HINDUSTANI FLAVOUR WORLDOVER (MORE INDIAN THAN YOU THINK)

Indelible footprints of India everywhere.

The western world had a misconception about India and Indian lifestyle 60 years ago. Foreigners imagined India to be a land of Snakes and Snake charmers living in tree houses. When I heard about this, I had a hearty laugh. To me India was a spiritual country with rich cultural heritage and sound value system. I would spend hours arguing over the spread of Indian culture across the globe. I would talk about the sages and Rishis of our historical past who left no stones unturned to disseminate the Indian Philosophy and Culture across the Globe.

As I grew up, I realized with wonderment how Indian way of life was influencing the world. India is a colourful and vibrant country with magnetic charm and pulsating with life. With such irresistible qualities, it is no wonder that Indian way of life has diffused into the world and created a stir in its own way.

In this complex world of stress and strife, Indians offered a panacea to the world by way of Yoga and Meditation. Many centers offering Yoga classes as stress busters can be seen in every nook and corner of the world. Even Pilates (a physical fitness system) is based on Aerobics and yoga postures of Surya Namaskaras.  Ayurveda an intrinsic part of Indian medicine is very popular among the westerners. Ayurvedic massages and Spa are much sought after medicinal therapies. Indian Ayurveda, a holistic approach to health that fuses the forces of mind, body, senses and spirit has kindled the curiosity of the westerners. Companies like L’Oreal have evinced interest in India Ayurveda skin care products and companies like Estee Lauder have created their own Ayurvedic spa treatments.  

My trip to the United States was an eye-opener in one way. I realized how far Indians had stretched themselves to popularize Indian cuisine even in remote areas. You could find restaurants under the name of Taj in many remote places serving north Indian cuisine. These restaurants attracted a fair number of foreigners. Indian cuisine is now one of the most popular cuisines across the globe and is enjoyed by the general population in North America, Europe, Australia and parts of Africa.

Indian spices, so integral to Indian cuisine, are an all time favorite of the food lovers across the world. The subtle flavour of these spices enhances the quality and appeal of vegetarian food attracting the discerning gourmand. Chicken Tikka is an all time favorite of the people around the globe. The Indian Jhal Moori (masala puffed rice) is an all time favorite of Queen Elizabeth of England.

I cannot fail to mention the various dance forms of India that have captivated the western audience. Barathanatyam and Kathak have never failed to enthrall western senses. The most powerful Indian cultural export has long been its film industry, nicknamed Bollywood, which is generally believed to produce the largest number of feature films in the world. Sometimes dubbed in local languages, these films, filled with colorful costumes, dances, music, and love stories are watched in Kuwait, Nigeria, Russia, Scandinavia, the Caribbean and even Fiji. Bollywood has globalised Indian dances and exposed it to the western world. I was totally surprised and thrilled to watch foreigners dance energetically to Bollywood numbers in the popular American TV show, “So you think you can dance”. The energetic Bhangra a north Indian dance form has been incorporated in Gyms and has become popular in the West.      

How can I miss mentioning about our very own Henna tattoos which has now become commonplace in households around the world.

There are many other aspects of Indian culture that have spread on a global scale. From curries to computer programs, self-realization to the arts, and well beyond, we are seeing its influence. The popular Indian art of using henna to create beautiful body designs and patterns only temporarily affects the surface of the skin. The influence of India leaves a permanent — and positive —impact on the world.

Isn’t it proof enough that Indians mark their presence everywhere?

S.SEKAR

Email: sekrajc@yahoo.com

Chennai

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BHAKTI AS A MEANS TO ATTAIN LIBERATION

Lord Krishna talked about different levels of Bhakti (up to 19^th Verse of 9^th Chapter of BG) which everyone would have to necessarily go through for spiritual development and Moksha or Liberation. He presents Bhakti as a means of liberation. He talks about three levels of Bhakti through which liberation is obtained. They are Karma yoga for purification of the mind, Upasana yoga meditation upon God/Lord and Gnana yoga a spiritual education program. Gnana yoga gives knowledge of Eswara and liberation. Higher nature of the lord, which was described as Para Prakruthi Gnana in the 7^th chapter. Bhakti is not a specific sadana. Bhakti is the common environment in which all the three yoga’s Viz., Karma, Upasana and Gnana yoga are practiced. It should be a reverential attitude and a reverential contribution. A coin has two sides. Vishwa Rupa has also two sides. It is similar to Day and Night.  Bhakti = Karma yoga+ Upasana yoga+ Gnana yoga. In the 12th chapter of “Bhagavad Gita”, there is a discussion on Bhakti. Out of the 35 qualities of a Bhakta the first and Foremost is the One who hates nobody. Who hates No creature. This is a quality of Bhakti and the Lord doesn’t talk about going to a temple.

Bhakti is classified based on the motive, which we have. In Vedic tradition before starting a pooja, we take Sankalpa. Bhakti is divided into Sakama and Nishkama Bhakti. In Sakama Bhakti, I see lord in everything except Spirituality. In Kathopanishad Sreyas and Preyas are discussed. Sreyas means ultimate good, and preyas means immediately palatable. Therefore, everyone should be interested for sreyas, not for preyas. Sakama Bhakti will be predominant in human life. The journey from Sakama Bhakti to Nishkama Bhakti is difficult. We have to increase Nishkama Pooja gradually and gradually decrease Sakama Pooja. Sakama Nishkama Vivekaha.

There are four differences between Sakama Bhakti and Nishkama Bhakti. Sakama Bhakti is deity specific. When I want to do pooja for a particular purpose, the pooja must be directed to a relevant/ particular deity. Nishkama Bhakti is not deity specific. You can invoke any devata and pray. The second difference is that particular result comes from doing the type of pooja. Sakama Bhakti is ritual specific. You have to select the time, Flower, Mantra etc whereas in Nishkama Bhakti any type of pooja can be done. Nishkama Bhakti is non-ritual specific. Third Diff; we have to follow all the rules properly going along with that pooja. If there are mistakes, the results will not be as expected one. It can be counterproductive. In Nishkama Bhakti, the result is always predictable and is always positive. It will take the person through all spiritual levels. He will get a Guru as a guide and will gain the capacity to grasp the teaching. Fourth Diff; even if Sakama Bhakti becomes successful the greatest result in Sakama Bhakti is finite in nature. He may go to Brahmaloka. This will end one day. You have to come back. We can enjoy the fruits for sometime and the palan is exhausted after sometime. Pleasure is for sometime only. Sakama Bhakti will give finite results and perpetuate Samsara. Nishkama Bhakti gradually takes you to Moksha and is predictable. Nishkama Bhakti is always successful and will lead to liberation in due course.

We have to keep in mind the three types of doshas or limitations with respect to all accomplishments. Every pleasure is mixed with pain. No satisfaction is there when you accomplish a certain thing. Comparison is the most painful thing. Jealousy is there in every field. Never there is total satisfaction for any one. In all these things, we depend more and more on external factors. Thus, I am travelling from dependence to more dependence to more dependence. Lord Krishna wants to highlight the perishable nature of these pleasures. For every drop of enjoyment, Amurtham/ Punyam, is debited like your credit card. Punyam earned is only finite and will get exhausted one day or other. Our prarabdha Karma is invisible. We do not know our date of death. This is the problem of Sakama Bhakti. Convert Sakama Bhakti/ pooja to Nishkama Bhakti/ pooja. In the Sankalpa, you say ‘Sarve Bhavanthu Sukinaga’. Expand prayer to universal Jignasu Bhakti.

Our whole life is spent in acquisition and maintenance. We want to acquire health. We have to maintain our health after acquiring it. This holds good for anything.     

The world is perishable. World is the product. God is imperishable. He is the cause. Objects will come and go. Eswara is Nithyaga. World provides food, shelter and clothing. Provision of food and shelter is not enough. We have something more to look for beyond food, shelter and clothing. The ultimate goal is Eswara prapti.  An intelligent person should choose Nishkama Bhakti. An intelligent person will prioritize. Balancing material and spiritual pursuit is wisdom.

When pooja is meant for universal well being and spiritual growth, it is accepted by bagawan. One can offer anything that is available with him for pooja. Always the attitude determines the ethics of pooja. In the seventh chapter, Jignasu Bhakti is discussed. Pure mind is the one who is interested in Moksha.

Enjoy your action by dedicating to the lord. There is a saying ‘Work is worship’. There must be excellence in any job that you do. A daily chore, which you consider boring, will become interesting in due course. You will never get boredom. It is an attitude like self-inspiration and self-motivation. Whatever action you do which is secular or sacred do it with devotion. You should be self-disciplined. You may follow willful denial of certain comforts on a particular day.  You should say No to that thing Viz., to food, to coffee, to A.C etc.   

Brigadaranya Upanishads talks about the study of Scriptures. By living a religious life, a person gets a desire for Vedantic study. He gets an opportunity to study the spiritual scriptures. Desire without an opportunity is useless. A vedantic person knows punya gives pleasure in the beginning and pain after the punya is exhausted. Arriving Punya will give me happiness. Ending punya will give me sorrow.    

Lord Krishna tells Arjuna to decide whether he wants Sakama Bhakti or Nishkama Bhakti. In the third chapter of Gita 30th verse, Karma Yoga is defined in the same fashion as Nishkama Bhakti. There is no difference between Karma yoga and Nishkama Bhakti. We can invoke Bagawan when we worship any devata. Jignasu Bhakti is described in the 7^th Chapter. As we seek, so we get the result. Pray for universal well being and seek inner growth.

Be blissful.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com