Fake Hindu swamis, sanyasis, babas, gurus and godmen thrive in a society which lacks awareness about the true essence of Hindu spirituality. Therefore Hindus and other sections of the society which provide the opportunity and fertile ground for fraudsters to thrive in the name of Hinduism are equally at fault. No fake swami can survive without ignorant and fortune-seeking followers.
The Bhagavad Gita which narrates the essence of Hindu spirituality contains only 700 verses. There are excellent translation and commentary of Bhagavad Gita which cost less than 100 rupees. But majority of the Hindus have no time to read the 700 verses but spend money, energy and time visiting ashrams and spiritual centers of such fake babas and gurus.
If you make this an issue, immediately comes the answer, Bhagavad Gita is hard to digest for common people like us, we are ignorant. It is for the common people that the learned men of yesteryears have translated the Gita into all regional languages. They have provided excellent translations and have interpreted the great dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna into the simplest language.
Is not understanding Gita the real issue? NO
The real issue is that Gita doesn’t talk about methods to become super rich overnight. Neither do Gita have mantras to find treasures hidden underground or to get promotions or provide miracle cure to diseases. Gita also does not recommend pujas to destroy your enemies. And above all Gita does not predict the future.
But the fake swamis and godmen only talk about future, money and predictions, pujas and innumerable homams to cure diseases where medical science has failed. Sadly, this is what many Hindus want to hear.
Daily we get to hear about such fake swamis and their notorious activities – which include rape, amassing wealth through dishonorable means – but this has not deterred many Hindus from approaching fraudsters. But, why?
Both the fake Godmen and his followers are fortune seekers. Godmen is using religion to become rich and conduct other antisocial activities. Followers are fortune seekers who want the help of an outside agency to reach God and bribe God and amass wealth and know future.
Shri Krishna never fought for Arjuna. Arjuna had to do all the fighting in Kurukshetra. The ultimate truth that we have to do our work and no God will come to do it is not still acceptable to many.
A true Sanyasi will never advertise. He/She is like a flower. People reach them following the fragrance. They will not even bother to talk to fortune-seekers. Silence is there best weapon which frustrate most fortune seekers in minutes. They might open up the knowledge treasure to a genuine seeker whom a true Sanyasi will easily identify – just like Ramakrishna identified Vivekananda.
No Sanyasi or Godmen has said anything new that is not found in the Upanishads, Gita, Ramayana, Yoga Vasishta and Mahabharata. All these texts are readily available in the market. Pick any of these Holy Scriptures and read a few pages daily. Soon we will realize the futility of going to such fake gurus.
Hinduism believes in individual self realization and not borrowed or rented or bought self realization. Always remember the Brahman that resides in the most respected guru or spiritual leader also resides in us. The only difference is that we have not bothered to realize it.
If we are falling into the trap of fake Sanyasis and Godmen, it is our fault. And if you find that a swami is fake, never hesitate to report it to the authorities. Such fake swamis and Godmen should not find protection in Hindu religion.
Source: Hindu Blog
Monday, May 26, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Who says Hindus were cow eaters?
An article by Gurudev Dr. Kateswamiji exposing the so-called western historians who malign the Hindu religion and Anti Hindus who toe their line!
1. Cows were slaughtered as a Hindu marriage ritual !
Indologists like Macdonald, Weber, Winternitz have pronounced the Vedas to be barbaric and concluded that ‘Hanyante Gaavaha’ meant that cows were slaughtered in marriage rituals. Our ancient Hindu scholars on the basis of this information from these Whites pronounced us to be beef eaters. Macdonald has misconstrued the word Hanyante Gaavahaa by saying that in a marriage ritual a cow is slaughtered on the day of the magha lunar asterism and everyone feasts on the cow meat ! The Rigveda states the following in relation to the Sun God’s marriage.
Suryaayaa Vahatuha Praagaat Savitaa Yamavaasrujat
Aghaasu Hanyante Gaavorjunyoha Puryuhyate - Rigveda 10.85.13
Meaning: Savita gifted the moon who was his daughter’s to be father-in-law with a cow on the auspicious day of Magha asterism and performed the ritual of giving away of the bride (kanyadan) of Surya on the Falgun lunar asterism.
Clarification: The word Aghaasu is Maghaasu in the Atharvaveda . There is no difference of opinion about these words among our ancient translators. In a marriage Agha( Magha) and Arjuni (Falguni) asterisms are important.
2. Godaan is offering of a cow and Govikartaa means a cowherd !
This is the meaning that these westerners give. The word ‘go’ means ‘hair’.
2 A. Godaan: This word comes from the Rigveda and Smrutigranth. ‘Go’ means hair and ‘daan’ means to cut thus Godaan is cutting of hair. In the Shrout and gruha traditions importance is given to tonsuring. Also the ritual of Chudaakarma means the cutting of hair. Godaan is actually the ritual of ‘Keshant’ as is clearly given by Smurtikar. Chudaakaran, godaan and jataakaran are all synonymous words.
2. B. Govikarta: Govikarta means a barber and not a cowherd.
3. Gopati means a bull!
Max Mueller has derived that ‘gopati’ means a bull . Actually ‘go’ means rays and ‘pati’ means the master of the rays that is the Sun.
Can a dictionary give the exact meanings?
- Gurudev Dr. Kateswamiji (Sanatan Chintan , Year 1, Issue 47, page 1)
Understand the meaning of the Vedas, not by Maxmuller's method, but by the analysis method
Criticism - Maxmuller's ideology has created havoc while interpreting the meaning of Vedic words e.g. Vedic Sages used to consume cow's meat, widows were re-married, unwed mothers were treated respectably, adultery was considered legitimate, etc.
Rebuttal - They have invented this historic method of deriving the meaning with the sole aim of labeling the Vedas as crude and uncivilized. When the words 'Get Saindhav (salt)' are used during meals, it means 'get salt'. However, when the same words are uttered when one is going to one's village, it means 'get a horse'! There are rules to the interpretation of Vedic sentences. The rules enumerated by the analytical sciences explain the meaning of the Vedic mantras in the most appropriate manner.'
- Gurudev Dr. Kateswami (Weekly Sanatan Chintan, 15th November 2007, Issue 40)
Source: HJS
1. Cows were slaughtered as a Hindu marriage ritual !
Indologists like Macdonald, Weber, Winternitz have pronounced the Vedas to be barbaric and concluded that ‘Hanyante Gaavaha’ meant that cows were slaughtered in marriage rituals. Our ancient Hindu scholars on the basis of this information from these Whites pronounced us to be beef eaters. Macdonald has misconstrued the word Hanyante Gaavahaa by saying that in a marriage ritual a cow is slaughtered on the day of the magha lunar asterism and everyone feasts on the cow meat ! The Rigveda states the following in relation to the Sun God’s marriage.
Suryaayaa Vahatuha Praagaat Savitaa Yamavaasrujat
Aghaasu Hanyante Gaavorjunyoha Puryuhyate - Rigveda 10.85.13
Meaning: Savita gifted the moon who was his daughter’s to be father-in-law with a cow on the auspicious day of Magha asterism and performed the ritual of giving away of the bride (kanyadan) of Surya on the Falgun lunar asterism.
Clarification: The word Aghaasu is Maghaasu in the Atharvaveda . There is no difference of opinion about these words among our ancient translators. In a marriage Agha( Magha) and Arjuni (Falguni) asterisms are important.
2. Godaan is offering of a cow and Govikartaa means a cowherd !
This is the meaning that these westerners give. The word ‘go’ means ‘hair’.
2 A. Godaan: This word comes from the Rigveda and Smrutigranth. ‘Go’ means hair and ‘daan’ means to cut thus Godaan is cutting of hair. In the Shrout and gruha traditions importance is given to tonsuring. Also the ritual of Chudaakarma means the cutting of hair. Godaan is actually the ritual of ‘Keshant’ as is clearly given by Smurtikar. Chudaakaran, godaan and jataakaran are all synonymous words.
2. B. Govikarta: Govikarta means a barber and not a cowherd.
3. Gopati means a bull!
Max Mueller has derived that ‘gopati’ means a bull . Actually ‘go’ means rays and ‘pati’ means the master of the rays that is the Sun.
Can a dictionary give the exact meanings?
- Gurudev Dr. Kateswamiji (Sanatan Chintan , Year 1, Issue 47, page 1)
Understand the meaning of the Vedas, not by Maxmuller's method, but by the analysis method
Criticism - Maxmuller's ideology has created havoc while interpreting the meaning of Vedic words e.g. Vedic Sages used to consume cow's meat, widows were re-married, unwed mothers were treated respectably, adultery was considered legitimate, etc.
Rebuttal - They have invented this historic method of deriving the meaning with the sole aim of labeling the Vedas as crude and uncivilized. When the words 'Get Saindhav (salt)' are used during meals, it means 'get salt'. However, when the same words are uttered when one is going to one's village, it means 'get a horse'! There are rules to the interpretation of Vedic sentences. The rules enumerated by the analytical sciences explain the meaning of the Vedic mantras in the most appropriate manner.'
- Gurudev Dr. Kateswami (Weekly Sanatan Chintan, 15th November 2007, Issue 40)
Source: HJS
Which sanskars are vital for overcoming defects in foetus?
1. Garbhadhan/Rutushanti
1.1 The objectives
A. To overcome any defects in the ovum and the foetus and to purify the womb.
2% of all physical and psychological problems are constituted by defects in the ovum and womb, half of them being physical and the other half psychological in nature. The table below gives the percentage of people in whom defects in the ovum are seen and the period when it occurs.
The time when the
defects in the ovum
and the foetus
become manifestEffects
%The time when the
defects in the ovum
and the foetus
become manifestEffects
%From conception
till the first
month75 7 to 8 months 1 1 to 2 months 5 8 to 9 months 1 2 to 3 months 3 From birth till the
first year of life1 3 to 4 months 2 1 to 5 years 2 4 to 5 months 2 5 to 10 years 2 5 to 6 months 2 10 to 20 years 2 6 to 7 months 1 Later 1 Total 100 B. The son born through this sanskar (rite) has the capacity to acquire the knowledge of Brahman (Brahmavidya).
1.2 The auspicious time (muhurt)
This sanskar is performed on the first sixteen nights after the first menses following marriage. This period is referred to as the rutu period (rutukal). Excluding the first four, eleventh and thirteenth nights, the remaining ten nights are considered suitable for this sanskar. According to some, the fourth day should also be included. It is said that one who wishes that a son be born to him should have intercourse with his wife on the days with an even number (4-6-8-10-12-14-16) and one who desires a daughter, on odd number days (5-7-9-11-15). The sanskar of Garbhadhan is forbidden on the fourth (chaturthi), sixth (shashthi), eighth (ashtami), fourteenth (chaturdashi), new moon (amavasya) and full moon (pournima) dates (tithis) of the Hindu lunar calendar. On any of the remaining dates and on Monday, Thursday and Friday and during the reign of the lunar asterisms Shravan, Rohini, Hasta, Anuradha, Svati, Revati, the three UttarasShatataraka the ritual should be performed after assessing a good propitious moon (chandrabal). Everything in Prakruti changes with time. Only Brahman is steady. Accordingly the fertilization of the ovum, the birth of a son or daughter, etc. vary with time. Thus based on these rules the dates, days of the week and lunar asterisms favourable for the birth of a son or daughter have been decided. and
1.3 The ritual
A. Partaking of the juice of ashvagandha or a sacred grass (durva): Chanting the mantra, the juice of ashvagandha or durva is instilled into the right nostril of one’s wife who is seated to one’s left. After that juice is swallowed she should take a sip of water from her palm (achaman). The right nostril comes under the perview of the Pingala nadi (channel). For most actions to be successful it is essential for the Pingala nadi to be operational. The juice of ashvagandha or durva facilitates its activation.
B. The main deity of Garbhadhan and marriage (Vivaha) is Prajapati.
C. Offering oti: After worship of the sun (Suryastavan), five married women (suvasinis) should offer oti along with fruit to the woman and should hand over a coconut placed on a pair of betel leaves to the husband. Thereafter offering obeisance to the deities and elders they should have their meals. The sun being a symbol of the tej (absolute fire) element is worshipped to impart radiance to the foetus. The womb lies in the lower abdominal cavity. Thus the practice of offering oti is followed so that conception occurs.
D. The ritual of intercourse: At night, clad in white clothing the woman should enter the bedroom and sitting on the bed decorated with flowers should eat betel leaves along with her spouse. Then she should lie down on the bed. The husband should place his hand on her navel and chanting the (Upasthasparsh) mantraGarbhadhan. The mantra means : ‘May your vagina be made potent for conception and may The Lord bestow His grace upon you so that the foetus grows happily and does not abort before ten (lunar) months’. Uttering this he should touch her vagina (upastha) with three fingers. Then he should have intercourse with her and say, ‘I am endowing your ovum with my sperm’. Again he should chant a mantra which means ‘Just as the earth is impregnated by fire, Yahi by Indra and the directions bear the wind as their progeny , I too am impregnating you’. The ritual is finally complete when he touches her heart and then sips water from his palm (achaman). Touching the heart signifies love and affection. commence the ritual of
2. Punsavan (Begetting a son)
2.1 The objectives
The word Punsavan (पुंसवन) has originated from ‘punsya avanaha (पुँस्य अवन:)’. Punsya means prowess and avanivar means descent onto the earth. Hence after conception, this sanskar (rite) is performed to beget a son.
2.2 The auspicious time (muhurt)
This sanskar should generally be performed after confirmation of pregnancy preferably in the second month, that is before the foetus becomes active and the foetal sex organs develop. With time the effectiveness of the sanskar, decreases. The lunar asterism with masculine gender should be chosen for this rite. Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Mul are the lunar asterisms which are widely accepted. All scholars however do not share the same view about the lunar asterisms with the masculine gender.
2.3 The resolve (sankalpa)
A. To overcome any defects in the ovum or foetus.
B. To conceive a male child.
C. To not just destroy but also liberate the clan of demons who devour flesh and blood.
D. To acquire the blessings of Mahalakshmi, the presiding deity for continuous bestowal of opulence (soubhagya).
E. Worship of Lord Ganesh, Punyahavachan, Matrukapujan and Nandishraddha.
2.4 The ritual
After the sacrificial fire (hom) the woman should cup her hands and hold them proximal to the knees. On the right hand is placed curd made from the milk of a cow whose colour is the same as that of her calf (or if unavailable, their colour may vary). A cob of barley (jav) with its head facing the east should be placed on it like the male sex organ (penis). Then on either side of it are placed two black grams (udid) which resemble the testes. Then uttering thrice, ‘I am drinking the punsavan’, the woman should partake of it and sip water from her palm (achaman). This procedure is repeated twice. Then this ritual is deemed to be complete. Similar shapes emit similar frequencies according to the law ‘समानशीले व्यसनेषु सख्यम् ।’ meaning ‘likes attract and befriend one another’.Thus the same assumption is made that the shapes of the penis and testicles attract identical frequencies of the male principle towards the womb.
‘The ritual of squeezing juice from the rootlets of the banyan tree into the left nostril, placing an earthen plate filled with water on the lower abdomen of the woman and chanting mantras such as the ‘Suparno’si (सुपर्णो ऽसि)’ , etc. prove effective in producing a male offspring. Brahmi, somlata, banyan, etc. are trees which prevent bilious humour (pitta), overcome vaginal defects, enhance oja (precursor of divine energy) and protect semen. The cumulative effect of all these is a generation of masculine components in the semen.’ (1)
3. Simantonnayan (Parting the wife’s hair)
3.1 The objectives and the auspicious moment (muhurt)
The word Simantonnayan is derived from two words simant (meaning the line of parting of hair) and unnayan (meaning combing hair from the sides to the top). Simantonnayan thus means parting the wife’s scalp hair, drawing the hair from the sides, upwards. As a result pleasant frequencies enter her body through the Sahasrar chakra and facilitate the proper growth of the foetus.
When performing a sanskar (rite) on the foetus in the womb, a flat earthen plate which represents the uterus is used.
‘Just as for Punsavan a lunar asterism with the masculine gender is necessary so also for Simantonnayan. If this sanskar is performed in a month with an even number preferably in the fourth month then it proves most beneficial. Punsavan is performed to conceive a male child while this rite is for the purification of the foetus. Just as having a son is important it is equally important that he should be born without deformities, good health and intelligence. For overall development of all organs of the foetus Simantonnayan is important during pregnancy.
3.2 The ritual
The offering of the sacrifice (yadnyaprasad) charged with the mantras of Simantonnayan, branches of trees like the holy fig tree (oudumbar) which bear plenty of fruit and also have medicinal value, porcupine spikes (since it procreates in large numbers), etc. are used by the man to part his wife’s hair. As a result of this sanskarbhav), the latent divine consciousness (chaitanya) present in the pregnant woman has maximum effect on the foetus.’ (2)
Reference:
‘Sixteen Sanskars and some other rituals’, published by Sanatan Sanstha.
Source: HJS
What is the meaning and the benefits of 'Namaskar'?
Origin and the meaning of the word 'Namaskar'
The word 'Namaskar' is derived from the root 'namaha', which means paying obeisance (Namaskar) or salutation.
The main objective of doing Namaskar to someone is to derive spiritual as well as worldly benefits.
Worldly Benefits
By doing Namaskar to a deity or a Saint, unknowingly their virtues and capabilities are impressed upon our minds. Consequently we start emulating them, thus changing ourselves for the better.
Spiritual Benefits
Increase in humility and reduction of ego
While doing Namaskar, when one thinks, 'You are superior to me; I am the subordinate. I do not know anything, you are omniscient', only then does it help in reducing the ego and increasing humility.
Enhancement in the spiritual emotion of surrender and gratitude
While doing Namaskar when thoughts like 'I do not know anything', 'You alone get everything done', 'Grant me a place at Your Holy Feet' come to mind, only then does it help in increasing the spiritual emotion of surrender and gratitude.
Gaining the Sattva component and faster spiritual progress
a. We receive the highest amount of Sattva component from the posture (mudra) of Namaskar.
b. By doing Namaskar) to Deities or Saints we receive subtle frequencies emitted by them, e.g. frequencies of Sattva or Bliss.
c. By doing Namaskar to Deities or Saints we also receive their blessings in a subtle form. This helps in hastening spiritual progress.
(Ref: Sanatan's Publication - 'The Correct Methods of doing Namaskar')
Source: HJS
Caste system is not vedic
I have been fed up repeatedly being asked the same silly question about caste system in Hinduism, so thought will write a post on it to clarify things once and for all.
Caste system as it exists in modern hindu society is definitely bad. It is wrong to label a person as inferior or superior based on his birth. No caste is superior or inferior.
Having said that, let me clarify that this has got NOTHING to do with the teachings of ancient vedas. Vedas have definitely said that ‘Brahmin’ refers to a intellectually superior person, but have never said that a person is ‘brahmin (superior) by birth’
It has been clearly said that ‘Janma Jaat Shudra Sarve, Karmenu Brahman Bhavati.’ - In other words, ‘every person is Shudra (inferior) by Janma (birth) and becomes superior (Brahman) ONLY by his Karma (deeds)’
A brahman or brahmin is a person who understands brahma or brahmand (i.e creation and universe). In other words a person is a brahmin ONLY if he is knowledgeable. Common sense tells us that knowledge is not gained by birth but by our deeds over a period of time.
Note that Valmiki who wrote Ramayana was not a brahmin by birth. Vyasa who wrote Mahabharata was not a brahmin by birth. The great sage Vishwamitra was not a brahmin by birth and yet he became a maharshi. Krishna himself was not a brahmin by birth either! The evil character Ravana in Ramayana WAS A BRAHMIN BY BIRTH i.e he was born to a knowledgeable brahmin father, yet he is said to have been evil and bad.
If ancient vedic hinduism had been discriminating people based on their birth, then would this have been allowed?
Note that a brahmin is also called a Dvija in the vedas. Dvija means twice born. The first birth is his natural birth and the second birth is the new birth he gains through the knowledge he attains. To become a brahmin one has to become a Dvija. To become a dvija one has to gain knowledge. If vedas had said that a person is brahmin by his birth, then they would have never called him a dvija. Note that even if a person is born to a brahmin, if he doesnt get the second birth by gaining knowledge, then he is NOT a brahmin.
Bhagavata clearly says in 7.11.35 that
yasya yal lakṣaṇaḿ proktaḿ
uḿso varṇābhivyañjakam
ad anyatrāpi dṛśyeta
at tenaiva vinirdiśet
which means “Just because one is born to a brahmin doesnt automatically make him a brahmin. But he has more chances of becoming a brahmin (since his parents can transfer the knowledge and duties to him). But he MUST get all those qualifications of brahmin to become a brahmin. On the other hand if a person born to a non-brahmin possesses all the qualities of a brahmin, he/she should be immediately accepted as a brahmin.”
Varna (called caste today even though they are totally different) system was used where son of a doctor was preferred to be a doctor, son of a warrior was preferred to be a warrior, etc so that expertise gets collected over a period of generations. Knowledge gained in a particular field was passed on from generations to generations, and this kept adding up in every successive generation. But there were no restrictions for children to chose alternate professions.
Remember that vedas have said ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbakam’ which means ‘whole earth is a family’ and ‘Sarve jana sukhino bhavantu’ which means ‘May all humans live happily’
Existing caste system in India is a misinterpretation of ancient vedic system where powerful lobbies have mislead the society over a period of time for their own selfish gains. And now so called backward people want to remain backward permanently in the name of reservations.
Unfortunately, India is the only country in the world today where people prefer to be called as those belonging to backward castes due to the benefits and reservations available to them, and are afraid to be called brahmins due to the fear of lack of opportunities. Reservations are creating a second class knowledge society in India.
Source: hitxp.com
Caste system as it exists in modern hindu society is definitely bad. It is wrong to label a person as inferior or superior based on his birth. No caste is superior or inferior.
Having said that, let me clarify that this has got NOTHING to do with the teachings of ancient vedas. Vedas have definitely said that ‘Brahmin’ refers to a intellectually superior person, but have never said that a person is ‘brahmin (superior) by birth’
It has been clearly said that ‘Janma Jaat Shudra Sarve, Karmenu Brahman Bhavati.’ - In other words, ‘every person is Shudra (inferior) by Janma (birth) and becomes superior (Brahman) ONLY by his Karma (deeds)’
A brahman or brahmin is a person who understands brahma or brahmand (i.e creation and universe). In other words a person is a brahmin ONLY if he is knowledgeable. Common sense tells us that knowledge is not gained by birth but by our deeds over a period of time.
Note that Valmiki who wrote Ramayana was not a brahmin by birth. Vyasa who wrote Mahabharata was not a brahmin by birth. The great sage Vishwamitra was not a brahmin by birth and yet he became a maharshi. Krishna himself was not a brahmin by birth either! The evil character Ravana in Ramayana WAS A BRAHMIN BY BIRTH i.e he was born to a knowledgeable brahmin father, yet he is said to have been evil and bad.
If ancient vedic hinduism had been discriminating people based on their birth, then would this have been allowed?
Note that a brahmin is also called a Dvija in the vedas. Dvija means twice born. The first birth is his natural birth and the second birth is the new birth he gains through the knowledge he attains. To become a brahmin one has to become a Dvija. To become a dvija one has to gain knowledge. If vedas had said that a person is brahmin by his birth, then they would have never called him a dvija. Note that even if a person is born to a brahmin, if he doesnt get the second birth by gaining knowledge, then he is NOT a brahmin.
Bhagavata clearly says in 7.11.35 that
yasya yal lakṣaṇaḿ proktaḿ
uḿso varṇābhivyañjakam
ad anyatrāpi dṛśyeta
at tenaiva vinirdiśet
which means “Just because one is born to a brahmin doesnt automatically make him a brahmin. But he has more chances of becoming a brahmin (since his parents can transfer the knowledge and duties to him). But he MUST get all those qualifications of brahmin to become a brahmin. On the other hand if a person born to a non-brahmin possesses all the qualities of a brahmin, he/she should be immediately accepted as a brahmin.”
Varna (called caste today even though they are totally different) system was used where son of a doctor was preferred to be a doctor, son of a warrior was preferred to be a warrior, etc so that expertise gets collected over a period of generations. Knowledge gained in a particular field was passed on from generations to generations, and this kept adding up in every successive generation. But there were no restrictions for children to chose alternate professions.
Remember that vedas have said ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbakam’ which means ‘whole earth is a family’ and ‘Sarve jana sukhino bhavantu’ which means ‘May all humans live happily’
Existing caste system in India is a misinterpretation of ancient vedic system where powerful lobbies have mislead the society over a period of time for their own selfish gains. And now so called backward people want to remain backward permanently in the name of reservations.
Unfortunately, India is the only country in the world today where people prefer to be called as those belonging to backward castes due to the benefits and reservations available to them, and are afraid to be called brahmins due to the fear of lack of opportunities. Reservations are creating a second class knowledge society in India.
Source: hitxp.com
Rich techies on weekend ‘guilt’ trips to Sangh
 |
| CHASING AN INDIAN DREAM? |
Neither does Guru Prasad, a young Infosys employee, spend the weekend watching the IPL boys and girls or lazing about the house. He, too, makes it to the Sangh state headquarters, where he can meet Lokesh B.H. and M.P. Kumar, the CEOs of Ratna Rai Infotech and Global Edge Solutions.
They are all regulars at the IT milan, held on the lines of the Sangh parivar’s Diwali and Holi milans.
Every fortnight for the past one year, scores of young Bangalore techies have been gathering at these meetings, feeling sheepish about skipping their share of the daily shakhas and hoping to exorcise the guilt through the milans.
The meetings end with the members singing the Sangh anthem, “Namaste sadaa, vatsale mathrubhoomi (salutations, ever-loving motherland)”, their right hand placed over the chest. Some of the wealthy yuppies even turn out in the Sangh’s khaki knickers.
Most are aged between 25 and 35, and include junior, middle-level and senior executives, some of them already millionaires. Word of mouth has increased the attendance from around 25 at the beginning to about 100.
They discuss the issues of the day and not business or office politics, and wonder if it’s worth their while stashing up the bucks if they cannot “share a part of it with society”.
The guilt trips that the gatherings are have sometimes yielded tangible results, like a corpus for scholarships for poor but “bright and meritorious” students.
Some of the techies’ attraction is born out of faith in the Sangh’s ideology of a “strong nation”. For others, the “sanitised” lifestyle of the swayamsevak (Sangh volunteer) is an ideal to aspire to.
Few of them would admit they see the Sangh as a springboard to a political career in the BJP. But the enthusiasm with which they have virtually taken over the party’s central election office makes one wonder if the impulse is merely “social service”.
The milans may be a fortnightly business, but with the Karnataka polls drawing near, the BJP’s Malleshwaram office in the heart of Bangalore is overrun with the IT boys at any time of the day.
They have created a portal that is a political analyst’s dream. The databases are so well updated that a click will tell you which leader is campaigning where and when, apart from other sundry details.
In their oversized bush shirts and jeans, the clean-shaven techies with their crew cuts stand out from the tilak-wearing Sangh-BJP worker in kurta-pyjamas.
Oozing attitude and flitting from room to room, the boys refer to the senior leaders by their first names. Arun Jaitley is “Arunji” for party officials but to the IT lads, he’s just Arun, a “pioneer and practitioner of IT in politics”.
The Kaushiks and Prasads speak with as much authority on the state elections, and how poorly the Congress and H.D. Deve Gowda’s party are placed, as on ancient Indian history — or their versions of it. They claim to know as much about the future of the Sangh as about that of the IT industry.
“Anything modern need not be western,” says Kumar, arguing globalisation and the Sangh are “perfectly compatible”.
Asked how many techies are in the Sangh, the answer ranges from 2,000 to 1 lakh, including those from Mysore and Mangalore, the state’s other IT hubs.
But, Lokesh explains, the IT milans are confined to small, “manageable” groups so that the discussions and debates don’t wander off-course. The Sangh doesn’t maintain membership records, claiming “voluntary participation” lies at the core of its credo.
So why are they here? Kaushik, a senior executive with Torry Harris Business Solutions, cites “Indianisation” as his inspiration.
“It’s erroneously called Hindutva, but I want to quote a Hindi adage that says the world will awaken only when the Hindu awakens and when the world awakens, only then will humanity gather faith in itself.”
Kaushik claims there is no contradiction between his version of “Indianisation” and globalisation, which spawned the industry that has turned him into a millionaire at 25.
“To understand a country you must understand its history, and globalisation has clouded this understanding,” he says.
For Prasad, the Sangh is like a personality-development kit. “I have understood the traditional values of India, the family and social values, through the Sangh.”
Source: The Telegraph
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