Our Vedic heritage -001.Gita jayanti & Vaikunt Ekadashi

Namaskar

Reflections on Shree Gita Jayanti & Mokshada Vaikunta Ekadashi today 13th Dec 2013..

thought "If Indians would study open- mindedly their own spiritual legacy and empower themselves with its spiritual practices, then they can not only restore their country to its lost greatness, but can make India a global spiritual superpower."~ Michael Cremo- Vedic American scholar

Sharing in all Humility

a few thoughts -on the Mahabharat

:

Permit me to share a few thoughts -on the Mahabharat :

As the Epic  title itself implies the 'Greatness of Bharata' from Maharishi Vyasa & scribe Ganapati is in our Epic-Puranic lore and many Authors have written commentaries.

We actually have > 4 major scholars -authors, writing Commentaries in local language on the Mahabharat (and many more less well known too)  Kumara Vyasa (Kannada) , Thunchath Ezuthatcchan (Kerala in Malayalam, Nannaya and others in Andhra,  Villiputura (Tamil) in South India--esp. Karnataka,Kerala, Andhra in local languages  seem to have dominated. ( Tamilnadu seems to have  maintained a somewhat different path even in earlier times earlier with a view that Tamil is not derived from Sanskrit and had a different origin -not vedic ?..maybe so, I am nor t here to even comment but a general variation is seen in perceptions. What ever be the facts on this viw, it may be ackd. that today this argument is not really relevant any longer as the world has moved onto a "Global Culture" and local politics, arguments  have no place in Man's quest for Knowledge and Peace.

Man seeks all avenues to better his knowledge and awareness and this is what Freedom from Ignorance to knowledge, freedom for all aspects of bondage as a Jeevan Mukta or Moksha ' here and now' can be reasonably  translated. 

.Today, we even have more  Western and other nations scholars and pilgrims coming to study our shastra, yoga, ayurveda  and doing it well .Most of  them are very sincere and thorough, highly dedicated and disciplined, which our locals often cannot do not realise. 

NOTE:

I have limited spoken knowledge of  of the southern languages and have tried to learn as much as possible with assistance:

Looking at the southern scholars & writers

Kumara Vyasa  (the pen name of Naranappa), under patronage of King Krishnadevaraya, on Vaishnava literature --was the most influential Vaishnava writings.

C.Rajagopalachari's book published by  Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is  actually a shorter  text to spread awareness and was brought out in in early 1950, which I  read in my Grandfathers house. It has been a wonderful primer and start for me ( or to any one) who prefers study in english

Legend says according to the Adi-parva of the Mahabharata (81, 101-102),  original text 8,800 verses was contained when it was composed by Maharishi Veda Vyasa,  but in recent books 1 lakh and 8 verses are stated.

From 1500 -1800-period  4 Major Local regional language Scholar-Writers  prevailed, as it  takes on detailed study and writing on even "One lakh and eight verses" -which only a Maha Muni can achieve -not mere Writers.Thus we see a few perceptions vary,but these  scholars  have generally agreed on all major aspects of Dharma and its maintenence -

DHARMA in it's Vishesh & Samamnya context of Shree Krisha's Upadesha  is quite  subtle and not easy to understand esp  if taken out of context and calls for Bhakti & Jnaana and the anugraha kataksha in the blessings of Mother Saraswati to succeed in swadhyaya.  Acharya -Guru kripa is essential to progress.

Most of the recent english  commentaries ( books) have never achieved a desired standard as they are critical reviews by arrogant writers with no bhakti - bhavana and mainly written with an egoistic, critical and populistic outlook. This attitude sadly  tends to reflect on the receptivity of many Indians and tends to dominate  the present day Indians writers and even media who think they can write or comment on anything, as they wish. This is all done with a glib pseudo intellectual outlook per se, to gain attention which is a very temporary phase and soon dies.

Only the major missions starting with the  Ramakrishna Mission and others have rendered yeoman service with Geeta Gyana Yajnas, Sarsangh, english text explanation and even Cds and Cassettes reasonably priced.

The interesting part is many Western Authors have written better; the greatest credit starts with and goes to the visionary  compliment from Sir Warren Hastings who had first copy of the  translation of Gita to English!! His note in the Gita english edition is now included even  in the RK Mission Gita preface and is a must read.

Quoted below:The Gita’s wide appeal by Lord Warren Hastings
The Bhagavad Gita was first translated  into English by Charles Wilkins in 1785 and published by the British East India  Company with an introduction by Lord Warren Hastings, the first British  Governor-General of India, in which he prophetically wrote: “The writers of the  Indian philosophies will survive when the British Dominion in India shall long  have ceased to exist, and when the sources which it yielded of wealth and power  are lost to remembrance”. He further wrote “I hesitate not to pronounce the  Gita’s performance of great originality, of sublimity of conception, reasoning  and diction almost unequalled and a single exception amongst all the known  religions of mankind”.

Like the No. 9 numerical total in this Mahabharata text and Gita  is significant  as Stithaprajna. So too shall our vedic shastra and lore.

Mahabharat & Gita will always  guide us always.

kind rgds
TR

Ships Job to Shore to Retirement

Transition from Sea Job to To Shore-Looking Back

After 44 years in a Shore job, at age 73, now at a Cross Road ; 29^th Aug 2018

Life span in the  70s has many subtle factors affecting living and  Medical monitoring with much Common sense and Rest and Food –and Keeping the Spirit high matters.

Prayer and Meditation helps the most-and some useful work "Seva" as possible -in any way, is Soul Satisfying. It also helps in Reflection-

WE can share our knowledge, without being overbearing (or Critical) , Contribute to Good Causes, Some Gardening and Writing our Experiences & Reflections. So, a PC or Tab is our Diary and storage for data and review –correct and reset all Schedule and basic goals.

Stock taking includes where I am now and to set some reasonable pace for the Future.
 Lifetime Experiences and relationships teach us lifetime lessons—things to build upon to have a solid emotional foundation. 

Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, leave the rest to God.” —

Turning and Looking Back at 73
My son had once asked me when he was a Child in 1980s, if I had contemplated going back to Sea at any time –Truthfully, No I said and not practicable  was the answer--as my dear wife Sudha's health needed care & Family mattered most; and there was no choice really. 

The next best was a Job in Shipping in Marine Inspections which served well and I was still on ships when I served the Madras Port Trust briefly in port and the Marine Survey.

Thus a Retd Seafarer- --transited to a Marine Survey Job –55 Years later still connected with Ships & Cargo in Marine survey doing Adm &HR support, but slowed down. It helps many people in the Employment, where I work flexi but now that seems to need a further Slow down to just Guide and Monitor from my PC at Home –

May be just once weekly to  just meet and keep in touch . Much depends on the Medical status.. Life span in the  70s has many factors and Medical and Rest and Food --Keeping the Spirit high matters Prayer and Meditation helps the most-and some useful work "Seva" as possible -in any way, is Soul Satisfying.THY WILL BE DONE --seems appropriate- ,
..🕉🌷🙏🏽

For an Avocation went into Training and Writing in 1985 -for shipping, inc seminars and training sessions-In  1973 wrote my first paper titled  Bulker Carrier Ops. Many years later a book on Maritime Ops and Safety in 1990. Served as Hon  Editor to 2 Newsletters inc Vikas Patrika for my Company and "Telescope" for my Dufferin Batch site.. Gave me a lot of experience confidence and helped.
Many years later for my Nature and Ships Blogs - as "Tree wallah writes" in "Prakruti Mother Nature" on a Google blog in 2009. (Stopped when Google -Airtel link was severed by airtel)

TRANSITION OVER 44 years- from SHIPS to  cover Trees, Nature, Flora, Fauna,Garden, Pets, MUSIC, festivals, spiritual study  notes, Social history & Roots & Culture -HR as Social Geography.

& Travel, but with Health limitations slowed it all by 2015.

We have to keep occupied happily and enjoy what we do and Give Back -- and it is Food for the Soul. Keeps me active; never bored and soul satisfying.
Rgds
TR

Choices in Life-

REFLECTIONS AT 72

CHOICES

Life as  a Happy go Lucky person is best---but that is also an Attitude of genetics and Upbringing--Being too stern or stiff has no benefits, the world itself will walk away; leaves you standing alone. The trouble is in many families Happy go Lucky was seen as Hopeless,  never understanding Happiness is our final Goal really.

 In Gita in Sanskrit it is" Prasanna Chetasah"

WE  are free to make choices.....

WE make choices and accept  the consequences of our choices .

Was thinking of this from a line in a novel by Neville Shute in "Checker Board." when the British Air force Pilot Phillip Morgan is shot down over Rangoon meets a local Burmese Girl, falls in love and later marries her  and settles happily .He say to her in critical stage, written in a note :

 "WE have to take decisions and some  times they can go wrong—but still we have to take decisions and move ahead". So true and  Yes, that sums it up, in an excellent novel involving 4 persons of different background ex Armed Forces and who really understand Life,  happiness and Success and all ends well.

Amazing story and teaches so much on ordinary people and Extra Ordinary living

Continuing.

Sunday and Holiday time-
thinking Aloud:
I have been on Leave since 25th of April 2017 and am so glad to have taken that decision. It is a chance to catch up with lost Sleep, Rest and a Stay-cation.Yesterday we managed an evening programe of Kishore Kumars hits by Satrangi near by . This period of leave has been good as it is blazing hot 41- 43 C outside in an extreme summer -
WE stay indoors; by 11 am it is just too hot.
 
This time also gave me a chance to do my annual medical checks(some issues to address) . Overall resumed some things missed out. A feeling of " Born Free- Living Free" is a dream for most, but "Stay free" is a choice and now up to me to decide. Will see as the days go by. Meanwhile my Mantra is Stay Free--and live every moment with Sudha. doing what we want to do...have always wanted to -but now within limits with health .Cheers to that
TR
ps My batch and class say -Raj we will see (LOL) You cannot manage without some occupation - you need that little occupation to keep you going. The Doctors also say that!! Hmm

Ficus Trees "Fig Trees" Connects Continents

TREES CONNECT CONTINENTS-CULTURE &RELIGION TOO-

I have been sharing Nature watch &study with friends, on blogs I write and manage.

The idea was to promote Awareness in 2011 -the year of Forests and Eco protection as declared by the UNO, which is a real need. As one friend so very aptly wrote to me quote"Greening is the only way forward". But, sadly enough  in a 1. 3 B population in India and esp in Cities , very few today know of them or how protect them.

Man needs Trees and Trees also need Man to care for them; Although, I personally believe that Trees do more good to Mankind-than the reverse.

WE will cover Panchavati trees next, but- now a little more focus on the 3 very popular trees in Indian samskriti- viz. the Peepul, Banyan & Oudamber, which all  come in the FICUS -FIGS Category.  

FICUS & FIGS

1. Ashwattha or Sacred Fig tree (Peepul (Pipal) , Bodhi, Bo, or Po, (Ficus religiosa)

2. Banyan Fig (Ficus benghalensis) and

3. Oudamber or Gular (Ficus racemosa) sometimes known as Ficus glomerata.

DATING THE FICUS--There is no clear evidence from older fossils of Ficus trees but a  molecular clock estimates indicate that Ficus is a relatively ancient genus, seen from a previous era and maybe even millions of years old The main radiation of extant species, however, may have taken place more recently.

FICUS

Among the more famous species are the Sacred Fig tree (Peepul, Bodhi, Bo, or Po, Ficus religiosa) and the Banyan Fig (Ficus benghalensis). Ashwattha (Ficus religiosa) & the Oudamber (Gulaar).

Ficus is a genus of about 800 species of woody trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes, and hemi-epiphytes in the family Moraceae.  In the tropics, the Ficus is the most species-rich plant genus in a particular forest. Also, in Asia alone, as many as 70 or more species have been found to co-exist by study reports.FROM SOURCES:

Figs category  seem to have wide variety –

 I was mostly familiar with only Anjeer figs and that too esp in ice-creams, till I started this marvellous voage of discovery into Trees and plants. Figs are of a wide variety; for example, the Common Fig. The common names of Oudamber Figs is cluster fig, cluster tree, country fig, redwood fig, Indian fig, crattock and ju guo rong. are seen all acros india and revered;  

TREES -CONNECTING RELIGIONS & CONTINENTS

Amongst Pipal trees-the oldest living planting date is a Ficus religiosa  tree known as the Sri Maha Bodhi planted in the temple at Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka by King Tissa in 288 BC.

The Common Fig tree (Ficus carica) is the first plant cited in the Bible. In Genesis 3:7 is described how Adam and Eva cover themselves with fig leaves when they discover that they are naked.

The fig fruit is also included in the list of food found in the Promised Land, according to the Thorah (Deut. 8). (They are wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, dates (representing the honey).

In the deserts of Midle East Dates &Figs are and have been  survival fod and alway available and distributed to all-

FIG CHARACTERISTICS

There are three vegetative traits unique to figs.

All figs possess a white to yellowish sap (latex), some in copious quantities;

Interesting part is Wasps- provide the pollination in the Mighty Banyan Tree -and it starts as an Ephiphyte.

The twig has paired stipules or a circular stipule scar if the stipules have fallen off; and the lateral veins at the base of the leaf are steep, that is they form a tighter angle with the midrib than the other lateral veins, a feature referred to as a "tri-veined".

CULTURAL VALUE OF FIGS

Figs have religious and cultural importance in worship and for their many practical and medicinal uses.

QUOTE

Figs comprise a large genus, Ficus, of deciduous and evergreen tropical and subtropical trees, shrubs, and vines belonging to the mulberry family, Moraceae
Figs and Ficus plants are two terms for the same types of plants. The term ficus is used to refer to fig trees. The distinction between figs and ficus trees is used for classification.

Ficus is the scientific name of a genus of plants, which contains all of the species of figs within it. The classification names help distinguish between individual species and larger groups of related plants and organisms. Studies indicate about such 800 species of woody trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes, and hemi-epiphytes in the family Moraceae.

Collectively known as Figs, they of the tropical origin and few in the warm temperate zone. The so-called Common Fig (F. carica) is a temperate species from the Middle East and southern Europe, which has been widely cultivated from ancient times for its fruit, also referred to as figs. The fruit of most other species are also edible though they are usually of only local economic importance or eaten as bushfood. However, they are extremely important food resources for wildlife.

UNQUOTE

Rgds

TR

In Search of Roots -Part 2 dedicated to my Family.

In Search of Roots -Part 2

dedicated to my Family. 

3rd Nov 2015.
Father's Day Nov 3rd 1978 -Tribute .
REF: "Ramblings of a Surgeon in Burma" -Dr Major Late T.Manohar Rao (K.I.H)
In 2008 my younger brother Ashok, brought out my fathers writings which had been left behind in an untimely demise with a heart attack in the book titled"Ramblings of a Surgeon in Burma" -
All credit to Ashok.
Great books that reveals a lot on the untold social life and history in the 1900-up to 1965- I must  mention here the connection with incidents in history of India-Burma in pre- World War2 era.
When I used to return home on leave from my ship, my father would narrate them after dinner in long conversations-He had served  in the Army Medical Corps- in NE areas inc Imphal, Insein etc in WW2 and in fact was a Decorated Soldier. He would narrate some experiences of that time and esp of occupied areas in WW2 and Japanese.
Food for thought -and to  ponder over and pay respects to the noble souls who sacrificed their lives for their Country & Freedom. This is all history, but a recall is well worth it-It reveals leadership, bravery, determination and above the outstanding Character seen  amidst the travails of war,  despite the hardships, the toil and struggle to just stay alive.
A lesson for all of us -when we reflect on the the price of freedom, as we pay respects to the noble souls who sacrificed their lives for their Country & Freedom.
"Yeh mere watan ke log" of Shailendra, one of his  greatest compositions, sung by Lataji--- says it all.
Shraddhanjali to Papa  on Nov 3rd 1978 R.I.P
My late father Dr. T. Manohar Rao (retd Major, BAMC), was CMO of  Rangoon, Rehab. Brigade  Insein. till 1962, when the army coup took over and he left-returned to India . I was surprised to also learn that he had even served as a Ships Doctor on a Passenger ship and was Rangoon Port Health Officer briefly, before marriage
I had visited Insein dist.in Burma in 1961, before joining T.S. Dufferin .
Memorable visit....looking back now----Time has flown
Some details -Papa was in the AMC (BAMC Cadre) and served in NE areas- in WW2 .
Post WW2 , he was the 1960s as CMO of Rehab Brigade for WW2 soldiers. Imphal -etc.-was decorated KIH -Kaiser Father-(Retd AMC) settled-in Rangoon, was popularly know as Dr TM or Doc by his Golfing buddies
I visited him in Rangoon in Feb 1962 spent a month there .

In my case, I was in Mangalore as a child and then a short while only in Burma ; Later was left in Madras for all my 10 years schooling with a kind Grandfather who raised me from 6-14- Then with aunt and uncle-later left for Sea Training on T./S.Dufferin- (a personal choice).Thus did not stay with parents long due to strange circumstances; maybe a twist of destiny also, but we surely felt have inherited some of their genes and values of both father and grandfather to connect with ships .

Burma, even when i visited in 1962 Feb, was some what unsettled with insurgency and some unrest was obvious and unsuited foe civilain life as dacoits etc prevailed--but a paradox was it had a wonderful friendly, fun loving people. Papa had managed well as a CMO of the hospital but still it had a strange uncertain air of political uncertainity as well as civil strife with insurgency and yet inhabited by simple common of different states. What a Paradox even then...the Army seemd to play a Watch on all- despite a Civilian Govt in early 1962 .
Little was I to know what was in store  by year end of 1962

The ship Papa finally returned to Madras , India from Rangoon to Madras was ss Manchurian which then plied as a Cargo -cum passenger ship which carried about 8 passengers This system of cargo cum passengers was in vogue then--no more now as less Life boat capacity  18-22 persona max for  crewing only and security reasons dont permit . re.pic ss manchurian 1962 had Danish Officers and mixed crew from what papa told me".

The name Manchuria- possibly would have got a suffix "an" ; added as Ships often change the suffix /prefix for tax reasons and Owners-ship change  but try and maintain name identity as possible-

( PIC- From M series in Old ships list was able to take out 4-same name series with software assistance .Of them Manchuria-o6 jpg seems like it and so also with the Flag)

Papa had visited my ship Jag Laxmi (Gen cargo vsl) --with Mhanth in 1968 at North Quay Madras Port  in  1968-  Vaguely recall they also referred to of the ss Manchurin of 1962 --

Life in Madras
Father came back after the Military Junta in Burma in 1962 (after the coup) post a serious MI (heart attack) suffered and later picked up. He  ran a small clinic in Madras named after my sis Shobha Clinic. In fact, many of his patients (average abt 80 a day) were Burma Refugees given medical service and help ina very dedicated way of Service Before Self . He maintained a simple Pharmacy and with a young compounder Selvi Kasthuri, served and gave medicare and were much respected and loved .At the  end of 1969 he shifted to his own flat in 1969 and passed away in Nov. 1978 Nov.

He also wrote 2 books(all on his Remington Portable typewriter at night); One book was "Ramblings of a Surgeon in Burma" (it was collated by my bro Ashok from writings and nicely printed on his 30th Anniversary for distribution to close family; no copies left now.
Time moves on-- that was another world and a different era.
But, some memories remain
With prayers on Fathers Day
Capt TR (Retd)