Hitting The "Pause" Button

We indulge in many activities in our daily lives. Some are just routine activities, some are downright unnecessary and could be dispensed with altogether, while some others are really very important indeed. At least considered important at that time, though we may laugh at them ourselves sometime later. Some of these activities are the ones that should be done at a stretch and completed once a beginning has been made. Or else, we may have to do them all over again from the beginning. Then there are some other activities that can be stopped at any stage, or some identifiable stage, and then can be continued later on from where they were left off. There may be many a trivial things that  may be found unnecessary later on and could be totally dispensed with or abandoned altogether on a review. 

The practice of stopping activities at some point and resuming from there later on has existed for a long long time, probably from the times man has started thinking rationally. However, advent of computers and watching recorded programs on television appears to have given a definite term for this. "To hit the "Pause" button" is a very popular usage in today's world. It is clearer than the term "To put on the back burner", since things put on the back burner continue to simmer, albeit low, and need to be attended to within a definite time frame, unless they are taken off once and for all. 

While all this is applicable for various activities in our lives, what about life itself? Can it be "paused" and restarted after sometime? It is a very interesting question indeed. We know about certain medical terms like "CPR". Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency procedure that is used when someone's breathing or heartbeat stops. Definite steps are taken for chest compressions and rescue breaths to revive the person. But there are many examples when a person who is declared dead comes back to life and lives for quite sometime, and many times for several years. There are reports of dead bodies being carried for burial or cremation coming to life and making the people around run away in fear. Is it indeed a possibility of hitting a "pause button" for life itself? 

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The use of anaesthesia during surgical procedures cannot be called as hitting a pause button, as in such cases there is no real pause in the patient's life. The only result is that the patient on the operation table has a pause in his own knowledge of things that are happening to him as well as to others around him. A real pause is one where the person is actually certified as dead and yet resumes living after some time span. For the same reason, persons in coma for several months and years as well are not on a pause. 

There was a report of a brain surgery conducted in 2019 in Texas, USA where a patient was administered anaesthesia for a brain surgery. She was brought back to consciousness once the surgeons cut through her skull and reached the brain. She was given an iPad on which she could identify a number of colours, numbers, animals and other objects and answer the questions of the surgeons. Depending on the answers and if she made a mistake, surgeons would decide which areas of the brain are to be attended to during the surgery. This could be a hair raising experience for the readers, but it was live streamed on Facebook. Now there are many more reports of similar surgical interventions. But all these cannot be called as examples of hitting a "pause" button.

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The real hitting of "Pause" button in life are of those where the soul leaves the body, and being able to see things from a vantage point above, then travelling down a tunnel or a canyon undergoing a review of life sometimes, and sometimes accompanied by a guide. Such living or reliving of events from points of feeling both pain and joy they brought for others. Then the soul reenters the body and continues the journey of life in the same body from which it had moved away for a short span of time. 

Tales of such experiences are accepted by people who believe in the separation of soul and body, and also that soul is eternal, and it changes bodies from time to time. There have been many such stories we all have heard from time to time. There are indeed many examples where young boy or girl have claimed that their house is elsewhere, and when taken to those places as per description given by him, even recognised the relatives from the past lives. "Sonar Kella" (Golden Fort) is a 1971 mystery novel by noted Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray on such a subject. He also made a film based on this in 1974. The story revolves around a boy born in Bengal who claims his real house is in a place surrounded by Peacocks, Forts, and Camels. Finally the place he describes is identified as Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. "Reincarnation of Peter Proud" is a Hollywood movie made in 1975 on a similar theme of reincarnation. There are many Hindi films on the theme of reincarnation starting from "Madhumati" and "Karz", among others. 

Reincarnation is certainly different from hitting a "Pause", but is mentioned here as examples of believing in soul being eternal and taking many births. This is only to supplement the fact that during a "Pause" the soul leaves the body and reenters the same body after sometime. 

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Dr Raymond A Moody Jr is an American philosopher, psychiatrist and Physician who has done a lot of work on cases of "Pause" in life. His learning accomplishments are indeed remarkable. He got a PhD in Philosophy in 1969, studied Psychology later on and obtained a PhD in that subject as well. To add to these, he studied medicine and has a MS degree in medicine. His website lifeafterlife.com gives volumes of information about "Life after Life" or hitting a "Pause" in life. 

Dr Moody names such experiences as "NDE" or "Near Death Experience". He has visited a number of persons who had such experiences, interviewed them, made extensive notes and published many books, starting from "Life After Life" in 1975. It is said that he himself had such an experience in 1991. He is presently 80 years old and continues his work in this field. There are, of course, some controversies about his work.

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Life, Life after a pause in Life, and Life after Life are all very exciting subjeccts for those who are indeed interested in Life! 

"ಪ್ರಾಣಾಪಾಯ" ಇಲ್ಲ ತಾನೇ?

ಮನುಷ್ಯನ ಜೀವನ ಯಾತ್ರೆಯ ಸಮಯ ಅಳೆಯುವ "ಹೊರಗಿನ ಕಾಲ" ಮತ್ತು "ಆಂತರಿಕ ಕಾಲ" ಇವುಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಜೀವನದ "ಸ್ಲೋ ಸೈಕಲ್ ರೇಸ್" ಎಂಬ ಶೀರ್ಷಿಕೆಯಡಿ ಹಿಂದಿನ ಸಂಚಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲ ವಿಷಯಗಳನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದೆವು. ಶ್ವಾಸದ ಮೇಲೆ ನಿಯಂತ್ರಣ ಸಾಧಿಸಿ ಹೇಗೆ ಬಾಹ್ಯ ಕಾಲಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಕಾಲ ಬದುಕಬಹುದು, ಒಂದು ನೂರು ವರ್ಷ ಬಾಹ್ಯ ಕಾಲಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಗೆ ಸಮಯ ಬದುಕಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯವುಂಟೇ, ಮುಂತಾದ ಕೆಲವು ವಿಷಯಗಳನ್ನು ನೋಡಿಯಾಯಿತು. (ಇದನ್ನು ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ). ಜೀವನದಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ವಾಸದ ಪಾತ್ರದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ  ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ವಿವರಗಳನ್ನು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡೋಣ. 

ಹಿಮಾಲಯ ಪರ್ವತ ಶ್ರೇಣಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ, ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿ ಉತ್ತರ ಬದರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ, ನೂರು ವರುಷ ವಯಸ್ಸು ದಾಟಿದ ಅನೇಕ ಯೋಗಿಗಳು ಈಗಲೂ ಇರುತ್ತಾರೆ ಎಂದು ಕೇಳಿದ್ದೇವೆ. ಉತ್ತರ ಬದರಿ ಅಂದರೆ "ಚಾರ್ ಧಾಮ್ ಯಾತ್ರಾ" ಮಾಡುವಾಗ ಹೋಗುವ ಬದರಿನಾಥ್ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದಿಂದ ಉತ್ತರದಲ್ಲಿ ಪರ್ವತ ಶ್ರೇಣಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹರಡಿರುವ ಪ್ರದೇಶ. ಬದರಿನಾಥಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗುವುದೇ ಒಂದು ಪ್ರಯಾಸದ ವಿಷಯವಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಈಗ ಅನೇಕ ಅನುಕೂಲಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಆದರೂ ವರುಷದಲ್ಲಿ  ಆರು ತಿಂಗಳು ಮಾತ್ರ ಹೋಗಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯ. ಉತ್ತರ ಬದರಿ ಇನ್ನೂ ದುರ್ಗಮ ಪ್ರದೇಶ ಮತ್ತು ಬೇಸಗೆ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ತಡೆಯಲಾಗದ ಚಳಿ. ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದ ಮೇಲೆ ಮೇಲೆ ಹೋದಂತೆ ಶೈತ್ಯ ಇನ್ನೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗುವುದು ಸಹಜ. ಇಂತಹ ವಾತಾವರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ವರ್ಷವಿಡೀ ವಾಸಿಸುವುದು ಅಂತಹ ಯೋಗಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಸಾಧ್ಯವೆಂದು ತಿಳಿಯಬೇಕಷ್ಟೆ. 

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ನಮ್ಮ ಪುರಾತನ ವಾಂಗ್ಮಯ ಮತ್ತು ನಂಬಿಕೆಗಳ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ಜೀವಿಯು ತನ್ನ ಜನ್ಮದ ಆಯುಸ್ಸಿನ ಸಮಯ ಕಳೆದ ನಂತರ ಇದ್ದ ದೇಹದಿಂದ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆ ಹೊಂದಿ ಸೂಕ್ಷ್ಮರೂಪದಲ್ಲಿ ವಾತಾವರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ತೇಲುತ್ತಿರುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಮುಂದೆ ಬರುವ ಮಳೆಯ ಹನಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆರೆತು ಮತ್ತೆ ಭೂಮಿಗೆ ಹಿ೦ದಿರುಗುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಳೆವ ಧಾನ್ಯವೋ, ಸೊಪ್ಪು-ಸದೆಯೋ, ಹಣ್ಣು-ಹಂಪಲೋ, ಗೆಡ್ಡೆ-ಗೇಣಸೋ ಸೇರಿ ಅದರ ಮೂಲಕ ಎಲ್ಲಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಬೇಕೋ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ತಲುಪುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಮನುಷ್ಯ ಜನ್ಮ ಬರಬೇಕಾದರೆ ಈ ರೀತಿ ಪದಾರ್ಥದಲ್ಲಿ ಸೇರಿ ತಂದೆಯ ಶರೀರವನ್ನು ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ. ತಂದೆಯ ಶರೀರದಲ್ಲಿ ಮೂರು ತಿಂಗಳ ಕಾಲ ರೂಪಾಂತರವಾಗಿ ಮುಂದೆ ತಾಯಿಯ ಗರ್ಭವನ್ನು ಹೊಂದುತ್ತಾನೆ. ತಾಯಿಯ ಗರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿರುವಾಗ ಆಕೆ ಸೇವಿಸಿದ ಆಹಾರ ಪದಾರ್ಥಗಳ ರಸವನ್ನು ಹೊಕ್ಕುಳ ಬಳ್ಳಿಯ ಮೂಲಕ ಸೇವಿಸಿ ಆಕೆಯ ಶ್ವಾಸದ ಗಾಳಿಯನ್ನೇ ಹಂಚಿಕೊಂಡು ಉಸಿರಾಡುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಈಗಿನ ವಿಜ್ಞಾನದ ಫಲವಾದ ಸ್ಕಾನಿಂಗ್ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳಿಂದ ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆಯ ಹಂತಗಳನ್ನೂ, ಉಸಿರಾಟ ಮತ್ತು ಚಲನೆಯನ್ನೂ ನೋಡಬಹುದು. 

ಈ ಹೊಕ್ಕುಳ ಬಳ್ಳಿಯ ನಂಟಿನ ಕಾರಣಕ್ಕೇ ತಾಯಿ-ಮಗುವಿನ ವಿಶೇಷ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಉಂಟಾಗುವುದು. ಈ ರೀತಿಯ ಸಂಬಂಧವನ್ನು ಇನ್ನು ಯಾವುದೇ ರೀತಿಯ ಬಾಂಧವ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಣಲಾಗದು. ತಂದೆಯಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಕೂಡ. ಯಾವ ಮನುಷ್ಯನಿಗೇ ಆದರೂ ನೇರವಾಗಿ ದೇಹ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಇರುವುದು ತನ್ನ ತಾಯಿಯ ಜೊತೆಯೇ! ಅದು ಒಂದು ಎರಡಾದಂತೆ. ತಾಯಿ-ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಸಂಬಂಧದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ವಿಷಯ ತಿಳಿಯಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ.  ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಮೊದಲು "ಮಾತೃದೇವೋ ಭವ". ನಂತರ "ಪಿತೃದೇವೋ ಭವ". ಸನ್ಯಾಸ ಸ್ವೀಕರಿಸಿ ಯಾರಿಗೂ (ತಮ್ಮ ಗುರುಗಳನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟು) ನಮಸ್ಕರಿಸದ ಮಠಾಧಿಪತಿಗಳೂ ತಮ್ಮ ತಾಯಿಗೆ ನಮಸ್ಕರಿಸುವ ಪದ್ಧತಿಯೂ ಇದನ್ನೇ ಸೂಚಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. 

ತಾಯಿಯ ಗರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂಭತ್ತು ತಿಂಗಳು ಕಳೆದ ಬಳಿಕ ಪೂರ್ಣ ಪ್ರಮಾಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಳೆದು ಶಿಶುವಿನ ರೂಪ ತಳೆದು ಜನಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ. ತಾಯಿಯಿಂದ ಬೇರ್ಪಟ್ಟ ನಂತರ ಹೊರಗಿನ ವಾತಾವರಣದ ಗಾಳಿಯಿಂದ ಮೊದಲ ಶ್ವಾಸ ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಮಗು ಹುಟ್ಟಿದ ತಕ್ಷಣ ಅಳುವುದೇ ಮೊದಲ ಶ್ವಾಸ ಪ್ರಾಂಭವಾದ ಗುರುತು. ಹುಟ್ಟಿದ ಮಗು ಶ್ವಾಸನಾಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಲ್ಮಶಗಳು ತುಂಬಿದ ಕಾರಣ ಅಳದಿದ್ದರೆ, ವೈದ್ಯರು ಅಥವಾ ದಾದಿ ಮಗುವನ್ನು ಕಾಲಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿಡಿದು ತಲೆ ಕೆಳಗೆಮಾಡಿ ಅಲ್ಲಾಡಿಸಿ ಶ್ವಾಸನಾಳ ಕಲ್ಮಶದಿಂದ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಉಸಿರಾಟ ಶುರುವಾಗಲು ಸಹಾಯಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. 

ಅಂದು ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾದ ಉಸಿರಾಟ ಮತ್ತು ಹೃದಯ ಬಡಿತ ಒಂದು ಕ್ಷಣ ನಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಜೀವಿಯು ಬದುಕಿರುವವರೆಗೂ ನಡಿಯುತ್ತಲೇ ಇರುತ್ತದೆ! ವಿರಾಮವಿಲ್ಲದ ಕಮ್ಮಾರನ ತಿದಿಯಂತೆ ಒತ್ತುತ್ತಿರುವ ಎರಡು ಶ್ವಾಸಕೋಶ ಮತ್ತು ನಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಒತ್ತುತ್ತಿರುವ ಪಂಪಿನಂತಹ ಹೃದಯ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಯ ವಿಸ್ಮಯವೇ ಸರಿ. (ತಿದಿಗೆ ಇಂಗ್ಲೀಷಿನಲ್ಲಿ ರೀಡ್ ಅನ್ನಬಹುದು. ಹಿಂದೆ ಕಂಪನಿ ನಾಟಕಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಡಬಲ್ ರೀಡ್ ಹಾರ್ಮೋನಿಯಂ ಉಪಯೋಗಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಅವೂ ತಿದಿಯಂತೆ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದವು. ವಾದ್ಯಗಾರ ತನ್ನ ಕಾಲುಗಳಿಂದ ಈ ರೀಡುಗಳನ್ನು  ಒತ್ತುತ್ತಿದ್ದುದು ಇಂತಹ ಹಾರ್ಮೋನಿಯಂ ವಾದನ ನೋಡಿದ್ದವರು ನೆನಪಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬಹುದು), 

ಹೀಗೆ ಪ್ರಾಂರಂಭವಾದ ಮೊದಲ ಶ್ವಾಸದಿಂದ ಹಿಂದಿನ ಸಂಚಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಿದ ಎಪ್ಪತ್ತೇಳು ಕೋಟಿ ಎಪ್ಪತ್ತಾರು ಲಕ್ಷ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆಯ ಲೆಕ್ಕ ಶುರು. ಒಂದು ಓಟದ ಅಥವಾ ಸ್ಲೋ ಸೈಕಲ್ ರೇಸಿನ ಪಂದ್ಯಾಳುಗಳಂತೆ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಕಡೆಯ ಗೆರೆಯವರೆಗೆ ಓಡದೇ ಇರಬಹುದು. ಅನೇಕರು  ಮುಂಚೆಯೇ ಬೀಳಬಹುದು. ಕೆಲವರು ಐವತ್ತು ವರುಷ ತಲುಪುವುದೂ ಇಲ್ಲ. ನಿಜ ಜೀವನದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಆಗುತ್ತದೆ. ನೂರು ವರುಷ ತಲುಪುವವರು ಐದು ಸಾವಿರದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಬ್ಬರಂತೆ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದಲೇ ಶತಮಾನ ಶಾಂತಿ ಅನ್ನುವುದು ಬಲು ಅಪರೂಪ. ಸ್ಲೋ ಸೈಕಲ್ ರೇಸ್ ನೋಡಿದವರು ಅದನ್ನು ನೆನೆಸಿಕೊಂಡರೆ ಜೀವನದ ಈ ರೇಸ್ ಸಾಮ್ಯ ಕಾಣುತ್ತದೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಿರುವುದರಲ್ಲಿ ಏನೂ ವಿಶೇಷವಿಲ್ಲ. ಇವು ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಗೊತ್ತಿರುವ ವಿಷಯವೇ ಸರಿ. ಆದರೂ ಇವುಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಾವು ಚಿಂತಿಸುವುದು ಕಮ್ಮಿಯೇ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಪ್ರಾಸ್ತಾವಿಕವಾಗಿ ಈ ವಿವರಗಳನ್ನು ಕೊಡಬೇಕಾಯಿತು. 

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ಒಂದು ಭೀಕರ ಅಪಘಾತ ಆಗಿದೆ. ವಾಹನಗಳು ಚಲ್ಲಾಪಿಲ್ಲಿಯಾಗಿ ರಸ್ತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮತ್ತು ರಸ್ತೆಯ ಪಕ್ಕ ಬಿದ್ದಿವೆ. ನೋಡುಗರು ಸುತ್ತ ನೆರೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಆ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೋಗುವವರೆಲ್ಲರೂ ನೋಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಕೆಲವರು ಸಹಾಯ ಮಾಡಲು ಯತ್ನಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಆಂಬುಲೆನ್ಸ್  ಮತ್ತು ಟ್ರ್ಯಾಫಿಕ್ ಪೊಲೀಸರಿಗೆ ಫೋನ್ ಮಾಡಿಯಾಗಿದೆ. ಅಪಘಾತ ಹೇಗೆ ಆಯಿತು ಎಂದು ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೆ ಕುತೂಹಲ, ಆತಂಕ.  ಯಾರಿಗೆ ಎಷ್ಟು ಪೆಟ್ಟಾಗಿದೆ ಅನ್ನುವ ಚಿಂತೆ. ಎಲ್ಲರದೂ ಒಂದೇ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ. "ಪ್ರಾಣಾಪಾಯ ಇಲ್ಲ ತಾನೇ?". ಬಾಕಿ ವಿಷಯಗಳು ಆಮೇಲೆ. ಬಹಳ ಬೆಲೆಬಾಳುವ ಕಾರು ಇರಬಹುದು. ಹೊಸ ಬಸ್ಸು ಇರಬಹುದು. ಮೂರ್ನಾಲ್ಕು ವಾಹನಗಳು ಒಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ಢಿಕ್ಕಿ ಆಗಿರಬಹುದು. ಸರಣಿ ಅಪಘಾತವೇ ಆಗಿರಬಹುದು. ಆದರೆ ಮೊದಲ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ "ಪ್ರಾಣಾಪಾಯವಿಲ್ಲ ತಾನೇ?" ಎಂದೇ. ರಕ್ತ ಹರಿದಿರುವುದು ಕಾಣುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಮೂಳೆ ಮುರಿದಿರುವುದು ಬಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯ. ಆದರೆ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ ಅದೇ: "ಪ್ರಾಣಾಪಾಯವಿಲ್ಲ ತಾನೇ?" 

ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾಸಿಗೆ ಹಿಡಿದಿದ್ದ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ತೊಂದರೆ ಅನುಭವಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ನೋಡುವವರಿಗೂ ಕಷ್ಟ. ನಿನ್ನೆ ತಾನೇ ವೈದ್ಯರು ಬಂದು ನೋಡಿದ್ದರು. ಈಗ ಮತ್ತೆ ಬರಲು ಕರೆ ಹೋಗಿದೆ. ವೈದ್ಯರು ಬಂದರು. ಅವರ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆ ಹೇಗೆ? ಮೊದಲು ಮಾಡುವುದು ಮೂಗಿನ ಬಳಿ ಎರಡು ಬೆಟ್ಟು ಹಿಡಿದು ಮಾಡುವ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆ,  ನಂತರ ನಾಡಿ ಬಡಿತ. ಉಸಿರಾಟ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದರೆ ಮುಂದಿನ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ. ಉಸಿರಾಟವಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದರೆ ಎಲ್ಲ ಮುಗಿಯಿತು. ಸಿನಿಮಾಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ತೋರಿಸುವಂತೆ ಹೊದ್ದಿಕೆಯಿಂದ ಮುಖ ಮುಚ್ಚುವುದು ಮತ್ತು ವೈದ್ಯರು ತಲೆ ಅಲ್ಲಾಡಿಸುವುದು. ಮುಂದೆ ಇನ್ನೇನೂ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಕ್ರಿಯಾಕರ್ಮಗಳ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯ ಯೋಚನೆ ಬಿಟ್ಟು. 

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ಮನುಷ್ಯ ದೇಹಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವ ಅಂಗಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅನೇಕ ದೇವತೆಗಳು ವಾಸಿಸಿತ್ತಾ ಇದ್ದು ಆಯಾ ಅಂಗಗಳು ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡಲು ಅವಕಾಶ ಮಾಡಿ ಕೊಡುತ್ತಾರಂತೆ. ಅವರಿಗೆ ಅಭಿಮಾನಿ ದೇವತೆಗಳು ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಹಿಂದೊಂದು ಸಂಚಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಲೇಖನಿಯ ವಿಷಯದಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡಿದ್ದೇವೆ. ಲೇಖನಿ ಒಂದು ಜಡ ವಸ್ತು. ಅದಾಗಿಯೇ ಏನನ್ನೂ ಬರೆಯಲಾರದು. ಒಂದು ಕೈ ಆ ಲೇಖನಿ ಹಿಡಿದು ಚೈತನ್ಯ ಕೊಟ್ಟು ಬರೆಸಬೇಕು. ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ದೇಹದ ಅಂಗಗಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಅಭಿಮಾನಿ ದೇವತೆಗಳು ಚೈತನ್ಯ ಕೊಟ್ಟು ಕೆಲಸ ನಡೆಸಬೇಕು. ಈ ರೀತಿಯ ಕೆಲಸಗಳನ್ನು ಆ ದೇವತೆಗಳು ಮಾಡುವ ವ್ಯಾಪಾರ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತೇವೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ವ್ಯಾಪಾರ ಎಂದರೆ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಅರ್ಥದ ಕೊಡು-ಕೊಳ್ಳುವಿಕೆ ಅಲ್ಲ. ಸೇಲ್ ಮತ್ತು ಪರ್ಚೆಸ್ ಅಂತಲ್ಲ. ಚೈತನ್ಯದಿಂದ ಮಾಡುವ ಕ್ರಿಯೆಗಳು. 

ಕಣ್ಣಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಅಭಿಮಾನಿ ದೇವತೆಯಾಗಿ ಸೂರ್ಯನಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ಅವನು ಚೈತನ್ಯ ಕೊಟ್ಟು ನೋಡಿಸಿದರೆ ದೃಷ್ಟಿ ಉಂಟು. ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ನಿಚ್ಚಳವಾಗಿ ಕಾಣುತ್ತದೆ. ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಕಡಿಮೆ ಚೈತನ್ಯ ಕೊಟ್ಟರೆ ಮಸಕು ಮಸಕಾಗಿ ಕಾಣುತ್ತದೆ. ಸೂರ್ಯನು ನಿರ್ಗಮಿಸಿದರೆ ಕಣ್ಣು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದರೂ ದೃಷ್ಟಿ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಕುರುಡ. ಕಣ್ಣೆನೋ ನೋಡಲು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಬಟ್ಟಲುಗಣ್ಣು, ಕಮಲದಂತೆ ಇದೆ ಅನ್ನುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಆದರೆ ನೋಟವಿಲ್ಲ. ಕಿವಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅಭಿಮಾನಿ ದೇವತೆಯಾಗಿ ಚಂದ್ರನಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ಅವನು ಚೈತನ್ಯ ಕೊಟ್ಟಾಗ ಕಿವಿ ಕೇಳಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಅವನು ನಿಷ್ಕ್ರಿಯನಾದರೆ ಕಿವಿ ಬೇರೆಯವರು ನೋಡಲು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದರೂ ಕೇಳಿಸದು. ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ವಜ್ರದ ವಾಲೆ ಹಾಕಬಹುದು. ಆದರೆ ಶಬ್ದಗ್ರಹಣವೇ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಕಾಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂದ್ರನ ಮಗನಾದ ಜಯಂತ ಅಭಿಮಾನಿ ದೇವತೆ. ಅವನು ಶಕ್ತಿ ಕೊಟ್ಟರೆ ನಡೆದಾಟ. ಇಲದಿದ್ದರೆ ಕುಂಟ. ಹೀಗೆ ಎಲ್ಲ ಅಂಗಗಳೂ ಸಹ. 

ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಎಲ್ಲ ಅಭಿಮಾನಿ ದೇವತೆಗಳ ನಡುವೆ ಒಂದು ಜಗಳ ಆಯಿತಂತೆ. ನಾನು ಹೆಚ್ಚು, ನಾನು ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಅಂದು. ಯಾರು ದೊಡ್ಡವರು ಎಂದು ನಿರ್ಣಯಿಸಲು ಒಂದು ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆ ನಡೆಯಿತು. ಒಂದೊಂದು ದೇವತೆ ಆ ಅಂಗ ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಹೊರನಡೆಯುವಂತೆ ಏರ್ಪಟ್ಟಿತು. ಆಯಾಯಾ ದೇವತೆ ಹೊರಟರೆ ಕಿವುಡು, ಮೂಗು, ಕುಂಟು, ಇತ್ಯಾದಿ ಆಯಿತು. ಆದರೆ ಜೀವಿ ಇನ್ನೂ ಬದುಕಿಯೇ ಇತ್ತು. ಕಡೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಉಸಿರು. ಮುಖ್ಯಪ್ರಾಣ ದೇವರು ಉಸಿರಿನ ನಿಯಮಕರು. ಅವರು ಹೊರಗೆ ಹೊರಟರು. ಬೇರೆ ದೇವತೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಆ ದೇಹದಲ್ಲಿ ಉಳಿಯಲೇ ಆಗಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಕಡೆಯ ಉಸಿರಿನ ಜೊತೆ ಎಲ್ಲ ಅಂಗಗಳೂ ಬಿದ್ದು ಹೋಗಿ ಆ ದೇಹ "ಶವ" ಅಂತಾಯಿತು. 

ಮುಖ್ಯ ಪ್ರಾಣ ದೇವರು ಉಸಿರಾಡುತ್ತಿರುವವರೆಗೇ ಬದುಕು. ಅವರು ಹೊರಟರೆ ಎಲ್ಲ ಮುಗಿಯಿತು. ಕನಕದಾಸರು ಹೇಳುವಂತೆ "ನೆಂಟ ನೀನಗಲಿದರೆ ಒಣ ಹೆಂಟೆಯಲಿ ಮುಚ್ಚುವರು". ಅಂತಹ ದೇಹವನ್ನು ಮನೆಯ ಒಳಗೆ ಇಟ್ಟುಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದೂ ಇಲ್ಲ. "ಹಿಡಿ, ಹಿಡಿ" ಎಂದು ಹೊರಗೆ ಹಾಕುತ್ತಾರೆ. "ಹಿತ್ತಲ ಕಸಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಕಡೆಯಾಯಿತೀ ದೇಹ". "ಎಷ್ಟು ಹೊತ್ತು ಇಟ್ಟುಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದು? ಮೊದಲು ಸಾಗಿಸಿರಿ" ಅನ್ನುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಅಷ್ಟೇ. 

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ನಮ್ಮಗಳ ಜೀವನದಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ವಾಸದ ಪಾತ್ರವನ್ನು ಈ ಸಂಚಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ವಿವರವಾಗಿ ನೋಡಿಯಾಯಿತು. ಈ ರೀತಿ ಉಸಿರು ಆಡುತ್ತಿರುವಾಗ ನಡೆಯುವ "ಶ್ವಾಸ ಜಪ" ಮತ್ತು "ಮೂರು ವಿಧ ಜೀವರು" ಎನ್ನುವುದರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮುಂದಿನ ಸಂಚಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡೋಣ. 

Life's Arithmetic

Many aspects of life can be expressed using formulae to enable easy comprehension. Is it possible to express the essence of life itself using a formula? Can the life span of a human being explained through an equation? Has any attempt been made to explore Life's Arithmetic? Many people may have attempted this before. There may be many methods of explaining life's purpose. Everyone desires to be happy. Whatever may be one's pursuit; whichever may the direction in which the efforts are made, the ultimate aim is to be happy. Thus life's multiple goals ultimately lead to paths to find happiness. Hence the entire life span of a person is spent in chasing happiness. Life span and running behind happiness are two faces of the same coin. Finally there should be sufficient time to enjoy that happiness achieved with lot of efforts. We see many people around us who procure all the tools required for a happy life, after rigorous efforts. But when the time for enjoying the fruits of those efforts arrives, life itself ends.

Poet-Philosopher Bhartruhari has given a wonderful interpretation of Life's arithmetic. In his "Vairagya Shataka" he sums up the the relation between life span and finding happiness through a beautiful arithmetical formula. Bhartruhari takes the span of human life as one hundred years. Why only one hundred years? Human body has its own limitations. Even with best efforts it is difficult to preserve the body in working condition for a hundred years. Better health care facilities are no doubt increasing life span, but still very few live to celebrate their 100th birthday. A study has shown that 50 years ago, one in 67,000 people reached this milestone. One in 6,000 is able to celebrate 100th birthday now. In percentage terms it is less than 0.02%. Even in respect of these centenarians, very few are active and live by themselves at that age. Global life expectancy as per WHO reports is about 72 years. Let us accept Bhartruhari's stipulation of 100 years to start with.

Bhartruhari deducts half of this 100 years spent in night and sleep. It was true in his time, more than two thousand years ago. Activities then started with sunrise and ended with sunset. Not so in these times we live. Electricity has ensured that life goes on 24x7. Even then human beings require sleep for rest and recuperation. 50 years calculated by Bhartruhari as active life span can be accepted even today, considering the average life expectancy of 72 years. 

Human life can be broadly divided into three phases; childhood, adult and old age. Bhartruhari deducts half of this 50 years for childhood and old age. Why is it so and is it right? It stands to reason as he explains. Childhood is a phase when one does not know what to do and old age is a phase when one cannot do what he wants to do! A deduction of 25 years allowed for these two phases is also fair and the real productive life span thus further gets shrunk to 25 years. 

This 25 years is the core life span for being happy. But Bhartruhari says it is not that simple. Further deductions are required from this 25 years for sickness, separation from loved ones, and serving others. You cannot be happy when you are sick. You cannot be happy when you are away from your loved ones. You cannot be happy when you are serving others because you are not living for yourself! Ultimately, there is not much time available for being happy and enjoying fruits of one's hard labor during the productive years. Bhartruhari concludes by saying that there is no time left to be happy in one's life.

Bhartruhari's formula for life is this:  

आयुर्वर्षशतं नृणां परिमितम् रात्रौ तदर्धं गतं |

तस्यार्धस्य परस्य चार्धमपरं बालत्व वृद्धत्वयोः ||

शेषं व्याधि वियोगदुखभरितं सेवादिभिर्नीयते |

जीवे वारितरङ्ग चञ्चलतरे सौख्यं कुतः प्राणिनाम् ||

Ayurvarsha shatam nrunaam parimitam ratrou tatardhamgatam

Tasyardhasya parasya chardhamaparam baalatva vruddhatvayoh

Shesham vyadhi viyogadukhasahitam sevaaadibhirneeyate 

jeeve vaaritaranga chanchalatare sowkhyam kutah praaninam?

Life span is hundred years, half of it is gone in the night

Half of the remainder is lost in childhood and old age

Rest of the period is spent in sickness, separation and service

In life, uncertain like a wave on a water body, where is the time for happiness?

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All this leaves us to ponder over a very important issue. Is it never possible to be happy? Then does it mean that Life's arithmetic leads us to conclude that the very purpose of life is futile? It is not so. Real happiness lies in enjoying the process of life. It is not at all separated from other aspects of life. Happiness is to be found in the hard earned rest at the end of a tough day's work. Happiness is to be found in childhood innocence and old age maturity and wisdom. Happiness is to be seen in the service of others one receives when he is sick. Happiness is to be identified when one reunites with the loved ones after long separation. Happiness is to enjoyed while serving others selflessly or even while serving for earning one's livelihood. 

If and when we understand this secret of life, we have solved the problems of Life's Arithmetic. Do we not find happiness everywhere now?

Interpersonal Relationship Skills

Usage of proper "Interpersonal Relationship Skills" is emerging as a powerful tool in management of entities. We have frequent references to interpersonal skills in soft skills and management training programs all over the world. It is often said that practice of good interpersonal skills is the key to success in any type of organizations. There are exclusive training programs for development of these skills. Other management development programs also devote considerable time for discussing the importance of these skills as well as methods for imbibing such abilities for achieving success by managers at different levels. 

Harry Stack Sullivan is often quoted by soft skill trainers as the father of the study of interpersonal skills. Sullivan was the son of Irish parents who migrated to America and is said to have spent his early years in a somewhat isolated living in the New York province of USA. He studied the works of Sigmund Freud, Adolf Meyer, William White and other psychologists before him and became a leading Psychiatrist and Psychoanalyst. His extensive study of relationships in human lives led to his belief that life is a web of interpersonal relationships. He is remembered as the father of "Interpersonal Psychoanalysis" and its use in treatment of patients by studying their interpersonal relationships with others.

What is the Indian thinking about interpersonal relationships? Did anyone think of the importance of interpersonal relationships and their finer aspects? Is it a modren westren idea or is there any reference to such views in Indian literature? These are some questions that beg for an answer. There are abundant references to interpersonal relationships in the various literary works of yesteryears. A detailed study on this subject can bring out a thesis fit for awarding a PhD. These references go back to several centuries and as much as over two thousand years in the least.

Indian saint-philosopher Bhartruhari has defined a nine dimensional grid for interpersonal relationship skills. Bhartruhari's period is not definite and there are many versions dating him between 6th century BC to 1st century AD. By any account, he lived at least two thousand years ago. He is believed by some to be the King of Ujjain and elder brother of King Vikramaditya of Vikram-Betaal fame.

What are the segments of people with whom a person can have interpersonal relationships during his lifetime? It can be a group of one's close relatives and friends (Swajana - स्वजन). It may be those subordinate to him in official or personal capacities (Parijana - परिजन). It may be with a group of people who are inimical to his own interests or those who are having adverse or hostile behavior to him and society (Durjana - दुर्जन). There may be others who are saintly or benevolent in nature (Sadhujana - साधुजन). There could be others who are occupying positions of authority (Nrupajana - नृपजन). Then there are always a set of people who are scholars and erudite persons with whom he would deal at different times (Vidvajjana - विद्वज्जन). There can be a group of people who are his enemies (Shatrujana - शत्रुजन).  There would be some who are considered as his elders and guides in life (Gurujana - गुरुजन). A man is also required to deal with groups of women. Some of them may belong to the above eight groups. Other women would be a distinct group (Kaantajana - कान्तजन). Dealings with these segments of people has to be on different footings and cannot be the same. Bhartruhari has made clear demarkation for dealing with these nine groups.

Once the persons are classified into segments as above, there can be a firm basis for interaction that can be arrived at thereafter. The foundations for dealing with them are given as under:

1. Dealing with Swajana is to be with generosity and not curt or cut-and-dried approach. We frequently hear people saying that they do not give a damn about others and deal with people in their own harsh methods. "I tell them on their face. What do I care?", they often say. This is not the method to be used with one's own people. It should with finesse and delicate touch. These are people with whom one needs to have lifelong relationships. 
2. Interaction with Parijana would be founded on the values of compassion and kindness. They may not be able to reply back harshly due to their relatively weaker positions, but would nevertheless feel hurt and discouraged. Their future support in one's endeavors would not be spontaneous thereafter.
3. Handling Durjana is to be with sharpness and harshness. Any other method used would be interpreted by them as a sign of weakness. But one should be careful before using these methods and classification should be done after proper assessment and verification, and not on hearsay. 
4. Sadhujana group of persons are to be treated with reverence and devotion. These are people who do not aspire anything for themselves and live for the welfare of others. Care should be exercised before accepting persons in this group.
5. Due diplomacy and obedience should mark interactions with Nrupajana or people in authority. Other methods of dealing with them will not be appreciated and could turn out to be counterproductive. Authority is to be respected for maintaining order in society.
6. Vidvajjana deserve to be treated with deference and respect. This is not any concession given to them, but their due on account of their superior knowledge and wisdom. These are the people who command respect wherever they go; there is no better way to interact with them.
7. Shatrujana or enemies are to be faced with valour and courage. Dealings have to be on equal footing and without compromising self respect. There ought to be determination and boldness in dealing with one's enemies, but one should be always be watchful and prepared for any eventuality.
8. Patience would be the hallmark in dealing with Gurujana or elders. Those with experience in life would very well understand the requirement of patience while living with elders, who may often be dependent now, and yet have led a self-sufficient life when they were young. Any deviation from the path of patience would hurt them and bring unnecessary strains in the relationship.
9. Kaantajana are to be treated with tactfulness. Tact is a keen sense of what is appropriate, tasteful and dealing issues with delicate demeanor. This approach is consistent with the general nature that differentiates women from men. The interactions of women with men is also to be with a sense of appropriateness and tasteful as well.

How to remember all these different segmentation of people and basic structure of interacting with them? Is it not too eloberate and cumbersome to remember and practice? No, not at all. Bhartruhari has given a simple formula that can be easily remembered:

दाक्षिण्यं स्वजने दया परिजने शाठ्यं सदा दुर्जने |

प्रीतिः साधुजने नयो नृपजने विद्वज्जनेश्वार्जवम्  ||

शौर्यं शत्रुजने क्षमा गुरुजने कान्ताजने धृष्टता |

येचैवं पुरुषाः कलासु कुशलाः तेष्वेव लोकस्थितिः || 

Daakshinyam swajane daya parijane shaatyam sada durjane,

Preetih saadhujane nayo nrupajane vidvajjanescharjavam;

Showrym shatrujane kshamaa gurujane kaantajane dhrushtataa

Yechaivam purushah kalaasu kushalah teshveva lokastitihi. 

Is interpersonal relationship an art or a craft? This can be answered only when we are able to differentiate between art and craft. The difference between the two is subtle and too thin to explain in words. An art is a form of work that is linked to and is an expression of emotions. A craft is dedicated work that brings out a tangible object as output. Bhartruhari says that interpersonal relationship is an artful craft! कलासु कुशलाः (kalasu kushalaah) is the phrase he uses which denotes this expression.

Is this not a wonderful analysis of interpersonal relationship? There are many such hidden gems in our vast literature treasure!

*****

E A S Prasanna and S Venkataraghavan were both gifted cricketers and represented the Indian team with distinction in the 1960s and 70s. Both were off-spinners and had to lose their place in the team to each other on many occasions. Though both were off-spinners, their bowling style was entirely different and both were excellent bowlers. Prasanna was the master of flight and beat the batsman in the air. Venkataraghavan was relying more on accuracy and persistence. An expert commentator once wrote in a magazine - Prasanna is an artiste whereas Venkat is a skilled craftsman. Does it explain the difference between art and craft? Of course, those who have seen both in action on the cricket fields will have an endless argument on this statement.

Two Brothers and an Umbrella

There were two brothers in a family.  Their outlook towards life, its problems and solutions were entirely different.  Their views were often at conflict and they varied substantially. There would be frequent arguments between them about various issues that came up in day to day life. Elder brother believed in living for today and enjoy life as it comes.  Younger brother trusted in shaping one's life and plan for it.  They were fond of each other and the family ties were deep rooted. Despite their best efforts, they could not reconcile this difference in their attitude to life.

They set out from the house on their daily chores one day.  As they came out of the house, younger brother looked at the sky and said that it could rain later in the day. The elder one said that it may not rain and they need not worry about it.  Younger brother was not convinced.  He suggested that they carry an umbrella as it would prevent them from getting drenched if it really rained.  Elder brother did not appreciate the idea of carrying an umbrella.  "If you take an umbrella, you have to always think of it and take it with you wherever you go.  You have to constantly protect it and find a place to keep it when you sit, stand or move around.  It is such a big pain.  I do not want such trouble.  I want to be free wherever I go.  I am not carrying any umbrella", he declared.  The younger brother had his own argument. "Do not just think of the problem of carrying and keeping the umbrella with you. Think of the protection it gives you when it rains.  You will be miserable without an umbrella if it rains", he reasoned.

As usual they disagreed on the necessity of carrying an umbrella.  The elder brother walked away on his work without carrying an umbrella.  The younger brother went inside the house, picked his umbrella and went about his work with the umbrella in his hand.

*****  

In the previous post titled "The vicious circle" (Click on this to read it), there was a reference to life after death, re-birth and many births.  Nobody knows for sure whether there is some life after death  and whether there are re-births. There was also a mention about sharing one's material wealth with others in the society.  It also talked of credit and debit in the life's ledger and the balance one carries to the next world.  The story of the two brothers mentioned above is similar to that. Just as one does not know definitely as to whether it will rain or not, one does not know whether there is another life awaiting after death.  The society is divided into two groups just as the two brothers in the above story.  One group does not believe in rebirth and life after death.  This group believes in taking life as it comes and living for today. The other group feels that there is definitely something after death and there is bound to be rebirth.  This group does believe in leading life in a defined way so that they are able to answer The Lord when they stand before Him on the Dooms Day.  Such a belief is there among the varied religious faiths in the world. Of course, it is also true that there is a third group which does not have any time to think of either worlds, since the daily routine in the present life does not allow any time to worry about life after death.

The analogy of the "Two brothers and an umbrella" typically explains the conflict between the two groups.  The group that believes that there is no rebirth is like the brother who believes that it will not rain.  They live entirely for this life and are not worried for the future ones, as for them there is no future life.  All their actions are centered around this life; their belief leaves only this option.  For them, there is no use of doing anything for the next world which does not really exist. Whether they lead a good life or not is decided here. Chaarvaakas  (a sect that does not believe in God and rebirth) belong to this school of thinking.  "Drink Ghee (not eat Ghee) by even borrowing from others; where is the return of life when the body is burnt after death?", they ask.  Like the elder brother, there is no issue for them if it does not rain.  But if it does rain, they are exposed to hardship and get drenched.      

The second group that believes in life after the death and rebirth lives more for the future ones; their belief makes it mandatory for them to live with the eyes on future births.  They embark on a mission of safeguarding future lives that are not definite at this time.  They make many sacrifices in the present life to ensure rosy things in the indefinite future lives. Some of them are reasonable in their efforts; they do not sacrifice the present life at the altar of the future ones.  But there are others who take things too far.  They lead a miserable life presently for a wonderful anticipated future life.  Like the younger brother in the analogy story, their efforts are suitably rewarded if it really rains.  If it does not rain, all their efforts are a waste and they neither have the pleasure of leading a fine present life nor something in future as reward for the sacrifices made by them.

***** 

Which group should we choose to belong to, is the moot point.  It is a matter of personal belief and choice.  In financial terms, it is like taking insurance against a likely or unlikely risk. Probably, the key is in leading a balanced life that is neither too rigorous nor too liberal.  It appears wise to enjoy the fruits of the present life as this is definite.  There is no wisdom in sacrificing the definite present in favor of the uncertain future.  It is also fair to enjoy the fruits of the present life by sharing with others.  There is a limitation to all material wealth.  It should be used and utilized before the expiry date.  Better share them with others rather than allow them to decay with time.  There is a certain enhanced joy and pleasure in sharing what we have with others.  Sharing ensures happiness in the present life; it may also provide some insurance for the future lives, if there are any. 

Which school do you belong to?  Will it rain or not?  

Life's "Stop Loss" limits

When a soldier ventures into the battlefield to fight the enemy, at the command of his General, he hopes to win.  He knows he and his comrades may lose as well.  He is also aware that he may even die.  He has no luxury of settling for anything less. He cannot think of reducing his loss.  At stake is the ultimate sacrifice; laying down his life on the orders of his superiors. He cannot hope to cut his loss, come out of the battlefield and live for another day.  The General or his political masters are placed better.  They have the option of negotiating with the enemy, settle for something less and cut the losses. 

Dealers and traders operating in various markets are taught to use "Stop-Loss" or "Stop-Limit" orders.  These limits and instructions are to be meticulously followed to prevent the disastrous effects of steep fall or rise in markets, depending on the type of positions they hold while trading. A trader who does not follow such stipulated rules and enters into unauthorized trades is called a "rogue trader".  The story of Nick Leeson who made a loss of 1.3 billion dollars and brought down the Bearings Bank in 1995 is well known.  That another trader Jerome Kerviel made five times more losses (6.9 billion dollars) for his bank during 2006-08 and overtook him is also history.  Some of these episodes are shrouded in mystery as there are allegations that the concerned superiors turn a blind eye as long as the dealers violate the rules and make profit, but pillory them when losses occur. Nevertheless, sticking to rules like allocated prudential limits and following stop-loss boundaries is a sacred requirement for traders in various markets.

Is cutting losses or stop-loss concept applicable only to traders in the markets or does it have any relevance to real life?  Should we use the concept of "Stop-loss" in our lives or live like a rouge traders?  These questions beg for an answer.  For us in India, "stop-loss" is not at all a new concept. Ancient Indian wisdom has answered this question in the affirmative.  The references for using stop-loss limits are there for thousands of years.  One old saying goes thus:

सर्वनाशे समुत्पन्ने अर्धं त्यजति पण्डितः|  अर्धेन कुरुते कार्यं सर्वनाशं सुदुःसहः ||

Sarvanaashe samutpanne ardham tyajati panditah,

Ardhena kurute kaaryam, sarvanaasham suduhsahah.

"When confronted with a situation where probability of total loss stares at him, the wise man voluntarily surrenders one-half to save the other half. He then manages life with the saved half; it is impossible to bear total loss", is its summary. Many kings and rulers followed this meticulously and saved total washout.  Save whatever you can in a desperate situation and then build on on the remaining part of wealth or asset, is the essence of this saying.

A quote from "Hitopadesha"'s "Mitralabha" mentions:

त्यजेदेकं कुलस्यार्थे ग्रामस्यार्थे कुलं त्यजेत् |  ग्रामं जनपदस्यार्थे आत्मार्थे पृथिवीं त्यजेत्||

Tyajet ekam kulasyaarthe gramasyarthe kulam tyajet, gramam janapadasyaarthe aatmaarthe pruthiveem tyajet!

"One member of the family may be sacrificed for saving a family.  To save a village, an entire family can be sacrificed.  A village itself may be sacrificed to save a state or country.  But to protect oneself, the whole world may be sacrificed". 

Self preservation is the most important lesson even when using stop-loss concept and giving up other valuables.  What is the use of protecting anything if the protector himself is destroyed?  Save yourself even at the cost of everything else, says this well known verse.

There is a wonderful story that demonstrates the truth of this saying.  Once there was an argument between a king and his minister.  "A mother does anything for its offsprings", said the king.   "That is not true.  Even the mother believes in self-preservation", said the minister.  The king challenged the minister to prove it.  The minister got a monkey with its two infants captured and caged.  They were brought before the king.  The minister asked the cage to be kept in a tub and water to be slowly poured into the tub.  As the water reached up to the head level of the infants, the mother monkey lifted them and placed them on its head.  The king was elated and shouted that he was right.  As the water level kept on increasing and reached the nose of the mother monkey, she dropped the baby monkeys and stood on them to save itself.

Stop-loss limit is not just for traders.  It is for us in real life as well. As and when confronted with heavy losses, in any facet of life, we have to salvage whatever we can.  And then build upon what is salvaged and remains with us.

Quality of Life

What is “Quality of Life”?  It refers to the general well-being of individuals and societies.  It is often confused with “Standard of living”.  While standard of living is reckoned in the context of income and wealth, quality of life is perceived in the context of social environment, physical and mental health, opportunities for decent health care, education, employment, opportunities for achievements in life, social and cultural interactions etc.  Textbooks may give a variety of definitions for the term “Quality of Life”.  For a common man, quality of life ultimately means carrying on his life without running behind routine and mundane things. Running behind routine things cause undue physical and mental pressure and waste of time and money.  A society that treats every member of the community equally and fairly can be said to provide a good quality of life to its constituents.

Having observed the arrival of a newborn child in USA recently and how the system dealt with the various issues relating thereto, certain features were felt very striking and indicative of “Quality of Life”.  This is no value judgment or reflection on any other system and only an attempt to place the facts as they unfolded.

• The first welcome for the new arrival was six months before the birth of the child.  As soon as the employer came to know about the arrival of the child, the expectant mother was allotted a parking place closest to the main entrance of the building.  There was no necessity for her to arrive early at the office complex for finding a parking place near the main entrance, to avoid long walks to the workplace from the parking lot.  (This facility is provided by some of the employers).

• There was no need for an announcing the new arrival.  Mere parking of the car in the dedicated slot was enough for the colleagues to understand and congratulate her profusely.

• The hospital gave the telephone number to be called as soon as the first signs of labor were felt.  This call would keep the system at the hospital ready for further necessary actions, before the expectant mother arrived at the hospital.

• If the expectant mother is alone at home or there is no arrangement for taking her to the hospital, a call to the police or an emergency number would do.  The nearest police patrol car would pick her up from the house and drop at the hospital.

• Hospitals offer birthing and parenting classes to prepare the parents to receive the baby and attend to its initial requirements.

• Each patient is provided a room or shared room,  with all emergency medical facilities.  

• At the time of arrival of the newborn, father of the child is allowed in the OT.  He is provided with the necessary gear and would look like any other doctor on duty.

• Father of the child has the privilege of receiving the baby first, even before the mother!  He is offered the pleasure of cutting the placenta and initiating the first act in the growth of the child.

• The child is not burdened with a long list of prescriptions of medicines and drugs.  The only shots given are for immunizations as per the prescribed schedule. 

• Most employers welcome the baby with some gifts or welcome card as soon as the birth is communicated to them.

• Saturdays are reserved for special attention to sick children at hospitals.  This is to prevent mixing of normal kids with sick ones and to avoid infections.

• Dedicated telephone numbers are available at Hospitals for reaching incase urgent medical attention is required for the child.

• Feeding the child by the mother is encouraged.  Supplements like formula milk are used only when necessary.

• Parents have to fill a simple form giving details of names and address of the parents and name given to the baby, and submit to the hospital authorities.  Birth Certificate issued by the competent authority arrives in the mailbox within a week.  No need of repeated trips to the registrar’s office and no other requirement of formalities or applications. No registered mail and no need to wait for the postman.

•  In the next two or three days, Social Security Card of the newborn arrives in the mailbox.

• Parents can take the child to a local library or town hall and apply for a passport.  The library works till late in the evening and an appointment can be obtained for as late as 8.30 PM.  The formalities can be completed without applying for leave or going to agents to get an appointment at the passport office.  In a week’s time passport arrives in the mailbox. Again, there is no need to wait for the postman or visit the post office if the receiver is not at home during his visit.

• Thus, within a month’s time the child has its basic documents like birth certificate, social security card and passport in place.

• Use of child seat in cars is compulsory and safety of the child is given utmost importance.

• A sign on the car window, “Baby on board”, is respected by all motorists and due deference is shown to the car carrying the baby.

• Each residential area is assigned to a school district.  A child from the area goes to the designated school and there is no need for the parents to search for schools and pay hefty donations for a seat in the school.

• School buses have distinct yellow colors and traffic regulations provide special courtesy to such vehicles.  Speed limits are strictly followed and enforced.

• Priority in boarding of aircrafts, trains and buses is given to parents carrying small children.  This is not the courtesy of some kind-hearted human beings or at the discretion of the other passengers.  It is provided in the systems and the procedures are strictly implemented.  More importantly, nobody grumbles or interferes in their implementation.

• As the child grows, due importance is given for physical activities, sports and games.  All schools are provided large play-fields and attached infrastructure.

• Parents are provided certain relief in their income tax assessments for taking care of the child.  This is the government’s contribution for the welfare of the child. 

To sum up, a newborn is a welcome addition to the society and not treated as a burden.  The above measures and practices make a new arrival a matter of happiness and joy for the parents.  Such joy is shared by the society as well.  This is indicative of an important index of “Quality of Life”, from the very beginning of a new life.

Save or Spend?

Some say "Life is very Simple". We often realise that it is not that simple. For many, life is too complicated. When we see such complicated persons, we feel life is not all that complicated! Then which is true? Does the truth lie somewhere between the two? Does its simplicity or complexity change depending on the position at which we stand and view it?

One such issue in life that confronts us repeatedly, on some days more than once, is "Save or spend?". While spending money, the thought that often crosses the mind is "Is this necessary? Should I not save this money by avoiding this expenditure?". While saving money, more so while investing long term, a question that may arise is, "Is it worth saving this money for that long? Do I really live long enough to enjoy the fruits at maturity?". To "Save or to Spend" is as big a question as the one of "To be or not to be, that is the question" that confronted The Prince of Denmark, in the play "Hamlet".  The dilemma is all the more intense for those who have crossed half way mark in life, but do not want to recognise that truth.

Each one has his/her own philosophy about saving and spending. They may not realise it but they do practice it. From Chaarvakas who believed in drinking Ghee (as against eating three or four spoonful a day) from borrowed money to ultra-savers who save even used plastic carry-bags. And each carry-bag saved containing another nine in them, safely tucked away for future use. Even after knowing that they may never be used because there is fresh addition each day. What is the right proportion of saving and spending? Whether surplus should be saved or creating surplus for saving is the key ingredient? Should we spend tomorrow's money today as if there is no tomorrow? Or should we be frugal today to save everything for tomorrow, a tomorrow that is too uncertain and may never come?

There are some who believe in saving. Saving from an early age. Saving from the day earning starts. If possible, even earlier when pocket money is given by the parents liberally. Then go on saving. The only enjoyment they get out of life is watching their savings grow. Growth due to added returns on the earlier savings as well as additional savings month after month. There was one such "Savings Man" who saved regularly.  Maturing Fixed Deposits were always renewed with interest. Then there would be a new Recurring Deposit on the first day of the first month each year. That meant one more new Fixed Deposit at the beginning of the next year. Record of amounts and dates of deposits were maintained meticulously. Due dates were memorised.  He would never eat in a restaurant.  Food was brought from home. Leave Travel concession (LTC) was never availed but Leave entitlement was duly cashed in. That meant another Fixed Deposit in the basket. He wore the shirts discarded by his son. The shirts were small for him when his son was in school and college. That did not bother him. "Why throw away clothes that are still good enough to last another year?", he would ask. Once a colleague asked him why he was saving so much money. "Don't you need money to educate a son?', was his answer. "You don't need to construct a college to educate a son!", the colleague retorted. When he retired he was worth ten times more than his colleague who joined the service in the same batch and retired on the same day. Perhaps the time had come for him to enjoy the fruits of his mammoth savings. But BP and diabetes had also grown in his body like his savings in the bank. The habit of saving did not end at his retirement. Old habits die hard. He went on saving his pension also. He died within two years of retirement. Saved too much but enjoyed too little. Hundred marks on one side and Zero marks on the other.

Then there was another man who was the exact opposite of this "Saving Man". He was the "Spending Man". Total enjoyment and no savings. Every available loan was taken by him before others realised that there was such a scheme. He would be the first shareholder of every co-operative society that would promise a loan. Anybody in need of money would go to him for consultation.  The consultant would never disappoint those who went to him with full faith. He would always have a lesson to raise money form some source or the other. Expensive clothes, perfumes and restaurants were his passion. When his employer came up with a scheme for ex-Gratia payment to the legal heirs for meeting the funeral expenses of employees who die in harness, he even inquired whether the same can be discounted in advance. He had a good argument to boot; death is certain as well as a funeral for the dead. Then why not pay the employee when he is alive? He had a bunch of credit cards in his wallet. Meet the bills on one of them by using another. After some years, he had no friends because all of them had turned creditors. Borrowers are afraid of lenders and avoid them. But for this man, creditors avoided him for fear of further demands to lend. What is already lent may not come back, but let us avoid further damage, was their strategy. He realised that this was too good to last long. Unfortunately, it was too late. He had to sell his beautiful house to ward off some tough lenders. He had to take early retirement to en-cash retirement benefits to pay some other harder creditors. Unlike the "Saving Man" who did not live long to enjoy the fruits of his savings, the "Spending Man" lived long to suffer the life of penury. Zero marks on one side and hundred marks on the other. At least until enjoyment lasted.

Both these are extreme but true cases. But there are hundreds who are close to these two. Either very little savings or very little enjoyment. What is the right model to live?  80:20?  70:30?  50: 50? or 20: 80?  Difficult to quantify as they revolve on many variables.  The formula could be simplified to a limited extent; save the surplus. In order to create surplus to save, keep the wants limited. Savings should be like blood pressure.  Neither too high like the "Saving Man" nor too low like the "Spending Man".

The "Centenary Men"

We stated with  identifying "Five Milestones in LIFE" and crossed "First and Second Milestones".  We took a view of  "The 1000th FULL Moon".  We saw the arrival of the great grandson in "Welcome, Great Grand Son". (Please click on the respective titles to read them).  That brings us to the ultimate peak, a life completing the full period of 100 years for the physical body.

There were innumerable stalwarts and great people who achieved a lot at a young age.  They did not live long but the society and mankind remembers them even today for their tremendous contributions in various fields.  Living for 100 years is not the only achievement.  But it is an incredible achievement; a successful test of endurance and a sign of life lived well over a long period of time.  Only a very small percentage of people reach this level.   Some of these "Centenary Men" have made notable achievements during their life time and every single day of their life is a testimony to a fruitful life.  They combined longevity with hard work and discipline in their lives.  Of course, there may have been a few who lived for 100 years and had nothing to show except that their heart pumped without a break for that length of time.  Even that is no mean achievement, to maintain the physical body in working condition that long.  But there were many who were known for their long lives as well as a matching lengthy list of achievements.  Let us celebrate the memory of such great personalities and draw inspiration from their lives.

As regards the shanti karmas after crossing this milestone, the usual rituals done in most of the earlier levels hold good.  The Presiding deity and other deities are invoked in the kalashas and worshiped in the prescribed manner.  Special mention is made of the Centenary at appropriate stages.  Sprinkling of holy water is done with golden flowers or ornaments in a sieve.  There will be the long queue of relatives and friends waiting for their turn to prostrate before the "Centenary Man" and seek his blessings.  The usual sumptuous feast will always be there.  The atmosphere reverberates with a feeling of achievement; not just the achievement of one man, but of everyone around!  An achievement of being able to be present and participate in such a rare and unique function.  Participation in a function about which one can take pride and remember for a long long time.

There are many lessons that could be drawn from the lives of the Centenarians.  A common thread in the lives of all these people is "Discipline".  Discipline in their food habits, activity levels and keeping the body and mind in shape and together.  These people have proved by practice and showed in reality that our vedic blessings like "Shatamaanam bhavati....." and  spiritual expectations of "Jeevema Sharadh Shatam, Pashyema Sharadh Shatam....." are not mere slogans or wishful thinking.  They are based on successful past experience and sound logic.  The mere fact that a majority of humans are unable to reach this level does not invalidate the very goal itself.  But achieving this goal is not a matter of chance.  It needs dedicated efforts.  For this one reason at least, they deserve our thanks and gratitude.  Our thanks and gratitude is also due to the family members of all Centenarians, sometimes and often of three generations, who have traveled with them on the long path for different lengths and at different times.  Some of them would not be physically present at the grand finale.  But they are to be remembered for their contributions.  Proper care, especially at advanced age, is very crucial and those who provided this basic requirement are indeed a key to such celebrations.      

There can be a question now.  Is there any other milestone thereafter?  We have to respect the laws of nature and the limitations of the physical body.  It would already have been pushed to its limits by this time.  We do hear that some people have lived longer than 100 years.  Many of these claims are difficult to verify as there were no proper birth records a hundred years ago.  There is an Organization by name "Gerontology Research Group" which verifies longevity claims and authenticates them.  Guinness book of World Records also verifies such claims before accepting them.  They maintain a list of such people called "Super-centenarians".  One Jeanne Calment of France lived for 122 years and 164 days!  There were authentic records in her native city, Arles in France.  Technically speaking, if some shanti karma is to be celebrated in our area as per the practice discussed in these blog posts, it should be at 120 years when the person enters the third sixty year cycle of the Lunar years.  That is more academic than in practice.

One friend of our family was blessed with a great grand son some years ago.  All her friends arranged a function  near Bangalore to celebrate the event in the form of a social gathering.  I was asked to speak about the significance of these celebrations.  I spoke for sometime on these five milestones and in the end asked them whether it is possible to cross all those milestones and whether they actually knew somebody who crossed all these five milestones.  There was a unanimous shout that it is not possible.  When I mentioned that there was one person who did so and that I was also present at the celebration, they were all excited.  When the name was mentioned, they all said they knew the person very well.  Justice Nittoor Srinivasa Rao,  former Chief justice of Karnataka High Court and India's first Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) was one such rare example.  When his centenary was celebrated he was surrounded by innumerable relatives and friends.  I was also one among the fortunate ones to be present.   His was an example of successfully crossing all the five milestones including the rare "Prapoutra darshana".