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 

Is It A Good Life?

The Four Purposes Of Human Life

Almost all of us have heard of the question - "What is the meaning of life?" - We are supposed to contemplate this when we are 'starting to live consciously' and have a good stretch of life to look forward to.
Another closely related question is the same in essence but one which we would typically ask at the end of our life or when someone's life has ended - "Was it a good fulfilling life?" or "Was This Life Worth It?"

According to a philosophy, there are the following four areas in which we are each supposed to define our specific goals or aspirations. Achieving an acceptable measure of success in each of the four areas supposedly leads one to feel 'It was worth it!' at the end of life.

1) Justice/Doing The Right Thing: This has to do with a built-in knowledge that almost all are born with - a sense of fairness, knowing right from wrong and respecting other's rights.

2) Material wealth: Earning enough to provide for ourselves, our loved ones and even others materially - food, shelter, clothing and even comforts.

3) Love, Desire, Affection: A deep attachment or attraction to others, a need to express love towards others and achieve an acknowledgement, acceptance or love in return.

4) Liberation, Detachment and thought of the afterlife: A realisation of the fleeting nature of material wealth, relationships in human bodies and thoughts of a bigger picture beyond one's own lifetime in this body.

Here are the four areas, explained a little more in detail.

1) Historically, "Doing the Right Thing" meant not stealing, being honest and sincere, adhering to the truth, sometimes even fudging the truth, to achieve a greater common good in the face of evil. It was considered one of the supreme acts worthy of praise. That is why, old Royals - Kings and Rulers were called the ones chosen to ensure that Justice was done. They supposedly upheld this 'divine law'. They were supposed to be respected for that, not for assuming 'Divine Rights'. The law was supposed to be supreme. In some places, the term for 'doing the right thing' was mis-translated to mean 'perform acts of charity'. However, that is not the intention in this context. There was a simple but incredibly deep, powerful definition of how to know what is 'Doing The Right Thing' or being Just and fair ?. It was this one simple sentence - "Do not disturb others" - as the ultimate expression of this principle. The word 'disturb' covers just about every human crime and violence from the mildest annoyance to the most foul and horrible harm or 'crime against humanity'.

2) Earning material wealth was considered a worthy and necessary pursuit for all, to provide for themselves or their families or even for others. It is essential for surivival and everyone has an obligation to contribute. As long as the methods adopted to earn material wealth and essentials were honest, and one achieved wealth by 'doing the right thing', it was fair and good and for the benefit of all. This was not looked down upon. It was understood that various people would achieve different levels of material possessions and wealth by their varying efforts, contributions and chance of fate.

3) Desire, love, lust, affection, pleasure and attachment to others were also legitimate goals to pursue in life, as part of our pursuit of happiness (the words of the constitution of the USA rings the same note). Here again, the only requirement was to 'Do The Right Thing'. As long as it is done fairly, justly and without trampling on anyone else's rights and peace, it was fine.

4) The thought of liberation or even a cursory thought about the afterlife - even if one decides that none exists, is fine. But it is built-in, into almost everyone of us to sometime ask this question for ourselves. A certain knowledge of somethings about afterlife often helps us lead better lives while we are alive. There is no need to believe anything that is not rational, logical, truthful. Here, there is a small reminder of an indisputable fact, from which we each can draw our own conclusions - Change is the only constant and everlasting truth in the universe. 
Change implies creation of new forms even as old ones are destroyed. Each form also appears to last for a little while (whether a few nanoseconds, microseconds, hundreds or billions of years). So, we can have an idea about ourselves about life and afterlife from this basic fact. Often it leads to a more gracious acceptance of the inevitable and end of our lives in this human form. 

 Each of the three aspects - creation, destruction and fleeting nature of existence is a basic, everlasting, ultimate truth and principle. They are worthy of remembering, respect, understanding, and even reverence. Sometimes these are called the 'trinity'. Some have made up characters, even with human or animal forms out of these basic concepts. This is an area that we are supposed to work out for ourselves, even if we take input from others. We are not supposed to blindly follow or believe what anyone says. Liberation or salvation is a highly personal concept in this context and philosophy.

The philosophy suggests that we are all inherently created with a definite and certain levels of inherent aspirations in all these four areas. If we do well in achieving satisfaction in each of these areas, we feel our life is fulfilled and 'it was worth it' and we can leave this human body gracefully without too many regrets. Achievements in these four areas are measures by which we (should) supposedly judge the life of someone else. 

We can see that having achievements in one area and not the other can leave us feeling unfulfilled. We can also observe that as a society, the greatest respect and admiration goes to those who achieve the most in the first area of doing the right thing - it affects all of us. We recognise that everyone has a right to a private life of desire and pleasure. We expect everyone that can, to support themselves and others in society by being productive and contributing. 

The two questions that led us to this philosophy can be answered for each of us by addressing our goals in these four areas and achieving them to have a good, fulfilled life.


Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015
All rights reserved 

Grandfatherly Feelings

He sat reminiscing, reclining on the couch. It would the first birth anniversary of the little ones. There would be a huge party, friends and family would come, bring a lot of presents and shower them with love. They would be at the stage when they would appreciate things with colour, movement, sounds, enjoy playing with things, smiles, being carried up on the shoulder and make delighted sounds. They would be toddling around. They would compete over toys, one had to get two of anything and still they would want what the other had. They would throw up unexpected delights, memories and funny antics with seemingly limitless energy that only little children can come up with and delight the hearts of grown-ups who can watch them for hours and hours on end without loss of interest or excitement. Pictures and videos were always taken and shared aplenty in these days of easy photography.  Awake or asleep, they would steal the hearts, mind and interest of some special people – grandparents, even more than the parents who had to attend to so many other chores. Grandparents, while helping out when they can, had more time for fun. They can enjoy the grandkids in a way they could not even with their own children.

He remembered the little dolls, from the first days of their birth, when they were tiny, a little premature and exhibiting such natural charm and beauty while being blissfully unaware of it. He had watched their progress over the next months as they grew, weathering tough challenges and only increasing in cuteness, energy and interest in the world around every time he saw them. He remembered their energetic kicking of legs against his belly as he held them on his lap sitting on the couch. They would be strong kicks sometimes, and if not held right, would feel like they might push themselves out of his arms. It had been many years since he had held his own children like that and they brought wonderful memories flooding back. The way they fit snugly when he held them, their new baby smell, their angelic beauty when they slept, their demanding company, grasping his finger with their tiny, soft hands with surprisingly strong grip and sometimes sucking on them – memories came by and passed like a train arriving and leaving a platform.

They were not his biological grandchildren, but it never seemed to matter. They were the children of the child of the woman he was seeing then. He had a vision and dream of them as one family. Once he held the children in his arms, looked into their eyes and faces, heard their cries and seen their smiles it was not even an issue, nor was there a second thought. He had met them, seen them, held them or played with them only a few times and on certain occasions, less than he might have liked, but it was always with the feeling that they would be there in his life for the future. He now missed them. For a few moments, the feeling was intense. He had to let it flow and ebb. The mind slowly convinced the heart to let go. It had been many months since he had last seen them. He realised that he had not seen them for as long as the period that he had seen them since they were born.

Once you give your heart to a child, you can never take it back. It is all over in a flash and indeed love at first sight. He had dreams of their growing up, taking them for walks and treats and calling him ‘Naana’ (maternal grandfather). He was still in his early 50s, reasonably fit and people often mistook him to be in his 40s, he did not look a grandfather most of the time, except for his grey hair. It was the feeling of love and connection with the little ones that made him realise what it felt like to be a grandfather, not what he had heard or read. In some ways, it was like the feeling of being parent – he had never truly understood it until he actually felt the love for a child, at an earlier stage of life.

He had his own kids who were younger. It seemed like he was rewarded with grandchildren a bit ahead of when he had expected. He could not have been happier. With this feeling, he had started to think on the lines of making his relationship with the woman he was seeing into a permanent one – from a partner to a life-partner. He started making plans to propose and take the next steps forward.

Alas, as they say, there is many a slip between the cup and lip. Fate and human affairs of grownups are a lot more complex and unpredictable. As fate would have it, his relationship ended. Relationships between middle-aged adults, beyond their first marriages, can sometimes be over as quick as they begin. It was probably for the best in the long run.

The sadness came from the fact that he was now cut-off completely from  the little ones as with the rest of the family. While their adult parents took their stand and understandably supported the grandmother, the ‘not-quite-official-grandfather-yet’ had no place in their thoughts. No one cared to consider his feelings for the little ones. He sought no legal rights. Only he wished that people were thoughtful enough and gracious enough to let him still have a connection to the little ones who had stolen his heart. Adults often, in their own pain, forget the pain or implications for others. Such is the world and life.

He occasionally thought about the little ones and had to move on with a heavy heart. It seemed strange that the human heart seems heavier when there is some emptiness in it!

While it was not an ache that was easy to bear, there was however, a saving grace and blessing of fate that he was thankful for – the little ones were too young to remember him particularly. They would never even be aware that he was missing from their life. They would never suffer even a pang of missing him. He was grateful for that.

Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015
All rights reserved 

Cheating, Lying, Cunning and 'Being Clever/Smart' - Small Scale or Large Scale?

Disclaimer: This will probably be one of my most politically incorrect posts ever, if one goes by  the number and range of people who might be offended by or take offense at it. Please keep in  mind that even if one takes this seriously, it should be taken as just one person's purported  opinion. I am just taking my own personal, statistical observations and opinions and stretching  them a bit too. I can claim some fair degree of exposure to both economically underdeveloped and developed cultures and societies, having lived in both for a long time (about even). I am doing this to put something out there, that people normally do not speak about publicly, but think and act on  privately, as I have observed. 

So, you have been forewarned. Please don't flame/blame me for this. I KNOW and accept that not  everyone fits any stereotype and each person has to be treated individually as they are. Any  persons we refer to in this post is a conceptualised, statistical average person, who is fictional. We all might find something common that we share with this 'model' person and it is for us to judge ourselves as individuals, not for others to do so. This is just to get the reader  thinking about the issues and to respond with their views and opinions. Hope you all have some  fun even while looking at serious issues.


Every culture, society or country has, as an integral part of it, elements of cheating, being cunning, lying and trying to 'Be Clever/Smart'. These are things that are taught to its members, even children growing up. Almost individuals from anywhere, have a bit of these in them. Some these traits are purely from within and some are taught or encouraged by their society around them. Those that are  society's contributions are those that are actually applauded and encouraged in a subtle way -  often by using other words or descriptions to make them sound better or positive. Sometimes old  words that had negative connontations are changed over time to make them appear positive.

I will give you some examples along the way and make a summary of conclusions at the end.

Growing up, as a child in India, when my age was still in the single digits, I used to hear from  adults and grown-ups about what was right and wrong, examples how someone did well in life and  were admired. We would be encouraged to emulate them. Most examples were about people who were honest, struggled hard against poverty and adversity and still kept their personal integrity while working their way up. Anyone who did well materially, but through cheating, cunning or lying was looked down upon and condemned. The  generation of my parents grew up with even tougher challenges and poverty, from around the time of World War II and Indian independence. They were conditioned to unfairness built into the  system whether one was of a certain race or religion or caste during Imperial rule and during the  transition to a supposedly Independent nation, yet they were quite strict and rigid in their disapproval of cheating, lying or being cunning to exploit others.

Gradually, around my teens, as I traveled around the country into more developed parts, I  observed that there was a trend where parents would openly complain about 'others' getting ahead  by cheating, cunning, and lying. Some went to the point of asserting that their own children, or  those that they wished to 'succeed' in life, should also become 'Clever/Smart'. This was their  way of rephrasing some degree of Cheating, Lying or being Cunning. From tacit acceptance, if their child learned these on its own, it slowly evolved to active encouragement for those children who still persisted in being innocent and lagging behind. I often heard remarks like the following.

"That's what it takes these days!"

"Everyone is doing it, so to compete fairly, one has to do so."

"If you are not smart enough, you cannot succeed in life."


Once people got over a certain level of achievement or financial security, then they often went to  make amends 'spiritually' by donating to causes or their religious institutions. It became such a  common trend that by the time I was in my late 20s, corruption, lying, bribing, being devious to  succeed (particularly in business) was a 'virtual necessity' for most. It was very rare to find anyone who did not give bribes. The more 'honest' ones just gave but never took bribes.

It starts from something as simple as NOT crossing the road at the intersection or zebra  crossing but randomly anywhere they wish, then it goes on into cutting into lines, to cheating on exams, cutting corners in getting a driving license or water supply, or a train ticket or applying to get a job, a contract, getting elected. The scale and prevalence just grew phenomenally. As long as they 'succeeded' in getting what they want or getting rich, many looked at them with more envy than resentment.


The net result was that the quality of everything that was even reasonably good in life - from  the roads, air, water, electricity, education, medical care - went downhill. All became dirty, corrupt and earned an international disrepute. I heard or realised that India was not the only country going through  this phenomenon. From my exposure to people from other poor, underdeveloped or developing  nations, I saw that they were all going through similar stages.

The people that indulged in being cunning were usually satisfied once they reached a certain  level of comfort or status. Then they would turn their attention to cultivating an air of  goodness, spirituality or even holiness. Many would often be enraptured with the honesty of civil life in more developed countries that they visited or heard about. They would complain about the rottenness of their own country and its systems, often justifying their own dishonest actions as something they were forced to do for survival.

Now, coming to life in more economically developed countries, I see the situation is different. For a long time, their populations had grown used to a system of rule of law, a fair amount of personal honesty and integrity in all the common things in life - whether crossing the road at the right place, standing in line, passing exams in schools and universities, applying for a job, access to air, water, electricity, or a train ticket or even applying for a job. Often some of the very same people who would break the rules back home in their less developed countries, will follow the rules well when they are in a more advanced country, but not all of them. Many will still try to, by sheer conditioning, unless checked aggressively try to get an unfair edge in applying for jobs or work around rules rather easily, as a second nature. The natives of developed countries, on the average are savvy and know that being corrupt or cheating in petty day-to-day affairs will completely destroy their quality of life that they hold dear. This also the reason many flock to these countries. It is inbuilt in humans to seek an honest, everyday life.

The citizens of more economically developed countries are really usually conscientious about following rules in what one would term petty, personal, narrow areas of personal gain that are clearly visible. But it is another matter on issue that are significant  or large scale. On the average, they still accept institutionalised, 'legal' discrimination, segregation, cheating, lying and cunning on a grand scale, so long as it benefits their 'entire society as a whole' as opposed to benefitting just an individual on such matters as jobs, contracts or big 'deals'. 

They want people to feel good about themselves, as living and contributing to an honest, civil society in most everyday things (that without prejudice I term small scale) but also feel good about being dishonest on a large scale, by admiring their 'chutzpah' or 'enterprising' nature!

They are taught in a subtle way, in what areas it is OK, nay even admirable, to cheat, lie or be cunning and in what areas it is not. The media play a great part in it. That is why the people in more developed nations today rationalize big, large scale cheating, lying, cunning or dishonesty upon which their entire society may be founded or based. They tend to commit or support terrible human rights violations in some far away place so long as it benefits their entire society clearly. It is seen as a 'normal rational' way of thinking.
There is a saying  in the developed countries - if you want to dream, dream BIG!


Conclusions:

So, even now I think that overall, on the average, people from less developed countries or  developing countries tend to readily cheat, lie, be cunning or try to be clever over things that  are petty, narrow, selfish personal gain. 

The rule in developed countries seems to be this - so long as your cheating, lying, being cunning or devious benefits a lot of people, the company or government or the entire country or society, it is considered 'Clever/Smart'. 


So, what do YOU  think? What have YOU observed?

Note: Try to refrain from personal attacks in your responses. Keep in mind, these are broad brush strokes over an AVERAGE and that too, in ONE person's opinion (mine). I may well be wrong according to others and I might not even reflect the average opinion of people with my background.



Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015
All rights reserved 

Snatching Defeat From The Jaws Of Victory

It is well known around the world that a lot of bright, talented, hardworking and enterprising people flock to the developed, western countries from the developing countries. They may start out chasing opportunities, but then often decide to settle down and put roots in their new home. There is a sound legal process to admit and indeed welcome many of them for the mutual benefit of the migrants and their new homeland. While this phenomenon is due to many factors, part of the reasons for this migration is simply this - They do somethings right in the West. It is certainly a victory of many features of civil life in the developed Western countries. While not perfect, the following are mostly true selling points of life in the West - rule of law, honesty in civil transactions, opportunities for personal and economic growth and a certain sense of personal freedom in private lives. Of course, one can see now a growing trend of Westerners seeking opportunities in developing countries these days and it will likely grow. 

In the West, there are other features such as easier, reasonable basic access to cleaner air, water, food and affordable stuff and gadgets. While clean air and water are not freely available in all developing countries, many westerners still will seek opportunities for the short term, or even long term if the opportunities are sufficiently lucrative. If someone makes a lot of money, they can get personal access to these to some degree with bottled water, air-conditioners etc at some considerable expense.

Like most migrants in history, many will assimilate and become part of the native population and identify themselves as locals. By the second and third generation, their connections to the new homeland will tend to be stronger than to the lands of their parents or grandparents. This is the natural, normal course for most. Of course, there needs to be a feeling of mutual acceptance to make this happen. Mostly it does. This is a victory of sorts for the local culture, that does not have to be at the expense of the homeland left behind. 

In Australia, I have met many migrants from the UK, who have lived here more than 40-50 years and still identify themselves as NOT Australians. They have worked here, contributed to society, made a living, made fortunes, visit their homeland only rarely now. They have all kinds of differing opinion about the local and global politics, history or philosophy. Many are even citizens, but consider themselves British first and Aussies second. There is a certain mutual and often good natured, friendly banter, teasing and faked resentment between these 'Pommies' and 'True Blue Aussies'. Occasionally, there is not the good nature or friendliness. The Poms put down Australia, its culture (or lack of it) and compare it regularly to how things are/were back in the home country. Most Australians stand up for their country, give back a bit if pushed too far, but move on with confidence, knowing that Poms remain because overall the positives overcome the negatives.

The children and grandchildren of these Pommies that were born or brought up here mostly tend to identify themselves as Australians. But there is never a question or issue of whether the 'Poms' belong here in Australia or not. They are absolutely accepted as part of the Australian landscape. This is a victory for the Australian culture.

In my experience and opinion, people whose personal experiences are positive overall, tend to become more and more loyal and avid supporters of their new homeland. It is a bit like religion, the new converts tend to be more earnest and passionate in their convictions or beliefs. They tend to be blind to the failings or less critical of it - sometimes to the point where they do not seek it better it, but just appear 'properly thankful and grateful'.

However some migrants or their next generation, encounter intolerance, racial abuse or vilification - more than what they can bear or more than the positive, accepting people who reflect the best of the local culture. Some of them can become pessimistic, over critical and perhaps 'radicalized' as the say in the media. Some children of immigrants, by stroke of chance, encounter petty, bigoted, narrow-minded individuals in their daily life (social online forums are now increasingly part of someone's daily life) who are more resentful of the new comers, feed their ego or try to let out their jealousy or resentment by persistent expressions of hate, threats and intimidation. They are constantly threatened, or told to leave the country if they do not parrot views or opinions of the people who hate their presence in the first place. It becomes a struggle against those that try to keep them down psychologically. People that do not know how to deal with these - those who are struggling themselves to make a living in a new society or culture, but who themselves have a sense of pride, fairness or ego themselves often cannot simply digest the racial abuse can give up trying and develop a sense of deep resentment. 

This is very difficult to detect or eliminate in a relatively free society where the long term citizens (even if they were immigrants themselves a little while ago) are accepted with a wide range of views, opinions and even disagreeable views. Government, businesses and most reasonably civil, sensible people are all usually positive, helpful, kind and help newcomers fit in and make a permanent home. They will usually accept a migrant of different race with same differing political views or opinions as a 'native' with equal grace or tolerance. This is critical in helping new comers develop a true, deep sense of belonging and acceptance in a new land. Once they develop this it is hard to shake off. 

It is a small number of numbskulls, who undo all the good done by good policies of immigration and the good work of a majority in any society. All it takes is to respect and treat fairly a person with a different view point, but for some their own private satisfaction in stoking their ego is apparently more important.They will not tolerate the same opinions in a person of a different race or religion, that they will happily tolerate in someone of European origin. Sometimes they are not even really serious, but just 'joking' or 'having fun'!! But their targets may not see it or feel it that way. It is these unthinking people who often snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, in deeply antagonizing someone unfairly. Just a change in their attitude can make so much of a difference in the life of someone and their own country.

Do you see this phenomenon in your own country too?

Now, recently, Australia has a minister in charge of issues relating to immigrants, their assimilation and sometimes their radicalization or of their children from mainstream society. Even though it is not stated explicitly, a lot is made in the media about the 'different' culture or religions of the new migrants towards whom these measures are targeted. This is a sad commentary and a defeat of sorts for the best of Australian values that it has reached this state. However, this can be turned into a positive in the long run.

One hopes that the government and law enforcement will take this opportunity to work sensibly to address the real issues here. In doing so, they will have to deal with and counter those with extreme views in all forums and in society. This will need to become the norm - just as there is vigilance against terrorism, extreme or violent view points from outside the country, there will be a need to counter them from within as well. This will make Australia more secure and stronger from within. It will help develop loyal, happy and accepting people as citizens, even if they are from different cultures, races or religions.



Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015
All rights reserved