New Year history

Fascinating origin of the New Year. January comes from God Janus, with an old face for the year passed & a young face for the new year.

Houses were decorated with wreaths & sacrifices made to Goddess Juno, with calls to her. This was kalo in Latin & this day became kalendae (festival of the Calends), becoming the root of Calendar.

May the blessings of Janus & Juno be with you.

Christians celebrated the New Year in Spring on March 25 (when per Christian beliefs, God created the universe per Pope Benedict). Surviving ancient cultures, such as Indic & Chinese still celebrate the New Year in Spring. Reference: Nisan 1-Aviv, Exodus 12:2.

Initially, the Jan 1 New Year Pagan festival was banned by Bishop Eufronis in the Council of Tours in 567 CE.

In 1582, when the Gregorian calendar was adopted, the New Year was adopted.

Reference:

https://twitter.com/BharadwajSpeaks/status/1344758930853924864/photo/1

https://twitter.com/BharadwajSpeaks/status/1477148267448135681

The fascinating history of Christmas

Research credit: TrueIndology

The world celebrates this winter solstice (in the Northern Hemisphere). What is the origin of this festival & traditions? Here are a fascinating journey through its history.

Surprisingly, Christmas & Easter are never mentioned even once in the Bible. The Christmas tree is banned per the Bible.

 Jeremiah 10:2-4

2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

3 For the customs of the people [are] vain: for [one] cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

For this reason, many staunch Christians, such as Protestants following Sola Scriptura (through Scripture alone), don't celebrate with Christmas trees. Many groups, such as Jehovah's Witness & Quakers, don't even celebrate Christmas. Christmas used to be forbidden.

Here is a public notice in the United States in 1655: "Anybody celebrating Satanical practices such as Christmas is liable to a fine of five Shillings".

In Christian mythology, St. Boniface cut down a sacred huge living oak tree worshipped by the Pagans. Per one version of the myth, a new fir tree miraculously grew in its place & was decorated the next year by the new converts, resulting the origin of the decoration.

How did Christmas come to be moved to the winter solstice, a celebration of the sun?

The reason Christmas was moved to coincide with the Sun/Fire worshipping festival, per classical writer 'Father Bar Salibi' (CE 1200).

In "The Oriental Religions in Roman Paganism”, Franz Cumont describes how Christmas was assigned to Dec. 25th in the 4th c. CE to take over the Roman pagan festival Natalis Invicti which celebrated the annual new “birth” of the sun after the Solstice.

Prior to being moved, the nativity & epiphany used to be celebrated on Jan 6. After the move of the nativity, the epiphany was celebrated on Jan 6. The Orthodox Christians (eg: Russian Orthodox) still celebrate Christmas on Jan 6.

Even earlier, prior to the move to Jan 6, Christmas used to be celebrated in April/May.

The original name of Christmas Eve was 'Modra Niht' meaning "Mothers' Night". Until recently, "Mother Christmas" was arriving on Christmas eve. This referred to an earlier tradition of Goddess Freyja, drawn by cats. Freyja is cognate to Sanskrit Priya, adjective of Vedic Goddess Usha. Usha is early rays of the sun, again referring to the sun festival of the winter solstice.

The origins of Christmas traditions comes from multiple ancient traditions.

• Yule, the Scandinavian fertility god: Yuletide carols & greetings.
• Wiccan: Tradition of wreaths & decking halls with holly.
• Druid: Hoping for a kiss under the mistletoe. Fans of Asterix (Asterisque) would remember Getafix, the druid.
• Saturn: decorating a Saturnalia tree
• Thor, Odin, St.Nicholas: Norse/Viking gods. Tradition of visitor bringing gifts at night.
• Sleipnir: Odin's flying 8 legged horse, sound of hooves on the rooftop.
• Mithras: Sun's rebirth. In India, Mithrotsava is still celebrated in some regions.

The Orthodox churches still celebrate Christmas in Jan as the feast of circumcision. When the Gregorian calendar was shifted, some traditions moved the festival to the sun festival.

The colonial history of the British Christmas Pudding cake. 

The origin of Santa Claus from St.Nicholas & who he really was.

Happy winter solstice. Enjoy the festivities.

 

References:

http://www.revivingherstory.com/rhblog/2014/12/16/when-santa-was-a-woman-5-christmas-histories-you-want-to-know

 

Four types of diseases

 Suśruta-Saṃhitā: four types of ‘vyādhi’s (diseases)

(1) ‘āgantu’ (आगन्तु, “arriving”): caused by an external injury to the body

(2) ‘śārīra’ (शारीर, “of the body”): caused by imbalance of one or more of wind, bile, phlegm, blood; rooted in food and drink (=improper diet)

(3) ‘mānasa’ (मानस, “of the mind”): caused by anger, grief, fear, delight, distress, jealousy, indignation, wretchedness, malice, lust, greed; rooted in various types of desires and hate

(4) ‘svābhāvika’ (स्वाभाविक, “natural”): thirst, hunger, old age, death, sleep, etc.

तेषामागन्तवोऽभिघातनिमित्ताः, शारीरास्त्वन्नपानमूलावातपित्तकफशोणितसन्निपातवैषम्यनिमित्ताः, मानसास्तुक्रोधशोकभयहर्षविषादेर्ष्याभ्यसूयादैन्यमात्सर्यकामलोभप्रभृतय इच्छाद्वेषभेदैर्भवन्ति, स्वाभाविकास्तु क्षुत्पिपासाजरामृत्युनिद्राप्रकृतयः

(सुश्रुतसंहिता १.१.२३)

Reference:

https://twitter.com/MisraNityanand/status/1327819377983549440

Three principles of dealing with others

मैत्री,  करुणा & उपेक्षा

Maitri, Karuṇā & Upekṣā.

Friendship, compassion & equanimity.

Reference:

https://twitter.com/subhash_kak/status/1326257193973395457

The three legs of intelligence

ज्ञान, स्मृति, अपोहः

Wisdom, remembrance, simplification.

Reference:

https://twitter.com/subhash_kak/status/1325877338127675394 

Navaratri: the inner foes

Navaratri 1: Shakti defeats काम (Kama), desire itself.

Navaratri 2: Shakti defeats क्रोध Krodha-Anger, which results from unfulfilled desire (काम).

Navaratri 3: Shakti defeats मोह Moha (delusion), the nature of the mind that prevents understanding oneself.

Navaratri 4: Shakti defeats लोभ Lobha (loosely translated to greed), the nature of the mind to desire more of a fulfilled desire काम (wealthy seeking more wealth, powerful seeking more power, famous seeking more fame).

Navaratri 5: Shakti defeats मद Madha (pride/arrogance), the nature of the mind once desire काम & further desire of what it already has लोभ is fulfilled (once one is highly powerful, knowledgeable, wealthy or famous).

नवरात्रि Navaratri 6: Shakti defeats मात्सर्य Matsarya (envy). When काम desire is unfulfilled, after an initial anger (क्रोध Krodha), it can putrefy into envy (eg: when a peer passes us in career position, fame, wealth, family happiness).

With this, Shakti has defeated षड्रिपु, the 6 enemies of our internal happiness.

नवरात्रि Navaratri 7: Shakti defeats स्वार्थ (SvArtha-selfishness). 

The पुरुषार्थ (Purushartha-the human purpose) is that one can follow desires (Kama काम) & find one's purpose/meaning in life (Artha अर्थ) but be bound by Dharma धर्मः with a goal of Moksha मोक्ष. 

Focusing purely on one's own Artha makes it SvArtha, which benefits oneself alone & can be detrimental to the greater well-being, which the divine mother within defeats.

नवरात्रि Navaratri 8: Shakti defeats अन्याय (Anyaya-injustice). Following काम (Kama-desire) can lead to लोभ (Lobha-greed) & मात्सर्य (Matsarya-envy). This path will eventually lead one down the path of breaking of good rules of conduct.

नवरात्रि Navaratri 9: Shakti शक्ति  defeats अमानवता (brutal barbarous cruelty). Following our काम (Kama-desire) can lead to लोभ (Lobha-greed), मात्सर्य (Matsarya-envy), अन्याय (injustice) & eventually अमानवता (extreme cruelty). 

Think we're not capable of extreme cruelty? Just the desire of our taste buds has resulted in horrifying animal factory farms. Just a desire to enforce 'what we know to be the one true knowledge' resulted in unimaginable horrors.

The divine mother within can make us understand ourselves & the knowledge within to defeat our inner cruel tendencies.

After नवरात्रि Navaratri: Victorious Day 10: विजयदशमी: Shakti शक्ति  defeats अहंकार (our sense of being separate from the all pervading divinity). This is the root of काम (Kama-desire for something external) that leads to every other problem. This is the final state of Yoga योग. With this, the 10 bad inner qualities are vanquished (दशहरा - Dushahara or Dussehra).

Rig Veda-Noble thoughts

Rig Veda 1.89.1

आ नो भद्राः करतवो कष्यन्तु विश्वतो.अदब्धासो अपरीतास उद्भिदः |

देवा नो यथा सदमिद वर्धे असन्नप्रायुवो रक्षितारो दिवे-दिवे ||

"May noble thoughts come to us from everywhere with divine guidance & protection."

(Like the Hamsa, take the good & leave the bad from any source).

The girl who lost her father and more...

 She was a beautiful & studious girl & the only child of a wealthy family in Chennai. She was also well-versed in Samskritam. One devastating day, she lost her father.

A person started helping out the family & developed a relationship. He offered to marry her, though he belonged to a different religion. He spoke to the mother repeatedly that he would take great care of the daughter. He offered to even live with the family. After a year of wooing, the family & the girl agreed.

They were married per dual religious customs.

He needed some money for his business. Then more. Then more. Gradually, the family wealth dwindled.

One day, when mother & daughter returned home, the entire Pooja room was bare. He said that it was wrong to keep these in the home. He had trashed all the deity pictures & vigrahas from the home. This was in the girl's family home that he had moved into.

He started asking his wife to start covering her hair. Though academically brilliant, she was too soft-spoken to refuse. She meekly started obeying. Eventually, he forced her to quit her job.

He asked her to not study Samskritam or say Slokas anymore. He forced her to start studying a different language & script. She meekly obeyed.

Eventually, his business ended up in a huge debt that the family had to sell their home & move. The mother lamented that she had made a huge mistake. However, the daughter was now pregnant. She hoped that things would become better after the baby was born.

I don't know what became of the family afterwards.

"Primary" vs "Secondary counter" religions

A "primary religion" evolves over centuries & is intertwined with culture, society & language.

A "secondary counter religion" uses elements from the primary religion but has a founding event with claims of being exclusively & universally true while all competing faiths are false. It looks down upon its parent primary religion.

Originally proposed as a bucket where religions are force-fitted, a spectrum makes more sense.

Ref: German Egyptologist Jan Assman's "The price of Monotheism"

https://twitter.com/vjgtweets/status/1317143358867869697

Memetic culture & its alternative

 Our own behavior & culture tends to be memetic. This means: we naturally tend to behave like our family, friends & people who we see & move with. We will also tend to be influenced by the entertainment & media that we choose to consume. We may also end up in echo chambers where no contrary opinion is allowed.

Through rigor, self-analysis & observing our own mind, we can start to free ourselves from memetic behavior & think independently & critically.

Is my ideology good or bad?

 A good ideology is one that is open to criticism & debate, understands that truth is a journey of discovery.

A bad ideology will lay sole claim to the truth, which time will disprove. It will criticize competitors but will silence critics through bullying tactics (name-calling, shaming), economic power (special taxes, hiring/firing for expressing opinions) & finally, threat of physical violence (eg: flogging, imprisonment) or even death.

Unknowingly, our own minds may be led astray to become unwitting participants of the bad ideology through the power of marketing backed by huge money & creative minds. Yoga & Dhyana can help us know our minds a little better & help it avoid an echo chamber.

Where is Divinity? What direction is it facing? What is it doing now? -Script for a play

Scene with king & the court poet.

King: "Dear poet, if one does wrong but later realizes the mistake, how does one become good?"

Poet: "When one realizes one's error, one automatically becomes good."

King: "How does someone good become divine?"

Poet: "One becomes what one focuses on. One becomes divine by focusing on the divine."

King: "Where is the divine? What direction is it facing? What is it doing now?"

Poet: "Divinity is everywhere, within you & me as well."

King: "This is not convincing to me. Answer my questions precisely. Answer me tomorrow morning."

Scene with poet & grandchild.

Child: "You look troubled. What's bothering your, Grandpa?"

Poet: "The king has asked me 3 questions that I'm supposed to answer precisely. I don't know how to answer them."

Child: "What are the questions?"

Poet: "Where is the divine? What direction is it facing? What is it doing now?"

Child: "These questions are simple, Grandpa. Don't worry. I'll answer them in the court for you. I won't tell you the answers now. Listen to them in the court with the king."

Scene with poet, grandchild & the king.

King: "Do you have the answers to my questions, dear poet? Swagatham, dear child. Dear poet, your grandchild is very cute. What brings you here today, dear child?"

Child: "Pardon me, dear king. Only a child is appropriate to answer questions with a child-like curiosity. I've come to answer your questions on behalf of Grandpa. May I do so?"

King: "But these questions have deep import. How can a child answer it?"

Child: "Didn't the child Murugan teach Shiva the meaning of Om? Knowledge knows no age."

King: "Well spoken, child. You have shown that you are the grandchild of our scholarly court poet."

Child: "So, what was your first question?"

King: "Where is the divine?"

Child: "Can you please request the cook to bring a platter of these items on this list?"

King: "Sure."

Child: "What is there in this platter?"

King: "Why this silly question that everyone can answer? You have milk, curd, yogurt, butter, ghee, paneer cheese."

Child: "What did all these forms come from?"

King: "From the milk, of course."

Child: "Show me the milk in the curd, yogurt, butter, ghee, paneer cheese."

King: "It is inherent, within these items themselves."

Child: "Similarly, the divine is inherent, within everything."

King: "What an amazing answer, dear child. You are indeed wise beyond your age. You have truly show that wisdom has no age boundaries."

Child: "Thank you, dear king. What was your 2nd question?"

King: "What direction is the divine facing?"

Child, pointing to a lamp: "What direction does the fire in this lamp give light?"

King: "It is no single direction. In all directions."

Child: "Similarly, the all-pervading divinity faces & lights up all directions."

King: "You are no mere child, you are my Guru."

Child: "You're too gracious, dear king. What was your 3rd question?"

King: "What is the divine doing now?"

Child: "To answer this, you've to crown me ruler."

King: "Of course, wise child. You're my Guru. Anything you ask."

King crowns the child ruler.

Child: "Now, I'm the ruler & you're an ordinary citizen, right?"

King: "That is indeed so."

Child, harshly: "Seize this man. Thrown him in the dungeons. Banish all the ministers. Increase the taxes. Hoard the grain."

King, shocked: "What is this, child?"

Child: "Till a moment back, you were the ruler. I was a mere child. Now, I'm the ruler & you're on the way to prison. Good times can turn bad in an instant. Bad times can turn good in an instant. Everything, be it a human, animal, kingdom, empire or country will go through good & bad times and eventually end with the great destroyer, time. This is the constant play of the divine. I'm sorry, dear king, for acting like this. I cancel my orders and return the kingdom back to you. Please forgive my behavior, dear king."

King: "Dear child, you have opened my eyes & cleared my doubts. Thank you."

References:

Shaiva stories. Adaptations in the Tamizh movie, Thiruvarutchelvar & Kannada movie, Shiva Leela.

एकं सत् विप्रा: बहुधा वदन्ति - Rig Veda

 एकं सत् विप्रा: बहुधा वदन्ति.

The truth is one. The wise express it in multiple ways. - Rig Veda Samhita, 1.164.46

Respect with & without boundaries

स्वगृहे पूज्यते मूर्खः स्वग्रामे पूज्यते प्रभुः ।

स्वदेशे पूज्यते राजा विद्वान् सर्वत्र पूज्यते ॥

Summary:

Respect normally has boundaries; only a scholar is respected without boundaries.

Details:

Though not intellectual, one is respected in one's own home by family. Love begets love. The love is conditional; children of unfortunate bad families will not have it.

A leader has respect in his domain (village or kingdom) as long as he does good or has power. Once the influence wanes, so does the respect, which is conditional.

A scholar, one who is proficient in any skill, is respected without boundaries. This respect is unconditional.

Difference between Maya & Mithya

I have my keys in my pocket & other things on top which hides it. I think I lost my keys. I search everywhere. I finally find it with me. It was always with me. I simply thought that it wasn't with me. This thought is Maya.

Today, we have our physical body. It is real, for now. Once we die, it will eventually cease to exist. It is no longer real. Something that is temporarily real & unreal is Mithya.

Reference: Based off Chandrasekhara Bharathi's bhashya on Adi Sankara's Vivekachudamani

The lion & the beggar

There was once a lioness who got killed by a hunter. The lioness had a cub that was orphaned. Some sheep took pity on the lion cub & raised it. The lion copied all its mannerisms, would eat grass & bleat. It grew up.

One day, a lion hunted the sheep. It was surprised to see the sheep-lion run away with the sheep. It managed to corner the sheep-lion which cowered in fear. It led it to the water & asked it to look in the water. It looked like a lion & realized that it was a lion.

The lion was always one. It simply didn't realize it until then.

There was once a young baby prince, who owing to attacks by enemies was abandoned. He was adopted & brought up by beggars. He would beg for food. One day, based off his birthmarks, he was found to be the missing prince, who was once presumed dead & crowned king.

He was always a prince. He simply didn't realize it.

Similarly, the Yogis say that we are the core, pure bliss & one with the divine. However, we self-identify ourselves as the sheep or the beggar. To realize our true identity, we need to put in the effort. Yoga is a prescription. Observing our own mind & breath is the way to start.

SvaDharma, Sadhu & Kshatriya Dharma

Based off our SvaBhava (innate nature), we can, with some mental effort, figure out our SvaDharma, what we can do to make things better.

Some will have Sadhu Dharma as their SvaDharma, the path of Ahimsa (non-cruelty), Yoga, Dhyana (meditation) with Virakti (asceticism).

When Arjuna wishes to follow Sadhu Dharma instead of fighting the war, Krishna dissuades him & asks him to follow Kshatriya (warrior) Dharma, which was his SvaDharma. Samartha Ramdas would similarly dissuade Shivaji, after he expressed a desire for Sadhu Dharma after listening to a Pravachan, saying that his SvaDharma was Kshatriya Dharma.

Subhash Chandra Bose in his younger years, searched for a Guru. Not finding one, he decided on his SvaDharma of Kshatriya Dharma, which many historians credibly argue, would eventually get India freedom, rather than Gandhiji's Sadhu Dharma. 

However, one thing common to both Bose & Gandhi was everyday Dhyana. This is true even for Kshatriya Dharma.

Whatever SvaDharma we choose to follow, Yoga with Dhyana will help us perform it better.

Our problems, our solutions

If we are hungry, we have to take food. Others taking food won't help us.

If we fall sick, we have to take medicine. Others can guide us on the medicine but they taking the medicine won't help us.

Similarly, only we can tear away the veil of ignorance from knowing the truth. Others can guide us on the path but finally, our search for the truth is our own.

The start is observing our own mind. Only we can observe our own mind; others can't do it for us.

Source:

Chandrasekhara Bharathi's commentary on Adi Sankara's Vivekachudamani

The real underlying problem for Hindus

Hindus don't have control over their institutions, regardless of which party rules. Are protests the answer?

People who are busy working & making a living don't usually go protesting on the streets.

The ones who do come to protests either make huge personal sacrifices, or can afford the time & the costs, or are paid to do so.

To pay someone to do so, funds are needed.

To have funds, Hindu institutions should be in Hindu control. To free the institutions, Hindus need political power.

How to get political power? That's the real problem Hindus need to solve.

Everyday Tapasya

There was once a martial arts student. He had tried to defeat his classmate multiple times during practice sessions & had failed. After graduation, he decided to continue training under a master to defeat his friend. He trained for a decade. He then challenged his friend & failed yet. He underwent further training with a different master. Failed again. Repeated the process. Failed yet again.

Finally, he gave up. "I have practiced so long. Still I kept failing with you. Why is that?"

His friend replied: "All I do is practice".

In life, we all perform tasks. Some well, some not so much. However, external efforts are most useful if they result in inner transformation. Every act can be an act of Tapasya.

Any task done well improves concentration (Dharana) & knowledge (Vidya).

The knowledge can take various forms: we can learn to understand things or people better, or understand ourselves better observing how we react to situations.

When we have low self-confidence, we will tend to virtue signal & not speak up even if we disagree, with our mind ruled by fear, jealousy or guilt. The goal is social acceptability & wanting to be liked.

As we get comfortable with ourselves & our confidence improves, we start expressing our opinions. But a different problem may emerge. Our reaction to disagreements will reveal the extent of our ego & attachments. We may have tendencies to bully & silence the weak, the ones who are fearful & lack courage to stand up & speak up.

As we understand ourselves more, we will express ourselves & be unafraid of debates. We will gain courage & lose fear of being wrong. Our goal is just knowledge & self-improvement, and we won't mind our ego (AhamBhavam) taking a knock. 

Maybe eventually, as the Yogis say, we'll learn that we're all interconnected through divine love. That love will not stop us from gently improving ourselves or others.

Isn't life best lived if we manage to improve ourselves a little bit more in the process?

Satyagraha: Rama vs Gandhiji

Gandhiji is famous for his Satyagraha techniques. Instead of a violent revolt against an oppressor, use non-violent protests like fasts. Reform the oppressor's heart through our own suffering. Because, even the most violent oppressor has a heart, which will eventually yield. How idealistic.

Where does the original idea of Satyagraha come from? When should it be applied or not applied?

The original reference to this technique comes from the Valmiki Ramayana.

Bharatha is trying to convince Rama to return. In a series of wonderful debates, Rama has the upper-hand in reasoning. At this point, Bharatha resorts to a Satyagraha technique.

इह मे स्थण्डिले शीघ्रं कुशानास्तर सारथे।

आर्यं प्रत्युपवेक्ष्यामि यावन्मे न प्रसीदति।।2.111.13।।

अनाहारो निरालोको धनहीनो यथा द्विजः।

शेष्ये पुरस्ताच्छालाया यावन्न प्रतियास्यति।।2.111.14।।

Bharatha says that he will fast on the grass until Rama agrees to return. 

Rama's response is interesting.

ब्राह्मणो ह्येकपार्श्वेन नरान्रोद्धुमिहार्हति।

न तु मूर्धाभिषिक्तानां विधिः प्रत्युपवेशने।।2.111.17।।

Rama calls this technique as Pratyupavesha. He tells Bharatha that this is not the way of a warrior.

The colonial British had conquered India (and most of the world) through war. When the Indians fought back in 1857, the British East India Company's rule crumbled to be replaced by the Crown. There were immediate brutal reprisals by the British.

Gandhiji inspired a non-violent freedom struggle. He exhorted Indians to serve the British in the world wars. If we want the British to treat us fairly, we should serve them in their moment of trouble. That would change their heart!

When a non-violent nation-wide protest turned violent in just Chauri Chaura (owing to police high-handedness), he went on a fast to stop the protests. He wanted to reform the British heart through our own suffering. Barring some friendly media coverage by some American journalists who cared for India, this had no positive effect on the British. The massacres (Jalianwalla Bagh), peace-time bombings (eg: Gurudaspur) & the man-made famines killing millions (eg: Bengal) continued.

Gandhiji & Nehru were imprisoned but treated with kid gloves. In comparison, anyone who posed a threat to the trade monopoly or the empire's India's hold, were imprisoned, tortured and/or executed.

Gandhiji's advice to Hindu women escaping mayhem from Jinnah's Direct Action, to accept assault & reform the assaulter through their own suffering would infuriate the Hindus. Gandhiji's advice to the Jews to reform Hitler's heart through their own suffering would infuriate the Jewish lobby, who would successfully prevent Gandhiji being posthumously awarded the Nobel prize for peace. 

In his seminal book, Hind Swaraj, Gandhiji had warned against being irrationally attached to any ideology. He had fallen prey to what he had warned against.

Finally, it was the 1946 Mumbai Naval revolt which started spreading, which led to India's independence, per military historians. Clement Attlee, the British PM who decided on India's independence trivialized Gandhiji's contribution. 

Gandhiji had aspired for Rama Rajya. If only he had taken Rama's advice to Bharatha, dismissing fasting as not the way of the warrior. Rama did not fast in front of Lanka asking Ravana to return Sita. It feels odd even to suggest it. He simply fought. Against a heartless exploitative violent regime, even if one is peace loving, the best of us must fight & sacrifice to have peace. This is the unfortunate way of our world.

The ripe fruit

"பழம் பழுத்துடுச்சு. விழுந்திடும்."

"The fruit is ripe. It will fall shortly."

These were the words told by a friend's grandfather right before his passing. This grandfather had become a Shaiva Siddhar.

The Tamizh Siddhars say: "When the fruit is ripe, it will fall even in the darkest night."

There's a lesson here for all of us. 

The world has always been in turmoil. Only the level of turmoil in the world has changed over time. Sometimes, it has gotten better, sometimes, it has gotten worse. While we can do whatever little we can to try and push things in a positive direction, it is more important for us to first focus on ourselves. After all, unless we get our lives in order how can we get anything else in order? In this process, we will be helping ourselves and also others.

However dark the external world gets, we can still ripen ourselves, realize the ultimate truth and rise above all the external turmoil with inner peace. We can become the ripe fruit that falls in even the darkest night.

Can we be free?

So many selflessly sacrificed so much for the freedoms that we enjoy today. We cannot hope to repay even a fraction of the debt we owe for these sacrifices. Can we do whatever little we can to preserve & enhance these freedoms?

So many animals & birds are locked up their entire lives, unable to move in factory farms. Can we give them freedom while they live?

Can we be free to think what we want without censoring our own thoughts? Can we be free to express what we truly think, without the risk of death, disappearance, imprisonment? Can mere words be countered by just words? Can we work to repeal 295a (hurting religious sentiments blasphemy law) & 66a (electronic media blasphemy law)?

Can we preserve the legal "presumption of innocence" & "innocent until proven guilty" doctrines? It is not logically possible to prove innocence in certain situations, while it is always logically possible to prove guilt. Can we work to revoke all laws that have a "guilty until proven innocent" presumption? Can we work to repeal 498a, 354a, 18a, 295a & 66a?

Can governments &  institutions free itself from religious, Jati & skin color tests in deciding distribution of subsidies, admissions & control of places of worship? Can it recognize that poverty knows no boundaries?

Can ancient unique traditions be free to continue the ways of their ancestors without being psychologically abused as wrong, false or demonic/Satanic?

Can our minds be free of its dehumanizing colonizing lens with which it views its own ancestral traditions & languages? Can our minds be decolonized?

Can we be free of our own material shell & mind and truly know ourselves within? Can we be free to know the ultimate truth? Can we be free to realize the ultimate permanent happiness?

Can we be free?

Om Om Om. 

Celebrate Ayodhya's Rama temple?

Ayodhya arguments: Tax payer money is wasted. Why this garish celebration? Why not use this money for COVID?

The temple is built by the Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust with donations. The govt has donated a net tax payer money of Rs.1. Yes, Rs.1!

From another angle, the 'secular' government controls only Hindu temples & not the religious institutions of any other religion. The loot of the temple resources is beyond imagination.

For COVID, it is only the Hindu temples (under govt control) that have given Rs.10s of crores of donations.

When there was a famine in the 12th century CE, the priests in Madurai melted the golden chariot & sold the gold to sustain the people during the famine. Temples have a history of helping out without expectations (Nishkamya Karma).

Regarding the comments against public Hindu celebration. During intolerant rules by foreign ideologies, Hindus were prevented from having any public display of celebrations & their festivals were banned (eg: Aurangzeb had banned Deepavali & Holi, in 1667 the Goan viceroy had banned Hinduism & Hindu marriages). Until recently, Pakistan didn't even recognize Hindu marriages.

The 1939 Birla temple was the first temple to be built in Delhi in centuries. So complete was the ban on any public display of Hindu worship.

When Shivaji built his first temple, so complete was the destruction that the temple looked like a mosque (see image). The traditions of temple building & worship had gone extinct.

In a bad marriage, sometimes the stronger spouse would use tactics of bullying & intimidation to force the weaker spouse into silence. Similar psychological tactics of shaming, bullying & intimidating are used to intimidate Hindus into silence & stop their public forms of worship. This has been so effective that Hindus themselves have internalized this & use these tactics against other Hindus.

Research credit: TrueIndology

The journey of man

A name of Vishnu is called Narayana. What does it mean?

Nara means man/human (note the Indo-European similarity to the Samskritam word: Manushya, Manava).

Ayana means journey or vehicle.

For instance, Ramayana means journey of Rama.

In Buddhism, Mahayana is the great vehicle, a Bhakti sect of Buddhism where worship of Buddha will take you to Nirvana.

The Mahayanas used a pejorative to describe Theravada Buddhism (way of the elders), calling it Hinayana (small vehicle), which is closer to the original Buddhist teachings, since they used their own selves to meditate on a self-journey.

Vajrayana is the vehicle of the Thunderbolt (representing the Kundalini Shakti), a Tantric Vama Marga (left path) version of Buddhism.

Nārāyaṇa नारायण means: journey of humans.

What are the Narayana Avatarams? Let's see the Avatarams & interpret them.

1. Matsya (fish): All life originated in the oceans & as fish.

2. Kurma (tortoise): Marine life became amphibious.

3. Varaha (boar): Amphibious life evolves to land animals.

4. Narasimha (man-lion): An evolution to an in-between human & animal state.

5. Vamana (dwarf): Early humans were dwarves. Eg: Homo-floresiensis, Homo luzonensis.

6. Parasurama (axe warrior): Early aggressive humans.

7. Rama (the highest human): Though his base emotions show up repeatedly, Rama mostly conquers his own base emotions & his higher intelligence shines through. Something for all humans to aspire to.

8. Balarama (plough warrior): Humans start agriculture.

9. Krishna (clever cowherd): Animal husbandry? Krishna's stories are delightful. Uses superior intelligence, strategy & planning to improve society. Advises on how to improve one's own self.

10. Kalki (future): Represents annihilation in a degraded world. When humans overstep their bounds, will nature course correct?

By using the name Narayana (journey of humans) & providing this sequence, did the ancients encode evolution into a multi-layered puzzle story?

This did not go unnoticed by scientists. Acclaimed evolutionary biologist & founder of neo-Darwinism J. B. S. Haldane called Dashavatar a true sequential depiction of the great unfolding of evolution.

Haldane was critical of the Suez Canal invasion by Britain, citing it as a reason to move to India. He took up Indian citizenship, started wearing traditional Indian clothes & became a vegetarian.

A Pew survey indicates that most Hindus believe in evolution.

Treatment of an enemy's dead body - Ramayana

A weeping Vibhishana: "Ravana was my brother. But he was evil & treacherous. I don't want to perform his last rites."

Rama could have said: "True. He abducted my wife through treachery. Dump his body in the sea." (Similar to what USA did with OBL).

Instead Rama said: "Ravana was a great warrior. You have a duty as a brother. Perform his last rites."

Earlier, Rama had enforced a return of the mighty Indrajit's body with due honors, disallowing any mutilation of the dead body.

Look at how these values have carried forward. In the Kargil war, the Pakistani Northern Light Infantry were disguised as non-Army (but equipped with army equipment like Stinger missiles). The Pak govt refused to accept their bodies (conforming to their doctrine of plausible deniability). (They would admit involvement over a decade later). The Indian Army performed their last rites for them with dignity.

In contrast, we have had multiple instances of ambushed Indian Army soldiers tortured, beheaded & their head taken away as a trophy. Any Indian spies captured (eg: Ravindra Kaushik) are tortured & given an ignominious burial in an unmarked grave (instead of Hindu cremation rites). This is what happens when a society loses its values taught by the Ramayana.

The divine mango

There is a lovable story that Tamizhs are familiar with. Narada brings a mango, a fruit of knowledge to Shiva. This has a condition, though. The fruit may not be shared. Murugan & Pillaiyaar fight over the mango. The one who goes around the world thrice first would get it. Murugan goes around the world thrice. Pillaiyaar sees Shiva Parvati as the world & goes around them thrice. Gets the mango. Murugan is annoyed & leaves in a huff. After some dramatic episodes, he's eventually coaxed back.

Puranic stories have multi-layered symbology. What is the meaning of this story?

Nara means human. Narada means he who gives the right knowledge & prevents the wrong path for humans. Narada gives the divine fruit of knowledge but you need to go through a test to get it.

Murugan went around the entire world, yet didn't get the mango. Pillaiyaar went around Shiva-Parvathi right there with him & got it. 

Traveling the entire world & going external will not give you the divine fruit of knowledge. Going within (to the Shakthi & Shiva within us) will yield it. This is beautifully expressed in the Lalitha Sahasranamam: अन्तर्मुखसमाराध्या बहिर्मुखसुदुर्लभा.

This fruit can't be shared. Why? The divine fruit of self knowledge that is within, can only be attained by us. Only we can make the journey to our own self; others may guide but this fruit is ours alone to experience.

The divine mango is the fruit of self-knowledge. For that, you need to go around thrice. Why thrice?

Per Kundalini Yoga, there are three granthas (knots) & main chakras that one eventually reaches through deep Dhyana (meditation). The Kundalini Shakthi itself has three main Nadis that are used to unravel the granthas. Once past this, one gets the divine knowledge.

What does Murugan do? He leaves everything & becomes an Aandi (Sanyasi or ascetic who has renounced everything external). He is worshipped in the Aandi Kolam in Pazhani.

At this point, Avvaiyaar, the lovable Tamizh Patti saint, sings: Pazham Neeyappa. You are the divine fruit yourself. The divine fruit of knowledge is not external to us; it is internal within.

Such a simple lovable story of a brotherly rivalry with multi-layered meanings.

Murugan is Jnana Panditha, the Vedic name reserved for him & no one else. He represents the Ajna Chakra, the fire of knowledge born directly out of Shiva, the final Sahasrara Chakra on top.

Further reading:

https://vedham.blogspot.com/2018/10/lalitha-sahasranamam-inner-meaning.html

http://vedham.blogspot.com/2021/09/notable-ganeshas.html

http://vedham.blogspot.com/2016/07/zakir-naik-ganesha-secret.html

Governance through fear?

In 1742 CE, Malhar Rao Holkar offered to rebuild the Kashi Vishwanatha temple. The locals requested him not to. Why? Fear of violent reprisals once he left.

The Mathura Krishna Janmabhoomi site was bought back by the Hindus. (This has a parallel to the Ayodhya Rama Janmabhoomi site bought back by Sawar Jai Singh of Jaipur per the 1717 CE Kapad Dwar Mughal records for the Hindu right to worship there). Every court awarded the Mathura temple site to the Hindus. What did the government do? It forced a settlement without Hindu consent to give away the site, for the 'right' to build a temple in an adjacent site. Why? Fear of violence if the court order was implemented.

Be it Islamabad (formerly Ram Kund) or Mallapuram, Hindus are simply prevented from building a temple on their own privately owned land. The administration is complicit or helpless. Why? Fear.

The Congress government passed the Places of Worship Act in 1991, which disenfranchised the Hindus of the right to reclaim their 47k demolished & converted temples, including Kashi & Mathura. Why? Fear.

There are multiple voices that exhort the Hindus to not press claims on any of their demolished & converted temples. Underlying all these arguments is one primal emotion. Fear.

Every government should aspire to be approachable & be able to deliver justice without fear. The weak should be able to approach the government for justice. The strong who get their way through violence must fear the law & justice systems. 

Instead, we find a fearful government. Being fearful is no way to govern. When delivering justice, the government must develop a capability & willingness to impose order in society.

The day Hindus can build temples on their own private land or reclaim their holiest demolished & converted temples without fear, the world will move a step closer towards real freedom.

The 11 types of Brahmanas

Atri's classification of Brahmanas - Source: PV Kane's History of Dharmśastra Volume 2 Part 1, pg 131 on the discourse in the Atri Smriti:

1. Deva Brahmana: Bathe daily, do Puja, SandhyaVandanam, homam, honor Aditis (guests) & Vaishvadevas

2. Muni Brahmana: Lives in a forest subsisting off roots, fruits & vegetables, doing daily Shraddhas

3. Dvija Brahmana: Twice-born. Studies Vedanta, gives up all attachments, engages in Samkya & Yoga (implying AshtAnga Yoga).

4. Kshatra Brahmana: Fights to defend the motherland.

5. Vaishya Brahmana: Trader, farmer, rears cattle.

6. Shudra Brahmana: Sells meat, lac, dyes like Kusumba, milk, ghee, honey

7. Nishada Brahmana: loves meat & fish, thieves & robs, backbiter.

8. Pashu Brahmana: Knows nothing on Brahman but is proud of his birth & sacred thread.

9. Mleccha Brahmana: Obstructs or destroys wells, gardens & tanks without qualms.

10. Chandala Brahmana: Adharmic, cruel, foolish, does no prescribed rites.

Not in Atri's list:

11. Unchavritti Brahmana: living by alms, not accumulating money, perform Sandhya, keep Agnihotra (Shrautagni), follow Dharma.

https://twitter.com/nivrittijnandev/status/1224919088910274560

https://twitter.com/TIinExile/status/1225086611982974976

https://twitter.com/TIinExile/status/1224912547649740800

Qualities of an army - திருவள்ளுவர் திருக்குறள்

PM quoted திருக்குறள் by திருவள்ளுவர் in his Ladakh speech.

மறமானம் மாண்ட வழிச்செலவு தேற்றம்,

எனநான்கே ஏமம் படைக்கு - பொருட்பால் எண்: 766

A Dharmic army's characteristics: valor, honor, tradition of glory & trustworthiness. 

திருக்குறள் comprises அறத்துப்பால், பொருட்பால் & இன்பத்துப்பால். These map to धर्मसूत्र, अर्थसूत्र & कामसूत्र. The पुरुषार्थ are धर्म, अर्थ, काम & मोक्ष.

Meaning: Follow your desires, seek meaning in your life, but be bound by Dharma with a goal towards Moksha.

Chanakya-script for a play

Mauryas killed through deceit by Nandas. Chandragupta imprisoned.

Mauryas are lured by Nanda to avoid a future threat to the throne. Mauryas are invited for food, lured to a cellar & starved to death. Chandragupta is the only survivor & imprisoned by Nanda.

Nanda (thinking): Maghada’s king Sarvartha Siddhi, my father has retired & gone on a pilgrimage. I anticipate a threat to the throne from the Mauryas.

Nanda: Chandragupta, please join us for dinner with your brothers.

Nanda (thinking): For the last time...

Chandragupta: Sure.

Nanda: Welcome to the palace for dinner. However, there’s not enough space for all of us in the hall. We’ll eat in the cellar.

Chandragupta: Don’t worry, my family & I will eat in the cellar.

Chandragupta walks to the cellar & sits down to eat.

Nanda shuts the door.

Nanda: You’ll never come out alive...

Chandragupta: All my brothers are dead from starvation. How long will I last?

Nanda: What harm can one man do? Get him out & imprison him. Burn the reeking palace.

Parvata Desh’s Parvatak’s spy Kamalapida’s test. Chandragupta solves it & gets released.

Parvatak: Kamalapida, I hear that the smart & powerful Mauryas are dead. Can you gather intelligence from Magadha? Maybe, we can attack them later?

Kamalapida: Sure. I will disguise myself, go to Magadha & conduct a test.

Kamalapida with a stick: People of Magadha, can you solve this mystery? How did this lion go into this cage with no openings?

Lion walks around the cage.

Nanda: My people are baffled. Is there no one who can solve this? The honor of our kingdom is at stake. 

Chandragupta: I can solve this mystery.

Nanda: Ok, Chandragupta. If you save Magadha’s honor, I’ll release you.

Chandragupta: Who are you?

Kamalapida: I live in the mountains.

Chandragupta thinking: He must be from Parvata Desha, sent by Parvatak.

Chandragupta: Blindfold an elephant & bring him to the lion.

Elephant: walks towards lion.

Lion: walks around.

Chandragupta (thinking): Why doesn’t the elephant sense the lion & appear fearful? Why doesn’t the lion react towards the elephant?

Chandragupta: Let me offer some food to the lion.

Lion: walks around.

Chandragupta: Why is the lion not reacting?

Kamalapida: The lion is trained to not accept food from strangers. Give it to me.

Kamalapida raises stick.

Lion eats food.

Chandragupta: You have a magnetic lion & a magnetic staff. This lion is not real.

Kamalapida: This is indeed correct.

Nanda: Thanks for saving Magadha’s honor. I’ll release you & put you in charge of guest houses.

Parvatak: What did you find, Kamalapida?

Kamalapida: One Maurya has survived. It is the intelligent Chandragupta.

Chanakya’s cutting of harsh grass. Chandragupta’ invite & Nanda’s insult.

Chandragupta: Who is this Tejaswi Brahmana walking? He doesn’t look like an ordinary person.

Chanakaya walks. Stops.

Chanakya: This harsh grass hurt my feet. It will hurt the feet of other passers-by as well. It is best to remove it.

Chanakya starts removing grass.

Chandragupta thinking: There is a lot of harsh grass. What is this Brahmana going to do?

Chanakya keeps removing the grass.

Chandragupta: This Brahmana has removed all the grass. Such determination. Having him as my advisor will be good for me.

Chandragupta: Revered sir. I am Chandragupta. Who are you? Can I please serve you lunch in my seat of honor?

Chanakya: Thank you for the invitation. I am Chanakya.

Chanakya starts eating.

Nanda: Chandragupta, I’ve just arrived from a hunt. Serve me food. What? The seat of honor is taken? How dare you? Get up.

Chanakya ignores him & continues eating.

Nanda: You wretch. How dare you ignore me?

Nanda kicks his plate & pulls his Shika.

Chanakya in anger: You arrogant king! A person with such arrogance cannot be a ruler. I shall not tie my undone Shika until I dethrone you.

Nanda laughing derisively: What can you, a poor Brahmana in rags with a funny undone Shika do to me, the king? 

Chanakya solicits Parvatak’s help. Plans to neutralize Lampaka.

Chanakya: Chandragupta, what is your relation to Nanda?

Chandragupta: Nanda is my cousin. He killed my family through treachery.

Chanakya: You have shown the humility required of a king. I will dethrone Nanda & make you king. Who has eyes on Magadha?

Chandragupta: Recently, Parvatak had sent a spy over. He must have designs on Magadha.

Chanakya: Let’s approach him.

Chanakya: Raja Parvatak, help us dethrone Nanda & make Chandragupta the king. I’ll give you half of Magadha.

Parvatak: I have threats of my own. Lampaka Raja is planning to invade Parvata Desha. Magadha also has the Kashi Raja as an ally. The alliance is formidable.

Chanakya: I’ll handle Lampaka Raja & Kashi Raja. I need two intelligent spies.

Parvatak: Kamalapida, help Chanakya.

Kamalapida: Chanakya, I’m here to do your bidding.

Kamarupa set against Lampaka.

Kamalapida: Kamarupa Raja, we seek a royal alliance between your beautiful yuvarani & our brave yuvaraja, Malayaketu.

Kamarupa Raja: I’m pleased with the proposal.

Kamalapida’s spy employee interrupts: Sorry, Kamalapida, here is an urgent letter for you.

Kamalapida reads the letter.

Kamalapida: Honorable Kamarupa Raja, I deeply apologize. We can’t proceed with the alliance.

Kamarupa Raja (angrily): What does the letter say?

Kamalapida hesitates: My apologies, my lord. I can’t bring my tongue to read it.

Kamarupa Raja (angrily): Minister, take the letter and read it.

Kamarupa Mantri: It is reported Lampaka Raja called the Kamarupa Raja a man of low origin since one of his ancestors had married a commoner. In light of these remarks, we apologize that we have to withdraw the proposal.

Kamarupa Raja (fuming): Lampaka Raja will pay for his malicious & defamatory remarks. Prepare for war.

Kashi Raja solicited for help. Nanda’s minister Amatya Rakshasa plots against Parvatak & Malayaketu.

Chanakya: Diplomacy is making enemies neutral, neutral folks into friends, friends into allies. Build relationships.

Parvatak: Yes, wise one.

Chanakya: Send Kamalapida to Kashi Raja. Don’t worry about his alliance with Magadha.

Kamalapida: Kashi Raja, Parvatak seeks your alliance in deposing Magadha’s Raja Nanda. Break off your alliance with Nanda & ally with us.

Kashi Raja: Wait Kamalapida.

Kashi Raja: Send an envoy immediately to Nanda.

Kashi Raja envoy: I bear a message from Kashi Raja. Raja Nanda, Chandragupta seeks to depose you. He seeks an alliance with me. I am committed to our alliance. What should I do?

Nanda: I spared Chandragupta & this is how the wretch behaves? Prepare for war. Minister Amatya Rakshasa, why does he approach Kashi Raja knowing that we’re allies?

Rakshasa: Let Kashi Raja pretend to ally with Chandragupta. Capture Chandragupta, Parvatak or Malayaketu by surprise & we can end the uprising.

Kashi Raja envoy: Kashi Raja, Nanda suggests that you pretend friendship with Chandragupta. Capture Chandragupta, Parvatak or Malayaketu by surprise & we can end the uprising.

Kashi Raja: Kamalapida, we’ve decided to ally with Parvatak.

Kamalapida: Thank you, Kashi Raja. We’re honored. Chandragupta, Parvatak or Malayaketu will join you shortly to help command the army.

Kamalapida delays Kashi Raja.

Kashi Raja: I’m anxiously waiting for Chandragupta, Parvatak or Malayaketu. When will they come?

Kamalapida: They should be here shortly.

Kashi Raja: I’ve been waiting days. When will they come?

Kamalapida: I don’t know what’s keeping them. They should be here shortly.

Kashi Raja: I’m anxious. I’ve waited so long. When will they come?

Kamalapida: I’m also worried, my Raja. They were supposed to be here soon. I don’t know why they’re delayed.

Chandragupta & Parvatak plan attack. Nanda plans defense. Nanda interrupted by Rishi Masopavasi’s Yajna.

Nanda: Chandragupta’s armies are here. We’ve also planned our defense. Let’s fight.

Rakshasa: I’ve arranged a Yajna for our victory.

Masopavasi: I’ve started a Yajna. At the final offering, the enemy soldiers will collapse & die.

Nanda: We seek your blessings, Rishi. Now, on to battle.

Nanda’ setback & counter-attack by Rakshasa.

Nanda: Chandragupta’s army has an upper hand over us? What to do?

Rakshasa: Don’t worry my Raja. I’ll lead a counter attack.

Nanda: I’m indebted to you, Rakshasa. Your courageous counter attack saved the day for us.

Malayaketu’s ‘capture’. Surprise attack on Nanda joined by Masopavasi. Chandragupta’s victory. Half Magadha given to Parvatak.

Rakshasa: My spy reports that Kashi Raja has captured Malayaketu & is delivering him to us. Masopavasi is also about to end his Yajna.

Nanda: Excellent news. Let us go to Masopavasi.

Rakshasa: Here comes the palanquin with the captive Malayaketu.

Nanda: Malayaketu, you’re now our captive. We’ll release you only if Parvatak gives us Chandragupta. Why aren’t you coming out? Are you shy?

Nanda (in shock): Oh no! This is not Malayaketu. These are Chandragupta’s soldiers in disguise. We’ve been fooled. What? Masopavasi is burning our sites? He is also Chanakya’s spy in disguise.

Chandragupta: Nanda, your end has come for your treachery.

Chanakya ties up his Shika.

Chandragupta: Wise Chanakya, I owe my victory to you.

Chanakya: We’re not out of danger yet. Nanda’s sons have escaped. They may mount a future rebellion. 

Chandragupta: I’m prepared for war.

Chanakya: It is best to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Sometimes, we have get rid of a few through unethical means for the greater good. 

Kamalapida: I have tracked their maid & bribed her. She will poison Nanda’s sons.

Rakshasa entices Parvatak to rule all of Magadha. Chanakya’s spy listens in.

Rakshasa: I’ve failed in my duty to safeguard Nanda’s kingdom. Nanda was not a noble king. But that doesn’t excuse the fact that Nanda’s sons were killed through treachery. I must take revenge. Parvatak helped Chandragupta out of greed. If I entice him with greed, he will help me too.

Rakshasa: Parvatak Raja, Chandragupta used your army to gain Magadha. In return, he only gave you half the kingdom. You deserve to rule all of Magadha. I can help you.

Parvatak: But Chandragupta is ruling now…

Rakshasa: I can help you get rid of Chandragupta.

Parvatak: Ok.

Chanakya’s spy: Chanakya, Parvatak has turned. He is plotting with Rakshasa against Chandragupta.

Chanakya prevents poisoning of Chandragupta by Rakshasa’s Vaidya.

Chandragupta: I feel ill.

Raja Vaidya: Please have this medicine, Maharaja. It will cure you in a few days.

Chanakya: A king must ensure that someone else eats everything in his presence before he eats it. Raja Vaidya ji, can you please taste it?

Raja Vaidya eats it in despair. Dies.

Rakshasa: I’ve lost such a good friend.

Rakshasa’s spy informs Chandragupta’s plan to move into rebuilt Nanda’s palace.

Rakshasa: My spy informs me that Nanda’s palace is being rebuilt. I’ll have my architect friend build a secret cellar.

Rakshasa: The palace is built. My spy informs me that Chandragupta will move in.

Chandragupta: What a beautiful palace. I’m ready to move in.

Chanakya inspects & finds ants with grains of rice from the basement. Burns the palace. Assassins killed.

Chanakya: The palace must be properly inspected before moving in. 

Chandragupta: My Rakshak team has already inspected everything. Everything is in order.

Chanakya: Let me check anyway.

Chanakya walks around.

Chanakya: Everything does look ok. Wait, what’s that?!

Ant: slowly walks out of a floor crack carrying rice.

Chanakya thinking: If an ant is coming out of the floor carrying rice, someone is underneath in a secret basement who has eaten food.

Chanakya: Burn the palace.

Chandragupta: My beautiful new palace, burnt to ashes!

Chanakya: A king should always be steady minded & never get excited. Come over. See the bodies of the soldiers hiding in the basement.

Rakshasa: I’ve lost so many of my trusted warriors.

Rakshasa sends Vishakanya. Redirected to double-crossing Parvatak.

Rakshasa: I’ll send a Vishakanya to Chandragupta. He will be poisoned & die if he touches the girl.

Chanakya: Chandragupta, send her to Parvatak.

Kamalapida: Parvatak is dead.

Chanakya: I suspected that she was a Vishakanya sent by Rakshasa. Parvatak is no longer loyal & has joined hands with Rakshasa.

Rakshasa convinces Malayaketu to attack Magadha.

Rakshasa: How does Chanakya anticipate every move of mine?

Rakshasa: Malayaketu, Parvatak, your father was unfairly killed by the Vishakanya sent by Magadha. Attack Magadha.

Malayaketu: Plan for war.

Chanakya’s spy watches Rakshasa’s family & gets seal. Spy ‘saves’ Rakshasa’s friend from Chandragupta’s soldier. Infiltrates Rakshasa’s circle.

Chanakya: My spy who was watching Rakshasa’s family spotted his wife dropping his ring by mistake. I now have it. I can use it.

Rakshasa’s friend: Chandragupta’s soldiers, please don’t punish me. It is true that I was Rakshasa’s friend, but I was not plotting anything. Oh, somebody save me. Save me.

Chanakya spy: Pretends to fight off Chandragupta’s soldiers who retreat.

Rakshasa’s friend: Thank you for saving me.

Chanakya’s spy: Let us go to Rakshasa.

Rakshasa’s friend: Rakshasa, so glad to meet you. This person saved me from Chandragupta’s soldiers.

Rakshasa: I’m indebted to you. You’ve put your life in danger for us & will not be safe if you go back. Please stay with us. 

Chanakya’s spy: Thank you.

Chanakya ‘fights’ with Chandragupta. Malayaketu plans attack

Chandragupta: Why are there no celebrations? It is my coronation day?

Chanakya: I ordered no celebrations.

Chandragupta: I’m the king.

Chanakya: Don’t forget who made you king.

Rakshasa: Chanakya & Chandragupta are fighting. Now is the right time to attack, Malayaketu.

Malayaketu: I’m ready with my war plans. My allied kings are here.

Chanakya’s spy is caught. Treacherous letter with Rakshasa’s seal.

Malayaketu: Halt! Who is there? Catch him & bring him.

Chanakya’s spy with a letter.

Malayaketu: What letter is this with Rakshasa’s ring seal? What? Rakshasa is accepting Chandragupta’s offer to me minister? My allied kings will betray me?! Kill the kings who pretended to be my allies.

Rakshasa: Malayaketu, what have you done? Why did you kill your allies?

Malayaketu: I now know of your treachery. See this letter with your seal.

Rakshasa: This is not my writing!

Malayaketu: But this has your seal. To avoid Brahma Hatya, I’m letting you go reluctantly.

Rakshasa thinking: It is useless arguing with idiots.

Chanakya convinces Rakshasa to be Chandragupta’s minister. Retires.

Rakshasa: Who is coming towards me? It is Chanakya.

Chanakya: Respected Rakshasa, my job is done. I wish to return to an Ashram to teach. I need someone loyal & intelligent to be Chandragupta’s minister. My quarrel with Chandragupta was faked.

Rakshasa: I’m honored that you’d treat your adversary in this manner.

Chandragupta: Please stay, Gurudev. I owe everything to you.

Chanakya: Chandragupta, you & your kingdom are in good hands with Rakshasa as your minister & advisor. My job is done. I’ll now retreat to an Ashram to be a teacher.