“Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum”

Salutation to the Krishna who is the Universal Guru. Inspite of making all these mistakes, Krishna is a universal guru, who started to tell people even from his childhood days and few events which are generally considered as mischief as most of people. But these events contains a lot of meanings which can be understood in different levels.

Theft of Curd and Butter:

Let us consider a small event and try to understand its meaning in few ways. In childhood days, Sri Krishna used to steal curd and butter from houses of neighbors. They would chase Krishna and try to catch Him, saying, “Here is Krishna stealing butter,” but Krishna would flee and enter another house, where He would again devise some means to steal butter. Then the cowherd men would again try to capture Krishna, saying, “Here is the butter thief.” And they would be angry. But Krishna would simply smile, and they would forget everything.

Sometimes Krishna would enter the house of a neighbor, and if He found no one there, He would release the calves before the time for the cows to be milked. The calves are actually supposed to be released when their mothers are milked, but Krishna would release them before that time, and naturally the calves would drink all the milk from their mothers. When the cowherd men saw this, they would chase Krishna and try to catch Him, saying, “Here is Krishna doing mischief,” but Krishna would runaway and enters another house, where he would again devise some means to steal butter and curd.

One day Sri Krishna set out for playing with His friends and went into the house of a Gopika. Baala Krishna saw that the daughter-in-law of the house was sleeping. Seeing that, Shri Krishna ate away all the curd in their house and he put little curd on the Gopika’s mouth, who was sleeping, and ran away. Thinking that the daughter-in-law herself ate all the curd, the mother-in-law punished her. Not able to understand the Mahopadesham of the Lord, a gopika complained this to Yashoda as an act of mischief.

Sometimes, in their presence, Krishna would begin eating the curd and butter. There was no need for Krishna to eat butter, since His belly was always full, but He would try to eat it, or else He would break the pots and distribute the contents to the monkeys. In this way, Krishna was always engaged in mischief-making. If in any house Krishna could not find any butter or curd to steal, Krishna would go into a room and agitate the small children sleeping there by pinching them, and when they cried Krishna would go away.

Lord Krishna started testing Gopikas in his childhood itself by stealing their wealth, milk curd and butter only. By selling these items, their livelihood was earned. It is the fruit of their hard work because they do hard work in serving the cows. The butter is the essence of their wealth. They do not have other forms of currency as we have today. All their currency was only milk, curd and butter, which were stored in the pots. Those pots were their banks. The Lord straightly attacked their wealth, which was their basic livelihood. Most of the Gopikas were angry with the Lord. Their anger was reinforced because the Lord is having sufficient milk, curd and butter in his house.

A small event of taking butter and breaking pots which should be understood in different levels. Let us consider few levels of the truth

From a point of view, one can tolerate to some extent if a poor man steals in your house. But, if a person richer than yourself by many times steals in your house, your anger will touch the climax. Only a few Gopikas were happy about the theft of the Lord in their houses. Only such Gopikas passed the test and were blessed by the Lord. They loved the Lord more than their lives and hence, they were not angry when their livelihood was stolen. In fact, this point was proved further by their jump into fire on hearing the end of the Lord.

Milk and buttermilk in general represents anything which is supposed to be shared. Through this event, Jagadguru Shri Krishna wanted to teach us that never should a thing which is of use to everybody, and hence which is supposed to be shared, should be stored for personal use with selfishness. That is why the Lord shared the milk stored by the Gopika among all and later broke the pots so that the Gopika should no longer store for them. Sharing the good things with others is the main point here. One should not be greedy. That is a sin, since this stored asset, is neither useful to the person who stores it nor to anyone else.
Thinking about the work of releasing calves before feeding children or taking milk does contain a great inner meaning. Here master want to people realize Cow also have feelings, If it can’t feed its calf it will suffer a lot because of the starvation of its calves. People should consider feeding calf is as important as feeding their own children and more important than taking milk to store. Through this small thing, Krishna wants to teach people, to be compassionate not only to humans but also towards animals.

The shabdam Ghatam represents ashaashvata bandhams — by getting detached to which only enables one to realize the Paramaatma in everyone and thus forget difference of you and me. To let people know about oneness. Taking butter and breaking of pot can be considered with other meaning: Leave all the unnecessary things (body) and its relations to mind about the only thing (Atman).

An important point to be observed in this connection is that the childish leaning of stealing is there even in Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore this leaning is not artificial. However, in the spiritual relationship there is no inebriety to this stealing, as there is in the material world.

From Yasodha’s point of view, In enjoying Krishna's attitude of stealing butter very secretly, Mother Yasoda experienced the ecstasy of maternal love by smelling His head, sometimes patting His body with her hand, sometimes offering blessings, sometimes ordering Him, sometimes gazing at Him, sometimes maintaining Him and sometimes giving Him good instructions not to become a thief. Such activities are in maternal ecstatic love.

Here with only these small incidents that were common in those days, Krishna used to say different truths at different levels. These are only small aspects which came across through me in several places.

Atma Namasthe

Hinduism Introduction

When we think of the Hindu religion, unlike other religions in the world, the Hindu religion does not claim any one prophet; it does not worship any one god; it does not subscribe to any one dogma; it does not believe in any one philosophic concept; it does not follow any one set of religious rites or performances; in fact, it does not appear to satisfy the narrow traditional features of any religion or creed. It may broadly be described as a way of life and nothing more. Thus some scholars argue that the Hinduism is not a religion per se but rather a reification of a diverse set of traditions and practices by scholars who constituted a unified system and arbitrarily labeled it Hinduism. The roots of the diverse set of religious beliefs, traditions and philosophy of Hindus were laid during the Vedic age which originated in India between 2000 and 1500 BC. The ancient Vedic religion is considered by most scholars as the predecessor of the modern religion of Hindus and it has had a profound impact on India''s history, culture and philosophy. Vedas are the oldest sacred books of Hinduism and lay the foundation of several schools of Hindu thought. The Upanishads refers to those scriptures which form the core teachings of the Vedanta philosophy. Adi Shankara''s commentaries on the Upanishads led to the rise of Advaita Vedanta, the most influential sub-school of Vedanta.

Buddhism Introduction

Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha (Pali/Sanskrit "the awakened one"), and is classified as an Indian religion. The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BC. He is recognized by adherents as an awakened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end suffering (or dukkha), achieve nirvana, and escape what is seen as a cycle of suffering and rebirth. Historically, the roots of Buddhism lie in the religious thought of Ancient India during the second half of the first millennium BC. That was a period of social and religious turmoil, as there was significant discontent with the sacrifices and rituals of Vedic Brahmanism. It was challenged by numerous new ascetic religious and philosophical groups and teachings that broke with the Brahmanic tradition and rejected the authority of the Vedas and the Brahmans. These groups, whose members were known as shramanas, were a continuation of a non-Vedic strand of Indian thought distinct from Indo-Aryan Brahmanism. At the same time, they were influenced by, and in some respects continued, earlier philosophical thought within the Vedic tradition as reflected e.g. in the Upanishads. These movements included, besides Buddhism
Despite of the origin of the two religions in India, they seems to be much interlinked in several ways on other hands, several differences will be found in both the religions.

Ways in which Buddhism differs in Hinduism:

1. No need of Brahmins or rituals
2. In Buddhism, anybody can enter nirvana, no matter of how lowly, whereas in Hinduism, only the Brahmins could attain Moksha.
3. In Theravadha Buddhism, there are no gods, Buddha is not a god.
4. Karma is not earned by following the dharma of a caste. Instead one can move to nirvana with eight fold path.
5. As the middle way Buddhism rejects extreme asceticism as well as wealth. The ideal in Hinduism is extreme Asceticism.

Ways in which Buddhism and Hinduism are similar:

1. Both believe in rebirth.
2. Both believe that there are many different paths to enlightenment.
3. Belief of Suffering is caused by extreme attachments to things and people in this world.
4. Both believe in an ultimate spiritual reality is beyond the illusions of physical world.
5. Both practice meditation or other form of yoga.
6. Both believe that eventually all living spirits will achieve enlightenment and liberation, even if it takes many rebirths. Remember that in Mahayana Buddhism, the original teachings of the Buddha are assimilated to Hindu practices, including prayers, gods (even the Buddha as god in all his many incarnations). Mahayana Buddhism also introduces the idea of (temporary) heavens and hells.

Summary of Book by S. S. Upadhyayaa Hinduism & Budhism (Doctrine of Four Noble Truth in Hinduism):

Fundamental principles of Buddhism and Hinduism are identical. Four noble truths of Buddhism are suffering, cause of suffering, way to do away of suffering and way to feel the state divide of suffering. These are not different from Indian Vedic Transitions. Both deserve and follow principle of self punishment, control of passions, non violence and truth. True they show. Both sitting on grass in Padmasana, Keeping feet on thighs with hands on lap, undergo the process of restraining breath. Both meditate under peepal tree and their ways of meditation are same. With half opened and half closed eyes, have their concentration on tip of the nose. Both sit keeping spine straight and firm, both wear orange colored dress and keep their right shoulder uncovered. Both reacts to happiness or sadness in an identical way. Righteousness gives pleasure and sin gives them the indifference of the sin. Both effort continuously to control ones senses.

Practices in Hinduism and Buddhism

Ten traits of Hinduism are important:

1. Steadiness of mind
2. Forgiveness
3. Endurance (Patience)
4. Purity of mind and body
5. Defeat of senses
6. Discerning Intellect
7. Learning
8. Truth
9. Evenness, worthlessness
10. Apathy (Lack of emotion or feeling) from stealing

Buddhism 8 fold path

1. Right View
2. Right Intention
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right Concentration

Buddhism also have all the traits though they are 8 in count and 10 are included in 5 virtues. Both attach importance to purification of mind. Both says to win anger by evenness, unrighteousness by righteousness, miser by donation and lie by truth. So one can realize identical principles in theory practice are available in both the religions

Buddha was not Anti to Vedas:

Buddha doesn''t accept Vedas as Gods'' utterances. They were the achievements of saints through Meditation. If he has been anti to Vedas, he would not have arranged performance of Vedic Chantings after death of his father. He considers "Gayathri Mantra" as Premier Mantra. Had he been anti-Vedas he would not have uttered those words- Not to read Vedas is to collect scum one one''s mind. Study of Vedas is very dear to him. He believes in 32 additions of a superior soul as propounded in Vedas. Similarly he is not anti- Brahmin. He praises the old Brahmins, wants his contemporary Brahmins'' to avoid and cast off their short comings. He wants them to purify themselves through reforms. They should be as they were.

Soul, God and Rebirth

Buddhism also believes in existence of heaven, hell, rebirth, cow protection, Entity of Narda, Oblation divide of killing, Castes based on work culture and not on birth and purity of mind.Buddha believes soul and god are one and the same thing. They are not two separate entities. He doesn''t accept the existence of the God but thinks god isn''t required in meditation. To be immortal depends of knowledge. If there is a supreme being why doesn''t buddha name him and give Him a specific identity. He is the view of the Supreme Being beyond description and all his names and identities are superimposed. So like "Advitha" in Hinduism. Buddhism also accepts the entity of God but presence can be felt . Truth can never take the shape of words. Soul is immortal. Only by knowledge developed and attained through meditation one can have sensual perception of the Supreme Being.One of the glaring similarities in the two religions is that both consider the visible world shadow and mere illusion. Buddha believes in birth and rebirth. He is of the firm view that creatures through various births can climb the higher rungs of human life.

Varnas and Ashramas

He does accept Varna (Caste) system not on the basis of birth but on the basis of work culture. Strangely enough he has said nothing about other castes except brahmans. He considers Kashtriya superior to Brahamans. Had it been not so incarnations (bodily manifestation of a Supreme Being) would not have descended in the Kashtriya dynasty almost all the time. He accepts Ashram system but with some reservations. He is also praise for Brahmcharya Ashram. He thinks mendicants is better than householder. Like Hindusim he does not consider Grahsth Ashram the root of all ashramas. A householder is not entitled to solution until and unless he endeavors not to be at par with a mendicant and only then he can yearn for Moksha. He asks the householder not to kill, not to steal, not to tell lies, not to drink wine, not to eat food at night, not to put garland, not to use perfume and so on. He also wants him to observe celibacy if he aspires to be mendicant like and give up cushy bed and sleep on the earth or wooden platform. Hinduism also advises so but unlike Buddhism it asks the householder to perform oblation and undergo penance (self punishment). Buddhism does not stick on strictly to the order of the four ashramas. A householder can take a leap and directly adopt sanyas ashram. In Hinduism strict adherence to the order is desirable like Hinduism. Buddhism believes that desire is the root cause of rebirth. Hinduism has 16 samskaras whereas Buddhism has only 10. Six samastaras are not counted but they are observed in one way or the other.There is absolutely no difference between Sanyasi of Hinduism and Bhikshu of Buddhism. In Hinduism in the Bhagavad-Gita 4:13, Hindu God Krishna pointedly declares that not by birth/hereditary reasons, but that the class of an individual is based on each person''s inherent nature and capability in doing work. More over these were depicted in Manusmrithi Considered as ancient book of varnas in Hinduism. But the actual intention was much submerged with narrow mindedness of few people. Considering this, as a hazard, Buddha has opposed few works of Brahmans.

Clear Differences

1. No worship of five gods: Sun, Siva, Durga, Easwar and Vishnu
2. No worship of stars and planets
3. No Tilak/ Dowry In Vivah Samskara
4. No surname suggestive of caste
5. Offerings are to be given only to Bhikshu (Sanyasi) not Brahmins
6. No look of hair on the crown after the tonsure
7. No god or goddess but only Buddha is worshiped
8. No fasting to protect husband.
9. No Oblation (A presentation made to a deity as an act of worship. Especially Bali to kill an animal)

Others

Both the religions believe that correctness can end birth and rebirth cycle and obtain Moksha. Both agree that sacred river bathing cannot give salvation. Body purification has its importance but before that cleaning of scum and dirt accumulated on the mind is to be done. Rivers and places of worship help in concentration of mind only. Places of worship being near to mountains and sacred rivers bring about peace of mind. They are centers of religious discourses. Statues in the temples are miniatures of the supreme being for Hinduism. In Buddhism places of pilgrimage are memorials only. They remind of Buddha and his messages. Unlike Buddhism, Hinduism thinks that places of worship and pilgrimage are means to fulfill wishes. Why so? Pilgrimages are only baits to be righteous. They are allurements (places of worship) only. They are to inculcate religious favor in the hearts of people in general.
Oblation means sacrifice. Real oblation is sacrifice of self interests for the sake of social well being. It purifies environment. Planting of trees and feeding the animals and insects help in maintaining ecological balance. Another name of oblation is donation. It makes man less attached to luxuries and materials. Donation should be given with compassion. It imparts great blessing. Above all it helps religious preachers, beggars, helpless, blind and handicapped persons. During oblation superior souls are worshiped and remembered and worshipers aspire to be like their idols. According to Buddha attainment of knowledge is better than formal oblation. Worship of pure souls is for superior to oblation. Buddha is anti oblation probably because of a lot of sacrifices and killing of animals involved in it. Even upnishadas call oblation a broken boat which can not lead to salvation. If we see deeply we will realize that Buddha is not anti yojna. He is against killing, exploitation, harm to objects of nature and useless show off. Huge belongings he shuns like Lord Krishna he advocates self-punishment but it should not be for the full filment of certain ulterior motives and desires. He favors it if done for salvation otherwise it leads to unhappiness only. Like Hinduism, Buddhism also believes in Tantra-Mantra. Due importance is given to chantings also. Muttering of prayer is common in Buddhism.
Similarities does not end here. Both the religions have similar rules concerning family, society and state. At the time of death, corpse is laid on the earth with its head towards north. Before eating, obeisance to food is done. Charity, fidelity to husband is a sacred thing. Repayment of three debts is a sacred duty. Both undertake planting of trees and social work for the appeasement of the forefathers. Bait (inducement) system is there to urge and good people to do righteous deeds.

Conclusion

Hinduism is an ancient religion. With the passage of time many flaws did creep into it. Mud gets accumulated at the bottom of an ever flowing river even. Self interests and hidden motives do cover good things but it is a temporary phase only. Hinduism is very comprehensive and it embraces almost all departments of human life. Many unwanted things had became part and parcel of Hinduism but its soul remained pure. Unwanted things were simply superimposed. All subsequent religions played reformatory roles so to say. Retaining good things they suggested ways and means to get rid of the unwanted things. They advocated changes according to changed circumstances. But spirit and essence of Hinduism remained intact. For example Buddhism advocated burning of incense. It is oblation in miniature form only. New things do creep into with the dawn of new religious but time tested eternal values remain secure. This is the case with Hinduism also. New religious have helped it in its purification. It has changed and improved in the process of purification. It will not be high talk and hyperbolic (having the form of) to say that the fundamental principles of Hinduism and Buddhism are identical.

Atma Namasthe

When two Americans meet each other, they will shake hands and say “HI”. It is the culture habituated to those people. When two Indians, spoken to another person, it is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, in front of the chest. This gesture, called “ANJALI MUDHRA”, can also be performed wordlessly and carries the same meaning. And they greet together with word “NAMASTHE”. The concept of shaking hands has been adopted by humans to convey to the opposite party that I do not have any arms concealed and am open handed and expect to befriend you. The concept of Namaste also means the same. Namaste makes a polite form of greeting. Whereas shaking hands and saying Hi is a normal greeting. “Hi” does not signify any respect to the person to whom we are talking. The word Namaste and these actions have a greater meaning than a formal Hi or Hello. Several sects of people follow this culture where as its root is from Sanskrit.

Formation and Usage

Two roots of this word are commonly said. The word Namaste there is made up of two Sanskrit words “NAMAH”: I bow, and “TE”: to you, totally makes the sense. "Respectfully I bow to You." Also common is a polite form using the imperative “astu” meaning "let there be": namo: stuthe literally meaning "let there be a salutation to you." In Nepalese culture, Namaste is performed when a younger family member meets older relatives. It also varies depending upon social status and prestige: The person with lower status or prestige performs Namaste first to show respect for the higher station the other person has achieved. Namaste is also used as a friendly greeting in written communication, or generally between people when they meet. Namaste is one of the few Sanskrit words commonly recognized by Non-Hindi speakers. In the West, it is often used to indicate Indian Hindu culture in general. Namaste is particularly associated with aspects of Indian culture such as vegetarianism, yoga, Ayurveda, healing, and Indian religions such as Hinduism Buddhism and Jainism.

Meaning:

This simple word has several meanings given by different people and most of cases; the inner meaning of the word doesn’t change.

"I honor the Spirit in you which is also in Me."
"I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells, I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Integrity, of Wisdom and of Peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, WE ARE ONE.”
"I salute the God within you."
"Your spirit and my spirit are ONE."
"That which is of God in me greets that which is of God in you."
"The Divinity within me perceives and adores the Divinity within you.”
"All that is best and highest in me greets/salutes all that is best and highest in you."
"I greet the God within."
"The light in me sees the light in you"

Significance

Small problem with shaking hands:

Why this Namaste is being implemented as a part of culture from several years?

Several people say many traditions that are being implemented in Hinduism do have a lot of meaning. Most of people except people working with energies of bodies, can’t explain how “Namaste is considered as safer of both the methods”.

Each and every person has an energy level. When we shake hands with the other person, contact happens and it is a well known law of physics that energy distributes itself entirely over the surface when there is a contact. Imagine that you’re having an energy level of around 200 and I am at an energy level of around 100. When we shake hands, there is a contact between us and as a result our total energy becomes ~ 300 which would be distributed equally between the both of us. My energy level is increased to 150 and yours would be 150. So when we shake hands the chances are that our energy level varies as both the people may not have equal energies, one will gain and other loses some of their energy. When wishing a person with a Namaste there is no contact between you and the other person and your energy level remains constant.

Moreover; when a person greets Namaste shall bring both the palms of the hands in such a way that the thumb of one palm is positioned on the thumb of the other palm, the index finger on the index, the middle finger on the middle, the ring finger on the ring and the little finger on the little. This is a form of posture which energizes the body (according to yoga). There could be no greeting like Namaste which would puts both the receiver and giver a pleasant mood and the giver also in a pleasant moment.

Other Advantage

When we hold our hands together, with the palms touching each other focusing them on chest and say "Namaste" we could greet him whole-heartedly. Some people bend a little to express their respect. Many elders respond to it either by nodding their heads or greeting the same way although they need not hold their hands essentially to respond to youngsters. We cannot go and shake hands with the person whom we revere or hold in high esteem, for example; Professor or Head of the institution where as we can offer our Namaste as a mark of respect to the same individual who will be acknowledging it appreciably rather than shaking hands. Namaste can be offered at any time of the day, at any place and at any moment at the time of meeting the individual or at the time of parting. Well That’s a brief introduction of Indian Tradition “Namaste”. Well, that’s all for now.

Atma Namaste

Mushikavaahana modaka hastha,
Chaamara karna vilambitha sutra,
Vaamana rupa maheshwara putra,
Vighna vinaayaka paada namasthe

O Lord Vinayaka! the remover of all obstacles, the son of Lord Shiva, with a form which is very short, with mouse as Thy vehicle, with sweet pudding in hand, with wide ears and long hanging trunk, I prostrate at Thy lotus-like Feet!"

Significance

Lord Ganesha is worshipped first in any prayers. His Names are repeated first before any auspicious work is begun, before any kind of worship is begun. He is the Lord of power and wisdom. Without the Grace of Sri Ganesha and His help, nothing can be achieved. No action can be undertaken without His support. Spiritual aspirants who worship Ganesha as Deity, repeats this Mantra "Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah". Lord Ganesha is an embodiment of wisdom and bliss. He is the Lord of Brahmacharins.

He has as his vehicle a small mouse. He is the presiding Deity of the Muladhara Chakra, the psychic centre in the body in which the Kundalini Shakti resides. He is the Lord who removes all obstacles on the path of the spiritual aspirant, and bestows upon him worldly as well as spiritual success. Hence He is called Vigna Vinayaka. He is the Lord of harmony and peace.

Lord Ganesha represents Om or the Pranava. The elephant head is significant in that it is the only figure in nature that has the form of the symbol for Om. Nothing can be done without uttering it. This explains the practice of invoking Ganesha before beginning any rite or undertaking any project. His two feet represent the power of knowledge and the power of action.

The significance of riding on a mouse is the complete conquest over egoism. The holding of the ankusha represents His rulership of the world. Elephants are very wise animals; this indicates that Lord Ganesha is an embodiment of wisdom. This also denotes the process of evolution--the mouse gradually evolves into an elephant and finally becomes a man. This is why Ganesha has a human body, an elephant''s head and a mouse as His vehicle. This is the symbolic philosophy of His form. -Swami Sivananda Saraswathi.

Source : http://thebeautyofhinduism.wordpress.com/

Ganesha- Physique’s description.