MOTHERS' DAY

Mothers’day is celebrated all over the world in a splendour manner. After the birth of a child a first word a child ever learn to speak is, mother (Maa, Mummy, Mum). The word mother remains attached with the child for the rest of his life. No matter how old the child grows, he always share all his happiness and sorrow with his mother. A mother’s relation with the child is of 24/7 throughout his life. Then why one need to celebrate Mothers’day just once in a year? There are many events we have adopted in our life from western culture. In western culture, a child at the age of 18 to 21 separates from his parents and start living his own life. To make sure that a child at least remember his/her parents once a year, so called mothers 'day and fathers 'day was introduced. Without understanding the reasons behind the mothers 'day and fathers 'day we have simply adopted it in our life. We are very ignorant about our own heritage and many of us believe that adopting to western system and western culture is a path to be a modern person. Nevertheless it is up to individual to think on it.

In this article, I am going to share my thought on why a child’s first word of vocabulary is always mother. Though he can understand his own name and also understand his father, grand father, grand mother, brothers and sisters and so on and yet his first word is always mother. This is universal for all children worldwide. To understand this we need to go through our Vedas (ancient scripture).

According to Vedas, all children at birth are Shudra. Now what is Shudra and who is Shudra?

In Shreeamad Bhagwat Geeta, Bhagwan Shri Krishna told Arjuna:

Chaatur-varnyam mayaa srushtam gun-karma-vibhaagashah|

Tasya kartaaramapi maam viddhyakartaara-mavyayam|| (4:13)

“The four order of society (viz: the Brahmin, the Kshatriya, the  Vaishya and the Shudra) were created by Me, classifying them according to the Gunas predominant in each and apportioning corresponding duties to them; though the originator of this creation, know Me the Immortal Lord, to be a non-doer”.

How one can define who is Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya or Shudra?

To understand let us look what Shri Krishna told Arjuna in Shreemad Bhagwat Geeta.

Stvam rajastam eti gunaahaa prakruti smabhavaahaa|

Nibandhanti mahaabaaho dehe dehinamavyayam|| (14:5)

“Satva, Rajas and Tamas – these three Gunas born of Nature tie down the imperishable soul to the body”.

A person, who has nothing but Satva Guna, then he is a Brahmin.

A person, who has Satva Guna but he also has Rajas Guna, then he is a Kshatriya.

A person, who has Rajas Guna and also Tamas Guna, then he is a Vaishya.

And a person with only Tamas Guna, he is known as Shudra.

Before the birth, a child is connected with his mother through navel cord. It is mentioned in Puranas that before the evolution of earth, Lord Vishnu was resting on his Sheshnaag (serpent) bed when suddenly Brahma appeared on Lotus flower from Lord Vishnu Navel. It is said that Brahma went ups and down the navel cord to find out where did he come from and he looked around all four sides for his existence. Thus Brahma got four heads. This signifies that one can get knowledge from all directions.

It is equally important to mention here that the first word produced in the milky-way galaxy is “Aum”. The sound of Aum can still be heard in space. Aum is a complete word and it is made of three system (Gunas) of nature. “A” represent Satva, “U” represents Rajas while “M” represents Tamas.

A child in mother’s womb is in total darkness (ignorance). He is surrounded by or controlled by Tamas Guna. Even after birth he is totally controlled by Tamas. “U” Rajas is quite far for him while “A” Satva is beyond his imagination. Therefore the only sound a child can recognize is Tamas sound “M”. Thus it is easier for him to pronounce a word beginning with “M”. “Maa. Mummy, Mum”etc.

Author: Manherlal Narsey

International Calendar 2022

 

The making of Mhatma Gandhi

 

When Arjuna requested Lord Krishna to reveal His imperishable form, if He thinks that it can be seen by him then Lord Krishna said to Arjuna:

Na tu mam shakyase drashtumaneneiva svachakshusha|

Divyam dadami ye chakshuhu pashya me yogameishvaram|| (Gita 11:8)

(meaning: Surely you cannot see Me with these physical eyes f yours; thererfore, I vouchsafe to you the divine eye. With this you behold My divine power of Yoga).

Gandhiji's character is also so much vast and deeper that one cannot understand him with one's own intellect. To understand Gandhiji one must seek the divine knowledge from Shrimad Bhagwad Gita.

Once there was a phase in Gandhi's life when he wanted to quit Hinduism an adopt to Chrisinity. And then Shrimad Rajchandra came in his life. He explained the core of Hinduism to Gandhi and gave him Shreemad Bhagwad Gita. Gandhiji's life was transformed after reading Gita. Shreemad Rajchandra was his spiritual Guru.

Gandhiji completed his law degree in London and he got his first case in Africa. In Africa Gandhi was travelling in train in first class coach. However even though having a first class ticket with him, he was literally thrown out of train saying that coolies (word used for Indians) are not supposed to travel in first class. What you would had done if you were in place of Gandhi? You would have chosen one of the two options as follows:

First: "Let not bother about all this. I am here to fight the case and I will leave Africa soon. I should not involve in all these."

Second: "Make a friendship with highest authority and get all the luxuries as long as I am in Africa".

Normally anyone would have chosen one of the above two easiest options available. However Gandhi did not choose any of these two options. He took third option to challenge the authority of human rights. "If I have first class ticket, I am entitled to travel in first class". The rest is history. In those days there was no such words as "human rights" and certainly not in Africa. If Gandhi have opted for any one of the first two options then the world would not have known Mahatma Gandhi.

I have to pen with very heavy heart that today in 21st century, violation of human rights are visible. Everyone experiences some sort of discrimination in life. And yet we do not opt for third option because we are not Gandhi. We can only talk about human rights.

Due to Corona-19 pandemic, every nation worldwide have begun to rethink about the economic position of their nation. Everyone believed that this pandemic originated from China. Suddenly people began to boycott Chinese products. Many companies are pulling out of China to other countries. Every nation felt that China has become so powerful that no nation can defeat China by weapons. The only way to defeat China is to cripple Chinese economically.

Gandhiji told the same thing 100 years ago. He knew that India will not be able to defeat Britain by weapons. The only way is to cripple Britain economically. He gave message of  self dependence (Swavalambi) to Indians and gave them spinning wheal (charakha). He told Indian to weave their cloths. Boycott all British products.

The current Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is talking about "Atma Nirbhar" - self reliance is not new. It is the same 100 years old philosophy of Gandhiji. Whatever Modi talks and does is only to revive the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. That is the reason Narendra Modi has been the most popular Prime Minister world-wide.

Quit India movement:

When Gandhi returned from Africa, he was asked to be at the helm of Congress. However Gandhi wanted to travel across India first to see and meet his fellow citizens. He travelled extensively across India as an ordinary citizen in third class. He saw and witnessed the suffering of his people. When he saw that his own brothers and sisters are surviving half naked, his heart cried and immediately he took vow, "I shall not wear anything except a dhoti till all my brothers and sisters have proper clothes to put on". The world has not seen such consciousness and concern in any leader in past and present and will never see it again in future too. Gandhi continued with this vow till last day of his life.

Did Gandhi asked freedom for his country? Readers of this Blog will be surprised to know that Gandhi never asked freedom for his country. Then what did he ask for? Why did he say, "Quit India"? For Gandhi definition of freedom is not to draw few lines of freedom on paper. Or not to rule the country by his own people. For Gandhi a country is made up of group of many states. States are a collection of many villages, towns and cities. And number of societies together make up for village, town or city. A society is a group of number of families and a family is a group of people living together. For Gandhi freedom for his country is a freedom for every citizen of his country where everyone will live together without any fear. His vision was, each countryman is free to observe his own culture without any prejudice against other culture.

All those people who joined with Gandhi in his mission "quit India", sought freedom for India. None has sought freedom for its people. Gandhi's vison for freedom was, " I want the culture of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any" 

Did Gandhi got freedom of his vision? His own close associate who wanted freedom for the country have murdered Gandhi's vision and allowed partition of India.

 Rest is history known to everyone. Thousands of families were left homeless. Uncounted number of ladies were looted and raped. Many children became orphans. And in the last 70 years trillions of dollars have been spent by both countries in boarder protection. Many lives are lost from both countries in boarder protection. Both countries still continue to spend money and sacrifice lives in boarder protection. Is this the kind of freedom Gandhiji had in mind? If only all his associates had understood the Gandhi's philosophy of freedom then Britain would not dare to divide India in two parts. Would you blame Gandhi for the partition of India? And someone who did not understood Gandhi, accused Gandhi for the partition of India and killed him.

The fact is that no one has ever understood Gandhi. To understand Gandhi one has to be Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi was neither for Hindus nor for Muslims. He has devoted his entire life for humanity. He was Mahatma (great soul) in true sense. 

We human beings have always been, are always and shall always live and die within our owns elf. We always think of us ourselves. We can only talk about welfare of people but we cannot devote our life for people because we are only mortals (jivatma). To know and understand Mahatam is not our cup of tea. Albert Einstein truly said, " Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth".

What is the point in reading biography of Mahatma Gandhi? A simple person of average physical structure freshly graduated in law could have earned lot of money. However going through the nectar of Gita over and over again and practicing the message of Lord Krishna in life, even he did not realized when Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi became Mahatma Gandhi. He just lived as a devotee of humanity.

If you would have visited a library, you will find thousands of books with immense knowledge in it. Human brain is also like a library. Whatever one hear or read is stored in one's brain library. Just as the books stored on the shelves of library are of no use to anyone unless read, similarly the knowledge stored in one's brain library is of no use unless put in practice. Gandhiji has turned his life spiritually and devoted his whole life on the fundamental principals of humanity.

Though partition of India is a sad event, I am confident that some day in future may be 500 or 1000 years later, a new sunrise will come when the leaders and people will realize the mistake done by their ancestors and then India will again be united as whole. That day Gandhiji's vision will come true where each countryman is free to observe his own culture without any prejudice against other culture.

Jai Hind.

Manhar Narsey

PROTECTING CRIMINALS

It is fair and just that every convicts be given a chance to prove his innocence. However there is no time frame in judiciary system where in court can rule or order the convict to prove his innocence within certain time.

Lawyers, convicts and their family, some of whom have influence up to the highest office in the country, take advantage of this loophole in judiciary system. Jails in India are overcrowded with thousands of convicts whose case has not even filed in the court for number of years. Law enforcement unit of the country and the lawyers also play a significant role in such delay.

Crores of rupees are spent by the Government to house these convicts in jail. This is a waste of public funds because of negligence and technique of handful of people. In fact these are the people who hold the nation at ransom for their personal agenda.

Look at Nirbhaya case. She finally got justice after 8 years. Justice could have come earlier but the lawyers, the convicts and their family members took advantage of judiciary system and delayed the whole process. In fact Nirbhaya case has not just ended here. Supreme Court should now order the family of all four convicts to pay lodging and boarding cost of all convicts for eight years because of the delay in justice by their lawyers.

There are few suggestions I wish to make.

1.      Public prosecutor should be held responsible if his department fails to present the convict within certain time frame.

2.       Lawyers should also be held responsible if he is unable to present enough evidence to fast-track the justice within certain time frame.

3.       In case like Nirbhaya, once the convict are sentenced to death, they have a right to appeal to the President. However this option should not be open. There should be a time frame for appeal. If the convict fails to appeal within the time frame then the court should go ahead with the judgment.

4.       In case of brutal rape and murder, highest authority should always throw such appeal for mercy.

5.       Finally, family of convict of rape and murder should be asked to pay for all cost of boarding and lodging of convict in jail once proven guilty. If this clause is added then the family of convict will prefer their member be proven guilty rather than paying heavy fees to lawyers and again paying for cost of boarding and lodging in jail. With this new clause all rape and murder case will automatically be fast track.

6.       My humble request to Shri Narendra Modi to re-look at the entire judiciary system. Take stock of number of convicts in jail. Request the entire judiciary system to fast track on cases of those who are in jail for more than five years. Please do everything you can to reduce over population of jail. You are doing wonderful job. The whole world is with you. We know you can deliver this too.

AANGAN ME GAAI

Aei Kuhda mei kya karu, tune mujhe aeisa hi bananya hai

Main Ram ko Rahim me dhundhata hoon 

Aur Rahim mere paas beitha hai

Har din aangan me ek Gaai aati hai
Dadi use tilak lagati hai
Roti khilati hai
Do paise ka ghaas khilati hai
Uski poonchh aankhon se lagati hai
Mere maathe pe lagati hai
Phir Dadi kahati hai
"Beta! Gaai mata kp pranam karo"
Mai bola: "Kyun? Mere maa to andar hai?"
Dadi boli: "Nahi beta, aeisa nahi kahati. Gaai ko mata kahate hai"
Mai bola: "Par kyon?
Dadi boli: "Kyon ki Gaai hame dhoodh deti hai"
Mai bola: "Gaai mata, aap hame dhoodh deti hai, mei aapko pranam karata hoon."

Dursare din aangan me ek Bhens aayee
Maine oose tilak lagaya
Roti khilayee
Phir main dadi ke paas gaya aur bola: "Dadi mujhe do paise do"
Dadi boli: "Kyon?"
Main bola: "Aangan me badi maa aayee hai, oose ghaas khilani hai".
Dadi boli: "Main dekhu, kaun si badi maa aaye hai."
Dadi aangan me aaye aur Bhens ko dekha
Dadi boli: "Ye to Bhens hai. Ye badi maa nahi hai."
Main bola: "Par dadi yeh bhi to dhoodh deti hai."
Dadi boli: "Deti hai par yeh badi maa nahi hai."

Main sochane laga: "Gaai dhoodh deti hai to oose Gaai mata kahate hai to Bhens ko kyon nahi? Woh bhi to dhoodh deti hai?"

Aei Kuhda mei kya karu, tune mujhe aeisa hi bananya hai

Main Ram ko Rahim me dhundhata hoon 

Aur Rahim mere paas beitha hai

Aei Khuda Mein Kya Karu, Tune Mujhe Aeisa Hi Banaya Hai
Main Ram ko Rahim me Dhundhata Hoon
Aur Rahim mere Paas Beitha Hai

Hawaldaar ne Gaadi (car) ko roka,
Bola: Traffic ka ulanghan kiya hai
Jurmana bharna padega

Gaadiwala Bola
Maaf karo saab, Galati ho gayi
Madvari karo. Ye 50 rakh lo.

Hawaldaar Bola
Police ko rishwat dete ho?
Jurmaana double ho jayega

Gaadiwala Bola
Galati ho gayi saab. Aadat se majboor hoon.
Kuchh raasta nikalo ne.
Garib aadmi hoon, Etana paisa kahase doonga?

Hawaldaar bola:
Garib bachcho ke liye kuchh daan karoge?

Gaadiwala bola:
Jarur karunga saab, bolone kitna daan karana hai

Hawaldaar bola: 100

Gaadiwalene 100 ka note nikala aur hawaldaar ko diya.
Itane me Inspector aaya
Bola
Shalunke, Tum rishwat lete ho?

Hawaldaar bola: Nahi saab, gaadiwale se puchh lo.

Gaadiwala bola
Nahi saab, ye to bada Imandaar hawaldaar hai. 
Garib bachcho ke liye daan de raha hoon.

Inspector bola:
Tab thik hai. Tum Jao. Gaadiwala chala gaya. 
Phir hawaldaar ko bola:
Salunke, me kuchh garib bachcho ko janata hoon
Ye 100 ka note mujhe de do.
Ji. Hawaldaar ne 100 ka note Inspector ko de diya

Inspector chala gaya.
Hawaldaar bola
Bakara haath se nikal gaya.

Mere kano me awaz aaye
Achha sila diya Modiji ke pyar ka
Rishwat liya naam imandaari ka

Aei Khuda Mein Kya Karu, Tune Mujhe Aeisa Hi Banaya Hai
Main Ram ko Rahim me Dhundhata Hoon
Aur Rahim mere Paas Beitha Hai

"When everything is going good, no one remembers me. 

When one is in problem that one cannot solve, then everyone will come to me."

Lord Krishna

BIRDS ON BANYAN TREE

BIRDS ON BANYAN TREE

Everyday  thousands of birds takes shelter on a big banyan tree.  Early morning they all fly out in search for their food and in the evening they return back to the same tree and take shelter on the same branch as they believe that branch they are sitting on is the only true banyan tree. They all think the same way though they are sitting on the different branch.

When a gust of wind, rain or thunderstorm hits the tree, they fly out but return back on the same branch as they have fully believe that their branch is the only true banyan tree. 

However some will  opt for even better banyan tree and they are being lured by birds from other branch and they move from their branch to other branch believing that they now have found true banyan tree. However the wind, rain and thunderstorm do strike there too and once again they began their search for real banyan tree.

We, human beings are like birds.  We are all sitting on different branch (different faith) of banyan tree (GOD) and each one claims that their branch is the only real banyan tree. We tend to be cleverer than others, smarter than others and vigorously propagate to lure others that ours is the only true banyan tree. In the rat race of increasing followers to one's faith, one forget that all faiths are part of one big banyan tree called (GOD).

In Shreemad Bhagwad Gita, Lord Krishna said to Arjuna:

Urdav mool madhah shakha, masvatham prahuravyam|

Chandasi yasya parnani yastam ved sa vedvit||15:1

Meaning: 

"He who knows the Pipala tree (in the form of creation); which is said to be imperishable with its roots in the Primeval Being (GOD), whose branch is represented by Brahma (the Creator), and whose leaves are the Vedas, is the knower of the purport of the Vedas."

The whole universe is like a banyan tree having its root in the GOD. Its branches are blossomed in the materialistic world in form of our various deeds, be it a good deed or bad deed. The ultimate aim of all mortal is to merge with the supreme being, through whichever faith one belongs too. When one try to increase followers to one's faith, one is in fact not serving the GOD but falls in the pit of jealousy and greed to prove that one was able to convert  so many people from different faith to one's own faith. It is merely an act like birds sitting on banyan tree trying to lure other birds on their branches.

There are three different category of life existence.  

First is unmovable like plants and trees. It has life. It bears flowers and fruits but it can move. It does not have any other senses. 

Second is in form of birds and animals. They are living creatures. They have senses of hunger and sex too. But they cannot  enjoy bliss of God. 

Third the most wonderful and powerful creation of God is human being. Human beings have everything. They can move from one place to other. They have control over their senses. They do understand right and wrong and yet they fall for wrong doing. They have power to visualize supreme being and yet they act like second creation of God like birds and animals. One finds people with birds and animal behaviour in every society.

One does not do justice to God's creation when one acts like birds and animals. Luring others to one's faith is merely an act like birds. 

God did not give this life to waste in such petty acts like birds on banyan tree.

DEEPAWALI GREETINGS

YOG KSHEM VAHAMYA HUM

It's Diwali time again. As Diwali comes closer, wave of uniqueness flows in our mind and body. An atmosphere of festivity is clearly visible in our home. Elders begin preparation for Diwali by cleaning house and the young ones are busy in preparing the shopping list of new clothes, firecrackers etc. for themselves. And of course, how can we forget Goddess Laxmi in such a wonderful atmosphere of joy and happiness. After all we are offering all our rituals and prayers to get her blessings.

Bhagwan Shri Krishna said to Arjuna in Geeta:

"Ananyaschintayaeto mam ye janah paryupasate|

Tesham Nityabhiyuktanam Yogkshem Vahamyaham|| (9:22)

(Any one who worship me with full devotion and always thinking of me at all time, I take full responsibility for his Yoga (to get what he does not have) and Kshem (to protect what he has).

Hence we worship our Lord during various festivals all year around and we hope that in return God will take full responsibilities of our needs and our problems. But it does not work that way because Bhagwan Krishna also said to Arjuna in Gita that God never take consequences of your good and bad deeds. Everyone has to accept the results of their deeds.

 Jagadguru Shankaracharya  in "Bhaj Govindam" has also said:

"Kuru te Ganga Sagar Gamanam, Vrat Paripalan-mathava Danam;

 Gnan vihinam Sarv maten muktim na bhjati janm saten||"

(One may take bath in holy Ganga, do tapa or charity but if one is doing all these without understanding why one is doing then even after 100 rebirth, one cannot get liberation form birth and death cycle.)

Bhagwan Shri Krishna also said: "whoever shall worship me with full devotion is my best devotee"

We must ensure that on the auspicious festival of Diwali our prayers and offerings are not merely become an act of offering only but it is being done with full devotion.

In our prayers we must feel the presence of Goddess Laxmi in our house. We must feel being blessed to be given an opportunity to serve Mother Laxmi with our full devotion.

We should not ask anything from her for Mother knows what her child needs. Because that is what Lord Krishna said that if you worship me with full devotion, then I shall take responsibility of your "Yog Kshem".

We only have to have full faith in our prayer then Lord will also stand by His divine word of promise.

May this auspicious Deepawali brings health and happiness, prosperity and rewarding to mankind all over the world.

- Manhar Narsey

SALTY WATER

Sea gives salty water to the clouds 

but in return clouds give fresh drinkable water.

Do good deed to those who may have done wrong to you

LIFE

Life is beautiful, but are you prepared to accept its beauty in your life? 

Watch your life closely, it's slipping out of your hand everyday. 

Enjoy the life and make best use of it.

Happy Hindu New Year

Ganesh Utsav Program 2016

GANESH UTSAV PROGRAM 2016

GANESH UTSAV

GANESH UTSAV has began from today at Fiji Sevashram Sangha with number of educational activities for schoolchildren. An evening program will hace Youth Forum, Mothers Forum, Hindu Sanskrit Sammelan and General Quiz for school children. There will also be four days of Ganesh Katha which will be recited by Manhar Narsey.

We welcome everyone to participate at Ganesh Utsav.

CYCLONE WINSTON RELIEF OPERATION

Our special bulletin on cyclone winston Relief operation by Fiji Sevashram Sangha

CYCLONE WINSTON SPECIAL BULLETIN

We are pleased to attach our special bulletin on our relief work.

Fiji Sevashram Sangha wishes to thank all donors, supporters, well wishers and volunteers who have come forward to rebuild our lost Paradise.

Thank you.