The Most Inclusive Religion of the World
In my quest for truth I referred more and more literature and wanted to know about the concept of diversity and inclusiveness in the various religions. No doubt Hinduism appeared to be the most diverse religion of the world. But Sikhism in my understanding came out to be the most inclusive religion of the world. I say so because it is one religion which says that there is no discrimination before God. The principles of universal equality and brotherhood are most important pillars of Sikhism. The religion says that before God - No discrimination is allowed on any basis whether it is caste, race, sex, creed, origin, color, education, status, wealth, region etc. (infect no discrimination whatsoever even in the areas which were not specifically mentioned in the text). Infect I am told that the Sikh men have Singh as last name and all Sikh women are Kaur, because it lays down the principles of equality. It is not that the word Singh is added to signify the term Lion. Infect if we understand details in Sikhism there is no Singh who is King. Infect all Singhs are equal and there is no king, subject or any one unequal in the religion. The concept of a King in Sikhism (hope Akshay understands it...) is totally against the Foundation of the religion.
The tradition of Singh for men and kaur for women started because in India through the last name one generally distinguishes what caste an individual is from. With the last name individuals were identified as low, high or middle class. The concept of the Caste name therefore was against the foundation of Sikhism and it is said that therefore the Guru eliminated the last name from all the Sikhs so that no one could tell the caste and thus achieved equality for all Sikhs. The women were given the name as Kaur (kaur means princess) to give respect to all women and to tell them that they do not have to adopt the name of the family she went into after their marriage. The step was to ensure the equality of women.
But despite that we hear names like Navjyot singh Sidhu, S S Alhuwalia, K P S Gill, M S Gill, Simranjeet Singh Mann, Prakash Singh Badal (why discrimination based on place of origin as well?) and so on. But I think even Guru also ensures that a disciple who understands the concept of inclusiveness and equality reaches the top and I think the soft spoken Dr. Manmohan Singh (Does any one knows his caste or family name ?) has risen to the top because of his understanding of the true facts of the religion. Singh is not about a roaring lion who comes out with a sword but in my submission Singh is about equality and inclusiveness of all. Infect Sikhism is not about a Singh but about the word "Sikh" which means disciple or student. Individuals who still use Gill, Sandhu and Sidhu actually want to preserve their caste and are not clearly following their Guru (http://www.realsikhism.com/faq/lastname.html).
Infect the purpose of the langar as I understand is also not to give food to poor (then why even rich goes to Gurudwaras to have langar), but the same is to eliminate any type of caste system and look to view all humans as equal. While eating langar together, there remains no difference between rich and poor, and a superior or inferior person, for all present are eating the same food at the same level.
The only thing having a higher authority in Sikhism is Guru Granth Sahib, and that is why we have a person waving a whisk over the holy scripture signifying the tradition of service to the only higher authority.
Sikhism is the one religion which says that every person has a right to life and recognizes that all living beings - plants or animals are created by God. The most important thing as it is understood by me is that the religion accepts and is open to every new thought. Infect it is said that the Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahab as is called has four entrances spread across four sides of the temple. These four open sides signify the importance of acceptance and openness for all. Infect even in the word Gurudwara the word Gur is for Guru. Dwara is like door. So Gurdwara is the door to house of God. It is a place where the sacred Sikh scriptures, Guru Granth Sahib resides.
But these days there are Gurudwaras where the four entrances do not exist, there are others who keep three out of four entrances closed (to avoid dust or new thoughts ?), there are others who have put in glasses on two of the entrances. But this symbolism is probably also because of Guru's will. When probably He realized that his disciples are restricting new thoughts, there are groups emerging between his disciples, wherein the acceptability and openness to all is deteriorating probably then He thought that let Me shut my doors accordingly. The places where He thought that acceptance and openness are still the way of life all four doors to reach Him remained open but where ever He thought otherwise, he symbolically shut the doors and most of the time through the hands of His favorite disciples or Granthis.
The purpose of swords and large circles around the alter where the holy Sculpture is kept is also significant. The same are not to raise a holy war, but these signifies that a true Sikh as to raise his voice against injustice done to anyone. And the fact that the weapons are lying lower than the scripture conveys that the weapons and the warrior part of Sikh takes the secondary position than the spiritual part.
In essence I believe Sikhism is about hope and progress ( Asha + Uneeti). It is a call to fight against any form of injustice and discrimination.
And I think every Sherry (read representative of common man) will come forward with this hope and progress to undo injustice done to anyone. I think the message must have gone to The One who like the Golden Temple resides in hearts of people of Amritsar.
Regards,
Sameer Sachdeva
reference
1. http://www.realsikhism.com/
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
The three sisters ... maya uma and mamata
India is a land of strange coincidences, we see every spirit of human nature represented somehow somewhere. I just thought of three sisters of Indian Politics - Mamata (didi), Maya (bhenji) and Uma (didi) and saw how different qualities in each reflect the true world.
Let us first understand the literal meanings of the three names. Mamata or motherhood is the love for a child. Maya is an illusion, a veiling over the truth. Uma means "luminous or serene". But when we look at the conduct of the three political sisters, there are facets of the opposite in all three.
In Mamata we see a woman who stops her car to apply band-aid to an injured person near the vijay chownk (5.6.09), an act of care, love which is nothing but motherhood. But we also see in the same person a leader whose protest can lead to violence and death. Unconditional love and violence (for whatever reason) are the extreme personalities of the same leader.
The other sister is reported by media as a collector of lot of wealth in form of gifts from party men. She may be using the wealth for welfare of poor but her actions appear to be actions full of the earthly desires. Many of us believe that Maya is illusion because its only the nature (Brahman/ universe) which is truth but we forget that it is Maya which causes the material world to be seen. The Maya in behanji understands that without the economic uplift-ment of the poor , the social uplift-ment is not possible. So, she also represents two extremes of personalities one of Maya and other of Mahamaya (who works for the poorest of poorest)
The third sister or didi is the one full of enlightened. On one hand Uma carries the best of philosophical thoughts, is a thought leader in her might and actually an enlightened soul (a true sanyasin) but on other she is full of anger, lack of patience and is notorious for her temperament. The split in her brain was once completely analyzed by the Times of India when she challenged her father (remember pitta putri and all) .
But the fact is that each person is a split personality and the three sisters are no exceptions. Every person is a combination of Black and White. The scholars claim that no person is black or white completely but everyone lives in shades of Grey. However I believe that every person is a dual personality , he acts sometimes from his enlightened self and sometimes from his dark self. A person never does a half harm or a half good. So, the best understanding is that a person either has a good conduct at some time and a bad conduct at other time.
When we look an average women in a house - sister, mother or wife, (like the world of Indian politics) she is full of all - Maya, Mamata and Uma. She is full of unconditional love for her child. But she is full of earthy desires as well. She would wish her child should get good marks, admission in good college, high salary, beautiful wife, promotion and more. Blinded by these illusions she will keep fasts, visit pandits, pray to God and consult astrologers. By doing all this she never realizes that by her Mamata she has made a child weak. Her earthly desires appear to have a precedence over the happiness of her child. Even though she does all this out of her mamta but she never realizes the harm she has done to her child.
And then there is one more aspect. In her quest for Maya and Mamata , the lady forgets the true happiness of her child. Lost in the external world she would like her son to become an engineer when he wants to be a painter, She would like him to prepare for IAS when the child wants to work for an NGO, she would force her child into matrimony when the child still wants to be single. Every mother blinded by her desires cannot look into the true happiness of her child. She always thinks that her definition of happiness is correct and whatever her son is talking is out of his immaturity. A mother always remain blinded by Maya and Mamta but unless that UMA (Enlightenment) comes to her she cannot understand the happiness of the child. It may also happen that she works with very good and noble intension, but instead of giving happiness to her child she is always blinded by the illusions. She initially brings up her child through her mamta and then through the lenses of her maya. But she never looks into the enlightenment. All I wanted to say is that it is high time that the three sisters should come above this motherly or earthly love and should take an informed decision for their children (citizens of their respective states).
But whatever may be the intension - good or bad. It's now not only a time to rage a war against the lie.. but also replace it with the truth.
I hope the message goes home.
Let us first understand the literal meanings of the three names. Mamata or motherhood is the love for a child. Maya is an illusion, a veiling over the truth. Uma means "luminous or serene". But when we look at the conduct of the three political sisters, there are facets of the opposite in all three.
In Mamata we see a woman who stops her car to apply band-aid to an injured person near the vijay chownk (5.6.09), an act of care, love which is nothing but motherhood. But we also see in the same person a leader whose protest can lead to violence and death. Unconditional love and violence (for whatever reason) are the extreme personalities of the same leader.
The other sister is reported by media as a collector of lot of wealth in form of gifts from party men. She may be using the wealth for welfare of poor but her actions appear to be actions full of the earthly desires. Many of us believe that Maya is illusion because its only the nature (Brahman/ universe) which is truth but we forget that it is Maya which causes the material world to be seen. The Maya in behanji understands that without the economic uplift-ment of the poor , the social uplift-ment is not possible. So, she also represents two extremes of personalities one of Maya and other of Mahamaya (who works for the poorest of poorest)
The third sister or didi is the one full of enlightened. On one hand Uma carries the best of philosophical thoughts, is a thought leader in her might and actually an enlightened soul (a true sanyasin) but on other she is full of anger, lack of patience and is notorious for her temperament. The split in her brain was once completely analyzed by the Times of India when she challenged her father (remember pitta putri and all) .
But the fact is that each person is a split personality and the three sisters are no exceptions. Every person is a combination of Black and White. The scholars claim that no person is black or white completely but everyone lives in shades of Grey. However I believe that every person is a dual personality , he acts sometimes from his enlightened self and sometimes from his dark self. A person never does a half harm or a half good. So, the best understanding is that a person either has a good conduct at some time and a bad conduct at other time.
When we look an average women in a house - sister, mother or wife, (like the world of Indian politics) she is full of all - Maya, Mamata and Uma. She is full of unconditional love for her child. But she is full of earthy desires as well. She would wish her child should get good marks, admission in good college, high salary, beautiful wife, promotion and more. Blinded by these illusions she will keep fasts, visit pandits, pray to God and consult astrologers. By doing all this she never realizes that by her Mamata she has made a child weak. Her earthly desires appear to have a precedence over the happiness of her child. Even though she does all this out of her mamta but she never realizes the harm she has done to her child.
And then there is one more aspect. In her quest for Maya and Mamata , the lady forgets the true happiness of her child. Lost in the external world she would like her son to become an engineer when he wants to be a painter, She would like him to prepare for IAS when the child wants to work for an NGO, she would force her child into matrimony when the child still wants to be single. Every mother blinded by her desires cannot look into the true happiness of her child. She always thinks that her definition of happiness is correct and whatever her son is talking is out of his immaturity. A mother always remain blinded by Maya and Mamta but unless that UMA (Enlightenment) comes to her she cannot understand the happiness of the child. It may also happen that she works with very good and noble intension, but instead of giving happiness to her child she is always blinded by the illusions. She initially brings up her child through her mamta and then through the lenses of her maya. But she never looks into the enlightenment. All I wanted to say is that it is high time that the three sisters should come above this motherly or earthly love and should take an informed decision for their children (citizens of their respective states).
But whatever may be the intension - good or bad. It's now not only a time to rage a war against the lie.. but also replace it with the truth.
I hope the message goes home.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Be the Change you want to see in the world
Be the Change you want to see in the world
People at large believe that by the above quote Gandhiji meant that one has to change himself rather than change the world. But if that quote by Gandhiji meant so, the society, the nations, the world would have never seen evolved and changed. All thought leaders would have been busy changing themselves rather than changing the world around them. The way I understand is that Gandhiji wanted to say that rather than waiting and watching someone to come and change the world one must take the initiative and be the catalyst for that change. Gandhiji never said that always accept what the society offers you and do not aspire to change it. The society had always been twisting whatever the great leaders have taught and therefore in this case society perches that one has to change oneself and not lead the society for change. (What a clever way to distort opinions of champions of change). We all know that all the change in world happened with the power of One. It is also appropriate that life can either be accepted or changed. If it is not accepted, it must be changed. If it cannot be changed, then it must be accepted.
So, individuals may try to change himself but if one cannot change, the individual has to accept himself, the way he is. In a way If you can't change the world change yourself and if you can't change yourself, then you have to make an attempt to change the world.
It is said that the only law of universe is change but the only truth in the world is nature. So the world must realize that changing the nature is impossible and man cannot do it. The only thing man has created is society and social norms and a man has limited role to play in those norms only. A man can change these norms only but not the nature.
The natural phenomenon will never change but the society has to evolve and change. There has been social movements like the Brahmo Samaj, The Arya Samaj, The Kuka movement, The Dev Samaj, The Radha Sowami in India. These movements brought the change in understanding of Hinduism. They may not be acceptable to all till date but they are acceptable to some and the number of those some is always increasing.
There was evolution in society when the systems like dowry, widow re-marriage, child marriage, sati which all were supposed to be the foundations of the Hindu culture changed. The dynastic rulers have given way to elected leaders.
The changes were started by a few thought leaders, who could influence the law and latter lead to the change in society. But the first step toward such a change is awareness and the second step is acceptance, the third step is to make an opinion about the change and then lead the change. But if the individual feels that the society should accept him or his view point. Then that individual has to first accept that about himself. Then he has to come out strongly with the cause he is talking about. Because unless you believe in yourself others will not believe you.
Accepting the social norms and changing oneself according to the societal norms is no change in itself. We must realize that if one wants to lead a change or do something which is not within the social norms of the society, then the whole world will stand against that change. The society will put in all efforts in its quest to reform that person and convenience him that whatever he is suggesting is not social order but a deviation from it and that the person must change, this despite the fact that most societies have undergone radical changes.
Do we remember the fate of the person who brought the enlightenment that the earth is not flat ? The society looks from its own mcroscopic prospective and wants to influence an individual so that the change he is thinking about should remain as a status quo. But the society which never alters its opinion is like a standing water and breeds reptiles in minds of its constituents and those reptiles will eat away the small fishes of the pond. The individuals who could lead change despite and inspite of resistance are today remembered in form of Namdev, Kabir, Ravidas, Guru Nanak and so on... Changes in technology have lead to Green ,White and IT revolution and the changes in thought process will lead to further change.
As Indians we need to understand that the Indian society is the most tolerant society which is diverse in nature. It is not a closed society practices of repression of the minorities. It is a country which accepts change and encourages inclusive growth.
The society will always say "One person cannot change the world." but I believe that , "You never know.". It is the power of One that lead to all change. Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending and let that ending today lead to new beginnings of future.
It is the society which has evolved out of nature and not vice versa. By looking at opinions of various thought leaders the human beings will never be able to conclude on what is natural or unnatural. To seek a true answer of the above question one has to look into the nature around, if something exists in plants, animals, birds then it is natural and otherwise if it creation of the human mind. It is human beings and the society which has to change because the laws of nature are fundamental and it is very difficult to change the nature.
People at large believe that by the above quote Gandhiji meant that one has to change himself rather than change the world. But if that quote by Gandhiji meant so, the society, the nations, the world would have never seen evolved and changed. All thought leaders would have been busy changing themselves rather than changing the world around them. The way I understand is that Gandhiji wanted to say that rather than waiting and watching someone to come and change the world one must take the initiative and be the catalyst for that change. Gandhiji never said that always accept what the society offers you and do not aspire to change it. The society had always been twisting whatever the great leaders have taught and therefore in this case society perches that one has to change oneself and not lead the society for change. (What a clever way to distort opinions of champions of change). We all know that all the change in world happened with the power of One. It is also appropriate that life can either be accepted or changed. If it is not accepted, it must be changed. If it cannot be changed, then it must be accepted.
So, individuals may try to change himself but if one cannot change, the individual has to accept himself, the way he is. In a way If you can't change the world change yourself and if you can't change yourself, then you have to make an attempt to change the world.
It is said that the only law of universe is change but the only truth in the world is nature. So the world must realize that changing the nature is impossible and man cannot do it. The only thing man has created is society and social norms and a man has limited role to play in those norms only. A man can change these norms only but not the nature.
The natural phenomenon will never change but the society has to evolve and change. There has been social movements like the Brahmo Samaj, The Arya Samaj, The Kuka movement, The Dev Samaj, The Radha Sowami in India. These movements brought the change in understanding of Hinduism. They may not be acceptable to all till date but they are acceptable to some and the number of those some is always increasing.
There was evolution in society when the systems like dowry, widow re-marriage, child marriage, sati which all were supposed to be the foundations of the Hindu culture changed. The dynastic rulers have given way to elected leaders.
The changes were started by a few thought leaders, who could influence the law and latter lead to the change in society. But the first step toward such a change is awareness and the second step is acceptance, the third step is to make an opinion about the change and then lead the change. But if the individual feels that the society should accept him or his view point. Then that individual has to first accept that about himself. Then he has to come out strongly with the cause he is talking about. Because unless you believe in yourself others will not believe you.
Accepting the social norms and changing oneself according to the societal norms is no change in itself. We must realize that if one wants to lead a change or do something which is not within the social norms of the society, then the whole world will stand against that change. The society will put in all efforts in its quest to reform that person and convenience him that whatever he is suggesting is not social order but a deviation from it and that the person must change, this despite the fact that most societies have undergone radical changes.
Do we remember the fate of the person who brought the enlightenment that the earth is not flat ? The society looks from its own mcroscopic prospective and wants to influence an individual so that the change he is thinking about should remain as a status quo. But the society which never alters its opinion is like a standing water and breeds reptiles in minds of its constituents and those reptiles will eat away the small fishes of the pond. The individuals who could lead change despite and inspite of resistance are today remembered in form of Namdev, Kabir, Ravidas, Guru Nanak and so on... Changes in technology have lead to Green ,White and IT revolution and the changes in thought process will lead to further change.
As Indians we need to understand that the Indian society is the most tolerant society which is diverse in nature. It is not a closed society practices of repression of the minorities. It is a country which accepts change and encourages inclusive growth.
The society will always say "One person cannot change the world." but I believe that , "You never know.". It is the power of One that lead to all change. Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending and let that ending today lead to new beginnings of future.
It is the society which has evolved out of nature and not vice versa. By looking at opinions of various thought leaders the human beings will never be able to conclude on what is natural or unnatural. To seek a true answer of the above question one has to look into the nature around, if something exists in plants, animals, birds then it is natural and otherwise if it creation of the human mind. It is human beings and the society which has to change because the laws of nature are fundamental and it is very difficult to change the nature.
Monday, June 1, 2009
The only law of universe is Change and the only truth is Nature
The only law of universe is Change and the only truth is Nature
In past I had written about worshiping false Gods but I would also like to share with all the realization which I had gained over the period of time. I am sure that many of you may have referred to may religious texts and fare knowledgeable than me. But still I request you to once refer to Srimad Bhagwad Gita. Infect if one looks at the meaning of word Gita it is referred as “ a song sung by the Supreme for the soul when the soul was in a state of melancholy and undergoing the stage of dejection”. The religious leaders for the purpose of simplicity have described this message from Supreme to Soul as message from Krishna to Arjuna. But as a result the general people started worshiping the messenger rather than understanding the message. Gita with its just few lessons is the conclusion of all religions or rather the foundation of all the religions of the world. The book describes the key methods of reaching the God and when I say reaching the God, I mean to achieve the true purpose of life. The whole book which consist of eighteen parts ponders on coming close to nature by action, devotion or through intellect. The first six chapters have been classified as the Karma Yoga section as they mainly deal with achieving nature through actions, the next six chapters are attaining the true nature through devotion and therefore rightly referred as the Bhakti Yoga The final six chapters are regarded as the Jnana Yoga section as they are primarily concerned with the science of the individual consciousness and attaining the natural sense through the intellect.
1.The first chapter is about the condition of a human being who is in state of melancholy and undergoing the stage of dejection. The following chapters are in essence revolve around the self, the world and the purpose of life.
2.The second chapter in this books is called Sankhya. I do not understand the correct meaning of it but as I understand it offers a framework for all the levels of manifestation, from the least to highest. . Sankhya is taken from the world samyag akhyate, which actually explains the whole issues of life. Sankhya deals with prakriti (matter), purusha (consciousness), buddhi or mahat (intelligence), ahamkara (I-am-ness), three gunas (elements of stability, activity, and lightness), mind (manas), cognitive and active senses (indriyas), and the five subtle and gross elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space). I would like you to refer to the book to understand more about it.
3.The third chapter in book is always what I believe in and it is about Karma. The Karma yoga focuses on the adherence to duty (dharma) while remaining detached from the reward. It states that one can experience salvation (Moksha) or love (bhakti) of God by performing their duties in an unselfish manner for the pleasure of the Supreme, which is the welfare of the world. In other words a person will be succeeding in life if does his duty without worrying for the reward. Great people like Mahatama Gandhi did a self-less duty and that is why they are still remembered in the world. But we have to be careful that we must not get into the culture of photographs of such leaders but the principles they taught us (Munnabhai kind of sermon)
4.The chapter four is about Gyan Yoga, it is about understanding the true self. It is as practical and management focused concept like the concept of Johari window wherein one needs to understand what he knows about self and others know about him. Then there is a second level wherein there are things about an individual known to others but not to himself. The third level is about understanding the part which one individual knows about self and others don't know about him. In the whole process of expanding the various boxes of the Johari Window an individual in essence is closing the various black spots about himself. The way I understand Gita had been the best management book written so far. It may talk about a battlefield but if actually signifies that one has to fight the inner and external weakness. It actually means that true knowledge is about whoever fights the inner and outer enemies in this life. It says that by seeking shelter in Knowledge, the the doubt in the heart and the ignorance of mind will go off.
5.The next chapter on sanyasa is about overcoming the desire, fear and anger. The there elements which are a cause of misery in every person life. The message is loud and clear that the purpose of any religion is about true meaning of life. This chapter is to guide individuals that any tragedy may not be able to turn off his balance and any achievement may not do the same. It is about that an individual should be free from love, hate, fights. It says that someone who his above these feeling of love and hate actually finds his God or in my opinion understands how to live a life.
6.The chapter six is about self mastery. It is about atamsayam yoga It acknowledges the fact that any individual will look forward to his progress and not downfall. (uderet ataman atmanam na atmanam avasyadet) . It talks about the fact that every person is his own friend or foe. Any person who has understood the real purpose of life will be able to control his desires, fear and anger. But this is acknowledged that the heart is very dynamic, within seconds it can travel miles. It is acknowledged in this chapter that the heart is very fast but the only way to control it is practice. And if we co-relate it with today's understanding it is about sharpening the saw after every few hours of work. All I mean to say here is practice makes a man perfect and that is the key lesson in the chapter.
7.The chapter seven is about scientific knowledge (gyanvigyan yoga) . There is no other scripture in the world which talks about science. This chapter is more like the scientific theories of Sigmund Freud, who described Id, ego, and super-ego as the three parts of the "psychic apparatus". The Id, Ego and super-ego are are the three theoretical constructs in terms of whose activity and interaction mental life is described. The Id comprises the unorganized part of the personality structure that contains the basic drives. The Ego acts according to the reality principle; i.e. it seeks to please the id’s drive in realistic ways that will benefit in the long term rather than bringing grief. The ego is that part of the id which has been modified by the direct influence of the external world. The Super-ego aims for perfection. It comprises that organized part of the personality structure, mainly but not entirely unconscious, that includes the individual's ego ideals, spiritual goals, and the psychic agency (commonly called 'conscience') that criticizes and prohibits his or her drives, fantasies, feelings, and actions. The chapter seven in Gita is about the fact that the super ego is all in nature and it is by remaining close to the nature that one can achieve it. The chapter talks about that the fact that super ego is like the sweetener in water, it is like moon and sun in the sky, on earth it is the fragrance, in fire it is the heat. If we understand the chapter closely the Id, ego and super ego as referred by Sigmund are the tamoguna, rajoguna and satvaguna in the Gita. But the fact remains that if human beings have to decide what is natural and what is unnatural, they must refer to the nature. They must look around and find if the subject which is debated is present in animals, plants or any other living object. The societal concept of human beings is full of conditioning of human beings and may not be able to conclude appropriately.
8.The next chapter on AksharBrahma Yog essentially revolves around understanding the word AUM. In sanskrit it means pranava or "to sound out loudly" It is the most sacred syllable in all Indian religions - Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism. It signifies that God is one and Om is the symbol of the One-ness. The syllable is taken to consist of three phonemes, a, u and m, variously symbolizing the the Trimurti. In essence it is about the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction which are personified by the forms of Brahmā the creator, Vishnu the maintainer or preserver, and Śiva the destroyer or transformer. Our daily existence reflects these three cosmic functions as birth, life and death and this is the essence of this chapter wherein an Akshar or a symbol or an alphabet (as you call it) of AUM is the center of the three cosmic worlds around which our life revolves. Realizing AUM is realizing these three forms of life.
9.In my opinion the ninth chapter on the scientific outlook is devoted to the various superstitions and religious myths as operating in society today. It is clearly mentioned that the world will move ahead by principles of nature and no so called God or Demon or their personified self exist. It mentions that no one can change the basic principles of nature. It mentions that the air which is the a by product of ether (CH3-CH2-O-CH2-CH3) will always move around the ether. Somewhere I feel that this concept of ether and air is referring to some chemical reaction or the process of photosynthesis.(hope some professional of organic chemistry clarifies) But the more I studied the more I realized that the world moves by the natural phenomenons and no God, Goddess, Astrologer or Demon can actually interfere with the laws of nature. It also refers to self destruction of universe and the birth of new universe probably after the Big Bang. In stanza 8.13 it is referred that the nature is the father of this universe, the mother, the support and the grand sire. It is biggest object of knowledge, the purifier and the syllable AUM. In essence the chapter conveys that understanding nature, is understanding God, is understanding the World and understanding self. Origin of any research, any medicine, any knowledge (referred as three vedas) is all but nature. It says that a living beings may take any path, worship any God, may have seen the best of worldly pleasures (Swarg) or the worst of it (Narak) are all part of this nature. They all are born out of this nature and will be lost in this nature. But the person who understands the natural phenomenons and stays close to the nature and enjoy life in the natural surroundings are the people who live a true life. For the true life is close to nature and not in these affairs of the world. The chapter says that people who prays to God / Goddess are doing because they get emotional support from them, those who are praying to their ancestors are getting support from them, people who are worshiping spirits are worshiping those dead men. In essence it because of this emotional insecurity people get attached to any body who provides them the emotional security. It also says that the people who are lovers of true nature do come with a leave, flower, fruit or water to that nature, and the God (nature) accepts it in that form. The true God (as someone may call it) does not look for money or any worldly thing. (Patram, Pushpam, Phalam, Toyam, ya me bhaktya praychyati)
10.The Chapter 10 of the Bhagavad Gita, titled Vibhuti Yoga, Krishna uses the term vibhuti to describe divine attributes such as magnificence, splendor, glory and prosperity. Even though the whole Gita describes Krishna as God but I am substituting the word “nature” for it and if you do that the whole concept of Gita or the world is explained to you. It mentions that origin of Universe is still a matter of research and no one truly knows how it originated. There are some scientist who feel that the universe existed all around, there was no beginning and there will be no end, and there is only a process of evolution. The chapter says that discernment, wisdom, freedom from delusion, patience, truth, self control and calmness, pleasure, fear, fearlessness, non-violence, even mindedness, contentment, penance, charity, fame and ill fame are the various states of beings which are a part of nature and these characteristics help further evolution of humans in the world of society. It states that it is the Nature that is Vishnu among the Adityas, Sun among the lights, Marichi of the maruts, Moon among the heavenly bodies, the Samaveda amongst the vedas, Indra among the gods, mind amongst all senses, consciousness amongst living beings, Shankara among the Rudras, Kuber among the yakshas and Rakshasas, Agni among the Vasus, Meru among the mountain peaks, Brihaspati among the family priests, skandha among the war lords,Ocean among the lakes, Bhrigu among the great Sages of the sounds, the single syllable Aum, Japa while in meditation, Himalaya among the unmovable things, Ashvatta (Pipal tree) among all the trees, Narada amongst the divine sages, Chitrarath amongst the gandharvas, Kapil amongst the seers, Ucchiashrava amongst the horses, Airawat amongst the elephants, king amongst the men, Thunderbolt (Vajra) among the weapons, Kamadhenu (the cow of plenty) among the cows, Vasuki among the Serpents, Ananta (Sheshanaga) among the nagas, varun amongst the of the creatures of water,Aryama amongst the departed soul, Yama amongst the adminstrators of law, Prahlada among the demons,time among those who keep calculations, Lion among the beasts, the son of Vinta (Garud) among the birds, Wind among the purifying agents, Rama among the warriors, alligator amongst the fishes, Ganges amongst rivers, science of the self (brahma-vidya) amongst the scientist, arguments of the arguers, first letter of the alphabets, Brihatsama among the hymns, Gyatri amongst the Mantras, Margashrisha among the months, Spring among the seasons, Gambling among the practitioners of deception, glamor among the glamorous , goodness amongst the good, Vasudeva among the Vishnus, Dhananajya among Pandavas, Vyasa among the sages, Ushra amongst the poets, policy amongst the policy makers, the silence among secret things, wisdom amongst the the wise. And if look at all these smilies mentioned in this chapter it conveys that origin of the best or worst of everything is nature. The nature is the force behind the dead and cause of (seed) of all creation. Fame, prosperity, speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness, patience, all are the properties of nature. It is because of nature that the world goes around and no one can exist without this nature.
11.The chapter 11 may be about the vishwaroop darshan yog and revolving around the gratification of Lord Kirhna. But in my understanding it is giving a vision to the visionaries that the world is too big and they need to understand it as a whole to gain success. In my understanding this chapter is focused for people with a great vision (that is why only Arjuna and Bhishma could see the said Vishwaroop) who can see the different facets of nature and work for its welfare. All the objects, people etc referred as part of the Vishwaroop are for the understanding of the enlightened and Visionaries to understand different facets of the human life, the worldly creatures and to understand that the overall universe is much beyond what is visible with a normal eye.
12.The chapter 12 is termed as bhakti yoga but in essence it establishes the qualities of an ideal human who is most closest to the nature. Bhakti is always taken to mean "devotion", and commonly refers to focused or single-minded devotion to a form of God (Nature, according to my understanding). It sees all is the relationship with nature based on number of human relationships such as beloved-lover, friend-friend, parent-child, and master-servant. Some also feel that it is the relationship to God and disciple. The chapter describes the qualities of a true disciple (bhakt) which includes control over senses, always helping others. It says that individuals who are egoist have to go an extra mile and work hard to come close to nature. It says that if an individual puts his heart and soul in nature, he achieves the natural state (something which is beyond the ego created while living in world). It also mentions that in case an individual is unable to put his heart and soul, he just needs to practice natural things and by that he himself will come close to nature. It further says that even if you cannot practice natural things just stay close to nature and you will achieve it. It further says that due to the worldly compulsions even if one fails to come close to nature then one just needs to commit oneself to one's karma and forget the results. It is further said that an ideal human being is one who is indifferent in happiness and misery, who is helpful at one and all, who has no ego and who even sympathies with the evil. Such a person who is not bothered about profit or loss, who has complete control over his senses, someone whose heart and soul is close to nature is the IDEAL human being. This perfect human being is above friends and foes, does not feel happiness and sorrow. He is indifferent to summer or winters and is detached from the whole world. This ideal human does not indulges in backbiting, does not favor anyone, is fearless, he is the one who is a true devotee of the nature. Going beyond the chapter it is an established fact that Lord Krishna was a God of love and so the true nature is about loving all human beings whether Radha or Sudama.
13.The chapter thirteen describes the human body as a field and the individual who understands this concept is a great philosopher. The chapter says that the knowledge of this field and philosopher is the true knowledge. Anything against this knowledge has been referred as ignorance. According to the text several sages have sung the knowledge of the field (Ksetra) and of the Knower of Self (Ksetrajna) in different ways and probably that has lead to evolution of different sects, religious beliefs and so on. . The chapter describes the five great elements, the ego, the intelligence, the Primeval Matter, mind and the ten senses, it also talks about desire, aversion, joy, sorrow, the body, mutual attraction, conscious and rigidity. It mentions that nature cannot be called existent or non-existent or without beginning. The nature is Omnipotent, Neutral, Capable and Omniscient. That the Prakrti (nature) is mentioned as cause of everything and the Purush (the Individual Consciousness) is said to be the cause of joys and sorrows. Living in material nature, the individual conscious enjoys the modes born of Prakrti (nature). The text mentions that it is this material nature because of which a human being sees the world as good or bad; black or white. Without realizing that it is full of all shades of life. Some sects guide to reach the state of natural being through meditation, some through Yoga of naturalism, and others through actions. Some humans without the true understanding of Knowledge, Meditation and Action, begin to worship the God after hearing about Him from others. Any person who understands that all actions, are a natural phenomenon and knows that Self is not the doer, actually sees reality. He is the greatest philosopher.
14.The Chapter fourteen describes that primeval material is Brahma (molecule or atom ?) , the central concept of the whole nature. That the nature evolves from this seed (molecule/ atom) of life. The chapter describes out the evolution of world through this atom. The chapter mentions that Sattva (Goodness), rajas (Passion) and tamas (ignorance) are three modes born of nature (Prakriti). The sattva is achieved by the sincerity of a human being, where as affection, greed and desires lead to all kind of Passions. But it is the ignorance that leads to various delusions. It is these delusions that causes confusion/distress, laziness and sleep. In short goodness leads to happiness, passion gives attachment and ignorance leads to confusion. The fruit of the virtuous acts is said to be endowed with goodness (sattya) and is pure. The fruits of the mode of passion results in sadness and the fruit of the mode of ignorance results in ignorance. The people placed in the mode of goodness make progress and rise to the top. Those placed in the mode of passion stay in the middle. And those placed in the mode of ignorance have a downfall. But there are still some individuals who can be termed as perfect humans who even go beyond these three concepts. Such an individual does not hate illumination, attachment with worldly objects and delusion when they are present, and does not yearn for them when they are not present and is not wavering in his temperament. He is same in happiness and distress; he is stable in his self; he regards a chunk of earth, a stone and a piece of gold alike; he remains tantamount amongst pleasant and the unpleasant; he regards his praise and criticism as equivalent. He regards his honor and dishonor as equivalent; he is judicious in case of friend and enemy, and who has renounced all activities. Such a person actually gets submerged with the nature and reaches the true nature with which each human had been born.
15.The chapter fifteen reveals the virtues, the glories and transcendental characteristics of nature being omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. The chapter in brief touches to the fact that how a soul an reach to its natural self. It explains the purpose and value of knowing nature and the means by which the same can be realized.
16.The chapter sixteen describes the characteristics of natural and unnatural sense. It states that fearlessness, purity of mind, stability in knowledge and yoga, charity, self-control, religious sacrifice, non -violence, truthfulness, free from anger, renunciation, purity, aversion to faultfinding, compassion for all living entities, freedom from covetousness, gentleness, modesty, firmness are the qualities with which every human is born. However with the influence of society this virtues are lost somewhere. Due to these societal influences an individual learns the characteristics of hypocrisy, arrogance, pride, anger, severity and ignorance. This chapter describes the demon nature in further details, it states that demonic neither know what to do nor what not to do. They neither have any establish rule of conduct, virtue, intention of performance of duty and deference nor want to step back from immorality. Neither purity nor establish rule of conduct nor truth is found in them. The demons mention that the world is produced by the mutual cohabitation due only to lust and believe that sex/ pleasure is one of the key purpose of life. Bound in hundred loops of hopes, wholly occupied by lust and anger, they use illegal means to accumulate wealth for the satisfaction of their desires. Evey day such individuals step out to acquire something. Everyday they believe that they have killed one of their enemy. Perplexed by various anxieties, bound by the net of delusion and engrossed in the enjoyment of desires, these individuals can never attain the nature and are lost in the pleasures as created by society. One must realize that principles of society as created by humans are actually natural principles in the deformed form.
17.The chapter seventeen classifies the three divisions of faith, revealing that it is these different qualities of faith that character of living entities. These three types of faith determine one's consciousness in this world. The chapter describes about the fact that human beings evolve around the three forms of faith -- the sattvika (good), the rajasika (passionate) and the tamasika (ignorant). These characteristics are more about the societal concept of humans rather than the natural concept. It brings out the various characteristics of each form. It talks about the various aspects of these three natures. It also states that the Satvikka (Good) Men worship the demigods; Rajasika (Passionate) people worship the demons and the Tamasika (Ignorant) worship the ghosts and spirits. The chapter further describes the three types of favorite foods. The foods that enhance age, power, strength, health, happiness and cheerfulness, that are juicy, oily, nourishing and pleasing to the heart are the foods dearer to those in the mode of goodness. The foods that are too bitter, too sour, too salty, very hot, pungent, very dry and burning are the foods that are dearer to those in the mode of passion. These foods induce pain, grief and disease. Foods kept for a long time after preparing, very cold, flavorless, putrid, stale, food that is left off after eating (defiled by others), and is impure are the foods that are dearer to those in the mode of darkness. The chapter says that despite the natural sense the humans will worship of the Deity, God, Brahman (the knowledgeable), teacher and the wise, with purity, simplicity, celibacy, and non-violence. The chapter further describes the various aspects of penance, charity in the three forms It states that in case of charity the charity made to a deprived person at a right time and place is said to be sattvika (Mode of goodness). The charity that is made with an expectation of some return or with a desire for fruitful results, or in a grudging disposition, is said to be in rajasika (Mode of passion). Charity that is made without considering the place and the time, which is given to the unworthy persons without respect and courtesy is said to be in tamasika (Mode of ignorance) Finally it is mentioned that OM, tat and sat has been declared as the triple appellation of nature which is Truth, Consciousness and Bliss
18.The last chapter describes about things of practical life and the concept of Sanyas. It says that humans should not give up world for sacrifice, charity, austerity and penance but a wise person will do the same while being part of the world. The chapter warns that these activities should be done without the desires of the fruits of the actions and without attachment. The chapter conveys that the these days the renunciation of these prescribed duties is not proper. The renunciation of these duties through delusion is explained as the mode of ignorance. The renunciation of these duties out of fear is said as the fruits of passion. A person who performs the prescribed duty as it is ought to be done and renounces the desire and attachment to the fruit of actions, his renunciation is said to be in the mode of goodness. So the crux is that action should be without expectation. The chapter states that it is indeed impossible for an embodied being to abandon all activities. But he who renounces the fruits of action is called one who has truly renounced. Those who have not renounced the fruits of their actions, those people get three types of fruits —undesirable, desirable and mixed after their death. The chapter als describes about the three types of happiness. The one that is like poison in the beginning but is just like nectar in the end. And the happiness that emanates from the tranquility of mind is said to be sattvika (the mode of goodness). The happiness which is derived from the combination of the senses and the sense objects and which is like nectar in the beginning but harms like a poison in the end is said to be rajasak (the nature of passion). The happiness which deludes the human being even in the beginning and in the end and which arises from sleep, laziness and confusion (negligence) is said to be tamasika (mode of ignorance).But the fact remains that there is no being on earth who is freed of these the four classes of life. Peacefulness, self-restraint, austerity, purity, forgiveness, simplicity, knowledge, specialized knowledge and with belief in God are the duties born of the nature of Brahmans(the knowledgeable). Heroism, effulgence, courage, not fleeing from battle, generosity and leadership are the duties born of the nature of Kshatriyas (Warrior class). Agriculture, Farming, cow breeding and doing business world-wide are the duties born of the nature of the Vaishyas. The actions of providing service to others are the duties born of the nature of the Sudras. One must understand what is the better way of life, knowledge through a text (the Brahmin's class) or submit to a so called Guru (the Sudra's calss). The chapter clarifies that one should carry on performing his duty and never abandon it even though the duty is full of faults. It says that, all works are surrounded by faults as smoke surrounds the fire. But an individual with a pure intellect is the one who will understand. The chapter while addressing to the ego (Arjuna) that being filled with egoism, if you say that you shall not fight, then your resolve is false. Your nature will definitely push you to fight as you are warrior by nature and that is the most important truth of the practical life which is different than the ideal life as described in the past chapters. The text of Gita infect completely wipes of any delusion, born of ignorance.
Conclusions
In essence the text of Gita clarifies a lot to every human being. It clearly states in the initial chapters that a true life is not about waging a war with the world. It is about being close to nature. But in concluding chapters it also states that in practical life every person has a nature and Arjuna finally realizes that he being a Kshatriya (warrior by nature) has to fulfill his duties of leadership, courage , heroism and to fight the battle as part of his worldly duty.
My Experiences:
Finally the realization of human in form of Arjuna is also important. Because this realization has to come to one and all. Infect after re-referring to this most important text after probably nine years even my delusions have wiped out. It appears that after writing this article I also feel that I have regained my memory. I am free of doubts and I have stood after getting well. Finally forgetting the past, present and future I have realized that whatever happened to me, it happened for good. whatever is happening, is happening to me is also for good. whatever that will happen, it will be for good. Infect I have lost nothing for which I am crying and when the fact that when I was born I had nothing in hand. All that I got was from this world only and what if I have lost it all. But overall I had been an absolute gainer. Even today anything I have is derived from the nature and whatever contributions I have made were given to the nature. All my efforts of the past were in essence my actions without looking forward to any reward. Then why this feeling today that I have not got what I deserved. Whatever limited I have today belonged to someone in past (may be my father, mother, sisters or someone else) and tomorrow it will go to someone else (even if it is my wife and children). After referring to this text again after nine years I can understand that the only law in the universe is the law of change and the only truth is nature.
( This article is dedicated to an author and preacher who in order that a disciple may understand the true meaning of life even decided to lie on a death pyre. )
References:
1.Bhagwad Gita by Hitashi Press
2.http://www.Gitasaar.com/
In past I had written about worshiping false Gods but I would also like to share with all the realization which I had gained over the period of time. I am sure that many of you may have referred to may religious texts and fare knowledgeable than me. But still I request you to once refer to Srimad Bhagwad Gita. Infect if one looks at the meaning of word Gita it is referred as “ a song sung by the Supreme for the soul when the soul was in a state of melancholy and undergoing the stage of dejection”. The religious leaders for the purpose of simplicity have described this message from Supreme to Soul as message from Krishna to Arjuna. But as a result the general people started worshiping the messenger rather than understanding the message. Gita with its just few lessons is the conclusion of all religions or rather the foundation of all the religions of the world. The book describes the key methods of reaching the God and when I say reaching the God, I mean to achieve the true purpose of life. The whole book which consist of eighteen parts ponders on coming close to nature by action, devotion or through intellect. The first six chapters have been classified as the Karma Yoga section as they mainly deal with achieving nature through actions, the next six chapters are attaining the true nature through devotion and therefore rightly referred as the Bhakti Yoga The final six chapters are regarded as the Jnana Yoga section as they are primarily concerned with the science of the individual consciousness and attaining the natural sense through the intellect.
1.The first chapter is about the condition of a human being who is in state of melancholy and undergoing the stage of dejection. The following chapters are in essence revolve around the self, the world and the purpose of life.
2.The second chapter in this books is called Sankhya. I do not understand the correct meaning of it but as I understand it offers a framework for all the levels of manifestation, from the least to highest. . Sankhya is taken from the world samyag akhyate, which actually explains the whole issues of life. Sankhya deals with prakriti (matter), purusha (consciousness), buddhi or mahat (intelligence), ahamkara (I-am-ness), three gunas (elements of stability, activity, and lightness), mind (manas), cognitive and active senses (indriyas), and the five subtle and gross elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space). I would like you to refer to the book to understand more about it.
3.The third chapter in book is always what I believe in and it is about Karma. The Karma yoga focuses on the adherence to duty (dharma) while remaining detached from the reward. It states that one can experience salvation (Moksha) or love (bhakti) of God by performing their duties in an unselfish manner for the pleasure of the Supreme, which is the welfare of the world. In other words a person will be succeeding in life if does his duty without worrying for the reward. Great people like Mahatama Gandhi did a self-less duty and that is why they are still remembered in the world. But we have to be careful that we must not get into the culture of photographs of such leaders but the principles they taught us (Munnabhai kind of sermon)
4.The chapter four is about Gyan Yoga, it is about understanding the true self. It is as practical and management focused concept like the concept of Johari window wherein one needs to understand what he knows about self and others know about him. Then there is a second level wherein there are things about an individual known to others but not to himself. The third level is about understanding the part which one individual knows about self and others don't know about him. In the whole process of expanding the various boxes of the Johari Window an individual in essence is closing the various black spots about himself. The way I understand Gita had been the best management book written so far. It may talk about a battlefield but if actually signifies that one has to fight the inner and external weakness. It actually means that true knowledge is about whoever fights the inner and outer enemies in this life. It says that by seeking shelter in Knowledge, the the doubt in the heart and the ignorance of mind will go off.
5.The next chapter on sanyasa is about overcoming the desire, fear and anger. The there elements which are a cause of misery in every person life. The message is loud and clear that the purpose of any religion is about true meaning of life. This chapter is to guide individuals that any tragedy may not be able to turn off his balance and any achievement may not do the same. It is about that an individual should be free from love, hate, fights. It says that someone who his above these feeling of love and hate actually finds his God or in my opinion understands how to live a life.
6.The chapter six is about self mastery. It is about atamsayam yoga It acknowledges the fact that any individual will look forward to his progress and not downfall. (uderet ataman atmanam na atmanam avasyadet) . It talks about the fact that every person is his own friend or foe. Any person who has understood the real purpose of life will be able to control his desires, fear and anger. But this is acknowledged that the heart is very dynamic, within seconds it can travel miles. It is acknowledged in this chapter that the heart is very fast but the only way to control it is practice. And if we co-relate it with today's understanding it is about sharpening the saw after every few hours of work. All I mean to say here is practice makes a man perfect and that is the key lesson in the chapter.
7.The chapter seven is about scientific knowledge (gyanvigyan yoga) . There is no other scripture in the world which talks about science. This chapter is more like the scientific theories of Sigmund Freud, who described Id, ego, and super-ego as the three parts of the "psychic apparatus". The Id, Ego and super-ego are are the three theoretical constructs in terms of whose activity and interaction mental life is described. The Id comprises the unorganized part of the personality structure that contains the basic drives. The Ego acts according to the reality principle; i.e. it seeks to please the id’s drive in realistic ways that will benefit in the long term rather than bringing grief. The ego is that part of the id which has been modified by the direct influence of the external world. The Super-ego aims for perfection. It comprises that organized part of the personality structure, mainly but not entirely unconscious, that includes the individual's ego ideals, spiritual goals, and the psychic agency (commonly called 'conscience') that criticizes and prohibits his or her drives, fantasies, feelings, and actions. The chapter seven in Gita is about the fact that the super ego is all in nature and it is by remaining close to the nature that one can achieve it. The chapter talks about that the fact that super ego is like the sweetener in water, it is like moon and sun in the sky, on earth it is the fragrance, in fire it is the heat. If we understand the chapter closely the Id, ego and super ego as referred by Sigmund are the tamoguna, rajoguna and satvaguna in the Gita. But the fact remains that if human beings have to decide what is natural and what is unnatural, they must refer to the nature. They must look around and find if the subject which is debated is present in animals, plants or any other living object. The societal concept of human beings is full of conditioning of human beings and may not be able to conclude appropriately.
8.The next chapter on AksharBrahma Yog essentially revolves around understanding the word AUM. In sanskrit it means pranava or "to sound out loudly" It is the most sacred syllable in all Indian religions - Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism. It signifies that God is one and Om is the symbol of the One-ness. The syllable is taken to consist of three phonemes, a, u and m, variously symbolizing the the Trimurti. In essence it is about the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction which are personified by the forms of Brahmā the creator, Vishnu the maintainer or preserver, and Śiva the destroyer or transformer. Our daily existence reflects these three cosmic functions as birth, life and death and this is the essence of this chapter wherein an Akshar or a symbol or an alphabet (as you call it) of AUM is the center of the three cosmic worlds around which our life revolves. Realizing AUM is realizing these three forms of life.
9.In my opinion the ninth chapter on the scientific outlook is devoted to the various superstitions and religious myths as operating in society today. It is clearly mentioned that the world will move ahead by principles of nature and no so called God or Demon or their personified self exist. It mentions that no one can change the basic principles of nature. It mentions that the air which is the a by product of ether (CH3-CH2-O-CH2-CH3) will always move around the ether. Somewhere I feel that this concept of ether and air is referring to some chemical reaction or the process of photosynthesis.(hope some professional of organic chemistry clarifies) But the more I studied the more I realized that the world moves by the natural phenomenons and no God, Goddess, Astrologer or Demon can actually interfere with the laws of nature. It also refers to self destruction of universe and the birth of new universe probably after the Big Bang. In stanza 8.13 it is referred that the nature is the father of this universe, the mother, the support and the grand sire. It is biggest object of knowledge, the purifier and the syllable AUM. In essence the chapter conveys that understanding nature, is understanding God, is understanding the World and understanding self. Origin of any research, any medicine, any knowledge (referred as three vedas) is all but nature. It says that a living beings may take any path, worship any God, may have seen the best of worldly pleasures (Swarg) or the worst of it (Narak) are all part of this nature. They all are born out of this nature and will be lost in this nature. But the person who understands the natural phenomenons and stays close to the nature and enjoy life in the natural surroundings are the people who live a true life. For the true life is close to nature and not in these affairs of the world. The chapter says that people who prays to God / Goddess are doing because they get emotional support from them, those who are praying to their ancestors are getting support from them, people who are worshiping spirits are worshiping those dead men. In essence it because of this emotional insecurity people get attached to any body who provides them the emotional security. It also says that the people who are lovers of true nature do come with a leave, flower, fruit or water to that nature, and the God (nature) accepts it in that form. The true God (as someone may call it) does not look for money or any worldly thing. (Patram, Pushpam, Phalam, Toyam, ya me bhaktya praychyati)
10.The Chapter 10 of the Bhagavad Gita, titled Vibhuti Yoga, Krishna uses the term vibhuti to describe divine attributes such as magnificence, splendor, glory and prosperity. Even though the whole Gita describes Krishna as God but I am substituting the word “nature” for it and if you do that the whole concept of Gita or the world is explained to you. It mentions that origin of Universe is still a matter of research and no one truly knows how it originated. There are some scientist who feel that the universe existed all around, there was no beginning and there will be no end, and there is only a process of evolution. The chapter says that discernment, wisdom, freedom from delusion, patience, truth, self control and calmness, pleasure, fear, fearlessness, non-violence, even mindedness, contentment, penance, charity, fame and ill fame are the various states of beings which are a part of nature and these characteristics help further evolution of humans in the world of society. It states that it is the Nature that is Vishnu among the Adityas, Sun among the lights, Marichi of the maruts, Moon among the heavenly bodies, the Samaveda amongst the vedas, Indra among the gods, mind amongst all senses, consciousness amongst living beings, Shankara among the Rudras, Kuber among the yakshas and Rakshasas, Agni among the Vasus, Meru among the mountain peaks, Brihaspati among the family priests, skandha among the war lords,Ocean among the lakes, Bhrigu among the great Sages of the sounds, the single syllable Aum, Japa while in meditation, Himalaya among the unmovable things, Ashvatta (Pipal tree) among all the trees, Narada amongst the divine sages, Chitrarath amongst the gandharvas, Kapil amongst the seers, Ucchiashrava amongst the horses, Airawat amongst the elephants, king amongst the men, Thunderbolt (Vajra) among the weapons, Kamadhenu (the cow of plenty) among the cows, Vasuki among the Serpents, Ananta (Sheshanaga) among the nagas, varun amongst the of the creatures of water,Aryama amongst the departed soul, Yama amongst the adminstrators of law, Prahlada among the demons,time among those who keep calculations, Lion among the beasts, the son of Vinta (Garud) among the birds, Wind among the purifying agents, Rama among the warriors, alligator amongst the fishes, Ganges amongst rivers, science of the self (brahma-vidya) amongst the scientist, arguments of the arguers, first letter of the alphabets, Brihatsama among the hymns, Gyatri amongst the Mantras, Margashrisha among the months, Spring among the seasons, Gambling among the practitioners of deception, glamor among the glamorous , goodness amongst the good, Vasudeva among the Vishnus, Dhananajya among Pandavas, Vyasa among the sages, Ushra amongst the poets, policy amongst the policy makers, the silence among secret things, wisdom amongst the the wise. And if look at all these smilies mentioned in this chapter it conveys that origin of the best or worst of everything is nature. The nature is the force behind the dead and cause of (seed) of all creation. Fame, prosperity, speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness, patience, all are the properties of nature. It is because of nature that the world goes around and no one can exist without this nature.
11.The chapter 11 may be about the vishwaroop darshan yog and revolving around the gratification of Lord Kirhna. But in my understanding it is giving a vision to the visionaries that the world is too big and they need to understand it as a whole to gain success. In my understanding this chapter is focused for people with a great vision (that is why only Arjuna and Bhishma could see the said Vishwaroop) who can see the different facets of nature and work for its welfare. All the objects, people etc referred as part of the Vishwaroop are for the understanding of the enlightened and Visionaries to understand different facets of the human life, the worldly creatures and to understand that the overall universe is much beyond what is visible with a normal eye.
12.The chapter 12 is termed as bhakti yoga but in essence it establishes the qualities of an ideal human who is most closest to the nature. Bhakti is always taken to mean "devotion", and commonly refers to focused or single-minded devotion to a form of God (Nature, according to my understanding). It sees all is the relationship with nature based on number of human relationships such as beloved-lover, friend-friend, parent-child, and master-servant. Some also feel that it is the relationship to God and disciple. The chapter describes the qualities of a true disciple (bhakt) which includes control over senses, always helping others. It says that individuals who are egoist have to go an extra mile and work hard to come close to nature. It says that if an individual puts his heart and soul in nature, he achieves the natural state (something which is beyond the ego created while living in world). It also mentions that in case an individual is unable to put his heart and soul, he just needs to practice natural things and by that he himself will come close to nature. It further says that even if you cannot practice natural things just stay close to nature and you will achieve it. It further says that due to the worldly compulsions even if one fails to come close to nature then one just needs to commit oneself to one's karma and forget the results. It is further said that an ideal human being is one who is indifferent in happiness and misery, who is helpful at one and all, who has no ego and who even sympathies with the evil. Such a person who is not bothered about profit or loss, who has complete control over his senses, someone whose heart and soul is close to nature is the IDEAL human being. This perfect human being is above friends and foes, does not feel happiness and sorrow. He is indifferent to summer or winters and is detached from the whole world. This ideal human does not indulges in backbiting, does not favor anyone, is fearless, he is the one who is a true devotee of the nature. Going beyond the chapter it is an established fact that Lord Krishna was a God of love and so the true nature is about loving all human beings whether Radha or Sudama.
13.The chapter thirteen describes the human body as a field and the individual who understands this concept is a great philosopher. The chapter says that the knowledge of this field and philosopher is the true knowledge. Anything against this knowledge has been referred as ignorance. According to the text several sages have sung the knowledge of the field (Ksetra) and of the Knower of Self (Ksetrajna) in different ways and probably that has lead to evolution of different sects, religious beliefs and so on. . The chapter describes the five great elements, the ego, the intelligence, the Primeval Matter, mind and the ten senses, it also talks about desire, aversion, joy, sorrow, the body, mutual attraction, conscious and rigidity. It mentions that nature cannot be called existent or non-existent or without beginning. The nature is Omnipotent, Neutral, Capable and Omniscient. That the Prakrti (nature) is mentioned as cause of everything and the Purush (the Individual Consciousness) is said to be the cause of joys and sorrows. Living in material nature, the individual conscious enjoys the modes born of Prakrti (nature). The text mentions that it is this material nature because of which a human being sees the world as good or bad; black or white. Without realizing that it is full of all shades of life. Some sects guide to reach the state of natural being through meditation, some through Yoga of naturalism, and others through actions. Some humans without the true understanding of Knowledge, Meditation and Action, begin to worship the God after hearing about Him from others. Any person who understands that all actions, are a natural phenomenon and knows that Self is not the doer, actually sees reality. He is the greatest philosopher.
14.The Chapter fourteen describes that primeval material is Brahma (molecule or atom ?) , the central concept of the whole nature. That the nature evolves from this seed (molecule/ atom) of life. The chapter describes out the evolution of world through this atom. The chapter mentions that Sattva (Goodness), rajas (Passion) and tamas (ignorance) are three modes born of nature (Prakriti). The sattva is achieved by the sincerity of a human being, where as affection, greed and desires lead to all kind of Passions. But it is the ignorance that leads to various delusions. It is these delusions that causes confusion/distress, laziness and sleep. In short goodness leads to happiness, passion gives attachment and ignorance leads to confusion. The fruit of the virtuous acts is said to be endowed with goodness (sattya) and is pure. The fruits of the mode of passion results in sadness and the fruit of the mode of ignorance results in ignorance. The people placed in the mode of goodness make progress and rise to the top. Those placed in the mode of passion stay in the middle. And those placed in the mode of ignorance have a downfall. But there are still some individuals who can be termed as perfect humans who even go beyond these three concepts. Such an individual does not hate illumination, attachment with worldly objects and delusion when they are present, and does not yearn for them when they are not present and is not wavering in his temperament. He is same in happiness and distress; he is stable in his self; he regards a chunk of earth, a stone and a piece of gold alike; he remains tantamount amongst pleasant and the unpleasant; he regards his praise and criticism as equivalent. He regards his honor and dishonor as equivalent; he is judicious in case of friend and enemy, and who has renounced all activities. Such a person actually gets submerged with the nature and reaches the true nature with which each human had been born.
15.The chapter fifteen reveals the virtues, the glories and transcendental characteristics of nature being omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. The chapter in brief touches to the fact that how a soul an reach to its natural self. It explains the purpose and value of knowing nature and the means by which the same can be realized.
16.The chapter sixteen describes the characteristics of natural and unnatural sense. It states that fearlessness, purity of mind, stability in knowledge and yoga, charity, self-control, religious sacrifice, non -violence, truthfulness, free from anger, renunciation, purity, aversion to faultfinding, compassion for all living entities, freedom from covetousness, gentleness, modesty, firmness are the qualities with which every human is born. However with the influence of society this virtues are lost somewhere. Due to these societal influences an individual learns the characteristics of hypocrisy, arrogance, pride, anger, severity and ignorance. This chapter describes the demon nature in further details, it states that demonic neither know what to do nor what not to do. They neither have any establish rule of conduct, virtue, intention of performance of duty and deference nor want to step back from immorality. Neither purity nor establish rule of conduct nor truth is found in them. The demons mention that the world is produced by the mutual cohabitation due only to lust and believe that sex/ pleasure is one of the key purpose of life. Bound in hundred loops of hopes, wholly occupied by lust and anger, they use illegal means to accumulate wealth for the satisfaction of their desires. Evey day such individuals step out to acquire something. Everyday they believe that they have killed one of their enemy. Perplexed by various anxieties, bound by the net of delusion and engrossed in the enjoyment of desires, these individuals can never attain the nature and are lost in the pleasures as created by society. One must realize that principles of society as created by humans are actually natural principles in the deformed form.
17.The chapter seventeen classifies the three divisions of faith, revealing that it is these different qualities of faith that character of living entities. These three types of faith determine one's consciousness in this world. The chapter describes about the fact that human beings evolve around the three forms of faith -- the sattvika (good), the rajasika (passionate) and the tamasika (ignorant). These characteristics are more about the societal concept of humans rather than the natural concept. It brings out the various characteristics of each form. It talks about the various aspects of these three natures. It also states that the Satvikka (Good) Men worship the demigods; Rajasika (Passionate) people worship the demons and the Tamasika (Ignorant) worship the ghosts and spirits. The chapter further describes the three types of favorite foods. The foods that enhance age, power, strength, health, happiness and cheerfulness, that are juicy, oily, nourishing and pleasing to the heart are the foods dearer to those in the mode of goodness. The foods that are too bitter, too sour, too salty, very hot, pungent, very dry and burning are the foods that are dearer to those in the mode of passion. These foods induce pain, grief and disease. Foods kept for a long time after preparing, very cold, flavorless, putrid, stale, food that is left off after eating (defiled by others), and is impure are the foods that are dearer to those in the mode of darkness. The chapter says that despite the natural sense the humans will worship of the Deity, God, Brahman (the knowledgeable), teacher and the wise, with purity, simplicity, celibacy, and non-violence. The chapter further describes the various aspects of penance, charity in the three forms It states that in case of charity the charity made to a deprived person at a right time and place is said to be sattvika (Mode of goodness). The charity that is made with an expectation of some return or with a desire for fruitful results, or in a grudging disposition, is said to be in rajasika (Mode of passion). Charity that is made without considering the place and the time, which is given to the unworthy persons without respect and courtesy is said to be in tamasika (Mode of ignorance) Finally it is mentioned that OM, tat and sat has been declared as the triple appellation of nature which is Truth, Consciousness and Bliss
18.The last chapter describes about things of practical life and the concept of Sanyas. It says that humans should not give up world for sacrifice, charity, austerity and penance but a wise person will do the same while being part of the world. The chapter warns that these activities should be done without the desires of the fruits of the actions and without attachment. The chapter conveys that the these days the renunciation of these prescribed duties is not proper. The renunciation of these duties through delusion is explained as the mode of ignorance. The renunciation of these duties out of fear is said as the fruits of passion. A person who performs the prescribed duty as it is ought to be done and renounces the desire and attachment to the fruit of actions, his renunciation is said to be in the mode of goodness. So the crux is that action should be without expectation. The chapter states that it is indeed impossible for an embodied being to abandon all activities. But he who renounces the fruits of action is called one who has truly renounced. Those who have not renounced the fruits of their actions, those people get three types of fruits —undesirable, desirable and mixed after their death. The chapter als describes about the three types of happiness. The one that is like poison in the beginning but is just like nectar in the end. And the happiness that emanates from the tranquility of mind is said to be sattvika (the mode of goodness). The happiness which is derived from the combination of the senses and the sense objects and which is like nectar in the beginning but harms like a poison in the end is said to be rajasak (the nature of passion). The happiness which deludes the human being even in the beginning and in the end and which arises from sleep, laziness and confusion (negligence) is said to be tamasika (mode of ignorance).But the fact remains that there is no being on earth who is freed of these the four classes of life. Peacefulness, self-restraint, austerity, purity, forgiveness, simplicity, knowledge, specialized knowledge and with belief in God are the duties born of the nature of Brahmans(the knowledgeable). Heroism, effulgence, courage, not fleeing from battle, generosity and leadership are the duties born of the nature of Kshatriyas (Warrior class). Agriculture, Farming, cow breeding and doing business world-wide are the duties born of the nature of the Vaishyas. The actions of providing service to others are the duties born of the nature of the Sudras. One must understand what is the better way of life, knowledge through a text (the Brahmin's class) or submit to a so called Guru (the Sudra's calss). The chapter clarifies that one should carry on performing his duty and never abandon it even though the duty is full of faults. It says that, all works are surrounded by faults as smoke surrounds the fire. But an individual with a pure intellect is the one who will understand. The chapter while addressing to the ego (Arjuna) that being filled with egoism, if you say that you shall not fight, then your resolve is false. Your nature will definitely push you to fight as you are warrior by nature and that is the most important truth of the practical life which is different than the ideal life as described in the past chapters. The text of Gita infect completely wipes of any delusion, born of ignorance.
Conclusions
In essence the text of Gita clarifies a lot to every human being. It clearly states in the initial chapters that a true life is not about waging a war with the world. It is about being close to nature. But in concluding chapters it also states that in practical life every person has a nature and Arjuna finally realizes that he being a Kshatriya (warrior by nature) has to fulfill his duties of leadership, courage , heroism and to fight the battle as part of his worldly duty.
My Experiences:
Finally the realization of human in form of Arjuna is also important. Because this realization has to come to one and all. Infect after re-referring to this most important text after probably nine years even my delusions have wiped out. It appears that after writing this article I also feel that I have regained my memory. I am free of doubts and I have stood after getting well. Finally forgetting the past, present and future I have realized that whatever happened to me, it happened for good. whatever is happening, is happening to me is also for good. whatever that will happen, it will be for good. Infect I have lost nothing for which I am crying and when the fact that when I was born I had nothing in hand. All that I got was from this world only and what if I have lost it all. But overall I had been an absolute gainer. Even today anything I have is derived from the nature and whatever contributions I have made were given to the nature. All my efforts of the past were in essence my actions without looking forward to any reward. Then why this feeling today that I have not got what I deserved. Whatever limited I have today belonged to someone in past (may be my father, mother, sisters or someone else) and tomorrow it will go to someone else (even if it is my wife and children). After referring to this text again after nine years I can understand that the only law in the universe is the law of change and the only truth is nature.
( This article is dedicated to an author and preacher who in order that a disciple may understand the true meaning of life even decided to lie on a death pyre. )
References:
1.Bhagwad Gita by Hitashi Press
2.http://www.Gitasaar.com/
Friday, May 29, 2009
Corporate Leadership
Corporate Leadership
It was indeed a reliving to note that the new Satyam Board has worked out a package for its ten thousand employees. It had been reported today that the 10,000 excess staff at Satyam Computer Services are set to be offered 40% of their salary for six months along with medical insurance and provident fund in what can be termed as a severance package being firmed up by the beleaguered IT firm. The above gesture of supporting employees by a company despite undergoing such a financial turmoil is reflected only in Indian ethos. The foundations of core Indian values of a considering even the employees as a family members and ensuring their well being speaks highly of the value system of the Indian companies. This is the reason that in time of recession Indians abroad are coming back to India. They know that even if the salary may not be high but there is a lot of stability and security while working in India . They have learnt it a hard way that the foreign firms will only look for profits and margins. For them employees can be hired and fired any movement. The foreign firms may be talking strongly about their value system, may be putting it all across their offices, have it printed on their cups and stationary but the only thing they lack is they are not able to internalize those values. There is a mark difference between words and action. It is a bitter reality that while working in a foreign firm your boss may ask for your resignation in a telephonic discussion at 6.10 pm and will expect it in his mail box by 6.13 pm (three minutes given for typing the resignation e-mail; unless an employee is not smart enough to have a draft resignation e-mail always ready in his draft folder. )
But if we look at the virtues which an employee looks forward in a company. I think the answer will be fulfillment of body, heart,mind and soul. By body (please keep off the dirty mind) I mean that an employee should get a good salary, by heart I mean that the superiors and juniors should have good relations. By mind I mean that there is knowledge growth for the employee and by soul I refer that the employee should be allowed to work with integrity. If an organization ensures that all above are fulfilled then an employee will never leave the organization. Having worked in diverse organizations I would like to share my experiences on the same. One of the company I worked in had many of us new joiners on bench. We were getting good salary but for a person like me there there was no growth of mind (no work). Another place I worked I experienced strong issues of soul. There were serious issues of malpractices in that organization. Another organization I worked was perfect in mind, heart and soul but was a little lacking in needs of body (salary). But for a person like me my longest tenure was with this organization only and I think it will be correct for most of us (atleast Indians) that while working we look for satisfaction of our heart, mind and soul. Another organization I joined was highest on the heart, good on the body (salary) , acceptable on mind (knowledge) but there was serious soul searching required there. One of my boss in this organization told me to go and give tickets to one of the clients. I had to oblige him at that movement but within a week my boss got my resignation, I do not think if till date my ex-boss realizes that what may have gone wrong. I could not also tell him as there were excellent rapport of the heart. Infect this was one organization where everyone was a kind of close knit family. Another firm I worked was excellent on body (salary), infect if I look back there were no parallel to that salary. But beyond salary there was nothing more – your boss will have rarely talked to you, you would be using your own limited knowledge to work and despite having a greatest value system there were serious issues of soul.
It is also rightly said that an employee never leaves an organization but he leaves his manager. Infect its is a manager drives people away. Different managers can stress out employees in different ways - by being too controlling, too suspicious,too pushy, too critical, but they forget that workers are not fixed assets, they are free agents. When this goes on too long, an employee will quit - often over a trivial issue. There are managers who always keep an eye on their subordinates,themselves or through their other juniors. But if an employer suspects an employees intension then employees will also do the same. Any ways any kind of monitoring on an employee signifies lack of trust. There are organizations which spread false and malicious information, which make an employee part of a false ecosystem, where employees live in false situations, with false people often developing illusions about themselves and their work. Such an organization which presents a total lie to its employees will always fail, because truth is so strong that it cannot be hidden. And a small mistake is good enough to discover the whole truth. In some organizations when an employee raises a point on ethics, he will be put to great scrutiny so that some vested interest may ensure his character assassination. But does the organizations believe that a person is so naive to understand what goes behind the scene.
N R Naryana Muthy in an article on Rediff.com says that “Do not think your employees are dumb and can be taken for any ride (even water ride). They are also thinking individuals. Set practical goals, not dreams that others of relatively less genius can relate to.”
There are other organization and many times the HR experts who may conduct fake interviews to know if a resource is leaving or is staying back. The term is often refereed to as the interview trap. Many a times existing employers also take help of consultants to interview their employees who may be showing inclination to leave. But one must imagine that an employee will never give an interview in broad public view in the office of existing employer. HR must be smart enough to understand that they are falling in the same trap which they had created for the employee. Such an organization quickly falls on the parameter of trust and ethics of an employee. A person may leave such an organization but he will leave after leaving a strong foundation of the need for change. It is essence of truth that it will always come out but what requires as a character is the strength in a person that he is able to speak truth. The hollow incidents will always make even a toughest of person as weak.
As of individuals there are many people in an organization who will be YES SIR, YES MAM. There will be others whose focus of all activity is pleasing their boss. I call them spine less beings. There boss tells them to bend and they will lay down on the floor. But a person who has strength to call a spade a spade is the true employee of the company. He may be thought as a stubborn, non flexible and what more. But it is this individual only who shows the truth to management. It is the organizations misfortune that if such a person is shown a door. An employee with strong value system may take time to shine but when he shines he will enlighten many. An organization must evaluate a short term gain or a long term loss.
Organizations also need to understand the concept of social inclusion in essence which is to have an approach helping the underprivileged by investing in them to bring them into the mainstream. The same is an excellent approach where everyone is considered as a potential wealth creator and any investment in them by company is an investment in their human capital. Indian organizations like Infosys, Tata, Wipro are succeeding because they have a strong value system (in practice rather than on paper) and they do pass this value system to their employees. And it is this value system that stays with the individuals for the lifetime. Organizations must look inside and realize that were they to truthful to an employee as to expect his best performance. An employee will always identify the mirage or the hollow values created before him. An employee will stay back in organization if he has to look up to his boss and leave the movement he has to look down to his boss
Vasudevan Thulsidas who was one of the key leaders in the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines always said that, “My employees are my greatest resources, not the aircraft”
Organizations must realize that the talented men will leave and the dead wood stays on. The talented few are never stationary. They are always on the move like the wind. One has to be “Truly a Narayanaa” who can ensure that the blowing winds stay calm. But if one thinks that one is the only “victorious prince” then the wind of course will blow him off. If one feels that he is only symbol of “advancement” then one will not realize how fast will the wind advance. If one feels that he is “gigantic” and others are small; one will not even realize when the under current passed over. If one is “born of dust” the wind will take those particles along and will leave those particles at its wish. And if one is the “tree full of fragrance” the air will further spread the fragrance. Or if one is a “honeybee” who instead of giving sweetness stings then the wind will blow off its nest. We must realize that wind has power to conquer even the “unconquered”. In case one is a boss who resembles “a song sung by the Supreme for the soul when the soul was in a state of melancholy and undergoing the stage of dejection” then such a boss becomes the founding principles of one's career. Only an honest boss can pass his honesty to his employees. All I meant was that the employee will always get the qualities of his employer. A calm employer will give his calmness to his employees, an egoistic employer will pass on his ego, an honest employer his honesty. The fact remains an employee will follow the standards set up by his employer. The combination of a “moon crest” and air is the most superior combination of all because its the situation where calmness meets calmness. Organizations must try to achieve that state of calmness for its progress. And an employer has to be a boss who “does not cause sorrow” and ensures that the employee lives in calm in the organization.
.Al said the organizations need to understand the two Sanskrit verses and they are Sathyannasti Paro Dharma (there is no dharma greater than adherence to truth); and Satyameva jayate (truth alone triumphs). These two verses are essence of good corporate leadership in my view.
(this article is also available at http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/vision-india/ )
It was indeed a reliving to note that the new Satyam Board has worked out a package for its ten thousand employees. It had been reported today that the 10,000 excess staff at Satyam Computer Services are set to be offered 40% of their salary for six months along with medical insurance and provident fund in what can be termed as a severance package being firmed up by the beleaguered IT firm. The above gesture of supporting employees by a company despite undergoing such a financial turmoil is reflected only in Indian ethos. The foundations of core Indian values of a considering even the employees as a family members and ensuring their well being speaks highly of the value system of the Indian companies. This is the reason that in time of recession Indians abroad are coming back to India. They know that even if the salary may not be high but there is a lot of stability and security while working in India . They have learnt it a hard way that the foreign firms will only look for profits and margins. For them employees can be hired and fired any movement. The foreign firms may be talking strongly about their value system, may be putting it all across their offices, have it printed on their cups and stationary but the only thing they lack is they are not able to internalize those values. There is a mark difference between words and action. It is a bitter reality that while working in a foreign firm your boss may ask for your resignation in a telephonic discussion at 6.10 pm and will expect it in his mail box by 6.13 pm (three minutes given for typing the resignation e-mail; unless an employee is not smart enough to have a draft resignation e-mail always ready in his draft folder. )
But if we look at the virtues which an employee looks forward in a company. I think the answer will be fulfillment of body, heart,mind and soul. By body (please keep off the dirty mind) I mean that an employee should get a good salary, by heart I mean that the superiors and juniors should have good relations. By mind I mean that there is knowledge growth for the employee and by soul I refer that the employee should be allowed to work with integrity. If an organization ensures that all above are fulfilled then an employee will never leave the organization. Having worked in diverse organizations I would like to share my experiences on the same. One of the company I worked in had many of us new joiners on bench. We were getting good salary but for a person like me there there was no growth of mind (no work). Another place I worked I experienced strong issues of soul. There were serious issues of malpractices in that organization. Another organization I worked was perfect in mind, heart and soul but was a little lacking in needs of body (salary). But for a person like me my longest tenure was with this organization only and I think it will be correct for most of us (atleast Indians) that while working we look for satisfaction of our heart, mind and soul. Another organization I joined was highest on the heart, good on the body (salary) , acceptable on mind (knowledge) but there was serious soul searching required there. One of my boss in this organization told me to go and give tickets to one of the clients. I had to oblige him at that movement but within a week my boss got my resignation, I do not think if till date my ex-boss realizes that what may have gone wrong. I could not also tell him as there were excellent rapport of the heart. Infect this was one organization where everyone was a kind of close knit family. Another firm I worked was excellent on body (salary), infect if I look back there were no parallel to that salary. But beyond salary there was nothing more – your boss will have rarely talked to you, you would be using your own limited knowledge to work and despite having a greatest value system there were serious issues of soul.
It is also rightly said that an employee never leaves an organization but he leaves his manager. Infect its is a manager drives people away. Different managers can stress out employees in different ways - by being too controlling, too suspicious,too pushy, too critical, but they forget that workers are not fixed assets, they are free agents. When this goes on too long, an employee will quit - often over a trivial issue. There are managers who always keep an eye on their subordinates,themselves or through their other juniors. But if an employer suspects an employees intension then employees will also do the same. Any ways any kind of monitoring on an employee signifies lack of trust. There are organizations which spread false and malicious information, which make an employee part of a false ecosystem, where employees live in false situations, with false people often developing illusions about themselves and their work. Such an organization which presents a total lie to its employees will always fail, because truth is so strong that it cannot be hidden. And a small mistake is good enough to discover the whole truth. In some organizations when an employee raises a point on ethics, he will be put to great scrutiny so that some vested interest may ensure his character assassination. But does the organizations believe that a person is so naive to understand what goes behind the scene.
N R Naryana Muthy in an article on Rediff.com says that “Do not think your employees are dumb and can be taken for any ride (even water ride). They are also thinking individuals. Set practical goals, not dreams that others of relatively less genius can relate to.”
There are other organization and many times the HR experts who may conduct fake interviews to know if a resource is leaving or is staying back. The term is often refereed to as the interview trap. Many a times existing employers also take help of consultants to interview their employees who may be showing inclination to leave. But one must imagine that an employee will never give an interview in broad public view in the office of existing employer. HR must be smart enough to understand that they are falling in the same trap which they had created for the employee. Such an organization quickly falls on the parameter of trust and ethics of an employee. A person may leave such an organization but he will leave after leaving a strong foundation of the need for change. It is essence of truth that it will always come out but what requires as a character is the strength in a person that he is able to speak truth. The hollow incidents will always make even a toughest of person as weak.
As of individuals there are many people in an organization who will be YES SIR, YES MAM. There will be others whose focus of all activity is pleasing their boss. I call them spine less beings. There boss tells them to bend and they will lay down on the floor. But a person who has strength to call a spade a spade is the true employee of the company. He may be thought as a stubborn, non flexible and what more. But it is this individual only who shows the truth to management. It is the organizations misfortune that if such a person is shown a door. An employee with strong value system may take time to shine but when he shines he will enlighten many. An organization must evaluate a short term gain or a long term loss.
Organizations also need to understand the concept of social inclusion in essence which is to have an approach helping the underprivileged by investing in them to bring them into the mainstream. The same is an excellent approach where everyone is considered as a potential wealth creator and any investment in them by company is an investment in their human capital. Indian organizations like Infosys, Tata, Wipro are succeeding because they have a strong value system (in practice rather than on paper) and they do pass this value system to their employees. And it is this value system that stays with the individuals for the lifetime. Organizations must look inside and realize that were they to truthful to an employee as to expect his best performance. An employee will always identify the mirage or the hollow values created before him. An employee will stay back in organization if he has to look up to his boss and leave the movement he has to look down to his boss
Vasudevan Thulsidas who was one of the key leaders in the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines always said that, “My employees are my greatest resources, not the aircraft”
Organizations must realize that the talented men will leave and the dead wood stays on. The talented few are never stationary. They are always on the move like the wind. One has to be “Truly a Narayanaa” who can ensure that the blowing winds stay calm. But if one thinks that one is the only “victorious prince” then the wind of course will blow him off. If one feels that he is only symbol of “advancement” then one will not realize how fast will the wind advance. If one feels that he is “gigantic” and others are small; one will not even realize when the under current passed over. If one is “born of dust” the wind will take those particles along and will leave those particles at its wish. And if one is the “tree full of fragrance” the air will further spread the fragrance. Or if one is a “honeybee” who instead of giving sweetness stings then the wind will blow off its nest. We must realize that wind has power to conquer even the “unconquered”. In case one is a boss who resembles “a song sung by the Supreme for the soul when the soul was in a state of melancholy and undergoing the stage of dejection” then such a boss becomes the founding principles of one's career. Only an honest boss can pass his honesty to his employees. All I meant was that the employee will always get the qualities of his employer. A calm employer will give his calmness to his employees, an egoistic employer will pass on his ego, an honest employer his honesty. The fact remains an employee will follow the standards set up by his employer. The combination of a “moon crest” and air is the most superior combination of all because its the situation where calmness meets calmness. Organizations must try to achieve that state of calmness for its progress. And an employer has to be a boss who “does not cause sorrow” and ensures that the employee lives in calm in the organization.
.Al said the organizations need to understand the two Sanskrit verses and they are Sathyannasti Paro Dharma (there is no dharma greater than adherence to truth); and Satyameva jayate (truth alone triumphs). These two verses are essence of good corporate leadership in my view.
(this article is also available at http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/vision-india/ )
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Guru Dakshina
Guru Dakshina
The death of Babli Ghosh in Bengal and Shanno in Delhi brings in the negligent behavior of the teachers towards the students. This negligence in behavior can be willful or a matter of chance. The history is full of both kinds of incidences where in it had been willful act or a mistake by the teacher.
If we turn the pages of history there were teachers like Dhrona who asked the thumb of Eklavya so that his dearest student Arjuna should remain the Best Warrior. The above is a willful act of a teacher to give a living death to his student. But we still refer Dhrona as a good teacher, why ? We must know that a good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for his students. But despite Arjuna being his favorite student, the same Dhrona stood against his disciple in the war. A teacher who has put in so many efforts to make his student an ideal student then why the same teacher waged a war against his disciple. And that to when the teacher knew that the Dharma is not on the side of his student. When we look back in history the only reason Guru Dhrona stood against Arjuna was because he was to oblige the Kauravas for the debt of the salt. Or in other words Dhrona was getting favors from the Kauravs and having taken the favors in past, he was in not in position to leave them. But Dhrona also taught Arjuna a lesson in life - that there is no one who is his own and that a student has to fight even if he sees his teacher on the opposite side. It was the belief of Guru Dhrona that Arjuna being his best student will be victorious. Infect the success begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called "truth." . But the best lessons can be learnt only with stick of truth.
The current case here appears to be totally different as the teacher Rekha Bhakat had asked her students to memorize a poem at home but Babli told her she had not been able to buy her Bengali book yet. Teacher probably thought that by little punishment the Girl will be more attentive towards her study. It is rare that anyone can conclude that the teacher wanted to kill her student. But the fact remains the student got killed and the teacher has to take the liability of her negligent act. The incident proves that good teachers may be costly, but bad teachers cost more. In case of Shanno, it may have happened that Shanno was too weak to receive the punishment and the teacher was not aware of her health issue. But the fact of the matter is that she also died and the teacher cannot be absolved of her responsibility in the above case as well.
If we look down history a teacher is like a charioteer who takes his warrior towards the right direction. In Mahabharta the success of Arjuna was all written based on directions of Krishna. But can we imagine that if Krishna took Arjuna to various targets himself, without Arjuna understanding about it then both the warrior and the charioteer would have failed. A teacher must teach and not manipulate a student. A teacher's purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their own image. If a teacher wants a student like Arjuna then he must build qualities of Krishna. Just throwing dusters on students or giving them punishment will not help students. A teacher must realize that he need not try to fix the students but he must fix himself first. The good teacher makes the poor student good and the good student superior. When the students fail, a teacher, too, has failed.
(this article is also available at http://sameersachdeva.blogspot.com/ )
The death of Babli Ghosh in Bengal and Shanno in Delhi brings in the negligent behavior of the teachers towards the students. This negligence in behavior can be willful or a matter of chance. The history is full of both kinds of incidences where in it had been willful act or a mistake by the teacher.
If we turn the pages of history there were teachers like Dhrona who asked the thumb of Eklavya so that his dearest student Arjuna should remain the Best Warrior. The above is a willful act of a teacher to give a living death to his student. But we still refer Dhrona as a good teacher, why ? We must know that a good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for his students. But despite Arjuna being his favorite student, the same Dhrona stood against his disciple in the war. A teacher who has put in so many efforts to make his student an ideal student then why the same teacher waged a war against his disciple. And that to when the teacher knew that the Dharma is not on the side of his student. When we look back in history the only reason Guru Dhrona stood against Arjuna was because he was to oblige the Kauravas for the debt of the salt. Or in other words Dhrona was getting favors from the Kauravs and having taken the favors in past, he was in not in position to leave them. But Dhrona also taught Arjuna a lesson in life - that there is no one who is his own and that a student has to fight even if he sees his teacher on the opposite side. It was the belief of Guru Dhrona that Arjuna being his best student will be victorious. Infect the success begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called "truth." . But the best lessons can be learnt only with stick of truth.
The current case here appears to be totally different as the teacher Rekha Bhakat had asked her students to memorize a poem at home but Babli told her she had not been able to buy her Bengali book yet. Teacher probably thought that by little punishment the Girl will be more attentive towards her study. It is rare that anyone can conclude that the teacher wanted to kill her student. But the fact remains the student got killed and the teacher has to take the liability of her negligent act. The incident proves that good teachers may be costly, but bad teachers cost more. In case of Shanno, it may have happened that Shanno was too weak to receive the punishment and the teacher was not aware of her health issue. But the fact of the matter is that she also died and the teacher cannot be absolved of her responsibility in the above case as well.
If we look down history a teacher is like a charioteer who takes his warrior towards the right direction. In Mahabharta the success of Arjuna was all written based on directions of Krishna. But can we imagine that if Krishna took Arjuna to various targets himself, without Arjuna understanding about it then both the warrior and the charioteer would have failed. A teacher must teach and not manipulate a student. A teacher's purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their own image. If a teacher wants a student like Arjuna then he must build qualities of Krishna. Just throwing dusters on students or giving them punishment will not help students. A teacher must realize that he need not try to fix the students but he must fix himself first. The good teacher makes the poor student good and the good student superior. When the students fail, a teacher, too, has failed.
(this article is also available at http://sameersachdeva.blogspot.com/ )
The Intruding Bureau (IB)
The Intruding Bureau (IB)
Recently I came across a report which said that the IB has reported that Congress will get between 160 and 165 seats and along with allies it will total about 210. (source: headlines today). I was wondering when the nation is on highest security alert, the elections in progress, key leaders traveling across nation then how come the premier intelligence agency of India is busy with an exercise which have very little significance. I was confused with the above task then I further came across another story that the Congress headed United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre has instructed the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to bring out a survey of all the new parliamentary constituencies and provide a conclusive new data base of caste equations in the same.
I am told that this is not an exception of this government but successive Governments including the previous NDA government have used IB for above purpose. In an era of terrorism the agency which should have been busy with intelligence gathering to avert terrorist attacks, is busy with gathering political intelligence.
I came across an interesting book by a former Joint Director of IB, Mr. Miloy Krishna Dhar called Open Secrets. I do not know the book was written with true intentions or to plant stories, but there had been some wonderful mentions in the book which are related to political intelligence: Quote / Un-quote from the book:
“I was not aware of IB surveillance around Indira and her important aides, including Dhawan. The IB has bugged most of their phones and planted discreet watchers at 12 Willington Crescent, the home and hub of activities of Indira Gandhi. Dhawan's parental home at Atul Grove lane was also covered under blanket intelligence coverage. His personal residence at 141 Golf Links was covered by the IB sleuths. In fact, two IB agents were infiltrated amongst security staff that guarded Indira Gandhi.” (Page 234 – Open Secrets by M. K. Dhar )
(Think it over - when residence of a former Prime Minister, her aides can be bugged, who are me and you)
“The tasking included surveillance and shadowing on Maneka and her associates and generation of intelligence on her activities.... My officers had burrowed deep into the affairs of the family. Some of the personal details were nauseating and I did not cherish the idea of looking into private bedrooms of individuals. Human frivolities often open up exotic windows into their character and in some social sectors the players exhibited extreme resilience. But in high stung political drama the bedroom scenes often spelt out irretrievable disaster” (Page 266 / 267 – Open Secrets by M. K. Dhar)
(Think it over – IB used by a mother-in-law to have surveillance of a daughter-in-law and if the IB can enter bedrooms of a daughter-in-law of PM, mine and your residences are not immune to it)
“The domestic servant was won over and he offered running commentaries on the happenings inside the residence. An unexpected tip from him that his employer would be out of Delhi for two days offered an opportunity to place the bugs in the target home..... The assigned task was accomplished without breaking into the premises of Menaka Gandhi. I managed to identify the pairs of wires that connected the telephone of her office and home telephones. Appropriate miniature radio transmitters were connected to the target pairs of wires near the junction boxes and, which were hooked to miniature tape recorders.” (Page 271/274 – Open Secrets by M. K. Dhar )
(Think it over – how simple it is to place bugs in your home, telephones and more – does that matter even if you win a case in Supreme Court)
“At one point of time in 1982, Indira wanted the parliament office of a particular ruling party to be bugged for sifting out intelligence nuggets about a possible coup against here.” (Page 286 – Open Secrets by M. K. Dhar)
( Think it over - Parliament which is the most scared institution of Democracy was also not spared but why this surveillance on our own colleagues ?)
“I was assigned the task of electronic sweeping/cleaning of the PM offices in the south block by using certain bug detecting equipment. I tumbled against an unexpected bug and a forgotten micro-radio monitoring machine. The bug was planted inside the phone of an aide to the Prime Minister, planted by IB during V.P.Singh regime. …The other device was installed at a point of time when Rajiv Gandhi and Zail Singh had developed irreparable hostility. The devices mounted some where on top of the PMO picked up telephone conversations from certain treated phones in Rashtrapati Bhawan.” (Page 433 – Open Secrets by M. K. Dhar)
(Think it over – our own agency bugging offices of Prime Minister and President- I think they do not trust anyone)
There are more revelations of Dhar which I missed in the book but were reported in the Indian Express (http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/64588/ ) and they include:
L K Advani wanted the IB’s videotape of the demolition of the Babri Masjid from its archives to prove his innocence. The IB director, apparently instructed by officials from the PMO, refused to oblige.
Indira Gandhi got the IB to check out whether one of her ministers was holding a yagya to destroy her. Another time a bugging device was planted in the office of a party colleague.
Dhar helpfully ‘‘straightened out the service record’’ of Zafar Saifullah, who ended up as Cabinet Secretary.
Rajiv Gandhi used the IB to channel funds to BJP candidate Kailash Meghwal to ensure the defeat of his Congress opponent, Buta Singh.
The IB was used to select the Congress candidates for the 1983 Delhi Municipal Corporation election.
The IB was asked to bring around a western UP leader to support Narasimha Rao’s government and his price tag was reportedly Rs 500 million!
Even after sixty two years of independence the IB continues like the Chanakya’s secret service. It bugs the telephones in Parliament and Rashtrapati Bhavan. It keeps tab on not only the political opponents but even on ministerial colleagues of the Prime Minister.
There are many methodologies adopted by IB which includes the use of media as information outlets. Spreading of rumors, planting false stories, surfacing forgeries, use of agents, funding NGOs, influencing collaborators, voluntary or paid. Have you heard of the story before these elections that IB was looking into four houses for Dr. Manmohan Singh in case he loses elections. It is rumored that the IB intercepts and open around 6,000 letters daily. It also has an email spying system similar to FBI's Carnivore System. The Intelligence Bureau is also authorized to conduct wiretapping without a warrant. The IB also has numerous authors who write letters to various newspapers and magazines to support the government's perspective. I have seen it myself where in many such individuals wrote on the e-group moderated by me. Infect there was also one individual who planted stories to tarnish the image of many.
Governments across the Globe have snooped on their citizens, and Indian is no exception. You need not be a lawbreaker or even a suspected one. But this is done on a random basis to build a possible evidence against you that could be used to build a case against you. Bank account application, driver's licence, telephone calls, paper mail, e-mails, Internet activity all come under preview of this surveillance. There are possibilities for abuse in such a system. I remember one of the senior Government officer abused such information against me. But as citizen in Democracy would you like to have a policeman to have access to your telephone conversations and without your knowledge ? And without any recourse even if you do find out about it ? Would you like a someones eye in your bedroom when you are in those passionate movements with your wife? (or someone else)
Honey trap is one of the most common method used by intelligence agencies across the world and these days it can be a guy or a girl because the intelligence agency knows you inside out. Just that you need to fall in the trap. Another trap which is the most common amongst Indian agencies is the Horoscope trap. It is a trap wherein lot of politicians, officers and even common man falls. Initially lot of information is planted about the correct predictions of the said under cover officer. Even a couple of predictions are proved correct as well and then follows a never ending trap of Horoscopes and future predictions. Have anyone imagined, how many horoscope readers predicted about the success of key political leaders like Advani, Mayawati and Jayalalitha. There are also rumors that once an astrologer was taken blindfolded to house of a senior leader who wanted to know if he will ever become a Prime Minister or not. (Read more about the horoscope trap at http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/\papers20\paper1985.html ). The organization is also believed to play a psychological warfare with individuals and even in countries or groups. Many a times key aides of an individual actually are all infiltrated to create a thought amongst the said person. The agencies also don't desist to take help of religious gurus, in the process. In order to control cyber crimes , the related rules, regulations, policies and law have evolved,not only agencies even bureaucrats can now sneak in your computers. The result is that a cyber terrorist is not caught but the same results in undue harassment to the genuine user. With networking sites the agencies do infiltrate the friend lists of their targets and then take things forward. Infect realizing that the same technique can be used against them the members of the defence forces have been asked not to post their pictures in uniform on social networking sites because the military intelligence has learnt that foreign spy rings could use women to "honey-trap" such officers to obtain sensitive defence information. (http://pibmumbai.gov.in/scripts/detail.asp?releaseId=E2009FB29)
And above it there are multiple famous incidents of phone tapping:
1.Allegations that the state government of Gujarat had tapped phones of former finance minister Haren Pandya and senior Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela. (http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/65874/ )
2.The allegations by Amar Singh of tapping of his phones (http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/05/stories/2006010510670100.htm)
3.In the recent elections the alleged tapping of phones of the leaders of Praja Rajyam party in AP (http://www.bharatwaves.com/news/IB-tapping-Chiru’s-phones--10548.html )
4.The source of the Salman Khan – Ash tapes which reached all the TV channels http://www.tehelka.com/story_main13.asp?filename=Ne073005Bollywood_in.asp
5.And we all remember the Menaka Gandhi Vs Union of India
But these days the press had started focusing on the secret state. Refer articles by Ritu Sarin in Indian Express, Swati Chaturvedi in th Statesman, Prabhu Chawla (long ago in India today) It is no secret that all key post offices keep tabs on domestic mail and you never know your Post Man, Domestic help or driver are the undercover agents. Nor is it any secret that telephones are routinely tapped and thousand of domestic calls have been placed under surveillance including all international calls are subjected to some kind of screening. Most deluxe hotels provide IB with facilities to tap guest telephones; some even allow the Bureau to place listening devices in bedrooms. (http://www.rediff.com/news/apr/02vir.htm )
The government has decided to create a database of all mobile and fixed line calls within the country in an ambitious and unique attempt to track unlawful activities by identifying calling patterns and mapping social networks. (http://www.rtiindia.org/forum/1311-centre-map-your-phone-network.html )
During the budget sessions the Finance Ministry takes no chances. The security agencies have started to set up a small telephone tapping exchange in North block. The electronic contraption can intercept private mobile operators’ cell numbers. Electronic sweeping devices are being installed on either side of the corridors of the finance ministry section of the North Block, fortify the security futher The mini intercepting exchange also keep a close eye on the 100 odd landline telephone numbers installed in the chambers of various bureaucrats. The intelligence bureau also block e-mail facilities to most of the computers in the offices of Union Finance Ministry. (A discussion thread on RTI India forum
http://www.rtiindia.org/forum/34-budget-document-official-secret.html )
But is it appropriate to blame the Intelligence agencies for these political intelligence. The fact remains that their efficiency has been impaired by political interference or inaction. It is no secret that the Intelligence Bureau spends a huge amount of resources collecting information on Opposition parties and leaders to ingratiate its officers with the ruling dispensation. Every Government in India has misused the Intelligence Bureau for internal political snooping. The most serious aspect of the whole debate is the alleged lack of transparency and accountability of intelligence agencies. United States of America has paid maximum attention and it now keeps tab on these agencies so that they do not violate the basic law of the country. Apart from an Inspector-General who forms the internal oversight mechanism reporting directly to Director- CIA; the system also has a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) and a House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Also, the Intelligence Authorization Act, 1990 brought in congressional oversight of the working of CIA's Inspector-General.
In the UK, both MI5 and MI6 are now governed by statutes and are subject to scrutiny by an Intelligence and Security Committee appointed by the Prime Minister. Although not a statutory committee of Parliament, its multi-party composition promotes objectivity.
Interestingly, neither our IB nor RAW is the creation of a statute, nor do they have a written charter,. There is a big problems in running this kind of omnipresent surveillance. In a democratic framework citizens would be outraged if they knew that they were the subject of this kind of surveillance. In India, though the Constitution does not provide for Right to Privacy as a Fundamental Right, multiple judgments of Supreme court exist wherein the right to privacy has been defined as part of fundamental right to life and liberty. Also, citizens of India are free to express their opinion under the fundamental right to Freedom of Expression and Speech. But then why this surveillance on individuals who are just expressing their thoughts. I recall when I wrote an e-mail to the india-egov group that I would be writing about corruption in name of Good Governance, the result was that my services were gone by end of September. The Government banned the yahoogroups on the pretext of banning a small yahoo group which was of very little consequence. All this in time when a journalist – politician was heading the Ministry of Communication and IT. I still feel at times that because of the e-group I was subjected to such surveillance. Anyways the UPA Government gave a wonderful tool in name of Right to Information Act wherein I have applied with MHA for the said information. But all I would say that unreasonable surveillance of this nature is usually extra-legal and anti-constitutional. Activists would be alarmed, and certainly raise a huge furore, if any such cases came to light. But the citizens will feel offended if they know that their privacy is being invaded in this manner.
Recently I came across a report which said that the IB has reported that Congress will get between 160 and 165 seats and along with allies it will total about 210. (source: headlines today). I was wondering when the nation is on highest security alert, the elections in progress, key leaders traveling across nation then how come the premier intelligence agency of India is busy with an exercise which have very little significance. I was confused with the above task then I further came across another story that the Congress headed United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre has instructed the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to bring out a survey of all the new parliamentary constituencies and provide a conclusive new data base of caste equations in the same.
I am told that this is not an exception of this government but successive Governments including the previous NDA government have used IB for above purpose. In an era of terrorism the agency which should have been busy with intelligence gathering to avert terrorist attacks, is busy with gathering political intelligence.
I came across an interesting book by a former Joint Director of IB, Mr. Miloy Krishna Dhar called Open Secrets. I do not know the book was written with true intentions or to plant stories, but there had been some wonderful mentions in the book which are related to political intelligence: Quote / Un-quote from the book:
“I was not aware of IB surveillance around Indira and her important aides, including Dhawan. The IB has bugged most of their phones and planted discreet watchers at 12 Willington Crescent, the home and hub of activities of Indira Gandhi. Dhawan's parental home at Atul Grove lane was also covered under blanket intelligence coverage. His personal residence at 141 Golf Links was covered by the IB sleuths. In fact, two IB agents were infiltrated amongst security staff that guarded Indira Gandhi.” (Page 234 – Open Secrets by M. K. Dhar )
(Think it over - when residence of a former Prime Minister, her aides can be bugged, who are me and you)
“The tasking included surveillance and shadowing on Maneka and her associates and generation of intelligence on her activities.... My officers had burrowed deep into the affairs of the family. Some of the personal details were nauseating and I did not cherish the idea of looking into private bedrooms of individuals. Human frivolities often open up exotic windows into their character and in some social sectors the players exhibited extreme resilience. But in high stung political drama the bedroom scenes often spelt out irretrievable disaster” (Page 266 / 267 – Open Secrets by M. K. Dhar)
(Think it over – IB used by a mother-in-law to have surveillance of a daughter-in-law and if the IB can enter bedrooms of a daughter-in-law of PM, mine and your residences are not immune to it)
“The domestic servant was won over and he offered running commentaries on the happenings inside the residence. An unexpected tip from him that his employer would be out of Delhi for two days offered an opportunity to place the bugs in the target home..... The assigned task was accomplished without breaking into the premises of Menaka Gandhi. I managed to identify the pairs of wires that connected the telephone of her office and home telephones. Appropriate miniature radio transmitters were connected to the target pairs of wires near the junction boxes and, which were hooked to miniature tape recorders.” (Page 271/274 – Open Secrets by M. K. Dhar )
(Think it over – how simple it is to place bugs in your home, telephones and more – does that matter even if you win a case in Supreme Court)
“At one point of time in 1982, Indira wanted the parliament office of a particular ruling party to be bugged for sifting out intelligence nuggets about a possible coup against here.” (Page 286 – Open Secrets by M. K. Dhar)
( Think it over - Parliament which is the most scared institution of Democracy was also not spared but why this surveillance on our own colleagues ?)
“I was assigned the task of electronic sweeping/cleaning of the PM offices in the south block by using certain bug detecting equipment. I tumbled against an unexpected bug and a forgotten micro-radio monitoring machine. The bug was planted inside the phone of an aide to the Prime Minister, planted by IB during V.P.Singh regime. …The other device was installed at a point of time when Rajiv Gandhi and Zail Singh had developed irreparable hostility. The devices mounted some where on top of the PMO picked up telephone conversations from certain treated phones in Rashtrapati Bhawan.” (Page 433 – Open Secrets by M. K. Dhar)
(Think it over – our own agency bugging offices of Prime Minister and President- I think they do not trust anyone)
There are more revelations of Dhar which I missed in the book but were reported in the Indian Express (http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/64588/ ) and they include:
L K Advani wanted the IB’s videotape of the demolition of the Babri Masjid from its archives to prove his innocence. The IB director, apparently instructed by officials from the PMO, refused to oblige.
Indira Gandhi got the IB to check out whether one of her ministers was holding a yagya to destroy her. Another time a bugging device was planted in the office of a party colleague.
Dhar helpfully ‘‘straightened out the service record’’ of Zafar Saifullah, who ended up as Cabinet Secretary.
Rajiv Gandhi used the IB to channel funds to BJP candidate Kailash Meghwal to ensure the defeat of his Congress opponent, Buta Singh.
The IB was used to select the Congress candidates for the 1983 Delhi Municipal Corporation election.
The IB was asked to bring around a western UP leader to support Narasimha Rao’s government and his price tag was reportedly Rs 500 million!
Even after sixty two years of independence the IB continues like the Chanakya’s secret service. It bugs the telephones in Parliament and Rashtrapati Bhavan. It keeps tab on not only the political opponents but even on ministerial colleagues of the Prime Minister.
There are many methodologies adopted by IB which includes the use of media as information outlets. Spreading of rumors, planting false stories, surfacing forgeries, use of agents, funding NGOs, influencing collaborators, voluntary or paid. Have you heard of the story before these elections that IB was looking into four houses for Dr. Manmohan Singh in case he loses elections. It is rumored that the IB intercepts and open around 6,000 letters daily. It also has an email spying system similar to FBI's Carnivore System. The Intelligence Bureau is also authorized to conduct wiretapping without a warrant. The IB also has numerous authors who write letters to various newspapers and magazines to support the government's perspective. I have seen it myself where in many such individuals wrote on the e-group moderated by me. Infect there was also one individual who planted stories to tarnish the image of many.
Governments across the Globe have snooped on their citizens, and Indian is no exception. You need not be a lawbreaker or even a suspected one. But this is done on a random basis to build a possible evidence against you that could be used to build a case against you. Bank account application, driver's licence, telephone calls, paper mail, e-mails, Internet activity all come under preview of this surveillance. There are possibilities for abuse in such a system. I remember one of the senior Government officer abused such information against me. But as citizen in Democracy would you like to have a policeman to have access to your telephone conversations and without your knowledge ? And without any recourse even if you do find out about it ? Would you like a someones eye in your bedroom when you are in those passionate movements with your wife? (or someone else)
Honey trap is one of the most common method used by intelligence agencies across the world and these days it can be a guy or a girl because the intelligence agency knows you inside out. Just that you need to fall in the trap. Another trap which is the most common amongst Indian agencies is the Horoscope trap. It is a trap wherein lot of politicians, officers and even common man falls. Initially lot of information is planted about the correct predictions of the said under cover officer. Even a couple of predictions are proved correct as well and then follows a never ending trap of Horoscopes and future predictions. Have anyone imagined, how many horoscope readers predicted about the success of key political leaders like Advani, Mayawati and Jayalalitha. There are also rumors that once an astrologer was taken blindfolded to house of a senior leader who wanted to know if he will ever become a Prime Minister or not. (Read more about the horoscope trap at http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/\papers20\paper1985.html ). The organization is also believed to play a psychological warfare with individuals and even in countries or groups. Many a times key aides of an individual actually are all infiltrated to create a thought amongst the said person. The agencies also don't desist to take help of religious gurus, in the process. In order to control cyber crimes , the related rules, regulations, policies and law have evolved,not only agencies even bureaucrats can now sneak in your computers. The result is that a cyber terrorist is not caught but the same results in undue harassment to the genuine user. With networking sites the agencies do infiltrate the friend lists of their targets and then take things forward. Infect realizing that the same technique can be used against them the members of the defence forces have been asked not to post their pictures in uniform on social networking sites because the military intelligence has learnt that foreign spy rings could use women to "honey-trap" such officers to obtain sensitive defence information. (http://pibmumbai.gov.in/scripts/detail.asp?releaseId=E2009FB29)
And above it there are multiple famous incidents of phone tapping:
1.Allegations that the state government of Gujarat had tapped phones of former finance minister Haren Pandya and senior Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela. (http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/65874/ )
2.The allegations by Amar Singh of tapping of his phones (http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/05/stories/2006010510670100.htm)
3.In the recent elections the alleged tapping of phones of the leaders of Praja Rajyam party in AP (http://www.bharatwaves.com/news/IB-tapping-Chiru’s-phones--10548.html )
4.The source of the Salman Khan – Ash tapes which reached all the TV channels http://www.tehelka.com/story_main13.asp?filename=Ne073005Bollywood_in.asp
5.And we all remember the Menaka Gandhi Vs Union of India
But these days the press had started focusing on the secret state. Refer articles by Ritu Sarin in Indian Express, Swati Chaturvedi in th Statesman, Prabhu Chawla (long ago in India today) It is no secret that all key post offices keep tabs on domestic mail and you never know your Post Man, Domestic help or driver are the undercover agents. Nor is it any secret that telephones are routinely tapped and thousand of domestic calls have been placed under surveillance including all international calls are subjected to some kind of screening. Most deluxe hotels provide IB with facilities to tap guest telephones; some even allow the Bureau to place listening devices in bedrooms. (http://www.rediff.com/news/apr/02vir.htm )
The government has decided to create a database of all mobile and fixed line calls within the country in an ambitious and unique attempt to track unlawful activities by identifying calling patterns and mapping social networks. (http://www.rtiindia.org/forum/1311-centre-map-your-phone-network.html )
During the budget sessions the Finance Ministry takes no chances. The security agencies have started to set up a small telephone tapping exchange in North block. The electronic contraption can intercept private mobile operators’ cell numbers. Electronic sweeping devices are being installed on either side of the corridors of the finance ministry section of the North Block, fortify the security futher The mini intercepting exchange also keep a close eye on the 100 odd landline telephone numbers installed in the chambers of various bureaucrats. The intelligence bureau also block e-mail facilities to most of the computers in the offices of Union Finance Ministry. (A discussion thread on RTI India forum
http://www.rtiindia.org/forum/34-budget-document-official-secret.html )
But is it appropriate to blame the Intelligence agencies for these political intelligence. The fact remains that their efficiency has been impaired by political interference or inaction. It is no secret that the Intelligence Bureau spends a huge amount of resources collecting information on Opposition parties and leaders to ingratiate its officers with the ruling dispensation. Every Government in India has misused the Intelligence Bureau for internal political snooping. The most serious aspect of the whole debate is the alleged lack of transparency and accountability of intelligence agencies. United States of America has paid maximum attention and it now keeps tab on these agencies so that they do not violate the basic law of the country. Apart from an Inspector-General who forms the internal oversight mechanism reporting directly to Director- CIA; the system also has a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) and a House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Also, the Intelligence Authorization Act, 1990 brought in congressional oversight of the working of CIA's Inspector-General.
In the UK, both MI5 and MI6 are now governed by statutes and are subject to scrutiny by an Intelligence and Security Committee appointed by the Prime Minister. Although not a statutory committee of Parliament, its multi-party composition promotes objectivity.
Interestingly, neither our IB nor RAW is the creation of a statute, nor do they have a written charter,. There is a big problems in running this kind of omnipresent surveillance. In a democratic framework citizens would be outraged if they knew that they were the subject of this kind of surveillance. In India, though the Constitution does not provide for Right to Privacy as a Fundamental Right, multiple judgments of Supreme court exist wherein the right to privacy has been defined as part of fundamental right to life and liberty. Also, citizens of India are free to express their opinion under the fundamental right to Freedom of Expression and Speech. But then why this surveillance on individuals who are just expressing their thoughts. I recall when I wrote an e-mail to the india-egov group that I would be writing about corruption in name of Good Governance, the result was that my services were gone by end of September. The Government banned the yahoogroups on the pretext of banning a small yahoo group which was of very little consequence. All this in time when a journalist – politician was heading the Ministry of Communication and IT. I still feel at times that because of the e-group I was subjected to such surveillance. Anyways the UPA Government gave a wonderful tool in name of Right to Information Act wherein I have applied with MHA for the said information. But all I would say that unreasonable surveillance of this nature is usually extra-legal and anti-constitutional. Activists would be alarmed, and certainly raise a huge furore, if any such cases came to light. But the citizens will feel offended if they know that their privacy is being invaded in this manner.
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