Ancient Indian Classical 'Rap' Music from over a thousand years ago

From the Wikipedia, we see the following definition of this form of music.

"rap music,is a music genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies  rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted"

Wikipedia also gives us the following information.

"Rapping (or emceeing, MCing, spitting bars, or rhyming) is "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics".  The components of rapping include "content", "flow" (rhythm and rhyme), and "delivery". Rapping  is distinct from spoken-word poetry in that it is performed in time to a beat. Rapping is often  associated with and a primary ingredient of hip-hop music, but the origins of the phenomenon can  be said to predate hip-hop culture by centuries. It can also be found in alternative rock such as  that of Cake and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Rapping is also used in Kwaito music, a genre that  originated in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is composed of hip-hop elements."

Famous rappers include - 50 Cent, Kanye West, Vanilla Ice... Most modern teenagers in the Western  cultures know a lot about the currently famous rappers. There are rappers in languages other than  English too. One can see the strong influence of this genre in popular music in many languages in Asia. I have  come across local popular music blended with rapping in the local languages from Hindi to Tamil.  One can see this all across Asia in other languages too the popularity of - 'Gangnam Style'  springs to mind. 

While we may all have different feelings, opinions and views on the content of the lyrics of some  of the more famous rap songs (some may like them and some may hate them for the stories they  tell), I think we can all agree upon the following elements that make a 'rap' song a class act,

1) A good, short, catchy beat to which you cannot sit still listening. Note the definition of rap  from Wikipedia includes the term 'chant'. This is a crucial definition.

2) Good lyrics with words that both rhyme and convey the perfect meaning at the same time.

3) A good play on words, alliteration and sentences that often convey more than one message  perfectly with the same words. 

For some there is an additional criteria

4) The message of the composition should be 'classy', positive or something one is not ashamed to  sing to one's child, parents or grandparents.

Without being judgmental about the last criterion, we can still go with the first three to  identify the reasons why a rap composition might appeal to anyone. While a lot of rap music tell stories or life in city ghettos, violence or the sexual appeal of females and males, their  attractiveness and activities, many also touch upon real life issues, politics and can be quite  thought-provoking. I have learned a bit just watching kids, including my own, in how they relate  to this genre of music.

If one thinks a bit more deeply, it becomes obvious that this is not a new set of criteria for  good music or composition. It has been true for thousands of years, since humans first discovered  the magic of music and poetry.

Usually, most people can listen to a composition and identify with it intuitively if it awakens an inner appreciation of beauty that already resides in us - whether it is modern or ancient.

I have found one example, a composition of about the 8th century CE, composed in Sanskrit by a  famous ancient philosopher from the south of India, known as  Adi Shankaracharya. Its modern rendition is credited to another poet in recent times  Ramakrishna Kavi Manavalli (1866-1957).

It has all the elements and messages of modern rap - it is about evil men or demons representing the baser human instincts, it is about violence too, it is about female beauty, all explicitly  and vividly described. It is a famous chant, glorifying and praising the female power and energy (the Goddess Durga), the consort and  literally the half of Lord  Shiva (a Hindu God representing the constant transformation going on  in the universe, a constant change with something being destroyed and something else being  created). It is a compelling description of an alluring beautiful female who displays all  qualities that were admired in women - doing good while destroying the most terrifying and evil  demons - which are really often representative of our baser feelings and thoughts.The chant  praises the victory of Goddess Durga in fierce battle with many demons who caused misery in this  world.  It reveals how women too were revered, looked up to and worshiped as sources of power, energy and aggression in old cultures.

Any modern female would be equally impressed and moved by the depth of feeling and elegance of the lyrics if it described her. I see that many modern compositions do exactly that, the same as our ancestors did. I cannot imagine a modern female not appreciating the old lyrics and their meanings in this song, if it were applied to her.

This ancient classical 'rap' has all the elements set out in the criteria we listed, even the last one. It describes features and thoughts that are timeless. It uses the language that uplifts one's spirit and is classy rather than use cheap shock effects or foul language. It has amazing rhyme, rhythm and some of the best alliteration you can ever come across in  literature. While a double meaning is great and difficult to attain in context, this even has three different possile meanings in places, all perfectly making sense and that adds a dimension and fantastic appeal. No wonder the lyrics have stood the test of time. One wonders how many of the current modern lyrics will last as long and still hold appeal with the masses.

The composition is called 'Mahishasura Mardini Stotram'. It is easily searched by the first two  words in it 'Aigiri Nandini'.

There are many links to it that can be found on the net on a simple search. I have chosen one of them with a Roman English transliteration and English translation that conveys the message to a great extent. Keep in mind too that the known limitation of English as phonetic language in trying to read the original. It is best when listened to, if possible. The more subtle nuances and the peaks of creative genius cannot be adequately be translated into English. People that understand some Sanskrit will be able to appreciate those from a reading of the original.

Take for example, the stanza 10. 

The first line has 'Sumana sumana sumana' contains the alliteration of 'Manasu manasu manasu'
the former meaning a flower, or intelligent/wise and the latter meaning heart. All make 'perfect'  sense in context.

The second line has 'Rajani Rajani Rajani Rajani'  when heard can also sound like another word  'niRaja niRaja'

One means "Queen of the Night" and the other "Lotus", both give a perfect  and apt meaning to the  line. 

There are many such examples all over this composition. It has been a favourite classical chant  in many South Indian homes even now. The beat is short, sweet, catchy and the  language and message is top notch. One can sing it without shame in the temple or in front of  one's mother without embarrassment, even though many descriptions are quite vivid. It indicates a very progressive society with a liberal, accepting outlook of ancient times. 

Youtube has a great video that too synchronises the transliteration with the chant.
There is rap, there is crap and there is Classical Awesome Rap!

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The following is from a website that is titled 'divinebrahmanda'.

Mahishasura Mardini Stotram or Mahishasur Maridhini Sloka is a very popular devotional stotra of Goddess Durga written by Guru Adi Sankaracharya (Sri Sri Sri Shankara Bhagavatpadacharya). This devotional verse is addressed to Goddess Mahisasura Mardini, the Goddess who killed Demon Mahishasura. Mahisasura Mardini is the fierce form of Goddess Durga Maa (an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi), where Durga Maa is depicted with 10 arms who rides in a lion or tiger and carrying weapons and assumes symbolic hand gestures or mudras.

Mahishasura Mardini Stotram (Aigiri Nandini)
1. Ayi girinandini nanditamedini vishvavinodini nandanute
Girivara vindhya shirodhinivaasini vishhnuvilaasini jishhnunute 
Bhagavati he shitikanthakutumbini bhuuri kutumbini bhuuri krite
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Who makes the whole earth happy,
Who rejoices with this universe,
Who is the daughter of Nanda,
Who resides on the peak of Vindhyas,
Who plays with Lord Vishnu,
Who has a glittering mien,
Who is praised by other goddesses,
Who is the consort of the lord with the blue neck,
Who has several families,
Who does good to her family.
Who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

2. Suravaravarshhini durdharadharshhini durmukhamarshhini harshharate
Tribhuvanaposhhini shankaratoshhini kilbishhamoshhini ghoshharate 
Danuja niroshhini ditisuta roshhini durmada shoshhini sindhusute
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Oh goddess who showers boons on devas,
Who punishes those who are undisciplined.
Who tolerates ugly faced ogres,
Who enjoys in being happy,
Who looks after the three worlds,
Who pleases lord Shiva,
Who removes effect of sins,
Who rejoices with the holy sound,
Who is angry on the progenies of Dhanu,
Who is angry with the children of Dithi,
Who discourages those with pride,
Who is the daughter of the Ocean,
Who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

3. Ayi jagadamba madamba kadamba vanapriya vaasini haasarate
Shikhari shiromini tunga himaalaya shringa nijaalaya madhyagate 
Madhu madhure madhu kaitabha bhanjani kaitabha bhanjini raasaraate
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Oh , mother of the entire world,
Who loves to live in the forest of Kadambha trees,
Who enjoys to smile,
Who lives in the top peak of the great Himalayas
Who is sweeter than honey,
Who keeps the treasures of Madhu and Kaidabha,
Who is the slayer of Kaidabha,
Who enjoys her dancing,
Who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

4. Ayi shatakhanda vikhandita runda vitundita shunda gajaadhipate
Ripu gaja ganda vidaarana chanda paraakrama shunda mrigaadhipate 
Nija bhuja danda nipaatita khanda vipaatita munda bhataadhipate
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Oh Goddess who breaks the heads of ogres,
In to hundreds of pieces,
Who cuts the trunks of elephants in battle,
Who rides on the valorous lion,
Which tears the heads of elephants to pieces,
Who severs the heads of the generals of the enemy,
With her own arms,
Who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

5. Ayi rana durmada shatru vadhodita durdhara nirjara shaktibhrite
Chatura vichaara dhuriina mahaashiva duutakrita pramathaadhipate 
Durita duriiha duraashaya durmati daanavaduuta kritaantamate
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Oh Goddess who has the strength which never diminishes,
To gain victory over enemies in the battle field,
Who made Pramatha, the attendant of Lord Shiva,
Known for his tricky strategy, as her assistant,
Who took the decision to destroy the asuras,
Who are bad people, with evil thoughts and mind,
Oh Goddess who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

6. Ayi sharanaagata vairi vadhuuvara viira varaabhaya daayakare
Tribhuvana mastaka shuula virodhi shirodhi kritaamala shuulakare 
Dumidumi taamara dundubhinaada maho mukhariikrita tigmakare
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Oh Goddess who forgives and gives refuge,
To the heroic soldiers of the enemy rank,
Whose wives come seeking refuge for them,
Oh Goddess who is armed with trident ,
Ready to throw on the heads of those,
Who cause great pain to the three worlds,
Oh Goddess who shines likes the hot sun,
And who is aroused by sound of “Dhumi, Dhumi,”
Produced by the beating of drums by the devas,
Oh Goddess who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

7. Ayi nija hunkriti maatra niraakrita dhuumra vilochana dhuumra shate
Samara vishoshhita shonita biija samudbhava shonita biija late 
Shiva shiva shumbha nishumbha mahaahava tarpita bhuuta pishaacharate
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Oh, Goddess who blew away hundreds of ogres,
Who had smoking eyes,
With her mere sound of “Hum”
Oh Goddess who is the blood red creeper,
Emanating from the seeds of blood,
Which fell in the battle field,
Oh Goddess who delights in the company of Lord Shiva,
And the ogres Shumbha and Nishumbha,
Who were sacrificed in the battle field,
Oh Goddess who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

8. Dhanuranu sanga ranakshhanasanga parisphura danga natatkatake
Kanaka pishanga prishhatka nishhanga rasadbhata shringa hataavatuke 
Krita chaturanga balakshiti ranga ghatadbahuranga ratadbatuke
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Oh Goddess who decks herself with ornaments,
On her throbbing limbs in the field of battle,
When she gets her bow ready to fight,
Oh Goddess , who killed her enemies,
In the field of battle with a shining sword,
And the shaking of her golden brown spots,
Oh Goddess , who made the battle ground of the four fold army,
In to a stage of drama with screaming little soldiers,
Oh Goddess who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

9. Jaya jaya japya jayejaya jaya shabda parastuti tatpara vishvanute
Bhana bhana bhijnjimi bhinkrita nuupura sinjita mohita bhuutapate 
Natita nataardha natiinata naayaka naatita naatya sugaanarate
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Oh Goddess , whose victory is sung,
By the whole universe,
Which is interested in singing her victory,
Oh Goddess who attracts the attention of Lord Shiva,
By the twinkling sound made by her anklets,
While she is engaged in dancing,
Oh Goddess who gets delighted ,
By the dance and drama by versatile actors,
Even while she is half of Lord Shiva’s body,
Oh Goddess who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

10. Ayi sumanah sumanah sumanah sumanah sumanohara kaantiyute
Shrita rajanii rajanii rajanii rajanii rajaniikara vaktravrite 
Sunayana vibhramara bhramara bhramara bhramara bhramaraadhipate
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Oh Goddess of the people with good mind,
Who is greatly gracious to such people,
Oh Goddess who appears very pretty to the good minded,
Oh Goddess with moon like face,
Who is as cool as the moon ,to those in the dark,
Oh Goddess whose face shines in the moon light,
Oh Goddess whose very pretty flower like eyes attracts the bees ,
Oh Goddess who attracts devotees ,like a flower which attracts bees,
Oh Goddess who attracts her lord like a bee,
Oh Goddess who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

11.Sahita mahaahava mallama tallika mallita rallaka mallarate
Virachita vallika pallika mallika bhillika bhillika varga vrite 
Sitakrita pullisamulla sitaaruna tallaja pallava sallalite
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Oh Goddess who becomes happy,
In the sport of battle, assisted by warriors,
Oh Goddess who is surrounded by hunters,
Whose hut is surrounded by creepers,
And the tribes of Mallikas, Jillakas and Bhillakas,
Oh Goddess who is as pretty as
The famous fully opened flower,
Oh Goddess , who is as pretty as the creeper,
Full of red tender leaves,
Oh Goddess who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

12. Avirala ganda galanmada medura matta matangaja raajapate
Tribhuvana bhuushhana bhuuta kalaanidhi ruupa payonidhi raajasute 
Ayi suda tiijana laalasamaanasa mohana manmatha raajasute
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Oh Goddess , who walks like a royal elephant in rut,
In Whose face there is a copious flow of ichors,
Oh Goddess , who is the daughter of the ocean of milk,
From where the pretty moon also took his birth,
Oh Goddess who is the ornament of the three worlds,
Oh Goddess who is worshipped by the God of love,
Who fills the minds of pretty ladies with desire,
Oh Goddess who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

13. Kamala dalaamala komala kaanti kalaakalitaamala bhaalalate
Sakala vilaasa kalaanilayakrama keli chalatkala hansa kule 
Alikula sankula kuvalaya mandala maulimiladbhakulaali kule
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Oh Goddess , whose spotless forehead,
Which is of delicate prettiness,
Is like pure and tender lotus leaf,
Oh Goddess who moves like the spotlessly pretty swans,
Which Move with delicate steps,
And which is the epitome of arts,,
Oh Goddess ,Whose tress is surrounded
By bees from bakula trees,
Which normally crowd the tops of lotus flowers,
Oh Goddess who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

14. Kara muralii rava viijita kuujita lajjita kokila mujnjamate
Milita pulinda manohara gujnjita ranjitashaila nikujnjagate 
Nijaguna bhuuta mahaashabariigana sadguna sambhrita kelitale
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Oh Goddess with sweet tender thoughts,
Whose sweet enchanting music,
Made through the flute in her hands,
Put the sweet voiced nightingale to shame,
Oh Goddess who stays in pleasant mountain groves,
Which resound with the voice of tribal folks,
Oh Goddess, whose playful stadium,
Is filled with flocks of tribal women,
Who have many qualities similar to her,
Oh Goddess who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

15. Katitata piita dukuula vichitra mayuukhatiraskrita chandra ruche
Pranata suraasura maulimanisphura danshula sannakha chandra ruche 
Jita kanakaachala maulipadorjita nirbhara kunjara kumbhakuche
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Oh goddess, who wears yellow silks on her waist,
Which has peculiar brilliance ,
That puts the moon to shame,
Oh goddess, whose toe nails shine like the moon,
Because of the reflection of the light,
From the crowns of Gods and asuras who bow at her feet,
Oh Goddess whose breasts which challenge,
The forehead of elephants and the peaks of golden mountains,
Oh Goddess who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

16. Vijita sahasrakaraika sahasrakaraika sahasrakaraikanute
Krita surataaraka sangarataaraka sangarataaraka suunusute 
Suratha samaadhi samaanasamaadhi samaadhisamaadhi sujaatarate
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Oh Goddess , whose splendour ,
Defeats the Sun with his thousand rays
Oh Goddess , who is saluted by the Sun,
Who has thousands of rays,
Oh Goddess who was praised,
By Tharakasura after his defeat,
In the war between him and your son,
Oh Goddess who was pleased with King Suratha,
And the rich merchant called Samadhi,
Who entered in to Samadhi,
And who prayed for endless Samadhi,
Oh Goddess who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

17. Padakamalam karunaanilaye varivasyati yoanudinan sa shive
Ayi kamale kamalaanilaye kamalaanilayah sa katham na bhaveth 
Tava padameva parampadamityanushiilayato mama kim na shive
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Oh Goddess, in whom mercy lives,
And who is auspiciousness itself,
He who worships thine lotus feet,
Daily without fail,
Would for sure be endowed with wealth,
By that Goddess who lives on lotus,
And if I consider thine feet as only refuge,
Is there anything that I will not get,
Oh Goddess who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

18. Kanakalasatkala sindhu jalairanu sijnchinute guna rangabhuvam
Bhajati sa kim na shachiikucha kumbha tatii parirambha sukhaanubhavamh 
Tava charanam sharanam karavaani nataamaravaani nivasi shivam
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
He who sprinkles the water of the ocean,
Taken in a golden pot , on your play ground,
Oh Goddess will get the same pleasure ,
Like the Indra in heaven, when he fondles,
The pot like breasts of his wife Suchi,
So I take refuge in thine feet Oh Goddess,
Which is also place where Shiva resides,
Oh Goddess who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

19. Tava vimalendukulam vadanendumalam sakalam nanu kuulayate
Kimu puruhuuta puriindumukhii sumukhiibhirasau vimukhiikriyate 
Mama tu matam shivanaamadhane bhavatii kripayaa kimuta kriyate
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
He who keeps thine face adorned by moon,
In his thought would never face rejection,
By the bevy of pretty beauties with moon like face,
In the celestial Indra’s court,
And so oh Goddess who is held in esteem by Shiva,
I am sure you would not reject my wishes,
Oh Goddess who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

20. Ayi mayi diinadayaalutayaa kripayaiva tvayaa bhavitavyamume
Ayi jagato jananii kripayaasi yathaasi tathaanumitaasirate 
Yaduchitamatra bhavatyurari kurutaadurutaapamaapaakurute
Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute 

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Please shower some mercy on me,
As you are most merciful on the oppressed.
Oh mother of the universe ,be pleased,
To give me the independence ,
To consider you as my mother
And do not reject my prayer even if it is improper,
But be pleased to drive away all my sorrows,
Oh Goddess who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.



Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015
All rights reserved 

The Times We Live In

Long, long ago, there was a time when -

1) Kings or small lords ruled the roost in most places around the world.

2) Some were good, some were not.

3) Those that were leaders or the real powers usually spoke what they thought - good or evil. They did what they thought or said. Their thought, words and actions were all aligned and consistent with each other.

4) One could easily tell who was the the real power in any society - they wore a crown, or made pronouncements of policy.

5) The real powers led battles from the front - they were either victorious or defeated. It was possible to change the power and policy by defeating the visible leader.

6) Whether they were good or evil, they were easy to read, see and showed a degree of honesty that would be unthinkable these days. Many evil violent people were so, openly, honestly and never cared to hide their intentions.

For a long time since, and now

1) Kings or lords or Presidents or Prime Ministers, all are really figureheads and spokespersons for the real powers. Even in a democracy, their personalities is used to harness votes.

2) The real power resides in nameless or faceless people in the shadows that no one really knows much about.

3) It is not possible to defeat a power by defeating an individual alone. Someone new will take the place of the 'leader' figure who is replaceable.

4) The real decision makers never face the downside consequences of their actions, visibly. They lead from the rear or remain hidden forever.

5) What the real powers think is not evident from what they say, but often only by what they do, well after the fact. It is not easy to read them. 

6) The thoughts, words and actions  of the real powers are also not always aligned. It is not easy to tell who is really good or evil. Everyone puts out 'good' sounding rhetoric. Many of them have as much evil intention as the worst of those in the ancient past.

What do you think? Given a choice, what would you prefer?



Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015
All rights reserved 

When People Start To 'Hate' Science

I saw an interesting post on the Internet about why someone thinks some culture 'hates' science.

Science in itself is worthy for the process it recommends or demands, not necessarily the end results. Most scientific work, at the end produce only theories or hypothesis that explain some observed facts or truths, often only to a close approximation. Only in the area of mathematics, it produces absolute everlasting truths that we can know for certain, but not so in other areas. The scientific process is objective and impartial to human wishes and biases. It models an ideal in human relationships where, if we treated each other or judged each other using a scientific approach in certain crucial aspects, we might be better off as a species or civilization. The fruits of the scientific methods can be beneficial to the humans regardless of their good or evil nature.

When politicians try to justify the unjustifiable, or try to distort facts or history, they often find scientific way of thinking and rational logic against them. So, they pander to a group who will willingly let go of rational thinking and the scientific method for perceived personal gain. One can see this happening around the world.

This is how powerful empires, even those whose strengths are based on scientific achievements, crumble. Ultimately, truth, logic and the scientific methods become their 'enemies' as they see it - whether in the physical sciences or social sciences. They start to hate those whose thinking process might prove to reasonable and rational people how wrong their political leaders might be. They like to blame the fruits of science rather than the motives of humans like themselves. What is unsaid is that use of any knowledge or the decision NOT to use a certain knowledge requires wisdom, which is more important always than knowledge itself.

Human venality always has a way of catching up with greed and making them silly and illogical. This is part of a natural process, perhaps to keep greed and evil in check ultimately. However, this often leads to cycles in human affairs with ups and downs. It keeps life  and human civilization always interesting.

What do you think?


Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015
All rights reserved