Tattva (Magazine for Hindu Youth) February 2009 edition

[Aparna Garg]

Tattva-An International Online Magazine for Youth, February 2009 Namaste, As always, we are pleased to present to you the latest edition of Tattva. Hope you all enjoyed reading the previous edition. Last month's issue had a record number of visits, with nearly 22,000 hits. In this edition, we have a variety of articles, including an editorial on interfaith marriags, a poem written by a college student, and a video interview of an Ekal Vidyalaya coordinator. As always, we look forward to your feedback and contributions. If you woud like to submit an article for next month's issue, please send it to tattva...@hinduyuva.org. Please visit http://www.hinduyuva.org/tattva-blog/2009/02 to read the February 2009 edition of Tattva. In This Issue: Video Interview of Mihir Vaidya, Ekal Vidyalaya The Great Guru Maharishi Ramana, by Mahendra Mathur Poetry Corner: Diwa, by Kalpita Abhyankar Interfaith Marriages: What Young Dharmists Should Know, by Dr. Dilip Amin The Beauty of Advaita Philosophy, by J. Ajithkumar Morality: The Hindu View, by S.K. Balasubramanian Real Concept of "Varnsankar" as preached in Geeta, by Shri Mrityunjayanand Video Interview of Mihir Vaidya, Ekal Vidyalaya Ekal Vidyalaya is an organization that initiates, supports, and runs non-formal one-teacher schools (popularly known as Ekal Vidyalayas) in tribal villages all over India. With the participation of numerous non-profit trusts and organizations, this program has now become the greatest non-governmental education movement in the country. Mr. Mihir Vaidya, Vice President of Ekal Vidyala, North-west America, spoke to University of Washington students about the organization…. Read the full article The Great Guru Maharishi Ramana, by Mahendra Mathur That in which all these worlds seem to exist steadily, that of which all these worlds are a possession, that from which all these worlds rise, that for which all these exist, that by which all these worlds come into existence and that which is indeed all these - that alone is the existing reality. Let us cherish that Self, which is the reality, in the Heart. The essence of Sri Ramana's teachings is conveyed in his frequent assertions that there is a single immanent reality, directly experienced by everyone, which is simultaneously the source, the substance and the real nature of everything that exists…. Read the full article Poetry Corner: Diwa, by Kalpita Abhyankar Deep in the dirth of the lonely corner, Alone burned courageously speaking of the vast histories Dressed in the clothes of purest whitel.... Read the full poem Interfaith Marriages: What Young Dharmists Should Know, by Dr. Dilip Amin Interfaith marriages are becoming an increasingly important topic among Dharmic parents. Personally, when it comes to interfaith marriages, I have seen only a few of them really work out. When a Hindu marries someone of another religion, often the spouse who is Muslim or Christian expects the Hindu to immediately or eventually convert….However, I have seen marriages work out nicely when, for example, a converted western Hindu male or Dharmist marries an Indian Hindu female, or vice versa, and plan to raise their children in the Vedic tradition. Or even when two converted Hindus marry each other. But when a Dharmic follower marries a person of the Abrahamic faith, the future can be turbulent with unexpected consequences and problems, especially when children are born…. Read the full article The Beauty of Advaita Philosophy, by J. Ajithkumar There are religions and religions, and there are philosophies and philosophies connected with them. Invariably all religious philosophies are centered around the concept of Ishwar. But has anyone seen this Ishwar? How can we see or feel Ishwar? I am sure there are no convincing answers to all such 'inconvenient' questions. Billions and billions of human beings have lived on this planet before us and probably billions will follow us. Many divine personalities belonging to different regions, races and religions have claimed to have seen or felt or realized Ishwar, but none of them could show Ishwar to another individual. It is said that Swami Vivekananda once challenged Sage Ramakrishna Paramahamsa to show him Ishwar and the Sage could go as far as giving him a feel. Experiences of those who claim to have seen Ishwar vastly differ and even those who claim to have felt Ishwar's presence have much varied experiences. One thing is very clear – that Ishwar has no permanent form nor feel…. Read the full article Morality: The Hindu View, by S.K. Balasubramanian Ideally morality should be looked upon as the mechanism by which societies tackle existential constraints and limitations to promote creativity for social evolution and avoid destructive tendencies arising from narrow self-definition. This view would seem to restrict morality to secular or worldly life. Hinduism takes a broad view of secular (loukika in Sanskrit) human activity. Creativity and social evolution are the goals that are collectively known as Dharma… Read the full article Real Concept of "Varnsankar" as preached in Geeta, by Shri Mrityunjayanand Since the beginning mankind has been suffering from foolish customs that have nothing to do with awareness of God. There were schisms and foolish customs in the past, and they are with us even today. There were also divisions and such customs in Sri Krishn's time, and Arjun was a victim of some of them. This is seen from his four arguments, namely that war destroys the eternal Sanatan Dharm and that it produces varnsankar, an unholy intermingling of disparate classes and ways of life. Obsequial offerings of deceased ancestors will cease and that we shall by being engaged in destroying our race, invite great curses on us. Let us discuss here about what is the real concept of "Varnsankar" as preached in Bhagwad Geeta…. Read the full article About Tattva www.hinduyuva.org/tattva-blog Tattva is an international online monthly magazine, published by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh's Hindu YUVA. Tattva, which means "essence" in Sanskrit, draws inspiration from the roots of Hindu Dharma. It aims to present inspiring aspects of ancient Hindu culture and history along with related current day issues. It is an avenue to gain a better understanding and appreciate the most ancient culture thriving on this planet. It also offers us an opportunity to share our ideas and inspire others...Learn more about Tattva To join our mailing list, please send an e-mail once to subscrib...@hinduyuva.org. Contact the editor at tattva...@hinduyuva.org.