Bael leaves and Lord Shiva

Bael leaves and Lord Shiva

One of the Hindu trinity, Lord Shiva is believed to be the destroyer of the world, while Brahma is the creator and Vishnu the preserver. New creation is possible only if the destruction goes on simultaneously. Therefore, each cells of the universe is passing through the cycle of creation, preservation and destruction. The destruction is painful, but necessary for new creation, therefore, Hindus pray Lord Shiva chanting Mahamrintyunjaya mantra to conquer death and depart peacefully.

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात् ॥

(We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva who permeates and nourishes all like a fragrance, may He liberate us from death for the sake of immortality, like the cucumber is severed from bondage to the creeper)

Trifoliate (three pronged) Bel leaf (bilva patra) of Bael (wood apple) tree is one of the key ingredients of worshipping Lord Shiva. It symbolizes the trident held in Lord Shiva’s right hand, the three functions of creation, preservation and destruction, the three gunas of Rajas, Tamas and Sattva as well as Lord Shiva’s three eyes. 

In Savan month of Hindu calendar, Hindus worship Lord Shiva. They offer tridal Bilva leaves to Lord Shiva and pray him for fulfilling their material or spiritual desires. Leaves of Bilva trees are removed in millions these days. One wonders, how could the leaves be a mean for boons or salvation? One one side, the theory of Karma suggests that the fruits are the outcome of our Karma, then how could the bael leaves bypass the Karma and fruits effect? 

In Shiv Purana, there is story of a hunter worshiping Lord Shiva with the bel leaf.

A hunter once had to go hunting because his family was hungry. At the end of the day, the hunter was not able to find any prey. He climbed a tree and was watching around the movement of animal for hunting. As there was no prey around, free he, was subconsciously plucking and dropping the leaves of the tree on the ground. Suddenly, he saw a deer. He aimed his bows and arrow at the deer, but the deer asked him to give little time to meet the doe and come back. He allowed the deer to go and while waiting, continued plucking and dropping the leaves on the ground. The buck returned with the doe but both requested for one more time to go and come back after meeting the fawns. He allowed them and in waiting continued plucking and dropping the leaves on the ground. After a while, the whole family of the deer appeared before him for the prey. As the hunter was plucking and dropping the bael leaves on the ground, the leaves were falling over the Shiv Linga buried at the foot of the tree. This unknowing worship to Lord Shiva was enough to transform the hunter into a compassionate and understanding human being and frees him from his past bad karma. He saw on one side the deer family ready for the sacrifice and on other side his family hunger, which can be satisfied with alternative means. He allowed the deer family to return happily. Since then, the Hindus worship Lord Shiva with the Bilva leaves for purification of hearts and getting free from the bondage of their past karmas.

But why the Bilva Leaves? The story has spiritual meaning. The tridal symbolises the three gunas (qualities) of the Samsara, the Satva, the Rajas and the Tamas. He who surrenders the three gunas to the God, his mind and thoughts purifies and he then attains into the pure Consciousness of the Universe. In Chapter 15 of Bhagvad Gita, Lord Krishna has described the Sansara as Urdva moola adho shakha... 

ऊर्ध्वमूलमधःशाखमश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम् |

छन्दांसि यस्य पर्णानि यस्तं वेद स वेदवित् || (१५/१, Geeta)

(An eternal ashvatth tree with its roots above and branches below. Its leaves are the vedic hymn, and one who knows the secret of the tree is the knower of the Vedas.)

The Upanishads also mention this tree: ūrdhvamūlo ’vākśhākha eṣho ’śhvatthaḥ sanātanaḥ   (Kaṭhopaniṣhad 2.3.1) (The ashvatth tree, with its roots upward and branches downward is eternal). ūrdhvamūlaṁ arvākśhākhaṁ vṛikṣhaṁ yo samprati, na sa jātu janaḥ śhraddhayātmṛityutyurmā mārayaditi (Taittirīya Āraṇyak 1.11.5) (Those who know this tree with it’s root upward and branches downward will not believe that death can finish them)

Generally, trees have their roots below and branches above.  But this tree has its roots above (ūrdhva-mūlam), i.e. it has originated from God, it is based in Him, and is supported by Him.  Its trunk and branches extend downward (adhaḥ-śhākham), encompassing all the life-forms in all the abodes of the material realm. 

The tree of Sansara/Jagat/material world has it’s roots above and it’s trunk and the branches extend downward. We/Atma are the hunters sitting on the top of the tree, searching for the prey to fulfil our desires with the help of three gunas: Satva, Rajas and Tamas. And according to our Karma, we decide our future. Till we became the doer, we are the lords of our destiny of hell or heaven. But as soon as we surrender our I with the three gunas to the God (Lord Shiva), the complete surrender to God brings salvation/moksha/nirvana and frees us from all the bondages. 

The bael leaves are symbolic. One has to remove all the impurities caused by the trigunas and surrenders to the God. Simple act of plucking the leaves and dropping them over the Shivlinga won’t serve any purpose unless surrendering the three gunas and offer the leaves to Lord Shiva. 

Bili or Bael tree has medicinal value in Ayurveda. The leaves are stimulator and medicine for sexual dysfunction and can cure Type2 diabetes.  It causes low appetite therefore useful in fast during the rainy season. It has anti fertility effects, therefore, can be used for family planning. Powder of Bael fruit is a great  medicine for stomach, ulcerative colitis, amoebiasis, intestinal and digestive disorders associated with bloody diarrhoea. It also boosts the immune system, fights off bacterial and viral infections, reduces inflammatory conditions, increases milk production for nursing mothers, improves ocular health. The fruit balances Kaph and Vata doshas, its roots improve digestion, leaves are good for pain, stem for heart and bel flower’s for curing of diarrhea.

ॐ नम: शिवाय। 

Punamchand

31 August 2018

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Diu the Pearl of India

Diu the Pearl of India

Diu the Pearl of India, presenting mixture of Portuguese and Gujarati culture together, is one of the 100 ideal heritage sites of India. The island is surrounded on the three sides by blue water of Arabian Sea. It was a sea port trade centre and vital trade link with the rest of India for traders overseas and was an important naval base of strategic importance on Saurastra coast for centuries and was ruled by Mauryas, Chalukyas, Chavda-Vaghela, Turks and Portuguese. Portuguese carried with them the Siddis from the African colonies and built the fort, the city wall and other strictures in the Cantonment. Portuguese stayed and ruled over the island for 450 years, till it was annexed to India on December 19, 1961.

Diu fort with many cannons spread around tells stories and history of the bravery and great wars they fought with the enemies. All the cannons are positioned towards Gujarat, as it was always under the danger of attacks from the Sultanate of Gujarat. Turks from Ottoman Empire were spreading rapidly towards East Asia and with it’s naval support to the local Muslim rulers, the island came under the great threat. 

Bahadur Shah the Sultan of Gujarat tried to seize Diu from Portuguese with the help of Ottoman Empire of Pasha during the 4 years war of 1531-34. 1534-35 AD were important years for Sultan Bahadur Shah because he won Diu in the west and Chitorgarh in the north. But at Mandsore, his head of artillery Rumi Khan (Russian Turk) betrayed him in favour of Humayun. Bahadur Shah then fled to Mandu but Mandu fortress was taken by Humayun, therefore, he fled to Champaner and finally took refuge in Diu. With the revolt of Sher Shah Suri in Bihar and Jaunpur, Humayun returned to Agra leaving his brother and two generals to command Ahmedabad, Bharuch and Patan, Bahadur Shah with the help of his old nobles, defeated Mughals at Kanij (near Mahemadabad) and expelled them. He then tried to recover Mandu from Mughal but was forced to the court of Portuguese, signed treaty of Bassein with Portuguese on December 23, 1534, gave them rights over Bassein (Vasai), Daman and Bombay and granted permission to erect a factory in Diu, instead the Portuguese Governor D Nuno da Cunha constructed the Diu fort. 

Portuguese had lost many lives and wealth during those four years (1531-34) war against the armies of Ottoman empire and Gujarat Sultanate, didn’t forget the losses. Therefore, when the Sultan of Gujarat Bahadur Shah came to Diu, invited the Viceroy with a strategy to pull him into his power, the Viceroy excused himself and in return invited the Sultan to his ship anchored off the coast of Gujarat. Bahadur Shah committed a mistake, went to the Viceroy’s ship, failed in negotiation terms and on his way back was attacked and killed in encounter by the Portuguese and his body was dumped into the water of Arabian Sea. The ship anchors away from the coast beyond the Panikotha structure, and one has to travel in a small boat to approach the ship and return to the jetty. The powerful Sultan, otherwise could had defeated the Portuguese in direct war, traveled in a small boat and lost his life in the water of Arabian sea in a small encounter of few minutes. He was only 30 years old. Why did he took such a risky move?

When British took over the reins of India in their hands, there was nothing advantageous either politically or for trades for the Portuguese to stay   as the fort population was mostly dependent on imports of goods and services from the African countries of South Africa, Mozambique, etc. But to showcase the presence of their colonial rule some 5000 km away, they continued their hold over the land. They believed in keeping the local population happy to save the kingdom. They lived as they believed. As a Community, Portuguese are very nice and sociable people. Unlike British, Portuguese males married with the locals females and gave birth to the coloured population in their colonial areas. Pao (soft bread) and barbecue fish is their staple food but they also enjoy chicken with gravy. They are famous for their bakery products. 

Diu became independent and annexed to India on 19 December 1961. People celebrate the Independence Day with one week long Diu Festival (Festa De Diu) in December every year. Before 1961, their Passports were stamped at Indian check post when they were coming to Indian territory for the medical treatment or other purposes. 

Diu, Daman Dadara Nagar Haveli and Goa (Estado da India) were annexed by armed action ‘Operation Vijay’ in December 1961 and were put under military administration till replaced by civilian rule in June 1962. It is interesting to note that the the issue of Indian armed action was taken up for a debate in the UN Security Council in December 1961 with the Portuguese request. The request was approved when the bare minimum of seven members supported the request (the US, UK, France, Turkey, Chile, Ecuador, and Nationalist China), two opposed (the Soviet Union and Ceylon), and two abstained (the United Arab Republic and Liberia).

When Diu and Goa were under attack from the land, sky and sea for 36 hours, the Portuguese people living in the fort went to the City area for rescue, then surrendered and left the land by a ship. And loving people they were, considered the Indian population of the island as their own people because of their long association with them for 451 years, invited them to the ship and took away to those who joined them to Portugal. They extended the citizenship right of Portugal to all the natives. Many carrying Portugal Passport moved to Europe and mostly settled in the Wembly of London. 

Those born before 1961 and their children do carry citizenship rights of Portugal even today. There are agents who process the file by charging ₹ 2 lakh/case for the fees and costs, and every year some youngsters surrender their Indian citizenship, acquire Portuguese Passport and try their luck in Europe, mostly in London. Many youths had migrated living their old aged parents behind, one can see many houses empty in Fudam and other villages. If you wish to buy a property in Diu, you may buy in Nagarsheth Heritage, but can’t buy in Fudam without the permission of the local Panchayat Society! Merchant Navy job carries the highest value above doctors and engineers amongst the families living in Ghoghala area of fishermen community. 

Some people remember the old days of Portuguese rule in which they were living with ease and comforts, enjoying fruits and vegetables of Africa. Wearing Gold ornaments and decorating houses were the luxuries of the life the women of Diu they had enjoyed the most. 

One of the Collectors of Diu found out his better half from Diu, married to a beautiful Portuguese girl serving in the Collectorate, whose parents and other relatives are settled in England, leaving a small house at Diu. 

There are many places and buildings of historical and archeological importance in Diu, but some of them are noteworthy: the fort, Panikotha, the city wall, a heritage walk from the beach side to other side of the town (small steps feel like great China wall walk), beautiful beaches: Chakratirtha, Nagoa, Ghoghala, Jalandhar; Naida caves, INS Khukri Memorial, Gangeshwar temple, etc. 

The beautiful St. Paul Church is the biggest building adorned with curiously treated volutes and shell like motifs and the magnificent wood carving is considered to be the most elaborate of all the Portuguese Churches in India. They worship Mother Mary, and the eyes of Mother Mary idol in the Church is very famous for it’s beauty and shine. Now the building is in the custody of Archeology Department, open for prayer but not been maintained so well. 

India won the war with the surrender of 93000 Pakistani soldiers under Lt. Gen. AAK Niazi before Indian Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Arora at Ramna Race Course Garden in Dhaka, Bangladesh on December 16, 1971, but a week before at 19.57 hrs on December 9, 1971, the great sons of India sacrificed their lives to protect the pride of the mother land. Indian Navy’s frigate INS Khukri F149 fell prey to three torpedoes fires on her by a Pakistani submarine PNS Hangor on December 9, 1971 in the course of the war. INS Khukri F149 sank 40 nautical miles off the Diu coast taking down with her a crew of 18 Officers and 176 Soldiers. Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla, a Kashmiri Pandit, was the Commanding Officer of the Ship. It is said that he refused to abandon the Captain’s seat and opted to go down with the sinking ship. He is considered as a hero in naval history and was awarded country’s second highest gallantry award ‘Mahavir Chakra’ (posthumously). A war memorial near Diu, displays name of the brave martyrs soldiers who lost their lives in INS Khukri F149.

The only place to see Hokka Trees in India is Diu. This sole Indian species of African genus was carried on the island by the the Portuguese from Africa. Hokka trees and Siddi workers of Africa are the Gifts of Portuguese to Gujarat and India. The fruits of the tree are edible, tastes like dates and have medicinal properties. These are heritage trees and therefore, there is prohibition to cut Hokka tree in Diu, the fine is heavy. 

A small population of Diu speak Portuguese. You may hear the words: como esta (how are you), obrigado (fine thank you), while walking in the streets of Diu. A Portuguese gentleman (Mother Indian father Portuguese), when asked for Portuguese life and meal in Diu, he happily invited us for dinner. We may take a chance to it in our next trip to the pearl of India, Diu. 

Punamchand
26 August 2018

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Tips of Ayush from Panchabhai Damania

Ayush Tips from Panchabhai Damania

He is a Vaidhya, did his BAMS from Junagadh and Masters from Jamnagar Ayurvedic University. In the initial years of his career, he practiced Ayurveda with Allopathic but later moved to pure Ayurvedic treatment and is now considered as one of the most successful Vaidhyas of Gujarat, successful in treating incurable discusses including Cancer. He stays in his village Una where his wife, his daughters and his father help him in making his Ayurved Yatra successful. One of his two daughters studies in BAMS and the younger is also getting ready to follow Ayurveda as a career.

Sushrut Samhita for Anatomy and Charak Samhita for treatment are his base books along with the guidance from other Ayurvedic books, Rigveda, Atharvaveda and Puranas. His pharmacy has Ayurvedic Drugs in the order described in Bhavprakash Nighantu. He is open to the new ideas and have acquired knowledge of herbs that cure many diseases. It is surprising to note that the herbs carry different potency if plucked in routine, plucked in selected season, time and nakshatra or plucked by chanting Ved mantras.

For Cancer treatment, he uses ‘krishna vallary’ herbs available in plenty on the sea coast of Gujarat. Following the success of a Kutchi Shah living in Mumbai, he also uses herb Hemkand, available near Verai Mata Temple in Rapar. He believes that without pure panchkarma treatment, no treatment on cancer can be successful.

Apart from the known Ayurvedic herbs, he uses Vanplandu (wild onion) and other herbs available locally. Referring the mantra of Rigveda, he believes that Yagya and it’s smoke can cure the fever of chikungunya, dengue, malaria, etc. पलड्ंकषा निम्बपत्रं वचा कृष्ठं हरीतकि, सर्षपा: सयवा: सर्पिर्धूपन ज्वरनाशनम। A dhoopa of gugal, neem leaves, vaj, kath, harada, sarsav and jav can cure all fevers.

Milk is prohibited in fevers, leprosy, blood and skin related diseases. All the acerbic (कड़वा) herbs and vegetables are good for the skin diseases. Acerbic food and herbs are lekhan aushadha, removes med/fat of the body.

Honey can’t be taken with hot water. It is hot medicine, cures cough and upper respiratory problems. It is not advisable to take after 60 years age.

Those suffering from low HB, Pandu Roga must take Sun bath of early morning ultraviolet rays.

Bharanhi, Kantkari, Aradusi and Vanpalandu are great herbs to cure cough, bronchitis and upper respiratory problems. Ardusi is used fresh and the juice is taken out by crushing some leaves and covered the pulp with whole leaves and mud paste and heated in the fire, then squeeze and collect the juice. Vanpalandu is useful in breathing problems and bronchitis. Bharangi and Kantkari are used in cough and cold.

Herbs have life of potency. Some herbs like Tulsi, Fudina, Ardusi, Jivanti, etc, are taken as fresh. Some dry leaves have life limited to six months.

Healthy life comes from the balance of Vata-Pitta and Cough in the body. Hemant and Shishir are considered good seasons to eat all foods as the powerful jatharagni digest whatever we eat. But one has to be careful while eating during Vasant and Gishma when the jatharagni is medium. And must do fasting or ektana (one meal in 24 hours) during Varsha and Sharad, the season of mand (poor) jatharagni. It is therefore, many Hindu festivals are lined up for fasting and rituals during these months. Sharad is considered the mother of the diseases, as well as mother of the vaidhyas/doctors as they earn the most during the season.

He is a seat of attachment of four students a year from Ayurvedic Universities, where the students stay with him for 11 months to study and learn practical Ayurveda. Every morning they go to the fields to study and collect the herbs to make the medicines. Modern allopathic men are afraid of Ayurvedic Bhashma as it may harm more than the cure, but he believes that a Bhashma made by following commands of Ayurveda float over the water and that can’t be harmful. One must test it before the intake.

He uses cow ghee and black sesame seed oil in plenty while making different drugs.

He follows spirituality, follows chaturmas (four months fasting) by taking only a glass of milk twice in 24 hours. He is connected with a Trikala Jnani Sanyasi Pragyananji, who comes and stays in his farm Cottage for Sadhana and guides him through the dialogues. The Sanyasi remains in seclusion for a year, and the lamp he lights with 100 ml ghee, without any addition, continues lighting for the whole year of his Sadhana. During Sadhana, the Sanyasi doesn’t sleep. It is believed that unless one purifies the physical body through fasting, chanting mantras and meditation, the human brain won’t be able to  connect and take guidance from the universal cosmic energy. The mantras, herbs, asanas to cure diseases, they hear or see as divine revelation during the Sadhana.

All the herbs are our great friends, give us long and healthy life and the cosmos around us connects us with the cosmic power and liberate us from the fear of death as there is no death of the soul. It is the body that dies, but the driver moves on to fulfil his desires till attains the salvation.

Punamchand
26 August 2018
www.punamchand.com

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Our Great Leader Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Our Great Leader Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee

It was time of 1977 Parliament elections rallies in Ahmedabad, when I saw and heard him first time at Khanpur. We Amdavadi were great fans of his lyrical speeches of great oratory. One could easily swim in his thoughts and get inspired standing at any corner of the ground full with large crowd. Pandit Nehru was the first to identify the jewel, had rightly saw a Prime Minister in him. He was so warm and open hearted man that he not only admired the victory of India over Pakistan in 1971 war but also praised the then PM Indira Gandhi as Durga. He gave a speech a day prior to Babri Demolition in 1992, but kept himself away on the day of demolition of the mosque. His didn’t hesitate declaring caste inequality a major reason of slavery of the nation under foreign rules.

His destiny was the Chair of PM of India. He was a stenographer of great nationalist Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. Mr. Mukherjee returned him from the border of Kashmir to serve the Mother land and accepted the Jail of Kashmir for himself, where he died in custody. He presented us a great leader of love warmth and vision.

He became PM of India as an MP of Ahmedabad. It was that 13 days short tenure in 1996. He came to Ahmedabad to thank the voters but his party naughty men played dhotiya kand in public removing dhoti of the veteran Atmaram Patel who was siding with the dissidents. He lost the Chair as couldn’t garner the majority, but returned to the power gaining strength from General Elections of 1998. Brave Pokhran-II nuclear test was conducted in May 1998, but after 13 months, he lost the Chair by just one vote. His tenure was very effective for his full scale peace process with Pakistan to resolve Kashmir issue, Lahore declaration, Delhi-Lahore bus, etc, many steps of goodwill gestures.

"It was on February, 19, 1999, at a reception in the Governor's House, Islamabad, Pakistan, Vajpayee recited a poem, 'Ab Jung naa hone denge hum" (Lets say NO to war). Following this, he delivered a speech, which had managed to impress all. Nawaz Sharif too was so impressed that he walked up to him and said 'Vajpayee sahab ab toh Pakistan mein bhi election jeet sakte hain. (Mr Vajpayee you can win elections even in Pakistan now)"

But Pakistan gave Kargil war in return. He regained his position in General Elections of 1999 and graced the Chair of the PM of India comfortably from 1999 to 2004 except few major uncomfortable events of IC 814 plane hijacking to Kandhar to release the terrorist Masood Azhar, the Parliament attack by the terrorists and Gujarat violence. He broke the ice with Pakistan and during the visit of President of Pakistan Parvez Musharraf at Agra, at one point, it was felt that the Kashmir dispute might had been resolved by accepting LOC as IOC but the efforts failed.

In October 1997, at a meeting with three British diplomats, Govindacharya reportedly called Vajpayee the party's mukhota (mask) and identified party president L K Advani as real leader created storm in the party. Vajpayee took serious objection to the derogatory remarks. Govindacharya was removed and was replaced by Narendra Modi. This was a turning point in the life of Mr. Modi as he became the bridge between the RSS and the Government when the party came in power. He saw the polity very closely and when given an opportunity to become CM of Gujarat, he excelled, ruled the State for 13 years and now at the verge of successful completion of his first five years tenure as PM India.

Vajpayeeji’s pet projects of National Highways Development, PMGSY, Sarwa Siksha Abhiyan, were very popular. He added a word of science in the popular slogan: जय जवान जय किशान जय विज्ञान। Indian foreign policy took a right shift. The reforms initiated by Narasimha Rao goverment were stalled due to unstable governments during 1996-99, he put the economy on track through reform and perform. Leaving the protocol aside, he attended the funeral of Madhavrao Scindia respecting him as the royal chair of his native Gwalior State in October 2001.

His slogan India Shining didn’t win General Elections of 2004 but he registered permanent mark of his presence in the hearts of all Indians.

I met him personally when he visited Kutch as a Leader of the Opposition in 1994. It was a scarcity year and he visited couple of scarcity works. A day long association with him traveling to the district was a great memory to cherish for the life. I was very positive and enthusiastic in picturing Kutch as great investment destination. Equal to the size of Israel, when I gave great narration and potentially of the land and has capacity to grow like Israel, he with a lovely smile admired my vision with a pat on the back and told to feel like the President of Kutch. At Gandhidham, one follower presented him a painting of his picture. I remember the first line he wrote, बढ़ता क़द ढलती छाया ... Impressed by his simplicity, love and affections, I became his fan forever.

Keshubhai Patel, the then CM during his visit to the district was remembering his association with Vajpayeeji when he drove a jeep, traveling in the district with him and became his loyal for the life. With his one word, he gave away the chair of the CM though he had majority support of the MLAs.

The second occasion was to see him closely during his visit to Kutch after the devastating earthquake of Kutch on 31 January 2001. When the whole of the district was under shocks and after shocks, total blackout, houses collapsed, hundreds of people perished, wheels of life were stopped, vehicles became toys without diesel and drivers and barefooted we were busy walking and trying to establish rescue, recovery and relief operations. A challenge before us was to present the estimated losses before the PM. Suresh Mehta was very furious to get the figures. Somehow, we managed the numbers with applying logic of house damaged (taking 50% of the district) and the death toll of 20000 plus, damages to the roads, rails, bridges, substations, etc. He visited Bhuj, Bhachau and Ahmedabad, saw the devastation, met affected people and returned. He came with lot of relief materials including one big community RO Plant. All other stocks were matched but the RO Plant sent by the PMO was missing. We tressed through the truck drivers but were not getting any clue. Finally, it was found out from the custody of the BAPS camp where it was put in use to serve the community displaced by the earthquake. During his visit to the district in June 2001, many announcements of rehabilitation packages, tax holidays, infrastructure building, etc, had paved the way of Industrial Development of Kutch.

Bharat Ratna (2015) he was a jewel of India. We lost the great and loving son, visionary leader, philosopher and guide of Mother India.

Rest in Peace our Dearest Leader. 🙏

Punamchand
17 August 2018

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Goat Blood Basti (enema)

Goat Blood Basti (enema)

India is progressing as the fastest growing economy, the 6th largest economy of the world with 2597 trillion dollars domestic GDP. Infrastructure is growing by leaps and browns but the human resource health is one of the biggest challenges the Country is facing. Large population of women are anemic and big number of children are stunted and wasted. Anemia is the biggest health hazard caused by the iron deficiency or blood loss. Due to poverty the first priority of the family is to fill the bellies of the members. Cheap carbohydrates dominates the diet. Weak mothers give births to weak children. They increase load over the government for health care as well as load over their family for spending out of pocket. Weak health, low productivity, low income, poverty, poor diet, weak health, a vicious cycle of misery from which millions are unable to come out. 

It is a big challenge for the allopathic doctors to improve the HB of the mothers and children. The Drugs made from chemicals give some results temporarily and many patients are irregular in taking medicines. Allopathic Drugs carry side effects. Ayurveda has unique methods to improve HB. Apart from improving the diet with green leafy vegetables, the Panchkarma Chikitsa increases the HB instantly. But it’s a long process for a week and costs to the patient. But there is another Ayurvedic method, unique, instant, cheap, and magical to improve the HB level. It may be a relief to the Thallassemia patients. It is called Goat Blood Basti. 

Do you know the ancient heroes of India Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya? 

Accordingly to a tale, when Chandragupta ascended to the throne of Pataliputra, Chanakya started mixing small doses of poison in the new king's food to make him immune to poisoning attempts by the enemies. Chandragupta, who was not aware of this, once shared the food with his pregnant queen Durdhara, who was seven days away from delivery. Chanakya arrived just as the queen ate the poisoned morsel. Realising that she was going to die, Chanakya decided to save the unborn child. He cut off the queen's head and cut open her belly with a sword to take out the foetus. Over the next seven days, he placed the foetus in the belly of a goat freshly killed each day. After seven days, Chandragupta's son was "born". He was named Bindusara, because his body was spotted with drops ("bindu") of goat's blood. Goat Blood was used for saving the child. Mutton is the meal of millions. 

The Ayurvedic Vaidhyas collect the goat blood fresh from the slaughter house, get it checked through the animal husbandry laboratory and thereafter given to the patient through the rectum route as basti. The patient is advised to first lie on his/her left lateral position. The right knee is folded touching the abdomen. With the basti drip, drop by drop the blood enters into the intestines and is absorbed by the patient. The quantity of blood is decided by the vaidhya based on the age, weight and medical condition of the patient. It may be repeated weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Once the patient has reached to a satisfactory level of HB, it is discontinued. The treatment of goat blood basti may be repeated after 2-3 years, when there is fall in HB. 

Isn’t it a cheap and effective solution for a country to treat the large population of anemic population? There are clinics in the country treating anemic and Thallassemia patients through Goat Blood Basti. CCRS, Ministry of Ayush, GoI funds the project. 

Can’t believe? Come and try at Akhandanand Ayurvedic Hospital at Ahmedabad. Better to prefer chemical to biochemical😂

Punamchand
8 August 2018

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Is Buddhism an evolution of Hinduism?

Is Buddhism an evolution of Hinduism? 

The Ashoka Chakra is a depiction of the Buddhist Dharmachakra, represented with 24 spokes appeared on Lion Capital of Sarnath has been adopted as the National Emblem of the Republic of India. The Chairman of the Draft Committee of the Constitution of India wrote a book: ‘The Buddha and his Dhamma’ and publicly changed his faith on 14 October 1956, just 54 days before his death on 6 December 1956. He called it “Navayana”, a step forward to Hinyana, Vajrayana, Mahayana. He had declared that “I had born Hindu but I shall not die a Hindu”. It was his struggle for equality. 

Is Buddhism a evaluation of Hinduism? Many Hindus will answer yes and many Buddhist will say no. If both the sides take a conservative view, there will be little room for the consensus. There is continuous evolution in the belief and faith system in all human societies. Enlightened people see the strengths and weaknesses of the society and accordingly guide the masses for betterment of their life and humanity. 

When the religion was jailed into the rituals and caste inequality was dividing the country into divisions of people based on their births, Buddha came with a new meaning of Dhamma (truth) and preached the logical meaning of human life to live a better and peaceful life with communal harmony. Religion of beliefs was lifted up from the hearts (भावना) to the minds (बुद्धि). अप्प दीपो भव। (atta dippa), be a light unto yourself, follow your own light (inner voice) was his greatest teaching. He was the greatest social reformer. There is a full chapter in Dhammapad, regarding the qualities of a Brahmin. He had accepted Brahmin as a position, one has to earn by following good virtues and live a life for the welfare of others. It is not a brand or status one can acquired by birth. One can’t be IAS by birth, one has to pass the UPSC😊

The four classes of a society was a division of work amongst the people depending upon their mental and physical skills and abilities. One family might had four sons of four different qualities. In modern era, we are doing the same dividing the the personnels in jobs in Classes: 1-2-3-4. But those who were benefited from the system, made it compulsory by birth and the fall of the nation started. Buddhism tried to unite the country through the principle of equality and preached the followers to use their life in the welfare of others but it couldn’t sustained beyond 2-3 centuries. The defence of the country weakened. Brahmanism again acquired the strong position and the inequality of the society limiting the talents and strength within selected classes allowed the Muslims to invade and win and convert the masses into the new faith system. Khatri Guru Gobind Singh, built an Army (Shikh-शिष्य- disciple) of the Hindu Sons from all castes starting from the Panch Pyare, and gave them suffix of ‘Singh’ to their name to countered the Muslim aggression and later with following five Ks of identity, it became an independent faith system of Shikhism, a middle path of taking good things from both the Hindu and Muslim religions. The influence of Shikh Singhs was so high that thereafter, Kshatriyas and Rajputs started using suffix ‘Singh’ to their names!!

One has to understand the journey of ancient Brahmanism (Priest) under pressure from the junction point of Central Asia of Greek Aryans, Persian Aryans and Indian Aryans through present days Afghanistan, Pakistan and India and evolution of the faith system from the Fire Worship to idols worship, from Nature Gods to Hunan Gods and their incarnation and mixing it with the belief system of the native Indians and taking new shapes and colours over the centuries. 

Buddhism, Jainism and Shilkhism were evolution process of the faith system in the Country, were addressed to the needs of the time. With the patronage of Chakrowarthy Kings like Samrat Ashoka, Buddhism spread beyond the boundaries and the countries like China, Japan and whole of South East Asia followed it for more than 2000 years. New system will carry the good teachings of the old system and the followers of old system will catch up the new ideas and refine their system too.

You will be surprised to know that Japan had a Caste system similar to Hinduism and people were divided amongst the 5 divisions of uppers and lowers based on their births. They were following untouchability with the 5th class and marriages were restricted within the same caste group. The religion Shintoism was same like ancient Indian religion of worshiping the nature. But with the strong winds of Buddhism, people moved to Buddhism and today 80% of the Japanese believe in Buddhism. However, the new generation is moving towards no religion. Religion for them is a ritual to perform at three occasions: birth, marriage and death. Marriages in Japan are mostly through love marriages but even today, when it comes to arrange marriages, they do see the family roots.

Where do you place the present form of Government of India? New system? Evolution of the Kingship and Sultanate system of ancient and medieval India? Or the evolution of British East India Company administration? It is a continuous process of governance, changing shape as per the needs of the hour. 

As humans, all are equal and have right to live a life of dignity and respects. All are the lights of the same Sun, whether you call HIM Bhagwan, Buddha, Arihant, Wahe Guru, Allah, or any other name. Those who born will die and the light in them will take new form whether it is called rebirth or disappearance and appearance. Equality, Justice, Liberty and Fraternity are the principles on which the human society of the world has to rest their faith heads. 

X or Y, the truth is in the middle, may be XY. मध्यम मार्ग। बुद्धम् शरणं गच्छामि। (Follow the wisdom)

Punamchand 

2 August 2018

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