Tattva

Yet another year has passed by. Like every year, this one too was very happening. With the amount of news we read each day, we very often miss the key details. Here is a review of the most defining events of 2008. Of course, the selection was difficult and several events missed the final cut.

January

·         Jindal Becomes Governor of Louisiana (Jan. 15): Republican Bobby Jindal takes office as governor of Louisiana, becoming the first elected Indian-American governor of the United States. At age 36, he’s also the youngest governor in the nation.

·         Bush Proposes $145 Billion Stimulus Package (Jan. 18): Responding to a crisis in the housing market and rising oil prices, president says a combination of tax cuts for individuals and businesses will “provide a shot in the arm” to the economy. The Bush administration and the House hash out a $146 billion stimulus package Read the rest of this entry »

Students from Hindu YUVA, University of Washington took an interview of Swami Bhaskarananda, a senior monk of Ramakrishna Mission. He has authored various books and is the founder and editor-in-chief of Global Vedanta..

Video interview of Swami Bhaskarananda

Nainam Chindanti Shastrani, Nainam Dahati Pavakah, Na Chainam Claidyantyapo, Na Shoshyati Marutah (The soul is indestructible. It cannot be harmed by any weapon, burnt by any fire or touched by water.)

This shloka of the Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta is an extremely beautiful manifestation of the divine wisdom. It marks the eternity of the soul and among its many interpretations, most potently highlights the eternal power of the self, manifested as the soul within. Read the rest of this entry »

Widely considered one of the greatest table maestros, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee has helped spread Indian classical music across the world. After receiving first place in the All India Children’s Music Competition at the young age of 6, he was accepted as a student by the esteemed judge, Guru Pandit Jnan Prakash Ghosh. His tabla solo debut was at age 10. He has since developed into one of the most well-respected tabla solo performers of his generation. Read the rest of this entry »

Need of the Hour
Today, as I ponder over the selective killings of Hindus, Jews, and foreigners in Mumbai (mainly Christians) on 26-28 November 2008, I cannot help revisiting Swami Ramakrishna’s message which I quote from the last month’s issue of Tattva:
The greatest contribution of Sri Ramakrishna to the modern world is his message of the harmony of religions. To Sri Ramakrishna all religions are the revelation of God in his diverse aspects to satisfy the manifold demands of human minds. Like different photographs of a building taken from different angles, different religions give us the pictures of one truth from different standpoints. They are not contradictory but complementary.

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Sri Krishn has submitted four prevalent thoughts in chapter eighteen of Bhagvad Geeta. First, that coveted deeds should be foresworn. Second that the fruits of all action should be given up. Third, that all actions should be relinquished, for they are all blemished. And fourth, that it is wrong to forego yagya, charity, and penance. Expressing his accord with one of these thoughts, Sri Krishn says that it is also his conclusive view that yagya, charity and penance are not to be forsaken. In verse six of chapter eighteen, he says, “It is my considered belief, O Parth, that these deeds as also all others ought certainly to be accomplished after forsaking attachment and desire for the fruits of labour.”Let us discuss here in light of verses of Bhagvad Geeta about the real concept of “Yagya” which has been stressed over here and asked for not to be forsaken. Read the rest of this entry »