( SANATAN SANSKRIT) 

A Critique of counseling Techniques in Indian Tradition

Ashutosh Angiras

Indian traditional perspective regarding human beings is two folds- what he is and what he does? First perspective contains the basic term or idea of –????? i.e. being and the second perspective deals with the term-BHAVATI i.e. becoming. The idea of ????? has been deliberated from three viewpoints:

1) Pure consciousness, which includes the terms- BRAHAM,PURUSH,SHIVA,CHAITANYA
2) Pure matter i.e. PRAKARATI MAHABHUT
3) EMPTY -OR - ZERO  (the word has no corresponding English term. The closest translation can be nothingness or nihilism but care must be taken that shoonyta is neither a negative word nor it conveys negativity.)

The idea of ASATI has been discussed in varied forms by scholars, right from the beginning of the Vedic Age to the most modern thinkers like Aurobindo Ghosh, Vivekanand, J. Krishnamurti, Osho,Rajnish and other religio-philosophic sects rooted in Indian tradition. We need not deliberate on this part at the moment but one must bear this idea of ASIT in our mind since it will help us to understand the idea of counseling in Indian tradition.

The second aspect – BHAVATI (becoming) needs to be deliberated upon. Every human being lives by a series of actions which lead him to achievements in life and a man is known by his achievements in the society or the world he lives in. The movement from being to becoming is an expression of man’s inner most wish or desire to be ‘somebody’. Man’s mind is always engaged in doing or achieving something but this doing or achieving hardly means his own being (ASATI). Actions or achievements can be chosen by an individual but his own being is his very basic nature. One can not be anything but his own self. It cannot be chosen but the process of becoming can be chosen – you may want or act to be ‘somebody’ or you may not want it which i since human mind is always involved in achievements there arises problems of pain, pleasure, jealousy, competition, stress etc. and the situation necessitates counseling. That is why Indian counseling techniques do not require answers to frivolous questions regarding achievements rather traditional counselors ask very basic or fundamental questions regarding the purpose, meaning or nature of one’s being. They slowly but surely lead to path of being from becoming that is why terms like ??????? ????/ ?????? ???/ ????? ?????? have been used frequently. These terms or concepts are not idealistic in nature. These are real terms and applied too. More the distance between the being and becoming, more the counseling required, because one’s being always comes ahead of one’s achievements.

There is no denying the fact that everybody needs some kind of counseling at some stage of his or her life under varied circumstances or situations- like in case of deaths of near and dear ones or betrayal by lover or relatives, loss of socio-economic securities etc. or in case of excessive happiness or achievements in the worldly affairs. Although Indian socio-religious system is such that it trains the mind of an individual in a way that one knows what to do and how to do in the events of happiness or grief. But in extremely trying situations where after effects are too strong counseling is done by elders, close friends, relatives, pundit gurus. This socio-religious kind of counseling can be termed as UPADESH because it means going close to some one to direct him or her to act or perform. The word ‘UP’ in UPADESH means being close to someone whom one trusts or has faith in. So this faith or trust constitutes the first part of counseling and the second word is ‘DISH’ which is a verb, meaning directed action, i.e. the direction in which mind should be diverted to act. This directional action will unlock a particular mind or unbundle a particular kind of complexity of mind. Thus UPDESH contains the idea of self counseling also known as ATMA-CHINTANAM or AATMA_VIMARSH in Indian Tradition. Examples like – NACHIKETA, SATYAKAAM JAABAAL, NAARAD etc can be referred. The UPADESH concept has a definite line of reason, argument, logic and conclusion. UPADESH does not at all mean hurling orders to someone. So the concept of UPADESH needs to be understood in the right perspective. It is quite different from a sermon or teaching since UPADESH is which is spoken in the beginning between the two- ADYOCHARANAM UPADESH’.

For the applied aspect of Counseling techniques in Indian tradition let us take up five different situations of five different individuals of different time periods where examples of counseling can be perceived -

1. Counseling done by RISHI VASISTH of RAMA in the adolescent age for VARAGYA situation in YOGA VASISTH;
2. Counseling performed by SRI KRISHNA of ARJUN in the war situation for VISHAAD i.e. depression in BHAGWAT GITA;
3. Counseling done by RISHI SUMEDHA of king SURTHA and business man SAMADHI for their confused state of attached mind due to loss of their kingdom and betrayal by the family, respectively in DURGA SAPTASHATI;
4. Counseling done by a housewife HEMLEKHA of her prince husband HEMCHUD for dissatisfaction in the marital life in TRIPURA RAHASY;
5. Counseling done by PUNDIT VISHNU SHARMA of three dull and timid headed princes for socio-political practical behavior i.e. VYAVHAAR KUSHALTA in PANCH TANTRA and HITOPADESH.

 

(PLEASE SEE BOLD LETTERS DETAIL FROM WIKIPEDIA)

Yoga Vasistha (???-???????), authored by sage Vasistha, one of the teachers of Rama. As the name suggests, ‘Yoga’ means union - with Truth, and “Vasistha” was the sage who imparted this knowledge. It is a discourse by the great Sage Vasistha to young Prince Rama , after he returns from a tour of the country and becomes utterly dispassionate after seeing the apparent reality of the world. This worries his father, King Dasaratha. The King expresses his concern to Sage Vasistha, upon his arrival. Sage Vasistha consoles the king by telling him that Rama’s dispassion (vairagya) is a sign that the prince is now ready for spiritual enlightenment. He says that Rama has begun to understand profound spiritual truths, which is the cause of his confusion and he just needs confirmation. Sage Vasistha asks king Dashratha to summon Rama. In the court of king Dashratha, the sage begins this address to Rama which lasts for several days. The scripture contains wonderful health hints, psychosomatic theories, lucid instructions on meditation, worship and beautiful descriptions. Vasistha declares right in the beginning that the feeling that I am psychologically bound and what I want is to get out of this prison, is the qualification of one who can profit by a study of this text. Why do despair and fear arise in our life? Why do we get attached to anything in life? Why do we hate anything? All these arise from hope or desire for happiness, for peace of mind. This hope inevitably leads us to our own destruction or unhappiness. Vasistha says: “Give up all ideas of renunciation of running away from this world. Don’t even try to examine what despair is; don’t even try to investigate whatever is a passing phenomenon. Don’t even let your mind dwell on what has been considered unreal.” In this manner counseling goes on and RAMA finds his MANH-SWASTHYA.

Bhagwat GIta – The first chapter is called VISHAD YOGA and the under current of all 18 chapters is Yoga. It deals with a peculiar situation of a great warrior Arjun, whose mind is engulfed by depression at the precise moment when the war is to begin. Depression overwhelms his personality, when he takes a look at the two armies and the leading warriors in the battle field, be able to decide whom to fight with? The mental process described here is quite exquisite as Arjun’s desire to see leads him to multiple complexities of thought and thought postpones the mood of action and that leads to depression. In the first chapter the word PASHYANTI has been used time and again and this made him to think (VICHAAR). Vichar has a tendency of duality that creates symptoms of depression, like trembling in body due to loss of vitality, dryness of mouth, burning sensation in skin, instability of mind or tremors in eyes and imagining things which have not occurred. War concerns changes watery to care and concern for relatives, family, society, men and women, future generations and other worldly affairs.

At this moment KRISHNA questions him –“Where did you get this KASHMAL in situation of war? You very well know that this is not the path of upright men. This brings bad name? You cannot earn heaven by this state. Shun this weakness of mind, do not be impotent, this does not suit you, so arise.” These posers bring ARJUN in to a dialogue mode, which is the first step towards counseling in the treatment of depression. In the next stage Arjun asks Krishna what he should do, knowing well that he is confused now. Smiling, Krishna raises issues of reality and belief with reasoning and makes him realize not to think as a pseudo intellectual. During the discourse Krishna argues in a philosophical and realistic manner. He slowly and surely transforms Arjun’s depression in to query mode, then into understanding, then in to realization followed by decisive action. During the course of 18 chapters of GITA, Krishna counsels with different and vast range of arguments. Krishna’s way of counseling is all inclusive.

TRIPURA RAHSYA- The third case study concerns the marital discord in the love cum arranged marriage of prince HEMCHUD to HEMLEKHA, the foster daughter of MUNI VYAGRAHPAD. Soon after marriage the prince, always busy in BHOGAs( worldly pleasures) senses that his wife is not interested in BHOGAs and that she remains in a stable state of mind (TATASTH). This disturbs and upsets the prince, so he asks her one day- “when I express my feelings of love to you why do not you express your feelings in the same manner? You do not seem to be involved in anything [ANASAKT]. You have a pious smile but are these SUKHOPOBHOG not suitable to the wishes of your mind? When you do not seem to be enjoying the best possible available BHOGAS then how can I derive pleasure out of these? I am very much involved in worldly pleasures and in your love but while staying in the midst of these pleasures your mind seems to be unattached. Although detached you still talk [VARTA] to me and behave in a caring manner. Your every action or activity makes me feel your non-involvement [ASNGATATA].None of the carefully planned arrangements seem to interest you and you hardly participate in them. Tell me how I can derive pleasure with nothing but an artist’s model which is what seem to be, seeing your indifference to all enjoyments. What does not please you cannot please me either. I am always looking to you, trying to please you like a lily looking up at the moon. O dear, show interest in these wonderful pleasures of life and world. You mean much more to me than my life [PRANADHIK PRIYE] but I am unable to bear or tolerate your non-involvement. Speak to me, solve my problem.”

Since she wished her husband to relate to reality, she spoke with a serious smile [GANBHIR SMIT] - It is not that I do not love you but I also ponder upon- what is the dearest in this world and what is not? Laughing the prince replied- it is true that women are silly since everybody knows including animals what is dear and what is not because everybody is interested in dear and disinterested in what ever is not. How can you confuse the two? She replied- Agreed that women are simple and can not understand truth but dear husband! You are a prince. You are a thinker and know the minutest of details about things or situations but let me know how when one thing at a particular time is dear and gives pleasure at another given time, is not dear and causes pain, how one should decide about the thing or the situation? Moreover excess availability or non-availability of things changes the meaning of what is dear and what is not. “The same object yields pleasure or pain according to circumstances. What then is the finality of your statement? Take the example of fire. Its results vary according to season, place and its own size or intensity. The same situation applies to all things- may it be family, wealth etc. How can constantly changing things satisfy anyone? None seems to possess all that is required for happiness. Now, the question arises: Can a man never be happy, even with such limited means? I shall give you the answer. That, my Lord, which is tinged with misery, cannot be happiness. Misery is of two kinds, external and internal. The former pertains to the body and is caused by nerves, etc. the latter pertains to the mind and is caused by desire. Mental distraction is worse than physical pain and the whole world has fallen victim to it. Desire is the seed of the tree of misery and never fails in its fruits. So consider the matter well, Prince! Shaped by fat and flesh, filled with blood, topped by the head, covered a skin, ribbed by bones, sheathed with hair, containing bile and phlegm, a pitcher of faeces and urine, generated from semen and ova, and born from the womb, such is the body. Just think over it, finding delight in such a thing! Are men any better than worms growing in offal? My King! Is not this body (pointing to herself) dear to you? Think well over each part there of. Analyze well and carefully.

On hearing all this, Hemachuda developed an instant disgust towards earthly pleasures. He was amazed at the strange discourse he had heard. He later pondered over all that Hemalekha had said. His disgust for earthly pleasures grew in volume and in force. He again and again discussed the matter with his beloved so that he understood the ultimate truth. Through his association all people gained jnana (wisdom). Know then, that satsanga (association with the wise)alone is the root of salvation.

DURGA SAPTASHATI- Once there was a king by the name of Suratha he was a good king who protected his people and treated them as his sons but he was usurped of his kingdom. The king alone rode on horseback into a dense forest. While on a walk about in the jungle, king Suratha reflected in his own mind. Overcome with attachment, he thought-“I do not know whether the capital which was well guarded by my ancestors and recently deserted by me is, being guarded righteously or not by my servants of evil conduct. I do not know what enjoyments and care my chief elephant, and now fallen into the hands of my foes, will get. Those who were my constant followers and received favors, riches and food from me, now certainly pay homage to other kings. The treasures which I gathered with great care will be squandered by those constant spendthrifts, who are addicted to improper expenditures.” The king continuously thought about these and other such things.

In the jungle near the hermitage of the sage MEDHA the king saw a merchant, and asked him- “Who are you? What is the reason for your coming here? Where from do you appear as if afflicted with grief and depressed in mind?” Hearing the words of the king, uttered in a friendly spirit, the merchant bowed respectfully and replied – “I am a merchant named Samadhi, born in a wealthy family. I have been cast out by my sons and wife, who are wicked through greed of wealth. My wife and sons have misappropriated my riches, and made me devoid of wealth. Cast out by my trusted kinsmen, I have come to the forest grief-stricken. Dwelling here, I do not know anything about the welfare of my sons, kinsmen and wife. How are they? Are my sons living good or evil lives?”

The king said-“Why is your mind affectionately attached to those covetous folks, your sons, wife and others, who have deprived you of your wealth?” The merchant said-‘the very same thought occurred to me, just as you uttered it. Yet, what can I do? My mind does not forsake attachment; it bears deep affection to those very persons who have driven me out in their greed for wealth, abandoning love for a father and attachment to one’s master and kinsmen. Although, I know it, I am not able to comprehend it. O noble hearted king, how is it that the mind is prone to love even towards worthless kinsmen? On account of them I heave heavy sighs and feel dejected. What can I do since my mind does not become detached towards those unloving ones?”

Then the king Suratha and merchant together approached the wise sage Medha, in his hermitage. The king said-“Sir, I wish to ask you something .If possible kindly solve my query. My mind is afflicted with sorrow and I have no control over my intellect. Though I have lost my kingdom, yet like an ignorant person I still remain attachment to all the paraphernalia of my kingdom. Similarly this merchant has been disowned and forsaken by his greedy children, wife, selfish servants, yet he remains still inordinately affectionate towards them. Thus both he and I, drawn by attachment towards objects whose defects we do know, are exceedingly unhappy. How does this happen, then, sir, that though we are aware of it, this delusion persists? This delusion besets me as well as him, blinded as we are in respect of discrimination?”

The Rishi said-“Sir, every being has the knowledge of objects perceivable by the senses. And object perceivable by senses reaches him in various ways. Some beings are blind by day, and others are blind by night; some beings have equal sight both by day and night. Human beings are certainly endowed with knowledge, but they are not the only beings (to be so endowed), for cattle, birds, animals and other creatures also cognize (objects of senses).

The knowledge that men have, birds and beasts too have; and what they have men also possess; and the rest (like eating and sleeping) is common to both of them. Look at these birds, who though are possess knowledge, are still distressed by hunger and because of the delusion, are engaged in feeding grains into the beaks of their young ones. See with what devotion they put the food grains into the beaks of their young ones? Men, O king, are full of desires. Human beings are, O tiger among men, attached to their children because of greed, expecting rewards in return. Do you not see this? Even so men are hurled into the whirlpool of attachment, the pit of delusion, through the power of Mahamaya (the Great delusion), who makes the existence of the world possible. It is by her the world is deluded. Verily she, the Mahamaya forcibly drawing the minds of even the wise, entangles them into delusion. She creates this entire universe, both moving and still. It is she who, when propitious, becomes a boon-giver to human beings for their final liberation. She is the supreme knowledge, the cause of final liberation, and eternal; she is the cause of the bondage of transmigration and the sovereign.”

PANCHATANTRA- Panchatantra is essentially related to one of the branches of science known by the Indians as the ‘Nitishastra’ which in Sanskrit means ‘A book of wise conduct in life’. It attempts to teach us, how to understand people, how to choose reliable and trustworthy friends, how to face difficulties and solve problems through tact and wisdom, and how to live in peace and harmony in the face of hypocrisy, deceit and pitfalls in life.

Panchatantra is woven around the frame of a tale of a king who entrusts his three ‘dud’ sons to a learned man, a Brahmin, called Pandit Vishnu Sharma, to enlighten their minds within six months. The Brahmin promises to educate them and takes them to his ‘ashrama’ (hermitage). There he recites to them his especially composed tales divided into five tantras (in Sanskrit: Pancha=five and tantra=systems or parts) about how to deal with people in life.

The tale is narrated in prose while the exposition of a philosophical and moral theme is put in verse, maxims or wise sayings are also expressed in verse, which either sums up the narration or introduces the next tale. The story-teller’s art sugar coats the bitter of his sober philosophy. He sets story within story and keeps us waiting for the sequels and hence leads us on through the five ‘tantras.’ As one fable follows another, people and animals are constantly changing places, they share the same characteristics of love and hatred, compassion and wit, selfless courage and base cowardice, generosity and meanness. Each story has a moral and philosophical theme which has stood the test of time and so is true even in modern times - an age of atomic fear and madness.

Panchatantra is a rare book, for in no book will you find philosophy, psychology, politics, music, astronomy, human relationship, etc., all discussed together in such a simple yet elegant style. This is exactly what Pandit Vishnu Sharma had in mind, to give as much knowledge to the princes as possible. And no doubt not only the princes but also millions of listeners and readers for the last 2,200 years have benefited from this unique book.

The above description clearly shows the different techniques of counseling in Indian tradition but more meticulous research is required regarding the construction of language, process of reasoning, variety of knowledge, sensitivity and above all human approach. Certainly these indigenous counseling techniques can show better results what is we need to explore it more seriously and without prejudices.

 

HINDUISM/GRANTHA AND REINCARNATION

CHANGE OF BODY BY SOUL

A TRUTH

Although modern scientists do not believe in the existence of the soul and cannot explain the source of energy from the heart, they have to accept the fact that continuous changes of body which appear from childhood to boyhood and from boyhood to youth and from youth to old age, continue to occur throughout the lives of all people. Bhagavad Gita introduces also, the concept of reincarnation. That is, the change of the atomic individual soul to another body after death, which is made possible by the grace of the Supersoul. The Supersoul fulfills the desire of the atomic soul, just as one friend fulfills the desire of another.

In the Mundaka Upanisad, compare the soul and the Supersoul as two friendly birds sitting on the same tree. One of the birds (the individual atomic soul) is eating the fruit of the tree, and the other bird (Krishna) is simply watching his friend. Of these two birds, although the same in quality, one is captivated by the fruit of the material tree while the other is keeping watch only. Although they are friends, one is the master and the other is the servant. Forgetfulness of this relationship by the atomic soul is the cause of one’s changing his position from one tree to another, or similarly from one body to another. The Jiva, or individual soul, is struggling very hard on the tree of the material body, but as soon as it agrees to accept the other bird as the Supreme spritual master, as Arjuna agrees to do by voluntary surrender unto Krishna for instruction, the subordinate bird immediately becomes free from all lamentations.

According to the Gita, one has to take birth according to his karma fter finishing one’s term of activities, one has to die before taking birth again in the next body. In this way, one is going through one cycle of birth and death after another without liberation. This cycle of birth and death does not however, support unnecessary murder, slaughter and war. At the same time, violence and war are inevitable in human society for keeping law and order.

From the beginning of mankind we have always followed the teachings of the Lord. Let it be from the Bible Gita or the Guru Granth Sahib, but it all comes down to a similar concept — attaining liberation or Muksha. These days we see that the teachings of the Lord are actually being misunderstood due to irreligion prevalent in this age of Kali. Thankfully, by the kindness of Acharyas like Srila Prabhuada, we have come to know the truth in its orginal form, Bhagavat Gita As It Is.

Bhagwat Geeta Says: The Eternal Reality of the Souls Immortality. In this chapter of the Bhagavad-Gita are many verse references regarding the reality and science of reincarnation. Here are some relevant examples.

Chapter 2, verse 13

dehino’smin yatha deha kaumaram yauvanam jara

tatha dehantara praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati

 Translation

Just as in the physical body of the embodied being is the process of childhood, youth, old age; similarly in the transmigration from one body to another the wise are never deluded.

 Chapter 2, verse 17

avinasi tu tad viddhi yena sarvam idam tatam

vinasam avyayasasya na kascit kartum arhati

 Translation

But know that by whom the entire physical body is pervaded is indestructible. No one is able to cause the destruction of the imperishable soul.

 Chapter 2, verse 20

na jayate mriyate va kadacin nayam bhutva bhavita va na bhuyah

ajo nityah sasvato yam purano na hanyate hanyamane

 Translation

The soul never takes birth and never dies at any time nor does it come into being again when the body is created. The soul is birthless, eternal, imperishable and timeless and is never terminated when the body is terminated.

 Chapter 2, verse 22

vasamsi jirnani yatha vihaya navani grhnati naro’parani

tatha sarirani vihaya jirnany anyani samyati navani dehi

 Translation

As a person gives up old and worn out garments and accepts new apparel, similarly the embodied soul giving up old and worn out bodies verily accepts new bodies.

Chapter 2, verse 24

acchedyo’yam adahyo’yam akledya’sosya eva ca

nityah sarva-gatah sthanur acalo’yam sanatanah

Translation

The soul is indestructible, the soul is incombustible, insoluble and unwitherable. The soul is eternal, all pervasive, unmodifiable, immovable and primordial.

Chapter 2, verse 27

jatasya hi dhruvo mrtyur dhruvam janma mrtasya ca

tasmad apariharye’rthe na tvam socitum arhasi

Translation

For one who has taken birth, death is certain and for one who has died, birth is certain. Therefore in an inevitable situation understanding should prevail.

In this last verse the cycle of life is clearly revealed. From birth comes death and from death comes birth. Just like in the spring new buds grow which blossom into flowers and leaves in summer and in autumn change to red, yellow and orange in fall and blow away and become dormant in winter to begin the process all over again in the following year. In the a similar way the soul enters new bodies for its seasons of infancy, youth, maturity and old age and at the end of its cycle of life is born again accepting a new body for another season. This is an inevitable process in the material existence and is the automatic process that governs the birth and death. All beings existing in the material manifestation completely follow this reality.

Osho Quotes on Reincarnation 

1. Hindus believe in God and the soul. Jainas don’t believe in God at all but only in the soul. And Buddhists don’t believe in the soul or God either. But about reincarnation all three agree — even Buddhists agree, who don’t believe in the soul. A very strange thing…then who reincarnates? Even THEY could not deny the phenomenon of reincarnation, although they could deny the existence of the soul; they say the soul does not exist but reincarnation exists.
    
2. If people become aware that they have lived the same kind of life thousands of times … and this was the use that the theory of reincarnation was put to — to create a great boredom and a fed-upness, because all these things you have done before. And you have not learned anything, you are again … for thousands of lives you have been running for power, for money, and you are still doing that. It seems every life’s experience is being erased and you start from ABC again!
    
3. My suggestion is, don’t ask me whether the theory of reincarnation is true or not. To me it is true, to you it is not — not yet. Don’t take any position, negative or positive. Just remain open to the hypothesis. Explore. If you can go into your own past lives, that’s enough proof that everybody has a long, long past. And that gives another insight: if there are past lives, that means there are going to be future lives; this life is only just in the middle. Of course, to enter future lives is not possible because the future has not happened yet. But to enter the past is absolutely easy because it has already happened; the memory is there and the record is there. It is just that you have forgotten the way to the record room where it is recorded. Take it as a hypothesis.
    
4. As far as I am concerned, reincarnation is a reality. It is my own experience.
   But what is truth to me becomes theory to you. That is the difficulty.
   And I don’t want my truth to be your theory. I want it to be a truth for you also.
    
5. I know reincarnation is a truth. But I am not saying that you should believe it because I say so. Never believe anybody else’s experience; that is a hindrance. I can only say to you, just live this incarnation. That will open doors and you will be able to see backwards, you will be able to see forwards. And then it is up to you to believe in it or not. How can you disbelieve it then? But before that…. Let it become an experience.
    
6. Become more meditative. Reincarnation and God, heaven and hell, do not matter. What matters is your becoming alert. Meditation awakens you, gives you eyes — and then whatever you see, you cannot deny. As far as I am concerned, reincarnation is a truth, because in existence nothing dies. Even the physicist will say, about the objective world, that nothing dies. You can destroy Hiroshima and Nagasaki — so much power science has given to chimpanzee politicians — but you cannot destroy a single drop of water.
    
7. In India we have a special science for it — jaati smaran, remembrance of the past. A certain meditation, certain preparations and you can enter into past lives. But remember that you have to have the stamina and the guts not to get lost. Only in the East has reincarnation been considered. And the three religions which have born in India are the only religions which have an absolute agreement on the point of reincarnation. They differ in their philosophy, theology, on everything, but not on rebirth. It is factual to all of them. They all have come in their meditations to the same place. They cannot deny it. It is an existential fact that you have been before and you will be after your death. The one that was before birth, and the one that will be after death is the same one. Its name is the buddha. Its name is the witness. It never dies and it never is born.
    
8. Remember this: Christianity, particularly Jesus, knows well that there is incarnation, reincarnation, rebirth. Life is a long continuity, this death is not going to be the ultimate death. But once this is said, you relax. And the whole method of Jesus depends on friction: you are not allowed to relax, you have to fight, create friction, so that you can become crystallized.
    
9. This wheel of reincarnation is due to unconsciousness. Once you become conscious, you see there is no point: you have achieved success many times, but what is the point? Death comes and erases everything. It is almost like making castles in the sand — a wind comes and the castle is gone. And you start making another castle … again and again the same thing will happen.
    
10. This is the whole doctrine of reincarnation: that unless you learn it by yourself, the whole is not satisfied with you. Unless you become a child in your own right — not because of your body but because of your being: if the innocence is attained by you, and the innocence is attained in spite of all distractions, in spite of all that was there to destroy it — you will have to be thrown back again and again and again.
     
11. The eastern concept of reincarnation is beautiful. True or not true, that is not the point. Do you understand me? It is not the point… but it gives you a very relaxed attitude towards life. That is the real thing.
     
12. In the East, all the three great religions — Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism — have used the idea of reincarnation; that you don’t have only one life like in Christianity and Judaism and Mohammedanism. Those three religions born outside of India have only one life. They have not understood the great psychological insight of the East: the East accepts that you will have many, many lives. You had many before, and you will have many in the future.
    The idea was to create in you a sense of utter boredom. Just think, you have lived many times, you have done the same stupid things many times, you are still doing them, and you are bound to do them in the future also. Many, many times, thousands of lives, and you will be just sitting in a grocery store, tending the shop, fighting with your wife, complaining to everybody about your misfortunes. The film is the same, the story is the same, the dialogues are the same, the actors are the same.

    The idea was used by these three religions to give you a clear-cut sense of utter boredom. If you want to change, change; otherwise you will be moving like a wheel, and the same spokes will go on coming on top and down, on top and down, and the same misery…. If you want to change then don’t postpone it for tomorrow, from this very moment start exploring. And remember not to be repetitive. Always look for something new, something fresh — because there is really no goal except the journey. So make the most of it. Make it as beautiful as possible, as enchanting, as creative as you have the capacity to make it. And you have infinite capacity, it is just dormant.

What is this Riencarnation

Although often thought to be synonymous with rebirth, this term is used - in Hinduism (1) and Buddhism(2) - to indicate a sort of controlled return to another life by human beings sufficiently advanced to master the bardo(3) and to control time, place, and the parents connected with their approaching new birth.

Most schools of Tibetan Vajrayana(4) have such people among their principal teachers who are thought to return over and over again in an unbroken line of incarnations. Probably the most famous of these are the Dalai Lama(5) of the Gelugpa(6) and the Karmapa(7), the Tai Situ and the Trungpa Tulku(s) of the Kagyudpa(8), but there are also several other lines that are also still continuing.

(1)

Hinduism

Although often thought to be synonymous with reincarnation, there is a clear and important difference and distinction between these two concepts.

In both Hinduism and Buddhism, rebirth signifies a somewhat automatic return to a seemingly endless number of lives. Thus, the term applies only to the death and rebirth of an untrained, non-enlightened individual who has no control of his or her fate and future.

CHINA BANS TIBET RIENCARNATION THEORY OF BUDDHISM

In one of history’s more absurd acts of totalitarianism, China has banned Buddhist monks in Tibet from reincarnating without government permission. According to a statement issued by the State Administration for Religious Affairs, the law, which goes into effect next month and strictly stipulates the procedures by which one is to reincarnate, is “an important move to institutionalize management of reincarnation.” But beyond the irony lies China’s true motive: to cut off the influence of the Dalai Lama xiled spiritual and political leader, and to quell the region’s Buddhist religious establishment more than 50 years after China invaded the small Himalayan country. By barring any Buddhist monk living outside China from seeking reincarnation, the law effectively gives Chinese authorities the power to choose the next Dalai Lama, whose soul, by tradition, is reborn as a new human to continue the work of relieving suffering. 

RIENCARNATION AND FEW FAMOUS QUOTES

History shows that early Christians generally accepted the belief in reincarnation until the teachings of Origon became unpopular and the belief in reincarnation was banned (Counsel of Nichaea 325 A.D. and of Constantinople 553 A.D.). Origon, theologian, teacher, and founder of the early Catholic church, made it quite clear in his books (De Prindipiis and Contra Celsum) that he believed in the prenatal existence of the Soul.

Belief for reincarnation can be drawn from numerous Religious Scriptures: the Koran, New Testament (NT), Old Testament (OT), Bhagavad Gita, etc.

Qur’an (Koran): “Allah hath caused you to grow from the earth, and afterwards He maketh you return therto, and He will bring you forth again.”

NT: Matt 17:12&13 - “I tell you that Elijah has already come and people did not recognize him … Then the disciples understood that he (Jesus) was talking to them about John the Baptist.”
NT: Matt 11:14 - “…and if you are willing to believe their message, John is Elijah, whose coming was predicted. Listen, then, if you have ears!”

NT: John 3:6 - Jesus: “A person is born physically of human parents, but he is born spiritually of the Spirit.”

NT: John 9:1 - the disciples asked Jesus: “Teacher, whose sin caused him to be born blind? Was it his own or his parents’ sin?”
How could his fault even be considered (at birth), if the fault was not from a time before his birth?

Kabbala: Here we find the concept mentioned in form of the “Gilgul”.

OT: Malachi 4:5 - “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.”

Bhagavad Gita: 2:22 - “Even as a person casts off worn-out clothes and puts on others that are new, so the embodied Self casts off worn-out bodies and enters into others that are new.”

Bhagavad Gita: 4:5 - Krishna: “Many a birth have I passed through, and so have you. I know them all, but you know them not.”

FEW QUOTES ABOUT RIENCARNATION

 

“I did not begin when I was born, nor when I was conceived. I have been growing, developing, through incalculable myriads of millenniums. All my previous selves have their voices, echoes, promptings in me. Oh, incalculable times again shall I be born.” —Jack London, The Star Rover

 

“The theory of Reincarnation, which originated in India, has been welcomed in other countries. Without doubt, it is one of the most sensible and satisfying of all religions that mankind has conceived. This, like the others, comes from the best qualities of human nature, even if in this, as in the others, its adherents sometimes fail to carry out the principles in their lives.” —Luther Burbank, a friend of Jack London and Yogananda

 

“I have been born more times than anybody except Krishna.” —Mark Twain. Funny line but the jokes on him. Krishna ascended long ago. Mr. Clemens has reincarnated far more times than Krishna. Editor Reverse Spins.

 

[One] time he was asked if he believed in an afterlife. After a moment’s hesitation he said no, that he thought there was only “some kind of velvety cool blackness,” adding then: “Of course, I admit I may be wrong. It is conceivable that I might well be reborn as a Chinese coolie. In such case I should lodge a protest.” —Sir Winston Churchill

 

“As long as you are not aware of the continual law of Die and Be Again, you are merely a vague guest on a dark Earth.” —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

“The Celts were fearless warriors because “they wish to inculcate this as one of their leading tenets, that souls do not become extinct, but pass after death from one body to another…” —Julius Caesar

 

“Live so that thou mayest desire to live again - that is thy duty - for in any case thou wilt live again!” —Freidrich Nietzsche

 

“The virtues we acquire, which develop slowly within us, are the invisible links that bind each one of our existences to the others - existences which the spirit alone remembers, for Matter has no memory for spiritual things.” —Honore Balzac

 

“The soul comes from without into the human body, as into a temporary abode, and it goes out of it anew it passes into other habitations, for the soul is immortal.” “It is the secret of the world that all things subsist and do not die, but only retire a little from sight and afterwards return again. Nothing is dead; men feign themselves dead, and endure mock funerals… and there they stand looking out of the window, sound and well, in some strange new disguise.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

“Though I may not be a king in my future life, so much the better: I shall nevertheless live an active life and, on top of it, earn less ingratitude.” —Frederick the Great

 

“I believe … that the soul of man is immortal and will be treated with justice in another life, respecting its conduct in this.”

“I look upon death to be as necessary to the constitution as sleep. We shall rise refreshed in the morning.” —Benjamin Franklin

Franklin wrote this epitaph at age 22 but was never used:

The Body of B. Franklin Printer,
Like the Cover of an Old Book,
Its Contents Torn Out
And Stripped of its Lettering and Gilding,
Lies Here Food for Worms,
But the Work shall not be Lost,
For it Will as He Believed
Appear Once More
In a New and more Elegant Edition
Revised and Corrected
By the Author

 

“I am in exact accord with the belief of Thomas Edison that spirit is immortal, that there is a continuing center of character in each personality. But I don’t know what spirit is, nor matter either. I suspect they are forms of the same thing. I never could see anything in this reputed antagonism between spirit and matter. To me this is the most beautiful, the most satisfactory from a scientific standpoint, the most logical theory of life. For thirty years I have leaned toward the theory of Reincarnation. It seems a most reasonable philosophy and explains many things. No, I have no desire to know what, or who I was once; or what, or who, I shall be in the ages to come. This belief in immortality makes present living the more attractive. It gives you all the time there is. You will always be able to finish what you start. There is no fever or strain in such an outlook. We are here in life for one purpose—to get experience. We are all getting it, and we shall all use it somewhere.” —Henry Ford, New York American.

 

“He saw all these forms and faces in a thousand relationships become newly born. Each one was mortal, a passionate, painful example of all that is transitory. Yet none of them died, they only changed, were always reborn, continually had a new face: only time stood between one face and another.” —Herman Hesse, Siddhartha

 

“I know I am deathless. No doubt I have died myself ten thousand times before. I laugh at what you call dissolution, and I know the amplitude of time.” —Walt Whitman

 

“No honest theologian therefore can deny that his acceptance of Jesus as Christ logically binds every Christian to a belief in reincarnation - in Elias case (who was later John the Baptist) at least.” —Robert Graves

 

“I’m a great believer in the hereafter, in karma, in reincarnation. It does make sense. I believe that God is not just a law-giver, but a creative artist. The greatest of all. And what characterises artists is that they want to redo their work. Maybe it didn’t come off perfectly, so they want to see it done again, and improved. Reincarnation is a way for God to improve his earlier works.” —Norman Mailer

 

“There is no death. How can there be death if everything is part of the Godhead? The soul never dies and the body is never really alive.” —Isaac Bashevis Singer, Stories from Behind the Stove

 

“So as through a glass and darkly, the age long strife I see, Where I fought in many guises, many names, but always me.” —General George S. Patton

 

Abner Doubleday: Fought at Ft. Sumner, Gettysburg and Antietam with various ranks of Lieutenant Colonel to Brigadier General. He is considered the inventor of the game of baseball. He was there at the beginning of the Theosophical Society in NYC with Blavatsky and Olcott. When they left for India he became the President of the American Body. The main tenets of Theosophy is the belief in karma and reincarnaton.

 

“Reincarnation contains a most comforting explanation of reality by means of which Indian thought surmounts difficulties which baffle the thinkers of Europe.” —Albert Schweitzer

 

“Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting; The Soul that rises with us, our life’s Star, Hath had elsewhere its setting. And cometh from afar.” —William Wordsworth

 

“This life is only one of a series of lives which our incarnated part has lived. I have little doubt of our having pre-existed; and that also in the time of our pre-existence we were actively employed. So, therefore, I believe in our active employment in a future life, and I like the thought.” —General Charles “Chinese” Gordon

 

“My life often seemed to me like a story that has no beginning and no end. I had the feeling that I was an historical fragment, an excerpt for which the preceding and succeeding text was missing. I could well imagine that I might have lived in former centuries and there encountered questions I was not yet able to answer; that I had been born again because I had not fulfilled the task given to me.” —Carl Jung

 

“Why should we be startled by death? Life is a constant putting off of the mortal coil - coat, cuticle, flesh and bones, all old clothes.” —H.D. Thoreau

 

“I am confident that there truly is such a thing as living again, that the living spring from the dead, and that the souls of the dead are in existence.” —Socrates

 

“Learn thou! the Life is, spreading life through all; It cannot anywhere, by any means, Be anywise diminished, stayed, or changed. But for these fleeting frames which it informs with spirit deathless, endless, infinite, They perish. Let them perish, Prince! and fight! He who shall say, “Lo! I have slain a man!” He who shall think, “Lo! I am slain!” Those both know naught! Life cannot slay. Life is not slain!” —Krishna - Bhagavad Gita (The Song Celestial: 2)

 

“Impenetrable, unentered, unassailed, unharmed, untouched, immortal, all-arriving, stable, sure, invisible, ineffable, by word and thought uncompassed, ever all itself, Thus is the Soul declared! How wilt thou, then,- Knowing it so,- grieve when thou shouldst not grieve? How, if thou hearest that the man new-dead is, like the man new-born, still living man- One same, existent Spirit- wilt thou weep? The end of birth is death; the end of death is birth: this is ordained! and mournest thou, Chief of the stalwart arm! for what befalls which could not otherwise befall… What is there sorrowful herein, dear Prince?” —Krishna - Bhagavad Gita (The Song Celestial: 2)

 

 

“As we live through thousands of dreams in our present life, so is our present life only one of many thousands of such lives which we enter from the other more real life and then return after death. Our life is but one of the dreams of that more real life, and so it is endlessly, until the very last one, the very real the life of God.” —Count Leo Tolstoy

“It is not more surprising to be born twice than once; everything in nature is resurrection.” —Voltaire

“The will is not free - it is a phenomenon bound by cause and effect - but there is something behind the will which is free.” —Swami Vivekananda

 

“That which is part of our souls is eternal. . . Those lives are countless, but the soul or spirit that animates us throughout these myriads of existences is the same; and though “the book and volume” of the physical brain may forget events within the scope of one terrestrial life, the bulk of collective recollections can never desert the divine soul within us. Its whispers may be too soft, the sound of its words too far off the plane perceived by our physical senses; yet the shadow of events that were, just as much as the shadow of the events that are to come, is within its perceptive powers, and is ever present before its mind’s eye.” —Helena Blavatsky, Secret Doctrine, Vol. II, p. 424

 

“It can be shown that an incorporeal and reasonable being has life in itself independently of the body… then it is beyond a doubt bodies are only of secondary importance and arise from time to time to meet the varying conditions of reasonable creatures. Those who require bodies are clothed with them, and contrariwise, when fallen souls have lifted themselves up to better things their bodies are once more annihilated. They are ever vanishing and ever reappearing.” —Origen

 

“God generates beings, and sends them back over and over again, till they return to Him.” —Koran

 

“All pure and holy spirits live on in heavenly places, and in course of time they are again sent down to inhabit righteous bodies.” —Jewish historian Josephus who lived around the time of Jesus

 

“And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” —The Disciples of Jesus, John 9:2 They were among the most knowledgeable men of Christian doctrine in history because they got it straight from the Master; and yet these learned men asked if the man was born blind because of a previous sin. Editor, Reverse Spins

“`But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.’ Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.” —Jesus, (Matthew 17:12, 13)

 

“Souls are poured from one into another of different kinds of bodies of the world.” —Jesus Christ in Gnostic Gospels: Pistis Sophia

 

“The counterfeit of the spirit is stationed without the soul, watching over it and dogging it, and the rulers bind it to the soul with their seal and with their bonds, and force it to commit mischiefs unremittingly, that it may be their slave forever, and be under their subjection forever in the transmigration into bodies: And they seal this counterfeit to the soul, so that it may be in every kind of sin and all the desires of the world. It is because of this that I have brought the mysteries into the world, which break all the bonds of the counterfeit of the spirit, which make the soul free and ransom it from the hands of its parents, the rulers, and transform it into pure light, to bring it into the kingdom of the True Father, the first everlasting mystery.” … Pistis Sophia

SOME SCIENTIFIC PROOFS

Despite the unbelievable scientific development during the 20^th century, almost all traditional moral values were underestimated during this period as well. However, one should ask the following question: Where did the results of atheistic science lead to? It seems that into a blind alley. Various theories exist within physics as the most prestigious science, being independent on each other. Some of them are contradictory from the point of view of classical logic or even one theory eliminates the other. Despite of this, each of them is considered to be valid, at least under strongly defined conditions.

The most visible example is the contradicton between two great theories of 20^th century - the theory of relativity, which is mostly applied in macro-world and, the quantum mechanics, the manifestation of which becomes obvious at the extremely small values of physical quantities (micro-world, if we are talking about dimensions, but in general, the quantum phenomena can be observed in macro-world too, e.g. at the extremely small temperatures). The problem arises everywhere we are forced to apply both these theories under special conditions like in the world of particle physics or theory of black holes. Although it seems that the superstring theory is on the right way to comply with those two theories, looking in details it appears that satisfactory solution requires the modification of at least one of them - the most probably, the hottest candidate is the theory of relativity.

The Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, being one of the basic quantum mechanics laws, strongly attacked our seeing of surrounding world - no more it is valid that starting at precisely defined conditions (the uncertainties of input parameters are equal to zero), the result is fully determinable.

Another example, the wave - corpuscular paradox, is leading to misunderstanding when we intend to explain the behavior of matter without anticipation of the shocking fact - the resulting trajectory is the linear superposition of all trajectories over the whole universe, having the same initial and same final points respectively. Approaching smaller and smaller dimensions, this fact results in the behavior where the term “trajectory” loses its sense and the wave aspects are more obvious.

Perhaps it was the mentioned above contradicton between the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics what should be found beyond the proclamation of then 38 year old mathematician and physicist S. W. Hawking (graduating as the professor in Cockroft lecture-hall of Cambridge University) who, having his introductory lecture, proclaimed the end of theoretical physics which is going to begin in the 21^st century. The listeners were really shocked by this statement.

Thus I wanted to show the fact that different valid theories and systems exist, in spite of their contradiction in terms of classical logic. We should tolerate another systems and theories!

In all probability, boundaries of physics in terms it is known today are where begins the physics of consciousness. Let us mention namely Professor Jahn Robert, who is physicist and his affiliation is the research in the field of psychotronics (bio-communication).

The research of human counsciousness finds itself in a similary conflicting situation. As in theoretical physics we have here many different schools and philosophically based theories. While the one field discusses the doctrine of the free will of ego and the whole spectrum of schools of psychology based on the Freudian school and the classical philosophy, the other field deals with the conception of unconsiousness following the esotheric tradition of C.G.Jung, oriental philosophy (the hypnotic regress, holotropic breathing, transpersonal psychology) and biological mechanisms of personality.

There are also known arguments that genetics can provide us with all the answers to the philosophical questions.

I disagree with this opinion and would like to emphasize the fact that genetics and unconsciousness are essentialy not oposing each other rather they are compatible like hardware (organism) and software (unconsiousness) naturally interacting and complimenting each other.

Consciousness as a subset of unconsciousness can not be defined by neurological processes only, which is a statment approved by many reputable experts in this field.

According to certain theories counsiousness is a link between idea and matter, from a point of view of quantum physics it is actually a kind of matter, and it is exceeds to the higher levels of the time space continuum.

Few years ago I read a book “The Essence of Budhism” from already deceased theravadan Budhist monk Nyanasatta Thera (Martin Novosad) who lived his all life in a monastery in Sri Lanka. In this book he points out a fact that if we would approach the research of reincarnation with the same importance as given to the research in other fields of modern sience, the potential and credibility given to reincarnation would not be regarded so much as a “religion” but sientific fact.

Of course it is natural that in order for Western science to accept the proof of reincarnation we have to base our project on the experimental and statistic methods native to this science.

 

 

 

It is universal experience that the personal consciousness identity–the ‘I’-consciousness (I-con) remains constant, while the body is constantly changing cell by cell over time. This is evidence for immortality.(See detailed article below this table–Proof from your own direct experience.) The I-consciousness (I-con) is experienced as going beyond time, space and matter without change–this is an ‘undecaying action’ (Super karma) of the I-con.   During a lifetime, the body is constantly ‘dying’ (Bad karma) and new cells are being generated (Good karma) to replace the old.   Even in this process of daily death of the body, the I-con remains intact and unchanging–neither dying nor being re-generated like bodily cells (Super karma).   From this we can understand that the I-con works with all 3 types of karma–Good, Bad and Super karma, without the I-con changing it’s essential nature–It is unaffected by good or bad karma.   Finally, there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that the I-consciousness stops or ‘dies’ when the body dies. Given the evidence, it is entirely reasonable and scientific to conclude that the I-con will continue beyond the body.   These facts are verifiable and repeatable consistently across as large a sample population as you may want to examine even up to 100% of all people that are present. This is additional strength for proof of reincarnation and immortality.   Keeping in mind the principle of Like attaracts like and that enough Super Karma credits can take us to the pure ’super’ or spiritual-immortal zone permanently.   In order to get to pure spiritual we need to finish with our balance of material good and bad karma that binds us, the I-consciousness particle to reincarnation.   We can do this by using the Super Karma driven and empowered K Q force healing our karma permanently.

Reincarnation, Rebirth And Past-Life Regression Therapy In India:

A Rationalist Critique

Introduction:

The recent trend in some sections of the Indian visual media is the topic of rebirth and associated quackery. In one of the channels the show started with sessions of ‘hypnotism’, taking people back to their past births, and ‘treatment’ for many of their problems of the present birth which are allegedly caused by deeds in the past life!

There is a ‘Dr.’ Trupti Jain, along with a moderator, putting the person who had volunteered into what is called as a ‘hypnotic trance’. That is followed by question-answer sessions along with re-enactment of events which are supposed to have happened in past births. This is followed by ‘counseling’ and ‘therapy’, with the subject admitting at the end of the session that he or she is feeling better. The ill-informed Indian middle-class audience is fascinated by these antics and the viewership must have definitely gone up. Like all other talk shows, in these too the episodes start with sessions involving some ‘celebrities’. Now, it is the hoi polloi whose past lives are on public display. Not to be left behind, many regional channels have followed suit and there must be zillions of such past life programs being shown with a gullible lot of our viewers lapping up the tripe being served as science.

Many are under the impression that this is the latest in the field of mental health, not realising that this nonsense has been in existence for more than a century and has been dismissed as a hoax a long, long time ago. There have been many famous cases, like the reincarnate Andy Murphy, re-incarnations of famous doctors like Cayce, Arigo and many others. They have been sensationalized in the print media even by very conservative publications like the Readers Digest. Seances which have been proved to be frauds by eminent magicians like Houdini, and even novels which became best sellers based on these themes have been popular in the past century. There have been movies based on these, like the classics Madhumathi, Milan, reincarnation of Peter Proud etc., some of which have been hits at the box office. There has been ‘research’ on rebirth, a lot of which, I should say all of which, has been discredited as the case histories were proved to be cooked up. One of the universities in Rajasthan had a department of parapsychology which had UGC grants but was closed down when investigations proved that data was cooked up to provide interesting cases. We have some people in nationally famous institutions who have cooked up data and have got their Ph.Ds by quoting cases only indicated as alphabets under the guise of patient confidentiality, thus preventing any investigations of cases of reincarnation quoted by them.

Shambhavi and the Dalai Lama:

We also have celebrities who supposedly are reborn again and again as famous people, like the Dalai Lama and his coterie who are all supposed to be reincarnations of famous religious leaders and are worshipped as the living Buddha by his gullible devotees. More recently there is the case of reincarnation in Andhra Pradesh of a little girl called Shambhavi, whose rebirth claims have been allegedly certified by no less a person that the most famous reincarnation of them all- the Dalai Lama himself! The same Dalai Lama who supposedly is more rational than many other religious leaders. This is of course not saying much, because the irrational behaviour of many of them, such as the Pope, is worse. The Dalai Lama whose supposedly broad-minded and liberal views are legendary is not free from superstitions, as evidenced by his support of rebirth, Tibetan medicine and a variety of such beliefs. In the last mentioned case of Shambhavi in Anhdra Pradesh, we have moved the Human Rights commission of Andhra Pradesh asking for the protection of the minor girl Shambhavi, as we feel that this little girl is being exploited by some unscrupulous adults for their own nefarious ends. The campaign started as an anti-superstition one and has now got a wider perspective by making it an issue of rights of the child and the exploitation of a minor. This campaign started by Babu Gogineni, though initially opposed by many under the impression that it was a case of opposition to religious beliefs of a community, got wide support when people understood the true nature of this issue.

These episodes of rebirth, along with the hoopla surrounding them, and the claims of the whole thing being ’scientific’, require that discussion be had on many specific issues are connected to them, both ethical and scientific. If we take up the biological questions what passes from one to another during reincarnation pops up. One has to query as to whether it is a molecule, an atom or a cell that travels from one to the other during this process. Or is it something sub atomic, like rays or particles? How is it that only some people reincarnate and not all? If reincarnation is only for humans then what can explain the huge population growth? If it is claimed that the reincarnation is across species then at what stage does the capacity to be so arise? Do bacteria and viruses also reincarnate?

Well, I am sure that the explanation will be that there is none and that it is an unexplained truth. When extraordinary claims are made we need extraordinary proof, but even ordinary proof is not coming forth. Some examples of child prodigies are provided as proof, cases that have no relevance since if a newborn is a reincarnation it should exhibit all traits of its past birth at the time of delivery itself. But, the usual finding is that they do so only like others, maybe a little earlier than many of their age and social group. The only so called evidence that is offered are quotations from religious texts which cannot be accepted as evidences with any credibility. If they are further questioned then the repliy is that it is a matter of faith and hence beyond question!

Here we have to understand who the vested interests behind these cases are. Past life regression therapy is not an accepted form of therapy in any standard text-book of psychiatry. If any qualified psychiatrist registered as one in any state or Indian medical-council promotes/practices it, the registration can be canceled for professional misconduct. So, it is obvious that the ‘Dr’ who ‘treats’ patients on TV cannot be a qualified practitioner of any system of medicine. If one goes to web site of this ‘institution’ offering past life regression therapy all what one sees are the testimonials from patients, which are not considered as evidence at all in science.

But, we have many people claiming that their phobias in the present life have been traced to events in their past life and so on. The claim is also made often that when these events were discovered and counseling done, they got a lot of relief! Well, these are classic cases of two lies canceling each other out! What happened in the past life itself is questionable and hence the suggestions may act as just as any ordinary mental suggestion and may have some effects. One can also use these as a convenient excuse to explain the misdeeds of the present existence. One can always be on the lookout for a scapegoat for ones misdeeds, and some event happening in one’s past life is as good as any. So, this would explain the claims put forward by those who say they have been healed by ‘past life regression therapy’. In the west there are fringe groups which perform this therapy followed by what is called a rebirthing experience resulting in a clean slate for the subject, probably after which new misdeeds can be committed on a newly opened account!

‘Past life’ can be used as an excuse for many other things. For example, one can always justify the caste system under the excuse that the ‘lower’ castes are born so  as to atone for the sins of their previous births. Those who enjoy all the best things of life at the cost of others can always have the excuse that this is due to the good deeds performed in their past life. It could also keep the exploited from protesting, under the reassurance that their exploiters will be punished in their next life for what they are doing now! Though it is difficult for us to understand why we should be punished or rewarded for having done something in a past existence that we are not even aware of, one could explain that that awareness could be brought by the right combinations of suggestions. And where do these come from? Naturally from the past life regression therapist or from some holy scripture which is unquestionable! So, here we have the judge, jury and the prosecutor all rolled into one and whatever they say will be be irrefutable.

Personal Anecdotes:

This write up would not be complete without a few personal experiences. There was a very famous case of reincarnation in a place called Navalgund in Dharwad district. There was a boy who was called D.C Saheba- the reason being that he was supposed to be the reincarnation of a Deputy commissioner from Punjab who had died an untimely death. The boy was supposed to be narrating incidents of his past life with great accuracy. When I reached this place, I made enquiries about him to learn his case history. The villagers told me that they had driven away the whole family from their village. Their reason was that they were bringing a bad reputation to the village by tutoring the child to narrate cooked up stories.

Once, about 15 years back, the the Vice Chancellor of Mangalore University Dr. S. Gopal, was scheduled to deliver a lecture on reincarnation at a conference on the same topic at Mangalore. Three days before this, the ResearchStudents Association of this university had invited me to deliver a lecture demonstration on manifestations of the supernatural. During the question answer session one student asked me about rebirth. I told him that he was addressing the question to the wrong person. I told him to ask the same to the Vice Chancellor of the University who was a physicist. I told him to clarify from him as what would pass from one living organism to the other during the process- whether it was an atom, a molecule, a ray or a particle! The result was that the Vice Chancellor’s lecture was not held three days later because he did not show up at the conference on rebirth!

I had to travel all the way to Athens to convince a very senior citizen aged about eighty that there was no rebirth. He was a member of a cult called Radha Swami Satsang Beas, which had brainwashed him into thinking that one single mistake from him would cause the rebirth of five generations of his ancestors as ants, hundreds of times. His guilt complex was causing so many problems for him that his son invited me to stay in Athens for a week to convince his father that there was nothing such as rebirth. I did not know how far I succeeded in this, but it was an eye opener for the senior citizen who had believed that all Indians had been reborn at least a dozen times and were in full knowledge of their past births. In fact, I was the first Indian whom he had met who was not a member of this cult! Till then all the Indians he had met were members of this cult and carefully screened so that they would say only those things which were the beliefs of this cult.

Conclusion:

Rebirth is a good way of explaining the karma theory, suppressing any rebellion against exploitation, and now a good way to explain iones misdeeds! The latest uses are to increase the TRP ratngs of TV channels, sell quack therapies like past life regression and birthing experiences! In our country we have also cases where a rich person gets reborn in a poverty stricken house-hold and the relationship develops between them leading to the improvement of the economic status of the former! We never ever come across a case where it happens the other way round.

For the superstition-ridden gullible people, the TV channels looking for viewership and those selling their quack remedies, the idea of rebirth has been a blessing. As for me it would be good for all who read this to remember that you are reading this due to the misdeeds of your past lives and I am writing this to atone for the sins committed in my past many lives! Going through this article is past life regression therapy, which is going to absolve all of us the trouble caused by its own ill effects!

 

 

 

 

Mumbai, Oct. 27: A 25-year-old gunman from Patna held commuters in a Mumbai double-decker hostage this morning, allegedly spraying bullets and claiming he wanted to kill Raj Thackeray, before police shot him dead in an operation.

Some details of the rush-hour “encounter” in the heart of Mumbai, however, remained hazy amid questions whether a trigger-happy police had made enough effort to capture Rahul Raj, the lone hijacker with a country-made revolver, alive.

Officers claimed Rahul fired three bullets “indiscriminately” inside the bus — changing their initial version that he shot at the policemen surrounding the vehicle — so they had to shoot him to save the 12-15 cowering passengers.

A commuter, Manoj Bhagat, was shot in the left thigh but officers admitted they couldn’t be sure if he had been hit by the police or the hijacker.

The hostages and Rahul were on the upper deck; the driver had parked the bus outside the Bail Bazar police chowki in Kamani, a busy locality in Kurla, and rushed out with the conductors and lower-deck passengers.

Additional commissioner of police (ACP) Sadanand Date said the force fired 13 bullets, first from the streets and then after storming the bus, hitting the hijacker four times.

Asked if Rahul could not be immobilised in any other way, he said: “He was threatening the passengers. He had fired three rounds indiscriminately. When police asked him to drop the gun and surrender, he refused. Facing a firearm, there was no other option.”

Rahul, declared dead on arrival at Ghatkopar’s Rajawadi hospital from “multiple” bullet injuries in the head and one in the chest, may take to his pyre the secret of his bizarre motives and behaviour.

Rahul Raj

Even his family and friends in Patna could provide no clues why the “affable” X-ray technician, who arrived in Mumbai yesterday to look for a job, would suddenly attempt to avenge the attacks by Thackeray’s men on Bihari youths.

After whipping out his gun and announcing his intention to kill the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief — whose men beat up Bihari railway job seekers on October 19 — Rahul dictated a “message” to the frightened passengers.

“He asked us to jot it down on pieces of paper and throw the chits out of the window so the police would know what he wanted,” said Abdul Rashid Sheikh, who was travelling with his wife Rafia.

Deputy commissioner Milind Bharambe said the police found a Rs 50 note and a Rs 10 note with “I only want to kill Raj Thackeray and no one else” scribbled on them.

Some passengers said the “tall, young hijacker” had already tied a commuter to a pole on the stairs but it wasn’t clear how he did it holding a gun, and with what he had tied the person.

“He asked the passengers for a cellphone saying he wanted to speak to the police commissioner. None gave him one. He then sent me downstairs to get one,” said Mahendra Ghule, the upper-deck conductor.

That was a mistake, because once on the lower deck, the conductor asked driver A.H. Khan to stop immediately. Within minutes, two police teams had left VP Nagar and Kurla police stations, wearing bullet-proof vests.

Bystanders said they watched the hijacker sometimes point his .315-bore revolver out of the window towards the street, and sometimes get up and pace the upper deck.

A resident who claimed to have filmed the scene but would not be quoted said he had heard Rahul fire inside the bus several times, thus corroborating the police’s final version.

ACP Mohammed Javed, who led the police teams, said when they stormed the bus, Raj was still brandishing the gun while the passengers crouched in their seats.

“It was a quick and professional response. Safety of the passengers was of utmost importance,” ACP Date said.

No snipers or special teams were part of the operation though the Mumbai police have a Quick Response Team of commandos trained to deal with emergencies.

Date said injured passenger Bhagat had a bullet hole in his thigh but no bullet; so it could not be said immediately who shot him. The financial executive is recovering after emergency surgery.

The police found an identity card on Rahul and a pair of keys to Imperial Hotel in Saki Naka.

The shooting evoked fury in Bihar, bringing arch-rivals Lalu Prasad, Nitish Kumar and Ram Vilas Paswan together after nearly two decades. At a meeting with the Prime Minister at the head of an all-Bihar team, they condemned the police action as “murder” and demanded a judicial probe.

The row received more fuel when deputy chief minister R.R. Patil backed the police saying: “If a madman gets into a bus and goes on a shooting spree, this is the response they will get.”

In the evening, however, Manmohan Singh spoke to chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh over the phone, after which Patil announced a probe headed by the chief secretary.

MNS general secretary Nitin Sardesai said: “The incident shows there is a security threat to Rajsaheb and yet the government has lowered his cover from category Z to Y.”

 

 

 

 

“Lal Kitab” is a remarkable branch of Vedic astrology. Collection of the 5 books, written during the period of 1939-1952 is called Lal Kitab. Written in ancient Urdu language, first time in the history of astrology, Lal Kitab introduced a new style of horoscope analysis with quick and affordable remedies. Authorship of the books seems to be disputed.

Some eminent astrologers and future predictor says that

Lal-Kitab remedial methods are inexpensive and very much affordable and in the reach of the common man and are reliable too. Lal-Kitab has also described the science of palmistry in such manner that each of the 42 divisions of the human brain has been associated to the different houses of a man’s birth chart. It is done in such a scientific method that the outline of the human brain reflects exactly on the lines of the palm.

Lal Kitab is a mystery in itself and its author is unknown. It is believed that the solutions given by Lal Kitab are perfect. Some of them may look pretty weird especially in these modern times, but that is the way our religion is, mysterious, occult yet impressive.

In the subject of astrology “LAL KITAB” - “Red Book” focuses on the significance of birth chart and the twelve houses. Some of the remedies may sound a little old for the modern world, but they are still as effective as they ever were. LAL KITAB is a quite a mystery also due to its anonymous nature and having been written without any punctuations. Moreover, LAL KITAB does not refer to the modern astrology techniques, eastern or western.

Gist & Philoshy of Lal Kitab

The palm has been divided into 12 parts just as the natural Zodiac is divided into twelve signs like Aries, Taurus etc.

Some types of shapes have been allotted to planets. These shapes wherever they exist on palm are supposed to be occupying particular houses of the birth chart. These signs represent the planets they are allotted to. Thus we have the twelve houses and the nine planets posted in the chart having twelve houses. The astrological chart is ready on the basis of the palm. They are often different from the birth charts prepared on astrological principles. The authenticity of astrological charts is to be corrected by the chart prepared from palm imprints. How charts are made from the palm is not our subject here. We propose only to discuss and deal with astrological contents of the book.

Whatever be the system or method of preparation the chart has ascendant or the lagna and the other twelve houses numbered serially. Though they are the 12 sings of the Zodiac the signs have no significance in the chart. For signs, we may say, each horoscope is to be treated just like the horoscope of Kala Purusha; that is, house No. 1 should be considered as identical with Aries in all cases. As Sun is exalted in Aries and debilitated in Libra, we say that Sun is exalted in Lagna and debilitated in the 7th house. The lordship of the houses will also go likewise. Mars is always the lagna Lord and Venus the 7th Lord.

As regards the comparative power of the planets it is the same as given in classical texts but at the same time we come across the concept of equivalent planets. Mercury for instance, is considered to be equivalent to Sun in power of giving results.

We have a concept of blind or sleeping planets and blind or sleeping houses in Lal Kitab. The planets are supposed to have an aspect of some houses and affect the results of those houses. In Lal Kitab if the aspecting planet has no planet in the aspected house the aspecting planet becomes a blind planet in the aspected house the aspecting planet becomes a blind planet himself. It may be pertinent to note that the aspect of the planet is not the same in each house. Sun if posited in house 2 shall not aspect the 8th house but the 6th house only and if 6th house is unoccupied sun becomes blind. In short it is the house that grants aspect to the planet. The house is blind if it has no planets in it. This is the concept in astrology also. We call that house as weak.

There is also a concept of the artificial planets. A group of two planets together form one particular artificial planet or a substitute of that planet. Sun and Venus together form one artificial Moon. Likewise there are artificial planets for each of the planets including the nodes Rahu and Ketu.

There is also a concept of sacrificial goats. If, suppose, Sun is afflicted by Saturn the effects of Sun shall be affected. This will not affect the effects of any other planet like Mars, Mercury or Rahu etc.

According to Lal Kitab the affliction of Sun shall be passed on to Ketu. In other words the affliction would affect the results of Ketu. The affliction of Saturn would be spoilt. The wife of the native may die or suffer from miseries and troubles. It may be brought on record that such effects have actually been noticed although Saturn does not represent wife nor he is the significator of wife. Such results do need a deep research and the results are likely to enrich our astrology.

We have a basic assumption that a planet gives the results of the houses of his lordship and those of the house occupied by him. He may, according to some, also offer the results of house or houses of which he is the natural significator although we have our own reservations but the planet in Lal Kitab can give results of any house by applying suitable remedies. This is a revolutionary concept and really needs deep research work like the assumption of sacrificial goats referred to above.

These are some of the special features of Lal Kitab’s astrology. They may look strange but it should be remembered that the basis of astrology in Lal Kitab is palmistry. Some of these features are useful in suggesting remedies. The concept of artificial planets particularly is of great help in remedies against planetary ills. Mercury is an enemy of Jupiter. If Mercury afflicts Jupiter we may try to help Jupiter because the group of Jupiter and Rahu together is an artificial Mercury. If Jupiter is propitiated Mercury shall lose half of his strength and Jupiter shall become extra strong. In case Jupiter afflicts Mercury we should propitiate Venus because Sun and Venus constitute Jupiter. By strengthening Venus we shall be increasing power of Mercury (Venus is Mercury’s friend) and decreasing the power of affliction of Jupiter.

LAL KITAB has its own fundamentals which are undoubtedly effective and practiced at large. However, LAL KITAB is scientific in nature, and relates well to the concept of palmistry. LAL KITAB refers to the correlation between human brain, the twelve houses and palm lines.

Remedies in Lal Kitab

To begin with, no temple with idols should be constructed even for individual worship in a residential house. However, keeping photos or drawings of deities on paper is not prohibited. This is highly inauspicious for the natives born with Jupiter in 7th house.

If there is a small dark room at the end of the house, where there is no passage for air or light, the same should be left as it is and no attempt should be made to facilitate natural light through opening windows etc. in that room otherwise, misfortunes will strike the residents.

Places where ornaments or money is kept secretly must not be left empty. If there is nothing to be kept, please put some dry fruits there.

There must necessarily be some uncemented place in a house. But if it is not feasible, the articles related to Venus must be installed and established therein.

Worship of lord Ganesh is highly auspicious for children and property.

For safe delivery of children, a milk pot filled with milk and a sugar pot filled with sugar must be touched by the delivering mother and kept at some different place. After the delivery both the pots should be offered to some temple and should not be brought back from there. Good effects will multiply if the quality of the pots is good.

If one’s children do not survive the native must distribute salty preparations in place of sweets, to celebrate the birth of the child.

Digging of wells or providing drinking water facilities for public is strictly prohibited for those with moon in 6th house of the birth chart. Any violation of the above would invite utter destruction and extreme poverty.

Building of dharmshalas, sarais or inns is strictly prohibited for those having Saturn in 8th house.

Saturn in Lagna and Jupiter in 5th house cause death of children one after the other, if copper coins are given in charity.

Jupiter in 10th and moon in 4th cause false allegations and critical legal proceedings against the native if he builds temples or gurudwaras.

Financial aid to widows and scholarships to poor children are strictly prohibited for those having Venus in 9th house.

Grave consequences would folllow if a native with moon in 12th house opens schools for free education, or offers food to religious saints and Jogins.

Anyone having Jupiter in 7th house must not offer clothes to anyone in charity

Donations in the morning and evening hours by persons having Sun in 7th or 8th house of their horoscope will produce highly harmful and poisonous effects.

The younger brother should never go for adoption of children of the elder brother. At the same time he should also not arrange the free marriage of the daughter of his elder brother. These practices would certainly lead to disastrous consequences.

Saturn in 11th house makes the native desert his wife and children in young age, whereas Saturn in the groom’s 2nd house proves inauspicious for the bride’s family.

Mercury and Rahu combining in houses 3, 8, 9, or 12 of the groom is also inauspicious for the bride’s family.

Venus and Ketu together in Lagna make the native impotent.

The groom is likely to be of bad sexual habits and may destroy his wealth in that, if the planetary positions are as follows:

(a) Sun in 6th and Mars in 10th with the afflicted 12th house.

(b) Moon in Lagna and Jupiter in 11th house.

(c) Jupiter and Venus in 10th house

Few Instant Tips For Your Grim Problems

The solution to Business Problems

Instant Remedies You are advice to give one quarter meter yellow cloth with yellow vetches of grams (Chaney ki daal ) on eighth Thursday in a temple or any religious place. Give Water to Sun every morning. Every day give millet ( Bajjara) to the pigeon ( Kabooters). Wear Ring with Yellow Sapphire with pearl in Bisa Yantra in Silver or Gold.

The solution to Financial Problems

Instant Remedies Throw one hundred eight Siddh Buddha Yantra made in Lead material with proper Pujja and proper method. Wear Ring with five carat Emerald in last small finger with proper Pujja. Wear Shri Yantra With Nuvrattan Stones in Silver or Gold in neck. Give to some female children Bananas on Wednesday for eleven weeks.

The solution to Spirit Problems

Instant Remedies Wear Saffatic Mala with Sprit Yantra. Keep on the head a bottle of water in night and on morning flow it in rose flower plants. Starting from Tuesday Read Hanuman Challissa up to one hundred eight days continuously. Get from us a special Siprit Relief Yantra in Silver or Gold.

The solution to Marriage Problems

Instant Remedies Feed cow with the boiled potato with mixing termic powder on regularly seven Friday.Get seven “date-palm” and boile it in water. On Friday night keep it near the head side of Girl or man at sleeping time and on next day Saturday morning throw it in flowing water. This Upay should continue for seven Friday. Wear Ring with five and quarter carat Yellow Sapphire in fore-finger.Wear Baggula Yantra in nuvrattan in Silver or Gold on Thursday.

The solution to Abroad Problems

Instant Remedies Throw a coconut in running water on Wednesday. Read Bharroo Satrott in a Bharroo Temple on Sunday or Saturday for eight days. Wear Ring with Gomad with Eye cat in Punch Dhattu. Wear Rahu Siddh Yantra in Silver or Gold on Wednesday or Thursday.

The solution to Family Problems

Instant Remedies Get hundred grams Black Lead and buried it in ground Saturday. Throw one Coconut in the running water covered with a Blue cloth. Wear Ring in Gold with Triangle Red coral. Keep Siddh Bisa Yantra in the house and read Durga Challissa every day in front of this Yantra.

The solution to beloved problem or love

1) Wear 5 to 7 ratti Yellow sapphire in your left hand First finger on Thursday. (2) Give channe ki dal (yellow vetches of grams) to any religious place on Thursday. (3) In your birthday month throw 8 kg Black Dal (Maa ki Dal) in running water on any Saturday. (4) Give a white cloth (1 and quarter meter) to any woman on Friday.

The solution to Legal Problems

Instant Remedies Get one kg massur ki deal and one kg black Till and five kg chunna and seven onions and seven garlic and eight Siddh Saturn Yantra and seven drawing board nails and dry coconut with shell and bind in a one meter white and black cloth on Monday night and keep it on the head side and on morning of Tuesday throw it in the running water. Remember the Black cloth will be visible from outside. Wear Chammunda Yantra in Silver or Gold in your neck.

The solution to Disease Problems

Instant Remedies Start from Tuesday Read Hanuman Challissa up to one hundred eight days continuously. Wear patient a Nuvrattan Pendant with Mungle Yantra in Silver or Gold. Throw one and quarter kg Massur ki Dall in running water on Tuesday for nine times. Keep on the head of patient a bottle of water in night and in next day morning flow it in rose flower plants.

The solution to Child Problems

Instant Remedies Throw one hundred eight Siddh Kal Phans Yantra made in Lead material with proper Pujja and proper method. Wear Ring with Yellow Sapphire in your fore-finger on Thursday. Give some sweet at temple for eleven Thursdays. Give green bangles to a eunuch on Thursday for five times.

Few Very Simple Remedies Of LAL KITAB

Lal kitab Remedies for Saturn in Every House

Lal kitab provides some easy remedies against the negative effect of Saturn.

Generally Vedic astrology provides remedies for debilitated and inauspicious planetary positions in one’s kundli. But according to Lal kitab whether the planet is in auspicious or inauspicious position remedies can be performed. The remedies help in retaining and enhancing the effect of the planet if it is auspicious and if the remedies are performed for an inauspicious planet, they help to reduce negative effects.

Lal kitab remedies for Saturn in each house of the kundli.

Remedies of Saturn in the first house of a kundli

Pour oil on ground.
Don’t build a house before you are 48 years old.

Throw kohl (kajal) in stagnant water.
Keep a monkey as pet.
Donate iron-objects on being asked.
Pour milk on banyan tree root and apply tilak with the drenched soil.

Remedies of Saturn in the second house of a kundli

Keep a brown buffalo as pet.
Feed milk to a snake.
Donate black pulse, peas, and sandal wood in a temple.
Visit a temple daily.

Remedies of Saturn in the third house of a kundli

Keep three different coloured dogs e.g. red, white and black as pets.
Keep iron objects above the door of our house.

Remedies of Saturn in the fourth house of a kundli

Feed milk to a snake.
Feed rice and pulses to fishes.
Avoid drinking milk at night.
If you are a doctor then give dry medicine to your patients.
Maintain a good relation with worker class.
Keep a buffalo as pet.
Trade in medicine..

Remedies of Saturn in the fifth house of a kundli

Don’t build a house before you are 48 years old.
Donate nuts in a temple and bring half of the quantity to your home.
Don’t distribute sweets on your son’s birthday.
Throw kohl (kajal) in flowing water.

Remedies of Saturn in the sixth house of a kundli

Keep a black or a brown dog as pet.
Feed milk to a snake.
Keep mustard oil in a glass or earthen jar and immerse it inside water.
Doing a task at night times will prove profitable.

Remedies of Saturn in the seventh house of a kundli

Don’t marry before you are 22 years old.
Bury a bottle filled with country jaggery in a funeral ground.
Tie gold to your wife’s hair.
Don’t go for a partnership deal with any one of your relatives.
Work according to your wife’s wish.

Remedies of Saturn in the eighth house of a kundli

Avoid taking alcohol, egg and meat.
Don’t purchase a house.
Don’t select a business related to heavy machinery.
Donate iron objects.
Don’t walk bare foot.
Throw 8 kilos of black pulse in flowing water.

Remedies of Saturn in the ninth house of a kundli

Avoid taking alcohol, egg and meat.
Throw rice in flowing water.
Live with your father and grand father.
Donate an Jupiter related things to an aged brahmin.
Don’t light a stove on your roof.
Business of Gold, silver and cloth will be profitable for you.

Remedies of Saturn in the tenth house of a kundli

Don’t take milk at night.
Cover your head.
Feed ten blind people.
Avoid taking alcohol, egg and meat.
Visit a temple daily.

Remedies of Saturn in the eleventh house of a kundli

Avoid taking alcohol, egg and meat.
Don’t build a house before 48 years of age.
Pour oil on ground.
Don’t use a south facing door in your house.
Keep an earthen pot filled with water before starting a good task.

Remedies of Saturn in the twelfth house of a kundli

Don’t tell lies.
Avoid taking alcohol, egg and meat.
Do religious work.
Don’t make a window on the back wall of your house.

Lal kitab says that these remedies can give instant result to the affected person.

Some instruction while performing remedies

1. Follow one remedy at a time.
2. Try to follow the remedy for a minimum of 40 and maximum 43 days.
3. Do the remedy between sunrise to sunset.
4. The remedy can be done by blood relatives like father, brother or son.
5. Don’t miss any day during the remedy period as a miss means a person has to start over.

LAL KITAB - SUN EFFECTS AND REMEDIES

Sun in 1st House, Sun in 2ndHouse, Sun in 3rd House, Sun in 4th House, Sun in 5th House, Sun in 6th House, Sun in 7th House, Sun in 8th House, Sun in 9th House, Sun in 10th House, Sun in 11th House, Sun in 12th House

The Sun provides good results if placed in houses 1 to 5,8,9,11 and 12. The 6th, 7th, and 10th are bad houses for the Sun. The Moon, the Jupiter and the Mars are the planets friendly to the Sun, where the Saturn, Venus, Rahu and Ketu are enemies. The first is the Puccka Ghar, the permanent house and the house of exaltation of the Sun, whereas the 7th house is in the house of debilitation. The Mars in the 6th and Ketu in the 1st house make the Sun produce results of an exalted planet. If the Sun is exalted or placed in an auspicious house of a person’s horoscope he is bound to rise higher and higher in power and position. If obstacles are created against him by a person that person is bound to meet his doom. Much better results are proposed if the Sun is in conjunction with Mercury.

The Sun gives adverse effects on the things associated with the house in which he is placed. Consequently in the 1st house he will create health problems for the native. In the 2nd house he will affect the family and its comforts absolutely adversely.

The Sun in the 6th house will not prove good for the sisters and daughters of the native. In the 7th he will face obstacles in the comforts of the wife. The Sun of the 8th house will save the native from death in critical situations.

The Sun in the 9th house will destroy the comforts of the forefathers and perhaps deprive the native of their properties. In the 10th, the sun will affect the father adversely. The sun in the 11th increases and multiplies the income of the native manifold, if he does not augment the power of Saturn by consumption of liquor, meat and eggs. The Sun in the 12th house destroys the comforts of the night and sleep of the native.

The Sun will not be able to harm Venus when Sun is being aspected by Saturn because Saturn and Venus are great friends. On the contrary, if Saturn is being aspected by Sun, then the Sun will not be afraid of Saturn and he will destroy the Venus as both are natural enemies in the house where he is placed.

Sun in 1st House

If benefic, the native will be fond of constructing religious buildings and digging of wells for public purposes. He will have permanent source of livelihood- more from the government. Money earned from honest sources will keep multiplying. He will believe only his eyes, not in what he hears.

 

If malefic, the native’s father may die in early childhood. Having sex in the day time will make the wife constantly ill and have infection of tuberculosis if Venus is placed in the 7th house. Malefic Sun in the 1st house and Mars in the 5th house will cause the death of sons, one after the other. Similarly, the malefic Sun in the 1st house and Saturn in the 8th house will cause the death of wives, one after the other. If there is no planet in the 7th house the marriage before 24th year will prove lucky for the native, otherwise the 24th year of the native would prove highly disastrous for him..

Remedial Measures:
(1) Marry before 24th year of life.
(2) Don’t have sex with wife during the day time.
(3) Install a hand pump for water in your ancestral house.
(4) Construct small dark room in the left side at the end of your house.
(5) Either of the spouse must stop eating “gur” i.e. jaggery.

If benefic:
(1) The native will be self-dependent, skilled in handiwork and would prove highly helpful to parents, maternal uncles, sisters, daughters and in-laws.
(2) The Sun in the 2nd will become more auspicious if the Moon is placed in the 6th house.
(3) Ketu in the 8th house will make the native very truthful.
(4) Rahu in the 9th house makes the native a renowned artist or painter.
(5) Ketu in the 9th house makes him a great technician.
(6) Mars in the 9th house makes him fashionable.
(7) The generous nature of the native would put an end to growing enemies.

Remedial Measures :
(1) Donate coconut, mustard oil and almonds to religious places of worship.
(2) Manage to avoid disputes involving wealth, property and ladies.
(3) Avoid accepting donations, specially rice, silver and milk.

If benefic:
(1) The native will be rich, self-dependant and having younger brothers.
(2) He will be blessed with divine grace and will earn profits intellectual by pursuits.
(3) He will be interested in astrology and mathematics.

Remedial Measures :
(1) Obtain blessings of the mother by keeping her happy.
(2) Serve others with rice or milk.
(3) Practice good conduct and avoid evil deeds.

If benefic:
(1) The native will be wise, kind and a good administrator. He will have constant source of income. He will leave a legacy of great riches for his off springs after death.
(2) If the Moon is with the Sun in the 4th house, the native will earn great profit through certain new researches.
(3) The Mercury in the 10th or 4th house will make such a native a renowned trader.
(4) If Jupiter is also with the Sun in the 4th house, the native will make good profits through gold and silver trade.

If malefic:
(1) The native becomes greedy, inclined to commit theft and likes to harm others. This tendency ultimately produces very bad results.
(2) If the Saturn is placed in the 7th house he becomes victimised by night blindness.
(3) If the Sun is inauspicious in the 7th house and mars is placed in the 10th house, the native’s eye will become seriously defective, but his fortunes will not dwindle.
(4) The native will become impotent if the Sun in the 4th is inauspicious and the Moon is placed in the 1st or 2nd house, the Venus is in the 5th and Saturn is in the 7th house.

Remedial Measures :
(1) Distribute alms and food to the needy people.
(2) Do not take up business associated with iron and wood.
(3) Business associated with gold, silver, cloth will give very good results.

If benefic:
(1) The progress and prosperity of family and children will be assured. If the Mars is placed in the 1st or 8th house and Rahu, Ketu, Saturn are placed in 9th and 12th houses, the native will lead king’s life.
(2) If in 5th house placed with any planet inimical to Sun, the native will be bestowed hour by the government everywhere.
(3) If Jupiter is placed in 9th or 12th house, the enemies will be destroyed, but this position will not be good for children of the native.

If malefic:
(1) If the Sun in the 5th is inauspicious and Jupiter is in 10th, the wife of the native will die and wives in subsequent marriages will also die
(2) If the Sun in the 5th house is inauspicious and Saturn is placed in 3rd, sons of the native will die.

Remedial Measures :
(1) Do not delay in having a child.
(2) Build your kitchen in the eastern portion of your house.
(3) Drop a lit the quantity of mustard oil on the ground continuously for 43 days

Sun in 6th House

If benefic:
(1) Native will be lucky, prone to anger, will have beautiful spouse and will benefit from that government.
(2) If Sun is in the 6th house and Moon, Mars and Jupiter in the 2nd house, following tradition will be beneficial.
(3) If sun is in 6th house and Ketu in 1st or 7th house then the native will have a son and after the 48th year great fortune will follow.
(4) If there is no planet in the 2nd house, the native will get a government job in the 22nd year of his life.

If malefic:
(1) The native’s son and maternal family will face bad times. Will also affect native health adversely.
(2) If Mars is placed in the 10th house the native’s sons will die one after the other.
(3) Mercury in the 12th house causes high blood pressure.

Remedial Measures:
(1) Ancestral customs and ritu also should be strictly followed; otherwise the family progress and happiness will be destroyed.
(2) Underground furnaces should not be constructed with in the premises of the house.
(3) After taking dinner blow off the fire of the kitchen stove by sprinkling milk over it.
(4) Always keep Gangajal in the premises of your house.
(5) Offer wheat or Gur to monkeys.

If benefic:
(1) If Jupiter, Mars or Moon are placed in the 2nd house, the native will occupy a ministerial position in the government.
(2) If the Mercury is exalted or Mercury in the 5th or 7th house is aspected by Mars, the native will have unending sources of income.

If malefic:
(1) If the Sun is inauspicious in the 7th house and Jupiter, Venus or any malefic planet is placed in the 11th house and Mercury is malefic in any other house, the native will encounter the death of several members of his family together.
(2) Obstacles from the government and diseases like tuberclosis and asthma will vicitimise the native.
(3) Incidents of fire, embalmment and other family troubles will madden the native who may go to the extent of becoming a recluse or committing suicide.
(4) Malefic Sun in the 7th and Mars or Saturn in the 2nd or 12th house and Moon in the 1st house cause leprosy or leucoderma.

Remedial Measures:
(1) Lessen the amount of salt intake.
(2) Start any work after taking a little sweet with water.
(3) Offer a little piece of your chapati to the fire of the kitchen before taking your meals.
(4) Serving and rearing up a black cow or a cow without horns, but make sure that the cow is not white.

If benefic:
(1) Government favours will accrue from the 22nd year of life.
(2) Here the Sun makes the native truthful, saintly and king-like. Nobody would be able to harm him.

If malefic:
(1) Mercury in the 2nd house will create economic crisis.
(2) Native will be short tempered, impatient & will have ill health.

Remedial Measures :
(1) Never keep a white cloth in the house.
(2) Never live in the house facing south.
(3) Always eat something sweet and drink water before starting any new work.
(4) Throw copper coins in a burning pyre (Chita) whenever possible.
(5) Throw Gur (jaggery) in running water.

Sun in 9th House

If benefic:
(1) Native will be lucky, good natured will have good family life and will always help others.
(2) If Mercury is in the 5th house, the native will have fortune after 34 years.

If malefic:
(1) Native will be evil and troubled by his brothers.
(2) Disfavour from government and loss of reputation.

Remedial Measures :
(1) Never accept articles of silver as gifts or donation. Donate silver articles frequently.
(2) Ancestral pots and utensils of brass must be used and not sold.
(3) Avoid extreme anger and extreme softness

Sun in 10th House

If benefic:
(1) Benefits and favours from government, good health and financially stronger.
(2) The native will get a government job and comforts of vehicles and servants.
(3) The native will always be suspicious about others.

If malefic:
(1) If Saturn is in the 4th house, the native’s father will die in his childhood.
(2) If the Sun is in the 10th house and moon is in the 5th house the native will have a very short life.
(3) If the 4th house is without any planet, the native will be deprived of government favours and benefits.

Remedial Measures:
(1) Never wear blue or black clothes.
(2) Throwing a copper coin in a river or canal for 43 days will be highly beneficial.
(3) Abstain from liquor and meat

If benefic:
(1) If the native is vegetarian he will have three sons and will himself be head of the house and will get benefits from government.

If malefic:
(1) The Moon is in the 5th house and the Sun is not aspected by good planets, the will have a short life span.

Remedial Measures :
(1) Abstain from meat and wine.
(2) Keep almonds or radishes near the head of the bed and offer it in the temple next day for long life and children.

If benefic:
(1) If Ketu in the 2nd house the native will earn wealth after 24 years and will have good family life.
(2) If Venus and Mercury are together their then one will benefit from business and the native will always have steady source of income.

If malefic:
(1) Native will suffer from depression, financial loss from machineries and will be punished by the government.
(2) If the other evil planet is in the 1st house, the native will not be able to sleep peacefully at night.

Remedial Measures :
(1) Native should always have a courtyard in his house.
(2) One should be religious and truthful.
(3) Keep a Chakki in the house.
(4) Always forgive your enemies

Few Common Remedies Applicable For All

• Sweet loaves of bread, specially baked in Tandoor, should be offered to animals every month for warding off sickness, quarrels and other troubles, caused by Mars negative in the horoscope.
• Place a pot of water under the headside of the bed at night and pour it on a tree or plant in the morning.
• Eat and drink from silver utensils for strengthening Moon and reducing evil effects of Rahu.
• Do not look down upon elderly people and monks; do not annoy your father. This will help your Jupiter.
• Take meals in the kitchen; avoid eating on a bed; dispose of articles which have not been used for decades; do not clutter your house/office with unnecessary articles. This will reduce the bad effects of Rahu, whose job it is to cause unnecessary and avoidable worries and fears.
• Do not cause harm to dogs; if possible, feed them. This will improve effect of Ketu, symbolic of son and luxurious life.
• From one’s own meal, a chapati or a piece of it must be offered to cows, crows, monkeys and dogs for all round well being and prosperity.
• Further, we all believe that going to a temple for offering prayer is always a good thing, which must be admired and encouraged. But according to Lal Kitab, the native having a malefic planet, especially Saturn in 8th house, when 2nd house is empty, must not visit temples or other places of worship. Rather he should bow his head from outside. Similarly, if planets occupying 6th, 8th and 12th houses are inimical to each other and 2nd house is not occupied by any planet, the native must avoid visiting temples and other religious places of worship.

Few Facts about “Lal Kitab”

LAL KITAB is an ancient book of Hindu Mythology. This book was written in old Urdu. This book was founded on the lying skin of a dead man without any author name. It was founded in the caves of Tibet. This  book then taken by the Persians and then pass to Iran. After sometime this book was translated in Urdu and Hindi. The remedies given in these books are effective in a hour. The remedies in this book are very easy to complete and also a common man can perform it easily. Likewise in case of an afflicted sun, throwing a copper coin in flowing water is very useful. Like this there are many more easy, effective and instant remedies present in the book itself. We have this book. If you will send us your birth detail with your problem we assure you to send the instant remedies of this book. 

1. Lal Kitab Ke Farman, 1939, 383 pages
2. Lal Kitab Ke Arman, 1940, 280 pages
3. Lal Kitab third part, 1941, 428 pages (Also known as Gutka)
4. Lal Kitab Ke Farman, 1942, 384 pages
5. Lal Kitab, 1952, 1173 pages

First four editions were published by Sharma Girdhari Lal (cousin of Pt. Roop Chand), at Hazi Press, Lahore. Last edition i.e. 1952 edition was published at Narender Press, Delhi.

As you can see the last edition i.e. 1952 edition is the most exhaustive one and sufficient for start learning Lal Kitab. You can get more editions after becoming acquainted with Lal Kitab basics.  

There are many new editions available on Lal Kitab. But few writers had changed the actual code of Lal Kitab. So many so called pandits and tantriks especially in Punjab (india) area have created thier own lal kitab or mathods of Upay. most of the imature writers have edited Lal Kitab by themselves and now it has been changed drastically as compare to the original.

Before undergoing any Lal Kitab remedy we advice you to must consult a Lal Kitab experienced astrologer. This is very necessary to avoid adverse effect of Lal Kitab.

Lal Kitaab

 Another View

 

Picture from ancient Lal Kitaab

 

India is the treasure trove of mysticism and occult. The famous Lal Kitaab, meaning the red book, is an ancient Indian treatise which expounds the predictive principles. It is written about 400 years ago, in old style Urdu without much punctuation and hence it is not easy to grasp its meaning. The “Farmaans” of the book give brief hints of destiny, in poetic verses  with philosophic hidden nuances. The name of the author is not known.

There are several pictures of Hindu gods and goddesses in the book. On several pages the text is on the pictures. It is called Lal Kitaab not because its red in colour but, according to the author, ” Amongst the books it is the ‘red one’ or the important one.

Lal Kitaab is famous for its easy to follow remedies, prayers and chanting of mantras. Some of them may look outdated in the modern times, but that is the way the ancient prescriptions were. In the Parashar school, stress is on japa, tapa, mantra, and yantra, etc. The Lal Kitaab has simpler solutions which revolve around temples and its deities. The nine planets are ruled by the nine corresponding Gods : Sun is Vishnu, Moon is Shiva, Mars is Hanuman, Jupiter is Bhrahma , Venus is Lakshmi, Mercury is Durga, Rahu is Saraswati and Ketu is Ganesha. 

The conventional Hindu school of astrology is based on The Parashari system and does not mention the other predictive methods like numerology and palmistry. This could be understood in light of the fact that astrology, palmistry and numerology have progressed in Indian sub-continent as independent, unrelated and hence competitive sciences. 
In contrast, the Lal Kitaab is a treatise on astro-palmistry ; astrology and palmistry complement and supplement each other instead of competing and deleting each other. For example, in Lal Kitaab ,if the sun is in 2nd house of a native’s horoscope, he must possess a certain kind of sun-line in his palm. Since the hand is always available, the horoscope can be verified and even cast on the basis of the hand’s print.
Indian astrology is unique in its varga charts, shadbala system, dasa system, transit of planets etc.

The Lal Kitaab refers only to the birth chart, and its own unique number chart to cast the Lal Kitaab varshphal or yearly chart of the native. Lal Kitaab has no dasas or the transit etc. Predictions are made on the basis of the birth and the yearly chart cast .

 

AYURVEDA AND BLOOD PRESSURE

HIGH AND LOW

Hypertension or high blood pressure means high pressure in the arteries. High blood pressure does not mean excessive emotional tension, although emotional tension and stress can temporarily increase blood pressure.Hypertension can be classified as either essential (primary) or secondary. Essential hypertension means that no medical cause can be found to explain the raised blood pressure. It is common. Secondary hypertension indicates that the high blood pressure is a result of another condition, such as kidney disease or tumors.

Symptoms of Hypertension:The first symptoms of hypertension may appear as a pain at the back of the head and neck on waking in the morning, which soon disappear. Some of the other common symptoms are dizziness, palpitations, pain in the region of the heart, frequent urination, nervous tension, fatigue, and difficulty in breathing.

Causes of Hypertension:

The chief causes of hypertension are stress and a faulty style of living. Smoking and an excessive intake of intoxicants, tea, coffee, and refined foods destroy the natural pace of life and prevent the expulsion of waste and poisonous matter from the body. Hardening of the arteries, obesity, and diabetes lead to hypertension. Other cause of hypertension are an excessive intake of common table salt, and eating a high fat and low fiber diet.

  BLOOD PRESSURE CATEGORIES:-

  Blood pressure is now categorized as optimal, normal, high normal, and  hypertensive. The hypertensive category is further divided, according to severity. Some experts categorize hypertension into the following types:

  Primary Hypertension:  Primary hypertension is also known as essential or idiopathic hypertension . About 90% of all high blood pressure cases are this type. The causes of essential hypertension are unknown but are certainly based on complex processes in all major organs and systems.

  Secondary Hypertension: Secondary hypertension comprises about 5% of high blood pressure cases. In this condition, the cause has been identified.

  Isolated Systolic Hypertension: This occurs when systolic hypertension is over 160 mm Hg but diastolic pressure is normal.

  Pregnancy Induced Hypertension: This condition occurs during pregnancy if blood pressure increases by more than 15 mm Hg above normal.

  White Coat Hypertension: This form of hypertension is elevated blood pressure that occurs only during a visit to the doctor’s office.

 AYURVEDIC ANALYSIS OF BLOOD PRESSURE

According to Ayurvedic principles, high blood pressure is caused by vitiation of Vayu. This is besides the aforementioned emotional and psychic factors.

Vayu gets vitiated for other reasons also. These factors are physical. In advanced age, the primary causes of Vayu vitiation are lack of exercise, excessive consumption of salt, ailments of kidneys, insomnia (sleeplessness) and mental worry or tension.

CAUSES HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE – RISK FACTORS

  1.      Genetic Factors. A number of genetic factors or interactions between genes play a major role in essential hypertension.

2.Abnormalities in the Angiotensin-Renin-Aldosterone System.  This system influences all aspects of blood pressure control, including blood vessel contraction, sodium and water balance, and cell development in the heart. With industrialization, this system wreaks havoc on modern humans by intensifying the effects of our high-salt diets and sedentary lifestyle. Of particular importance in these harmful responses are the hormone aldosterone and a peptide (which are components of proteins) called angiotensin II.Inherited Abnormalities in the Sympathetic Nervous System.  Hypertension is strongly associated with diabetes, both type 1 and 2. Kidney damage is generally the cause of high blood pressure in diabetes type 1. Obesity and insulin resistance are the factors associated with hypertension in type 2 diabetes, the more common type. 

3.Obesity.  About one-third of patients with high blood pressure are overweight. Obesity on its own has a number of possible effects that could lead to hypertension. It may blunt certain actions of insulin that open blood vessels, and it may cause structural changes in the kidney and abnormal handling of sodium. It is also associated with alterations in the systems that regulate blood flow. 

4. Nitric oxide:  The gas nitric oxide can be produced in the body, where it affects the smooth muscles cells that line blood vessels; it helps keep them relaxed, flexible. It may also help prevent blood clotting. Low levels of nitric oxide have been observed in people with high blood pressure and may be an important factor in essential hypertension.

5.Sleep apnea: It is a disorder in which breathing halts briefly but repeatedly during  sleep, is now highly associated with hypertension. A weak but still higher than normal association with high blood pressure has even been observed in those who snore or have mild sleep apnea.

6. Other medical conditions that contribute to temporary hypertension are pregnancy, cirrhosis, and Cushing’s disease. Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may injure the kidney and is an important cause of secondary hypertension in the elderly population. Such drugs include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Rufen), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve), and many others. Of these drugs, aspirin appears to have the least detrimental effect on blood pressure. Cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine have also been found to increase blood pressure in hypertensive people, although they appear to pose no danger for those with normal blood pressure. Malignant hypertension, an emergency condition resulting from untreated primary hypertension, can be lethal.

7. Alcohol, Coffee, and Cigarettes: Alcohol. An estimated 10% of hypertension cases are caused by alcohol abuse Smoking. Smoking is a major risk factor. One study reported that smokers have blood pressures up to 10 points higher than nonsmokers. Caffeine. Caffeine causes a temporary increase in blood pressure, which has been thought to be harmless in people with normal blood pressure. Studies are suggesting, however, that regular, heavy coffee drinking (an average of 5 cups per day) can boost blood pressure, and there is growing evidence that a high intake of coffee may be harmful in people with hypertension and may even increase their risk for stroke.

 8. Mental Stress: Recent evidence confirms the association between stress and hypertension (high blood pressure). Job stress and lack of career success have been specifically linked to high blood pressure in both men and women.

 Anxiety.  Studies suggest that anxiety is risk factor for hypertension, particularly in women.

 Depression.  There is increasing evidence that depression has actual physiological effects that impair the heart, as well as contributing to destructive behaviors, such as weight gain, smoking, or alcohol abuse. 

 9.Stress. Intense workouts (eg, snow shoveling, jogging, speed walking, tennis, heavy lifting, heavy gardening). Long-term consumption of large amounts of licorice. Exposure to even low levels of lead also appears to cause hypertension in adults.

RISK FACTORS - HOW SERIOUS IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Hypertension can cause certain organs (called target organs), including the kidney, eyes, and heart, to deteriorate over time. Malignant hypertension, an emergency condition resulting from untreated primary hypertension, can be lethal. It may cause the following damage : 

 1 Stroke: About two-thirds of people who suffer a first stroke have moderate elevated blood pressure (160/95 mm Hg or above). Hypertensive people have up to ten times the normal risk of stroke, depending on the severity of the blood pressure.  Hypertension is also an important cause of so-called silent cerebral infarcts, which are blockages in the blood vessels in the brain that may predict major stroke or progression to dementia over time. 

 2. Mental Problems and Dementia: Uncontrolled chronic high blood pressure is also associated with reduced short-term memory and mental abilities. Isolated systolic hypertension may pose a particular risk for complications in the brain. 

3.Heart Disease:  Among older patients, high blood pressure is the major risk factor for heart disease :-

1.      Heart Attack:  About half of people who suffer their first heart attack have moderate (160/95 mm Hg) over above hypertension. High blood pressure increases the risk for a heart attack by up to five times, depending on the severity of the hypertension.

2.      Heart Failure. Hypertension precedes congestive heart failure in between 75% and 90% of heart failure cases. High blood pressure has various effects that cause the heart to fail, including the following: To compensate for increased blood pressure, the heart must work harder to pump blood, and so its muscles thicken (called hypertrophy), usually in the left side (called left-ventricle dysfunction). These thickened muscles pump inefficiently, and over time, the force of their contractions weakens. The heart muscles then have difficulty relaxing and filling the heart with blood.

3.      The heart begins to fail. The failing heart then triggers a number of hormonal and petrochemical mechanisms to correct imbalances in blood pressure and flow. This response, called remodeling, is helpful in the short run but very destructive and irreversible over time.

 4. Kidney Disease: High blood pressure makes your heart work harder and, over time, can damage blood vessels throughout your body. If the blood vessels in your kidneys are damaged, they may stop removing wastes and extra fluid from your body. The extra fluid in your blood vessels may then raise blood pressure even more. It’s a dangerous cycle. High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of kidney failure, also commonly called end-stage renal disease (ESRD). People with kidney failure must either receive a kidney transplant or go on dialysis. Men with high blood pressure may also have a higher risk of kidney cancer. 

5. Effect on the Eyes:  High blood pressure can injure the eyes, causing a condition called retinopathy. 

6. Bone Loss:  Hypertension also increases the elimination of calcium in urine that may lead to loss of bone mineral density, a significant risk factor for fractures, particularly in elderly women. In one study of Englishwomen, those with the highest blood pressure lost bone density at nearly twice the rate of those in the lowest range. It is not clear whether this effect occurs in men or in non-Caucasian women.

 7. Sexual Dysfunction:  Sexual dysfunction is more common and more severe in men with hypertension, and particularly in smokers, than it is in the general population. Many of the drugs used to treat hypertension are thought to cause impotence as a side effect; in these cases, it is reversible when the drugs are stopped. More recent evidence is suggesting, however, that the disease process that causes hypertension itself is the major cause of erective dysfunction in these men. Newer anti-hypertensive agents, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), are less associated with erectile dysfunction. In fact, ARBs, such as losartan (Cozaar), may be particularly effective in restoring erective function in men with high blood pressure who suffer from impotence. Sildenafil (Viagra) was reported to be successful in achieving erections in almost two-thirds of patients with controlled high blood pressure, but at this time its safety for men with uncontrolled hypertension in unclear. 

 8. Pregnancy and Preeclampsia: Severe, sudden high blood pressure in pregnant women is one component of a condition called preeclampsia (commonly called toxemia) that can be very serious  for both mother and child. It occurs in up to 10% of all pregnancies, usually in the third trimester of a first pregnancy, and resolves immediately after delivery. Other symptoms and signs of preeclampsia include protein in the urine, severe headaches, and swollen ankles. 

SYMPTOMS OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

A patient suffering from high blood pressure suffers from insomnia (sleeplessness). Besides this condition, the person may also indigestion, general weakness, dyspnoea on slight exertion, sense of mental and physical instability, giddiness and palpitation.

SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Chronic high blood pressure occurs due to elasticity of the vessels (capillaries) These vessels transport blood to eyes besides many other important organs of the body. Therefore, chronic high blood pressure patients suffer from various ailments of the eyes especially of the retina. The consequences of such impairment are vision problems and local bleeding in the retina.

CEREBRAL HAEMMORHAGE

And if the chronic case of high blood pressure deteriorates further, the patient may suffer from complicacies arising due to the impairment of the end arteries that supply blood to the brain. These arteries may even develop ruptures when bleeding may occur in the brain. This stage is known as cerebral haemorrhage.

Cerebral haemorrhage may lead to paralysis. This is primarily because the different centres of the brain regulate the movements of the human external organs. Depending on which centre of the brain is bleeding, the corresponding organ is adversely affected. In other words, paralysis strikes those organs.

CONSTIPATION: DELAYS RECOVERY FROM HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Cure constipation as early as possible. Ensure that the patient has regular movement of his/her bowels.

The ideal food items that can promote bowel movements are Papaya and Triphala. One can have these vegetables in their raw forms or even as vegetables.

In fact, bowel movement or answering nature’s call should be inculcated in the minds of children as mandatory early morning hygienic habits. The rule must be that the kids naturally feel the urge to move their bowels immediately after getting up in the morning.

Other useful vegetables that help to keep the bowels clear are bimbi, bitter gourd, patola, and drumsticks.

ALMOND OIL THERAPY

Almond oil is quite beneficial for such people. It can be inhaled and also consumed.

Almond oil soothes the nerves. Thus, almond oil reduces the pressure on the capillaries and the arteries. In other words, almond oil reduces blood pressure.

DIETARY REGIMEN

The patient can be tendered in meals butter and ghee prepared only from cow’s milk.

Such people should be regularly given oranges, apples, guavas and bananas.

Such people should regularly consume boiled vegetables and fruits.

People with high blood pressure can have all types of dry fruits.

WHAT NOT TO EAT

Never take hydrogenated oil.

Drastically reduce salt consumption.

Stay away from spicy and hot food items.

Butter and ghee prepared from buffalo milk is strictly prohibited.

Never consume the yellow variety of pumpkin and colocasia.

Try not to have pulses and cereals. Instead opt for boiled vegetables and fruits.

OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS

Practise meditation. You can check out our yoga website (/yoga-.com/) for doing meditation.

The patient should try Pranayama and the breathing exercises combined with the mind control yogic exercises.

Be regular in moving your bowels.

Don’t do heavy physical exercises. However, you should not remain idle either. Always remain involved in light physical activities.

Similarly, adopt the habit of reading light and humorous books. Avoid novels that involve mental strain.

In simple words, don’t take mental and psychological strain

Go to bed early and rise early.

Avoid staying late into the night.

Take rest as much as possible.

SIMPLE AYURVEDIC TREATMENTS

The Ayurvedic treatments first aim at alleviating Vayu. All the Ayurvedic medicines boost and increase the strength of the entire nervous system.

The commonly prescribed natural item is garlic (lasuna).

The other Ayurvedic medications are Shatavartita Kshirabala Taila and Sarpagandha.

Besides, there is also the Dhara Therapy.

GARLIC

The Ayurvedic name for garlic is Lasuna.

Regular consumption of garlic keeps the blood pressure level under control. It is best taken raw. Garlic then produces a therapeutic effect on the body.

Actually, one should daily consume at least one gram of garlic thrice daily to make the body immune from any form of ailments.

Of course, garlic can be taken in many other ways. One can have it as a mixture also.

But remember not to have stale or previously peeled garlic.Preparation procedures:1. Grind one gram of garlic into a paste form. Mix the paste with buttermilk. This concoction is very effective against high blood pressure. Gradually, increase the quantity of garlic to three grams in each dose daily.2. One can also have garlic fried in ghee prepared from cow’s milk. This preparation process checks the pungent smell of garlic. Moreover, such frying also makes the garlic palatable.

SARPAGANDHA

Sarpagandha is commonly used in the treatment of high blood pressure by Ayurvedic physicians. This drug is also used very widely in the allopathic system. Many alkaloids have been isolated from this drug and they are formed to be effective in reducing blood pressure. In Ayurveda the root of this drug is used in its raw state. The powder of the drug is given to an adult patient in a dose of half teaspoon three times a day.

STEM OF TINOSPORA CORDIFOLIA

Stem of Tinospora cordifolia 5 grame powder twice a day with Garlic reduces blood cholesterol and risk of stoke. The market preparations is Guduchi churna.

ARJUNA BARK

Arjuna bark powder is also helpful with the combination garlic bulb cloves. 

For patient suffering from chronic hypertension, dhara therapy is considered to be the most effective. Medicated oil boiled with bala and milk is used in the therapy.

IN AYURVEDA OTHER REMEDIES  AND SUPPORT FOR CARE

VERY IMPORTANT POINTS:-

Along with herbal treatment, ayurveda stresses on a healthy balanced diet, healthy lifestyle, yoga and meditation for the treatment of high blood pressure.

Diet :

Diet should be in such a way that it reduces body weight and excess fat, thereby reducing the blood pressure. Therefore the following diet is recommended

1. A vegeterian diet including the following is ideal for hypertension - Garlic, lemon, parsley, bitter gourd, drumstick etc.
2. Fresh fruits like Indian gooseberry, grapes, banana, guava, and watermelon are consider beneficial.
3. The quantity of salt used should be decreased.
4. Red meat and eggs should be completely avoided.
5. Coffee should be avoided.
6. Quantity of oil used should be reduced and completely avoid the use of hydrogenated oils.
7. reduce the intake of cereals and pulses.
8. Regular exercise, practicing yoga and meditation are very effective.
9. Sound sleep and proper rest is very essential.
10. Avoid anger, tension, anxiety and loud speaking, and smoking.
11. Laughter therapy is consider a good natural treatment of high blood pressure.

HOME REMEDIES FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Garlic: It slows down the pulse rate and modifies the heart rhythm, besides relieving the symptoms of dizziness, numbness, shortness of breath, and the formation of gas within the digestive tract. It may be taken in the form of raw cloves or two to three capsules a day.

Indian gooseberry: A tablespoon each of fresh amla juice and honey mix together should be taken every morning as an effective Ayurvedic treatment for hypertension.

Lemon: The vitamin P found in lemon is essential for preventing capillary fragility

Grapefruit: The vitamin P content in the fruit is helpful in toning up the arteries.

Watermelon: The seeds of watermelon, dried and roasted, should be taken in liberal quantities.
Rice: It makes a perfect diet for hypertension who have been advice salt-restricted diets. Calcium in brown rice, in particular, soothes and relaxes the nervous system and helps relieve the symptoms of high blood pressure.

Potato: Potatoes, specially in boiled form, are a valuable food for lowering blood pressure

Parsley: It keeps the arterial system in a healthy condition. It may be taken as a beverage by simmering 20gm of fresh parsley leaves gently in 250ml of water for a few minutes. This may be drunk several times daily.

Rauwolfia: Among the herbs, rauwolfia is the best Ayurvedic remedy for high blood pressure. The root of the drug in a powdered form is used. Half a teaspoon of this drug should be taken thrice a day.

Vegetable juice: Raw vegetable juices, especially carrot and spinach, taken separately or in combination, are also beneficial in the treatment of high blood pressure.

Dietary calcium and potassium: These two essential nutrients help the body secret excess sodium and are involve in important function which control the working of the vascular system. Potassium is found in abundance in fruits and vegetables, and calcium in diary products.

USEFUL AYURVEDIC HERBS FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.

Broom (Cytisus scoparius), Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemose), Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalicroides), Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliaturn), Dong quai (Angelica sinesis), Gotu kola (Centella asiatica), Hawthorn (crataegus oxyacantha), Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), Javal devil pepper (Rauwolfia serpentina), Myrrh, Sanicle (Sanicula europaea), Skullcap root (Scutellaria baicalensis), Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), and Wild cherry bark (Prunus serotina).

Preventive Measures for Hypertension

Hypertension prevention include maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, following a healthy eating plan, that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy foods, choosing and preparing foods with less salt and sodium and drinking in moderation.

BLOOD PRESSURE RANGE    LOW BLOOD PRESSURE AND REMIDIES

Blood Pressure Category	Ranges for Most Adults(systolic/diastolic)	Actions Taken after Initial Diagnosis
1.Optimal Blood Pressure	Systolic below    120 mm Hg  Diastolic below   80 mm Hg	No action
2. Normal Blood Pressure	Systolic  120 to 130 mm Hg  Diastolic  80 to 85 mm Hg	Rechecked every two years
3. High Normal Blood     Pressure	Systolic  130 to 139 mm Hg   Diastolic  85 to 89 mm Hg	Blood pressure monitored at home and medical advice.
4.Hypertension (High Blood    Pressure)	Systolic    above 140 mm Hg   Diastolic   above 90 mm Hg	In middle age and older people, systolic pressure above 140 mm Hg  suggests higher health risks.
5.Mild Hypertension      (Stage 1)	Systolic  140 to 159 mm Hg     Diastolic  90 to 99 mm Hg	If no organ damage, retesting at least twice a week for several weeks. If organ damage present, start drug therapy.
6. Moderate Hypertension     (Stage 2)	Systolic   160 to 179 mm Hg    Diastolic  100 to 109 mm Hg	Same as stage 1
7. Severe Hypertension     (Stage 3)	Systolic    180 to 209 mm Hg    Diastolic   110 to 119 mm Hg	Consider immediate drug therapy regardless of organ damage evidence.
8. Very Severe Hypertension     (Stage 4)	Systolic  greater than 210 mm Hg  Diastolic greater than 120 mm Hg	Consider immediate drug therapy regardless of organ  damage evidence.

 

LOW BLOOD PRESSURE AND REMIDIES

When your systolic blood pressure is blow 80 (60/90). it is known as hypotension (low Blood pressure)Blood pressures below the norm are not considered to be a problem as long as the organs are getting enough blood and the kidneys are able to function. However, extremely low pressures-those in which the systolic pressure drops below 80-will usually result in symptoms such as dizziness or fainting. Extremely low pressures are often a result of trauma to the body and the cause must be identified and treated immediately. For example, excessive blood loss or severe dehydration will cause the blood pressure to plummet as low as 60/40. Once the blood or fluid is replaced, the pressure should begin to return to normal.Low blood pressure also referred as hypotension causes the low flowing of blood through the vein and arteries. The vital organs like brain, kidneys and heart are unable to receive enough nutrients and oxygen due to such low blood pressure which can affect the functionality of these organs. This can also lead the organs to be damaged completely due to the lower flow of blood. Once these organs are destroyed, the treatment is not possible, so it is advisable that you should contact the doctors as soon as you recognize the symptoms of low blood pressure.

·         Weakness and wooziness are two most common symptoms of low blood pressure and whenever you feel these signs, you are suffering from low blood pressure so you should contact the doctor immediately.

·         The Ayurvedic or alopathic doctor shall first try to recognize the causes of the ailment because various factors like dehydration cause hypotension. It may also be due to the overdose of the medicines. Do not make self alteration in medicines as it may jeopardize one’s life.

·         After taking medicines from the doctor understand the factors which cause such problems. The normally prescribed medicines for curing the low blood pressure are Beta Blocker like atenolol, Sertraline like Zoloft and Ephedrine.

·         You can also use some alternative techniques like Ayurveda which offers some exceptional treatments for maintaining the blood pressure. Practicing Yoga can help a lot for keeping your blood pressure normal. ·         Healthy life style and proper eating habits is the key for a usual blood pressure.

 ROOT CAUSE:-

The most important cause of low blood pressure is faulty nutrition and tension as well as imotionally week personality . faulty nutrition makes the tissues forming the walls of the blood vessels over relaxed, and flabby or stretched. This results in less supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. Other written causes creats unwanted juices in the bodyslowly all creats deficiencies. Malnutrition can result from a diet deficient in calories, proteins, vitamin C, or almost any one of he B vitamins. Sometimes the blood pressure falls rapidly because of loss of blood. Low blood pressure may also develop gradually because of slow bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, or bladder. Emotional problems are a far more frequent cause of low blood pressure. To a laser degree, prolonged disappointments and frustration may result in a subnormal blood pressure.

Warnings

• You are advised to take a large intake of the salt or sugar in your meal in the proper quantity as it can raise your blood pressure.
• Drink lots of water to keep the blood pressure normal.

• Keep your meal rich with the vital nutrients, have a balanced diet of proteins and vitamin. You can also use Pantothenic acid which has proved beneficial for low blood pressure.

THERE ARE TWO IMPORATANT WAYS WHICH CAN EFFECT OR CURE LOWER/HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.

1. Modifications to lifestyle  
2. Medication 

1. MODIFICATION OF LIFE STYLE:-

 

·         Lose weight if you are overweight. Losing some excess weight can make a big difference. Blood pressure can fall by up to 2.5/1.5 mmHg for each excess kilogram which is lost. Losing excess weight has other health   benefits too. 

·   
Exercise regularly If possible, aim to do some exercise on five or more days of the week, for at least 30 minutes. For example, brisk walking, swimming, cycling, dancing, etc. Regular exercise can lower blood pressure in addition to giving other health benefits. If you previously did little exercise, and change to doing regular exercise five times a week, it can reduce systolic blood pressure by 2-10 mmHg. 

·        
 Have a low salt intake. The amount of salt that we eat can have an effect on our blood pressure. We should have no more than 5-6 grams of salt per day. To reduce salt include: 
Use herbs and spices to flavour food rather than salt. Limit the amount of salt used in cooking, and do not add salt to food at the table. Choose foods labeled ‘no added salt’, and avoid processed foods as much as possible.

·        
 Eat a healthy diet, which means at least five portions, and ideally 7-9 portions, of a variety of fruit and vegetables per day. Most of meals should be starch-based foods (such as cereals, wholegrain bread, potatoes, rice, pasta), plus fruit and vegetables. Not much fatty food such as fatty meats, cheeses, full-cream milk, fried food, butter, etc. Use low fat, mono-, or poly-unsaturated spreads.  A healthy diet provides health benefits in different ways. For example, it can lower cholesterol, help control your weight, and has plenty of vitamins, fibre, and other nutrients which help to prevent certain diseases. Some aspects of a healthy diet also directly affect blood pressure. For example, if you have a poor diet and change to a diet which is low-fat, low-salt, and high in fruit and vegetables, it can lower systolic blood pressure by up to 11 mmHg.

  ·         Choose whole grains over white flour or pasta products. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Many of these foods are rich in fiber, which may help lower blood pressure. Important foods include most fruits (especially potassium-rich fruits including bananas, oranges, prunes, and cantaloupes) and vegetables (especially carrots, spinach, celery, alfalfa, mushrooms, lima beans, potatoes, avocados, broccoli). Note: Grapefruit and bitter oranges (also called Seville of sour oranges) boost the effects of calcium-channel blocking drugs, which are often used for hypertension. Include nuts, seeds, or legumes (dried beans or peas) daily.

·        
 Avoid Caffeine Intake, Alcohol, and Smoking: Everyone should quit smoking and, if they drink alcohol, should do so in moderation. In healthy people with normal blood pressure, drinking a couple of cups of coffee a day is unlikely to do any harm. Caffeine drinkers, however, might do better to choose tea, which may have beneficial nutrients, and people with existing hypertension should avoid caffeine altogether.

2 MEDICATION:-

There are several medicines Ayurvedic /Alopathic ,for lower blood pressure. The one in alopathec chosen depends on such things as: if you have other medical problems; if you take other medication; possible side-effects of the medicine; your age; your ethnic origin; etc. Some medicines work well in some people, and not so well in others. One or two medicines may be tried before one is found to suit.In Ayurveda threre are no side effects or harm to any other part of body.

AYURVEDIC MEDICATION

In Ayurveda, low blood pressure is related to weakness of the digestive fire. It is most common in Vata types, due to poor circulation. In Kapha it occurs because of congestion and stagnation, with phlegm clogging and reducing the blood flow. In Pitta it is mainly associated with anemia or damaged liver function.

Turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, garlic, black pepper and cardamom are herbs of choice for this condition.

2.      For Vata types use garlic.

3.      For Kapha types use cayenne or Trikatu.

4.      For Pitta types, use saffron or turmeric in a base of aloe gel.                           

If your condition is associated with anemia, take blood tonics like amalaki or turmeric ghee.

·         Wear ruby or garnet. Pitta types, use red coral or pearl.

HERBAL MEDICINES IN AYURVEDA

1.      Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna): The bark of this tree is used in Ayurveda for prevention and treatment of many heart problems like angina, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, high cholesterol and blood pressure. Extensive research has lead to discovery of cardiac glycosides in the bark and naturally occurring Co-Enzyme Q 10, which is really important nutraceutical for proper functioning of heart muscle. It gives strength to ailing heart and controls the cholesterol levels.

Termainlia arjuna is thus one of the most effective herbal heart care remedies.

2.      Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Ashwagandha is also commonly known as ‘Indian ginseng’. It is a unique herb with multiple functions. It contains active components like ‘Withanolides’ and ‘Withaferin’ which are very beneficial for nervous system. The herb also possesses anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antistress, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hemopoietic, and rejuvenating properties. It is especially useful in diabetics and blood pressure people as it also controls diabetes and blood pressure. It relieves stress, anxiety and enhances physical and mental performance naturally. Stress leads to hypertension and heart problems.

Therefore Ashwagandha is a natural herbal heart care remedy that controls blood pressure, anxiety and stress to indirectly benefit in heart problems.

3.      Jatamansi (Nordostachys jatamansi): This herb is useful in many illnesses like blood pressure and hysteria. It controls epilepsy, mental disorders. It relieves stress and anxiety. It is also soothing and cooling to the heart and it act as an effective natural heart care herbal remedy.

4.      Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri): The herb ‘Brahmi’ is used in Ayurveda since ages for loss in memory, lack of concentration, forgetfulness. It increases the retention power as well as recollection. It is very useful in many mental illnesses also. Regular use also helps in stress, anxiety, blood pressure, hallucinations and epilepsy. Regular use of this herb improves mental ability and cognition.

5.      Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis): This beautiful white flowered plant really enhances the mind ability to recollect and remember the things in a very effective manner. It relieves mental stress, controls blood pressure and also improves mind’s ability. People in India are using this herb for centuries for their children to improve their memory especially during exams.

HOME REMEDIES FOR LOW BLOOD PRESSURE:-

• The best and the most effective home remedy for treating low blood pressure would be to consume lots of water. This is because dehydration reduces blood volume and leads to a drop in the blood pressure.
• Beetroot juice is beneficial for those suffering from low blood pressure. So, have a cup of raw beetroot juice two times a day.
• Prepare a cup of strong black coffee and consume this whenever you feel that your blood pressure is dipping.
• Put 15-20 gm of Indian Spikenard in 250 ml water and boil it. Now, remove from heat and let it cool down. Have this infusion thrice a day. You can also have 30-40 grains of Indian Spikenard, along with some camphor and cinnamon.
• Fill your bathtub with lukewarm water and add one kg of Epsom salt to it. Immerse yourself in the bath for 20 minutes, before going to bed. Take caution not to expose the body to a cold area after this.
• In a bowl of water, soak 7 almonds and keep them overnight. Peel them and prepare a paste. Add this paste to lukewarm milk and drink it.
• Take a bowl of water and soak 30 raisins in it, overnight. Chew them one by one, on an empty stomach, in the morning and have water.
• Holy basil works effectively in curing low blood pressure. Take about 15 holy basil leaves and crush them. Filter the mixture with the help of a muslin cloth. Have this filtered mixture, along with a tsp of honey, on an empty stomach.
• Include salt, asafetida and fruits in your diet. All these are beneficial in restoring the blood pressure level.
• Foods rich in proteins, vitamin C and vitamin B are effective in treating low blood pressure.
• Exercises, light walking, swimming and cycling are beneficial in regulating the blood pressure level.

 NEW STUDY IN U S - SAYS THAT GRAPES HELP IN LOW BLOOD PRESSURE

Grapes helped lower blood pressure and improve heart function in lab rats fed an otherwise salty diet, U.S. researchers say. The findings, published in the Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences, may help people with high blood pressure, they said. “These findings support our theory that something within the grapes themselves has a direct impact on cardiovascular risk, beyond the simple blood pressure- lowering impact that we already know can come from a diet rich in fruits and vegetables,” Mitchell Seymour of the Cardioprotection Research Laboratory at the University of Michigan said in a statement.

India’s tested theory of plant medicine

There is a highly significant story related to Jivaka, physician to Lord Buddha and his followers. Jivaka spent full seven years of intensive study under his guru, at the university of Takshashila, where he earned a name for effecting amazing cures. As a final test his guru gave him a spade and sent him out to search, within a radius of several miles, for any plant devoid of medicinal value. Jivaka passed the test with flying colours when he came back and said he could find no such plant!

Indian medical systems, among them the ancient science of Ayurveda, have always been aware of the medicinal value of plants. To cite but one example, for at least 2500 years before the West recognised the medicinal properties of the rauwolfia root that Indian medicine men had been using it to calm violently disturbed patients. They called it snakeroot and used it to treat, apart from `moon madness’ or lunacy, a whole range of afflictions, from snakebite to cholera. In the 1940’s Indian scientists isolated the active substances from rauwolfia and discovered its added benefit as a remedy for high blood pressure.

For thousands of years, Indian plants have been attracting attention in foreign countries. Dioscorides mentions many, including datura smoke for treating asthma, nux vomica for paralysis and indigestion, croton as a purgative. Pliny complained of the heavy drain on Roman gold to buy costly Indian drugs (and spices). Some Indian plants or their extracts have already been adopted by modern medicine, including psyllium husk (isabgol) for bowel problems. Many other plants that have been used exclusively in folk medicine now have allopaths hunting for them. These include herbs like Cassia fistula which shows antibiotic activity. A keen search for contraceptives for men has led to research on likely plant material such as bamboo shoots, betel leaf and papaya seed.

The Madagascar periwinkle with its pink/white flowers is a hardy perennial that grows without fuss in countless Indian gardens. So persistent is the flowering that the shrub has come to be known as sadabahar, meaning `ever bloom’. In the 1950’s, the periwinkle yielded some alkaloids, particularly useful in the treatment of leukaemia. Great piles of crushed periwinkle leaves are now exported from India to the U.S. to be ground and processed into anti cancer drugs. It takes 12 tons of leaves to extract one ounce of the active ingredient, hence the bulk.

India has an impressive list of medicinal plants, almost all of them native to the soil. Towering above the rest is the neem (margosa). All parts of this ubiquitous tree are bitter and are used in medicine. A decoction of neem leaves helps fevers, particularly malarial fevers, liver problems such as hepatitis, boils and all kinds of skin diseases. Extract of neem is a powerful insecticide, poisonous to insects and parasites.

The amla (emblica officinalis) has been hailed as a nugget of Vit. C in heat stable form. One amla fruit is said to pack more Vit. C than a dozen oranges. It is great for treating respiratory complaints and for rejuvenation of both body and the hair. According to Charka, august physician of yore and father of ayurveda, a regular intake of amla or amla based preparations is a sure method of stalling the ageing process.

Amla joins with two other plants haritaki and bibhitaki to make the super combination known as triphala (three-fruit-combine). Whether used externally or internally, the benefits conferred by triphala are legion. The most significant being rejuvenation of the membrane of the intestinal tract.

 

The small thorny tree known as bel (Aegle marmelos) yields a fruit that is a panacea for digestive disorders. The bamboo has, on the inside of its stem a white, powder deposit known as tavashir which has marked decongestant properties, particularly useful as a local application in tonsillitis. The large, handsome evergreen camphor tree is the traditional (as opposed to synthetic) source of camphor. Used extensively in ritual worship, camphor is a favoured ingredient of liniments and medicinal oils because it liquefies obstinate body secretions and causes them to flow. Gugul (Commiphora mukul), a small tree which grows in arid regions, produces a resin with marked anti-inflammatory properties, making it perhaps the best medicine going for arthritis. It also helps scrape away fat from the body.

Asafoetida is the resin collected from the living rhizome and root of the small tree Ferula foetida. There are few remedies superior to asafoetida for relieving colic and abdominal distension. The fragrant sandalwood comes from a small tree (Santalum album). Used as paste or powder, it calms skin eruptions. Taken internally it cools the body and mind, while helping to improve the concentration. Tagara (Valeriana wallichii) has long been used as a sedative and anti-spasmodic. Being a natural tranquillizer, it is particularly useful in the treatment of hysteria and epilepsy.

Castor oil, universally disliked but dependable, is a product of the castor plant, also known as eranda (Ricinis communis). The plant grows wild in India. So does berberis (Berberis aristata), used to control jaundice and inflammations ranging from gastro-enteritis to conjunctivitis. A special boon for those suffering from piles. Berberis is a native of hilly areas.

The hibiscus shrub has great cooling properties. Crushed leaves of hibiscus, applied to the scalp in summer, prevent dandruff and lend lustre to the hair. Dried and powdered henna leaves, made into a paste, soothe rashes, particularly eczema. The paste applied before a regular shampoo makes the hair soft and silky. The dried and powdered rhizome of the turmeric plant is a powerful antiseptic for external wounds as well as intestinal infections. And be it said to its everlasting glory, a level teaspoon of turmeric in a glass of hot milk, taken at bedtime, can and does stave off an attack of flu. Laced with honey, this combination even helps a case of trauma. The grass known as cuscus (vetiver) purifies the blood and helps reduce fever, while soothing both vomiting and diarrhoea.

But it is not possible to list all the benefits that accrue from the tulsi plant (Holy basil). We shall, however, make an attempt. It protects the throat, skin, digestive and respiratory tracts. Combined with ginger juice, black pepper and honey, it cures catarrh. It is a tonic for the heart and has been found effective n the first stages of many cancers. Tulsi purifies the air and is an insect repellnt. No wonder the word `tulsi’ itself means `matchless’.

While dwelling on the virtues of tulsi, we can’t possibly forget fenugreek (methi). A powerful tonic for the digestive, respiratory and nervous systems, it is an all-round pick up for the human organism. Highly effective in the treatment of both diabetes and high blood pressure, fenugreek also holds promise for certain types of arthritis. As if this were not enough, a hair cleaner made from soaked and ground seeds of fenugreek, prevents premature hair loss.

Saffron relieves respiratory congestion, mint and coriander are digestives. Drumstick leaves help high blood pressure, the fruit tones up the heart and circulatory system. The ripe fruit of the tamarind stimulates the appetite and digestion. Garlic lowers both blood cholesterol and blood pressure, and ginger is definitely anti-catarrh, beside being a safe and sure digestive. Aloe, the succulent that requires little persuasion to grow, contains allantoin, a substance known for its healing properties. Thus aloe is applied externally to burns, rashes, inflammations and other painful conditions, with excellent results. Highly prized aloe now forms part of many brands of face creams and moisturisers worldwide.

But we are touching only the fringe of the subject. The average Indian grandma/housewife is familiar with medicinal plants growing in her own kitchen garden or neighbourhood. Hundreds of herbs and plants are in regular use by medical practitioners. Even so, hundreds more lie unidentified and unexplored, their virtues described in ancient texts but known only to a few.

India not only has a host of medicinal plants, it also has a host of do’s and dont’s laid down for collecting the required portions - leaves, roots, fruit etc. of these plants. How a herb is grown and gathered affects its qualities. Thus plants collected for medicinal use should have no impurities nearby and the location should be far away from a graveyard or cremation ground. Likewise there should be no termite mounds in the vicinity. On no account is an insect infested plant to be picked. And, significantly, plant material is to be gathered at its freshest, that is, early in the morning for purpose of alternative medicine in India.

2010 FIFA

FOOTBALL

PREDICTIONS- 2010 WORLD CUP FOOTBALL

A FIGHT AND AN ACCIDENT MAY TAKE PLACE IN THIS WORLD CUP.

AN UN KNOWN TEAM WILL SHOW GREAT SPIRIT.

ARGENTINA, BRAZIL WILL LOOSE CREDIBILITY.

DOPE TEST MAY TAKE PLACE

Referee decisions will create controversies

England will face unfair decisions

Finals will take place between very surprising teams

refree will be controvercial.