Yogamaya Mandir at Old Govindadev Temple, Vrindavan

 

Jagadbandhu Prabhu sent Sri Ramdas Babaji to Vrindavan at a young age (around 17 years of age) through a letter delivered by a disciple. (The following text is taken from Dr. OBL Kapoor’s The Saints of Bengal)

Dear Rāmdās! From Hātharas you must go to Vrindavan alone. A renunciant goes alone wherever he goes. He does not depend upon anyone. He neither insists that others should follow his line or accept his point of view, nor opposes anyone. He always adopts the easiest path of truth. Bhagavān has infinite attributes out of which six are preeminent. Vairāgya is the most important of all. You have the support and strength of vairāgya. Therefore always remain free and fearless. Live on mādhukari. First of all go to the old temple of Govinda Dev. What you have to do next you will come to know at the appropriate time. At the appropriate time you will meet me. — Your Bandhu.”

One day Rāmdās lay down under a Kadamba tree in Kālīyadaha with his head supported by a root of the tree as a pillow and fell asleep, just as a child would fall asleep in the lap of his mother while sucking at her breast. In a dream at the end of the night he saw a goddess whose body was shedding light like a thousand moons, uttering a mantra in his ear.

In the morning he went to the kutir of Vrajabālā and told him all about the dream. Vrajabālā was excited. He embraced Rāmdās and said, “Yogamāyā! Yogamāyā’s mercy! By the mercy of Yogamāyā you have gotten mantra in a dream. Later you will get it from a mahapurush. Jagadbandhu did not give mantra to you. He does not give mantra to anyone. Do the japa of this mantra. You will realize the desired End.” Rāmdās shivered to hear this. A few drops of tears trickled down his eyes.

Rāmdās Bābājī had already received the blessings of all the great mahātmās of his time. He now received the blessings of Yogamāyā. After this what remained? What remained was the fulfillment of the blessings. It was not long before the fulfillment came. One day while going about in different places in Vraja for the darśana of the places connected with the līlā of Śrī Krishna, he reached Radha Kunda.

He was sitting at the bridge over the confluence (sangam) of Radhakund and Shyamakund when he saw two young gopīs standing on the bank of Radhakund and talking with each other. The beauty of their faces, beaming with transcendental light, stole his heart. As he looked at them, the conceit of his being a male was transformed into the conceit of a mañjarī, a sakhī in the service of Rādhā. Suddenly they disappeared. Slowly the sun set and night approached.

When it became dark the same gopīs came laughing. They asked him to accompany them. Like one spellbound and possessed by a transcendental bhāva Rāmdās Bābā followed them in his mañjarī form. After going some distance he saw a beautifully decorated swing hanging from the branch of a banyan tree, on which were seated Radha and Krishna and the same gopīs were pushing the swing back and forth while Rāmdās in mañjarī form was enjoying the transcendental beauty of the twin divinities and singing. Suddenly the whole scene disappeared but his Rādhā-dāsī (mañjarī) bhāva remained, which became permanent.

Today is the disappearance anniversary of Sri Jiva Gosvamipad.  Festivities are underway at Sri Radha-Damodar mandir.  Sadhus from Vrindavan and beyond have gathered together to celebrate Sri Jiva’s literary contribution to the Gaudiya Vaishnava canon by holding a simultaneous reading Jiva Gosvamipad’s various works.  Here are some photos of this morning’s celebrations. (As usual, all photos are clickable)

Sri Jiva jivana-dhana, Sri Radha-Damodara Jiu

Sri Jiva Gosvami

Mass reading of Sri Jiva Gosvami's books by Braja-vasi Vaishnav Sadhus

I rate the journey to Pauri as a milestone in our travel escapades. Pauri was 1814 meters above mean sea level on the slope of Kandoliya hills in the Pauri Garhwal ranges of Uttarakhand, over 400 kilometers from Gurgaon.

I was deeply apprehensive about driving in the hills and my wife had a hard time allaying fears and prodding me into action. However, upon hitting the road, all fears evaporated and we thoroughly enjoyed the visit.

Khoh River

We started off early morning from Gurgaon, touched Ghaziabad in an hour, took the meticulously hidden turn to Meerut, climbed a flyover, got on to GT Road and raced down NH58. Meerut was chaotic – pathetic roads, lumbering tractors, baffling signage. Sympathetic passersby helped us to negotiate the labyrinthine streets and guided us till Mawana/ Bijnor road.

Chir Pines

Where the road bifurcated to Muzaffarnagar and Bijnor, we stopped for tea and a quick bite at Monty Million restaurant. Beyond Bijnor, we passed several small towns, Kiratpur, Najibabad, crowded with people and cattle. Soon the straight roads lined with paddy and maize fields gave way to winding roads. Far ahead, the Garhwal Himalayas swung into view and formed a constant back drop to the panorama.

We entered Kotdwara hungry, expectant and anxious of the mountain terrain. ‘Eats’ restaurant where we lunched served us Parantha, special Dal and tea along with detailed directions for the onward journey. We filled fuel at Kotdwara and climbed along the milky white Khoh River for a while with eyes riveted to the road dodging speeding jeeps and skirting potholes. At Dugadda a branch road led to Landsdowne. The majestic splendour Shivalik mountains unfolded over a hazy grey horizon, rolling hills and terraces of paddy as we edged past Gumkhal village and gently descended to Satpuli town.

Bad news! The regular route was closed for repair. We crossed a bridge, went past the toll gate at Banghat and took the alternate route via Kanskhet. Bilkhet, Banekh, Ghandiyal, Banjkhal, went milesstones announcing roadside villages. The silver trickle of a river meandered through the valley to our left, flanked by fields in varying shades of green and yellow. Distant peaks shimmied in a play of light and shadow under the slanting afternoon sun.

Khirsu

Evening advanced upon us sooner than expected. Nervous, we eagerly watched each milestone, counting the remaining distance to Pauri. As we emerged from the forest into the faint crimson afterglow of the setting sun, the town sprung upon us. We breathed a huge sigh of relief as we reached the GMVN guest house overlooking the valley at quarter to seven.

Kyunkaleshwar Mandir

 A spectacular daybreak! I lazily watched snow bound peaks of Neelkanth and Chaukhamba floating over cotton ball clouds through diaphanous curtains. The morning air was crisp, fresh, exhilarating. After breakfast we set out for Khirsu, driving through a breathtakingly picturesque vista of oak and deodar. After lunch we visited Kandoliya Mandir, the temple of the local mountain goddess located high-up on the mountain with amazing views of the town and valley and Kyunkaleshwar Mandir, an 8th century temple complex with splendid vernacular architecture.

Alakananda River

Next day, we went to Srinagar located downhill of Pauri, by the river Alakananda. Being on the pilgrim trail, the town was busy, noisy and hot. After a brief visit to the river we returned to Pauri.

Pauri has been spared the inevitable tourist commotion and associated distractions since it doesn’t figure prominently in the tourist circuit. The forests are still pristine, unmolested by tourist litter. People are hospitable and sport a ready smile and an eager helping hand.

With our recollections flavoured with a sense of adventure, achievement, elation and serenity, we departed from Pauri early morning retracing the trail to our wound up, preoccupied lives.

Contact Details
GMVN Tourist Rest House, Pauri 01368-222359, Mr. Joshi

For GMVN Rest House booking contact main office at Rishikesh: 0135-2431793
Email: yatraoffice@gmvnl.com/ yatraoffice@sancharnet.in

Photo Courtesy: Subha Varma

All the while waiting for the pujari to arrive (who was caught in snow and traffic) about ten of us waited in the sweltering heat and sonic boom of the jet-powered heater. A few glances here and there, but overall I was simply one of the small group, just waiting around chatting about this or that until it all began.

The pujari arrived and immediately reminded me of a priest. He was even wearing what looked like a priest’s stole, which further confirmed for me that “Western” church religions and Guyanese Hindu culture must have bumped up against one another on at least one or two occasions.

When we all sat down on the floor to begin the puja the pujari asked me why I had come.

“So, welcome. And you came because you are interested in Hinduism and India?”
“Ummm…yeah…I’m interested in religious traditions and I do yoga…”
“Ooooooh…you do yoga. Well then. You must be very wise. Please. What wisdom could you give to our little group here?”

Now, on the surface this might read as if he was taunting me, but the feeling was much different. In fact, it was somewhat genuinely flattering. The pujari actually wanted to know what I had to say. This shocked me as I had barely said anything to anyone thus far, and certainly had no wisdom to pass on that I could find, so I just said what I was thinking.

“Well…it’s really great to know that places like this exist, that behind humble doors and driveways profound religious experiences are being had.”

The people just sort of looked at me, as did the pujari. It was a bit uncomfortable, but of course, like any good priest, the pujari eventually jumped in.

“Good. You play harmonium?” He asked/told.
“Ummm… I know a little…”
“Good. When we start singing, you pick it up.”

In the end I never did. There were way too many buttons on it. Much more than I had ever had to deal with. Instead I just chanted along, and managed to get a little recording of the last kirtan.

Embarrassingly, this is from way back in January 2009. I had continued my search for Brooklyn worshipers of Kali, eventually finding Her, though in a different form.

Previously at the Guyanese grocery:

“Oh yeah! Did you go to the mandir?” says the man behind the counter.
“I went last week, at, like, around 11am or so, but I don’t think anyone was there.”
“I’m sure they were there. If it was cold they probably had the door closed.”
“I wasn’t sure which house it was.”
“Just walk down the street and if you look down the driveway you’ll see it in the back. I think there’s something green on the gate or something. Just go tomorrow and open the gate and walk in.”

Having already stalked a number of innocent Guyanese homes, and each time coming up slightly blank after thoroughly confusing the owners, I decided to, rather than stop by the mandir the next day, wait until the following weekend when I knew something should be going on. When Sunday finally came around I took note of the temperature, which was hovering somewhere around the teens, and suited up for the typical Brooklyn Nordic battle of walking in the Winter. I rolled up to what I believed to be the spot at about 9:30am and taking a deep icy inhale just…opened the gate. I had already done just that outside homes I knew nothing about, and this time at least I had a rough idea of what I might be walking into, so I felt like I had a leg up on the situation.

I quickly noticed that there were a number of footprints leading to the garage in the back. My heart began to settle with a sense of being in the right place, and then at the same time race at the thought of actually being in the right place. The thought no self-proclaimed spiritual seeker should ask themselves: Will I be welcome? started to inch toward the front of my brain. Rarely had I ever come across a Hindu environment that I was not welcome to if I had already been told I was so. Everything about the mandirs in Brooklyn expressed an open door policy, so I mentally reassured myself that this was “ok” and headed toward the back of the driveway.

The front of the garage had been partially covered with a tarp, which I imagined helped with the cold. I could see that there were a number of shoes outside the door to what liked a finished guesthouse, and knew that the time had come.

At first I sort of lingered. I peeked in the door, further cementing my stalker nature, and when one of the women came to greet me I pointed inside and mumbled something about coming in. Without hesitation she said something to the effect of “Sure, sure come in. Come in.” At which point she sat back down on the bench lining the wall with her female friends.

I wasn’t about to whip out my camera and start taking snapshots, so you’ll have to use your imagination here.

The temple was basically and open space with a large red rug on the floor. There were benches lining the walls and a few folding tables at the back where I had come in. At the front was the biggest and most populated shrine I had ever seen. Murtis were towering over one another, each one with a bigger smile on his or her face than the next. I could easily spot Durga on her tiger, Radha and Krishna close as usual, and Lakshmi picking her sitar (actually a different instrument. I’ll have to get the name). The rest I was unfamiliar with, and figured they were Gods and Saints from the Guyanese tradition that have made their way into the pantheon over time.

The people around me were speaking, and I heard one woman say that they were waiting for the pujari to arrive, but that was all I could make out. While Guyanese people speak mostly English mixed with what sounds like patois, the intense volume of the jet engine powered heater off in the corner prohibited me from hearing most of what the people were saying. I was glad to have the plane engine on (the moment they shut it off the place froze up), however, it certainly added a layer of “What’s going on?” to the entire scene.

Coming up: “You do yoga. Give us some of your wisdom.” Plus a sound file of the closing chant.

Arya Samaj is one of SarvaShiva’s guiding lights; it’s 10 principles one of the foundations of our belief system, and its founder Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati one of our Gurus.

Swami Ji battled the 1000 year old, corrupt, brutal Hindu clergy for the common Hindu who was denied access to Vedas and worship based on caste and gender. He preached Vedas in Hindi so masses could understand what was deliberately held obscure, in Sanskrit, by the Brahmins who had the monopoly of that language, thus on Word of God.

Swami Ji, along with Raja Ram Mohan Roy, was perhaps the greatest friend Hindu women have ever had. He fought Sati and Devadasi traditions. He championed womens right for education and to pray alongside men.

In his India, a slave nation for 800 years, realizing that, Vidya (education and knowledge) was the most powerful and necessary tool to propel India out of dogma and poverty, Swami Ji became a Messiah for literacy for the masses, and Arya Samaj the largest provider of formal curriculum based education at village level in Northern India, therefore Arya Samaj and Swami Ji are one of the pillars of modern India’s success as an intellect driven nation.

There is evidence of greater prosperity and social emancipation in the regions where Arya Samaj was practiced, evidently because Arya Samaj encouraged common people to learn, participate, fight ignorance by questioning the clergy, be free, be independent human beings, which they were denied for almost 800 years. Satyarth Prakash is Swami Ji’s treatise on Veda’s and Conduct of Living.

Swami Dayanand Saraswati was a Brave Warrior in a nation of cowards, and the synthesis of his teachings is:

1. God is the efficient cause of all true knowledge and all that is known through knowledge.
2. God is existent, intelligent and blissful. He is formless, omniscient, just, merciful, unborn, endless, unchangeable, beginning-less, unequalled, the support of all, the master of all, omnipresent, immanent, un-aging, immortal, fearless, eternal and holy, and the maker of all. He alone is worthy of being worshiped.
3. The Vedas are the scriptures of all true knowledge. It is the paramount duty of all Aryas to read them, teach them, recite them and to hear them being read.
4. One should always be ready to accept truth and to renounce untruth.
5. All acts should be performed in accordance with Dharma that is, after deliberating what is right and wrong.
6. The prime object of the Arya Samaj is to do good to the world, that is, to promote physical, spiritual and social good of everyone.
7. Our conduct towards all should be guided by love, righteousness and justice.
8. We should dispel Avidya (ignorance) and promote Vidya (knowledge).
9. No one should be content with promoting his/her good only; on the contrary, one should look for his/her good in promoting the good of all.
10. One should regard oneself under restriction to follow the rules of society calculated to promote the well being of all, while in following the rules of individual welfare all should be free.

SarvaShiva believes that being Hindu may not be easy because of the numerous interpretations of the numerous Books, but the 10 precepts of Arya Samaj simplify Hindu conduct and direct one to one relationship with God.

May Lakshmi give you wealth and happiness. May Krishna give you excellence and tact. May Ganesha give you wisdom and discretion. May Hanuman give you strength and faith. May Saraswati give you knowledge. May Shiva give you peace and stillness. May Ram give you humility and love.

And may you be able to give it all back to make the world, your life and your home a better place.

Happy Diwali

We pray that Lakshmi finds you attractive and interesting enough to be with you always.

So scour your house, cleanse your soul, sharpen your skills and woo her like an ardent lover, failure not being an option, for without Her what would you be?

Let Diwali be the new beginning of the new you, shades and degrees better than the you on the day before Diwali

Today is DhanTeras, the day of prayer for wealth. It comes each year on the 13th lunar day of the Krishna Paksha in the Hindu calendar month of Ashwin.

Story goes that a young princess saved her husbands life this day by deflecting Yama’s attention to bhajan’s she sang, and diyas she lit.

So the moral of the story is, “Human endeavor can avert disaster”, and that’s the fact to remember as the world reels through these changing times.

We are our own saviors. If we create our own blessings then God and Happiness will be ours. If we wait for some external being to intervene and improve our lives then we will wait in vain forever.

As you light the deeyas and sing Laksmi bhajans; pray for strength, stamina and courage to go win your own wars.

It’s your choice, so Win, by choice.

Happy DhanTeras!

In the Sundar Kaand, upon finding that Hanuman has found Sita, Ram Chandra Ji embraced him, and said “Hanuman, of all the gods, men and sages born in the world, you are my greatest benefactor.”

Hanuman, Shiva incarnate to serve the cause of the birth of Ram – Vishnu’s incarnation – loved Ram profoundly and Ram worshiped Shiv with intense devotion. A part of the story of Ramayan is this circle of love and devotion, illustrating that without love God cannot be served.

And Hanuman Chalisa is a loving string of 40 hymns of praise and prayer of and for Hanuman’s Grace:

Hari Om Shri Hanumate Namaha

Doha

Shri Guru charan saroj raj, Nij manu mukuru sudhar |
Barnau Raghubar bimal jasu, Jo daayak phal chaar ||
Budhiheen tanu jaanke, Sumiro Pavan Kumar |
Bal buddhi vidhya dehu mohe, Harahu kales bikaar ||

Chopai

Jai Hanuman Gyan Gunn Sagar |
Jai kapees tihu loak ujaagar ||
Ram doot attulit bal dhama |
Anjani Putra Pavan Sutt naama ||

Mahabir bikram bajrangee |
Kumati nivaar sumati ke sangi ||
Kanchan baran biraaj subesa |
Kanan kundal kunchit kesa ||

Haath vajra ao dhwaja biraaje |
Kandhe moonj janeu saaje ||
Sankar suvan Kesrinandan |
Tej pratap maha jag bandhan ||

Vidhyavan gunni ati chaatur |
Ram kaaj karibe ko aatur ||
Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiya |
Ram Lakhan Sita mann basiya ||

Sookshma roop dhari siyahi dhikhava |
Bikat roop dhari Lank jarava ||
Bheem roop dhari asur sahare |
Ramchandra Ji ke kaaj savare ||

Laye Sanjeevan Lakhan jiyaye |
Shriraghuvir harsha ure laye ||
Raghupati kinhe bahut badai |
Tum mam priye Bharat sam bhai ||

Sahas badan Tumhro jas gavey |
Aas kahi Shripati kantha lagavey ||
Sankadik Bhramadhi munisa |
Narad Sarad sahit Aahisa ||

Jam Kuber Digpal jahan tey |
Kavi kovid kahi sake kaha tey ||
Tum upkar Sugrivahi keenha |
Ram milaye raj pad deenha ||

Tumrho mantra Vibheeshana mana |
Lankeshvar bhaye sab jag jaana ||
Yug sahestra jojan par bhanu |
Leelyo tahi madhur phal janu ||

Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahi |
Jaladhi langhi gaye achraj nahi ||
Durgam kaaj jagat ke jetey |
Sugam anugrah Tumhre tetey ||

Ram duaare Tum rakhvare |
Hoat na aagya binu paisaare ||
Sab sukh lahai Tumhaari sarna |
Tum rachak kahu ko daarna ||

Aapan tej samhaaro Aape |
Teenho loke hakte kape ||
Bhoot pishaach nikat nahi aaveh |
Mahavir jab naam sunaveh ||

Naase rog harey sab peera |
Japat nirantar Hanumat beera ||
Sankat se Hanuman chudavey |
Maan kram bachan dhyan jo lavey ||

Sab per Ram tapasvi raja |
Tin ke kaaj sakal Tum saja ||
Aur manorath jo koyi lavey |
Soyee amit jeevan phal pavey ||

Charon jug pratap Tumhara |
Hai prasidh jagat ujiyaara ||
Sadhu sant ke tum rakhvarey |
Asur nikandan Ram dularey ||

Ashtha sidhi Navnidhi ke data |
As var deen Jaanki mata ||
Ram rasayan tumhre paasa |
Sada raho Raghupati ke daasa ||

Tumreh bhajan Ram ko bhavey |
Janam janam ke dukh bisravey ||
Untt kaal Raghubar pur jaee |
Jahan janam Hari bhagat kahaee ||

Aur Devta chitta na dharayee |
Hanumat seye sarav sukh karayee ||
Sankat katey mitey sab peera |
Jo sumere Hanumat balbeera ||

Jai jai jai Hanuman Gosain |
Kripa karo Guru Dev ke naai ||
Jo sat bar paath kar koi |
Chutehi bandhi maha sukh hoi ||

Jo yeh padey Hanuman Chalisa |
Hoye sidhi sakhee Gaureesa ||
Tulsidas sada hari chera |
Keejey Nath hridaye maha dera ||

Doha

Pavantnaye sankat haran, Mangal murti roop |
Ram Lakhan Sita sahit, Hridaye basau sur bhup ||

Congratulations and blessings to the two beautiful ladies who got married on the 10th.

SarvaShiva celebrates marriage as a holy covenant between two consenting adults, irrespective of their gender.

Love is one of the steps of the ladder to God, and since marriage is a sacred expression of love, we believe in and applaud marriage as it washes the sin aspect of sex without love and commitment.

If you are still being forced into the closet because of fears of what “they” will say or do we will pray with you that you build the strength and courage to be you.

So live, love, be you.

The historic Patan Durbar Square of Kathmandu valley tries to look sober during one of these summer nights. Sept/2009.

Tapkeshwari Mataji Mandir, Nr. Bharapar - BHUJ

भुज से दक्षिण की और ५ माइल दूर भारापर से पास टपकेश्वरी माताजी का मंदिर एक सुन्दर जगह हैं जो कहा जाता है कि ४५० वर्ष पहले यहां कच्छ के तत्कालीन महारावश्री विजयरायजी ने बनवाया था !

मंदिर मे मां टपकेश्वरीजी की प्रतिमा

सुना गया है कि उस समय माताजी ने दर्शन दिये थे तब वहा उनकी प्रतिमा के रुप मे स्थापित हो गई थी जो मुर्त आज भी मंदीर के बाये बाजु पुर्व मे यथास्थित है, और मंदिर के अंदर पुजा के लीए दोहरी स्थापित की गयी हैं !

टपकेश्वरी आने पर एक हिमाचल या उत्तर भारत के गढवाल का सा, होने जैसा आनंद महसुस होता है तथा यह रमणीय स्थल है ऐसा भी कह सकते है !

छोटीसी गुफाऐं

टपकेश्वरी मंदिर के पास ही सेकडो वर्षो पुराने कमरे दर्शनार्थीयो के रहने के लीये उस समय के कला को दर्शाते है !
मंदिर उत्तर भाग को छोड तीन तरफ से ढक्के पहाडो के बीच मे बना हुआ है, पश्चिम तरफ मे ऊपर की और छोटीसी गुफाऐं है साथ ऊपर के लीये चडाव का रास्ता भी वही से जाता है !

Many North Indians living in the Sowcarpet / Parrys / Kilpauk areas prefer the Chariots to drive the Groom and his coterie to the marriage hall / mandir. Though the popular one for the occasion is the Horse alone, with the fear / unavailability of single horses probably drive the families to these chariots.

See an actual bridegroom and his family in the procession …. below ….

Birla Mandhir or Birla Temple is a mesmerising monument which glows when it is lit in the night. It was built by the Birla group of industries dedicating the temple to Lord Vishnu (Narayan) and Goddess Laxmi. It is also called Laxmi Narayan mandir. It is located just below the Moti Dungri Fort. The temple has three domes and stands magnificent being built with high quality marble. The temple is definitely a master-piece of architecture and astonishes the on-lookers with its green gardens and awesome exteriors hosting stunning mythological sculptures. The temple also houses a museum which showcases ancestral valuables of the Birla family. The temple is one of the main attractions of Jaipur.

Jaipur has an international airport and then nearest railway station is Jaipur railway station. Jaipur is also well connected through roads from major places of Rajasthan. Jaipur resorts and hotels are some of the best ones in the country.

आदमी कभी बंदर रहा होगा-इस सिद्धांत पर यकीन नहीं होता। दरअसल बरसों पहले यह पश्चिमी सिद्धांत पढ़ा था कि आदमी पहले बंदर था या इसे यूं कहें कि बंदर धीरे धीरे आदमी बन गया। दरअसल हमने चालीस बरसों से किसी बंदर को आदमी बनते हुए नहीं देखा। कहा जाता है कि आदमी की बुद्धि इस सृष्टि में सबसे तीव्र है इसलिये ही वह पशु और पक्षियों तथा अन्य जीवों पर नियंत्रण कर लेता है और जिसमें बंदर भी शामिल है।
कई बार हमने बंदर को देखा है। उसे कभी हमलावर नहीं पाया। हमारे देश में कई ऐसे पवित्र स्थान हैं जहां बंदरों के झुंड के झुंड रहते हैं। वहां उनका आचरण आदमी से मेल नहीं खाता नजर नहीं आता। बंदर शरारती होते हैं पर खूंखार नहीं। आदमी अपने स्वार्थ के वशीभूत होकर कब खूंखार हो जाये कहना कठिन है।
इस सिद्धांत को न मानने के अनेक तर्क हैं। सबसे पहला तो यह है कि इंसान अगर बंदर था तो वह वर्तमान स्थिति में कभी नहीं आता। इधर हमने अध्यात्मिक ग्रंथ भी छान मारे पर कहीं इस बात का उल्लेख नहीं मिलता कि आदमी पहले कभी बंदर था। वैसे यह खोज पश्चिम की है इसलिये इस पर आपत्ति करना आसान नहीं है पर उनके इस सिद्धांत में अविश्वास के कारण है। एक तो यह है कि सृष्टि के प्रारंभ में ही सभी प्रकार के जीव प्रकट हो गये थे। सभी का चाल चलन, रहन सहन, आयु और स्वभाव के मूल तत्व कभी नहीं बदले। इसी स्वभाव के वशीभूत हर जीवन अपने कर्म करता है।

एक बार हम दूसरे कोटा (राजस्थान)शहर गये। वहां मंगलवार को हनुमान जी के मंदिर पर प्रसाद चढ़ाया और हाथ में उसका लिफाफा लिये परिक्रमा लगाने गये। परिक्रमा के बीच में मंदिर के पीछे एक बंदर आया और हमारे हाथ से वह लिफाफा ऐसे लेकर चलता बना जैसे कि उसको देने ही आये थे। बाद में हमने देखा कि वह आराम से अपने परिवार के साथ वह खा रहा है।
हम यह कहें कि उसने छीना तो यह एक अपराध की तरह है। उस समय वह इतने आराम से ले गया कि हाथ से जाने के बाद हमें पता लगा कि वह तो लिफाफा ले गया।
हम मंदिर के बाहर निकले तो वहां अनेक भिखारी प्रसाद मांग रहे थे। हमारे हाथ से लिफाफा जा चुका था इसलिये हम तो चुपचाप चले आये। घर आकर मेजबान से कहा तो उन्होंने कहा-‘हां, ऐसा होता है। कई लोगों के साथ ऐसा हुआ है पर हम भी कई बार वहां गये पर ऐसी घटना नहीं हुई।
कुछ दिन पहले एक मंदिर के बाहर एक औरत चिल्ला रही थी। कोई उसका पर्स उसके हाथ से छीनकर भाग गया था। वह चिल्लाती रही पर जब तक किसी का ध्यान इस ओर जाता तब तक छीनने वाला लोगों की नजरों से ओझल हो गया।
तब हमें उस बंदर की याद आयी। हम सोच रहे थे कि ‘क्या उसके द्वारा हमारे हाथ से प्रसाद का लेना क्या छीनना कहा जा सकता है?’
उत्तर भी हमने दिया ‘नहीं’।
इंसान दो ही काम कर सकता है-भीख मांगना या छीनना। भीख मांगने और छीनने वाला भी इंसान है पर इसी इंसान की फितरत है कि अगर कोई इंसान बंदर की तरह आराम से चीज ले जाये तो हल्ला मचा देगा। भीख देगा पर यह नहीं चाहेगा कि कोई उसकी चीज को अपनी समझकर ले जाये। छीन जाये अलग बात है। आशय यह है कि लेनदेन में सहजता का भाव तो नहीं रह सकता जैसे कि बंदर द्वारा हमारे हाथ से प्रसाद लेने पर हुआ था। हमने जरा भी प्रतिवाद नहीं किया। सोचा भूखा होगा? फिर आये भी तो वानरराज हनुमान जी के मंदिर में थे। अगर वहां कोई इंसान होता तो उससे प्रतिवाद कर वह लिफाफा वापस लेते पर बंदर से हमें स्वयं ही डर लग रहा था कि कहीं हमला कर भाग गया तो कहां उसे पकड़ पायेंगे?
तब ही हमेें इस बात पर यकीन हो गया था कि इंसान कभी बंदर नहीं रहा। बंदर के पीछे हम नहीं भाग सकते पर वह हमारे पीछे भाग सकता है। वह हमसे डरता है पर हमेशा नहीं! हां, हम उससे हमेशा डरते हैं।
बंदर की पतली टांगें और हाथ तथा देह की लंबाई चैड़ाई देखकर नहीं लगता कि उसकी कोई पीढ़ी आगे इंसान भी बन सकती है। बंदर में अपने भोजन का संचय करने की प्रवृत्ति नहीं होती। इंसान में तो वह इतनी विकट है कि उसका कहीं अंत नहीं है। सोने के लिये बिस्तरा और खाने के लिये रोटी चाहिये पर इंसान को उससे भी चैन कहां? उसे तो बैंक खाते में भी एक बड़ा आंकड़ा चाहिये जिससे देखकर उसका मन हमेशा अपने साहूकार होने के भ्रम में जीता रहे।
जब भी हम कहीं बंदर देखते हैं तब सोचते हैं कि क्या कभी इंसान भी ऐसा रहा होगा? तमाम तरह के विचार मंथन किये पर इस सिद्धांत को मन नहीं मानता। बंदर शरारती होता है पर अपराधी नहीं।
हम एक बार एक उठावनी कार्यक्रम में गये थे। वहां पर एक स्कूटर के पास खड़े थे जिस पर बंदर चढ़ा और हमारा चश्मा लेकर पास ही खड़े मकान की गैलरी पर बनी लोहे की सींखचों से चिपक कर बैठ गया। एक लड़का उसे पत्थर मारकर वह चश्मा वापस लेने का प्रयास करने लगा। वहां खड़े एक आदमी ने कहा कि ’कोई खाने वाली चीज फैंको तो उसे लेने के चक्कर में वह चश्मा नीचे फैंक देगा।’

तब एक बिस्कुट लेकर उसकी तरफ उछाला गया। उसे पकड़ने के चक्कर में वह चश्मा उसके हाथ से छूट गया और हमने नीचे उसे लपक लिया। वह बिस्कुट भी नीचे आ गिरा पर हमने उसे स्कूटर पर रख दिया और वहां से हट गये और वह उसे लेकर चला गया। उसने उस चश्मे को नष्ट करने का प्रयास नहीं किया बस उसे पकड़े रहा। तब उसकी इस शरारत पर हमें हंसी आयी। तब भी यही ख्याल आया कि इंसान कभी बंदर नहीं रहा होगा।
एक आदमी ने हमें एक बात बताई थी पता नहीं वह सच है कि झूठ। उसने बताया था कि भुटटे लगाने वाले खेतिहर यह दुआ करते हैं कि कोई बंदर उनके खेत पर आये। होता यह है कि बंदर एक भुट्टा उठाकर अपनी कांख में दबाता है फिर दूसरा तोड़ता है। बंदर इस तरह बहुत से भुट्टे तोड़कर खेत स्वामी की मेहनत बचाता है। आखिर तक उसकी कांख में एक ही भुट्टा बना रहता है। कुछ न कहो कहीं से बंदिरया की आवाज आये तो वह भी छोड़ कर चलता बने। इंसान ऐसा कभी नहीं रहा होगा।
बंदरों की मस्ती देखते ही बनती है। इंसान प्रकृत्ति की मस्ती को समझता नहीं है बल्कि उसे उजाड़ कर कागजी मुद्रा में परिवर्तित कर वह बहुत प्रसन्न होता है। कहने का तात्पर्य यह है कि इंसान कभी बंदर नहीं रहा होगा। यह सच है कि इस सृष्टि में परिवर्तित होते रहते हैं। कई प्रकार के जीव बनते और बिगड़ते हैं, पर उनके स्वरूप में बदलाव नहीं आता। यह स्वरूप उनका मूल स्वभाव निर्धारित करता है। हो सकता है कि इंसानों जैसे बंदर रहे हों पर उनसे यह इंसान बना होगा यह संभव नहीं है। वह मिट गये होंगे पर इंसान नहीं बने होंगे। इंसान तो शुरु से ऐसा था और ऐसा ही रहा होगा। जीवों के मूल स्वभाव में परिवर्तन नहीं होता भले ही वह मिट जाते हों।
……………………………..

यह पाठ मूल रूप से इस ब्लाग‘दीपक भारतदीप की अंतर्जाल पत्रिका’ पर लिखा गया है। अन्य ब्लाग
1.दीपक भारतदीप की शब्द लेख पत्रिका
2.शब्दलेख सारथि
3.दीपक भारतदीप का चिंतन
संकलक एवं संपादक-दीपक भारतदीप

… was worth the 2 -point soup and carrot stick dinner.

I love Pho.  Which is to say – I love going to Little China at the far end of my street and sitting down with dishes I just can’t get most places.  Today’s lunch involved Vietnamese Noodle soup, Chinese bakery items and a crayfish rice stirfry.  Spilt among 5 people – it was still too much food.

I should have just stuck with the nice 4-point Pho. But a bit of bun from the bakery was so good, and the rice – to die for – and the sesame ball, well, that  was half the points right there.

Still – worth it.

It’s funny that at one end of my street is Chinatown and at the other, one can find little India.

I like living sandwiched between.

Sadly – the schools here still suck.  I have another year to figure it out.  OK. A little less.  But next time I go for Pho – I stick with the Pho.

]]> http://veggieroadtrip.wordpress.com/2009/07/22/chicago-burbs/ Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:34:26 +0000 Jon & Amy http://veggieroadtrip.wordpress.com/2009/07/22/chicago-burbs/

After awaking and saying our good-byes in Minneapolis, we got an oil change and drove to Chicago. Our actual destination was Bolingbrook, Illinois, which is a suburb, located 45 minutes outside of Chi-Town. Our drive took us all day. We passed through Madision, WI, to grab a bite at a local vegetarian friendly eatery called Monty’s Blue Plate Diner. The diner does serve meat, but almost half of the menu is vegetarian. Amy opted for the tofu scramble and I had the seitan “Sloppy Faux” with seasoned WAFFLE CUT FRIES! The scene in the diner is quite authentic and we were excited to be there to get some food in our tummies.

After eating, we finished our ride into Illinois making brief stops to check for grease and an unexpected visit to a great Hindu temple. This massive temple caught both of our eyes while trucking down Rt. 59 and we had to turn around to catch a better look. At the gate we were told the temple was closed but we could drive around the property to check it out. After looping around a couple of times, we snapped a couple of photos and left to finish our drive.

We arrived at Mark and Pepper’s place around 9pm. We were so excited to see them again and to also meet their lovely baby, Lola. We arrived the week before Lola was to turn 1 year old and were also going to be there for her first birthday bash. Lola was sleeping when we arrived, so we were able to sit and chat with Mark and Pepper for a while.

The next day we were to help with some party errands, so after meeting Lola, I (Jon) went out to shop for a new patio table with Mark, and Amy stayed behind with Pepper to help at home. It was really nice being able to spend time with more family and to meet all the newest additions. We haven’t seen M&P since their epic wedding a couple of years earlier in Las Vegas, and here we were celebrating another landmark event – Lola’s 1st Birthday!

On Sunday, after running a couple more errands, Lola’s party started and guests showed up ready to mingle with the guest of honor. After eating, drinking, some playing and some diaper changes, Lola dove into her first birthday cup-cake and even ate some of it. After Amy and I had a close match of Bocce Ball, the guests went there separate ways. We helped wrap things up and sat and chilled with M&P until bedtime.

View more great photos from our visit with Mark and Pepper on our Flickr page!