STRESS AND KUMBHA: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

The Kumbha Mela (gathering) takes place in four places in India viz. Ujjain, Kashi, Haridwar and Varanasi (Allahabad). The auspicious period repeats itself every twelve years. Millions of people collect and take bath in Ganga.

What is so special about this period?

The explanation of salvation from sins is inexplicable in scientific terms, because science does not conceive the meaning of �paap and punya� i.e. �sin and good deed� respectively.

The alternative explanation is probably as follows.

All paap or sin is that which takes us away from our true self, i.e. disorients us from ourselves. All punya is that, which enhances our orientation to our true self.

The kumbha period, by virtue of the characteristic constellation (The specific constellation during this time is Sun enters the Mesha rashi, Moon enters the Dhanu rashi and Guru enters the Kumbha rashi); according to Indian or the lunar calendar) seems to influence certain and places and rivers; beneficially; making them conducive to orientation to cosmic self.

Since the human beings are subtly connected with rest of the universe, these places and rivers probably enhance the orientation of human beings also; to their true self.

This is broadly analogous to the help one gets from the wind while sailing. The external and internal environment when favorable, one can get reoriented to the true self and experiences self realization!

The kumbha period (parva) probably signifies such a period full of benevolence!

It is essential to explore and appreciate; the subtle links between different physiological and anatomical phenomena in the human beings and the Kumbha Parva; and also links between the subtle changes in the rivers and some places; responsible for transcendental benefit during this specific period; and Kumbha Parva.

The sociological, economic and other explanations (such as microbiological) offered are simplistic; and hence conceal the truth that can blossom the whole world!

Is it possible; to explore this truth; through NAMASMARAN, which is said to blossom us from within; while we are keenly involved in our pursuit of exploring the reality hidden in astronomy and astrology?


PANCHANG:
Indian calendar is called panchang [pancha = five anga= aspects or parts; viz. tithi, war, nakshatra, karan and ayan].

STRESS AND ANNOUNCEMENT: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

If and when there is no announcement in local state language; the local person feels alienated and stressed.

Thus if there is no announcement in Marathi; on Mumbai airports; the Marathi person feels disturbed; for being in hostile alien airports not belonging to him or her. This leads to a feeling alienation, anxiety and of unnecessary pressure and stress. Vast majority of the Marathi people do not follow the announcements in other languages (Hindi or English).

It is essential to start extensive announcements (besides Hindi and English) in Marathi; on the airports (and ports, railway and bus stations); in Mumbai, which is the capital of Maharashtra.

That would make all Marathi people coming from the nook and corner of Maharashtra; feel at home on these otherwise alien and hostile places.

This is true for any airport anywhere. There has to be announcement in the state language; on all airports, ports; and railway and bus stations.

This may appear to be a minor issue. But it can trigger major stressors; if not rectified in time

GONDAVLEKAR MAHARAJ: THE INFINITE SOURCE OF EMANCIPATING SPIRIT: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

Maharashtra State in India; is famous for many meritorious characteristics. The most outstanding of which, is the galaxy of truth realized individuals, who imparted their enlightenment to the mankind.

The truth realized individuals are not the same as; those who merely preach some philosophy and/or perform so called miracles, are mere philanthropist, or are mere erudite orators.

I call Truth realized and not just self realized; because self in English does not convey the content of the word �atman� in Sanskrit.

The most important quality of an individual who has realized truth is to impart truth realization and uplift the individuals from their subjective realm into objective global consciousness.

Thus; in Maharashtra, there have been truth realized individuals such as Dnyaneshvar, Ramadas, Tukaram, Eknath, Muktai and in 19th and 20th century Akkalkot Swami, Saibaba, Gajanan Maharaj and many others.

One of these truth realized individuals was Shri Brahmachaitanya Gondavlekar Maharaj.

Gondavlekar Maharaj (1845-1913); had come in contact with Saibaba, Akkalkot Swami, Vasudev Balavant Phadke, Lokamanya Tilak and also Nanasaheb Peshave (Biography of Gondavlekar Maharaj, by Prof. K.V. Belsare) and extensively toured India three times; and rest of the time lived in Gondavle.

His life exemplifies how a truth realized individual�s consciousness is one with the cosmic consciousness and becomes benevolent to rest of the universe. His consciousness is experienced by many individuals in his samadhi mandir located in Gondavle, which is full of daily activities conducive to individual and global blossoming; called NITYOPASANA.

We all can visit Gondavle and participate in these satisfying activities and undergo conscious evolutionary transformation and get set for the ultimate fulfillment in life in time to come! This is found to be one of the crucial activities in Total Stress Management! The food (PRASAD) and stay are free of cost!

Address & Phone: Shri Sadguru Brahmachaitanya Maharaj Gondavlekar Chaitanyopasana (Sansthan); At & P.O. Gondavle (Budruk), Taluka: Man, District: Satara; Pin code: 415 540; Phone: 02165- 258292

Gondavle is located on Satara Pandharpur i.e. Miraj Pandharpur road. The nearby places are; Nidhal, Dahivadi, Koregaon, Mhasvad, Vaduj, Satara, Pune, Sangli, Miraj etc. From Mumbai we can drive to Gondavle in 6 to 7 hours by express highway.

PRAYER FOR HOLISTIC RENAISSANCE : DR SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

It is always a healthier; to read, think over, scrutinize and verify the contents; rather than accepting them blindly; and also; it is healthier; not to discard anything blindly; without due consideration; and efforts for verification and/or personal experience!

SARVETRAH SUKHINAH SANTU SARVE SANTU NIRAMAYAH
SARVE BHADRANI PASHYANTU MA KASCHIT DUKKHAMAPNUYAT

Let everyone be happy, healthy and well meaning and let there be no grief in anyone�s life. SUKHINAH means happy. Happiness here; is pure, which revitalizes the environment. NIRAMAYAH means clean, unprejudiced and selfless. BHADRANI means; involved in individual and universal blossoming. DUKKHA is tribulation or suffering; of separation from the true self.

Many of us may have a strong objection to prayers. They may feel that such praying is an indication of weakness, diffidence and dependence.

According to some; this can be even paranoid behavior.

Even as I have no intention to change this point of view [as that can happen only through their experience and not by mere explanations], it is still thought appropriate to give explanation, which may prove helpful to the concerned ones.

These prayers are meant for getting strength from the infinite cosmic powers, which are present inside and outside us (the individuals), who are their extensions.

These powers (cosmic �energies�, gods and goddesses) can be compared to the powerhouses and us; with the electric bulbs, which are the extensions of the powerhouses. In case there are blocks in the wiring, then the bulbs will not illumine.

In case of human beings �blocks� develop due to; ego, pettiness and superficial values. These �blocks� can be effectively removed by the prayers; and remembering the name of God (NAMASMARAN); thereby connecting ourselves with the source of empowerment of the consciousness and the universe.

We can take another example. We are leaves of a life tree. Because of ego we tend to identify ourselves as isolated, alienated, disconnected, discrete, disjointed �leaves�! This makes us weak, petty, arrogant, diffident, cynical, depressed and frustrated. Prayers are like reestablishing the link with the roots of the tree of which we are the leaves!

नामस्मरण नामस्मरण

अस्वस्थता हा जीवनाचा अविभाज्य भाग आहे. कारण शरीर आणि मन ही दोन्ही काळ आणि अवकाश यान्च्या आधीन आहेत. सुख आणि दुख्ख ही देखील अवकाश आणि काळाच्या आधीन आहेत. विचार देखील अवकाश आणि काळाच्या आधीन आहेत. ही एक प्रकारची असहाय्यताच आहे.

हिन्सा, अहिन्सा, प्रेम, राग, द्वेष, खिन्नता, उन्माद, निराशा; ही द्वन्द्वे देखील एक प्रकारची अपरिहार्यताच आहे. कोण्त्याही एका भावनेत शान्ति नाही. समाधान नाही. कोणत्याही एका कृत्रिम मुल्यांमध्ये व तज्जन्य कृतीमध्ये समाधान नाही.

परन्तु हा उपदेश तुम्हा- आम्हाला व सर्वांना आचरणात आणता येईल असे सांगता येत नाही.

पण त्या दिशेने सर्वांना नामस्मरणाच्या द्वारे प्रगत होता येईल.

चला नामस्मरण करु या.

डॉ. श्रीनिवास कशाळीकर.