Miscellaneous Facebook posts & comments in Feb. 2020

Last updated on 31st March 2020

When author of post or comment is not mentioned, it should be assumed that it is me (Ravi S. Iyer).

To save time, I am usually not providing my FB post links but only contents. I am also not hyperlinking links. So readers will have to copy-paste links from this post onto a browser link box and then browse to that link.
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Hmm. That's quite astonishing! Good for Jainism which has a solid reputation for discipline and asceticism among its religious leaders and followers in India. I am very respectful of devout Jains based on my interactions with some of them, and what I observed of the Jain community in Mumbai/Bombay & Dombivli (near Mumbai) in the past.

"In a new wave of religious tourism, thousands of Japanese nationals have travelled to India and adopted Jainism in recent years.", https://www.facebook.com/TimesofIndia/videos/581305975932804/?t=0
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Fascinating story of how Bhagavan directed a few chosen persons to get the imposing Hanuman statue done. I particularly liked the coverage of Shri Shilpi Subramanian's work and Shri Thillainayagam's work for this statue. I enjoyed seeing pics of younger Shilpi Subramanian sir and Thillainayagam sir with Bhagavan.

In the past, Thillainayagam sir had told me a little about how Bhagavan interacted with him (in Tamil) on this matter. I had enjoyed his narration of Bhagavan's interactions with him in Tamil.

I am sure Bhagavan would have spoken at least partly in Tamil to Shilpi Subramanian sir too on the Hanuman statue work.

Video is around 12 minutes.

https://www.facebook.com/radiosai/videos/988369031543254/?t=0
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Foolish man living in some delusional world! All peace and communal harmony loving Indians should condemn his remarks. Good to see that he is being hauled up before the law.

I felt it appropriate to repeat my belief and public stand:
Sabka Maalik Ek! Eashwar Maalik! Allah Maalik! Yesu Maalik!
The Lord of all (Hindus, Muslims, Christians etc.) is one! Eashwar is the Lord! Allah is the Lord! Jesus is the Lord!

https://www.facebook.com/ravi.s.iyer.7/posts/2764878410395385?__tn__=-R [links to article about a not-well-known political leader making inciting remarks and FIR being filed against him.]
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Mainly audio + still pic (no video): Chandra Chooda Sivasankara - M.L. Vasanthakumari [still pic shows M.S. Subbulakshmi but singer seems to be M.L. Vasanthakumari], https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZMSgbNnzpw, 8 min. 5 secs.
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Mainly audio + still pic (no video): ML Vasanthakumari - Shiva darushana - Madhyamavathi - purandara dAsar, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5HQErkg8H8, 13 min. 55 secs.

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Mainly audio + still pic (no video): Om Namasivaya Namasivaya Gangadhara Hara Namah BY PRIYA SISTERS, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nJz3BThNPo, 7 min. 26 secs.
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Om Namah Shivaya | ఓం నమశివాయ | Sagara Sangamam Movie Full Song | Kamal Haasan | S.P.Shailaja, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW7ujCbbPec, 4 min. 19 secs.
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jai bholenath jai ho prabhu by #gurmukh chughria, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLwglLyDXKg, 3 min. 38 secs.
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Mera Bhola Hai Bhandari | Hansraj Raghuwanshi | Suresh Verma | Offical Video | Paramjeet Pammi |iSur, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaJR15qWTDA, 7 min. 18 secs.
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Hari Om namah Shivaya, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K2yIIE0i08, slightly over 9 mins.
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SANSKRIT SONG from The Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDd3iupKUyI, 6 min. 2 secs.
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Om Namah Shivaya - Krishna Das Live! Songs With Lyrics, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTc8X37oJBE, 15 min. 31 secs. "This video was shot in New York City at the Church Of St. Paul & St. Andrew in October 2013 and is part of a full-length kirtan recorded that evening."

Awesome to see so many folks in New York City (USA) enjoying a great Shiva bhajan by Krishna Das!
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Satyam Shivam Sundaram by Vaishali Made Live Music Show - Hemantkumar Musical Group, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RJPTec2CKo, 6 min. 23 secs.
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Agam - Shiv Tandav Stotram Complete | शिवतांडव | Kaun Hai Vo Cover | Bahubali | Lyrical Video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvgd6450Y28, 10 min. 27 secs.
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Shiv Tandav Stotram By Varsha Dwivedi, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH80DUtmLzI, 8 min. 29 secs.
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Jai Ho Bhole Nath Jai Ho Prabhu [Full Song] - Maha Shiv Jagaran - singer: Anuradha Paudwal, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mWUMITlb4k, 5 min. 49 secs.
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My comment on the post:
Wonderful to see this from U.S. Embassy. Thank you. - From an Indian Shiva bhakta (devotee). FB post: https://www.facebook.com/ravi.s.iyer.7/posts/2763740747175818?__tn__=-R
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1 John 4:8, NIV: "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

https://www.bibleref.com/1-John/4/1-John-4-8.html
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Sensitive stuff and one may not agree with everything that Sadhguru Vasudev says, but he has the ***guts*** to speak out on such sensitive issues. Hats off to him for having this courage!

BTW the preview pic is a little controversial (perhaps to grab eyeballs). But I would like to say upfront that Sadhguru Vasudev says that we (referring to Indians) should not forget past invasions (Islamic, British etc.) so that we avoid getting invaded in the future.

Regarding Taj Mahal, Sadhguru says (slightly before 1 min 30 secs into the video): "It doesn't matter who built it, whether you like the people who built it or not. If somebody built something beautiful, we must have an unprejudiced eye to appreciate it." ...
"Definitely, Taj Mahal is a beautiful gem ...".

Sadhguru finally touches upon the fear that happenings in Iraq  (& Syria) in the recent past, has brought to people, and I think he implies that that fear brought about some reactions. He talks of some people using language of the past (referring to invasions into India). He implies that that is not a good thing.

He talks about democratic politics being a numbers game. Towards the end of the video, he touches upon demographic balance in India and says that if that balance is maintained in the future, things will get resolved by itself.

Video is slightly over 7 mins.
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20th Feb. 2020: I felt I should transcribe part of the video as I think these words of Sadhguru are important and thought-provoking. But I should also say that I am not in a position to comment on whether they are right or not due to lack of detailed knowledge on the topic and other reasons.

Around 5 min. 10 secs. into the video Sadhguru Vasudev says, "Historically, many ugly things have been done by different people. Ugly things that have happened to us as a nation - we must remember. ... What others have done to us we must remember. But we should not become bitter because this bitterness will destroy us. Why we should remember is: so that we don't make the same mistakes and get into the same pit once again. That's very important for us.

But, at the same time, if today, let's say UK spoke the same language that it spoke during the colonial era, definitely we will not accept them. Unfortunately, with certain groups of people - they are trying to speak the same language which was historically spoken way back. So this creates a whole lot of confrontation in the society.

And the entire misuse of this for democratic purposes - when I say democratic purposes - because it's all a number game. So people are playing this game for last 70 years. So naturally you have kind of brought this little bit of fear in others. Fear means - people are seeing what's happening in Iraq and the Islamic State and stuff - what happened in Kashmir. So people think if these numbers increase, this will happen to us also. Because it's happened in the past.

So I feel if one thing stops, I think this entire little bit of heat going on between communities will die. That is - you don't try to change the dynamics of demographics. Just let it stay this (way) for the next hundred years without anybody trying to increase numbers, you will see everything will level out. This is the only fear. That's why there is reaction.

https://www.facebook.com/SadhguruUsa14/videos/129808181640950/
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I personally am uncomfortable with 'stoned' word, even when it seems to mean being blissful, being used with Lord Shiva. I am uncomfortable even if it is used in a light, humourous way and with great respect for Lord Shiva. Somehow the 'stoned' word has too many wrong connotations for me. Perhaps that comes in the way of me not being able to take the word being used in a light & humourous way, in the context of Lord Shiva.

But I find the general message of Sadhguru Vasudev about marijuana NOT being the right way for spiritual experience, to be a very good one. It is communicated by Sadhguru Vasudev in a manner that I think will reach out to many viewers (including those who do use weed or other chemicals to induce what they view as spiritual high experiences). So I am sharing this video of his: If Shiva Smokes Weed, Why Can't I? – Sadhguru Answers, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf-31zABxto, 10 min. 41 secs, published on 15th Feb. 2020.

Around 9 min. 50 secs, Sadhguru says: "There is nothing spiritual about any chemical."
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Good to see Indian spiritual leaders assemble together to promote Yoga and well being.

"A warm welcome to the Governing Council of the #IndianYogaAssociation for the Second Council Meet at #IshaYogaCenter. As the world moves away from dogma and belief, offering #yoga as a scientific process for wellbeing has become crucial. -Sg @Yoga_I_Y_A", https://twitter.com/SadhguruJV/status/1226560677176700930 [Tweet has pics of the spiritual leaders meeting.]
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I had shared this earlier but it was from an unknown website (Independent Catholic ..., if I recall correctly). Now it is from a mainstream Indian TV media outlet: Pak Court Allows (Christian) Girl's Marriage To Abductor As She's Had Her "1st Menstrual Cycle", https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/pak-court-says-christian-girls-marriage-valid-as-shes-had-her-1st-menstrual-cycle-2176974, 8th Feb. 2020

A small extract from the article: "The parents of a 14-year-old Pakistani Christian girl, who was abducted, forcibly converted to Islam and married off to her abductor, will approach the Supreme Court after a lower court ruled that marriage with an underage girl is valid as per the Sharia law if she has had her first menstrual cycle."

Let us hope and pray that Pakistan's Supreme Court will overturn the lower court's verdict, render the forced marriage and conversion to Islam as null and void, and free the 14 year old Christian girl to be with her family and practise her Christian faith in peace and without fear.
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Wonderful to see this: After 70 years, temple handed back to Hindus at Zhob in Pakistan’s Balochistan, https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/after-70-years-temple-handed-back-to-hindus-at-zhob-in-pakistan-s-balochistan/story-RU8wQrsFfC27YIcLGEo5lJ.html, 7th Feb. 2020

The deputy commissioner of the area is quoted by the article as saying: "Today is an important day in the history of Balochistan. This is an example of religious harmony. Maulana Allah Dad, the khateeb of the Jama Masjid, not only supported the decision but also participated as a special guest at the ceremony. The world should see how deeply our scholars have embraced the minority community."

Ravi: As an Indian Hindu, I pray to Allah to shower His Grace on the Muslim leaders in Balochistan (in Pakistan) who supported this move to give back the temple to Hindu community there. I pray to Almighty God that there be more of such religious harmony between Hindus and Muslims in Pakistan and India.

Ishwar Maalik! Allah Maalik! Sabka Maalik Ek!

[Ishwar is the Lord! Allah is the Lord! The Lord of all (Hindus, Muslims & others) is One!]
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Pakistani court and Hindu Pakistani girl Mehak's lawyer have to be congratulated on freeing Mehak from forcible conversion to Islam and forcible marriage to Muslim man

Note: My putting up this post should not be construed as me being anti-Muslim. I am against forcible conversion to any other religion and forcible marriage to person of another religion. I am a firm believer of "Sabka Maalik Ek" (The Lord of all is One) teaching of Shirdi Sai Baba and view Hinduism, Islam, Christianity etc. as various paths to the same One God.

Don't want to convert, will stay with parents: Minor Pakistan Hindu girl,
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/73996972.cms, 7th Feb. 2020

The first time, on January 21st this year, Mehak had said in the court that she, a 15 year old Pakistani Hindu girl, had converted to Islam and married a Muslim man out of her own will.

Now, on 6th Feb., she retracted her previous statement and told the court that she neither wanted to live with the Muslim person she was forcibly married to, nor did she want to embrace Islam.

She requested the court in Pakistan to send her back to her parents' home and practise Hinduism. She told the court that she had made her earlier statement by mistake.

The court recorded her 6th Feb. statement on video and her statement was made in the judge's chambers (perhaps to avoid pressure on the girl by large crowd inside and outside the court).

As an Indian Hindu, I am thankful to the Pakistani court judge as well as Mehak's lawyer, and the many activists in Pakistan and outside who seem to have fought for justice in this case, who have enabled Mehak to get justice and freedom.

The previous statement made by Mehak seems to have been made under duress and/or psychological brain-washing. I think that in all such cases of sudden disappearance of less than 18 years of age Hindu girls in Pakistan (and girls from other minority religions in Pakistan like Christianity) who then say they married a Muslim man and converted to Islam of their free will, it should first be established whether they are saying it under duress and/or psychological brain-washing. For that perhaps the juvenile girl should first be allowed to stay for say a month or so in a neutral environment where she is free from pressure from both the Muslim husband and his family, as well as her parents' family, and from religious leaders/groups of both religions.

Of course, it would be even better if age of marriage is raised to 18 in Pakistan but I think one has to accept reality of current law in Pakistan that seems to view girls who have had their first menstrual cycle to be of marriageable age - Ref: Pakistan court rules men can marry underage girls, https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/38862, 5th Feb. 2020. BTW the article refers to a Christian 14 year old girl, Huma Younus, who was allegedly abducted and married to a Muslim man.
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Wonderful quote from Bible about God asking man to give Him his heart

"My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways," New International Version

"My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways." English Standard Version

From Proverbs 23:26 of Bible, https://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-26.htm
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While I support the right of peaceful protesters/rally-goers to protest against CAA or rally in support of CAA or anything else, I firmly oppose hijacking of such anti CAA protests by anti-India Islamists. India is a country for people of all religions - Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, Jew etc. including those who have no religion (atheists/agnostics). No single religion whether a majority religion like Hindusim or a minority religion like Islam, should be promoted by any modified Indian national flag in such protests.

FACT CHECK: Image of Ashok Chakra replaced by Islamic Shahada in Indian Tricolor during anti-CAA march is real, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/times-fact-check/news/fact-check-image-of-ashok-chakra-replaced-by-islamic-shahada-in-indian-tricolor-during-anti-caa-march-is-real/articleshow/73833285.cms, 1st Feb. 2020.

The threat of violent and intolerant (to non-Muslims) Islamic extremism must never be forgotten given recent history in Syria and Iraq, and given serious and disturbing acts of discrimination against Hindus, Christians, Ahmadiyas etc. happening in Pakistan even today.

I hope Shri Rahul Gandhi and others will condemn usage of such modified Indian flags in anti CAA protests.
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