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Seer Mumbai ATS arrested a self-styled seer Dayanand Pandey, alias Sudhakar Dwivedi alias Swami Amritanand Dev Teerth Maharaj from Kanpur on Thursday, November 13 for his alleged rile in the Malegaon blast. He has floated the Sarvagyapeeth in Jammu and had become a Shankaracharaya own his own. The original Sarvagyapeeth is situated in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. ATS has claimed that Pandey had attended several ‘confidential meetings’ organized by ‘Abhinav Bharat’ in several parts of the country. The conspiracy of Malegaon blasts was hatched during these meetings. According to ATS claims Pandey had played an important roll for arranging logistic and financial support to carry out the bomb blasts. He also had asked Lt-Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit to arrange for explosives to carry out the blasts and had also arranged a meeting between him and prime suspect Ramji in August this year.

Government ATS has claimed that no elected representative has been found involved in the blasts but names of two prominent pro-Hindu leaders have cropped up during the investigation. Till now, 10 persons have been arrested in connection with the Malegaon blasts which involve two army officers and two religious figures. The involvement of the army personal and the seers into the blasts is a serious cause of concern. It also hints at the frustration of a particular community caused by continuous bomb blasts in various parts of the country. Government, instead of taking concrete steps is busy in ‘community appeasement’ in the wake of arrests of some suspected militants.

Politics Instead of handling these sensitive issues with ‘utmost care’ all the national political parties have politicized the issue. It will be one of the major political issues during the next Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. ATS, too, had speeded up to solve the case before the announcement of Lok Sabha elections. If Pragya Thakur and Sudhakar Dwivedi are convicted before the Lok Sabha elections then it will be a big achievement for ‘secular’ parties of India who will then get an issue to target BJP for its Hindutva policy. There will be no astonishment if ATS arrests some people who might have, by chance, passed by Pragya Thakur because it has been given the ‘right’ to do so for the ‘internal security’ of the country.

                     Hindu Terrorist Outfit Behind Malegaon Blast

Bomb Blasts Initial intelligence reports have hinted to the involvement of a right-wing Hindu group in the Malegaon (Mumbai) blasts in the September month of this year. Malegaon is a textile town and most of the population is Muslim. Anti-Terrorist Squad have arrested three persons including a ’sadhvi’ in connection with the blast in which six persons had died.  The names of  the tree arrested persons are Pragnya Singh Chandrapal Singh, 38, Shiv Narayan Gopal Singh Kalsanghra, 36, and Shyam Bhawarlal Sahu, 42. Pragnya is a ’sadhvi’ who had took ’sanyas’ in 2007. A name of an Hindu organization has figured in the investigation which was founded by Pragna. The motorcycle that was used in the bomb blast also belongs to Pragna. Though, the ‘militants’ had tried all efforts to hide the ownership of the vehicle but investigation agency had succeeded in retrieving the engine and the chassis numbers with the help of the forensic department.

Hindu Groups Some months ago two former members of a Hindu organization were found involved in making of low-intensity bombs. But it is the first time that any Hindu Organization has been found involved in carrying out bomb blasts. But involvement of a woman is the most shocking development. It is the new face of the Hindu terror. It is being said that Pragnya is a former member of Durga Vahini, the women wing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad. In recent months communal violence had erupted in many states and in most of the cases fundamental Hindus had targeted the minority communities. In future same kind on incidents can happen. If it happens so then it can’t be denied that the riots will kill scores of people. It is the starting point if the government and the ‘patriotic’ Hindu organizations fail to control the situation in its initial stages then it will be very destructive for the unity of the country and to the fame of the group.

Criminal Elements VHP along with some other Hindu organizations project themselves as ‘patriotic’ groups but the religious touch has always distracted them from the righteous path. In recent years criminal elements have entered these groups who remain always in search of appropriate time to target the minority communities for their personal benefits. Same has happened in Orissa and some other states where Christians were targeted. There are some instances when the attackers had killed even those Hindus who had tried to same the Christian. Such kind of people are not doing any good to their religion, community, state or nation except their personal interests.

Canonization Sister Alphonsa became the first Indian woman Christian Saint when Pope Benedict XVI canonized her along with three other Catholic figures on Sunday in a ceremony which was attended by about 40,000 people. There were thousands of Indian pilgrims who were present at the ceremony. Pope criticized the anti-Christian violence in India and Iraq. It must be learnt that almost 50 Christians have been killed in the anti-Christian violence in the Orissa and some other adjoining states. Sister Alphonsa’s canonization will give a big boost to the morale of minority Indian Christians who are living in relief camps for weeks in a very pathetic condition because of fear of attacks by the violent Hindu mobs. Pope told Indian Pilgrims that Alphonsa’s “heroic virtues of patience, fortitude and perseverance in the midst of deep suffering remind us that God always provides the strength we need to overcome every trial.” His words remark the tough times Indian Christians are going through.

Saints The three others who have been canonized are Ecuadorian Narcisa de Jesus Martillo Moran (1832-1869), Swiss nun Maria Bernarda Buetler (1848-1924) and Italy’s Gaetano Errico (1791-1860). Gaetano Errico was the priest and founder of Missionaries of Sacred Hearts of Jesus while Swiss nun Maria Bernarda Buetler was foundress of the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of Mary Help of Christians and Narcisa de Jesus Martillo was an ordinary Equadorian laywoman who used to help the poor and sick people.

Saint Alphonsa Born on August 19,1910 in Kudamaloor near Kottayam, Alphonsa Muttathupadathu was the daughter of Joseph and Mary. She had died in July 1946 and he canonization process had started 55 years ago. Pope John Paul II had beautified her in 1986 and her name for sainthood was cleared by Pope Benedict in June 2007. numerous miracles are associated with her and her canonization is the recognition of her those miracles. She is the second Indian who has been canonized as the first was the son of an Indian mother and Portuguese father, a Franciscan monk named Gonzalo Garcia. Saint Alphonsa is popularity known as Alphonsamma or Mother Alphonsa in India. Saint Mary’s Church in Kudamaloor and Fraciscan Clarist Convent in Bharananganam are some of the famous places related to her and are the famous pilgrimage destinations.

Controversy Shoib Akhtar for Pakistan, Andrew Symonds for Australia and Harbhajan Singh (Bhajji) for India are the match winning cricket players. But it is not their performance in the International cricket that keeps them in headlines. They always remain in headlines not only for their onfield performance but also for their off field controversies. Shoib Akhtar is out of Pakistan team on disciplinary grounds and same is with Andrew Symonds. But Bhajji too has earned Akal Takhat’s wrath by performing and dancing on a TV show as a demon king Ravana. He had dressed as Ravana and was wearing a tilak when he danced with Mona Singh (actress) in the television show, “Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena”.

Sikh Tradition Sikhs have a unique a identity and a lot of importance is given to preserve it. It is the Sikh history that thousands of Sikhs had sacrificed to preserve their identity under the Mugul and British rule. Bhajji’s act of dressing like the demon king and wearing a tilak is highly objectionable to the community. He has hurt the Sikh sentiments Akal Takhat has ordered him to apologizer to Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh Sangat for the objectionable act. It must be learnt that Akal Takhat is the oldest and supreme Sikh Body that is elected by the Sikhs, democratically. Akal Takhat’s Hukamnamas (orders) are respected by the Sikhs as the orders of their Guru.

Sikh Sentiments Though no one have complained against him but Akal Takhat has taken the notice of the act and have taken the action. Internationally, he is recognized as a Sikh player and his act have sent wrong messages about the Sikhism. He had taken part in the TV show during the navratras. Navratras are the nine day festival season after which the tenth day is celebrated as Vijay Dashmi. It means goods victory over evil. According to the Hindu mythology Lord Rama had killed the Demon king Ravana on this day. Despite physical identity there is not enough difference between the Sikh and Hindu religious teachings. Sikhs too, give a lot of importance to Lord Rama. Thus Akal Takhat’s stand against Bhajji is natural. Some months ago cricket commentator Mandira Badi had used the Sikh religious symbol “Ek Omkar” on here body as a tattoo and had to apologize for the act.

Suspension of Agitation Normalcy has returned to Jammu region after the Sri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS) suspended more than two months’ old agitation  . SAYSS took the the decision of suspending the agitation after it reached an agreement with the four member panel appointed by the J&K Governor NN Vohra. Both the parties reached an agreement after seven-hour long discussions in the fourth round of the talks.

Agreement According to the agreement Sri Amarnath Shrine Board headed by Governor will be responsible for the overall arrangements for the pilgrimage on both of the routes. It will be the responsibility of the board to construct prefabricated huts and toilets for the pilgrims. Board will also manage the facilities for the shopkeepers, ponywalla’s and pithuwalla’s , setting up of free langars by private persons, parking of vehicles and security. It will also take steps for preservation of ecology and land protection and conservation.

According to the agreement the proprietary status/ownership/title of the land will remain with the owner and the land will be used by the Board only for the duration of the yatra. It will also include the time of setting up of facilities and and then winding them up. However, nothing has been said about the period the yatra. One government official on condition of anonymity said that it is not the part of the agreement as its  exclusive right is with the board. It is Board that decides the duration of the yatra as it largely depends on weather conditions

.However, pilgrimage period will not exceed two months.

Demands Samiti had demanded withdrawal of criminal cases against agitators, compensation to the families of the deceased and injured and compensation to the traders and other business establishments that suffered huge losses during the agitations. Government agreed to withdraw the bailable non-serious nature cases against the agitators and remaining cases will be reviewed within 60 days by a committee headed by principal secretary. Except it Governor would form a committee that will look into the compensation related demands. It will send a report to the central government to provide financial support to compensate the losses suffered by the traders and business establishments within the time of two months.

Breach Sant Baba Sukhjeet Singh Seechewal, who is world famous environmentalist for o his Kali Bain cleansing efforts once again has hit the headlines. This time he has accomplished the task of plugging the breach in Sutluj river at the Kaalu Mandi Village of Jalandhar district of the state of Punjab. This breach had happened in the river because of the increased flow of water on the midnight of August 15. More than 30 villages had been submerged in the water which had forced the local population to shift to the safer places. It had damaged the crop on thousands of acres.

Task State government was yet to initiate the process of plugging the breach. State Drainage Department had claimed that it take the minimum time of ten days to accomplish the task. But Baba  Sukhjeet Singh Seechewal and Baba Kashmira Singh came to the rescue of the distressed people. They accomplished the task of plugging the breach by creating a 400-feet ring ‘bandh’ just in the period of three and a half day with the help of villagers and volunteers of religious deras. More than one lakh sand bags were used to plug the breach. Bhakra-Beas Management Board(BBMB), that controls most of the dams in north Indian, had already warned the government of increase in water release  because of the rise in water level in Bhakra Dam. Anticipating the possibilities, volunteers have decided to raise the height of the bandh by 4 feet.

Tradition Sikh Saints as well as religious bodies have always helped the people whenever any natural calamity happens. It is just a single example. Whether it was earthquakes in Gujarat, Kashmir or natural calamity in Florida, Sikh organizations have always  helped the affected people . Sant Seechewal’s this step is the example of the prevailant tradition in Sikhism. But It has also shown the way to the society to effectively handle the critical situations. He just motivated the people and the work was done by  their selves. Though it was the responsibility of the state government but some times involvement of general population becomes necessary. 

Move After the gap of more than 20 years Congress has again started to interfere into the political matters of Sikhism. This time it is the Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who is spearheading the conspiracy to break up the supreme and elected Sikh religious institution, the Shiromani Gurdwara Panbandhak Committee(SGPC). He has initiates a process for the formation of a separate Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Pabandhak Committee(HSGPC). His move has hotted up a war of words between various Sikh groups. Radical Sikhs have termed the move lead by the Haryana CM as Congress’ old policy of dividing the Sikhs. Congress had promised to constitute a separate Sikh body to look after the Sikh shrines in the state in its manifesto during the last assembly elections. But it is being considered as an attempt to gain control over the religious matters of Sikhs. Hooda has gone ahead to fulfill his political promise but he has underestimated the damage that can be caused by this issue to the unity of Sikhism as well as India.

Political Blunder It must be learn that same kind of error had been committed by the former Prime Minister and Congress Chief late Ms Indira Gandhi that had become a major threat to the unity of the country and had created a wide rift between the Hindus Muslims. She had tired to use Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawala to take control of SGPC which result into the biggest political blunder of her life. Operation Blue Star, murder of Ms Indira Gandhi, Sikh killings in Delhi and militancy in Punjab was the result of the move.

Punjab CM Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Prakash Singh Badal has met Prime Minister Sardar Manmohan Singh on Friday and requested him to intervene into the matter before the situation becomes a national crisis.

Badals

As for as the SGPC is concerned, it has lost its commands over Sikhs. Sikh faith in SGPC has been shaken because it is being controlled by Badal supporters for many years. It has become only a political body as it is evident from the frequent changes of SGPC Jathedars(SGPC heads). Who ever raised voice against the corruption prevalent in the ’supreme and elected religious Sikh body’ or the dominance of ‘Badals’ he is overthrown from the post. Some critics say that Badals have gained undemocratic control over the functioning of SGPC. To what extent these remarks are correct everyone, who believes in Sikhism, knows well.

Sant Sri Aasaram Bapu is one of the most famous saints in India to whom his followers call ‘Bapyji’. Under the guidance of Sant Sri Aasaram Bapu followers participate in spiritual and social activities. Bapu has spread the message of Vedas, Bhakti Gyan and Karma Yoga throughout whole of the world. Bapuji and his followers have started and actively participated in many social welfare and relief works whenever there was any kind of natural calamity. Bapuji has established many educational institutions in which education is given to the children and the youths according to the Vedas and Upanishads

Childhood Bapu’s childhood name was Asumal. He was born to a wealthy family on 17 November 1941 in the village named Berani of the Nawab district of Sindh state of undivided India. Ansuman was very much influenced by the stories of Hindu scriptures that his mother used to narrate and that later on proved to be the guiding force that led him towards spirituality. During his student days he used to be a brilliant boy with a sharp memory. He used to meditate when other children of his age used to play in the free time. After the partition of India their family migrated from Sindh to Maninagar of the district of Gujarat. Asumal soon realized that the school education was only meant to make the students able enough so that they can earn their livelihood. Though he continued his studies but whenever he got free time he used to meditate at some lonely place.

Religious Life He had to discontinue his studies and to take the responsibility of his family along with his elder brother after the death of his father. Death of his father intensified his yearning for the attainment of ultimate truth. He was married to Lakshmi Devi dispite all his resistance. He joined a Sanskrit school to understand the Hindu scriptures properly. He left his home with the burning desire of attaining God. Swami Sri Lilashahji Maharan accepted him as his disciple and after many tests asked him to go home and continue his quest at home. But instead of going home he went to the bank of Narmada where he meditated for many days. He remained in solitude for seven years after the blessings Swami Sri Lilashahji Maharan who had transformed him into Asaram Bapu.

Bapu entered the family life according to the orders of his Guru. He chose Motera village to live which in a very short span of time became a spiritual center.

Festival The famous festival of Puri Rath Yatra (Chariots of Lord Jagannatha) is celebrated every year at the sacred coastal town of Puri, in the state of Orrisa. It is one of the biggest festivals during the monsoon season. According to the Indian solar calendar, it falls two days after the new moon day of the month of Asadh. This annual festival commemorates the journey of Krishna from Gokul to Mathura. It also symbolizes a journey to light from the dark. Throughout whole of the year all the deities Jagannath (Krishna), Baladeva and Subhadra remain inside the temple but on the day of the Rath festival they are taken through the streets so that everyone can have the fortune of seeing them.

Chariots Three richly decorated gigantic chariots, resembling the 12th century Jagannath temple in shape are pulled through the streets of Puri. On the day of journey the three chariots the Lord Jagannath’s yellow coloured Nandighosa, Balabhadra’s blue colored Taladwaja and Subhadra’s Deviratha are lined up in front of the temple and then the deities are brought on to their respective Chariots. Once the king of Puri the living symbol of Lord Jagannath sweeps the chariots with scented water and golden broom, the pilgrims lined up with the rope pull the chariots on the Badadanda to Gundicha Ghar which is situated at a distance of 2 km from their temple. Since non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the Jagannath temple it is the only day when non-Hindu devotees get their glimpse of the deities. A spiritual ambience pervades the whole scene as bells chime; conch shells blow and the saffron robed sadhus dance with abandon. It is fascinating to watch the delirious masses paying homage to the Lord as the chariots move on almost as if propelled by a divine force.

Procession The procession is led by Balabhadra’s chariot, followed by Subhadra,s with the Lord Jagannath’s bringing up the rear, dragged by about 4000 honored devotees to their garden house, the Gundicha Ghar. On the way deities are treated to special Cake, Podapitha offered at the shrine of goddess Aradhamsini (aunt) of Lord Jagannath. Once the chariots reach Gundicha Ghar of Mandir, the deities give darshan to devotees every day. After a rest of 8 days, they return to Jagannath Temple with a similar procession. Every year new chariots are constructed to rigid specifications of make laid down in temple’s ancient manuals. Millions of devotees, from all over the country and abroad, pay homage to the Lord as the chariots.

Controversy Shiv Sena supremo created another controversy on Wednesday by advocating the creation of “Hindu suicide squads” to take on the Islamic extremists. Thackeray’s remarks in the party mouthpiece ‘Saamne’ have appeared after the arrest of members of a Hindu religious sect for their involvement in setting of explosives in a play house where a Marathi drama was played. Thackeray hailed their spirit but criticized the bomb makers saying that their act resulted in injuring seven Hindus.” When I heard of Hindu’s making bombs, I was happy but the fact that there were used to injure Hindus made me feel ashamed of them” (Saamne).

Remarks Both the arrested persons were the members of an organization named Hindu Jangruti Samiti. They had planted the bombs to protest the portrayal of Hindus in the Marathi play and in opposition of the Hindi movie ‘Jodha Akbar’. Thackeray hailed the bomb makers by saying,” The only way Islamic terror can be tackled was by unleashing Hindu terror. Hindu society can be assured safety only by setting up Hindu suicide squads”. He said that “The threat of Islamic terror in India is rising. It is time to counter the same with Hindu terror. Hindu suicide squads should be readied to ensure existence of Hindu society and to protect the nation” (Saamne).

Criticism His remarks immediately drew sharp criticism from the BJP, Congress and RSS. BJP Vice President Venkaiah said that people cannot take law into their hands. RSS reacted by saying that Hindu scriptures did not endorse terrorist activities. CPI reacted by saying that Mr. Thackeray should not attempt to instigate communal strife.

Public View Shiv Sena has its base in Maharashtra that it is slowly and steadily loosing.  It is history of Bal Thackeray & Company to create controversies. If the way suggested by him is followed by the Hindus then Indian will become a terrorist state. Militants are only militants they neither can become religious persons nor patriots.  By making such remarks he is just trying to woo his Hindu voters. Shiv Sena is loosing its ground because of its religion based policies. Terrorism is not only a political problem. Social and economic problems also force some people to choose the way that leads them nowhere. Such People can be brought to the main stream even without the use of force. Such kind of remarks, only divide the people and harm the religious harmony. We don’t need such kind of ’squads’ as we have security forces and police to defend the country from external and internal threats.

Pilgrimage Amarnath Yatra is organized every year by the J&K government during the month of shravan (July and August).there is not any fixed date for the start of the Pilgrimage. The starting date of the pilgrimage varies every year as it is set according to the Poornima (Rakhsha Bandan)in the month of Sharavan and the weather conditions.

Destination Amarnath cave is one of the oldest temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated almost at the height of   3888 m from the sea level. It is about 150 feet high and 90 feet long and about 145 east of Srinagar in Kashmir. It is one of of the popular most popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus and more than 50,0000 devotees visit the holy cave during the month of the Sharavan. The cave opens only in July and August.

Problems It is the Rainy season so the pilgrims have to face the uncertain and unpredictable weather conditions. The trek the most arduous way to reach their destination, the holy Amarnath Cave. Though the original pilgrimage subscribes that the Yatra be undertaken from Srinagar but most of he people prefer to start their journey from Chandanwadi to the Cave and come back in five days. Except the uncertain weather conditions they also brave the militant threats that has always dared to disrupt the Yatra.

Belief According to the Hindu mythology Amarnath is the cave where Lord Shiva had narrated the secret of immortality to Goddess Parvati. It is said that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati during their journey to Amarnath, left all they have in the way to ensure that no one listened to the secret. But  a pair of doves eavesdropped on the conversion and learned the secret so they are reborn again and again. It is said they had made the cave their eternal abode. Many pilgrims report seeing the pair of doves .

Lingams Pilgrims trek the arduous route to pay obeisance before the ice-Lingam. The Shiva Lingam is a natural formation of ice stalagmite in the form of Lingam. Shiva Lingam grows and shrinks with the phases of the moon. By its side are two more ice formations that represent Parvati and Ganesh. People here have a face to face communion with the gods.

For pilgrims it is a soul stirring journey during which one experiences a higher state of spirituality.

The Fatwa On Saturday, Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband issued a fatwa describing any kind of violence that breaches peace or killing of innocent persons as ‘most inhuman crimes’. Earlier in February, for the first time ever Darul Uloom Deoband and its political arm Jamiat-i-Hind had denounced terrorism as un-islamic but had not issued any fatwa. This is first time ever that the Islamic seminary has issued a fatwa asserting that “Islam rejects all kinds of unjust violence, breach of peace, bloodshed, murder and 

plunder and does not allow it in any form”

Anti-Terrorism Conference A day after the fatwa an anti- terrorism conference, under the Jama Masjid United Forum, was organized by Muslim organ izations in New Delhi on Sunday. In the conference, attended by representatives of various religions and political figures, terrorist violence was denounced as un-Islamic. Everyone opposed the state sport to

terrorism. In the statement, religious terrorism was condemned as per the formulation of the ex-super cop K P Gill that “a terrorist person cannot be a religious person and a religious

person cannot be a terrorist

Religion never supports Terrorism This is first time that a Muslim religious body has condemned the terrorism in all it forms and has issued a fatwa against it. This is the clear

sign of the changing tides. India has always remained the victim of terrorism. Whether it was Punjab or is Kashmir Terrorists have used religion as their most powerful weapon. As east is famous for its religious mysticism people usually get misguided by misinterpretations of the religious teachings. Whether it is Kashmir Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Iraq Terrorism is linked to a religion, some people with their vested interests are using the religion to fulfill their lusts for power. It looks as if the entire world has arisen against one religion but that is not true. The world is not against the religion but against the terrorism in disguise. It is not the religion that instigates the people to indulge in violence but the wrong interpretation of the religious teachings.

Terrorism a Global Threat Terrorism is not a threat to a specific country or reason it has emerged as the threat to whole world , even a threat to the existence of mankind To tackle the menace, the whole mankind will have to fight a war against it with its full might .It is not the responsibility of the governments but It is also the responsibility of the religious figures to guide their ‘flock’ so that they can be able enough to differentiate between the real meaning of the religious teachings and their misuse. Darul Uloom Deoband has chosen the most righteous

path, we hope the others will follow the same, sooner of later

Vedas are considered to be the main source of all learning and knowledge in the world. Vedas are not written by any human being, so is Hindu Dharma.     Both of them are not created by any individual. The Vedas are articulated by the GOD. Vedas are the synonyms of the learning, science and knowledge. One must understand the Vedangs before studying the Vedas.  And if any one goes through the Vedas   without   studying Vedang, he would commit the blunder and get nothing. He would jump in the web of ignorance and baffled.  Vedang are six in number. They are as follows: -   

1. Shiksha (Education)
2. Kalp (The procedure for performing religious rituals)
3. Nirukat (Articulation of words, explanation and analysis)
4. Vayakaran (Grammar)
5. Chhand  ( Verses)
6. The Joyotish (Astrology)

  Astrology is the study of planets, zodiac and constellation in galaxy and how they affect the human-beings on the earth. The Indian Astrology has mainly three branches-                                                                                                     Sidandta (Astronomy)                                                                                                          Samhita (Mundane Astrology)                                                                                              Hora or Jatak (Natal Astrology)                                                                                    Sidandta (Astronomy) is the study of mathematical calculation of the movement of the planets; moon, angles, eclipse etc. and the rest of the two are the application of   (Sidandta) astronomy. Our Ancient Rishis (Masters of the Astrology) had done an excellent work and presented eighteen different doctrines before the birth of Christ. Varhamihir the well known astrologer and mathematician   of ancient India expressed his views only on five doctrines. Surya (Sun) Sidandta is the most accurate and nearer to the mathematical calculation of the modern world.  The second important part of the astrology is mundane astrology which is used for predicting natural phenomena e.g. Rains, Earthquake, Changes in climate, Famines, Political changes, Economic changes, Relation between countries, War and Peace . The books are known as Samhita e.g. Narad Sanhita, Garg Sanhita. The third most important part of this subject is Natal Astrology. It is the most popular branch of the astrology. It studies the affect of the planets and constellation on the native e.g. Education, offspring, Profession, Family, Pleasure, Sorrow, Development, Decline and Health etc. The word “Hora” and “Jatak” comes in the end with title e.g. Jatak-Parijatak, Brihtjatak, and Brihad-Parashar Hora Shastra etc.So they are called Jatak Granth (native). In this branch of astrology, Horoscope of the native is made with the help of the date of birth, place of birth and time of birth and then the prediction is made. The rule of the calculation to make a Horoscope is entirely different and the rule of the forecast is different. Horoscope is the detail explanation of the destiny of the native which presents what the native did in his/her lasts births and he/she can rectify with the Karmas (The World famous Indian philosophy established by Lord Krishna In Bhagvat Gita 5200 years before in the battle of Mahabhart fought in Kurukeshtra now declared a holy city in India) and improve his/her present and future. I t is very important to learn that Karmas (Deeds/ Act) makes destiny and the astrology gives the opportunity to analysis.

It is a science deals with the studies of the extraterrestrial objects and phenomena. Some eminent Astrologer and Astronomer of ancient India are-

1. Maharishi Parashara
2. Rishiputra
3. Arya Bhatta-I
4. Lallacharya
5. Varahmihir
6. Kalyan Verma
7. Bhaskracharya
8. Dhundiraj

We use terrestrial sphere and celestial sphere both in the study of astrology.

In Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh, there is one place where printing press works overtime. The only task this press does is to roil Hindu spiritual literature. From Ramayan to Mahabharata, SrimadBhagwat Geeta to Puranas coupled with children books like panchtantra and Badon ke jeevan se shiksha. Yes, we are talking about GEETA PRESS- country’s most trusted and authentic source for ancient scriptures.

This press was set up almost 90 years back. Till date it has produced more than 6.5 crore copies of GITA and RAMCHARITMANAS. Surprisingly, it is still not able to meet the demand from readers. This press runs its monthly magazine KALYAN which was started in 1927. It is a platform to promote moral and social values of Hindu society. This magazine is famous for its special issues which publishes original Hindu Scriptures along with a Hindi translation.

This press is responsible for evolving a completely new book culture in the world. Its popularity spans the entire country. You often might have come across one of its stalls if you have ever travelled through Indian Railways. On every big station, Geeta press has its stall. The maximum price it charges for the book is Rs 1350 where as the cheapest book it sell is that of Rs 1.00.

It also has given faces to Indian deities. Though some critics do not agree with what it has presented in its illustrations, however one may not deny the fact that there are more than 2500 such illustrations which are now considered as holy by a common man. It was Gita press which for the first time translated the Puranas like Garun, Koorm, Waman and Vishnu and circulated them through its magazine.In the year 1920, followers of Seth Jai Dayal Goyandka, a Geeta preacher, suggested the publication of his interpretations. The Vanik Press in Kolkata did so however the version was full of mistakes. Goyandka was dismayed and started thinking about setting up his own press. Ghan Shayam Jalan, one of his pupils suggested setting one in Gorakhpur itself, which is where Gita press was first set up on April 29, 1923.

Click on the title to listen and watch Hey Ram by Jagjit Singh, one of the great spiritual songs. It’s always a great experience when you have so many different religions in one country. You can listen to great spiritual songs and share your thoughts with everyone.