pathway. I attended all the more than a ~lorful entertainment pro- opportunity to showcase India and' its cul-
by a reputed institute of management show- organizations and intellectuals were oppos- World program to launch a new product. events and later watched a re-telecast of the gram. I noticed the event did nothing to ture to the world was lost.
ing Indians were mostly pro-pagtJant. The ing.J:he pageant as it promoted "commodifi- The first thing they did after the event was final show. I hear<;l some people in the audi- project Bangalore to the world, and the I found that the last round of questions,
pageant-supporting All-India Mahakal cation of women," and entry of multi-na- to get Miss World to model for their product ence commenting, "Our local programs are backdrop of Hampi (the Vijayanagar em-- whicl;..judged the five semi-finalists, were
Bhakta Mandal had a special puja per- tional companies whom they , called, in Bombay," stated Mrs. Mahishi. bette}: organized." Obviously, they left disap- pire), though well done, failed to impress. the same that were asked the previous day
for-med for eight days qt the Mahakaleswar "imperialists." "Women are being used as Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd. pointed-most people had paid d~arly for Renowned dancer Mallika Sarabhai de- at rfhearsals. I saw truth in the statement of
temple in Ujjain for the pageal'lt's success. raw material to promote a product. They say promised that this ten-crore-I:upee event the tickets. For all the media hYP'e and pub- scribed the cultural show as "Bollywood Vimochana, "Beauty contests and the hype
Says Mark West, South ~frican film mak- 'Beauty with a purpose,' but what is the would showcase Ihdia and launch Bangalore licity it received, the 'final show ~as nothing eulture of India," and regretted that such an around them not only convey the idea that
er who bought the TV rights beauty is an achievement
for the pageant, "I simply can- (rather than a happy accident
not understand how a 2,000- of birth), but a privileged
plus year-old culture can be ~chievement superior to ac-
destroyed by a two-hour enter- complishments in various
tainment program. This event fields of work. Compare the
is too small a thing to make a publicity and rewards given to ,;
impact on this ancient culture. beauty queens to the scarce
I have been to a few Indian notice taken of women whb
movies and there is far more have won prestigious interna-
nudity and obscenity in them tional awards for their excep-
than in our beauty contest." tional work or performance in
Countering these views, jus~ a variety of professions and
tice M.N. Venkatachaliah cau- activities." .
tions, "The rationalist are try- The protests no doubt
ing to justify obscenity. We dampened the show for the
should remember that our organizers. TIfey faced a dis-
country has been known for aster had any of the threats of
its ideals and spirituality. Yes, self-immolati on been carried
society should be open, but out at the final show telecast
not permissive. Con{,entional live around the world. Several
values must be maintained. international publications
Ours is a duty- and obligation- noted that India was only
based society. DegeFleration of learning that beauty pageants
values will lead to moral insta- attract protests-the Los Ange-
.., les Times , for example, head-
bility and destruction." u
Many pointed out that when '<" lined their piece, "India Sees
Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Crowning Beauty: New Miss World Irene Skliva of Greece is honored by Indian pageant hosts Bangalore: Human chain of women protesters halts traffiC as thousands demonstrated in the streets Ugly Side of Pageant." The
Rai both won world beauty Washington Post said, "India's
contests in 1994, Imlia cele- be judged on these aspects, too. types of women as self-sacrific- feminists, asserting arguments
brated wildly. Mrs. Mahishi
countered, ''All these years we
It's Harmless All of life is to be enjoyed.
"Pleasure as such is not to be It's Dangerous ing and subordinate house-
wives, the new role models of
also made in Western coun-
tries, sald that suc.h pageants
would watch Miss World on condemned," writes the great- glamorous playthings are no less demean women by turning
est Hindu savant, Dr. S. Rad- limiting, and indeed may go them into commodities."
television and forget about it
after a few hours. It was incon-
Fanatical reaction has hurt Hinduism hakrishnan, former president of Pageants increase oppression of women further in preventing the possi- The other day I watched a
sequential. But when the big India. bility of true equality between little five-year-old girl on tele-
event comes right to our In matters of sex, Hindus as a the sexes. When vision saying she wants to be a
doorstep, it is bound to influ- ELIGIOUSLY HEALTHY pageants are mere "cattle pa- rule avoid the extremes of prud- RGUMENTS FOR AND tion to the Miss World these images are Miss World like Aishwarya
ence our youth. Our girls will Hindus don't share the rades," with only the physical ery and prurience. Dr. Rad- against beauty contests contest is much more relentlessly pur- Rai. I spoke to a group of col-
become more fashion con- protesters reactionary aspect receiving attention. hakrishnan approvingly quoted are presented in the in- serious, and has noth- veyed, not only by lege girls who admitted that
scious, and this will find its sense of moral outrage at However, the intellectual, cul- Havelock Ellis' statement that in dian media as a case of ing to do with spuri- the media, but they were a little more bold in .
way into their litestyles. These such an innocent activity. Ob- tural and personality factors are India "sexual life has been sanc- international cultural moderniz- ous ideas of national even by politicians their fashi;9n after seeing all
wrong values will tear our tra- jectors claim the contest re- evaluated in many such specta- tified and divinized to a greater ers fighting swadeshi votaries culture, nor does it lie and others, they the beauties. "Whats wrong in
ditional culture and spell dan- duces women to sex objects and cles, and high standards of be- extent than in any other part of resisting cultural invasion. They in moralistic sermoniz- can have very it?" they asked me.
ger. The consequences of thi~ condemn it as a flesh market. havior are upheld. There's noth- the world. It seems never to are alternatively described as ing on the extent of detrimental effects Beauty pageants may come
pageant can already be seen in India has participated in such ing inherently immoral in have entered into the heads of resulting from an aesthetic re- clothing that should on the life changes and go, but the issues they
advertisements now. They are contests for decades, without adjudging beauty. To admire the Hindu legislators that any- pugnance for the vulgarity or cover the female body. Jayati Ghosh of young women. raise cannot be ignored. We
more bold than before." peI:verting the morals of its so- feminine beauty is not to ogle at thing natural could be offen- supposed immodesty of the en- The Miss World These women may note that;nost of the countries
"Today it's Miss World; to- ciety. This unknown coterie of girls. The judges themselves are sively obscene, a singularity tire exercise. It is possible that contest and similar competi- fail to realize their potential, not of the world have either
morrow it's electrolysis, lipo- women was seeking nothing but normally qualified people, not which pervades all their writ- the spectacle of an ageing Bol- tions are fundamentally objec- only because of the many con- shown.the door or outright re-
suction, artificial eyes and publicity for threatening suicide lay lecheI:s. Glitter and glamour ings, but is no proof of the de- lywood megastar, in his recent tionable because they seek to straints society overtly places on jected such beauty contests.
face-lifting," said BJP state leg- over this pageant. The media eventually end, but they there- pravity of their morals." Thus reincarnation as trendy impre- create and to perpetuate no- them, but because their own as- At least in a land where Manu
islator, Pramila Nesargi. "The , has given them excessive pub- fore cannot be ignored. To be- these protesting Indian women sario peddling this kind of soft tions of female desirability pirations have been colored by had written, Yatm naryastu
West wants all women to look licity, fueling their fanaticism have as if they do not exist, sim- are not in the Hindu tradition. and brash entertainment, may which are actually oppressive such representations. pujyanthe, mmanthe tatm De-
alike, and the only way to do and needlessly hurting the fair ply because they do not persist, RAMESH D. JETHALAL be distasteful and even slightly and restrictive for most women. JAYATI GHOSE vatha-"The Gods are pleased
this is with makeup and name of Hinduism. is wrong. Femineity and grace Jottmalist degrading. If earlier, more traditional soci- Frontline Magazine where the woken are held in
surgery." Perhaps a few of these endure, and contestants ought to Durban, South Africa But the substantive opposi- eties created unfortunate stereo- Chennai, India esteem," let the women's voice
While some women's groups - be heard. ~

24 HINDUISM TOD A.Y MkRCH , 1997 MARCH , 1997 HINDUISM TODAY 25


REALIZATION
Mountai
Ramana Maharshi's
By A NAN DHI RAMAC HANDRAN , CHENNAI
NCE AS A CHILD I ASKED MY FA-
ther '1\re there rishis like Agastya,
Vishwamitra and Va,shishta living
today? Can we find them residing
forests?" My fathe( took my
question seriously. "Ramakrishna
Paramahansa was a great sage who
lived in recent times and had seen Devi. He
lived in Calcutta: his discipte was Swami
Vb.ekananda. You must read about them.' A
gr~at sage, Ramana Maharshi, lives today in
Tiruvannamalai. He is a Jivanmukta. He has
attained freedom from rebirth."
After a few days, we journeyed to. Tiru-
vannamalai (100 miles southwest of Chen-
nail and had darshan, sacred sight, of Ra-
26 HINDUISM TOD A.Y ~RCH , 1997
us
around the world
mana Maharshi. I remember that
it was a crowded day and only
vaguely recollect the ashram and
people we saw.
Many years later, in 1992, I was
in Trondheim, Norway.' I went to
visit a friend, and she introduced
me to her friend, Sol. When I en- '
te;ed Sol's house on the fiord, 1
saw p,eaceful eyes looking down
on me and felt a thrill. There was
the photo of Bhagavan. Ramana
Maharshi. Sol was devoted to him as were
many non-Indians I met in Europe.
At that moment, I regretted not having
had darshan of Sri Ramana Maharshi again
when I was older. He attained Mahasamad-
hi on April 14, 1950. At the e~act :q).oment he
left his body, witnesses saw a bright shoot-
ing star m9ving towards Arunachala, the sa-
cred hill above his ashram. I could have
gone many times to have his darshan. Young
people do not attach importance to spiritu-
al aspirations, and that opportunity lost was
lost forever.
What was his message? It is very simple.
He said ''Know Thyself" Read his many
books in English and TamiL Again and
again it is the same message, "Know Thy-
8 "The mind is a form of en-
self" He taught, '1\ conscious bliss ensues
when one abides as the Self, by inquiring
'What is the true imp~rt of I?' This oliss is
spontaneous, indestructible and limitless."
His method is called vichara, Self-ponder-
ing inquiry.
Devotees found him the embodiment of
compassion. One said, "The m~st striking
feature of his physical structure, which even
the casual visitor ought to observe, is his
ever-shining eye~. They can be compared to
powerful electr4c lights that shed always a
sqower of cool and gracious looks upon
everybody who came before him."
Being with Bhagavan: Ramana qid not
travel; those who desired wisdom had to
come to Arunachala, just as Ramana himself
had done. Many are the popular stories told
aoout these visits. Once the great Tamil
saint, Yogaswarni of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, came'
to visit Ramana. They sat together for half
an hour. Neither uttered a word. Later, in
Jaffna, Yogaswami told his devotees, "We
said all there was to be said."
.Not all visitors were so enlightened. Once
a group of devotees, professionai men from
Chennai, came in a specially chartered bus
to demand the total removal of the ashram
,management and the institution of a new
Tiruvannamalai: Arunachala hill overlooks l J!.is
magnificent Siva temple on the plains below. Bot-
tom: Ramana lived for years in Virupaksha cave.
ergy. it manifests itself as
the world. When the mind
sinks into the Self, then the
Self is realiz'ed; when the
mind issues forth, the
world appears and the Self '
is not realized."
I'
system. They marched into the hall and sat penetrating my being." Brunton's book, A of spirit)."
before the silent Ramana. He did not speak, Search in Secret India, brought Ramana to In an enlightened p'erson, Ramana once
a.rd·1hey dared not initiate a conversation. the attention of the world. explained, "the existehce of the ego is only
Finally, they left the hall in frustration and Among the many renunciates to visit him apparent. He enjoys unbroken transcenden-
returned to Chennai. Afterwards Bhagavan was Dilip Kumar Roy, who asked about the tal experience. This ego is harmless; it is like
playfully offered, "I wondered what they need for a guru, as Ramana was often de- the skeleton of a burnt rope-though it has
came here for. Did they come to reform scribed as having had no guru. "I might have a form, it is of no use to tie anything with."
themselves or to reform the ashram?" had at one time or another," Ramana replied. Boyhood Realization: Venkataraman Aiyer
The English novelist and playwright Som- "Guru is God or the Self First a man prays to was his childhood name. He was like any
erset M,.augham went to the ashram in 1936. God to fulfill his desires. Then a time comes other boy. What was being kindled in him
When he entered the ashram after a tiring when h~ does not pray for the fulfillment of nobody knew. He went to school, played
journey, he fainted. He was taken to a hut a desire, but for God Himself. So God ap- wi-th friends, swam in the village tank and -
and remained unconsoious. When he pears' to him in some form or another, hu- always won in any comp$ tition or game. He
opened his eyes, he saw Ramana Maharishi. man or nonhuman, to guide him as a guru in was also devout. He went to Tirupara'nkun-
"He bore himself with naturalness and at answer to his prayer." dram and used to go around the temple in
the same time with dignity. His mien was When Ramana Maharishi was still ob- pradakshina with a Muslim classmate
cheerful, smiling, polite. His eyes with a serving total silence, Sivaprekasam Pillai, a . whose name was Sab Jan. "God's creation is
gentle benignity rested on my face. His very learned gentleman, asked, "What is the alike. There is no differentiation in creation.
body was absolutely still. He smiled and nature of consciousness?" Ramana wrote on God is the same, the agparent differences in
said, 'Silence is also conversation.' " Somer- his slate, "It is sat chit ananda (being, con- God are created by men," the youngster told
set Maugham's famous Razor'~ Edge is a sto- -sciousness, bliss) in which there is not even his Muslim friend. •
ry of a seeker who finds such a satguru. the trace of the T thought. This is also In his boyhood years, he was prone to ab-
Pal:l!l Brunton wrote, sitting silently before called mauna (silence) or atma (Self). That normally deep sleep. He recounted, "The
Hamana, "One by one, the questions which is the only thing that is. If the trinity of boys didn't dare touch me when I was
I prepared with such meticulous accuracy world, ego and God are considered as sepa- awake, but if they had any grudge against
dropped away. It does not seem to matter rate eatities, they are mere illusions: like the me they would come when I was asleep,
whether they ar~ asked or not, I know only appearance of silver in the mother of pearL carry me wherever they liked, beat me,
that a steady river of quietness seems to be God, ego and world are really Sivasvarupa paint my face with charcoal, and then put
flowing near me, aNd that a great peace is (the form of Siva) or Atmasvarupa (the form me back, and I would know nothing about it
MARCH , 1997 HINDUISM TODAY 27
 , Oeolog-A Forum for Beliefs Worldwide Construction
until they told me the next mbrning." waiting outside the gate to take any devotee home page at http://wwwrtanet.com/ra- For three years, DEOLOG Sankara and Sons
One day when Venkataraman was alone anywhere he wants to go. There is a branch manalindex.htm with information about vis-
in his home, the fear of death over;whelmed of the post office close by to handle the
I
iting the ashram and linKs to related organi-
magazine has been providing
a unique "public square"
DEOLOG
•• • • " • ~ . • I , ••

• masonry
him. He explained, "The shock drove my heavy mail the ashram receives and sends zations in the US, Canada, UK, Sweden and committed to fair-minded • concrete SANKARA AND SONAS
mind inwards, and I said to myself mentally every day-when he was alive, a letter ad- Russia. The mailing address is: Sri Rama- examinations of belief sys- • construction
'New death has come. What does it mean?' I dressed "Maharshi, india" would reach him. nasramam, Tiruvannamalai, 606 603, India. tems in both academic and • specializing in Vijay Sankara
dramatized the occurrence of death. I lay As I enter the precincts of the ashram, I The ashram has published many good spiritual arenas. difficult concrete Hawaii License Be 1 89~6
with my limbs outstretched stiff as though sense ,the all-pervading shanti. The office works of Ramana's teachings, and a beauti- Regularly featuring articles formwork.
rigor mortis had set in, and imitated a rooms are on the right. We go straight to a ful pictorial biography. There are a number by academics, spiritualists,
corpse. 'Well then,' I said to myself, 'this big hall 'ehere a few ladies are stringing gar- of books in various1anguages-over a hun- authors of books on religion ''A good foundation
body is dead. It will be carried to the burn- . lands and softly talking. A German lady dred separate titles. Nearly fifty years after and the readers themselves, is needed for
ing ground and burnt and reduced to ashes.' comes in with a little girL The other women his great departure, the ashram work is in- DEOLOG has served as a any project."
But with the death of this body am I dead? greet the child with smiles an4 give her a
a.'*""'"!
't1oeZoNtlllt · lkw LototDeooIl1Wll ..
creasing through the dedication of its staff. sounding board for believers ~"",a.d:MM;Kb""·s..I,,,*,,,r...

Is the body I?" Suddenly the fear of death few flowers. She is delighted. Many flowers: Ramana left no formal.suc- (and nonbelievers) of every We will travel anywhere.
vanished, and he became absorbed in the One of the women tells me that this cessor, but his teachings today guide many, religion, consistently delivering 25 years of quality contracting,
Self. Venkataraman's life changed. woman from Germany has moved near the many thousands around the world. Some insightful comment, provoca- Extensive references available. Free estimates .
His father died when he was 12, throwing ashram because she wants her little daugh- ..read his books and visit the ashram; others tive fiction, and lively debate over spiritual issues and their
the family into hardship. O'ne day when he ter to-grow up in this atmosphere. She is for- follow a teacher who perpetuates Ramana's social relevance. Vijay Sankara
was 16 he was writing his grammar lessons. tunate. The child will absorb the values of wisdom. Visitors to Tiruvannamalai may en- I
Among the featured issues within the past year, DEOLOG has Sankara and Sons
Suddenly he plit away his books and sat peace, worship and meditatioIl; She must counter the beggar saint, Yogi Ramsuratku- focused on the New Age Movement, the Question of Miracles, 6136D Kala Kea
down to meditate. His orother'heckled him, have been only S!X years old, but she was mar, who counts Ramana among his t~ach- the State of Hinduism, the Effect of the Internet on Religion, Kapaa, HI 96746-8642 USA
"What use is all this to such a China, Tibet and the Panchen Lama, Zen Buddhism in
one?" Venkataraman recognized America and Apocalyptic Fervor-plus reviews of the most Tel/fax: 1-808-823-6698
the truth of this remark and de- currently discussed books on religion and spirituality Mobile tel: 1-808-639-2809
cided to leave the house. He took DEOLOG is distributed free of charge at places of worship, E-mail: Sankara@aloha.net
three rupees and boarded; train, commerce and learning throughout New York City. For a
not knowing its- destination. yearly subscription, please send US$15 to: "Wealth that is acquired by proper means
Three days later he arrived at Stealth Technologies in a manner that harms none
the great Siva t~mple of Tiruvan- PO Box 138, New York, NY 10012-0003 USA will yield both virtue and happiness."-Tirukural
namalai below Arunachala Hill. For editorial and advertising information:
He entered a trance-like state of Tel: 212-674-0952 • E-mail: DeologMail@aoLcom.
tapas in a IJ.~arby cave: Day by
day his austerities increased. So
deep was his meditation, so re-
moved from body consciousness,
that ants had eaten into his skin;
the scars could be seen through-
out his life. Nearly a year later,
his uncle Nellaiappan found him.
Venkataraman would neither
speak nor hear what was said.
Nellaiappam notifi~d the boy's
mother, who arrived shortly. Ini-
tially rebuffed by her son, she
and l].er younger son were later
allowed to stay.
More traditional devotees did
not like Bhagawan's mother and Receiving guests: Bhagavan met with dozens of visitors daily in the ashrar)1,'s main hall
brother staying with him. Once -\ ,
Seshadri Swamigal, an ascetic in Tiruvanna- gentle and seemed so content for her ag~. er,s, He has neither home nor home page,
malai, joked about it, calling Ramana a They do puja for Maharishi. Ramana did but hi's devotees may be reached via Insti.;-
householder. In India, Hindus believe that not believe in rituals. He did not believe in tute of Indian Thought and Culture, ).18 Big
renouncing family life is the first step in the orthodoxy. He mocked his mother for being £treet, Triplicane, Chennai, 600005, India.
quest for the truth of the Self. So, many peo- so orthodox even in food ha.bits. She didn't A list of '5\.dvaita groups," not all of which
ple thought it odd that the yogi's mother take onions because it was not sattvic food. are directly related to Ramana, is at http://
lived in the ashram. Today the ashram ad- Bhagavan teased her by saying, "Mind that www.sentient.orglamberl, .Notable among
ministration remains in the family; Sri T.N. onion! It is a great 'obstacle to Moksha." them is the Society of Abidance in Truth'
Venkataraman, current president of the The flowers are blooming at the back. We (SAT) of Master Nome, located in Califor-
board of trustees, is Ramana's nephew. go to the hall where Ramana Maharishi gave nia. Their home page is at http://www,SAT
When his mother died, Ramana said, "She darshan to his devotees. In his later years he Ramana.orgl; address is: SAT, 1834 Ocean
diCI. not pass away She was absortJed," and a wanted to be accessible to all. There is pin- Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060 USA.
samadhi shrine was built for her. Around her drop silence, People are sitting on the fleor "'What is destined to happen will happen,
tomb grew the ashram, which nas become a with closed eyes, Is it easy to control the do what you may to prevent it," Ramana wrote
pilgrim center for international devotees. mind? But' in this room devotees seem tran- on his slate. " Whatever is destined not to hap-
Abode of peace: The ashram is not a des- quil, and there is peace on their faces. pen will not happen, try as you may, The best
olate place now. There are auto rickshaws The ashram in India has an Internet course, therefore, is to remain silent." .,./

28 HINDUISM TODA"¥ ' MAflCH, 1997

INSIGHT
Tulsi and Rudraksha
Plants provide our food, clothes, medicine, building materials and the oxygen
we breath, yet we seldom honor their import. Here are two extraordinary ones.
EW HUMAN CULTURES VALUE AND VENERATE
the millions of species of plants upon which
our lives, and our enjoyment of living, so pro-
foundly depend. The tribals are an exception. In
Brazil today medicine men know every forest botan-
ical intimately, and plainly claim they talk to plants
and plants teach them much. America's Indians still
esteem plants and know the interrelationships we
share with our photosynthesizing kin. But for sheer
depth of detail and ritualistic reverence, few cultures
can parallel the intricate and profound relationships
between the human and botanical kingdoms found
within the Sanatana Dharma. Virtually every spe-
cies has a purpose and a pious place. Among the elite
must be counted rudraksha and tulsi, loved by wor-
shipers of Siva and Vishnu, respectively. The rudrak-
sha is a towering tree yielding an intricate, carnelian
seed. Tulsi is an unassuming, bushy herb. Both are
found in temple, home, roadside shrines and on the
bodies of the devout, who wear them for healthful
benefits and to please the Gods. Non-Hindu aspi-
rants seek out both to aid their spiritual quest. Now
a look at two remarkable plants and their unique
place in the lives of hundreds of millions.
Tulsi: the Holy Basil
Tulsi, Ocimum sanctum, belongs to the family of
Labiatae. The classical name, basilicwm, from
which "basil" is derived, means "royal or princely."
Hindus know the plant as T-ulasi and Surasah in
Sanskrit, and Tulsi in Hindi. Other commonly
used names are Haripriya, dear to Vishnu, and
Bhutagni, destroyer of demons. Tulsi is an upright, many branched,
softly hairy annual herb ranging in height from 30-60 cm. Its leaves
are slightly smaller and paler green than the common basil. All Oci-
mum species are similar, but Vaishnava Hindus intransigently attest
that there is only one true Tulsi-Ocimum sanctum.
What distinguishes Tulsi from other basils is its peerless religious
significance. Tulsi is Divinity. It is regarded not merely as a utilitari-
an God-send, as most sacred plants are viewed to be, but as an in-
carnation of the Goddess Herself Thus, when one bows before Tul-
30 HINDUISM TODAY MARCH , 1997
'ki river of Nepal. The most devout conclude the worship on the fol-
Daily deliverance: the simple yet sincere worship ofTulsi
si, one bows before the Goddess. Of course, denominations differ in
their approach. Generally, worshipers of Vishnu will envision Tulsi as
Lakshmi or Vrinda; devotees of Rama may view Tulsi as Sita; while
Krishna bhaktas revere Her as Vrinda, Radha or Rukmani.
A plethora of Puranic legends and village stories relate how Tulsi
came to grow and be worshiped on Earth. The classic Hindu myth,
Samudramathana, the "Ohurning of the Cosmic Ocean," explains
ARTWORK FROM THE GARDEN OF LIFE BY NAVEEN PATNAlK, e l993. USED BY PERMISSION OF
DOUBLEDAY, A DIVISION OF BANTAM DOUBLE DAY DELL PUBI:.ISHING GROUP, INC.
that Vishnu spawned Tulsi from the turbulent seas as a vital aid for
all mankind. More common are legends that describe how the God-
dess Herself came to reside on Earth as Tulsi. A complex legend in
Orissa views the plant as the fourth incarnation of the Goddess who
appeared as Tulsi at the beginning of our present age, the Kali yuga.
The tale continues with intrigue and deception among the Gods, typ-
ical of the Puranic stories, culminating in Vishnus transforming the
Goddess Tulsi into a basil bush to be worshiped morning and evening
by men and women in evet;y household in the world.
Traditional worship begins when seeds are sown on the eleventh
day of the waxing moon in the month ofJyestha, May-June. The plant
is then nurtured for three months. The worship during this period is
simply the loving care offered the tender seedling. Beginning on the
full-moon day of Ashvini, September-October, the worship intensifies
with prayers and chanting, circumambulation of Tulsi seven times
each morning, offering of camphor or oil lamps once or twice a day
and offering of water, rice, flowers and sweets, especially by the women
of the household. Worship culminates on the eleventh day of the wax-
ing moon in Kartika, October-November, in a festival called Tulsivi-
vaha, when the Goddess Tulsi is ceremoniously wed to Her consort,
Lord Vishnu. Vishnu is represented at this wedding by His sacred
symbol, the saligrarna, a black ammonite stone from the Kali Ganda-
lowing 14th day by offering feaves one by one to a river or sacred tank
while chanting the Vishnu Sahasranama, the Lord's 1,008 names. .
/
The woody stem, branches and seeds of Tulsi lend themselves
well to fashioning into simple beads, and industrious devotees create
rnalas, rosaries, with beads made from the plant (now dead) that
they had just nurtured, worshiped and wed. These malas are used
for japa, prayerful chanting, and worn to insure blessings and pro-
tection of the Deity throughout the year. If not made into beads, the
dried Tulsi plant should be discarded only in a river, ocean or pond.
Tusli, along with all other species of basil, possesses remarkable
physical and spiritually healing properties, as author Stephen P
Huyler summarizes, '1\side from its religious merits, Tulsi has been
praised in Indian scriptures and lore since the time of the early
Vedas as an herb that cures blood and skin diseases. Ancient treatises
extol it as an antidote for poisons, a curati;ve for kidney disease and
arthritis, a preventative for mosquito and insect bites, and a purifier
of polluted air. Generally prepared in medicinal teas and poultices, Contemplation: shOWing fihe tradifiional ways to w ear rudraksha
Tulsi s widespread contemporary use in India as an aid to internal
and external organs suggests these traditions are based upon practi- one of adoration but also one that portrays many years of close as-
cal efficacy." One finds descriptions of basil's health benefits in any sociation, of friendship. For Manjula, the Goddess is incarnate in
of the books on herbs and ayurveda readily available today. this herb, representing the duty and dedication, the love, virtue and
Tulsi is also extensively used to maintain ritual purity, to purify if sorrow of all women. She is a link to Manjulas own soul.
polluted and to ward off evil. A leaf is kept in the mouth of the dy- "Manjula's actions are repeated by the other women. Beneath
ing to insure passage to heavenly realms. During an eclipse, leaves their feet are designs of flowers and conch shells painted directly
are ingested and also placed in cooked food and stored water to onto the ground with white rice powder and sindur (vermilion).
ward off psychic pollution. FUneral pyres often contain tulsi wood to PlaciRg the brass pot on the ground amid the paintings, Manjula
protect the spirit of the dead-as Bhutagni, destroyer of demons. lights camphor incense in a clay pot and waves the clouds of sweet
tulsi leaves and sprigs are hung in the entryways of homes to keep smoke over and around the bush and its container. Holding a clay
away troublesome spirits, and the mere presence of the Tulsi shrine lamp filled with lighted ghee in het; right hand, she rotates it in a
is said to keep the entire home pure, peaceful and harmonious. large circle three times in front of the tulsi plant. Bowls of fruit (ba-
Perfect picture of devotion: The following episode was written by nanas, apples, guavas and the meat of dried coconuts) and hibiscus
Huyler as he witnessed Tulsi worship in an Orissan home. It conveys and marigold flowers are placed on the ground before the terracotta.
the intimate relationship the Hindu has with Tulsi, and it teaches, "Incense sticks are lit as Manjula once again presses her hands to-
through exquisite example, how we may worship Her. gether in reverence, singing: '0 Tulsi! Within your roots are all the
"'0 Tulsi, you who are beloved of Vishnu, You who fulfill the wish- sacred places of the world. And inside your stem live all the Gods
es of the devout, I will bathe You. You are the Mother of the World. and Goddesses. Your leaves radiate every form of sacred fire. Let me
Give me the blessings of Vishnu.' The high, cracked voice of Man- take some of your leaves that I may be blessed.' With her right hand
jula pierces the damp predawn hush. Joining her voice, other clasped around the stem of the small bush, she shakes it gently, caus-
women also sing the praises of the Goddess. They all kneel before a ing three leaves to flutter to its base. Thanking the Goddess, she
meter-high terracotta planter shaped like a miniature temple places a single leaf between het; palms and prostrates herself before
adorned with sculptures, and containing a green-leafed Tulsi [pho- the planter. After lying in this posture of absolute supplication for
to, page 32]. Rising to her feet, Manjula pours holy water from a several minutes, Manjula again kneels before the Tulsi shrine and
small, brightly polished brass pot into the cupped palm of her right lovingly asks the Goddess if she may be allowed to dress Her. Taking
hand and sprinkles it upon the leaves of the bush. Her expression is a length of red cotton cloth from a basket, she wraps it around the
MARCH , 1997 HINDUISM TODAY 31
bush. Then she places bright red hibiscus flowers in the upper
leaves and hangs garlands of marigolds around the stem and the
planter. Culminating the ceremony, Manjula puts the tulsi leaf in her
mouth, taking into her body the spirit of the Goddess. Followed by
the other women, she walks seven times around the elaborately
sculpted planter, chanting: '0 Goddess Tulsi, You who are the most
precious of the Lord Almighty [Vishnu], who live according to His
Divine Laws, I beseech you to protect the lives of my family and the
spirits of those who have died. Hear me, a Goddess!'
'J\s the first rays of the rising sun hit the tulsis top leaves, the rit-
ual has ended. Every morning and every evening of the year, Man-
jula prays to Tulsi at the shrine on the doorstep of her house, but that
worship is usually simple and straightforward, entailing sprinkling
the bush with holy water, adorning it with a few hibiscus blossoms,
and shaking down a few leaves to eat as part of her prayers. This
morning's elaborate ritual celebrates the first day of Kamka, a month
particularly sacred to Vishnu and his Goddess-consort Tulsi. By car-
ing for and honoring this sacred bush, Manjula creates a bond with
the Goddess. Representing honor, virtue and steadfast loyalty, this
humble bush of herbal leaves is the archetype of Hindu femininity,
revered by men and emulated with empathy by women. She is Tul-
si, Mother of the World."l
Rudraksha: Tears of God
Rudraksha names both a sacred seed and the tree
that bears it. In English, it is called the Blue Mar-
ble tree, or, less commonly, the Utrasum bead tree.
It is known botanically by the names Elaeocarpus
sphaericus, E. grandis and E. ganitrus. Through-
out the world, there are 120 species of Elaeocar-
pus (elaeo means "oil," and carpus, "fruit"), 25 of which are found in
India. The tree has a remarkable range of habitation-from the Hi-
malayan foothills, to Southeast Asia, Indoneasia and New Guinea, to
Australia, Guam and even Hawaii. Production of rudraksha beads in
India cannot keep up with demand, so a flourishing import trade has
developed between India and Indonesia. It is intensively grown
around a few villages on the islands of Java and Bali. Other important
Indian species are E. jlonbundus, E. oblongus, E. petiolatus, E. ser-
ratus and E. tuberculatus. Although virtually every Hindu is familiar
with the rudraksha bead, only a few have seen the tree.
The rudraksha is a medium-to-tall evergreen (E. grandis can grow
up to 120 feet) with a spreading handsome crown. It grows quickly
and bears fruit in three to five years. As the tree matures, the roots
but;tress-rising up narrowly near the trunk and radiating out along
the surface of the ground-giving a gnarly and prehistoric appear-
ance. Attractive, creamy white flowers give birth to green fruits one-
inch in diameter, which turn purple and brilliant blue when ripe
[see inside front cover]. The white wood has a unique strength-to-
weight ratio, making it a highly valued timber. During World War
I, it was used to make airplane propellors. The splendor of the tree,
however, is its intricately ornamented fruit stone which, when ardu-
ously cleaned, becomes the ruddy and revered rudraksha bead.
All legends of the origin of rudraksha describe them as the tears
shed by Lord Siva for the benefit of humanity. "Rudra" stems from the
Sanskrit rud or rodana, which means "to cry." It is the original name
for Siva as it appears in the Rig Veda. Aksha means "eye," and thus
rudraksha beads are deemed the tears of Siva. Though accounts vary
as to exactly what stirred Siva to shed His historical tears, the most
common legend describes how He wept out of compassion as He be-
held the effrontery of mankind. Naveen Patnaik briefly tells the tale in
The Garden of Life, "Rudra wept when He witnessed the towering
metropolis, Tripura., or triple city, created by man's superbly ambitious
technology In its arrogance, this magnificent human creation had un-
dermined the balance between the Earth, atmosphere and sky. Then,
according to the Mahabharata, having shed the implacable tear which
turned into a rudraksha bead, 'The Lord of the Universe drew his bow
and unleashed his arrows at the triple city, burning its demons and
hurling them into the western ocean, for the welfare of creation.' "
Wearing the rudraksha, devotees remind themselves of Gods compas-
sion for the human predicament, His watchful love for us all.
Along with vibhuti (holy ash) and the trishula (trident), rudrak-
shas are among the quintessential regalia of Saivism. Nevertheless,
the Padrna Purana states that rudrakshas may be used by Hindus of
every denomination. They will even benefit atheists and sinners.
Rudraksha beads are not objects of worship. Rather, they are used as
worshipful aids and accoutrement. Primarily, the beads are strung
into strands and worn on the body. These malas are also used in the
practice ofjapa.
Facets of benevolence: Scriptures describe four main categories of
rudraksha according to colors white, red, yellow and black. Different
species are said to bear different colored seeds. Today, however, it is
rare to find any color but red. Beads range in size from .25 to 2 cm.
Though the Meru Tantra declares, "Of rudraksha and Sivalinga, the
bigger they are, the more powerful," small ones are more highly val-
ued, possibly due to their rarity or the ease of wearing and carrying
them. Chandrajnana Agarna describes other characteristics in verses
13-14: "Rudrakshas the color of copper are sublime. Those that are perity and truthfulness. Nine-faced, Durga: removes fear of death, in-
hard, big and highly ornamented are considered virtuous. Those eat- creases happiness. Ten-faced: protects from miseries, gives' success
en by worms, broken, without detail, full of wounds and unshapely and neutralizes planetary afflictions. Eleven-faced, the eleven Rudras:
are forbidden." Such inauspicious beads are called bhadraksha. brings victory in all encounters, enhances happiness and well being.
A rudraksha is categorized primarily by the number of its "faces." Twelve-faced, Maha Vishnu or Surya: eliminates disease, increases
Longitudinal grooves begin at the pedicellar end and go all the way happiness and wealth. Thirteen-faced: wish fulfilling, promotes fer-
to the basal end of the bead, dividing it into cells which encase the tility. Fourteen-faced (rare), Siva: freedom from disease, misery and
seeds. In Sanskrit these are called mukhas, or faces. The classical ill feelings; bestows bhakti, love, honesty and intelligence.
designation describes 1-14 faces. Other sources speak of 21, while a To your heart's content: Ayurvedic texts offer numerous references
few list 30 or more. Most common by far is the five-faced bead, fol- to rudrakshas healing qualities, as Dr. A. Satyamangalam summarizes
lowed by the four- and six-faced. Rare variations are the Gowri- in an issue of The Kalyana Kalpataru, "The pulp of the fruit is a cure
Shankar, a double-joined bead, and the Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesvara, for mental illness and epilepsy. Powdered beads taken before break-
a triple-joined bead. These are highly prized but rarely found, and fast cure the common cold. To reduce high blood pressure, drop four
fetch a high price. Single-faced rudrakshas are the most valuable and to ten five-faced beads in 50 grams of water and keep it overnight.
extremely rare. They are kept as family Drink this water daily for two months.
or spiritual heirlooms and are often en- To insure an infants well being, rub a
cased in gold. Legend states that trees rudraksha bead on a clean stone with
produce single-faced beads in sets of honey and place a drop of the paste on
three. One disappears into the sky; one the infants tongue." Both the fruit and
buries itself in the earth and one re- the stone (bead) have long lists of heal-
mains on the ground for a pious person ing properties. However, the easiest
to find. Two such single-faced rudrak- ,.< way to reap the benefits of rudraksha is
shas are kept in the inner sanctum of a" to wear the beads. The mere touch of
Nepal's Pashupatinath Temple in Kath- ~1~~~~~~~~~~~rr~~~~~~~~1 rudraksha is touted to regulate blood /1
mandu. One is shown to pilgrims at :; pressure, aid in the strengthening of
auspicious times through the year. ";;z the heart, absorb excess body heat, bal-
Many scriptures extol rudraksha. ance the physical energies and neutral-
Some are dedicated solely to expound- Rosaries: Tulsi (white bead) and rudraksha ize mental disorders. Scriptures elabo-
ing its merits. The Rudraksha Ja- rate how wearing rudraksha pleases the
balopanishad is the 88th of the 108 Upanishads and forms part of the Gods and protects the soul by keeping troublesome spirits at bay and
Sarna Veda. It describes in detail the nature of rudraksha, its varia- keeping the mind of man attuned to that of his beloved Deity.
tions, how to wear the beads and for what purpose. The properties of 1 SELECTION REPRlNTED FROM GIFTS OF EARTH: TERRACO'ITAS AND CLAY SCULP'nJRES OF
the beads are summarized as follows: One-faced, Siva: dissolves sins, INDIA BY STEPHEN P. H UYL ER (AHME DABAD: MAPIN PUBLISHING P VT, LTD, DISTRIBUTED IN T HE
USA BY THE UNIVERSITY O F WASHINGTON PRESS)
removes obstacles to spiritual growth and bestows worldly desires.
Two-faced, Siva-Parvati or Ardhanarisvara: for good living and en- Where you can acquire quality tulsi and rudraksha
lightenment, beneficial for husband and wife. Three-faced: good for TIONAL,
NAVRATAN EMPoRIUM, P.O. BOX 3 1, GAU GHAT CHOWK, PO HARDWAR 249 401, INOlA. POOJA INTERNA-
3 4159 F REMONT BOULEVARD, FREMONT, CALIFORNIA 94555; BAZAAR OF INDIA IMPORTS, 18 10
health, knowledge and wealth, especially helpful for the unlucky. U NI VERSITY AVENUE, BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA 94703- 1516; MEENA JEWELERS, 2643 WEST DEVON AV-
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Four-faced, Brahma: promotes supreme knowledge, happiness, pros- 51 SEED (FOR PLANTING ONLY): JOHNNY's SELECTED SEEDS, F OSS HILL ROAD, ALBION, MAINE 04910-9731.
perity and progeny; improves memory and speech. Five-faced, Pan-
cha Brahman or Kalagni Rudra: bestows enlightenment, good luck Left to right: Tulsi worship at Kalachandji's temple, Texas; Tulsi is
and aids in achieving desires. Six-faced, Kartikkeya: good for educa- enshrined in impressive terracottas in Orissa; a lone rudraksha tree
tion and business. Seven-faced: worn for wealth, flawless health, right bears fruit at HINDUISM TODAY'S headquarters, Hawaii; rudraksha
perception and purity of mind. Eight-faced, Vinayaka: longevity, pros- laden sadhu in Chidambaram offers his bleSSings
MENTAL HEALTH Devi temple: (clockwise from top ) devotee inmates
mill about in the courtyard; those coming for cure

Sacred
are fed daily at the temple; sacrameftts are given at
the sanctum follOWing a powerful worship rite

-,
But Whatt
psychiatry About FreudP
Examining therapies
In Kerala the mentally disturbed have a
URES BY A GODDESS! ALL FINE AND
remarkable alternative to drlfgs and dungeons good," some may think, "for superstitious
village people, but not for modern, scientif-
ically-minded folk like me." Think again.
By VRINDAVANAM S. GOPAI.;AKRISHNAN cian, attests to the temple's power. "The re- "Modern" methods of psychotherapy may be
Y WIFE DEVELOPED MENTAL medial and curative effect of the worship of hard put to beat the Goddess in a head to head
the Devi, shrouded as it is in the magnifi-
IJIU'Ult::tll~ when she was pregnant match. Consider, for example, classical
1965. All types of treatment,cent mystery of total devotion and faith, has psychotherapy fouoded by Sigmund Freud in
from modern medicine to natur- been an enigma challenging scientifie as- the late 19th century. He at-
opathy, failed,;' recounts Mr. se~sment. " . tributed many mental disor-
Shreedharan Nair. "Then one of "Buy these kirtan books of Chottanikkara ders to the uoconscious part of
my friends suggested she be taken to the Amma! By meditation and chanting please the mind. Treatment by a
Chottanikkara Devi Temple. So as a last re- the Mother, and yOI,l will achieve solace trained therapist (a "head-
sort, I brought-her while she was in an ad- from your agonies," lihouts Meenakshi Kim- shrinker") goes on for years
vanced stage of pregnancy. Initially, she jamrna at visttors as they enter the temple and calls for as many as five
would become violent; -but gradually she gates. The 65-year-old book hawker was one-hour, US$lOO sessions each
calmed down. After one month, she was herself brought to the temple as a violent lu- w eek-$26,OOO a year. The
perfectly OK, and had given birth normally. natic 3~ years ago. "It is just because of the objective is to uoderstanQ the
It was the blessing of Chottanikkara grace of the Goddess that I· am now here persons current behavior by
Amma." Nair b0ught a house oear the tem- earning my bread," she states with gratitude. delving deep into their past,
ple, and the couple now has four healthy The temple mai~tains a strict daily sched- especially their childhood Sigmund Freud
and well-educated childrel).. ule of worship and devotional activities for experiences. There are two
Such cures are by no mean's unusual at the those those seeking relief. They are expect- shorter-term and therefore cheaper methods:
Goddess temple near Cochin in India's ed to begin the day 3:45 AM with a bath in cognitive-behavioral therapy, which seeks to
southwestern state qf Kerala. Indeed, the the temple pond-dug deep, long and wide change or rid one of uowanted thoughts or be-
out of the hard, red Laterite soil. Its water
entire routine of the--temple is systematical- havior (beat your fear of spiders by holding a
ly geared toward obtaining divine r.elief forremains slightly warm early in 'the chilly spider), and interpersonal therapy, focused on
morning, and contains some medicinal
the afflicted. It is a haven of solace for the the patient's relationships to others (the 'Tm
mentplly disturbed, psychically possessed properties. ~t serves the same pUFpose as OK, you're OK" group approach). Then there
and 'People .with various other ailments, the warm water boiled with medicinal are drugs, these days Prozac, consumed in
such as epilepsy or Alzheimer's disease. Not herbs prescribec;l by ayurveda. Next they go prodigious quantities in America for depression
before the sanctum sanctorum to worship
a single day passes here without at least five and other emotiooal disorders. For the truly
afflicted devotees checking into the lodges the Goddess during the early morning pujas masochistic, there is electroconvulsive therapies
on the temple's periphery. Dr. Krishna Iyer, known as nirmalyam, followed by the pan- (made famous in "One Flew Over the CUckoos
a practicing allopathic and ayurvedic physi- theeradi puja lasting about three hours. Af- Those who observe this strict routine witl). nally, she was cured." Nair decided to settle which it is difficult to regain one's Nest") which delivers electric shocks to the
ter this long ritual, they are given devotion are usually cured in a week to down near the temple, as have many others sanity. In the past some were phys- head. Aod, yes, lobotomies are still performed.
about five mg of panchagarya, a three months. who were cured. The family wor:;hips daily ically restrained; now powerful But there is a big problem. The SCi{3ntifie
medicated ghee nrepared in the Bhaskara'n Nair's wife los~ her mental and Nair spends much of his time doing £ree drugs stupefy them into docmty. Ame1'ican reported in December, 1996, that in
temple and blessed witt mantras. equilibrium when she was five months preg- service at the temple. The Hindu community of India comparative tests of methods for treatment of
This ghee, consumed on an emp- nant. She suffered from chest congestion, In certain cases it is suspected that evil has always accepted people of ab- the most common mental ailments-depression,
ty stomach, is a crucial part of the giddiness, weakness in her limbs and fre.l spirits have made the person insane. After a normal behavior as part of the obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic
treatment. The next worship rite quent loss of emotional control. "I spent specified period of time, these people will eommunity. Keralites have gone attacks-"all therapies seemed to be equally
is noon, after which sweet rice is large sums of money on her treatment, but push a nail into a tree close to the Bhadra- even a step further, and are effecti¥e-or ineffective." The number of people
served. At 3:30 PM, the sick again to no avail," Nair told HINDUISM TODAY. "El- kali temple in the complex, either by hand blessed with this sacred, disci- who stayed well as a result of any of these t reat-
bathe in the pond, then return to ders advised me to take her to the temple. At or bY' knocking it with the forehead. Ac- plined environment where real ments, experts state, is a meagre one in four-
the sanctum for puja and bhajana first she would become violent, and refused cording to witnesses, the person will fall cures are happening. __ perilously close to the likely rate of spontaneous
led by the temple's musicians until to stand before the Goddess. If forced to back and soon after return to normalcy. The remissioh. Based upon anecdotal reports and
":=
Q 1:1 PM. Guruthi puja is the last of stand, she would yell and tremble. We con- thick tree is now studded with long nails. CIIOTTANIKKARA DE:VI TEMPLE ,
CHOTTANn '1CA.RA
.. P.O. expert observations collected over many decades,
<
:li the- day, conducted at the Bha- tinued like this for three months, strictly ob- In the West, "crazy" people are often E RNARKULAM DISTRICT.
K ERALA. INDIA 652 3 05
Chottanikkara Amma is doing better than that.
Divine asylum: Chottanikkara Devi Temple compound drB:kali temple in the compound. serving the rituals and temple routine. Fi- locked up in asylums, an environment in

34 HINDUISM TODA.Y M ~ R C H, 1997 MARCH , 1997 HINDUISM TODAY 35


DEVOTION
Ramana as a
Family Affair
Bangalore votaries
Bl ANANDHI RAMACHANDRAN, CH'ENNAI
ROM WHAT I HAD HEARD ABOUT SA-
. rada Natarajan, I had expected to see
- an elderly lady with graying hair, But
the Sarada I met does not look like an
ascetic, She is 'charming in her blue sari,
and her earrings dance when she speaks,
Sarada, 35, and her parents are devotees of
Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi. Her father, A.
R Natarajan, is a retired government ser-
vant; her mother, Sulochana, is a musician,
The family runs the Ramana Maharshi
Centre for Learning-in Bangalore, India,
'l\lthough I grew' up immersed in the
teachings of Ramana," Sarada told HIN-
DUISM TODAY, "at one time J became very
depressed, I decided .to do what youngsters
tB-ink is fun-go to movies, buy clothes, read
novels. But this"indulgence did not give me
peace oJ joy. Again I turned to the teachings
Seven B,ays for
of Ramana. Then, at age 15, there seemed to
more sense to his words." As a popular ex-
ponent of Ramana'g teachings, Sarada dis-
Seven Planets
covered, "the teaching wh.ich appeals most
to the younger generation is 'Happiness is
natural. ' Everyone it searching for happi-
ness. But if it is always available, as Ramana
taught, w,e don't have to depend on anybody
of anything for experiencing joy. This con:
cept has profoundly influenced them."
Since 1978 the Centre has brought out a
monthly magazine, published 64 books on
Ramana, recorded 90 music cassettes of Ra-
mana's favorite songs and given over 350 live
lecture/dance/song programs (including a
tourpf Mauritius). Sarada, who is trained in
both'carnatic singing and bharatanatyam, is
responsible for the recordings and the
choreography and production of fifteen
dance ballets on 'his life and teachings. . .
. Rome and Indi/1.) in which each of the sev- Jupiter, the most benefic planet, promoting
Dedication: Sarada, 35, singingfor Ramana
(
36 HINDUISM TODAY M A RCH, 1997
rules at sunrise, Therefore, each
day is good for certain activities
and inauspicious for others,
The planetary effect of the
weekday is quite subtle and can
be outweighed by otlier astro-
logical factors, For important
events, custom in Hindu com-
munities dictates consulting an.
astrologer to analyze planetary
influences when choosing an
" auspicious day.
In general, astrologers con-
sider Monday, Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday beneftt
days, good for most activities,
Tuesday and Saturday, ruled by
the two maleftc planets, Mars
and Saturn, are usually not
good days for auspicious events
like marriage, housewarming or
buying a new car, the day of
Venus, Friday, is ideal for wed-
dings, parties, the fine-arts and
Sunday~s God: Bihar folk dance mask of Surya, the sun buying new things, In South In-
dia it is the most popular day to
HOROLOGY visit the temple, primarily be-
cause of the association of
Venus with Laksmi, the God-
'dess of good fortune, Saturday
is good for planning, organizing
and physical work around the
house, Both Saturn's day , and
Surman's are good for introspec-
tion and meditation, though
Wonder no more why say, We Sunday
ceremonies,
is better for religious
'Thank God, it's Frige's day!' Monday, ruled by the Moon's
moody" emotional and change-
/ ful vibration, is not a favorite
LATO WROTE: "THE SUN, MOON '<\ND day of the week for many "breadwinners,"
five other planets were created by but in North India it is the chosen holy day.
God in order to distinguish and .pre- For Mahatma Gandhi it was his day of si-
. serve the numbers of time." It's not well lence, Memorial Day in the US, when the
known that our seven-day week has an as- soldiers killed in war are remembered, -is al-
trological basis, passed down to us by the ways on the day of the Moon, ~uler of the
Romans, who adopted it from the Egyptians past. Mars' day is good for aggressive activi- ,
who g ot it from Mesopotamia, where astrol- ties, Election day in the US for selecting the
ogy had been practiced for millennia. Just ;,president is always held on a Tuesday. He
who originated it is not known, but the an- becomes the commJ.llder of the armed
cient Indians,used the identical system. forces, an attribute of Mars, The day of Mer-
The original weekdays were named after cury, Wednesday, is perfect for intellectual
the Sun, Moon and five planets oecause of a endeavors and beginning new business ac-
precise astrological system (used in bOfh tivities, Thursday, presided over by Guru, or
en heavenly bodies governs an hour through optimism and abungance, is very auspicious
the day. The planet that rules the first hour for just about everything, especially finan:
after sunrise governs that day. Each planet dal matters, new, investments and gaining
cycles around to ruling sunrise on the same higher knowledge, America always cele-
day each week. The current English week- brates the feast of Thanksgiving on a Thurs-
days are derived from the Angio-Saxon day, which is a perfect example of the jovial,
names for: Satern (Saturn), Surman (Sun), expansive, even gluttonous, atmosphere of
Monan (Moon), Tiwes (Mars), Wocines (Mer- Jupiter's day. So we find even in the selection
curyl, Thurs (Jupiter) and Frige (Venus). of secular holidays there is a subtle link be-
The vibration of the day is established by tween the planets and everyday life, . .
the nature of the particular planet which By EDITORIAL STAFF
Maha Sivaratri and Rudra Yagna
For the welfare of the ft~' Dr, Vasant Lad, Ayurvedic
Universe, peace and Physician and Director of the
spiritua:l guidance, Rudra
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Dressing for
Top models grace Delhi fashion show of the Gods
By FRABHA PRABHAKAR BHARDWAJ
NOlA'S TOP FASHION DESIGNERS-RITU
~~~ Beri, Reena Dhaka, Anju Modi and At-
lier Samd~-joined together to offer Del-
- . hites somet4ing unusual during Diwali:
a Goddess 'fashion show. As ,festival fire-
works lit the evening sky over Delhi's up-
s6ale South City Country Club-on Novem-
ber 3, master of ceremonies Shamshir
Luthra stood inside on the fashion catwalk
and openeq the charity show with a power-
fully chanted ''Aum.'' For the next hour,
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outfits for five forms of the Goddess: Sa-
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Dress, ornaments and music were coordi-
nqted to the traditional depiction of each.
Vina music accompanied the white with
gold trim fashions of Goddess Saraswati; the
male models wore equally elegant dhotis and
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. Magenta and pink colors were combined in
all Her &-esses (modeled by Mehar, Sliikkb
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ange colors of her austerity pyrformed to
win God Siva. Goddesses Durga and Kali
c~e together, the women in red, the at-
tending men in black, to depict Kali's ulti-
mate- triumpP. over the demon Rakat Bhij.
,
~eaveri
There were critics who
felt the show a mockery
of religion. South City
Club manager Ms. Preeti
Singh objected to the de-
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traditiqnal. But thepverall reaction was pos-
itive. A temple-like mood had. been created,
one too in which the Deities were ap-
proachable and full of life.
The show was the inspiration of Dr. Ra-
mesh Kapur. His Unitech company began in
1971 with four perSONS and US$1,500 capital.
Today it is a US$24-million-dollar company
with 10,000 employees. Proceeds from the \
entire mela (of which the fashion show was
""a part) went to Mobile Creches, India's
'largest nongovernmep.tal organiza!i0n. They
provide on-site child care for worlGng moth-
ers at construction sites across India.
Show organizer Meenu is an ex-journalist,
now Delhi "event organizer" with her own
version of feminism. She advocates the
strength of wom8.l}hood, the concept she
used to develop the' divine shakti of Devis..
1\s a journalist, she had covered many fash-
ion shows and was always distressed at thei~
• superficiality. Dr. Kapur's prograrp. gave her
the opportunity to produce a fashion show
with some meaning, and perhaps to even set
q new trend toward ele~ant outfits for both
men and women based upon ancient tradi-
tion. Hopefully, many countries will extend
a welcome to this utterly divine show. ..
An Ancient God's Visible Grace
It began on September 21,1995, when an image of Ganesa in a New Delhi temple
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800 pages. $19.95 paper. lavishly illustrated. ISBN 0-945497-64-4
Exceptional Answers to
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1,008 p.• $19.95 ' paper* • lavishly illustrated. ISBN 0-945497-47-4
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HEALING
DHEA: ~ Menace
o'r Mi,r acle?
Potential benefits for those who need it;
serious complications for those who don't
BY DR. DEVANANDA TANDAVAN, M.D.
TOP AGING NOW!" "DO WE
have the fountain of
youth?" These are some of
the exaggerated claims .
found in the lay press and in ads
selling the "food supplement"
DHEA (dehydroepiandroste-
rone). In the human body ,
DHEA is a natural h0rmone
p oduced by the adrenal gland
and is intimately involved in the
manufa,cture of testosterone, estrogen,
progesterone and cortisone. It is a vital
factor as a hormone precursor in the hu-
man endocrine system.·It reaches its peak
level in both men and women between
ages 20 and 3q, then gradually d,ecreases.
At age 70 the level is 10 to 20% of that at
age 20. Logic tells us that if the blood level
i ~ lower at the time aging symptoms ap-
pear, then we may be abl~ to reverse these.
symptoms by an exogenous dosage 'or re-
placement of the hormone. To some extent
this seems to be true, at least there seems
to be a decrease in the aging symptoms
ana fi certain well-being as the levels are
elevated to those seen in one's youth.
There are reports that adding DHEA to
the diet can be anti-depres~ant, anti-aging,
anti-obesity, anti-dementia, give protection
to the thymus and reduce stress. It can also
protect against heart disease, chronic fa-
tigue syndrome, cancer, viral disease, and
postmenopausal syndrome. Most of the
evidence is backed only by animal experi-
mentation, and extrapolation from these
studies to human use is not very reliable.
There is some data from human studies
that tend to support the l€,ss exaggerated
claims in the advertisements. "Yet, there are
noilong term reports sufficient to claim that
life is prolonged, or that this is "truly the
fountain of youth" or the "wonder hormone cian and hospital staff president~ lives in
of the 90s." / ' ,
According to Dr. Billie Jay Sahley, a pain
clinic operator, DHEA treatment can result HINDUISM TODAY Webs*.
I
44 IfJ NDU1SM TODAY MARCH , 1997
HIN6ulSJ\1:: =====-':::
EVOLUTIONS Dharma Graphics CD $199
OLDEST-EVER: Blr Narayan Chaudhary For the Mac. Reg. $249. Special offer for HT readers, only
of Nepal is reliably said to be 141 years
old, making him the oldest human on
Earth. He doesn't 1,500+ images reflecting Here it is the Hindu art CD
of the decade. Trek into the
make the Guinness
Book of Records,
though, for he has
India's rich traditions heart of mystic India with
this spectacular collection of
no birth certifi-
cate-nor does any-
one else born in
and spiritual culture imagery drawn from the
treasurehouse of Hindu spiri-
1856, the year be- tuality. This CD contains a
fore India's First
wealth of clip art, Aums, pat-
War of Indepen-
dence. He cares for terns, textures, sacred sym-
himself, eats what he wants, smokes bols, borders, fmished
five pipes a day and lives surrounded
in "increased energy and less by five generations of his offspring.
graphics and some rare Raj-
susceptibility to the rav~es of put scans. Great graphics for an ashram bulletin, a
chronic pain and depression." ELECTED: Dr. Karan Singh, age 62, to In- yoga book, Web page or multimedia presentation.
DHEA is beneficial, only if a dia's Rajya Sabha ("Council of States"), /
blood test shows a level much by the legislature of Jammu and Kash-
lower than expected for one's mir for a six-year term. The renowned Aums
age. Otherwise DHEA should
not be taken because the body
Hindu politician and religious scholar
was immediately appoillted as chair of
& Illustrations
can stop producing it naturally the critically im-
resulting in a dependency on portant Autonomy
the external source. Shliluld Panel evaluatillg
treatment begin, it is important that every the status of Jam-
six months the blood level be tested and an mu and Kashmir,
adjustment made in the dosage if it is ex- to help settle that
cessive. Higher levels can produce a total long-standirlg dis-
disruption o(the endocrine balance in the pute and end
body and res).lIt in many concurrent symp- . years of regional
tOms as well as an increased incidence of Dr: Karan Singh conflict.
cancer of Hie breast in women or prostrate
cancer in men. Fortunately, side effects TRANSITION: Astronomer Carl Sagan,
flom DHEA are relatively few-acne and age 62, of complications from cancer.
headaches are among them. Hirsutism may Sagan's 1980 TV series, "Cosmos," dra-
also occur among women, but all of these
symptom; gre reversed by decreasing or
matized the mysteries of the universe
for 500 million viewers in 60 countries.
Patterns & Borders ~~
stopping the dosage.
Qnly top. grade pharmaceutically pure
He firmly believed life exists through-
out the universe-a view putting him othing lends a sense of Indian-ness to a design
~~
DHEA should be used, and vegetarians
shouJd be aware it may come from an ani-
mal source. Most brands made from the
at odds with many scientists. He was
an outspoken opponent of nuclear
weapons. In 1990 he participated with
N better than traditional borders and patterns.
There are hundreds to choose from on this creative Clip~rt .1
I
Squth American yam are not trustworthy, r. representatives of all religions ill the CD. Fall in love with the visual magic of Bharat and
as there is no evidence this precursor Global Forum in Moscow to discuss the any' images are or-
source can give a reliable dose or be ab-
sorbed and utilized by our bodies.
world environmental crisis.
enhance your personal or institutional image.
M ganizedin
themes, like nature,
As aging occurs, most p.eople""'compensate HONORED: Bharatanatyam exponent
by adjustments in their life.style, making . Anita Ratnam R;ij with the title of Deities, people, borders,
. aging the truly natural phenomenon that it "Nritya Choodamani." In accepting the symbols, etc. Use the
is. If one: has a good regimen of hatha yoga, award, Anita
sadhana (including meditation) and an said irmovation Fetch browser to get a
adeqtiate yegetarian diet, he is not likely to and experimen- quick overview, then
suffer from aging symptoms. tation should be double clic on a page
.,- encouraged as
DR. TANDAVAN, 76, retired nuclearphysi- long as they are for a detailed preview.
lodged in a spir-
Crn:cago, where he specializes in alternative it of artistic ill-
healing arts. Visit his home page at the tegrity and
faith. With deer dancers
, \
Macintosh format only. No PC version available.
 o MOVIES and looking for meaning.

In
I

The fourth is Otsu, a spiritually reflective

'Deep River'-a da'panese man whom Kumiko seduced on a dare from

her friends and then cruelly dumped. He
was a....Catholic-rare in Japan-who went to

Odyssey fo Holr Ganga a s~minary in France, then to a monastery in

Israel. Finally finding no comfortable place
in the Western expression of Christianity, he
http://www.indolink.com came to Banaras, jOined an ashram, and took
Soul-searching cine/rna is somber and' stoic up work at the cremation grounds. "Euro-
peans consider God and man to be mutually
-J oRPosed but, being Japanese, I
BUS OF JAPANESE TOUR- ' cannot ignore the great vital en-
ists bounces east, sightsee- ergy of nature," Otsu explains to
from Delhi toward Ba- Mitsuko. "I believe God exists -:
and the Ganga. within man, while embracing
"Oh, so beautiful," one man says, man, trees and flowers, the

__..._......................_-_...._._-
. "This is the first time I am seeing Great Life Force. And the most
-_
,................................................................................... ............................ ........-................................ :. . ................................................. ................-....... people and animals living togeth- important thing is love."

i c:!~~te i India ....... . . . . .~ Tour_is~

er. In the past; in Japan, they By the movie's end, each has
lived like this, too." Another tour- found some form of resolution:
ist ex€itedly clicks photos out the the veteran, a difficult 'realiza-
Information window of fertile earth, dusty tion of the honor of men within /
cows and industrious ".villagers. the horrors of war; the busi-
His bride complains they should nessman, the futility of finding
... . ...... . ........ _ .. . .. . . ~ ... .. _ •• • >4 • • • • • • • • • • • •
have gone to Europe. Swiftly the his wife; Mitsuko, absolution for
lens of director Kei Kumai focus- her self-centered life by bath-

i l~
~j­ es in on three unusual souls on ing in the Ganga; and Otsu,
¥~ t · the bus quietly engrossed in a death in his chosen service.

! "YN~~s
. more introspectiv~ mission-to The US$ 4. 3 million film is el- .
Aoalysis LawFormn MOneyTalk win peace and blessings from the egantly made, every scene is a
holy river Ganga. Their stories work of art. But its subtitles and

I;~;-r-·--.-r.
then start to unfold in the film. measured pace (read "slow")
"Deep River" won acclaim at will not keep everyone's atten-
New Delhi's International Film tion. A few scenes are too racy
Festival and the Ecumenical for children. It was seen by
1 1 rum Review 1 Review Award at the Worfd Film'Festival 135,000 people in Japan, and
;..................... ....-.. .......~.~..... ~ ! ~
~ ..····-.. --· --·----·-·;----~-~. ·-=~-..-·~I in Montreal. It caught Indian has yet to turn a profit. Copies
film critics' attention because it won't be found at the corner
is alSout the Japanese' finding vide,o stole, but can be located
their "lost Indian roots." Explains through film specialists.
Kumai, "We Japanese are very Much of the movie was shot
much influenced by Indian cuI.. in Banaras by a cast and crew
ture and, from the point of view of 50 Japanese and 70 Indians.
I'........................................................................................................................................................ _.............. _........::::....._................. = _.. = _.... ._.__. ._._. . _. . . _. of a Japanese, India is our moth- Absolution: Mitsuko (Kumiko Akiyoshi) prays in the r iver Ganga
erland." Many Japanese travel
After the production, .director
Kumai said, "I think our staff
I! Global Directory of Businesses, Products & Services I
yearly t.9 India (65,000 in 1996), often to vis-
it Buddhist holy sites. Japan is the largest
each encountered the Ganga
just like the movie's characters.
\ .
donor nation to India, and, after the eco .. The holy power of the Ganga .
nomic reform, India's fifth! largest investor. revealed He;:self through them.
"Deep River" is based upon Shusaku We received awareness 'Of the
YO'u r electronic link to India and Indian communities worldwide Endo's award-winning novel of the same
name. It is an exploration into the meaning
spiritual world, so forgotten in
todays consumerist society of
of India for four individuals. One is a World Japan. Since World War II, we
•
•
News
informational articles Advertise War II veteran (played by the legendary
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have developed materially, but
are we happy? My film shows
war memories experienced on India's how these ' characters come to
•
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community activities and events
business and classified ads
on INDQlink Burmese border. The secona is a business-
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not find at home. They ask,
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E-mail: info@indolink.com -Classified ads only $25 for 6 months top film actress), a aivorcee, lost at midlife Pensive: Otsu (Eiji Okuda) as a cremation worker Mumbai

MARCH , 1997 H I' N DUISM TODAY 47


Surrounding lraivan Temple is an
extraordinary botanical garden par-
adise, providing an area of
contemplative, natural beauty.
Pilgrims enjoy groves of plumeria,
konrai, hibiscus, heliconia, native
Hawaiian plant species and more.
At the entrance to the 5 J -acre
sanctuary is a forest of healing
rudraksha trees. Send US$ J 2 to
purchase a single-bead necklace of
a sacred rudraksha, receive as our
gift another bead to plant and sup-
port the lraivan Temple project.
1-808-639-8886
http://www. HinduismToday.
kauai. hi. us/ashram/Jraivan. htmJ
RUDRAKSHA
FOREST
SAN MARGA IRA/VAN TEMPLE
107 KAHOLALELE ROAD
KAPAA. HI 96746-9304 USA
A TEMPLE BUILT TO LAST 1. 000 YEARS
Yoga for 'India's Army
Breath control and meditation trai1).ing help
jawa~s to resist bitter Himalayan cold
Cold chamber experiment: Yoga-trained soldiers can withstand low temperatures longer
HAT DO YOU THINK IS THE LATEST
addition to the Indian armed forces'
arsenal? Early warning \systems,
Ishapur ass\lult rifles or stealth tech-
nology? Wrong. The latest weapon in its ar-
mory is yoga. Introducing yoga into the
army's training curriculum is not intended
to stand the forces on their heads, but rather
to brace soldiers for the extremes of weather
they have to endure in high altitJde climat-
ic zones. The innovations come from the
Defense Institute of Physiological and AI- '
lied Sciences (DIPAS), whose job is to evolve
holistic ways to, acclimatize soldiers to ad-
verse operational terrains, such as deserts,
high mountains and under water. .
The idea occurred to the director of DI-
PAS, Dr. W. Selvamurthy, as he wondered
how it was possible for lightly-dressed sadh-
us to roam the Himalayas in sub-zero tem-
peratures, wHile the Indian soldiers sta-
.tioned in Siachep, Leh and other <,1old places
suffer terrible privations even with ample
warm clothing. Experiments began in early
1985. One group of soldiers was made to
practice fifty minutes of yoga and Bve min-
utes of pranayama (breath control) and
meditation daily for six months, while an-
other group continued the regular army
drills and endurance training. Wearing just
boxer shorts, both groups were put in cham-
bers at 10° C,(50°F ). Those traiRed in yoga
were able to retain their body heat longer
than those who did the routine exercises.
Shivering started much later in the yoga
group, who. maintained a higher rate of
metabolic activity.
The discovery took time to be accepted in
army circles. But by 19,95 it was introduced
as a part of the regular curriculum, espe-
cially for soldiers in th~ Northern Com-
mand. The training is also expected to help
combat melancholia, a common problem at
high attitudes. I classical music. He said, "I realized the cos-
Experiments by Selvamurthy have dem-
onstrated physical health benefits of yoga,
such as lowering of blood pressure. In yet
tlillother test, he. measured an increase in
tranquillity as a result. of performing agni-
hQtra, a Vedic fire ritual. He's now testing an
herbal preparation based on ayurvedic fo(
mulas for high-altitude use. J Such attempts at amalgamation are not
Selvamurthy, 46, has come far from the
days when/people were amused to hear he
wanted to make yogis out of the soldiers. "I
would give them the example of Arjuna,
who was a great yogi and warrior," he remi.l
nisces. Now it is his ambition to "spread the
message of our traditional systems of yoga
Imd medicine because modern medical care
in a country of 900 million is too ~xpensive,
willIe our indigenous systems are prophylac-
tic. Our people are intellectually very
sound, but when it comes to looking after
their health, they just don't bother." wi
By DIPANKAR D AS, N EW D ELHI
ECUMENISM
When not in Rome...
India's Catholic prjests worship the Hindu
way in their Christian temples and ashrams
I N DAVA N AMS. GO P ALA KRISH N"'-N
ETER JULIA CAME TO INDIA FROM
in 1948 as a 23-year-old Jesuit
priest. Today, at 71, he has taken the
name Shilananda, built and operates a
church in Nasik, Maharashtra, which resem-
bles a Siva temple and is called Sanjivan,
"True Life." A small cross sits atop the tower.
On the .sanctum walls inside hangs another
cross, ana. below that a stone Sivalinga [pho-
to J covered with a metal sheath. An 'i\um"
and a cross are engraved in the brass. A sec-
ond container shaped ljke a Sivalinga holds
the consecrated hosts (bread wafers) used
in the Catholic celebration of Mass. The
W eek magazine quotes Shilananda, "The
power of life comes from God. Siva is the
mosVancient God of India, and the Sivalin-
. ga is a symbol of life-giving power. There is
no contradiction in having a Christian tem-
~
<
;:;
o It's a meditation on unintended conse-
0:
f-<
"o
u
~ of Hindu names, vestments, rituals, archi-
2:
"'<" L-__ ~ ______- L____ ~~~" ______
Cross, Christ and Sivalinga: Shilananda's Sivalinga has a cross and "Awn" upon it
pIe. Christ gives a deeper mearting to what
is here." He says he has made no converts.
But some Hindus are perplexed and a few
are downright incensed with this kind of
amalgamation of religions. Mr. Pradeep Mo-
llan, a Siva devotee, told HINDUISM TODAY,
"It is ridiculous and rather blasphemous to
associate Lord Siva; the Supreme Lord, who
had been worshiped even long before the
birth of Jesus, WIth the bread of the Catholic
Mass." He added, "The Christians have: lost
ground in India, especially in Kerala, and all
of their superficial tactics of global evange-
lization using the old methods have failed."
Whatever one may think of missionaries
in general, Shilananda no doubt lives an ex-
emplary and austere life. He is a vegetarian,
well-versed in Hindu scripture and devout
in his daily practice. And there ip'e mOIje like
him in India, sincere Christians attempting
~ ______________ ~ ____ ~~ ______ ~
Christian Temple?: JeSUit Shilananda
\
to create an indigenous form of a faith too
Western for most Indians and too Indian for
most Catholics. J'
One such place is the Saccidananda
Ashram founded by two IFrench priests in
1950. According to the inmates, it is a blend-
ing of Christian and Hindu monasticism
·and follows the customs of a Hindu ashram.
Their church is built like a Hindu temple,
with a high gopuram, and Hindu-like cere-
monies are performed. The altar is on a /
raised stone platform where a silver statue of
Jesus is placed. Sandalwood paste is given in
the morning, kumkum after the midday
prayer and holy ash after the evening prayer.
Each prayer is accompanied by arati and
chanting of the Gayatri Mantra. To the local
people there doesn't appear to be much dif-
ference between Hinduism and worshiping
Jesus in the Hindu way. The priests claim to
be teaching from the Bible, the Gita, the Pu-
ranas, Upanishads and the Koran.
Still another is Angelo Beneditt, who
came to India from Spain with Shilananda
in 1948. He is known to the villagers in Bha-
vanagar in the state of Gujarat as Swami
Shubhananda. He immersed himself in the
Hindu scripture.s eveh before he was or-
dained a Jesuit priest in 1959. He'is fluent in
five European languages plus Marathi, Gu-
jarati and Sanskrit, and has a BA in Indian
mic nature of God from my contact witb
Hinduism. I find all religions manifestations
of God." According to him, there is no con-
flict between his abiding Christian faith
ana his belief in many Hindu principles. .
The church he establisq.ed in his Tapovan
Ashram is called a temple. ".
new. In the 17th century Father Robert de
Nobili learned Sanskrit, put on orange robes,
became a vegetarian and wrote an apoc-
ryphal fifth Veda refery ng to Jesus. He con-
verted tens of thousands in Madurai. Near-
ly all drifted back ,to Hinduism after his
passing.
quences-a likely eventual long-term result
of these missionaries' continuous adoption
tecture and scriptures may Be their own un-
witting absorption into the all-embracing
arms of Hinduism. __
MAR C H , 1997 HINDUISM TODAY
 . ike an exceptional diamond,
MINISTER'S MESSAGE
yoga in Daily Life:
Perfect Way to God
Attaining physical, emotional and
balance as we strive for Self Realization
BY pj\.RAMAHANS SWAMI M ,A HESHWARANANDA oped their intellect, and wise men and seers
IVINE CONSCIOUSNESS THAT IS ETERNAL, OMNISCI-
ept and omnipresent and resides in each and every
particle of the universe can be realized through the
ancient, immortal science of yoga. Yoga stands above
all dogIllas and fanaticism. Yoga itself is love and bliss, pure
d divipe. It is the principle of balance and harmony in the
:ntire upiverse, the principle through which Creation took
place-the fIrst movement of the divine consciousness as
da soupd. That is the power of yoga. . No matter which part of the world a Hin-
naYoga is the p,?wer which brings. together and balances the
five elemepts: earth, water, fire, rur and ~ther or akasha.
These fIve elements should be balanced m the human organ-
ism. WheP they are-unb:uanced, one feels much discomfort
:0 d becorPes weak and Ill. When we fallout of truuh and oneness
duality, then we lose the ba,lance anq harmony of 9ur exis-
tence. So balance means health, and health means to maintain our
. . al and petfectly balanced condition.
°ZFe, the w~ole univers~, is changing every moment. Our body
itself is changmg all the tlme: from the state of embryo to that of
the infant, to the little child,' to the teenager, to the middle-aged
e son and fInally to old age and death. We are swimming
fh;ough the waves o( life. Life sometimes is calm and peaceful for
us other times heav'J storms are raging, and sometimes we have to ideals of ahimsa, tolerance and love for all living beings. They
p;ss through fire and flames. Still, day and night, every minute, we should observe their cultural festivals and spiritual events, because
are proceeding toward our goal, whether we are aware of it or not.
As every raindrop proceeds toward the ocean from which it has
eme~ed, SO also everyone of us will sooner or later return to our
origin the Cosmic Self. Yoga is the way to make our aim clear, I
accel~rate our development and progress toward it.
Yoga copsists .o f four branches that corresR?nd to seekers' vari-
a s dispositions. Bhakti yoga is the path of love and devotion for
t~ose who seek the Divine through worship and prayer. Karma
o a is the path of selfless action and service. Jnana yoga is the
~a~h of kPowledge and wisdorp through philosophy and discrimi-
nation between Reality and unreality. And raja yoga is the path of
self-discipline and self-mastery tl,irough practice and meditation.
Practicipg yoga requires a great deal of self-discipline and confi-
dence Yoga makes one independent and free. Those who think .'
that the life of a ypgi means to withdraw from the world and to
eglect and renounce all material goods misunderstand the very
~dea of yoga. Yoga is a thorough1.y practical way. It means to gain
an'd preserve h.e~th in its whole meaning, physically, me~tally,
socially and spltltually. It also means to get and preserve mdepen-
de ce and self-reliance in life, physically, mentally, emotionally as
we~l as materially. In order to attain genuine insight, the aspirant
-
needs to practice. He should learn to control his body and his
50 HllO'PUISM TODA.Y M.~ RCH . 1997
mind in order to gain Self-Realization. Self-
Realization means the reunion of the indi-
vidual Self, atma, and th~ cosmic Self,
Paramatma. In this way, we attain freedom
and inner peace. Unless you practice, you
will never realize what yoga means.
L spiritual truths are often at their
best in a simple, elegant setting.
This rare gem of a book with
Yoga takes effect not only in the material childrens' stories for adults is
world, but also in'the astral worlds. It
teaches us to master .ourselves and our lives'
in every situation and in every sphere. In
fact, it is the perfect way to God. But yoga
a must for every Hindu home.
m~nt~l
is not a religion, nor a cult, nor any theory Written with gentle warmth, humor
or set of dogmas. Yoga is Reality. It is the
ultimate truth. Yoga is older than our plan- and wisdom, Enlightening Tales as
et. It has been guiding the process of life
Told by Sri Swami Satchidananda
since the very beginnIng of the universe. In
,the last thousands of years, humans devel- presents 47 short fables, each with a
of India, called rishis, revealed the science deep inner truth and richly
and techniques of yoga practice. The Hin-
dus are children of the rishis, who were the illustrated. Available from
greatest seers, the highest thinkers and
most civilized personalities of mankind. Himalayan Academy Publications.
Hinduism is one of the most ancient spiri- /
tual ways with deep insight into the divine
and great tolerance and acceptance toward
other fruths. It is Sanatana Dharma.
du lives in, it is his or her prime duty to
preserve and transmit these elevated
thoughts, teachings and values of human
life to their children. No matter how hard
external pressures can be, one should never feel hesitant to keep to
one's noble traditions and value system and maintaining these in
Enlightening Tales
the family and in the community. Each Hindu should be proud of
his ancestors, who were open-mind~d, full of love and mercy. They
were great believers and devotees of God, through which they
achieved the highest knowledge and oneness of the Supreme.
Even Hindus who live in small communities, or single families
should not feel any need to, and should not under any circum- As Told by Sri Swami Satchidananda
stances, change their beliefs, their vegetarian lif~tyle or noble
Published by Integral Yoga Publications
Available through Himalayan Academy Publications
that is the only way to keep alive that precious heritage. , 107 Kaholalele Road, Kapaa, HI 96746-9304 USA Sri Swami Satchidananda
In order to maintain that spiritual way of living and to attain
Self-Realization, it is advisable that not only Hindus, but all hu-
mans, follow the way of yoga. Yoga should not be lived separately 128 PIJIBS, pape"back, 15 full-color, full-page Rlf/put IIluBtl'atiDns. ISBN 0-982040-48-9. P"IDS -'22.95 (IncludBS UN).
from our daily lives. It should be practiced twenty-four hours a
day according to the principles and regulatioRS that were hand~d
down to us by the ancient rishis. These universal and divine prin-
ciples are: understand, forgive, be tolerant, love, serve, believe,
worship, meditate and realize. Yoga will surely lead you to achieve
the ultimate goal. That is, to become one with God.
I
PARAMAHANS SWAMI MAHESHWARANANDA, 51, based in Vienna,
Austria, has spread the teachings of a long line of Rajasthan san-
nyasin yogis for 20 years in central Europe and now the world.
Ad sponsored by: Nathan Palani family, Hawaii, USA: Shyamadeva Dandapani family, Anchorage, Alaska, USA: San Diego County Yoga Teachers
Association, Damara Shanmugan, San Diego, California, USA: Raj Exports, lakshmanan Nellaiappan and family, Madras, Tamil Nadu, India.

I
PHOTOGRAPH.y
Banaras:
Ecl.ipsed·by
A Camera '
. through. The result was timeless sepia-tone
The timeless portraits
of Marcl!.5 Leatherdale
By l)AVINA MELWANI, NEW YORK
HUINEIRED CHATTERING TEMPLE MON-
wake up New York photograph-
Marcus Leatherdale from sleep be-
dawn. Monkeys in New York,
you wonder? Well, no. Leatherdale has the
best of both worlds, living in the US for half
the year and in the very heartbeat of India
for the rest-the holy city of Banaras. Why
Banaras? Says Leatherdale, "Since it's one of
the holiest cit!es in India, eventually just
about everyone comes there. So I just sit
back, and all of India passes by."
Leatherdale lives- in a four-story town-
house in the old city, which can only be ac-
cessed on narrow footpaths. The monkeys
inhabit an ancient tree near his home and
march single file to the temples of the city
each day to feast on the offerings of pil-
grims. "In Banaras yeu're confronted with
Hinduism on a daily basis," he observes.
"There are clanging bells, pujas and festivi-
ties. The devotion lEivel is overwhelming."
Leatherdale is not 'll Hindu, but, he says,
"You'd have to be brain dead to live,.in India
and not be affected by Hinduism. It's not
like Qhristianity in America, where you feel
it only on Sunday mornings ... if you go to
52 HINDUISM TOD A.Y MkRCH, 1997
church at all. Hinduism is an on-going dai-
ly procedure. You live it, you breathe it."
In New York, Leatherdale is known for
his lavish and sophisticated work for trendy
Big Apple magazines. He observes~ "In my
India pictures, for the first time it was
straight portraiture-I didn't try to drama-
tize it visually or manipulate-except to re-
move 'watches and glasses." Shot against a
black cloth, he let the personalities shine
shots of real people-villagers, maharan~s ,
actresses, dancers and circus performers.
These were shown in "Bharat-India," a crit-
ically acclaimed exhibition held in 1996.
Leatherdale is learning Hindi and makes
friends with everyone from Brahmins to
the beatmen on the ghats. He says, 'Tm be-
coming closer and closer to understanding
India, but I'll never, never get it all. It's one
of the most complicated and intriguing
places that I know of. Nothing just happens,
nothing just is. There is always some reason,
some meaning behind everything."
What he particularly likes about Hin-
duism is that it's very emotional, colorful
and joyful. He notes: "Hinduism has a play-
ful aspect which I've not experienced in
any other religion. It's not so righteous or
sober as is Christianjty, nor is it puritanical.
That's one of the reasons I enjoy India. I
wake up in the morning, and I'm very con-
tent.'; Leatherdale, a vegetarian, had nonvi-
olent h;anings even before he went to
Bharat. Rather than use rat poison, for ex-
ample, he brought humanitarian traps from
the US and releases captured rodents on
the ghats. Hinduism has also made him en-
terprising: When local people continued to
dump garbage on the streets outside his
house, he commissioned a man who creates
Bollywood posters to paint life-size images
of Durga, Lakshmi, Siva and Ganesh on the
house's exterior. Since no one wanted to des-
ecrate his informal home shrine, all the
garbage vanished-as if by a miracle! __ .
Film foundry: (cloc kwise from top) Rarnesh,
a Ratwa Adivasi (tribal); Pailo of Chotau-
d:aipur; Rani Usha Devi 6f Jodphur; Ma-
hout Shekar with Kamach, Kanchipuram;
temple beggar, Kanchipuram
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Test Your
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O tants on Religious
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Not only can you read
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religioqs news and offi- Classical Indian Dance and download stage images like the Manipuri
cial statements on reli- scenes above. Other useful links are to the dancing
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even taKe a test to rate

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At http://people.unt.edul-sgaOOOlldance.html, you
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is to make "Dance in India" the classical Web re-
source in its field.

TEMPLES the "Mandir: Hindu

Temples Reference Cen-
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Hindu Students Council
Odyssey and VHP of America.
Minority religion news "Mandir" will point you
LANNING A PIL- in the right direction,
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P grimage and can't
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of Hindu, Jain, Sikh and
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But plan on
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