Latest news with #Krishn
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Beyond Ego: Why Future Demands An Ecocentric Worldview
Rene Descartes, one of the foremost rationalists, famously proclaimed 'Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum,' which means 'i doubt, therefore i think, therefore i am.' Ethically speaking, besides pointing to importance of critical thinking, which is fundamental to existence, the phrase carries weight of 'i', the self: i doubt-i think-i am, intensely focusing on 'i', representative of ego. Self-centredness reflects a lack of ability to understand different perspectives on the same truth, an inherent cognitive bias towards the self to exclude all others, and a lack of empathy. This self-serving approach is egocentric, where 'i' wants to manipulate the world, modifying its environment at the cost other beings for whom the Earth is a shared home. An egocentric approach considers existence self-serving. It does not accept the environmental crises and treats rivers, lakes, forests, and mountains merely as resources to be exploited for ego's aggrandisement. This attitude must be transcended to save the planet. Transcendence of ego comes from expanding the sense of self to include rest of the world – species on the brink of extinction, polluted rivers, plastic-filled oceans and toxic air. It requires a paradigm shift – from being egocentric to becoming ecocentric. With being and becoming a constant exercise in inclusion resulting in expansion of self that ultimately leads to realisation of the Self. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Krishn says in the Bhagwad Gita : 'Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, reason, and also ego; these constitute My nature divided into eight parts. This, indeed, is my material nature. Other than this, by which the whole universe is sustained, know it to be My higher nature in the form of Jiva.' Everything that we see or feel, in a way, is Krishn. There is no duality. Krishn and nature are not separate; they are one. Krishn is both within existence and outside of it, but he is not limited to it, because he is representative of the Supreme Self. He says in Gita: 'There is nothing else besides Me, Arjun. Like clusters of yarn-beads formed by knots on a thread, all this is threaded on me.' Krishn challenges Arjun's egocentricity by enabling him to see beyond the self and fulfil his dharm. In the 21st century, our dharm is to become eco-centric, that is, to acknowledge and value all living beings, not just by how useful they are to us. Buddhists believe in dependent origination , that is, nothing exists without causes or conditions that enable its existence. All phenomena are interdependent, and realising this is shunyata, emptiness. Our existence is relative to causes and conditions and dependent on many other factors beyond our control. Even an empty bottle, which we toss nonchalantly in the bin, carries unseen labour of hundreds of people who worked to ensure it reached us. These things may not occur to us when we discard bottles, clothes, gadgets, utensils, and other things and reach out for new ones. An egocentric model will not sustain us; we need an ecocentric model for a brighter tomorrow that nourishes our being and the environment. Authored by: Sonal Srivastava Why Arjun Was Chosen: The Untold Secret of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 3
Time of India
21-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Yog: The Art of Attention In A Distracted World
"Yog is the journey of the self, through the self, to the Self" – Bhagwad Gita 6.20 On this , as yoga mats unfurl across continents and millions synchronise their breath to a timeless rhythm, let us pause and reflect—not merely on posture or flexibility—but on the inner posture of the mind, the quiet alignment of attention with the divine. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In the sixth chapter of the Bhagwad Gita, Krishn elevates the discourse on yog from the external to the internal. He asserts that Karm Yog —performing one's worldly duties without attachment—is nobler than renunciation. But beyond all, the yogi who meditates with unwavering devotion to the Divine is supreme (6.47). This vision of yog is not escapism, but a precise alignment of our attention, energy, and time with spiritual realization. The Age of Scattered Attention Modern life is not short of stimulation, but it is starved of stillness. In an era of infinite scrolling, attention has become our rarest resource. And as the Gita proclaims, 'Elevate yourself through the power of your mind, not degrade yourself; for the mind is both friend and enemy' (6.5). This internal war—between the distracted and the disciplined mind—is where yog truly begins. Focus: The Spiritual Muscle often emphasised the role of disciplined attention as the core of spiritual training . He said, "The difference between an ordinary man and a great man lies in the degree of concentration." Yog is the ancient art of winning that battle. It is the practice of bringing the mind back—again and again—to the Divine, as described in Gita 6.26: 'Whenever the mind wanders... bring it back under control.' The Kundalini, the rising serpent, symbolizes this precise power—of awakening focus, of uncoiling our spiritual energy toward its highest possibility. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Attention as Enlightenment Modern psychology echoes these ancient truths. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, in his seminal work, Flow , observes: "The best moments in life occur when a person's body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile." This is Yog: not relaxation, but immersion. Not escape, but engagement with our highest self. The Lamp That Does Not Flicker A mind trained in yog becomes like a flame in a windless place (6.19)—still, unwavering, full of light. It sees gold, dirt, and stone as equal (6.8), and beholds the Self in all beings and all beings in the Self (6.29). This is not poetic fantasy, but a lived transformation, attainable by persistent practice and joyful detachment. From Self-Help to Selflessness Real yog is not about helping ourselves—but transcending the self. The Gita teaches that the yogi lives in the world but is not of it. He works, sleeps, eats, and interacts in balance (6.17), free from the turbulence of likes and dislikes. He becomes a mirror, not a mask—a presence that reflects love, impartiality, and inner bliss. The Way Forward As we honour Yog on this day, let us honor not just its physical elegance, but its spiritual essence. Let us strive not just to stretch our limbs, but to still our minds, not just to master poses, but to master attention. In a world of noise, the yogi is the silence that sings. In the storm of desires, the yogi is the center that holds. And above all, in a civilization distracted by consumption, the yogi is a reminder that being is enough. Shivoham, Shivoham – I am He, I am He. Not the doer, not the doing, but the undying awareness behind all. Happy International Yoga Day. Authored by: Shambo Samrat Samajdar and Shashank R Joshi Why Arjun Was Chosen: The Untold Secret of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 3
Economic Times
04-06-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Trees are Mahayogis
Krishn states in the Bhagwad Gita, 'I am Peepal among trees.' Trees are mahayogis. As an evolved human spreads divine aura, joy and peace, so do trees. The moment it sprouts from earth, it spreads its arms - branches - towards the sky to receive all energies, head held high to get connected to universal life force for growth, yet rooted on earth. It flows with natural forces, making itself stronger, taller and beautiful. Trees always give just like the rest of Nature, teaching and reminding us that giving is the law of nature. If we imbibe this, it will make the atmosphere pleasant and congenial for growth. Tree is a guru and reflection of the Supreme Provider. It is the provider of bounties that are required for our healthy and natural survival. That is why a tree is never ugly; it reflects what it is to be alive, without enforcing anything or being a doer. It is alive till the last moment; and even when it perishes, every part of the tree is of great value. A tree imparts manure to earth and its roots provide shelter to underground insects that nourish the soil. No matter how much a person plucks its leaves and scratches its bark, the tree never retaliates. It continues to be patient and does its karm. Trees are a source of livelihood to so many, those who are involved in planting and nurturing of orchards and farmlands, taking care of the creepers, fruit and vegetables, transporting and selling them. This inspires us to serve Nature, which, in turn, will enhance the whole environment. World Environment Day is on June 5, 2025
Time of India
02-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Wittgenstein, Kipling and Gita's Stithprajna
Authored by Ashok Vohra The Sanskrit term ' stithprajna' combines 'stitha' – steady, firm, and 'prajna' – wise, learned. So, stithprajna means a person of steady wisdom. He is the 'one whose mind remains undisturbed amidst misery, for whom sukha-duhkha, happiness and sorrow; labha-alabhau, gain or loss; jaya-ajaya, conquest and defeat are the same. A person, according to Gita, 2.55, attains the status of stithprajna when he 'discards all selfish desires and cravings of the senses that torment the mind, and becomes satisfied in realisation of the Self, such a person is said to be transcendentally situated.' A stithprajna turns his mind away from the material allurements and renounces lure of the senses. He is free from raag, attachment; dvesh, jealousy; bhay, fear; krodh, anger. He is indifferent to the uncertainties of life, its vulnerability to reversals and its resilience. He is indifferent to the temporary nature of the results of his actions, nor is he disappointed if he cannot achieve his chosen goals, complete the deeds undertaken by him, or even if his deeds do not yield desired fruits. The performance of actions with all sincerity is the end that gives him satisfaction. Kathopanishad, 2.3.14, goes to the extent of saying that one who has renounced desires becomes like God: 'When one eliminates all selfish desires from the heart, then the materially fettered jivatma (soul) attains freedom from birth and death, and becomes Godlike in virtue.' In the Bhagwad Gita, 2.54, Arjun asks Krishn about the characteristics of a stithprajna. He asks, 'How does the man of steady wisdom speak? How does he sit? How does he move about?' Krishn answers that a stithprajna 'practises self-control' and 'discards all selfish desires and cravings of the senses that torment the mind'. His life is both authentic and autonomous. If interpreted in Ludwig Wittgenstein's terms, stithprajna is 'the man…fulfilling the purpose of existence who no longer needs to have a purpose except to live. That is to say, who is content.' For him, the solution to problems of life lies in 'disappearance of the problem'. This frees him from hope and fear, 'for life in the present there is no death.' He knows that the lived world is 'beyond the control of human will, and therefore he is content with how the world is.' He lives in the world and accepts it without trying to change it. He contemplates the world as a limited whole as an impartial observer. He realises that he 'cannot steer the world's happenings according to (his) will,' and that he is 'entirely powerless'. He also realises that he 'can only make (himself) independent of the world – and so in a certain sense, master it – by renouncing any influence on happenings.' Krishn's description of stithprajna also reflects in Rudyard Kipling's poem If , it reads: 'If you can dream – and not make dreams your master/If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim/If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster/And treat those two impostors just the same…/If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you/If all men count with you, but none too much'. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Don't get in the way of a charging bull
It is our nature to compare, compete, and feel dejected, especially when we see others having more money, property, better relationships, or good health. We then try to find flaws in their lives, look for something wrong with them, and assert or deny what we want and who we are. This creates inner conflict, leading to pain. Nothing is discordant in nature. But most of us would say that life is not always fair. We hold grudges against people, events, occurrences, and circumstances. Life or existence is neither fair nor unfair. Swami Vivekanand says that not even an atom in this universe can be different from what it is now, for that would destroy the balance of the universe, and the entire system would collapse. We worry about drowning in a sea of challenges, problems and roadblocks. The Buddha refused to get drawn into conflict with a man on the street who had abused him. When his disciples asked him why he did not react, he said, 'He is free to say what he wants, but it is my choice to receive what he says or return it. I chose not to take it, so I was free'. In the Bhagwad Gita, Krishn says, 'Yaha sarvatra anabhis snehaha, (2.57)' – don't get attached to success or failure. When you are not connected to success or failure, you are at peace with whatever is to be – shubh ashubham , good or bad. Krishn says that we must increase our awareness, inner silence, and calmness. Once we learn to do this, we will be able to navigate through life's myriad challenges with ease and composure. When we begin to skilfully navigate the pathways that life creates for us smoothly, we will find that, just like practising driving through a rugged terrain, a certain skill will be enhanced. Within us, there are infinite energies to help resolve all kinds of conflicts – big or small. Life is like a river; it is constantly moving. Move with grace. Be flexible like ariver. A river goes ahead despite obstacles. At some point, we all enjoyed the music a river makes as it flows. The river makes music even as it lives with rocks and obstacles that hinder its path. The river passes them, caresses them continuously, and, in the process, smoothens their rough edges. It also makes music as it gurgles towards its destination. Once, a king walking along a narrow street had to give way to a charging bull. He could not tell the bull, 'Get out of the way, I am the king of this area.' Metaphorically speaking, all people who wish to clash with us are like that bull. Therefore, to avoid a clash, we must wisely get out of the way. Living in harmony with our surroundings and circumstances brings inward peace and poise. When we maintain poise, problems and challenges vanish like mist before the rising sun. In a symbolic sense, we must remember to get out of the way of a charging bull so that we can continue to lead a life of harmony and peace. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
