October 2010
In this
EditionThe
Ayodhya Struggle: A Wounded Civilization Asserting Itself, by
Shobhit Mathur
Bharatnatyam
Students Reflect on their Arangetrams
Experiences
Volunteering in India, by Prachi Kalla
Krantikari
Basavanna, by Akshay Suresh
Ram
Katha, by Dr. Radheshyam Dwivedi
Mahavidhyas
Sketch, by Deepak Sagar
ShlokaNews and Events*Tattva announces Fall Essay
Contest!*
Check out topics, prizes, and
deadlines here.
Hindu
YUVA at GWU Celebrates Ganesh Utsav
Sixty
students from George Washington University and George Mason
University attended Hindu YUVA’s Ganesh Pooja at GWU on September
11th. The Ganesh murthy-sthapana was
performed in the on-campus apartment of one of the Hindu YUVA
members. Subsequently, the students performedaarti....Read
more.
Suswagatam: Hindu YUVA Organizes
Welcome Program at SJSU
Hindu YUVA at San Jose
State University organized a welcome program, called Suswagatam, to
welcome 65 new incoming students to campus. Unlike many other
universities, SJSU does not have a “known” organized
tradition of seniors helping new incoming students by providing
airport pickup and temporary accommodation. Hindu YUVA, in an
attempt to fill this void
began Suswagatamwith an objective to
help new students and thus develop this culture....Read
more.
Ganesh Puja at Illinois
State University
Hindu YUVA at
Illinois State University organized a Ganesh Utsav celebration
on September 11, 2010. This was the first time that Ganesh Puja was
conducted on the
campus. The puja started
at noon on Saturday
with the Aarti.
After the Aarti, Shri
Murali Reddy, general secretary of the midwest region of Hindu
Swayamsevak Sangh, spoke to the students about Ganesh Utsav....Read
more. |
From the Editor's
Desk
Dear
Readers,
Tattva Magazine invites you to participate in
its first-ever essay contest for
youth! The contest is open to all those who meet one
of the following criteria: 1.) Currently enrolled undergraduate
or gradate student, OR 2.) Anyone between the ages of 18 and 25
years.
Topics: Submit
an essay in response to either one of the following prompts.
1. How can Hindu philosophy contribute to American society
today?
2. How can Hindus make temples in America places of
worship, learning, and service?
Prizes: First,
second, and third place prizes will be awarded for each of the
topics.
1st Place: $300.00 USD
2nd Place: $200.00 USD
3rd Place:
$100.00 USD
All essays must be submitted to essa...@hinduyuva.org by
November 30, 2010. We encourage everyone to
participate and pass on the information to
friends!
Looking forward to your entries,
Tattva
Team
The Ayodhya Struggle:
A Wounded Civilization Asserting Itself, by Shobhit
Mathur
 Editor's Note: This article was written two
weeks prior to the High Court's
judgment on the Ayodhya issue.
The Babri Structure is
commonly referred to as a 'disputed structure.' That underplays the
depth of the issue. On Dec 6th 1992, why would 150,000 karsevaks
pull down a 'disputed structure?' It was not just any mosque.
This structure was a symbol of political, religious domination over
India, built at a most sacred site, the birthplace of King Ram who
is considered the ideal man in all aspects (Maryada
Purshottam). The character and life story of
Lord Ram is the essence of the culture of India. He personifies the
ideal son to Dasharatha, ideal husband to Sita, ideal brother to
Lakshmana, ideal friend to Hanuman and ideal king to his people. The
character of Ram and the human values personified through Ram are
deeply ingrained in the ethos of the country. It is natural that the
nation would wish to have a monument built at his birthplace, a
common tradition in India.
Read
the rest of this article » Bharatnatyam Students Reflect on their
Arangetrams
 When I was at eight years old, my dad’s friend
invited us to his daughter’s arangetram, which
inspired my parents to put me in
a Bharatanatyamclass. At first, I did not like dance
at all and thought that it was just not for me. But as I started
learning, I soon began to love Bharatanatyam. In
the last nine years I developed a passion for this classical art
form and have gained a deeper understanding of my heritage. Through
many of the dances, I learned more about Hindu culture and various
legends and epics. About two years ago,
my guru (teacher), parents and I decided I would
be ready for my arangetram in the summer of 2010.
My arangetram practices started eight months in
advance, and I realized how much hard work this would be. Balancing
my academic life, Bharatanatyam, and other activities was certainly
a challenge, especially as it was my senior year of high
school.... Read
the rest of this article » Experiences Volunteering in India, by Prachi
Kalla I spent this summer volunteering in Bangalore,
India with the Yuva for Sewa internship
program. It was my responsibility to organize green clubs in high
schools in Bangalore. Being Indian, I thought I knew
exactly what to expect in Bangalore. Upon spending a few days there,
I realized that each part of India is unique and requires a level of
adjustment. I noticed new things every day, and learned so much just
from interacting with my surroundings. The fact that everyone, from
fellow volunteers to auto drivers, knew English was very surprising.
Through countless adventures on the public transportation system, I
also found that people were very friendly and helpful.... Read
the rest of this article »Krantikari Basavanna, by Akshay
Suresh
Krishna says in the Bhagavatam, “Whenever and
wherever there is a decline in Dharma, I will make my presence
be known time to time.” Similarly, revolutionary thoughts and ideas
have taken birth time and again in our ever evolving Sanatana
Dharma. One such idea emerged during the 12th century in the mind
of a minister whose name was Basava. Basava was the prime
minister of King Bijjala of the Southern Kalachuri Empire which
consisted of parts of present day North Karnataka and South
Maharashtra.
The society by this time had accepted and was readily following a
strict system of social stratification. These stratifications
were so rigid that they hindered the development of a healthy
society. Read
the rest of this article »
Ram Katha, by Dr. Radheshyam
Dwivedi Through the incarnation of Lord Vishnu in
the Treta Yuga, Shri Rama presents
himself as the Maryada
Purushottam, the embodiment of the ideal person
whose exemplary conduct sets the highest standards possible for a
human being in seemingly impossible situations of
life. Globally speaking
the Ramakatha has deeply influenced the
culture of Far Eastern countries. There was a time when most of the
South Eastern countries were ruled by Hindu kings. Though
predominantly a Buddhist country now, the kings in Thailand are
still named after Rama...Swami
Vivekananda during the course of a conversation has given a
spiritual dimension to the story. He said that Rama was
the Paramatman and Sita
the Jivatman and the human body was
the Lanka. Jivatman that was
imprisoned in the body as captured in Lanka always desired to be one
with the Paramatman or Shri Rama,
but the Rakshasas representing the
certain traits of character would not allow it....Read
the rest of this article »
Mahavidhyas Sketch (4 of 10), by Deepak
Saagar
DasaMahavidhya 4 - Shri Tripura Bhairavi is
the feminine form of wrath and anger, anger targeted towards our
impurities that prevent us from reaching spiritual
enlightenment...Read
more.
Shloka: Pathana Samaye (Before beginning your
studies)
 सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे
कामरूपिणि |
विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि
सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा ॥
saraswati namastubhyam varade kamaroopini
vidyarambham karishyami siddhirbhavatu me sada
|
Sanskrit to English Word Meaning:
saraswati- o saraswatI ; namastubhyaM- bow(namaH) to you
(tubhyaM); varade- giver of boons (vara); kAmaroopiNi = giver of
form/shape to desire (kama); vidhyArambhaM = start of (ArambhaM)
studies (vidyA); kariShyAmi = I will do; siddhirbhavatu =
accomplishments (siddhiH) may happen (bhavatu); me sadA =
always (sadA) mine (me)
Translation:
My salutations to Goddess Saraswathi, the bestower of boons and
the fulfiller of my wishes. I begin my studies seeking your
blessings so that I shall always be successful.
Brief Explanation:
Goddess Saraswati is considered as the supreme goddess for
learning & knowledge. Hence it’s customary to start one’s
studies by chanting this shloka. |
