CHAPTER 15 - START A BETTER LIFE – LESSON 2 – (PART VI) – DUTY DOER’S NON DOING!

From 39^th stanza till the end of Chapter II of Gita, duty doer’s non doing is explained. These are capable persons, who believe in carrying out the duty. The aim of such persons is to do good of maximum (beings and non-beings).

Some think, for serving the mankind, special set of skills or capabilities are a must! I came across a very learned person, who wants to serve the society, but his lament is, he is not a doctor. According to him, a doctor can serve the community better – and he is not! Doctors can serve but so can anyone. What is required is mindset. The keyword here is ‘without expecting anything in return’. Right mindset associated with good health can do wonders for the society. We have examples of uneducated persons doing yeoman’s service to the nation and in turn for the universe. We may not be the person to actually prescribe the medicines but we can be the person who delivers the medicines!!!

The duty has to be understood. It is a self-assigned work for the community which is selfless and without any expectations. The duty is assumed, based on synthesis of own capability, family and individual constraints including health and circumstances they are in. By carrying out the duty without any expectations these duty doers become non doers. That is, they do and don’t expect anything in return, don’t become sad if they couldn’t achieve, don’t carry with them hatred against any one or praise doesn’t stick on to them. Only such non doers remain contended.  Those who do their duty with expectations or work for profit, face frustration, disenchantment and problems sometime or other in their life.

Doing without expectation, and becoming a doing non doer have positive effect on self. One remains happy, contended and without any baggage and has better effect on mental and physical health.

 Keep reading…………….!!!!!

AULD LANG SYNE

When the Army Navy Airforce ceremonial band plays, Auld Lang Syne composition, it makes the listener nostalgic and instantly transports him to down memory lane. The original Scottish folk song meaning  - "Old long since", or "days gone by" or "old times" was edited and rewritten by Robert Burns in 1788 and since then has stroked the emotional chord of the western world and armed forces of many commonwealth countries including India. 

Since the song recalls the bygone days of the listener, it is remembered on new year festivities, or adieu functions. The tune is given here. Courtesy Youtube and is rendered by Maratha Light Infantry Band. 

***********

Please click on the link to listen to the tune - Auld Lang Syne Tune by Maratha LI  

***********

The tune is sombre, simple and very similar to Rabindra Sangeet. Tagore composition “Purano Shei Diner Katha” is said to be an inspiration from the Auld Lang Syne composition and it seamlessly fits into Rabindra Sangeet tunes. Just like Rabindra Sangeet has that solemn hint in its compositions, so does Auld Lang Syne has. 

***********

Please click on the link to listen to the tune. Courtesy youtube by Shaan. He has sung both versions well - Purano Sei Dinner Kotha . How seamlessly it merges with Rabindra Sangeet!

***********

Auld lang Syne tune is extensively played by Indian Army, Navy and Airforce at various occasions by the military band. This tradition is set to be changed and in the "Azadi ka Amrut Mohotsav" year, more focus is being given on the Indian tunes played at such ceremonies. In the 75th year of Independence, military bands will play indigenous compositions at the end of solemn national ceremonial events such as beating the retreat, passing out parades and other such occasions.

  

FARM LAWS REPEALED

Farm laws have been repealed. 

As it is they were kept in suspended animation indefinitely by Supreme Court. 

Better to scrap them for following reasons

    - Due to various vested interests people were opposing them (without understanding them) even if they are under stay by SC. 

    - by repealing them BJP has shown that it listens and doesn't make ego issues like they had done it for Land acquisition Bill. 

    - Till 2024 Tikait (propped up by opposition and manufactured opposition) would have hurt BJP even though the laws were good and were for the betterment of farmers .... FARM LAWS  (CLICK THIS LINK IF YOU WANT TO READ MORE), they were a choice given to the farmers, they were giving more opportunities of selling their produce still a narrative built up and the toolkit was opened. 

    -    there was a feeling that public awareness was lacking about the bills. 

May be 2024 elections would be contested on FARM LAWS -- who knows.. it requires more awareness , it requires more जनजागृती

 

कुछ करो

 

9^th Jun, 22 yrs back  - tortured and mutilated remains of Lt Saurabh Kalia and 5 Jawans were given by Pak in gunny bags!!

19^th Jun, 22 yrs back pt 5140 near Tololing was captured (B Coy Lt Sanjiv Singh Jamwal and D Coy Lt Vikram Batra of 13 JAK RIF led the operation). This was the famous 'दिल मांगे more' moment of Lt Vikram Batra.

7^TH Jul, this day 22yrs back point 4875 in Mushkoh Valley was captured. Capt Vikram Batra was martyred during the capture. It is now named as Batra Top. The martyrdom of Lt Saurabh Kalia and Capt Vikram Batra shook up the nation and we Indians saw the fourth war with Pakistan.

8^th Jul. This day 22 yrs. back Tiger Hill was recaptured. This was a decisive point in Op Vijay. The tables turned and India regained the lost ground.

In memory of OP VIJAY here is a two-part KUCH KARO –

 

Part 1 – कूछ करो ।

Part 2 – बारी हैं फिर कुछ करने की ।

10 Jun 1999. 6 am. 7 Race Course Road. Prime Minister’s residence. ..

Brajesh Mishra, Principal Secretary to PM was at the door with an important message to Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee. They had a short talk and it was decided that Cabinet Committee with Chief of Staff Committee would meet at PM’s residence at 9 am same day. Before calling on, Brajesh Mishra had been briefed by Joint Intelligence Committee chief and Service Chiefs along with Dte Gen Mil Ops.

There was unusual somber atmosphere when the emergency cabinet meeting began. PM was in a huddle with Defence Minister George Fernandes and Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh, on his right. On his left sat, Mr Brijesh Mishra who was also National Security Adivisor, followed by Defence Secy and the three service Chiefs. The meeting started with a presentation by Joint Intelligence Committee chief which was under Chiefs of Staff Committee. It was just a repetition for all the stakeholders as most of them were briefed in the midnight itself. This meeting was to bring all agencies to the same level of information and decide the future course. 

The JIC chief presented the situation to the PM, Cabinet ministers and others present including the Service Chiefs.

With grim face JIC chief started . ..

"Yesterday at Bajrang Post, Pakistanis called and handed over six gunny bags to the 4 Jat Regiment Long Range Patrol (LRP) scouts in the Kaksar sector. All six gunny bags had mutilated bodies of Indian soldiers.  The tortured and mutilated bodies of Lt Saurabh Kalia and 5 sepoys were handed over by Pakistani rangers".

JIC chief further said - "Earlier on May 3^rd, the Indian Army’s 121 Brigade in Kargil received reports of armed intruders in the Kargil sector. In the first half of May, patrols were sent in the Kaksar Langpa area of Kargil to check whether the snow had retreated enough for the summer positions to be re-occupied. As the terrain consists of high altitude mountains and inclement weather during winters it becomes extremely difficult to sustain and so, by mutual arrangement, both armies vacate certain forward posts during winter. But last winter, with a premediated plan, the Pakistan Army did not vacate its posts, and instead took over vacated Indian Army posts. This is a new behaviour pattern emerged in the history of Pak treachery. To confirm these intrusions on 15^th May, LRP was sent from the Bajrang Post in the Kaksar sector consisting of Lt Kalia and 5 jawans  - Arjun Ram, Bhanwar Lal Bagaria, Bhika Ram, Moola Ram and Naresh Singh of the 4th Jat Regiment. Lt Kalia, confirmed large-scale intrusion of Pakistani Army and foreign mercenaries on the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) at Kargil".

Photo Courtesy - Imgur - KAKSAR SECTOR

The briefing of JIC concluded and the Cabinet and the Service Chiefs understood that the aim of Pakistani Infiltration was driven by an ambitious Head of Armed Forces (of pakistan) Gen Pervez Musharraf. Who wanted to show his nation that he solved Kashmir issue to their advantage. Therefore a plan was set in and at the onset of summer, infiltration started and by May that year over 5000 Pakistani infiltrators from Pak regular army Rangers disguised as militants occupied the heights commanding the NH1  with the aim :-

1.  To occupy military posts in Kargil as it is a sparcely populated part of Ladakh. It has tactically vital features and many unoccupied posts atop peaks overlooking NH1 (national highway which connects Jammu Srinagar Kargil Leh). Kargil is about 175 km from Pak occupied Skardu so it can be used as logistical and artillery support base.

2.     To dominate NH1 and thereby cut Leh from rest of India.

3.     To affect the logistical supply route to Leh. 

Photo Courtesy - Wiki - Map showing the Line of Control 

Photo Courtesy – Wiki – This shows the NH1 alignment from Jammu to Leh alongwith Pak Infltration

Briefing finished and all eyes were on Mr PM. We as a nation had to decide our future course. PM had keenly heard the briefing. He had cancelled all his engagements for the day. PM, fluttering his eyelids, looking in the general direction of the three service chiefs but meant for everybody there sitting on his right and left, after a long eerie pause throwing his hands open,  uttered heavily loaded two words –

………कुछ करो ।

PM departed the room and drove straight to PMO office.

The task of each one was cut :- To translate KUCH KARO into executable and timebound tasks with least damage to own image and forces and to be able to push the intrusion and get back the territory which was occupied by the infiltrators.

Indian side should be seen winning and strong. For that, the Defence Minister with three service chiefs would have to make a plan for flushing out the intrusion without escalating it into full fledged war.

Foreign Minister would try to shape the world view of what has happened and diplomatically expose Pakistan.

Cabinet secy and Defence secy to take a call on any emergency logistical defence procurement requirement.

Chief of Army Staff along with DGMO spelt KUCH KARO into an executable task to the Northern, South Western Commands of Army. The task of Indian Armed Services was to recapture peaks that were in immediate vicinity of NH1. After this flush out all the infiltrators present. 

Everyone had done their homework and started the execution of the plan – The GOC in C Northern Command asked the GOC 14, GOC 15 and GOC 16 Corps Cdr to secure the Vital Ground KAKSAR BATALIK and DRASS. The respective Corps Cdrs in turn asked the GOC Div Cdrs to secure respective ground of tactical importance covering each of the div area which consisted of brigades and battalions. This led to the coordinated attacks on Tololing Point 4590, Pt 5140, Mushkoh Pt 4875, Pimple area, Tiger Hill in Drass and Batalik Turtuk sub sector Point 5353 and other areas.

Navy and Airforce had their tasks spelt out. The IAF launched Operation Safed Sagar, in support of mobilization of Indian Army. Indian Navy launched Operation Talwar to block Pak ports with an aim  to cut off supply routes.

The rest is history. This military op was code named as Op Vijay which started from 03 May 1999 till 26 Jul 1999.

To derive correct course of action from a seemingly ambiguous direction given by the top leader needs an uncanny understanding of the person, situation and ramifications. This is a fit case study in management - How to translate ambiguity to executable, verifiable and time bound tasks - which the three Service Chiefs’ showed after that crucial two word  कुछ करो dictate. 

Part 2 – बारी हैं फिर कुछ करने की ।

Enemy country infiltrations with an intent of area domination and to gobble some posts which happened during Mar – Jul 1999 have international ramifications, have agenda driven media waiting to extract TRPs and opposition parties grabbing the moment to corner the government of the day. Keeping in mind the interests of the country, the government has to act. Most importantly it is to be seen that the citizens remain motivated and their faith is not shaken.

PM Atal Bihari knew his subordinates well and had faith in their capabilities. He knew with his laconic कूछ करो direction, each one would come up with a befitting plan to face the situation. This trust of the top leader in his subordinates, clarity of the senior level, mid level leaders and the soldiers’ will to defend saw us victorious in OP VIJAY. 

Today in 2021 when the whole world is ravaged by Chinese Corona virus कूछ करो becomes all the more relevant. This biological war has been unleashed by China but unfortunately nations are not acknowledging this, due to various reasons.

कूछ करो becomes more relevant when China gobbled our vast territory in Aksai Chin and we had bitter experience in Dhemchok and Galwan.  

It becomes relevant when Pakistan fights a proxy war in Kashmir.

To translate this कूछ करो into a practical, verifiable timebound plan, the National Security Advisor (NSA) and Chief of Defense staff (CDS) need to ascertain the National Threat Perception (NTP)

1.  List out all tactical threats across the border that has to be tackled upto Battalion and Bde level.

2.  List out all tactical and strategic threats upto COMMAND level.

3.  List out all Nuclear Biological (like CORONA) Chemical threats upto National level.

4.  List out similar threats for Navy, Airforce, paramilitary forces.

5.  List out Cyber, Psychological, Financial, Religious threats and vulnerable national assets.

6.  The NSA and CDS should review these threats periodically.

7.  List out the requirements for mitigating these threats.

8.  Match the requirements with available technology/ available human resource. Look first in our country itself and if not found then scout outside. Matching is enough. Overkill may impose time and cost penalties which would turn the notional advantage into disadvantage.

Examples –

 

1.     Example for airborne mitigator for strategic and tactical threats - 42 Sqns of MIG were based on threat perception and prevalent technology in the mid 60s. Even if the threats remain same with the modern technology (e.g. Mirages), there can be a scale down of 42 Sqns. Along with technology the combat scene has under gone a change and military aviation has grown into a superior tactical and strategic arm. Present day fighter aircrafts carryout tasks of several aircrafts in one single modern fighter aircraft. With the fantastic capabilities, the emphasis should  be on ‘smart’ capability and not numbers. 

 

2.     Example for vulnerable assets - NH1 is very vulnerable. If gets cut by enemy then it will cut Leh/ Ladakh region. To mitigate this a plan was evolved to make another motorable road which would be open whole year. This is the alternate route from Himachal Pradesh. In 1999 the road was not good and used to be closed for almost half the year. With ATAL tunnel (opened in 2019) and Shingo la tunnel (slated to be opened in 2024) Shimla Leh axes would be open throughout the yr. Such kind of decisions which mitigate the threats are needed by NSA and CDS.

3.   Example for Biological Warfare – Even if the world does not openly say but the fact is Corona/ Covid is a biological war unleashed by China so that world economy is affected. India has taken steps to develop vaccines to combat covid. Seen from the biological warfare point of view, NSA/ CDS have stake in the program for mitigating this biological warfare. In this context the Indian vaccine program should be encouraged and supported.

 

 

Capital procurement for Defence forces (Army, Navy Airforce) is based on Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). DPP is the outcome of Kargil Review Committee. An important aspect of procurement process is Acceptance of Necessity (AoN). AoN is defined as follows - The services based on Staff Requirements makes a case before Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) and only after council accepts the necessity, a go ahead for procurement is given. This ensures acquisition is based on a national threat and is not subjective. The capital procurement based on threat perception of each service is good, but better would be a coordinated capital procurement for three services based upon NTP. As a nation we need to curb the tendencies of expanding the kingdom beyond requirement of NTP by each service. Procurement necessities based upon NTP when viewed from a platform which is at least one level above the Army Navy Airforce services would result in optimum procurement and coordinated spending. Based upon the NTP, The NSA or CDS should be the level for a coordinated capital procurement.

 

  

Psychology of a Saint

 

Dennis

He mesmerized us for all those years he was with us. He went when his time was up. We can’t forget him. Keep discussing him. Keep imagining he is still with us. Such was his silent influence over us that, now we see Dennis in every dog we come across. When I remember those emotive eyes and rolled back ears of Dennis, I get a feeling of Dennis in every animal I see around. When I go to give fish food to  our pet fish, I feel Dennis staring at me, dancing in the water mouth ajar, like Dennis used to stamp on the floor with dripping saliva and mouth wide open. The other day I was on the terrace and I saw a Bharadwaj bird (crow pheasant) on the tree… and again I got a fleeting reflection of Dennis and his antics in the bird. In fact, I saw Dennis in him.

This happens when one really misses someone and starts seeing the missed one in every being.

Now to many it may be an outright case of insanity. To some it may appear that I am hallucinating and my condition has gone bad. For few, I may be a case of deep despair on the loss of a beloved. Those who are mature enough and know the importance of relation will understand it.

What phenomenon is this? It is a small part of devotion. Seeing Dennis in every animal is devotion. This dedication towards Dennis is so strong that it often leads to imagining Dennis as he is here and now standing with his wagging tail looking at me, complete with his smell and feel of his coat!!! This devotion is just a small part of bhakti. Which gives a momentary happiness. Sant Meerabai experienced Krishna in every living and nonliving being around her, which gave her joy. What happened next was that there remained no distinction between two living beings, or between nonliving and living, or between self and others because everywhere she saw Krishna. Everything for her, folded into one entity – Krishna. This is Bhakti.

Rational thinkers (सांख्ययोगी) view it as a play of energy and matter.  Matter in universe is made of energy. There is energy where there is no matter and there is energy with energy bonds where there is matter. Sankhyas think and act as everything is energy and feel the merging of matter in to matter and all forms of energies into one. When the matter is unmerged, still rationalists see the connect between matter and energy. When merged mass manifests as energy, everything folds up into a formless oneness. Even in unfolded condition rationalists see it as energy continuum. Only energy remains!!!

The social service minded (कर्मयोगी) tread the middle path and take the best out of devotion and rationality. Practice of devotion slowly usher in the change in chemical compositions of the brain, bringing in thoughts of serving the society, nation and mankind. They think rationally and devote the time without any distinction to serve for the larger good of the society.

All such persons carry a kernel around them. The bhakts (भक्तं) see ‘Him’ everywhere, and in everything. Sankhyayogis see and feel the energy everywhere and there is no distinction or division left. Karmayogis tread the middle path resulting in selfless service sans distinction and division.

If one thinks, sees, feels and is convinced that ‘it’ is everywhere and I am ‘it’ then the whole perception changes. The psychology of a saint is this. The division ends. The ego finishes. There is only energy and therefore saints live in the present. They don’t brood over the past and don’t worry about the future. Such saints experience permanent joy.

कुछ सिखा के गया

 

A two-month-old Labrador was abandoned. Left barking in the Delhi summer sun. 8 yrs.’ ago he came to us and became a member of the family.

He considered the lady of the house as his GOD.  He constantly followed her in the house. Aligned his position so that he got a constant line of sight of his GOD. He revered her. In the morning slowly tiptoed near the bed and waited quietly. If she was asleep, gently went back without waking her up. He kept doing this. Once awake, he kept his head on her lap as if to say good morning. He studied and knew body language and signs to perfection even more than other members of the family!! He knew when she was tired and when she was in a bad mood and would try to compensate for everything.

He spoke without speaking. He heard without a word being uttered. He listened to what we thought and every time he was right. He miraculously could feel when we were about to finish our dinner, to come near the dining table to ask for his bite. He knew for sure, with the evening tea, his two biscuits would be there in the tray.  He waited for his bite. Never pounced or grabbed. Used his snout to poke and grab attention if we were busy reading newspaper or not talking to him.  

An epitome of goodness, kindheartedness and jovial in nature. Playful and loving. Always with a balanced and calm temperament, he tolerated all the nonsense heaped on him by playing kids. Never intimidated them. He maintained calmness at all times without getting provoked or perturbed.  Never ever complained and never ever demanded. Never showed any unhappiness. Never collected unhappy stamps and kept dragging. Never displayed his ego. Never showed any hatred. Always a happy dog. Dennis.

Suddenly last three months he started bleeding from his nose. After many doctors and hospitals, we knew that it may be a nasal tumor. He calmly suffered the onslaught of medications . At the most he used to complain to his GOD, about me when I administered medications by running towards her and keeping his head on her lap. But he knew. He knew his days were numbered. We consulted the doctors but he was certain. He knew he had to go. Suddenly he started becoming aloof. Earlier he used to roam in the house at his will. Not anymore. He started spending his time outside the main gate of the house as if indicating that his way is different. Even if we brought him in our house, he chose a corner and looked at us as if he was no longer part of our family. Last few days he refused food and water. Imagine a Labrador refusing to eat!! Gone were the days when his eyes used to gleam when we said ‘biscuit खाएगा?’ as if it was too trivial.   The end came and he graciously accepted it.

He showed what Bhakti marg is.

He showed what good temperament means. 

He showed how to dissolve the ego.

He showed that there is a time when one has to go. Without clinging without a whimper.

He showed how to live a happy life.

Even if I try to emulate some of the superlative qualities which he displayed, I would be a better person. We seldom come across a pure soul with higher conscience. I have experienced a soul which has higher conscience. I have experienced a pure soul. I am blessed.

 

DIVISION

 

Living and non-living beings makes up this universe. Fundamental particles which make this universe has interesting interplay between energy and matter.

Think that one day all the particles fold up into one single entity. Matter into matter to merge into one mass. Different forms of energy transform into one. Merged mass still has a form. When merged mass manifests as energy, everything folds up into a formless oneness.  Only energy!!! It remains as energy till consciousness prompts the latent energy to express it into matter. This may not be a one-time phenomenon. Folding in and opening up is cyclic one leads to another.

Form happens when energy starts transforming into matter. The moment energy manifests as matter, the universe comes into being!!. When the dense energy separates, or decides to separate or gets separated first sign of form happens. Division starts. Oneness is replaced by different forms. Consciousness leads to division!!

Awareness leads to division, which gives rise to form, identity, ego, I, my, me and self. The universe is present till ego is there. The moment ego is finished universe gets folded up.

Some questions …before the next part of this discussion on Division.

 

a.     What is relation between consciousness and energy?

b.     What makes the energy to start condensing…becoming denser eventually leading to matter?

c.      Can energy think?

d.     Is energy intelligent?

e.     Is mind a form of energy?

f.       Are thoughts a form of energy?

g.     How does the latent energy got awareness to express itself into matter?

h.     What is the tipping point to start cyclic (folding and opening) of matter and energy?

i.       How did the cycle start?

j.       Can anyone comprehend a sense other than five known senses?

Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash