Unpleasant transfer can change the History

Unpleasant transfer can change the History

World wonder Tajmahal was built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal, the beautiful wife of Badshah Shahjahan. When Shahjahan was the Governor of Gujarat, she conceived a baby in Ahmedabad. When Emperor Jahangir was returning from a tour to Ahmedabad (due to dusty wind of summer he named it Gardabad), she joined the family. But on way to Delhi, Mumtaz was dropped at Dahod, where she delivered a baby boy (6th child, 3rd Son) on 14/10/1618, who became the 6th Emperor of India, ruled the country for 49 years, the highest tenure in the Mugal Empire. Yes, the baby born in Dahod was Abdul Muzaffar Muhi-ud-Din Mohammad Aurangzeb.

Like his father, he was also a Governor of Gujarat. It was a prestigious posting, as Gujarat was a surplus state in terms of revenue. But due to differences with his father, he was transferred as Governor of Balkh, Multan and then to Deccan in a revenue deficit States, always dependent on assistance from Malwa and Gujarat. His transfers to unpleasant posts was the burning point of his unrest against Shahnahan. As the eldest brother Dara Shikoh was near to Shahjahan, he had doubts on him for his frequent  shifting.

When his sister Jahan Ara was burned (1644) due to her perfumed clothes picked up fire of a lamp in Agra Palace; and when all relatives, Kings, Governors, etc were visiting Agra Palace to see her, Aurangzeb came after 3 weeks and entered interior palace in military attire. He was dismissed from his position of Viceroy of Deccan and was banned from the court for 7 months. Later was posted as Governor of Gujarat but in a short tenure, was transferred to Balkh (1647), replacing Murad Baksh. Thereafter he was appointed as Governor of Multan and Sindh and then became Viceroy of Deccan.

All four brothers were Governors/Viceroy of the States/Regions and were administratively competent. When Shahjahan became ill (suffering from painful frequent urination) and there was rumour of his death (1657), Shah Shuja (2nd Son) declared himself independent ruler of Bengal. He was defeated by Dara. Shah Shuja fled to Arakan (Myanmar) and was killed by local rulers. But in a strategic mistake of sending the army to chase Shag Shuja towards Bihar, Dara Shikoh couldn't face the combined army of his younger brothers Aurangzeb and Murad Baksh. Dara was defeated and fled towards Punjab. Shahjahan was arrested kept under house arrest at Agra. In a battle of Samugarh, Dara Shikoh was defeated again by Aurangzeb. He was arrested and executed (30/8/1659) in front of his son. India lost the opportunity of getting second liberal Mughal like Akbar. Instead of sharing power, younger Murad was executed (4/12/1661) for the murder of the Divan of Gujarat. Finally, Aurangzeb, a baby born in Dahod (Gujarat), became the Emperor of the Country (13/6/1659).

He was a conservative Musalman, compiled hanafi law, part of manuscript of Holy Quran wrote in his own hand, was making and selling caps for his livelihood expenses. He banned alcoholism, gambling, music, narcotics, etc. But his acts of destroying Hindu temples,  cruelty and injustice against the majority population of the Country, made him the most unpleasant Badshah of the Country. Chatrapati Shivaji took a lead of the revolt and established a Maratha Kingdom at Raigarh (1674), after fighting guerilla wars against the mighty Mughalas. However, after the death of Shivaji (1680), his son Shambhaji was put on trial and executed (1688) by Auranzeb and his remains were fed to dogs.

Textiles Industry emerged big during his tenure with varieties: Brocade, Paithani, Mushru, Kalamkari, Kani Shawl, etc.

He had the longest tenure (49Y) as Emperor, but Deccan kept him busy (25Y) in dealing with the revolts and unrest. He died 20/2/1707 and buried in Khuldabad. His journey of 88 years of life, started from Dahod (Gujarat) and ended in Aurangabad (Maharashtra), changed the history of India.

Due to over centralization of powers and rebellions, religious intolerance (demolition of temples, execution of Sufi Sarmad Kashani and Shikh Guru Teg Bahadur), policy of forced conversion; his 3.2 million km² empire with 15 crore people was shattered in few decades after his death; and the Mughal power was squeezed to the four walls of the Red Fort. His rule penetrated hatredness amongst religious communities in India. That has finally divided the country in 1947, thousands killed and millions displaced. The hearts of people divided are yet to join.

After ruling the biggest kingdom of the world of those days for 49 years, and before leaving the world he said in February 1707 to his son:

"I come alone and I go as a stranger. I don't know who I am, nor what I have been doing."

Punamchand
29 August 2015

NB: Beware while deciding transfers. Aurangzeb may born.

Read More

Pushyamitra Shunga (185 BCE to 149 BCE), the reviving force of Brahminism

Pushyamitra Shunga (185 BCE to 149 BCE), the reviving force of Brahminism

He was a Brahmin Senapati of Mauryan Empire, assassinated the last Maurya King Brihadrath Maurya and became ruler of North India (including present days Pakistan) in 185 BCE. His association linked with Gujarat, as he was the Governor of Girinagar (Junagadh) before became a General.

Maurya Empire of Greater India was founded by Chandra Gupta Maurya (340 BCE to 298 BCE) under the guidance of Brahmin teacher Vishnu Gupta (Chanakya). But he belonged to a backward caste Mura, renounce throne, became Jain, went to Sravanbelgola (Karnataka) and fasted till death. He lived a life of 41 years only. His Grand son Ashoka became a famous ruler. He was Jain by birth but after killing thousands of people in Kalinga war (Chandashok), his heart changed, surrendered himself to Buddhism, and became Dharmashok, constructed 84000 stupas of Lord Buddha. But his intolerance to the voice against Buddhism recorded a killing 18000 Ajivikas in one day due to a picture in which Buddha was shown prostrating at the feet of Nirgrantha (Mahavira).

It was a time of competitions and conflicts amongst three major religions: Brahamanism, Jainism, Buddhism.

Pushyamitra Shunga was an ambitious ruler wished to earn a name like Samrat Ashoka. As a dual gotra Brahmin, he took opposite path to him. After performing Ashvamedh Yagya he attacked Buddhist Monasteries and slaughtered Monks. He offered Dinars and Gold coin for each Buddhist monk head in Sialkot. It was a time when Monasteries were powerful due to Mauryas following Buddhism. Therefore, there was possibilities of rift between Monasteries and the Brahmin King Pushyamitra, as he came in power after assassinating the Buddhist King. He might have discontinued patronage to the Monasteries and put them down with heavy hand.

Buddhism did flourish during the period of Kushana (30-375) and Shakas (200-400), but it was a great set back to Buddhism during Pushyamitra's rule of 34 years. 
Brahmanism rejuvenated during his time as Manu Smiriti was written defining laws and social codes and stamping caste system by birth, made India the country on unequal. It has taken more than 2000 years but the roots of inequality are so strong that India is unable to bring social equality in 21st century. It is not only the book Manu Smiriti responsible, but the people of India are responsible because they like to follow social inequality that give them the sense of superiority over others by birth. 

Pushyamitra Shunga will be remembered for long for putting down Buddhism, reviving Brahminism and promoting Manu Smiriti. 

India has passed through the influence of different religions: Jainism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity; but the majority people continued following Hinduism, the Sanatan Dharma of the country.

Punamchand
26 August 2015

Read More

Chaturvarna in Geeta

Chaturvarna in Geeta

Shreemad Bhagwad Geeta is an unique holy book of Hindus. It was a preaching of 45 minutes to Arjun by his Charioteer Lord Krishna on the first day of the battle of Mahabharata, some 6000 years ago. 

It was narrated to activate (Right Action) Arjun for the Dharma Yuddha (Right Path), but it become a guiding text for all for living better and blissful life.

It's main discussion is on spirituality. Therefore, if we understand the words, kshetra and kshetragya, the true meanings of the verses of this holy book can be understood in its true meaning.

Geeta hasn't advocated the 4 divisions of humans based on their birth varna/castes. Some people have misinterpreted it and without going into the philosophy of the book, condemn it in toto.

It's a spiritual book and talks about spiritual upliftment of each individual. It talks about, God, Jeeva, and Nature. It explains the path of gyan, karma and bhakti to attain moksha/nirvan. How smartly it has separated Jad-Chetan, Vidhya-Avidhya, Dharma-Adharma, Bandhan-Mukti, etc!

All are born Shudra from birth. But as soon as one grow, his/her nature grow depending upon his/her DNA, teachings, environment, interactions, etc. 

Nature of an individual has three characteristics: Tamas, Rajas and Satva. Tamas represents idleness, inactivity, depression; Rajas represents activities; Satva represents simplicity and knowledge. Each individual is a mix of all three but one of the characters will become dominant in his actions. And that decided the varna and path of his life. The varnas are for: Brahmana (Satva), Kshatriya (Rajas), Vaishya (Tamas) and Shudra (avidhya, birth position of all). Each individual, who has started as Shudra has to travel upward in spiritual life to higher up varna by attaining its character, and finally to reach the destination of gunatit (free from all 3 gunas/characters) to attain Moksha/Kaivalya/Nirvana.

People act as per the status of his mind, that is governed by the gun dominance of Satva, Rajas and Tamas. The kshetra is our mind and we are the kshetragya. All start at the stage, called "avidhya" (ignorance). With the help of wisdom, karmendriya, gyanendriya, we go on doing karma with "I" (karta) and are attached to its outcome and remain in one of the three varnas. Akarta, gunatit is the stage, one has to travel to attain Moksha. 

Arjuna and Lord Krishna are symbolic. Each individual is Arjuna (Jeeva), can reach to the level of Krishna (Shiva/Parmatma)

It is an internal journey, has nothing to do with division of humans based on their birth castes.

Shree Krishna, therefore in verse 13 of Chapter - 4 says: 

चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः ।
तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम् ॥ १३ ॥

भावार्थ: चार वर्णों का समूह, गुण और कर्मों के विभागपूर्वक मेरे द्वारा रचा गया है। इस प्रकार उस सृष्टि-रचनादि कर्म का कर्ता होने पर भी मुझ अविनाशी परमेश्वर को तू वास्तव में अकर्ता ही जान॥13॥

जन्मना जायते शूद्र, संस्कारात् भवेत द्विज।
वेद पाठात भवेत विप्र, ब्रह्म जानातीति ब्राहण।।

All are Shudra by birth but become Brahaman with the knowledge of Brahman, the existence.

Punamchand
25 August 2015

NB:

किन्तु जितना सत्य यह हे की केवल जन्म से ब्राह्मण होना संभव नहीं हे. कर्म से कोई भी ब्राह्मण बन शकता हे यह भी उतना ही सत्य हे.
इसके कई प्रमाण वेदों और ग्रंथो में मिलते हे जेसे.....

(a) ऐतरेय ऋषि दास अथवा अपराधी के पुत्र थे | परन्तु उच्च कोटि के ब्राह्मण बने और उन्होंने ऐतरेय ब्राह्मण और ऐतरेय उपनिषद की रचना की| ऋग्वेद को समझने के लिए ऐतरेय ब्राह्मण अतिशय आवश्यक माना जाता है|

(b) ऐलूष ऋषि दासी पुत्र थे | जुआरी और हीन चरित्र भी थे | परन्तु बाद मेंउन्होंने अध्ययन किया और ऋग्वेद पर अनुसन्धान करके अनेक अविष्कार किये|ऋषियों ने उन्हें आमंत्रित कर के आचार्य पद पर आसीन किया | (ऐतरेय ब्राह्मण २.१९)

(c) सत्यकाम जाबाल गणिका (वेश्या) के पुत्र थे परन्तु वे ब्राह्मणत्व को प्राप्त हुए |

(d) राजा दक्ष के पुत्र पृषध शूद्र होगए थे, प्रायश्चित स्वरुप तपस्या करके उन्होंने मोक्ष प्राप्त किया | (विष्णु पुराण ४.१.१४)

(e) राजा नेदिष्ट के पुत्र नाभाग वैश्य हुए | पुनः इनके कई पुत्रों ने क्षत्रिय वर्ण अपनाया | (विष्णु पुराण ४.१.१३)

(f) धृष्ट नाभाग के पुत्र थे परन्तु ब्राह्मण हुए और उनके पुत्र ने क्षत्रिय वर्ण अपनाया | (विष्णु पुराण ४.२.२)

(g) आगे उन्हींके वंश में पुनः कुछ ब्राह्मण हुए | (विष्णु पुराण ४.२.२)

(h) भागवत के अनुसार राजपुत्र अग्निवेश्य ब्राह्मण हुए |

(i) विष्णुपुराण और भागवत के अनुसार रथोतर क्षत्रिय से ब्राह्मण बने |

(j) हारित क्षत्रियपुत्र से ब्राह्मणहुए | (विष्णु पुराण ४.३.५)

(k) क्षत्रियकुल में जन्में शौनक ने ब्राह्मणत्व प्राप्त किया | (विष्णु पुराण ४.८.१) वायु, विष्णु और हरिवंश पुराण कहते हैं कि शौनक ऋषि के पुत्र कर्म भेद से ब्राह्मण, क्षत्रिय, वैश्य और शूद्र वर्ण के हुए| इसी प्रकार गृत्समद, गृत्समति और वीतहव्यके उदाहरण हैं |

(l) मातंग चांडालपुत्र से ब्राह्मण बने |

(m) ऋषि पुलस्त्य का पौत्र रावण अपनेकर्मों से राक्षस बना |

(n) राजा रघु का पुत्र प्रवृद्ध राक्षस हुआ |

(o) त्रिशंकु राजा होते हुए भी कर्मों से चांडाल बन गए थे |

(p) विश्वामित्र के पुत्रों ने शूद्रवर्ण अपनाया | विश्वामित्र स्वयं क्षत्रिय थे परन्तु बाद उन्होंने ब्राह्मणत्व को प्राप्त किया |

(q) विदुर दासी पुत्र थे | तथापि वे ब्राह्मण हुए और उन्होंने हस्तिनापुर साम्राज्य का मंत्री पद सुशोभित किया |

Read More

Desires, the reason for Dukham (suffering)

Desires, the reason for Dukham (suffering).

Lord Buddha has cleverly answered the questions. Why Dukha (suffering)? Because of desires. How to end suffering? Leave the desires (cause) following right path (eight fold): right view, right aims, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindedness, right concentration)

Lord Krishna said, attachment is the reason for all your unhappiness. Detach from them and get the freedom.

When Asia is searching the means to free from desires to end their unhappiness, Western world is busy in finding simulators of desires. After male Viagra, now Flibabserin, the female Viagra is in the market to help the women with low libido.

Sex is a power house of the body. It generates electricity that activate the body cells. It brings new life on earth. It is an act of generation. But the way electricity power house go off, this power house also go off with ageing. The journey of Bhoga kills and the journey of Yoga lifts up.

Desires live in mind. And mind may remain young. With young mind, driving an old car, may lead to accidents. Therefore, the right answer is not in Vigra or in Flibabserin, but in understanding the cycle of life. Each organ including the body has age. It has born to die. The life in it is eternal. With the end of desires, and following eightfold path of awareness; life brings peace, happiness and bliss; the character of the existence.

Punamchand
21 August 2015

NB:

"The Character of Happy Life"

How happy is he born or taught, 
That serveth not another's will; 
Whose armour is his honest thought, 
And simple truth his highest skill; 

Whose passions not his masters are; 
Whose soul is still prepar'd for death 
Untied unto the world with care 
Of princes' grace or vulgar breath; 

Who envies none whom chance doth raise, 
Or vice; who never understood 
The deepest wounds are given by praise, 
By rule of state, but not of good; 

Who hath his life from rumours freed; 
Whose conscience is his strong retreat; 
Whose state can neither flatterers feed, 
Nor ruins make accusers great; 

Who God doth late and early pray, 
More of his grace than goods to send, 
And entertains the harmless day 
With a well-chosen book or friend. 

This man is free from servile bands 
Of hope to rise or fear to fall; 
Lord of himself, though not of lands; 
And having nothing, yet hath all.

by Sir Henry Wotton.

Read More

Do you know about Khusrau Khan?

Do you know about Khusrau Khan?

He was Sultan of Delhi for 4 months.

Alauddin Khilji took over reign of Delhi Sultnat after killing his uncle Jalaludin in 1296. Khushrau Khan was one of the generals of Alauddin. When Kaktiya ruler denied to pay the annual tribute, he was send to win the Kaktiya again. He got him surrender with an increased tribute of 100 elephants and 12000 horses.

Khusrau Khan was very ambitious. It is said that he arranged the killing of Alauddin by his friend Jahiriya. Later in 1320 he managed to kill Alauddin's son, the successor Sultan Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah, ending Khilji Dynasty.

Khusrau Khan became the Sultan of Delhi. But he was a convert Muslim, known as Khushrau Khan Dhedh, couldn't get the support of the generals and other subedars. He was defeated by Ghazi Malik and his son Firoz in a battle of Delhi and he fled away.

Gani coins were released during his short rule from June 1320 to Oct 1320.

Nasiruddin Khusrau Khan Barwari, was the first Dalit Sultan of Delhi.

Punamchand
21 August 2015

Read More

Who is Brahaman?

Who is Brahaman? 

All are Shudra by birth. There are 8.4 million yonis, and we the human are one of them. There are 14 lokas (7 upper, 7 below). There are Deva, Gandharva, Yaksha, Kinnar, etc, part of the live existence.  

On earth except human, others are bhog yonis to maintain the eco cycle of the nature. Holi Quran says, Allah has made them for you. 

Do you know the nature has four classes? They are: vegetation, Herbivores, Carnivorous with chief Predators and Scavengers. The grass is a food for herbivores animals, i.e. deers, blue bull, etc. Herbivores is a food for Carnivorous, the wild animals and their chief Predators tigers and lions. Then the Vulture, acts as scavenger, clean the eco system by eating dead animals. Crow, Dog, Hyena are half scavengers.

All these yonis have 1-5 senses. But humans have been gifted with the 6th sense, the sense of knowledge. Knowledge of the Self, knowledge of the Universe, knowledge of the Brahman.

The universe is nothing but Brahman Himself. It is sashvat, akhand, ek ras, nirakar, niradhar, adwait, etc. All exist in it. Without Brahman, nothing can exist. He neither born nor going to die. The jeevas and yonis emerge and submerge into the ocean of Brahman. The Sansara with all creatures moving and acting is not real but the Brahman himself. In separation it is Sansara and in unification, He is the Brahman. 

The 6th sense is the seed of Brahman installed in us. The way we feel ourselves live, similarly if we realise the live existence of the universe around, our journey starts. It is an endless journey, full of peace, joy and bliss. There is no emptiness, full of Brahman Himself. Innocent like a child, one feels surprise with the drama of the Almighty. One becomes a Brahaman (second birth) from a Shudra (birth from yoni). The knower of His Leela. We are waves of the Live Ocean of the Brahman, an atom of the Cosmic man Vishnu.

All are Shudra by birth but become Brahaman with the knowledge of Brahman, the existence.

जन्मना जायते शूद्र, संस्कारात् भवेत द्विज।
वेद पाठात भवेत विप्र, ब्रह्म जानातीति ब्राहण।।

Punamchand
20 August 2015

Read More

Do you know about Jhalkaribai?

Do you know about Jhalkaribai?

Born on November 22, 1830, she was a soldier and adviser of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi. Her resemblance was like Rani Laxmibai.

During the battle of fort Jhansi in 1858, she saved Rani Laxmibai. General Hugh Rose attacked Jhansi. Rain was facing the General with her 4000 troops and was waiting for Peshwa's army. But when the army of Peshwa didn't come due to defeat of Tatya Tope, and the incharge of Orcha gate opened doors for English army, the queen had to escape through Bhaderi Gate. At this moment Jhalkaribai confused General Rose. She set out for his camp in disguise as the queen and declared herself to be the queen Laxmibai. This one day confusion gave time to Rani Laxmibai to escape safely to save her life.

Jhaljaribai was a dalit girl of Koli caste. Her mother died in her childhood, therefore, her father raised her like a boy. While herding cattle, she killed a leopard with a stick. Without formal education, she became a worrier.

Rani Laxmibai was Brahmin. And Dalit Jhalkaribai was her soldier and chief adviser. Jhalkaribai's bravery has been sung in the folklore of Bundelkhand.

Bravery shines in all.

Punamchand
16 August 2015

Read More