Gayathri Mantra and Science

In a bit of a spiritual mood today. Kindly bear with me

Gayathri is the Supreme Japa Mantra among all Vedic Scripts.

The following article on "Gayatri" was sent to me by a good friend through E-mail. No one can deny the values of this Great asset of Indian Vedic scripts among which

The Gayatri Mantra tops and is most important one for Daily recital as Japam. Now let us see the real values :

Gayatri mantra has been bestowed the greatest importance in Vedic dharma. This mantra has also been termed as Savitri and Veda-Mata, the mother of the Vedas. The literal meaning of the mantra is:

God! You are Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Almighty. You are all Light. You are all Knowledge and Bliss.You are Destroyer of fear; You are Creator of this Universe,You are the Greatest of all. We bow and meditate upon your light.You guide our intellect in the right direction.

The mantra, however, has a great scientific import too, which somehow got lost in the literary tradition.

The modern astrophysics and astronomy tell us that our Galaxy called Milky Way or Akash-Ganga contains approximately 100,000 million of stars. Each star is like our sun having its own planet system. We know that the moon moves round the earth and the earth moves round the sun along with the moon. All planets round the sun.

Each of the above bodies revolves round at its own axis as well. Our sun along with its family takes one round of the galactic center in 22.5 crore years.

All galaxies including ours are moving away at a terrific velocity of 20,000 miles per second. And now the alternative scientific meaning of the mantra step-by-step:

(A) Om bhur bhuvah swah:

Bhur the earth, bhuvah the planets (solar family), swah the Galaxy. We observe that when an ordinary fan with a speed of 900 RPM (rotations Per minute) moves, it makes noise. Then, one can imagine, what great noise would be created when the galaxies move with a speed of 20,000 miles per second.

This is what this portion of the mantra explains that the sound produced due to the fast-moving earth, planets and galaxies is Om. The sound was heard during meditation by Rishi Vishvamitra, who mentioned it too their colleagues. All of them, then unanimously decided to call this sound Om the name of God, because this sound is available in all the three periods of time, hence it is set (permanent). Therefore, it was the first ever-revolutionary idea to identify formless God with a specific title (form) called upadhi. Until that time, everybody recognized God as formless and nobody was prepared to accept this new idea. In the Gita also, it is said, "Omiti ekaksharam Brahma", meaning that the name of the Supreme is Om, which contains only one syllable (8/12). This sound Om heard during samadhi was called by all the seers nada-Brahma a very great noise), but not a noise that is normally beyond a specific amplitude and limits of decibels suited to human hearing. Hence the rishis called this sound Udgith musical sound of the above, i.e., heaven. They also noticed that the infinite mass of galaxies moving with a velocity of 20,000 miles/second was generating a kinetic energy= 1/2MV2 and this was balancing the total energy consumption of the cosmos. Hence they named it Pranavah, which means the body (vapu) or storehouse of energy (prana).

(B) Tat savitur varenyam:

Tat that (God), savitur the sun (star), varenyam worthy of bowing or respect. Once the form of a person along with the name is known to us, we may locate the specific person. Hence the two titles (upadhi) provide the solid ground to identify the formless God, Vishvamitra suggested. He told us that we could know (realize) the unknowable formless God through the known factors, viz., sound Om and light of suns (stars).

A mathematician can solve an equation x2+y2=4; if x=2; then y can be known and so on. An engineer can measure the width of a river even by standing at the riverbank just by drawing a triangle.

So was the scientific method suggested by Vishvamitra in the mantra in the next portion as under: -

(C) Bhargo devasya dheemahi:

Bhargo the light, devasya of the deity, dheemahi we should meditate. The Rishi instructs us to meditate upon the available form (light of suns) to discover the formless Creator (God). Also he wants us to do Japam of the word Om (this is understood in the Mantra). This is how the sage wants us to proceed, but there is a great problem to realize it, as the human mind is so shaky and restless that without the grace of the Supreme (Brahma) it cannot be controlled.

Hence Vishvamitra suggests the way to pray Him as under:

(D) Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat:

Dhiyo (intellect), yo (who), nah (we all), prachodayat (guide to right Direction). O God! Deploy our intellect on the right path. Full scientific interpretation of the Mantra:

The earth (bhur), the planets (bhuvah), and the galaxies (swah) are moving at a very great velocity, the sound produced is Om, (the name of formless God.) That God (tat), who manifests Himself in the form of light of suns (savitur) is worthy of bowing / respect (varenyam). We all, therefore, should meditate (dheemahi) upon the light (bhargo) of that deity (devasya) and also do chanting of Om. May He (yo) guide in right direction (prachodayat) our (nah) intellect dhiyo

So we notice that the important points hinted in the mantra are:-

1) The total kinetic energy generated by the movement galaxies acts as an umbrella and balances the total energy consumption of the cosmos. Hence it was named as the Pranavah (body of energy). This is equal to 1/2 mv2 (Mass of galaxies x velocity)

2) Realizing the great importance of the syllable OM, the other later date religions adopted this word with a slight change in accent, viz., amen and Ameen.

3) The God could be realized through the saguna (gross), upasana (method), i.e.,
(a) by chanting the name of the supreme as OM and(b) by meditating upon the light emitted by stars (suns) .

Managers in the greatest epic

We can see different types of managers in Mahabharata.

Bhishma, Dharmaputra (Yudhisthira), Karna, Abhimanyu, Draupadi and the inimitable Lord Krishna himself are quite a few that come to mind.

Bhishma is the perfect example of an upright manager caught in irreconciliable conflicts who was forced to take wrong decisions by forces beyond his control. With Bhisma, his vow of celibacy (personal ethics) takes precedence over everything else, including the public will. He is not bothered about the chaos that will occur in Hastinapur with no one to inherit the throne. His major concern is that his vow must remain intact. Ethics above everything else. Even prior to the Kurukshetra was, he sided with Kauravas, telling his duty is towards the King and the establishment, even if they are in the wrong. Debatable but appreciable.

Yudhisthira is a shining example of managerial wisdom, though he also was compelled to deviate from his principled stand on practical considerations, faced with a ruthless enemy.

Krishna is the perfect leader-manager who kept his eye on the ball till the desired outcome was achieved. He is highly goal oriented and believer of 'end justifies the means' school of thought.

Draupadi is the classical model of a woman powerhouse who kept others motivated till the goal is achieved. Power of Draupadi and her bloody mindedness is well chronicled.

Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna, is the dare-devil leader without a business-plan of exit. He fought his way into the chakravyuha, but failed to come out and was brutally cornered and killed by Drona and others.

Karna is a tragic example of a manager who fought his way up the ladder but could not keep up with the pressure and tensions and met a tragic end. But he is the perfect number two. His loyalty to Duryodhana is unmatched. He refused the crown offered by Kunthi Devi prior to the war, chosing the loyalty for his friend over power. Karna is a complex combination of Satvik, Rajassik and Tamassik characters manifest in all of us. His satvik quality is visible in his ability to give 'danam' or alms. He never refuses anyone whatever they ask, even at the risk of losing his life. His Rajassik quality is in his ability to fight. The greatest Archer of his time, even better than Arjuna. But he allowed his Tamassik qualities to rule him. Blind loyalty, inability to accept slight and criticism plus a lack of bigger vision for himself. That was the tragedy of Karna.

Epics teach us many things. It is said what is not in management is not in Mahabharatha and vice versa. One only has to look carefully.

Brain or Brawn?

There is an episode in Mahabharatha where Arjunan and Duryodhanan goes to seek the help of Krishna prior to the Kurukshetra war. Seeing both of them together, Krishan gives them an offer. Either take me, but I will not use the weapon but shall be giving advice alone or alternatively take my 10,000 strong army of Yadava warriors who are reknowned for their valour.

Arjunan being the younger of the two was given the first choice. Without hesitating he chose Krishna. Duryodhanan was only too happy to get 10,000 warriors.

From a conventional management angle, it would look, as it did to Duryodhanan, that he got the better deal, for resources are what wins the war in the end.

But one should never underestimate the power of knowledge management and knowledge capital. Krishna epitomises all the knowledge of this world. Also one has to remember that Krishna is a top strategist. He is also a superb crisis manager and a skilled at diplomacy. . A man of his stature is an asset beyond comparison.

Duryodhana was wrong to gloat. He thought that physical might is anyday better than brainpower. He was happy with brawn over brain. Posterity will tell you that Arjuna's decision of choosing Krishna was correct. It was Krishna who through Gita showed the right way to Arjuna prior to the war. It was Krishna who told Yudhishtira to tell a half lie that led to the great man Dronacharya, who was playing havoc with pandava army, keeping down his weapon enabling Drishtadhyumna to kill him. It was he who spotted the flaw in Bhishma and asked Arjunan to have Shikhandi with him in the chariot, knowing that Bhishma wont fight with a eunuch. It was again Krishna who covered the sun with his chakra, creating an illusion of nighfall, when Arjunan was desperate to find and kill Jayadradhan before sunset to keep his vow. Krishna also sent Ghatothkachan to fight Karnan which forced Karnan to use his special spear on him that can be used only once and which he had reserved for Arjunan. This saved Arjunans life. Finally, it was Krishna, who by patting on his thigh indicated to Bhiman to target Duryodhanans thigh in their final duel.

Great leaders are those who make the right decisions. Arjunan made the right choice.

Never underestimate the power of intelligence, knowledge and human capital.

I have always held Krishna as the first Strategic Management Consultant ever. Would you not agree with me?

The Giver should be thankful

I have always held the belief that one should not have any expectations while helping. In fact one should be thankful that he got an opportunity to do good. This philosophy is beautifully brought out in this Zen Story

While Seietsu was the master of Engaku in Kamakura he required larger quarters, since those in which he was teaching were overcrowded. Umeza Seibei a merchant of Edo, decided to donate five hundred pieces of gold called ryo toward the construction of a more commodious school. This money he brought to the teacher.

Seisetsu said: "All right. I will take it."

Umezu gave Seisetsu the sack of gold, but he was dissatisfied with the attitude of the teacher. One might live a whole year on three ryo, and the merchant had not even been thanked for five hundred.

"In that sack are five hundred ryo," hinted Umeza.

"You told me that before," replied Seisetsu.

"Even if I am a wealthy merchant, five hundred ryo is a lot of money," said Umezu.

"Do you want me to thank you for it?" asked Seisetsi.

"You ought to," replied Umeza.

"Why should I?" inquired Seisetsu. "The giver should be thankful."

Is being a passionate teacher worth it?

There are times when one wonders if it is worth being a teacher with a passion.

Three separate incidents, unrelated, made me lose my faith in teaching yesterday.

First - I woke up to see a synopsis from a student for a project which clearly showed a lack of effort expected of a final year MBA student. Since the student was close to a deadline and has twice before not changed his approach despite considerable inputs, I thought it fit to be firm with the student and read him the riot act. Instead of taking it up as a challenge and rising to the occassion, the student chickened out and opted to do the project with another faculty, who in his opinion will be more amenable to the low standards set by him. And I thought studying was about raising ones level all the time. What really hurt was the discourtesy shown by the student in not meeting me personally or to call me over telephone to give a personal explanation. I got my notice of being 'Sacked' as a Project Guide through an E-Mail. So much for respect for a teacher.

Second was a minor one. One of the students called me up to find out (hold on) the 'Publisher''of a particular book. This, when all he had to do was to type the name of the book and author in Google search bar. He was sitting in front of his computer when he called me. In an era where information is available at ones fingertips, it is ridiculous that one wont put in even that tiny little effort. A few strong words from my side resulted in the student visibly sulking when he came to the class in the evening.

If these two were not enough, there was this incident in the class. As part of Strategic Management lecture, I had taken considerable pains to make available to the students top quality case studies photocopied with supporting documents superbly describing how to analyze a Case. This was a virtual gold mine of information. One of the student is being transfered to Dubai and was attending her last session in Kuwait. Remember that she is planning to continue the program in Dubai and hence would have been greatly benefitted by the material. I gave her one set of the documents, but she firmly kept her arms folded and refused to accept it saying she was leaving for Dubai and hence dont feel the need for this. To say I was shocked is an understatment. I could never imagine that any student will refuse a material that may help them in their studies. Silently, I retracted my hand with the paper and with a grim face carried on with my class.

Despite 7 years of teaching MBA students in Kuwait, they continue to throw surprises like the above which saddens me a lot.

Why can't I be like some other teachers who don not give a damn what the student does? Or is it that I am out of touch with reality? Is there any meaning to being a good teacher? Is it worth it?

I can only wonder....................................

Power of Practice

For a change here is a zen story on practice,

A dramatic ballad singer studied under a strict teacher who insisted that he rehearse day after day, month after month the same passage from the same song, without being permitted to go any further.

Finally, overwhelmed by frustration and despair, the young man ran off to find another profession. One night, stopping at an inn, he stumbled upon a recitation contest. Having nothing to lose, he entered the competition and, of course, sang the one passage that he knew so well. When he had finished, the sponsor of the contest highly praised his performance. Despite the student's embarrassed objections, the sponsor refused to believe that he had just heard a beginner perform.

"Tell me," the sponsor said, "who is your instructor? He must be a great master."

The student later became known as the great performer Koshiji.

Are there any democratic institutions out there?

So the Government has won the Trust Vote. I have to admit that I had wished it would lose. Not because it would have stopped the N-Deal (My objection to the N-Deal is in its current version that discriminates India and almost makes us a NPT country through the back door allowing us not to do future tests) but I sincerely believe that this UPA Government has not done much for the country, has been highly indisciplined on the economy front and in short its rule has been a disaster.

One of the hallmarks of the Congress rule is that it systemmatically destroys all Institutions. The communists are accused of not respecting democratic institutions. But in reality it is the Congress that has scant respect for any Institution.

Indira Gandhi has the dubious record of suspending democracy and declaring emergency doing irreparable damage in the process. She brought in the concept of 'Committed Judiciary', whereby Supreme court judges were appointed only based on their ability to give favourable judgement to the Congress party.

Rajiv Gandhi was a honest trier. But the offshoot of his regime was Corruption in high places becoming a norm than an exception. The Bofors scandal compromised the military and people ceased to be shy about accepting bribes. The degradation in moral values post during and post his tenure has been alarming.

Successive Congress Goverment has installed puppets in the Rashtrapathi Bhavan and various Raj Bhavans. Governors were posted based on their ability to subvert democratically elected opposition governments and were invariably trouble making congressmen. Less said about the Presidents, the better. V V Giri, who was annointed by Indira Gandhi was a disaster and he set the trend. Zail Singh, openly said that he will wipe Indira's shoes if required and the culmination was the election of the current President, Pratibha Patil, who is a non entity and who with her spouse are known financial frauds, cheats and swindlers apart from her husband being involved in a murder case.

CBI has been damaged beyond repair. It has been used to settle scores with political opponents and today it has become a laughing stock. The premier investigating agency is in shambles.

T N Seshan did his best to make the election commission independant and give it some teeth. But the situation is dangerous now. With Navin Chawla becoming the Chief Election Commissioner, the Commission has also been compromised. Chawla has a history of being a chamcha of the Gandhi family and has been involved in a major scam in 1970's.

Parliament was the only place not hitherto abused by the Congress party. But Narasimha Rao did his best to destroy that also by bribing JMM to get a majority in 1990s. The wheel has come a full circle. With MPs showing up the Congress and its alliance partners in a Camera for paying bribe to the tune of Rs 1 crore and displaying the notes in the well of the house, we have reached the pits. Add to it, the reluctance of the Congress party to execute Afzal Guru, who was the chief conspirator in engineering the attack on the Parliament in 2003 and you know how much Congress cares for the highest democratic institution.