INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST CHILD ABUSE

NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY TO PREVENT
AND PROHIBIT CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN

http://www.unric.org - Five top United Nations child rights experts today urged world Governments to adopt more active measures to protect children from all forms of violence, prevent the perpetration of crimes against children and to bring to justice those responsible for child sexual exploitation and for the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict. On Universal Children's Day, the UN experts highlighted the urgency of achieving universal ratification and effective implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its three optional protocols. 
In May 2010 the UN Secretary-General launched a two-year global campaign for the universal ratification of the first two Optional Protocols by 2012 with the joint support of his Special Representatives on Violence against Children, and for Children and Armed Conflict; the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, in cooperation with UNICEF and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

“These treaties are key to the safeguard of children's rights and their effective protection from violence, abuse and exploitation in peace and conflict,” the experts stressed.  Since the launch of the campaign, 24 Member States have ratified the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography which is now in force in 161 countries; and 18 States have become party to the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict amounting to a total of 150 ratifications. 
In December 2011, the General Assembly adopted the third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, introducing a communications procedure to enable children to obtain redress for the violations of their rights. “There can be no room for complacency in our struggle to eliminate violence against children,” stressed Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children. “We are nearing the goal of universal ratification, strengthening children's protection from violence and bringing to an end impunity for incidents of sexual abuse and exploitation. Ratification is a crucial step but only the start of a demanding process of implementation.”

Two International observances are highlighted this week. Yesterday, November 19th, the “International Day of Child Abuse Prevention” and today, 20th of November, the “Universal Children’s Day.” The International Day against Child Abuse aims to create a culture of prevention around the world by encouraging governments and community organizations to play more active roles in protecting children and the Universal Children's Day, emphasizes the rights of the child to be protected and loved. The five child rights experts insisted on the crucial need to place child rights as a priority in the policy agenda and to implement all necessary measures to ensure the effective promotion and protection of the rights of all children, without discrimination. Preventing child abuse and neglect requires all of our efforts; from policy-makers, to community and parents. Everyone should be involved in put and end to violence against children and to look out for their welfare.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

In the glorious days, or before the advent of the age of Kali, the brāhmanas, the cows, the women, the children and the old men were properly given protection. ... The protection of children gives the human form of life its best chance to prepare the way of liberty from material bondage. Such protection of children begins from the very day of begetting a child by the purificatory process of garbhādhāna-samskāra, the beginning of pure life. ... This complete outlook is based on factors leading to successful humanity as against the civilization of polished cats and dogs. The killing of the above-mentioned innocent creatures is totally forbidden because even by insulting them one loses one's duration of life. In the age of Kali they are not properly protected, and therefore the duration of life of the present generation has shortened considerably.

Śrīla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda :
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam - Canto 1: “Creation”
Chapter 8: “Prayers by Queen Kuntī and Parīkshit Saved”
Verse 5 - Bhaktivedanta VedaBase Network

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
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GAZA KIDS AT RISK IN CROWDED URBAN BATTLE ZONE

GAZA’S CHILDREN FACE GRAVE RISKS
IN CROWDED URBAN BATTLE ZONE

http://jordantimes.com - The image of a dead preschooler cradled by the prime ministers of Egypt and Gaza in a hospital hallway has drawn attention to the dangers Gaza’s children face in this crowded urban battle zone. Children make up half of Gaza’s population of 1.6 million and seem to be everywhere in the current round of cross-border fighting between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers. Children loitered Friday outside a Gaza City morgue for a glance at the latest “martyrs”. Others followed adults to funerals or even rushed to the site where Israeli missiles had just struck a government building and fire was still smoldering.
Despite outward bravado, young boys of elementary school age said quietly that fear of air strikes kept them awake at night. So far, six of 28 Palestinians killed in Israel’s offensive this week have been children, ranging in age from just under 1 to 14 years, according to Gaza health officials. 

Most were killed by shrapnel while in or near their homes. In Israel, 12 children were hurt in rocket attacks this week. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Hamas of using Gaza’s civilians, particularly children, as human shields by launching rockets from crowded residential areas. Gazans argue that Israel is unleashing massive air strikes on their territory without regard for civilians. They say that even Israel’s self-described surgical strikes on targets put civilians at grave risk in Gaza, one of the world’s most densely populated places. 
Mahmoud Sadallah, the four-year-old Gaza boy whose death moved Egypt’s prime minister to tears, was from the town of Jebaliya, close to Gaza City. It was said the boy died in an Israeli air strike. Israel vehemently denied involvement, saying it had not carried out any attacks in the area at the time. Gaza’s two leading human rights groups, which routinely investigate civilian deaths, withheld judgement, saying they were unable to reach the area because of continued danger.

More children have been killed and several injured in the latest Israeli. It is warned that hundreds of thousands of youngsters trapped in Gaza face prolonged power cuts and depleting supplies of food and water. The conflict between Israel and Gaza will have a devastating affect on children who make up nearly half the 1.6 million population of the Gaza Strip. President Barack Obama said he had been in touch with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as well as the leaders of Egypt and Turkey as international attempts to broker a cease-fire continued. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon added his voice to growing calls for a ceasefire saying he was heading to the region to personally appeal for an end to the violence. The truly solution will come when we adhere to a God conscious philosophy and we understand that God as the supreme father and all living entities - without distinction - are sons of Him.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

When we forget this philosophy - that Krishna is the supreme father, Krishna is the supreme proprietor, Krishna is the supreme enjoyer, and Krishna is the supreme friend of everyone -  when we forget this, then we come into this material world and struggle for existence, fight with one another. This is material life.  Nor can we get any relief through our politicians, diplomats, philosophers. They have tried so much, but actually nothing they have tried has become fruitful. Take the United Nations. It was organized after the second Great War, and they wanted, “We shall now settle everything peacefully.”  But there is no such thing.  The fighting is going on, between Pakistan and India or between Vietnam and America or this and that. Mundane politics and diplomacy and philosophy - this is not the process.  The process is Krishna consciousness. Everyone has to understand this point, that we are not proprietors. The actual proprietor is Krishna. That's a fact. ... Artificially we are claiming, "It is my property." This is called maya, illusion.

Śrīla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda :
“The Journey of Self-Discovery”
“Superconsciousness”
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase Network

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
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COPTIC CHRISTIAN POPE TAWADROS II ENTHRONED

NEW COPTIC POPE TAWADROS II
ENTHRONED IN CAIRO CEREMONY

www.bbc.co.uk - The new pope of Egypt's Coptic Christian church has been formally enthroned in Cairo. Pope Tawadros II was confirmed as the new leader of Egypt's Christian minority at a ceremony at St Mark's cathedral in the Egyptian capital. The 60-year-old succeeds Pope Shenouda III, who died in March after four decades on the patriarchal throne. The enthronement comes at an uncertain time for Egypt's Christians, following the fall of Hosni Mubarak last year. Sectarian attacks against Coptic Christians and churches in Egypt have increased since his fall, and many Christians are concerned about the rise of Islamist political forces. 
Christians make up 5-10% of Egypt's majority Sunni Muslim population and form the largest Christian minority in the Middle East. Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Mursi did not attend Sunday's enthronement, though Prime Minister Hisham Qandil was there. 

The pope is the “first among equals” of the Holy Synod (the church body made mostly of bishops) and responsible for determining the Coptic Church’s stance on matters concerning faith. Pope Tawadros II has been vocal about the withdrawn political role he hopes to play during his papacy. On Saturday, the Coptic Church, along with other Christian denominations, announced its withdrawal from the Constituent Assembly, claiming that the current draft does not reflect the identity of the Egyptian people. 
The church’s new patriarch was formerly the General Bishop of Beheira and has a close working relationship with Metropolitan Pachomious, the Coptic Church’s interim leader since March. The Coptic Orthodox Church is the largest Christian community in the Arab world, making up roughly ten percent of Egypt’s population. Over recent decades, millions of Copts have established communities overseas in places such as North America, Europe, and Australia.

The new pope of Egypt’s Orthodox Coptic church was enthroned on Sunday. According to Coptic tradition, the first head of the Egyptian Church was Saint Mark the Evangelist, one of the 70 apostles of Jesus. After the enthronement, it was read a statement written by the new pope, in which Tawadros II stressed unity and his mission to represent all Egyptians. “We open our hearts to all religions,” he said, “because religion is for God and the nation is for man.” Tawadros II also pledged to work for the good of Egypt, with its Muslims and Christians alike. The new Pope is saying right: religion is for all and comes from God. As Sri Krishna states, to protect the saintly and punish the wicked, and perfectly reestablish the principles of religion, He appears millennium after millennium.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Herein, collected from the Holy Scriptures headed by Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita, are words of nectar directly from the lotus mouth of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the nectar to vanquish all sorrow and darkness for the souls surrendered to the lotus feet of Sri Krishna, and also for those aspiring for exclusive love for Krishna. It nourishes the lives of the devotees, pleasing their hearts by fulfilling all their cherished desires for devotional service. (9.1-2) ... “I appear in every age to deliver the saintly devotees, to vanquish the sinful miscreants, and to firmly establish true religion.” ... The teaching of eternal religion, nondifferent from Sri Krishna, is received from Sri Krishna by Lord Brahma - “The message of the Vedas is eternal religion, nondifferent from Me. When in the course of time those eternal teachings disappeared from view with the universal cataclysm, I imparted them to Lord Brahma at the dawning of a new creation.” (9.34).

Śrīla Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Mahārāja :
“Sri Sri Prapanna-jivanamrtam”
Chapter 9 “Sri Sri Bhagavad-vacanamrtam”
“Words of Nectar from the Supreme Lord”
http://bvml.org/SBRSM/SSPJ/index.htm
Bhaktivedanta Memorial Library

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
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STALKING CAT MAN FOUND DEAD, SUICIDE SUSPECTED

DENNIS AVNER, 'CAT MAN',
DEAD IN SUSPECTED SUICIDE

www.christianpost.com - Dennis Avner, the world record holder for the largest number of body modifications undertaken, was found dead in Nevada on Nov. 5. Rumours have spread that the man, who had spent his life attempting to look like a female cat, may have committed suicide. Born with the Native American name Stalking Cat, Avner underwent over 10 drastic surgical procedures in order to make his face appear more like a cat. 
The surgeries included altercations to his forehead, nose, cheeks, and the splitting of his lips. Avner also covered his face in tattoos and acquired piercings around his lips and eyebrows to imitate the look of whiskers. The 54-year-old former U.S. Navy sonar technician was found dead in his Nevada home on Nov. 5. Although the cause of his death has still not been identified, there has been some speculation that indicates he may have killed himself.

Avner was at current working as a programmer and technician, friend Shannon Larratt wrote on his site, Mod Blog. Larratt, a former editor and publisher of BME, stated that was both “wonderful and complex person” though “he was at times as troubled as he was remarkable.” Avner was allegedly inspired to transform himself into a cat following a discussion with a Native chief who inspired him to “follow the ways of the tiger” according to Mail Online. 
Avner was a descendent of Huron, an indigenous native tribe whose traditional belief is to adopt the physical form of one's totem. Avner had a feline totem and chose to alter his body to that of a female cat, “blurring and exploring the gender line as much as the species line,” according to Larratt. Larratt also suggested that Avner had faced money troubles and was fond of stating that he “found fame, but never fortune.” A number of Avner's fans shared their blessings and prayers, stating that he was an inspiration to many.

The “Stalking Cat” man was found dead in his Tonopah home of an apparent suicide. Fifty-four-year-old Dennis Avner was a Native American U.S. Navy veteran. For the past several decades, he has dedicated his life to slowly taking on more and more characteristics of a cat. His goal was to transform himself into a tiger. Avner’s operations have included bifurcation (splitting) of his upper lip, surgical pointing of the ears, silicone cheek and forehead implants, tooth filing, tattoos, facial piercing which resemble feline whiskers, and a mechanical tail. The cause of death has not been revealed but it is believed that he took his own life. The spirit soul, due to contact with material nature, gets different types of bodies, according to the different desires developed under the material conception of life.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

“The living entity, thus taking another gross body, obtains a certain type of ear, eye, tongue, nose and sense of touch, which are grouped about the mind. He thus enjoys a particular set of sense objects.” (BG 15.9)
In other words, if the living entity adulterates his consciousness with the qualities of cats and dogs, in his next life he gets a cat or dog body and enjoys. Consciousness is originally pure, like water. ... But consciousness is changed according to the association of the material qualities. Real consciousness is Krishna consciousness. When, therefore, one is situated in Krishna consciousness, he is in his pure life. But if his consciousness is adulterated by some type of material mentality, in the next life he gets a corresponding body. He does not necessarily get a human body again; he can get the body of a cat, dog, hog, demigod or one of many other forms, for there are 8,400,000 species.

Śrīla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda :
“Bhagavad-gītā As It Is” - 15.9
Chapter 15: “The Yoga of the Supreme Person”
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase Network

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
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HOW TO WARD OFF SPIRITS?

DIFFERENT WAYS TO 
KEEP AWAY SPIRITS FROM HOME

www.boldsky.com - Many a times it so happens that you feel there is something unnatural or supernatural going around in your home. There is nothing unusual about it. You must have heard that there are some haunted places worldwide. These places are filled with supernatural activities. According to some of the most popular Hindu beliefs there are certain ways by which you can ward off evil spirits from your home. Here are some Hindu ways to do so. 
A Tulsi (basil) Plant is considered to be holy according to the Hindu beliefs. It is said that if you keep a Tulsi plant at home then the evil cannot cause any disturbances. Tulsi is a form of Goddess Lakshmi, and hence she becomes the protector of the household from evil spirits. Plant a Tulsi in a small flower pot and water it regularly. This way you can keep away all evils from home. Lamp - Light a small lamp or diya every day after you take bath in the morning and evening. It is believed that by doing so you keep the light of God and wisdom burning in your room. This is also a symbolism of your devotion to God. And as light and darkness are the opposing forces, lighting a diya will keep away all evil spirits from your home. 

Swastika - This is one of the most important symbols in Hinduism. The four blades of this symbol points to four different directions. This also represents the sun and its power. Swastika also happens to be one of the 108 symbols of lord Vishnu. It is one of the religious symbols has been used since ages in Indian homes as a sign of peace and prosperity. In order to ward off the evil spirits from your home, hang a swastika on the entrance door. According to some Hindu beliefs it makes your home secure from any evil influences. 
Om - The symbol Om is a manifestation of the universe in one. This is an old Sanskrit alphabet. It is one of the religious symbols that represent the destroyer of all evil, that is, Lord Shiva. So, it is preferable that you keep an Om in your home. This will protect your home from the evil spirits. Hang it on any wall or a door. Incense Sticks - An incense stick is burned in many religions at the time of prayer. Light some incense sticks on a regular basis in your home. It is believed that the fumes of an incense stick carry all your prayers to the God. Thus your prayers keep the home safe from the evil spirits, making it a safe haven for you.

According to Sneha, who posted the article, in order to ward of the evil spirits you need to resort to religion. As regards the most popular Hindu beliefs, these are the resources you need in order to protect your home from the evil spirits: Kepp a tulsi (basil) plant. Light a small lamp or diya every day. Keep two very important symbols in Hinduism: Swastika and Om. Burn incense sticks. You can also sprinkle water on the front door of your home in the morning and evening. Apart from follow these things regularly, we should remember that chanting the Names of the Lord is the best way to keep away all evil from home. But if one cannot remember all the names, one may simply chant, “Śrī Vishnu, Śrī Vishnu, Śrī Vishnu,” and always think of Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

“The evil witches known as Dākinīs, Yātudhānīs and Kushmāndas are the greatest enemies of children, and the evil spirits like Bhūtas, Pretas, Piśācas, Yakshas, Rākshasas and Vināyakas, as well as witches like Kotarā, Revatī, Jyeshthā, Pūtanā and Mātrikā, are always ready to give trouble to the body, the life air and the senses, causing loss of memory, madness and bad dreams. Like the most experienced evil stars, they all create great disturbances, especially for children, but one can vanquish them simply by uttering Lord Vishnu's name, for when Lord Vishnu's name resounds, all of them become afraid and go away.” (SB 10.6.27-29) 
If one remembers Vishnu always, even though one is disturbed by many bad elements, one can be protected without a doubt. ... The material world is full of danger (padam padam yad vipadām). Therefore one must become a Vaishnava and think of Vishnu constantly. This is made easier by the chanting of the Hare Krishna mahā-mantra.

Śrīla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda :
“Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (Bhāgavata Purāna)”
Canto 10: “The Summum Bonum”
Chapter 6: “The Killing of the Demon Pūtanā”
Text 27-29 - Bhaktivedanta VedaBase Network - http://vedabase.com/en

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
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MEDITATION BENEFITS YOUR HEART

MEDITATION REDUCE YOUR RISK OF
HAVING A HEART ATTACK OR STROKE

www.medpagetoday.com - A stress reduction program using Transcendental Meditation (TM) significantly reduced the composite endpoint of mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke in African-American patients with coronary heart disease, researchers reported. 
Compared with a group of patients randomized to a health education program, those practicing TM had a 48% reduction in these outcomes (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.92, P=0.025), according to Robert H. Schneider, MD, of Maharishi University of Management in Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa, and colleagues. The TM group also had a change of -4.9 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure (95% CI -8.3 to -1.5 , P=0.01). “Reduction in systolic BP may be a physiological mechanism for reduced clinical events in this trial since this magnitude of reduction has been associated with 15% reduction in cardiovascular clinical events,” Schneider and colleagues wrote. 

African Americans are disproportionately afflicted with cardiovascular disease, at least in part possibly because of environmental and psychosocial stresses. The TM program involves daily periods during which individuals sit quietly allowing the mind to drift into a “wakeful hypometabolic state,” which is characterized by physiologic changes typical of decreased stress. Previous studies of stress reduction using TM have shown benefits for risk factors and various clinical endpoints in the general population. 
Schneider and colleagues enrolled 201 black patients who had at least one coronary artery with 50% blockage. The study took place between 1998 and 2007, in two phases separated by a period of loss of funding in 2003 and 2004. “In conclusion, this randomized controlled trial found that a selected mind-body intervention, the TM program, significantly reduced risk for mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke in African-American men and women with coronary heart disease. These changes were associated with reductions in BP and psychosocial distress,” Schneider and colleagues wrote.

Transcendental Meditation has been around in the West since the 1950s, a simple practice that involves focusing on a sound or the recitation of a mantra to reduce stress and improve focus. TM can help people manage pain, stress, and overeating and even led to the growth of brain regions associated with improved memory and emotional regulation. Now, a new clinical trial has found that TM can lower the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and early deaths in African-American heart disease patients who practiced the technique for 20 minutes a day. These benefits appear to be the results of meditation's ability to lower blood pressure, stress and anger, all of which have been linked to increased cardiovascular risk, researchers say.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Maharishi Aurbindo (1872–1950) abandoned politics to enter the spiritual field, and he established a well-known meditation center at Pondicherry, South India. His deep knowledge of the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and Yoga attracted many seekers to come to him for guidance from all over the world. ... Swami Yogananda Paramhans (1893–1952) his teachings, which were based mainly on the special meditation techniques of Kriya yoga, attracted a large following. He adopted many Western practices in places of worship and brought about a good synthesis of teachings of the East and West. ... Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1917–2008) become world famous for introducing his own version of meditation called Transcendental Meditation, or TM. After doing austerities in the Himalayas for many years, he settled in the United States and started a full-fledged university in Iowa that is dedicated to the study of Hindu scriptures, Ayurveda, Yoga, and Meditation.

Dr. Hiro Badlani :
“Hinduism - Path of the Ancient Wisdom”
Chapter 42 - “Hinduism in Modern Era”
“Spiritual Masters of the Recent Period”
http://hinduismpath.com/

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
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TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE AUSTRALIAN HEART

THE 2012 TOTAL
ECLIPSE OF THE SUN

www.theage.com.au - Nature has bestowed a treat on solar scientists. About an hour after sunrise in north Queensland, the moon passed directly in front of the sun. Those fortunate enough to be in Cairns enjoyed an early morning total eclipse lasting two minutes with the sun roughly 14 degrees above the eastern horizon. 
For astrophysicists, it meant an opportunity to glimpse the outermost workings of the sizzling sun. Eclipses give scientists their best chance to study the corona, the immensely hot outer atmosphere of the sun that boils off into space and wafts past the planets. Even with modern Earth- and space-based telescopes, scientists can only observe parts of the corona normally because of the sun's overwhelming brightness. These phenomena change over days or weeks, and so the corona appears to be quite different at every solar eclipse.

This provides scientists with a better understanding of the corona as well as the solar wind, the charged particles that stream from the sun. The eclipse itself did not “directly” reveal anything about the sun's activity because there is always large day-to-day variability; just like today's weather does not reveal anything about a decade's climate trends, says Curtin Univeristy astrophysicist Rob Soria. “This eclipse occurs near the peak of what is known as Cycle 24, when coronal activity, mass ejections, solar flares are expected to be more energetic,” Dr Soria says. 
This cycle is the weakest it has been in more than 100 years. The current cycle follows a series of three strong solar cycles that occurred between 1980 and 2000. If scientists get a better understanding of temperature, structure and energy processes in the solar corona and the solar wind, they can then make better predictions about the long-term solar variability and the effect it has on the Earth's climate and magnetic field.

A total solar eclipse is the only time the sun's corona can be viewed from Earth. Then, almost as fast as the sky darkened, a twinkle of light emerged and the moon continued its journey across the sun. The second solar eclipse of 2012 occured above northern Australia just moments ago giving thousands of observers in Queensland an early morning treat. Today’s events came a decade after Australia’s last solar eclipse and were the first in the region in over 1,300 years. Always thousands and thousands of people go to see a total eclipse of the sun or moon. Eclipses wonderful events are related in Vedic history. For example, when the gopīs and the residents of Vrindāvana met Krishna at Kuruksetra during the Solar eclipse, they wanted to take Krishna back to the village of Vrindāvana and enjoy His company in the groves.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Lord Śrī Krishna is so attractive for the living beings, especially for the devotees, that it is impossible for them to tolerate separation. ... After His separation from Vrindāvana and the innocent rural cowherd boys, girls, ladies and others, they all felt shock throughout their lives, and the separation of Rādhārāṇī, the most beloved cowherd girl, is beyond expression. Once they met at Kurukṣetra during a solar eclipse, and the feeling which was expressed by them is heartrending. ... Krishna, Baladeva and Subhadrā are represented in the famous Jagannātha temple of Purī, and the temple is still visited by thousands of pilgrims daily. This temple is in remembrance of the Lord's visit at Kuruksetra during an occasion of solar eclipse and His subsequent meeting with the residents of Vrindāvana. The meeting of Rādhā and Krishna during this occasion is a very pathetic story, and Lord Śrī Caitanya, in the ecstasy of Rādhārāṇī, always pined for Lord Śrī Krishna at Jagannātha Purī.

Śrīla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda :
“Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (Bhāgavata Purāṇa)”
Canto 1 - Chapter 10 - Verses 9 & 10
Canto 1 - Chapter 13 - Verses 3 & 4
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase Network

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
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HINDUS CELEBRATE DIWALI TODAY

TODAY CELEBRATES DIWALI 2012
“THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS”

www.huffingtonpost.com - In 2012 Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated today on Nov. 13 by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs around the world. The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit deepavali, which means a row of lights. The festival of Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over dark, good over evil and knowledge over darkness. Diwali is one of the biggest festivals in the Hindu calendar and there are multiple reasons why Hindus celebrate this festival. 
The most popular narrative, based in the ancient Sanskrit epic Ramayana, is of Lord Rama, his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana returning to their kingdom Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. On that dark new moon night, the residents of Ayodhya joyfully lit oil lamps to welcome Rama, Sita and Lakshmana back to the kingdom. Following in that tradition, Hindus celebrate Diwali by lighting oil lamps, bursting firecrackers, cleaning and decorating their homes, distributing sweet delicacies and gathering with friends and family. 

In Hindu homes around the world, people gather to offer prayers to Sita and Rama, Radha and Krishna, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, Ganesh, the god of auspiciousness. For many in the Hindu community, Diwali is also the beginning of a new year. A popular greeting around this time is “Shubh Diwali.”  
In the Sikh tradition, Diwali commemorates the release of Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru, who was imprisoned by the Mughal emperor Jahangir. When Guru Hargobind arrived in Amritsar, his devotees lit thousands of oil lamps to celebrate his return. For Sikhs, this day is known as Bandi Chhor Divas (day of release from prison). Sikhs celebrate Diwali by lighting oil lamps and reading from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy text. In the Jain tradition, Diwali marks the attainment of enlightenment by Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism who laid down the central tenets of the Jain religion as it is practiced today. Jains celebrate Diwali by lighting lamps, distributing sweets, fasting and practicing acts of charity.

The Hindu community is celebrating Diwali, also known as festival of lights on Tuesday (today). Special prayers are held at temples across the city. The Hindus celebrate this day with great zeal and fervour. Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu community and it symbolises the triumph of good over evil. In this sense, Diwali is the day that marks the return of Avatar Rama to his kingdom Ayodhya, after a self-exile of 14 years to fulfill the desire of his stepmother. Following an old custom, people enlighten candles and oil lamps outside their houses to welcome Rama. They also set off firecrackers to celebrate Rama’s return. For many reasons, today is an occasion of joy, mirth and happiness that is celebrated as a festival of lights.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Diwali is one of the most popular festivals in the Indian calendar. The anniversaries of many auspicious historical events comprise this ancient festival. The festivities comprise of firecrackers, ceremonial bathing, feasting, artis (arathis), family get-togethers - and illuminations. The aesthetically appealing illumination dates back to many millennia when the jubilant citizens of Ayodhya welcomed Lord Rama back to their city after His exile. ... Apart from being a historical reality, this event also has immense relevance to our lives. Ayodhya is like our heart and Lord Rama is the Lord of our heart, the supreme object of love and devotion for all of us. Due to unfortunate misconceptions, we too have exiled the Lord from our heart. Just as Ayodhya became a ghost town when Lord Rama departed, our heart too has become infested with negative - and often self-destructive - feelings like anxiety, boredom, loneliness, depression, stress, prejudice, envy, anger and hatred. And, just like the citizens of Ayodhya, our lives too have become filled with emptiness and lamentation. ... Therefore while lighting the earthen lamps this Diwali, let us also light our heart with divine wisdom and love.

Śrīpad Chaitanya Charan das :
“The Spiritual Scientist”
“Illuminate Your Heart This Diwali”
Vol 3 Issue 18 -  http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/
http://nitaaiveda.com/Soul_Science_God_Philosophy/Spiritual_Scientist/Volume_03/Illuminate_Your_Heart_This_Diwali.htm

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

VEDIC RITUAL IMPACTS THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT

ANCIENT FIRE RITUAL HAS POSITIVE
IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT: SCIENTISTS

www.dailymail.co.uk - A 4,000 year old fire ritual conducted in the remote village in Kerala, India, in April last year has a positive impact on the atmosphere, soil and other environment effects, according to scientists who are now ready with their findings. 
The “Athirathram” ritual held on April 4 - 15 at Panjal village in Thrissur district was the focus of a detailed study by a team of scientists led by Prof V P N Nampoori, former director of the International School of Photonics, Cochin University of Science and Technology. 
The scientists had focused on the fire ritual’s scientific dimensions and impact on the atmosphere, soil and its micro-organisms and other potential environmental effects. The yagna seems to have accelerated the process of seed germination and also the microbial presence in air, water and soil in and around the region of the fire ritual is vastly diminished, according to a statement released by the Varthathe Trust, who organised the ritual. 

The team had planted three types of seeds - cowpea, green gram and Bengal gram - on all four sides of the ritual venue at varying distances. They found that the growth was better in case of pots kept closer to the fire altar. This effect, the study says, was more pronounced in the case of Bengal gram with growth about 2,000 times faster than in other places. According to Nampoori, sound is a vibration and continuous positive vibrations through chanting, accelerates the process of germination. The study focused on counting bacterial colonies at three locations - within the yagnashala (ritual enclosure), 500 metres and 1.5 kilometres from the yagnasala. Microbial analysis made before, during and four days after the yagna (fire ritual) revealed that the air in the vicinity of the yagnashala was pure and had very low count of microbe colonies. 
The research team also found that microbial activities in the soil and water around the yagnashala were remarkably less compared to normal ground. The scientific team members were supported by Zarina (Research Scholar, CUSAT), Ramkumar (Biotechnologist), Asulabha (Biotechnologist) and a number of postgraduate, graduate and school students.

The “Athirathram” ritual usually held to propagate universal peace and harmony, was first documented 35 years ago by US - based Indologist Frits Staal, currently Emeritus Professor of Philosophy and South and Southeast Asian Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Studies are on to find out if positive changes on the atmosphere are transitional or permanent. Further research could prove that some bio-amplifier phenomenon is generated in the atmosphere because of the ritual. “The findings would not only help dispel superstitious notions associated with Vedic rituals but also help in continuation of such tradition for the betterment of nature and the environment,” said Prof V P N Nampoori.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Athirathram is an ancient Vedic ritual of twelve days, consisting of homas (offerings into a consecrated fire) and Vedic chanting. Athirathram is considered as the ultimate invocation of Vedic Scriptures for universal harmony. The objective of Athirathram is to promote universal harmony, marked by peace, solidarity, prosperity and spiritual enlightenment, and is regarded as extremely relevant today, with the world witnessing a marked rise in discontentment, violence and strife. Athirathram cuts through all barriers - caste, religion, race, colour and sex - making it a true union of humanity as one to invoke the bounty of Universal Energy to promote solidarity and peace. It is believed that the 12-day ritual will help cleanse the atmosphere; purify the soul and mind of all participants and visitors at the event. The choice of Panjal village (in Thrissur district in the state of Kerala, India. ) as the is in line with geographic and Vaasthu principles.

Varthathe - Trust For Harmony
“About Athirathram”
http://athirathram2011.com/
http://athirathram2011.com/faqs.html

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

MOM SELLS GIRL, 13, AS SEX SLAVE

SOUTH AFRICAN 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL SOLD
FOR PROSTITUTION BY HER OWN MOTHER

Cape Town (www.iol.co.za) - Western Cape police are hunting a mom who allegedly sold her 13-year-old daughter as a sex slave for just R50 a time. The woman allegedly regularly took her little girl to bushes or outside shebeens and rented her out to men. She allegedly used the money to feed her own alcohol addiction as her little one was being raped. 
The alleged abuse only came to light when the girl told one of her friends who in turn alerted their teacher. The girl is now being cared for at a shelter run by Atlantis ward councillor and abuse councillor Barbara Rass. “I have to applaud the teacher, the silence was broken,” Rass said. “It seems everyone knew what was going on but no one protected her… no one intervened at any point. If she didn’t tell her friend and that teacher, this would have been continuing. 
A case was formally opened with the police who are investigating a case of rape and child prostitution.

Rass - who has 35 years experience serving the community and fighting on behalf of victims of sex attacks - was close to tears as she spoke of the horrific case. She said the teen told her how her mother would allegedly lure her to shebeens to have sex with old men. “The mother would take her to the shebeen yard and say ‘here is a man for you’,” said Barbara. 
Waste removal trucks chugged along the main dusty road leading out of the area which is surrounded by bush and shacks. The traumatised teen finally ended up in the care of the police last week. Her skeletal frame and dark eyes hint at the awful pain she has endured. She fidgeted nervously as she revealed that she lived with her mom and stepfather, who frequently called her foul names. Local community leaders are demanding the arrest of the girl’s mom. And they want her to point out all the perverts that paid her to have sex with her underage child. Police sources confirmed they are hunting for the girl’s mother.

This 13-year-old South African girl from the farm Frankdale near Atlantis was sold for prostitution by her own mom, in order to satisfy her mother's vice of drinking alcohol. The young girl spoke - in the presence of her temporary guardians - about the abuse she has suffered. “I feel no mercy should be given to mothers who sell their own offspring. The court should deal with her like they would deal with someone who had underage sex with a minor. She was being sold for R50, this is disgusting. I want the mother to be exposed,” demanded Barbara Rass, a councilor specializing in sexual abuse issues. Authorities are drawing up a list of the names of the girl’s alleged attackers, but so far no arrests have been made. Until then, their main concern is to keep the girl safe from new further abuses. The extreme neglect to comply with the duty of caring the helpless ones is when mothers allow their own daughters to be abused in order to satisfy their vices.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

"The brāhmaṇas, the cows and the defenseless creatures are My own body. ..." (SB 3.16.10) The defenseless creatures, according to Brahma-samhitā, are the cows, brāhmanas, women, children and old men. ... Just as children are taken care of by the parents, women as a class should be taken care of by the father, husband or grown-up son. Those who are helpless must be taken care of by their respective guardians, otherwise the guardians will be subjected to the punishment of Yamarāja, who is appointed by the Lord to supervise the activities of sinful living creatures. The assistants, or messengers, of Yamarāja are likened here to vultures, and those who do not execute their respective duties in protecting their wards are compared to serpents. Vultures deal very seriously with serpents, and similarly the messengers will deal very seriously with neglectful guardians.

Śrīla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda :
“The Śrīmad Bhāgavatam”
Purport in Canto 3 “El Status Quo”
Chapter 16 - Verse 10.
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase Network

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/