हम चाहे जितना रुपया कमा लें, संपत्ति बना लें, दौड़ में थकने के बाद रिश्तों की गरमाहट का संबल सभी के लिए जरूरी हो जाता है। आखिर हमारी समृद्धि कोई देखने वाला तो हो, हमारी प्रसिद्धि की कोई तारीफ करने वाला तो हो... और ये सब हमें तभी मिलेगा, जब हम स्वयं हाथ बढ़ाएँगे छोटे-बड़े रिश्तों को सहेजने को।
आज जहाँ आर्थिक विकास की अंधी दौड़ में लोग रिश्तों की अहमियत भूलते जा रहे हैं, रिश्ते अपना महत्व खोते जा रहे हैं, केवल फायदों की राजनीति देखते हुए रिश्ते बनाए या बिगाड़े जा रहे हों, वहाँ कुछ परिवार न केवल रिश्तों को बनाए रखने में यकीन करते हैं बल्कि अपने स्नेह, त्याग व अनथक प्रयासों से भरसक रिश्तों की गरमाहट को सालों सहेजते रहते हैं।
हंसा आठ वर्ष की एक प्यारी-सी बच्ची है। चार वर्ष पहले उसकी माँ की दुर्घटना में मौत हो गई। माँ की मौत के सदमे से एक वर्ष बाद ही उसके पिता भी चल बसे- "लड़की की जात है- कौन सम्हाले" कहकर करीबी रिश्तेदारों ने हाथ झटक लिए- ऐसे में आगे आई हंसा की माँ की करीबी सहेली जो अविवाहित थी।
"दुनिया में आए हैं, तो इतना प्यार बाँटना चाहिए कि आपके जाने के बाद कुछ लोगों की आँखें आपको याद कर बरसती रहें" जैन साहब के जीवन का ये सीधा-सा समीकरण है, जो उन्हें बुढ़ापे में भी ऊर्जावान बनाता है। उसने विधिवत हंसा को गोद ले लिया और अपने बच्चे से भी बढ़कर देखभाल की उसकी। आज हंसा के दिमाग में माँ की स्मृति तक धूमिल हो चुकी है - उसे याद है उसकी नई माँ...। प्रणव के विवाह को पाँच वर्ष हो गए थे। पत्नी की अकाल मृत्यु हो गई। प्रणव के जीवन का एकमात्र सहारा था उसका बेटा "प्रांशु"। "सौतेली माँ" की भयावह कल्पना के चलते प्रणव कई वर्षों तक दूसरे विवाह के बारे में सोच भी न पाया।
फिर अचानक उसे मीता पसंद आ गई- हालांकि "प्रांशु" को लेकर डर अभी भी था। ऐसे में मीता ने सारी परिस्थिति को सहृदयता सा समझा, प्रांशु को अपनापन दिया। प्रांशु को ही बेटा मानकर अपनी संतान को जन्म देने का विचार भी उसने त्याग दिया। आज "प्रांशु" कॉलेज में है और मीता उसके लिए दुनिया में सबसे अच्छी माँ है।
जैन साहब का दुनिया को देखने का तरीका और भी निराला है। वे इस दुनिया में अकेले हैं, ईश्वर की दया से रुपया और स्वास्थ्य दोनों ही वरदान के रूप में साथ हैं। उनके यहाँ पढ़ने आने वाले बच्चों का "मेला" लगा रहता है। जैन साहब की सभी रिश्तेदारों से प्रार्थना रहती है कि उनके शहर में पढ़ने के लिए आने वाले बच्चे उनके घर में ही रहें।
रिश्तेदारों को भला क्यों आपत्ति हो, उनके बच्चों को जैन साहब का स्नेह व अनुशासन भरा मार्गदर्शन मिलता है और जैन साहब का अकेलापन दूर हो जाता है। "दुनिया में आए हैं, तो इतना प्यार बाँटना चाहिए कि आपके जाने के बाद कुछ लोगों की आँखें आपको याद कर बरसती रहें" जैन साहब के जीवन का ये सीधा-सा समीकरण है, जो उन्हें बुढ़ापे में भी ऊर्जावान बनाता है।
वास्तव में मनुष्य एक सामाजिक प्राणी है और रिश्तों की उसे सतत आवश्यकता होती है। चाहे ये रिश्ते दोस्ती के हों, पहचान के हों या खून के। आजकल नौकरी-व्यापार के सिलसिले में परिवार एक छोर से दूसरे छोर तक बिखरते जा रहे हैं, आपसी संपर्क भी लगभग समाप्त होते जा रहे हैं।
ऐसे में अगली पीढ़ी के बच्चे तो शायद अपने रिश्तेदारों-भाई-बहनों से पहचान भी न बना पाएँ। आखिर में प्रसिद्धि की कोई तारीफ करने वाला तो हो और ये सब हमें तभी मिलेगा, जब हम स्वयं हाथ बढ़ाएँगे छोटे-बड़े रिश्तों को सहेजने का, उनमें स्नेह-विश्वास को सिंचित करने का और बड़ा सरल सा उपाय है इन्हें सहेजने का। वह है संपर्क। फिर आज की संचार क्रांति ने तो संपर्क इतना आसान बना दिया है। तो क्यों न हम भी अपनाएँ इसे और ले आएँ रिश्तों में प्रगाढ़ता।
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
ॐ श्री राम रक्षा स्तोत्र दोहानुवाद !
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ॐ
श्री राम रक्षा स्तोत्र दोहानुवाद
विनियोग
श्री गणेश-विघ्नेश्वर, रिद्धि-सिद्धि के नाथ ।
चित्र गुप्त लख चित्त में, नमन करुँ नत माथ।।
ऋषि बुधकौशिक रचित यह, रामरक्षास्तोत्र।
दोहा रच गाये सलिल, कायथ कश्यप गोत्र।।
कीलक हनुमत, शक्ति सिय, देव सिया-श्री राम।
जाप और विनियोग यह, स्वीकारें अभिराम।।
ध्यान
दीर्घबाहु पद्मासनी, हों धनु-धारि प्रसन्न।
कमलाक्षी पीताम्बरी, है यह भक्त प्रपन्न।।
नलिननयन वामा सिया, अद्भुत रूप-सिंगार।
जटाधरी नीलाभ प्रभु, ध्याऊँ हो बलिहार।।
श्री रघुनाथ-चरित्र का, कोटि-कोटि विस्तार।
एक-एक अक्षर हरे, पातक- हो उद्धार।१।
नीलाम्बुज सम श्याम छवि, पुलिनचक्षु का ध्यान।
करुँ जानकी-लखन सह, जटाधारी का गान।२।
खड्ग बाण तूणीर धनु, ले दानव संहार।
करने भू-प्रगटे प्रभु, निज लीला विस्तार।३।
स्तोत्र-पाठ ले पाप हर, करे कामना पूर्ण।
राघव-दशरथसुत रखें, शीश-भाल सम्पूर्ण।४।
कौशल्या-सुत नयन रखें, विश्वामित्र-प्रिय कान।
मख-रक्षक नासा लखें, आनन् लखन-निधान।५।
विद्या-निधि रक्षे जिव्हा, कंठ भरत-अग्रज।
स्कंध रखें दिव्यायुधी, शिव-धनु-भंजक भुज।६।
कर रक्षे सीतेश-प्रभु, परशुराम-जयी उर।
जामवंत-पति नाभि को, खर-विध्वंसी उदर।७।
अस्थि-संधि हनुमत प्रभु, कटि- सुग्रीव-सुनाथ।
दनुजान्तक रक्षे उरू, राघव करुणा-नाथ।८।
दशमुख-हन्ता जांघ को, घुटना पुल-रचनेश।
विभीषण-श्री-दाता पद, तन रक्षे अवधेश।९।
राम-भक्ति संपन्न यह, स्तोत्र पढ़े जो नित्य।
आयु, पुत्र, सुख, जय, विनय, पाए खुशी अनित्य।१०।
वसुधा नभ पाताल में, विचरें छलिया मूर्त।
राम-नाम-बलवान को, छल न सकें वे धूर्त।११।
रामचंद्र, रामभद्र, राम-राम जप राम।
पाप-मुक्त हो, भोग सुख, गहे मुक्ति-प्रभु-धाम।१२।
रामनाम रक्षित कवच, विजय-प्रदाता यंत्र।
सर्व सिद्धियाँ हाथ में, है मुखाग्र यदि मन्त्र।१३।
पविपंजर पवन कवच, जो कर लेता याद।
आज्ञा उसकी हो अटल, शुभ-जय मिले प्रसाद।१४।
शिवादेश पा स्वप्न में, रच राम-रक्षा स्तोत्र।
बुधकौशिक ऋषि ने रचा, बालारुण को न्योत।१५।
कल्प वृक्ष, श्री राम हैं, विपद-विनाशक राम।
सुन्दरतम त्रैलोक्य में, कृपासिंधु बलधाम।१६।
रूपवान, सुकुमार, युव, महाबली सीतेंद्र।
मृगछाला धारण किये, जलजनयन सलिलेंद्र।१७।
राम-लखन, दशरथ-तनय, भ्राता बल-आगार।
शाकाहारी, तपस्वी, ब्रम्हचर्य-श्रृंगार।१८।
सकल श्रृष्टि को दें शरण, श्रेष्ठ धनुर्धर राम।
उत्तम रघु रक्षा करें, दैत्यान्तक श्री राम।१९।
धनुष-बाण सोहे सदा, अक्षय शर-तूणीर।
मार्ग दिखा रक्षा करें, रामानुज-रघुवीर।२०।
राम-लक्ष्मण हों सदय, करें मनोरथ पूर्ण।
खड्ग, कवच, शर,, चाप लें, अरि-दल के दें चूर्ण।२१।
रामानुज-अनुचर बली, राम दाशरथ वीर।
काकुत्स्थ कोसल-कुँवर, उत्तम रघु, मतिधीर।२२।
सीता-वल्लभ श्रीवान, पुरुषोतम, सर्वेश।
अतुलनीय पराक्रमी, वेद-वैद्य यज्ञेश।२३।
प्रभु-नामों का जप करे, नित श्रद्धा के साथ।
अश्वमेघ मख-फल मिले, उसको दोनों हाथ।२४।
पद्मनयन, पीताम्बरी, दूर्वा-दलवत श्याम।
नाम सुमिर ले 'सलिल' नित, हो भव-पार सुधाम।२५।
गुणसागर, सौमित्राग्रज, भूसुतेश श्रीराम।
दयासिन्धु काकुत्स्थ हैं, भूसुर-प्रिय निष्काम।२६क।
अवधराज-सुत, शांति-प्रिय, सत्य-सिन्धु बल-धाम।
दशमुख-रिपु, रघुकुल-तिलक, जनप्रिय राघव राम।२६ख।
रामचंद्र, रामभद्र, रम्य रमापति राम।
रघुवंशज कैकेई-सुत, सिय-प्रिय अगिन प्रणाम।२७।
रघुकुलनंदन राम प्रभु, भरताग्रज श्री राम।
समर-जयी, रण-दक्ष दें, चरण-शरण श्री धाम।२८।
मन कर प्रभु-पद स्मरण, वाचा ले प्रभु-नाम।
शीश विनत पद-पद्म में, चरण-शरण दें राम।२९।
मात-पिता श्री राम हैं, सखा-सुस्वामी राम।
रामचंद्र सर्वस्व मम, अन्य न जानूं नाम।३०।
लखन सुशोभित दाहिने, जनकनंदिनी वाम।
सम्मुख हनुमत पवनसुत, शतवंदन श्री राम।३१।
जन-मन-प्रिय, रघुवीर प्रभु, रघुकुलनायक राम।
नयनाम्बुज करुणा-समुद, करुनाकर श्री राम।३२।
मन सम चंचल पवनवत, वेगवान-गतिमान।
इन्द्रियजित कपिश्रेष्ठ दें, चरण-शरण हनुमान।३३।
काव्य-शास्त्र आसीन हो, कूज रहे प्रभु-नाम।
वाल्मीकि-पिक शत नमन, जपें प्राण-मन राम।३४।
हरते हर आपद-विपद, दें सम्पति, सुख-धाम।
जन-मन-रंजक राम प्रभु, हे अभिराम प्रणाम।३५।
राम-नाम-जप गर्जना, दे सुख-सम्पति मीत।
हों विनष्ट भव-बीज सब, कालदूत भयभीत।३६।
दैत्य-विनाशक, राजमणि, वंदन राम रमेश।
जयदाता शत्रुघ्नप्रिय, करिए जयी हमेश।३७ क।
श्रेष्ठ न आश्रय राम से, 'सलिल' राम का दास।
राम-चरण-मन मग्न हो, भव-तारण की आस।३७ख।
विष्णुसहस्त्रनाम सम, पावन है प्रभु-नाम।
रमे राम के नाम में, सलिल-साधना राम।३८।
मुनि बुधकौशिक ने रचा, श्री रामरक्षास्तोत्र।
'शांति-राज'-हित यंत्र है, भाव-भक्तिमय ज्योत।
आशा होती पूर्ण हर, प्रभु हों सत्य सहाय।
तुहिन श्वास हो नर्मदा, मन्वंतर गुण गाय।४०।
राम-कथा मंदाकिनी, रामकृपा राजीव।
राम-नाम जप दे दरश, राघव करुणासींव।४१।
ॐ
श्री राम रक्षा स्तोत्र दोहानुवाद
विनियोग
श्री गणेश-विघ्नेश्वर, रिद्धि-सिद्धि के नाथ ।
चित्र गुप्त लख चित्त में, नमन करुँ नत माथ।।
ऋषि बुधकौशिक रचित यह, रामरक्षास्तोत्र।
दोहा रच गाये सलिल, कायथ कश्यप गोत्र।।
कीलक हनुमत, शक्ति सिय, देव सिया-श्री राम।
जाप और विनियोग यह, स्वीकारें अभिराम।।
ध्यान
दीर्घबाहु पद्मासनी, हों धनु-धारि प्रसन्न।
कमलाक्षी पीताम्बरी, है यह भक्त प्रपन्न।।
नलिननयन वामा सिया, अद्भुत रूप-सिंगार।
जटाधरी नीलाभ प्रभु, ध्याऊँ हो बलिहार।।
श्री रघुनाथ-चरित्र का, कोटि-कोटि विस्तार।
एक-एक अक्षर हरे, पातक- हो उद्धार।१।
नीलाम्बुज सम श्याम छवि, पुलिनचक्षु का ध्यान।
करुँ जानकी-लखन सह, जटाधारी का गान।२।
खड्ग बाण तूणीर धनु, ले दानव संहार।
करने भू-प्रगटे प्रभु, निज लीला विस्तार।३।
स्तोत्र-पाठ ले पाप हर, करे कामना पूर्ण।
राघव-दशरथसुत रखें, शीश-भाल सम्पूर्ण।४।
कौशल्या-सुत नयन रखें, विश्वामित्र-प्रिय कान।
मख-रक्षक नासा लखें, आनन् लखन-निधान।५।
विद्या-निधि रक्षे जिव्हा, कंठ भरत-अग्रज।
स्कंध रखें दिव्यायुधी, शिव-धनु-भंजक भुज।६।
कर रक्षे सीतेश-प्रभु, परशुराम-जयी उर।
जामवंत-पति नाभि को, खर-विध्वंसी उदर।७।
अस्थि-संधि हनुमत प्रभु, कटि- सुग्रीव-सुनाथ।
दनुजान्तक रक्षे उरू, राघव करुणा-नाथ।८।
दशमुख-हन्ता जांघ को, घुटना पुल-रचनेश।
विभीषण-श्री-दाता पद, तन रक्षे अवधेश।९।
राम-भक्ति संपन्न यह, स्तोत्र पढ़े जो नित्य।
आयु, पुत्र, सुख, जय, विनय, पाए खुशी अनित्य।१०।
वसुधा नभ पाताल में, विचरें छलिया मूर्त।
राम-नाम-बलवान को, छल न सकें वे धूर्त।११।
रामचंद्र, रामभद्र, राम-राम जप राम।
पाप-मुक्त हो, भोग सुख, गहे मुक्ति-प्रभु-धाम।१२।
रामनाम रक्षित कवच, विजय-प्रदाता यंत्र।
सर्व सिद्धियाँ हाथ में, है मुखाग्र यदि मन्त्र।१३।
पविपंजर पवन कवच, जो कर लेता याद।
आज्ञा उसकी हो अटल, शुभ-जय मिले प्रसाद।१४।
शिवादेश पा स्वप्न में, रच राम-रक्षा स्तोत्र।
बुधकौशिक ऋषि ने रचा, बालारुण को न्योत।१५।
कल्प वृक्ष, श्री राम हैं, विपद-विनाशक राम।
सुन्दरतम त्रैलोक्य में, कृपासिंधु बलधाम।१६।
रूपवान, सुकुमार, युव, महाबली सीतेंद्र।
मृगछाला धारण किये, जलजनयन सलिलेंद्र।१७।
राम-लखन, दशरथ-तनय, भ्राता बल-आगार।
शाकाहारी, तपस्वी, ब्रम्हचर्य-श्रृंगार।१८।
सकल श्रृष्टि को दें शरण, श्रेष्ठ धनुर्धर राम।
उत्तम रघु रक्षा करें, दैत्यान्तक श्री राम।१९।
धनुष-बाण सोहे सदा, अक्षय शर-तूणीर।
मार्ग दिखा रक्षा करें, रामानुज-रघुवीर।२०।
राम-लक्ष्मण हों सदय, करें मनोरथ पूर्ण।
खड्ग, कवच, शर,, चाप लें, अरि-दल के दें चूर्ण।२१।
रामानुज-अनुचर बली, राम दाशरथ वीर।
काकुत्स्थ कोसल-कुँवर, उत्तम रघु, मतिधीर।२२।
सीता-वल्लभ श्रीवान, पुरुषोतम, सर्वेश।
अतुलनीय पराक्रमी, वेद-वैद्य यज्ञेश।२३।
प्रभु-नामों का जप करे, नित श्रद्धा के साथ।
अश्वमेघ मख-फल मिले, उसको दोनों हाथ।२४।
पद्मनयन, पीताम्बरी, दूर्वा-दलवत श्याम।
नाम सुमिर ले 'सलिल' नित, हो भव-पार सुधाम।२५।
गुणसागर, सौमित्राग्रज, भूसुतेश श्रीराम।
दयासिन्धु काकुत्स्थ हैं, भूसुर-प्रिय निष्काम।२६क।
अवधराज-सुत, शांति-प्रिय, सत्य-सिन्धु बल-धाम।
दशमुख-रिपु, रघुकुल-तिलक, जनप्रिय राघव राम।२६ख।
रामचंद्र, रामभद्र, रम्य रमापति राम।
रघुवंशज कैकेई-सुत, सिय-प्रिय अगिन प्रणाम।२७।
रघुकुलनंदन राम प्रभु, भरताग्रज श्री राम।
समर-जयी, रण-दक्ष दें, चरण-शरण श्री धाम।२८।
मन कर प्रभु-पद स्मरण, वाचा ले प्रभु-नाम।
शीश विनत पद-पद्म में, चरण-शरण दें राम।२९।
मात-पिता श्री राम हैं, सखा-सुस्वामी राम।
रामचंद्र सर्वस्व मम, अन्य न जानूं नाम।३०।
लखन सुशोभित दाहिने, जनकनंदिनी वाम।
सम्मुख हनुमत पवनसुत, शतवंदन श्री राम।३१।
जन-मन-प्रिय, रघुवीर प्रभु, रघुकुलनायक राम।
नयनाम्बुज करुणा-समुद, करुनाकर श्री राम।३२।
मन सम चंचल पवनवत, वेगवान-गतिमान।
इन्द्रियजित कपिश्रेष्ठ दें, चरण-शरण हनुमान।३३।
काव्य-शास्त्र आसीन हो, कूज रहे प्रभु-नाम।
वाल्मीकि-पिक शत नमन, जपें प्राण-मन राम।३४।
हरते हर आपद-विपद, दें सम्पति, सुख-धाम।
जन-मन-रंजक राम प्रभु, हे अभिराम प्रणाम।३५।
राम-नाम-जप गर्जना, दे सुख-सम्पति मीत।
हों विनष्ट भव-बीज सब, कालदूत भयभीत।३६।
दैत्य-विनाशक, राजमणि, वंदन राम रमेश।
जयदाता शत्रुघ्नप्रिय, करिए जयी हमेश।३७ क।
श्रेष्ठ न आश्रय राम से, 'सलिल' राम का दास।
राम-चरण-मन मग्न हो, भव-तारण की आस।३७ख।
विष्णुसहस्त्रनाम सम, पावन है प्रभु-नाम।
रमे राम के नाम में, सलिल-साधना राम।३८।
मुनि बुधकौशिक ने रचा, श्री रामरक्षास्तोत्र।
'शांति-राज'-हित यंत्र है, भाव-भक्तिमय ज्योत।
आशा होती पूर्ण हर, प्रभु हों सत्य सहाय।
तुहिन श्वास हो नर्मदा, मन्वंतर गुण गाय।४०।
राम-कथा मंदाकिनी, रामकृपा राजीव।
राम-नाम जप दे दरश, राघव करुणासींव।४१।
I don’t mean to spoil the party. The nine days are meant for carnival.......Jai Ma Durga...!
" JAI MA DURGA...."
I don’t mean to spoil the party. The nine days in the month of Ashwin are meant for carnival.
It is the 9 days devoted to the celebration of womanhood. Her miracles, her compassion, her power, and even her retribution.
But there is a need to pause and ponder. Is the feminine power meant to be eulogized just nine days in a year?
In our society we either treat women like devis (Goddess) or daasis (servants). India has not learnt to treat a woman like a woman. Who has her own dreams and desires. Who can be a comfort to a family, but is equally capable of achievements outside the four walls. Who has her strengths, but also her own share of foibles.
I am by no means blaming the men. The entire society must bear the blemish as a whole, including the women themselves.
Let us look at the nine nights from the perspective of the Indian women that call for serious introspection. While they are not universally applicable, they do indeed apply to large sections.
1. Female foeticide:
While the Goddess is welcomed with open arms, our doors are shut tight for the girl child. Such is our intense aversion to the double X chromosome that foetuses are killed in the womb itself, even if it sometimes means risking the life of the mother.While the skewed sex ratio will have dangerous social implications in the long run; what needs to be realized is that there is nothing worse than the feeling of being unwanted.
2. Dowry:
Marriage very often is a financial transaction in India. With economic prosperity our greed has only grown. Rich and poor alike expect to make a small fortune when they get their sons married. Demands are often made on the bride’s family with not the least amount of compunction. It is no surprise then that this is one of the main reasons why families prefer to put girls to sleep in the womb. The cavernous greed of the groom’s family is sometimes not even satiated with the booty it acquires on marriage and iterative demands are made thereafter. The worst casualty in this is the dignity of the young woman as well as her family.
Non fulfillment of demands sometimes spells death for the woman. According to the Indian National Crime Bureau reports there were about 6787 dowry death cases registered in India in 2005, a 46% jump over 1995 level of 4,648, which was 10-fold more than the figure of 400 deaths a year in the 80s.
3. Inadequate Nutrition:
One of most understated problems facing the Indian girl child is that of poor nutrition. Girls belonging to the lower middle class and poor families suffer the most. Because of limited incomes it is an unsaid rule that while the male siblings are provided with milk, fruit and eggs, the girl but has to make do with the regular rice and lentil or sometimes even less. It is for this reason that girls are more susceptible to poor health and disease.
The unfortunate part is that while the per capita food consumption rates in India have either sustained or increased, it has not led to any reduction of malnutrition among the girl child or women and most gains have been made by the male segment. The mid-day meal programme is helping girls get a better diet provided they make it to schools. However years of deficient nutrition are among the main reasons for girl child mortality and the death of women during child birth.
4. Disparity in education:
Girl education is one area where there has been some heartening progress.
Among the main impediments to the education of the girl child are the dearth of schools in close vicinity of every village and lack of female teachers. Another main reason for low enrolment is that families find it more beneficial to entrust young or adolescent girls with household chores than send them to school. This is also the reason for high drop out rates besides early marriages. A good education not only becomes a gateway to a woman’s economic independence but also helps her achieve better health, hygiene and be a support to her family.
5. Sexual harassment:
Among the worst countries in crime, India has an abhorrent track record in all forms of sexual exploitation. In homes, on streets, in public transports, at offices, even on vacations. No place is safe. And the most terrible fall out of this is the lack of self worth and feeling of degradation following the emotional and physical trauma that constant harassment creates. Such is the recurrence of these incidents that Delhi has earned the ignoble nickname of the ‘Rape Capital’. While most cases go unreported as it is considered an act that puts one to shame, only 20% of the registered cases for sexual harassment reach actual conviction.
That apart, there is no woman in the city who has not faced at least some form of eve teasing. Worse still, the figure has shown a gradual but steady increase across the country. It is just impossible for the ‘men’ in town to keep their respect intact!
6. Domestic violence and status in the family:
Marital bliss, certainly not. A study conducted in 2004 across spectrum showed that 60-80% women face some sort of abuse or violence in marriage. Worse still, over half the women in India feel this to be perfectly normal. Physical abuse immediately relegates a wife to an inferior status where her main purpose is to serve than to be a partner. It was found that most violence was triggered by the alleged inability to perform household duties to the satisfaction of the husband or the in-laws. Certainly not an institution founded on love and respect.
7. Status of widows:
The genesis of the problem lies in the culture of our country where a widow is considered worthless and inauspicious. While the practice is on the decline, women who have lost their husbands are still forced to don only white garments and shave their heads etc. They are treated poorly, hardly given proper food and sometimes altogether abandoned as one can witness in the streets of Vrindavan and Varanasi.
The scenario is not so bad in bigger towns and cities as well as in affluent families. The trend of remarriage which was unheard of has slowly gained acceptability. But in rural India, the situation still remains dismal. For no fault of hers a widow is excluded from most festivities or family functions as her presence is considered star-crossed. However a man who has lost a wife normally faces no such problems. This illogical discrimination must end and loss of any partner should be considered a normal occurrence in the cycle of life. Widowhood should be no taboo.
8. Equal pay for equal work:
While there have been several court rulings guaranteeing the right of earning the same pay for the same amount of work, it remains a distant reality in practice. This is particularly true of the unorganized sector especially dealing with manual labour where the Minimum Wage Act norms are often violated. Besides these women get no maternity leave, or proper transportation facilities especially in the night shifts. Unequal pay for the same job happens to be one problem that men sometimes face as well.
9. Property rights:
While the law of the land enshrines equal property distribution to the family of the deceased in the absence of a will irrespective of the sex, this is again normally just on paper. In practice most families leave daughters out of property rights and payment or dowry is symbolic of the girl’s disinheritance vis-à-vis finance. Besides different religions have different takes on the matter.
Interestingly it has been found that women who own property face less violence at home compared to ones who are completely economically dependent on their spouses. A serious change in mindset and actual sharing of some of the economic clout will help women better assert their rights. It will also give women an increased status, more power and better say in decision making.
If we genuinely examine the points mentioned above closely, there would be something that would have touched our lives in some way or the other. And if we in anyway are the perpetrators of injustice in even a small quantum, this could well be an occasion to make amends. Vijay Dashmi, the culmination of the Navratri festival, is symbolic of the victory of good over evil and destruction of the forces of darkness. Better treatment of half the population of the country would be a good start in moving towards becoming a more enlightened society. Otherwise I am not sure the Goddess will be too keen to accept our hospitality.
Lets take the oath that at least we friends will never ever allow this to happen..........!
" HAPPY NAVRATRAS "
I don’t mean to spoil the party. The nine days in the month of Ashwin are meant for carnival.
It is the 9 days devoted to the celebration of womanhood. Her miracles, her compassion, her power, and even her retribution.
But there is a need to pause and ponder. Is the feminine power meant to be eulogized just nine days in a year?
In our society we either treat women like devis (Goddess) or daasis (servants). India has not learnt to treat a woman like a woman. Who has her own dreams and desires. Who can be a comfort to a family, but is equally capable of achievements outside the four walls. Who has her strengths, but also her own share of foibles.
I am by no means blaming the men. The entire society must bear the blemish as a whole, including the women themselves.
Let us look at the nine nights from the perspective of the Indian women that call for serious introspection. While they are not universally applicable, they do indeed apply to large sections.
1. Female foeticide:
While the Goddess is welcomed with open arms, our doors are shut tight for the girl child. Such is our intense aversion to the double X chromosome that foetuses are killed in the womb itself, even if it sometimes means risking the life of the mother.While the skewed sex ratio will have dangerous social implications in the long run; what needs to be realized is that there is nothing worse than the feeling of being unwanted.
2. Dowry:
Marriage very often is a financial transaction in India. With economic prosperity our greed has only grown. Rich and poor alike expect to make a small fortune when they get their sons married. Demands are often made on the bride’s family with not the least amount of compunction. It is no surprise then that this is one of the main reasons why families prefer to put girls to sleep in the womb. The cavernous greed of the groom’s family is sometimes not even satiated with the booty it acquires on marriage and iterative demands are made thereafter. The worst casualty in this is the dignity of the young woman as well as her family.
Non fulfillment of demands sometimes spells death for the woman. According to the Indian National Crime Bureau reports there were about 6787 dowry death cases registered in India in 2005, a 46% jump over 1995 level of 4,648, which was 10-fold more than the figure of 400 deaths a year in the 80s.
3. Inadequate Nutrition:
One of most understated problems facing the Indian girl child is that of poor nutrition. Girls belonging to the lower middle class and poor families suffer the most. Because of limited incomes it is an unsaid rule that while the male siblings are provided with milk, fruit and eggs, the girl but has to make do with the regular rice and lentil or sometimes even less. It is for this reason that girls are more susceptible to poor health and disease.
The unfortunate part is that while the per capita food consumption rates in India have either sustained or increased, it has not led to any reduction of malnutrition among the girl child or women and most gains have been made by the male segment. The mid-day meal programme is helping girls get a better diet provided they make it to schools. However years of deficient nutrition are among the main reasons for girl child mortality and the death of women during child birth.
4. Disparity in education:
Girl education is one area where there has been some heartening progress.
Among the main impediments to the education of the girl child are the dearth of schools in close vicinity of every village and lack of female teachers. Another main reason for low enrolment is that families find it more beneficial to entrust young or adolescent girls with household chores than send them to school. This is also the reason for high drop out rates besides early marriages. A good education not only becomes a gateway to a woman’s economic independence but also helps her achieve better health, hygiene and be a support to her family.
5. Sexual harassment:
Among the worst countries in crime, India has an abhorrent track record in all forms of sexual exploitation. In homes, on streets, in public transports, at offices, even on vacations. No place is safe. And the most terrible fall out of this is the lack of self worth and feeling of degradation following the emotional and physical trauma that constant harassment creates. Such is the recurrence of these incidents that Delhi has earned the ignoble nickname of the ‘Rape Capital’. While most cases go unreported as it is considered an act that puts one to shame, only 20% of the registered cases for sexual harassment reach actual conviction.
That apart, there is no woman in the city who has not faced at least some form of eve teasing. Worse still, the figure has shown a gradual but steady increase across the country. It is just impossible for the ‘men’ in town to keep their respect intact!
6. Domestic violence and status in the family:
Marital bliss, certainly not. A study conducted in 2004 across spectrum showed that 60-80% women face some sort of abuse or violence in marriage. Worse still, over half the women in India feel this to be perfectly normal. Physical abuse immediately relegates a wife to an inferior status where her main purpose is to serve than to be a partner. It was found that most violence was triggered by the alleged inability to perform household duties to the satisfaction of the husband or the in-laws. Certainly not an institution founded on love and respect.
7. Status of widows:
The genesis of the problem lies in the culture of our country where a widow is considered worthless and inauspicious. While the practice is on the decline, women who have lost their husbands are still forced to don only white garments and shave their heads etc. They are treated poorly, hardly given proper food and sometimes altogether abandoned as one can witness in the streets of Vrindavan and Varanasi.
The scenario is not so bad in bigger towns and cities as well as in affluent families. The trend of remarriage which was unheard of has slowly gained acceptability. But in rural India, the situation still remains dismal. For no fault of hers a widow is excluded from most festivities or family functions as her presence is considered star-crossed. However a man who has lost a wife normally faces no such problems. This illogical discrimination must end and loss of any partner should be considered a normal occurrence in the cycle of life. Widowhood should be no taboo.
8. Equal pay for equal work:
While there have been several court rulings guaranteeing the right of earning the same pay for the same amount of work, it remains a distant reality in practice. This is particularly true of the unorganized sector especially dealing with manual labour where the Minimum Wage Act norms are often violated. Besides these women get no maternity leave, or proper transportation facilities especially in the night shifts. Unequal pay for the same job happens to be one problem that men sometimes face as well.
9. Property rights:
While the law of the land enshrines equal property distribution to the family of the deceased in the absence of a will irrespective of the sex, this is again normally just on paper. In practice most families leave daughters out of property rights and payment or dowry is symbolic of the girl’s disinheritance vis-à-vis finance. Besides different religions have different takes on the matter.
Interestingly it has been found that women who own property face less violence at home compared to ones who are completely economically dependent on their spouses. A serious change in mindset and actual sharing of some of the economic clout will help women better assert their rights. It will also give women an increased status, more power and better say in decision making.
If we genuinely examine the points mentioned above closely, there would be something that would have touched our lives in some way or the other. And if we in anyway are the perpetrators of injustice in even a small quantum, this could well be an occasion to make amends. Vijay Dashmi, the culmination of the Navratri festival, is symbolic of the victory of good over evil and destruction of the forces of darkness. Better treatment of half the population of the country would be a good start in moving towards becoming a more enlightened society. Otherwise I am not sure the Goddess will be too keen to accept our hospitality.
Lets take the oath that at least we friends will never ever allow this to happen..........!
" HAPPY NAVRATRAS "
Fasting in Hinduism ........!.........Does it help.......?
Fasting in Hinduism indicates the denial of the physical needs of the body for the sake of spiritual gains. According to the scriptures, fasting helps create an attunement with the Absolute by establishing a harmonious relationship between the body and the soul. This is thought to be imperative for the well being of a human being as it nourishes both his/her physical and spiritual demands.
Hindus believe it is not easy to unceasingly pursue the path of spirituality in one's daily life. We are harangued by a lot of considerations, and worldly indulgences do not allow us to concentrate on spiritual attainment. Therefore a worshipper must strive to impose restrains on himself/herself to get his mind focused. And one form of restraint is fasting.
"Self-Discipline"
However, fasting is not only a part of worship, but a great instrument for self-discipline too. It is a training of the mind and the body to endure and harden up against all hardships, to persevere under difficulties and not give up. According to Hindu philosophy, food means gratification of the senses and to starve the senses is to elevate them to contemplation. Luqman, the wise once said, "When the stomach is full, the intellect begins to sleep. Wisdom becomes mute and the parts of the body restrain from acts of righteousness."
Fasting at festivals is common. Hindus all over India observe fast on festivals like Navaratri, Shivratri and Karwa Chauth. Navaratri is a festival when people fast for nine days. Hindus in West Bengal fast on Ashtami, the eighth day of the festival of Durga Puja. Fasting can also mean abstaining from taking certain things, either for religious reason or for the sake of good health. For instance, some people refrain from taking salt on particular days. It is common knowledge that excess salt and sodium causes hypertention or elevation of blood pressure. Another common kind of fast is to forego taking cereals when only fruits are eaten. Such a diet is known as phalahar.
" Ayurvedic Viewpoint "
The underlying principle behind fasting is to be found in Ayurveda. This ancient Indian medical system sees the basic cause of many diseases as the accumulation of toxic materials in the digestive system. Regular cleansing of toxic materials keeps one healthy. By fasting, the digestive organs get rest and all body mechanisms are cleansed and corrected. A complete fast is good for heath, and the occasional intake of warm lemon juice during the period of fasting prevents the flatulence.Since the human body, as explained by Ayurveda, is composed of 80% liquid and 20% solid, like the earth, the gravitational force of the moon affects the fluid contents of the body. It causes emotional imbalances in the body, making some people tense, irritable and violent. Fasting acts as antidote, for it lowers the acid content in the body which helps people to retain their sanity.
" Fellow-Feeling "
Finally, the pangs of hunger that one experiences during fasting make one think and extend one's sympathy towards the destitute who often go without food. In this context fasting functions as a societal gain wherein people share with each other a fellow feeling. Fasting provides an opportunity for the privileged to give food-grains to the less privileged and alleviate their distress, at least for the moment.
" JAI MAA DURGA "
Hindus believe it is not easy to unceasingly pursue the path of spirituality in one's daily life. We are harangued by a lot of considerations, and worldly indulgences do not allow us to concentrate on spiritual attainment. Therefore a worshipper must strive to impose restrains on himself/herself to get his mind focused. And one form of restraint is fasting.
"Self-Discipline"
However, fasting is not only a part of worship, but a great instrument for self-discipline too. It is a training of the mind and the body to endure and harden up against all hardships, to persevere under difficulties and not give up. According to Hindu philosophy, food means gratification of the senses and to starve the senses is to elevate them to contemplation. Luqman, the wise once said, "When the stomach is full, the intellect begins to sleep. Wisdom becomes mute and the parts of the body restrain from acts of righteousness."
Fasting at festivals is common. Hindus all over India observe fast on festivals like Navaratri, Shivratri and Karwa Chauth. Navaratri is a festival when people fast for nine days. Hindus in West Bengal fast on Ashtami, the eighth day of the festival of Durga Puja. Fasting can also mean abstaining from taking certain things, either for religious reason or for the sake of good health. For instance, some people refrain from taking salt on particular days. It is common knowledge that excess salt and sodium causes hypertention or elevation of blood pressure. Another common kind of fast is to forego taking cereals when only fruits are eaten. Such a diet is known as phalahar.
" Ayurvedic Viewpoint "
The underlying principle behind fasting is to be found in Ayurveda. This ancient Indian medical system sees the basic cause of many diseases as the accumulation of toxic materials in the digestive system. Regular cleansing of toxic materials keeps one healthy. By fasting, the digestive organs get rest and all body mechanisms are cleansed and corrected. A complete fast is good for heath, and the occasional intake of warm lemon juice during the period of fasting prevents the flatulence.Since the human body, as explained by Ayurveda, is composed of 80% liquid and 20% solid, like the earth, the gravitational force of the moon affects the fluid contents of the body. It causes emotional imbalances in the body, making some people tense, irritable and violent. Fasting acts as antidote, for it lowers the acid content in the body which helps people to retain their sanity.
" Fellow-Feeling "
Finally, the pangs of hunger that one experiences during fasting make one think and extend one's sympathy towards the destitute who often go without food. In this context fasting functions as a societal gain wherein people share with each other a fellow feeling. Fasting provides an opportunity for the privileged to give food-grains to the less privileged and alleviate their distress, at least for the moment.
" JAI MAA DURGA "
डीडीए के एक प्रापर्टी डीलर और सुदामा " देने वाला भी मैं ही हूं, और लेने वाला भी मैं हूं ।"....
पुराने दोस्त के यहां से, द्वारिका से लौट रहे थे सुदामा।अहा, दुनिया में सब कुछ अलाट करने वाले प्रभू ने गले लगाकर उन्हे कितना कुछ अलाट कर दिया है। सुदामा ने मित्र से फूटी झोंपड़ी और घर के सामने टूटी नाली की शिकायत की, तो मित्र ने जवाब दिया कि नाली वाला काम तो एमसीडी के हाथ में है, उनसे काम करवा पाना प्रभू के बस में भी नहीं। हां झोंपड़ी का कुछ जुगाड़ देखता हूं। सुदामा हर्षित से लौट रहे थे कि शायद किसी फ्लैट के अलाटमेंट का डौल जम गया हो।घर पहुंचे तो मिसेज सुदामा ने बताया कि डीडीए से कोई अलाटमेंट लैटर आया है कि फ्लैट निकला है। सुदामा हर्षित होकर पहुंचे फ्लैट के ठिकाने पर तो एक प्रापर्टी डीलर मिले और बोले क्या है।सुदामा बोले-फ्लैट का अलाटमेंट है। देखो लैटर है।डीलर ने पूछा-बेट्टा, तो फ्लैट इस लैटर से ही ले लो, यहां क्यों आये हो। सुदामा रोने लगे।
समझदारों ने समझाया-कैसे ज्ञानी के मित्र होकर कैसी अज्ञानियों की सी बातें करते हो। अलाटमेंटाधिकारस्ते,मा पजेशनेषु कदाचन्. हे सुदामा अलाटमेंट वगैरह का अधिकार भले ही हो, पर पजेशन तो उन प्रापर्टी डीलरों को ही मिलेगा, जिन्होने तुम्हारे नाम से फर्जी एप्लीकेशन दे दी है और तुम्हारे कोटे का फ्लैट ले लिया है। डरे घबराये सुदामा ने द्वारिका फोन करके मित्र के दफ्तर में सारी बात बतायी।वहां से वहीं जवाब मिला- अलाटमेंटाधिकारस्ते,मा पजेशनेषु कदाचन्। तब ही प्रापर्टी डीलर अवतरित हुआ और बोला-हे सुदामा तुझे जरा भी ज्ञान नहीं है। देने वाला भी मैं ही हूं, और लेने वाला भी मैं हूं। तेरे नाम से फर्जी एप्लीकेशन भी मैं ही देता हूं और उस पर पजेशन भी मैं ही लेता हूं। मैं ही सबमें हूं, सब मुझमें हैं। यानी डीडीए की हर फाइल में मैं हूं, सारी फाइलें मुझ में हैं। जिसके नाम चाहे एप्लीकेशन डलवा दूं, जिसके नाम से फ्लैट बिकवा दूं।
सुदामा दुखी परेशान से गाहे बगाहे डीडीए के दफ्तर जाकर अलाटमेंट लैटर दिखाते हैं और सब हंसते हैं। देखिये, देखिये उस शख्स पर सब हंस रहे हैं, जरुर वह सुदामा ही होगा....।
" HAPPY NAVRATRAS TO ALL "
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