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Since Vedic times, cow is considered sacred, treated as mother and hailed as harbinger of auspiciousness.  She is a symbol of wealth, health, prosperity, blessing, peace of mind, purity, purification, and success in life. She is identified as a kamadhenu – wish fulfilling.  She is revered, honored, respected as mother – an unselfish giver of bounty without expecting from her children just like a mother. All the scriptures such as Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Mahabharata, Manusmriti, and others extoll the virtues of the cow. All the Gods reside in her and killing her is considered the most heinous crime. It is often said “jivantu avadghnyah ta me vishasya dushanih” meaning that let cows live without slaughter for their whole life-they remove poison and toxins. Many sages, many Hindu Temples and numerous Ashrams maintained Goshalas (cow shelters) for centuries recognizing the numerous benefits that accrue from the cows.

It is unfortunate that India is becoming the third largest country to export beef to other countries ignoring the sacredness of the cows, is allowing the people to conduct beef celebration on the university campuses without permission, is tolerating the slaughter houses for political purposes, is failing to take appropriate actions against the minorities and other religious people who are deliberately hurting the sentiments of Hindus, and  intentionally failing to take action in implementing constitutional requirements found in the Article 48 of the Constitution: “The State shall endeavor to organize agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines and shall, in particular, take steps for preserving and improving the breeds, and prohibiting the slaughter of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle.” Knowing the constitutional mandate, and knowing the intentions of minorities and other religions to malign the Hindus, Indian government and Hindu politicians are undermining the rich cultural heritage of Hindus that existed for centuries and selling the country for their selfish and greedy purpose to accumulate wealth for the next few generations for their families.

Hindus have their future cut out for them – either be bulldozed and allow the government, minorities and other religions to root out the very core of Sanatana dharma from the soil of Bharath, or get united and exercise their freedom to restore the glory, grandeur, greatness, and grandness of the richest civilization that has ever surfaced on the planet earth. It is in the hands of Hindus to restore their culture, reestablish the concept of vasudaika kutumbam, insist on the welfare of all humanity, root out the sectarian appeasement, wipe out all kinds of terrorist activities, and aspire for peaceful coexistence of the humanity to live in freedom and independence. Hindus have to speak and protect their culture, their values and their sentiments. It is in the best interest of the planet earth that Hindus take the lead to protect the mother Cow and stand for virtues of their religion.

All Gods Reside in Mother Cow

As the scriptures proclaim “Tvam mata sarva devanam” meaning that you are the mother of all gods. It also means that if we protect the cow, we are honoring all the gods that reside in her.  Scriptures have elaborately described the location of gods in the cow.  We will examine our scriptures such as Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Mahabharata and other scriptures to equip ourselves with enough knowledge to find out the significance, importance and virtues of cows so that we will not only reap the benefits of protecting them but also pass on the richness to our children and grandchildren.

All the scriptures agree that all four Vedas with their six vedangas (components) reside in the mouth of the cow. Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu live in her horns forever, Lord Brahma sits in her head, Karthikeya finds his home in her stomach, Sun and Moon live in her eyes, Garuda in her teeth, Ashwini Kumars in her ears, Goddess Saraswati in her tongue, Lord Indra in front of her horns, all pilgrimage centers in her posterior (back), Ganga in her urine, Yamaraj in her mouth, Gandharvas also reside inside her mouth, Goddess Lakshmi in the cow dung, Goddess Paravathi in the urine, Prajapati in the resonant voice, four Oceans in four teats (nipples) and milk,  sky in the back portion and Varuna in the joints. In every pore of the body, all thirty-three crore Gods are positioned. In the stomach are the mountains ranges, with the forests, and the entire Earth.

Different kinds of Agni are positioned in different parts of cow. In the liver of the cow Grahpratya-agni, in her liver; dakshina-agni, in her heart; Ahvaniya-agni, in her neck; and Sabhya-agni, in her palette. In the bones of the cows are to be found the Mountains while  Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharvana Veda in her marrow. Hence many rishis worshipped the cows and also raised them in their ashrams.

Having possessed all Gods in every part of her body, Cow blesses the people and country. Just looking at her enables one to have the fruits of offering salutations to all Gods, visiting all the pilgrimages and acquire health and wealth. Happiness and peace thrive in a house where there is a cow. By circumambulating (pradakshana) around the cow, one gets the punya (merit) of doing pradakshana to all gods. Padma Purana states. “The person who touches the cow after having bath daily, frees himself from all kinds of sins. The dust that arises from the cow’s hooves is so pure that the person who applies it on his head, is considered to have bathed in the sacred waters of different pilgrim places, and freed from all sins.”

Since all Gods reside and manifest in the cow, she is capable of bestowing her blessings on all creatures. All substances that come from the cow are pure, chaste, and wholesome: they have the potential to purify the entire world. Cow’s urine, cow dung, milk, curd, and ghee – by the intake of these five products, the body is absolved of all sin. That is why religious persons consume milk, ghee, and curd everyday. Since all gods reside in her, whatever cows consume, her products are the best and purest. Of all the foods we consume, the effect of ghee lasts longest for one month, compared to grains, which lasts for only five days.  The effect of milk lasts for seven days and curds till twenty days. Since pre-Vedic period cow is said to bestow dharma, artha, kama, and moksha – the four purusharthas. Hence it is recommended to chant this mantra: ‘May cows forever remain in front of me, behind me, may all my limbs be blessed by the touch of the cow. May I reside amidst cows.’ This chanting will wash away all sins, and one is even worshipped in heaven for the merit of chanting.

Kamadhenu

Kamadhenu is also well known through its other five forms: Nandini, Sunanda, Surabhi, Susheela and Sumana. According to the legends Lord Brahma created the Brahmins (priests) and the cow at the same time; the Brahmins were to recite the religious scriptures while the cows were to provide ghee for offerings in religious sacrifices. Brahma also declared that Kamadhenu should be the mother of gods, she ought to be worshipped by every body.  Anybody who killed a cow or allowed another to kill would rot in hell.

The cow symbolizes Dharma itself – fulfillment of righteous conduct. Cow represents the mother earth. In Satyayuga dharma stood firmly on four legs of earth (cow), in Tretayuga dharma stood on three legs, in Dwaparyuga dharma stood on two legs while in Kaliyuga it is standing on one leg. Hence dharma is slowly slipping away from the people and the age of deceit, decadence, deception and dishonesty has set in. It is due to the negligence of reverence toward the cows and prevention of abuse and killing them.    Consequently whole world is facing untold misery, turmoil, terrorism, despair, debauchery, stress and natural disasters. A happy cow represents prosperity, peace of mind, blessings, wealth, health and purity. It is time to remember what Nandini cow said to King Dilip after he protected her from the Lion in a forest:

na kevalam payasa prasutim
ve hi man kam dugham prasannam

“Whenever I am pleased and happy I can fulfill all desires. Don’t consider me to be just milk supplier.”

Cows are welcomed

In recognition of the virtues of a cow,  a special place is accorded to her among Hindus. Cows are associated with prosperity and wealth. A newly purchased cow is welcomed into the home like a new bride.  Whenever Pranaprathista to the deities is performed, cows are brought into the Temples and welcomed as the most revered guests. During certain festivals the cow’s legs are washed, horns are decorated with different colors, hump is smeared with colored powder, body is beautifully decorated with colorful cloth, forehead is anointed with tilak, and it is greeted with a kula or winnowing fan on which there is a dab of sindur or vermilion.   A cow is welcomed into the house or temple with ingredients such as paddy, soft durva grass, sesame seeds, and a small brass pot containing a mango twig with leaves. It is like inviting all 33 crore gods into the house.

The Rishis (sages) discovered that the magnetism of  a cow is due to the extraordinary virtues she possesses. No other animal equals in her qualities. Even if you give the same kind of food to a cow and a horse, the horse-dung emits an unhealthy stinking smell, while the cow-dung is odorless.  In fact, it is an efficacious disinfectant. There can be little doubt that the urine and dung of the cow possess untold virtues. The gods residing in a cow make the difference making the fodder medicinal and sacred by the time it comes out of the cow.

Cow in Vedas

Cow is referred 723 times in Rig Veda, 87 times in Yajur Veda, 170 times in  Sama Veda,  331 times in Atharvana Veda. A total of 1331 times are mentioned in these four Vedas. Similarly,  Aghnya is referred 20 times in Rig Veda, 5 times in Yajur Veda, 2 times in Sama Veda and 33 times in Atharvana Veda. “Dhenu” is referred 76 times in Rig Veda, 22 times in Yajur Veda, 25 times in Sama Veda, 43 times in Atharvana Veda. The meaning of Dhenu is Trupti – meaning contentment and satisfaction.

The three words that are used to identify cow are defined below:

Aghnya the one that ought not to be killed
Ahi the one that must not be slaughtered.
Aditi the one that ought not to be cut into pieces.

These three names of cow signify that the animal ought not be killed or tortured. These words appear frequently throughout the Vedas in context of a cow.

The four Vedas considered cow as holy and sacred and commanded that cows be not killed. Severe punishments are recommended for slaughtering the cows. We borrow milk from cow just the way we borrow milk from our own mother. Hence we can argue that love and affection towards her should be similar to the one we show towards our own mother.

The word “Aghnya” is referred to the cow in many mantras of Vedas. The meaning of this word means, “not to be killed under any circumstances”. In one of the mantras cows were addressed as Aghnya who have been enjoined to keep themselves healthy by use of pure water and green grass so that we, who drink their milk, may be endowed with dharma, knowledge ad wealth.

Rig Veda

Following are some of the verses you will find in Rig Veda

“She is like the mother of the cosmic Forces, the daughter of the cosmic Matter, the sister of cosmic Energy, the center of the ambrosia. I address to men of wisdom –kill not her, the sinless inviolate cow.

The divine cow, who is skilled in eloquence and gives speech to others,  and who helps us for our worship of the divine forces, is abandoned by fools only.

May cows come and bring us good fortune; let them stay in our cowsheds and be content in our company. May many colored cows bring here prolific milk for offerings to the resplendent Lord at many dawns.

Let not the cows run away from us, let no thief carry them away; let no hostile weapon fall upon them. May the master of the cattle be long possessed of them, with the milk products of which he makes offerings and with which he serves the godly men.

Let not the cows fall a victim to the arrogant, dust spurning war-horse. Let them not fall into the hands of a butcher or his shop. Let the cattle of the man, the householder, move about freely and graze without fear.

May the cows be our affluence; may the resplendent Lord grant us cattle; may the cows yield food (milk and butter) of the first libation. These cows, O men, are sacred as the Lord resplendent Himself –the Lord whose blessings we crave for, with head and heart.

O cows, you strengthen even the worn-out and fatigued and make the unlovely beautiful to look on. Your lowing is auspicious, and makes my dwelling prosperous. Great is the abundance that is attributed to you in our religious ceremony.

May you, O cows, have many calves grazing upon good pastures and drinking pure water at accessible ponds. May no thief be your master. May no beast of prey assail you and may the dart of vital Lord never fall on you.

O resplendent Lord, a showerer of virility as you are, may we have by your blessings the sturdy bulls for insemination and let us have plenty of nourishment for the cows.

(Source: Rig Veda viii , 102, 15-16; vi , 28, 1-8 Translation by Swami Satya Prakash Saraswati and Satyakam Vidyalanka)

Atharvana Veda

In the Atharvana Veda it is said: “The cow is the mother of Rudras; she is a daughter of the Vasus; she is the sister of Surya. She is a storehouse of ghee that is like the celestial nectar.”  It further states that cow’s milk helps overcome debility and regain lost physical and mental health. It promotes intelligence and improves health. It even goes to the extent that if someone destroys our cows, horses or people, kill him with a bullet of lead.(Atharvana Veda 1.16.4)

The entire Hymn X in Atharvana Veda is dedicated to the glorification of the COW. Selected verses are listed below:

1 Worship to thee springing to life, and worship unto thee when  born!
Worship, O Cow, to thy tail-hair, and to thy hooves, and to thy  form!
2 The man who knows the Seven Floods, who knows the seven  distances,
Who knows the head of sacrifice, he may receive the holy Cow.

5 Upon her back there are a hundred keepers, a hundred metal bowls, and a hundred milkers.
The Deities who breathe in her all separately know the Cow.

6 Her foot is sacrifice, her milk libation, Svadhā her breath, Mahï-lukā the mighty:
To the God goes with prayer the Cow who hath Parjanya for her lord.

18 The Kshatriya’s mother is the Cow, thy mother, Svadhā! is the Cow.
Sacrifice is the weapon of the Cow: the thought arose from, her.
19 From Brahma’s summit there went forth a drop that mounted up on high:
From that wast thou produced, O Cow, from that the Hotar sprang to life.

25 The Cow hath welcomed sacrifice: the Cow hath held the Sun in place.
Together with the prayer the mess of rice hath passed into the Cow.
26 They call the Cow immortal life, pay homage to the Cow as Death.
She hath become this universe, Fathers, and Rishis, hath become  the Gods, and men, and Asuras.
27 The man who hath this knowledge may receive the Cow with  welcoming. p. 39
33 He who hath given a Cow unto the Brahmans wined all the worlds.
For Right is firmly set in her devotion, and religious zeal.
34 Both Gods and mortal men depend for life and being on the Cow.
She hath become this universe: all that the Sun survey is she

Yajur Veda

Ghrtam duhaanaamaditim janaayaagne maa himsiheeh (Yajurveda 13.49)Do not kill cows and bulls who always deserve to be protected.

 Antakaaya goghaatam Yajurveda 30.18 Destroy those who kill cows.

The Aghnya cows and bulls bring you prosperity. (12.73)

A verse in Yajur Veda abjures all violence: “Protect and rear the animals: do not hit the cow; do not hit the goats; nor the sheep; nor any other creature; nor two-legged animals; nor the one-legged; one should not injure any living being.”

Sama Veda

Most of the hymns in Sama Veda are taken from Rig Veda. Hence effort is not made to identify any verses dealing with cow to avoid the duplication.

Based on the above selected citations from the Vedas, we can establish the fact that Cow is a highly revered animal for many, many centuries and thus Hindus are duty bound to protect it. It is our hope that these verses will provide enough knowledge to consider cow as sacred mother that needs to be respected, honored, revered and sheltered. Knowledge is the harbinger of proper action.  With this knowledge let us take necessary actions against cruelty to Cows in India and around the world. We should also support all the organizations that are sheltering the cows, support the agencies that are working to prevent the export of beef, advocate the strict passage of anti-slaughter Bill across Bharath. Let us honor our Vedic injunction to stop the animal slaughter and work toward the preservation of scared cows

(NOTE: We discussed the significance and importance of Cow found in our sacred books until Vedic Period. Part 2 of this article will concentrate on literature found in Upanishads, Puranas and Mahabharata. Part will be sent soon)

Please FORWARD it to all friends and family members from your email.

V. V. Prakasa Rao PhD

601-918-7111

Continue reading »]]> Devalayam Audio Cd Presented To Andhra Pradesh Honoroble Minister Of Endowments Sri Ramachandraih by Ghazal Srinivas

Dr Ghazal Srinivas has recently presented the Davaalayam Audio Cd to Andhra Pradesh Honoroble Minister Of Endowments Sri Ramachandraih garu.

Dr. Srinivas also requested the Minister to visit Dallas, USA to have a one day symposium where GHHF will present concrete ideas about the status of Temples and recommendations to preserve the Temples – money, land, jewelry, etc. Concentrate the use of resources for the preservation and propagation of Hindu Temples and Hindu culture. He also requested him to look into the resources that are being used for no-religious causes.

Audio CD titled ‘Devalayam’ was released in the hands of Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji on March 22, Sung by Dr Ghazal Srinivas; Written by three poets Sira Sri, Tatavarthy Rajagopabalam and Rasaraju.

In order the to make Hindus aware of the significance and importance of our Hindu Temples Global Hindu Heritage Foundation decided to bring out a CD entitled Devaalayam to create an environment for Hindus to appreciate, understand, love, practice and protect their Hindu culture.

The aim of GHHF is to make temples, the epicenters of rituals and congregation, lighthouses of philosophy, powerhouses of Sanatana dharma, fortresses of performing arts, centers of dance and drama, citadels of dialogue and debate, centers for meditation and yoga, which are the basis of Hindu Dharma.

GHHF is grateful to Sri Swamiji and His Holiness Sri Bala Swamiji for their acceptance to release the audio CD.

Continue reading »]]> For centuries Hindu Temples have played a significant role in the growth and integration of the Hindu community by upholding the eternal Hindu Dharma. Every sub-community in the villages had a role to play in up keeping the traditions, practicing the rituals, promoting the religious discourses, conducting Bhajans, and disseminating the knowledge.

The times have changed; negligence, apathy, ignorance and silence on the part of Hindus have resulted in the neglect of their Temples. Government take over of Hindu Temples created havoc in the maintenance, preservation and protection of Hindu culture, Hindu Temples, Hindu way of life, and dharmic philosophy.  Hindu Community is shirking it’s responsibility of practicing their religion, failing to challenge the government interference with Hindu Temples, and skirting their obligation to advocate the richness of it’s way of life.

In order the to make Hindu aware of the significance and importance of our Hind Temples Global Hindu Heritage Foundation decided to bring out a CD entitled Devaalayam to create an environment for Hindus to appreciate, understand, love, practice and protect their Hindu culture.  The aim of GHHF is to make Temples epicenters of rituals and congregation, lighthouses of philosophy, powerhouses of Sanatana dharma, fortresses of performing arts, centers of dance and drama, citadels of dialogue and debate, centers for meditation and yoga, which are the basis of Hindu Dharma.

Release of CD

GHHF is grateful to His Holiness Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji and His Holiness Sri Bala Swamiji for their acceptance to release the CD:

Date & Time:               March 22, 2012 at 6:30 pm

Location:         Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashram, Dindigal, Hyderabad AP

Dr. Ghazal Srinivas:

Guinness  record holder for singing in 108 languages, Dr. Srinivas is going to have ghazal concert  at the Ashram following the release of the CD. Do not miss this opportunity to listen to his enchanting, capturing and gripping Ghazals.

Encourage your friends and relatives to attend

We request all our friends who are in Hyderabad or nearby cities to attend this function.  Also we request our foreign friends to contact their friends in Hyderabad to attend this function

The CD contains  the following songs:

1)    Randi Randi Kapadukundam;  Lyrics:  Sri Rasaraju; Sung By: Dr. Ghazal Srinivas, Sri Sakhi & Troupe

2)  Pilichindu Evarani; Lyrics: Taatavarthi Rajagopalabalam: Sung by: Dr. Ghazal Srinivas, Laltha Saagari

3) Entha Punyamo Aavuni Pujiste;  Lyrica: Sri Rasaraju; Sung by: Dr. Ghazal Srinivas

4) Randi Randi Aalyayaalanu Nadukondam; Lyrics: Sri Siraasri; Sung by: Dr. Ghazal Srinivas & Troupe

5)   Annadanam; Lyrics: Sri Rasaraju; Sung by: Dr. Ghazal Srinivas &Troupe

6)   Tulasi Prardhana; Lyrics:  Sri Rasaraju; Sung by: Dr. Ghazal Srinivas

7)   Gudi Edi; Lyrics:  Sri Siraasri;  Sung by: Dr. Ghazal Srinivas

8)   Eantha Punyamo  Aavuni Pujiste; Lyrics: Sri Rasaraju: Sung by Sreesakhi

9)   Dehamaa Kampinchu chunnadi: Lyrics:  Sri Kalikivayi Mahankali Rao; Sung by: Dr. Ghazal Srinivas

10) Sevadala Sabhyulamai; Lyrics: Sri Rasaraju;  Sung by Dr. Ghazal Srinivas & Troupe.

Global Hindu Heritage Foundation [GHHF]

Our mission is to preserve, practice, propagate and protect our heritage and abolish Endowment Act and free Temples from the government control. If we have to make an impact on our movement to bring changes to preserve our culture, we need you financial support. Your generous donations to continue our efforts to free Hindu Temples from government control, awaken the Hindus about the plight of Hindu Temples and the impending danger of illegal conversion techniques are essential. We are requesting all the individuals and organizations to support financially to continue our movement to free Hindu Temples from the government control and stop these conversions.

Please DONATE. Your donations are appreciated to continue the work.
NOTE: GHHF is exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue code.    Our tax ID # 41-2258630

Please send your tax-deductible donations to:

Global Hindu Heritage Foundation [GHHF]

14726 Harmony Lane, Frisco, Texas 75035
You can go to www.savetemples.org and pay by PAYPAL

For more information Please visit our website: 

http://www.savetemples.org

http://www.globalhinduheritagefoundation.org/blog/

GHHF Team

V. V. PrakasaRao, PhD, (601-918-7111 cell), (601-856-4783 home); Prasad Yalamanchi (630-832-2665; 630-359-5041); D. Satya (732-939-2060); Dr. K. R. Venkatramaiah (Canada) (416-925-8167); Satya Nemana (732-762-7104); Sekhar Reddy (954-895-1947); Tulasichand Tummala  (408-786-8357); Raju Polavaram, MD (919-959-6141); Rama Kasibhatla (678-570-1151); Srinivas Murthy (212-538-8716); Rajesh Veerapaneni (773-704-0405); Sunil T Patel (214-293-4740); Raghavendra Prasad; MD (214-325-1969); Gopal Ponangi (214-868-7538); Ram Yalamanchili (214-663-6363); Ravi Pattisam (617-304-3577); Krishna Athota (214-912-3724); Rajendra Narayanadas (214-901-3399); Sesharao Boddu (972-489-6949); P. Srinivas (832-444-6460); P. Viswanadham (972-355-7107); I V Rao (214-284-6227); Sridhar Kodela (214-907-8552); Vijay Kollapaneni (818-325-9576); Ghanashyam Kakadia (469-583-1682); Sridhar Polavaram (248-497-1029)

Continue reading »]]> Date: March 06, 2012

After a study of some forty years and more of the great religions of the world, I find none so perfect, none so scientific, none so philosophical and no so spiritual that the great religion known by the name of Hinduism. Make no mistake, without Hinduism, India has no future. Hinduism is the soil in to which India’s roots are stuck and torn out of that she will inevitably wither as a tree torn out from its place.  And if Hindus do not maintain Hinduism who shall save it? If India’s own children do not cling to her faith who shall guard it? India alone can save India and India and Hinduism are one. ~~~Annie Besant

It is the obligation of all Hindus to take the responsibility of preserving, maintain and protecting the Hindu edifice – that is being attacked by all sides. Hindus have to lit the Hindu torch to dispel the ignorance and spread the light and freedom Hinduism has enjoyed for centuries not only for them and for the entire humanity if it has to live in peace and happiness rather than terror and chaos. Irrespective of one’s political affiliation, all the political leaders, religious leaders and spiritual leaders have to work tirelessly to nourish the roots, protect the Hindu ethics, embrace the vasudaiva kutumba principle and restore the grandeur of Sanatana dharma that is the hall mark freedom of speech and beacon of peaceful coexistence.  All Hindus must support, endorse and adopt the following agenda to restore pride among Hindus, root out terrorism, and create Hindu mindset to establish Hindutva in Bharat.

Global Hindu Heritage Foundation [GHHF] is submitting these concerns to a number of  religious, spiritual, and political leaders either in person or by email requesting them to act to revive the richness and grandeur of Sanatana dharma in Bharat.

Repeal Hindu Religious and Endowment Act giving the religious freedom enshrined in the article 26 of the Indian Constitution.

All Hindu Temples should be given back to Hindus to manage their affairs the way the Christians and Muslims are allowed.

An Apex Committee consisting of Hindu spiritual and religious leaders should prepare white paper on the proper management of Hindu Temples with definite time lines.

All the Temple lands that were sold or auctioned should be recovered the respective Temples.

Religious leaders must be consulted on all major issues facing the Hindu Temples.

All the encroached Temple lands must be recovered.

All 2000 Hindu Temples that were converted to Mosques must be returned to Hindus.

Sri Ram Temple in Ayodhya must be completed without any further delay.

Priest salaries must be set depending on the qualifications, training and experience.

Priests who abuse and cheat the system and bhaktas must be removed and prosecuted.

The practices of the pandas / priests in Gaya, Mathura, Allahabad, Kashi and other Northern states must be streamlined, and controlled. The Hindu leaders should speak out and take corrective actions.

Thorough discussion must take place about abuse of dakshina system and playing with the sentiments of bhaktas.

Corruption – this thousand-headed demon must be vanquished at all levels – political, economic, religious, educational and government. It is threatening the very fabric of the Bharat.

Lok Pal Bill must be passed making all government officials from lowest to highest level liable for prosecution for their failure to follow the guidelines to preserve the integrity of the nation.

Black money stashed in foreign banks should recovered and declare it as a national treasure to be used for the welfare of the nation.

Prosecute any one who denigrates other religions, destroys religious institutions, abuses the idols, and denigrates the religious practices.

Prosecute the media who allow their channels to demean other religions

Stop Hajj Subsidy to Muslims to go to Mecca and subsidy to Christians to go to Jerusalem, Vatican and other places. No subsidy to any religions for pilgrimages. Enforce strict separation of religion and politics/government.

All Hajj Houses must be converted to the use of all the citizens irrespective of their religion.

The equivalent money spent on Hajj subsidy for Muslims and travel grants to Christians must be used for establishing Hindu studies in various universities.

Bangladeshi infiltration must be curtailed and send back the illegal immigrants or occupy portion of Bangladesh to accommodate the illegals.

Courses on Gita should be introduced in all educational institutions from lowest level to the highest level.

Suryanamaskaras, Yoga and Meditation should be introduced at all levels of educational institutions.

Minority Quotas must be eliminated. Meritocracy must be promoted. Bharat should not be a heaven for less qualified and least educated.

Repeal Atrocities Act, which is giving license to the minorities to abuse the act. Minorities are abusing the system to the extent that innocent people are jailed without having an iota of evidence produced by the minorities.

Anti Conversion Law must be passed banning the conversion through deceit, deception, allurement, inducements and enticements.

All educational institutions started by Christians must be investigated for high percentage of Hindus converting to Christianity.

All Hindu organizations and Hindu Religious leaders must engage in reconversion of Hindu converts.

All Hindu organizations and religious leaders must investigate and take appropriate action against those who convert Hindus through deception, allurement and inducements.

BJP, RSS, VHP, Janata Party, Acharya Sabhas, Hindu Mahasabha and other Hindu organizations must work together for the greater cause of the preservation and protection of Hindu cause. They must select the most qualified candidate to lead the country rather than the established candidates that may have served the party many years. Welfare of the Hindu Country should be given top priority.

All religious and spiritual leaders should get united and speak with one voice and encourage their followers to work for the preservation and protection of the Sanatana dharma. Make them a viable and a powerful force to reckon with by all politicians.  Otherwise, Hindus have to face the possibility of their existence.

No Hindu should forget the massive destruction of Hindu Temples and Hindu culture, Goa Inquisition, displacements of Kashmiri Pandits, Baagladeshi infiltration, extinction of Hindu population from nearly 20 percent to near zero in Pakistan, depletion of Hindus from 26 percent to 7 percent in Bangladesh, forced conversion of Hindus, constant terrorist attacks on Bharat, etc.

Uniform civil Code should be passed and enforced.

Family planning should be encouraged and stipulated number of ideal family must be enforced with proper penalties. No nation can afford to have unlimited number of children for religious reasons, lest natural resources will be depleted.

Noise pollution laws must be enforced strictly; minarets must be banned.

Illegal use of houses as Churches must be stopped and strict penalties imposed against the violators of the law. The houses being used as Churches must be demolished.

Terrorism – India is being targeted to create havoc by the Islamic terrorists. Separate independent agency should be created to monitor and prosecute the terrorists. This agency should be in a position to take necessary action against any group that profess or engage in preemptive strikes regardless of the sources of terrorism.

The verses in Quran and Bible that advocate terrorism, killing, destruction of Idols, imposition of Jizya tax, and denial of freedom of speech must be expunged.

Kashmiri Pandits – Repeal article 360 and make sure all the Kashmiri Pandits are returned to their property rights restored. Allow Hindus to own property.

Prosecute people who engage in no-patriotic activities such as hoisting the flag of Pakistan on Independence day, burning the Indian flag, insulting the Indian constitution, etc.

Any body that declares Fatwa on any Indian citizen must be prosecuted and severe punishment imposed.

Government officials, who do not discharge their responsibilities, fail to maintain neutrality in fulfilling their responsibilities, engage in nonprofessional activities or act in a partisan manner should be individually liable for prosecution.

Cow Protection – The laws banning the slaughter of cows must be enforced strictly

Beef imports must be stopped; violators must be prosecuted with severe penalties.

All Hindu organizations, religious leaders, and cultural organizations should heed the words of Arnold Toynbee who said Indian belief in Ahimsa – nonviolence – should be embraced by the humanity if it wants to avoid the destruction and annihilation of human race. Hindus should not remain silent spectator to the spectacle of terrorism and the demolition of Hindu edifice. They should be assertive participants to restore the glory and grandeur of the richest culture that ever existed in the human history.

Dhanyavad,

V. V. Prakasa Rao PhD

President, Global Hindu Heritage Foundation (www.ghhfusa.org)

Continue reading »]]> Reincarnation and past life experiences of individuals

Part 1 on Image Worship can be found at this link:

http://www.globalhinduheritagefoundation.org/blog/2012/02/06/ghhf-christian-students-attend-lecture-on-hinduism-%E2%80%93-discuss-and-dialogue-about-image-worship-reincarnation-and-conversion-part-1/

(NOTE: This is somewhat expanded version of my presentation to the Christian students. The essence is the same)

 “ Thus, finding myself to exist in the world, I believe I shall, in some shape or other, always exist; and, with all the inconveniences human life is liable to, I shall not object to a new edition of mine, hoping, however, that the errata of the last may be corrected.” Benjamin Franklin, the 6^th US President

Reincarnation (punarjanma) is one of the pillars of Hinduism.  All the Eastern religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism make a difference between the body and atma (individual self, soul, spirit, consciousness). The soul has no death. It is present all the time. It is part of the cosmic consciousness (Paramatma).  It is never born, it never dies.  What is not born has no death. The main thesis of reincarnation is that the Self goes on moving from one body to another body, from one life to another life. Judaism, Christianity and Islam profess no such belief although few reverences can be found in the Bible. But the idea is gaining acceptance over the years as revealed by the National Opinion Research, Pew Research Forum and others surveys

Karma theory is strongly connected to the idea of reincarnation. Karma is referred to as the law of action. Karma concept is also found in the Bible – what you sow is what you reap. That means if we do good, we will be rewarded and if we do bad we will be punished.  According to Eastern religions these rewards and punishments can be experienced not only in this life but also in a number of next lives. When a person dies these impressions of his activities are imprinted in his mind. Some people remember their past while others don’t.

Giordano Bruno (who was staked to death in believing reincarnation),  Origen, Julius Caesar, Goethe, Cicero, Voltaire,  Plato, Pythagoras, Leonardo Da Vinci, Henry Ford, Benjamin Franklin, J D Salinger, Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, Henry David Thoreau, William Wordsworth, Carl Jung, Thomas Huxley, Arthur Schopenhauer, Leo Tolstoy, Albert Schweitzer, Ralph Emerson, George Patton, George Harrison, Charles Dickens, Winston Churchill,  Erik Erikson, Herman Hesse and many more famous people believed in reincarnation.  Nearly 25 percent of US residents believe in reincarnation.

Dr. Ian Stephenson was one of the pioneers of scientific research in the subject of reincarnation. Dr. Stevenson has devoted more than fifty years of his life to scientifically documenting the past life memories of children from all over the world. He has over 3000 cases in his files. Many people, including skeptics and scholars, agree that the scientific nature of these studies and feel these cases offer the best evidence in support of the concept of reincarnation. In addition to hypnosis, he collected thousands of cases of children who spontaneously  remembered their past life.  Based on their recollection of the people, who may be either living or deceased, they associated with, Dr. Stephenson spoke with the living people and also verifies the facts and statements of the deceased to match the child’s memory. He even matched the birthmarks and birth defects to wounds and scars on the deceased based on the medical records and other evidence.  His strict methods systematically rule out all possible “normal” explanations for the child’s memories.

He published more than ten books pertaining to reincarnation. His book on “Twenty Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation” describes the past life experiences of twenty children from five different countries. The he published four volumes on  Cases of Reincarnation Types – the first volume deals with ten cases in India, second volume with ten cases from Sri Lanka, third volume with twelve cases in Lebanon and Turkey, and fourth volume with twelve cases in Thailand and Burma. His last book European Cases of the Reincarnation Type  was published in 2003 (he died in 2007). It describes the incarnation experiences of forty cases in Europe.

Example 1: Jenny Cockell brought together past life children

We can give any number of examples of people who had this unusual experience of past life, not just only among Hindus, but also among Christians, Muslims, Jews and other religions. One of the most fascinating, exciting and intriguing story is related to the past life experience of Jenny Cockell, who had written a book called “Across Time and Death: A Mother’s search for her Past Life Children.”  As the subtitle indicates, this book describes how one mother (Cockell) was able to identify and bring the children together she had in her previous life.

Jenny Cockell was born in 1953 in rural England. As a child she described herself as withdrawn and nervous, she used to remember the death of Mary in her sleep, used to wake up sobbing thinking about her past life children she left behind. Mary was the first name in her past life. She could not remember her last name. In her dreams she used to recollect her day to day life such as making bread by mixing grass seeds in water, sweeping with broom, tidying and cleaning her room and toys, walking to a church on a patchy mended road, waiting for a boat, the kind of thread she used in sewing, and other chores.  These dreams kept haunting her even after she reached the age nearly 40 years in this life.

In the present life she is married and a mother of two children. She kept remembering all these years that she had eight children in her previous life and she would remember the agony she went through for her eight children at the time of her death.  Based on her dreams she drew the maps of her Irish village she called it as Malahide. With her family support, she made numerous efforts to find that village and identify her past life children. She went to past life researchers and through hypnosis, she was able to piece together many fragments of her memories into a larger picture.

She made a trip to Malahide and found out that the lay out of the village was similar to the sketches she drew. Then she convinced herself as Mary Sutton. Local Church records reveal that there was a lady by the name Mary Sutton who had eight children, lived and died in this village.  Her past life husband died few months before her death. Consequently, all her children were all scattered in different foster homes and orphanages. Some of the children’s names were also changed because of their adoption. That made it even more difficult to locate them. Undaunted, with the help of advertisements in the Irish newspapers, letters to churches, foster homes and historical societies she was able to locate the surviving children. In 1990, the first child she met was Sonny, the eldest son who was 75 years old at the time. They agreed to allow BBC to follow them when they met the rest of her past life children – Christy 72, Frank 70, Phyllis 71, Betty  62, and Jeffrey James 66 (Died after she met him in 1992).  This story was made into a documentary and it was aired on CBS in 2000.

Example 2: Lafayette LA boy remembers his past life death as a Pilot

I give another example of reincarnation that I have followed as it unfolded. This story appeared on a number of national and regional TV stations. Beginning in 2004, the story appeared on ABC News Prime Time, Montel Williams Show, ABC’s “Good Morning, America, Cleveland TV station, and other local TV stations. We can find in the book “SOUL SURVIVOR” written in 2009 by Andrea and Bruce Leininger. This reincarnation story is going to be unique and fascinating for two reasons:

One, how a small boy at the of age two started remembering his past life and how he was able to give enough information to prove his past life experience of being a World War II pilot who was killed in 1945;

Second, how the boy’s father, who was a devout Christian believing in “ONE LIFE TO LIVE,” tried to disprove reincarnation in order to solve the conflict between faith and facts, ended up swallowing the pill – belief in reincarnation.

James was only 18 months old when his father Bruce Leininger took him to the Kavanaugh Flight Museum in Dallas, Texas. Parents were surprised to see their son, James,  fascinated by by World War II aircraft and how he kept looking for some time. (By the way, they used live in Dallas before they moved to Lafayette, LA)

A few months later, the nightmares began for James. “They were terrible, terrible,” mother Andrea said. “He would scream, ‘airplane crash, on fire, little man can’t get out!’ He’d be kicking, with his hands pointing up at the ceiling.”

When James was 2 1/2 years old, Andrea and James went for shopping and he wanted a toy airplane.  Mother said to him, ‘Look, it has a bomb on the bottom’ and he told he, ‘That’s not a bomb, it’s a drop tank.’ She “had no idea what a drop tank was.”

On another occasion, she asked him, “what happened to your plane? ‘Got shot,’ he said. Where? ‘Engine.’ Where did it crash? ‘Water.’ When I asked him who shot the plane, he gave me a look like a teenager, rolling his eyes, ‘the Japanese,’ like who else could it have been?

“What little kid knows about the Japanese,” she asked. “He said he knew it was a Japanese plane because of the red sun. My husband and I were shell-shocked.”

Another fascinating items revealed by James was his statement that, before his birth, he selected his parents. He said he “found” them at a Hawaiian hotel that they had actually stayed at before he was born. This was also corroborated with the parents’ trip to Hawaii.

In October of 2000 James told his parents that Jack Larsen flew with him on that fateful day. James revealed another piece of information, which shocked his already-skeptical father. Bruce was browsing through a book, “The Battle For Iwo Jima,” written by Derrick Wright, which he had recently received from a history book club. While Bruce was looking the book, James jumped into his lap to watch cartoons. As he was waiting for cartoons to come on TV, James looked at the picture in the book his dad was holding. Suddenly, James pointed to a map of Iwo Jima near Chichi Jima and said, “Daddy, that is where my plane was shot down.” Bruce says he almost keeled over.

The Soul Survivor book also included the stunning drawings from James illustrating his unshakable memories, and photos that bear an unbelievable resemblance between young James and James Huston.

James parents, Andrea and Bruce, contacted Carol Bowman who had written a book on the past life memories of children entitled Children’s Past Lives as a guidebook for parents who may experience similar encounters with their children. Carol advised the parents that James was remembering his past life death as a Pilot and they should acknowledge that what James was going through was normal and real; nothing to be scared. Acknowledgement will ally the fears of James.

The Parents’ investigation revealed that boy’s name in the past life was James Huston. His plane was hit in the engine by Japanese fire on March 3, 1945, went down in flames and sank immediately. James Huston was born Oct. 22, 1923, in South Bend, Ind., and lived in Uniontown during the 1930s. His father was James McCready Huston Sr., of Brownsville, and Daryl Green Huston, who was born in New Geneva and grew up in Uniontown. James was the only son.

Example 2A: Faith VS Fact      

Andrea believes that her son is the reincarnation of Lt. James Huston. “There are so many little things. I believe in reincarnation now.”

Bruce was skeptical from the beginning. This is also fascinating story of how Bruce became a believer in reincarnation. “He started researching to disprove what James was telling us, and ended up proving it all,” he said. “I think he believes that James Huston’s spirit has manifested itself in our son somehow.”

The James’s past life memories were challenging the religious beliefs of his father, Bruce Leininger, who is a practicing Christian.  When Carol Bowman wanted the parents to be on ABC news, Bruce said that “You have to understand, I’m a Christian.” The he continued that “But I cannot explain what‘s happening to my son. It was difficult to balance the Christian belief and the facts surrounding the past life memories. The more facts are getting accumulated, the more struggle Bruce was experiencing. Each revelation of facts was adding more and more conflict to Bruce’s Christian upbringing. Bruce was torn between the Christian belief “that we live only once, we die and then go to heaven,” and the past life memories of his own son. The strength of this case lies not just only the past life experience of James but how a devout father convinced himself to accept reincarnation as real against his own Christina belief.

It is time to remember that Evangelical Christians have denounced reincarnation as heretical and, according to one source, “maintain that any phenomena suggestive of it as deceptions of the devil.” Thus, rebirth is not compatible with contemporary Christianity. Bruce even stated, “It would threaten the biblical promise of salvation.” The very concept of reincarnation minimizes the concept of “Christian salvation.” It also undermines the dogma of the church.

In Chapter 24 of his book, Bruce described his upbringing as a Methodist and how he attended the church regularly with his mother and sister.   He even stated that, “Church is a place that makes me feel comfortable, safe, welcome.”

Bruce elaborated his faith in the book as follows:

“But as I matured, I became connected to the Evangelical Christian movement, eventually finding myself involved with a Full Gospel Christian Businessman’s Fellowship.

If James’ nightmares were truly a manifestation of a past life — a proof of reincarnation — then, as I saw it, it would threaten the Biblical promise of Salvation. If the immortal soul can randomly transfer from person to person, generation to generation, then what does that imply for the Christian orthodoxy of Redemption? What happens on Judgment Day if the immortal soul is handed off like that? It goes against the Evangelical teaching of rebirth through a spiritually transformed personal life through Jesus Christ.”

After investigating the reincarnation experience of his son, Bruce came to the exact conclusion that he did not want to accept. Reincarnation is real irrespective of one’s faith and belief.

Example 3: Kennedy VS Lincoln

In addition to past life experiences to prove the concept of reincarnation, we also know that some people may be born at different times and do similar things without ever knowing they were leading parallel lives across time and space. It is stunning to find the similarities between the lives of John Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln, although they were born exactly 100 years apart. Kennedy may have relived the life of Lincoln. There are so many similarities and parallels in their lives, many people consider their lives as supporting the reality of reincarnation.

Now let us look at how many similarities we find in the lives of Abe Lincoln and John Kennedy:

Both of them were elected to the Congress in the year 46, elected Presidents in the year 60.  Both were shot in the head, and were shot dead on Friday.  Last names of the both contained seven letters.  Both of them lost one child each in the while house. Each was a second child in the family Birth Order. Both had droopy eyes. Both had genetic diseases. At the time of marriage, both wives were 24 year old. Both wives were fluent French speakers.  Both wives were sitting next to their husbands when they were shot.  Bothe wives held their husband’s head on their respective laps. Lincoln was shot in the theatre named Ford while Kennedy was shot in a car named Ford. Funeral services for both the presidents were done in East Room of the White House.

Both Presidents were assassinated by southerner individuals. John Wilkes Booth who killed Lincoln and Lee Harvey Oswald who killed Kennedy were born in the year 39; their names contained 13 letters; both were killed before the trials. Both the assassins visited their Uncles in New Orleans before they assassinated the Presidents.

Both Presidents were succeeded by Southerners Vice Presidents by the name Johnson – Andrew Johnson succeeded Lincoln and Lyndon Johnson succeeded Kennedy.  Both were born in the year 08 near Johnson City. Both of them died ten years after they assumed the office of President.  Both of them had two daughters each.  Their fathers worked as Janitors.

There are so many similarities and parallels in the lives of Abraham Lincoln and John Kennedy; it is hard to dismiss them as mere coincidences. One can make a definite case of reincarnation. It is possible for one individual to be reborn and lead as similar life to perfect himself.

At the end, I also asked the Christian students to read three books written by Elizabeth Claire Prophet: The Lost years of Jesus (this book describes the 17 years of Jesus’ life in India, Tibet, and Ladakh), The Lost Teachings of Jesus: Missing Texts Karma and Reincarnation, and  Reincarnation: The Missing Link In Christianity. Her books are significant because the author wanted to disprove the then prevailing belief that Jesus spent 17 years of his life in Asia. After spending  years in India, collecting numerous documents, talking to many monks, and traveling to various places, she became more convinced about Jesus’ life in India and other Asian countries to write a number of books.

Dhanyavad

V. V. Prakasa Rao; 601-918-7111

GHHF Team:   V. V. PrakasaRao, PhD, (601-918-7111 cell), (601-856-4783 home); Prasad Yalamanchi (630-832-2665; 630-359-5041), D. Satya (732-939-2060); Dr. K. R. Venkatramaiah (Canada) (416-925-8167); Satya Nemana (732-762-7104); Sekhar Reddy (954-895-1947); Tulasichand Tummala  (408-786-8357); Raju Polavaram, MD (919-959-6141); Rama Kasibhatla (678-570-1151); Srinivas Murthy (212-538-8716); Rajesh Veerapaneni (773-704-0405); Sunil T Patel (214-293-4740); Raghavendra Prasad; MD (214-325-1969); Gopal Ponangi (214-868-7538); Ram Yalamanchili (214-663-6363); Ravi Pattisam (617-304-3577); Krishna Athota (214-912-3724); Rajendra Narayanadas (214-901-3399); Sesharao Boddu (972-489-6949); Jayesh Thakker (214-718-7481); P. Srinivas (832-444-6460); P. Viswanadham (972-355-7107); I V Rao (214-284-6227); Sridhar Kodela (214-907-8552); Vijay Kollapaneni (818-325-9576); Ghanashyam Kakadia (469-583-1682); Sridhar Polavaram (248-497-1029)

Continue reading »]]> Christian Students attend Lecture on Hinduism – discuss and dialogue about Image Worship, Reincarnation and Conversion [Part-1]

On January 20^th 2012, Mr. Mark Blum, Team Pastor from Elevate Life (Church) came to Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple In Frisco Texas and informed that he is visiting different faith organizations to know more about their respective religions. He said he already visited Jewish Synagogue, Baha’i Temple and Islamic Mosque and heard them speak about their religion. He wanted to bring about 22 missionary students to hear about Hinduism from one of the Hindu Temples. One of his Indian friends told him to contact Hanuman Temple.  He said that all the representatives of their religions talked about “how peaceful their religions are?” I asked him if all these religions are so peaceful, “Why do we hear and read about violence, terror, bomb blast, desecration of holy places, destruction of property and mass killings? Do you know how many thousands of people are being killed in the name of religion?” Mr. Blum smiled and said softly that he wanted to be polite and civil, and did not want to ask questions that may rake up bad feelings. I told him when he brings his students to Hanuman Temple he can ask any and every question about Hinduism and he should not be polite and civil. I suggested that he should inform all his students to read about Hinduism and prepare as many questions as they can. That is the only way they would know the true picture of any religion.

On January 26, Mr. Blum and 24 students came to Hanuman Temple. We greeted them at the entrance and briefed them about our Temple. Then we all assembled in front of Lord Hanuman and explained about different manifestations of God, and names of some of the Deities and their characteristics. Then we proceeded to one of the classrooms for the Power Point Presentation on Hinduism.

The lecture started with quotations from Anne Besant, Max Mueller and Abdul Kalam.  Anne Besant observed that “After a study of some forty years and more of the great religions of the world, I find none so perfect, none so scientific, none so philosophical and none so spiritual that the great religion known by the name of Hinduism.”

Max Mueller who translated the Vedas to discredit them said “if I were asked under what sky the human mind . . . has most deeply pondered over the greatest problems of life, and has found solutions to some of them … I should point to India. And if I were to ask myself from what literature … made our inner life more perfect, more comprehensive, more universal, in fact more truly human a life . . . again I would point to India.”

Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, former President of India “ In 3000 years of our history people from all over the world have come and invaded us, captured our lands, conquered our minds. From Alexander onwards, the Greeks, the Turks, the Moguls, the Portuguese, the British, the French, the Dutch, all of them came and looted us, took over what was ours. Yet we have not done this to any other nation. We have not conquered anyone. We have not grabbed their lands, their culture, their history and tried to enforce our way of life on them. Why? Because we respect the freedom of others.”

This is what India, rather Hinduism, is all about? Hinduism emphasizes meaningful living, peaceful living, and respect for freedom for every individual. Then I presented 24 slides dealing with the origins of Sanatana dharma, the concept Hinduism, sources of literature (Vedas, Upanishad, Puranas, Itihasasa, Tantras) Purushardhas, Temple worship, Image worship, Guru concept, Karma philosophy, reincarnation, Yoga and meditation, stages of life, ahimsa, conversion, and other topics.

Following about 40 minute presentation, the Christian students would have 20 minutes to ask any questions they may have. But they stayed for more than 45 minutes. Most of their questions centered on Idol (Image) worship, multiplicity of Gods, conversion, and reincarnation.

Image (Idol) Worship

Why so many Gods? Why worship idols? Why do the Gods have different shapes and features?

Hindus believe in one Supreme Power (Brahman) and also believe in the manifestation of multiplicity of gods and goddesses. According to our scriptures the number would run into 330 million gods and goddesses. In fact these manifestations can be infinite. The proper analogy is Sun and the infinite number of rays. It is difficult to experience the sun and also difficult to look at the sun directly.  But we can experience its rays. For all these infinite rays there is only one source that is sun. Similarly all these multiplicity of the Gods and Goddesses of Hinduism are merely representing the many aspects of Brahman. Also we need to keep in that although we cannot see the Sun directly with our eyes, we know that it exists. But we can see the Sun by holding a mirror and see the image of the Sun in a mirror. What we see in the mirror is only an image of Sun, not Sun itself. Similarly, thousands of gods and goddesses we worship in the Temples and at homes are the images of that ONE Supreme power.

Another way to explain the infinite manifestations of Supreme Power is by remembering the very nature and qualities of God. All religions including Christianity and Islam believe that God is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient.  That means God is all pervading, he is all-powerful, and he is all knowing.  If that is the case, God can take any shape He wants to take, He can appear in any number of places he wishes to do so,  and he can be present in any number of images or any objects if he chooses to be. If we think otherwise, we humans with limited knowledge and little brains, are limiting the Supreme Power of the Almighty. God cannot be limited, he cannot be restricted, he cannot be boxed in and he cannot be confined. Hence we Hindus believe in the supreme power of God; and see every-where and in every thing.

Only Hindus are Idol worshippers?  All religions practice image worship. They are all idol worshippers. Hindus accept it with pride and developed lengthy procedures to conduct worship services (pujas). Since Hindus believe in multitude of Gods and Goddesses, they developed wide variety of pujas to suit the image of worship. But unfortunately, there is a tendency on the part of Christians, Muslims, atheists, secularist, and communists to discredit the image worship knowing fully well they hold certain items or images as sacred and hold them dearly.

Let us remember one thing at this point. The whole world is made up of images, signs and symbols. Without them, the whole human race cannot communicate,  cannot speak, cannot imagine, cannot accumulate, cannot travel, cannot identify, and cannot remember.  When we think of a mother, we know exactly how she looks and remember her smile, words and compassion instantly.  Similarly, when we think of a house, children, God – whether he be Hanuman, Allah, or Jesus – Bible, Quran, Bhagavad Gita, Vatican, Mecca, national flag, etc., we  immediately remember and identify with it. When some body sits in a Church and hears the sermon by a Priest or Pastor, would not that faithful remember the images of Jesus and the Bible? Can we image somebody going to Hindu Temple and not imagining and identifying with an image?  We all know that all religious followers respect their scriptures, and respect their services as sacred. Hindus accept it, remember them,  and do pujas, while Christians and Muslims may accept them as sacred but refuse to do worship services similar to Hindus.

Also it is very difficult for the mind to control and keep it blank. Mind cannot be kept quiet. It always imagines, perceives, wanders, roams around,  and keeps moving.  It arouses thinking, opinions, philosophy, emotions,  feelings, memories, dreams about material as well as non-material objects. It can travel with a speed of light any where irrespective of the distance. Mind has the ability to form a mental image of something that may or may not even exist. That kind of imagination is the root of many inventions and discoveries. It is the mind that creates or builds mental images, pictures, objects or events.  Hindus believe that the mind creates the images depending on what  you want to imagine. A Hindu can sit in a Worship room in the house or in the Temples and visualize images with different attributes, characteristics, costumes, weapons, features, ornaments, and the mystery. When Hindus think of different images of Gods and Goddesses, they evoke memories of the connection between the image and the beyond. Hence he can imagine the kind of image he wants such as Lord Rama, Krishna, Hanuman, Lakshmi and so on.  Similarly, if a Christian sits in the Church listening to the Pastor, it is reasonable, rational and natural for the mind to imagine either Jesus, Mary, Bible, Cross, Paul or Timothy. Unfortunately they do not want accept it for the fear that they may be called idol worshippers. Likewise, when Muslims go to Mosque to listen to Imam, do Namaz five times a day,  kneel on the floor in the direction of Mecca, mentally thinking of being in front of Allah, and making a Hajj to Mecca to touch or kiss Kaaba, It is difficult to believe that they do not imagine none these. All religious followers are image / idol worshippers. Hindus accept with pride and others don’t.

Swamy Vivekananda and King of Alwar

Then I gave an example of Swami Vivekananda meeting King of Alwar who thought image or vigraha worship was a superstition. (I have summarized the following incident to the students.)

Once Vivekananda arrived at the palace of King of Alwar who was an ardent follower of English culture.  The King said to him, ” I think Hinduism’s so called “Vigraha-aradhana” is a baseless superstition. Making an idol from wood or stone, and then kneeling in front of it and praying! I can’t agree with this nonsense. ”
There was a picture of King, hanging on the wall. As requested by Swamiji, the King’s minister fetched that picture.

Swamiji asked the Minister, ” Whose Picture is this? ” “This is our Maharaja’s picture”, replied the Minister. “If so, I ask you to spit on it”.

The Minister and others near him were astonished to hear this audacious demand from Swamy Vivekananda to spit on Maharaja’s picture ; and that too right in front of the King !!! .

Vivekananda ordered again to the Minister, “Do as you were told. Anyone can spit on this Picture “.

The Minister and other citizens stood there, trembling with fear. Finally, somehow the minister gathered a little courage and said,  ” This is our beloved Maharaja’s Picture. I will not spit on it. Not only that, even asking me to spit, is a punishable offence”.

Swamiji answered with a smile, ” This Picture is nothing but a mere piece of paper. It has nothing to do with the King who is standing right here in front of you. This Picture does not move or speak like him. Still, you think that spitting on this Picture is insulting the King! ”

Turning towards the King, Swamy Vivekananda spoke:

” In one level, this Picture is not you. But in another level, it reminds about you. It helps to invoke your memory in the viewer’s mind. So, the same respect they have for you, is given to this Picture as well. This is the reason preventing them from spitting on it. This is also the logic behind * Vigraha-Aradhana*.

None has ever heard about any single Hindu standing in front of the Vigraha and say, ” Oh Stone/Wood! I worship you”. Every Hindu is worshipping the same God. It is not possible to limit the *Parabrahman* within the individual mind to worship. Even to think about any particular idea, we need to have a specific means such as it’s name or shape. Only with that, we could think about the idea.

Hinduism promotes freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom to think. Tolerance of other ways of worship and other images is the epitome of Hinduism. Even in a single family, one member may worship one image (Hanuman), second member Shiva, third member Devi, fourth member Rama, and the fifth may be an atheist.  Hence respect for the freedom of expression and worship are embedded in Hinduism. No member will criticize the other for his choice of worship. No member will condemn the other to hell for not believing his manifestation of God. Thus Hindus from their childhood learn to respect other ways of worship and believe in freedom of worship as long as others would not interfere with their ways.  Can the Christians and Muslims allow other religions to practice their way of worship?

Part 2 will discuss about Reincarnation and Religious conversion.

Dhanyavad
V. V. Prakasa Rao
601-918-7111

GHHF Team:   V. V. PrakasaRao, PhD, (601-918-7111 cell), (601-856-4783 home); Prasad Yalamanchi (630-832-2665; 630-359-5041), D. Satya (732-939-2060); Dr. K. R. Venkatramaiah (Canada) (416-925-8167); Satya Nemana (732-762-7104); Sekhar Reddy (954-895-1947); Tulasichand Tummala  (408-786-8357); Raju Polavaram, MD (919-959-6141); Rama Kasibhatla (678-570-1151); Srinivas Murthy (212-538-8716); Rajesh Veerapaneni (773-704-0405); Sunil T Patel (214-293-4740); Raghavendra Prasad; MD (214-325-1969); Gopal Ponangi (214-868-7538); Ram Yalamanchili (214-663-6363); Ravi Pattisam (617-304-3577); Krishna Athota (214-912-3724); Rajendra Narayanadas (214-901-3399); Sesharao Boddu (972-489-6949); Jayesh Thakker (214-718-7481); P. Srinivas (832-444-6460); P. Viswanadham (972-355-7107); I V Rao (214-284-6227); Sridhar Kodela (214-907-8552); Vijay Kollapaneni (818-325-9576); Ghanashyam Kakadia (469-583-1682); Sridhar Polavaram (248-497-1029)

Continue reading »]]> You are all cordially invited to attend

 Ghazals with Dr. Ghazal Srinivas

on

“Mana Gudi Pilustondi” and other songs

 As many of you know Dr. Srinivas is a highly talented singer, composer and choreographer. Memorable are his Ghazals on mother, father, youth, village life, village schools, different gods, corruption, NRIs and many more.

He will sing new songs composed on the “Mana Gudi Pilustondi” (Our Devalyam is call you). Eight new songs, being composed by Sri SiraaSri and Sri Rasaraju, are dedicated to preserve, protect Hindu Temples; and to remember the glory and grandeur of these Temples.

 Program Details

Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012

Venue: Coppell Middle School (West)

Dinner:  Starts from 6:00 PM- 7:00 PM

Program starts: 7: 15 PM- 9:30 PM

 Stay tuned for more updates.

 NEED VOLUNTEERS:

          WE would appreciate if you can call and volunteer your help to organize this program.

Please visit our website for more information about GHHF (Global Hindu Heritage Foundation); www.savetemples.org

Who is Ghazal Srinivas?

He holds B.A. degree in Political Science from Andhra University. He studied in Taylor High School, Sri YNM College, Narsapuram and in ASNM Govternment college of Palakol. He also earned a degree in Library Science from University of Madras.

He started singing from the age of five and he used to sing popular movie songs in his own style. He also used to take part in singing Bhajans regularly. He has developed a unique style. He uses Kanjeera, a common instrument, as his only accompaniment. To his credit he has conducted more than 6000 ghazal concerts all over the world.

He has created Guinness and Limca Records by performing a live concert in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh on 2 June 2008 at the Historical Gandhi Hills, titled ” Musical tribute to Mahatma Gandhi” for world peace in 100 world languages.

He was honored with many titles, some of which are Pride of India, pride of performing Arts, Satyagraha Shanti Dootha Award, Telugu Ghazal Maestro, Ghazal Gaana Ghandharva, Ghazal Gaana Samrat, Ghazal Gaana Vibhushana, Ghazal Gaana Ratna, Ghazal Moghul, Ghazal Gaana Paadusha, Ghazal king etc.

Advisers:  Ram Yalamanchili (214-663-6363); P. Viswanadham (972-355-7107); Satyan Kalyandurg 972-612-5042

Contact for more information: V. V. PrakasaRao, PhD, (601-918-7111 cell), (601-856-4783 home); Rajesh Veerapaneni (773-704-0405); Sunil T Patel (214-293-4740); Raghavendra Prasad; MD (214-325-1969); Gopal Ponangi (214-868-7538); Ravi Pattisam (617-304-3577); Krishna Athota (214-912-3724); Rajendra Narayanadas (214-901-3399); Sesharao Boddu (972-489-6949); P. Srinivas (832-444-6460); I V Rao (214-284-6227); Sridhar Kodela (214-907-8552); Vijay Kollapaneni (818-325-9576); Ghanashyam Kakadia (469-583-1682); Sridhar Polavaram (248-497-1029); Jayesh Takker  (214-718-7482); Suresh Manduva (972-841-4682); Geeta Dammanna (972-897-0446); Satish Reddy (972-724-3232); Akula Srikant  (952-334-9990); Kalyan Jarajapu (972-896-8352); Subhash Neelakanti  (972-679-5653);

If you would like to help this program, please call us.  Thanks

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Jeffrey Armstrong

Thursday, February 2; at 6:15 pm

Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple

12030 Independence Parkway, Frisco, TX

We invite all of you, especially the youngsters, to attend this lecture.

 This is going to be a unique presentation by one of the great motivational speaker, Dr. Jeffrey Armstrong who addresses the values of Sanatan Dharma across USA and in many other countries. In all his speeches at the corporate executives, he talks about the significance of eternal values and the relevance  in the modern day world.

Jeffrey Armstrong is one of a new breed of corporate speakers and consultants who are working to bring soul into the workplace and heart into the way we do business. Jeffrey’s innovative fusion of Western technology and Eastern wisdom offers a revolutionary new vision for cutting-edge businesses seeking to embody spiritual values that cultivate long-term sustainability, bio-diversity, multiculturalism and responsible expansion. The resulting paradigm shift demands dynamic creativity, constant education, a commitment to evolution and personal growth in companies serious about protecting the environment for future generations.

In recent years, an impassioned, creative model of corporate responsibility has become a necessity for human survival.

His experience includes:

* seven years of corporate executive work in the competitive world of Silicon Valley,
* ten years of corporate speaking for Fortune 500 companies
* thirty-five years of dedication to Eastern wisdom which placed him at the forefront of speakers
* consultation to inspire radical change in the way corporations conduct global business.
* motivational speeches on the relevance of Hindus scriptures in a day to day life
* Conduct seminars on various topics
* presentation of research papers at professional meetings

His Publications include:

            Spiritual Teachings of the Avatar
            KARMA – The Ancient Science of Cause & Effect

Numerous articles on wide variety of Topics

Jeffrey’s groundbreaking ideas helped transform the Executives of today into the Global Leaders of tomorrow, taking success beyond the present-day definitions of a profit-only marketplace.

Please visit his website for his background and more information

  http://www.jeffreyarmstrong.com/index.html

For more Information:

V. V. Prakasa Rao
601-918-7111