Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Daily Hadith:Prophetic (PBUH) Commentary on the Qur'an - 16th Rabi al-Awwal 1432 (19th February 2011)

Daily Hadith:Prophetic (PBUH) Commentary on the Qur'an - 16th Rabi al-Awwal 1432 (19th February 2011)

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu

Prophetic (PBUH) Commentary on the Qur'an - 16th Rabi al-Awwal 1432 (19th
February 2011)

Narrated Ibn Abbas (Radi-Allahu 'anhu):

The Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) delivered a sermon and said,
"You (people) will be gathered before Allah (on the Day of Resurrection)
bare-footed, naked and uncircumcised." (The Prophet then recited):-- 'As We
began the first creation we shall repeat it. (It is) a promise We have
undertaken and truly We shall do it.' and added, "The first man who will be
dressed on the Day of Resurrection, will be Abraham. Lo! Some men from my
followers will be brought and taken towards the left side, whereupon I will
say, 'O Lord, (these are) my companions!' It will be said, 'You do not know
what new things they introduced (into the religion) after you.' I will then
say as the righteous pious slave, Jesus, said, 'I was a witness over them
while I dwelt among them...(to His Statement)..and You are the Witness to
all things.' (5.117) Then it will be said, '(O Muhammad) These people never
stopped to apostate since you left them."

Bukhari Vol. 6 : No. 264

Find the true guidance through read Quran online, and full fill your deputy to learn Quran online  because holy Quran online is the guidance for all the men kind and Allah speaks the truth so follow the things which Allah messenger prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) have thought us and for Muslim who want to Listen Quran online, for the top reciters fron quran blog Quran Recitation Mishary bin Rashid

Mishary bin Rashid with Ibrahim Walk English Quran Recitation

Mishary bin Rashid with Urdu Translation

Quran recitation sudais

Quran recitation Sudais & Shuraym English Quran Recitation of Naeem Sultan

Sudais, Shuraym with Urdu Translation

Quran Recitation Quri Abdul Basit

Quri Abdul Basit With Ibrahim Walk English Quran Recitation

AbdulBaset AbdulSamad, Urdu Translation

 

 

 



Are Islam and Democracy Compatible?




Are Islam and Democracy Compatible?

Posted: 21 Feb 2011 02:08 PM PST

The protests in Tunisia and Egypt that led to the removal of the leaders of both countries have now spread to Yemen, Bahrain, Libya, and Iran. According to some commentators,  these protests reflect a relatively new push for democracy by the Arab peoples. In other words, the democracy that Western nations have enjoyed is now appearing in the Middle East. The implicit explanation for this "delay," for some, is that most Arabs are Muslim and Islam is not compatible with democracy.

I would argue, however, that no religion is inherently incompatible with democracy and that there are historical markers that indicate that democractic principles (not always in their Western formulation that is so often taken as the only paradigm) existed early in Islamic history.

One example that is cited is the Islamic state that emerged in Medina during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad. What is referred to as the Constitution of Medina established a society in which different communities (Muslims and non-Muslims) all consented  to live by a social contract that reflected their various interests.

A second example is the caliph, the political and social sucessor the Prophet Muhammad, who ideally was suppose to be elected by the people  and to hold public consultations. If the caliph did not adhere to the laws, he could be removed.

In the book Progressive Muslims, Ahmad Mousalli, a professor of Political Science at the American University of Beirut, highlights that concepts like shura (consultation), ijmahurriya (freedom), and al-huquuq al-shar`iyya (legitimate rights) are central in Islam and lead more towards democracy than authoritarianism. Moreover, (consensus), justice and rejection of oppression are two themes that occupy an important role in Islamic thought, so authoritarian rule has no place.

The authoritarian regimes that have emerged in the Middle East are not a result of Islam's incompatibility with democracy. Rather, they are the consequence of historical events and relationships that have shaped the reality of Middle Eastern countries over the last two centuries at least. In Islam, there is a call to reject oppression and to make sure that leaders are just and accountable–that is democracy.

What are your reactions to the protests? Do you think Islam and democracy are incompatible? Do you think an Islamic democracy is an oxymoron? What is the role of religion in a democractic society? Please share your thoughts below.




Monday, February 21, 2011

Al Quran English Translation of Al-holy Quran rciter [8]. Surah Al-Anfal [The Spoils of War]

القرآن Al Quran

English Translation of Al-holy Quran rciter

[8]. Surah Al-Anfal [The Spoils of War]

Ayat 43. (And remember) when Allah showed them to you as few in your (i.e. Muhammad's  [SAWW](PBUH) dream, if He had shown them to you as many, you would surely have been discouraged, and you would surely have disputed in making a decision. But Allah saved (you). Certainly, He is the All-Knower of what is in the breasts.

Hadith الحديث


English Translation of Hadith

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) said, "Allah, the Exalted, has said: `I will declare war against him who treats with hostility a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved thing with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (voluntary prayers or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) until I love him, (so much so that) I become his hearing with which he hears, and his sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he strikes, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me something, I will surely give him, and if he seeks My Protection (refuge), I will surely protect him". [Al-Bukhari Hadith # 6502]

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Anfal Ayat 43 "(And remember) when Allah showed them to you as few in your dream,) This Hadith tell us the status and distinctive signs of the favoured men of Allah ('Auliya' Allah) The Noble holy Quran online has defined them as: "Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah) and used to fear Allah much (by abstaining from evil deeds and sins and by doing righteous deeds)". (10:63). According to this definition, every believer who really fears Allah is a favoured of Allah. It means that except for Faith and piety, favoured of Allah are neither people of the special kind nor have they any special distinctive signs, as is generally thought by some people. In this respect, the ignorance of the general public is shocking because they regard even such persons as favoured of Allah who not only neglect the religious obligations and the practice of the Prophet [SAWW](PBUH), but also woefully lack cleanliness. Sometimes they call even mad or half-mad persons as favourites of Allah, whereas a Wali in the true sense is one who is meticulous about observing the obligations and is fearful of Allah. Firstly, the love of those whom Allah loves entail the love of Allah, and hating them entails the hatred of Allah.Secondly, when a true Muslim acquires nearness and love of Allah by means of performing religious obligations, supererogatory and voluntary prayers, Allah then becomes his special helper and protects his limbs and organs and does not let them work for His disobedience.

read quran online

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Woman – Hallmark of true valor

 
 

Sent to you by top blog via Google Reader:

 
 

via Agniveer by Agniveer on 1/13/11

The typical image of woman projected by media today is that of someone either timid, or inept in exhibiting boldness, or merely an object for sensual gratification. The media includes not only means of mass communications but also the major religious cults. And not to be surprised, denigration of woman led to denigration of world. A society that does not give due respect to woman is bound to be inflicted with untimely deaths, fear and injustice. This is the the loud pronouncement of Vedas summarized by Manu (3.56): "The society that respects women is a heaven. And where women are denigrated, even the noble actions go waste."

India became a slave nation ruled even by slaves because we ignored this most important social message of Vedas. And world is an extremely dangerous and volatile place to live today, despite all so-called advancements,  because woman – the true foundation of valor – are not having the same status that they rightly deserve. If we consider woman as objects of lust, and glamorize skin-showers, law of karma will ensure that our skin is peeled off every moment through harsh realities of life. That is exactly what has happened and is happening today. But if we respect motherly woman to be hallmark of valor and all goodness that we possess, our world would be a paradise.

Contrary to the stupid notions prevailing, as per Vedas, a powerful prosperous society demands woman to be full of valor because that is her natural trait. Her valor is not brutal but that inspired by emotional and spiritual intelligence.

Let us review a few mantras from Vedas on woman:

Atharvaveda 14.1.47: O woman, you are the foundation of society. We promise to provide you a solid foundation to nurture and exhibit your capabilities. Stand up on this foundation and learn the lessons of firmness and patience. You also, thus, become firm foundation for the society like a solid rock. May you live a long life so that our brilliance can enlighten us for long!

Yajurveda 5.10: O woman, you are a lioness. Destroy the enemies of ignorance, immaturity, negativity and savagery for welfare of all. O woman, you are a lioness. Destroy the enemies of ignorance, immaturity, negativity and savagery for purity of all. O woman, you are a lioness. Destroy the enemies of ignorance, immaturity, negativity and savagery for happiness of all.

Yajurveda 5.12: O woman, you are a lioness. We resolve to do everything for your respect and glory. O woman, you are a lioness that leads to birth of great legends in society. We resolve to do everything for your respect and glory. O woman, you are a lioness that nurtures intelligence and bravery in society. We resolve to do everything for your respect and glory. O woman, you are a lioness who provides bliss and prosperity to society. We resolve to do everything for your respect and glory. We appoint you for welfare of all living beings.

Yajurveda 10.26: O woman, you are source of happiness. You are source of firmness and stability. You are source of valor. Stay glorious in our society.

Yajurveda 13.16: O woman, you are firm and possess tremendous will-power. You support us all. The Supreme Lord has filled you with virtues of valor and knowledge. May even the entire army of enemies that comes like sea be unable to harm you. Even the vultures may not be able to harm you. May you strengthen the world. (In other words, the rest of the society should vow to protect the woman so that she can support us all. It is this message that led to brave legends preferring to die rather than compromise dignity of women.)

Yajurevda 13.18: O woman, you have tremendous potentials. You are as stable as this earth. You are the mother for entire world. You support the world and society. Protect the world from deviating to wrong paths, stabilize the world and ensure that there is never any violence.

(Thus the mantra states that all women, regardless of her age, should be respected as we respect our mother. Such a respect for women will ensure that our society is worth living for humans. When women is respected in this manner, her valor and patience bring stability, peace and prosperity in society.

On contrary, when women are denigrated as glamorous tools, we face the same miseries in society that happen among savages. So stop idolizing models and actresses and start respecting Rani Jhansis and Ahilya Bais.

Yajurveda 13.26: O woman, you do not deserve to be defeated by challenges and obstacles. On contrary, you possess the power to defeat the stiffest challenge. Defeat the enemies and their armies. You have valor of thousands of men. Realize your true potential and demonstrate your valor. Please us all through your courage. The world demands that from you!

Yajurveda 21.5: O woman, you possess tremendous power. You are the mother of noble people. You are the wife of truth-seeker. You are full of valor. You cannot be weakened by attack of enemies. You are full of dynamism. You bring happiness to all. You follow the path of nobility. Protect the society by realizing your true potential.

(The mantra clearly states that if the husband is not on right path, a woman should not follow him. She is source of all power, so she should lead and not be led in matters of truth and justice.)

Rigveda 8.67.10: O woman, you are unbreakable. You are never impoverished. We urge you to spread happiness and prosperity in the world. We urge you to realize your potential so that we are able to fulfill our goals.

Rigveda 8.18.5: O woman, you are unbreakable, brave and impoverished. Hence your children are also brave and eager to take greatest challenges for noble goals. They dare to fight the toughest enemies. They never even dream of sins. How can they indulge in any sinful act! All this is because you are the mother!

Yajurveda 14.13: O woman, you are the queen! You are brilliant like the east from where sun rises! You are possessor of tremendous potentials like the south. You are the empress like the glorious west. You enlighten us all like the north. You deserve vast respect like the sky.

Rigveda 10.86.10: A woman never hesitates to make greatest of sacrifices in time of need. The woman who symbolizes truth, has brave sons and has a brave husband brings prosperity and glory for herself and society.

Yajurveda 17.44: O brave woman, defeat the vast armies of enemy. March towards the enemies and destroy them. Stay away from sinful acts. Ensure that enemies of society are completely disheartened to never dare to promote vices.

Yajurveda 17.45: O brave woman, obtain training in martial arts and warfare. Unleash your potential and destroy the enemies. Capture them and do not have mercy on those who spread hatred and vices in society. Imprison them.

Rigveda 6.75.15: O brave woman, for the criminals, you are an arrow full of poison. For defense of the society, you have donned an armor. You have tremendous valor. We humbly bow to your selfless glory!

Rigveda 10.86.9: This criminal is assuming me to be a coward. But I am brave. My husband is also brave. I am in company of brave people.

Rigveda 10.159.2: I am the flag of the nation. I am the head of the society. I am brilliant. My voice has impact. I am loved by my husband but in battle-field I demonstrate exemplary bravery that destroys the enemies.

Rigveda 10.159.3: My son has destroyed all enemies. My daughter is full of brilliance. My husband is famed. And I am a winner.

Rigveda 10.159.4: My husband has performed exemplary acts of selflessness. I have also conducted similar selfless acts of bravery. Since I am completely selfless and powerful, I have no enemies.

Rigveda 10.159.5: I have no enemies. I have destroyed all enemies. I am a winner over all enemy mindsets and tendencies.

O Ishwar! Provide a direction to our society that we respect the woman as mother! Provide inspiration to women so that they realize their true potential. This is the only way for a peaceful, prosperous, powerful society, nation and world! May we achieve that very soon!

References: Commentaries by Swami Dayanand, Vedic Naari by Pt Ramnath Vedalankar, Vedik Shabdarth Vichar by Pt Ramnath Vedalankar, Vedic Kosh by Pt Rajveer Shastri. All these books can be procured from www.vedicbooks.com


 
 

Things you can do from here:

 
 

Avoid troubles Remove guilt- Ishopanishad Mantra 3

 
 

Sent to you by top blog via Google Reader:

 
 

via Agniveer by Agniveer on 1/16/11

असुर्य्या नाम ते लोकाऽअन्धेन तमसावृताः I
ताँस्ते प्रेत्यापि गच्छन्ति ये के चात्महनो जनाः II (यजुर्वेद ४०.३)

Those people who are indulged in or support sinful selfish activities and who refuse to pay heed to their inner voice/ conscience continue to remain in utter darkness devoid of knowledge and happiness even after death.

asuryaa – indulged in sinful, selfish, corrupt deeds

naam – who exemplify, characterize or support

te – those

lokaa – people

andhena – such a darkness where one can see nothing

tamasaa – no scope for light or knowledge or happiness

avritaah – completely covered from all sides

taan – those situations

te – those people

pretya – after death

api – even while they live

gachhanti – go towards

ye – such people

ke – who

cha – and

aatmahano – work against their conscience or inner voice

janaah – people

The first two mantras of Ishopanishad explain how one should live in the world and what precautions should be taken during our stay here. The third mantra spells out the fate of those who do not heed to this advice. It also provides a formula to assess whether you are in the right direction or not. Plus it implicitly expounds why we get only what we truly deserve and not a punishment due to whims of some super-power. Thus the first three mantra of Ishopanishad summarize within them the complete Corporate Governance policy of World Inc.

While the meaning of this mantra is straightforward and self-explanatory, let us review a few salient points:

a. The mantra defines who are Asur or evil people. It states that those who act against their own conscience are Asur. They kill their own self or in other words they destroy their own inner voice.

b. Thus the mantra also states that each of us has a guide within us who keeps directing us intuitively on what is right and what is wrong. When we resolve to do something noble, we get a feeling of satisfaction, enthusiasm, peace. When we force ourselves to do something wrong, we get a feeling of shame, guilt, fear, discomfort. This is the inner voice, coming not from us, but from Ishwar Himself.

THUS THE FORMULA OF ASSESSING THE RIGHT DIRECTION IN LIFE IS VERY SIMPLE. SIMPLY FOLLOW YOUR INNER VOICE.

c. It is however very critical to distinguish this inner voice from instinctive urge. For example, when a thief sees an opportunity to steal money from a blind man, he may not be able to resist the easy golden opportunity to become rich. He may argue that he got an inner urge to steal. Another person may be addicted to drugs or vulgarity. He may feel helpless when faced with situations giving opportunity to consume the narcotic or conduct lustful acts. In fact the western society of today tries to legitimize all this in name of 'human instinct' that is supposed to be natural in all humans. They confuse between 'inner voice' and 'instinct'. Many a scientists would deny existence of any 'inner voice' and they would conduct experiments on instinctive behaviors to prove that humans are chemical reactions merely.

But that is not the case. 'Instinct' and 'Inner voice' are completely different. Instinct is simply a patterned behavior. When you repeat something again and again, it becomes part of your instinct. You thus need not think about it consciously and yet you can repeat the behavior. Human skills are results of these instincts that we develop. Walking is an instinct, running is an instinct, speaking is an instinct, stealing is an instinct, enjoying particular things is an instinct etc etc. Development of instinct is a wonderful gift to human beings that helps us use our thinking powers on more relevant things and free it from bothering about bulk of the large number of mundane tasks that we do in our life every moment.

Anything that you repeat would become more and more instinctive. Thus developing instinct has nothing to do with anything being good or bad. You drink alcohol for first time, it tastes horrible. Some people even vomit. You keep drinking again and again and it becomes part of habit – yet another word for complex instincts. Now more you drink, more you get the urge to drink again in similar situations. Instinct is working here. Some people, intolerant to alcohol, even start enjoying the vomiting sensation because of the instinct.

Thus if you have been enjoying watching blue films in past, you would instinctively seek to enjoy them again. If you have been an alcohol lover, you would seek to enjoy alcohol  again. If you have been into self-destroying habits, you would tend to enjoy those acts again. Left to itself, thus, the first few instincts that you have developed accidentally in life would determine the rest of your personality throughout your life. This is not wrong, and in fact, the overwhelming truth for the vast majority of people today.

Such people are in effect nothing more than chemical reactions. If the driver is sleeping, the car is as good as a car without driver. These are the people whom this mantra calls Asur – those who are driven only by instincts and have no driver in the car.

d. However beyond the instincts that propel us, there is yet another propeller in our system. This is the INNER VOICE. This is a constant guide that is active even in sleep. This is the driver. This forms the force which can shape the patterns of instincts. This is the force that urges us to do good and not bad.

How do we prove its existence? Very simple.

Even a terrorist has certain facets in his life where he shows kindness. Even an atheist feels the urge to state to world that God does not exist. Why? What motivates a Richard Dawkins to try to prove that God does not exist and there is no soul. When there is no soul, why bother about telling all this and to whom? Still he would find a natural urge to propagate the truth, best known to him, to his domain of influence. This natural urge is like a source of pure light that filters through all our instinctive behaviors and our free-will to come out in some form or other.

Look at a child. It keeps trying to stand up, walk and run. Despite being hurt again and again, it does not give up. It would fall down, cry like anything, then again try to stand, then try to walk. As it grows up, it develops complex instincts. Now because society emphasizes pain and miseries a lot, it learns to give up after a few failures. Still we all, regardless of our frustrations, see a hope in everything. But then we force our instincts upon it and decide, "Well, no. No use of trying. It will not work!". The reason that we had to justify ourselves that it will not work is that there was another propeller which said, "Try once more." This is the INNER VOICE.

When some of us look at a scantily clad heroine with lust, another inner voice does come, "What if someone looks at my mother, daughter or sister like this and actually does all that with her in front of my eyes that I am fantasizing right now? Why don't I exhibit the same feeling for my mother, daughter and sister and do with them what I am fantasizing right now? What is the difference? After all its skin and body that is attracting me and it is same in every female."

So that INNER VOICE does try to slap you again and again. And if, God forbid, something happens with some lady in our family, we are filled with anger and even swear to kill the culprit.

The INNER VOICE tells us that considering all women with same respect as mother is the ONLY way that we can live safely and with dignity in this world. And if that not be the case, no relationship, no law, no enforcement – nothing matters. And why only women, if this logic be applied to anything that we lust for, living or non-living, then the only way to justify them is to justify a free-for-all jungle Raaj. All laws, all ethics, all code of conducts, all urge for discipline – everything is then stupid and at best relevant ONLY for them who can make them or break them for their own "instinctive" fun.

The inner voice does not tell us in so many clear words. It tells us all this as a feeling of shame, guilt, disgust or discomfort. Those who follow the inner voice also get to the reason because now they are in harmony with nature and can understand their own feelings more deeply.

To deny INNER VOICE is to deny our own existence.

If anyone says he does not hear any inner voice, it may be either of the following cases:

- He is simply lying because he cannot overpower instincts

- He has learned to dumb his mind into blankness so that the inner voice no more disturbs him.In other words, he deactivated the voice.

e. That is why Ishopanishad Mantra 3 gives another clue to know whether inner voice is activated or deliberately deactivated. It says, rascals shut their minds off. They find themselves covered with darkness everywhere with no knowledge. Hence, if ever you find that your mind is blanking, or your thinking power is diminishing, or your reasoning ability is reduced, or your alertness is decreasing during or after an act, that is NOT as per INNER VOICE. That will lead you to further darkness and miseries.

Thus:

- Drinking alcohol is stupid because it dumbs your mind

- Eating meat is stupid because it harms environment, kills innocent animals, bad for economy, bad for longevity and hence cannot be logically reasoned

- Killing innocents is stupid

- Enjoying vulgarity or idolizing glamorous pimps and prostitutes is stupid

- Considering any woman to be anything except as respectful as mother is stupid

- Running behind short-term material wealth or fame without any higher goal is stupid

- Indulging in corruption is stupid

etc etc.

Instincts would lead us to do something as per our past behaviors. But INNER VOICE will act as an alert watchman certifying whether its worth doing or not. And if it is not, INNER VOICE would help us reprogram our instincts through practice. This is already explained in Mantra 2 of Ishopanishad.

But never ever deactivate the INNER VOICE.

Any action performed with INNER VOICE deactivated is stupidity and cause of all miseries. Period.

f. Note that we all are Asurs in some form or other, in some aspects or other. This is the SOLE cause of ALL our miseries. There are a huge number of actions that we perform purely on our instincts without consulting inner voice. Thus we shall suffer miseries, darkness and frustrations in those areas. Also know that our life is not divided into different water-tight compartments. Thus if we are Asur in one area, it impacts everything else also. This is same as the old adage: One rotten fish spoils the whole pond.

The goal of life is to KILL this Asur who is Aatmahana – Killing us.

Since soul is immortal, killing of soul means deactivating those traits which differentiate us from non-living things. Those who kill their souls also kill the capacity of soul to enjoy bliss of Ishwar. Thus they are naturally led to darkness and miseries.

In other words, since we ourselves attempt to kill our soul, we get the results that we truly deserve. If we are told to spend few days with a dead body next to us in a closed room, we shall rather die than face the infection and odor. Imagine what would be the result of living with our own dead soul closest to us!

REMEMBER, it is this INNER VOICE that differentiates us from non-living entities. Those who deny its existence either through their actions or thoughts or even arguments are actually Asurs attempting to kill themselves. They are destined, by their own deeds, to face miserable consequences of living with a rotting corpse.

g. The Mantra states that when we kill our soul, we face dumbness, reduced ability to enjoy happiness and miseries. This happens not only in this life right from the moment we kill our conscience aka INNER VOICE, but also continues after death in next birth. We take birth in species and environments that best suit our dumbness. Animals are supposed to be those species where those souls take birth who stopped using their INNER VOICE. Thus they face the results of their dumbness and only when they are suitable enough to exercise their free-will to heed to the INNER VOICE, that they take birth as humans again.

Thus the whole process continues without any disruptions due to death. Hence it is also futile to think of suicide as a way to escape the miseries of today. In fact, the tendency to commit suicide will add up to our instincts and hence make us even more dumb to listen to INNER VOICE. Thus it will make matters worse.

h. So what to do when we realize that we have got into bad habit of numbing our minds and not listening to INNER VOICE? How to kill the Asur inside us? What to do when we know we have committed many blunders and mistakes.

The answer is already provided in previous mantras.

But here are some more popular wrong ways:

- Suicide: It is out of question because that will make matters worse. You will become even bigger Asurs and face even more miseries.

- Running away from situations to start afresh: This will also not work. Because the instincts will recreate the same situations wherever we go. This world is a war against not anyone else but our own instincts. So run anywhere, even in most isolated jungles and yet your instincts will follow you. Just as head of a coin cannot run away from its tail, you cannot run away from your instincts.

- Becoming a sanyasi or monk: It will not help either. Sanyaas is not for those with deafness of INNER VOICE but those with extremely strong ears to INNER VOICE. Becoming a namesake sanyasi without the transformation inside will make you a hypocrite and hence an even bigger Asur.

- Confessing your crimes and saying sorry to the person against whom you committed crimes: Again of no use. Many intellectuals state that if you have done anything wrong you should confess that to the person against whom you committed wrong and then you shall be free of its guilt. Those in path of Vedas will not say so. Because Ishopanishad Mantra 1 clearly stated that everything belongs to Ishwar alone and nothing else is directly related to you. So the only person against whom you committed crime was Ishwar even though He remains unaffected by it. Thus confessing crimes in front of others – who are neither as intelligent nor understanding – as Ishwar would simply be foolishness.

Further, just as a drop of poison makes entire food poisonous, each act done by each person against his INNER VOICE affects innumerable souls linked to him directly or indirectly. Thus if confession be the way to get rid of Asur inside, then one will have to make billions of confessions.

Some scholars are of opinion that one should detach himself from the crimes and if told to reveal his or her past, should honestly speak the worst of his crimes. This will give inner strength. This approach is also against Vedas and good for only those who doubt Ishwar or do not understand mechanism of mind.

Had detachment been so easy, what took us so many births and even in this birth we are struggling so much to get detached? Further, each time one is told to reveal his past and he states his misdeeds, he would only be strengthening the very instincts that made him commit those crimes in first place. So this approach would only make him more vulnerable. Also the very fact that he mentions certain crimes means that subconsciously he considers these crimes to be big enough to be discussed. Thus it means that in reality instead of being detached, he is still attached and perhaps even more attached.

And what about the millions of minor crimes that we all committed since birth. If I committed a bank robbery, then after being a so-called saint, I should discuss about it when asked to get rid of the Asur tendencies. But what about those petty things I stole since birth that turned me into a robber, each lie I said, each time I cheated in all the games we played as children, each time I abused anyone, each time I killed ants for fun etc etc. All these together made me into a bank robber. How much can I tell and how long can I tell. Each moment can take hours to elaborate.

i. Here is the Vedic way or Ishopanishadic way in current context.

- Surrender to Ishwar and humbly apologize for all the mistakes I have been doing since Ishwar-knows when. Do it emotionally and not by mechanical recitation of some dialogues or mantras.

- Promise to Ishwar that I would never ever repeat false ways again. Promise to Ishwar that I shall only follow the path of truth taking Ishwar alone as example, guide and benchmark. Request to Ishwar alone that He provide me strength to be successful in this vow.

- Now refuse to do anything with whatever you may have done in past. Even if it is in active memory, refuse to discuss it or even think about it. Think of something better. Surrender all evil thoughts of past and present to Ishwar and feel Idanna Mama.

Instead of carrying skeletons in suitcase and be eager to show it to anyone when asked as a mark of honesty, throw the suitcase in dustbin and travel light. Idanna Mama – Not mine, all for Ishwar.

- Now get into vigorous actions. Perform more and more of noble intentioned actions as much as you can with full enthusiasm. Mantra 2 clearly stated that this is the ONLY way.

- Obviously old habits die hard and even the noble actions would have many defects. Plus there would be many times when you would be swayed away by instincts to be Asur again.

But do not worry. Do not give up. Rise up again, even more aggressively. Repeat the previous steps again and again. In fact make it part of a new instinct that whenever you fall you rise even more enthusiastically refusing to do anything with past.

- Do ensure that even this does not become another bad habit to say sorry and work again and fall again and say sorry. Don't think that by saying sorry you have another opportunity to start afresh then why worry!

Know clearly that each time you fall, you do lose something. Each time you try to fool Ishwar, He is smarter than you to know this.

And you HAVE to face the consequences of all your mistakes. No amount of worship, prayers or confession can delete the results of your actions. Just as obesity does not get cured by saying prayers or saying sorry. But if you refuse to do anything with past mistakes, reprogram your routine, become health conscious, take good diet etc, over a period of time you can become lean again. Whatever principle applies to body, same applies to mind and soul.

- To ensure that this works effectively, keeping yourself busy with vigorous and more ambitious actions is essential. Each time you fall, the actions and discipline should be even more tight this time.

To this with all your emotions, passions, feelings and reasoning. Set ambitious targets. Make sure you are doing something concrete for betterment of world and not your own self. Review the first mantra of Ishopanishad.

As you engage in better and more of noble actions, old patterns will start breaking and new patterns will start emerging. Refuse to think about old patterns because that will strengthen them. When found with a situation that arouses old instincts, simply start thinking of your new goals and immediately get to actions. Avoid the trigger situations in first place and if you cannot then make yourself busy in completely different noble deeds then.

Soon you will have all your instincts reprogrammed as per your inner voice. Life will now become much more easier, enjoyable and relaxing because you have stopped struggling with your INNER VOICE. The INNER VOICE will bring greater and deeper feeling of enthusiasm, fearlessness, peace, satisfaction and happiness with each act. Instead of killing your soul, you have started nurturing it.

Now seek newer ways to learn more, meditate better and perform even better actions. Soon this would spiral up towards enhanced wisdom, more pronounced INNER VOICE, ever-increasing happiness, heightened harmony with nature and you would find journey towards ultimate bliss of Ishwar the most enjoyable experience of your life!

O Ishwar! Grant me the wisdom to have this exhilarating experience RIGHT NOW!


 
 

Things you can do from here: