संस्कार

हिन्दू धर्म भारत का सर्वप्रमुख धर्म है। इसमें पवित्र सोलह संस्कार संपन्न किए जाते हैं। हिंदू धर्म की प्राचीनता एवं विशालता के कारण ही उसे 'सनातन धर्म' भी कहा जाता है। बौद्ध, जैन, ईसाई, इस्लाम आदि धर्मों के समान हिन्दू धर्म किसी भी व्यक्ति विशेष द्वारा स्थापित किया गया धर्म नहीं, बल्कि प्राचीन काल से चले आ रहे विभिन्न धर्मों एवं आस्थाओं का बड़ा समुच्चय है। महर्षि वेदव्यास के अनुसार मनुष्य के जन्म से लेकर मृत्यु तक पवित्र सोलह संस्कार संपन्न किए जाते हैं। जो निम्नानुसार है :- 

1. गर्भाधान : 

गर्भाधान संस्कार महर्षि चरक ने कहा है कि मन का प्रसन्न और पुष्ट रहना गर्भधारण के लिए आश्यक है इसलिए स्त्री एवं पुरुष को हमेशा उत्तर भोजन करना चाहिए और सदा प्रसन्नचित्त रहना चाहिए। गर्भ की उत्पत्ति के समय स्त्री और पुरुष का मन उत्साह, प्रसन्नता और स्वस्थ्यता से भरा होना चाहिए। उत्तम संतान प्राप्त करने के लिए सबसे पहले गर्भाधान-संस्कार करना होता है। माता-पिता के रज एवं वीर्य के संयोग से संतानोत्पत्ति होती है। यह संयोग ही गर्भाधान कहलाता है। स्त्री और पुरुष के शारीरिक मिलन को गर्भाधान-संस्कार कहा जाता है।  गर्भस्थापन के बाद अनेक प्रकार के प्राकृतिक दोषों के आक्रमण होते हैं, जिनसे बचने के लिए यह संस्कार किया जाता है। जिससे गर्भ सुरक्षित रहता है। विधिपूर्वक संस्कार से युक्त गर्भाधान से अच्छी और सुयोग्य संतान उत्पन्न होती है। 

 2. पुंसवन :  

पुंसवन संस्कार तीन महीने के पश्चात इसलिए आयोजित किया जाता है क्योंकि गर्भ में तीन महीने के पश्चात गर्भस्थ शिशु का मस्तिष्क विकसित होने लगता है। इस समय पुंसवन संस्कार के द्वारा गर्भ में पल रहे शिशु के संस्कारों की नींव रखी जाती है। मान्यता के अनुसार शिशु गर्भ में सीखना शुरू कर देता है, इसका उदाहरण है अभिमन्यु जिसने माता द्रौपदी के गर्भ में ही चक्रव्यूह की शिक्षा प्राप्त कर ली थी।      

गर्भ पूजन के लिए गर्भिणी के घर परिवार के सभी वयस्क परिजनों के हाथ में अक्षत, पुष्प आदि दिये जाएँ । मन्त्र बोला जाए । मंत्र समाप्ति पर एक तश्तरी में एकत्रित करके गर्भिणी को दिया जाए । वह उसे पेट से स्पर्श करके रख दे । भावना की जाए, गर्भस्थ शिशु को सद्भाव और देव अनुग्रह का लाभ देने के लिए पूजन किया जा रहा है । गर्भिणी उसे स्वीकार करके गर्भ को वह लाभ पहुँचाने में सहयोग कर रही है ।

ॐ सुपर्णोऽसि गरुत्माँस्त्रिवृत्ते शिरो, गायत्रं चक्षुबरृहद्रथन्तरे पक्षौ । स्तोमऽआत्मा छन्दा स्यङ्गानि यजूषि नाम । साम ते तनूर्वामदेव्यं, यज्ञायज्ञियं पुच्छं धिष्ण्याः शफाः । सुपर्णोऽसि गरुत्मान् दिवं गच्छ स्वःपत॥

3. सीमंतोन्नायन :

सीमंतोन्नायन संस्कार गर्भ के चौथे, छठवें और आठवें महीने में किया जाता है। इस समय गर्भ में पल रहा बच्चा सीखने के काबिल हो जाता है। उसमें अच्छे गुण, स्वभाव और कर्म का ज्ञान आए, इसके लिए मां उसी प्रकार आचार-विचार, रहन-सहन और व्यवहार करती है। इस दौरान शांत और प्रसन्नचित्त रहकर माता को अध्ययन करना चाहिए। 

4. जातक्रम : 

बालक का जन्म होते ही जातकर्म संस्कार को करने से शिशु के कई प्रकार के दोष दूर होते हैं। इसके अंतर्गत शिशु को शहद और घी चटाया जाता है साथ ही वैदिक मंत्रों का उच्चारण किया जाता है ताकि बच्चा स्वस्थ और दीर्घायु हो। 

5. नामकरण : 

जातकर्म के बाद नामकरण संस्कार किया जाता है। जैसे की इसके नाम से ‍ही विदित होता है कि इसमें बालक का नाम रखा जाता है। शिशु के जन्म के बाद 11वें दिन नामकरण संस्कार किया जाता है। ज्योतिष शास्त्र के अनुसार बच्चे का नाम तय किया जाता है। बहुत से लोगों अपने बच्चे का नाम कुछ भी रख देते हैं जो कि गलत है। उसकी मानसिकता और उसके भविष्य पर इसका असर पड़ता है। जैसे अच्छे कपड़े पहने से व्यक्तित्व में निखार आता है उसी तरह अच्छा और सारगर्भित नाम रखने से संपूर्ण जीवन पर उसका प्रभाव पड़ता है। ध्यान रखने की बात यह है कि बालक का नाम ऐसा रखें कि घर और बाहर उसे उसी नाम से पुकारा या जाना जाए। 

6. निष्क्रमण : 

इसके बाद जन्म के चौधे माह में निष्क्रमण संस्कार किया जाता है। निष्क्रमण का अर्थ होता है बाहर निकालना। हमारा शरीर पृथ्वी, जल, अग्नि, वायु और आकाश आदि से बना है जिन्हें पंचभूत कहा जाता है। इसलिए पिता इन देवताओं से बच्चे के कल्याण की प्रार्थना करते हैं। साथ ही कामना करते हैं कि शिशु दीर्घायु रहे और स्वस्थ रहे। 

7. अन्नप्राशन : 

अन्नप्राशन संस्कार संस्कार बच्चे के दांत निकलने के समय अर्थात 6-7 महीने की उम्र में किया जाता है। इस संस्कार के बाद बच्चे को अन्न खिलाने की शुरुआत हो जाती है। प्रारंभ में उत्तम प्रकार से बना अन्न जैसे खीर, खिचड़ी, भात आदि दिया जाता है।  

8. चूड़ाकर्म : 

सिर के बाल जब प्रथम बार उतारे जाते हैं, तब वह चूड़ाकर्म या मुण्डन संस्कार कहलाता है। जब शिशु की आयु एक वर्ष हो जाती है तब या तीन वर्ष की आयु में या पांचवें या सातवें वर्ष की आयु में बच्चे के बाल उतारे जाते हैं। इस संस्कार से बच्चे का सिर मजबूत होता है तथा बुद्धि तेज होती है। साथ ही शिशु के बालों में चिपके कीटाणु नष्ट होते हैं जिससे शिशु को स्वास्थ्य लाभ प्राप्त होता है। मान्यता है गर्भ से बाहर आने के बाद बालक के सिर पर माता-पिता के दिए बाल ही रहते हैं। इन्हें काटने से शुद्धि होती है।  

9. कर्णवेध : 

कर्णवेध संस्कार का अर्थ होता है कान को छेदना। इसके पांच कारण हैं, एक- आभूषण पहनने के लिए। दूसरा- कान छेदने से ज्योतिषानुसार राहु और केतु के बुरे प्रभाव बंद हो जाते हैं। तीसरा इसे एक्यूपंक्चर होता जिससे मस्तिष्क तक जाने वाली नसों में रक्त का प्रवाह ठीक होने लगता है। चौथा इससे श्रवण शक्ति बढ़ती है और कई रोगों की रोकथाम हो जाती है। पांचवां इससे यौन इंद्रियां पुष्ट होती है। 

हमारे मनीषियों ने सभी संस्कारों को वैज्ञानिक कसौटी पर कसने के बाद ही प्रारम्भ किया है। कर्णवेध संस्कार का आधार बिल्कुल वैज्ञानिक है। बालक की शारीरिक व्याधि से रक्षा ही इस संस्कार का मूल उद्देश्य है। प्रकृति प्रदत्त इस शरीर के सारे अंग महत्वपूर्ण हैं। कान हमारे श्रवण द्वार हैं। कर्ण वेधन से व्याधियां दूर होती हैं तथा श्रवण शक्ति भी बढ़ती है। इसके साथ ही कानों में आभूषण हमारे सौन्दर्य बोध का परिचायक भी है।

यज्ञोपवीत के पूर्व इस संस्कार को करने का विधान है। ज्योतिष शास्त्र के अनुसार शुक्ल पक्ष के शुभ मुहूर्त में इस संस्कार का सम्पादन श्रेयस्कर है।

10. यज्ञोपवीत : 

यज्ञोपवित को उपनय या जनेऊ संस्कार भी कहते हैं। प्रत्येक हिन्दू को यह संस्कार करना चाहिए। उप यानी पास और नयन यानी ले जाना। गुरु के पास ले जाने का अर्थ है उपनयन संस्कार। आज भी यह परंपरा है। जनेऊ यानि यज्ञोपवित में तीन सूत्र होते हैं। ये तीन देवता- ब्रह्मा, विष्णु, महेश के प्रतीक हैं। इस संस्कार से शिशु को बल, ऊर्जा और तेज प्राप्त होता है। साथ ही उसमें आध्यात्मिक भाव जागृत होता है।
यज्ञोपवीत (संस्कृत संधि विच्छेद= यज्ञ+उपवीत) शब्द के दो अर्थ हैं-उपनयन संस्कार जिसमें जनेऊ पहना जाता है । मुंडन और पवित्र जल में स्नान भी इस संस्कार के अंग होते हैं।

सूत से बना वह पवित्र धागा जिसे यज्ञोपवीतधारी व्यक्ति बाएँ कंधे के ऊपर तथा दाईं भुजा के नीचे पहनता है। यज्ञ द्वारा संस्कार किया गया उपवीत, यज्ञसूत्र l

यज्ञोपवीत एक विशिष्ट सूत्र को विशेष विधि से ग्रन्थित करके बनाया जाता है। इसमें सात ग्रन्थियां लगायी जाती हैं । ब्राम्हणों के यज्ञोपवीत में ब्रह्मग्रंथि होती है। तीन सूत्रों वाले इस यज्ञोपवीत को गुरु दीक्षा के बाद हमेशा धारण किया जाता है। तीन सूत्र हिंदू त्रिमूर्ति ब्रह्मा, विष्णु और महेश के प्रतीक होते हैं। अपवित्र होने पर यज्ञोपवीत बदल लिया जाता है। बिना यज्ञोपवीत धारण कये अन्न जल गृहण नहीं किया जाता। यज्ञोपवीत धारण करने का मन्त्र है –

यज्ञोपवीतं परमं पवित्रं प्रजापतेर्यत्सहजं पुरस्तात् ।आयुष्यमग्रं प्रतिमुञ्च शुभ्रं यज्ञोपवीतं बलमस्तु तेजः।। 

11. वेदारंभ : 

इसके अंतर्गत व्यक्ति को वेदों का ज्ञान दिया जाता है। 

ज्ञानार्जन से सम्बन्धित है यह संस्कार। वेद का अर्थ होता है ज्ञान और वेदारम्भ के माध्यम से बालक अब ज्ञान को अपने अन्दर समाविष्ट करना शुरू करे यही अभिप्राय है इस संस्कार का। शास्त्रों में ज्ञान से बढ़कर दूसरा कोई प्रकाश नहीं समझा गया है। स्पष्ट है कि प्राचीन काल में यह संस्कार मनुष्य के जीवन में विशेष महत्व रखता था। यज्ञोपवीत के बाद बालकों को वेदों का अध्ययन एवं विशिष्ट ज्ञान से परिचित होने के लिये योग्य आचार्यो के पास गुरुकुलों में भेजा जाता था। वेदारम्भ से पहले आचार्य अपने शिष्यों को ब्रह्मचर्य व्रत कापालन करने एवं संयमित जीवन जीने की प्रतिज्ञा कराते थे तथा उसकी परीक्षा लेने के बाद ही वेदाध्ययन कराते थे। असंयमित जीवन जीने वाले वेदाध्ययन के अधिकारी नहीं माने जाते थे। हमारे चारों वेद ज्ञान के अक्षुण्ण भंडार हैं।

12. केशांत : 

केशांत का अर्थ है बालों का अंत करना, उन्हें समाप्त करना। विद्या अध्ययन से पूर्व भी केशांत या कहें कि मुंडल किया जाता है। शिक्षा प्राप्ति के पहले शुद्धि जरूरी है, ताकि मस्तिष्क ठीक दिशा में काम करें। प्राचीनकाल में गुरुकुल से शिक्षा प्राप्ति के बाद भी केशांत संस्कार किया जाता था। 

13. समावर्तन : 

समावर्तन संस्कार अर्थ है फिर से लौटना। आश्रम या गुरुकुल से शिक्षा प्राप्ति के बाद व्यक्ति को फिर से समाज में लाने के लिए यह संस्कार किया जाता था। इसका आशय है ब्रह्मचारी व्यक्ति को मनोवैज्ञानिक रूप से जीवन के संघर्षों के लिए तैयार किया जाना। 

14. विवाह : 

उचित उम्र में विवाह करना जरूरी है। विवाह संस्कार सर्वाधिक महत्वपूर्ण संस्कार माना जाता है। इसके अंतर्गत वर और वधू दोनों साथ रहकर धर्म के पालन का संकल्प लेते हुए विवाह करते हैं। विवाह के द्वारा सृष्टि के विकास में योगदान ही नहीं दिया जाता बल्कि व्यक्ति के आध्यात्मिक और मानसिक विकास के लिए भी यह जरूरी है। इसी संस्कार से व्यक्ति पितृऋण से भी मुक्त होता है। 
15. आवसश्याधाम , 16. श्रोताधाम  
इस प्रकार हिन्दू धर्म के सोलह संस्कार किए जाते हैं। :



शारीरिक शिक्षा

“शरीरमाद्यं खलु धर्म साधनम्”- शरीर समस्त धर्म का साधन है । हमारी ज्ञान शक्ति, इच्छा शक्ति की भी अभिव्यक्ति का माध्यम शरीरी हैं । स्वस्थ काया में स्वस्थ मन निवास करता है । जीवन के सुख के लिए स्वस्थ मन आवश्यक है । इस स्वस्थ मन के लिए शरीर का स्वस्थ होना आवश्यक है । शरीर के स्वास्थ्य के लिए शारीरिक शिक्षा का महत्व सभी ने स्वीकार किया है । यह उक्ति प्रसिद्द है कि बहुबल से रक्षित राष्ट्र ही शास्त्र का चिंतन कर सकता है । शारीरिक शिक्षा से बल्किन में जो पौरुष, बल एवं शक्ति का विकास होगा, उसी से हमारे देश में अध्ययन, अनुसन्धान,म देश की सीमा की रक्षा, विश्व में शांति, कल-कारखानों तथा खेत-खलिहानों में उत्पादन की वृद्धि संभव होगी । शारीरिक प्रशिक्षण से छात्रों में सामुहित भावना अनुशासन एवं व्यवस्थित कार्य करने की अभूतपूर्व क्षमता उत्पन्न होती है । उससे स्वस्थ समाज का निर्माण होता है । इस प्रकार शारीरिक शिक्षा व्यक्ति, समाज राष्ट्र एवं विश्व के कल्याण का मार्ग प्रशस्त करती है ।विवेकानंद ने शारीरिक बल पर अत्यधिक आग्रह किया है । उनके शब्दों में –“अनन्त शक्ति ही धर्म है । बल पुण्य है और दुर्बलता पाप । सभी पापों और सभी बुराइयों के लिए एक ही शब्द पर्याप्त है और वह गई-दुर्बलता आज हमारे देश  को जूस वस्तु की आवश्यकता है, वह है लोहे की मांसपेशियां और फौलाद के स्नायु, दुर्दमनीय प्रचंड इच्छाशक्ति, जो सृष्टि के गुप्त तथ्यों और रासस्यों को भेड़ सके और चाहे उसके लिए समुब्द्र तल में ही क्यों न जाना पड़े-साक्षात् मृत्यु का ही सामना क्यों न करना पड़े । मेरे नवयुवक मित्रों! बलवान बनो । तुम को मेरी सलाह है । गीता के अभ्यास की अपेक्षा फ़ुटबाल खेलने के द्वारा तुम स्वर्ग के अधिक निकट जाओगे । तुम्हारी कलाई और भुजाएं अधिक सुदृढ़ होने पर तुम गीता को अधिक अच्छी तरह समझोगे । तुम्हारे रक्त में शक्तिकी मात्रा बढ़ने पर तुन श्रीकृष्ण की महान प्रतिभा और अपार शक्ति को अच्छी तरह समझने लगोगे । तुम जब  पैरों पर दृढ़ता के साथ खड़े होगे और तुमकों जब प्रतीत होगा कि हम मनुष्य है, तब तुम उपनिषदों को और भी अच्छी तरह समझोगे और आत्मा की महिमा को जान सकोगे।”शारीरिक शिक्षा का शाब्दिक अर्थ तो ‘शरीर की शिक्षा है’ परन्तु इसका भाव शरीर तक सीमित नहीं है । वास्तव में  शारीरिक शिक्षा के द्वारा बालक का शारीरिक, प्राणिक, मानसिक, नैतिक एवं आतिम्क विकास होता है, उसका सम्पूर्ण व्यक्तित्व सुगठित होता है । शारीरिक शिक्षा केवल शारीरिक क्रिया नहीं है । “शारीरिक शिक्षा, शिक्षा ही है । यह वह शिक्षा है जो शारीरिक क्रियाओं द्वारा बालक के सम्पूर्ण व्यक्तित्व, शरीर, मन एवं आत्मा के पूर्ण विकास हेतु दी जाती है ।”शिक्षा के उद्देश्यों की पूर्ति में शारीरिक शिक्षा का महत्वपूर्ण योगदान है । खेल के मैदान में, धरती माता की धुल में ही बालक के व्यक्तित्व का वास्तविक गठन होता है । खेलों के द्वारा स्फूर्ति, बल, निर्णय शक्ति, संतुलन, साहस, सतकर्ता, आगे बढ़ने की वृति, मिलकर काम करने की आदत, हार जीत में समत्व-भाव, अनुशासनबद्धता आदि शारीरिक, नैतिक, सामाजिक एवं आत्मिक गुणों का विकास होता है । शारीरिक क्रियाकलापोंव्यक्ति खुलकर बाहर आता है । भीतर की कुछ कुंठाएं, घुटन, निराशा आदि खेल की मस्ती में घुल जाती है । उत्साह उमड़ता है । क्रियाशीलता बढ़ती है, और उसे योग्य दिशा मिलती है । आनंद की प्राप्ति होती है, और आनंद में ही मानव के विकास की प्रेरणा निहित है ।भारतीय मनोविज्ञान में मानव की भौतिक काय को स्थूल शरीर कहा गया है । इस स्थूल शरीर के दो भाग है । स्थूल देह को अन्नमय कोश एवं दुसरे भाग को प्राणमय कोश कहा गया है । अत: शारीरिक शिक्षा के अंतर्गत अन्नमय कोश और प्राणमय कोश-दोनों का विकास सम्मलित है । सामान्य भाषा में अन्नमय कोश के विकास को शारीरिक विकास एवं प्राणमय कोश के विकास को संवेगात्मक विकास कहा जाता है ।उद्देश्य – शारीरिक विकास के तीन प्रधान उद्देश्य है :-शरीर को ह्ष्ट-पुष्ट, सुन्दर, सुडौल बनाना एवं उसकी क्षमताओं का विकास करना ।शरीर के सभी अंगों एवं संस्थानों की क्रियाओं का सर्वांगपूर्ण, प्रणालीबद्ध और सामंजस्यपूर्ण विकास करना ।शरीर का पूर्ण निरोग रहना । यदि शरीर में कोई दोष और विकृति हो तो उसे सुधारना । विशेष रूप से आँख, कान, नाक आदि इन्द्रियों को निरोग एवं क्षमतावान बनाना ।
शारीरक विकास के निम्नांकित आवश्यक तत्व है :-
भोजन- शारीरिक स्वास्थ्य के लिए भोजन का संतुलित एवं नियमित होना आवश्यक है । छात्रों को यह ज्ञान होना चाहिए कि संतुलित भोजन क्या होता है और भोजन नियमित समय पर और कितनी मात्र में किस प्रकार करना चाहिए । पानी पीने के नियमों की जानकारी उपयोगी है । भोजन में स्वच्छता एवं पवित्रता का ध्यान रखना चाहिए । यह जानना आवश्यक है कि हम अपने शरीर को सबल और स्वस्थ रखने के लिए भोजन करते है, स्वादेन्द्रिय को सुख देने के लिए नहीं ।
स्वच्छता- शरीर को निरोग एवं स्वस्थ रखने के लिए स्वच्छता आवश्यक है । नियमित स्नान के द्वारा शरीर को स्वच्छ रखना, दांत, नाख़ून, वस्त्र आदि स्वच्छता, रहने, बैठने के स्थान आदि की स्वच्छता-इन पर विशेष ध्यान देना चाहिए ।
विश्राम- शरीर को समुचित विश्राम मिलना चाहिए । विश्राम अथवा सोने की अवधि आयु के अनुसार अलग-अलग हो सकती है । सोने का स्थान बिलकुल शांत और हवादार होना चाहिए । स्नायुओं को आराम पहुँचाने के लिए पूर्ण निद्रा आवश्यक है । प्रत्येक व्यक्ति को जाग्रत अवस्था में मांसपेशियों और स्नायुओं को विश्राम देने की विधि जननी चाहिए । योगासनों में शवासन या शिथिलता की क्रिया इसके लिए बहुत उपयोगी है ।
व्यायाम- शरीर के विकास के लिए मांसपेशियों में अच्छी गति और संतुलित वृद्धि लाने के लिए प्रतिदिन व्यायाम आवश्यक है । बालकों के दैनिक कार्यक्रम में व्यायाम, खेल-कूद को अच्छा स्थान देना चाहिए । रीढ़ की हड्डी और जोड़ो का कड़ा पद जाना रुकना चाहिए । यह शरीर के स्वास्थ्य के लिए हानिकारक है । इसके लिए योगासनों का अभ्यास बहुत उपयोगी है । इनसे शरीर नमनीय एवं लचीला, सुन्दर, सुडौल बनता है ।
सद्विचार एवं नियमितता- जीवन में सद्विचार, नियमितता तथा स्वस्थ आदतों का शारीरिक विकास में महत्वपूर्ण योगदान रहता है । छोटी आयु से ही बालकों में शारीरिक स्वास्थ्य, शक्ति, सामर्थ्य और सुन्दर, सुडौल शरीर के प्रति आदत का भाव सिखाना चाहिए । अच्छी आदतों, अच्छे विचारों का शारीरिक स्वास्थ्य से घनिष्ठ सम्बन्ध है । ब्रह्मचर्य की साधना शरीर को बलशाली, सुन्दर, सुडौल और अदम्य क्षमतावान बनाती है । इसका महत्व छात्रों को यथासमय बताना चाहिए ।
बच्चों की देखभाल कैसे करे
जो बच्चा जितना अधिक स्वस्थ होता है वह उतना ही सुन्दर व आकर्षक लगता है और उसकी लम्बाई भी उम्र के साथ बढ़ती है तो बच्चे के सम्पूर्ण विकास के लिया गर्भधारण करते ही अपने खान-पान में विशेष बदलाव किजिएं जैसे :-
तला भुना खाने से बचें ।
मिर्च और हर प्रकार के मसालों से दूरी बना लें ।
बाज़ार की मिठाई का सेवन न करें ।
चाय और काफी का सेवन किसी भी रूप में न करें ।
गर्म गोलियों के सेवन से बचे ।
मौसम के विपरीत न खाएं और ज्यादा खाना खाने से बचे ।
प्रतिदन हवन करें ।
ताजा और हरी सब्जी का सेवन करें ।
उचित मात्रा में दूध का सेवन करें । और कभी-कभी हल्दी को दूध में मिलाकर लें ।
मौसम के अनुकूल ताजा फलों का सेवन करें ।
आयुर्वेदिक गोलियों का सेवन करें ।
मौसम के अनुकूल वस्त्र धारण करें ।
मौसम अनुसार हल्का भोजन जैसे:- दलिया, खिचड़ी, हल्वा, खीर आदि का सेवन करें ।
जन्म उपरांत बच्चे को माँ का दूध पिलाए। 6 महीने पश्चात बच्चे का अन्नप्राशन संस्कार करवाएं । फिर उसे भात में घृत व मधु (शहद) मिलकर प्रथम भोजन कराएँ ।

चबाने वाली चीजें देने से बचे ।
बाहरी दूध का सेवन न कराएँ ।
ज्यादा पानी न पिलाएं ।
मिर्च का सेवन कराने से बचे ।
गर्म गोलियां न खिलाएं ।
गिले कपड़े न पहनाएं ।

छ महीने तक माँ के दूध का सेवन कराएँ ।
रसयुक्त पदार्थ खिलाएं । वेदों के अनुसार बच्चे के लिए सबसे चिकना और रसयुक्त पदार्थ उचित होता है । घी सबसे चिकना और रसयुक्त पदार्थ है इसका सेवन कराएँ ।
नरम पदार्थ खिलाएं ।
बच्चे की मौसम के अनुसार उचित देखभाल करें।
आयुर्वेदिक दवा का प्रयोग करें ।
थोड़ा-थोड़ा जूस दे सकते है ।
सिरोलेक्स बच्चे को भूल कर भी न दें ।
तली-भूनी चीजों के सेवन से बचाएं ।
मिर्च-नमक से बच्चों को दूर रखें ।
बाजारी मिठाई के सेवन से बच्चों को दूर रखे ।
चाय-काफी आदि का सेवन न करने दें ।
टी.वी., रिमोट गेम, मोबाइल से बच्चों को दूर रखे । आप पढ़ रहे है बच्चों गाय के दूध का सेवन कराएँ ।
घी का सेवन उचित मात्रा में करें ।
हलवा, खीर, चूरमा घर की बनी हुई मिठाई ही खिलाएं ।
बुखार आदि में हर्बल चाय/आयुर्वेदिक दवाइयों का सेवन कराएँ ।
व्यायाम जरुर कराएँ ।
हवन आदि पवित्र कार्यों में बच्चों को सम्मलित अवश्य करें ।
उचित मात्रा में फलों का सेवन कराएँ ।
बच्चों का मिट्टी के प्रति लागाव बनाये ।
नवजात शिशु की मालिश कौन से तेल से करें ?
नवजात शिशु  की मालिश क्यों जरूरी है व किस तेल से करनी चाहिए ??
आज के परिवेश में बच्चों के शारीरिक व मानसिक उन्नति करनी बहुत जरूरी हैं तो बच्चों को जितना खाना पीना जरूरी होता हैं उतनी ही मालिश भी । क्योंकि पूरा दिन बच्चा कुछ न कुछ करता रहता है,  अपने आप को व्यस्त रखता है।
मालिश करने के फायदे
शारीरिक थकान दूर होती हौ।
2. सभी अंग आराम की मुद्रा में हो जाते है।
3. स्वास्थ्य बना रहता हैं
4. नींद अच्छी आती है और पांच वर्ष तक कर  बालक का जितना अधिक सुलाने का प्रयत्न करें उतना उसके लिए अच्छा रहता है।
5. इसके अलावा बिना तेल के मालिश भी कर सकते हैं ताकि बच्चे के अंगों को आराम मिल सके।
तेल:-  वैसे टी बच्चे की मालिश के लिए हम जैतून, तिल, नारियल, सरसों आदि तेल सही हैं। और घरों में भी प्रयोग में लाए जाते हैं। लेकिन कुछ तेलों को गाय के घी में  मिलाकर बनाया जा सकता है जो बच्चों के विकास के लिए सर्वोत्तम है।
तेल बनाने की विधि             
1. गाय का घी- 50gm
2. सरसों का तेल-10gm
3.नारियल का तेल-20gm                                            
4. जैतुन का तेल-20gm
5. तिल का तेल-50gm
6. बादाम रोगन-20gm                                              

एक शीशी में गाय का घी (पिघला हुआ) डाले उसमें चुटकी भर हल्दी डाल दे इसके बाद बाकी सारे तेल डालकर हिलाते रहे ताकी सब आपस में मिल जाए। बस मालिश के लिए तेल तैयार है इसे आप हर ऋतु में प्रयोग कर सकते है।   
उम्र
नवजात शिशु  यदि एक दिन का हो तभी भी उसकी मालिश की जा सकती है और सर्दिया और गर्मियों में साधारण रूप से । दूसरा जब तक बच्चा एक महीने का नही होता  तब तक उसकी मालिश बहुत नाजुक हाथ से करे, रुई से तेल लगाएं या आटे की गोली बनाकर उसे तेल लगाएं । और से बच्चे की मालिश करें।
सही समय- नवजात शिशु की मालिश नहलाने के 1/2 घंटा पहले करनी चाहिए। उस समय बच्चो को खाना-पीना नहीं करवाना चाहिए। दूध पिलाने के तुरंत बाद मालिश न करें।
जो माता-पिता अपने बच्चों के हितैषी है वह उपरोक्त बातों का ध्यान रखे । ताकि बच्चों के शारीरक और मानसिक विकास अच्छी प्रकार से हो । अगर बच्चा शारीरिक और मानसिक रूप से स्वस्थ होता है तो उसके बीमार होने के 99% चांस कम हो जाते है ।  


बच्चों का पालन-पोषण करें इस संस्कार और मर्यादा वाली परिपाटी हम भूल चुके है। आज हम अपने सभी संस्कारो को भूल चुके है। सिर्फ अंतिम संस्कार को छोड़कर। वह माता धन्य है जो गर्भादान से लेकर सभी सौलह संस्कार निभाती है। बच्चा जैसा देखता है वैसा ही उसको जल्दी सिखने की कोशिश करता है क्योंकि इस समय बच्चें का मस्तिष्क बिलकुल खाली होता है जिससे उसकी आस-पास की सभी वस्तुओं को समझने कम समय लगता है।यह ऐसा समय होता है की आप अपने बच्चे को जैसा भी बनाना चाहते है उसे वैसा ही बना सकते है। आज के परिवेश में जब हम अपना सारा समय  आधुनिकता में बिता रहे है तो बच्चे पर इसका असर पड़ेगा। और वह बचपन में ही।   


आधुनिकता का शिकार हो  सकता है। जैसे आज-कल 3-4 वर्ष के बच्चे मोबाइल फ़ोन को अच्छी तरह चलाने में सक्षम है। क्योंकि उनको वह समय से पहले पता लग गई जिसका बहुत बड़ी मात्रा में नुकशान या फायदा हो सकता है।

अपने बच्चों को संस्कारवान कैसे बनाये:- 

 जितना संभव हो सके अपने बच्चो को टी.वी., मोबाइल फ़ोन, वीडियो गेम आदि से दूर रखें ।
गर्भवती महिलाएं अपने रहने वाले स्थान पर  वीर महापुरषो के चित्र लगाएं। जब भी ध्यान महापुरुषों की तरफ जाए तो उनके चरित्र का विचरण करें । और उन्ही जैसे  वीर पुत्र/पुत्री की कामना करें ।

महापुरुषों के उपन्यास पढ़े व बालक जब समझने लगे तब उसमें भी स्वदेश प्रेम का जज्बा भरें।

कुश्ती, रेस, तीरंदाजी आदि खेलों में बच्चों का रुझान बनाएं। ताकि मिट्टी से बच्चों का लगाव बढ़े। और उनकी मानसिक और शारिरिक उन्नति हो।

3 वर्ष तक बच्चे को गायत्री मन्त्र व 8 वर्ष तक के बच्चे को संध्या कंठस्त हो जावे ऐसा प्रयास करें। और इसी समय बच्चे का यज्ञोपवित संस्कार करवाएं ।

प्रथम 5 वर्ष तक बच्चे का लालन-पालन करे । 6-16 वर्ष तक बच्चो वैदिक शिक्षा देवे और छोटी-छोटी गलतियों पर ताड़न करें अर्थात पिटाई कर दें। 16 वर्ष पश्चात पुत्र/पुत्री के साथ मित्र जैसा व्यवहार करें। और किसी भी विषय पर मित्र के समान व्यवहार किया करें ।
नित्य प्रतिदिन हवन करें   व बच्चों को भी शामिल करें। 

किसी भी पौधे को हम जब तक अपने अनुसार ढाल सकते है। जब तक वह पौधा है। लेकिन जब पौधा पेड़ बन जाता है तब उसे मोड़ा नहीं जा सकता केवल तोड़ा ही जा सकता है। जैसा हम बीज बोते है वही बीज एक दिन पेड़ बनता है। और फिर वह भी बीज उत्पन्न करता है। इसी प्रकार बच्चों में भी जिस प्रकार के संस्कार हम अंकुरित करेंगे वैसा ही वह बड़ा होकर बनेगा इसलिए मातृशक्ति को जगाना होगा ताकि सभ्य समाज का निर्माण  हो। अगर ऐसे संस्कार सभी माता-पिता अपने बच्चों को परोसने लगे तो यह देश एक बार फिर से विश्वगुरु आर्यावर्त्त कहला सकता है ।
शारीरिक शिक्षा के मूल तत्व
विवेकानंद के शारीरिक शिक्षा के प्रति विचार
शारीरिक शिक्षा का अर्थ
शारीरिक शिक्षा के अंग
शारीरिक विकास
शारीरिक विकास के आवश्यक तत्व
बच्चो की देखभाल कैसे करे ताकि वे शारीरिक और मानसिक रोगी न बने
गर्भधारण के समय क्या न करें :-
गर्भधारण के समय क्या करें :-
जन्म उपरांत बच्चे को क्या न दें  :-
जन्म के उपरांत बच्चे को क्या दें  :-
अपने बच्चों को इनसे जरुर बचाएं :-
बच्चों के भविष्य के लिए निम्न बातों पर ध्यान दें :-
गाय के घी से बना सर्वोतम तेल नवजात शिशु के लिए अत्यंत लाभदायक
बच्चों को पालन-पोषण कैसे करें ताकि बच्चे  शूरवीर बने
क्रांतिकारियों को जन्म देने वाली मात्र शक्ति को बारम्बार नमन । 

KAMLAHGARH - STRONGEST HILL FORT OF HIMALAYAS

The second most important fort in the hills after the Kangra Fort and with a defence rate even better than Nagarkot. Failed expeditions of Maharaja Sansar Chand and Adina Beg are notable mentions. Even Sikhs under Ventura couldn't capture it easily, coz the men guarding it were equally unflagging as the gradient, expanse and the walls.

The remnants of windows inside the fort built in 1625.

Kamlah town was founded in AD 1625 when Raja Hari Sen was ruling the state of Mandi. His son Suraj Sen ascended the throne in 1637 and strongly fortified Kamlah. 

Raja Suraj Sen pics from RobDeanArt

A posthumous portrait of Raja Suraj Sen of Mandi. He is credited for building the Kamlahgarh Fort which is now crumbling. 

Grand uncle of Raja Sidh Sen. His 18 sons all died in his lifetime and in despair he assigned the kingdom to Rai Madhav, an idol of Krishna. The image is still there in Mandi. This was also the time when the supremacy of Vaishnavism over Shaivism was being established in the hills.

 

Kaliya Mardan painting frm Bhagwat Puran, Mandi, mid-17th Century. Attributed to Early Master at court of Mandi (1635-1660) reigns of Raja Hari Sen & his son Raja Suraj Sen.

Kamlahgarh fort is 45 km from Sarkaghat and to reach the top, 4,500 feet above MSL, one has to climb about a 1,000 stairs. It became famous for its strength all over the hills. The fort is built upon the hill called Sikandar Dhar. There is a proverb on the expanse of Sikandar Dhar: “Sikandar Dhar-na aar na paar” means Sikandar Dhar has immeasurable span. It has earned its name from Sikandar Lodhi (1489-1517) who attacked Mandi in the times of Raja Dilawar Sen (1472-1499) and established his camp here. Dr Vidya Chand Thakur, etymologist, names a village called Sikandar in this range where the main camp of Sikandar Lodhi was established.

Kamlahgarh fort remained a repository of all the wealth of Mandi state from the reign of Suraj Sen (1637) to that of Ishwari Sen (1824).During the reign of Shamsher Sen (1727-1750), who was of weak intellect and had fallen into bad habits, an Afghan, Nawab Adina Beg, who was the Governor of Jalandhar, made an entry into Guler in 1745-46, intending to invade Mandi but soon retired on finding that Kamlahgarh was too strong to be stormed. Such was the strength of this fort. Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra during the rule of Raja Ishwar Sen (1788-1826) tried to capture Kamlahgarh and won over two generals, Murli and Manaku, looking after the safety of Kamlahgarh. Due to the loyalty of a soldier Bhagu, he could not conquer it. Hutchison and Ph Vogel write in the ‘History of the Punjab Hill States’: “Kamlahgarh alone was saved from falling into Sansar Chand’s hands, though he made various efforts to obtain possession of it.”

During the reign of Raja Balbir Sen (1839-1851), Prince Nau-Nihal Singh, grandson of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and son of Raja Kharag Singh of Lahore along with his Italian General Jean-Baptiste Ventura made numerous attempts to capture Kamlah fort and could do it with great difficulty in 1840. The Sikhs then ruled over Mandi through Shaikh Ghulam Muhai-ud-din, declared in charge of the state of Mandi. Raja Balbir Sen was arrested. He was released from the jail in May 1841 and before the war could end, he boldly attacked the Sikh garrisons and captured all the forts except Kamlahgarh, which did not surrender till the war was over. On March 9, 1846, a treaty was signed between the British and the Sikhs and the fort once again came under the state of Mandi. The total area of this fort is 101 bighas. A display board here is erected by the Language and Culture Department giving the history of the fort but, I believe, no officer of the department had ever come here after installing the board because the words have now washed away. It is unreadable and requires a fresh do.

It also perturbed to find marble stones replacing the age-old stones. Why can’t we preserve the age of the monuments? Built in 1625, marble at several places is disturbing; the rain shelter and the temple of Baba Kamlah Siddh are also being given a present- day look. Why can’t we, inside the fort, live in the age in which it was founded? The small windows made of stone takes us back to the era when it was built, but the marbles and white tiles give a shock of the modern era. Where are the conservationists?

There is a temple of Baba Kamlah Siddh on the top where is posted a young Pujari by the government who narrates the same story about the Baba given in the District Gazetteer of Mandi published in 1920. “A shepherd of the neighbourhood was grazing his flocks when he sat down beneath a tree on the summit of the hill now crowned by the fort. As he sat, he idly chipped the tree with his axe and to his astonishment milk gushed forth from the incisions he made. The milk fell on a spot a few feet from the tree and as it touched the ground a lingum rose there from. This was the idol of a Siddh, and speaking in the voice of the saint, it bade the peasant hasten to the Raja and tell him that if he built his citadel close to the lingum he would conquer the territory around. So then shepherd hurried to the Raja, who, believing his tale, at once laid the foundation of the fort, venerating as its guardian spirit the Siddh to whom he owed the choice of site.” The Pujari told us that Baba Kamlahiya and Baba Balaknath, who sat at Shahtalayi, had come to Himachal from Jammu almost the same time.

SHAME ON WE- THE INHERITORS OF GREAT HOLY ARCHITECTURAL, ARTISTIC AND SPRITUAL HERITAGE OF THOUSANDS OF YEARS...

Despite all hostility, there are some who still act to save what since ages has formed our foundations, Strengthen the neglected ancient which still supports our civilization, Do what has been long left undone, For they know the time of Hindu Renaissance has come.

Their forefathers told fairy tales, and our ancestors built what they still thought is from fairy tales.

See those stars of the Milky way?

They have seen it all.

Our rise, our fall

The truth and false,

Our sacrifice, our wars

The betrayals and loss,

Our morals, our courage

The promises and hope,

Our ancestors, our honour

Our temples and our Gods.

Let them see Bharat's lost glory again.

So lord Take us back to the time when our Sanatan dharma was at its apex and we will return back with those great men from that era who shall make the lost glory of this land return one more time.

1. Our past couldn't destroy us, deter us or defeat us. It has only strengthened us

We were repeatedly told that Europeans came to India for trade while toning down their marauders' missionary objective in fear of politics. Worse, they were praised by the communist designed education system. We will unwind the true story  to start with, through Thiruchendur Murugan 

A Quiz for you. Which is the world's first and oldest Multi-National Corporate? 

Dutch East India Company or Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (VOC)(1602), was the first publicly tradable corporation. Started as chartered company 2 trade with India and Indianized Southeast Asian countries and was listed in Stock exchange. They are a pioneer missionary mafia

Pure lie has been told to Indians that Dutch (VOC)/English East India Company focused only on trade & they didn’t destroy native culture. In reality, they are deceiving, cunning just like Portuguese. In their plunder, they co-operated opportunistically with other invaders.

Dutch Modus operandi: In the name of establishing trading posts, the whole battalion will get into a land, outnumber the locals and drive them out or starve them to death. Then they will build travel lodges and administrative blocks for them. Indonesia was severely affected

Something in Hindu temples, makes these invading Missionary Mafia mobs couldn’t resist. Is it architecture or philosophy? In Kerala, they have destroyed various temples including a sangam age Shiva Temple in Mathilagam (Home town of Ilango Adigal of Silapathikaram)

The Dutch virtually ruled Malabar for over 130 years and forced the rulers of Malabar to agree on monopolistic contracts with them for pepper and cinnamon. The Kingdom of Cochin was under the complete influence of the Dutch VOC and keep driving their enemy Portuguese away.

 To make any land, Christian, Dutch called Christians as native people, but call non-Christians as foreigners.Humphrey Prideaux, UK, castigated the East India Company for bringing down God’s curse on it for neglecting to propagate Christianity. He praised VOC, for that! 

lets come to the story of Thiruchendur. Those who don’t know about this place, its dedicated to Lord Skanda/ Muruga. Thirumurugatrupadai, Sangam Tamil eulogises this place. The entrance of this sea shore temple is near sea level, and caves inside to the Sanctum Sanctorum.

To the deity, the sea water level outside is higher. There is every likelihood that tidal waves & tsunamis can rush in and fill the cave temple with sea water. But it wont! Bcas of a promise by Sea to the Lord, as seen in 2004 Tsunami*.

Followed by Cholas and Padiyans till 15AD. Then Portuguese in alliance with Nayaks of Madurai, ruled this place as later had a weak navel presence. Same time Kayalpattinam was under Dutch. So, in their conquest zeal, Portuguese captured Kayalpatinam from Dutch.

The lost army under the direction of Dutch Gov of Ceylon, Joan Maetsuycker, with 436 soldiers went and drove the people out and made it into a formidable fort on 09/02/1649. The temple valuables were freely looted by soldiers. Locals made futile attempts to recover, but in vain. 

They protected what belonged to them so that it could be passed down to us. This is the least we can do for our future generations. Can't we ? 

Nayaks mediated with Dutch and asked them to vacate. While vacating, Dutch destroyed the structure by setting the fire and bombarding it. But the resilient temple withstood that. As recorded French Writer M. Rennel, in his book A description, Historical & Geographical, of India 

They also looted all the panchaloga deities, mistaking for gold. This includes statues of Lord Muruga and Nataraja and few more. Having crossed few nautical miles , they encountered a storm so daunting that the sailors thought that it’s bcas of the wrath of Lord Murugan.

Petrified out of their minds, they decide to heave the idol into the ocean. The ominous demeanour of the ocean & skies mysteriously vanished the moment statues touched the waters. the idol sank & rested in the depths of the ocean. Locals complained this loss to the governor. The idol that could be anywhere in the ocean,the local governer, Vadamaliappa pillai was deeply worried. Always miraculous Lord Murugan explained to him in his dream that few miles from the coast, he would find a lemon floating in the waters and garuda will be encircling.

Vadamalaiappa Pillai, thanking the God’s grace, has erected a mantapam here these events have been described. Later, some more valuables were recovered from Galle, SL after negotiating with dutch by Madurai Nayaks. This temple is full of miracles…Remember Tsunami 2004? 

Miracle still continues in the temple... :) Sinners will be punished right then and there. Vetrivel Muruganuku Arohara! This is the place where Goddess Parvathi gave Lord Skanda his famous spear...also called Vel in Tamil...:)

The precedent set by Britain is being replicated by the ISIS, 

Which now peddles stolen heritage to fund terror attacks, including on Londoners.I wonder if the Archbishop has had the “thou shall not steal” conversation with Her Majesty.

In fact, we wonder if their predecessors had one with those that adorned the throne before her. We are guessing, at some point in the past 500 years, someone might have questioned the gory conquests and colonisation, and if they are compatible with the Ten Commandments. Perhaps, even disrespectful of them.The issue of colonial-era loot and Britain’s moral obligation to return heritage to communities they were taken from, is not new. 

Greece has been asking for the Elgin marbles since 1925. Over 350 Ethiopian manuscripts, forcefully taken after the Battle of Maqdala, are still a matter of dispute. George clooney and his amal have campaigned for the Parthenon sculptures to be returned. Nigeria has been demanding that the Benin Plaques be returned since 1960.Ironically, Michael Walker, a private citizen that came to possess some of these plaques, has shown higher moral bearing than the British Government by returning them to Nigeria.

Deailing with denial

Indian parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor famously made the case for reparations at Oxford. The fact that almost five million people have watched the video online suggests that there’s an undercurrent of resentment.

Why shouldn’t there be?

Nations have institutionalised ways to deal with the excesses of their past, of ensuring moral imperatives aren’t ignored. Germany had the Nuremberg trials and the public acceptance of guilt. South Africa had the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Israel has the Jewish Holocaust Center.

What does Britain have?

When it comes to acknowledging its own colonial past, and finding ways to move ahead though, Britain sadly remains in denial.

The “past is in the past” narrative might seem very tempting to the Brits, but it just doesn’t cut ice any more. Sure, you are not responsible for the actions of your ancestors. Sure, you can’t undo colonial-era oppression. Sure, you can’t reverse the effects of cultural-cleansing, where Britain wiped out the collective memories and cultures of people it oppressed. Sure, there’s no way you could bring back millions of indigenous peoples that gave their lives for freedom.

What you could do, though, is reverse the colonial-era plunder, especially symbols of our culture – our heritage.

Two steps behind france

In fact, other nations are showing you the path. Five countries have returned stolen heritage to India since 2014 (USA, Canada, Germany, Singapore and Australia). Your special friend, the United States has also done this with Cambodia, Nepal, etc. So the template exists.

French President, Emmanuel Macaron has said that returning African artifacts is “top priority”, and has already identified experts to lead the effort (Felwine Sarr and Bénédicte Savoy).

France? Two steps behind France? Is that really where you want to be, Britain?

Blood buddhas and terror funding: the fad you started

United Nations Security Council Resolution 2199 finally acknowledged what heritage restitution advocates like me always knew – that ISIS was stealing heritage/antiquities and selling them away to fund their terror operations.

The FBI issued an advisory immediately to deal with this emerging national-security threat. Nations like USA, Pakistan and China have brought in new legislation to safeguard their heritage. Others like Mexico and Jordan have recently set up heritage-protection agencies.

A few centuries ago Brits usurped others’ resources and heritage, and funded wars and colonisation efforts through that.

The precedent set by Britain is being replicated by the ISIS, which now peddles stolen heritage to fund terror attacks, including, on Londoners.

Well… Karma!

it's a new new world 

The world of culture and heritage is changing.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently said, “UNESCO has become a theatre of absurd. Instead of preserving history, it distorts it.” Yup, precisely the sentiment we’ve had about museums in the UK. It sure is absurd when you show off what your grandfather stole from mine.

British museums wax eloquent on concepts like “cosmopolitanism”, “universal cultures”; even vainly suggest they could help with “capacity building” with communities whose heritage has been taken. While the platitudes and the “white”-washing make for great headlines, the most basic issues are never discussed – Consent and Restitution. No one seems to address the fact that our heritage was taken away without our consent and that it needs to be restituted. Period!

Since its founding in 1753, the British Museum is essentially a den for stashing away colonial loot. I have seen Indians cry in Room 33, where they find their Temple Deities locked away in glass cages. A couple of floors above in Room 66, you continue to showcase Egyptian and Ethiopian artifacts that were acquired under situations of very questionable morality.

As a double insult, the museum sells us replicas of the very heritage that was taken from us.

it's an identity thing 

Britons chose to assert their identity by voting out of the European Union. Brexit was the assertion of identity, of civilization continuity, of sovereignty, and it is not an isolated phenomenon.

With recent debates around Donald Trump, Russia and the American elections, around the Congressional questioning of Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook’s ability to impact geo-politics, or the narrative around Brexit itself, the message is very clear – people don’t want another nation meddling in their affairs.

The movie Black Panther was a runaway hit because it struck a chord with the disenfranchised and the oppressed. As much as you might hate Killmonger, your sympathies were still with him in the museum scene, where he reclaims his civilisational identity, by asking the museum curator a simple question, “How do you think your ancestors got these?” before he forcefully reclaims the war hammer taken from Wakanda.

With recent global events reinforcing the idea of sovereignty, independence and pride in civilizational identity, I wonder if Britain might ever feel compelled to embrace the new normal?

Don't do this for us, do this for yourself 

Let’s look at this from a very selfish point-of-view as well. Britain faces an aging population. Your factories’ productivity is at its worst point in history. Inflation is growing at a much higher rate than wages are since 2013. Britain’s national debt is over 80 per cent of GDP (common in third-world countries, but unheard of in your part of the world).

You’ve cut down defence spending to a quarter of its 1950 levels (relative to GDP terms). Your teachers get paid almost as much as their counterparts in Spain (and teachers in Luxembourg twice that). Issues of race, immigration and refugees are polarizing your society.

In short, everything that that made you “Britain”, healthcare, education, jobs, prosperity, defence, social-cohesion, is currently in a state of flux. Heck, if TRP numbers are to be believed, even football is losing its sheen.

Is this really the best time to take on a “Coalition of the Colonised”?

Perhaps it’s time the monarchy got with the times.

thoug shall not covet 

The British empire is long gone. But cultural imperialism continues and will continue as long as Britain holds on to remnants of an era that is never coming back. Not just emotional remnants, but physical ones.

It’s high time Britain came to terms with the simple reality – history belongs to its geography.

The world is shrinking and we’re virtually neighbours now. Perhaps it’s time to remind yourselves of “thou shall not covet”, and more importantly, make up for the time you did

As you all know, UNESCO estimates that 50,000 objects were smuggled out of India till 1989. Experts disagree on the number, but even one is far too many 

This Nandi was cast in a Chola foundry. Served at a Tamil Nadu temple for 800 years until smuggled out probably in 1960s. Bought from unnamed hands by American socialite Anne Tandy. Decorated her swimming pool in Texas till 1985. Now stares the halls of free gallery of art , Smithsonian Washington DC. 

Many of these are proudly displayed in museums and collections abroad. 

Historically, India has never bothered to Bring Our Gods Home. It is the ONLY remnant of colonial-oppression that we have allowed to exist. 

2.     Away from what can be seen by the ordinary, the ancient still protects the foundations of what forms the modern. 

Despite all hostility, there are some who still act to save what since ages has formed our foundations, Strengthen the neglected ancient which still supports our civilization, Do what has been long left undone, For they know the time of Hindu Renaissance has come.

But leave apart this incident this great nation was not that lucky in preaerving its great culture, When it comes to antiquities of our civilization especially artistic heritage of our past I have often seen Indians lamenting about how great many of our treasures have made their ways to the international museums either during colonial rule or due to recent smuggling. 

While it is very valid feeling some moderation is desired. 

Smuggled artifacts should be brought back to country without any exception. & so are some rare antiquities of great importance such as Kohinoor, Amaravati Marbles, Sultanganj buddha & so on. 

But since 2014, 6 nations have returned India’s stolen heritage. 4 of them personally received by PM Modi (a significant diplomatic gesture).

The biggest victory for India was in June 2016, when USA offered back 200 stolen artifacts to India.

However Modi ji’s personal enthusiasm hasn’t yet trickled down to his officers; who have brought back only 27 of these. 

But what purpose will it serve if your only intention is to bring back each and every other Indian artifact & then shut them in some dark store room? 

The Hindus' childlike reliance on a saviour who knows best, may lose you the war. Eskimo invaders often reported that Hindu armies who had lost their leader, but were still sufficiently numerous & equipped, did not have a plan B, did not regroup, they panicked & were defeated.

Wouldn't it have been better to let them act as brand ambassador of our country & its ancient culture in foreign lands? 

Ofcourse even in this later case attempt should be made to gain nominal authority over those artifacts even if they are gonna stay in foreign museums. But they being in foreign museums on display will serve the purpose of country better than anything else.

That brings to my second and more important question. Even if we bring back all those antiquities are we prepared to restore them with their full honour?  Are we really worthy recipient of our great and glorious past? Do we have great museums which can act as places of worthy of that of that much lamented artifacts of ours?Forget about stolen artifacts - how are we managing artifacts that are present in our own country/museums? Answer for all these questions is very disappointing. Let me give you the glimpses of some noted foreign museums to show how far behind we are for no other reasons except for our ignorance, incompetence and most importantly lack of any desire to showcase and celebrate our own culture!

This is Natural history museum of London. For me it was probably one of the first visit to any museum  that is still etched in my mind. At that time it was skeleton of Dinosaur at entrance which is now replaced by giant whale skeleton. 

It isn't that we don't have impressive skeletons of dinosaurs and big whales in our museums but how one presents it to tourists makes huge difference in their mind!

Perhaps I am exaggerating but that is my feeling! 

No doubt Museum greatly impressed me. It was partially because of its great collection showcased in very tourist friendly manner but the building itself had that aura of grandeur that easily mesmerized me. 

This is btw case with most major museums of any western country, 

12) For rich civ as ours I can't think of any Indian museum that can compete in architectural excellence with those museums. 

Baring museums created by colonial masters we have hardly built any grand museum which we can be true home of our precious heritage. 😏

Why can't we have a grand museum with painted ceiling like the natural museum of London? 

Say some India museum inspired by the great Chaitya halls of Maurya-Gupta period or some other native architectural tradition... 

Why can't we build such museum? i don't know the answer! 

Now Lets move to Pergamon Museum Berlin. 

This is the Ishtar Gate of Babylon. No this isn't some replica but original gate itself! Entire gate was transported brick by brick from Iraq to Berlin & reconstructed there inside the museum! 

If we ignore the tragic story of plunder for a time being then it is Such a brilliant reconstruction that it takes you back directly into Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon! 

Museum however got its name from Pergomon Altar - that originally stood on Acropolis in Athens. Like Ishtar gate it was also brought to the Berlin and reconstructed back to its life size form! 

Every piece of marble in its exact place as it was there thousands of years ago with missing columns and slabs added to complete the entire altar... 

Whether it is Ottoman era Mansion or Market gate of ancient roman city - once again one finds the same brilliant reconstruction in the same museum. 

What about us? We - the inheritors of great architectural and artistic heritage of thousands of years...don't we have anything to showcase like that? Can't we build any such great museum?

Yup we do. >2000 yr old Bharhut stupa for eg...

its intricately carved railing was moved to the Museum of Kolkata where it still lies. 

How about reconstructing it completely so that it would have looked just like some ancient stupa surrounded by railing ? 😍

It would have been even greater to see full reconstruction of >2000 years old Amaravati Stupa. 

 Unlike Bharhut stupa it had tragic fate. Its elaborately carved marble panels were removed from original site & sent to museums all over India and best ones to Britain. ☹️

Fortunately we know the original plan of Amaravati Stupa. So it can be easily reconstructed to full scale. Even if we can't get back some of the original slabs we can replace it with replica for a time being as in the case of Athens museum as I will show later on. 

Imagine full size Amaravati Stupa covered with its elaborate panel in its full glory. It would have been site to behold with.

but well we are so unfortunate that most Indians don't even know about this great heritage partially lying in British museum! 

And then we have those richly carved wooden mansions (Wadas of Maratha elites of 17th century for eg)-  

many of which are lying in decadent condition throughout country. 

May be one of them can be rescued from that misery by transferring it to some museum!

And most important of all - ruins of our once great temples lying neglected in some remote corners of country. 

May be some of them can be rescued & reconstructed inside some museum and utilized to impart some knowledge of Vastushastra traditions to our people! 

All this can be done. But what are we doing instead? whining about the stolen heritage while ignoring that heritage which is still in our own country! Typical Indian mentality of ours!

That brings me to third museum - Newly opened museum of Athens near Acropolis. 

Greece - land of another great civilization. Just like Indians they are also yearning & trying aggressively for the return of their most precious artifacts from foreign lands. 

So perhaps we can learn something from their example. And indeed new museum at Athens has many things to teach to us.

Portion of the museum has been built over the site of ancient archaeological site. Can't we build something like that over Mahabharat era archaeological site of Purana qila or some Harappan site? 

Also Look how it is designed with big glass walls so that one can appreciate ancient statues in natural light with acropolis in background visible from the museum! Just like they would have looked like in public space 1000s of years ago. 

The only Dharma I know is to regain what we have lost, rebuild what was laid to ruins, revive what is fading away, protect what we have inherited & reclaim what is ours. This is what my forefathers did & this is what I shall do.

Now Imagine just like Athens some Indian museum at Puri/Somnath/Madurai 

where one can appreciate Indian Murtis with towering Shikhara in background view!

It will give entirely new appreciation & context to sculptural art when compared to their current random display at museum! 

some of the greatest treasure of Athens are currently in Brit museum. 

But instead of just lamenting only they have put the POP replicas in their museum along with remaining sculptures. 

So that tourists can get the idea of their grievance and sympathize with their cause. 

May be we can learn from it. Ofcourse it isn't about display though. 

Entire museum culture needs to be developed in our country. Starting from school trips to organizing  events in museum (recall recent Metgala at Met museum, New york?) much can be done to raise awareness.

High quality souvenir shops can be established in museum  premises where one can sell mementos - such as imitated jewelry or clay toys from ancient India and such.

मृच्छकटिका - Little clay cart/chariot which belonged to some Indian kid some 2200 yrs ago...probably from Kausambi.

Some other beautiful clay toy chariots from 1)Ter, Maharashtra 2) Chandraketugarh, Bengal 3)&4) Kausambi. Such a rich craftsmanship! © VMIS , Perhaps it was similar clay cart/chariot of Charudatta's son Rohasena which Vasantsena filled with precious ornaments in "Mrichhakatika".

For few more glmpses into the life of ancient Indians some 2000 yrs ago also 

Vase, c. 1st BCE, ShungaP. Chnadraketugarh, Bengal. © The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 

Another lovely 2000 year old vase from Shunga period, Bengal ©The Metropolitan Museum of Art 

Ancient Indians enjoying show of Madaari (monkey trainer) some 2000 years ago. Terracotta plaque from Chandraketugarh. ©Asianart 

~2000 yrs old vase from Shunga period depicting 3 women in turban riding on an elephant. Isn't there something potent abt this portrayal? 

Again same Doli (Palanquin), same horse & elephant, same Dholi (drum player) & joyous people. Probably same "Baraat" scene ~2000 yrs ago! 

~1800-2000 yrs old stone panel from Nagarjunakonda, Andhra depicting a kid playing with his horse toy ©VMIS 

They aren't just stones, they remind us Hindus of obligations to our nation, culture, traditions & the sacrifices made by our ancestors to safeguard them. If doing what is moral makes enemies, then so be it. History is witness, we never gave up & will never.

A slave society like ours, can never produce scholars like the ancient Bharata's did. For the modern Hindu his ancestor's work is incomprehensible just like the chimp cannot be expected to understand rocket science.

3.    Resolve that, Whatever the price is, Whatever the circumstances are, Whatever the consequences be, For the things which have represented us since ages, Our temples, our past & our Gods,

Come What may,We will never give up, never. 

Ofcourse all this can be done and needs to be done. But what are we doing?Lamenting and whining about our artifacts in foreign museums (where they are treated much better then they would have been in India) and neglecting all the above mentioned things! If only we can simultaneously start working on developing and preserving our great culture" 

Cultural revival doesn't need to wait for economic revival.  It has to go hand in hand with other priorities. Ignoring cultural revival was precisely the disastrous outcome of east indian co. Republication policy which put it on back burner. Mistake for which we are still suffering greatly!

From stealing yoga and what else??

NEW AGE REPACKAGE

The popular ‘New Age’ movement of this era is a vast network of individuals, groups, organizations, cults, foundations, etc. who expound and preach a watered-down patchwork of borrowed spiritual beliefs and rituals which present a dazzling array of luring theories and practices, yet somehow fail to capture the depth and intended essence of the esoteric truths that were originally laid down by the ancient civilizations and wisdom traditions of antiquity

NEW AGE ART

Subsequently today’s new age culture seems to be a superficial masquerade of an erratic blend of these hybrid philosophies, disinformation campaigns, pop rituals and pseudo spiritualists that have stormed the world as the new and extremely successful business ventures of the millennium. Moreover much of the Aquarian beliefs, practices and religions parading the commercial field today can be said to be an ostentatious repackaging if not a distorted rip off and blatant plagiarism of Hinduism’s ancient philosophies.

From the concept of oneness to mind-body-spirit unity to Gaia (mother earth) philosophy to integral yoga and meditation to holistic health and spiritual healing to the concept of eternal reality, Karma, Nirvana and self-actualization to practices of spiritual ascension, pranayam and chakra (energy centre) opening, to the much advanced science of Consciousness, all can be traced back to the early Vedic and post Vedantic literature which forms the foundation of Hinduism’s culture and worldviews.

Modern Transpersonal Psychology, Consciousness Studies, the occult religion of Theosophy, Landmark Education’s The Forum and ‘est’ seminars with more than 700,000 graduates, Filmore’s Unity School of Christianity, occult religion of Eckankar, Scientology and many thousands of new-age schools and philosophies are in fact all crude derivatives and adulterated spin-offs of a mix of ancient Hindu concepts.

Madame Blavatsky

THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

More importantly, Madame Helena Blavatsky (founder of Theosophical Society) who has been considered one of the biggest pioneers and the ‘mother’ of new-age thinking has wielded a far reaching influence on occult thinkers and on Western mysticism as a whole. What is not commonly known however is that her magnum opus (book) ‘The Secret Doctrine’ that set the pulse for most of the new-age thinking was in fact inspired by Hindu theories on cosmic evolution and manifestation. She often quotes the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Puranas in her works and is even said to have travelled in India and studied under Brahmin teachers. “The tree of Life and Being”, she says for instance in her book “… is said in the Bhagavad Gita to grow with its roots above and its branches below. The roots represent the Supreme Being… but one has to go beyond those roots to unite oneself with Krishna… its boughs are Hiranyagarbha (Brahma or Brahman in his highest manifestation), the highest Dhyani-Chohans or Devas. The Vedas are its leaves”.

The primary goal of this ever-growing new-age movement today, it is said, is to bring peace to the world and unite humanity under the banner of the ‘newly’ discovered one-world global consciousness or ‘oneness’ of everyone. Hinduism, which is in fact the source of all such concepts on unity and universalism has been on the contrary often isolated and portrayed as an ethnocentric religion with sectarian views that does not apply universally and thus upholding or expounding Hinduism has been considered by many so-called secular contemporaries to be a fundamentalist way of creating boundaries and limitations, which would supposedly lead to intolerance of other religions and worldviews. Many scholars who are in the lucrative business of selling the new-age beliefs have thus gone to the far extent of not only keeping the word Hindu out of their mainstream preaching and practices but completely divorcing Hinduism from its own philosophical progenies and practices such as yoga.

Deepak Chopra New Age Guru and Celebrity

DEEPAK CHOPRA AND COMPANY

The popular Deepak Chopra (mind-body medicine proponent/author) Eckhart Tolle (spiritual teacher/writer) and small-time Julian Walker (LA based yoga teacher) are classic examples of some of the contemporary new-age power brokers who are living off the Hindu culture, plagiarizing Hinduism, yet failing to give credit where it is due. Julian Walker for instance employs embellished Hindu concepts in his practice, even uses Sanskrit words such as chakra and kundalini but refrains from mentioning the term Hindu. He even goes to the infantile extent of abusing and demeaning India’s most revered Hindu guru Sri Sathya Sai Baba (on his facebook status) with slanderous, malicious and unfounded remarks, while at the same time preaching transformational yoga and writing articles on “mirrors of ‘compassion’”. Eckhart Tolle on the other hand, “is quite liberal in his references to Buddhism, and throughout his book [The New Earth] reinterprets select quotations from the Bible using Advaita logic.

Suhag Shukla lawyer for Hindu American Foundation

But the word Hinduism is cited only a few times” says lawyer for Hindu American Foundation, Suhag Shukla.

In promising magical solutions to the problems of life and mind-altering nirvana, most of these individual teachers and groups today set up fancy workshops and programmes which camouflages and even distorts the ancient Hindu teachings (in the name of secularism) by jazzing it up with fancy names, flashy terminologies and charming rhetoric (an age-old business strategy of clever marketing), paving the royal road to enlightenment as they say, which really is the royal road to exploitation, capitalizing on the spiritual needs of the undiscerning masses and deceiving the less informed people into believing that they have discovered something new, the holy grail if you may, that would heal their soul, providing radical transformation and spiritual expansion, however at exorbitant rates and available exclusively through them.

NEW AGE CHAKRA AND KUNDALINI ART

Apart from yoga, they also hijack and sensationalize Hinduism’s sublime teachings of Tantra, the Science of Chakras (energy centers), Kundalini Ascension, etc. by taking it out of the context of its depth philosophy and portraying it in commercially exaggerated forms and cheap, animated ways, which renders the sellers materially successful yet spiritually and morally bankrupt. Moreover most of these new-age teachers today consider themselves as certified experts solely based on equally beguiling qualifications and diplomas such as those in crystal healing, energy cleansing, colour therapy, integral mind-body transformation or other instant enlightenment rendering sessions.

A HINDU PERSPECTIVE

In emphasizing the importance of first being grounded in holistic Hindu philosophy in order to teach or sell Hindu concepts and 

Dr David Frawley ( Pandit Vamadev Shastri, one of the very rare and authentic scholars on Vedic and Vedantic literature today, says that “some Westerners may want to create their own Yoga paths, mix Yoga with other teachings that may not be in harmony with it, or proclaim themselves as gurus without any traditional sanction. Others may want to physicalize or commercialize Yoga in order to make it more popular or profitable. A more traditional view of Yoga, and one that brings out its living religious basis, brings these efforts into question.”

Indian Government

INDIA MOVE TO PATENT

India has now however rightfully made a move to patent Yoga asanas and will probably patent more of the indigenous Hindu practices in the years to come. Madan Jaira reports through the Hindustan Times that “The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has prepared patent formats of nearly 900 yoga asanas (postures), to prevent European and American companies involved in fitness-related activities from claiming them as their own”.

Using Hinduism’s concepts and practices for personal gain without using the word Hindu forms a wide-spread class of spiritual businessmen. On the other end of the spectrum however, there are so-called experts like Wendy Doniger for instance, who acknowledges Hinduism but uses Judeo-Christian frames of reference and Freudian Psychoanalysis to interpret and denigrate Hinduism thus reducing Eastern Spirituality to Western Materialism, presenting a pornographic and intensely vulgarized perception of Hinduism that is further distorted by her religious conditioning, cultural bias and narrow modes of information processing, an attitude she displays in her own words when she says “the Bhagavad Gita is a dishonest book”. A third category of offenders includes Indian scholars such as Devdutt Pattanaik who support distortionists like Wendy Doniger and dignify her prejudices and overt abuse of Hinduism and its sacred scriptures, further reinforcing the reprehensible thoughts and acts of such miscreants.

Apart from a few genuine and honest teachers who study in-depth and align their practices and teachings with the authentic source that is Hinduism, most use (misuse) it for personal gain and fame. There is nothing really ‘new’ then about the new age culture other than its plastic shamans, narcissistic, pseudo-spiritual leaders and corporate sponsors with their shallow, celebrity mystique and shrewd yet denigrated ways of deception. A large part of the new age movement is in fact more of an unrefined, consumer-driven scam, a money-making market of quackery and an entertainment industry of philosophical/spiritual misguiding.

Dr Aseem Shukla of Hindu American Foundation (HAF) throwing light on Deepak Chopra’s famed yet borrowed spirituality says “Chopra is perhaps the most prominent exponent of the art of “How to Deconstruct, Repackage and Sell Hindu Philosophy Without Calling it Hindu!” To Larry King, he has described himself as an “Advaita Vedantin”–one of the major philosophical schools of Hinduism. Yet none of the plethora of his book titles, that include several devoted to Jesus and one entire book devoted to the Buddha, even skirt the word “Hindu.” His website is devoted to selling products and literature related to yoga, meditation and ayurveda, but Hinduism, of course, bears no mention.”

Also emphasizing on the selective bias of common secular agendas Ranbir Singh of Hindu Human Rights (HHR) UK asserts that “The new age movement appears to give an eclectic mix of anti-Hindu tastes. When it comes to yoga, meditation, vegetarianism, ecological awareness, religious tolerance and even the invention of decimal numbers then it’s not Hindu. But mention sati, dowry abuse, poverty, human trafficking, communal riots and corruption in India then Hinduism suddenly becomes the lowest common denominator of blame”.

The Secret DVD

THE SECRET AND ITS HINDU ORIGINS

Today’s multi-million selling book and DVD  ‘The Secret’ by Rhonda Byrne is based on the concept of the ‘Law of Attraction’- that you can attract whatever you like into your life. The origin of this popular concept traces its roots back to the book “Science of Getting Rich” by Wallace Wattles who says in the preface of his book that “The monistic theory of the universe… the theory that ‘One is All, and that All is One and that one Substance manifests itself as the seeming many elements of the material world’ is of Hindu origin, and has been gradually winning its way into the thought of the western world for two hundred years. It is the foundation of all the Oriental philosophies, and of those of Descartes, Spinoza, Leibnitz, Schopenhauer, Hegel, and Emerson”.

What Wattles was essentially referring to was the fundamental Hindu concept of the ‘one indivisible supreme reality’ that organizes the universe and all its processes and manifestations in ways that are conducive to the ‘whole’. However this concept has now been filtered down to imply that since everything is connected, just by consistently desiring and positively thinking about acquiring 25 Ferraris for instance or pot loads of money will somehow make it manifest in our lives, regardless of whether it serves or acts against the balance of the whole. It also implies that if you have cancer then you “thought” it into existence and if you are a billionaire you manifested that reality with your thought power. Thus it further follows that all people who are raped or victims of terrorist attacks or natural calamities have brought it upon themselves. This is the typical case of cherry picking where Google-search yogis take a concept out of its holistic context and neatly twist it in pretty yet misleading ways that attract many consumers with unfulfilled needs.

Moreover the book and DVD ‘the secret’ uses a spiritual camouflage to encourage self-indulgence and self-centeredness which actually goes against and contradicts the original Hindu concept of the undivided reality and Hinduism’s emphasis on detachment from and transcendence of the mind and its wavering thought-currents.

CONCLUSION

Robert Clive after wining the Battle of Plassey and the beginning of looting India’s wealth

In the final analysis, it has been known that for over two hundred years India’s material wealth and resources were plundered and drained during the colonial British rule where the East India Company exploited and weakened India’s indigenous industries by buying her raw materials at cheap rates and selling her the manufactured end-products at inflated prices. What is not so obvious is that this trend of well-disguised fraudulency still continues even to this day as the modern-day Robert Clives have found their way back in the guise of self-appointed yogis and scholars who now exploit India’s spiritual wealth, only to dissect it, distort it, recycle/repackage it and sell it back to her people as well as the rest of the world for their self-serving gains, without ever acknowledging the real source.

Our ancestors: "O Glorious Surya! Bear witness as I lay low my enemies!"

Their descendants: "As long as secularism is safe, everything is fine."

To conclude with Until the last of our temples still stand, memories of our heroes still live & some still act to keep Dharma alive in order to make this land reach the pinnacle of its lost glory, no one can crush, leave alone bring down the foundations of our very existance.