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 Self-Realization Fellowship Making and Using Ghee- The Royal Oil
Paramahansa Yogananda's "The purified soma juices
teachings offer instruction have flowed forth, mixing I

in Kriya Yoga, guidance with curd and milk."-Rig

on seeking God and much FDunDED In 19ZD Veda IX 1.24 SACRILEGE
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seen as a gift from the Gods." and models, "Karma," Chicago's make sure the meat in your
Dr. D. Simon, Chopra Center newest nightclub, is one of the fridge won't p oison your fami-
for Well Being. first Hindu "theme bars." The ly?" goes the ad designed for
Sri Ramana Maharshi American Hindu Anti-Defama- newspapers and magazines.
Purity Farms Organic Ghee Co. have been making the tion Co'alition is "shocked at the "Throw it out. There's never
The Society of Abidance in Truth purest possible ghee for 15 years, using perfectly organic Gilded rites of Russian religious history: the Orthodox Church been a better time to go vege-
offers hard-to-find books on butter, from cows treated humanely from birth, with no tarian." Her character, "Kelly,"
Advaita Vedanta and Sri Ramana chemical interference whatsoever. Having become experts in RUSSIA on the popular TV soap is also
Maharishi through Perennial the art of preparing, appreciating and enjoying this precious, a vegetarian. The twenty-five /
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misuse of sacred Hindu sym-
bols to promote alcohol-serving
establishments." They report a
Lord Ganesha at the entrance,
a giant Siva Nataraja on the
dance floor and "a man wear-
ing three heads that appears to
represent Lord Brahma danc-
ing erotically on a pede'Stal."
,
THAILAND
Ranu Rises
TWENTY THOUSAND THAIS
I congregated for a lunar
eclipse ceremony in September,
attempting to gain attunement
with Rahu, the being in Hindu
v:i~i~ Vai~11 :l! l'i' t pla~es> tlE0 g
astrology associated with the
thIS> magnifiCOlnl' 800 page v01tlme. waning cycle of the moon's orbit.
This hand-made hard bound The eclipse was the last to be
II" x 14" volume with its 249 pages
1II"!I_.~iiiii!~~~~!lii!!." of color photos will take you and
your family on a wonder of discovery.
~
NEW LAW PASSED BY BOTH HOUSES OF RUSSIAN GOV- reasons, and lives with four
ernment and signed by President Yeltsin gives the Russ- dogs, one cat, one canary, two
'an Orthodox Church protected status. Critics charge it goats and a chicken named Fri-
curtails the rights of other faiths-such as Roman Catholicism, da. Jennie's also a new mother.
Protestantism and Hinduism. The new law protects Russias his-
torical religions from missionary faiths, especially those whose
leadership is dubbed "foreign"-such as the Roman Catholic
Church-which have grown dramatically since communism fell
in 1991. Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and indigenous Pagan reli-
gions are safe under the law because significant sections of the
Russian populace have traditionally followeq them. The new
law requires a faith to be registered for 15 years before it can
gain official legal status, and it must curtail its activities in the
meantime. Even though various religious groups were consult-
ed, this is virtually the same bill that was vetoed by President
Yeltsin a few months ago under heavy international pressure.
seen in Thailand this century Vivekananda when he
and is blamed by many for the barnstormed America
country's abysmal economic sit- in the 1890S. The swa-
uation-half the banks are mi stayed several times
closed due to failed loans. That at Leggets 83-acre
Thailand's Buddhists maintain a Ridgely Estate in the
strong connection to Hindu tra- beautiful New York
dition is attested to by the fact countryside. The Ra-
the world's largest statue of makrishna Mission re-
Rahu is located in Nakhon Path- cently acquired the
om, where the ceremony took property and dedicat-
place. The Prime Minister's HERITAd'E
ed it in October as the "Vivek-
wife, Phankrua ananda Retreat" under the guid- ,
Yongchaiyudh, is a Ridgely Est ate ance of Swamis Swahananda
prominent believer in and Atrnarupananda. The

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Hahu\; impact, and
would have gone to the
to RK Mission Manor House is for permanent
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eclipse ceremony but accommodates ten women and
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ICHARD L E GGET, A NEW

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Jagadguro Dr. Chandrashekhar Shivacharya Mahaswamiji offering amti to the sacred bilva leaves
INDIA
90 Days of Bilva Puja in Kashi
VASHI IS SIVA'S CITY OF LIGHT
I'on the Ganga River in
northeast India-one of the old-
est cities in India and the
world. Among Kashi's many
monastery pilgrim sites that sit
in the city's narrow lanes, the
Jangamawadi Math (monastery)
is well knoWI,l and fFequently
sought out. The Math dates
back to the sixth century and is
now garnering more fame and
good merit by helping peace in
world affairs tJrrough 90 days of
ceremonies centering on the
bilva leaf, sacred to God Siva.
The bilva (Aegle marmelos) or
woodapple tree, is second only ,
to the pipal (fig) tree in signifi-
cance in the very ancient
Saivite sacred horticulture. The
monastery began th,e "Koti Bil-
varchana" rites on Guru Purni-
rna-July 20, 1997-and ended
them on October 20th. On the
first day, 300,000 bilva leaves
were offered to a Sivalinga.
Alongside the rites were two
major conferences-All India
Veerashiva Conference and All"
India Shivacharya Confer-
ence-and lectures from promi-
nent scholars. Participants and
devotees numbering in the '
thousands came from all cor-
ners of India.
JANGAMAWADIMATH , VARNASI
221 001 INDIA
SRI LANKA
Monk'S' Turn
IVE THOUSAND MONKS OF
Fthe Buddhist Mahasangha
of Sri Lanka recently meditat-
ed an'd prayed en masse in fa-
vor of Sri Lanka president Ku- .
maratuil"ga's peace proposals to
end the country's civil war and
against the report of the "Sin-
hala Commission" which
sharply criticized her plan.
The action was in resp-onse to a
demonstration a few days earli-
er by 400 monks in support of:
the commission and is the
strongest action to date by the
powerful 35,000-strong Ma-
hasangha advocating a: peace-
ful, rather than a military solu-
tion to the war.
Novice monks in Sri Lanka
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sanctuary. Absorbed in the Self, the sage is freed from

The Ayurvedic Institute
THE VEDAS identity with the body and lives in blissful consciousness.
SAMA VEDA, NARADAPARI UPANISHAD 1

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Purified, empty, peaceful,

breathless, selfless, infinite,
SHUKLA YAJUR VEDA 3.39

Never may brother hate brother or sister hurt sister. Unit-

indestructible, stable, eter-
nal, unborn, free, he is es-
tablished in his own glory.
Having seen the Self who is
established in His own glo-
ry, he looks upon the wheel
of life as a wheel that
rolls on.
KRISHNA YAJUR VEDA,
MAITRI UPANISHAD 6 .•8
What people call salvation is really continence. For
through continence man is freed from ignorance. And
what is known as the vow of silence, that too is really con-
tinence. For a man through continence realizes the Self
and lives in quiet contemplation.
SAMA VEDA, CHANDOGYA UPANISHAD 8.5.1
The Self resides within the lotus of the heart. Knowing
this, consecrated to the Self, the sage enters daily that holy
8 HINDUISM TODAY. JA VAR Y , 1998
ed in heart and in purpose, commune sweetly together.
ATHARVA VEDA 3.30.3
Let there be no neglect of the duties to the Gods and the
fathers. Be one to whom the mother is a God. Be one to
whom the father is a God. Be one to whom the teacher is
a God. Be one to whom the guest is a God.
KRISHNA YAJUR VEDA, TAInRIYA UPANISHAD 1.11.1- 2
May God-who, in the mystery of His vision and power,
transforIDS His white radiance into His many-colored
creation, from whom all things come and into whom they
all return-grant us the grace of pure vision.
KRISHNA YAJUR VEDA, SVETASVATARA UPANISHAD 4.1
Verses are drawn from various sources. Those taken from The Vedic
Experience by Prof Raimon Pani!ckar are available at www.
HinduismToday.kauai.hi.uslashramlDir-New.html#VedExp.html
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PUBLISHER'S DESK
Women' of Vision · ,
In a "Man's World"
Intuitive and compassionate, ladies are among
the fine~t
visionaries. .. and best journalists
BY SATGURU ' SIVAYA SUBRAMUNIYASWAMI rightly understood, has never been just a
MIGHT SAY THE THIRD OF THE A-B-C'S OF GOOD
is choosing insightful journalists. This month, TlWrga. In the truest, literal sense of the word Dha1"1lW, which sig-
take great pleasure in introducing to you a remarkable
of seven ladies who are guiding, through their contri- to save humanity. I worked in different fields, took college courses
to this magazine, the course of Hinduism in the
modern world. That might seem overstated, but think about it.
Their in-depth insights into problems and farsighted suggestions
for solutions have made HINDUISM
TODAY a vital part of the Hindu
home. The visionary nature and
inherent sensitivity of women,
after all, far supercedes that of
men. Men explain and women
teach. Men preach and women
nurture. We call our entire group
of journalists the renaissance
team, as they monitor and guide
the global, eternal renaissance of
the world's oldest faith. Seven
women journalists (pictured be-
low) have been with us for many years, and we invite more to join
their midst. Of course, there are other women who have been and
will continue to be ihstrumental in the Hindu renaissance in vari-
ous capacities. In our universe theYJ'include Kirin Bede, prison
reformist and author; Madhu Kishwar, editor of Manushi maga-
zine; Anita Raj, journalist, dancer and model; Brahmacharirti Maya
Tiwari, writing on sadhana, health and women's issues, and many
others. To anyone we have neglected, pardon us for not mentioliling
you, but you know who you are and how dearly you hold the vi-
sion of Hindu Dharma. We honor you and tQ-.e many more who
will volunteer their efforts in the future. Here is some background
on HINDUISM TODAY'S visionary women journalists and some
thoughts from them that I think will inspire you.
Freel~ce journalist Archana Dongre lives
with her J.iusband, a computer engineer, in
Los Angeles. She has been in the US since
the early 1970s. Born in Pune, Maharash- .
tra, schooled in Mumbai and Nagpur, lin-
guistically gifted, she excelled in all other Kathak (3-95), Women Film Directors (2-95) , The Veggie Revolu-
languages and sciences. She earned a de-
gree in e'd.ucation and an M.A. in Sanskrit
language and literature. Excelling at broad
research pieces, her latest articles In HIN- the way Hinduism allows one to have a close, one-on-one relation-
DUISM TODAY include Adopting Indian Children (4-94), Tribal Art
(2-95), Theosophy (6-95), Home, Sweet Europe (9-95), ISKCON's
10 HINDUISM TODAY JANUARY, 1998
Second Generation (3-96), and a Day in
the Life of India (2-97) . She writes, "My
vision for the future of llinduism includes
a better place for the Hindu woman. In the
Vedas, women are respected for what they
are in their own right; for example, Gargi,
Lopamudra and Maitreyi. In today's soci-
ety, despite all th'e advancements that
women have made, they are still looked
upon as adjuncts, oruy as somebody's wife,
mother or sister, but not for their own ca-
pabilities and talents. Of course, all those
relations are important, but a woman's own
worth and talents need to be respected,
nurtured and cultivated, with enc.!?urage-
ment from their fathers, husbands and,
later, sons. I strongly feel that Hinduism, if
blind faith, but a rich, variegated source of '
such fascinating, appealing sciences, like jnana TlWrga and bhakti
nifies 'moral sustenance,' Hinduism has all the potential and power
in many diverse subjects, but found that no matter what I did, I
came back to writing. I just pray to God to give me strength and
long life so I can do something significant for my work and my
family so I can make a difference and leave a mark."
Shikha Malaviya is a freelance writer with a
B.A. in mass communications and English
creative writing. Formerly a Worldviews
editor for the Minnesota Daily, editor of The
Hindu Mandir Patrika, and Baathcheet
Indo/American journal, she is now pursuing
an M.A in liberal studies with an emphasis
on literature by Indian women. She lives in
Minnesota with her husband and daughter.
Among her HINDUISM TODAY contributions:
Mixed Marriages (2-94), Wife Abuse (6-94), \yomen: Home or
Career? (9-95), Tantra: Feminizing Divinity (11-95) and A Color-
fully Crafted Fair (6-97). Shikha summarizes he( vision:
"HINDUISM TODAY is a vehicle in forging the traditional with the
modern iri respect to Hinduism. It is my hope that HINDUISM To-
DAY will continue its groundbreaking work and give others like
myself the opportunity to create a greater dialogue for such a rich
and diverse religion.:'
-Lavina Melwani, who is from New Delhi,
writes for publications in the US, India,
and the Far East. Her family is originally
from Sindh. She resides in New York with.:
her husband and two children. Lavina is
active in Children's Hope, a charity to as-
sist childreh in India. Her sensitive touch
features social issues and the arts, includ-
ing New York Loves Ganesha (11-93) ,
Mixed Marriages (3-94) , Afghanistan Hin- '
dus (6-94), Famous Vegetarians (1-95) , The Grand Dame of
tion (12-95) , the UN aUer 50 years (2-96), Sky Is Not the Limit (4-
97), 35mm Mega-Memoir (12-97) and Hear Krishna's Flute
(11-97) . In sharing her vislbn, Lavina tells us, "I have always loved
ship with a very personal God. It is a very loving, elastic and all-
embracing religion, and I hope in the years to come these will be
the features the world will get to see, rather than the fundamental-
ism or rigidity e~oused by a few."
Prabha' Prabhakar Bhardwaj is a free-lance
journalist living with her husband in
Ke~ya. She grew up in JanlffiU, North India. • people and wnlps up violence. Fanaticism is harmful in
She left a .Masters in economics to get mar-
ried, * 6 years later earned a Bacpelors De-
gree in Journalism in Hyderabad, then
moved to Kenya to teach journalism at
Nairobi University. She sp~cializes in envi-
ronment and gender issues and has pub-
lished many books, among them, Body and
Mind, Women and Environment, translated into Spanish, French
and English. Prabha was a key member in writing two environ-
mental action plans, one f0r the Kenyan government and one for
the UN. Her contributions to HINDUISM 'TODAY include: Kenya
Temple Moves (9-94), Kenya's Hindu Kids (9-94), Kashmir Pandits
(11-94), Hindus Return to Uganda (12-94), The Ganeslia Milk
Miracle (12-95), Hindus in West Africa and Dressing for Heaven
b-97). In her vision, Prabha Prabhakar is deeply concerned for
the future of Hinduism: "I have seen five generations in my own
family, from my grandparents to my grand-daughter, and
Hinduism is successively getting more diluted with each genera-
tion. HINDUISM TODAY has the capability to attract the younger
generation in a very pragmatic and rational manner I plan to
reacB. out to the Hindu youth of today and future generations scat-
tered arOlmd the world by coming down to their level. I am ree
searching Hindu rituals from birth to death for a book on that
subject to attract the young to our traditional religion. There
should also be emphasis on caring for elders so that they are not
neglected in their late years, an unfortunate modern trend."
V:G. Julie Rajan, a medical editor, part-time opened my eyes to the real side of Hinduism. Besides the content
grad student, and freelance writel'living
with her husband in Philadelphia, seeks to
uplift the status of women and minorities.
She was born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. She
is currently writing and seeking a publisher
for a book entitled, Studying Evolution of
IJindu FeTlWle. Her ambitious HT .stories
include Pat Robertson's denouncement of
Hinduism as dE?monic (7-95), Prenatal Sex
DeteFmination in India (4-96), Puja in Washington (96-12), Books
about ~ndu Women (1-97) and Dissolving Boundaries (8-97) fUld
this month's Alternative Healing. Julies vision: 'J\s a writer, I
would like to encourage Hindus to return to and appreciate Hin- I
duism in its most pure form, one of tolerance and love, untainted
by schisms of caste and sect. Second, I -hope to better the lives of
women and the minorities, in an attempt to encourage the view
that we are all one under God, regardless of gender, creed and
socio-economic status. Thirdly, I hope to encourage Westerners to
respect the beauty and practicaliJ:y of Hindu spiritualism and to
.
put to rest historical stereotypical bias." .
Anandhi Ramachandran is a senior dance
instructor at Kalakshetra Academy of Arts
in Chennai and a free-lance journalist. Her
most recerh article in HINDUISM TODAY was
the feature on Ramana Maharshi in March,
1997· Of her'vision of the future, she shares, shared with Marilyn and Barbara this page, knowing they would
"Hinduism is complete in these two words,
Amrittam gaTlWya, meaning, 'Take me to-
wards a deathless fate.' The most impfessive
feature of Hinduism is that it has made spir-
----.,
itual awakening simple enough to be understood by anyone, edu-
cated, uneducated, adult, children, men, women, rich or poor,
white, black or brown. Today we need a uniting en~rgy and guid-
ance to bring together all Hindus. Politics is not the answer. It is
more harmful to give the shade of religion to politics, for it divides
everything. The need of the hour is awakening of the spirit. A
world leadership is necessary. Hinduism is perhaps the worlds
oldest religion. If there is unity among those who live according to
dharma, it may be possible to unite the world.'<fhe younger gener-
ation is looking for meaning in their life. The world has become
very materialistic, vengeful and war torn. Sanatana Dharma can
change the f ituation. Dharma is common to all. HINDUISM TODAY is
bringing out the truth, and in easy words explaining how to adhere
to dharma. From Nepal to Kanyakumari there are many sects of
Hindu religion. HINDUISM TODAY is bringing them closer together.
The most important aspe6t of education is character building. HIN-
DUISM TODAY can help parents to educate their children."
Choodie Shivaram, a journalist for 15 years,
with a B.A. and a full law degree, resides
in Bangalore with her husband and two
children. She was a popular journalist in /
Bangalore before leaving her full-time work
to raise her children. Her more than 20
articles in HINDUISM TODAY since 1995
include Pandit Haripr~sad Chaurasia (10-
95) , Crafts by Women (1-96), Kerala's Ma-
triachy (2-96), Ganesha Factory (3-96), a
Tobaccoless Village (3-96), Tirupati's Priests (6-96),
Madhavacharya's Birthplace (11-96), Joint Families at Risk (1-97),
India's Beauty Contest (3-97), a Saint's Self-Willed Death (9-97).
Choodie's vision statement: "My involvement with HINDUISM TODAY
of the magazine, during the course of penning articles, I was com-
pelled tb refer 'to a number of books oq varied subjects on Hindu
philosophy. I was forced to speak to a number of traditional and
modern scholars. I was awe struck by Hinduisms profundity. I feel
sad to think of how I squandered an important P¥'t of my early
life in ignorance. I realize that a whole lifetime is not sufficient to
understand the beauty that is Hinduism. We had an~ have great
scholars who have written brilliantly about the religion and com-
mented copiously on innumerable scriptures. My windows of per-
ception and understanding of the religion have just started
unfolding. Today I am extremely proud of being a Hindu, arid this
pride comes not by vanity or by virtue of my birth as a Hindu, but
by the better understanding of the religion and its greatness. With
me, my family has come under the influence of the true essence
of the religion., and now I am content that J will not fail in my duty,
of exposing my chilc!ren to a. better understanding of the religion."
Interestingly enough, while I was working on this column on a
Macintosh Powerbook, two ladies of vision who live on our island
of Kaua! came and sat with me and two swamis at our editing
session near the ocean amidst coconut palms. They are Marilyn
Wong and Barbara Curl, local participants in a national organiza-
tion called the Women of Vision, having just finished organizing a
major conference on our island where 120 women leaders came to
inspire their sisters to teach a spiritual approach to life and collab-
orate for the benefit of all humanity, including the men! We
take strength from the strength of our Hindu women's team. They
did and said they would read it at their gatherings. Was our meet-
ing with these high-minded ladies an accident or a divine coinci-
dence? Or was it, perhaps, women's intuition?
JANUARY, 1998 HINDUISM TODAY 11
~ ---------------:----------------------------------------- ---.......---------- --
Ioo ------------------------~ ,

:GETTERS ~~~~ MYTURN

kar Misra i~ quoted, "The deterioration start-

The Limits of ToleranceP
I ENJOY READING YOUR PUBLISHER'S DESK.
Elich is very thought provoking and full of
wisdom. Your last one on "Forgi~ing Others
Is Good for Your Health" [PUBLISHER'S DESK,
November, '971 is very impordmt when ?~O­
ed right after the British annexed Orrisa. Mr.
Kedarnath Dutt, administrator for the
British, heavily criticized the maths of Or-
risa in 1860, and in 1868 an ad hoc commit-
AyurvedB: Choic~st
books there is legislation which protects
Christianity and provides legal muscle to
suppress non-Christian religious groups. The
Maha Sabha again has adopted a Civil Lib-
~rtarian stance on this matter, advocating
that the laws not only accommodate the

H'e alth-Care Choice

pIe are so angry and intolerant. Our traditlOn
has taught us to be v~ry tolerant. Sometimes
I wonder if we should have som;e limits or
g1fidelines. For the past thousand years we
have tolerated many foreign in"¢asions. These
invaders have converted us to their religion
by sword, or a bowl of rice, or by offering ed-
ucation, and we have tolerated them. Foreign
rulers have abducted our women, and we
have not been able to do anything about it.
Some of them have made us crawl on our
streets, killed us and beaten us up with the
help of our own brothers, and we have toler-
ated that. Should there be any limit to our
tolerance? Are there any guidelines-what
and how much should we tolerate and under
what Circumstances? What is important-
our peace of mind or our freedom of choice
and the welfare of all Hindus?
ARUN J.
MEHTA
NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA, USA
, lamehta@soca.com
v'Yes, the history is horrific, and we should
not forget. But the size of the crime does not
limit tolerance. Indeed, the greater the
transgression, the more true tolerance is re-
qUired. It's easy to forgive small i11juries. It's
hard to absolve the kinds of misdeeds you
speak of An unforgiving mind is no founda-
tion for Hindu welfare.
Our Very Existence Is a Success
IN JAMAICA WE HAVE A HINDU ORGANIZA-
tion called Prema Satsangh of Jamaica. We
have been dedicated to the propagation of
our culture and our religion, reaching out to
peoDle in different spheres of life and assist-
ing all. We hold free medical clinics, cele-
brate festivals and conduct camps in aid of
teaching the young children about their cul-
ture. Our islandwide membership of about
200 has worked hard these past 25 years to
develop this worldWide reputation that Pre-
rna Satsangh can be proud of. Should anyone
be interested in participating in any of our
charities please e-mail or WTite to us.
ROOPA PERSAUD
PREMA SAf SANGH OF JAMAICA
379 SPANISH TOWN ROAD, KINGSTON 11
.JAMAICA, WEST INDIES
, llpersaud@toj.com
Not a British Lackey
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GLORIOUS ARTI-
cles on Vaish:ri"avism. I eagerly read the arti-
cle "Tradition in Decline" [MONASTERY, No-
vember, '97]. In-the eighth paragraph, Bhas-
tee was appOinted to review their affairs." I
agree with .e verything he says except the rights of Hindus but also that of Muslims,.
portrayal of Mr. Kedarnath Dutt as an ad- Baptists and other faiths. The' magnanimity
ministrator for the British. Mr. Kedarnath of Hinduism allows the Maha Sabha to do no HINDU RENAISSANCE TEAM
Dutt (Srila Bhaktivinode ' Thakur) is a less. To some, these are laws which are nev-
prominent Vaisnava Acharya in the Madhva~ er enforced, like so many other laws in HINDUISM TODAY was founded January 5, 1979, We already possess an age-old healing art
Gaudiya sampradaya. He is well known Trinidad, and therefore the Hindu commu- by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, for the
even today for .his volumes of heartfelt WTit- nity need not fear. Yet the law of blasphemy-
tHat continues to protect those who attack
following purpOses: 1. To foster Hindu solidarity
as a unity in diversity among all sects and lin-
capable of preventing most disease
ings. Mr. Kedarnath Dutt's motive for criti-
cizing the leaders of the maths was not done our religion reqwes changes. ' eages; 2. To inform and inspire Hindus world-
to serve the British. He wanted spiritual DEVANT MAHARAJ
wide and people interested in Hinduism; 3. To BY DR. VASANT LAD
leadership to be~exemplary. He campaigned TRINADAD & TOBAGO dispel myths, illusions and misinformation
about Hinduism; 4. To protect, preserve and
for everyone to live up to the brahrninicaJ.. 'devant@tstt.net.tt EGINNING IN 1979, I mate relationship between body,
promote the sacred Vedas and th~ Hindu reli-
principles of purity, austerity, honesty, mercy raveled from the east to and mind. Today many medical
gion; 5. To nurture and monitor the ongoing
and devotion. Srila Bhaktivinode "Thakur There Is a Distinction the west coast of the professionals are open to yoga
was the father of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta TEN YEARS AGO A GOOD FRIEND, WHO WAS
spiritual Hindu renaissance. We invite our read-
ers to share these purposes with us by writing United States, talking to therapy and meditation. They /
Saraswati Thakur, who remained celibate his suffering from cancer, decided to fast to letters, contributing reports and articles on people about ayurveda. It was respect the system and like to
entire life. Both of them WTote extensively in death [A Saint's Self-Wille'd Death, CONTRO- events, sending news clippings and encouraging on a small scale, usually in learn and incorporate ayurveda
English and sought to spread Sanatana Dhar- VERSY, September '97]. He stopped taking others to subscribe. someone's private home or even into their practice. -
ma all over the world. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta food and liquid. As lie was at home, his in the backyard with a few In the b eginning, my students
Saraswati is the guru of my beloved guru, beloved wife and children were able to be chairs. They didn't even know were mostly lay people who had
Publishe~: Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
A.c. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Prabhupada. Sri- with him. It all happened in peace. A few
Administ. Director: Paramacharya Bodhinatha
how to pronounce the word the time to learn something.
la Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Mah,araja in- moments before his death, he opened his ayuroeda. Now it is growing, They came for ayurveda and
Editor-in-·Chief Acharya Palaniswami
structeQ Srila Prabhupada to go preach in eyes, looked at each one of them and said, becoming quite popular and many people their own self-healing. Many students felt
Publisher's Aide: Acharya Ceyonswami
the West. Their collective motive has always «Goodbye." His death was a conscious have been touched by the ayurvedic way their lives changed and healed. But slowly,
Deputy Editor: Acharya Kumarswami
beenoto spread Krishna consciousness world- death, and in peace. This was not a suicide. of life! the students are increasing in number and
Managing Editor: Tyagi Arumugaswami
wide because they are dedicated servants of The action and reaction of suicide can nev- During my journey, I learned that the are more dedicated to learning ayurveda.
Graphics Director: Tyagi Natarajaswami
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, not the British. er be peaceful. The result of suicide is very, people in the United States are looking for Many are professionals-chiropractors,
Mauritius Editor: Tyagi Murugaswami
KUSA DEVI DASI very painful, especially for the person in alternative systems of healing: When a sys- acupuncturists, even medical doctors and
Mauritius Staff Writer: Tyagi Devaswami
CINNAMINSON, NEW JERSEY USA question and those who stay behind. tem has limitations, naturally people look nurses. These professionals are coming to
, Vrinda@aol.com ProdJPro'nwtion Manager: Tyagi Kathirswami
AMRITA SIVANAND Deputy Managing Editor: Yogi Kasinatha for an -alternative system to fmd answers to 'learn ayurveda, and they have the goal in
CAPELLlJ AlD IJSSEL, NETHERLANDS their problems. It is my experience, in the their hearts to become ay urvedic healers.
Managing: Editor's Aide: Yogi Rishinatha
Bhakti Reinforcement Needed Editor-in-·Chiefs Aide: Yogi Yuganatha last 14 years of teaching ayurveda in the In our institute, students in the first year
I READ WITH INTEREST YOUR ARTICLE Corrections Advertising Manager: Sadhaka Jothinatha United States and the United Kingdom, that just come to learn ayurved:t As they study,
"Tradition in Decline," as I had visited Puri The National Research Institute for Self Un- SubscripHon Manager: S"adhaka Haranandinatha people are extremely open to it. Everyone they want to learn more in depth, so they
recently. Since so many maths are becoming derstanding of Ghanshyam Singh Birla in Correspondents: Gowri Shankar & Anantlhi Ra- wants to know what is his or her plakruti, join our gurukula program. A total education
destitute, it's no wonder they have become Quebec [To Goddess, With Love, December, machandran, Chennai; Choodamani Shivaram, Ban- the individual constitution, and the vikruti, in ayurveda to become a BAMS-~achelor
so rupee conscious. Knowing beforehand I 1997] should have been referred to as 'The galore; Rajiv Malik & Mangala Prasad Mohanty, the present, altered state or imbalance. of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery-has
would not be allowed to enter, I made a pil- Palmistry Center." In their website address, Delhi; ~ S. Gopalakrishnan, Kerala; S. G Debnath, Ayurveda is the art of healing that con- similar requirements as a medical doctors',
grimage to Lord Jaganatha's and Sri Sakhi- "Galaxy.html" should be capitalized. • Bangladesh; Archana Dongre, Los Angeles; Lavina siders every individual uniquely. Ayurveda taking seven to nine years. Probably the
gopaf Mandirs due to their unparalleled his- Addresses for agencies that assist Nepal's Melwani, New York; Prabha Prabhakar Bhardwaj, is not only herbal medicine. It deals with most realistic option is for Western medical
tor,,}' ofbhakti. The demands for hundreds of , Deuki (In God's Name, Dec. 1997] are: Kenya; Dr. Hari Bansh Jha, Nepal; Parasram Ramou- .,:each problem directly at the root cause, doctors and professionals to incorporate
rupees (actually, it started at over a thou- 1) Child Protection Cepter, Mehlauli, District tar, Anil Mahabir, Trinidad; Dr. Devananda Tanda- using diet, lifestyle, proper yoga postures, soqte ayurveda into their practice, rather
sand) to view the temple from adjacent Baitadi, West Nepal; 2) UNICEF," Country van, Chicago; v.G. Julie Rajan, Philadelphia; Rad- meditation and certain sounds for healing ' than to go back to medical school.
compounds is nothing more than a business. Office, Phulchowk, Lalitpur; 3) UNICEF, Re- hika Srinivasan, New Jersey; Shikha Malaviya, purposes. Its discipline requires one to Ayurveda has been used to treat th~
This is why I don't find- it surprising that gional HQ for South Asia, Lainchaur, Knth- Minnesota. learn about one's own life so that one can whole patient for almost· 10,000 years. It
Haridas Thakur's Mandir is doing so well. mandu; 4) Snehi Women's Awareness Center, Artists: A. Manivelu, S. Rajam. ~. defInitively have proper health of body, was only 200 years ago that ayurveda be-
All I heard there was the sweet sounds of Deomandu, District Baitadi, West NepM Cartoonis:ts: Barry Geller, David Lourie, Mario de mind and consciousness. "" gan to be looked upon as secondary med-
bhajans,' so they got the biggest donations. Ayurveda is the science of life. And life is ical care. It is now rising to itS' former
JEFF CLAUSSEN Letters with writers name, address and daytime
Miranda, Manick Sorcar, Gary L. Stair, Bob Thaves.
Photo Contributors: Thomas L. Kelly, Stephen P all; life is body, mind and consciousness prominence as the preferred health care ,
SIOUX CITY, IOWA, USA phone number, should be sent to: Huyler, Dev Raj Agrawal, Phal S. Gir?ta, Tony Stone integrated. In that sense, ayurveda is the option. My vision is that there will be regu-
Letters, HINDUISM TDDAY Images, Photobank, Art Wolfe Inc., Gordon Wiltsie, right kind of alternative system of medicine. lar ayurvedic medical colleges and schools
Law Needs Changes .- 107 Kaholalele Road Indivar Sivanathan. Initially, the medical community was not af the university level where full graduate
KAPAA, HI, 96746-9304 USA open to ayurveda. In modern medicine, the courses of ayurveda can be learned.
THERE IS THE POPULAR MYTH IN THE WeB Masters: Deva Seyon, Sadhunath;n Nadesan.
or faxed to: (808) 822-4351
minds of many Trinidadians ang Tobagians or e-mailed to:
Scanning: VIkram Patel, New York. mind is separate from the body and the .-
that our nation is a secular nation that does letters@hindu.org ~ Distribution: Jiva Rajasankara, Bangalore; Dohade- body has nothing to do with the mind. But DR. VASANT LAD, director of the Ayuroedic
not discriminate .against any of its citizens Letters may be edited for space and clarity and may va Samugam, Singapore; Chudikadevi Saravan, Sel- as more research occurs, the West is com- Institute, New Mexico, USA, has been prac-
[Legal Ine~ty, LAW AND ORDER, December, appear in electronic versions of HINDUISM TODAY. laduraLPerakasam & Rohini Kumar, Malaysia. ing to the realization that there is an inti- tising ayuroeda for more than 25 years.
'971. Within the laws enshrined in the statute \., INDICATES LEITERS RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL

12 mN DUISM TODAY JANUARY, 199 8 JANUARY, 1998 HINDUISM TODAY ~3

 LoVING GANESA
800 Lavishly Illustrated Pages on Ganesa
by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. Learn about
Ganda's powers, pastimes, mantras, miracles, nature,
science, fOI;ms, sacred symbols and much more! There
is no book about Ganda that's more complete. The
fOl;d of Dharma comes to life threugh the pages of
this inspired masterpiece. Loving Ganesa makes
approaching Ganda.easy and inspiring. '~copy of
Loving Ganesa ~hould be placea in every library
and Hindu home (Sri Om Prakash Sharma)."
Softcover, SOO pages, 5l,6¢x Sl,6," $23.95 .
DANCING WITH SIVA.
Special Hard Cover 5th Edition, Limited Quantity (Only 500 Printed)!
TIns remarkable 1,00S-page sourcebook covers every subject, answers every question and quenches
the thirst of the soul for knowledge of God and the Self. Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami has spent over
SO years in deep study, meditation and samadhi to create this masterpiece. Clearly written and lavishly
illustrated, expertly woven with 600 verses from the Vedas, Agamas and other holy texts, 165 South Indian
paintilllgs, 40 original graphics, a 40-page timeline of India's history and a 190-page lexicon of English,
Sanskrit and Tamil. A spiritual gem and great value at twice the price. "The most comprehensive and
sensitive introduction to the living spiritual tradition of Hinduism ... a feast for the heart and the mind
(Georg Feuerstein)." Smythe case binding, 5W'x Sl,6;; cloth, gold embossed cover, $56.
Softcover edition (pictured) is $29.95 .

-
SAIVITE
HINDU RELIGION
SACRED AUMS CD ~aillitt HindI! ~l!t:i:.r
........ 1. What every Hindu parent SANTOSHI DEVI
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If you've looked every- needs: intelligent, Can't find good Hindu books for your
A tasteful arrangement of
where for a graphic for your nonviolent, tradi- children? This beautifully illustrated
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project that reflects Indian tional texts for their c~ildren's book by Gayatri Rajan tells of a
dishes perfected in homes
culture, but nothing quite kids- an authentic, little girl's personal relationship with Lord
and temples as offerings to
the Lord. Indian ashrams
meets your needs, tHis CD illustrated, seven- Ganesha. Perfect bound, sW'x II;' 3S /
ROM may be your answer. book series called pages, printed in South Africa, watercolor
serve the finest cruelty-free
Now you can have hundreds The Master Course, illustrations throughout. $lS.
meals enjoyed an~here, and
and hundreds of Aums, teaching philosophy,
the monks at Kauai?s fIindu
Hinduisl!1's sacred symbol culture and family life.
Monastery carry 011 that Book One, at the 6-year-
of the Source ot all, in styles
6,000-year-old tradition. HINDU MAluuAGE SAMSKARA
you?ve never: dreamed of. old level, is available in
Believing that good food is Author OJ;. Prem Sahai has carefully detailed
They can be used anywhere: an Hindi-Tamil-English
humankind's best medicine, the procedures, rites, traditions and attitudes that
in publicatio)ls, on the Web, edition. Book Two, at the
they are sharing their secret make the Hindu wedding a binding sacrament not
as framable ad, wallpaper, bumper stickers or T-shirts. It took 6 to S-year-old level, is now available in an English-Tamil
collection of recipes gathered over the years. Includes a only for two individuals but two families. Cloth
years to collect1hese from the far COI;ners of the Earth. High-Res Malay edit~on. Softcover, sW' x 11." Book One: Hindi-
comprehensive introduction to a}'\lrveda as it applies to cover, printed in India, 6" x 9;' 130 pages, $IS.
images in Adobe Pliotoshop or Illustrator. Macintosh format only. Tamil-English. 170 pages. $15. 95. Book Two,
nutrition and health, including the values of spices and
Special intreductory price: $49. 95 . English-Tamil-Malay, 196 pages. $15. 95.
herbs and their effects on the body. Sturdy wire binding,
sW' x II;' 104 pages, $19.95 . BRASS DEITY MURTIS
We commissioned craftsmen in South India to make
quality bronze murtis for the home altar, hand forged and etched
THE VEDIC £XPERIENCE in the traditional way. Six-inch standing Ganesha,
Back when we were gathering Vedic verses for Danciqg three-inch Sivalinga, and a six-inch Ardhanarishvara.
with Siva, we could hardly believe our eyes when we came Supplies are limited. Each
upon this thoughtful anthology from the VediG Samhitas, statue is $40.
Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads and other scrWtures.
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nature, history and humanity. The translation and abundant CRYSTAL PRAYER BEADS
commentary are the-work of Quartz crystal is considered
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years of daily sadhana in even for temple icons. Prayer.
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1976 while he lived above a With this handsome piece of Indian jewelry for men or made from crystal are very
Siva temple on the Ganges. women, you can wear the most sacred Saiva mantra, ''Aum special. These small, smooth
He considers it perhaps his Namasivaya;' all day as a reminder of God's grace at work in beads on a white thread have a
most significant literary your life. Best quality, made in India from silver, copper and wonderful, holy feeling. Twenty-
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Can be worn as a necklace or around the wrist. $25. 238, or e-·mail: books@hindu.org. All pric~s include shipping to USA and Canada. Overseas, add 10%.

EDITORIAL
Wear Your Body,
Like a S'andal',
Indias wisdom decrees that worrying·over-
much about your health is simply not healthy
BY THE EDITOR
UMAN MALADY IS NO TRIFLING MATTER. SUFFERING
and death prowl daily in the village of mortality, and
man, at once forceful and fragile, is ever vigilant to keep
these twin beasts at bay. This month HINDUISM TODAY ex-
plores America's very recent and very important discovery
of India's healing arts. It is a timely.acceptance that will undoubt-
edly bring more well-being to Americans, in addition to more cost-
effective health care. The trouble is th~t Western'ers live in body
consc~ousness overmuch, identifying themselves almost exc.lusively
with the physical. As scholar and ayurvedic teacher Vamadeva
Shastri wrote me rec~ntly: "We in the West think too much about
our bodies and try to physicalize everything, including the spiritu-
allife. We have redu,ced yoga to asanas, its physical side, and tantra
to sex. The Western mind tends to pursue yoga not put of renunci-
ation, service or love of God, but as a new form of enjoyment
(bhoga) and personal achievement. Unless we tell a W.estern audi-
ence how yoga will make them look better or feel better physically
or mentally, they are not interested in it. There is something narcis-
sistic about these attitudes. We are conditioned to a-life of enter-
tainment and expect the spiritual life to be of the same order."
Our ancestors were also concerned about health and long life. In
the early Vedic Samhitas we encounter their struggle >yith disinte-
gration, disease and-Cleath, and affirmations of health. Listen to
the Arthava Veda (XIX, 60, 1-2): "1¥-y my voice remain strong, my
br~ath unfaltering, my sight and my hearing acute! May my hair
not turn gray nor my teeth become blackened, may my arms not
gro~feeble 1¥ld slack! May my thighs remain sturdy, my leg's swift
to go, my feet neither stumble nor flag! May my limbs remain
whole, each performing its function,
may my soul remain ever unconquered!"
We in the 199os are also engaged in a
struggle for well-being, facing the dire
reality of a power that seems to rob us
of our health and then return for our life.
Yet, in the Vedas man remains deter-.•
mined to face the menace, to struggle,
and in the ·end to win. As Raimon
Panikkar writes: "He has in his hand a
medicinal herb, on his lips a sacred
mantra, in his heart a burninlP; hope,
and in his mind an unflinching faith.
He is well aware of the complex"web of
relations which crisscrosses the whole of reality, and he intends to
intervene in Older to restore any lost harmony and balance."
The oldest and foremost ayurvedic text, Charaka SamMta, . consciousness and shames those of us who routinely carp and
afflf!llS, "Ayu, life, is said to be the harmony of body, senses"mind
16 HINDUISM TODAY JANUARY, 1998
and the indwelling Sel£" The old texts
knew tlie secret of long and vigorous life-
that we have to be balan'ced, have to live
purely and simply in service to the Divine,
have to stay in touch with our innermost
Self, the source of all our thoughts, our
emotions, our organic systems. illness is
due to spiritual ignorance, not mere physi-
cill impairment, anq the regaining of our .
native well-being is'a spiritual exercise, not
a surgical or chemical one. Still, there is
one malady that everyone who survives to
mid-life has to face:jara, decrease and old
age. The Upanishads speak of this in-
evitability and teach l}s how to prepare
spiritually for it.
Meanwhile, in mid-life, health remains.a
vital concern. Our monastic family on the
garden island of Kauai has evolved a
system you might find useful in your family. It is premised on the
axiom that healing comes from within, not from outside us, and on
the ideal of simplicity-avoiding excessive, intrusive and exhorbi-
tant cures. We work each day on our health, thus forestalling
illness. Whenever one among us is ill or injured, we follow a three-
step strategy. F4;st, efforts are directed at self-healing. This
includes meditation, change of schedule, sleep and work, visualiza-
tion (energy flows where awareness goes) and attentive care of one
another. If self-healing proves ineffective, we move to step two:
ayurveda. This brings changes in our diet and other balancing of
the forces, in consultation with our ayurvedic doctor. Ninety-eight
percent of all ailments will respond to these two natural steps. But
for that last two percent, we willingly and thankfully turn to an al-
lopathic doctor who looks after us all. While major injuries, cuts or
infections may require skipping steps one and two, it is :vith the
greatest reluctance that we would ever go under the surgeons knife.
Instead, we find ways to live with lifes little aches and pains, our
flus and frailties, taking them as part of the natural order. Our
Paramaguru, Siva Yogaswami, urged followers to "Wear the body
like a sandal." He -meant that we dont fuss about our shoes. If they
get scruffed or pierced, worn or ripped, we go' on walking in them.
Treating the body like a sandal, asking it to be functional and not
fretting over every ouch and affliction is a spiritu'al practice that
avoids the' pampering of this temporary abode. It also brings heal-
ing in its wake and joy even in the midst of somatic maladies.
This weele'we saw a marvelous expression of this from' an unex-
pected source. In a 9.ocumentary on the mysteries of the universe,
noted British physicist Stephen Hawking was interviewed. Prof
Hawking suffers from Lou Gehrig's dis-
ease, a life-threate~g nerve disorder
that impairs muscle use. It has twisted.
'his body, paralyzed his limbs, destroyed '
his speech and left him bent helplessly in
a wheelchair. Yet he endures, using a
computer's voice to communicate his bril-
liant ideas to the world. Asked what' he
feels about his illness, he ,slowly typed
these courageous words, "I try to lead as I
normal a life as possible, and not think
about my condition, or regret the things
it prevents me from doing, which are not
tp.at many." Heres a man who knows he
is far more than his body, 'and who has risen above the gravest of
disabilities. His life radiates the ideal of identifying with
complain about lesser infirmities.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - - - - - - - -
IIIfIPS
a
"lgnor8nce is powerful m8gici8r1) n the hum8n mind. It
m8kes invisible th8t which is most visible-God."
Sage, mystic and philosopher Swami Omkaranan~a
Saraswati, a direct disCiple of the late Swami SivanandiL of Rishikesh
TIM£= Ft>F ~~A~SJGNMENr AGAIN/
./ :r WONpF/i' JIV/"fAi Ttt.fy'u $'.fNP
#Iff B'ACt: AS' THI$ TIM!?.·
,4 BFII-I..I,4NT S-CIFNiIST?
•• ,4 ~/cH KU$//IIES'>/VIAN? ••
A FANTAST'C ATHUrf, ....."'n... r-.>.
oR /fIAyre THf-Y'l-t ,sf",/) Mf rAe,:
I.lIIJ'r AS :r: AM", TtfF SAMe
f'fI?S'ON, WITH NO CHANGE
. A,. A/..'-!
you CAt:1C A~ A __
COlllpl.fTEt.y I>lfFERfNT
Pff/i'$'ON •• ,
NO/0I>Y MAJ:£-S ;tiE
S;1tt1e f'l151A~ TWICE/ .
Not yet settled in a permanent home, the Hawn on her first trip to India. She daily
soul takes temporary shelter in a body. worships Lord Ganesha.
•
Tirukural, Verse 340
Yikes! l 't:year-old Jyothi Palani upon hear-
The answers are ·already within each of us. ing this complex quote from So. Radhaknsh-
Good luck matching them with the corre- nan: "Any event has an endless past and an
sponding questions. Swami Beyondananda endless future, it is never-ending and
nowhere-ending. This tantalizing endless-
They had no idea who I was other than ness which marks it as unreal invites the
some weird blond per-son. We just began to soul to press on to the absolute."
communicate and laugh. Despite the~
poverty, they're very happy people. I found Some pundits in India are like dogs s'tting
mysel£ laughing all through India. Ameri- in the grass. '!hey do not eat grass them-
can actress and staunch Indophile Goldie selves, but wont let hungry cows eat it ei-
• discovered that the sacred lotus
I>IfAJe'A'1IfG·CA1 by David &- Ted
~--~------------~
.PJ.lARMA,'YOUWII.L fie FeD
WHEN mllF 81" HAND IS ON 11-
THE I~TTUiJW'fDISON
THE:N .. ILL se
JANUARY ,
,
t
ther. Russian Swami Sadashivacharya
complaining about those who don't adhere
to the spiritual knowledge they have
learned, but still refuse to allow those who
are not of their stratum to partake of it.
The only thing I will eat with eyes is a
potato. Chelsea Clinton, daughter of the us
President, upon entering Stanford Univer-
sity. She recently became a vegetarian. /
King Akbar asked Birbal, his Hindu minis-
ter, where he gained his vast wisdom. Bir-
bal instantly replied, "From the fools. I
observed the actions which rendered one a
fool and gave them up. So I got wiser and
wiser. There is no dearth of fools and mad
men in this world to be my teachers."
Many people in the West are not aware
how Hinduism has gradually slipped right
into our own ~ulture through the New Age.
'From a Christian guidebook on how to
'pray for Hindus.'
DID YOU KNOW?
Heat Generator
CORDING TO A NEW YORK
J(
Times report, scientists recently
(Nelwmbo nUcifera) is a heat-
producing plant with the remarkable
ability to hold its
temperature be-
tween 85-96 de-
grees Fahrenheit
Forty lotus flowers
generate as much
heat as a 40-watt
bulb, while 70 can
produce as much heat as a person at
rest. Scientists are still baffled as to
how the lotus manages this.
1998 HINDUISM TODAY 17
 ,

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February 27-March 2, t 998

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(5 miles south of Kona on the Big Island)

• Over Ten Faculty, Including:

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Christina Collins-Hili, Dennis Flaherty, James Kelleher, Ravlnder Angrlsh,
Edith Hathaway, William levacy, and Acharya Ceyonswaml
• Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Classes
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City, State, Zlp _ _ _-::-_ _-:;-_ _ _ __ __ _-t

18
HEALTH erable resistance to alternative medicine is
easily understood.
Low-cost, low-tech, old-fashioned healing In 1977, as a medical school student and
devot~e of Swami Satchidananda, Ornish
i~ resuscitated by,.uS$13 billion industry conducted the first pilot study in which
yoga was used to treat patients with heart
disease. "Patients not only felt better, but
even in a month in many cases we were able
to measure improvements in the underlying
heart disease and blood flow to the heart."
The study was repeated in 1980 and pub-
lished in the leu-mal of the American Med-
ical Association-the coveted "seal of ap-
proval" and the reason insurance companies
may now cover his treatment programs.
"Part of why I spent 20 years doing re-
search was to demonstrate how powerfu1
simple changes in diet and lifestyle can be,"
states Ornish. "We often think of advances
·in medicine being a new drug or a new sur-
gical technique. People have a hard time be-
lieving that these simple choices-how we
eat, how we respond to stress, whether or /
, not we smoke, or how much exercise we
get- can make such powerfUl differences in

eaers
their lives, but they do. In my research,
we've been using the very 'high-tech, expen-
sive, state-of-the-art measures to prove the
power of these very ancient, low-tech inter-
ventions." •
/
,. Therapeutic touch: A surprisingly wide-
change, but the Eastern philosophy of the spread technique now finding its way into
By JULIE RAJAN, PHILADELPHIA
connection and interrelatedness of body, many allopathic hospitals is "therapeutic
AST TIME YOU VISITED A DOCTOR, YOU
mind and soul is very central. The trend is touch." Nurses (mainly) are trained to sit
probably gave little consideration to
so strong that the US government is devoting near the patient, even during an operation
the impact of Rene Descartes upon
US$12 million a year to fund a new depart- (see sidebar, next page), talk to him, comfort
impendin diagnosis and treat-
7
ment. But maybe you should have, ment, the Office of Alternative Medicine, to him and by moving her hands around his
study and promote it. In 1996 OAM director body allow life energy, prana, to flow
for this 16th-century French phi-
Dr. Wayne B. Jonas stated, "One out of through her and rebalance the patient's life
losopher-famous for saying, "I think, there-
every three Americans saw an alternative forces-a process similirr to reiki. As a result,
fore I am"-postulated that the human body
health-care practitioner in 1990." , the patient is more relaxed during the
is just like a machine. This, in turn, led to the
Just what to call this many-faceted revolu- surgery, less likely to develop complications
development of the kind of medicine-like-
tion against the mechanistic approach is un- and recovers sooner. This practice was pio-
ly practiced by your doctor-which treats
clear. Western medicine is often called al- neered in the early 1970S by New York Uni-
disease as one would fix a machine, me-
lopathy, though this is not a precisely versity Professor Dolores Krieger and Dora
chanically, with minimal regard for the per-
accurate term. All other approaches are Kunz. It has spread widely in the nursing
son as a whole.
called "alternative medicine," "holistic med- ., profession and won the acceptance of doc-
SIQ,.wly, reluctantly, this so-called "modern
icine" or "traditional medicine," even though only after the food you have already eaten is consider that just a few months ago a mas- based diet, modest but regular exercise, re- tors because it works, even though there is
medicine," which has dominated for hun-
m~y such methods are relatively modern. .digested." But the article on medicine in the sive analysis of 4,500 studies showed ducin$ stress in your life-without ever in- na...allopathic medical explanation as to why .
dreds of years, is changing. Its mechanical
The alternatives come in many flavors: 1992 edition of the ElJcyclopedia Britannica changes in eating habits could prevent up to cising the chest and without ever filling a it should. According to;he Nurse Healers
approach of drugs and surgery has many ad-
ayurveda, acupuncture, acupressure, home- naively states, "There are relatively few dis- 40 percent of the world's cancer. prescription, 82 percent of people have their Professional Associate of Pennsylvania, ther-
vantages, especially with regard to infec-
opathy, traditional Chinese medicine, chiro- eases in which specific diets are of proven "The real explosion of interest in alterna- blockages start to dissolve within the first apeutic touch is now practiced by an esti-
tious disease and structural damage, but
practic, massage, aroma therapy; meditation, benefit." tive or complementary medicine has taken year." Those stunning resul1:s are attracting mated 20,000 to 30,000 professionals , most-
also many limitations. It tends to ignore the
yoga, therapeutic touch, herbal remedies, "Not so," rebukes Dr. Neal Barnard, r.res- much of the medical community by sur- the serious attention of doctors, insurance ly in the United States and Canada.
patient's lifestyle, minimize his mental state
reflexology, naturopathy, reiki (see pages 38 ident of the Physicians Committee for Re- prise," explains Barnard, 'because it is more companies, universities and the US govern- Ayurveda: .The traditional Hindu system
and dismiss his spiritual needs-and as a re-
and 46)'and more. These methods are low- sponsible MedicinE:" a Washington D.C. powerful than allopathic medicine in so ment. ' of medicine has yet t9 make a significant
sult misses relatively simple forms of pre-
tech, low-cost and involve a more personal re- watchdog group. Citing the research of Dr. many ways. For example, to treat clogged ar- Acceptance remains an uphill battle. impact on mainstream medicine in the
vention and effective treatment for condi-
lationShip between doctor and patient. The Dean Ornish sh.owing the overwhelming teries with a coronary bypass graft costs . Barnard •observes, "Doctors are certainly West. Maharishi's Transcendental Medita-
tions unsolvable by either'drugs or surgery.
focus is as much on prevention as on cure. In impact of change in diet in treating heart US$30,000 to $40,000 for one person. It is amongst the more conservative people there tion movement is ~orking to popularize
A great change is in the wind, led not by
some cases, the main treatment appears to be disease, Barnard states, "In a few years, a very dangerous, and you have a six percent are. When you've learned a whole set of ayurveda in the West. So is Dr. Deepak
doctors, but by patients disillusioned with
a daily dose of plain common sense~ patient who was not given a vegetarian diet risk of bratin damage. Some people don't sur- treatments and modalities, one doesn't easi- Chopra. Individual practitioners such as Dr.
the unfulfilled promises of more drugs and
Take something as basic as diet. Folk wis- after their first or second heart attack, and vive the operation. In the best case, you ly set those aside, even when there is com- Virender Sodhi (cover photo) and Dr. Vas-
more surgery, unable to pay their ever-in-
dom tells us, "We are what we eat," and "We who then goes on to have another heart at- have to do it all over again within six or sev- pelling evidence that one should." AD.d when ant Lad (see My TURN, page 13) run suc-
creasing medical bills, unaccepting that they
dig ~ur graves with our teeth." The 2,000- tack, is going to bring a malpractice suit say- en years because"the arteries block up. If, on one adds the impact on income that will re- cessful clinics-cum-schools in the USA. In
are "just like : machine" and unwilling to be
year-old South Indian Tirukural advises: ing, 'Why didn't you give me the best care?' the other hand, you follow the regime devel- sult from a shift away from expensive, high- India, ayurveda is enjoying a resurgence.
treated like one. Traditional. Hindu medi-
"The body requires no medicine if you eat That will change doctors in an instant." And oped by Dr. Ornish-very low-fat, plant- tech procedures, the establishment's consid- "Middle and upper class people who had
cine-ayurveda>-is yet a small part of this

20 HI NDUISM TODAY JANUARY, 1998

JANUAR Y , 1998 HINDUI SM TODAY 21
 I

Ayurveda: (clockwise from far left) Pickers

shifted their allegiance completely to allopa-
at the Maharishi Ayur-Veda farm in India
thy," states Praveen Chopra in Life Positive
select fresh herbs; display offinished
magazine, "are again trying out ayurveda
produ,fts; hand-sorting; processing in
and other therapies after bad experiences
stainless steel vats; sorting. (below) Dr.
wjJ:h allopathy. The result is the .J:>lossoming
Neal Barnard, preSident of the Physicians
of ayurvedic clinics and hospitals all over
Committee for Responsible Medicine.
India." •
Enter the spirit: Direct advocacy of reli-
gion and spirituality is the final assault upon
the machine paradigm of Descartes. "When
you are dealing with cancer, sermus illness,
or/ chronic illness where the medical com-
munity knows that they have done their
best, people often pull on their own re-
sources," said Dr. David Larson of the Na-
tional Institute for Healthcare Research in
Maryland, USA. The NIHR is a private, non-
profit organization that conducts research,
educates and provides outreach on the rela-
tionship between spirituality and health.
"Frequently the deep part of peoples' belief
is {heir spirituality and religion. There is /
strong research that shows faith is very ben-
eficial in terms of pre-venting illness. You live
longer if you are committed to your faith."
Even among practitioners of alternative
medicine, however, there remains a strong
reluctance to fully bring forward the spiritu-
al/side of treatment. For example, Dr. Janet
no problem. Ornish has been doing beauti- of modern medicine. "The more we techno- of disease. "If you do not treat the cause, it's Ornish has started a program in innovative for Western medicine to adopt ayurveda, ei-
Macrae explains that she will not identify
fully, he-ll use the word yoga. " logically advance and scientifically advance, a little like mopping up the flood around a medicine at the University of California. In ther Western medicine would have to com-
the energy manipulated in therapeutic sink that1; overflowing without actually
Why now? There are many theories that it seems that the more disease we develop," 1996, the OAM and other government agen- pletely change its outlook on the under-
touch as prana unless she is asked specifi-
explain the recent interest in alternative she said. "People might be unsure of why turning off the faucet." cies officially recommended that "medical standing of the cause of disease, or it would
cally about it. Other practitioners do not
medicine. "Touching, feeling and comforting medical and technological advances do not Enter the government: Public demand for and nursing education should include infor- attempt to extract out of ayurveda that
worry about what their views might be con-
is a human necessity which is missing in this answer their ailments, and for that reason, more natural therapy caused the US govern- mation about complementary practices." which it finds useful, in which case ayurve-
nected to. "Some people do feel a little at sea
country," says Dr. Senthamarai Gandhi, a people may just want a more simple ap- ments National Institute of Health to create They also recommended training include in- da would become diminished and would
with things that seem to come from far
New Jersey internist. During her residency proach, a spiritual approach, to medicine." the Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM) formation on alternative medicine, including loose its integrity as a healing science. I be-
away. Other people have the opposite re-
training in India, Gandhi said, the approach "The question is not: 'Should Americans in 1992 to evaluate other approaches. While philosophical or spiritual paradigms. lieve that ayurveda will follow a course sim-
sponse-they are intrigued and excited,"
to patients was much more humanistic. be trying these new approaches?'" states Dr. it is true to some extent that this office was Harvard University has its "MindIBody ilar to acupuncture and chiropractic and be-
said Dr. Barnard. "When I talk about diets, I
Gandhi believes that alternative medicine Ornish. "The fact is that many of them al- expected to do a certain amount of "de- Medical Institute," funded in part by the come the fourth major licensed health care
dbn't mince words, I say vegetarian. As long
brings simplicity to a patient whose mind is ready are." He finds that modern medicine bunking," it has acquitted itself well in pre- philanthropic and staunchly religious John profession in the United States."
as you reassure people that you have good
cluttered by the challenges and confusions often fails to address the underlying causes senting a fair and comprehensive picture of Templeton, one of the world's wealthiest The final answer to health care really
research to back up what you do, you'll have
the America alternative care scene. people. A December, 1997, program offered should be self-care. Must we simply trade
US insurance companies have taken note courses "to continue to explore the relation- one set of doctors and their methods for an-
[rap singer] Snoop of the increased use of alternative care. One ship between spirituality and healing in other? Or should we learn, as Mahatma
PRANA Doggy Dogg were to reason is their customers are demanding medicine and to give perspectives from Gandhi counseled, that every person can be
share the Carnegie they P4Y for it-in OAM's 1990 statistics, world religions and to discuss the physiolog- his own doctor and learn to lead a disease-
Therapeutic Touch Hall stage with Isaac
Stern, the partner-
only a quarter of the $13 billion spent on al-
ternative care was paid for by insurance. For
ical, ne~ological and psychological effects
of healing resulting from spirituality."
free life, especially through balanced, nutri-
tious diet. He said, "I can cure 999 cases out
the article goes on, "The hands ship would be no less example, Oxford Health Plans, Inc., which On the horizon: Many physicians feel it is of 1,000 by nature cure alone." Many alter-
ETIRED DEPARTMENT
of Helen McCarthy, a nurse incongruous. But this serves 1.5 million people in the Eastern inevitable for alternative therapy to be ac- native doctors advocate taking personal re-
store manager Joseph
trained in therapeutic touch, scene is just a partic- USA, just began reimbursement in 1997. cepted alongside modern medicine. "I see sponsibility for one's illness, understanding
Randazzo, 69, lies on an Even before the change, a third of their an increasing integration of the two. It has that good health is the body's natural state,
hover a few inches above Ran- ularly dramatic man-
operating table at Co- members were seeing alternative care. More been greatly unbalanced," prophesies Bar- and ill health is generally a result of poor
dazzo's pale forehead, making ifestation of an extra-
lumbia-Presbyterian Medical than half of US insurance companies are ex- nard. "But surgery will always have a role for diet, lack of exercise, stress and unhappy,
gentle circular movements, as ordinary detente +
Center in New York City in
if polishing the air. McCarthy The unseen: Energy healing at hospital taking place in Amer- pected to fi)llow suit over the next two years, late stage cases. We will see an assignment unproductive life styles.... Unless we take that
the throes of a triple coronary according to Landmark Healthcare of Cali- advice and apply it in our lives, we remain
believes that a person's energy ican medicine." of roles based on the strengths that they
bypass," opens an eleven-page have." Thls approach is called "complemen- dependent upon otlJ.ers for our well-being.
field extends beyond the skin feels an area of congested en- Yet there is irony here. Had fornia. '
1996 article in Life magazine Education: The needed change in attitude tary or "integrative" medicine. Consider the old Indian saying about the
into the air around him and ergy, her hands linger over the patient adopted another
on alternative healing. "The toward alternative medicine is beginning to "I see ayurveda as a much larger umbrel- limits of medicine-"If the patient is lucky,
that by consciously directing that spot, smoothing it out." kind of alternative therapy
cardiothoracic surgeon has the doctor becomes famous." ..,;
the flow of energy through her "The sight of a surgeon and earlier-better diet-he might occur as medical schools adjust their train- la with a much greater perspective O'n the
plunged his hands deep into ing programs. An article in the September healing process," states Dr. Hall?ern. "I RESOURCES: US GOVERNMENT OFFICE OF ALTERNATIVE
hands to the patients body she an energy healing working have avoided his clogged ar-
Randazzo's chest cavity and MEDICINE, POST OFFICE BOX 8218 , SILVER SPRING , MARY-

can-without even touching side-by-side in one of this teries altogether and not need- 1996 issue of Life magazine reported that 34 would-,like to see ayurveda remain a sepa- LAND 20907-8218 USA , WEB SITE' http,llaltmed.od. nih.gov;
works to bypass a clogged of the 125 mediCal schools in the US, in- rate, independent profession here in the
DR DEAN ORNISH . goo BRlDGEWAY, SUlTE 1, SAUSALITO,
him-help him relax and stim- country's most prestigious hos- ed therapeutic touch to help CALIFORNIA, 94965 USA; PHYSICIAN'S COMMITTEE FOR
artery." At the patient's head United States. I see no reason for it to be in-
ulate his recovery. When she pitals has a forbidden air. If him survive major surgery. cluding top schools like Johns Hopkins, of- RESPONSIBLE MEDICINE , 5100 WISCONSIN AVENUE NORTH-
during the two-hour operation, WEST, #404, WASHINGTON, C.C. 20016 USA
fered courses in alternative medicine. Dr. corporated into general medicine. In order

22 HINDUISM TODAY JANUARY, Igg8

JANUARY , Igg8 HINDUISM TODAY 23

EDUCATION explanations of the m~y "whys" that plague
their minds. No doubt parents are trying
Five-star classroom: Mauritian Hindu the programs cost the youth a reasonable
youth gather for class with Tyagi Muru- Rs.400/day (US$25). Each month there is one
gaswami (center) at elegant hotel weekend program and in December a sev-
en-d~ seminar. Local family members
gates in their chartered bus, are waved to by make all the arrangements and chaperone
the Hindu security guards, and coast down the events. The swamis conduct classes.
flower-lined lanes to a cordial welcome in Ciassy content: The programs themselves
the lobby by senior management, they get a are actually what take place at most
feeling of being special. Maybe someone ashrams, only the facilities are more mod-
thinks they are really worth something. ern. All participants are required to dress in
Worth is a big word in Mauritius. Bne boy elegant Hindu clothing, which compliments
explains, "Because these programs are so the surroundings. Seminar topics include
professionally put together and staged at Sanatana Dharma, monistic Saiva Siddhan-
such impressive hotels, it makes us youth ta, the soul, God, Hindu metaphysics and
feel like someone not only cares about us but much more, all presented with the aid of ,.,
thinks we are valued. Most people, even our computer displays, sound systems and large
parents, often just call us 'worthless.'" So, video screens. Other sessions cover hatha
yes, instilling a secure sense of self-respect yoga, near-death experiences, vegetarianism
is a basic plus of the fancy sites. and reincarnation.
These hotels are a joy to be at and easy to . Each dawn the youth have what often
teach in. They are beautiful, picturesque, el- turns out to be their first experience of an
egant, classy and very clean. Everyone1'eels early morning puja worship and meClitation,
uplifted. Their conference room facilities sitting on the seashore facing the rising sun.
are state-of-the-art, with video projectors While religious teachings are the crux of the
for big-screen presentations, sophisticated youth retreats, participants'" are treated to
sound systems and air conditioning. other activities which make the gatherings
Most critically, these venues work because modern, exhilarating and adventurous. To
hotel managers graciously offer low rates. mention but a few, there are deep-sea trips
Standard conference center and room on a chartered catamaran or sailing ship,
rates-at US$300+ per night-are prohibi- picnics on nearby islands, hikes into the is-
tive. Why..give the youth a break? Mr. Nor- land's deep gorges, non-competitive games,
bert Angerer, the cosmopolitan general horseback riding, cultural and fashion shows
manager of the spectacular four-star Le put on by the youth and more.
Grand Gaube Hotel, told HINDUISM TODAY, Youths described the changes these re-
treats have wrought: pride in
their heritage, decisions such as
taking a brahmacharya vrata,
vowing to uphold chastity until
marriage, or decisions to incorpo-
Chasseur, to palatial world-class rate vegetar'ianism, regular medi-
mega-resorts like Le Touessrok, tation, worship and hatha yoga

Kids with Class

Teaching programs for Hindu youth find a
surprising venue at Mauritius' sumptuous hotels
By RAJEN MANICK, MAURITIUS
AN YOU IMAGINE YOURSELF FOR A
moment comfortably sell-ted in the
lotus posture on a marble floor in
the conference room of a five-star
hotel meditating to discover the Self
within? Several times 'a year a lucky
group of young Mauritius Hindus are doing
ju~t that, part of the innovative Siva Yoga-
swami Youth Retreat Programs organized
by the Saiva Siddhanta Church of Mauritius
(locally known as the Saiva Dharmasala).
Instigated under the direction of Satguru
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (publisher of
26 HINDUISM TODAY JANUARY, 199 8
their best, but they can only pass on what La Pirogue and Le Grand practice in their daily life.
little they themselves have learned from Gaube. "Not appropriate," a Youth and adults alike endorse
their own parents about temple worship and handful of doubters first whis- the programs. Mahesh Dayal, 18,
home rituals. When it comes to philosophical pered, suggesting the "kids" son of the Commissioner of Po-
questions asked by their better educated chil- (ages 15-25) were being unnec- lice, Mr. Raj Dayal, said, "I have
dren, mothers and fathers are at a loss. The essarilx. pampered and good always recommended my rela-
result: youth who know more about Madon- money wasted. They recom- tives and friends to attend these
na, Spice Girls and "Beverly Hills 90210" mended instead the conserva- programs because I know these '
than they do about karma, dharma, reincar- tive and austere free public gov-
ernment camp barracks for
activities will..make them better
Hindus." Dr. GM. Pilla; said,
nation, ahimsa or yoga.
The island of Mauritius, with a population overnight programs and temple New Hindu campus: I.e Touessrok Hotel, renowned for its architecture "It's a real opportunity for our
/ youth to be in an active Hindu
HINDUISM TODAY), and run by two of his of one million, floats in the Indian Ocean off mandaparns for day programs.
sannyasins, Tyagi Murugaswami and Tyagi the coast of Africa, near Madagasc~ .Most But after two-and-half years, those initial "Hotels like ours all try to do what we can environment with two very competent
Devaswami (with the consideraQle help of citizens are Hindu, and a Hindu govern- worries have faded and everyone is delight- for the citizens of Mauritius-more than just swamis." Dr. Harry, specialist surgeon at
local family devotees), the programs are de- ment has ruled for many years. Some of the ed. The hotels have worked, and fantastical- hire them. In these programs, we see a fine the SSRN Hospital: "I....always look forward
signed to instill knowledge of Hinduism and world's most elegant resort hotels have been' ly at that. The most important reason is idio- spirit, value and service to the youths. This to these youth activities for my children be-
develop an increased sense of self-worth. built along its idyllic beaches, frequented by syncratic to Mauritius. Because the tourist inspires us to help." Kailash, the Hindu man- cause I know they . will come back home
With the advent of the 21st century, the rich Europeans on vacation. One of the industry hotels are so expensive, most Mau- ager of Island View Club Hotel, agrees, "We with valuable spiritual knowledge." The re-
young Hindus of this island nation, im- unique features of the Satguru Yogaswami ritians simply can never afford them, nor in know that these retreats are helping our sults speak for themselves. Several hundred
mersed as they are in Western culture, edu- youth retreats and seminars is the use of fact even see them, encircled as they are by youths understand Hinduism better, "so we Hindu youth have attended and enjoyed
cation, music, television and movies, find it these elegant seaside hostelries-ranging high rock walls. Private guards, security po- are happy when we can give lower rates." these retreats. All who have participated
difficult to integrate themselves harmo- from quaintly picturesque, thick-thatched- lice and locked entrance gates keep out all Mr. Requin, the manager of five:'star Le feel as if they have awakened from a dream
niously into the traditional Hindu frame- roof bungalow-style inns like Marina Village but paying guests. Visitors are rarely al- Touessrok, appreciated "the dedication in to find that the Hindu religion is not austere
work. Many believe Hindu values are out of and Villas Pointe aux Roches to the 2,000- lowed. So, when the seminar participants educating the youth of today and instilling and irrelevant, but a treasure they have to
fashion, because no one gives them rational acre deer wildlife reserve, Domaine du drive through the big wrought iron entrance noble values in the their minds." As a result, protect, practice and preserve. ....I
J ANUAR Y, 1998 HINDUISM TODAY 27
• ' abhisheka:~ "Sprinkling; ablution:'Ritu- highest, are: 1) muliidhii;a (base ~f spine): scribe a tt.;acher or gUide in any subjec~, such as
al bathing of the Deity's image with water, • memory, time apd space; 2) sViidhishthiina music, danc~, sculpture, but especially religi;n.
curd, milk,.honey, ghee, rosewater, etc. A special (below n~vel); reas~n; ~ . "'.a9ipura '(solar ha*a yoga: ~ 'porceftil yoga." A system of
form of pujiiprescribed by Agamic injunction. plexus): willpower; 4) anahatll (heart center): physical anp mental-exercise developed in an-
· a~imsii: 3ffi;-m "Noninjury;' non:Violenc~ or ~, direct cognition; 5).v1Suddha (throat): divine cient times as.a means of rejuvenation and
nonhurtfulness. Refraining from causing harm ' love; 6) iij1iii'(third,eye): divine sight; 7) sahas- used today in preparing the pqdy and mind
to others, physically, mentally or einotionally. riira (crown of head); illumination, Godliness. for meaitation. . •
" iiratl: ~ "Light." The .. The seven lower chakras, from highest to· 'hell: Naraka. An unhappy, mentally and emo-
• circling · or waving of a Ibwest, are'l) atala (~ips,: fear and lust; 2). vi- tionally congested, distressful ' area of con-
lamp-usl}aUy fed with tala (thighs): nlging anger; 3) sutala (knees) : sciousnes~ that can be experienced on the
. ghee, Gamphor or oil-'-be· retaliatory jealousy; 4), taliitala (calves): pro- physical:, plane or in ~he sub-astral plane
, a h.oly per§on <;Ir the longed mental confusion; 5) rasiitala (ankles): (Naraka) after death of.the physical bo<;ly. It is
" D~ity at the high selfishness; 6) mahiitaTa (feet): absence of acc~mpanied by}he to.rmented emotions of
point 9f p.ujii. :rhe flame is conscienq:; 7) piitiila (located in the soles of hatred, remorse, resentment, fear, jealousy and
then: presented to th~ the feet): murder and malice. self-~Qndemhation. In the Hindu view, the
devotees, each ' passing ' his or her hands darsana: $ "Visiqn, sight," Seeing the Di- hellish experience is not permanent, but a
through it ,rod bringing tHem to th; eyes three vine. Beholding, with inner or outer VIsion, a '.. temporary coridition !Jf 0ne's own making.
times, thereby receiving the blessings. . temple image, Deity, holy person or place, Hindu: ~ A followelj, of, or relating 'to, Hin-
'iit;raVa maia;: ~ "Impurity of smallness; with the desire to inwardly contact and receive duism. Gener,!}ly, one is understoqd to be a
" , finitizing principle'." The individualizin:g veil the grace and blessings of the venerated being Hindu by being born into a Hindu family and
of du~lity that enshrouds the soul. It is the or beings. . T I practicing the faith, or by decl.aring oneself a
source ,of finitude and' ignorance. :rhe pres- deva: ~ "Shiping one." A being living in the Hindu. Acceptance into the fold is recognized ,i
ence of'ii1;lllVa mala is what causes the rnisap- 4igher astral p1ane, in a subtle, nonphysical through the name-giving sacrament,.a temple
prehension abdtit the nature of God, soul and ' I • body. Deva is also lised .in 'SCT\pture to mean 'Ceremony called niimakara1;la samskiira, 'given
world, the notion of being separate and .dis- "God or Deity.'" •• to born 'Hindus shortly after birth, and to self-
tinct from God and.the universe. A1;li,lva is the dharma: qq "That which contains or upholds decllJ,red Hindus who have proven their sin-
root mala and the' las~ bond to be dissolved. ihe C08rp.OS." it is divine law, the law of being, • cerity and been accepted by'a Hindu.commu-.
. A~m: \to or ~ Often spelled Om. The mystic the way of righteousness, r~ligion, duty, 're- n\ty. While traditions vary greatly, all Hindus

V
syllable of H,i~d)lism, placed at the begirming · sponsibility, ,¥irtue, justice, goodness and rely on t,he Vedas as scriptural authority.
of most sacred.writings. As a,mantra, it is .pro- truth. Essentially, dharma is the orderly fUlfill- . japa: ~ "Recitation."
noul1ced aw (as in luw), 00 (as ~n zoo), mm. • ment of an inherent nature,or destiny. Relat- " ~ . Practice of concent1;atedly
Aum.repr:esents the Divine, and is assooiated ing to the squl, it is the mode of conduct most repeating a mantra, qften '
with Lord Ganesa. The dot abo~e represents , con.du(;i.ve ~o spir!tu~ advancement. There are • . ' '~hile counting ~e repeti- •
the Soundless So~d; Para'nada. • ,. four pnnClpal kinds.of dharma, as follows'. • hons qn a miila or sqand
bhajana: 'If'~ Spiritual song. I~dividual or They are known collectively as -chaturdhar;- . .' . of beads. It may be done
• group singing of devotional songs, hymns ma: "fou~ religiou~ laws." 1) -'-rita: "Universal , ., ' silently or aloud. For Sai-
and chants. law." 'Fhe'inherent order of the cosmos. 2) - vites, Nama\:l'Sivaya in its
bindu: ~ ''A dr<?p, small -, varna dharma: "Law of one's kind." 'Soc'ia1 various forms is the most treasured mantra
particle, dot." 1) The seed duty. 3) -iisrama dharma: "Duties of life's used' in japa. The mantra Hiue-Raina-Hare-
or source of creation. In .sta,ges:' "Human dharma. 4) -slladJiarma: Krish.Q.a is' among the forerpost Vaish.Q.ava
the 36 tattvas, the nucleus "Personal law." One's perfect individual patteIn mantras.
or first particle of transcen- ' through life, according to .on,e's own: particular . jivanmukta: ~ "Liberated soul." A being
dept light, te.chnically called physical, mental and emotional nature. who has attainel'ni;vikalpa samiidhi- the r~-
Parabindu. 2) Small. dot di~hii: <!Jan: "Initiation.'! Action or process.by alizati~n of the Self, Rarabr'ahman-and is'lib-
W0rn on ~he forehead be- which one is entered into a new realm of spir- erated from r~irth while living in a human
tween ihe i=yeqrows, or in cl).e middle ,of the itual knowledge 'and practice by a teacher or body, This 'attainment is the ' culinination of
forehead. It is a sign tha~ on.e is a Hindu: Mysti- preceptor through the transmission of bless- lifetimes of intense striving, siidhana and tapas,
cally,j:t represents the "third eye;' or th~ "mind's' ings .. Denotes initial or deepened cpnnection requiring total renunCiation, sannyiisa, in the
, 'ey'e;' which sees things tliat the physical eyes with the teacher and,his lineage and 'is usually cunent incarn<ftion. .
cannot see, The foreliead dot is' a reminder to "accompanied by ceremony. Most Hindu karma: ~ "Action, deed." Karma refers to 1)
use and cultivate one'~ spir~tu9{ 'vision. , scho'ols, and especially Saivism, teach that , any act.or ,deed; 2) :the principle of,cause and
brahmacha,ya: ~ "Divine conduct." Con - only ·with initiation frGm a satguru is enlight - effect; 3) a con'seguenc'e, '.'fruit of action" or "af-
trolling 'lw~t by remaining c~libate when sin- , enment attain~ble, ter effect" whith sooner or later returns upon
gle, ieading t~ faithfulness il). rparri\ige. . ' grace: "Benevolence, iove, giving," frol}1 the the doer. Wha.t we sow, .we shall reap in this or
chakra: ~ "Wheel." Any of the nerve plexes or '. Latin grafus, "bel0ved, agreeable." God's pow- future lives. Selfish, hateful acts will bring suf-
centers of force and consciousness located er oftevealmerit, anugraha sakti ("kindness, fering. Benevolent actions will bring loving,re-
within the inner bodies of man. The seven - shoWIng favor"), by which souls are awakened . acti0ns. Karma is a neutr.al, self-perpetuaring
principal chak~as ~re situated along the spinal to their true, Divine nature. ' la,w of the inner cosmos, m~ch ~s g~avity is-an
cord from its base tothe qanial chamber. Ad~ grihartha:~ "Householder:' Family man or impersonal law of the outer cosmos,
CUfionally, seven chakras exist belgw the spine. woman. Family of a married couple and other Karma is threefold: saiichita, priirabdha and
They are s~ats of instinctive consciousness relatives. 'Pertaining to family life. kriyamiina. -saiichita karma: "Accti.niulated
and constitute the lower or hellish world.
The seven upper chakras, .'
guru: ~ "Weighty one;' .indicating a being of . actions," 'ifhe;sum of all karmas of this life and
. from low~st to . great~knowle<;lge or skill. 11.. term used to de- past lives. -priira~~ha !<arma: "Acti.ons be-

JANUARY, 199B . HINDUISM TO'DA'f 29

 gun; set in motion." That portion of sanchita
karma that is bearing fruit and shaping the
events and conditions of the current life, in-
cluding the nature of one's bodies, personal
·tendencies and associations. -kriyamiinp
• karma: "Being made:' The karma being creat-
ed and added to sanchita in this life 'by one's
thoughts, words and actions, or in the inner
worlds between lives. • hVI, m (ml, tapasvi,nl, vairiiglnf, and sannyiisinl.) •
kundalin,: Cflo;g[&;f.l "She who is coiled; ser-
p~~t powe;:!' The primordial cosmic energyin
e.very individual which eventually, through
the practice of yoga, rises up the sushumIJii
Same as mukti.
monastic: A mpnk or nunk (based on the Greek
monos, "alone") ~ A man or woman who has
withdrawn from the wor[d and lives an aus-
tere, religious life. either alcl'ne or with otl1ers
in a monastery. Terms forHindu monastics in,-
clude siidhaka, siidhu, m uni, tapasvin, vairiigl,
udiisin and sannyiisin. (Feminine: siidhikii, siid-
mudrli: ~ - "Seal." Esoteric hand gestures
which express specific energies.or powers.
niida: ~ "Sound; tone, vibration." Metaphys-
ically, the mystic sounds of the Eternal, of .
ally, "vital - air," from the root prat:!, "to
breatl1e." PriiIJa in the human body moves as
five primary life currents known as viiyus, "vi-
tal airs or winds." These are priiIJa (outgoing
breatl1), apiiIJa (incoming breatl1 ), vyiiIJa (re-
tained breath), udiiIJa (asceI]ding breatl1) and
samiiIJa (equalizing breath). Each governs
crucial bodily functions, and all bodily ener-
gies are modifications of these.
""" pujii: 1f:31T "Worship,
adoration:' An Agamic
rite of wOl:ship per-
r formed in the home,
• A siidhu mayor may not be a yogi or a san-
nyiisin, or be connected in any way with a guru·
or legitimate lineage. Siidhus usually have no
fixed abode and travel unattached from place
to place, often living on alms.
Saivism (~;aiva): ~ The religion followed by
those who worship Siva as supreme Go d, of
whom there are about 400 million in the world
today. Oldest of ilie four sects of Hinduism.
siikiihiira: ~ "Vegetarian diet." From siika,
"vegetable;" and iihiira, "eating; taking food." . sin: Intentional transgression of @ivine law.
Siiktism (Siikta): ~ ' 'Doctrine of Rower." The
religion followed by those who worship the
Advaita Vedanta, Satchidananda is considered tapas, and it br-ings him out of it. The fire of
a description oj the Absolute (Brahman). tapas burns on the dross~ of sanchita karm"as.
Whereas in monistic, or suddha: Saiva Sid- . This is the source 'of heat, dismay, depression
dhanta it is understood as divlne form-pure, and striving until tl1e advent of final and total
.' amorphous matter ~ or energ1-not as an surrender, prapatti. Guru bhakti is the only
equivalent or tl1e Absolute, formless, "ataftva," force that can cool the fires of tgpas.
Parabrahman. In tl1is latter school, Parabrah- tattva: ~ "That-ness"-or "essential nature."
man" is radically transcendent, and Satchida- Tattvas are the primary principles, elements,
nanda is Known as the primal1lnd most per- "States or categories of existence, the building
fectly diVine form to emerge from tl1e formless. blocks of the universe. Rishis describe tl1is em-
anational process as tl1e unfoldment of tlIirty-
Akin to tl1e Latin sous, "guilty:' Hinduism does six tattvas, stages Qr evelutes of manifestation,
not view sin as a crime against God~ but as an des l ending from ,subtle to gross.

nii{jt. As it rises, the kUIJt;lalinl awakens each
successive chakra. Nirvikalpa samiidhi, en-
1ightenment, comes as it pierces through the
door of Brahman at the core of the sahasriira
and enters!
loka: fflcf; "World, habitat, realm, or plane of
existence." From lac, "to shine, be bright, visi-
ble." A dimension of manifest existence; cos-
mic region. Each loka reflects or involves a
particular range of consciousness. The three
primary lokas are 1) - Bhuloka: "Earth
woFld." T.he world perceived through the five
senses, also called the gross plane, as it is the
most dense of the worlds. 2) -Antarloka:
"Inner or in-between world." Known in Eng-
lish as th.e slJbtle or astral plane, the interme-
diate dimension between the physical and
causal worlds, where souls in their astral boq-
ies sojourn between incarnations and when
they sleep. 3) -Sivalpka: "World of Siva," and
of the Gods ' and highly evolved s.ouls~ Th~
. causal plane, also called Karal).aloka, existing
deep within the Antarloka at a higher level of
vibration, it is a world of superconsciousness
and extremely refined energy.
.Mahiideva: ~ "Great shining one; God."
Referring either to God Siva or any of the
highly evolved beings who live in the Sivaloka
in their natural, effulgent soul bodies. It is said
in scripture that there are 330 million Gods.
mahiiprasthiina: ~ "Great departure."
Death of the physical body.
mahiisaVtiidhi: t1~I~t111tf "Great enstasy." The
deatl1, or dropping off of the physical body, of
a great soul, an event occasioned by tremen-
dous blessings. Also names the shrine in which
tl1e remains of a great soul are entombed.
mantra:t:F3f "Mystic formWa." A sound, sylla-
ble, ,word or phrase endowed with speciJl
power, usually drawn from scripture. Mantras
are chanted loudly duripg pujii to invoke the
Gods and establish a force field. Certain
mantras are repeated softly or mentally for
japa. To be truly effective, such mantras ~ust
b-e given by th~ preceptor tl1rough initiation.
moksha: tiTaT "Liberation." Release from trans-
• migration, samsiira, the round of births and
deaths, which occurs after karma has been re-
solved and nirvikalpa samiidhi-realization of
the Self, Parabrahman~has been attained.
30 HINDUISM TODkY JANUARY, 1998
which. tl1e highest is the transcendent or
Soundless Sound, Paranada, the first vibration
from which creation emanates. From Parana-
da comes Pral).ava, Aum, and further evolutes
of niida.
nii(jJ: ~ "Conduit." A nerve fiber or energy
channel of tl1e subtle (inner) bodies of man. It
is said tl1ere are 72,000 . These interconnect tl1e
chakras. The three main niit;lls are named it;lii,
pingalii and sushumIJii. -itjii: Also known as
"chandra ("moon") niit;ll,,it is pink in color and
flows downward, ending on the.left side of tl1e
body. It is feminine in nature and is the chan-
nel 9f physical-emotional energy. - p ingalii:
Also known as surya ("sgn") niit;lf, it is blue in
color and flows upward, ending on the right
side of the body. It is masculine in nature and
is the channel of intellectual-mental eneJ;gy.
-sushl!m1Jii: The major nerve current which
passes through .the spinal column from the
'm uliidhiira chakra at the base to the sahasriira
at the crbwn of the head. It is the channel of
kUIJt;lalinl.
namaskiira:~ "Rev-
erent salutations." Tradi-
tional Hindu verbal greet-
ing and mudrii where tl1e
palms are joined together
and held before the heart
or raised to the level of the
fo rehead.
namaste: ~ "Reverent
salutations to you." A traditional verbal greet-
ing. A form of namas, meaning "bowing, obei-
sance,"
nirvikalpa samiidhi: f.'1r~ ~ t11 1lf "Enstasy
(samiidhi) without form or seed." The realiza-
tion of the Self, Parabrahmau, a state of one-
ness beyond all change or diversity; beyond
time, fo; m and space.
Pati-pasu-piisa: ~ ~ qm Literally: "master,
cow and tether." These are the three primary
elements of Saiva Siddhanta philosophy: God,
soul and world-Divinity, man and cosmos-
seen as a mystically and intricately interreliit-
e'd unity. Pati is God, envisioned as a cowherd.
Pasu is the soul, envisioned as a cow. PiiSa is
the all-important force or fetter by which God
brings souls along' the path to Truth.
prii1Ja: 11fOT Vital energy 'O r life principle. Liter-
~
temple or shrine, or to a
.( person, such as tl1e sat-
/ ' guru. Its inner purpose
is to purify tl1e atmos-
phere around tl1e object worshiped, establish a
connection with the inner worlds and invoke
tl1e presence of God, Gods or one's guru. Dur-
ing pujii, the officiant (pujiir!) recites various
chants praising tl1e Divine and beseeching di-
vine blessings, while making offerings in ac-
cordance with established traditions. Pujii is
the Agamic counterpart of tl1e Vedic yajna rite,
Wwhich offerings are conveyed through the
sacred homa fire. -iitmiirtha.pujii: Pujii done
for oneself and immediate family, usually at -
home in a private shrine. -pariirtha p ujii:
"Pujii for others:' Pariirtha pujii is public pujii,
performed by authorized or ordained priests
in a public shrine or temple.
punarjanma: ~ "Reincarnation." From
punab, "again and again," and janma, "taking
birtl1."
reincarnation: "Re-entering the flesh." Punar-
janma; metempsychosis. The process wherein
souls take on a physical body thro ugh the
birtl1 process. The cycle of reincarnation ends
when karma has been resolved and Parabrah-
man has been realized. This condition of re-
lease is called moksha. Then tl1e soul continues
to evolve and mature, but without the need to
return to physical existence.
sacrifice: Yajna. 1) Giving offerings to a Deity as •
an expression of homage and devotion. 2)
Giving up sometl1ing, often one's own posses-
sion, advantage or preference, to serve a high-
er purpose. The literal meaning of sacrifice is
"to make sacred;' implying an act of worship.
It is the most common translation of tl1e term
yajna, from tl1e verb yuj, "to worship." III Hin-
duism, all of life is a sacrifice-called jlvaya-
jna, a giving ' of oneself-thro ugh which
comes true spiritual fulfillment.
siidhana: mq-;::r "Effective means of attain-
ment." Religious or spiritual disciplines, such
as pujii, yoga, meditation, japg, fasting and
austerity. The effect of siidhana is the building
of willpower, faith and confidence in oneself
and in God, Gods and gur.u.
siidhu: ~ "Virtuous one; straight, unerring."
A holy person dedicated to tl1e search for God.
Supreme as the . Divine Mother- Sakti or act against dharma-moral order-and one's Vaish1Javism (Vaish1Java): ~ One of the
DeVi-in Her many forms, both gentle and own self. It is thought natural, if unfortunate,
fierce. Saktism ISone of tl1e four primary sects that young souls act wrongly, for they are liv-
of Hinduism. ing in nescience, the darkness of ignorance:
samiidhi: ~ "En- Sin . automatically brings negative conse-
stasy," which means quences. In Hinduism, there·are n<3 such con-
"standing within one's cepts as inherent onnortal sin.
Self." "Sameness; con- Smiirtism: ~ "Sect based on tl1e ~econdary
templation; union, scriptures (~mriti)." The most liberal of tl1e vrata: Wl "Vow, religious oath." Often a vow to
wholeness; completion, four major Hindu denominations, an ancient
accomplishmen t." . Vedic briihminical tradition (ca 700 BCE) which
Samiidhi is the state of from the 9th century onward 'Whs guided and
true yoga in which the meditator and the ob- . deeply influenced by the Advaita Vedanta
ject of meditation are one. Samiidhi is of two t eachings of tl1e reformist Adi Sailkaq.
levels. The first is savikalpa samiidhi ("enstasy soul: The real being of man!. as distinguished
with form or se}!d"), ide'i-ttification or oneness from body, mind and emotions. The soul-
with the essence of an object: Its highest form known as iitman or purusha----is the suni of its . 1) A form of ritual worship especially preva-
is the realization of the primal s.)lbstratum or • two aspects, the form or body of the soul and.
pure.consciousness, Satchidananda. The se€- tl1e essence of the soul-the essence or nucle-
and is nirvikalpa samiidhi ("enstasy without . us of tl1e s0ul, Pure-Consciousness (Pariisakti
form or seed"), identificafion with the .')elfin or Satchidiinanda) and Absolute Reality
which all modes of consciousness are tran- "(Parabra,hmcm). This essence was never creat- .. ment fire, Agni, is revered as the divine mes-
• scended and Absolute Reality, Parabrahman, ed, does not change or evolve and is eternally
beyond time, form and space, is experienced. identi'Cal with the Supreme God's perfections
This brings in its aftermatl1 a corr,iplete trans- of Parasakti and Parabrahman.
formation of consciousness. swiimi: ~ "Lord; owner." He who know~ or
sampradiiya: ~ "Traditional doctrine of is .master of himself. A respectful title for a
knowledge." A living stream of tradition or Hindu monk, usually a sannyiisin, an initiated,
tl1eology within Hinduism, passed on by oral orange-robed renunciate, dedicated wholly to
training and initiation. religious life.
samsiira: ~m "Flow." The phenomenal Viorld. tantra: ep;r "Loom, metl1odology:' 1) Generally,
Transmigratory existence, frauglit with im- a synonym for siistra, "scripture:' 2) A synonym
· permanence and change. The cycle of birth, for the Agamic texts, especially those of tl1e
death and rebirth; tl1e total pattern of succes- Sakta faitl1, a class of Hindu scripture providing
sive earthly lives experienced by a soul. detailed instruction on all aspects Of religion,
i annyiisa: Rm "Renunciation." "Throwing mystic knowledge and science. The iantras are
down or abandoning." Sannyii!i;a is. tlie,repudi- also associated with the Saiva tradition. 3) A
ation of the dharma, includiIJg tl1e obligations specific metl1od, technique or spiritual practice
and duties, of the househ~lder and the accep ~ within tl1e Saiva and Sakta traditions.
tance of the even more demanding dharma of tapas: ~ "Heat, fire." 1) Purificatory, psyche-
tl1e renunciate. • transforming spiritu;l disciplines, severe reli-
Satchidiinanda (Sachchidiinanda): ~r~C:J '1~ gious austerity, penance and sacrifice, includ-
"Existence-consciousness-bliss." Lord Siva's ing endurance oJ pain and bodily mortifica.
Divine Mind and simultane'ously tl1e pure su.." tion. Scriptures generally warn against ex-
perconscious inU;:d of each individual soul. It treme asceticism which would bring harm to ' P,lominent among the many forms ,of yoga-are
is perfect love and#omniscient, omnipotent the body. 2) On a deeper level, tapas is the in-
consciousness, tl1e fountainheag of all exis- tense inner state of kUIJt;lalinl "fire" which
tence, yet containing and permeating all exis- stimulates mental anguish and separates the
tence. It is also called pure consciousness, pure -individual from society. The association with
.
form, substratum of exist~nce, and more. In a satguru, Sadasiva, brings the devotee into
four major religions, or denominations of
Hinduism, representirrg roughly half of the
world's 'one billion: Hindus. It gravitates
around the worship of Lord Vishl).u as Person-
al God, His incarnations and their consorts.
The doctrine of avatiira (He who descends) is
especially important to Vaishl).avism.
perform certain disciplines over a period of
time. Vratas extend from the simplest person-
al promise to irrevocable vows made before
Gog, Gods, guru and community.
'yajiia: <:Rr "Worship; sacrifice." One of tl1e most
central Hindu concepts-sacrifice and surren-
der through acts of worship, inner and outer.
lent in Vedic times, in which oblations-ghee,
grains, spices and exotic woods-are offered
into a fire according to scriptural injunctions
while special mantras are chanted. The ele-
senger who carries offerings and prayers to the
Gods. Yajna requires four components, none
of which may be omitted: dravya, sacrificial
substances; tyiiga, tl1e spirit of sacrifiCing all to
God; devat ii, the celestial beings who receive
the sacrifice; and mantra, the empowering •
word or"chant.
• yoga: m.r "Union."
From yuj, "to yoke, har-
ness, unite." The philos-
ophy, process, disci-
plines and practices
whose purpose is the
yoking of individual
consciousness with
transce.ndent or divine consciousness. One of
the six-systems of ortl1odox Hindu philosophy.
Yoga was codified by Patafijali in his Yoga Su-
tras (ca 200 BCE) as tl1e eight limbs (ashtiinga)
of riija yoga. It is essentially a one system, but
historically, parts of riija yoga have been devel-
oped and emphasized as yogas in themselves:
hatha yoga, kriyii yoga (emphasizing breath
control), as well as karma yoga (selfless service)
and bhakti yoga (devotionall"ractic~s) which
could be regarded as an expression .of riija
yoga's first two limb~ (yama and niyama).
•
JANUARY, 1998 HINDUISM TODAY 31
 PROFILE
European-born Hindus "move to India to fulfill
their gurus mission of educating hill children
By RAJIV MALIK, NEW DELHI
HINK LIKE A GENIUS . WORK LIKE
a giant. Live like a saint." This co-
gent affirmation of S;.vami Omkara-
nanda Saraswati resonated through-
out my stay at Omkarananda Ashram
Himalayas, his Indian headquarters
adjacent to the Sivananda Ashram in sadhu-
laden Rishikesh. Swami began the Ashram
30 years ago on the bank of the river Ganga
to facilitate realization of God in daily life
and to render selfless service to the local hill
people. I met the Ashram's team of migrated
Europeans-led by Swami Vishveshwara-
"> nanda Saraswati-who manage the educa-
'Q" L-____
~ ____~~~_ _
tional and cu tural institutions in the Tehri
32 H INDUISM TOD A.Y JANUARY , Igg8
is Swami Vishveshwarananda who, from 1967 they had attended top academies to perfect nanda's central teaching: "Practic~ the yoga
to 1982, 1trained ~losely with hinI in Europe. technical, including computer, skills. Upon of synthesis. Be a karma yo;;i, bhakti yogi,
"I was a good pilot and loved flying," their request in 1992, they were initiated by raja yogi, mantra yogi, jnana yogi. Love the
Vishveshwarananda told me. "I met Swami Swami Omkarananda. Two girls, ages 22 all-pervading, all-knowing God with all your
j
Omkaral!1anda in 1965 and was mesmer- and 18, are now known as Swamini Vira- heart and soul. Experience Him here and
ized, led from darkness to,light." now, and distribute the fruits of
At one stage he asked Swami· that Experience to all mankind."
whether to continue flying. S,wa- To effiCiently distribute those
mi said he should choose be- "fruits," high-tech is the norm.
tween spirituality and flying. So Unlike other ashrams with their
he quit flying. It was a surprise spartan facilities, Omkaranan-
to his co-pilots, but he never da's is outfitted with cordless
looked back. "Switzerland is full phones, new computers, fax ma-
of material comforts. I chose to chines, a compact offset press
renounce this and came to the and a website (omkaranan
path of spirituality. "I was surely a da-ashram.o?g) . Rishikeili has
Hindu in my previous birth." daily power cuts, but that's no "
In 1982 VishveshwarananCla cause to interrupt the Ashram-
was sen"t to India to serve as vice- thanks to a huge generator
president of Omkarananda Ash- which assures the constancy
ram Himalayas, and is now Om- they need for so many projects.
karananda's designated spiritual Forgetting God any time is dis-
successor. They communicate allowed, so a stereo system plays
daily, and while Omkarananda "Hari Nam" chanting all day.
has not visited India for 32 years, Eight cows-inspired by the
as
the Ashram runs so well it is if tunes of bhajans-produce
he is personally present. more milk than the Ashram re-
Vishveshwarananda is assisted quires, so extra milk is sent to
by a core team of monastics: Swa- other ashrams. Monkeys and
mi Satchidananda; Swamini Gau- snakes regularly visit and are of-
rishankarananda, Swami Vish- fered food. They are not
varupan.mda and Somashekhari, harmed, and therefore do not
all from Europe. Laudably, they harm the residents. A public li-
have become official citizens of brary, homeopathic center,
India to amalgamate with the lo- Spiritual giant: Swami Omkarananda lives at his hilltop forest guest house and Patanjali Yoga
cal community. "Jealous people ashram in Austria, ministering daily to all seekers of Truth . CeI}ter on the banks of the Gan-
spread misinformation that we ga serve community needs. At
were foreign agents of Christian the Yoga Centre, Ma Usha Devi,
missionaries," laments Swami "In a worldly person the energies a Swiss devotE1e, teaches hatha
Vishveshwarananda. "This is rub- yoga and meditation daily.
bish. But unfortunately I cannot flow downward-the stomach and Smaller Omkarananda ash-
change skin color. We hold Indi- rams are located in nearby Mu-
an passports now and are Hindus b/el1y are warm. For the spiritual in- nikireti and Lakshman Jhula.
because of our past karmas." De- They are referred to as temples
parting from tradition, the Ash- dividual the energies rise upward- because of their daily p~jas and
ram houses men and women, but havanas. Visitors can meditate,
Vishveshwarananda affirms that
the face and heart become warm." study scriptures or perform kar-
"Women are viewed as divine ma yoga. The Ram Mandir in
mothers.. Purity is maintained."
PARA.MAHAMSA OMKARANANDA SARASWATI
particular allows nature lovers t9
Sri Narasimhulu: senior man- grow trees, fruits and vegetables.
Garhwal region surrounding Rishikesh. ager of the nearby Sivananda Ashram, ap- jananda and Swamini Tripurambikananda, Education: Now we come to Omkaranan-
preciates the Europeans' dedication. "Most and one boy, age 13, is Swami Vidyabhaska- da Ashram's most crucial community ser-
In 1947 at the tender age of 17, Swami
Omkarananda was initiated into sannyas by monastics here are Swiss and Geqnan. They rananda. All three are now plunging into vice-academic and cultural education.
the late Swami Sivananda. He promulgates take temple management seriously. Their sadhana, Sanskrit, scriptures, asJrology, aca- Twenty-six sch'ools, including two dance and
the teachings of Adi Shankaracharya, foun- love for their guru is rare. They ha,ye been demic studies, temple worship qpd, of music academies, are overseen in urban
der of the Smarta sect of Hinduism, and asked to serve in Rishikesh as it is a poor course, the cold river Ganga for holy dips. Rishikesh and the distant hill areas-some
area. They have taken the guru's order seri- Rishikesh is known for being slow and re- so rural they can only be reached on foot or
personally worships Goddess Shakti. ThirJ
ously. If h.e asks them to jump in Ganga, they laxed, but activity in Omkarananda Ashram horseback. Most hill people live in abject
ty-two years ago on divine orders, Swami
will do so. That is the level of devotion." cruises at breakneck speed by comparison. poverty, and their childrens' only source of
Omkarananda left India to teach eager seek-
ers of Truth in Europe. Now permanently There are also eager young monastics set- The day begins at 4AM and ends late. The education is through the Omkarananda Ed-
tling ~in. Three Swiss and German youth, Ashram residents I met-Indians and Indian ucational Society. I was warmly received at
residing in Austria, he has brought hun-
who grew up in Swami Omkarananda's Aus- citizens of European origin-live a disci- Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam, a large
dreds of Europeans formally into Hinduism
through the namakarana samskara. Over trian ashram, recently visited India on holi- plined life, balancing sadhana (spiritual dis- city school with 1,000 pupils. Priyanka Ra-
day. Enamored with spiritually-charged cipline) and service. There are fixed timings jwar, a ls-year-old student here, told me
170 of them have been initiated by Omkara-
nanda as renunciate monastics-sannyasins Rishikesh valley, they sought and received for pujas, meditation classes, bhajans and with joy, "We have excellent rapport be-
blessings to settle there for good. In Europe yagnas. Mathavasis fulfill Swami Omkara- tween teachers and students, with freedom
and sannyasinis. One of his earliest initiates
I
J ANUAR Y, Igg8 HINDUISM TODAY 33
I

and understanding. At home I
have a temple and I meditate
on God-the Superpower."
Most students are Hindu and
the principal, Mr. R. D. Pawar,
explains how they learn Hin-
duism through a "moral sci-
ence" class. "We teach from
the Panchatantra, Hindu
scriptures and Puranas, and
recite Hindu prayers, includ-
ing Ganesh Stuti. But there is
lack of proper books through
which we can teach Hinduism
in plain English."
Remote hill schools are lo-
cated in picturesque settings,
far from city life. Many are in
economically backward vil-
lages, hence more affordable
fees are asked-just 25-50 ru-
pees per month. These
schools are franchised by local
social workers and business-
men, but most are not self-suf-
ficient economically and de- '"
pend totally on subsidies from
the main ashram. One teacher Hilltop learning: Omkarananda Kunja Shishu Niketan hill school in Agrakhal has breathtaking views
complained about a lack ofba-
sic teaching materials, low
salary and poor working condi-
tions. But Swami Vishvaru-
pananda reminds, "The schools
are regularly inspected and
funds provided according to
needs. Still, with so many
schools it may of course happen
that some teachers are not satis-
fied. Whatever comes to our no-
tice is certainly looked into and
given proper attention." Despite
any shortcomings, parents are democracy. This land of stun-
happy and feel Omkarananda ning landscapes and Unit-
European Home Base
Converts practice Hinduism in Christian heartland
AVING ENJOYED A
B thousand years of
peace, Switzerland is
the world's oldest
of the Gods) and Rudra abhi-
shekas (bathing the Deity
image) form the substratum of out a break their vigil has
ashram life; For the "peace,
Daily pujas (ritual invoking
Monastics take turns tending
the havana and offering
prayers through the fire. With-
continued for roughly 201,480
hours-an extraordinary
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34 HINDUISM TQDAY JANUARY, 1998 35

HINDU ASHRAM
AND TEMPLE IN THE
HEART OF EUROPE
(Founded 32 years ago, in 1965)
aramahamsa
P
Omkarananda
Saraswati (b. 25 Dec.
1929, India) is a born Sage,
Mystic, Philosopher and
acknowledged as such by
Saints of India and Scholars
and University Professors of
the West. At the age of
thirteen he was plunged in
spiritual experience; at
seventeen he obtained
Sannyasa Diksha from the
world-renowned Swami
Sivananda, Rishikesh,
Himalayas; later he received
his Sri Vidya Mantra Diksha
from the omnipresent Divine
Mother Meenakshi of
Madurai Temple and secrets
of higherTantra and Vedic
Yagnas from Siddha
Purushas. He is a versatile
genius and a literary giant
having to his credit over 200
publications, some of which
are distributed around the
world in fifty languages. In
his hands, Hinduism is
applied science in all its
highest dimensions. His
Ashram is a myriad-faced
Hinduism in action. He
founded Ashrams in
Switzerland, Germany,
Austria, England, France,
Himalayas. Any scholar, any
seeker of Truth, can visit him
in his Austrian Ashram and
obtain profundity of
knowledge on any subject in
the vast field of timeless
Hinduism. Any vegetarian
aspirant of Satwic Nature
and required qualifications,
of any caste, colour, creed,
race, can receive through
purificat!?ry rites the Hindu
sacraments like Upanayana
and other Dikshas and thus
become a Hindu. Rooted in
the Consciousness of the
Infinite and the Eternal,
Swamiji holds in his heart
the quintessence of every
known and unknown
religion in the world and,
therefore, is in a position to
serve pre-eminently every
religious community and
every scientific circle around
the globe.
Who in Hindu India and the
Hindu West does not know
Sri Krishnashanker Shastri,
the Founder and Trustee of
both Sri Bhagawat Vidya-
peeth and Sri Vallabha Nidhi,
and the Editor of Janaka/yan
from Ahmedabad, India? He
visited Omkarananda Inter-
national Ashram, Switzer-
land,and wrote thus:
"I had longed to see the
Ashram, having read about
it in books, and having
heard from the renowned
scholar of superhuman
intelligence, the eminent
and profound Philosopher,
Shri Badrinath Shastri of
Baroda, about its Founder-
President, Sri Swami
Omkaranandaji-Tapasvi,
ascetic, highly intelligent,
attached to the Lotus Feet
of Mother Maha Tripura-
sundari-a pure-hearted
Yogi whose fame has spread
far and wide .•. Moved by the
divine Power, I happened to
travel to Switzerland to this
holy and unique place, the
Ashram, during the special
Puja celebration of Shri
MotherTripurasundari and
Nava Durga. A heavenly
grove! I have no word to
speak or write-but I cannot
help saying that this Tapo-
vana is nothing but the
everflowing Waters of the
holy river Ganges, or a her-
mitage made supremely
divine by constant chanting
of the holy Mantras and by
penance-a blissful state of
Liberation (Nirvruti-Ananda)!
"Instead of making the futile
attempt of describing it in
words, it would be more
proper to have a bath in this
holy water. When I beheld
the Swamiji, I felt that I saw
the Incarnation of Muni • .
Bharadwaja, who contin-
uously offered Ahutis at
four altars and practised
Mantras, Tantras, the mystic
rites and philosophies.
Administering the
institution, discoursing, and
guiding for twenty-four
hours a day, with an ever-
smiling face for all residents
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
and visitors, remaining in
the state of detachment,
blissful, happy, and like the
ever-glittering sun, one who
has transclmded the ego,
Swamiji also advises like a
close relatiive and
benefactolr, like a Divine
Father and Divine Mother to
all those who come in
contact with him. He is
proficient iin whatever work
is being undertaken, and is
always wishing the good
and welfare of all humanity.
I realised the presence of
Mahayogi-King Pruthu in
humility; Vachaspati in
morals, Bhagirath in
industry,Jaimini in
preaching, innocent like a
child, an orator like Vasishta,
like Kubera in charity,
Dhruva in devotion and
Prahlaad in the constant
chanting of the holy Names
of Divine Mother. The
Ashram is as great as the
greatness of Swami
Omkarananda. The Ashram
is like a huge hermitage, full
of devotees, who are
spreading culture, spiritual
ideals, faith, and all the
highest values of character;
and induces in visitors
tranquility, divinity, bliss and
joy. What is more, the place
bestows honour upon
everyone; and all the as-
pirants seem to be the living
angels on earth, and the
living lights of our most
revered Swamiji."
His Divinity
Vedadarshanacharya
Mahamandaleshwar Sri
Swami Gangeshwarananda,
the most celebrated ex-
ponent of Vedas and Vedic
rituals and the recognized
All-India Leader and founder
of the G. Gangesh
Chaturved Samsthan and G.
G.lnternational Ved Mission,
in Bombay, who at the age
of over 95 years visited the
Omkarananda Ashram in
Winterthur for Ved Pratish-
tha, was particularly
delighted with the
unbelievable activities of
this unique Ashram, with the
most holy atmosphere of its
Temples and with the high
/
quality of performance and
purity ofthe young
Sannyasis. Here are some
extracts of his Tribute to
Swamiji and his spiritual
community:
" ... Ved Mata Gayatri drew
us here to breathe the
intoxicating Vedic
atmosphere and to feel the
divine touch of various
Mantras. I have visited a
number of Ashrams and
Mandirs in India and
abroad, but never did I
experience such a deep
spiritual happiness
charged with purity and
simplicity.
"Bhagavan Veda has
chosen the most beautiful
seat, where, in the constant
flow of Vedic mantras,
Omkarananda is reflected.
Our young teenage sisters
reciting Shree Suktas,
Purush Suktas and Rudra-
dhyaya Mantras fluently in
perfect original Sanskrit
accents is indeed
remarkable and highly
creditable."
See article on page 32.
 and spirit of joy came, although our external
lives had not yet changed so radically."
Their 12-year-qld son, Arjun, found that
reiki energy could be utilitarian. Nalin re-
veals';'He discovered that the channeled en-
ergy df miki could re-charge drained battery ,
cells! For months after learning reiki, we did-
n't buy ar~ batteries. We renewed them with
reiki-untH the novelty wore off"
love. You could 'be the worst criminal, and TEMPLES
reiki will not, reject you. The blaming ten-
dency disappears, and that's the really heal-
ing part. You start loving yourself"
reiki diehards believe that it can cure or
Canada's
improve just about anything from schizo-
phrenia and depression to a failing mar-
riage. It can also help one to give up meat,
Ohariot
Maker
smoking or drugs. The Nirula's reiki tradi-

•
Spiritual mechanics: What is this power
known as reiki which can rekindlif.the hu-
• man , spirit as well as revive depleted>. D -
cells? The Nirulas, who have initiated about
\
tion teaches healing at 26 points of the body,
and there is a 21-day treatment cycle for
chronic conditions. There are also cleansing
meditations and affirmations which can be
Sri Lankan temple

Reiki 1,000 people into this self-help system, told

HINDUISM TODAY, "Reiki is an experience of
the joy that is missing in people's lives due to
stress and strain." The reiki flows from what
ayurveda calls the pranamayakosha, "sheath
used to heal a person or relationship. Since it
offers both emotional and physical healing, it
has caught on with many people, from politi-
Cians to movie stars like Waheeda Rehman,
Sushma Seth and Chandrachoor Singh. Age
craft crosses the Pacific '
,
THAPATI SARAVANAMUTHU JEYARAJA
of vital energy." It is an electric, lightening
energy ...vvhich is normally free-flowing in
people. 'When it gets disrupted or blocked,
diseases manifest. But when this spiritual
energy and the material energies are' har-
is also no barrier, *i.th eighty-year-olds sit-
ting alongside eight-year-olds. Says Renoo,
"We are healing planet Earth. We are heal-
ing the cities and countries. I've been tend-
S c
is just one of 100,000 Sri Lankan
. " Tamils settled in Ontario, Canada, but
he is earning distinction. While living
in Sri Lanka, his father, Saravanamuthu
ing healing to all the bomb-blasted areas in Sthapati, and his uncle, Thambithurai Sthap-
monized or realigned, we return to health. Delhi. We work with children in scho'ols and ati, taught him the ancient car-
"Just as television waves flow in the at- send healing for the environment." penter's art of building tram-
mosphere but require a suitable receiver The Nirulas have documented many dra- tional temple chariots, and he
tuned to its frequency to reproduce the matic cases where lives have been turned became a respected "ordained" ~
sound and visual picture, individuals need around .. People with diabetes, cancer and craftsman. He brought his skills ~
,. to be/re-tuned to the reiki energy to remain arthritis have improved without surgery or with him to Ontario, where he ~
<
"...o . healthy or to regqin lost health," explains medication. Offers Nalin, "'Ql.ese Reople has crafted temple doors and §
Nalin. "The reiki master opens the chan- ended up .healing themselves. The modern large and small chariots. For ~ ~=--=~0..::..2'-d
nels-gives you a new connection, as it medical view is that most disorders are psy- this type of ornate, technical J'eyaraja
were-and empowers you to heal your life. chosomatic, since all are stress-related." and traditional woodworking,
Reiki healers are channels of healing. This They have trained seven doctors in a South Hindu temples in the US and Canada now
Working within: India's Reiki 1rUlSter, Nalin Nirula, attunes to the flow of universal life-energy to heal and harmonize this force in others energy is not our own. We are not the heal- Delhi hospital, where emergency cases that have an eager alternative to importing stha-
ers, but a conduit or pipeline for the divine are wheeled into the Cardiac Care Unit are patis from India. Canada's Jeyaraja is ready,
RS140). Nalin is qualified in ayurveda, home- energy. There is nothing' of me in the heal- given a few minutes of reiki. Says Renoo, willing and obviously able. .-
Born in India and evolved in Japan, an opathy, pranic healing, naturopathy and rei- ing. I'm Hot giving anything from my side.
It's not mine to give, it is the Divine's."
"You can see the differences on the monitor, SARAVANAS JEYARAJA STHAPATHY, 1471 GLEN RUTLEY
CIRCLE, MISSISSUAGA, ONTARIO, CANADA.
ki, and is a psychic. Renoo is a psychoanalyst and the recovery rates are phenomenal."
ancient spiritual healing skill comes home and clairvoyant. When disease develops, malfunctions oc- . Th re are three levels of reiki mastery, but
Nalin and Renoo came to reiki by a cir- cur first at the energy accumulators and finding a true reiki teacher can be a chal-
cuitous route. Nalin had always wanted to be pumps, known as the chakras, which corre- lenge. According to Nalin there are many
By LAVINA MELWANI, NEW YORK cient Atharva Veda verse observes, "Skilled, a healer. His grandfather had been the chief spond to the endocrine system directing the fakes floating around, "Some people get up in
AN GALL-BLADDER STONES DISAP- dexterous and empowered by the Divine for civil surgeon in the State of Patiala, and sev- body's vital functions. The disorder then the morning and declare, 'I am a reiki mas-
pear without surgery, and umbilical healing is our left hand, for it removes blocks eral uncles and aunts were doctors. Yet, with passes on to the physical body. The healing ter,' with no knowledge or initiation. There's
hernias vanish? Can cancer cure it- in the free flow of joy. And yet more potent the family in the food business, Nalin was energy of reiki creates a positive flow of even an advertisement in the newspaper
self? These have been some of the is thi; divinely empowered right hand, for it sent to the prestigious Cornell University in health,pecause the physical body, the ener- where y.$lu can get reiki attunement or initi-
amazing experiences of people who contains all medicinal capacities of the uni- New York to learn the hotel business. Back gy body lmd chakras are all interconnected. ation by correspondence. That!> a laugh!"
have practiced reiki, the Japanese verse, its all auspicious healing touch bring- , in India, he found himself in the family food Reiki realigns every energy, arid people feel School principals often send troubled chil-
art of self-healing which has its roots in ing peace, harmony, welfare, opulence, joy trade, until he decided to stop selling food happy, satisfied, balanced and at peace. dren to Renoo, who encourages them to take
ayurveda. The word Reiki (pronounced and liberation from all toxic conditions of for the body and findfood for the s oul. Practitioners, known as channels, must be responsibility an.d fmds that with reiki, their
"ray-key") is Japanese for universal (rei) life- matter-birth, death, old age and disease." He had always had an affinity for Lord nonjudgmental and unconditional in their mindset changes -instantly. Reiki calms the
force energy (ki). It is this energy which is In cities like Delhi and Bombay, reiki is the Krishna and now embarked on a rigorous love. They are able to work with stress with- intensity of anger these children "feel and
flowing throughout the cosmos and to which new buzzword, with people from all strata spiritual path with ISKCON, travE1ling all out allowing it to accumulate, which would dispels their feelings of helplessness. Re-
each living being is connected from birth. It . of society turning to it for their physical and over the world. He got his brahmin initiation cause themselves physical, mental or emo- cehtly a school in Delhi had an opening for
is known as prana in ayurveda, and it is re- mental well-being. Doctors are using it on at the Gaudiya Mat~ in Mayapur, West Ben- tional problems. The energy comes down ten disable'8. children to enter integrated
ferred to in the Atharva Veda (one of the cancer patients, policemen are leaning on it gal. Renoo, whose father had been with the from the crown chakra to the third-eye and classes with normal children. A flood of 500
four Vedas). It was red'iscovered by Dr.. and dIsabled children are expanding their UN, graduated frQm London College of Art, the throalt, centering in the he:a rt from where . applications came in, from which the ten
Mikao Usui in Japan about 175 years ago as abilities because of it. Reiki is also a fashion and had worked as an art therapist with dis- it flows lOut into the hands onto different most suited were chosen. It was no surprise
reiki, an unconditional, divine and loving fad for high society.ladies and a c~ing tool turbed children. The couple discovered rei- parts of the body and to different chakras. to Renoo and Nalin that five of the ten ap-
healing energy. (See also page 46.) for government servants. ki at a seminar they attended with their two One can even heal from a distance. plicants were children who had unde"i-gone
Since then, reiki has caught on in many Several reiki Senseis, or initiating teachers, children, and life was never the same. Recalls Says Renoo, "reiki is Japanese, but it has a reiki. It seems that we will be hearing a lot
parts of the world, becoming a passing fad reside in India. Among the most 'well known Nalin, "We experienced a lot of emotional very old history in India. There is a reference more ~bout this life-enhancing healing in
for some, a w~y of life for many. Now it has are husband-and-wife team Nalin and Renoo negativities clearing away. The burden of in the Vedas whICh shows how healing was the years to come. ....'
come full-circle back to India, where the Nirula, who co-authored the best-selling Joy pain, sadness, fear, self-blame and guilt just done by touch and voice, the Saple as reiki. NALIN AND RENDO NmULA, A- 14 ANANDANIKETAN. NEW
DELHI 110021 INDIA. TE L: 91- 11- 611-3990.
idea of self-healing first originated. The an- of Reiki (220 pages, FUll Circle, New Delhi, dissolved. An inner happiness, fulfillment The special quality 0f reiki i~ unconditional Tower of power: Montreal's chariot festival
,.
38 HI NDUISM TODAY JANUARY, 1998 J ANUAR Y, 1998 HINDUISM TODAY 39
 - -------- ._ ------ -- - - - - ---

Gurani Anjali (Guruvi) Pooja-Shop Sale. Up to 50% off

PAR1E:NTING
.
Author, p oet, songwriter and artist. Happy-new-year and after-
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Diwali sale: until January 31,
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t he Silent Depth Within Me and shank (conch shell), silver ALKING TO AND GUIDING CHILDREN proces~, and then take the time to use it.
other works. Yoga Anand Ashram. coins • Pooja items: pre- is ol,le of the beauties and responsibili- Several ' of Dodson's methods focus on
Tel 516-691-8475 • Mailing address: packaged items for havans, ;ties of parenting. It's also the most chal- talking with children. The first is called
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where in USA/Canada
International
hamster in her bed, next to the teddy bear? puts it. It means you want to share in your
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AM-7 PM, arati at 11 AM and 7 PM. (most books, 25% off) • single- to 14-faced rudrakshas "emotional foundation."
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For information: Gayatri Pariwar work at Gfeating rapport. Most
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thousands of case experiences, scans. More than 1,500 images
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oga philosophy, med itation, and "plai n living a nd high thinking"a re the founda t io n s for the Ananda inten - orper to fulfill the teachers wish.
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viewed a book by parenting expert Dr.
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Ananda, founded in 1968 by Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple ofParamhansa Yogananda, is not affiliated with Self-Realization Fellowship.
40~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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~----------------------------------~ 43
 ,
the winter of 97/98 will be wet.
Varuna will definitely bring El
Nifio to the West.
The ecliptic energy for 1998 is
far greater than normal as well.
Rahu is in the sign of his greatest
enemy, Leo, and Ketu is in his
enemy sign-Aquarius. The full
eclipse on August 21, 1998,
should be extremely intense, as a
square between Mars and Saturn
will also be in effect. This kind of
energy is profound for the spiri-
tual aspirant. It gives us opportu-
nities to remove that which veils
us from see ing the truth of our-
selves more clearly. I call the
ecliptic phase of 1998 "the Mir-
ror," as its primary purpose is to
show us the reflection of our-
selves that we would rather ig-
nore. This is Lord Siva working
with us on the most personal lev-
el. Siva will shine bright in our
heart while Rahu is in Siva's
abode of the Sun (Leo).
Jupiter in Aquarius marks a pe-
riod of harmony in worldly rela-
tionships. The constellation of
River of life: YOung and old revel in purifying Ganges baths at the kumbha mela in Haridwar, India Aquarius is the sign most inter-
ested in bringing unity toward
ASTROLOGY defective governmental issues.
There will be bonds and truces
Reli~quish Duality's aane in the Middle East this year. For-
eign trade through the first four
II}onths of 1998 should improve.
But, Jupiter's harmonious influ-
Time to spiritually rejuvenate as Jupiter enters Aquarius ence will be tested when his
nemesis, Saturn, moves into his
most unfavo~able sign of Aries on
RUE SPIRITUAL SEEKERS COULDN'T India. Nowadays Kumbha Melas are hap- April 17th. This brings a conflict, as Jupiter
ask for better 'astrological alignments pening more frequently in various locations, is trying to expand the natural qualities of
in 1998. Jupiter, the planet of elEpansion but scholars believe the original Melas were Saturn (Aquarius is ruled by Saturn), and
, and wisdom, is moving into Aquarius only held at Haridwar every 12 years, when Saturn's positive side is being restricted by
(Kumbha), the sign of spiritual rejuvenation Jupiter enter~d Kumbha. The high point for the constellation Aries. The duality of the
and ...brotherly love, on January 8th. This this largest gathering of humankind on relationship between Jupiter and Saturn will
brings the conscious mind into awareness of Earth is when the Sun conjuncts Jupiter on start to peak around May and June.
the oneness that we all share. Jupiter in February 23124, creating a Snayoga (bathing Normally, we seem to unconsciously find
Aquarius seems.to fmd ways to bring people .. combination). The energy for the Kumbha ways to distract ourselves from moving to-
together, whether through loving relation- Mela is far stronger this year, for Jupiter and ward the only real truth (God). It seems as
ships or natural disasters. The primary aspi- the Sun are joined by Mercury and Ketu. life goes on, we wake up every morning
ration of 1998 is letting go of the boundaries This energy creates the perfect time for pu- dealing with the illusion and the drama of
that prevent us from seeing Qur unity and rification. To top it off, the whole stellium is life. The year of 1998 is arranged to take us
oneness. Jupiter in Kumbha is stronger and squared by the very transfprmative Pluto. back to the'real part of ourselves th/!t is un-
more transformative this year b,.ecause the Pluto is a purifier and remover. ~ energy is consciously searching for Truth. Its not that
lunar nodes, Rahu and Ketu, share their ruled by the higher vibrations of Agni, the 1998 is going to be difficult, it is just that the
ecliptic axis with Jupiter. Jupiter sharing his God of fire. Though this Kumbha Mela oc- light that exists inside of us will be glowing(
space with Ketu's energy of wisdom brings curs every 12 years, the chances of repeat- looking to be directed in an appropriate
a metamorphic effect because Jupiter and ing this special planetary energy are slim, so manner. And for spiritual aspirants already
Ketu are natural enemies. This means that 1998 is a very good year to participate. llirecting themselves toward pure conscious-
wIsdom gained will be from surrendering. Another intriguing effect of Jupiter in ness, 1998 will be a priceless gem. __
Letting go, whether material, emotional or Kumbha is the weather. Within the realm of
spiritual, is the ultimate intent of this con- Aquarius lies the nakshatra (star cluster)
junction. BY (JADE) JYOTI CHANDRANANDA, USA
called Satabishak. This nakshatra is ruled
14900 MOOREPARK ST #205, SHERMAN OAKS ,
Jupiter's moving into Kumbha also marks by Varuna, the God of water. With so much CALIFORNIA 91403. PHONE: 1.818-771-5967,
the big Kumbha Mela this year in Haridwar, emphasis on S atabishak, it is no surprise that E-MAIL: vishnu9@juno.com
44 HINDUISM TODAY J NUARY , 1998
FUSION
Follow
YOllr Bliss
An American flautist
finds his Hindu soul
USIC TO ME IS A MATTER OF BLISS.
I When you find that bliss, you say,
'Ah ... That's real music.' That is the
feeling I go for." American-born,
forty-year-old flautist and composer John
Wubbenhorst knows about bliss. His life has
been a mystical musical odyssey, and his de-
but GD, Facing East (70 minutes, Facing
East Productions, $15.98), epitomizes his /
adventures in rapture. It is by far the most
successful merger of Indian and Western
music and instrumentation to date. As
Wubbenhorst confides, "I could name innu-
merable East-West explorations that were
pretty lousy. I've heard where someone
sticks a saxophone with a sitar and says it's
fusion, but it's not really happening. It has to
come from a deeper level."
Wubbenhorst's depth comes from two
years of study with India's maestro, Hari
Prasad Chaurasia, coupled with twenty-five
years of "soaking in the Vedic culture," in-
cluding aY1llrveda, astrology and "two hours
of meditation each day." He recalls how he
fell in love with Indian music at age 13, "It
really hit me on a deep level. I would listen Polished timbre: Wubbenhorst now plays the Indian bamboo flute alrrwst exclUSively
to Ravi Sh;mkar, and it was obvious that he ,
was extremely relaxed and at the same time "I had this idea of studying the bamboo beautiful ocean in and of itself After play-
very precise-two seeming opposites. But flute when I was eighteen," John recalls. ing for a while, you disappear. And I think
that's what: you have to be. In fact, the two "But I doubted for a long time. I thought, 'I the goal of a lot of yoga is that the small ''1''
things Hari Prasad would say over and over can't fmd any teacher. I can never be suc- disappears and you're into something big-
again were, 'Relax,' and, 'More precise.' He cessful. ' Finally, the idea didn't go away, and ger. After all, this ego that we have is not the
said litt;le else. He is such a quiet man." I said, 'Ijust better do this!' I stopped doubt- reality. Its not at all what we are. In addition,
Wubbenhorst studied Western classical ing, and it turned out great. It just goes to the bamboo flute is so charming, so earthy
music with Kim Haley of New York's Jul- show you that if you follow your bliss, every- and so mystical. It feels so complete and nat- •
liard School of Music and jazz composition thing works out. The saying, 'Doubt is ural. Its beyond words. The sound draws you
r ,.
at the Berklee College of Music in Boston death,' is true." Wubbenhorst went to India to finer 1evels 0f consciousness, and tHe raga
and with Darius Brubeck. Meanwhile, his not expecting to study with Hari Prasad structures are deeper laws of nature. So, you
love and appreciation of Indian music grew, Chaurasia, but study with him he did. As are drawn into these deeper, subtler aspects
and his spiritual seeking intensified. He told Wubbenhorst relates, "There were only four of creation, and the surface levels fall away.
HINDUISM TODAY, "I learned Transcendental or five people he was teaching. He came Hari Prasad told me, 'I think that is the real-
Meditation from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi every day fOr three hours and didn't charge ity. All this other stuff t> the dream.' "
when I was fourteen. I enrolled in his uni- any money. Sometimes he would fly all Wubbenhorst's dream of Facing East came
versity in Fairfield, Iowa, when I was sixteen night, get off the airplane and come direct- true with creative cop.tributions from Sandip
years old. I stayed for five years. He wasn't 1y to the lesson. He blew my mind. I've been Burman on tabla, Zolton Lantos on violin
there, but I must have seen thousands of around great jazz and classical musicians, and nine other talents. The unique perfor-
hours of him on video. I was totally in love but I've never seen such a love for teac'hing." mances, exquisite compositions and sensitive
with him. There are these great people on For Wubbenhorst, spirituality and music orchestration prove out his theory, "If you're
the planet who really have expanded con- are inseparable. He explains, "The ;agas are getting bliss, that's the reward. If you feel
sciousness. These are the most precious peo- a great spiritual sadhana for me. When I bliss, someone else will have' to feel it." __
ple." Yet through these rich years there was play the flute, I feel like I'm being drawn FACING EAST PRODUCTIONS, POST OF F ICE BOX 330 2 , SILVER
SPRING, MARYLAND 2 0918 USA. T EL: 8 0 0-43 1- 2.7 6 3 (USA);
a yearning for something more. into this huge raga, and each one is a huge, 30 1-2 15 - 5049; www.i-a-p.comlfacingeast
J AN U ARY, 1 998 HIN D UI S M T ODAY 45

HEALING
Reiki:. Restoring
Pmna's Natural Flow
A system of gradual relief asks the practitioner
to simply be a conduit for cosmic energy
BY DEVANANDA TAND .t\VAN, M.D.
EIKI IS THE JAPANESE
name for an ancient heal-
~ ing method rediscovered
by Usui from the Sanskrit
Buddhist scriptures found in
monasteries in Japan. Ki, chi, qi,
prana, vril, aeth, lesser light and
pranic force are synonyms for
the life force that flows through
and about our bodies. Prana is
Siva's Cosmic Force. It gives life
to the body and mind and flows in the
subtle body. The subtle body exists within
and through our physical body. In Hin-
duism we talk about the nadis that are the
nerve-like conduits for prana. The subtle
body communicates with the outside world
at sensitive points on the skin, called rnar-
rna or acupuncture points. As we have
learned from the science of acupuncture
and acupressure (also Do-IN, polarity
treatments and massage), if something oc-
curs to disrupt the rtormal balanced flow of
prana through our bodies, disease @ccurs.
.Reiki practitioners are initiated into the
method by six or more attunements by a
Master that enable the student to open his
pranic system to cosmic forces. These are
given with explanations of the system and
sometimes particular routines. Students are
instructed and supervised in practice ses-
sions to recognize pranic flow in them-
selves and the subject. Every person has
certain contact points on the pody that acts
as an area of transfer of the pranic energy.
The most common points are the. palms,
fmgertips, whole frontal body (the reason
for reiki embrace), forearms and feet.
The practitioner transfers prana to rnar-
rna points on the patient's body, causing an
increased, more natural flow of p rana
within the patient. At the contact point
there may develop an intense heat or cold-
ness depending upon conditions. The prac-
titioner knows intuitively how long to spend
at each contact point in order to bring
46 HINDUISM TODAY JANUARY, 1998
7
about the harmony desired.
Is this a mind control effort?
No, after the initial intention of
the practitioner to bring about
harmony, he or she need not
concentrate on what he is doing
and even may carryon conver-
sations with others in the room.
In fact, if the practitioner tries
to direct the flow and amount
of prana, the treatment will not
succeed. Prana has full consciousness and
knows how to bring about health. The
practitioner must never assume that he is
doing the healing, for it is a healing using
the Div4ne Cosmic energy.
Does reiki work? Yes, it is very effective
in bringing about peace and comfort to the
patients. It has often brought about slow
relief from pains and other disease condi-
tions. Rarely there is a sudden and almost
miraculous total healing. The patient tends
to relax completely and his subconscious
mind also relaxes. The combination of the
relaxation-getting out of the way of the
flow-and tq.e revitalized pranic flow al-
lows the individual to heal himself
Some Masters have added more attune-
ments, new symbols and even different
historic beliefs. The ancient system has
three initiations, the third being that of the
teacher. Symbols are used to intensify the
flow of prana, for mental and physical con-
ditions as well as distant healing.
Traditionally, the practitioper does not
charge for his services, though h(l. may take
a love offering. He merely acts as a conduit
for the transfer of pranic energy from the
universe to the patient as a result of his
initiation and attunement to subtle forces.
DR. TANDAVAN, 77, retired nuclear physi-
cian and hospital staff president, lives in
Chicago, where he specializes in alternative
healing arts. Visit his home page at the
HINDUISM TODAY Website.
EVOLUTIONS
150TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY: of Theo-
sophical Society president and free In-
dia crusader Annie Besant was com-
memorated on October 1. Born in 1847
in England, Besant was ahead of her
time. Unhappy
with Christian
views on suffering,
she moved to
Benares, India,
founding the Cen-
tral Hindu College
(now Banaras Hin-
du University)
amidst British op- Lover of Bharat
pression to help
children regain their ancestral heritage.
SAVING TIGERS: is the passion of Jenny
Osgood, a 16-year-old British girl. She
organized a 7,ooo-signature petition to
the Prime Minister ofIndia-home to
two-thirds of
the remaining
4-7,000 wild
tigers on Earth.
The London
Environmental
Investigation
Agency flew
her to India in Rajasthani painting
October, 1997,
to personally present the petition dur-
ing "wildlife week." Read her story on
the web at: www.5tigers.orgljenny.htm
TRANSITION: Eugene "Mickey" Finn in
Boston, USA, on October 19, 1997, at
the age of 76. An admitted thief, con
artist and drug addict, Finn one day
sought relief from a hatha yoga teacher
and promptly changed his life. He was
inspired to teach yoga from his apart-
ment for free for decades, introducing
hundreds to Sri Aurobindo's teachings.
FIGHTING: with Hindu Gods may be the
plot in upcoming episodes of "Her-
cules, The Legendary Journeys," ac-
cording to TV Guide. Greek Gods are
commonly bashed in the series. To ,
show your concern that Hindu Gods
not be disrespected, write to: Hercules
Productions,
c/o Pacific
Renaissance
Pictures, PO
Box 90409,
Auckland
Mail Centre,
Auckland,
New Zealand. Hercules vs. the Gods
Le~~al lh,reat Forces
Aerosmith CD Change
.
Malaysia Hindu Sangam gets offensive album
withdrawn from stores throughout Malaysia
'IRST THE AMERICAN HINDU ANTI- Murugiah has called on MHS members
I . , defamation Coalition (AHADC) of
, . the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of Amer-
ica lambasted Sony for tne Aerosmith
band's ED cover based on the traditional
image of Lord Krishna dancing upon and
throughout Malaysia to act as the eyes and
ears of the Hindu community by monitoring
and rep0rting any item which might have
contents offensive to the Hindu religion.
Mageswaran Palany of Malaysia told HIN- Surrounding Iraivan Temple is an
subduing the multi-headed serpent Kaliya DUISM TODAY, "The Hindu population here is
[July, 1997]. Their protests resulted in an less than ten percent, and yet we made it extraordinary botanical garden
apology from Aerosmith and a promise from happen. I hope that every country can do
Sony to change the cover as soon as the first this so that no one will think of playing with paradise, providing an area of
run of four million was sold. The AHADC re- Hindus' religious feelings in the future."_
ques~ed the CD be pulled iminediately from MALAYSIA HINDU SANGAM, 76S-c JALAN SULTAN AZLAN
SHAH, SC. NIBON, llgOD , PULAU PINGANG, MALAYSIA .
contemplative, natural beauty.
the shelves" but was unsuccessful in getting AMERICAN HINDU ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE, P.O. BOX
this demand met. The same cover was still on 441505. HOUSTON, TEXAS 77244-1505 USA.
Pilgrims enjoy groves of plumeria,
sale in American stories in October, though the
new cover was on the groups website. konrai, hibiscus, heliconia, native
Not so in Malaysia, thanks to the Malaysia
o Hindu Sangam. They bludgeoned Sony and Hawaiian plant species and more.
-<
its distributors with section 295 of the Penal
'" Code of Malaysia which "does not allow At the entrance to the 5 J -acre
anything offensive to any religion to be pub-
lished." No such legal recourse is available in sanctuary is a forest of healing
America, where the Constitution's First
Amendment on free speech allows one to rudraksha trees. Send US$ J 2 to
say just about anything about a religion.
p. Murug~ah, chairman of the Social and purchase a single-bead necklace of
Welfare Committee of tlJ-e Sangam's Penang
State Council, brought the album to the at- a sacred rudraksha, receive as our
tention of the Ministry of Home Affairs,
who in turn contacted Sony. Peter Wong, gift another bead to plant and sup-
Sales M§l11ager for Sony Music Entertain-
ment (M) S:DN BHD of Malaysia, summari- port the Iraivan Temple project.
ly issued a letter to its dealers informing
them, "It has been brought to our attention
by the Ministry of Home Affairs concerning 1-808-639-8886
the purported offensive cover of the Aero- E-mail: books@hindu.org
smith Nine Lives album. Due to the sensi-
tivity thereof, we would request that the
http://www. HinduismToday.
sales of this album be stopped ilIlffiediately. Kauai.hi. us/ashram/lraivan. html
Kindly make the necessary arrangement to
take these albums off your shelv~s. Our
sales representatives will be collecting them
to enable us to exchange them with the new
album covers."
RUDRAKSHA
This must have been a painful move for
Sony, for the local newspapers were giving FOREST
the album rave reviews. As of October, the
CD and cassette versions were back on
SAN MARGA IRA/VAN TEMPLE
Malaysian shelves, with the new cover. The
107 KAHOlALElE ROAD
album is apparently popular, a tribute to KAPAA. HI 96746-9304 USA
people's,desire for coarse and obscene lyrics
sung to uninspired American rock tunes. A TEMPLE BU ILT TO LAS T 1,000 YEARS

"May the light of Diwali
May"the flames of
Brahma Swarup Varma, Direclorof Administration, IHRF
621l11ini Drive, Monroeville, PA 15146-1917
Phone: 412-733-1118 Fax 412-733-2224 E-mail: ihrfhq@westol.com
48 ~~~================================================~==.
.:. shine brightly iQ your heart.
.•. ': peace and .harmony
of the. year.
..
your footprints for your children to follow!!!
Jatin Desai, Marketing Director
Phone: 860-233-0011 Fax: 860-675-4062
E-mail: jdesai@desai.com
TIjE QUEEN APOLOGIZED for the 1919 massa-
cre of 379 unarmed Indian profusters in ,
'"
Amritsar during her
1997 visit to India. At
a state barlquet in
New Delhj., she ad-
mitted that there had
bren some "difficult
episodes" in Britain's
past, of which Jallian-
wala Bagh-site of
the massacre-was a
"distressing exam-
ple." She and hus-
band Prince Philip Queen Elizabeth II
earlier placed a
wreaTh at the Jallianwala Bagh memorial in
Amritsar, where tens of thousands of Sikhs
gave her a warm welcome. Philip, whose
father-in-law, King <;;eorge VI, was the last
"Emperor of India," also took a barefoot
tour of Gandhi's ashram near Ahmedabad.
AMERICAN CHARITIES GOT A SCARE in Septem-
ber when a Texas judge ordered a Southern
Baptist ChristAan Church to hand over
$27,687 donated by a bankrupt church
member to the man's main creditor. The
judge's rulling rested on the contention that
the man had given the money to the church
"without receiving a reasonably equivalent
value in exchange." The judge apparently
saw no "value" in the' church's religious ser-
vice. If it stands, the law puts all charitable
contributi.ons at risk of having to be re-
tfrrned one day. The shocking ruling is un-
der appeal to higher courts. A law has been
introduced in the US Congress to protect
churches (including Hindu temples) and
charities from such claims. In the Texas
case, the creditor defended _the decision,
"The money he paid to the church was my
mOIJ.ey, not his money. If someone had
robbed me and donated the money to the
church, would the church nave to retprn the
money? \les." . I '
IMPROVEMENT IN DIET-mainly by reducing
meat and increasing vegetable consump-
tion-could prevent up to 40 percent of all
the world's cancer, according to a massive
analysis of 4,500 studies by the American
Institute for Cancer Research and the
World Cancer Research FUnd. Largely as a
result of health concerns, the -number of
vegetarians in Britain has doubled in recent
decades and now stands at eight percent.
THE L1BERiU "R-1" VISA pro~ision allowing
up to 5,000 viSa slots for nuns, priests, reli-
gious brothers, lay preachers, religious in-
CLOC~SE FROM TOP: THE CROWN, SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, NASA
structors and missionaries to work in this
country at the request of US-based reli-
gious organizations is close to approval as a
permanent part of US immigration law. US
Hindu organizations have used the relative-
ly easy to qualify for visa to bring monks,
priests, musicians and others to ~erica.
INDIA'S SUPREME COURT has denied the tra-
ditional sevaks, temple attendants, of the
famed Jagannath temple at Puri a share of
the money from hun dis, collection boxes,
installed in the temple. They ruled the col-
lection of the offerings was a "secular" ac-
tivity which belonged to the domain of the
state-run temple management. Most Hindu -
temples in lIidia, but not Christian church-
es or Muslim mosques, are run by s(ate-ap-
pointed boards and administrators, and not
by hereditary trustees or boards elected by
temple devotees.
FIJI WAS READMITTED to the Commonwealth
ten y,ears after it was expelled at the behest
of India, following a military coup. Their
recently adopted constitutiop no lopger dis-
cri~tes against the countr-y's large Indi-
an population. Fijian Prime Minister Siti-
veni.Rabuka has formally approached India
to restore the diplomatic and economic
links between the countries which were cut
after the coup.
THE SEARCH'FOR THE PERFECT SPOUSE is go-
ing out of this world on board the Cassini
space vehicle
now headed to-
ward Saturn. The
European Space
Agency allowed
thousands of
messages from
earthlings to be
pacfed aboard
the Huygens
pr~be, which will Cassini: will ET '7 do"?
be launched
from Cassinrti. onto Titan, Saturn's largest
moon. One is a request fer a "tall, hand-
some alien, romantic, if possible."
THE "LAST PAPERS OF MAHATMA GANDHI"
which were stored for 50 years by v.
Kalyanam of Chennai and recently donat-
ed to'the Indian government are now
available to the public at the Nehru Muse-
um in New Delhi. 'Yhe unique collection
contains rough drafts of some of Gandhi's
famous speeches, and letters whh his
frrui~ assessments of various issues, in-
cluding partition.
J ANUAR Y,
=
ntAlLAND BUDDHISTS HAVE FOUND a unique
plethod of saving the country's trees from
illegal logging. The Northern Farmer's Net-
work "ordained" thousands of the trees and
wrapped them in the orange robes usually \
worn by Buddhist monks. There is no word
on the method's success.
THE ORIENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY of Kerala
has entered into an agreement with the All
Kerala Elephant Owners Association to in""
sUre, yes, their elephants. The policies are a
kind of combination of auto and health in-
surance, providing coverage for collision li-
ability as well as the elephant's illness or
death. Kerala has 570 elephants owned by
individuals, temples and the state forest de-
partment. A shocking 162 have died in the
last decade, a factor in the new coverage.
THE BLASPHEMOUS LIBEL L'AW of Trinidad
[see December 1997 issue] is indeed a for-
mal part of English COInmon Law and pro-
tects in Britain, just as it does in Trinidad,
only Christianity from "scurrilous" attack.
UK Muslims attempted to use the law to sti-
fle Salman Rushdie and his Satanic Verses
book, but were refused by the court on the
grounds the law protected no other reli-
gions. One expert said this was only natural
as England was an officially Christian coun-
try. The law would appear to stand in viola-
tion of the guarantee of equal religious free-
dom in the UN Charter of Human Rights.
THE WORLD'S MOST ANCIENT MUSICAL instru-
ment is a 43,000-year-old flute found in the
Slovenian Alps in Europe in a Neanderthal
hunting camp. The spacing between the
second and third holes made in the bear
thigh bone is twice that between the third
and fourth, .
meaning the
flute could pro-
...duce whole and
half tones. Cleve-
land State Uni-
versity ethrtomu-
sicologist T.
Temple Tuttle
believes the Neanderthal's bone flute
hole spacing .-
would most likely match the South Indian
system, rather th\ill the Western diatonic
scale, according to a report in Scientifu;
American. A second expert believes the
complete flute (drawing above) had at least
six holes and was some 37 centimeters long.
Neanderthals are ancient inhabitants of Eu-
rope believed displaced t y modern humans
tens of thousands of years ago.
Igg8 HINDUISM TODAY 49

MINISTER .S MESSAGE
Transformation into
God's Loving Image
Transmute the instinctive animal nature to
unleash ,the noble powers of your soul identity
BY SWAMI OMKARANANDA SARASWATI
HE LITTLE DROP OF WATER CAN SUPPORT AND BEAR
millions of ships, and sustain billions of tons of ice-
bergs- if it sinks into the ocean and becomes the whole
ocean. The image of God in the little, petty man has
the wmite freedom, power, peace, joy, perfection and
becomes the supreme Lord of all creation-the moment it
liberates itself from the limitations of phenomenal existence
and obtains oneness with the Being of God, the highest, the
greatest, the Absolute.
The space in the balloon can support all creation, all the
stellar regions, all the worlds-if it knows, has faith in, the
boundless space without, liberates itself from the confmes of
the balloon, and becomes one with the space everywhere.
Even so, if man can know and have faith in the universal, supra-
cosmic, all-pervasive, absolute divine Consciousness-Power, God,
he liberates himself from his own human limitations, limitations in
knowledge, in love, in light, and becomes one with God. Nothing,
at this stage of perfection, is impossible for man. Until this highest
stage is arrived at, man can always work wonders and do impossi-
ble things by contact in devotion, faith, prayer and love with Him
who is the supreme Power, the wmite Consciousness, the all-cre-
ative Light.
Everything great is within yourself. Yonder is a huge stone.
Looking at it, we can remark that therein is a lion, or a deer, or a
beautiful maid, or the Greek philosopher Plato, or an Eastern sage
or a Western thinker-and we can go about chiselling the stone
until that lion, or that deer, or that maid, or that philosopher or
that sage emerges. Infinitely more true is this of the Consciousness
within yourself You can set about working on it, and produce from breathing. We also gain by it peace of mind, freedom from physi-
it a philosopher, or a sage, or a person of supernormal knowledge,
wisdom, love, powers, or an angel, or a joy, a peace, a grace, a per-
fection-anything you desire. Work on yourself, and fashion any
type of greatness or perfection you envision. Children look at the
snow with which all the Earth is covered. One says that there is a
little house in it, and sets about making that house from the snow.
Another asserts that there is a toy in it, and begins fashioning the
toy. The third one claims there is a man in it, and starts building
up the snowman. Thus, each produces from the snow the image he
has in his mind.
All the extraordinary qualities of nature that are characteristic of
the world's greatest saints are there in you. If not great purity,
some purity is present in you. If not endless knowledge, some
amount of knowledge you do possess. Though not superhuman
patience, a little patience you do command. If not great and all-
absorbing love for God, some love for that which you rec~gnize as
the Good, or the Beautiful, or Truth, or God is active in you: That
50 H INDUISM TODAY JANUAR Y, 1998
amount of faith which moves mountains
you may not have, but yop cannot deny that
there is in you some little faith. If all in you
is not receptive to the all-perfecting Divine
Presence, there still lurks in you something
which appreciates readily the things of
Love, Light, Beauty, God.
Your love, when fully grown, is the saint.
When the little faith in you fully flowers, it
is the wonder-worker. Your wisdom, when
fully developed, is the sage. Love is the
Power of powers. Love all, at all times, in
all circumstances and conditions, and even
in the most difficult situations. Let nothing
external, or internal, dry up the p~ennial
springs of the silent, unobserved flow of
your love for all.
Transformation of our entire inner na-
ture, of our thoughts, emotions, energies, is
a wonderful way of acquiring tremendous
spiritual powers. When we exceed the ani-
mal and human nature, refme, exalt and
illuminate our minds and hearts, wills and
inner spirit, we gain the numberless powers
that belong to our inner, self-luminous spiri-
tual nature.
Constant experience of the Presence of
God endows us with rare powers. The
power to remain unaffected by difficult cir-
cumstances, the power to rule the environ-
ment and not to be ruled by it, the power
of remaining peaceful, joyous, unshaken are
among the many powers that accrue to us from the practice of the
Presence of God. Self-surrender to the omnipresent, omnipotent,
omniscient and all-loving, all-protecting, all-perfecting Divinity
fills us with extraordinary powers.
Special concentration exercises awaken the divine powers in us.
Meditation unfolds tile higher powers of perception and divine
nature. Japa- constant repetition of the Mysti<;al Syllables-puts us
in touch with the various powers of God. The Might, the Light, the
Grace, the Peace of God manifest in our daily li~s .
Years of devotion and strict adherence to Truth bestow on us the
power of ~aking true everything that we say, or wish, to anyone.
Magnanimous nature, generosity and free bestowal of cl}arities
liberate us from every type of want, and secure for us material and
spiritual welfare and prosperity.
We acquire the power to live long by deep and rhythmical
cal and mental ailments, and get closer-to the knowledge of God.
When we go on wishing welfare to all, praying for everyone, every
creature, and desire the happiness of all that has life and breathes,
we fmd ourselves in possession of great inner Light, Joy, Peace,
Power, and our life is made secure .against accidents, losses and
misfortunes. We become a great blessing to the whole creation.
• take part in the ashram's devotional programs, darshan and
c_-----
..
SWAMI OMKARANANDA SARASWATI, 68, sage, mystic, philosopher, is
Founder-President of several charitable trust societies, academic
and cultural schools and a research institute for Science-synthesis.
Shri Anandi Ma-Mantras for Health El\loy the Saraswati Mantra on CD
Shri Anandi Ma-Master in Saraswati Devi,a musical tribute to
the tradition of Kundalini the Goddess of beauty, inspiration and
Maha Yoga- has recorded music. The powerful Sarawati Mantra
some of the most powerful,
traditional Vedic prayers and
mantras for use in support
and other Sanskrit and Hindi songs.
CD US$ 15 • Cassette $10
Shipg: to USA/Can, $4; other, $8.
of physical, emotional and
spiritual well-being.
• Shri Anandi Ma-Healing
Gayatri Mantra, Maha Mrityunjaya
also available! FREE CATALOG:
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Mantras, a collection of Tel: 514-484-8090 • Fax: 514.488.3822
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Shiva, Shri Krishna and the
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Superlative Tours to India-1997-98
US$13 each, (US$15 outside North America) includes postage.
• Tour 1: March 7-22, '98
To order, send a check or money order payable to: Celebrating Phagwa (Holi)
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• Tour 2: April 10-24, '98
Allow 4 - 6 weeks for delivery. KimIbha Mela at Haridwar
and other inspiring destinations.
Shri Anandi Ma offers Shaktipat initiation, the Kundalini
awakening. "With Shaktipat, the student is saturated with For more information, contact:
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and, like a mother, constantly cares for and nourishes her Jamaica, NY 11432-4498 USA
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Visit Barsana Dham, Austin, Texas K.N. Rao's Journal of Astrology, Books
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dal is the jewel of
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which enlightens established astrologers- of
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radiance of Divine professionals
Love. Barsana Dham is the main US center of the International • sample real-life horoscopes.
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Annual Subscription: us$39.
satsang with H.D. Swami Prakashanand Saraswati.
Newly published books by KN Rao:
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51
-
--------------------------------------------~--------------------------
R ECENT DO NORS

Hindu Businessmen's Association Trust Kriya Haran $180 .00 Gunasekaran Kandasamy $33.44
Vel Alahan US$135.00 Gunasekaran Kandasamy $1 09 .36 Total $33 .44
AdiAlahan $43.00 Umah Rani Palanisamy $100.36 Loving Ganesha Distribution Fund
MISSION STATEMENT Paramaseeven Canagasaby $7.71 Balan Rajan $200 .00
, Vel Mahalingum $11.26 Saiva Siddhanta Church $12,396.69
Eric Mitchell $10.00
Total $10.00
Loganatha Shivam $500.00
Hindu Heritage Endowment is a publicly supported, ch~ritable organization recognized as tax Manogaran Mard"mootoo $114.43
Vishwanaden Moorooven $4.54 Pal aka Shivam $500.00 Mathavasi Medical Fund
Satya Palani $10 1.00 Surya Ganesha Sundaram $123.00 Gowri Nadason $30.00
exempt by the IRS on April 22, 1994. I~s employer ID number is 99-0308924. Fo'unded by Satg~ru Deva Rajan $1,628.60 Total $15,000.50 Total $30 .00
Jnani Shanmuga $8.23 Kauai Aadbeenam Annual Archana Fund Mathavasi Travel Fund
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, its philanthropic;. mission is to provide secure, professionally man- Aditya Vinadhara $361.00 Sukanta Caremben $0 .66 Erasenthiran Poonjolai $75.00
Total $2,414.77 Yajataceyon Caremben $0.44 Total $75 .00
aged financial support for institutions and religibus leaders 6f all lineages of Sanatana Dhar~a.
~
Hindu Orphanage Endowment Fund Gopiladeva Doorgiat $3.60 Nepal Kumari Goddess Education Fund
Gunasekaran Kandasamy $33.44 Saroja Devi Doorgiat $9.88
Richard Stocker $2 1.00
Ramakumar & Sailaja Kosuru $20.00 Vanadeva Doorgiat $2.25
JANUARY DONOR PROFILE Total $2 1.00
Francine Martin $11.00 Amouda Koothan $0.90
Alex Ruberto $15.00 Egilen Koothan $0.90 Sri Subramuniya Kottam Fund
Call the'Ban Diego Yoga Teachers Association hotline, and chances are Total $79.44 Saravan Koothan $0.90 Andrew Schoenbaum $10.00
you will reach Damara Shanmugan serving as a volunteer. A born Souda Koothan $0.90 Total $10.00
Hinduism Today Distribution Fund
Jayaluxmee Moothoo $13.47 Sundari Peruman Memorial Fund
activist, Damara has dedicated her life to giving and to serving. Soondiren Arnasalon $28 .36
Kamala Mootoosamy $33.25
Vijayam Amasalon $26 .09 Markandeya Peruman $25.00
Recently her heart was touched by a very special school near Vayudeva Varadan $330 .91
Kamaladevi Mootoosawmy $0.44
Total $25.00
Yuvamanee Mootoosawmy $0.44
Bangalore which teaches only blind students. Returning from a visit to Ravindra Doorgiat $89 .80
Dhanya Nadesan $16.71 Thank You Gurudeva Fund
India, she vowed to do what she could to help the students and has Chitravelloo Gunasegaran $7 1.84 $29.27 Anonymous $20 1.00
Sivan Murrugappa Naicken
Kriya Haran $180.00 $9.01 Total $20 1.00
procured and shipped no~ only large numbers of braille books and Kumaren Nataraja
Diksha Katir $165.84 $35 .94
Ramsamy Natarajan Thirunavakkarasu Nayanar
supplies to the school but' also tape recorders and braille typewriters, Usha Devi Katir $49.40
Mooniamah Nellatamby $2 .25 Gurukulam Fund
Amravaddee Kownden $54.45
all free of charge! Finding the truth in the old adage that the best way Toshadeva Lynam Guhan $131.58
Selven Nellatamby $4.49 Vel Alahan $15.00
Yoganathan Palani $2.40 Anonymous $20 .00
. to bring jo.y into your own life is to Dring joy into the lives of others, Deva Natharaja $90.00
Calayvanee Ragaven $17.96
Suguneswary Ponniah $133.83 Prabhawatee Gooljar $10.00
Damara is dedicating her energies towards the creation of a permanent foundation and endow- Surya Sabaratnam $100.00
Govinden San jeevee $15.00 Kriya Haran $10.00
: Hemavalli Sivalingam $1.01
ment to help educate and serve blil!d Hindus arOlJ.nd the world. Sinniah Sivagnanasuntharam $50.00
Kanta Ruban Sivalingam $1.01
Bhavani Param $5.50
Dhasan Sivananda $15.77 Dhasan Sivananda $17.55
Nandi Devi Sivanathan $1.77 Matthew Wieczork $30. 00
Total $1,517 .87
Potriyan Sivanathan $1.77
FUND OF THE MONTH Total $108.05
Hinduism Today Endowment Trust Sithra Sooryanarayanan $3.26
Sivamalar Thuraisingam $0.68 Thirumular Sannidbi Preservation Fund
Anonymous $1,436.46
Nearly 200 children sit quietly in the school assembly. At a signal, they break into lively bhajan; Total $1,436.46 Priya Devi Utchanah $6.20 Shyamadeva Dandapani $25.00
some play drums and instruments, ot~ers clap their hands. All are healthy, well dressed~and well iraivan Temple Fund
Siven Veerasamy $60.00 Total $25.00

cared for. Next, a group of the students begins Total $276.76 Undesignated Funds
Peshala Varadan $820.25
Kauai Aadbeenam Monastic Endowment Anonymous $2,061.93
a traditional folk dance. Some form an inner Mohana Sundari Gunasegaran $70 .84
Total $2,061.93
circle while an outer circle rotates around We especially thank those young children who gave a small amount, Total Recent Contrib. us$23,408.52
them. Sticks rhythmically click as the dancers'" tithing from their allowance each month, creating positive patterns early in life.
Total Endowment Funds US$2,240,993.50
in the outer circle strike the sticks held by
those in the inner circle. An average day in the
life of children in any country of the world? In INVESTMENT MANAGERS AND CONSULTANTS: Franklin Management Inc.; First Hawaiian Bank,
a sense, yes, but each of these children is blind, Trust & Investmeht Division; Brandes Investment Partners, Inc.; Pacific Century Trust (Bank of
making this a very different school and a sur- Hawaii); Alvin G. Buchignani, Esq., attorney; and Nathan Palani, CPA. HHE is a member .of the
prising performance. Ul)der the auspices of Sri Council on Foundations, an association of 1,500 foundations which interprets relevant law, inter-
Sri Sri Balagangadharanathaswami, this sc~ool national and domestic, and accounting, management and investment principles.
provides free education for sightles~s children.
The Saivite Hindu Scriptural Fund for ~~e . I WANT TO PARTICIPATE. WHERE SHOULD I SEND ~ DONATION? You can send your gift to
Visually Impaired was created to permanently provide financial support to produce braille Hmdu an existing furld, create a new endowment or request information through the address below.
educational materials for this and other Hindu blind schools. Credit card gifts may be made directly by E-mail. Or, use the HHE tear-out card in this magazine.

INVESTMENT TIP: "The good news is that you and your spouse have a lifetime income, numer-
ous tax breaks, and a Wealth Replacement Trust passes a completely tax-free HINDu HERITAGE ENDOWMENT
inheritance to your children. Qualified plans like IRA, SEP and KEOGH KAUAI'S HINDU MONASTERY
restrict the am<zunt you can contribute, tax heavily on withdrawal and subject 107 Kaholalele Road
it '[your money] to an excise tax. They even tax your money if it goes to your Kapaa, Hawaii, 96746-9304 USA
children, including federal estafe tax and potential excise tax. Few plans o!fer . Tel: (800) 890-1008, Ext. 222
as much latitude and numerous benefits as the Charitable Remainder Turst." Outside US: (808) 822-3152, Ext. 222
Tip }rom Rajesh Jyotishi of Shalin Financial Services, 1-800-451-5561. Fax: (808) 822-4351
)

E-mail: hhe@hindu.org
As a,public service, HHE occasionally w,ill offer the opini~ ns of various lipaDcial planners. However, it endor~es ~either these advisors nor_
their counsel, and recommends that a1l1l1dlVIduals seek profeSSIOnal adVice from several sources before mak1l1g lffiportant long-term deci ~ www.hindu.org/hhe/
sions.
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ernment's National Insti-
react emotionally to a
computer's praise or
blame just as if it came
from a real person? Or
I So tute of Health. Its man-
<::! .~~ date is to identify and that we react differently
~J ~ .,..-oDAY' S AVERAGE evaluate unconventional to the same comments
Q ~.] I allopathic medical health care practices. At by male and female
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.... doctor ignores, even its website (http://alt compute\" voices? The
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~ ",- '"t treatment." But that is will fmd summaries of tendency to inadequate
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@ ~ct"i to the new Office of Al- tems, plus a monthly on- ment by humans· to deal
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...... :=l ,..... ternative Medicine, a line health news bulletin. Uncle Sam gets behind alternative health systems sanely with machines.
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understanding. Then shall we ever delight in YQur friendship like
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