The Indian Panorama

Month: August 2012

  • Sri Guru Granth Sahib

    Sri Guru Granth Sahib

    CONTD FROM Vol 7 ISSUE 23 || 1 || Pause || Joining the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, I gained perfect control over my senses. Ever since I rid myself of my self-conceit, my sufferings have ended. He has showered His Mercy upon me. The Creator Lord has preserved my honor, O my mind. || 1 || Know that this is the only peace; accept whatever the Lord does. No one is bad. Become the dust of the Feet of the Saints. He Himself preserves those who taste the Ambrosial Nectar of the Lord, O my mind.

    || 2 || One who has no one to call his own – God belongs to him. God knows the state of our innermost being. He knows everything. Please, Lord, save the sinners. This is Nanak’s prayer, O my mind. || 3 || 6 || 162 || AASAAVAREE, FIFTH MEHL, IK-TUKAS: O my stranger soul, listen to the call. || 1 || Pause || Whatever you are attached to, you shall have to leave it all behind. These things seem like only a dream, to one who takes the Lord’s Name.

    || 1 || Forsaking the Lord, and clinging to another, they run toward death and reincarnation. But those humble beings, who attach themselves to the Lord, Har, Har, continue to live. One who is blessed with the Lord’s Mercy, O Nanak, becomes His devotee. || 2 || 7 || 163 || 232 || ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: RAAG AASAA, NINTH MEHL: Who should I tell the condition of the mind? Engrossed in greed, running around in the ten directions, you hold to your hopes of wealth. || 1 || Pause || For the sake of pleasure, you suffer such great pain, and you have to serve each and every person. You wander from door to door like a dog, unconscious of the Lord’s meditation.

    || 1 || You lose this human life in vain, and You are not even ashamed when others laugh at you. O Nanak, why not sing the Lord’s Praises, so that you may be rid of the body’s evil disposition? || 2 || 1 || 233 || RAAG AASAA, FIRST MEHL, ASHTAPADEES, SECOND HOUSE: ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: He descends the treacherous precipice, to bathe in the cleansing pool; without speaking or saying anything, he sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord. Like water vapor in the sky, he remains absorbed in the Lord. He churns the true pleasures to obtain the supreme nectar.

    || 1 || Listen to such spiritual wisdom, O my mind. The Lord is totally pervading and permeating all places. || 1 || Pause || One who makes Truthfulness his fast and religious vows, does not suffer the pain of death. Through the Word of the Guru’s Shabad, he burns away his anger. He dwells in the Tenth Gate, immersed in the Samaadhi of deep meditation. Touching the philosopher’s stone, he obtains the supreme status.

    || 2 || For the benefit of the mind, churn the true essence of reality; bathing in the over-flowing tank of nectar, filth is washed away.We become like the One with whom we are imbued. Whatever the Creator does, comes to pass. || 3 || The Guru is cool and soothing like ice; He puts out the fire of the mind. Smear your body with the ashes of dedicated service, and live in the home of peace – make this your religious order. Let the Immaculate Bani of the Word be your playing of the flute. || 4 || Spiritual wisdom within is the supreme, sublime nectar. Contemplation of the Guru is one’s bathing at holy places of pilgrimage. Worship and adoration within is the Lord’s dwelling. He is the One who blends one’s light with the Divine Light.

    || 5 || He delights in the delightful wisdom of loving the One Lord. He is one of the selfelect – he merges with the Lord, who occupies the throne. He performs his works in obedience to the Will of his Lord and Master. The Unknowable Lord cannot be understood. || 6 || The lotus originates in the water, and yet it remains distinct from the water. Just so, the Divine Light pervades and permeates the water of the world. Who is near, and who is far away? I sing the Glories of the Lord, the treasure of virtue; I behold Him everpresent. || 7 || Inwardly and outwardly, there is none other than Him. Whatever pleases Him, comes to pass. Listen, O Bharthari Yogi – Nanak speaks after deliberation; the Immaculate Name is my only Support.

    || 8 || 1 || AASAA, FIRST MEHL: All meditation, all austerities, and all clever tricks, lead one to wander in the wilderness, but he does not find the Path. Without understanding, he is not approved; without the Naam, the Name of the Lord, ashes are thrown upon one’s head. || 1 || True is the Master; the world comes and goes. The mortal is emancipated, as Gurmukh, as the Lord’s slave. || 1 || Pause || The world is bound by its attachments to the many desires. Through the Guru’s Teachings, some become free of desire. Within them is the Naam, and their heart lotus blossoms forth. They have no fear of death.

    || 2 || The men of the world are conquered by woman; they love the ladies. Attached to children and wife, they forget the Naam. They waste this human life in vain, and lose the game in the gamble. Serving the True Guru is the best occupation. || 3 || One who speaks egotistically in public, never attains liberation within. One who burns away his attachment to Maya, by the Word of the Guru’s Shabad, meditates forever within his heart on the Immaculate Naam.

    || 4 || He restrains his wandering mind, and keeps it under control. The company of such a Sikh is obtained only by Grace. Without the Guru, he goes astray and continues coming and going. Bestowing His Mercy, the Lord unites him in Union. || 5 || I cannot describe the Beauteous Lord. I speak the unspoken; I cannot estimate His value. All pain and pleasure come by Your Will. All pain is eradicated by the True Name. || 6 || He plays the instrument without hands, and dances without feet. But if he understands the Word of the Shabad, then he shall behold the True Lord. With the True Lord within the self, all happiness comes. Showering His Mercy, the Preserving Lord preserves him.

    || 7 || He understands the three worlds; he eliminates his self-conceit. He understands the Bani of the Word, and he is absorbed into the True Lord. Contemplating the Shabad, he enshrines love for the One Lord. O Nanak, blessed is the Lord, the Embellisher. || 8 || 2 || AASAA, FIRST MEHL: There are innumerable writings; those who write them take pride in them. When one’s mind accepts the Truth, he understands, and speaks of it. Words, spoken and read again and again, are useless loads. There are innumerable writings, but the Infinite Lord remains unwritten.

    || 1 || Know that such a True Lord is the One and only. Understand that birth and death come according to the Lord’s Will. || 1 || Pause || Because of attachment to Maya, the world is bound by the Messenger of Death. These bonds are released when one remembers the Naam, the Name of the Lord. The Guru is the Giver of peace; do not look for any other. In this world, and the next, He shall stand by you. || 2 || One who dies in the Word of the Shabad, embraces love for the One Lord.

    One who eats the uneatable, has his doubts dispelled. He is Jivan Mukta – liberated while yet alive; the Naam abides in his mind. Becoming Gurmukh, he merges into the True Lord. || 3 || The One who created the earth and the Akaashic ethers of the sky, established all; He establishes and disestablishes. He Himself is permeating all. He does not consult anyone; He Himself forgives. || 4 || You are the Ocean, over-flowing with jewels and rubies. You are immaculate and pure, the true treasure of virtue. Peace is enjoyed, meeting the Guru, the Spiritual Teacher. The Lord is the only Master; He is the only Minister. || 5 || The world is held in bondage; he alone is emancipated, who conquers his ego. How rare in the world is that wise person, who practices this. How rare in this world is that scholar who reflects upon this. Without meeting the True Guru, all wander in ego. || 6 || The world is unhappy; only a few are happy. The world is diseased, from its indulgences; it weeps over its lost virtue. The world wells up, and then subsides, losing its honor.

    He alone, who becomes Gurmukh, understands. || 7 || His price is so costly; His weight is unbearable. He is immovable and undeceivable; enshrine Him in your mind, through the Guru’s Teachings. Meet Him through love, become pleasing to Him, and act in fear of Him. Nanak the lowly says this, after deep contemplation. || 8 || 3 || AASAA, FIRST MEHL: When someone dies, the five passions meet and mourn his death. Overcoming self-conceit, he washes off his filth with the Word of the Shabad. One who knows and understands, enters the home of peace and poise. Without understanding, he loses all his honor.

    || 1 || Who dies, and who weeps for him? O Lord, Creator, Cause of causes, You are over the heads of all. || 1 || Pause || Who weeps over the pain of the dead? Those who weep, do so over their own troubles. God knows the condition of those who are so affected. Whatever the Creator does, comes to pass. || 2 || One who remains dead while yet alive, is saved, and saves others as well. Celebrate the Victory of the Lord; taking to His Sanctuary, the supreme status is obtained. I am a sacrifice to the feet of the True Guru. The Guru is the boat; through the Shabad of His Word, the terrifying world-ocean is crossed over.

    || 3 || He Himself is Fearless; His Divine Light is contained in all. Without the Name, the world is defiled and untouchable. Through evil-mindedness, they are ruined; why should they cry out and weep? They are born only to die, without hearing the music of devotional worship. || 4 || Only one’s true friends mourn one’s death. Those under the sway of the three dispositions continue to mourn on and on. Disregarding pain and pleasure, center your consciousness on the Lord.

    Dedicate your body and mind to the Love of the Lord. || 5 || The One Lord dwells within the various and countless beings. There are so many rituals and religious faiths, their number is innumerable. Without the Fear of God, and devotional worship, one’s life is in vain. Singing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, the supreme wealth is obtained. || 6 || He Himself dies, and He Himself kills. He Himself establishes, and having established, disestablishes.

    He created the Universe, and by His Divine Nature, instilled His Divine Light into it. One who reflects upon the Word of the Shabad, meets the Lord, without doubt. || 7 || Pollution is the burning fire, which is consuming the world. Pollution is in the water, upon the land, and everywhere. O Nanak, people are born and die in pollution. By Guru’s Grace, they drink in the Lord’s sublime elixir.
    To be Continued

  • Eva Longoria Desires Many Soul Mates

    Eva Longoria Desires Many Soul Mates

    Eva Longoria has revealed that she doesn’t believe in having just one soul mate over a life time but also admitted that not all of them will be “‘necessarily romantic”.

    The 37-year-old former ‘Desperate Housewives’ actress, who split from ex-husband Tony Parker in November 2010, doesn’t think a soul mate is limited to just one person and says it doesn’t always have to be romantic.

    “I think you have many soul mates over a lifetime. And they’re not all necessarily romantic,” Contactmusic quoted her as saying.”I think that your friends are your soul mates, too, and family members. You can have a lot of special connections with a lot of people,” she added.

  • No More Babies For Me Says Gwyneth Paltrow

    No More Babies For Me Says Gwyneth Paltrow

    Gwyneth Paltrow has revealed that she has no plans to add to her brood.The 39-year-old star – mother to daughter Apple, eight, and Moses, six – juggles parenthood with a busy film and business career.

    When asked if she would have more children with husband Chris Martin, she said, “I don’t think so. I would love to, but I sort of feel like I don’t know if I can go back to diapers and things like that. I’m so past that, I think I may have missed the window.

    “I think if maybe when Moses was three, I would have done it, or four even, but now he’s six and such a guy, I feel like I’m out of the baby phase,” the Daily Mail quoted her as saying.”If it happens, it happens.’Miss Paltrow and Coldplay frontman Mr Martin divide their time between homes in London, New York and Los Angeles.Miss Paltrow also said that being a parent gave her ‘real happiness’.

    “I feel like motherhood has given me all my happiness and a real life: a husband, my children and everything that’s invested in that,” she said.”Every woman is different, but for me that’s where I’ve gotten my real happiness,” she added.

    The actress also admitted she doesn’t mind the aging process.
    “I like being older. It’s nice to really know yourself and feel relaxed. And I actually think I look better now than I did when I was 24, so I’m very comfortable with myself,” she said.

  • Cabinet Nod To Make Anti-Terror Law Tougher

    Cabinet Nod To Make Anti-Terror Law Tougher

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The country’s principal anti-terror law – the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) – will now have more teeth. It will now include several unscrupulous acts and illegal economic activities under the definition of a “terrorist act”.

    The Union Cabinet, at a meeting here this evening, cleared a significant amendment to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act making it more effective in preventing unlawful financial activities, money laundering, terror financing and circulation of fake Indian currency notes.

    The Cabinet approval means this amendment will be introduced in Parliament. The amendments approved by the Union Cabinet seek to expand the definition of “terrorist act” and will cover activities affecting economic security.
    The amended Bill seeks to raise the period from two years to five years for which an association involved in terrorist acts, including terror financing, will be declared unlawful.

    The amendments were cleared at a Cabinet meeting chaired by PM Manmohan Singh, sources said. The amendments widen the definition of “terrorist act” by including activities that threaten the economic security of India and damage its monetary stability by production, smuggling or circulation of high-quality counterfeit currency.
    Through the amendments, the government wants to confer more powers upon the courts to provide for attachment or forfeiture of property equivalent to the counterfeit Indian currency involved in the offence, property equivalent to the value of the proceeds of terrorism involved in the offence besides others.
    The provisions have been incorporated in the UAPA Amendment Bill which was first introduced in Lok Sabha on December 29, 2011.

  • Expose BJP Tactics Sonia to party MPs

    Expose BJP Tactics Sonia to party MPs

    New Delhi (TIP): Congress president Sonia Gandhi on August 23 told party MPs not to be defensive on the CAG report on coal block allocation as the government had not done anything wrong, and to aggressively counter the BJP’s demand for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s resignation.

    Gandhi, who met a group of Congress MPs including some first-timers, agreed with their suggestion that senior ministers of the party should convey the party’s stance on coal allocation through media interactions as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was not allowing debate in parliament.

    She agreed with the MPs’ suggestions that the BJP was trying to derive political mileage from the CAG report and the party should convey its stance aggressively, one of the MPs said. “She told us to convey the party’s viewpoint aggressively. She told us there is no need to be on the backfoot,” the MP said.

    He said Gandhi agreed with MPs’ suggestion that party should field senior ministers to convey the party’s viewpoint. Another MP said Gandhi agreed that the party should expose the BJP’s ‘obstructionist’ parliamentary tactics.

    ‘We met her to convey our viewpoint about how parliament is functioning. We told her that BJP was doing a disservice which should be taken to people,’ a party MP said later.
    The group met Gandhi soon after the Lok Sabha witnessed its first adjournment over the BJP’s demand and conveyed their anguish at repeated stalling of parliament’s proceedings over the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on coal blocks allocations.

     

  • Is Katrina Going Hema Malini Way

    Is Katrina Going Hema Malini Way

    After Kareena Kapoor who got to work with all three Khans in the last one-and-a-half year or so, now it’s her rival Katrina Kaif’s turn to have the exciting phase in her career. Katrina Kaif is working with all three Khans this year, bringing it in with Salman Khan in Ek Tha Tiger, followed by Yash Raj’s untitled venture with Shah Rukh Khan and Dhoom 3 with Aamir Khan.

    And with Ek Tha Tiger storming the box office, Bollywood’s lucky mascot Katrina, whose career has been compared to Hema Malini, has proved lucky yet again as the film goes on to rake unprecedented figures. It may be recalled that at the time of the release of Rajneeti, director Prakash Jha had said, “Katrina has no idea of her popularity. She has a very deep connect with audiences. She has the kind of image that Hema had.”

    Says a trade source, “Katrina has been part of some of the huge commercial films, right from Welcome, Singh is King, Race, Rajneeti, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, and adding to that hit roster now is Ek Tha Tiger that has gone on to garner historic figures. Katrina has always been associated with the right films and is dedicated both in her performances as well as experiencing the film making process, right through the filming to the promotions.”

    While the action-entertainer makes for the actress’s 13th hit so far, critics and audiences alike don’t hold back praise for Katrina, who was lauded for her dignified performance and action sequences. Says critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh, “Katrina is not relegated to the backseat. Neither is she arm candy here. She has a meaty part and to her credit, she handles it with aplomb. Also, watch out for her stunts… This is a new Katrina here!”

  • Dia Mirza denies being married

    Dia Mirza denies being married

    The actress clarifies that she has not gotten married to her boyfriend Sahil Sangha as yet, contrary to reports.
    Actresses’ marriage rumours are not uncommon. After Rani Mukherjee, looks like Dia Mirza is the latest to fall prey to these speculations.

    The actress is surprised how it has been falsely reported that she has gotten married to beau Sahil Sangha.

    Dia clarified, “I am extremely perturbed to know of some reports that state that I have gotten married. I would like to state clearly that I am not married. When I am married there will be no need for speculation as it is not an aspect of my life that I would feel the need to hide from my fans or from the media.”

    The actress has been going strong with Sahil. The couple is likely to get married next year.