Finding Nemo

A six pointed star holds a great significance in various culture and religions. Referred to as the “Star of David”, it represents the identity of the Jews. Christians revere the star as the Star of Creation and each point denoting the day of creation. Muslims also consider the star an important symbol. It represents the “Seal of Solomon”. Quran says that David and King Solomon were prophets and kings and hence their symbols are revered too. Figure 1: The Star of David Figure 2: The star on Pope's crown Figure 3: Hexagonal structure in the Qutab complex - Islamic Architecture Figure 4: Use of the star in Humayun's Tomb The Mormons or the Latter-Day Saints symbolize the star as the union of God and the man – the downward triangle representing the descent of god from heavens upon mankind and the upward triangle represents the man rising up to god through his deeds. And I bet all the symbol enthusiasts must have been waiting to hear about the free masonry and the

इंद्रधनुष की छटा निराली , कभी लालिमा तो कभी हरियाली , जीवन की भी रीत ऐसी , कभी आँसू तो कभी बातें सुहासी।  धनुष है सन्देश प्रेम का  धरती से आकाश के मिलन का , और जीवन  स्वयं ईश्वर से मानव का।  फूल खिल उठते हैं , पक्षी सुरीले गीत गाते हैं , बरखा और सूरज मिल कर नाचते हैं , जब इंद्रधनुष के दर्शन होते हैं।  और यहाँ गोली चलती है , छुरी भोंकी जाती हैं , उसी जीवन को ख़त्म करने के लिए , जो ईश्वर से हमें मिलता है।  इंद्रधनुष के रंग कई , पर सब रंग दिखें साथ।  मानव के भी रूप कई , पर हम रहे खुद को बाँट।  माँ के लिए  सब बच्चे होते समान , फिर प्रकृति की गोद में , हम करों बनें असमान।  My work published on an hindi portal in 2001 -  http://www.anubhuti-hindi.org/nayihawa/n/nitinrastogi/indradhanush.htm

Few days ago, friends and I got into a discussion – a discussion that I just try to avoid at all costs – the Varna system. I try to evade the topic as much I can, because it has been blown up out of proportions already. It has become such a political hot potato that not only everyone wants to get it off their plate, but also want to add spices to be able to eat it. Hence, in a nutshell, everyone hates this topic, but would like to keep the debate to make whatever gains they can. Who am I to fight the world? Here we go again! Varna or caste system started with the Hinduism, but has been exploited by many. The earliest examples of the caste system may be many but the few notable ones are – Kevata and Shabri in Ramayan, Karna and Eklavya in Mahabharata. Not only the Shudra’s or Brahmins talk about it, but even Arjuna and Krishna spoke of the caste system at length in Geeta. चातुर्वर्णयं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः । तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यर्कतारमव्ययम् ।। ४\-१३ Sri Krishna tells Arjun

We discussed the concept of hunger in my previous post – “What’s your promised land?” It’s the hunger that defines the needs and the goals for oneself. We also discussed the need for motivation in the other post – “Who needs motivation?” In this post let’s examine how we should motivate using the concepts defined earlier! It is a known fact that the life is a sequence events and our life is shaped by how we handle these events. What we should also see that our desires change at every step. Thus changing the desire for the Promised Land. The sequence and the decisions may be different for every human, and hence our lives are different too. It is very difficult to define a common path or a common stand for all to measure up. How do I motivate others in such a case? The answer is simple – communicate to them by realizing their Promised Land. Look for what they want. Watch what are they hungry for? Once we determine other’s hunger, it is easier to empathize and motivate. Remember, Vish

When Hanuman and his group of monkeys reached the sea shore in search for Sita, all of them discussed ways to cross the sea. Some said that they could jump upto 100 yards but it may not be enough to reach Lanka on the other end of the sea! They even started to think ways to lead their lives without returning to their home – Kishkindha and face the wrath of failure. Then, amidst all the discussions, an old bear – Jambvant spoke to Hanuman – “Oh Vayuputra Hanuman! Only you can cross the ocean. You can easily jump across the ocean and reach Lanka in no time. You have descended on the earth for a purpose. You had once flew and ate the Sun itself. Your power and reach has no bounds”. Hanuman had forgotten his powers due to a curse. Jambvant was praising Hanuman and motivating him to realize his potential. He chose his words carefully, realizing his power and putting the overall goal in front of Hanuman inspiring him to achieve. In Bhagwad Gita, Krishna told Arjun that one must lead the

The following work is my own. this is my attempt at understanding self and one's identity! अस्तित्व की खोज में निकला था मैं, अस्तित्व ही खो कर आ गया मैं। सुना, देखा पर पाया नहीं, उसे तो कोई समझा ही नहीं।                वन में वृक्ष का अस्तित्व,                वृक्ष में पत्तों का अस्तित्व,                क्या पाया है कोई?                समझ पाया है कोई? सागर में जल का अस्तित्व, जल में बूँद का अस्तित्व, प्रेम में प्रेमियों का अस्तित्व, क्या समझा है कोई?                 अस्तित्व तो समर्पण है,                 अस्तित्व तो रचना है,                 अस्तित्व तो प्रेम है, ना ईर्ष्या है,                 देखा, पाया और समझा बस इतना ही। 

The book of Exodus tells the story of the Promised Land – the land promised to Abraham by God. God promised Abraham and later his descendants a land full of milk, honey and bread for them and all of their followers. This is a very well-known story and am sure many of us must have heard it as well. One must note that there is only one Promised Land where a person gets all that he wants or rather promised by God, provided he fulfils all the duties and complies by the rules laid out for him. In the Hindu way of thinking, we have not one but 3 promised lands – Swarga, Kailasha and Vaikuntha. Let’s examine and understand! Swarga or Heaven Swarga or the pinnacle of all human wants is ruled by Indra. Full of all riches and dancing damsels, it is the dream of all humans. Asuras fight all their life gain control of the Swarga. Indra is the protector of Swarga and keeps both Asuras and Humans away. There are three main things which make the swarga – Kamadhenu (an all-giving cow), Kalpavriks