January/February/March, 2005 US$5.

95

Affirming Sanatana Dharma and Recording the Modern History of a Billion-Strong Global Religion in Renaissance

courtesy asia society

COVER: The Shri Swaminarayan Temple opens in Houston, Texas; (above) The Asia Society of New York showcases Hindu
jewelry—(left to right) 18th century gold and enamel bracelet with tiger heads, hair comb, Deity crown, ear ornaments.

january/february/march, 2005 • Hindu Year 5106

Tarana, the Year of Safe Passage

www.gurudeva.org

IN T ER NAT IONA L Medicine: Confronting Type 2 Diabetes

Feature: Toronto: Home to Half-a-Million Hindus through Ayurveda, Before it Happens 55
from Sri Lanka, India and the Caribbean 18 Ashram: A Goddess Temple Rises in the Hills
Temple: BAPS Guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj above the Sacred Ganga River 58
Dedicates Exotic Temple in Houston 30 Books: A Cleaverly Colorful View of Rajasthan
Family: Nepal’s Women Pray for a Long and Joyful Through Manipulated Photography 60
Married Life During the Vata Savitri Vrata 56 Music: It’s the Largest Vina in the World,
Threats: India’s Neglected Northeastern States and it’s Extinction Draws Near 66
Remain Hotbeds of Conversion and Terror 62
OPINION
LIFEST YLE In My Opinion: Born in Two Religions and Raised in
Art: Fabulous Hindu Jewelry Showcased at New Neither—Sorting it All out as a Young Adult 9
York’s Asia Society 40 Publisher’s Desk: We Can Achieve True Hindu
Insight: For Kids: Hinduism from A to Z, Plus Solidarity through “Unity in Diversity” 10
Letters 12
Precepts, Practices and Parenting Guidelines 41
Dance: Meet P. T. Narendran, One of Bharata From the Vedas: How to Love God 16
Natyam’s Foremost Male Artistes 50 DIGESTS
Song: Mukti Is Babeena Sharma’s Hot CD 51
Worship: This Eccentric Assam Tree Shrine Diaspora 6 Digital Dharma 86
Gives New Meaning to Temple Bells 52 Quotes & Quips 14
Books: A Clever Story and Charming Art Make

HOUSTON’S Lily’s Garden Our Children’s Book Pick 54

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photos courtesy baps

During
During
thethe
early
early
morning
morning
hours
hours
of July
of July
24,24,
2004,
2004,

Lord Swaminarayan at at
thethe
Stafford
Stafford
peacock
peacock
Performing
Performing
wanders
wanders
near
Arts
near
Arts
Centre
HisHis
Centre
Divine
in Houston,
Divine
in Houston,
Holiness
Holiness
a a
Pramukh
Pramukh
Swami
Swami

Comes to Texas Maharaj,

Maharaj,
spiritual
spiritual
Purushottam
Purushottam
head
head
of the
of the
Swaminarayan
Swaminarayan
Bochasanwasi
Bochasanwasi
Sanstha
Sanstha
Shri
(BAPS),
Shri
(BAPS),
Akshar
as as
Akshar
he he
performs
performs
a rite
a rite
of worship
of worship
to to
bless
bless
hishis
saffron-clad
saffron-clad
monks
monks
andand
thousands
thousands
of devotees
of devotees
from
from
around
around
thethe
world
world
who
who
came
came
to to
witness
witness
thethe
ten-day
ten-day
consecration
consecration
of Houston’s
of Houston’s
newnew
Swaminarayan
Swaminarayan
Temple.
Temple.
SeeSee
page
page
30.30.

pg 03-04 gatefold-left.indd 2 11/1/04 9:19:40 AM pg 05 Jan05.indd 2 11/1/04 9:11:46 AM

Welcome
to hinduism today’s digital edition!
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 trinidad ers, Mahant Ramdass
came to Trinidad as
A Hindu Hero an indentured laborer
in 1889. He was rec-
indonesia

A Funeral Fit
removed to allow the tower to
pass. Upon reaching the crema-
tion grounds, her body was car-
A monument to mahant
Ramdass was unveiled at
the El Dorado Shiv Mandir,
ognized as a spiritual
soul and leader at an
early age. In 1926, an-
ried down a bamboo ramp and Trinidad, on September 21, other immigrant, Mo-
For a Queen put inside a model of a black
bull and placed on the pyre.
2004. Sat Maharaj, secretary
general of the Sanatan Dharma
organ, invited him to
build a temple on land

O n july 24, 2004, the

souls of Tjokorda Istri
Niyang Muter and 52 villagers
Her cremation was consid-
ered an auspicious time for
other Balinese to cremate their
Maha Sabha (SDMS) and Ku-
mar Sammy, president of the
Mandir, performed the unveil-
that Moorgan had ob-
tained. Ramdass built
the Draupadi Mandir
were released in a mass crema- relatives. On the other side of ing ceremony. Fondly known which later became
tion in Bali. She died at the Ubud, 52 villagers were cre- as “Kutia Baba” by the villag- the Shiv Mandir. He
age of 94 in May, 2004, the last mated at the same time, some of conducted pujas, Hindu Heritage Camp counselors: college students returning home to serve
Devotees pull Lord Ganesha around a Paris neighbourhood of the 11 children of Bali’s old whom had died four years ear- distributed prasad to
King of Ubud, Tjokorda Gde lier and had to be exhumed for the children, and officiated at usa
france Sukawati. She went from the the occasion. For Balinese it is a weddings, bhagawats and vari-
Ganesh Rules Paris for a Day royal palace of Ubud in a huge,
decorated, nine-tier-tall tower
time to celebrate the fulfillment
of their sacred duty and the re-
ous rituals. Loved and revered
by all, his name spread far and
A New Generation of Leaders
T he manicka vinayakar alayam, paris, france, held
its 9th annual chariot festival on September 5th, 2004. The
weighing 11 tons and carried by
180 men. Street cables had to be
lease of their ancestors’ spirits
so they are free to reincarnate.
wide as a healer and resolver
of domestic disputes. He never
took money for his services. He
J
uly 20-25, 2004, the vishwa hindu parishad held its
annual Hindu Heritage Camp for the Hindu children of Houston,
Texas. The campers totalled 138, from ages 7 to 17—53 high school
following day le Parisien newspaper ran a big article on the passed away in 1975, having students, 47 middle school and 38 elementary. Held annually for
event, saying: “There never were so many people, 12,000 last left a rich legacy. The monu- two decades, twenty years ago it was run entirely by adults. Gradu-
year and 20,000 this year; it is surpassing Chinese New Year ment was made in recognition ally older campers were given more responsibilities. The 2004
in notoriety.” The temple was founded in 1985 by Sri Lankan of his pioneering religious min- camp was a milestone: all the counselors were college students. Co-
refugees, shortly after the war broke out in 1983, making it istry that was the forerunner of directors Shishi Bhutada, who just graduated from college and Ron-
one of Europe’s oldest Hindu temples. French law requires the SDMS, which today has 160 ak Shah, still in college, were veteran campers who wanted to give
non-Christian places of worship to have no visible profile, and religious and 60 educational in- back to the Hindu community. Ronak said, “As a camper, I gained
the small temple is tucked away inside an otherwise nonde- stitutions and has branched out so much, learning about our rituals. It gives youth an opportunity
script building. But small locations have never constrained Honoring God’s selfless priest into social welfare activities. to be with others of the same upbringing and make friends for life.”
the power of Hindu Gods. When Lord Ganesha comes out
for His annual Paris parade, He goes upscale big time, draw-
ing Hindus from all over Europe, as well, a large contingent of switzerland Siva is the dancing universe, p u b l i c at i o n s
European descent, both curiosity seekers and those who have
been to India and have fallen in love with Hindu culture. Siva Dances the ceaseless flow of energy go-
ing through an infinite variety Praying for
of patterns that melt into one
At CERN another.’’ It was only fitting
that the Lord of Dance should
Namarupa
the Bush Administration’s Faith
Based Initiative. Bush invited
him into the Oval Office, em-
I n 1975, fritjof capra made finally come to Geneva to pre-
Nataraja into a modern-day
scientific icon when he wrote
side, in June, 2004, over CERN,
the European Organization for
M ost magazines received
here at Hinduism Today
each week end up in recycle in
braced him and said, “I’m very in Tao of Physics, ‘‘The dancing Nuclear Research—with a staff a few days. So it is a bright, rare
glad you are here, and please of 3,000, the world’s largest day when we see a publication
keep us in your prayers.” Bush particle physics laboratory. that rivets our attention and
then asked to have his picture The two-meter-tall Nata- draws us back to read each and
taken with the Hindu guru. raja was a gift from India’s every page and proves worthy
Along with other faith Department of Atomic of your reference library. Such a
representatives, Sri Sri Ravi Energy to celebrate its long one is the fledgling Namarupa, production values that make
Shankar later participated in a association with CERN. Categories of Indian Thought Namarupa a real keeper. But
prayer meeting presided over The CERN presence of the published by Robert Moses excellence doesn’t pay the bills.
by President Bush. He, Indian- Lord of the Dance of en- and Eddie Stern only two times The magazine is, at this stage, a
White House Hindu presence American representatives and ergy takes on global dimen- a year. Their stated editorial labor of love and devotion and
Indian Embassy officials also sions when you realize that goal is to “present articles that supported by donations. We
wa s h i n g t o n , d c joined other religious leaders here, in 1990, Tim Bern- shed light on the incredible have seen a lot of publications

Bush Meets at a reception hosted by Re-

publican Representative David
ers-Lee and his colleague,
Robert Caillau created a set
array of Darsanas, Yogas and
Vidyas that have evolved over
come and go over the years.
This is one that we hope will
Dreier of California who said, of simple protocols:—“http” thousands of years in India’s live on. Help infant Namarupa
Hindu Leader “He is obviously a great spiritual
leader.... This is something we
“html” and “www”—which
let scientists use the Inter-
creatively spiritual minds and
hearts.” The first two issues
get onto its financial feet. Sub-
scribe today. For a look at the

S ri sri ravi shankar met

President Bush on May 7,
2004, when he participated in
need to pursue, so that there is
an understanding of differences
that exist.”
Deceased Tjok Muter, carried on an 11-ton tower by 180 men
net to share data. Siva’s new
home is the birthplace of
CERN Director unveils Lord Nataraja the World Wide Web.
are filled with high caliber, in-
depth essays, interviews, photos
and artwork with editorial and
first two issues’ contents, and to
subscribe, go to:
www.namarupa.org

c l o c k w i s e f r o m t o p : m a n i c k a v i naya k a r a l aya m , pa r i s ; m a d e k a r na , c l o c k w i s e f r o m t o p : s a nata na d h a r m a m a h a s a b h a ; v i s h wa

6 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 a g e n c e f r a n c e p r e s s e ; m a r t i n b r a d i n g , na m a r u pa h i n d u pa r i s h a d ; s t r , e pa p h o t o s ; m a x i m i l i e n b r i c e , c e r n p h o t o j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 20 05 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 7

Vegetarian Michael Bell, 66, with his leather-free Toyota Hybrid
environment
Marketeers
Target Vegans
“T
he middle of the bull’s-
eye is where you want to
focus your marketing, and then
you expand your messages
around that. If you draw these
concentric circles, the middle
of the bull’s-eye right now is the
vegan,” says Bob Kurilk, vice
president of marketing for the
automobile website, Edmonds.
HARBHAJAN SINGH KHALSA
Yogiji, 75, known as Yogi
Bhajan to thousands of his
adherents worldwide, passed
away on Wednesday, October 6,
2004, following complications
due to heart failure. He died
at his home in Espanola, New
Mexico, surrounded by fam-
ily and friends. Back in 1968,
when he first arrived in the
West, he announced he had
come “to create teachers, not
to gain students.” By bestow-
ing the science and philosophy
of yoga and meditation, he
gave “Baby Boomers” an al-
ternative to the prevalent drug
culture. He called it the “3HO”
(happy, healthy, holy) way of
life. Through his efforts, Sikh
Dharma was legally incorpo-
rated in the USA in 1971. The
president of the governing
body of Sikh Temples in India,
8 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5
com. Automobile manufactur-
ers are vying for a new market.
Toyota Motor Corp. does not
even offer leather seats for their
Hybrid Prius. Mercedes-Benz
plans for a “non-leather pack-
age,” available in 2005. Ford
Motor Co., under attack for its
gas-guzzlers, ran an eight-page
advertisement in the New
Yorker boasting that their hy-
brid Escape SUV had an eleven
member team of vegetarian
designers led by a vegan.
Michelle Vadeboncoeur, who
moderates several chat lists
Sant Charan Singh, called him
the “Siri Singh Sahib,” Chief
Religious and Administrative
Authority for the Western
Hemisphere. He was given
the responsibility of creating a
Sikh Ministry in the West by
the Akal Takht, the Sikh seat of
religious authority in Amritsar,
India, and was honored with
the title “Bhai Sahib” by the
Akal Takhat in 1974.
PRIVATIZATION OF CREMATION
grounds is proving successful in
Delhi. The Municipal Corpora-
tion of Delhi had turned over
Digambodh Ghat to the Arya
Samaj Lodhi Road Society a
year ago. Today the formerly
dilapidated grounds have been
cleaned up and people are sat-
isfied with the services of the
new staff. The MCD still issues
death certificates.
devoted to the Toyota Prius,
said the question of whether
the hybrid car has any leather
in it comes up about once a
month. In one chat session she
wrote: “Some people might be
past the whole idea that an ani-
mal had to die for your leather
seats. However, what about the
environmental impact of rais-
ing that cow? Trees had to be
cleared. Land that could have
raised food crops was used for
animal feed.”
Even though vegetarians only
make up just 1.5% of the US
population and vegans hardly
register at all, if you please
them and you reach the real
market. Joe Marra of the Natu-
ral Marketing Institute says,
“The incidence of people being
aware of issues like cruelty to
animals is much higher.” The
firm’s research shows that more
than a quarter of the adult
US population, 56 million, say
they choose based on what is
“healthy and sustainable.” This
wider, affluent group spends
$226.8 billion annually on alter-
native products. It shows that a
few people, standing on prin-
ciple can make a difference.
THE HINDU COUNCIL OF UK IS
spearheading a campaign for
people to sign an anti-conver-
sion petition to be presented to
the UN High Commission for
Human Rights and the United
Nations General Assembly. The
petition will request that pros-
elytization must be eliminated
in the interest of promoting
world peace and harmony and
respectful coexistence of all
religions. For more information
contact: kksharma54@aol.com
A VISIT BY RSS SPOKESMAN
Ram Madhav to the University
of Pennsylvania’s Center for
the Advanced Study of India,
USA, in October, 2004, sparked
protest. A letter of objection
to CASI’s invitation of Madhav
was signed by five Penn profes-
sors. It carried misinformation
about the Rashtriya Swayam-
sevak Sangh, the world’s largest
service organization and in
turn sparked rebuttals by US
supporters of the RSS.
l e f t t o r i g h t : r i c a r d o d e a r ata n h a , l . a .
t i m e s ; c o u r t e s y, r u b i n m u s e u m o f a r t
Dancing in front of RMA
HINDU RENAISSANCE TEAM
HINDUISM TODAY was founded January 5, 1979,
new york by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. It is a
nonprofit educational activity of Himalayan
Himalayan Art Academy with the following purposes:1. To
foster Hindu solidarity as a unity in diversity
On US Stage among all sects and lineages; 2. To inform and
inspire Hindus worldwide and people interest-
A fter eight years of
work on a new building to
ed in Hinduism; 3. To dispel myths, illusions
and misinformation about Hinduism; 4. To pro-
house the finest collection of Hi-
malayan art in the world, Donald
tect, preserve and promote the sacred Vedas
and the Hindu religion; 5. To nurture and mon-
itor the ongoing spiritual Hindu renaissance;
and Shelly Rubin opened the Ru- 6. To publish a resource for Hindu leaders and
bin Museum of Art, September, educators who promote Sanatana Dharma. Join
27, 2004, in New York City, with this seva by sending letters, clippings, reports
a full week of festivities. While on events and encouraging others. to subscribe.
Buddhist art predominates, In-
dian consul, Mr. Rabindra Nath Founder: Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
Panda, observed that the RMA Publisher: Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami
“magnificently represents the Editor-in-Chief: Paramacharya Palaniswami
scope and achievements of Hi- Publisher’s Aide: Paramacharya Ceyonswami
malayan Hinduism.” Deputy Editor: Acharya Kumarswami
Managing Editor: Sannyasin Arumugaswami
Graphics Director: Sannyasin Natarajnathaswami
PROF. DAVID CRYSTAL, ONE OF Production Manager: Sannyasin Sivakatirswami
the world’s leading linguists, Subscription and Distribution Manager:
predicts that Indian-style Eng- Sannyasin Shanmuganathaswami
lish will soon become the most Contributing Editor: Yogi Japendranatha
commonly spoken form of the Advertising Manager: Sadhaka Jothinatha
language globally. Correspondents: Choodamani Sivaram, Bangalore;
Rajiv Malik, Prabha Prabhakar Bhardwaj, Madhu
MARRIAGE AGES IN INDIA HAVE Kishwar, Delhi; Mangala Prasad Mohanty, Orissa; V. S.
changed. www.medindia.net Gopalakrishnan, Kerala; Basudeb Dhar, Bangladesh;
says that, prior to 1951, the Archana Dongre, Los Angeles; Lavina Melwani, New
average age of men was 20 at York; Dr. Hari Bansh Jha, Nepal; Anil Mahabir, Paras
marriage and women 13. In Ramoutar, Trinidad; V. G. Julie Rajan, Philadelphia;
1991, the men’s age was 24 and Rajesh Jantilal, South Africa; Iraja Sivadas, California;
the women’s 19. Tara Katir, Hawaii. HPI Staff: Janaka Param, Toshade-
va Guhan, Clive Roberts, Easan Katir, Adi Alahan,
Chandra Sankara, Shama Vinayaga, Arjana Daswani.
THE TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT
Sanskritist: Dr. P. Jayaraman, New York. Artists: A.
has decided to withdraw the
Manivelu, S. Rajam. Cartoonists: M. Arumugam, Bob
decision of the previous NDA
Thaves, Ripin Karla. Photo Contributors: Thomas L.
government to take over the
Kelly, Stephen P. Huyler, Dinodia, Dev Raj Agarwal,
ancient hill shrine of Lord
Gilles Flament, Vel Kadressen, Mu Devarayan, Indivar
Arunachaleswarar at Tiruvan-
Sivanathan. Web Masters: Nitya Nadesan, Sadhuna-
namalai in Tamil Nadu and than Nadesan. Distribution: USA: Ingram Periodicals,
put it under the jurisdiction of New Leaf, EBSCO Subscription Services, OneSource,
the the Archaeological Survey Ubiquity. Europe: SWETS Subscription Service. Ma-
of India. That decision would laysia and Singapore: Sanathana Dharma Publications.
have hit the livelihood of thou- India: Central News Agency Limited, Delhi. Mauritius:
sands of local people dependent CODIP. Trinidad: Pandit Narendra & Ashwinee Ra-
on trade on the streets around goonanan. Printer: Banta Publications Group, Kansas
the temple. City, Missouri
IN MY OPINION
Growing Up Mixed Up
Mom is Hindu. Dad is Christian.
I’m too little of either and looking for more.
BY J E N N I F E R V E RW E Y
rowing up in an
ethnically mixed family
isn’t easy. My mother is
Indian and Hindu. My
father is Caucasian, American
and Christian. The fact that
they got divorced when I was
a year old further complicated
matters, but that is another
jennifer verwey
story altogether.
When I was very young, I
went to church with my father’s
mother but rarely worshiped at
all with my mother’s Hindu
parents. In this way, I spent my
earliest years in the casual in-
fluence of two religions, not giving either a
lot of thought. Then I went to school.
When I would tell classmates that I was
Indian, they would ask what tribe I was
from or say, “How.” I would explain that I
was an Indian from India, but then I had
nothing else to say. I had no idea what
being a Hindu really meant. I didn’t even
dress like an Indian, although I wore my
hair long and braided. All I knew was that
we didn’t eat beef and my grandparents
fasted on Thursdays.
Many factors affect a child of mixed par-
entage during the formative years when so-
cial skills are learned and friends are made.
My mother wanted to make sure I was
exposed to both sides of my heritage, but
because we never went to a Hindu temple,
this exposure was lopsided and left me feel-
ing confused. I didn’t fit in anywhere. My
only friends were Christian. I had received
a Hindu name during high school, but no
one ever used it in addressing me. I never
thought of changing my name legally. I just
figured the ceremony was a sort of baptism
into Hinduism.
After high school, I moved in with my
father and his family to go to college. It was
during this time that I chose to be bap-
tized into Christianity in an effort to find
some sense of identity. After a few years,
Christianity just started to feel wrong—and
pretending that I was white definitely felt
wrong. “But I am white, aren’t I?” I asked
j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5
myself. “Yes, I am,” I replied.
“But I am also Asian Indian.”
I stopped going to church
and began a serious search
for true spiritual fulfillment.
For a time I felt like I had
found my place in Wicca
which shares certain ideolo-
gies with Hinduism. Gradu-
ally, however, I realized that
wasn’t quite right either. So
I decided to go back to my
“roots” and delve more deeply
into Hinduism.
Since then, I’ve been read-
ing everything I can get my
hands on. I have also tried contacting my
Hindu relatives for further education, but
geographical distance has kept us from
communicating extensively.
I live in an area of Michigan where there
is very little “Eastern cultural diversity,” so
finding other like-minded people is almost
impossible. I want to wear a salwar kameez
or a sari, but there are no shops anywhere
here where I can buy such things. And I
don’t even know how to tie a sari.
My purpose in writing this is to try to
convey some sense of the difficulty I’ve
experienced growing up without a firm
spiritual and cultural background. Having
gone through this, I now firmly believe
that a child of mixed ethnicity needs to be
raised in the religious life and culture of
only one of the parents. The child needs
to feel like she or he is not being bounced
back and forth between two worlds, never
truly belonging to either.
My husband is a very open person and
supports me in my spiritual search, though
he is happy not delving into spirituality at
this time. I strive to learn as much as I can
and to change my life accordingly. If the
time comes that we decide to have a child,
we will determine which way we wish to
lead that child, and we will pick only one
path for his or her belief system.
Jennifer Verwey, 25, lives with her husband
in Grand Haven, Michigan.
h i n d u i s m t o d ay 9
PUBLISHER’S DESK
“Solidarity in Diversity”
Working with those of other traditions while holding
firmly to our own denomination and spiritual path
B Y S A T G U R U B O D H I N A T H A V E Y L A N S WA M I
s the world rapidly becomes a
global village, Hindu leaders are col-
lectively discovering that Hindu unity is
more important than ever before. Through
such unity, Hinduism can stand proudly
alongside the other great religions of the world,
serving its followers, protecting their rights and
working with governmental and private agencies
for the upliftment of society. Through such unity,
the wise voice of the great grandfather of religious
experience can be heard—a voice of tolerance
and compassion born of a reverence of the Divine
within all beings and all things. Certainly that
voice is dearly needed now to help guide humanity through this
violent, perilous time, with so many challenges in every area of life.
A mutual Hindu front based on the eternal laws of dharma will be
a potent social and political force, but the integrity of that unity
depends on how we define it.
Some would define it as a “unity in sameness,” perhaps because
they find Hinduism’s phenomenal diversity too complex, too con-
fusing, too great an obstacle to the kind of social and political unity
that they envision. But, as my Gurudeva, Satguru Sivaya Subra-
muniyaswami, observed, “It is not uniformity or sameness that
we seek. It is solidarity, individuals coming together for common
purposes celebrating their differences and pursuing their unique
ways, not denying them or trying to restrain or even destroy them.”
A better definition is solidarity in diversity.
Recently I pilgrimaged to Toronto. After my talk at the Hindu
Temple of Richmond Hill, as devotees were coming forward for
blessings, one man asked, “Swami, should I call myself a Saivite or
a Hindu?” Of course, the answer I gave was, “Both.” This simple
story illustrates what to me is the perfect meaning of Hindu unity,
which Gurudeva called Hindu solidarity. He also founded our
magazine, HINDUISM TODAY, which last year celebrated its 25th
anniversary, as an effective tool for promoting Hindu solidarity. He
declared as its first objective: “To foster Hindu solidarity as a unity
in diversity among all sects and lineages.”
Gurudeva’s explanation of Hindu solidarity is as follows: “For all
sects of Hinduism to survive in their pristine purity, maintaining
their traditions, cultural heritages and religious theologies within
our great Sanatana Dharma, each must strengthen the other by
strengthening itself. Having found their roots, Hindus of all sects
can proceed with confidence and work for Hindu solidarity. The
many beliefs and practices common to all Hindus are the meeting
ground, the basis, of this profound unity in diversity.”
Hinduism has four main sects, also called denominations—
Saivism, Shaktism, Smartism and Vaishnavism. Gurudeva indicates
that the starting point in achieving Hindu solidarity is for each
denomination to strengthen itself. This means that the followers of
10 h i n d u i s m t o day ja n ua ry / f e brua ry / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5
each of these denominations,
and the many lineages within
them, should become more
knowledgeable about their
denomination’s beliefs, prac-
tices and ways of worship and
pursue them more diligently.
This is how each denomina-
tion is strengthened—as each
devotee draws strength from
the heritage of his roots.
The second step naturally
occurs when other Hindus
are inspired to learn more about their
tradition and its practices by meeting
Hindus who have already become pro-
ficient and knowledgeable. This is the
idea of “each strengthening the other by
strengthening itself.”
This then leads to the third step, which
is Hindus of the four major denomina-
tions effectively coming together to cre-
ate a Hindu unity. Their coming together
is effective because each follower and
each leader is knowledgeable and deeply
involved in his or her own tradition.
b a r s a na d h a m
The nature of this unity is that it is
based on solidarity rather than sameness.
It cannot be based on sameness, as the
followers of the four denominations do
not hold identical beliefs and do not fol-
low identical practices. On many points
they differ. Therefore, unity must be based on solidarity, coming
together on the shared platform of beliefs and practices common
to all Hindus while acknowledging that in many ways we differ.
Said another way, the social, political power of the family of
faiths we call Hinduism is based on its spiritual, mystical power,
which abides in its many individual sects and sampradayas, each
with its enlightened guru lineages, dynamic temples, noble tradi-
tions and profound scriptural canons. This sectarian diversity is
the real power of the Hindu faith and must be preserved.
Sometimes leaders of Hindu organizations in North America
and elsewhere share with us a perspective that Hinduism should
be presented as a unity without diversity. They believe our differ-
ences only divide us and propose that Hinduism, in order to be
strong, should have one shared scripture, the Bhagavad Gita. They
propose that all Hindus should have a unified view of the many
Hindu Deities and hold common beliefs regarding key concepts,
such as God, soul and world.
But, as Gurudeva observed, “Sameness in religion is not healthy,
not natural. Sameness is a most common, dull, uninspired and
unenlightened solution, for it reduces that which is vital with dif-
ferences, rich in philosophical interpretation and background to
a common denominator. Such a solution would be very harmful
to Hinduism in the world, and many of us are firmly against that
idea.” The warning is that Vishnu devotees of a particular guru
lineage, for example, should remain dedicated to their tradition,
proud of their sectarianism, and not be swayed by efforts to draw
them into a universalism that dilutes their tradition in a misguided
effort to create an artificial sameness. Weakening sectarianism will
weaken Hinduism as a whole. The stronger direction is solidarity
in diversity. In fact, Hinduism’s ability to accept and encourage
diversity is a strength, not a weakness. It is a model of tolerance
and understanding for the world, which is in desperate search of
ways to accept the differences of those who follow other faiths.
There is an ancient Greek proverb: “United we stand; divided
we fall,” meaning that any group is stronger when it is united, and
Solidarity in action : HINDUISM TODAY founder, Sivaya
Subramuniyaswami, celebrates with an array of Hin-
dus at the 1996 opening of the Shree Raseshwari Radha
Rani Temple at the Barsana Dharm in Austin, Texas
therefore better able to handle the challenges that face
it. There are many challenges facing Hinduism today,
including unethical conversion efforts by other faiths,
the youth not being interested in attending temples, a
shortage of qualified teachers, and a lack of religious
outreach to the elderly, ill and needy.
To take one issue as an example, in every country
with a significant Hindu population, there are serious
concerns about conversion. And it is a certainly that
this challenge is better faced when the Hindus within
a country are united rather than divided. Malaysia
provides a good model of a country in which Hindus
are effectively united while maintaining their diversity.
They are united through an umbrella organization
called the Malaysia Hindu Sangam. In recent years the
Sangam has held major rallies about the conversion
problem, and as a follow-up to the rallies has instigated,
through a number of temples, social service programs
of Hindus helping Hindus. Their programs have
proved to be an effective way of preventing conversion
among Hindus living in poverty or neglect, and they
accomplished this by working in tandem with all sects
within the country.
In every country there are leaders and movements
who encourage Hindus to not work together, but to
divide by language, the Deity they worship, or other
differences and remain apart from other Hindu groups.
However, the wise encourage Hindus of different orga-
nizations, affiliations and traditions to band together,
to stand united in their diversity, to effectively face
the challenges that confront the Hindu peoples in the
modern world.
The last weekend in May we were guests at an event
at the Hindu Temple of Greater Atlanta, USA. It was
a simultaneous celebration of the 12-year reconsecra-
tion of the existing temple for Venkateswara and the
inauguration for the new temple for Siva. On many
evenings the Vaishnava priests would help in the Siva
ceremonies and vice versa. The smooth, harmonious
working together of the Vaishnava and Saiva priests
and the Siva and Venkateswara devotees was uplifting
and encouraging, showing how well these two tradi-
tions are able to cooperate and blend their energies,
without giving up their distinct beliefs and customs.
Hindus the world over, while following unique and varied paths,
are united by their belief in karma, dharma, the all-pervasiveness
of God, the sanctity of the Vedas, reincarnation, noninjuriousness,
enlightenment, yoga, the illumined guru’s centrality and the mysti-
cism of worship. That is the basis for coming together to help one
another and to reach out to the world. Hindu leaders of varied
sects and lineages are coming forward. Their wisdom is being
articulated at global forums and interfaith councils, conferred
through advisory boards to governments, taught in classrooms and
broadcast via TV and the Internet. All this is possible because
Hindu Vaishnavites, Hindu Smartas, Hindu Saktas and Hindu
Saivites, Telegus, Tamils, Maharashtrans, Gujaratis—devotees of
every tradition and language group—are proud and willing to
stand up and work together as brother and sister Hindus, respect-
ing and encouraging the efforts of one another, uplifting the world
by the power of their own upliftment.
j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 11
 LETTERS are all anxious to learn their roots. Many sec-
ular, modern Westernized Hindus do not like
on Saivism, as that is our background. We
even get complaints, such as the letter that
began its eternal flow from the origin and
foundation of Kadavul Temple at Kapaa. It
In Defense of Lord Rama South Indian temples to own this animal, girl’s grandparents are supposed to gift her to wear a bindi. I think in India Hindu orga- appeared in the Apr/May/Jun, 2004, issue has been ordained by Yogaswami, who ini-
most secularists have attempted to more for increasing the market value of the saris. Although the custom is on the wane, it nizations should celebrate Mother’s Day the accusing us of ignoring Vaishnavism.Saiva tiated Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami.
tarnish the image of Lord Ram by the way temples, rather than on any other merit. is very much visibly present in the society. first day of Navaratri which comes in October Siddhanta is well presented in all our other Now the lineage continues in Bodhinatha
he “handled” Sita (Oct/Nov/Dec, 2004). The general public may not know the most In an average year I attend at least one such before Deepavali. That day everyone should publications. Veylanswami, whose holy presence testifies
There are many schools of thought which basic information about these magnificent function! My own granddaughter had such wear a bindi—men, women and children. to the victorious march of Hindus around the
hold that Lord Rama’s banishing Sita to the captive animals: 1) due to high stress levels, an event last year. We had the religious for- Bharat Gajjar True Success globe with dharma as its center pole of suc-
forest and the subsequent incidents as por- most of these animals do not or cannot re- malities done at home with a limited num- Hockessin, Deleware, USA hinduism today is a triumphant voice cess, and happiness as its flag of victory.
trayed in the Uttara Kanda, the last section produce; 2) their housing conditions means ber of very close relatives attending. In the ∫ bgajjar@comcast.net of the Hindu population spread across the Ever fresh in my memory is Satguru Sivaya
of the Ramayana, are later interpolations. a pillar or post where they are tied for 18 evening there was a grand reception where world. It embodies the wisdom of Sanatana Subramuniyaswami’s pilgrimage to the Hindu
The language is not consistent with other to 20 hours a day; 3) most do not have run- all kith and kin were invited. Not Enough Saivism Hindu Dharma in its pages and is a holier temples and Saivite monasteries during his
parts written by Valmiki. However, just for ning water or river to bathe in, one of the As a side note to your article on the hazards i am an avid reader of hinduism today magazine than the journals professing other global spiritual odyssey in 1981. He was ac-
argument’s sake, if we were to accept that most elemental needs of the animal; 4) their of kumkuma in the same issue, this writer in for some years. It’s a great magazine for religious faiths. The essence of spirituality is corded with an overwhelming reception hail-
Lord Rama did banish Sita to the forest, we mahout, the most important person in the his professional career as an environmental Hindus all over the world especially when said to have been absorbed in Saivite tradi- ing him as a globe-trotting Hindu messiah. I
have to accept it as an action committed by animal’s life, is often poorly paid, not in- scientist has come across babies who got poi- Hindus are attacked with silly questions. tion and practice. In “What is True Success?” was deeply impressed by the Satguru. It was
a king, not by an ideal husband. It is dif- sured, has no job security and often has no soned with lead due to their mothers anoint- However, as a staunch Saivite (following (Oct/Nov/Dec, 2004) Satguru Bodhinatha an uncommon sight to see a foreign sadhu
ficult for us living in the Kali Yuga to un- choice but to take out his frustrations on the ing their foreheads with vermilion powder to Saiva Siddhantam of Kailaya Paramparai), Veylanswami expressed his deep concern among the orthodox local Saivite puritans.
derstand the responsibilities of a king who animal. A study has revealed that over 70% protect them from common cold and fever! I feel as a Saivite organization publishing a that some Hindu parents feel that their chil- The Hindus here and abroad will reverence
ruled in the Treta Yuga. Unlike the current are confirmed alcoholics. K.S.V. Nambi magazine, Kauai Aadheenam does not im- dren’s participation in Hindu religious ac- his memory forever. The silver jubilee occa-
democratic system where the ruling parties Behind the glamor and romance of an el- Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India ply the importance of Saivism to the readers. tivities is a complete waste of time, meaning sion of 25 years of Hinduism Today shines
obtain just 35% of the popular vote, in the ephant all dressed up in gold for temple pro- ∫ ksvnambi@sancharnet.in While reading your magazine, one feels that that it contributes nothing at all to their be- as a memorable experience, making us confi-
ancient times, the kings were supposed to cessions lies a sordid tale of misery and sad- the magazine is a general Hindu religious coming successful. But Hinduism never ad- dent that the Satguru’s message is widespread
obtain the support of the entire population, ness for the intelligent and sensitive animal, ✔ In reporting on the Hindus of Toronto, magazine that covers Saivism, Vaishnavism, vocates material success, but instead favors and known the world over.
100%. Going by this argument, there was a who has been likened to a human being in our feature story in this issue, we discovered Saktism, Jainism, etc. Why does a Saivite and furthers the pursuit of wealth, pleasure R. Ramasami
small but significant population in Ayodh- his awareness and dignity. that the coming of age ceremony for girls is Aadheenam not propagate Saivism seriously and happiness—all guided by dharma. Swa- Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India
ya unhappy with the reunion of Sita with Most members of the public have no knowl- enormously popular among Toronto’s Sri but merely highlights only? mi brings out a beautiful and succinct analy-
Rama. Lord Rama’s dharma was to make edge of the temple elephant situation as it Lankan Tamils. Ponnusamy sis of dharma, artha, kama and moksha, the Letters with writer’s name, address and day-
sure that no segment was left unhappy. If exists in India today. I am sure that human Malaysia Saiva Natpani Kalagam exclusive qualities of a Hindu way of life. time phone number, should be sent to:
Lord Rama had any doubts about Sita be- beings will react positively to recommended Java’s Example Kuala lumpur, Malaysia These four legitimate goals of piety, wealth, Letters, Hinduism Today
107 Kaholalele Road
fore, he would not have brought her back ∫ asho_lbt@tm.net.my pleasure and liberation form a cornerstone
changes that will benefit the animal and help dr. thomas reuter’s article on hin- Kapaa, Hawaii, 96746-9304 USA
to Ayodhya. It is only when one washerman in the survival of the species. duism’s revival in Java (Oct/Nov/Dec, 2004) of Hindu ethics, transmitted to us through a or faxed to: (808) 822-4351
cast doubt on Sita’s chastity that Lord Rama Suparna Baksi-Ganguly is such a welcome departure in a world be- ✔ Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami long line of teachers and disciples from the or e-mailed to: letters@hindu.org
sent her to the forest. Note here also that Bangalore, India set with violence and intolerance spewed by founded Hinduism Today for the purpose of Hindu point of view. Letters may be edited for space and clarity
the opinion of even the washerman, a low ∫ suparnaganguly@hotmail.com fundamentalism. It is remarkable that a sig- informing all Hindus worldwide. To accom- Initially started as a trickle, Saiva Sid- and may appear in electronic versions of
caste, was taken into consideration by the nificant number of Javanese are returning to plish that goal, we report on all Hindu lin- dhanta Church accumulated like a holy river Hinduism Today.
rulers of that time. Today, would anyone lis- ✔ Yes, we share your concerns regarding the religion of their ancestors, motivated by eages. Still, we tend to write somewhat more and made its way to the spiritual surface. It ∫ indicates letters received via e-mail
ten to a washerman or a sweeper? Any seri- the treatment of the temple elephants, and conviction rather than proselytization. I was
ous student of the Ramayana will know that reported on them in depth in our July, 2003, reminded of an article in Hinduism Today
Reaching out: (top) Dr. and Mrs. Gowda
Lord Rama never doubted Sita’s chastity. He
loved her very dearly.
Nirmal Laungani
issue (available on-line at: hinduismtoday.
com/archives/2003/7-9/66-68_elephants.
shtml). See also page 29 of this issue for fur-
several years ago when Satguru Sivaya Sub-
ramuniyaswami’s visit to Reunion spurred
the island’s nominal Christians of Indian de-
Empowering Hindu Outreach
v
on the day they met with Hinduism
Today’s publisher. (below) A music
Hong Kong ther commentary on the plight of elephants. scent to return to their Hindu heritage. Let lesson in an Udayan Care home for
∫ jaibhthknetvigator.com
Coming of Age for Tamil Girls
us hope that what is today a small trickle
will become a flood and all Java will once
Help Us Let Dharma’s Potent Voice Be Heard orphans near Delhi—a model institution
which receives Hinduism Today as our
Concern for Temple Elephants it is surprising that ramya gopal did again embrace Hinduism, restoring Indo- gift to them. With your help, as our fund
we are fortunate to get occasional not come across girls from Tamil Nadu nesia’s reputation for tolerance. I commend r. hiranya gowda of tennessee, Dr. Gowda decided to launch it by do- matures, we can reach more like them.
copies of your magazine in India, and I take communities who traditionally celebrate the you for bringing to light such occurrences in USA, recalls discovering Hinduism To- nating an initial $501 on the spot. He
this opportunity to congratulate you on the coming of age of a girl with religious fer- global Hinduism. day in 1985. “I was overjoyed to find this has since donated again each month
very relevant topics and subjects that your vor (Oct/Nov/Dec, 2004). Excepting for the v. venkatesh most potent voice for dharma, so able to augment the fund which, being a
magazine covers for its readers. In the last brahmins, most of the other communities do dayton, ohio to uplift Hindus around the world.” To make part of Hindu Heritage Endowment,
issue (Oct/Nov/Dec, 2004), there was a celebrate this event of a girl. Among Saiva ∫ vvenkatesh@ameritech.net people aware of the magazine’s existence, Dr. will eventually grow enough to begin
wonderful piece of writing by Jeffrey Mason Vellala people, especially from Tirunelveli, Gowda has since regularly purchased copies making grants for giving subscriptions.
honoring animals, but it seemed diluted by this is very prevalent. Quite often such cel- Wear Bindis! and subscriptions to give to various individuals We invite you to join Dr. Gowda
the blessing from a temple elephant in the ebrations are done on a scale equivalent to a every year i go to vhp summer chil- and institutions. and all of us in making this fund
same issue. I am the Hon. Vice-President of wedding. It is called sadangu function, or, in dren’s camp. One time I tried to put a bindi In early 2004, he met Satguru Bodhinatha grow significantly so that we can
a registered and recognized animal welfare pure Tamil form, called by the equivalent of on one of the girls. She said, “No no no! I Veylanswami, publisher of Hinduism Today soon enjoy generous grants and send
organization in India called Compassion sacred bath ceremony. The priest is present, don’t wear bindi.” I realized that the Indian and the two discussed ways to find funds for Hinduism Today far and wide. You
Unlimited Plus Action, or CUPA for short. and the girl is given a bath ceremoniously girls in America do not know the impor- giving subscriptions more widely, especially to can help with a gift outright, or by
For the last few years we have been exten- surrounded by women relatives. The girl’s tance of the bindi. It is good luck, it is wom- those who may need it most and can least afford making that fund the beneficiary of
sively working on the status and conditions friend or a relative girl of the same age is anhood, it is the third eye. It can be color co- it—swamis, ashrams, temples, orphanages, hum- a gift in your estate plan. Please con-
of the captive Asian elephant, particularly dressed like a bridegroom and will be seat- ordinated, it can be stylish and it is a symbol ble religious workers and benevolent societies, to tact us for details.
the temple elephant, as we are based in Ban- ed alongside the girl on the podium where of Hindu Dharma. So we started putting a name a few. To overcome the inevitable “limited www.hheonline.org/ht/plannedgiving/
galore in South India. We have discovered the rites take place. The men folk are also bindi on all the boys, girls and all volunteers funds” obstacle, the idea of a Hinduism Today 808-822-3012, ext 244
appalling cruelties on part of the authorities invited for the function. The girl’s maternal before evening worship at the camp. Now Complimentary Subscription Fund arose, and hhe@hindu.org
in controlling the increasing trend amongst uncles are supposed to gift her richly; the the children appreciate the bindi, as they

12 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 13
 Frank and Ernest © 2003 THAVES. REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION.

“The mind is so hard that an atomic bomb will

not make a dent in it, but meditation will.”
Swami Ashokananda (1893-1969), monk of the Ramakrishna Order and accomplished teacher of Vedanta in the West

“The Blind Men and the Elephant,” by the The Third approached the animal,
American poet John Godfrey Saxe (1816- And happening to take
1887) is based on a famous Indian parable. The squirming trunk within his hands,
It provides a metaphorical explanation as Thus boldly up he spake:
to why the descriptions in the world’s re- “I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant
ligions of the one Supreme Being they all Is very like a snake!”
worship can so radically differ:
The Fourth reached out an eager hand,
t was six men of Indostan And felt about the knee:

I To learning much inclined,

Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
“What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain,” quoth he;
“’Tis clear enough the Elephant
That each by observation Is very like a tree!”
Might satisfy his mind.
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, That fell within his scope. scriptures that prescribe the worship and but fulfill it, and you will be rewarded, gen-
The First approached the Elephant, Said: “E’en the blindest man “I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant illumine our minds with knowledge about eration after generation after generation.
And happening to fall Can tell what this resembles most; Is very like a rope!” the one Supreme God. Never forget this. Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (1927-
a. manivel

Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
“God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a wall!”
The Second, feeling of the tusk
Cried, “Ho! what have we here,
DID YOU KNOW?
Yum Yum Mangos
ango comes from
the Tamil word mankay,
adapted by the Por-
tugese into manga when they
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me ’tis mighty clear
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!”
is the most prized of the more
than 1,000 cultivars known in
the world today.
The health benefits of this
Deny the fact who can, Never forsake your Vedic Hindu Dharma, 2001), founder of Hinduism Today
This marvel of an Elephant And so these men of Indostan
Is very like a fan!” Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion Avoidance
The Sixth no sooner had begun Exceeding stiff and strong,
About the beast to grope, Though each was partly in the right, Of Fraud
Than, seizing on the swinging tail And all were in the wrong!
Tirukural 281: He who wishes
Moral: So oft in theologic wars, not to be scorned by others
praises the mango for its heat- The disputants, I ween, guards his own mind against
ing, energizing properties, and Rail on in utter ignorance the slightest thought of fraud.
nearly every part of the plant
has proven useful in folk medi-
Of what each other mean,
And prate about an Elephant Tirukural 283: A fortune
cine through the ages. Not one of them has seen. amassed by fraud may ap-
The many benefits of this pear to prosper but will all
fantastic fruit may explain its On the pathway of spiritual excellence, too soon perish altogether.
significance in the Hindu re- words that discourage and those that pub-
krt

settled in western India.
Sometimes called “the apple of
the tropics,” “the peach of the
tropics” or “the king of fruits,”
the mango originated in East
India, Burma and the Anda-
scrumptious species are nu-
merous. Mangos are rich in
vitamins, minerals and anti-ox-
idants, such as beta-carotene,
vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin
B, potassium, calcium and
ligion. The mango is a symbol
of the highest spiritual attain-
ment, as well as love, and it
is believed to be a grantor of
wishes. Designs of the leaves,
flowers and fruit, including
Mangos: An appetizing array
of shapes, colors and textures
blessings to special pujas, fes-
tivals, weddings, New Year’s
licize faults of others are lethal poisons. His Tirukural 285: Benevolent thoughts
Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and kindly feelings flee from those
spiritual head of Bochasanwasi Shri Ak- who watch for another’s unwatch-
shar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha fulness to swindle his property.
Hinduism today is a religion of today and Tirukural 286: Those who walk

man Islands bordering the Bay
of Bengal. It has been culti-
vated in India for about 5,000
years. India’s Alphonso variety
iron. High in fiber and low
in calories and sodium, they
make a healthy snack or a
heavenly breakfast. Ayurveda
the ubiquitous paisley, are
found on Hindu and Buddhist
temples. The leaves are hung
in decorative fashion to lend
celebrations and other cer-
emonies. Lord Ganesha, lover
of all things sweet, holds a ripe
mango in one hand.
a. manivel
tomorrow. It is not just a religion of history deceit’s desirous path cannot hope
books and yesterday. Our religion gives to work wisdom’s measured way.
us strength today. It is a religion which
worships one Supreme God, with vast

14 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 15
 FROM THE VEDAS
Love and Be One with God
The Rishis paint a picture of the Supreme Lord of All
hough 20th century Western scholarship
has focused on the impersonal monism of
the Upanishads, the Vedas are filled with
theistic devotion, known as “bhakti.” The
modern academic classification of the
bhakti movements as a latter day phenom-
enon belie Hinduism’s holistic historical reality—the mysti-
cal vision of the immanent-transcendant Absolute and the
heartfelt personal relationship with God as our Lord, are
seamlessly interwoven in the Hindu heart and mind.
On all sides eyes, on all sides faces, on all sides arms,
on all sides feet, He, God, the One, creates Heaven and
Earth, forging them together with arms and wings.
He who is source and origin of the Gods, the Lord of
all, Rudra, the mighty sage, who produced in ancient
days the Golden Germ—may He endow us with pu-
rity of mind! Without beginning and end is He; in
the midst of chaos He is and brings forth all things.
Creator is He, and sole pervader, of manifold forms.
When a man knows God, He is freed from all fetters.
SVETASVATARA UPANISHAD III, 3-4; V, 13
Of lords the Lord Supreme, of kings the King, of Gods
the God, Him let us worship—the transcendent Lord of
all worlds and wholly worthy of worship. In Him exists
neither action nor organ of action; no one is found His
equal or superior to Him. His supreme power is revealed
in manifold forms; inherent to His nature is the working of
His strength and wisdom. None in this world is His master,
none His commander. He has no distinctive sign; He is the
Cause. Himself unruled, ungenerated, He rules the sense
organs. He is the Creator of all, the knower of all things,
the source of the Self, the Knower, the Author of time, pos-
sessor and master of all the qualities, omniscient, the Lord
of both Nature and Spirit, the cause of liberation from this
world’s cycle and the bondage of earthly existence.
Identical with it, immortal, by nature the Lord, omni-
present and wise, the guardian and eternal ruler of the
world is He. No other Ground can be found. In Him who
in days of old created Brahma and imparted to Him the
Veda, in this God, who is illumined by His own intel-
ligence, I take refuge, longing for liberation….In Him
who is undivided, inactive, peaceful, irreproachable,
free from blemish, the supreme bridge to immortality,
who resembles a fire whose fuel is wholly consumed.
SVETASVATARA UPANISHAD VI, 7-9; 16-19
a. manivel
The Vedas are the divinely revealed and most revered scriptures,
sruti, of Hinduism, likened to the Torah (1,200 bce), Bible New
Testament (100 ce), Koran (630 ce) or Zend Avesta (600 bce). Four
in number, Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva, the Vedas include over
100,000 verses. Oldest portions may date back as far as 6,000 BCE.
16 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5
The sound that is uttered in the beginning of the Veda,
the sound that is also established at its end, that which
is beyond its absorption in Nature—that is the supreme
Lord. [We adore] the God with a thousand heads, with
an all-seeing eye, who grants peace to all, Narayana,
universal God, supreme Word, imperishable, on every
side supreme, eternal, Narayana, universal Lord. All this
universe exists vivified by the Person. [We adore] the
Master of all, the Lord of the soul, eternal, benevolent,
immobile, Narayana, the mighty one to be known, the Self
of all, the supreme goal. Narayana, Light supreme, the
Self, Narayana the Supreme, Narayana, supreme essence
of Brahman, Narayana, the Supreme! Narayana is both the
supreme meditator and meditation itself, Narayana, the
Supreme. Whatever moves in this universe, whatever is
either seen or heard, whatever is inside or outside—all is
pervaded by the Lord. He is therein established. This is
the Lord of all, the Knower of all, the inner controller. This
is the source of all, the beginning and end of all beings.
MAHANARAYANA UPANISHAD, 233-245
TRANSLATIONS BY RAIMUNDO PANNIKAR
Commentary by Raimundo Panikkar
Salvation is not achieved by human effort alone, nor is it a
spontaneous act of divine grace, as later theologies declare,
but it is rather a unique act in which “God” and “Man”
—for we cannot dispense with these two at this stage—
coincide. To recognize the Lord is to be saved, certainly;
but, in order to recognize Him, not only do I have to be
united with Him but also He has to disclose Himself to
me, so that it has little meaning to discuss at this point
whence the initiative comes. The Upanishads constantly
remind us that the universe, Men and the Lord are both
united and separate; they are interrelated, but the link, be-
ing unique, cannot adequately be expressed by a simile.
The Upanishads proffer an invitation to a higher life
of contemplation, to the enormous and risky adventure
of finding the Lord, who can neither be spoken of nor
identified with any objective or subjective reality....
The Upanishads attempt to resolve the dilemma by
propounding the way of Self-Realization, the personal
discovery of the hidden treasure. The Lord is within
and without, personal and impersonal, moving and un-
moving, “Being and Nonbeing.” He is the Lord precisely
because he is not limited by any one pair of opposites.
Raimundo Panikkar, 83, holds doctorates in science,
philosophy and theology. His anthology, The Vedic
Experience, excerpted above, is the result of ten years in
Banaras translating with the help of Vedic scholars.
j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 17
 Just like back home: Thousands
of devotees of the Sridurka Hindu
Temple in North York, Ontario,
pulled the chariot of Goddess Durga
around the temple, July 21, 2004
basil sage

TORONTO,
TORONTO,CANADA:
CANADA:
18
Hinduism
Hinduism Arrives
Arrives In
In Style
Style
F E AT U R E S T O R Y
h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 19

Hindus by the hundreds of thousands from the
Indian subcontinent and former British colonies
settle down in Canada’s premier city
B Y L AVINA M ELWANI , N EW Y ORK
hink canada and you think the
Land of the Rockies, Niagara Falls,
maple syrup and ice hockey. Think
Toronto, and you think CN Tower,
the world’s largest freestanding struc-
ture, the Skydome, which can take in
thousands of sports fans, and the beautiful
Harbor front. What you may not think of
either country or city is temples: Canada
has at least 90 Hindu temples, 63 of them in
Toronto alone, each temple an anchor and a
the Sri Lankan community, regardless of
the parents’ level of education, every effort
is being made for the higher education of
their children, many of whom are enter-
ing universities for professional training.
My first experience with a Sri Lankan
temple here was a visit to the Sri Varasiththi
the World Saiva Council, came from Sri Vinayagar Hindu Temple in the Kennedy/
Lanka in 1986 and is a dentist by profes- Finch area for the Sapparam Festival. I en-
sion. He recalls, “After the 1983 riots, we countered auto repair places and a Kung Fu
narrowly escaped the carnage, and I came center in a gritty industrial complex in Scar-
here as a refugee. At that time there were borough, a suburb where many Sri Lankans
just a few thousand Sri Lankans in Toronto. have settled, on my way to the temple, it-
Now I would say there are about 300,000 self housed in a large, no-frills warehouse.
Sri Lankans in Toronto and its suburbs.” The temple is negotiating to purchase land
After Toronto, Vancouver has the larg-
est South Asian population, about 350,000, Not so far from home: (below top) A paan
with another 100,000 spread over Hamilton merchant prepares the after-meal chew
and Waterloo, Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton of betel leaf, areca nut and spices popular
Canada Fact Sheet
across the street. Population: 32,500,000 estimated in 2004.
On a recent Sunday, hundreds had gath-
ered to celebrate the festival of Ayyappan.
Ninety percent of the population lives
So many devotees had turned up that we within 100 miles of the US border. Average
annual family income (1996) us$48,157.
had to park our car several blocks away.
Women in their best silk saris and gold jew-
elry, holding babies, along with teenagers Area: At ten million square kilometers,
and the elderly, all swarmed near the De- Canada is slightly larger than the US and
ity as He was paraded around the temple
in the holy chariot. During the summer three times the area of India. Canada has
months, the festivals take advantage of the one million lakes.
balmy outside weather; in winter, with tem-
peratures reaching -4°F (-20°C), events take Cars: Canada has one car for every two
place inside. Nearly all 80�the temples, includ- people, the highest rate in the world. It 80�
ing those
200� newly built, are housed in relative-
ly nondescript buildings, with the gopurams also has the world’ s longest highway and,
inside190�cavernous spaces, for climate control. on the downside, .3% of all� � � �traffi � � � � � � � c acci- � � � � � � � � � � � � �
Inside the Vinayagar temple, hundreds dents involve hitting a moose.
more had gathered, the women forming an ����������������

bulwark for the ever-growing Hindu commu-
nity. Hindus number a million country-wide,
half of whom live in the Greater Toronto
and Calgary. There are Sikhs, Hindus and throughout Sri Lanka and South India; assembly
180�
line cutting and chopping for the
Muslims, from India, East Africa, Guyana, (below bottom) ladies buy “short eats” in next day’s feast. They were dicing carrots,
etc. They are academics, physicians, engi- one of Toronto’s several “Little Indias” while nearby huge vats of chopped egg- Toronto Highlights: G R E E N L A N D

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Area. In July of 2004, I was sent on assign- neers, entrepreneurs, as well plants70� stood ready, soaking in water. Young
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ment to Toronto by Hinduism Today to re- as taxi and truck drivers. mothers sat on the ground, tending to their Population of The Greater Toronto Area

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port on this large and varied Hindu diaspora. While some of the Sri babies, strollers by their sides. You saw the

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is approximately 5,000,000. Toronto is the

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Most Hindu Indians came to Canada Lankans are professionals, temple is the very heartbeat, the throbbing
capital of Ontario province and Canada’ s
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to seek a better life. The Sri Lankan Hin- most lacked higher educa- heart of Hindu
Arctic culture and community.
largest city, as well as its commercial, in-
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policies, came largely as refugees from the as factory workers, machine ough and in the Parliament � �
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dustrial and financial center. Forty-three
devastating civil war in their home country, operators, and as real estate areas of downtown Toronto � �are many Lit-
where the Tamils and majority Sinhalas and insurance agents. This
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percent ��������������� of the population are minorities. ������������� �
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have been locked in a bloody battle for the is a different situation than through one and you could be back in Jaffna. The top four are Chinese, 10.6%; South � �
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last twenty years. It is perhaps for this rea- in the US, where most im- There are bustling Sri Lankan bakeries, res- Asian, 10.3%, Black, 8.3% and Filipino,
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son, having been violently separated from migrants from India and taurants, jewelry shops andDawson stores sellingNorman the
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their temples and their traditional way of Sri Lanka came under visa latest150�
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life, that the Sri Lankan Hindus have gone preferences for the well-edu- videos60�from back home. TWalk Y U K O into any gro-

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j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 21

v i n c e ta l o t ta / t o r o n t o s ta r
Deepavali: Young and old celebrate Deep-
avali in Toronto’s temples with prayers to
Goddess Lakshmi
Fitting In, Multi-Ethnically
While in Toronto, I met with Ajit Adophia, a
community activist who writes on religion
for The Toronto Star. He is the author of a
book, The Hindus of Canada, and is on the
resource list of the Board of Education.
As with many of the Indian immigrants, re-
ligion came late to Adophia. He says, “When
I was in college, I used to believe that God is
a hoax created by some very smart people
just to keep ignorant people in line.” Since
his father was a strong Arya Samaji, he nev-
er received any formal worship or puja ori-
entation: “I saw my father going into a dark
room and doing sandhya (Gayatri Mantra)
in the morning. I think that’s the drawback
of Arya Samaj, since kids in the family
need something visible. You have to accept
murti puja (worship of the sacred icon of
God) because people are attracted to it.”
Even though his father was with the Arya
Samaj, his mother would be in the next
room worshiping Durga Mata, and there
was perfect harmony with each doing their
own thing. Adds Adophia, “There was never
a conflict; this is how Hindus are so open to
diversity and open to plurality that it comes
naturally to us. We are most suited to live in
a society that is multi-ethnic and multi-ra-
cial because this is how we are brought up.”
The website, www.shopumust.com/tem-
ple_canada.html, lists many of Canada’s
22 h i n d u i s m t o d ay
Passing on traditions: (top to bottom) The
Gur family celebrates Deepavali in their
Toronto home: the Bahuguna family par-
ticipates in Siva puja at the Hindu Pra-
rathana Samaj; the Hindu Sabha temple
in Hannon sits next to farmland in an
area growing a variety of crops, including
strawberry farms that you pick yourself.
Canada, also known as the Richmond Hill
temple, developed by the Sri Lanka commu-
nity. It is the oldest temple in Canada. The
land for it was acquired in 1983.
a n d r e w s taw i c k i / t o r o n t o s ta r
Tiru Satgundendran came to Canada in
1984 due to the war back home. He recalls
that in those early days there were hardly
any ethnic grocery stores and certainly
no temples: “At that time, Satguru Sivaya
Subramuniyaswami, Gurudeva (founder
of Hinduism Today), came and gave the
community a Lord Ganesha statue and told
them to build a Hindu temple. So they found
and bought this space in Richmond Hill.”
Standing in this impressive 25,000 square-
foot temple set on 3.5 acres, it’s hard to
believe that in 1984 there was just barren
land, and Lord Ganesha was housed in a
little shed. Gurudeva had told the commu-
nity to “begin the worship of Lord Gane-
sha,” no matter how meagre the facility to
temples. Adophia said that out of the 63 in how free-formatted it is in India,” he says. do so. “He will then open the doors and re-
Toronto, about 15 are major temples. There “I would get up very early in the morning move the obstacles to the temple’s construc-
is a Federation of Hindu Temples of Cana- and my father would say go pick lotus flow- tion,” he predicted. A year later, Goddess
da. According to Shravan Kumar Aggarwal, ers and bel leaves for Lord Siva’s puja. My Durga Mata was installed in a trailer facil-
President of the Hindu Sabha Temple in father would go to pray, and at every temple ity. Thiru recalls driving there in an open
a n d r e w s taw i c k i / t o r o n t o s ta r
Brampton, “The idea is we want to bring uni- he stopped at he would close his eyes. I truck in the freezing chill of wintertime: “A
ty among Hindus and visibility in the main- would do the same.” few people used to come in the knee-deep
stream, as well discuss youth and social issues.” Little wonder then that Aggarwal got in- snow and worship there in the early days.”
Aggarwal observes that the 80-20 rule ap- volved with the creation of the Hindu Sabha Gurudeva advised many communities plan-
plies: 80 percent of the people go to twenty Temple in Brampton, trying to recreate the ning to build temples to “start the worship of
percent of the major temples. Says Adophia: way of life of his family in that small town in Lord Ganesha,” resulting in successful con-
“If you look at north, south, east or west of India: “I remember in the early 80’s we had struction of the Sita Ram temple in Chicago,
Toronto city center, you will find a Hindu five founding members, and funding was Meenakshi Temple in Houston, Ganesh
temple.” Each community seems to have raised from the community. In those days temple in Edmonton and dozens more.
found a temple they are comfortable with. even collecting $500 from people was dif- The trailers and sheds are now history,
While the Hindu Sabha caters largely to ficult. We took interest-free loans to obtain and in their place stands a massive temple,
the Punjabi community, go to the Ganesh the land.” started in 1988. It took two years to build.
temple in Bayview and you find most of the They had a lucky break: A big highway Artisans were brought in from India and
devotees are from the South or Sri Lanka. was planned close to the temple, so the gov- the shrines were installed according to
Similarly, the Sanathan Temple in Mark- ernment appropriated the site and paid a Agamic traditions, followed in 1990 by the
ham caters mainly to the Gujarati com- good price for the land. That money was consecration ceremonies for all the deities.
munity while the Vaishnudevi temple in then used to purchase 25 acres for a new Over the years, the expansion of the tem-
Falkland is largely favored by the Punjabis. site. Aggarwal says, “Over the years, we ple has continued and it is now 75 percent
Explains Aggarwal, “In some of these tem- must have spent more than us$3.86 million complete. The temple maintains an exten-
ples, the pravarchan (discourse) is given in on the temple—it’s all from donations, no sive website at www.thehindutemple.ca. It
Hindi. But then people who come from the government funding.” is one of the few temples in Toronto that
West Indies have difficulties in following He was chairman for several years, and looks like a temple from the outside, with
this, so they have their own temple—the says that in the beginning days if 50 or 60 its prominent gopurams, or temple towers.
Vishnu Temple, as well as the Ram Mandir devotees turned up on a Sunday, it would be What is remarkable about this temple is
in Mississauga.” Thus each linguistic and considered a good crowd. Now on big oc- that it is a complete collaboration between
geographical group is served. casions they get 10,000 people, and have to the Indian and Sri Lankan communities. As
l av i na m e lwa n i
Aggarwal, who is from a small town in call in the police for traffic control! Satgundendran recalls, “The Indians were
India called Puwayan with a total popula- all professionals, and they had the money.
tion of 10,000, also naturally moved toward The Sri Lankan Tamils When we came, we came as refugees, so
religion, having got it absorbed by osmosis Temples are thriving, and perhaps the prime they pumped the money and we brought
at home. “I was close to religion—you know example is the Hindu Temple Society of the crowds, and the devotees.”
j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 23
b e r na r d w e i l / t o r o n t o s ta r

r e n e j o h n s t o n / t o r o n t o s ta r
Learning interfaith: An eighth grader looks over a mosaic of colored tissue paper depicting religious sites in Scarborough, a suburb of To-
ronto, including a Hindu temple, a mosque, a Christian seminary and several churches. The project is part of Canada’s integration efforts.

As bells clanged and worshipers chanted, are family people, and we wanted that our to Canadian standards. The temple has cost
the priest completed the abhishekam, or children know something of the Hindu tra- $7 million to date and about another $2 mil-
bathing of the Lord. Soon the doors of the ditions and worship.” lion work is still to be done.
shrine would be reopened, revealing the be- Nor do these devotees dream small: the
jeweled Lord in all His glory.
It is a place of solace where all devotees
can find the face of God that is most famil-
handsome flag mast is made of wood and
carved with silver. The temple is topped
by two towering gopurams—interestingly
Priest-Owned Temples
While most of the temples have boards and
are publicly owned, there are at least eight
Temple Musicians Rock in Toronto
iar to them. The temple has three main dei- enough prefabricated by a Hindu company or nine temples that are owned by priests,
ties—Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramaniam and in Bahrain, and shipped to Canada. The something rare in the US. e at hinduism today are ebrations or stage concerts, is a relatively During his last visit to Hawaii, Muru-
Lord Venkateshwara. In addition, it has sub- concrete towers were hoisted by a crane to Sivasri Thiagarajahkurukkal Kanaswami rather familiar with the recent development. Beyond meeting the gathas explained that the musicians
sidiary altars for Lord Siva as Nataraja, God- the roof of the temple. is one such priest who felt the need to create temple musicians of Toron- needs of Toronto’s dozens of temples, the are also farmers in Sri Lanka, tend-
dess Parvati, and shrines for Durga, Balaji, Why prefabricated and why in Bahrain? a temple for the Sri Lankan community. Us- to. Why? Because when we troupe is called upon these days to per- ing to their fields during the off-sea-
Mahalaxmi and Bhoodevi or Andal. There It seems this work cannot be done outside ing his savings and loans from his relatives, he need a traditional tavil and form at weddings, birthdays and the ritu son of festivals and weddings. That
are also shrines to Rama, Lakshman and Sita, in the long Canadian winters and prefabri- leased a warehouse in Scarborough. A formal nagaswaram troupe here at our temple in kala samskara, coming-of-age ceremony, pattern continues for the musicians in
as well as to the Navagraha or nine planets. cated work is not done in India. In the heat inauguration of the Sridurka Hindu Temple Hawaii, we just call Tiru Arumugampillai performed for all girls in the Sri Lankan Toronto with most other than himself
Says Sathi, “We give the opportunity to of Bahrain, the prefabricated panels set took place in 1991, with 1,008 holy conch Murugathas in Toronto and he arranges community. The girls’ ceremony may be holding a second job. ∏π
every Hindu to pray according to their fami- quickly and are ready to be sent out. shells being installed inside the foundation. a group from among his stable of musi- performed at home with family and rela- contact: arumugampillai murugathas, 37 em-
pringham drive, scarborough, ontario, m1b 3z1,
ly traditions or their own cultural traditions.” Walking around the temple, one admires “In 2001 we had a big consecration here cians. They’re very talented, and the visa tives, or at a hall with 200 to 300 guests. canada. phone: 416-286-3121, fax: 416-724-7528
The temple conducts all Hindu festivals in the beautiful carvings which are all hand with about 40,000 people,” he explained situation is much easier from Canada Murugathas said there is a big business
addition to a 15-day festival for Lord Gane- made by artisans from India. But also the through a spokesperson. “There were 55 than India. We have to schedule well for Indian wedding planners. Only one Sound of music: (above) The tavil
sha in the month of May, a 15-day festival building is very modern and airy with sky- priests from all over the world—and that ahead of time, because the fifteen musi- temple, Richmond, has a wedding hall, drummer switches both hands to one
for Lord Subramaniam in June-July and a lights and all the modern amenities of heat- kind of consecration ceremony has hap- cians on his team are booked months in so most weddings are held at halls rented side of the drum for a rapid staccato
ten-day festival for Lord Venketeshwara in ing, lighting and air-conditioning, certified pened only 32 times in India and Sri Lanka.” advance. During the peak festival season, from the Italian community. The Ayyap- of beats; concert at the Durka Temple
August-September. There is also a ten-day In 2002, the temple had Kodi Archana, or from April to September, he handles 25 pan temple, he said, has plans both for a included this five-member tavil/
festival for Lord Siva in August, and in each chanting God’s name 10 million times. bookings a week for two or more musi- wedding hall and an elder center. nagaswaram team
of these the Deities are taken out in proces- In Sri Lanka there are Murugan and Siva cians each. Even then he has to bring in
sion with pomp and ceremony. temples, and Ambal is part of those temples. more musicians from South India or Sri
All these holy days draw vast crowds to Ambal has so many forms—Durga, Saraswa- Lanka when an especially grand event
the temple, and although Hindus from many ti, Lakshmi. The Sridurka Temple is unique is taking place, such as the dedication of
different communities come in, the major- in having all three Goddesses—Durga, a new temple. Business is good, and he’s
ity are from South India and Sri Lanka. Says Lakshmi and Saraswati—all in one space. been able to support his family for over
Sathi: “There is not a concentrated Hindu Plans are also on to build an ashram and a seven years playing music full-time.
community in this area. Richmond Hill is university within a decade. Murugathas plays the nagaswaram,
just a location. It is where God has willed About 60 percent of the devotees at the the double reed temple horn akin to an

courtesy durka temple

He should take His honored seat.” temple are Sri Lankan and about 40 percent oboe. Others in his group are expert on
This first temple became a reality when the tavil, a two-headed drum. Both in-
five Hindu immigrants each put in $100,000 South Indian style: The Hindu Temple So- struments can be extremely loud, able to
as seed money to buy the land. “There was a ciety of Canada is a prime example of the dominate over any level of crowd noise
l av i na m e lwa n i

need for a Hindu temple. If we don’t educate South Indian temples in Toronto. As with or Sanskrit chanting, and thus a means of
and provide facilities for worshipers, the most of the temples, the ornate shrines are indicating high points of the ceremonies.
Hindu community will become dispersed housed in a cavernous, relatively plain- Traditionally, they were played only in
and later on it will become a problem for looking building providing year-round the temple. Use elsewhere, for home cel-
Hindus to cope with,” says Sathi. “We all climate control.

24 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 25
 Indian Hindus. It is also probably the only
Hindu temple in North America to have im-
ages of 63 Hindu Saivite Tamil saints, the
Nayamnars.
Currently the temple is involved in Nav-
purdi Archana—the chanting of the God-
dess’s name 90 million times, for three years
continuously. According to Kanaswami, “In
India this has happened only one time, in
the Patisvaram Durga Temple. Our temple
is the only one to have this ceremony and
the climax will come in 2006 with over 108
priests chanting.”
Not far away is the simple little temple,
Sri Ayappan Samaj (www.ayyappan.com/)
where you could see the great devotion of
the small congregation as Lord Ayappan
was bathed. The energy and the faith was
almost palpable as the worshipers raised
their hands, touched their ears and bowed
to the floor in complete dedication. As
the Lord was taken out in procession, the
crowds followed, chanting joyously as the
flutes, cymbals and drums reverberated.
The colorful festival of Ratha-Yatra has
now become an annual feature in Toronto,
with a parade centering around three 30-foot
tall chariots. With continuous entertainment
throughout the weekend, a free vegetarian
feast sponsored by the mainstream news-
paper, Toronto Star, exhibits and entertain-
ment, the chariot festival draws thousands of
devotees as well as curious onlookers to the
courtesy durka temple
26 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5
streets of downtown Toronto. Were it not for
the cityscape and the skyscrapers, the joyous
crowds could be in Brindaban or Mathura.
State of Hinduism
Ask Shanmugavadivel whether Sri Lankan
Hindus are keeping their faith alive, and he
offers, “I won’t say all of us, but most of us
are. I did a survey and found that most chil-
dren follow the religion. They learned about
it from their parents, and they really like
the rituals. I would say the population as a
whole is into it. There are some people who
revolt against following the faith, but they
are a minority. The temples are busy, and
you see lots of people participating. Some-
times when you go for a festival, you can’t
even find a parking space!”
Musician Arumugampillai (see sidebar
previous page) said the children tended
to follow their parent’s example and teach-
ings. If they got a good religious upbringing,
they’d be religious, otherwise, likely not.
Weddings are celebrated with all the trap-
pings, and often musicians are called all the
way from Sri Lanka. Indeed, wedding plan-
ners and catering services have sprung up,
and with bigger halls, weddings are being
organized for 500-600 guests.
A virtual homeland has been recreated,
and traditions are alive and well in Canada.
Says Shanmugavadivel, “Very much so. We
are following the traditions—how I got mar-
ried, the same way my daughter is getting
married.” As he points out, everything from
decorative saparams, or seats for the bride
and groom, to mango and plantain leaves are
available right in Toronto. When he lived in
Nigeria, Africa, he recalls, they could not
even find a Hindu priest for their ceremonies!
Religion and language are also being
passed on to the next generation through
Tamil classes by various Sri Lankan orga-
nizations. In fact, in multicultural Canada,
Tamil is also taught in the public schools as
well. What is noteworthy about Canada is
its policy of genuine inclusion of all faiths.
Priests regularly come in from India, Sri
Lanka and England to perform prodigious
courtesy durka temple
pujas, and often the mainstream press re-
ports on these events. Says Satgundendran,
“That’s a good sign. Also, politicians are in-
vited to the temples. They come and learn
more about our religion.”
The Toronto Star newspaper deserves
special mention for covering Hindu events.
Many of the photos accompanying this ar-
ticle were taken by Toronto Star photogra-
phers. True, the paper irritated the Hindu
community by publishing last year a disre-
Festival time: A crowded main hall of the
Durka temple during a festival. Note the
wide screen TV on the right to allow wor-
shippers to better observe the ceremonies
in the main sanctum.
courtesy hindu sabha
spected photo—that of an unfinished and children. Teachers will investigate any sus- Temple activities: (left) Sri Sri Ravi Shan-
unclothed festival icon of the Goddess Dur- picious injuries, and children are told in kar is welcomed to the Durka temple;
ga being prepared in India. After a bit of school to call the police if their parents hit wedding at the Hindu Sabha Temple
back and forth with community leaders, the them. The commendable program is bring-
editors graciously apologized for the photo ing about needed changes in the communi- our own place.’”
and, in the process, got some education on ty’s child-rearing methods, though parents He had just enough money for a down
local Hindu sentiments. chafe under the scrutiny. payment and bought a small house in 1981.
Hindus are not without problems. As Sat- Hindu temples do not have pastors in Doobay was advised by a South Indian
gundendran observes, “Sri Lankan Hindus whom the congregation can confide or turn friend to obtain the blessings of the sainted
are changing religion big time in Toronto. to for help and advice. So many feel that Sankaracharya and then again by a North
They are promised employment and mon- there is room for improvement in the tem- Indian friend to do the same—so with the
etary help by the Christians and are gradu- ples. As Shanmugavadivel points out, “The signs coming from north and south, he set
ally persuaded to change their religion for feeling of some is that people have to buy off on a long journey to visit Sankaracha-
economic reasons.” tickets for archana, but the money should rya. When he went there, he did not get the
Another concern is that many elderly par- instead be used to help the community. opportunity to meet him because the great
ents are unable to get to the temple, as their There should be language classes and com- saint was observing mauna, or silence.
children are often too busy to take them. El- munity services, but most of the temples are But he was told he had been blessed. And
derly Hindus who are in long-term care also not doing that. They are not doing enough— when he came back, things seemed to mi-
do not have access to Hindu priests, and are we hear it all the time. We are trying to raculously fall into place. “I came back, and
often coerced into Christianity by mission- train ten people to conduct Tamil spiritual in five months the temple started construc-
aries who come and minister to them. service in our nursing homes and hospitals tion. Swami Dayanand Saraswati did the
The young have their own problems. for people who are terminally ill or for those cornerstone, and in February of 1984 we
Frets Satgundendran, “Often in schools and who need religious sermons.” opened our temple. And when we opened,
colleges, teachers ridicule the Indian stu- we had no debts. All this I feel was the bless-
dents—“Why are you praying to a snake, a West Indies Hindus ing of Sankaracharya.”
monkey or an elephant-faced God?’ These No description of the Hindu community of Says Doobay, “Guyanese and Trinidadians
children come and ask their parents, who, Canada would be complete without a men- have really kept Hinduism alive. They sing
in turn, don’t know how to explain.” tion of the West Indian community from bhajanas with so much devotion!” He points
The young people from Sri Lanka, often Trinidad and Guyana which has carried its out that their ancestors were very religious.
coming to a new country alone as refugees faith with it and nourished it in all its journeys. Does he think the children are going to ad-
and reacting to racism, have sometimes Visit the Vishnu temple in Richmond Hill here to the faith? He reckons, “I think not
gotten into bad company, and Sri Lankan and the first thing you see as you enter is a every child, but most children will continue.”
gangs have been quite a problem. Several towering bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi. On a recent Sunday, the temple is quiet
years ago the Toronto police department The temple is the vision of Dr. Doobay, a and calm, quite different from the action-
had even formed a special unit to deal with busy heart surgeon who has sutured religion packed temples of the South. The white
Sri Lankan Tamil gangs. One community into his life. He has built this impressive marble murtis are a draw to visitors who
member said the problem has been greatly temple against great odds. “When I came come and pray, meditate and ponder.
reduced, in part through deportation of from Guyana,” he says, “I saw that we had There is, however, no dearth of ac-
trouble makers. no temples. We were worshiping in school tivities for the entire family. The temple
The Canadian government has a vigorous halls and church halls. I told our people, has a vibrant Bal Vihar Sunday School
campaign against corporal punishment of ‘Even if it’s a small little place, we must have for children of all ages, modeled after
j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 27

the curriculum designed by the Arsha
Vidya Gurukulam in Saylorsburg, Penn-
sylvania.The Gurukulam was established
in 1986 by Swami Dayananda Saraswa-
ti, who is a popular teacher of Vedanta.
The Youth Group takes part in conferences
and cultural shows and meditation and hatha
yoga classes are also held. The women’s or-
ganization arranges seminars for the better-
ment of women and their families, and holds
summer camps for kids and trips for seniors.
A library has books in English, Hindi
and Gujarati. There is also a community
hall with a capacity of about 300 people
for weddings and cultural shows. The Voice
of the Vedas, about Hindu philosophy and
teachings, is Doobay’s half-hour television
program on VISION network through cable
in Canada and through satellite in the US.
Dr. Doobay has been the catalyst behind
all these happenings. He explains, “We have
built the temple. But there are many tem-
ples, and temples are only a structure for
gathering. So besides that, how can we get
Hinduism to live, to be a living entity? And
we thought by having a museum we would
explain what Hinduism is.”
28 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5
Sri Siddhi Vinayaga Temple: (left top) The ach year on ganesha chaturthi, the sid-
temple’s annual chariot festival is attend-
ing by hundreds of devotees; (left bottom)
The priest and his wife dress as Siva and
Parvati on the festival’s 10th day in a re-
Caesar, the Elephant dhi Vinayaga Temple brings Caesar the elephant
from the Bowmanville Zoo. Caesar’s quickly got-
ten the idea of Hindu worship, sitting back on his
hind legs and doing namaskaram with his front
enactment of the story of how Ganesha
won the mango in a race around the world
Loved by all, he worships, gives blessings legs together to the Deity. Now in his fourth festival, he
instantly recognizes Dr. Somaskanda Kurukkal (doing the
Hinduism through readings and pujas and
and serves at dozens of Hindu events a year arati below) as the person who brings him sugarcane and
mangoes, which the 19-year old consumes in any quantity.
even a radio program, Doobay is doing it in Zoo owner Michael Bowman (he’s standing behind the
the ways of the technological age, through priest in the photo) said Cae-
television and a hi-tech museum. sar is not only called for tem-
While Doobay’s is a large, magnificent ple duties nearly every week
vision of Hinduism, the religion is fed by of the summer, but does some
many sources, many small efforts. Visit Rita 18 Hindu weddings a year. It
Sadhwani’s home in North York and you costs us$3,000 per wedding,
find the holy tulsi plant thriving in her small half of which goes to insurance,
garden. This plant, which is an essential in said Bowman. “It’s a lot of fun
Vaisnava homes, has managed to take root for Caesar,” he explained. At
in Toronto. their first wedding, it was re-
In the harsh winters, when snow can quested that Caesar garland
The temple space is 17,000 reach knee-deep, Sadhwani moves the people. The pachyderm didn’t
square feet, and we walk up to tulsi indoors. There, in the cold and snow know how to do this, so Bow-
the vast area reserved for this of Toronto, it still flourishes and blesses the man took him aside and taught
dream museum. Go one flight household. And like that tenacious tulsi plant, him how in “five minutes.” A
up and you come to the site of Hinduism has taken root and bloomed and similar session was required
a proposed cosmic theater with blossomed in an alien land, providing joy, to teach tapping people on the
wondrous water projected im- strength and succor to thousands of Hindu head as a blessing. “He loves to
ages, a technology (Tsunami immigrants and their future generations. go places and will even jump
Water Screens) available only At the Hindu Temple Society, Sathi said, into his transport trailer if it
from the US which would proj- “Lots of contributions have also been made is left unlatched, like the fam-
ect a mighty 60-foot high figure by Sri Lankans as well as Hindus from South ily dog jumping in the car in
of Sri Krishna on a water screen Africa. It’s not a very united community, to hopes of going someplace.”
in the atrium. This museum is be honest with you. Like everywhere, there Bowman affirms that ele-
planned as a virtual travelogue are some dissensions here and there. But phants must be cared for prop-
of Hinduism from The Temples generally we are pulling along well, through erly in captivity. Indeed, suc-
of Time documenting the origin God’s grace. This is a very noble project, cessful reproduction and care
of the Vedic religion to the great and nobody has a personal agenda. God has in captivity is the only hope for
saints and temples, right up to been good enough to give us all the good their survival. “We humans are
the invasions and contemporary times. things in life. By God’s grace, all the Hindus the cause of the destruction of
“The Tanjore temple capstone is 82 tons of in Canada are fairly well off, so they all con- their habitat, therefore we are
granite. How did they get it 200 feet high tribute voluntarily.” responsible to develop alterna-
up in the air?” asks Dr. Doobay. “The engi- tives. A return to the wild is
neering skill and mathematical skills of our In Conclusion unrealistic.” He endorsed the
ancestors made such magnificent temples As temple after temple goes up against the idea of elephant camps as insti-
possible. To carve the temple of Ellora out Canadian sky, Indo-Canadian and Sri Lank- tuted in Tamil Nadu to give the
of a mountain, they carved from top down, an Canadians finally feel at home. They try elephants a break from routine.
instead of the other way around.” to hold on to their heritage even as they “Kids like summer camp, so do
Today the Vishnu Temple is a life force themselves are changed by their exposure elephants.” “There is a severe
for the Hindu community, and can take in to Canada. In this give and take, busloads of lack of appropriate husbandry,”
1,000 people. Just recently an icon of Ba- young Canadian children come to view the he said. “Elephants in North
laji was added to the Gods and Goddesses biggest Hindu temple in Canada. Says Sathi, America are obese and bored.
resident in the Vishnu Temple. Enthuses “We ensure that everyone is welcome.” Out They need work to do. El-
Doobay, “When I was in Tirupati, I said to in the hall you can see letters written by ephants enjoy work. We need
Balaji, ‘One day I’ll bring You to Canada.’ children who have had their first exposure to breed them, and need fa-
For 25 years I tried to bring Him—and He to Hinduism through the temple. “Dear Sir,” cilities to hold males in season
only came this year.” wrote young Deaux Gillian, “I had a great when they can’t be handled.
So in a way it’s all predestined? Responds time at the temple. It was a lot of fun. It was More than one elephant must
Doobay, “I’m not saying that God spoke to fun watching a new different thing when the be kept together. They have to
me or anything but are these coincidences person put all sorts of different sorts of stuff walk ten to fifteen miles a day.
or are these some divine intervention?” on Ganesha. I’m really interested. Thank Ours are turned loose on 200
Doobay’s father was a Hindu priest in Guy- you for the holy bananas. They really taste acres of forest, which they pro-
ana, and he often assisted his father in doing good.” And isn’t that what Hinduism is all ceed to enjoy by knocking over
pujas and rituals in devotees’ homes. about? Generating sweetness and spreading trees and generally wrecking
In a way, he is following in his father’s joy, enlightenment and peace, embracing the place.”
footsteps, for while his father promoted the world as one family. ∏π
j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 29
 TEMPLES

Houston
HoustonWelcomes
Welcomes The Swaminarayan Mission,
today’s most active, growing,

Lord
LordSwaminarayan
Swaminarayan
international Vaishnava group,
opens its first all-stone temple
in the USA

Celebrations: BAPS spiritual head, His Divine Holiness

Pramukh Swami Maharaj, releases balloons from the temple
steps during the murti pratishtha ceremony as his sadhus
baps

and a live TV camera crew applaud the moment

30 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 31
Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, publisher
of Hinduism Today, was invited to attend
the inauguration of the Bochasanwasi Shri
Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan San-
stha (BAPS) Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in
Stafford, a suburb of Houston, Texas. Yogi
Japendranatha accompanied Bodhinatha
for the events from July 23 to 26, 2004, and
shares a first-hand account.
e were anxious to see the
temple but first found ourselves
arriving at the Stafford Performing
Arts Centre. We were ushered quick-
ly into a ballroom through a large crowd
of people, many of whom were dressed in
elegant, traditional Hindu attire. Dozens
of bright-eyed sadhus greeted Bodhinatha
with reverent namaskara as we made our
way to our seats. Many more sadhus were
seated on the floor next to us, behind whom
were another 2,000 Hindus, as well as a
handful of local dignitaries seated nearby in
chairs. A number of sadhus were assembled
on stage amid harmoniums, tablas, synthe-
sizers and microphones, singing devotional
songs with utterly beautiful voices. Giant
projector screens flanked the stage on both
sides. This was the kirtan aradhana, one of
several events held at the Stafford Centre
during the aptly named Festival of Inspira-
tions around the opening of the new Shri
Swaminarayan Mandir of Greater Houston.
Looking up: Pramukh Swami and a handful of his sadhus and
family devotees take a tour of the temple, stopping to admire the
highly ornamented carved marble ceiling inside the central dome
32 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5
After enjoying the bhajans for a while,
we were offered a visit to the temple. We
were first taken to the original haveli, the
large worship hall built years ago. We ar-
rived at the very moment the final evening
arati was shown. Among a dozen or so
sadhus prostrating and quietly singing “Jai
Swaminarayan,” the sadhu-priest showed
us the arati. Sadhu Vishwamurtidas, one of
many sadhus traveling with His Divine Ho-
liness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, leader of
BAPS, on his almost six-month tour of the
United States, England and Africa, tied red
and yellow strings around our wrists, a sign
of brotherhood and protection, and gave us a
short introduction to the Swaminarayan phi-
losophy. He sensed our desire to see the new
temple and asked our escort to take us there.
When we arrived in front of the temple a
few minutes later, we were filled with awe as
we looked upon quite possibly the most in-
tricately carved stone gem we had ever seen.
As we approached the temple and walked
up the steps, we discovered that every inch
of stone was carved with astonishing detail.
It took us a few moments in front of the 95-
foot-by-125-foot-by-73-foot-tall edifice to
regain our bearings and remember that we
were in Texas.
Kedar Thakkar, a 30-year-old software
engineer who took two months off from his
job to help build the temple, gave us our
tour of the construction site. He told us that
BAPS had hired a team of some 1,500 ar-
tisans across North India to carve the raw
imported Turkish limestone and Italian
marble before the stones were packed in
containers and shipped to Houston for as-
sembly. Sixty-eight artisans had come from
India to expertly fit the stones together, and
about 175 devotees from near and far had
recently come to contribute time and labor
to the temple construction. Only with this
information could we believe that such an
amazing, detailed, traditional work, all in
stone, was done in only 17 months. Not only
that, but two weeks later another temple
just like this one, built according to a similar
timeline, was to be opened in Chicago!
Limestone and marble dust covered the
floor. Stone workers and volunteers were
everywhere, polishing, applying finishing
touches—even doing some last-minute stone
fitting and minor carving with millimeter
precision—sweeping away chunks of rock
and other construction debris and prepar-
ing shrines for the Deities to be installed in
just two days. We stood moved by the beau-
ty of the countless pillars, filigreed arches,
decorative ceilings, domes and glistening
pinnacles, and moved more so by the love,
dedication and focus of so many volunteers
for whom helping build a temple, not just
contribute financially, but in the physical
construction, was quite possibly the great-
est opportunity to serve their guru that
they would ever have. Later, Sadhu Vishwa-
murtidas explained to us, “Sweat, blood, that
is what has created this temple, right from
the beginning. We don’t have millionaires
who come here and say, ‘Here’s two million
dollars to build the temple.’ It doesn’t hap-
pen that way. In fact, the people who give
the most are those who earn the least.”
When we returned to the temple on
the morning of July 24, our car made its
way through traffic barriers, around secu-
rity guards and through colorful crowds,
passing by rows of giant generators and
bundles of temporary ducts feeding elec-
tricity and cool air into a medley of build-
ings and tents. We were whisked inside
the “Saints Only” entrance to the back of
a fully enclosed white tent of mammoth
proportions. We sat on the side of the stage
among a band of orange-clad sadhus who
were observing their guru, Pramukh Swa-
mi Maharaj, performing his morning puja
to a small jewel-encrusted Harikrishna
murti that accompanies him wherever he
goes. We looked over to a veritable sea of
people who had come to attend the events.
After the puja, Pramukh Swami Maharaj,
84, walked gently toward us, as if floating
on a cloud, to formally greet us for the first
time. He tied strings on our wrists and ap-
plied kumkum and rice to our foreheads, all
in a flood of photographers’ flashes and TV
camera lights. His blessings were palpable.
That afternoon devotees gathered to pa-
rade the temple’s Deities on elaborately dec-
orated floats through the streets of Stafford,
a city of 18,000 just southwest of Houston.
We and the sadhus joined for the last leg
of the journey from J.F. Dulles High School
to the temple a few miles away. Residents
from near and far flocked to the streets to
witness this magnificent display of Hindu
culture replete with children in elaborate,
festive outfits expertly dancing, singing and
chanting along the way. The number of peo-
ple both joining in and observing the parade
were far too numerous to count.
h o u s t o n v i s i t o r s b u r e au / o t h e r p h o t o s c o u r t e s y b a p s
Finally, the big day arrived. Early in the
morning of July 25 we were taken to the
giant tent where Pramukh Swami Maharaj
was initiating six young men into sadhu life.
Being monks ourselves, we were inspired to
see this large, well-established monastic or-
der grow again, now to an impressive total
of 722 sadhus. The atmosphere was intense
and full of support and inspiration, as well
as some emotion on the part of the fathers
Deep in the heart of Texas: top to bottom,
after an inspiring speech to an assembly
of thousands, US House Majority Leader,
Congressman Tom Delay, greets Pramukh
Swami; stick dancers put on an impressive
show during a parade through Stafford; a
cowboy on a bucking horse at the Houston
Rodeo in March, a more typical Texas event
j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 33
who joined their sons on stage to officially Blessings: Pramukh Swami ties a string
release them into their new life. It was an representing brotherhood and protec-
auspicious beginning to the day that worship tion around Hinduism Today publisher
would officially, ceremoniously commence in Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami’s wrist;
the new temple before 7,000 witnesses who far left, Haresh Patel and others show indi-
had gathered here from all around the world. vidual aratis during the murti pratishtha
Cameramen were scattered here and there,
followed by large cables leading outdoors known as His divine abode, or Akshardham.
to a portable TV studio and satellite uplink Lord Swaminarayan declared that He would
truck from where the day’s events were be- reside fully in His successor, Gunatitanand
ing broadcast live to viewers in 152 coun- Swami, and be eternally present on Earth

james nielsen/zuma press

tries as well as to the thousands in the giant through every spiritual guru in his succes-
tent next to the temple who were watching sion. Thus, as the lineage has passed from
the ceremonies on large projector screens. the hands of Gunatitanand Swami (1785–
Moving to the temple, Satguru Bodhinatha 1867), to Bhagatji Maharaj (1829–1897), to
Veylanswami was given a seat just in front of Shastriji Maharaj (1865–1951), to Yogiji Ma-
one of the main shrines. Pramukh Swami haraj (1892–1971) and to Pramukh Swami
Maharaj arrived and stood before the cen- Maharaj (1921–), each has been regarded
tral sanctum for a moment of darshan before by devotees as an incarnation of Akshar-
taking his seat. He then performed the rite brahman, the Lord’s ideal devotee in whom

of murti pratishtha, in which he invoked and
welcomed Lord Swaminarayan and made
the traditional puja offerings, including wa-
ter, rice, incense and lamps. Amidst pandits
and sadhus chanting verses from the Vedas
and other scriptures, Pramukh Swami Ma-
haraj arose and entered the shrines, there
to touch and mystically breathe life into the
murtis. The final arati was performed as
he, several senior sadhus and Bodhinatha
simultaneously showed flaming oil lamps to
all the Deities. The temple was now alive,
the Gods fully present to bless all who would
ever visit them in their now sanctified home.
To understand all the Deities present in
this wonderful temple, it is necessary to un-
derstand a bit about the Swaminarayan phi-
losophy. The Swaminarayan Sampradaya was
founded by Lord Swaminarayan (Sahajanand
Swami, 1781–1830) on December 31, 1801.
It belongs to the Vaishnava tradition, one of
four main denominations of the Hindu reli-
h i n d u i s m t o d ay
gion. It focuses its faith on liberation through
total devotion, bhakti, to the Supreme God
developed through dharma (righteousness),
jnana (wisdom) and vairagya (detachment).
The ascetic-led Bochasanwasi Shri Ak-
shar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha
(BAPS), based in Bochasan and Ahmedabad,
Gujarat, is one of three groups within the
Swaminarayan Sampradaya. The others are
a householder-led group with two acharyas,
each the head of his own diocese in the line
of Lord Swaminarayan’s two nephews, head-
quartered in Ahmedabad and Vadtal, re-
spectively, and the ascetic-led Shree Swami-
narayan Gadi Sansthan, based in Maninagar.
The source of the tremendous guru
bhakti of BAPS devotees is at the very
center of their philosophy: the concept of
Purushottam (Lord Swaminarayan), who
is Parabrahman, or the Supreme God, and
Aksharbrahman, His ideal devotee, also
the Lord resides fully.
Lord Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand
Swami are enshrined in the middle of the
main sanctum of the temple. To the right is
Ghanshyam Maharaj (Lord Swaminarayan’s
childhood persona), and to the left is Lord
Harikrishna, along with Radha and Krishna
in the form of the flute player. Behind this
central sanctum are small shrines for each
guru in the lineage. Near the entrance to
the temple there is a shrine for Siva, Parvati

will never come to a halt. But today, our society has a desper-

Due to these Sadhus, Our Future Is Bright ate need for people to perform that most fundamental work,
which is the development of character. Think about it. If we
offer such talented, illustrious young men from society at the
holy feet of God, they will do such great work that thousands
BAPS guru clarifies common misconceptions about renunciate life of others will be inspired to become good.
Today many of our children migrate to foreign lands. We
are unable to even set eyes on them. We lose contact with
The following is an excerpt from nunciation. Sadhus are able to offer devotion to God and at the them—not even a letter! Yet our life goes on. We should be
a talk by His Divine Holiness same time give their services for the benefit of society. similarly glad if our son walks on such a noble path of renun-
Pramukh Swami Maharaj given on Sometimes parents try to dissuade their children from fol- ciation. Then, if we can just understand that our son is sitting
the occasion of a sadhu initiation lowing this noble calling, saying, “It would make us look bad in a place even greater than America! He is in Akshardham

photos courtesy baps

rite held on October 26, 1985. in society.” That is hard to believe. If your son were to follow
the way of vice, if he became a drunkard, if he engaged in
o give up comforts and mate- adultery or immoral activities, that would certainly make you,
rial possessions, wealth, good jobs your family and your community look bad. But if he walks the
and businesses, and tread on this path of God and offers devotion, then your name is made even
path is not a trivial matter. To- more luminous!
day many virtuous youths from noble Some may feel that these young men are becoming sadhus
and respectful families have become because they had nothing to eat at home. Here, no one has
sadhus. It is only after thoughtful con- become a sadhu motivated by hunger pangs. You all know that
sideration that they have stepped forth young men from America and London have come here to be-
onto this noble path. come sadhus. Many of those receiving initiation are engineers.
The more we encourage those who Many have received other degrees and are highly qualified.
walk this path, the more progress Some feel that the highly qualified engineers, doctors and
we will see in society. The life of a other graduates here might have been very useful working for
householder is such that no matter our nation—and they are becoming sadhus! But all the profes-
how strong his good intentions, man sionals who become sadhus will accomplish a hundred million
becomes entangled in the web of worldly activities; thus, he is times more work in their lifetime as a sadhu than they could have
unable to engage in spirituality and social service as much as he accomplished in their respective fields. Yet we question how our
would wish. For those noble souls who desire to sacrifice their lives nation’s work will be done without these engineers? There will
for the good of society, there is no better way than the path of re- never be a shortage of people for those worldly tasks. That work
with God, in God’s service. And what a great thing that is, for
in God’s palace, misery does not exist!
From a small family, he is now entering a large family.
From one small community, he moves to a very large one—
the community of the entire world becomes his. They begin
to develop the expansive notion of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam,
“the whole world is my family.” For others, it is just “me and
my brother” or “me and my wife;” they see nothing beyond
that. Whereas for the sadhu, “The entire world is mine. All Growth: Pramukh Swami poses with six sadhus after rites of initiation
those living in the world are my people, and I want to do in Houston on July 25, just prior to the temple dedication
good to them all.” He dedicates his entire life for this noble
cause. they not worry about questions like “Will he like it or not?” Do we
So, if anyone from your family wishes to take this path, you should even ask him? Nothing like that ever happens. We simply impose
happily offer your blessings. Truly, spiritual welfare will be the re- it upon him and worry about the consequences later. The thought
ward for those who take this path. No one will suffer a loss in this “Will you like it in a foreign country?” does not cross our mind.
endeavor. Therefore, this path will also be agreeable to him. If he is spiritu-
Often parents are not overly concerned if their son ruins his life ally inclined, if he desires to walk on this path, then we should
in bad company, but if he walks on the path to God they become very enthusiastically offer him at the feet of God. What he will be
worried, “What will become of him? Will he like it there? Will able to accomplish at home, he will be able to accomplish ten mil-
he be all right?” But when the parents get their son married, do lion-fold if he walks on this path.

34 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 35
 and Ganesha on the left, and another for
Sita, Rama and Hanuman on the right.
After the murti pratishtha ceremony was
complete, crowds thronged in a way that re-
minded us only of visiting the great temples
BAPS: A Global Organization
of India on auspicious festival days. Every-
one wanted an opportunity to see and feel
Thousands of volunteers and 722 sadhus run hundreds of temples in 45 countries
the uplifting spiritual vibration of the newly
installed and empowered icons in this beau-
tiful temple. Houston’s temperate climate al-
lows this temple to be open-air, unlike most
other temples in the West. All of this cou-
pled with the hundred-degree temperatures
outside under the hot Texan sun, and we UNITED KINGDOM 9
39
could just as well have been in Mother India.
The final event of the day took place back USA & PORTUGAL 1
CANADA
inside the giant air-conditioned tent next
to the temple. Senior sadhus gave inspiring 330
speeches in Gujarati and Hindi, and Satguru INDIA
Bodhinatha Veylanswami gave a talk prais-
ing Pramukh Swami Maharaj and his temple-
building efforts, explaining, “A temple such UGANDA 2 5 KENYA
as the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir helps in- TANZANIA 3
dividuals find more peace within themselves,
which in turn brings greater harmony into BOTSWANA 1
their homes, which in turn creates greater � AUSTRALIA 2
tolerance and unity within the community.” SOUTH AFRICA 3
Political dignitaries were present on stage NEW ZEALAND 1
as well and were invited to address the au-
dience. The chief guest was Congressman
Tom Delay, Majority Leader of the 108th = TEMPLES
Congress of the United States, whose con-
stituency includes the Houston area. Others
present included Robert E. Herbert, the
head judge of Fort Bend County, and the
Consul General of India in Houston, Shri
S.R. Tayal. Beginning his speech with a rous- he bochasanwasi shri and over 9,000 centers. attend the temples and follow Large exhibitions in temple
ing “Jai Swaminarayan,” Congressman Delay Akshar Purushottam The Sanstha is based in the codes of a Swaminarayan complexes, as well as mobile
affirmed the promise of religious freedom Swaminarayan Sanstha Gujarat, India, and draws devotee. Volunteers donate exhibitions displayed in schools,
to all creeds that put down roots in America (BAPS), founded in 1907 most of its membership from twelve million hours annu- factories, village squares, fairs,
and remarked that “the combination of ar- by Shastriji Maharaj (Swami that community. Members ally, giving BAPS the ability railway stations and private
chitectural skill and poetic spirit imbued in Yagnapurushdas), works in the follow a strict and reward- to operate a prodigious list of functions, explain Hindu
this mandir honors not only the faith that areas of spiritual, moral, cultural, ing religious lifestyle. The socio-spiritual activities (visit philosophy and the adharma
it will serve but also the community it will medical, educational, women’s, organization has 722 sadhus www.swaminarayan.org for a of addiction and contribute
beautify.” Before concluding blessings from social and tribal care and relief and approximately 55,000 complete list), including a cam- greatly to the long lasting suc-
Pramukh Swami Maharaj, boys dressed in work through an impressive registered volunteers, plus paign against addictions such cess of these campaigns around
beautiful, traditional blue and red Gujarati global network of 396 temples another million people who as smoking, drinking and drugs. the world.
outfits danced with great fervor to energetic
Indian devotional music.
Such a beautiful cultural expression was
only one of the ways in which youth were
involved in the week’s events. Transmitting
the Hindu faith to the next generation is at
the forefront of the minds of Pramukh Swa-
mi Maharaj and his sadhu ministers. One
of the ways they are ensuring that this hap-

Please turn to page 38

photos courtesy baps

Dedication: top to bottom, family devotees

take part in the Vishvashanti Mahayagna,
a fire sacrifice for world peace held at the
temple on July 24; the temple lit magically
at night; Houston youth honor Pramukh
Swami with garlands, the stage set by chil- New temples: A new temple was dedicated in Chicago in August (left), followed by another in Lenasia, South Africa, in September
dren that evening in a NASA space theme

36 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 37
pens is by involving young people in nearly next few years. They currently have 8,000–
every aspect of their temple activities, from 10,000 actively involved families and 40 cen-
planning to completion. Sadhu Jnanpurush- ters here. Major regional centers, including
das, head of the Houston BAPS temple, Atlanta, Toronto, Los Angeles and New York,
noted, “One of the things the whole country will soon see the arrival of traditional, stone
Oaths of a Swaminarayan Devotee
lacks is family values, and children are los- temples like Houston and Chicago. These
ing their roots. That’s not beneficial for the new temples, which are truly magnifi- Following strict daily disciplines reaps rewards of guru’s grace and spiritual progress
overall advancement of society. Therefore, cent statements of Hinduism’s beauty and
in a mandir the children can relate to their greatness, will likely bring the awareness
culture, their roots and their heritage in a of Americans to BAPS as one of the largest, ccording to maintaining a sense
much more profound way than they could thriving Hindu organizations in the country, the basic phi- of respect for parents
just by going on the Internet or reading as occurred in England when the organiza- losophy of the and elders; donating
magazines and learning about Hinduism.” tion built its first all-stone temple outside Bochasanwasi one-tenth or one-twen-
Much of this temple festival was organized India in Neasden, London, in the 1990s. In- Shri Akshar Purushot- tieth of their earnings
and coordinated by an exuberant team of cluding smaller satellite centers, they hope tam Swaminarayan to the organization;
youths that were seen everywhere providing to have a total of 100 centers in the US and Sanstha (BAPS), the reading the scriptures
such services as organizing guest accomoda- Canada in time for the organization’s cen- purpose of all sadhanas of the Swaminarayan
tions, security and crowd control and driv- tennary celebrations in 2007. This would be (spiritual disciplines) is Sampradaya daily;
ing parking shuttles. The successful involve- a major accomplishment, indeed. But with striving to please and attending weekly
ment of young people on such a large scale a million followers dedicated 108 percent to receive the grace of the spiritual discourses
makes this organization the envy of nearly fulfilling their guru’s every instruction, this guru, for only by the and assemblies; fasting
every other Hindu temple society. When we organization, which is setting such a fine ex- grace of the guru can on Ekadashi, the elev-
asked Sadhu Jnanpurushdas how they do it, ample for Hindu groups across the globe, is one attain liberation enth day of each half
he offered, “It’s because of Pramukh Swami quite capable of it. ∏π from the cycle of birth of each lunar month;
Maharaj. It’s his inspiration, his divinity, and death. striving to develop
the fact that he is not an ordinary figure All the practices of attachment only to
for these people. Youths all have role mod- BAPS members are God and not to mate-
els—basketball, baseball, football, or pop aimed at expressing the rial things; personally
stars, TV stars, or film stars. But here, when Hindu ideals of satya performing puja every
they look at Pramukh Swami as a divine fig- (truth), daya (compas- morning after bathing
ure, as someone who is beyond this material sion), ahimsa (nonvio- and before eating or
world—and the fact that he can also relate to lence), brahmacharya drinking anything; at-
them so discreetly—I think that appeals to (celibacy) and asteya tending daily arati in
them to go out and do something for society, (nonstealing), which are the mandir or at home;
or for people, or for the mandir. What they five of the Vedic yamas offering food to God
are really doing is something for themselves. and niyamas, Hindu- before eating; chanting
Whatever energy they put into something, it ism’s code of conduct. the Swaminarayan man-
comes back manifold. That’s seva.” When they are initiated, tra daily; performing
The Swaminarayan Mandirs in Houston members take an oath mental worship of God
and Chicago are the first temples built in to abide by eleven dis- and the guru; singing
North America all out of stone in the tra- ciplines: 1. No violence: devotional songs regu-
ditional, North Indian architectural style, not to abuse, hurt or larly; going regularly to
designed according to the instructions of kill anyone, not even an the nearby mandir for
ancient scriptures and fully adorned with insect; 2. No adultery: darshan of the Deities;
the fine sculpture of skilled craftsmen. The not to commit adultery, performing regular seva,
only comparable project in the US is the San or associate overmuch selfless service, in the
Marga Iraivan Temple, an all-granite temple with the opposite sex; organization’s activities;
of South Indian, Chola style, currently being 3. No meat: not to eat getting together with
built at Hinduism Today’s headquarters meat or take medicines the entire family daily
from stones that are hand-carved in Banga- derived from animal for a half-hour of prayer,
lore and shipped to Hawaii. Both the Hous- products; 4. No alcohol: Giving blessings: Pramukh Swami Maharaj blesses members in the temple dur- scriptural reading and
ton and Chicago BAPS temples have plans not to consume alcohol- ing the murti pratishtha (top) and youth during a special day devoted to them personal discussion;
for facilities which will provide visitors with ic drinks or take medi- and observing Hindu
a thorough, interactive, audio-visual intro- cines containing alcohol; 5. No to speak against other Deities nonbelievers. festival days.
duction to Hinduism and the organization’s suppression: not to suppress or religions, but to respect all In order to progress on the A more comprehensive
emphasis on service and volunteerism. or take advantage of help- faiths; 10. No impurity: not to path, BAPS devotees also en- list of the basic practices
BAPS has big plans for expanding its pres- less people, such as widows; take food which is impure, not gage in spiritual practices that of Swaminarayan follow-
ence in North America even further in the 6. No suicide: not to commit prepared with filtered water express the higher ideals of ers is found within the 212
or even contemplate suicide; or prepared by unknown dharma (righteousness), jnana verses of the Shikshapatri, a
photos courtesy baps

Beauty in stone: top to bottom, the prin- 7. No theft: not to steal, or hands (all Swaminarayan devo- (wisdom), vairagya (detach- scripture written by Lord
cipal murtis of Lord Swaminarayan and even pick a flower without tees also avoid eating onions ment) and bhakti (devotion). Swaminarayan as a code of
disciple Gunatitanand Swami Maharaj; the owner’s permission; 8. No and garlic); 11. No atheistic These include: refraining conduct for His followers. Visit
Pramukh Swami and Houston BAPS youth slander: not to backbite or association: not to keep the from addiction to nicotine, http://www.shikshapatri.org.
pose behind the temple; 122 intricately malign the character or life of company of atheists or lend marijuana and other drugs uk/ for an online multimedia
carved marble archways span the spaces another; 9. No vilification: not one’s ears to lectures given by and intoxicating substances; presentation of the scripture.
between the pillars

38 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 39

all photos courtesy the asia society
Golden treasures: One of the most im-
pressive pieces in the collection is a 19th
century gold Chettiar tali (bridal necklace).
(Center page) A cobra head-braid orna-
ment, symbolizing Vishnu’s hood.
“these pieces combine natural forms with ar-
By Lavina Melwani
old is almost a language in
India. It speaks of birth and mar-
riage, of rituals and devotion. It’s a
shimmering ode to the Almighty
and to the many celebrations of an
ancient civilization.
Adornment in India, however, is not just
for the Gods or the wealthy. Everyone, from
a newborn babe to a bullock in the fields, is
bedecked with beauty. Even the auto rick-
shaw is a decorated work of art!
Noted New York collector Susan L. Ben-
ingson knows this well. She has long had a
love affair with India and owns a treasure
trove of Indian jewelry from the 17th, 18th
and 19th centuries. Over 150 pieces of this
art are featured in When Gold Blossoms: In-
dian Jewelry from the Susan L. Beningson
Collection now showing at The Asia Society
in New York. The show spotlights the intri-
cate beauty and the technical craftsmanship
of gold jewelry from South India.
Beningson has been to India several times
and visited many temples, especially in South
India. “As you can see, my interest is much
more in South Indian jewelry than in Mu-
ghal ornaments,” she says. “Personally, I feel
the most meaningful are the temple objects
that were placed in shrines. There’s some-
thing about the temple jewelry—jewelry
made for the Gods—that I find very special.”
I asked her if seeing art like that changed
her perspective on jewelry. “Of course. I
think it has to,” she replied. “Just thinking
how the objects were used in context—why
they would bejewel the Deity, to begin with.
It’s just a very different way of looking at
religion—more interactive.”
Walk through the exhibition and you see
40 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5
t e ac h e r ’s t o o l b o x
ART
Made for the Gods
A New York jewelry exhibit reveals the uniquely
sacred relationship Hindus have with the Divine
indu
PRACTICES, BELIEFS & ATTITUDES TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN
rimer
that gold is very much a part of Indian life. Krishna is an amorous God that you are in-
There are gold earrings, necklaces, rings, vited to approach as a lover. So the idea that
braid ornaments, forehead pendants, nose He is in your hair and blessing your beauty
rings and bracelets. is entirely appropriate.”
As Molly Emma Atkins, curator of the Another pendant in the exhibit is set with
show, observes, “When you step in here, rubies and crystal and shows Siva and Par-
you are just overwhelmed by how beauti- vati on Nandi, Siva’s bull vehicle. Aitkens
ful it is. What one forgets is how meaning- says this 17th-century piece probably was
ful these pieces are in society in a religious worn around the neck, as a private shrine.
context, in a social context.” “Personal devotion focused on a devotee’s in-
The jewelry from South India is distinc- timate relationship with her or his Deity, a
tive. “Like much South Indian jewelry,” says relationship unmediated by texts, priests or
Atkins in explaining the design of a pair of rules. Here, Siva and Parvati are kept close
gold earrings carved as two rearing cobras, to the heart.”
The Susan L. Beningson Collection is also
chitectural geometry.” rich in temple gold and devotional jewelry,
The high point of most South Indian wed- including items given to temples or personal
dings is the tying of the marriage pendent, shrines. Browse the displays and you are
or the tali. The tali not only shows that a amazed at the way gold has been used as a
woman is married, the style of its execution metaphor for man’s highest aspirations.
reveals her origin, as well as her chosen De- Devotees offered the most beautiful jewel-
ity of worship. ry to their Gods—crowns, armbands and
Perhaps no humans have a more jeweled sandals—and placed
intense relationship with their Gods them on silver swings. Some
than Hindus. They name their of the remarkable pieces in-
children after Gods. They em- clude a silver gilded swing
blazon their homes with images from the 18th century with
of God. And yes, Krishna, Siva peacocks perched on it.
and Lakshmi are entwined The seat of the swing is
on their necks, their arms shaped like a throne for
and in their hair. They are Krishna.
enveloped by God! In the collection
s r i pat h y a c h a r ya
The Divine is so much there is a pair of tiny
a part of people’s lives that Deity sandals made
Gods and Goddesses turn up of sheet gold and em-
on all sorts of adornment objects: bedded with rubies, dia-
a pair of exquisite gold earrings, monds and pearls. There
possibly from the 16th th century, bear are also gold accoutrements for
images of the Goddess Lakshmi illustrated a Krishna shrine—an umbrella, some rattles, CHILDREN PERFORM PUJA AT AN OUTDOOR SHRINE AS THE GODS GANESHA AND MURUGAN LOOK ON IN APPROVAL
with elephants. Explains Aitkens: “Lakshmi, a peacock and parrots—all playthings for
the Goddess of wealth and good fortune, Baby Krishna.
OVING HINDU PARENTS WORLDWIDE, OF VARIOUS LINEAGES, HAVE CALLED FOR A COMMON RELIGIOUS
is strongly associated with gold. Her icon Hindus believe that Deities actually enter
on these earrings expresses the essence of the icons that they lovingly place in their
wifehood: that a beautifully adorned wife home shrines. For this reason, they treat
who models herself on Lakshmi will bring these physical forms as honored guests,
L
code to teach their sons and daughters. They have asked, “What is the minimum I must do to dispatch
my duty to my religion and my children?” In response, we have assembled this Insight illustrated by artist A.
prosperity to her home.” feeding, bathing, dressing and decorating
A gold pendant and earrings from South them with jewels and silks. Manivel. It contains 1) an overview of Hinduism; 2) nine basic beliefs; 3) Hinduism from A to Z; 4) five essential
India show Krishna playing the flute and After touring this exquisite exhibit, one
dancing on Kaliya; the pendant also has realizes the very special relationship that
precepts; 5) five corresponding observances; and 6) five parenting guidelines. The modern Hindu child raised
Vishnu dancing on a snake. Ask Aitkens exists between God and the Hindu devo- up with these principles and practices will be a fully functioning human being, one who is tolerant, devotional,
about the propriety of wearing the image of tee. Indeed, this beautiful collection shows
Krishna on a hair braid, and she says, “One a constant interweaving of the sacred with fair, fearless, obedient, secure, happy, selfless, pure and traditional. As you will see, these are sophisticated
aspect of Hinduism is the informal relation- the secular. It’s almost like a powerful, mys- sections, written for parents and teachers, to be stepped down and elucidated for specific age groups. We
ship devotees have with God. The most in- tical chant is embodied right into the physi-
tense devotion is a personal devotion, and cal substance of the jewelry. ∏π apologize that, in our brevity, we have inevitably blurred over subtleties in the rainbow of Hindu views.
j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay I-1
 a bird’s eye view of a family of faiths Hinduism A to Z dharma
varnamala
A FUN, ILLUSTRATED ALPHABET DESIGNED AS TWENTY-SIX
induism is our planet’s original and oldest liv- ture and the guru-disciple tradition. Hinduism strongly MINI-LESSONS ON HINDU THOUGHT AND CULTURE Dama*vaNa*maalaa
ing religion, with no single founder. For as long declares the validity of the three worlds of existence
as man has lived and roamed across Earth’s and the myriad Gods and devas residing within them.
land and water masses, breathed its air and worshiped Festivals, pilgrimage, chanting of holy hymns and home A is for Aum, the D is for dharma,
in awe its fire, the Sanatana Dharma has been a guide worship are dynamic practices. Family life is strong and three-syllabled which is righteous-
of righteous life for evolving souls. It is important to precious. Love, nonviolence, good conduct and the law
mantra that repre- ness, cosmic order
note that today Hinduism has four main denomina- of dharma define the Hindu path. Hinduism explains
tions: Saivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism and Smartism, that the soul reincarnates until all karmas are resolved sents the Sacred and duty, leading us
each with hundreds of lineages. They represent a broad and God Realization is attained. Mystery in sound on the right path.
range of beliefs, sadhanas and mystic goals. Hindus wear the sectarian marks, called tilaka, on and vibration.
While Hindus believe many diverse and exotic their foreheads as sacred symbols, distinctive insignia
things, there are several bedrock concepts on which of their heritage. Hinduism is a mystical religion, lead-
virtually all concur. All Hindus worship one Supreme ing devotees to personally experience its eternal truths B is for bhakti, E is for Earth, our
Reality, though they call it by many names, and teach within themselves, finally reaching the pinnacle of con- deep devotion and lovely blue planet,
that all souls will ultimately realize the truth of the Vedas sciousness where man and God are forever one. They
love for the Divine which we treat as
and Agamas. Hindus believe that there is no eternal hell, prefer cremation of the body upon death, rather than
no damnation. They concur that there is no intrinsic evil. burial, believing that the soul lives on and will inhabit a which softens even sacred, protect-
All is good. All is God. In contrast, Western faiths postu- new body on Earth. hearts of stone. ing all its wonder-
late a living evil force, embodied in Satan, that directly While Hindus have many sacred scriptures, all sects ful creatures.
opposes the will of God. ascribe the highest authority to the Vedas and Agamas,
Hindus believe that the universe was created out of though their Agamas differ somewhat. Hinduism’s
God and is permeated by Him—a Supreme Being who nearly one billion adherents have tens of thousands of C is for culture, the F is for family, the
both is form and pervades form, who creates, sustains sacred temples and shrines, mostly in India, but now lo- beauty of Hindu precious corner-
and destroys the universe only to recreate it again in cated around the world. Its spiritual core is its holy men music, fine arts, stone of Hindu life,
unending cycles. Hindus accept all genuine spiritual and women—millions of sadhus, yogis, swamis, vairagis,

art by a. manivel
paths. Each soul is free to find his own way, whether by saints and satgurus who have dedicated their lives to full- drama, dance, litera- culture, service
devotion, austerity, meditation, yoga or selfless service time service, devotion and God Realization, and to pro- ture and architecture. and tradition.
(seva). Hinduism’s three pillars are temple worship, scrip- claiming the eternal truths of the Sanatana Dharma.

Nine Beliefs of Hinduism For more tools for teaching Hinduism, visit http://www.himalayanacademy.com/academy/tools/

1 Hindus believe in the divinity of the Vedas, the world’s

most ancient scripture, and venerate the Agamas 3
Hindus believe that the universe undergoes endless
cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution.
tion from the cycle of rebirth, is attained. Not a single
soul will be eternally deprived of this destiny.
Absolute, as are personal discipline, good conduct, puri-
fication, pilgrimage, self-inquiry and meditation.

4 6 8
as equally revealed. These primordial hymns are God’s Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and Hindus believe that divine beings exist in unseen Hindus believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and
word and the bedrock of Sanatana Dharma, the eternal effect by which each individual creates his own worlds and that temple worship, rituals, sacra- revered, and therefore practice ahimsa, “noninjury.”
religion which has neither beginning nor end.
9
destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds. ments as well as personal devotionals create a commu- Hindus believe that no particular religion teaches

2 Hindus believe in a one, all-pervasive Supreme

5
Hindus believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving nion with these devas and Gods. the only way to salvation above all others, but that

7
Being who is both immanent and transcendent, through many births until all karmas have been Hindus believe that a spiritually awakened master, all genuine religious paths are facets of God’s Pure Love
both Creator and Unmanifest Reality. resolved, and moksha, spiritual knowledge and libera- or satguru, is essential to know the Transcendent and Light, deserving tolerance and understanding.

I-2 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay I-3
 G is for guru, L is for lotus, Q is for quest, V is for Vedas, our
our enlight- the heart’s inner seeking to know, oldest and holiest
ened master who, shrine, where “Who am I? Where book, the word
knowing Truth God dwells, ever did I come from? of God recorded
himself, can serene, ever Where am I in 00,000 San-
guide us there. perfect. going?” skrit verses.

H is for hatha M is for mauna, R is for W is for wealth

yoga, healthful not talking, the inner reincarnation, our (artha), one of
physical science for silence known when immortal soul’s life’s four goals,
vitality, energy- words, thoughts and journey from birth along with love,
balancing and actions are to rebirth. We do dharma and
meditation. stilled. not fear death. enlightenment.

I is for India, N is for non- S is for samskaras, X is for

Bharata, Mother- attachment, the sacraments sanc- xerophily, the
land to one-sixth art of living the tifying life’s pas- ability of certain
of humanity, holy simple life, without sages: name-giving, plants and animals
land for Hindus too many needs marriage, death to thrive in India’s
everywhere. or desires. and more. hot, arid plains.

J is for japa, O is for open- T is for tilaka, Y is for yoga,

repetitive, prayerful mindedness, the forehead marks union of the soul
mantras which Hindu’s tolerant worn in honor with God which
quiet emotion freedom of thought, of our unique brings release
and empower inquiry and and varied from worldly
the mind. belief. lineages. bondage.

K is for karma, P is for puja, U is for utsava, Z is for zeal, the

the law of cause mystic worship our many home fervor with which
and effect by which of the Divine in and temple festi- we perform service,
we determine our our home shrine vals, full of bhakti, go on pilgrimage
experience and holy temples fun, feasting and and greet our holy
and destiny. and places. family sharing. religious leaders.

I-4 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay I-5
 Five Precepts Pancha
shraddha
THE MINIMAL HINDU BELIEFS. BY TEACHING THESE TO SONS AND DAUGHTERS,
PARENTS WORLDWIDE PASS ON THE SANATANA DHARMA TO THEIR CHILDREN. paDzÎa:
1. God Is All in all
The dear children are taught of one Supreme Being, all-per-
Sarva
vasive, transcendent, creator, preserver, destroyer, mani-
Brahman
festing in various forms, worshiped in all religions by many
names, the immortal Self in all. They learn to be tolerant, sava* ba=Ωna<
knowing the soul’s Divinity and the unity of all mankind.
2. Holy Temples
The dear children are taught that God, other divine beings
Mandira
and highly evolved souls exist in unseen worlds. They learn
maindr to be devoted, knowing that temple worship, fire ceremo-
nies, sacraments and devotionals open channels for loving
blessings, help and guidance from these beings.
3. Cosmic Justice
The dear children are taught of karma, the divine law of
Karma
cause and effect by which every thought, word and deed
justly returns to them in this or a future life. They learn to be k[ma*
compassionate, knowing that each experience, good or bad,
is the self-created reward of prior expressions of free will.
4. Liberation
Samsara,
The dear children are taught that souls experience righ-
Moksha teousness, wealth and pleasure in many births, while
maturing spiritually. They learn to be fearless, knowing
sa\saara maae#a that all souls, without exception, will ultimately attain Self
Realization, liberation from rebirth and union with God.
5. Scripture and Preceptor
The dear children are taught that God revealed the Vedas
Veda, Guru
and Agamas, which contain the eternal truths. They learn to
be obedient, following the precepts of these sacred scrip- vaaed gauf
tures and awakened satgurus, whose guidance is abso-
lutely essential for spiritual progress and enlightenment.
I-6 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5
Five Practices Pancha
Kriya
THE MINIMAL PRACTICES (ALSO KNOWN AS PANCHA NITYA KARMAS) TO NURTURE
FUTURE CITIZENS WHO ARE STRONG, RESPONSIBLE, TOLERANT AND TRADITIONAL paÇik[yaa:
1. Worship
The dear children are taught daily worship in the family Upasana
shrine room—rituals, disciplines, chants, yogas and religious opaasanaa
study. They learn to be secure through devotion in home
and temple, wearing traditional dress, bringing forth love
of the Divine and preparing the mind for serene meditation.
2. Holy Days
The dear children are taught to participate in Hindu festi-
Utsava
vals and holy days in the home and temple. They learn to
otsava be happy through sweet communion with God at such aus-
picious celebrations. Utsava includes fasting and attend-
ing the temple on Monday or Friday and other holy days.
3. Virtuous Living
The dear children are taught to live a life of duty and good
Dharma
conduct. They learn to be selfless by thinking of others first,
being respectful of parents, elders and swamis, follow- Dama*
ing divine law, especially ahimsa, mental, emotional and
physical noninjury to all beings. Thus they resolve karmas.
4. pilgrimage
Tirthayatra
The dear children are taught the value of pilgrimage and
are taken at least once a year for darshan of holy persons,
taITa*yaata=a temples and places, near or far. They learn to be detached
by setting aside worldly affairs and making God, Gods and
gurus life’s singular focus during these journeys.
5. Rites of Passage
The dear children are taught to observe the many sacra-
Samskara
ments which mark and sanctify their passages through
life. They learn to be traditional by celebrating the rites of sa\sk[ar
birth, name-giving, head-shaving, first feeding, ear-pierc-
ing, first learning, coming of age, marriage and death.
j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay I-7

Five parenting guidelines
BEHAVIORAL PRINCIPLES TO LIVE BY TO NURTURE CHILDREN AND TEACH
THEM, VERBALLY AND BY EXAMPLE, TO FOLLOW THE PATH OF DHARMA
1. Good Conduct
Loving fathers and mothers, knowing they are the greatest
Dharmachara
influence in a child’s life, behave the way their dear chil-
dren should when adults. They never anger or argue before Dama*caar
young ones. Father in a dhoti, mother in a sari at home, all
sing to God, Gods and guru.
2. Home Worship
Loving fathers and mothers establish a separate shrine
Dharma
Svagriha room in the home for God, Gods and guardian devas of the
Dama*svaga&h family. Ideally it should be large enough for all the dear
children. It is a sacred place for scriptural study, a refuge
from the karmic storms of life.
3. Talking about Religion
Loving fathers and mothers speak Vedic precepts while
driving, eating and playing. This helps dear children
understand experiences in right perspective. Parents
know many worldly voices are blaring, and their dharmic
voice must be stronger.
4. Continuing Self-Study
Dharma
Loving fathers and mothers keep informed by studying
the Vedas, Agamas and sacred literature, listening to swa-
Svadhyaya
mis and pandits. Youth face a world they will one day own,
Dama*svaaDyaaya thus parents prepare their dear children to guide their
own future progeny.
5. Following a Spiritual Preceptor
Loving fathers and mothers choose a preceptor, a tradi-
tional satguru, and lineage to follow. They support their
lineage with all their heart, energy and service. He in turn
provides them clear guidance for a successful life, mate-
rial and religious.
I-8 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5
Pancha Kutumba
Sadhana
paÇ ku[ qumba saaDana
Loving God: The DVD is a study in devotion
LEARNING TOOLS
How We Worship
ou would expect this video to
be titled Puja, since it is all about the
traditional Hindu worship ceremony of
offering lights and flowers. But on re-
flection you’ll see that, by calling it Sadhana
(“religious striving, spiritual discipine”), the
Dharma creators make a vital point: that puja, per-
Sambhashana formed rightly, is far beyond rote ritual. It
Dama*samBaaSana is a pious expression of bhakti yoga, replete
with mantras, mudras, visualizations and in-
vocations to mystically draw forth blessing to
this world—and that, certainly, is sadhana.
This 22-minute documentary, produced
by Anita Roy and directed by R.A. Mahiema,
offers a superb presentation of the process
and significance of the most fundamental
rite. Not just a film for Westerners seeking
to understand Hinduism, Saadhana is also
of value to Hindus who grew up performing
and attending puja but without every being
taught its meaning.
One of the film’s most unusual and endear-
ing qualities is its successful synthesis of
India’s vastly different Northern and South-
ern puja traditions. The result is a powerful
portrayal of heart-rending devotion, showing
that spiritual intent transcends method in es-
tablishing communion of man with God.
Although parts of the video were assem-
bled in London, it was mostly researched and
Dharma Sanga
filmed during the producer-director duo’s ex-
Dama*sa\ga tensive travels throughout India. Saadhana
is available on DVD at www.zonstacreation.
com. For more information contact Anita Roy
at anita1@vsnl.com. ∏π
OPINION
Keeping the Faith
Our youth must reconcile ancient wisdom with
modern life to insure the future of Hinduism
BY G E L L A R A M CH E TA N DA S A S NA N I
he ever-increasing
confidence with which
many Hindus are acknowl-
edging their religious iden-
tity has a lot to do with their
growing economic security
within the secular community.
This is precisely why many a
c o u r t e s y g . c . a s na n i
wise man comments that we
must not be too harsh in judg-
ing the Indian government for
looking to financial and social
concerns first before Hindu re-
ligious issues.
Clearly, none of us wants to
identify with a religion that
appears to shackle its adherents in pov-
erty. The very fact that dirt poor Hindus
are so highly vulnerable to the tactics of
money-wielding Christian missionaries
should be clear evidence of this sentiment.
Since these tactics include identifying a
multitude of social evils with our faith, it’s
no wonder that the average, uninformed
Hindu feels he is left with no choice but
to adopt some sort of non-Hindu public
identity that brings a sense of acceptance
and prestige. Converting to Christianity is
not the only option. Alternatives available
include becoming a rational atheist, a hu-
manist, a modernist, a socialist, a secularist
or some hybrid of these.
In recent years, a powerful new Hindu
identity is forming up as a consequence
of challenges extended by aggressive and
cohesive Muslim and Christian communi-
ties. While this confrontation has served to
consolidate differences within the Hindu
community, it has also fostered a fear that
such a defensive and necessarily simplistic
Hindu stance might be perceived as funda-
mentalism.
In truth, our “fundamental” Hindu iden-
tity is based on Sanatana Dharma—that
positive value system understood as the
“eternal religion.” While it is true that all
Hindus unquestionably inherit this ageless
value system—either by being born into it
or by adopting it—a new assertive, social,
Hindu identity is important and has its
j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5
place in fulfilling a current
need. Modern-day Hindus
must confront the challenges
posed by the exclusive and
monotheistic Semitic faiths.
Part of this new Hindu
image is tied to money. Our
religious identity has more
to do with economics than
some might imagine. In this
modern, multicultural world
marred by conflict, orga-
nized religions behave much
like business corporations
promoting their brands or
selling their products. If we
study this business model carefully, we
can see that we Hindus are already doing
this. Each one of us is consciously or un-
consciously contributing to the formation
of this new brand of consumer-conscious,
21st-century Hinduism that is tactfully
modern without forfeiting any of its es-
sential and timeless truths. Such a mature,
honest and conscious assessment of an
active system already in process can yield
a well-deserved Hindu pride and inspire
further growth in this same direction.
This issue is most important for young
Hindus, especially young American Hindus,
many of whom have just begun to rediscov-
er their Hindu identity. They face an uphill
battle. Being a responsible Hindu young
person during these demanding times is no
easy task. On the one hand, there is peer
pressure—“It’s not cool to be a Hindu.” On
the other hand, there is apathy—sometimes
even hostility—from parents who often
know less than they do about Hinduism.
It is the duty of every Hindu parent and
teacher to facilitate a deep study and self-
enquiry among our Hindu youth so that the
rich heritage of Sanatana Dharma might
be rediscovered by these harbingers of to-
morrow’s faith. May our young Hindus be
reborn like the saints of yesteryear, and may
their tribe increase! ∏π
G.C. Asnani, 82, is a retired meteorologist
who lives in Pune, India.
h i n d u i s m t o d ay 49
FINE ARTS Lord of the Universe:
Universe named her first CD Mukti—which means
Narendran performs as the God liberation from birth and death—because

The Globe Trotting Nataraja, “king of the dance”

at the renowned school. As a

her hope for this particular music is that it
might provide the listener a sense of free-
dom from the experiences of hectic daily life.

Lord of Dance
An exceptional talent brings international
recognition to South Indian Dance
By Meera Vayapooree, Mauritius
professional, he has performed Babeena’s mother, Behroze Chatterjee,
at festivals in Europe, Russia, will be remembered as a well-known ghazal
Australia, Thailand, South Af- (light classical), geeta (classical) and bhajan
rica, Malaysia, Reunion island singer who has performed all over the world
in the Indian Ocean and most including in the US and Canada. She also
recently in Mauritius, where he performed in a number of Hindi films.
was interviewed by Hinduism
Today for this article.
Credit for the exceptional quality of the
arranging, recording and mixing on the CD
Asked whether he has ever goes to Babeena’s brother, Anupam Chat-
felt overwhelmed by having terjee, a talented musician in his own right.
usually dominated by lady per- to perform the parts of Shi- Although Anupam is known today primar-

is powerful & dynamic dance
performances have made him one
of Bharata Natyam’s most important
modern-day, international ambassa-
dors. P. T. Narendran’s enthusiastic
energy, poise and grace combined with his
masculine strength and flexibility bring a
new dimension to this timeless dance form
formers. For him, dance is more
than art. It is life. “Practising and
learning at least one art form,” he
says, “is essential for bringing forth
the finer qualities as a human being.”
Narendran has carved out a name and
a fan club on five continents. In Chennai
alone, the Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram award-
ed him the Bharata Natya Kalaingan cer-
tificate in 1989,
1989, the Kalaimagal Sabha
presented him with the silver trophy
in 1995 and the Temple of World
Peace gave him the Gnana Oli Thiru
Thondar Award in 2001. 2001
P. T. Narendran was born into a
family of dancers in the Southern Indian
state of Kerala. For more than
a l l p h o t o s : c o u r t e s y b a b e e na s h a r m a
va, Vishnu and Rama, Nar- ily for his work with keyboard instruments
endran confides that danc- and synthesizers, he began studying tabla
ing for him calls forth at the age of two and continued that train-
a total dedication ing with the great Ustad Allah Rakha when
from which ema- he turned eleven. Today he performs with
nates an all-abid- leading Indian Ghazal singer Pankaj Ud-
ing faith in God. has and provides keyboard sequencing and
Although he is a track arrangement for music directors such
well-seasoned danc- as Vishaal Bharadwaj and Sandesh Shande-
er, he still has to cope with lya. He joins Babeena in paying tribute to
that all-too-real rush of adrena- their mother.
lin all performers must face before Although Babeena was raised in India, she
going on stage. To re-establish bal- now resides in Washington, Pennsylvania,
ance and calm during those times, New to the limelight: Babeena never looked for recognition. It found her. with her husband and their two children.
he says he turns to Lord Ganesha. For the past ten years she has contentedly
As soon as he thinks of the Remover of Ob- MUSIC taught voice lessons and performed at lei-
stacles, his attention turns within, away from sure for friends and at local temples. Mukti

five generations, his relatives
had become famous per-
forming a popular form of
folk dance called Kai Kotti
Kali. Kai means “hands.”
Kotti means “to clap.” And
k means “dance.”
kali
Strength and grace: It was Narendran’s sister who
Narendran brings supple first introduced him to dance. She
masculine power to a was a highly trained classical danc-
form of dance domi- er and was his first teacher. His fa-
nated by women ther was enthusiastic about his tak-
ing up dance and wielded a strong
paternal will in motivating the boy
during the first years of instruction.
His training reached maturity at
the legendary Kalakshetra College of
Fine Arts in Chennai under the ea-
gle eye and in the loving presence
of Rukmini Devi, Kalakshetra’s
founder.
Young Narendran graduated
with first class honors at Kalak-
shetra and continued on there
to obtain even more accolades
at the postgraduate level. In
1989 upon the completion of
1989,
his studies, he became the prin-
cipal dancer at Kalakshetra.
Today, though he is a free-
lance performer and trainer, he
is still the featured performer in
the many dance dramas given
Babeena’s Debut
the external worries and technical concerns. could change all that. For more information
His concentration is immediately refocused contact www.muktispirit.com. ∏π
on the performance. “This internalization is
what we call the rasanubhava,” explains Na-
rendran. “It is an aesthetic experience, but
it is not a trance.”
“Bharata Natyam is attributed to the Sage Singing songs of praise in memory of mother
Bharata Muni,” explains Narendran. “Lord
Brahma revealed to the sage a scripture
called the Veda Natya or Natya Shastra, abeena sharma is a talented sult of this effort was her elegant debut CD,
which is a treatise amalgamating the es- and highly trained North Indian Mukti ($14.95).
sence of all the other four Vedas. Bha is an vocalist who started performing on The songs that Babeena has chosen to
abbreviation of bhava which means ‘emo- stage with her parents when she perform on Mukti consist of exquisite North
tion or devotion.’ Ra stands for raga, which was only four years old. She stud- Indian classical melodies rendered with
means ‘melody.’ And ta is short for talam, ied with acclaimed teachers, Guru Morone Western harmonies and orchestration. Al-
which means ‘rhythm.’ Bharata Muni speaks of Nagpur and Shri Bhoumik of Bharatiya though this combination of East and West
of the art form as dance drama, showing the Vidya Bhavan, and later graduated from gives the CD a modern flavor, the songs
opposite values of good and bad, good tri- Prayag University of Indian Classical Music. themselves were all composed by tradi-
umphing over evil. What is depicted must Although she has been ex- tional religious poets
be pleasing to the eyes and ears, and the tolled by music gurus for like Kabirdas, Brahman-
audience should not just be entertained but years, she has never been anda and Guru Nanak.
should learn something as well. The dancer interested in pursuing Babeena’s silky smooth,
represents the jivatma (soul) engaging with a professional career in velvet voice brings in a
the Paramatma (the Supreme God).” music. It was only when timeless sense of perfec-
Narendran hopes to slowly turn away her mother, the famous tion and binds the entire
from performing, as he becomes more in- vocalist Behroze Chat- package together seam-
volved with teaching. Even now he is set- terjee, passed away in lessly. She also makes
ting up his own school in Chennai. Only the July, 2003, that Babeena the CD educational for
future can tell if his imposing presence and finally stepped out into Westerners by including
commanding authority on stage as a dancer the limelight. Even then, English translations of
can be matched with a similar charisma as a it was only to honor her the lyrics at the begin- A tribute: Babeena’s CD, “Mukti,” is a
teacher. Students can contact Narendran at mother’s memory with a ning of each song. tribute to her mother, the famous Behroze
pt_naren@yahoo.co.uk. ∏π musical tribute. The re- Babeena’s CD: Finally she sings Babeena says she Chatterjee, who passed away in 2003

50 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 a l l p h o t o s : c o u r t e s y p. t. na r e n d r a n j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 51

Siva’s
Siva’sMagic
MagicBell
BellTree
Tree
TEMPLES
A pipal tree became a Siva temple, resounding with the power of prayer
By Priyank Jaiswal, Houston, Texas
raveling through assam close
to Digboy, the oldest oil field of India,
I came across a most unusual Siva tem-
ple called the Tillinga Mandir. Actually,
it isn’t a temple at all. It’s a tree—a pipal
tree, ficus religiosa,
religiosa to be exact—with tens of
thousands of bells hanging on its branches.
Tillinga means “bell” in Assamese. Mandir
means “temple.”
This bell tree is as spiritually strong as any
temple I’ve ever seen. Its power is almost
palpable, as if a portion of each blessing
Lord Siva gave to every devotee that wor-
shiped there stayed back with the tree to
help build its spiritual presence.
The bells are large, small, old, new, bronze,
brass and copper. Never before have I seen
such a vast and varied collection. There are
also thousands of Siva tridents haphazardly
speared deep into the sand here and there.
Most of them are packed together in one
place, madly jutting out of the ground about
thirty feet away from the pipal tree.
According to Dhananjay Pande, the priest
of the Tillinga Mandir, these tridents were
left by ascetic devotees of Lord Siva who
took rest under the tree while in route on
52 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5
pilgrimage. In the cool shade of its spread-
ing branches, they felt a unique spiritual
presence and left their tridents behind as a
testament to this profound experience.
Long ago, one such ascetic unearthed a
naturally formed, black rock Sivalingam,
nestled among the roots of the tree. When
news of this discovery got around, people
started coming to worship. The fame of the
bell tree temple with its mysterious Lingam
exploded when pilgrims discovered that
wishes they expressed in prayer under the
tree actually came true.
In the beginning, devotees would express
their gratitude by returning to hang a bell
on the tree after their wishes had been
fulfilled. Eventually, however, the custom
changed and pilgrims began to bring bells
as offerings even before they said their
prayers and made their wishes.
“About 60 years ago on the advice of the vil-
lage elders,” explained the priest, “the owner
of the land upon which the pipal tree is lo-
cated officially designated the property as
a temple and opened it to the public. Since
then, thousands of devotees have come with
hopes, prayers and bells.”
Today, despite its increasing fame, the
a l l p h o t o s : p r i ya n k j a i s wa l
Tillinga Mandir continues to be immersed
in a unique mystical silence, broken only by
the chanting of mantras, the fluttering of pi-
geons and the ringing of the bells.
The special places where India’s Gods
choose to live reflect their power and serve
as a focal point for their grace. No one who
has visited the Tillinga Mandir would deny
that Lord Siva has taken up residence there,
and no serious pilgrim who has worshiped
the Lingam at the base of its pipal tree
could ignore His life-changing presence.
I will never forget this holy place where
so many thousands of bells are tied to every
reachable part of this lonely banyan tree
shading a naturally formed Siva Lingam.
Wherever I am, whatever I am doing, I can
stop and listen within to hear those bells
ringing silently with the joy of wishes ful-
filled and the music of Siva dancing. ∏π
Siva’s wish-fulfilling tree: (Above) Lord Si-
va’s tridents pierce the sand near the famous
pipal tree. Photographs of the Siva Lingam
at the base of the tree are not allowed. (Fac-
ing page) Surrounding the priest of the Till-
inga Mandir (center) are photos of the bell
tree taken from a variety of angles.
 BOOK REVIEW AYURVEDA Quality proteins are tofu, low-fat cot-
tage cheese, Indian paneer and nut but-

Preventing Diabetes
ters. Two to three servings of fruits should

Be a Child Like Lily be taken. Do not just stick to bananas,

apples and oranges. Be creative! There are
hundreds of different varieties of fruits
available. One general rule to follow is to
The wonder of nature takes life in art to It’s up to you whether to eat and exercise your not eat similar kinds of food every single
day. Change your menus regularly. Not
capture a child’s curiosity about the world only does this provide a variety, but it also
way to health, or pay the price of neglect enables the body to avoid food sensitivi-
ties or allergies. Do not eat late dinners.
Finish your dinner by 7.15 pm, and make
By Tara Menon BY DR. VIRENDER SODHI it a light meal.
n a 34-page children’s picture Foods to avoid absolutely are: refined
book just released by Gingham Dog revention is decidedly the best medicine when it sugar-loaded cereals, candies, baked goods;
Press, sacred fruits, flowers and trees
Press comes to the dreaded disease of diabetes. The four pillar refined white flour products such as pasta,
of India are personified to describe approach of ayurveda is largely preventative medicine cakes, muffins and pretzels; processed
snippets of Hindu culture to a little girl that balances physical, mental, emotional and spiritual foods full of sugar and fat or salt, such as
named Lily. Skillfully written by Jeremy health. You can achieve this by consuming a healthy theatre popcorn; margarine and shorten-
Smith and beautifully illustrated by Rob diet, living a healthy lifestyle, having a healthy mental attitude ing, butter or ghee (ghee is OK up to one
Hefferan, Lily’s Garden of India (us$15.95) and taking healthy supplements. Nutrition is the cornerstone teaspoon per day); heavily sweetened or
is a delightfully original presentation which for good health. As the old computer adage goes, “Garbage artificially sweetened soft drinks or juices
proves as entertaining as it is educational. Al- in, garbage out.” There are several thousand research studies (always prefer whole fruits or vegetables or
though the text aims for an older readership available observing cultures that do not have heart disease, dia- smoothies); and fried food like french fries,
than does the masterfully childlike art, the betes, cancer or auto-immune disease. People with longevity potato chips, corn chips or doughnuts.
story itself is simple enough for tots to fol- in the Hansa Valley in the Himalayas and in the Andes don’t Set up a stress reduction program. My
low with minimal assistance from teachers at have doctors or hospitals available for several hundred miles patients complain, “I don’t have time.” I
school or moms at home. and still live to be in their 120s and even 130s without any dis- advise them, “Time will never find you. You have to find the time
Lily’s adventure all takes place on one magi- eases. Why? Because they follow the simple laws of nature, eat for your health. Write down the time when you’re going to exer-
cal day in her mother’s garden when jasmine, what they grow, do hard manual labor and enjoy a stress-free life. cise, in bold letters anywhere you will see it. Walk fast, 30-45 min-
marigold and lotus flowers, banyan, coconut and My dietary program for vegetarians is based on a valued tradi- utes every day, at least five times a week; do yoga 20-30 minutes
neem trees—even a mango fruit—all mesmer- tion of ayurvedic medicine and scientific evidence (those who eat per day; do light weights, to tone up your muscles, 20-30 minutes
ize her with their heavenly world of color and meat can find useful advice on the Internet). Consume 5-7 serv- for 2-3 times per week. If you need to lose weight, walk more. If
wonder. She becomes so absorbed in the stories ings of vegetables, focusing on the more green, leafy and crucifer- you work at a desk all day, get up every hour and take a brisk
they tell, she actually experiences them as if they ous vegetables. Try to consume vegetables with a low glycemic short walk. Park your car far away so that you can walk; take the
were happening physically. When the marigolds index (For more information on low glycemic index, go to www. stairs instead of the elevator. Make every attempt to get some exer-
tell her that on Diwali pilgrims toss their petals diabetes.about.com/library/mendosagi/ngilists.htm). Oil should cise! At our clinic, every staff member takes a fifteen minute walk
into the Ganges, she finds herself on the riv- be included in foods up to four times a day of which, 2-3 servings during lunchtime. Set up 15-20 minutes of quiet time for medita-
erbank, stepping into a boat afloat on candle- should be of good oil such as olive oil, flax seed oil, canola oil ortion in the morning and evening.”
lit waters during a sacred festival night. In macadamia oil. At least one serving of nuts and seeds should also Vitamin and mineral supplements definitely help in the preven-
another scene, a coconut tree educates her be consumed. Do not purchase roasted nuts and seeds, because tion of diabetes. I recommend a good multiple B-complex, one
about its usefulness as she refreshes herself they become rancid very quickly, usually 8-10 hours after roast- which has vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, D, E, biotin (at
eating and drinking of its fruit. Only at ing. The best way is to soak raw, unsalted nuts and seeds overnight least 2,000 mcg), folic acid, choline and inositol. As well, take a
sunset do the plants finally stop talking to in water and then use them as a snack. Nuts and seeds have the good mineral compound with absorbable calcium (1000 mg), chro-
this little flower child named Lily. power to germinate, so when we soak them in water, it activates mium (200-400 mcg), copper (1-2 mg), iodine (50-150 mcg), mag-
An illustrated glossary and supple- the life force in them and the enzymes become readily available, nesium (500 mg-1000 mg), manganese (10-15 mg), molybdenum
ment on Indian festivals at the end of which in turn helps digestion. Saturated fats are essential. How- (10-15mg), selenium (100-200 mcg), vanadium (50 –100 mcg) and
the book provide explanations that zinc (15-30 mg).
ever, keep saturated fats like dairy limited to only one serving in a
are simplified, concise and irresist- day. Consume 3-5 servings of whole grains. Herbs, spices and ayurvedic preparations are also helpful. I
ibly magnetic. This book plays on Throughout the world, we are constantly using bleached and recommend: ashwagandha, 500 mg standardized extract twice a
a child’s sense of enchantment as day; trifal, 500 mg standardized extract three times per day; and
husk free grains, which is our biggest mistake. All the essential vi-
it showcases nature interrelated tamins, mineral and fibers are present in the husk. As we remove shilajeet-mumiyo, 250 mg two times per day. Flavor your cook-
with Hindu culture. Never has it to make it more appealing and have a longer shelf life, we are ing with ginger, garlic, onion, cinnamon, cumin, fenugreek, basil,
learning been so fun. ∏π also stripping grains of nutrition. Fiber is of utmost importance, thyme and turmeric. Cinnamon, fenugreek and basil have been
contact: mcgraw-hill
children’s publishing, 8787 orion
as it helps in decreased intestinal transit time, slows down gastricstudied extensively on diabetic patients for lowering blood sugar
place, columbus, ohio 43240-4027. emptying, which in turn reduces sugar absorption, increases levels. Because herbs lose most of their healing properties during
www.mhkids.com
satisfaction (the satiety reflex), increases pancreatic secretions, the cooking process, I recommend adding these spices to the food
A magical world: The book’s increases stool weight, helps intestinal flora, produces short-chain after cooking.
cover (above); Lily kicks fatty acids, decreases serum lipids and increases bile production. Most of us have to earn our health by doing hard work, balanc-
back in her mother’s gar- Consumption of the right amount of fiber can result in decreased ing our nutrition, exercising, stress reduction with yoga, medita-
den as nearby plants ex- incidence of irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal tion or Thai chi and having a balanced frame of mind.
plain how little girls put track diseases, gall stones, heart diseases, obesity, diabetes mel-
sweet smelling jasmine in their litus and cancer, as well as lowering your cholesterol. Consume 4-5 dr. virender sodhi holds an M.D. (ayurveda) from India and a
hair during Hindu festivals of India servings of legumes. Legumes, especially kala channa (available N.D. from Bastyr College of Naturopathic Medicine, USA. E-mail:
from any Indian store), help in sugar metabolism. drsodhi@ayurvedicscience.com. Web: www.ayurvedicscience.com.

54 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 55
 WOM E N
Seeking a lifetime of blessings for husband and family
Once upon a time, long, long ago, in a region
of land that now straddles the border between
northeast India and Nepal, there lived a great
King named Ashwapati. This King had only one
daughter, Savitri, and she was beautiful. Savitri
fell in love with a handsome lad named Satyaban.
As the couple approached the king to obtain his
blessing for marriage, Sage Narada mystically
appeared before them and confirmed that Satya-
ban and Savitri were indeed a most compatible
match, but that Satyaban was destined to die in
one year. King Ashwapati tried to convince his
daughter not to wed, but she would not listen.
Savitri and Satyaban got married immediately
and lived in bliss for eleven months and 27 days.
Three days before the speculated date of Saty-
aban’s death, Savritri started fasting and praying
for her husband’s life. On the day Satyaban was
to die, she and her husband went into the forest.
Suddenly, as Satyaban fell unconscious in Savit-
ri’s lap under a banyan tree, Lord Yama, the God
of Death, appeared, carrying a mace and riding
a water buffalo. Raising His right hand slowly
in a lifting gesture, He pulled the spirit of Satya-
ban up and out of his body and turned South to
ride slowly into the after life, gently carrying the
spirit of Satyaban with Him.
After some time, Yama became aware of a rus-
tling noise. When He turned to see what it was,
His fiery eyes mellowed. Savitri was running
along behind him, crying and gasping for breath.
“Why have you followed me?” He shouted. “I
know you love your husband, but I must take
him. Please turn back.” Savitri was relentless.
Again and again she begged Lord Yama to re-
turn the spirit of Satyaban to his physical body.
Finally she pleaded, “If you will not bring my
husband back to this world, then take me with
him to the next. I can’t bear to exist without him.”
That did it. Lord Yama was so moved by Savitri’s
perfect love, that He not only brought Satyaban
back to life, he also bestowed eternal happiness
upon them both.
his is the popular story that a
priestess tells a young bride during the
Vata Savitri Vrata, a ceremony performed
for newly wedded ladies during the first
year of their marriage to seek protection
and longevity for their husbands and prosperity
for their future families. Vata is a Sanskrit name
for the banyan tree. Vrata means vow. For 24
hours before this ceremony, new brides observe
AARitual
Ritualfor
forLadies
LadiesOnly
Only
Worshiping with delight: A new a fast and attend a series of rituals as they strive
bride performs the kaniya putra, to emulate Savitri in her dedication to her hus-
T h o m a s K e l ly
“the marriage of the dolls,” during band. At an astrologically auspicious time, the
the Vata Savitri Vrata, adminis- culminating puja (worship service) is performed
trated by a priestess (far right). under a banyan tree, symbolizing the moment
An offering of fruit is in front. Savitri and Satyaban first met Lord Yama.
56 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5
The banyan tree is a symbol of tranquillity and
peace. Called the Bo Tree by Buddhists, it is the
tree under which the Buddha attained enlighten-
ment and became liberated. During the Vata Sa-
vitri Vrata, the bride prays that her husband will
live as long as the banyan itself. She also prays
that her husband will provide ample security for
their family, just as the banyan tree gives shade to
all who seek rest under its far-reaching branches.
Preparations for the Vata Savitri Vrata begin
in the house of the parents of the bride. Crafts-
men are commissioned to make certain utensils
required for the puja (ceremony). Token money
gifts called dom are given to both the bride and
the groom. Milk and rice are purchased for mak-
ing rice pudding on the day of the festival. Man-
gos, bananas, apples, oranges and litchi are pur-
chased and set aside to be served as prasadam,
or blessed food. Elaborate candies and pastries
are prepared. Invitations are extended to friends
and well wishers. And all arrangements are final-
ized with the priestess who has been commis-
sioned to perform the ceremonies.
On the day of the Vata Savitri Vrata, the
young wife takes her morning bath, dons new
clothes and jewelery and worships in her home
shrine. She then joins female family members
and friends at the auspicious banyan tree chosen
for the Vata Savitri Vrata. Only women attend
this special event, and only a priestess performs
the rites. As the priestess performs the puja,
including ceremoniously telling the story of Sa-
vitri, the young wife binds the tree with a red
sacred thread five times around and pours water
on its roots. When the ceremony is concluded,
delectable edibles and gifts are distributed and
enjoyed by all. At this time, elders give blessings
and advice to the bride for a happy and secure
conjugal life.
The origin of the Vata Savitri Vrata cannot be
confirmed. Historical records show that in Nepal
as well as in Bihar, India, it has been observed
for at least five hundred years. It was originally
most popular in a Northern region of ancient
India known as Mithila. In 1816, Mithila was
divided between India and Nepal when Brit-
ish East India Company established the Sugauli
Treaty with the Gurkha King of Nepal.
Marriage has deep significance in Hinduism.
Through marriage, a man and a woman each ful-
fil their inherent soulful tendencies to become
physically, emotionally and spiritually com-
plete in each other. The wife is the homemaker,
standing beside her husband as the mother and
educator of their children and the home’s silent
leader. It is with a prayer that these sacred duties
be performed well that the good wife seeks the
blessings of the Vata Savitri Vrata.
By Hari Bansh and Jayanti Jha, Nepal
h i n d u i s m t o d ay 57
Home of the Goddess: (Above) Panoramic view of the Kamakshi temple. (Below left to right) The town of Rishikesh. Blessing the temple go-
puram at the height of the Maha Kumbhabhishekam. Omkarananda
Goddess Moves In
58 h i n d u i s m t o d ay
Invoking the power: Chief Priest Kamakoti Shastri (left) was brought from Kanchipuram to preside over the four-day event. Sixteen wa-
Omkarananda Ashram and temple in the foothills of the Himalayas above Rishikesh. ter vessels were filled and blessed with Ganges water to sanctify the six new temples during the culminating ceremony on the final day.
TEMPLES
A South Indian temple arises in Rishikesh
he construction of the grand
Omkarananda Kamakshi Devi Man-
India—which is actu-
dir of Rishikesh, India
ally a complex of six temples—was
temples initi-
ated on April 23, 2002, and completed
on April 4, 2004, with the celebration of its
maha kumbhabhishekam (grand inaugura-
tion). Financed mostly by one anonymous
devotee, this is one of only two temples in
Rishikesh constructed in the traditional
South Indian style. It was built by Sthapati
S. Ravichandran of Kanchipuram, Tamil
Nadu. The officiating priest at its maha
kumbhabhishekam was Kamakoti Shastri,
Chief Priest of Kamakshi Mandir, also in
Kanchipuram.
The Kamakshi Devi Mandir is the main
temple of the newly constructed complex.
The Sri Meenakshi Devi and Sri Chamundi
Devi temples stand to its left and right. On
the opposite side, facing these three Devi
mandirs, are the Lord Venkateshwara, Pad-
mavati Devi and Gurudev Paramahamsa
Omkarananda Saraswati Mandirs. To the
north there is a navagraha temple (dedi-
a l l p h o t o s o m k a r a na n d a a s h r a m
cated to the nine planets), and to the east
there is a yagnasala (a separate building
dedicated for fire ceremonies).
The maha kumbhabhishekam occurred
during the first four days of April in 2004. It
was a grand event. Here is a brief summary.
Thursday, April 1, 2004
Temple rites began at 5:00 am featuring
two elaborate fire ceremonies: one in the
morning dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the
j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5
Omkarananda Saraswati
passed away on January
4, 2000. This temple was
built in his memory.
elephant-headed God of auspi- to install the Deities in
cious beginnings, and the oth- Their respective temples.
er in the afternoon dedicated The murtis (statues) were
to the navagrahas, or nine washed with ghee, oil,
planets. At dusk, 16 large milk, yogurt, herbs and
kumbhas (pots) were filled coconut water—then
with sacred Ganges water at elegantly dressed and
the river’s edge, empowered decorated. After “the eye
through ceremony to be used opening ceremony”
ceremony was
during blessing rituals three performed to bring life
days later at the culmination of into each of the icons, ten
the kumbhabhishekam,, hoisted men lifted the Kamakshi
onto the heads of the priests and Devi statue onto its pedestal
carried in procession to the new in the main temple where it was
temple. During the procession, the secured in place with a golden
priest holding the kumbha meant for yantra. All of the other murtis were
blessing the main Kamakshi Devi Mandir, then installed following the same procedure.
suddenly went into trance and needed to be
supported by nearby devotees. This is con- Sunday, April 4
sidered a good omen. At 4:30 am the priests began their prepara-
tions for the final ceremony. All the murtis
Friday, April 2 were tied together with a thick rope. Pujas
Priests climbed to the top of each temple were performed for the devas (angels) in
and secured the golden kalasas (decorative all of the kumbhas, which were filled with
pots) one by one onto the temple spires with sacred Ganges water three days before.
a mixture of cement, honey and fruit. Each Priests hoisted these large kumbhas onto
kalasa contains a golden yantra (a mystical their heads and paraded around the new
engraving), as well as an assortment of jew- temple complex, led by temple musicians.
els and precious metals. At 10:00 am, 11 ha- Each priest then climbed onto the top of
vans (fire ceremonies) began and continued each temple and poured the Ganga water
throughout the day. There was a cultural on the newly installed golden spires. A num-
program in the evening. ber of devotees and sannyasins also climbed
onto the roof to observe the event. By noon
Saturday, April 3 the kumbhabhishekam was over. A lavish
As the eleven havans continued throughout feast was served. Two hundred respected
the morning, preparations were under way sadhus were the honored guests. ∏π
j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 59
RAJASTHAN
A photo feast, Pauline’s captions: (Clockwise from far left) “The
front and back of Jaipur ,” “winter morning near Bundi,” “cita-
del walls,” “the mother of a boy,” the cover of Pauline’s book,
“woman selling bangles,” “camels on the road after a cattle fair.”
BOOK REVIEW
Life in the land of color and sand
auline van lynden is an irrepressible artist of the
wild and visual type. Look inside her massive 11-by-14 inch, 320-
page, photo compendium entitled Rajasthan, and you will agree.
Except for a nominal 50 pages of text—even that is heavily infused
with poetic imagery—the book is cover-to-cover, full-color photographs,
all taken by her. This massive dose of art creates a visual feast by itself,
but what makes Rajasthan really special is Pauline’s unique photo pre-
sentation. We have reviewed a fair number of art and photo books here
at Hinduism Today, but never have we seen one quite like this.
Take a look at the full-page picture on page 70 of Rajasthan (see
photo bottom right). The caption reads: “Woman selling bangles.” At
first glance it does indeed appear to be simply a sweet lady contentedly
sitting in her jam-packed bangle shop. But look again! There are seven
photos there, we think—maybe more. Count them. We did, or tried to.
Several times. And we are still not sure we have it right. Pauline wants
us to look twice, thrice and scrutinize—and we just can’t not.
To compose these compelling art conglomerates, Pauline rips, cuts
and tears up her photos (sometimes precisely, sometimes crudely),
pastes them together, and photographs or scans them as collages. Be-
cause the photos used in each collage are so intentionally similar, it is
often difficult to tell where one photo stops and another starts. The mix
is part realistic and part visionary, with the distinction between these
two almost impossible to precisely discern. In the seven pictures pre-
sented on this two-page spread, all taken from Rajasthan, there are at
least 32 photos. Can you find them all?
Pauline’s approach is radical, even in the world of fine art, which is
primarily defined by creative risks. But if you let her compositions grow
on you, they work. In the end, you are left with a bit of the inspiration
she surely felt when she was right there in Rajasthan having the time
of her life. Rajasthan, which means “the land of kings,” is India’s second
largest state and comprises about one-tenth of its land mass. Much of
the region consists of dry plains swept by sandstorms of the Thar Des-
ert. In Pauline’s photo compositions, we see what she saw in the rugged
yet ever-cheerful faces of the people who there. They are in love with
color—even in a monochromatic world of sand. They are in love with
life; it seems everyone is always celebrating. And they are in love with
their personal traditions. Even today, the Rajasthanis maintain a proud
cultural identity that sets them apart from the rest of India. Pauline also
likes Rajasthan’s history, especially as she witnessed it sung in folk songs,
told in tales and poetry and paintings. It was this spirit of poetic myth
that enticed her back there again and again and eventually compelled
her to tell the story of her adventures in pictures.
By her own admission, the logic of her organization of images in the
book “may appear a little strange.” As she puts it: “The pages are linked
by the spontaneous way in which I found my images. To me, Rajasthan
is visual splendor. My memories are based essentially on the surprise
of the moment, and this explains why I have limited the text. Every one
of my senses was triggered by overwhelming impressions of colorful
people and amazing places. I wanted to remember it all. My bags, like a
magician’s, were filled with a wild assortment of small mementoes.”
It’s no surprise that Pauline is setting new precedent in the world
of book design. It’s in her blood, so to speak. She was born in Paris
into a family of painters. Now she lives in the Netherlands where
she practices and teaches art, having studied art-bookbinding at the
Ecole de la Cambre in Brussels, as well as painting and drawing in
Holland. Pauline has been traveling to India since 1988. Rajasthan is
her first book. She promises it will not be her last. We recommend it.
Rajasthan costs $65 and may be ordered from the Assouline website
at www.assouline.com or by calling toll free: (888) 879-1936. ∏π
j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 61
TRADITION
Fighting to Preserve a Tribal Heritage
A pilgrimage through Northeast India reveals a rich Vedic lifestyle
threatened to the core by sometimes violent Christian insurgents
By Stephen Knapp, Detroit, Michigan
n december of 2003 a few of us
from the Vedic Friends Association
traveled through Assam, Arunachala
Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and later
Sikhim on a spiritual journey. Unfortu-
nately, the trip wasn’t all love and light. The
local tribesmen in that part of India face a
major threat from sometimes violent Chris-
tian insurgents whose conversion efforts too
often result in murder and mayhem. This
article is about the plight of these noble peo-
ple and the danger they face on a daily basis
from religious zealots who have no notion of
the vast spiritual heritage they debase or the
terrible consequences they incur for doing so.
This is not the first time that Hinduism
Today has reported on the plight of the 30
million tribal Hindus in Northeast India. In
November/December, 2000, the magazine
published a five-page feature article by
Renu S. Malhotra entitled Missionaries Roil
Northeast India in which the author de-
tailed the disastrous effects Christian con-
version efforts were having there. In 2004,
Mrs. Malhotra took another trip through that
same area and was disappointed to report
that the situation has not improved. Instead,
she said, it has gotten worse. (See page 65.)
During our trip, the tribal people seemed
less concerned with aggressive Christians
than they were impressed with us—white
Americans who had been raised as Chris-
tians but had now chosen to follow the Ve-
dic and Hindu path of spirituality. Our pres-
ence in their cultural rituals touched them
deeply. They asserted again and again that
we were the only Westerners they had ever
met who weren’t hell-bent on convincing
them to give up their traditional ways of liv-
ing and convert to Christianity.
Many tribal cultures all over India are
immersed in Vedic traditions, or contain
elements that are carried over from the Ve-
dic way of life. Today, however, the world is
slowly coming to understand that Christians
are thoroughly infiltrating the Northeastern
region. Nagaland in particular—long famous
for its ancient, ascetic, Naga culture—is an
area where conversion tactics are most suc-
cessful. According to census figures just
released for 2001, Nagaland is 90 percent
Christian.
62 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5
were almost unheard of. this most educational journey, it became ap- make to abandon this culture. Remaining
The most significant conflicts arise from parent to me that, more often then not, it fixed in the true principles of this ancient
the sometimes violent aggression of Chris- is old values—not new ones—that provide lifestyle and passing these principles on to
tian insurgents (See page 64). In the last two solutions to modern day problems. This can the next generation certainly can’t hurt India
decades 10,000 people have been killed for be an important lesson learned too late. One in its attempts to carve a future which is at
religious reasons in the state of Tripura alone. of our more sobering observations during least as powerful as its past. ∏π
During our travels, we tried to stress that the trip was that when a culture is lost, it is
from our Western perspective the indig- almost impossible to bring back, or even to Stephen Knapp has written many books
enous cultures could easily survive in the fully understand in retrospect. and articles on Vedic philosophy and is the
modern world if some sense of flexibility The indigenous cultures of India are trea- president of the Vedic Friends Association,
could be brought to bear with regard to sures worth saving. They offer an important an organization dedicated to protecting and
incorporating technological developments connection to the best India’s past has to offer. sharing Vedic culture. For more information
and advanced education. We tried to pres- It seems to me that the social and environ- see: www.stephen-knapp.com and www.ve-
Many tribal people of India’s Northeast While it is confusing them, it is also sending ent the idea, for instance, that much good mental problems of the country are not due dicfriends.org.
are being hammered with the idea that if them an important message that perhaps could come from the amalgamation of the to some inherent problem in the traditional
they want to progress into the 21st century, they were better off before these Christians old with the new, such as improvements in culture itself, but rather in the
they must become modern like the West- came into their lives. Many are beginning communication, medicine, farming, con- choice many
erners. Since most Westerners they meet to think now that perhaps their old culture struction, transportation and more.
are evangelical Christians, they presume was fine just the way that it was. In the old At the close of
that Christianity is the essence of the West- days, tribal wars were only fought for land
ern value system and that they must there- and resources. Quarrels and crimes over
fore become Christian to be progressive. religious differences
As these tribal people innocently and en-
thusiastically strive by this reason-
ing to stay in touch with the
times, they adopt very little
of the best the West has to
offer and take instead much
of its worst. Abuse of alcohol
and drugs is escalating and so
is sexual promiscuity, fueling
the spread of AIDS and caus-
ing more abortions to be per-
formed. Abortion never used to
be an issue in this part of India,
and AIDS was almost unheard of.
According to local tradition, if
a boy and girl were caught in a
sexual act, they were forced to
marry. Illicit sex was not allowed.
Now, many local people, wanting
to sidestep local punishment, be-
come Christian just so they can
handle a vast array of sexual in-
discretions under the protection of
Western leniency.
In one area of Arunachal Pradesh
that we visited, new converts to
Christianity were being told to not
associate with their “heathen” friends
and neighbors. They were also be-
ing discouraged from participating
in their traditional festivals, dances
and music, or even joining in commu-
nity harvests and group house raisings.
They were being motivated to wear only
Western clothes, listen only to Western
p
music and celebrate only Western holi-
n k na p
days. This was creating divisions in fami-
lies and communities, and creating social
e
: steph
unrest.
Further complicating conversion mat-
ters today, even as I am writing this article,
otos
different Christian sects are quarreling
all ph
with each other over converts. This is hav-
ing an interesting effect on the tribal people.
Violence
ViolenceininNortheast
NortheastIndia
India
Suffering
Suffering
thethe
effects
effects
of poverty,
of poverty,
neglect,
neglect,
exploitation
exploitation
andand
Recovering from shock: Indian policemen stand guard on a railway platform in Guwahati, Assam, after a bomb blast on August 24 in
which two people died and 12 were injured—another example of widespread violence committed by terrorists throughout Northeast India
urn on the television any day
of the week, anywhere in the world,
and you are sure to catch current news
detailing terrorist atrocities occurring
in Iraq and Afghanistan. Although
similar violence is being committed by
insurgents in Northeast India, these latter
crimes are receiving surprisingly little news
coverage.
On a single day in early October, 2004,
militants set off bombs and opened gunfire
all across India’s Northeast, killing at least
46 people and wounding nearly 100. Two
bombs exploded in a marketplace in Di-
mapur, the commercial center in the state of
Nagaland. At the same time, a third bomb
ripped through a nearby railway station.
Twenty-six people died in the Nagaland at-
tacks. Later on the same day, heavily armed
Bodo tribal guerrillas in the neighboring
state of Assam drove into a town square
and gunned down eleven people who were
shopping in a local market. Almost simulta-
neously, guerrillas of the United Liberation
Front of Assam, the biggest of the insurgent
groups in the Northeast, set off grenades at
four places in Assam killing nine people.
64 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5
religious
religious
conversion
conversion
India’s mountainous Northeast is home to
nearly 200 underground militant organiza-
tions, some of which have thousands of fight-
ers. (See www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/
india/terroristoutfits/index.html) It is gener-
ally reported that a portion of these groups
are seeking greater autonomy or statehood,
while others are demanding secession and
the formation of Christian states. In truth,
however, what these groups really want de-
pends on who you ask.
Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma, Ph.D., a Mem-
ber of Parliament representing Assam Gan
Parishad [AGP] in the Lok Sabha, told our
Hinduism Today correspondent, Rajiv
Malik, that he was not aware of any violent
conversion efforts. “I am myself a Hindu,”
Dr. Sarma said. “And I can tell you that the
local Hindus of the Northeast are mainly
concerned with immigrants, whether they
are from India or from Bangladesh. These
immigrants infiltrate the Northeast region
of India to settle there and exploit business
and employment opportunities that would
ordinarily go to the native populace. What I
want to emphasize here is that the insurgen-
cy exists for economic rather than religious
reuters photo archive, str
reasons. Actually, a large portion of the
Northeast is already Christian. Who is there
left to convert? The government of India is
primarily responsible for the lack of finan-
cial stability in the Northeast. They have no
clear-cut policy for the economic develop-
ment of the region. Most development funds
go into the pockets of either corrupt politi-
cians or insurgents who kidnap government
servants for ransom. Among the Hindus, the
high caste exploits the low caste, including
the tribal people. In addition to all of this,
Central Government is not doing anything
for the preservation of Hindu temples and
ashrams, although they conscientiously
maintain Buddhist monasteries.”
Offering a different perspective in an ar-
ticle written for Mainstream, commentator
Kunal Ghosh states: “Baptist Christian ter-
rorists are active in India’s Northeast. They
derive their financial support from the
southern parts of the USA where the Bap-
tist Church has a strong following. Funds are
collected in the form of donations in various
church establishments. Some of this money
is spent in true philanthropic work such as
spreading education and health care.
“However, it has been suspected for a long
time that a part of these funds get diverted
to the purchase of arms for Baptist terror-
ists of the Northeast. Ex-Chief Election
Commissioner, T.N. Seshan, gave voice to
this suspicion in a television panel discus-
sion on Doordarshan back in 1993 when he
said, ‘Our Army is baffled by the seemingly
unending supply of sophisticated and ex-
courtesy renu malhotra
pensive arms and equipment flooding into
the Northeast. Money generated by the lo-
cal extortion of businessmen and citizens
accounts for only a small fraction of funds
collected. The greater part must be coming
from abroad. It is suspected that the funds
come from Christian sources such as the
Baptist Church in southern USA and the
Presbyterian Church of the UK.’
“The most prominent among the terrorist
outfits of Tripura is the NLFT (National
Liberation Front of Tripura). It employs
terror tactics to effect mass conversion to
Christianity and is a predominantly Baptist
organization. On August 6, 1999, four RSS
(Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) workers
of Tripura, named Shyamal Kanti Sen Gup-
ta, Sudhamoy Dutta, Dinendranath Dey,
Shubhankar Chakraborti, were kidnapped
by the NLFT and taken to a camp in the
jungles of Bangladesh. A ransom of one mil-
lion dollars was demanded from their par-
ent organization. When the RSS refused to
pay, they were put to death. Their ‘sin’ was
that they were preaching among the tribals
to preserve Hinduism. Although our consti-
tution permits propagation of religious faith
by any legitimate means, this crime of mur-
der did not create a media sensation.
“This is not the first time that a Hindu
preacher has been attacked in Northeast
India. In 1999, Swami Gokulananda, the
present head of the Ramakrishna Mission
Ashram of New Delhi, says that during the
1980s when he was Secretary of the Khasi
Hills Ashrama in Meghalaya, ‘The hostile
forces were against our movement as it was
trying to bring back the lost tradition of
faith among the people of the Khasi hills.
They wanted to remove me. One day, a time
bomb was planted in my room but they did
not succeed in killing me.’ ”
On a map, the seven states of Northeast In-
dia look conspicuously orphaned. Attached
to the rest of India only by a thin sliver of
land that marks the juncture of Bihar and
West Bengal, these “seven sisters,” as they
are sometimes called, are all but separated
from their mother Bharat by an imposing,
wall-shaped Bangladesh.
The mountainous terrain of the area is rich
with beauty and heritage, but the wedge of
separation left in the wake of India’s Parti-
tion in 1948 has severed valuable lifelines to
the region and catalyzed violence through
desperation. Ten thousand people have
been killed here over the past ten years. ∏π
Life goes on: The author, third from right, top row, poses with bright students in Arunachal
My Hopeful Visit
With Kind People
A lovely, precious land
besieged by fanaticism
By Renu S. Malhotra,
Grand Rapids, Michigan
he beauty of arunachal and
Assam keeps us connected to Mother
Nature’s power. It is only my second
day here and I am in a most interesting
place. It’s Maajuli in Assam, the larg-
est river island in the world. For ages, it has
endured the force of the surrounding wa-
ter that flows so erratically it is sometimes
affectionately referred to as Paglaa Nadi,
which means “Crazy River.”
There are three satras in Maajuli. A sa-
tra is a very ancient monastery-like school
of sorts. In these satras young children are
taught ancient dance, drama and music to
keep the rich heritage of the area alive for
posterity. As we visit each of the satras, the
students perform for us. Their discipline is
impeccable.
People from the Vivekananda Kendra
are hosting me all through my travels, and
I have many opportunities to carefully ob-
serve their work and its effect, which is very
extensive in this part of the world. They
have 41 schools in just two states alone—a
big achievement. The dedication of the jee-
van vratis (life workers) of the Kendras has
earned them such a fine reputation that
their schools are favored over those man-
aged by Christian missionaries.
One of the many reasons the Kendra
schools are so popular is that they include
instruction in the native and ancestral arts.
Arun Jyaoti, a cultural arm of the Kendra, is
j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5
helping the indigenous population to adapt
to modern times while retaining their tradi-
tional values and lifestyle.
In India there is a saying, “Atithi Devo
Bhava,” which means a guest is like a God.
Everywhere we go we are offered food and
drink. In Tafra Gaon, Arunachal Pradesh, it
is so beautiful that I want to stay back and
be a student. In this serene environment,
children learn easily. Bright and early each
morning these young ones can be heard
singing songs as they welcome the day be-
fore taking hatha yoga class.
My two days in Numaligharh are special.
Numaligharh is a small town near the Ka-
ziranga Wild Life Sanctuary in Arunachal.
Here, the Vivekananda Kendra runs a small
hospital which is extraordinarily clean and
well equipped. It is a sort of a one-stop
treatment center staffed by well-trained,
courteous medical personnel. If ever I need
medical care while in India, I would like to
receive it here.
The sometimes violent Christian mission-
ary zeal to “harvest souls” has become a
long-standing obstacle to the peaceful coex-
istence of the various jana jaathi, or tribal na-
tives of this area. The Ramakrishna Mission
also lives under a perpetual threat posed by
newly converted Christians who are armed
and especially zealous. All through our trav-
els I am cautioned to be careful, as there is
always a risk of death at the hands of these
Christian fanatics!
Although violence and oppression hang
like clouds over these beautiful people, they
are somehow able to maintain some sem-
blance of that benign innocence that every
human being is born with. It is my firm con-
viction that the Hindus of Northeast India
could enjoy a peaceful future, if they would
stand strong against Christian conversion
now. I have confidence in this because I am
fortified by a faith in the people of India. As
a friend of mine once told me, “India lives
because a lot of people work constantly for
her out of love and admiration.” ∏π
h i n d u i s m t o d ay 65
 CU LT U R E Sounds of the Divine: The Rudra vina,
nurtured in contemplation by the rishis, is

To Save a Soulful Art Form

renowned for its spiritual inspiration

The Future of the Rudra Vina

I have given twenty or more concerts for
Pandit Hindraj Divekar, one of the last surviving Rudra vina the foreigners of the Osho-Centre in Pune.
masters, talks about its history, its music and its plight In a recent program, 25,000 people listened
to my performance in pin-drop silence. In
2001, Paris, France, 40,000 attended my
concert. Europeans hearing Rudra vina for
By Rajiv Malik, New Delhi, india Rudra vina flourished under the patronage der. Frets that were fixed the first time say they have never heard
he rudra vina is considered the of the Hindu Maharajas and Mogul rulers. in my father’s time are anything like it. But a few concerts will not
father-mother of all stringed instru- But the music was hidden from the masses, still strong. But the com- suffice. Rudra vina will have a bright future
ments. Believed to have been used by experienced only by royalty and the wealthy. pound used to fix the frets only if we get committed disciples, and
the rishis for contemplation, no other With the advent of British rule, the centu- today breaks up after a more organizations and individuals who
instrument but the human voice can match ries of elite patronage of India’s great cul- few months, which shows can organize good concerts. Only if all this
the Rudra vina’s deep, subtly nuanced, sus- tural arts came to an end. Today Indian mu- what a perfect job our an- is there can we pass on Rudra vina music
tainable spiritual tones. Sadly, its incredible sicians must find new ways to survive. After cestors did. This mixture knowledge to our future generations.
sound is on the verge of extinction. In this independence and with the global distribu- makes the frets so strong Publicity is crucial to bring up the pub-
interview for HINDUISM TODAY, and in his tion of audio technologies, there has been a that they never loosen up lic awareness and inspire more youth to
book Rudra Veena, Pandit Hindraj Divekar resurgence and worldwide interest in Indian during performance. The take up the Rudra vina. I have approached
of Pune, the last remaining khayal style Ru- classical music. Unfortunately, many ancient sound that is derived af- Doordarshan, India’s national TV station, for
dra vina master, shares in his own words the instruments that fell into disuse remain hid- ter this treatment is given over 25 years, but they continue to ignore
history and challenges facing the future of den from the world. The Rudra vina is the is just incomparable. The the Rudra vina, because I am not famous
mankind’s oldest classical stringed instru- most prominent among them. moveable, tied-on metal, and popular. The media follows celebrities,
ment and appeals to all for help. Most great Beenkar maestros have died frets of the sitar and mod- and their instruments enter the limelight.

tirtho banerjee
off. My second guru after my own father, ern vinas produce a more But any sitar player should realize that if he
History of the Rudra Vina the world famous Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Da- metallic sound. That is not starts playing the Rudra vina his stature as
References are made to the vina in our garji, has passed away. Karnataka’s brilliant the original sound of the a musician will definitely go up.
scriptures that are over four thousand years Pandit Bindu Pathak died in February of vina, the vina of Lord Shiv It is true the instrument is challenging.
old. It has existed since pre-Vedic times. It this year. This leaves only a few of us: the Shankar. It is heavy and difficult for a beginner to
is said that Lord Siva created this world by respected Ustad Asad Ali Khan, of Delhi, On a perfectly fitted, hold for long periods of time. It is difficult
dancing for Parvati to the music of the Ru- who is nearing 70, and his son, who keep immoveable fret, when I to transport. Its strings are harder to press
dra vina. Rishis and hermits played this in- the ancient dhrupad style, and myself—the pluck the string once, it and it has a low volume which must be am-
strument in remote Himalayan caves. Over last khayal Rudra vina artist. reverberates for at least plified in today’s noisy world. But there is no
time in North India it was called “Beena” I have taught two to three hundred stu- twenty seconds. But the sound like it in the universe. I have played
and then “Been.” Its musicians are known dents. Only twenty to thirty were trained sound of the sitar can many times in the ancient Siva temple of Sri

as “Beenkars.” During the middle ages, the in Rudra vina, the others in sitar. The other
maestros have a few students as well. How
much they will practice and take it forward
is their responsibility. Indians are fast asleep
to this musical heritage. It is ironic that Ru-
dra vina, the father, is being ignored while
sitar and other instruments, which are the
children, are more prominent. Foreign stu-
dents are taking more interest. The Neth-
erland’s Amsterdam University is providing
scholarships for students in Europe to come
to India and study with me. But, it remains
to be seen if there will be any Rudra vina
masters in the future.
discovery publishing house
pa n d i t h i n d r a j d i v e k a r
resonate only for five or Ghrineswar, Maharashtra, one of the twelve
six seconds. So the length Jyotirlingas. The kind of Brahmanada expe-
of the Rudra vina sound is rience I have cannot be explained in words.
the kind of length that one I want the world and our future generations
could produce only from to have this experience.
one’s throat. And when we Television, recording companies, state and
play a raga on this vina, central cultural authorities, universities pro-
people feel as if it is being viding scholarships, concert promoters, mu-
sung. We can produce on sic academies, ashrams, etc., need to give
the Rudra vina the same beautiful effect an interest in drama and vocal music, so the just listened to him quietly in utter silence. I more coverage of the Rudra vina, not for
that comes with the vocal singing of alaap traditional work of taking care of temples was too young to know the value of what he my sake, but to save this divine music from
(slow, improvisional exposition of a raga’s is now being done by our relatives. But my was playing. Now I realize the value of that extinction. For the Rudra vina to survive,
key notes and melody.) father focused on instrumental music. He silence. He used to play the music of God. there must be means to provide the artists
started me on vina when I was just five years Today the position of silence has been to- with a livelihood. I am getting by financially,

Documenting the king of instruments:
Pandit Divekar and Dr. Tribhuwan’s book
compiling research on the Rudra vina
The Instrument and Its Sound
The shape of Rudra vina is totally different
from sitar. Its two round tumbas are made
from giant pumpkin gourds. The connect-
ing rod between them used to be of bamboo.
Now people are getting that made of wood.
But the sound that you get when you use
the bamboo rod cannot be expressed. The
frets of a sitar are made of brass and are
tied down with thread. But from ancient
times, the frets of the vina were fixed in
a compound of glue, wax and kajal pow-
Pandit Hindraj Divekar’s Life and Mission
My first guru was my father, the late Pandit
Hindhagandharva Shivram Buva Divekar.
We belong to Gurav caste in Maharashtra.
This caste has been there since the ages of
Samaveda. We have been musicians from
that time. As the son of a farmer becomes
a farmer, so the son of a musician becomes
a musician. To us this music is a social re-
sponsibility. Guravs are also priests whose
duty it is to perform puja (worship) at Lord
Siva’s temples all over Maharashtra. When
my grandfather came here in Pune, he had
old. Now I am 50 and have been playing for
45 years, serving the music and teaching
others. But there is no comparison between
myself and the other great Beenkars. I con-
sider them my elders, who have guided me.
I am still a student of Rudra vina.
Even though my father possessed a soft
and caring heart, he was very strict. In 1965,
I was just ten and he made me wake up
before dawn and get ready for learning by
4am. At that time it was so silent. We only
listened to the sound of music, that is Brah-
manada. There just was no other sound. I
tally disturbed. If a train passes close by, we
do not listen. Those were the times when
we could even hear an ox cart passing two
kilometers away. Does this type of silence
exist today? Because we are un-silenced
now, this has disturbed our body and na-
ture. It is very essential that all this should
be corrected. To bring that silence back,
Rudra vina is the instrument we can count
on. We can play the Rudra vina in concerts,
festivals, recordings; people will listen, enter
the world of Brahmanada and forget every-
thing else.
but a new generation of artists will need a
much broader platform of support. I am ap-
pealing here in Hinduism Today for any-
one interested to come forward and contact
me to save the Rudra vina—at the very least,
to arrange for recordings for posterity—in
service of the Divine Brahmanada. ∏π
pandit hindraj divekar; 82 budhwar peth,ramsukha
tulasi; 3rd floor,flat no.301-302; near ganapati
chowk,laxmi rd; pune 411002.m.s.india.
tel. 91-020-24458026;
website: www.hindrajdivekar.org;
e-mail: info@hindrajdivekar.org;
hindraj_divekar@hotmail.com;
pthindraj_rveena@yahoo.comr

66 h i n d u i s m t o d ay j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 j a n ua r y / f e b r ua r y / m a r c h , 2 0 0 5 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 67
 JULY TO SEPTEMBER ENDOWMENT CONTRIBUTIONS
Kauai Aadheenam Monastic Endowment Vinaya Sharma 80.00 Hasu N. & Hansa H. Patel 250.00 Pathmini Saravanapavan 25.00
Anonymous $1,032.00 Chandra Shekharan 70.00 Total 350.00 Total 25.00
Ishani Chowdhury 100.00 Loganatha Shivam 200.00
Rajendra Giri 30.00 Hindu Press International Endowment Fund Manitha Neyam Trust Fund
Palaka Shivam 400.00
Gauri K. Bhardwaj 100.00 Bala Sivaceyon 42.23
SWAMI VIPULANANTA CHILDREN’S HOME ENDOWMENT
Gunasekaran Kandasamy 209.15 Devaladevi Sivaceyon 10.54
Diksha Katir 215.04 Nutanaya Sivaceyon 10.54 Rajendra Giri 15.00 Total 42.23
Ushadevi Katir 83.00 Dasa Sivam 142.00 Narayan Parawati 10.00
Kerala Temple Trust
Rakesh Sood 83.34 Lavanadevi Sivam 102.00 Total 125.00
Gauri K. Bhardwaj 100.00

In a small, backward village called Akkaraipattu,

Niraj Thaker 17.00 Potriyan Sivanathan 9.51 Loving Ganesha Distribution Fund Natraj Narayanswami 31.67
Other Donations 53,119.40 Girish Skanda 10.96 Rajendra Giri 15.00 Total 131.67
Himalayan Academy 2,250.00 Subasene Skanda 10.00 Christian Langers 150.00
situated in the eastern coastal area of Sri Lanka, is Total
Iraivan Temple Endowment
57,138.93 Ganesammal Supiah
Nagaraj Tanguturu
447.65
240.00
Manoharan Navaratnarajah
Gassa Patten
75.00
1,194.00
Kapaleeshwara Temple Orphanage
Sharmila Kesavalu 21.00
Shankar & Sri Mallampalli 1,500.00
an orphanage which now takes loving care of eighty
K. S. Thamilarasi 392.35 Total 1,434.00
Anonymous 102.00 Jayanthi Vasudevan Naiker 300.00
Total 5,858.57
Rita Balachander 500.00 Swami Agnivesh Endowment Fund Natraj Narayanswami 48.34

Hindu children. The story of the home began in 1990 Ishani Chowdhury
Diksha Katir
Ushadevi Katir
100.00
215.04
250.00
Hindu Businessmen’s Association Trust
P aramaseeven Canagasaby
Vel Mahalingum
24.67
25.66
Rajendra Giri
Vijay - Daksha - Neil Mithal
15.00
2.00
Rajalakshmi Ramalingam
Garimella V.S. Rayudu
50.00
440.00
Total 17.00 Total 2,359.34
when the civil war forced people to flee from their Natraj Narayanswami
S.V. Ravi Rahavendran
16.66
505.00
Manogaran Mardemootoo
Vishwanaden Moorooven
54.52
35.33 Saiva Agamas Trust Manjung Hindu Sabha Orphanage Fund
Matthew Wieczork 82.00 Gauri K. Bhardwaj 100.00
homes and hide in the forests and jungles to save Garimella V S Rayudu
Nitya Sivam
Rakesh Sood
20.00
50.00
83.33
Easvan Param
Vedapragassen Peruman
Total
22.41
23.89
186.48
Total 82.00 Rajendra Giri
Vijay - Daksha - Neil Mithal
15.00
2.00
Spiritual Park of Mauritius Endowment
their lives. For one year they were forced, as one vic- Niraj Thaker
Frank Van Waardenburg
17.00
200.00 Boys School for Iraivan Priesthood Gauri K. Bhardwaj
Total
100.00
100.00
Total
Pazhassi Balamandiram Orphanage Fund
117.00

Rajendra Giri 15.00

tim confided, “to live like animals and birds.” When
Raja Vishnu 30.00 Anonymous 76.50
Total 2,089.03 Bala Sivaceyon 52.77 Positive Discipline Endowment
Total 67.77 Rajendra Giri 15.00
Natraj Narayanswami 16.67 Vijay, Daksha & Neil Mithal 2.00
circumstances improved a bit they came back to the Kauai Aadheenam Annual Archana Fund
Anil Ananda Badhwar
Sivanathan Batumalai
746.34
65.36
Kauai Aadheenam Matavasi Medical Fund
Anonymous 25.50
Total
Alaveddy Pasupatheeswarar Temple Fund
16.67 Natraj Narayanswami
Rajalakshmi Ramalingam
60.83
50.00
village. Many were in shock, as almost all families Umaiyal Devasegayam Family
Isanah Kameni
52.29
39.45
Rajendra Giri
Ushadevi Katir
15.00
83.00
Anonymous
Total
50.00
50.00
Niraj Thaker
Total
17.00
221.33
Gowri Nadason 90.09
had lost one or more members. Even more heart- Amooda Koothan
Egilen Koothan
Saravan Koothan
35.99
28.23
1.77
Indra & Sabapathy Sivayoham
Vayudeva Varadan
647.11
54.00
Hindu Heritage Endowment Administrative Fund
Ushadevi Katir 250.00
Karnataka Temple Development Fund
Gauri K. Bhardwaj 100.00
Total 100.00
breaking was the future of so many parentless chil- Matthew Wieczork 25.00 Total 250.00
Usharani Kuppusamy 13.07
Thavamalar Lingam 38.96 Total 939.70 Kauai Aadheenam Religious Art and Artifacts Fund Hindu Literature Fund

dren. Seeing this plight, a few local gentlemen came Saroja Devi Manickam 2.50 Tirunavukkarasu Nayanar Gurukulam Rajadeva Alahan 153.00 K. L. Reddy 51.00
Bhaveshan Moorghen 3.54 Natraj Narayanswami 12.50 Total 153.00 Gauri K. Bhardwaj 100.00
Shanda Kumaran Moorghen 3.54 Total 12.50 Thomas F. Fellowes 1,000.00
forward, determined to use local resources to help. They had a Hindu Youth Council (Young Men’s Udeyadeva Moorghen
Umah Rani Palanisamy
3.54
159.47 Sri Subramuniya Kottam Fund
Murugan Temple Pillaiayar Shrine Fund
Pathmini Saravanapavan 50.00
Dr. Saraswathy
Jutikadevi Sivaraja
25.00
216.00
Anonymous 50.00 Total 50.00
Hindu Association) from earlier times. Mr. T. Kailayapillai, President of the Council, first selected Suselah Periasamy 315.48 Matthew Wieczork 20.00
Kirtideva Peruman 1.05 Total 50.00 Thank You Bodhinatha Fund Himalayan Academy 5,000.00
Niroshnee Peruman 3.15 Anonymous 251.00 Total 6,412.00
the most affected five children and arranged foster parents for them. He then suggested forming an
Malaysian Hindu Youth Education Trust
Kasturi Raman 11.27 Gauri K. Bhardwaj 100.00 Stephanie Devi Corgatelli 265.57 Hinduism Today Complimentary Subscription Fund
P. Raman 112.67 Total 100.00 Amarnath Devarmanai 324.00 Hiranya & Saraswathi Gowda 51.00
orphanage to provide parentless children a hereditary Hindu lifestyle. He began erecting a build- Shamala Raman
Sathialingeswari
Patudeva Sivaceyon
11.27
40.27
10.54
Kumbhalavalai Ganesha Temple Endowment
Anonymous 50.00
Rajendra Giri
Rajkumar Manickam
15.00
51.00
Himalayan Academy
Total
5,000.00
5,051.00
Sadhunathan Nadesan 1,008.00
ing for the orphanage on a piece of land belonging to a Ganapati temple. People were very helpful. Hemavalli Sivalingam
Kantha Ruben Sivalingam
1.58
1.58
Manoharan Navaratnarajah
Total
75.00
125.00
Manoharan Navaratnarajah
Shanta Devi Periasamy
150.00
230.00
Pooled Income Fund Trust (PIF)
Gowri Nadason 30.00

The home was given the name Swami Vipulananda Students’ Orphanage. Informally it is called Rohini Sivalingam
Dasa Sivam
Javanya Skanda
1.58
72.00
3.00
Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Devasthanam Trust
Gauri K. Bhardwaj 100.00
Alex Ruberto
Pathmini Saravanapavan
30.00
25.00
Satya Palani
Total
100.00
130.00
Jeremiah Umakanthan 25.00
Illam, meaning “home.” As the number of children grew, they realized the need for a full-time
Total 100.00
Gunavintran Tirumalai 65.36 Vayudeva Varadan 57.00
Priyatarshini Tirumalai 13.07 Hinduism Today Production Fund Raja Vishnu 45.00 Total Contributions $79,750.57

caretaker. Mr. Kailayapillai gave up his job in the state sector and dedicated his life to the better- Swapna Varadarajulu
Total
10.00
1,867.92
Garimella V S Rayudu
Total
20.00
20.00
Total
Mathavasi Travel Fund
2,476.57
Funds at Market Value, September 30, 2004

ment of the home. He and others formed a board of directors and an administrative body. Several Hinduism Today Lifetime Subscription Fund Vishwamata Gayatri Trust Fund Rajendra Giri 15.00 Total Endowment Funds $5,544,479.68
India Cultural Center and Temple 800.00 Vijay - Daksha - Neil Mithal 2.00 Total 15.00 Total Pooled Income Funds $197,367.84
Anil Ananda Badhwar 95.10 Total 2.00
volunteers came forward to help. The home was registered with the Social Department of the gov- Sanjay Bajekal
Surinder M. Bhardwaj
240.00
100.00
Hindu Orphanage Endowment Fund
Udayan Care Endowment Fund
Rajendra Giri 15.00
Grand Total $5,741,847.52
Ajit S. Adhopia 172.04 Christian Langers 150.00
ernment. The mission of the home is to look after youth in a respectful manner, to treat them no Sivarama Dandamudi
Ravindra Doorgiat
240.00
95.29
Anil Ananda Badhwar
Lila Shakti Devi
100.00
75.00
Vijay - Daksha - Neil Mithal
Natraj Narayanswami
2.00
16.67
Rajul & Heidi Gandhi 111.99
different from other people. The eighty resident children follow a Saivite Hindu lifestyle and enjoy Rajendra Giri
Kriya Haran
15.00
164.00
Rajendra Giri
Gunasekaran Kandasamy
30.00
209.16
Richard Stocker
Total
11.00
194.67
Christian Langers 150.00
purely vegetarian meals. They receive a general education, and vocational training programs have Ushadevi Katir
Amravadee Kownden
110.00
35.34
Natraj Narayanswami
Garimella V. S. Rayudu
46.66
20.00
Saivite Hindu Scriptural Fund for the Visually
Impaired
Thavamalar Lingam 38.88
been started to help prepare students for a productive life. Rushikesh H. Mehta
Umah Rani Palanisamy
99.00
159.42
Alex Ruberto
Aran Sendan
30.00
51.00
Rajendra Giri
Alex Ruberto
Total
15.00
30.00
45.00
Rakesh Sood 83.33
Adi Sankara Perumal 56.00
Rodney & Ilene Standen 30.00
Anjeeni Devi Perumal 28.00 Sri Chandra Madhab Debnath Endowment
Matthew Wieczork 147.00 Gauri K. Bhardwaj 100.00
Sujata Sachdeva 1,000.00
The board has sought financial assistance but received only a fraction of the need, because of the Vatsala Sastry
Linda Seeley
168.00
75.00
Total
Hindu Education Endowment
1,144.19 Total 100.00
Murugan Temple Yalpanam Festival Fund
country’s economic depression. Today they continue appealing for assistance to donor agencies, Jiva Shanmuga 102.00 Gauri K. Bhardwaj 100.00

both local and foreign. In recent years they have passed many milestones in the running of the
home, but the continual increase in the number of children makes it difficult to make ends meet.
Recently, a group of Sri Lankan expatriates pooled resources to buy a farm tractor for the orphan-
age. The tractor is rented to local farmers and the income is used to support the home. Sivakanthan
Sivanathapillai of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, approached HHE to help with this project. He donated
$5,000, and $3,500 was given by HHE directly to the home to help buy the tractor. The remaining
$1,500 was used to begin the Swami Vipulananta Children’s Home Endowment, fund #57. The
purpose of the endowment is to provide general support of the activities of the orphanage, includ-
ing purchase of food and clothing, school supplies, building maintenance, new buildings and espe-
cially religious education and ceremony.
HINDUISM TODAY COMPLIMENTARY SUBSCRIPTION FUND
In the Jul-Aug-Sep ‘04 issue we introduced the Karnataka Temple Development Fund, an HHE
endowment created by Dr. and Mrs. Hiranya and Saraswathi Gowda of Nashville, Tennessee. The
Gowdas are keen to help provide religious and financial assistance to the people and charitable
institutions in India and, as avid readers and supporters of HINDUISM TODAY, they recognized the
need to provide complimentary copies to individuals, ashrams, orphanages, schools and libraries.
They opened a new HHE fund (#59) for this purpose (See page 13.)
MISSION STATEMENT: Hindu Heritage Endowment is a publicly supported, charitable organiza-
tion recognized as tax exempt by the IRS on April 22, 1994. Employer ID 99-0308924. Founded by
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, its philanthropic mission is to provide secure, professionally
managed financial support for institutions and religious leaders of all lineages of Sanatana Dharma.
PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS: Halbert, Hargrove/Russell, Investment Counsel; Alvin G. Buchignani,
Esq., Legal Counsel; and Hirose, Kato and Co., CPA. HHE is a member of the Council on Founda-
tions, an association of 1,931 foundations which interprets relevant law and management and in-
vestment principles.
I WANT TO PARTICIPATE. WHERE SHOULD I SEND MY DONATION? You can send your gift to an
existing fund, create a new endowment or request information through the address below. Dona-
tions may be made online at www.hheonline.org or use the HHE tear-out card in this magazine to
join our family of benefactors who are Strengthening Hinduism Worldwide. Thank you.
HINDU HERITAGE ENDOWMENT
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 Hawaii
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 Working Together
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1 4 Essential Principles of www.vedicfriends.org
Hindu Dharma (Hinduism)
Composed and continually revised over the last 35 years You are invited to Join!
by yoga teacher Prof. Bharat J. Gajjar. Please teach these
golden principles to your children and display them on the Membership is Free
walls of your temple to uplift devotees and visitors alike.
1. Of the four goals of Hinduism—dharma, ar- 6. Yoga means union with God. Types of yoga 11. It is your dharma (duty) to counter VFA, Box 15082
tha, karma and moksha—moksha (mookti or are gnyana (knowledge), bhakti (devotional adharma (injustice or wrongdoing) through
freedom) is the ultimate goal: to become one service), raja (meditation, kundalini), mantra, intelligent, legal action, always striving first for Detroit, MI 48215 USA
with God. To reach it, you should love God, karma (selfless service), hatha, kriya (cleans- peaceful resolution. Protection of the weak
know thyself, fulfill dharma including ahimsa, ing) and japa (reciting the names of God). is also Dharma. Vegetarianism is practiced
do selfless service and sadhana (spiritual 7. Parmatman (Supreme Soul or God), to show nonviolence towards animals. The
practices). jivatman (individual souls’ essence) and the four ashrams are Brahmacarya, Grihastha,
2. Brahman is the formless Supreme reality or essence within all living entities is absolutely Vanpratha and Sannyasa.
God, which enters the material world in three real. Everything else is maya, or relatively 12. The Scriptures say there are four castes—
forms: Brahma (the Creator; his daughter is real, impermanent. Purush (Spirit) is the Fa- brahman, kshatriya, vaishya and sudra. A
Sarasvati) Vishnu (Preserver, his consort is ther-aspect of God. Pakriti (matter or energy) person ’ s caste was originally determined by
Lakskmi) and Siva (Transformer, consorts are is the Mother-aspect of God. There are three his nature, but later became set by birth.
Durga or Kali, sons, Ganesh and Subraman- worlds: material, astral and spiritual. Adherence to the caste system is weakening.
ya). God is all and all is God. 8. Truth is one, but religions are many. Some Slavery has never been a significant part of
3. God is nirguna (impersonal formless reality of the main divisions of Hindus are Vaish- Hindu culture or history.
known as Brahman) or Om, or is sadguna, navism, Shaivism, and Shaktism. Jainism, 13. God is worshiped as mother, father, guru,
God in a personal form who listens to prayers Buddhism, Sikhism, as well as Charvaka and friend, or in some other way. The Satguru
and also comes to earth as an Avatar (God in Sankhya philosophies are included as a part is the spiritual teacher who takes you from
a human incarnation). God has many forms of Hinduism. darkness to light. His grace is essential for
and names. Lord Vishnu incarnates as Ram, 9. Hindu Scriptures are the Vedas, Upani- receiving spiritual knowledge and he may
Krishna, et al. Surrender and love them. shads, Agamas (which are Sruti or words of be worshiped as God. Murthi (idol) wor-
4. Hindus enjoy freedom of thought and God), as well as Ramayana, Mahabharata ship helps focus one’s devotion on God. The
belief, but accept the conformity of dharma (which includes Bhagavad Gita), Puranas and murthi may be considered God in person.
(duty, proper action, care for family). With many other books and commentaries writ- When a person says I am a Hindu, he or she
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included in Hinduism. remembered). Hinduism, they are welcome.

5. Karma is the concept that a reaction follows
every action. Good results come from good
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Moksha is only possible while living in the
material world.
14. Bharat, or Hindustan, is divya bhumi
matru bhumi, where people of all religions are
welcome. India has never invaded any coun-
try. All of humanity is one family; respect all
religions. The great historian, Arnold Toynbe
said, “The world will realize that the only way
to salvation for mankind is the Hindu way.”

Among Hinduism's Mahavakya (Great Utterences): Satchitananda means Existence, Knowledge and Bliss absolute — Swami Sivananda.
Aham Brahm Ashmi (I am Brahma or spirit) • Soham or Tat Tvam Asi (That, thou art) • Satyam Sivam Sundaram (God is Truth and Beauty)

Contact Prof. Bharat J. Gajjar

614 Loveville Rd, Bldg. D-1F
Hockessin, DE 19707, USA

82 83
 INNERSEARCH
this time to...
australia january
2006 new zealand
HUJUNKAJHSFOIYSEDIYJHSDJKUYWEKADRRDESWAKIIJHSAOIEHALAOYTIHYUJKLIIWZXVCGBBNHUJUNKAJHS
WEKSYDNEYADRRDESWAMELBOURNEKEIPIIJHSAOLIAIWHOBARTZXVCGBBNHFJORDLANDSUJUIEHJALAOY
EWTYGRAXYRDDUNEDINIWESCSGHGKCHRISTCHURCHLSJDHJGSJTAURANGADKLJNLZAXJAUCKLANDPSIOV
IWZXVCGBBNKAJHSFOIYSEDIYJHSDJKUYWEKADRRDESWAKIIJHSUNAOINHUJKAJHSHUJUEHALAOYTIHYUJKL

The Light of Lights

Like a Tree in winter’s death
Is my body fleeting of breath.
My days are done
With my soul in setting sun.

But I fear not the hand of Death that nears

As I write of Thee in my twilight years.
My heart is in tumult
Not of any desires in default;

But that I am caught

In a single thought:

Innersearch is a time to leave behind your usual life for a while Thou Art –
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discourses and informal sharing, the day-to-day practicalities of The child in me
living a dynamic Hindu life in a modern world. Our program in-
cludes all meals and accommodation onboard Princess Cruises'
Down Under Sobs for Thee,
Diamond Princess, classes with Bodhinatha and his monks, shore Pines for Thee,
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to register, please contact Himalayan Acad- ..
emy at -808-822-302, Ext. 239 or e-mail
innersearch@hindu.org By Dr. Arjunan Subramaniam, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Composed in Grand Basin, Mauritius, 13/10/2003 Karthekeya’s Day
Written in Salutation to Goddess Saraswathi—Mother, The Day Was Beautiful But Not As Beautiful As Thee.
85
www.himalayanacademy.com/innersearch

Purushottam
Swaminarayan
Sanstha (BAPS)
website at www.
w w w. s wa m i na r aya n . o r g
swaminarayan.
org puts it in a
class of its own.
Established in
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this socio-spiritual
BAPS sets the bar for institutional web sites organization is a
superb example
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practical spirituality, mass moti-
Hinduism in vation and uplifting projects for
all—irrespective of class, creed,
Action! color or country. A veritable
goldmine of information on the
N ormally we do not re-
view institutional sites
intended for devotees, but the
Swaminarayan Sampradaya,
the site details scriptures, phi-
losophy, festivals, education and
sheer depth, beauty and life of happenings throughout the or-
the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar ganization’s worldwide network.
w w w. h a p p y c o w. n e t
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W
hether your travels take you across the americas,
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pg 86 digi_dharma jan05 §.indd 86
Visit www.hindu.org
CHILDREN The focus is primarily on NRIs
interested in adoption, but their
Adopting links page connects to other
sites with focus on Americans.
Indian Children
One such is www.serve.com/
ichild/ which has similar in-
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10/31/04 5:28:24 PM