माणूस आणि नाती

माणूस आणि नाती

आयुष्य हे तर्कशास्त्र आणि कारणमीमांसेहून वेगळे आहे . आयुष्यामध्ये अनेक घटना घडत असतात. चांगल्या आणि वाईट .. बरे वाईट अनुभव येत असतात.आपले अगदी जवळचे नातेवाईक असे काही वागत असतात की आपल्याला काहीच अर्थबोध होत नाही. एखादा वृद्ध पिता अशी तक्रार करतो की,” माझा मुलगा किंवा मुले माझी काहींच काळजी करत नाहीत.माझ्याकडे बघतही नाहीत .माझ्याशी फार तुटकपणे वागत असतात.माझी कोणतीही जबाबदारी घेत नाहीत.” भारतामध्ये तरी असा सर्व साधारण असा समज आहे की मुलांनी वृद्ध मात्यापित्यांची जबाबदारी घेणे त्यांचे आद्य कर्तव्य आहे. वृद्ध मात्यापित्यांना असे वाटते की त्यांनी मुलासाठी खूप खस्त्या खाल्या. अनेक वेळा खूप त्याग केला. त्यांच्या शिक्षणासाठी व स्थैर्य येण्यासाठी पैसा खर्च केला. त्यामुळे म्हातारपणी आपल्याकडे बघणे त्यांचे कर्तव्यच आहे.

खरं म्हणजे मुलं जेंव्हा १६-१७ वर्षाची होतात तेंव्हाच त्यांच्यात आणि आई-वडीलामध्ये दरी निर्माण होण्यास सुरुवात होत असते, हे आई-वडिलांच्या लक्षातच येत नाही, त्याला आई-वडीलच जबाबदार असतात.आपण हे लक्षात ठेवावयास हवे की आई-वडिलांचा पहिला शत्रू हा त्यांचा वयात येणारा मुलगा किंवा मुलगी असते, आपणच त्यांना इतका धाक दाखविलेला असतो. इतके नियम घालून दिलेले असतात की आपण त्यांना जणू काही गुलामासारखेच वागवीत असतो.उठ म्हंटले की उठ, बस म्हंटले बस अशी त्यांची अवस्था केलेली असते. आपल्या आवडी निवडी लादलेल्या असतात.मुलांना ते मुळीच आवडत नसते. त्यांना आपण घालून दिलेल्या नियमामधून बाहेर पडावयाचे असते.त्यामुळे मुलांच्या मनाच्या एका कप्प्यात तुमच्याबद्दल एक भीतीयुक्त आदर असतो आणि मनाच्या दुसऱ्या कप्प्यात त्यांना तुमच्यापासून स्वातंत्र्य हवे असते. त्यामुळे जेंव्हा ती मोठी होतात , जाणती होतात, तेंव्हा त्यांना तुमच्या विचारापासून मुक्तता हवी असते. तुमच्यावर डाव उलटवण्याची संधी ते शोधत असतात. हे सर्वांनाच लागू असते असे नाही. जेंव्हा तुम्ही इतरावर काही नियम किंवा बंधने लादीत असतात तेंव्हा असे हे होणारच.

आपण सर्वांनी एक गोष्ट लक्षात ठेवणे आवश्यक आहे की जगाचा असा अलिखित नियमच आहे की” कोणीही आपले आयुष्य एखाद्या नियमात बसून जगू शकत नाही.” प्रत्येकाचे आयुष्य हे फार मोठे आणि महत्वाचे आहे. नियम आणि बंधने कोणीतरी घालून दिलेली असतात. कायदा हा कोणीतरी केलेला असतो.

नियम, कायदा किंवा बंधने म्हणजे संपूर्ण आयुष्याचे किंवा जीवनाचे सीमित ज्ञान. कोणीतरी विचारतात “ हे आयुष्य का जन्माला येते ?” हे लक्षात ठेवावे की का ? ( Why?) ह्या प्रश्नाला उत्तर नसते. कारण का? (Why?)  हा प्रश्न तर्कशास्त्रावर आधारित असतो. तर्कशास्त्र म्हणजे पूर्ण सत्य नव्हे. तर्कशास्त्राचा आधार घेऊन तुम्ही कारण शोधण्याचा प्रयत्न करू शकाल परंतु हे लक्षात ठेवा की आयुष्य किंवा जीवन हे त्याच्याही पलीकडले आहे.आयुष्याची उत्तरे तर्कशास्त्र किंवा कारणे शोधून मिळत नसतात.

आयुष्याची परिसीमा विस्तारित आहे आणि केवळ तर्कशास्त्र आणि कारणांचा शोध घेउन अर्थ समजू शकत नाही. परमहंस श्री नित्यानान्दांच्या “ Life beyond Logic and Reason s” ह्या लेखाचा हा आधार घेऊन वरील विचार मांडले आहेत..त्यामुळे जीवनाची नवी जाणीव होते.एक वेगळा अर्थ समजू लागतो. जीवनाकडे बघण्याची ही दृष्टी महत्वाची आणि मोलाची आहे. आपल्या आजूबाजूची नातीगोती अशी का असतात हे त्यावरून समजून घेतले पाहिजे.

डॉ नरेंद्र गंगाखेडकर

Bringing Vedas and Science Together

Unfortunately people who know the Vedas know nothing about science, and people who know about science know nothing about Vedas. There is a big gap.These are the comments of Sri Sri Ravishanker. Science and Vedas should come together for understanding how the Universe is created. If  this is done we will know about the God.  

 Recenly, Sri Sri Ravishankar commented on the discovered God    particle – Higgs boson. His views are bringing Vedas and Science together.

The scientists have discovered the God Particle; that is what they are saying – Higgs Boson. And they say that the entire universe is made up of this. It is a field, and this field is energy. It gives shape to the planets, stars and everything.
This sounds so familiar to someone who has studied Vedanta, or someone who has experienced deep meditation.
The whole universe is made up of consciousness. It is a play and display of one consciousness. The Vedic Rishis also said the same. They said first know the elements; they called even Brahman, the Ultimate, as a Tattva. Tattva means Principle. Like God Particle, they said Brahman Principle.

The Brahman or God is not a He or She; they say it is a field. It is a field, it is a space, the basis of everything, and everything is just its own reflection. Everything forms of its own reflection. It is neither a thing, nor nothing.

What is the first principle? They said the Elements; Earth element, Water, Fire, Air, Ether, and then the Mind, the Intellect – the subtler and subtler you go, you reach there.
Subtler than space is mind, subtler than that is intellect and knowledge is present there. And subtler than that is ego, and hundred times subtler than ego is the Mahat Tattva – The Principle called Mahat, field called Mahat.
Ego itself is an atom, but finer than the ego, beyond the ego, that point, that particle is a field called Mahat Tattva, and finer than that is Moola Prakurti – the primordial energy.
And beyond that primordial energy, is Brahman, of which everything is made, which is the substance of the whole creation. Brahman is infinity, it is neither born nor will it ever die.

In the Rig Veda, there is a Sukta called Nasadiya Sukta, in the 10th Mandala, 129th Adhyaya, there, around seven verses are written. In the seven verses of The Hymn of Creation, it is so striking how these aspects which we now know through quantum mechanics and through quantum physics were present then and there. What scientists call as Dark Matter and Dark Energy which is everywhere, and which is what we are talking about, the Nasadiya Sukta says the same thing.

Beyond the space, then, in the beginning, there was neither existence nor non-existence; neither birth nor death. It was all only energy. And it also talks about, ‘Darkness enveloped by darkness. ’ In the third verse it says, ‘Darkness was all wrapped around by darkness.’
So these verses strikingly indicate what today’s scientists talk about almost in the same language.

That is very interesting – He surely knows or maybe He does not – because even the knower is part of the phenomenon.

The three types of space are described. One is the space in which we see all the matter that exists; the outer space –Bhutakasha. Then there is the intermediate space or inner space, where all thoughts and emotions float. This is called Chittakasha - the space of the Chitta (consciousness). And then Chidakasha, the space of pure consciousness or energy, which here and there appears to have consolidated and appears to be matter. What appears to be matter is really not matter, it is all one energy, and that One field is called Brahman, and that is what everybody is, that is what everything is.
Doesn't it sound very similar to the Higgs Boson?
So the Brahman or God is not a He or She, they say it is a field. It is a field, it is a space, the basis of everything, and everything is just its own reflection. Everything forms of its own reflection. It is neither a thing, nor nothing.

Rishi means one who discovers. The scientists of the ancient times and the scientists of the modern times, in coming years will explore this. And even those, they may not know it. Who knows whether they will know it, or not know?
So further they go, they see it is unknowable.
It is very interesting – Higgs Boson, the concept of it, has come from the past.

 Actually, these verses, when people use to say, ‘Darkness is enveloped with darkness’, it wouldn’t make much sense, and Sanskrit and Vedic scholars were struggling to give some meaning to it. It appeared to be completely a meaningless – neither this nor that; it exists or it doesn't exist.
These sorts of words are good enough to confuse a person. I think with the discovery of Higgs Boson, you are able to understand these verses better, because this itself is called The Hymn of Creation.

Sri Sri Ravishankar makes a point…..

The scientists never conclude things as an ultimate thing but they will always leave room for further research. They keep the things open-ended and so do the Vedas. They leave it at that. Maybe somebody will discover, somebody knows or somebody doesn't know. It is absolutely fascinating and interesting.

So we need to look at these Vedas, not from a traditional point of view but with a scientific temper. You need to probe into it with a scientific mind. Perhaps you may get some more ideas from this, or maybe not.

This is very open minded approach of Sri Sri Ravishankar and he futher says,
“Unfortunately people who know the Vedas know nothing about science, and people who know about science know nothing about Vedas. There is a big gap. It will be very difficult for Vedic people to graduate in science. What would be easier is for scientists to learn a little bit of the Vedas. If they go into the books a little bit, even as a pass time, they may be able to explore and get ideas which may be of some use”. 

In Search of God

GOD IS WITHIN US – AHAM BRAHMASMI

An article named “Your Body is God’s palace” appeared in Times of India in famous column “The speaking Tree” written by Anup Taneja on July 14, 2012.

 According to Swami Siyananda, God created this beautiful Universe and creation of human body is a mysterious moving palace within which god dwells.

Prithavi, Aap, Tej, Vayu and Aakash (Earth, Water, Agni, Air and Ether) are Panchamahabhute in Nature. Our body consists of this panchmahabhute. Apart from this, human being is characterized by three additional elements; Mind (Mana), Intellect (Buddhi) and Ego. Buddhi or intellect is his prime minister; mind is the commander; the 10 indriyas or senses are soldiers; the eyes are the windows of the palace; and the devatas who preside over the indriyas — eyes, nose, ears, for example — are the gatekeepers. 

Is Human body a work of art or excellent example of engineering? Muscles are attached to bones by tendors, joints balance with the help of ligaments are example of mechanical engineering. Pumping system of heart is a unique example of all engineering branches. Chemistry, bio-mechanical engineering, human production system is playing important roles in different organs. Physics, chemistry, physiology and psychology are involved in understanding color vision. Yet, we have not fully understood the color vision. Understanding of Brain is very difficult. Mind exists but we do not know its exact location like heart. Scientists are trying to understand the structure of thought by mapping of neurons. Behavior of human being is based on Mind and Intellect. Is it possible to have control on minds of all human beings?

All these questions are to be answered? We have no final answers.

When heart surgeon or eye surgeon or knee surgeon successfully completes the operation, patient and his relatives thank surgeon because he has done the job of God. At that moment, they feel that he is the God.

As far as human body is concerned, God has used five elements of nature. For example, bone is nothing but earth or clay; blood is water; the radiance of skin and eyes is fire; breath that moves through nose or lung is air which derives support from ether. All these Panchmahabhute are residing in human body. When we die, all these elements are dissolved. The God resides in our body but we do not recognize it. According to Hindu philosophy, if we practice of meditation in order that the Eternal Lord — who provides support to all the pranas, mind, intellect, senses and the body — could be realized.

Similar thoughts are depicted in SARTH RAMRAKSHA. It is poetry on life of Shri Rama, who is Avatar of Vishnu, the protector. “Praise the Lord” is common in all religion. Ramaraksha is one such STROTRA we recite as ritual. I have been doing it from my childhood but without understanding.

In this Strotra, we are praying the Lord Rama and asking him to protect head, eyes, ears, nose, tongue, neck, arms, hands, teeth, heart, and central part of the body, thighs, waist, knees, legs, and feet. In short, we are asking him to protect the whole body. (Stanza 4 -9). Our body is not only gift of God but God resides in it. We have to take care of the same. We neglect it and we suffer. We can take care of our body by doing regular physical exercise. We can also train our mind but what about intellect which is God given gift. Only very few human beings are given such gift such as Newton, Einstein etc. Body, Mind and Intellect gives us personality. Let us look for God within us.

  

In Search of God ( Part 4)

In Search of God

(After hearing the Discovery of God Particle)

Dr Narendra S Gangakhedkar

(PART 4)

(This is the last article on this topic)

The living beings are born from food, food is produced by rain, and rain comes by performing Yajna. The Yajna is performed by doing Karma. (See also 4.32) (3.14)

First part of this stanza is correct and explains the cause of birth of living beings. But the cause of Rain linked to Yana and Karma will not be acceptable to scientific mind as we now know scientific reasons for the Rain.

Those who perceive that all works are done by the Prakriti alone, and thus they are not the doer, they truly understand.  (13.29)

The light that coming from the sun illumines the whole world; and which is in the moon, and in the fire; know that light to be Mine. (15.12)

That is the reason why man started worshiping SUN and MOON as GODS. They are the constant source of energy and needed for our survival.

My Prakriti (or the material nature) is the womb wherein I place the seed (of spirit or Purusha) from which all beings are born. (14.03)

 We may not agree with this concept of Prakriti which is clearly defined ast the spirit of Purusha which is not based on scientific thinking. We have to really find out the meaning of this concept.

I am the beginning, the middle, and the end of the creation. Among the knowledge I am knowledge of the supreme Self. I am logic of the logician. (10.32)

This concept of creator is true. But who is this?  

O Krishna, I believe all that You have told Me to be true. O Lord, neither the Devas nor the demons fully understand Your manifestations. (10.14)

The Supreme Lord said: O Arjuna, now I shall explain to you My prominent divine manifestations, because My manifestations are endless. (10.19)

O Arjuna, I am the Atma abiding in the heart of all beings. I am also the beginning, the middle, and the end of all beings. (10.20)

These thoughts are defining the character of Universe creator. This is to be understood scientifically.

 WHAT I AM (GOD)?   

This is only a brief description by Me (GOD) of the extent of My divine manifestations. (10.40)

God exists in these different forms. We notice it, feel it and appreciate his existence when we look at Nature and Prakriti.

 I am the radiant sun among the luminaries,

 I am Marici among the gods of wind,

 I am the moon among the stars. (10.21)

 I am the mind among the senses; I am the consciousness in living beings. (10.22)

 I am the fire among the Vasus; and I am Meru among the mountain peaks. (10.23)

 I am the ocean among the bodies of water. (10.24)

 I am the Himalaya among the immovables. (10.25)

 I am the Peepal tree among the trees (10.26)

 I am thunderbolt among the weapons

 I am Varuna among the water

 I am time or death among the healers, lion among the beasts, and the Garuda among birds. (10.30)

 I am the wind among the purifiers

 I am the shark among the fishes, and the Ganges among the rivers. (10.31)

 I am the beginning, the middle, and the end of the creation

  Among the knowledge I am knowledge of the supreme Self. I am logic of the logician. (10.32)

 I am the letter ``A'' among the alphabets, among the compound words I am the dual compound,

 I am the endless time

 I am the sustainer of all, and have faces on all sides (or I am omniscient).  (10.33)

 I am the all-devouring death, and also the origin of future beings. (10.34)

 I am Maargsirsha (November-December) among the months; I am the spring among the seasons.   (10.35)

 I am the fraud of the gambler; I am the splendor of the splendid; I am victory (of the victorious); I am resolution (of the resolute); I am the goodness of the good. (10.36)

 I am the origin or seed of all beings, there is nothing, animate or inanimate, that can exist without Me.  (10.39)

There is no end of My divine manifestations; this is only a brief description by Me of the extent of My divine manifestations. (10.40)

We only see only very small fraction of God’s energy. Sun, Moon, Fire, Earth and Water are the main forms of God. God does exist. No doubt. We are there because of his creation and we have to leave this Prakriti as and when he decides and marks us in his calendar.

 I continually support the entire universe by a small fraction of My energy. (10.42)

The light that coming from the sun illumines the whole world; and which is in the moon, and in the fire; know that light to be Mine. (See also 13.17 and 15.06) (15.12)

Entering the earth I support all beings with My energy; becoming the sap-giving moon I nourish all the plants. (15.13)

The Lord abides in the heart of all beings, O Arjuna, causing all beings to act (or work out their Karma) by His power of Maya as if they are (puppets of Karma) mounted on a machine. (18.61)

 We cannot see the Creator of this Universe in any physical form. God is everywhere in smaller than smallest particle.  God is particle. God is Energy. God is a Force or God is a Field.  If you believe in God, he is there. If one does not believe in God, one has to explain above mentioned forms of God.  For finding a smaller than smallest particle such as Higgs boson, we have build a huge machine but we have not yet understood the creator of Universe.

 (Based on my understanding of “GEETAI” by Vinoba Bhave and English Translation of

Dr Ramanand Prasad)

In Search of God @ Mount Kailas

I am pilgrim of Himalaya. I love mountains. I had been to Kailas-Mansarovar in 2006. It was my childhood dream.

 I am born Hindu. In my childhood, I have heard many stories of Hindu Gods from elders. One such story was about the Mount Kailas which is the Home of Lord Shiva.  I also remember the story of Mansarovar. In Marathi, we call it MANAS SAROVAR. Manas mean Mind.  It is believed that Brahma’s mind created the beautiful MANSAROVAR which is just next to Kailas in Himalayas. In Hindu philosophy, we consider Brahma as creator of the Universe, Vishnu as protector and Shiva as destroyer of all evils in the Universe. It is believed that these three Gods control the Universe. Is God exists? We do not know. Kailas-Mansarovar exists. Mount Kailas is within us from the childhood. I thought it is the best thing to visit this place and look for the God. We selected so called easy route to Kailas via Nepal-Tibet. It was a long 950 K.M journey from Kathmandu. It passes through Kodari- Friendship Bridge between Nepal and China – Nylam- Dhulikhel – Zangmu-Saga-Pariyang-Chui Gunfa-Mansarovar-Darchen – Derapuk -Kailas- Dolma Pass – Gauri Kund- Zutulfu and back to Kathmandu. We crossed  all the Tibet which is now a part of China. It is baron land at 12,000-14000 feet above sea level.  On south side, we see Himalayan mountain range all along the route. You are in  thick Himalayas and all along the side of Brahmaputra River which is originated at Mansarovar. All along the way , you see ice cap mountains, over 60 peaks  in the grand chain of Himalayas over 25,000 feet high, beautiful lake Pikachu, many sand dunes, no signs of civilization, no basic facilities, no roads, a few tribal Tibetans in small distant villages. Nature is changing every moment. Sometimes very cold, windy and cloudy. Suddenly, it was very hot. If it rains, it will be unimaginable. Weather beats you. We could only travel by jeep-the Land Cruiser 4500 model. This heavy and sturdy vehicle takes you anywhere. Nature is notoriously inhospitable to man in this Himalayan region.

Mount Kailas for Hindus is Meru Parvat, a residence of Lord Shiva. It is the most sacred spot in Asia, what Rome is to catholic Christians, what Mecca is to the Mohammedans, and what Jerusalem is to Jews  For Jains, it is ASHTAPAD. Eight Jain Gurus visited this mountain for getting NIRVANA. Tibetan Guru Kang Ringpoche meditated at this place. Lord Buddha visited this mountain and everyone wants to see his footprints .Gauri Kund is the Bathroom of Parwati and Lord Ganesha lost his head when he did not allow Lord Shiva to enter at Parwati’s place as she was taking bath. One has to cross the Gate of death called YAMA DARWAJA before entering the surrounding of Kailas Mountain (20, 0028 feet- tallest in Tibetan region) all these stories, whether you believe it or not, will come to your mind very often. Mount Kailas is the home of God for Hindus, Tibetans, Buddhists and Jains.  That is the reason; it was the habitation of their angels. It is said that, if someone is looking at the Earth planet from the far distance in space, he will notice over 100 peaks of Himalayas and he will see ICE JEWEL. He will notice the most outstanding object on the surface of the world we live. It is just at the centre of Earth. Mount Kailas is pure Crystal on East side, Red Manik on West side, Golden Ring on north side and Neelmani on south side.

Why Buddha, Aadi Shankaracharya, Jain Ashtapada Gurus visited this place? They were in search of God. Whether they found the God?

Mount Kailas is the most stupendous sight in the world. Forest- clothed ranges and snow-clad heights make Himalayas unique. You will experience serenity and quietude. It gives peace to your mind.  Yes, we met the God. No, we touched the God when we were just in-front of Mount Kailas. It was a great healing effect on our mind. We experienced Vibrations. We do not know from where these vibrations are arriving. The vibrations are unique and surround the mountain with an invisible field of magnetism. Mount Kailas and its vicinity, including Lake Mansarovar, possess a magnetic atmosphere of intense spiritual vibration. Yogi Pranavananda (1928, 1935) described his experience which is true when you visit the place.One can feel it only after visiting this place. We have thankfully accepted   the Nature’s gift when we stood in front of Kailas. God who has made the place of Lake Mansarovar is beauty drunk. We cannot describe this natural beauty when we look at Gurla Mandhana Mountain on one side and mount Kailas on other side of the Lake Mansarovar.  We do not know a more fascinating sunset upon the bluish-green waters of Lake Mansarovar. It looks like a huge emerald set between two majestic mountains – Kailas on north and Gurla Mandhana on south. It is a paradise on Earth. It is mysteriously charming itself. The wild beauty of scene at Kailas out stepped our imagination and taking a dip in Mansarovar inspired our MIND and uplifted our SOUL.

When we travelled through this land and take a PARIKRAMA around Kailas, we noticed that we are at world’s grandest scenery. Serenity is so prevalent. This part of Himalayas embodies the grand force of Nature. Yes, it is the place of Lord who resides here. We touched this place. Our footprints on this land indicate that we visited the paradise on the Earth. We felt that we are riding, not merely into Himalayas, but into Heaven. The air is sweet (rare) with love that emanates from Supreme Being. The mountains are flushed with beauty that belongs, not to them, but to God.

The entire journey which I always remember is a beautiful poem. This unique experience is memorable, unforgettable, exciting, thrilling, beautiful and ultimately spiritual. You have a feeling that you touched a God who was in your mind from early childhood. My eyes are filled with water when I remember this tiring but beautiful journey. It was once in lifetime event. But I would like to visit again and again and get the special feelings of unique vibrations in my body. I felt the spiritual existence of God who is the creator of this wonderful Universe.

  

In Search of God ( Part 3)

In Search of God
(After hearing the Discovery of God Particle)
 Dr Narendra S Gangakhedkar
 (PART 3)

For understanding this PRAKRITI, Arjuna asked a question to Lord Krishna:

Arjuna said: O Krishna, what is Brahman? What is Adhyaatma? What is Karma? What is called Adhibhoota? And what is known as Adhidaiva? (8.01)

O Krishna, who is Adhiyajna, and how does He dwell in the body? How can you be remembered   at the time of death by the steadfast? (8.02)

These are the questions in everyone’s mind.

The answers given in Geeta are:

The Supreme Lord said: Brahman is the Supreme imperishable. The individual self (or Jeevaatma) is called Adhyaatma. The creative power that causes manifestation of beings is called Karma. (8.03)

All perishable objects are called Adhibhoota, and the soul is Adhidaiva. I am Adhiyajna, the five basic elements, in the body, O Arjuna. (8.04)

The existence of God (BRAHMAN) is further explained as follows:

The one who meditates on Brahman as the omniscient, the oldest, the controller, smaller than the smallest (and bigger than the biggest), the sustainer of everything, the inconceivable, the self luminous like the sun, and as transcendental or beyond the material reality; (8.09)

 We can easily say smaller than smallest is nothing but God particles. Nuclear Scientists have discovered over 240 sub-atomic particles. Higgs boson is one of them. God exists in Higgs boson. We have found it, but we cannot see it. We see the effect. We do not see it in physical form. If we cannot see this what we discovered, how we can see God which exists in smaller than smallest. If new discovery of Higgs boson or Higgs Field opens a new path, may be God is in our reach. That day, we will become the creator and create a new Universe.

I would like to say that Bhagwad-Geeta is not a religious document. It is not a DHARMAGRANTH. It talks about Nature based on scientific ideas and talk of PRAKRITI , a creating force of Universe.

It says:

 There is no nonexistence of the Sat (or Atma) and no existence of the Asat. The reality of these two is indeed certainly seen by the seers of truth. (2.16)

Know that, by which all this (universe) is pervaded, to be indestructible. No one can destroy the indestructible (Atma). (2.17)

Some look upon this Atma as a wonder, another describes it as wonderful, and others hear of it as a wonder. Even after hearing about it no one actually knows it. (2.29)

Nature or Prakriti is indestructible and its business is continuation. It will not stop.

There is a difference between Nature and Prakriti.  Science stops after understanding Nature, It does not go beyond that.  We discovered God particle.  But what is next?  We need to understand the creator of Universe.

Because, de All beings, O Arjuna, are unmanifest before birth and after death. They are manifest between the birth and the death only. What is there to grieve about? (2.28)

Let us take the  example of Higgs boson. It was born and  disappeared in fraction of a second . It has very short life and scientists are trying to find out its life cycle.

Death is certain for the one who is born, and birth is certain for the one who dies. Therefore, you should not lament over the inevitable. (2.27)

This life cycle is critical and changes from one to another. We discovered Higgs boson but not yet understood the creation of the Universe. It is to be noted that Bagwad-Geeta believes in Science.

Using My Prakriti I create, again and again, the entire multitude of beings that are helpless, being under the control of Prakriti. (9.08)

The Prakriti or nature, under My supervision, creates all animate and inanimate objects; and thus the creation keeps on going ( 14.0 - 9.10)

I am the supporter of the universe, the father, the mother, and the grandfather. I am the object of knowledge (9.17)

I give heat, I send as well as withhold the rain, I am immortality as well as death, I am also both the Sat and the Asat. (9.19)

These are different form of energy such as heat, water-PARJANYA etc.

The mind, intellect, ego, ether, air, fire, water, and earth are the eightfold transformation of My Prakriti. (See also 13.05) (7.04) that which creates diversity and all that can be seen or known is called Prakriti.  Prakriti is also the material cause or the material out of which everything is made. Prakriti is the original source of the material world consisting of three Gunas, and eight basic elements out of which everything in this universe has evolved according to Saamkhya doctrine. Prakriti is also referred to as Asat, perishable, body, matter, nature, material nature, Maya, Mahat Brahma, field, creation, and manifest state. This Prakriti is My lower energy. My other higher energy is the Purusha by which this entire universe is sustained (7.05)

It is said that PRAKRITI is the God’s lower energy. As Science is only dealing with Nature (Panchamahabhute), it does not explain the concept of Prakriti which is responsible for creation of Universe.

In Search of God .... Part 2

In Search of God

( After hearing the discovery of Higgs Boson)

Part 2

This entire universe is pervaded by Me, the unmanifest Brahman. All beings depend on (or remain in) Me (like a chain depends on gold). I do not depend on them. (See also 7.12) (9.04)

Another example cited in Geeta is

Consider that all beings remain in Me (without any contact or without producing any effect) as the mighty wind, moving everywhere, eternally remains in space. (9.06)

It further says,

Using My Prakriti I create, again and again, the entire multitude of beings that are helpless, being under the control of Prakriti. (9.08) these acts of creation do not bind Me, O Arjuna, because I remain indifferent and unattached to those acts. (9.09) The Prakriti or nature, under My supervision, creates all animate and inanimate objects; and thus the creation keeps on going, O Arjuna. (See also 14.03) (9.10)

This explains how Universe is created by the Nature (Prakriti). It also explains how things are happening in Universe. As we know, Universe is constantly changing.

 Science is trying to find out the causes for:

 Who is responsible for these changes in the Universe?

 How, when, where and why it is happening?

For examples:

Why earthquake takes place?

Why tsunami occurs?

Why it does not rain? Or why it rains more?

 Why the climate is drastically changing?

How to save our Planet Earth?

 All these complex issues are involved and we do not have perfect answers. We do not know which force is behind it? We do not know who is the controller?

 In religion, we call this as super power which we identify as GOD who is considered as the creator and destroyer of the Universe.

In early days of mankind, we only knew about the SUN and the MOON. But now, we talk of number galaxies, thousands of Sun and millions of Moon. Who is the creator of this Super Universe? This is the question to be answered? Science is partly successful for getting answers to some of the questions mentioned; Invention of Higgs boson is a small step towards this direction.  May be only Science cannot find answer to all these questions. Today, advancement of science has given us some answers but these questions were raised five thousand years before. These concepts were mentioned earlier but no scientific proof was given.  Today, nuclear scientists have discovered 12 main nuclear particles and more than 200 sub-atomic particles. It is said that discovery of Higgs boson will explain us how the Universe is created. If it answers the said question, then may be Man will be having a tool for creating a new Universe.

What is this unknown power (force) which creates this Universe? Billions of dollars and Euros are spend for this cause. More than 2000 scientists all over the world are working on this project with different ideas and in different directions.  In old days, science was not progressed so much and no such facilities were available. But there were intellectuals in those days that made their observations and presented their views. Shrimad  Bhagwad- Geeta is one such document which talks on many ideas and concepts of Universe and its creator -God. Many scholars all over the world have spent their life time for interpreting this great Book which talks about the Universe and its creator –the God.

If we look at some of the ideas, concepts and thoughts mentioned in this book, we find some answers to the questions raised.

Does God exist? This is a simple question asked every time. The answer to this question is “yes” and “No”. Those who believe in God, for them, it is “yes, God exists”. Those who do not believe in god, it is straight “No”. Those who say “yes” cannot prove it and those who say “No”, cannot prove either. Everyone is in search of this unseen creator of the Universe.

In Hindu religion, they worship God in five different forms - Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Aakash- which are called PANCHMAHABHUTE. Very early days, even before emergence of civilization, man started worshiping these five Gods. Then they started worshiping the SUN and the MOON. They knew that without Sun or Moon, they cannot survive.  For them Universe was limited to Sun, Moon and Earth. If there is no Sun, there is no light. If there is no light, there is no life.  If there is no Moon, there is no high or low tide in Sea. This indicated that there is a force existing between Sun, Earth and Moon. What is this force?  This force was Force of attraction. Newton saw the apple falling from the tree and realized the gravitational force. It exists. But we do not see it. We see the effect of apple falling on the earth.  Earth is rotating round the Sun and Moon is rotating round the Earth. It is true. But we do not see that we are standing on rotating object. We do not fall. Why do we not fall? What force helps us from not falling? Why there is a day or night? Why on north and South Pole, there is six months daylight or six month dark night? All these questions are answered by science today. Cause is known but the force behind is not seen. How this is created is unknown. If God is the creator of all this, we are in search of this. Science is asking experimental proof of its existence. Similarly, we survive on this Earth. Now we know that Air (Oxygen) and Water is required for survival. These PANCHMAHABHUE is called NATURE (Nisarg). Science talks of Nature. Science finds answer to Cause and Effect of the happenings in the universe.  But God is something beyond the Nature. In Geeta, it is called PRAKRITI which consists of PANCHMAHABHUTE plus MIND, INTELLECT and EGO. Bhagwad-Geeta talks of not only NATURE but explains PRAKRITI. If we understand this then we may understand GOD.

Today, Science is in very advanced stage. The Man has landed on the Moon. We have found water on Mar. We have space shuttle for visiting other planets and we have built the station in the Space for taking a halt. We have number of test tube babies having normal life. We can get artificial rains if it is draught affected area. We have new types of seeds which give desired yield and properties. This means, we are becoming the controller of Nature. Yet, we are no way closer to Creator –The GOD. Our intellect has helped us to understand the Nature. We know about Nature but do not know much about the PRAKRITI.

In Search of God Part 1

In Search of God

(After hearing the Discovery of God Particle)

Dr Narendra S Gangakhedkar

(Part 1)

On 4^th July 2012, Scientists at CERN Geneva declared the discovery of Higgs boson which will help us to understand how the Universe is created. CERN announced the discovery of a new subatomic particle that's consistent with the Higgs boson—a particle that's been searched for since the 1970s. Scientists at CERN believe that Higgs boson is a particle, or set of particles, that might give others mass.

Scientists talk of the Standard Model which describes three of nature's four forces: electromagnetism and the strong and weak nuclear forces. Electromagnetism has been fairly well understood for many decades. Recently, physicists have learned much more about the strong force, which binds the elements of atomic nuclei together, and the weak force, which governs radioactivity and hydrogen fusion (which generates the sun's energy).

British physicist Peter Higgs in the 1960 proposed the theory that a sort of lattice, referred to as the Higgs field, fills the universe. This is something like an electromagnetic field, in that it affects the particles that move through it, but it is also related to the physics of solid materials. Scientists know that when an electron passes through a positively charged crystal lattice of atoms (a solid), the electron's mass can increase as much as 40 times. The same might be true in the Higgs field: a particle moving through it creates a little bit of distortion and that lends mass to the particle. The experimental results at CERN indicate that Higgs boson particle is detected and theory of Higgs field or force exists.

When I read this news of God particle,  some of the stanzas  in” Geetai” struck my mind which deals with existence of God who is the creator of the  Universe.  Geetai is written by Shri Vinoba Bhave in Marathi which is a translation of “Shrimad-Bhagwad Geeta”. I also referred the   English translation by Dr. Ramanada Prasad for better understanding of the creator of the universe – God ( www.gitasociety.com). Discovery of Higgs boson, the God particle created interest in me for the search of God. Based on Shrimad-Bhagwad Geeta, I make my following observations:

 Geeta says

The one who meditates on Brahman as the omniscient, the oldest, the controller, smaller than the smallest (and bigger than the biggest), the sustainer of everything, the inconceivable, the self luminous like the sun, and as transcendental or beyond the material reality; (8.09)

Yes, Higgs boson is “smaller than the smallest particle” having mass 125.3 GeV and 133 times Proton particle. According to scientists, when Higgs force is bombarded on sub-atomic particles, the unknown energy gives rise a mass and a new particle is produced for a short time. There is some unknown, invisible energy which is the cause of getting a mass to a particle.

What is this unknown force or energy? This is inconceivable and the self luminous energy like Sun.

What a parallel thought described in Geeta. Higgs field is a fourth force found by scientists. Is Higgs Field or Force supreme? Is it responsible for creation of the Universe? If answer is yes, we are closer to understanding the God.

Jagadguru Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji’s Anugrahabhashanam stated that “God is everywhere. He is omnipresent; there is no place where He does not exist.” According to him this is the established conclusion of Hindu Sanatana Vaidika Dharma. He further said, “ The God is omnipresent - This is the Truth. God is everywhere, God exists in every particle - this is the Truth”.

The Higgs boson is called the God particle as it will help us to understand the creation of the Universe. If the Creator of the Universe is God, then we are trying to understand the God. Nuclear scientists talk of different forces such as Electromagnetic force, strong and weak forces and now Higgs talk of Higgs force which is responsible for Higgs boson particle.

Geeta mentions:  

This entire universe is pervaded by Me, the unmanifest Brahman. All beings depend on (or remain in) Me. I do not depend on them. (7.12, 9.04)

Here Me or I mean God. It is a unique force responsible for the Universe and it controls the Universe.

 And yet beings, in reality, do not remain in Me. Look at the power of My divine mystery. Though the sustainer and creator of all beings, I do not remain in them. (In reality, the chain does not depend on gold; the chain is nothing but gold. Also, matter and energy are different as well as non-different). (9.05)

It is very clearly stated that matter and energy are different as well as non-different. Higgs field is responsible for Higgs boson particle. But after a very very short time, this particle disappears and may be converted into energy.

Consider that all beings remain in Me (without any contact or without producing any effect) as the mighty wind, moving everywhere, eternally remains in space. (9.06)

 All beings merge into My Prakriti at the end of a Kalpa (or a cycle of 4.32 billion years), O Arjuna, and I create (or manifest) them again at the beginning of the next Kalpa. (9.07)

If creator of the  Universe is a force or energy, it is in some form to be seen. Higgs boson is found but not seen. We see the effect but not the existence. We are not able to see God who is everywhere. We see only the effect.

Interaction of radiation with matter is called  physics. In science, we understood atomic and nuclear particles but we have not seen them. We talk of different energies such as gravitational force, electromagnetic force, Nuclear strong and weak forces, Cosmic rays, X-rays, Gamma rays, Infrared rays, Microwave rays etc., we can’t see them. We see their effect. We understand their existence. We use WI-FI for communication . But we do not see its existence. We see pictures transmitted on our TV, but we can’t see this energy flowing from one form to another. All these forms of energy exist. But we cannot see it in physical form. Similarly, God exists in some form of invisible energy. This is what is explained in Geeta in different stanzas.

                                                                                                            ........................ contd. Part 2   

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 Contact : Dr Narendra S Gangakhedkar - narendra.gangakhedkar@gmail.com