.lun8,1888 Kabolalele Road, Kapaa; Hawaii 96746-9304 USA. E-mail: letters@hindu.org. HlNDUISM ToDAY (ISSN#
0896-0801), June, 199 1 Volume 20, No.6. Editorial: 1-808-822-7032 (ext. 24 1); subSCriptions:
1-808-822-3152 (ext 23,8) or (in USA) 1-800-890-1008 (ext. 238); advertising: (in USA) 1-800-8.s0-
1008 or 1-808-823-9620. All-department fax: 1-808-822-4351. HlNDUISM TODAY is published month-
ly by Himalayan Academy; Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. Publisher; Acbarya Palaniswami, Ed-
itor. USA subSCriptions: lUS$3g/1 year, $74'2 years, $1Og/3 years, $60ollifetime. International rates are
an additional $10 per Also distributed through major subscription agencies worldwide. Call
1-808-822-7032 for (ext. 230) or permission to publish a HlNDUISM TODAY article (ext.
227) Or fax POnted in USA.
AffIrming Sanatana Dharma and Recording the Modern History of a Billion-Strong Global Religion in Renaissance Q 1008 HIMALAYAN 107 KAHOLALELE ROAD. KAP~. HAWAlT 96746-9304 USA . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
- '
?'-b~~ ~
INTERNATIONAL
Lead Stor.y: Everything'You Ever Wanted
to Know About the Indian Sari 20
Apparel: She Knows 80 Sari Styles! 23
Mauritius: Surprise Island Holiday 27
Trinidad: Dipavali: a Devilish Festival? 37
Archeology: Ajanta's Art Rescue Caper 46
L i FESTYLE
Insight: French Scholar Saves a Dying Art:
Sari Draping Like 'y(;m've Never Seen 28
Books: The Best of the Breed for Kids 32
law: Oprah Stomps Her Feet: "No Meat!" .36
WpqI,en of.Vision: Of Food and Breath ~9.
Youth: "What Do You Stand For?" 41
OPINION
~ublisher's Desk: Pornography: Always
.?
Enticing, Never FUlfilling 10
Letters 12
My Turn: Why I Love to Wear Saris 13
Editorial: A Tribute'to the Sari and the
Hindu Women Who Keep it Stylish 16
Healing: Think Yourself to Health 44
Astrology: Don't Fret, ItS Just an Eclipse 45
'"0:0: Minister's Message: Prono~cing Sanskrit
. the Original Language 50
cl
'o" . DIGES,: rS
()
./
Canada . ...... C$4.95 . COVER: from left) A woman in an Indian sari outshines the hybrid roses
'Www.hlndu.org/htl
o 74470 12134 3 in a Singapore ga.,.,:l.en; matching saris in village Rajasthan; a woman skillfully works 1187 Editor's Choice
the loom at an Indj· n sari weaving center. Inside, our salute to the sari. Page 20 . ' webllte award
. , ,'
..
Welcome
to hinduism today’s digital edition!
am pleased to welcome you to the free digital edition of Hinduism
I Today magazine. It is the fulfillment of a vision held by my Satguru
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, founder of Hinduism Today, to bring the
magazine’s profound Hindu teachings to the widest possible audience.
The text of each issue has long been available on the Web, right back Click links below to soar over other areas of our vast
to 1979, but without the photographs and art. Now you have here the ocean of internet resources in your web browser
entire contents of the printed edition, with all photos and art. Plus, it
is interactive—every link is live; click and you go to a web page. You participate learn explore
can participate in the magazine in a number of ways, accessed through
buttons on the right. And you can help support this free edition in two
Make a Donation to Hinduism Today A Daily Chronicle of
ways: make an online contribution (even a small one); patronize our
Hinduism Today Home Page Kauai’s Hindu Monastery
specialized advertisers. Explore the resources here, enjoy our latest
edition and e-mail us if you are inspired.
~
E ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HINDUISM PROJECT TOOK A GIANT
made their swastika at an an- vegetarian diet and caring in- Monthly ten-day intensives are offered. Direct initiation is focus your mind, cultivate your
leap forward on March S with the long-awaited signing of a
'gle," Mody told the council. terpersonal relationships in re- also available at more than 25 centers countrywide by monks imagination and clarify your inner
contract with the Uillversity of South' Caro 'na Press, USA, to
Surely, he said, journalists who versing' heart disease, prostate and yogacharyas of this lineage. power. Free catalog:
publish the 18-volume work. "The encyclopedia will present Hin-
could remember to type "Jeep" cancer and other health prob- Timeless Books, PO Box 3543 HT
duism as a living religion and not as a museum piece," said Dr.
with a capital T' because it is a lems, made the cover of the Kriya Yoga Institute . 24757 SW 167th Ave Spokane, WA 99220-3543 USA
K.L. Seshagiri Rao, Chief Editor, at the signing. More than 1,200
March 16th Newsweek. The Homestead, FL 33031-1364, USA. Tel.: 305-247-1960 info@timeless.org. Tel: 800-251-
international scholars are presently at work on ten thousand entries~ trademark, could make a dis-
tinction between the two forms devotee of Swami Satchidanan- Fax: 305-248-1951. www.kriya.org • institute@kriya.org 9273. Tel/fax: 509-838-6652
grouped in twelve subject ·areas. An enormous amount of work re-
mains to be done on.the project, and Hindus worldwide should of- of the swastika symbol. The da of Integral Yoga Institute,
fer their support and assistance to complete this lanelmark project. council agreed, and it will now USA, is helping change the face
C ONTACT: ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HINDU ISM , 937 ASSEMBLY STREET, #1018, be so in Ontario. of Western medicine.
U N IVERSITY OF SOU TH CAROLINA, COLUMBIA. SO UTH CAROLINA 292 08-0 00 1 USA
PornQgraphy on the net: 9nly. Places with sex shops and prostitutes were called red light
•districts. During the first World War, soldiers were made to feel at
home with posters of pin-up girls. These were girls in bathing suits,
How J Came'To B~
enough, despite our overuse and depletion books which will answer this ty.pe of ques-
I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED READING THE of them, to still support everyone with what tioJ.l? I would like to preserve our heritage of
arJ:icle "Children Are Divine, Treat Them they need. There is a lot of discrimination, Hinduism.
Thus" [MINISTER'S MESSAGE, April, '98]. S'ija- hatred, bitterness and fighting, none for any SAILESH ACHARYA
mi Tejomayananda has distilled the wisdom real reason. Tolerance is hard, but necessary MOBILE, ALABAMA, us
of dozens of books into a one-page article on
child rearing. It is so true that parents often
put their own interest ahead of the interest
of the child. Most of the time they are more
to show that if we can do it, they can, too.
Gandhi had the right idea. They can beat
me, spit on me, even kill me, but I will smile
and say, "have a nice day" every1:ime. This
V Visit our Worldwide Web site. There you..
will find answers for the nine basic ques-
tions-including yours-about Hinduism. HINDU RENAISSANCE TEAM
'The "Lady in ,t he'Sari"
interested in impressing their friends than may make the person stop and consider http://www... hinduismtoday.kauai.hi.us/ashr
doing the right thing for the ch'ild. In the US, hislher actions, or it may not. Nonetheless, it am/HimalayanAcademy/PublicationlJnana HINDUISM TODAY was founded January 5, 1979, My personal p.ath of fashion self-discovery
for example, most Indians push their chil- is the only way to show the love; it is up to Danal9QuestionsAndAnswers. html by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, for the
dren into medicine, as physicians make lots them to accept the love. following purposes: 1. To foster Hindu solidarity
as a unity in diversity among all sects and lin-
took me back to our unbeatable Indian dress
<
of money, without giving any consideration WILLIAM SCOTT CHILDRESS Different Aspects of Tolerance
to the child's aptitude, talent, temperament '- " wchildress@ncwc.edu THE EDITORIAL OF M'ARCH '98 ["ONE DAY eages; 2. To inform and inspire Hindus world-
or ability. Also, they order the child to cut My Religion Will Rule the World"] made me wide and people interested in Hinduism; 3. To BY ~AVITA DASWANI
aware of how, in my smugness about Hindu dispel myths, illusions and misinformation
down on TV watching, while they them- FOR THE LAST 28 YEARS, I HAVE FOL-
about Hinduism; 4. To protect, preserve and
selves watch six hours of TV every day. lowed the Sanatana Dharma's path of ahim- tolerance, I too was guilty of triumphalism. . AST YEAR, I HAD TO MAKE gles, bindis and a shimmering
promote the sacred Vedas and the fIindu reli-
Their motto seems to be: "Do as I say, not as sa. I have been looking for a way to help I wish to disagree with Shashi H. Dave of gion; 5. 1b nurture and monitor the ongoing a work related trip to the kundan set. At formal dinners
I do!" non-vegetarians give up meat eating. I have New York [LETTERS March, '98]. I believe spiritual Hindu renaissance. We invite our read- Italian city of Vicenza. in glamorous Western capitals,
PRADEEP K. SroVASTAVA finally found an organization which distrib- that those who fmd it most difficult to apol- ers to share these purposes with us by writing There I was introduced to where low-cut dresses and fan-
, DETROIT, MICHIGAN,US utes 100% vegetarian, soy-based meat re- ogize are those most in need of our pity and letters, contributing reports and articles on an elderly gentleman. 'l\h," he ciful frocks are the norm, the
placements. GVM has pledged that in 1998, forgiveness. But does that/not smack of arro- events, sending news clippings and encouraging said, clasping my hand. "You effects of me and my sari are
Thanks for Appreciating US with the assistance of CARE, they will feed gance? How does one walk the middle path? othe s to subscribe. have been described to me as an
fascinating. There is imme-
SATGURU SIVAYA SUBRAMUNIYASWAMr'S 100 million hungry people worldwide. This As to Hindu icons being maligned in sitcoms the lady in the sari. Why are diate sense' of respect. I am
PUBLISHER'S DESK column ["Women of Vi- is a ].lIlique opportunity for humanitarian- and other places, I do believe our Gods have you not wearing one?" In my often greeted by a halting "Na-
Publisher: Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswarni
sion in a 'Man's World: " January, '98] has minded people and for those souls who wish a sense of humor far surpassing ours. They Admin. Dir:: Paramacharya Bodhinatha functional beige pantsuit, I maste" instead of a two-cheek
kindly given a great honor to all women, in- to work together cooperativ~ly, despite race would certainly not feel hurt nor would they Editor-in-Chief Acharya Palaniswarni suddenly felt slightly ashamed. I Euro-style kiss. People suddenly,
cluding, and especially, female journalists, and religion in improving our .lives and plan- require our protection. It is our feelings that Publisher's Aide: Acharya Ceyonswarni had gotten off a plane to come straight to surprisingly, become r~ther tender.
and I am sure each one of us whom he men- et. If you are a true believer of ahimsa and are hurt, and we who seek redress. We Deputy Editor: Acharya KiJ.rnarswami the meeting. I didn't think a sari would be At an outdoor cafe in Florence once, in a
tioned is grateful to him for his compassion- wish. to help others improve their health, should at least be honest about that. ' Managing Editor: Sannyasi Arumugaswarni appropriate. This man's perception was not chiffon sari with a colorful tie-dye pattern,
ate, kind words as well as loving guidance. then contact me. s.v SINGAM Graphics Director: Sannyasi Natarajasw~ misplaced.•Over the past few years, I have I walked past French fashion designer
He has set an example for the publishing in- PULAU PINANG, MALAYSIA Mauritius Editor: Sannyasi Murugaswarni made numerous trips to Europe and US in Christian Lacroix. He stopped his conver-
LINDA BARBOUR Mauritius Staff Writer: Sannyasi Sivadevaswarni
dustry and media of the US-a man's world- " linda@healthyandwealthy.com " SV@hitachi.com.m my capacity as a fashion writei When I sation to stare I!t every fold in the fabric
• Prod.lPromation Manager: Sannyasi Kathirswarni
to appreciate their women journalists. Managing Ed. 's Aide: Tyagi Saravanathaswami was much younger, I thought the way to and thread. Wanda Ferragamo, owner of
ARCHANA DONGRE THE SACRED TEACHING OF THE VEDAS AT- I CONCUR WITH THE SENTIMENTS OF Dep. Managing Ed: Ty.Jgi~ shine was to wear a little black designer ilie Italian fashion empire that bears her
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, us test to deference for each other and respect Shasi H. Dave who said, "We should only Editor-in-Chiefs Aide: Yogi Yuganatha dress, like all fashionable women. Then I name, made her way acro~s two gilded
fof nature. Let us ardently strive to rekindle forgive those who ~ant to be .forgiven." We Advertising Manager: Sadhaka Jothinatha realized that I had adopted an urban uni- salons to tell me that I was "the most ele-
Gratitude for 1997 Award . the insight that is so blossoming and re'l"ela- should take a more proactive stand against SubScription Manager: Sa<flJ.aka Adinatha form that wasn't really mine. gant woman in the room." At another party
I HAVE RECEIVED THE EXTREMELY BEAU- tional in the ancient Sanskrit and which at those whose only wish seems to be our de- Graphics Director's Aide: Sivananda Katir So I learned how to drape a sari. As a in Paris, actress Tracy Ulman peered at my
tiful plaque which you have offered to me to one very precious time in Bharat permeated struction. For far too long we have lain in the Correspondents: Gowri Shankar & Anandhi~ Hindu Sindhi girl brought up in the bosom bindi, cast her eyes over my rich ivory silk
dran, <;hennai; Choodamani Shivaram, BangaIore; Rajiv
commemorate the 1997 Hindu of the Year each individual's daily sojourns and sadhana dust devoid of the vitality and strength of of a semi-traditional trading family in • and gold sari and asked, 'rue you sOJUeone
Malik, Prabha Prabhakar Bhardwaj, Mangala Prasad Me-
Renaissance Award, together with your in embracing and expressing nonduality and the Mauryas, Guptas or Cholas. P1dia today hanty, Delh~ V S. Gopalakrishnan, Kffala; Basudeb Dhar; Hong Kong, thi~ sari business should have rich and famous I should know about?"
most generous check for $1,008 ["Hindu of eternal joy. Our responsibility as Hindus is stands on a vast territory but seems to have BangladeSh; Archana Dongre, Los Angeles; Lavina Mel- come naturally. But it didn't. I was cajoled -And, most memorably, at a charity benefit
the ::lear:' TRIBUTE Dec., '97]. This award, to perceive these issues clearly and to pre- forgotten her Hindu soul. The time has wani, New York; DI: Hari Bansh Jha, Nepal; Parnsram Ra- into wearing one dyring family weddings in Los Angeles last summer, where Holly-
which you have so kindly and compassion- sent fo our dear generations to come as well come for us to stand proud in defense of our moutar, Ani! Mahahr; ThnidOO; DI: Devananda Thndav.m, after relatives insisted it would 'look nice." wood celebrities competed with one anoth-
ately bestowed upon me, has a ver;y pro- as to the world a more ennobling, enriched ~cient creed and people! ChicagJ; V G. Julie Rajan, PhilOOelphia; Shikha Malaviya, But I would stand, frustrated and impa- er in their sexy, revealing dresses, I stood •
found significance for me. You have blessed and. united perception for the direction of ... M)CALIDASS Minnesota; Rajesh Jantilal, South Africa; Tara Katir, Hawaii tient, while someone would tie and pleat apart in a pink and green silk brocade sari.
my heart of aspiration and my life of dedi- human civili:7;ation. SINGAPORE Sanskritist: DI: S. Jo/<lraman, Bharato/<i Viqya Bhavan, NY and fold the fabric on me. Then, I carried • A young American man approached me,
" dass@po.pacllc.net.sg Amsts: A Mar!MiliJ, s. Rajam the sari like a burden.
cation here in the West, and I shall eternal- ADHINATHA KANNAN NATARAJA looked at the bikini-clad dancers on higp.
Cartoonists: Bany Geller, David Lourie, Mario de Miran-
ly and eternally treasure this signal honor. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, US da, Manick Sorcar, Gary L Stair; Bob ~ Now, my sari-wearing has become a platforms around him, pointed at my sari
SruCHINMOY Photo Contributors: 'Thomas L Kelly, Stephen,P. HUyler, burden no more. Instead, it is liP honor and said, "Now that is how all women
JAMAICA, NEW YORK, us . Where Are the Relevant Answers? • Dev Raj Agr.iwal, Phal S. Girota, Tony Stone Images, f'ho. and a privilege. Who needs a Chane,.l gown should be dressed. I think the sari is God's
THE ARfr CLE "MAKING IT RELEVANT FOR tobank, Art W~ Inc., Gorden Wiltsie, Indivar Sivanathan or a Gucci evening suit-all essentially gift to womanhood."
Harmless Ways Smart Young Souls" [PUBLISHER'S DESK, Oc- Letters with writer's n~e, address and daytime
Web Masters: Della Seyon, Sadhunathan Nadesan redolent of sameness~when you can be So the next time I saw the man in Vicen-
I HAVE A LOT OF RESPEct FOR HINDUS AS tober, • '97] indicated that Hindu children phone number, should be sent to: Scanning: Vikram Patel, New York swathed in a beautiful pink brocade sari, za, I did not disappoint him and arrived in
well as all the other religions<of the world. who grow up in America are confused in Letters, HINDUISM TODAY Distribution.: USA: Ingram Imodicals, New'I..ea£ EBSCO shot with golden threads, its pallu reveal- a dark-hued cotton sari. The look of appre-
107 Kaholalele Road 9.bcription Servioes, Indo-US Books, One Soqrce, UJjq- ing a parade of peacock motifs? What can
Belief can be hard sometimes in a cruel the two cultures; .Hindu and American. ciafion on his face was worth more than all
KAPAA, HAWAII, 96746-9304 USA uity, 1Qtal Circulation Services. Canada: Gerdon and
world such as the one we are a part of The They feel they do not fit in to either'of them. Gotch. EUrope: SWETS Subscription Service. ~ia
possibly rival the elegance of a Kanchipu- the designer dresses in the world.
or faxed to: (808) 822-4351 ram sari, all handwoven silken threads and
cruelty and unfairness comes not from the Peer pressure in the Western culture makes or e-mailed to: letters@hindu.org and Singapore: ~ Dhanna Pubhcations. South
world itself but the people that are' here. them depressed. Most Hindu p~ents cannot , Africa: Atlas Printers. India: Central News Agency Limit- flecks of gold? KAVITA DASWANI is a fashion editor for the
There is no reason why a diverse group of answer questions such as" Why do you wor- Letters may be edited for space and clarity and may ed, New Delhi. So now, whenever I travel, I pack a tiny South China Morning Post in Hong Kong
people should not be able to Jive in harmo- ship cows and idols?" Does HINDUISMTODAY appear in electronic versions of HINDUISM TODAY. Printer. Banta Pullications Group, Kama<; City bag filled with & few saris, some glass ban- and a fashion distributor's consultant.
ny. The resourees on this world are great have any plan of action or recommended " INDICATES LEITERS RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL
Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads and other MASSAGE. Harish gurus for mathematics,
scriptures. This Vedic epiphany tells the story of the Johari guides the reader dyurvedic music and medicine,
universal rhythms of nature, history and humanity. through each step in the but the most important SAIVITE HINDU
The translation and full body massage,
-::4assage guru is the one who RELIGION
abundant commentary guides us in our spiritu- What every Hindu
explaining what oils Ifr.ditio n. l lndian T«bni4utS for
are the work of renais- Balancing Bod)' and Mind
allife. In this CD, parent needs:
work best for particular
sance thinker Raimon intelligent, non-
body types and shows Satguru Subramuniya-
Panikkar-the fruit of violent, traditional
how to reliev~ inbalances swami, publisher of
twelve years of daily texts for their kids-
and stimulated self- HINDUISM TODAY, re-
sadhana in Varanasi an authentic, illus-
healing. More than US veals the deep mystical
between 1964 and trated, seven-book
drawings illustrate his dynamics of the teacher-student relationship and unravels the
1976 while he lived series called The
traditional techniques myths of that relationship, telling how the spiritual seeker may ::t:'.,=:::.':"" ..............
and the position of the
marmas (pressure
points). Included also:
H AR'SH JOH AR'
nurture it so as to reap the greatest benefits.
THE MAHA SIVARATRI UPADESHA, 1997,69 minutes, $18. ----.-
...............:.:-:::;: Master Course,
teaching philosophy,
culture and family life.
Book One, at the 6-year-
Beauty massage, therapeutic massage, massage during Send or,der and payment to: Himalayan Academy Publications, old level, is available in a Hindi-Tamil-English edition.
pregnancy and massage for infants. The guardian devas 107 Kaholalele Road, Kapaa, Hawaii, 96746-9304 USA. Or fax Book Two, at the 6- to 8-year-old level, is available in an
smyth-sewn, case (angels) of the ancient science of massage must be pleased your order with credit card number wlexpiration date: 808-822- English-Tamil-Malay edition. Softcover, 8\-2"x U"·
cloth cover, 5\-2" x 8?2:' with this first-class book! Healing Arts Press, 8-1/2 X 11", 4351 • Tel: 800-890-1008, ext. 238' books@hindu.org·All prices Book One: Hindi-Tamil-English, 170 pages, $1595 • Book
1,000 pages $41. paperback, 152 pages ISBN 0-89281-489-6 $23 95 • in~lude shipping to USA and Canada. Overseas, add 10%. Two: English-Tamil-Malay, 196 pages, $1595 .
,,
EDITORIAL And th§lt is good. But still, women in Japan
look like women in Australia, who look like
women in China, who all look like women
_/_J_/I·r;: ~ ~~ .c?~d
Full3-hour concert
in stereo (ff/w.~~
Karunamayi
•
Includes clips of rar~
CITY
At l anta
Dallas
Houston
DATES
Apri l 10- 12
Apri l 14-16
Apri l 17-19
CONTACT
770-973-2614
972-702-9900
713-526-5491
San Antonio April 20-22 210 -434-1738
•
A must own for Indian Sr i Sri Sri
Santa Barbara
San Francisco
Portland
Seattle
West Coast Retreat
May 5
May 7-9
May 10-12
May 13-14
May 15-17
805-957 -4901
510-482-8201
503-297-2181
425-391-9582
425-391 - 9582
Boulder May 19-20 303- 786- 7437
classical music lovers Chicago
Ann Arbor
May 22-24
May 25 - 26
708-481-4984
517-522-8114
Toronto May 28-30 416-598-3331
•
Only $24.95 plus S/H
Vijayeswari Pittsburgh
Maryland
Ph iladelphia
New Jersey
June 1-2
June 3-4
June 5-7
June 8
301-977-5666
610-933-6019
908-479-1037
I
. . ,
.
sidered high style by the fashion-,
conscious.
India's designers, adroit in
Traditional and modern, the garment of India tours the world in flying colors Western styles and fashion, still
take great pride in ethnic tradi-
tions and their offerings often
By LAVINA MELWANI, NEW YORK . echo embroideries and designs of
T A BIG SOCIETY WEDDING IN DEL- earlier craftsmen, celebrating In- g
hi, everyone was dressed in the lat- dia's cultural heritage. There are ~
est budget-busting designer out- designer saris whiqh have scenes ~
fits, yet all eyes were on a' young from the Mahahharata or Ra-
girl dressed in a rich, bluish pink mayana embroidered on the
Banaras sari with intricate floral pallav, 0][ the border of the sari,
motifs. This one-of-a-kind sari had cost her or entire village 'scenes in kantha
nothing, for it had been part of her mother's work (nlnning stitch embroidery
trousseau thirty years ago. Instead of getting used to make elaborately decorat-
stale and out of style with age, the sari was ed quilts) from Bengal. There is a Let's shop: US-sold saris are mostly synthetiC. Travel to stores like this in India to buy all-natural saris.
the cynosure of all eyes, a treasure which kind of visual poetryA n these
had grown more valuable with time. saris, often woven by Muslim artisans for America indicates the sari is thriving. In the evening wear. While styles and lengths of
Who would have thouglit that six yards of Hindu brides. Some of the best embroider- 60S, many women were reluctant to wear the salwar kameez fluctuate with alarming
f~ric could be a synonym for elegance, ers in India are Muslim, who "an even re- saris in the US, afraid they would stand out. regularity, a sari is always til style. Tradition-
beauty and style? The sari is the world's produce the intricate pieta dura work found But in multicultural America in the 90S al saris from different regions each have a
longest-running fashion story, as relevant to- on tJ{e Taj Mahal. Saris tell stories-of the there seems to be' a new pride in ones roots. beauty all their own and are timeless.
day as it was liundreds of years ago. While Ramayana, offolk.lore and mythical heroes While women working in corporate Ameri- Kavita Lund: a wife, mother and accoun-
the sari shares space in a modern woman's and verses from the Vedas . Ganesha-the ca may stiR prefer to wear Western dress to tant who lives in New York, has a sizable col-
wardrobe with the very popular salwar auspicious one-is popular on sari pallavs. fit in, others in less structured jobs-film ed- lection of saris and enjoys the grace it im-
kameez (also known as the Punjabi suit, con- As Indians have spread around the world, itors, Wl'iters, travel agents-often wear sal- parts. She, like most of her friends, wears
sisting of trousers and a long top) and West- they have taken the sarr with them. Saris are war kameez or saris to work. the more practical pants and salwar
ern pants, it is still very much around and a common sight in London, ·Johannesburg, Women in America especially wear saris kameezes during the day and saves the saris
the garment of choice for many, be it a Trinidad, Toronto,., Hong Kong and Singa- to evening events. After all, there is nothing for special occasions and evening events.
wllsherwoman, an urban working woman or pore. In places as far apart as the Middle quite as graceful as the sari, especially for Her 19-year-old daughter, Monisha, born
a high society socialite. East and,Lagos, saris are a part and brought up here, is just as
While Western dress has made inroads of t4e landscape. In fact, saris fascinated 9Y saris, although she
into almost every Asian culture, with tradi- are big business in countries like wears only the trendy designer
tional garments like the Japanese kimonos Hong Kong, Singapore ~d Top Ten Selling Saris in India styles. These modern incarna-
and Chinese cheon"g-sams being reserved Japan which produce bolts of tions of the sari would probably
for ceremonial wear, the sari is a li~g gar- synthetics like chiffon, satin and This list was garnered by HINDUISM TODAY correspondent Ra- make any great-grandmother
ment, a part of the daily lives of women in nylon which are bought in six- jiv Malik from New Delhi's Mr. Vishnu Manglani, a leader in faint-the stomach is completelY
the Indian sub-continent, from Nepal to In- yard lengths by Indians as saris. India's national sari business. Prices given are in US dollars. exposed and the sari pallav is
dia, -Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. These are exported to many 1 Gadwals: Cotton with separately woven and attached silk wrapped nonchalantly around
Practical and always in style, it is a forgiving countries and fmd their way to borders and pallavs. Made in Andhra Pradesh. $25-130. the neck, leaving the bodice
garment which conceals a woman's imper- the Little Indias in the US, UK 2 Tanchols: Pure silk with intricately woven pallavs and bor- bare. Dr. Manjula Bansal, a
fections and enhances her special qualities. and Dubai. . ders. Variety of designs used. Made in Varanasi. $130-400. pathologist at the Hospital for .
Even today for a young girl, draping a sari The American way: Sari/stores 3 Bumkais: Silk yarn, made in Orissa. Yarn is dyed so that, Special Surg~y and the q.ornell
for the first time is the ultimate coming-of- thrive in many Indian enclaves when woven, patterns appear in various colors. $20-125. University Medical Center in
age experience. in America. Among the largest is 4 South Handlooms: Like Kanjivarams, but cost less. Banga- New York, has a large collection
While the sari lives on in, villages and India Sari Palace in New York, lore made. Jari and silk borders and pallavs. $90-300. of saris from every part of India
ci'ties, young innovative designers in India with a vast inventory from India 5 Printed: Silk, hand printed on three materials: silk, crepe and wears them with great
now give it fresh life and a new Wist for the as well as Japan. .March was and chiffon. Comfortable for party or home wear $65-130. pride. Even when she was a
new generation. In India there are about 15 their annual 50 percent sale-a 6 Tangalls: Flne cotton, hand-woven in Calcutta. Traditional medical resident, she would
established labels such as Rohit Bal, n. big event for US sari wearers- Bengali designs. It gets softer with each washing. $10-100. wear a hindi on her forehead
Valaya, Rina Dhaka, Suneet Varma, Tarun and the harried salespe6'ple 7 Cotton Handlooms: Hand-woven in Coimbatore. Elegant for and saris. to her workplace, rid-
Tahiliani, Sandip Khosla and Ritu Kumar. could hardly answer this re- " summer wear. Rich and crisp. Need much care. $20-50. ing on the subway. Now she
These designers have revitalized the sciri, . porter s questions, so inundated 8 Valkalams: Pure silk, woven in Varanasi to depict folk art wears salwar kameez to work,
adding heavily embroidered blouses to plain were they with shoppers. Many scenes. Special handlooms can weave 25 colors. $90-400. since this outfit is more practical,
saris, or re-styling the pallav (the portion of communities, such as the Gu- 9 Kanjivarams: Flnest handloom silk, specialty of Tanill Nadu. but always dresses in saris to so-
the sari which covers the bodice and falls jarati, wear most)y saris, and so Also called heirlooms. Pure jari-woven borders. $130-1500. cial events, be it.. an Indian or a
over the shoulder) to give a new look to the there is a constant demand even 10 Chanderis: Made with silk and cotton yarn in Madhya mainstream gathering.
sari.. There's even been the zip-on sari for in America. Just looking at the. Pradesh. Saris are lightweight, ideal for summer. $20-125. Bansal, who was involved with
girls who may have trouble handling all stores in Little Indias across funding of the India Chair at
have made saris more affordable ply house in Huntington, West VIr- silk sari deftly demonstrates that very style rather than texture or design aspects. For Dis.section: As Boulanger organized her
and easy to maintain for working ginia, offers a sari for 'rental, alo~ from the slide on a volunteer while explain- Boulanger, it all began six years ago when a" information, she realized most sari drapes
women. Synthetic saris made in powerful shoulder. These saris were designed by a with blouse and petticoat, for US$40; Their ing its method in a lilting French accent. unique sari drape at a wedding in South In- could be categorized into families. On
industrial mills are attractively priced and Frenchman, Fenande Cecire, and embroi- website: www.magicmakers.com. shows an The audience stares in awe as ant:tu-opologist dia sparked her interest. «I saw a drape with grouping various drapes, Boulanger found
don't need heavy ironing or care. The flip dered in India. In fact, in \he days of the American woman draped in a sari. Chantal Boulanger proceeds to unravel.,the pleats on the side 'and its border.in the back. the necessity 6f a glossary to identify each
side is that this has endangerect the liveli- British Raj the Indian princesses traveled to Fads come and go, but the sari survives mysteries of sari draping. I asked how to do it, but no one kne'e" part of a sari. "Every sari starts with tying it
hood of vi:llage craftspeople who can take Paris and often got their saris designed by them all. As Bansal points .out, "One wants The sari, a versatile female garment of an- Boulanger, having studied Tamil temple tightly, whether on the waist or chest. So I
many months on a loom to produce a sari. French couturiers: Recently some of these to be noticed, especially in a crowd, but why cient Indian origin, has enthralled and mys- priests for the past fifteen years, encoun- decided to call it the cloSing." Boulanger en- ;
As one old weaver told Bansal when she vis- saris came up for auction. ape the West? The sari creates an instant tified many in its variety of texture, design, tered various sari drapes in her field work, listed words from Sanskrit and Tamil be-
ited him in his 'dilapidated: almost shut- Saris, with their golden threads, intricate identity for you, and I think that's what most size and draping style. While mahy scholars but never imagined they would one day be- cause "I couldn't just write, 'tie this end to
down workshop, "People are , impatient embroidery and innate romance have always people are looking for, whether you are a document the intricacies of the sari's myriad come the object of her study. A trip to a re- that end.' " As a result, she terms the part of
nOwadays, and they can get ten machine- attracted Westerners. Glimmerings of India CEO or a physician or you're trying to make color~, fabrics and patterns, few, if any, have search center in Pondicherry turned up lit- the sru;i from which the drape begins, mun-
made saris for the price of one hand-woven inspiration appeared in the 1920'S w.hen a mark. The sari says a lot about you." --' closely examined draping styles. French an- tle information on the "wedding sari" drape, di, anCl. the part thrown over the shoulder,
NEW DELHI SARI STORES: MEE NA BAZAAR, E ~ 1 9 NEW DELHI
sari. They dori't want to wait or spend the Madame Gres, a renowned Paris designer, SOUTH EXTN., NEW D ELffi 110049 INDIA, on 5154 AJMAL
thropologist Chahtal Boulanger hopes to and her inquiries to Tamil women followed pallav. The main part of the sari is the body.
money." showed sari-inspired styles in her collection. KHAN RD, KARO L BACH, NEW DEWiI 110 005 INDIA, E-MAIL:
SE@MEENABAZAR.COM, WEBSITE : WWW.MEENABAZAR.COM;
change that. Boulanger is the author of suit. Finally, 'an old woman identified the The edges are the upper and lower borders.
Fads and experiments: Recently the New Western pass-ion for Indian fashions can be XALPANA , F -S CONNAUCHT PLACE, NEW DE LHI 110 DOl . Saris: An Illustrated Guide to the Indian Art wedding sari as a dying drape worn by pea- While Boulanger created a working glos-
INDIA, E-MAIL: CULTURES@ NDA .V5NL .NET.IN
York Fashion Institute of Technology traced to the British Raj when socialites in of Draping. In her book, Boulanger docu- sant women from the region of Tondaiman- sary of the sari, she feels most successful in
M~rugan's
Festival Fervor
A time for penance
EARS WOp LD RUN DOWN MY CHEEKS,
and I would lose consciousness when I
saw the kavadi procession, even thou g,h
I was only eleven," recalls Mrs. Maliga '
Naga1ingurn, of Port Louis, Mauritius. Now
52, she has carried. kavadf in honor of Lord
Murugan each of the'last twenty years. Thou-
sands of other Hindus of Tamil origin have
done the same every February since the
community's arrival on the island 150 years
Special holiday called to accommodate pilgrims ago. Many Hindus join in, now mak'ing it a
major festival of the year for Mauritius.
", A kavadi is a hig,hly decorated pole or arch
NE ADVANTAGE OF RUNNING A COUN- lake, then return home with a pot of sancti- carried by a devotee from a cresignated start-
try is that when there is a problem, fied water. It can take two days to walk ing point to a temple. "To carry kavadi en-
you can do something about it. So there, and two back. Those with sore feet tails a lot of preparation, ' especially at the
when the Prime Minister of Mauritius, can, wit,hout censure, take a bus home. spiritual level," explains Rama Armoogurn,
Dr. Navonchandra Ramgoolam, and his fam- Vimalen Rengapen, 21, of Riviere-du- 21, a student in at the University of Mauri-
' ily got stuck in \:lle 50,000-car, five-hour Rempart, made the pilgrimage 9n foot'fa 12- tius. "You have fo sleep on a mat and eat only
traffic jam of pilgrims heading for Grand hour, 50-Ian trek. He arrived at Grand Bas- veggie food." The whole family will join in
Bassin lake as part of the yearly Maha sin at one in the morning, soaking wet from making the kavadi, which can become quite
Sivaratri festival, he took action. Because the rain.and shivering with cold. "It was re- an elaborate affair, towering ten feet or more
many pilgrims were unable to complete ally very hard to walk such a long distance. over the devotee. Many have their bodies
their trek to the lake, Dr. Ramgoolam de- But on reaching, I could not believe how pierced with small spears. Women usually
clared the following day, Monday, February beautiful it was. We worshiped Lord Siva, carry pal kavadi, a big brass pot of milk, on
" sang His hymns and kept awake throughout
the whole nig,ht to earn His grace."
their head, and pierce their cheeks and
tongue. What is it like? Rama says, "Words
This year's festival was special, for it was are too feeble a medium to explain the in-
one Hundred years ago that Jhummun Giri tense feelings when yoti carry kavadi." .",/
Gossagne Napal, a temple priest, saw in a Report by SUNIL P. GOPAL ; Mauritius
dream devas (angels) dancing around the
lake singing praises to Lord Siva. He and
other religious leaders declared the lake a
tirtha, place of pilgrimage, unique to Mauri-
tius, and as sacred as the Ganges. In 1998,
300,000 Hindus-50% of all Hindus on the
island-~de the pilgrimage, despite dreary
Devotees collect sacred water to take home wea~er and the traffic jam.
-/ Some pulled or carried kanwars, a chariot
23rd, a holiday-he also cashiered the police or arch decoratep. with colored paper. Kan-
inspector in charge of traffic. Hindus were wars range from simple affairs to recreated
delighted with the added holiday, but the temples, Deities, even houses and dne year's
country's leading newspapers-operated by 7-meter by 10-meter Boeing 747. Elaborate
LEGENDARY ADVENTURES AND 1-800-953-9399 non-Hindus-blasted the decision. One creations cost up to US$2,000, and are coop-
UNEXPECTED PLEASURES. From the business manager complained that up to erative efforts by family and friends.
mountains of the Himalayas to the beaches of the Everything you'd never expect Th1 80% of workers were absent the next day, This tradition of carrying kanwars (as
and estimated the resulting, loss at US$5.8 . more mod.est decorated arches) is followed in
Indian Ocean, you'll discover an extraordinary world million. Hindu leaders came to the PMs de- North lridia [see March, 1998] in June and
Call 1·800-GO INDIA for your complimentary India Travel Guide.
of culture and diversity. There's no adventure or w rite to: MSI . 25- 15 50th Street . Dept c PoWoodside. NY 11377 . fense/ saying the unusual' conditions justi- July. There devotees walk from their villages
quite like India and no time like the present fied the special holiday. hundreds of kilometers to Haridwar arid re-
Sivaratri in Mauritius is a multi-day affair, turn with Ganges water. In Mauritius the
to exp~rience it. India, a country that is NAME because the main form of observance is' to North.fudian community adapted this prac-
truly many worlds in one. As Mark Twain either drive or wah: to Grand Bassin, a large tice to' Sivaratri and now, as with Thai Penance: This kavadi by the man in
once said: "Nothing seems to have been ADDRESS lake in the middle of the island. There devo- Pusam, most Hindus participate. .",/ orange is shaped like Murugan's Vel. He
tees worship at the>many shrines around the Report by SUNIL P. GOPAL, Mauritius will carry it many miles to a temple.
forgotten, nothing overlooked." © 1996
CITY STATE ZIP ,. JUNE , Igg8 H I"NDUISM TODAY 27
Dhamija stresses that "Textile terminology is closely linked with thropologist Chantal Boulanger [see page 23] published her land-
INSIGHT philosophical thought. It is not by chance that technical terms play mark work, Saris: An Illustrated Guide to the Indian Art of Draping.
a basic role in early philosophy. For example, grantha, sutra, tantra She describes the subject as a "totally unexplored world whose
1
four-foot high weave, normally
made of light cotton, having little quiring a choli, and to offer a drape is typical of this family-a knot is simply
or no borders and pallavs. These which is perhaps unknown to most tucked in the upper border as it passes
are worn by men all over India, ex- of our readers. under the right arm, coming from the
cept in Tamil Nadu and Kerala left shoulder and going around the
Mundi where only Brahmins drape them. By CHANTAL BOULANGER waistline. For this style, you can easily
Lower border: the edge touching the Usually a family of saris coin- manage with a four-yard sari.
Both textile and drape are independently feet when the sari is first tied. cides with a definable group of 1) Throw the pallav and the long mun-
istan, not to speak of the Indian communi- ethnic or local communities. For danai to the back, over the left shoulder.
ties living abroad. In Rajasthan, Punjab and influenced by fashion. Stylists are mostly Mundanal: the part of the sari, start-
ing from the pallav but Significant- instance, Tamil saris are worn by Leave just enough cloth in front to make the 3
Uttar Pradesh, where stitched clothes are concerned with the fabric and the form of non-Brahmin Tamil castes. With closing: pass the upper border (towards the mundi)
traditionally worn, nivis are becoming in- the choU, but sometimes they try to intro- ly longer, which is thrown over the
upper body. Mundanai is a Tamil tribal drapes, however, it is hard across the chest from the left shoulder to under the
creasingly popular. In Sri Lanka, it has be- duce new drapes, too. Saris are always best to relate the styles of a family to a right arm. Pass it around the waistline clockwise (in
come the compulsory sari of government draped with cotton. Once folded and word designating a separate piece
of cloth used as an upper-body fII.l!61• • • specific set of tribes. The Coorgs, the back, under the left arm, across the abdomen).
employees, rather than the more typical Cey- tucked, cotton stays in place, and doesn't re- the Pullaiyars and the Hallaki Gaudas wear 2) Make a knot with the upper corner of the mundi
lonese sari. It has influenced Western stylists quire anything to hold. For weighty or slick drape. By extension, Tamil women
often use this word for the part of similar saris, but they differ in culture, physical appear- and tuck it in the upper border that already passes under the
and evokes for most European women a vi- cloths, such as silk, a pin or a clip might be ance and social status and dwell in climates ranging from right arm (coming from the shoulder and going to the
sion of flowing beauty and elegance. used to hold the pleats and to keep from the sari which is draped over the
upper body, including the pallav. a hot seacoast to a cold mountain top, although they all back). Pull the lower border so that it falls in front
Every drape requires a piece of cloth of a having to readjust the drape all the time. live in Southwestern India. from the left shoulder to the right foot (under the
specific length and width. For instance, it is Saris are fun to wear. They can be tried Mundi: a Tamil word meaning pallav,
by anyone, and more styles can be created. or border; another pallav at the This disparity is also true of the Gond family of mundi). The mundi should be in front of the legs,
impossible to make a Marwari sari with six saris. The Gonds are a tribe living mostly in its edge falling vertically along the right leg.
yards, since nine yards are needed. Each re- They are the expression of women's creativ- other end of the sari, less elabo-
rate, where the colors of the body Eastern Maharashtra and Southern Madhya Most of the sari is gathered and drops in the
gion of India has developed textiles woven ity, and there is for each woman one drape Pradesh. Their women wear a sari of coarse, back from the left shoulder.
in the dimensions fitting the local drapes. that fits her perfectly. Often it is not the and the borders usually mix. Drap-
ing often begins with this pallav. thick cotton with sometimes heavily embroi- 3) Gather the sari on the left shoulder,
But apart from the size of the cloth, almost modern sari. Just as in painting or playing a dered pallavs. Its length is about five yards. It making informal pleats. Pass the sari
all saris can be tied with any kind of textile. musical instrument, it takes training and Mundu: a smaller piece of cloth often
used to cover the head or thrown is usually worn without choU or petticoat. across the back from the left shoulder to
When at home or working, women wear practice to wear a sari perfectly. Some communities wearing these saris are under the right arm. Notice that the mun-
cotton or synthetic fabrics. When going to a over the shoulder. This South Indi-
Recommended Resources: Saris: An Illustrated Guide an word usually translates as towel very far apart from each other. They do not di is draped clockwise, while the pallav
function or an event, they often dress up To The Indian Art of Draping, by Chantal Boulanger, Shakti Press in- speak the same language or share anything goes counter-clockwise.
with a silk sari. Most of the time, the drap- ternational, Post Office Box 267, New York, NY 10276-0267 USA: Pallav: the most decorated end-part
which is thrown over the shoulder. in common. One of them is not even Indi- 4) Bring the upper border of the mun-
ing is the same whatever the textile. While The Sari: Styles, Patterns History, Technique., By Linda Lynton, an. Yet their drapes are clearly related to the danai under the right arm and draw it across
Harry Abrams Publishers, 100 flfth A""nue, New York, NY 10011- Upper border: the highest border
there are festive and daily drapes, a festive 6903: Ikat Textne. of India, By Cbelna Desai, Chronicle Books, 275 Gond sari, of which many variations are found the chest. 5) Pass the remaining cloth under
drape can be worn with a beautiful silk, flfth Avenue, San Francisco, California 94118-2307 USA: Clothing when the sari is first tied, generally
used for the knot in closings. on women of all castes living in what was the the left arm and across the back, bringing the
polyester or cotton sari, and one might wear Matter.: Ore •• And Identity In India, By Emma Tarlo, University Of Gond kingdom. end-corner up and over the right shoulder.
Chicago Press, 5801 South Ellis A~ue, Chicago, Illinois 60637 USA
an old silk sari with a daily drape. Gond saris are also distinct because they re- 6) Make a knot with the upper corner of the
A sari's two dimensions are length,
which may vary from 2 to 9 yards, quire two elaborate pallavs, or, as with the Koli pallav and the part of the upper border pulled
Draping devotees: (left to right) Youth at a Rajasthan fair rejoice; a Vama fabrics fashion sari, no marked pallav at all. Since one pallav is in front of the right shoulder. Since the cloth is
model displays the opulent refinement of their elegant weaves; Kodava wO'l'lWn of Coorg and height, varying from 2 to 4 feet.
draped over the left shoulder and the other makes the coarse, it makes a big knot. 7) Look beautiful!
district wear a distinctive and unique drape; a Delhi newlywed wears red
Gift (28 pages, Wisdom Publications,
us$l4.95) written and illustrated by Isia
Osuchowska, is a magical story of a modest
gift of cloth and its far-reaching effects. An
impr~ssive lesson in the use of resources in-
terpreting the ethic of "waste riot; want ,
not," The mft serves up a potent declaration
of how we can use what we have'
for the benefit of many, now
and into the. future. In the
Heart of the Village: The World
of the Inlllian Banyan Tree (28
.. page~, Sierra Club Books for •
Children, US$16.95) written and
illustrated by Barbara Bash, pre-
sents a visually rich window into the
Visionary publishers complex world thai: grows around the
magnificent banyan trees of India.
vend books for boys and Through vividly sensual and lush
girls-full of fabulqus paintings,. Bash ·takes us into
the swirl of life surround--
fables and visual pearls ing a .giant banyan, the village centerpiece.
From dawn worship in the modest shrine at
its base to the mid-mOI;ning market; from a here?) is Aani and the
playgrounds shady rest>ite from mid-day Tree Huggers (30 pages,
OW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU
heat to the evening's cool meeting-ground Lee & Low Books Inc. , to non-vegetarian parents. While Bauer's
scoured bookstores for quality for village elders; and with the plethora of US$14.95). Written by Jeannine Atkins and illustrations are not as cOlorful as others,
animals living in its far-f.lung branches, the illustrat~d by Venantius J. Pinto, this tale is b~ing done in a simple one-color format,
Hindu storybooks, only to come
away weary, wishing that some- worM of the Indian banyan is lovingly pro- based on actual .events in India from the they lend themselves agreeably to Vignola's
one would get serious about writ- . trayed for us all to .enjoy 1970s. A young girl, Aani, ipspire;; the powerful story.'They also serve well for col-
ing for today's Hindu yout}l? DepartiI;lg the breathtaking banyan, we women 0 her village to hug the trees to oring. After hearing his father's plans to
Newsweek recently stated that" 'Need' is delight in the savory sweet Cherry'Tree (32 prevent them from being cut. Pinto's vi- have the family lambs for dinner (not as
never an issue with kids' books," due to the pages, First Boyds Mills Press, US$7-95). brant, attractive illustrations, from the col- guests), Victor sets out to liberate them. All
approximately 5,000 new children's titles Written by Ruskin Bond and illustrated by orful clothes and jewelry of the women to ends well when Victor, the lambs and his
published every year in the US. But it seems family reunite. "Eat vegetables instead of
they never a.?ked a Hindu mom. In response our animal friends" is Victor's message!
to this latent need, a diverse group of artists Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Ta-
and authors have recently produced stun- "I was really surprised at all gore [1861-1941] gave the world many
messages through his literature, and now
ningly beautiful boo~s for childreIJ and the./people who turned up at he gives two fme boo~s, Amal and the Let-
young adults. These are US productions
that soar above similar ~dian tomes, and my upanayana ceremony. ter from the King (32 pages, Boyds Mills
Press, us$l4.95) retold by Chitra Gajadin
many of the creative talents are Westerners. I had no idea that we had so and illustrated by Helen Ong and Paper
Their rich and powerful stories, with strik-
ing illustrations and deftly wri~ten prose, many relations. My parents Boats (28 pages, Boyds Mill Press,
us$l4.95) illustrated by Grayce Bophak. In
will capture your child's imagination, teach had set up a huge tent ..'. and Amal we are introduced to a small boy con-
a moral (not haughty) lesson, and provide
them with fanciful friends and role models. all m)r aunts made a big fuss. fmed to his house by illness. His world
comes to him as he peers outside his win-
I Want to become an armchair traveler to After they'd finished with do.w and dreams of traveling with time to .
India? Read and enj0y Sacred River h6
p~ges, Clarion Books, US$14.95) written me: I really did feel like an imknown land. TagoI.;.e's lyrical language
and illustrated by Ted Lewin. Lewin's po~ makes this a perfect book to read aloud. In
erful and majestic watercolor paintings
a new person." Paper Boats Tagore's simple poetry leads us
coupled with his unadorned prose will Ravi's tale as told ih
COM:PARING into the imaginative mind of a child
transport fau to the ancient holy city Qf Ba- RELIGIONS: INITIATION CUSTOMS dreaming of what lies beyond his small
naras. From the boatman to the bathers , world. Paper boats, drifting down a stream
seeking religious purification in the holy with "blooms of da~' will evoke memo-
waters, the religious solitaires meditating on' ries of your own childhood and its simple
its banks, to the cremation grounds and to Allan Eitzen, we are delivet:ed to the Hi- .the rangoli decorations on the village hous- pleasures. The unpretentious, yet expres-
the final journey of the ashes of the depart- malayas to follow a village girl,•. Rakhi, as es, will wisk you into the world of the tree sive torn-paper style illustrations are the
ed, Hinduisms most sacred river is lovingly . she plants a cherry seed: nurtures it and huggers as they offer their lives to preserve perfect vehicle for Tagore's elegant poetry
der icted in Lewin's sumptuous work. The marvels as it grows to bear its delicious what they value. --: Jump from the ethereal to the analytical
fruits. All the while, Rakhi gr.ows and ma- Values of another sort abound in Victor, and land in the world of learning and cul-
Art and education: (clockwise from left) tures into womanhood. Her sweet and the Vegetarian: Saving the Little Lambs (52 tural exchange. Interested in how people live
Morning puja at the banyan tree-where sometimes sour1 essons of life follow the pages, 'Aviva Press, US$6.95). Written by and celebrate lifes importatit milestones, or
monkeys play and little girls swing. Ravi re- simple planting of a cherry pit. a suspense- Radha Vignola and illustrated by Julia just what went into those tasty curries you
lates his experiences in Initiation Customs. ful tree tale of another sort (notice a trend Bauer, this book sends a forceful message ate last night at your neighborhood restau-
If
ton, Initiation Customs by Katherine a blue silk umbrella and the people who Food Offering $ 300.00
Various Homams and PLtia will
Prior, Food and Fasting by Deirdre covet it unfolds into an adventure with Floral service $ 101 .00
Burke, Birth Customs by Lucy a surprising conclusion. Rosen- be performed thr.oughout the Valampuri Shanku $ 101 .00
Rushton and Pilgrimages ' berry's telling black-and-white I three-day event. Ordinary Shanku $ 21 .00
and Journeys by Katherine illustrations draw us into Binya's Kalasa $ 51.00
t EVeryOnediS cO~~iaIlY i~vited
pnor. Each gives simple yet mountain world and its people.
~ 0 come an partIcIpate In this 6ri RajarajeslVari Devi COlltributiolls to SVTS are tax
fairly complete descriptions of Last, but surely not the least, is
the rituals and beliefs which en- Count Your Way through India (20 ! great event. allhe Peelam deductible ill the USA.
Prasadam will be mailed withill
rich and empower the lives of pages, Carolrlioda Books, Inc.) by t Sri Vidya Temple Society two weeks of completioll of
each adherent. Photographs .
presenting ceremonial cus-
34
Jim . Haskins, illustrated by Liz
Brenner Dodson. Numbers one
i
! 6970 East River Road, Rush, NY 14543
(716)272·8081, (716)533·1216, Fax (716)272·9515
Prathista. Please make checks Dr
mOlley orders payable to S. v.T.S.
Del~ata
bles, from attack with knowingly false
and defamatory statements-hence
the law's name. However, the judge
did not throw the case out completely"
Jurors continued to hear the case as a
common-law business disparagement
Hindus fight holidays
trial" giving the cattlemen a heavier coxnmercialization - "
burden of proof than under "veggie •
libel." They had to prove that Winfrey
and parties set out to hurt the beef m- ACH FALL THE "DIPAVALI VILLAGE" IS
dustry.
On FebruarY -26, the jury found'the
defendants not liable. Outside the
courthouse, Winfrey pumped her
fists at fans and hollered, "Free
E set up for two weeks on several acres of
land on the Caroni plains in central
Trinidad by the National Council for
Indian Culture (NCIC). Booths are rented
out to various businesses to sell crafts, food, I
speech not only lives, it rocks!" Mean- clothes, even hardware and cars. A few reli-
while, cattleman Engler emphasized, gious. lectures are given during the first .J
"We did accomplish the main objec- week, but thereafter dances, fashion shows
tive: to convince the people that US and music predominaj;e. The Village has
beef is safe." (The: brain-destroying been popular with Trinidad's Hindus and is
illness has never been found in US the largest yearly Hindu event on the island.
cattle. ) He adde1:l, "I want to see re- The problem with Dipavali Village, com-
sponsible reporting and responsible plains the influential Maha Sabha, is that it
talk show hosts." Juror Pat Gowdy has minirnized religious content. "The Vil-
helpeCl explain the decision, "We felt ' lage has evolved ipto a commercial enter-
LAW that a lot of rights have eroded in this prise as business discovered the power of the
country. Our freedom of speech may Hindu waJlet," complains Maha Sabha exec-
be the only one we have left to regain
No Ca-n·nable Cannibals! what we've lost."
Nature's response: Though out of
Oprahs court for the time being, con-
utive member Devant Maharaj. "It has re-
duced Dipavali to a pre-Christmas shopping
season." The NCIC, they charge, is attempt-
ing to recast the festival as a "cultural obser-
cern over the disease continues. A re- vance," a kind of Hindu 'carnival, not a reli- ;;;
Oprah escapes the jaws of the Texas beef industry cent Reuters report by Paul Tait details gious event. Devant describes the NCIC as a :l!
o
.1
chilling facts. It reads, "Creutzfeldt- mixed religious group comprised of Indian India style: At sunset ladies of the house set the Dipavali lamps upon a kolam diagram
J Jakob diseas~ (CJD) ~s the human Hindus, Christians and Muslims, and head- I I
OW DOESN'T THAT CONCERN YOU ALL outlawed in the summer of 1997.) Lyman equivalent of mad-cow disease and, like its ed by a Presbyterian, Hans Himoomansingh. , radio station. Complaints to the station from is likely that the festival in honor of Lakshmi
a little bit, learning that? It just stopped said the disease could "make AIDS look like bovine equivalent, it kills relentlessly and is The Maha Sabha is not the only group in- the Maha Sabha and others got the program was already ancient in Rama's time. It is the
me cold from eating another burger." the common cold" and that the US was ''fol- largely undetectable until after death. The sisting Dipavali is a religious event. For dif- permanently canceled for violating the sta- New Year's day in the Vikram calendar-
Oprah Winfrey's sudden statement lowing exactly the same path that they fol- biggest known outbreak was among a tribe ferent rea.sons, the Nur-E-Islam Education tion's prohibition on bringing another reli- new clothes are donned, houses cleaned and
seemed innocent enough. It was, after all, a lowed in England." He then painted the pic- practicing cannibalism in the l"l1mote high- Committee has distributed a flyer called gion into disrepute or offending any com- businesses close out their books. In the
shared reaction to a rather grisly report on ture that gave Oprah indigestion. "One- lands of Papua New Guinea in the 1950s. , "Beware of Shirk [polytheism]," which ad- munity. evening thousands upon thousands 'of small
maq.,cow disease. But because she voiced hundred thousand cows are fine at night, "CJD and mad-cow disease are types of I vises 11-uslims not to participate directly in In defense, Medina said in his fax, "It was lamps are lit and fireworks are displayed.
her vow on-the-air to millions of viewers of dead-in the morning. The majority of those transmissible spongiform encephalopathies Dipavali because it is a festival in honor of terribly .....distasteful to see the Maha Sabha How to deal with festivals in a multi-reli-
her April 1996 titan TV talk-show, Texas cows are rounded up, ground up, fed back to ~ TSEs ). All TSEs have three commcm Goddess Lakshmi, hence a form of ').dol and other Hindu organizations presenting to gicms environment has already been solved
cattlemen, led by Amarillo feedlot owner other cows. If only one of them has mad- threads-the agent that activates them is un- worship." Hindus have taken offense at the the ru::tion that Dipavali was simply a 'festival in 'India. There, during.. Dipavali, Hindus
Paul Engler, sued the talk show host, her cow disease, it has the potential to effect known, they all bor;'microscopi6. holes in flyer, though it is an accurate (if conserva- of lights,' or the 'triumph of light over dark- will greet their Muslim and Chfjstian
production company and cattle-rancher- thousands. Tod.ay, in the US, 14 percent of the brain of their victim and they are always tive) explanation of Islamic principles and ness,' when in fact this is not really the case friends, and share with them the special Di-
turned-vegetarian-activist, Howard Lyman, all cows are ground up, turned mto feed and fatal. The agent is not only infectious but has does state, 'J\s Muslims, we must exhibit tol- at all. These Caribbean Hindus in a Christ- pavali sweets. Similarly, on Eid-al-Fitr, the
for over $10 ,3 million. The riled ranchers ar- fed back to other animals." also been shown to be inheritable. It has no erance towards other world religions." ian cultural environment use these accept- major Muslim holiday marking the end of
raigned Oprah for allegedly causing beef Oprah couldn't swallow those facts. "But cure and no treatment, resists heating, f!eez- Like the Muslims, the "Thusians," a local able phrases to palliate the consciences of the month-long Ramadan fast, Muslims will
prices to plummet roughly $16 a head, a de- cows ate herbivores," she posed. "They ing, burial, strong ,.chemicals and medical independent splinter group of the interna- people so tll'at it would not seem to be idola- greet their Hindu and 9hristian friends and
valuation of 10 percent, in what they termed shouldn't be eating other cows." "That's ex- sterilization. Most TSEs also involve either tional Seventh Day Adventist denomination try to participate in Dipavali. We showed send to them the sweet vegetarian dish se-
the "Oprah crash." ": actly Tight," countered Lyman. "We should direct cannibalispl or the re-use of body of Christianity, insist Dipavap. is a religious . that Dipavali is not really about lights, it is wainn. Such sharing is done by Christians
Oprah's exclamation came -after hearing have 'them eating grass, not other cows. parts in agriculture or medicine." The com- festival, not a neutral cultural observance. about the worship of the Goddess Lakshmi." with their non-Christian friends at Christ-
Lyman describe how sE!gments of the indus- We've not only turned them into carnivores, ments made on Oprah's disputed show were Indeed, it: is a brazen exa'mple of the wor- Dipavali, "Row of Lights," is celebrated by mas. This centuries-old solution in India
try had been feeding ground up dead we've turned them into cannibals. '. The au- less ominous than Tait's. ...,; ship of "graven images," according to a all denominations of Hindus. It takes place in doesn't require anyone to go against his
bovines and other animals back to cows, and dience gasped, and Oprah made her vow. With reports from Associated Press eight-page fax sent to HINDUI~M TODAY by October-November the day before the new faith. But it does allow each to share the joy
how that common practice could Be spread- ''I'm stopped," she swore. And beef prices Readers may care to ktlOW that pet foods, Thusian pastor Nyron Medirla. He ex- moon -in Libra. There are several explana- of their festivities with friends of other reli-
ing mad-cow Cllsease to humans. (That feed- plwiged, argued Engler. even grain-based feeds, are likely to contain pressed this same' opinion, embellished with tions ot its origin, the most common being gions in an non-threatening way. ...,;
ing custom was voluntarily banned in the US One month into the trial, on February 18, animal parts that your pet would not natu- malicious remarks about Hinduism, last that it is the day Lord Rama returned to Ay- With reports from.ANIL MAHABrn, DEVANT
shortly before the show vyas taped and was without explanation, US District Judge rally consume_ March during his weekly program on a local odhya after spending 14 years in exile, but it MAHARAJ and PARAS RAMOUTAR, Trinidad
I'
.
WOMEN OF VISION Breath: According to the Vedas, our
breath extends from the cosmos' prana and
controls both the quality ana length of our
.Food and
. Breath: life. Life is defmed not by the number of
years on Earth, but by the number of
breaths each soul is given for its journey.
When we expend our ration of breath, our
Su~t8ir:lin8 the.Body
journey ends. Vedic 'l:;eers advised main-
taining slow and rhythmic breathing,
pranayama, by synchrbnizing our rhythms
with cosmic rhythms.
The right nostril's breath controls solar
Spiritualizing meal preparation and controlling rhythms and the left lunar rhythms. Learn-
ing to activate or de-activate the right and
our breath tunes us to Nature>s cosmic rhythms left breaths in accordance with daily ,
"\ rhythms, we strengthen 'bur prana anCl
extend duration and quality of our life.
BY BHAHMACHARINI
. MAYA . TIWARI The following simple methods realign the
breath with day and night energies to cre-
OOlD IS DIVINELY INTERTWINED WITH ate balance. To monitor your breath, first
body. According to ancient Vedic ascertain which nostril is exhaling more
see:rs, all things grown on the Earth, the air. Block your left nostril with a fmger and.
human body and entire universe are all blowout your right, holding your hand
food, annam. The principle of annam is beneath the nose. Feel the force of air ex-
that all things physical are composed of the five pelling. Then do the same on the opposite
Aymyedic elements-earth, water, fire, air and side, blocking your right nostril and blow-
spac~. The elements of our food, our annam, ing from tlie left. The1 trongest blown air is
nurture and feed the same elements of our bod- the side at which you are currently domi-
ies. When we become mindful of this divine nant. When the breath is strongest at the
connection, every bite a food is a blessing from right side, the solar breath is activated.
Mother Nature. In this manner, we begin to When the breath is strpngest at the left
practice sadhanq., the art of-living in harmony side, lunar breath is activated. In Ayurve-
with nature's rhythms. Balanced physical, men- da, the motive is to harmonize the body ,~
tal and spiritual health grows into Qur lives like with the environment. We harmonize with
the sprouting of a good seed. the day by activating our lumrr breath, and
The following experience illustr;ites instant the night by acpvating our solar breath.
. and f.1rofound benefits. Recently, Joyce attended Activating lunar breath in early morn-
a food sadhana workshop. Throughout, she was ing: 1. Check the breath to see which side
uneasy and distracted in her seat. Afterwards, Joyce told me she is stronger. 2 . If the lunar breath is stronger, you are in tune with
had a history of chronic migraines. Although she had tried several the day's cosmic rhythms. 3. If the right breath is stronger, make a
different medicines and,therapies, nothing had worked. Moreover, fist with your left hand and place your fist under the right armpit.
she continually experiehced an uncontrollable urge to binge on Using your right hand, alternate your breathing, from nostril to
junk foods,. The more she ate, the mor~ severe her migraines be- nostril, for a few minutes, or until you feel the left breath gain
came! I explained to Joyce the relationship between food and the more volume than the right. 4. Release the fist from the armpit and
body, an~ the effect of sadhana practice on our health. I gave qer perform a breath check once more to gauge the volume of both
this simple food .sadhana regime: breaths. 5. Your cooling. lunar breath should now be more active.
Be mindful in your approach and attitude toward food. These I 6. Do not engage in this exercise for more than 15 minutes.
simple steps will help you: 1. Make your kitcben a sacred, simpli- Activating solar breath in the early evening: 1. Check the
fied space: 2. Know where your food comes from. Use fresh, sea- breaths to determine which is more active.' 2. If the solar breath is •
sonal and organically grown foods. 3. Grind fresh spice seeds in a stronger, you are in tune witp. evening cosmic rhythms. 3. If the
mortar and pestle for everyday use. 4. At the same times everyday, left breath is stronger, make a fist with your right hand, placing it
prepare arid eat two ample meals. 5. Practice gratitude before im- under the left armpit. Using your left hand"alternate breathing
bibing a healthful meal by offeriIlg food to Mother Nature. Tradi- from nostril to nostril, for a few minutes, or until you feel the right
. tiomilly, a small portion of each cooked food is offered to the fire' breath g,ain more volume than the left'breath. 4. Your heating solar
before tasted or served. The offering may be accompanied by any breath shoulq: now be more active. 5. Do not engage in this exer-
prayer you choose. 6. Observe silence during meals. 7. Following cise for more than 15 minutes. By practicing pranayama properly,
meals, whllle your food is being digested, take a brief stroll or sit on , 'we may quickly realize many changes in attitudes and feelings. We ,
your heels for 20 IIliI1utes. may feel a deep inner calm and detachment to life's events.
Two months later, I received a 1etter from Joyce with a recent
photograph of hers~l£ She glowed with good health. She was still MAYA TIWARI , founder of the Wise Earth School of Ayurveda, is
on he1- sadhana program. Her migraines had disappeared. Joyce reviving and reintroducing Vedic Earth Sadhana teachings. An
had only one brief setback one week after she started the program. established author, her columns for HINlDUISM TODAY are based on
Immediately after' a junk food binge, she experienced a migraine her newest work, Migrant Spirit: Recovering Our Ancestral-Memo-
again. This convinced Joyce to stick to her healthy regime. Two ries, to be published in the spring of 1999. Tiwari lives reclusively
months later she was free from migraines and had even lost weight. as a brahmacharini in AsheVille, North Carolina, USA
I
Discover Homeopathy! Books, tapes, medicines, Vedic Astrology classes, workshops, tapes, Vedic Sculpture Studio, 607 W Broadway #136,
software, information for laypeople or health books. Offered by Umananda-Stephen Quong, Fairfield, IA 52556-3200 USA. PooJia, Devotional and Wedding Items Experience ...
professionals. Homeopathic Educational Ph.D., Jyotisha Vachaspati.17513 Grizzly Den
Services, 2124 W Kittredge, Berkeley CA Road, Lake Shastina, CA 96094-9448, USA. PilgrimageiTravel Pre-packaged items for all ... one man's quest for the Pure Self
94704-2604 USA. Tel: 510-649-0294. Website: Tel: 530-938-2997. Website: www.jyotisha.com types of puja • Homa pits 34159 Fremont Bvd within. Relive with him his years
Fremont, CA 94555 USA •
http://www.homeopathic.com E-mail: quongassoc@jyotisha.com Discover the heart and mind of India/Nepal. • Deity statues, devotion- Tel: 510-793-7930 ~ ~ with Paramhansa Yogananda, and
Journey with Dr. Martin and Carol Noval.
al pictures • Japa malas- Fax: 510-793-7026 his inner-dimensional journey, culmi-
i
Avoid gum surgery-save your teeth. Natural Free Products and Services Noval TourslTreks. Brochure: 800-486-6825
nating in a face-to-face meeting with
rudraksha, tulsi, lotus,
home-care breakthrough fights advanced gum
disease. Proven. Painless. Economical. Call: Free educational flow charts on all aspects
(USA)
sandalwood • Bhojaptra Pooja the living being of Light call I AM
800-533-1821. Website: www.albrite.com of Hinduism. Write to Viswanath. Am I a Spiritual pilgrimages, vacations: India, Nepal, • Ganges River water
• Oils. Religious Books
International THAT I AM.
The Christ Consciousness
Hindu? Box 56697, New Orleans, LA 70156- Hawaii, Grand Canyon, Costa Rica, Alaska, Mt.
6697 USA. arvind-4@msn.com Shasta, Peru. Small groups. Self-discovery Ad- in English, Sanskrit, Gujarati and Hindi • Bhojaptra • Men's, by Norman Paulsen. US$23 incl. s&h.
Computer children's kurta, pajamas, sari blouses, sari falls and petti- Solar Logos Fdn. • PO Box 2008-H
ventures. Tel/fax: 515-472-7918. fun@kdsi.net
Fast, friendly, fun software-Hindi, Sanskrit, Find God. ';What right has a man to say that coats. 1998 Jaintri & Panchang • Ask for our free list of Buellton, CA 93427-2008 USA
Gujarati, Punjabi, Bengali, diacritics, all-in- there is a God ifhe does not see Him?" Any- items. Prompt delivery • M.Card, Visa, AmEx accepted. Tel: 888-689-0352· Fax: 805-688-9998
Products/Stores
one for Windows, now on special offer. Call one wishing to honestly know God, contact Dr.
416-315-3186 (Canada). Aruna, 183 Jalan Besar, Bukit Tengah, 14000 Purity Farms organic traditional ghee. ,'
Bukit Mertajam, Penang, West Malaysia. 100% pure, from cows raised completely
Devotional Supplies free of hormones, chemicals or pesticides. A
For inspiration, cal! 808-822-7482 (or 808-822- delight to cook with! Wholesale or retail. Ask The Jlyurvedic Institute Writings and Music of Sri Chinmoy
Ganges clayfired statues for puja, meditation, SIVA) day or night for a recorded sermonette about our 89-page book, Making and Using
immersion, other rituals. Sixty intricately by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. Sixty Ghee-the Royal Oil. Call 303-647-2368, USA. Dr. Vasant Lad, Ayurvedic We offer a wide selection of
hand-painted images, many hard to find. upadeshas are rotated and changed daily, each Physici:m and Director of the Sri Chinmoy's music, inspira-
Color catalog includes 200 other deities. one is ten to eighteen minutes in length and Elegant, custom-designed Hindu clothing Institute, with visiting faculty, tional writings, poetry, plays,
Send US$2 to: JBL, Box 163 H, Crozet, VA covers topics such chakras, the story of the soul, for all occasions- kurtas, punjabs, salwar offer the Ayurvedic Studies and instructive answers to
22932-0163 USA. handling karma, fear, worry and other states kameez, etc. Also, western. Free brochure: Program, seminars and pri- questions asked by seekers.
of externalized consciousness, affirmations, Palani Sewing, tel: 510-680-7278 (USA). vate consultations.
Quality Incense putting teachings into practice, establishing E-mail: spalani@fiash.net New and unique book! Diana,
oneself in sadhana, color meditations, and Princess of Wales, Empress
from India. Golden Rose. Yearly (::;urriculum:
much more. Publications of the World-accounts of
Neel Kamal Pure Sandal- • I: Introduction to philosophy,
vvood cones, and more. theory and systems (Fall). Princess Diana's spiritual
Jewelry Sri Aurobindo books. Ayurveda. Reiki. Classi-
Tel: 970-949-6329 USA • II: Introduction to Ayurvedic dimension, with depictions of
cal spiritual texts. Homeopathy. Aromatherapy.
Email: vel@vailnet assessment (Winter). her meetings and personal
Affordable gems/jewelry for ayurveda, astrology, Alternative health. Also over 7,000 health
• III: Intro. to management of correspondence with Sri
meditation. Satisfaction guaranteed. Mail order. products including ayurveda, homeopathic
Beautiful wooden puzzles. Krishna, gods & god- King Enterprises, 1305 N. H StlA-289-T, remedies, herbal remedies, incense, essential imbalances (Spring). Chinmoy • 124 pages
desses. Also two games for Hindu children: Lompoc, CA 93436-4377 USA. Tel: 805-736- oils, massage oils, etc. Wholesale-retail-mail us$6.95 plus $2.25 shipping
"Memory" and 'Dominoes."Cal! Lakshmi: 209- 0449 (business hours.) order. Free catalog. Lotus Light, Box 1008HT, • Correspondence Course by
337-2477 (USA). hanuman@spiralcomm.net Silver Lake, WI 53170-1008 USA. Dr. Robert Svoboda, Ayurvedic Physician Learn to meditate! Meditation: Man-perfection in God-Satis-
Astrological rings, pendants of gemstones,
~ .
• Weekend and Intensive Seminars: Ayurvedic Cooking, Psy- faction, is a classic introduction to our timeless birthright. In
Malas, malas, malas! Tulsi, rudraksha, lotus, made to order in 14, 18, 22 karat gold or silver. Auromere: Sri Aurobindo books, classical spir- chology, Herbology, Pulse Reading, Sanskrit, Jyotish, etc. this book, Sri Chinmoy takes you, with simplicity and clarity,
sandalwood, rosewood and semiprecious. Sil- Call Manju: 914-434-6630 (USA). itual texts, ayurveda books, children's books • Panchakarrna-purification and rejuvenation by licensed staff: from the frrst stages of concentration and meditation through
ver and gold capped in rudraksha, sandalwood from India, ayurvedic products, incense, and oil massage, herbal steam, cleansing diet, herbal therapy, etc. the advanced practice of contemplation • 261 pages
and tulsi. Sacred images and more. Call 1-812- Music and Art much more. Free catalog: 1-800-735-4691 • Ayur-yoga-integrating Ayurveda and Yoga for the purpose $22.95 plus $2.25 shipping.
323-9768 or write for catalog. Sacred Woods, (USA). of returning each person to his or her balanced state.
1916 Arden Drive, Bloomington, Indiana, Hindu Deity paintings, notecards and prints • Ayurvedic and Western herbs, extracts, oils, books, audio Call for a free catalog with over 70 books, audio and video
47401-6731, USA. from India. Website: http://www.lakshmi.com. Palani Panchang 1998. Trivedis American Pan- and video tapes and a quarterly journal. tapes, CDs and more:
Catalog. Lakshrni International, 411 Madison chang available in English or Gujarati. US$9
Education Street, Boonton, NJ 07005-2051 +$2 sIh. 3 versions for NY, Chicago, San Fran- Heart-Light Distributors
Write/call for our mail order catalog and information:
cisco times. 510-490-1533. Devendra Trivedi, P.O. Box 85464-H. Seattle, WA 98145-1464 USA
The Ayuvedic Institute • PO Box 23445
Accredited Vedic astrology degree program Exquisite Vedic paintings done to order. Art 4831 Piper St, Fremont, CA 94538 USA. Tel: 800-739-2885 or 206-527-2099
book, Windows to Spiritual World. Pushkar, Albuquerque, NM 87192-1445 USA
offered by state-recognized Florida Vedic Col- Fax: 206-527-2099
Tel: 505-291-9698 • Fax: 505-294-7572
42 , 43
Is
"I Can., 'I Will, 1Am POSTPONED: Official bestowal of the un-
precedented "Parvatacharya" title
A ~&tar-Studde'd Gala du Dharma that was being taught along
with astrology. Most all of the astrologers
anCl participants were of Western back-
to
(feminine equivalent of "Shankarachar- ground, but everyone was open and hungry
ya") on Guru Maa Jyotlshanand Saras- Upon the hopes,and hazards of attending an for the knowledge of Hinduism. It seems
Pilgrims enjoy groves of plumeria, ~anta to See Daylight Send {)S$3 for 36-page color catalog
specializing in Tibetan Buddhist
items. 54E Tinker St., Woodstock,
American Institute of Vedic Studies
PO Box 8357
konrai, hibiscus, heliconia, native NY 12498-1200 USA. 914-679-4900 Santa Fe, NM 87504-8357 USA
Japanese fund museum and cave replication Orders from USA: 888-679-4900 Tel: 505-983-9385 • Fax: 505-982-5807
Hawaiian plant species and more. Website: www.dharmaware.com Email: Vedicinst@aol.com. Web: www.vedanet.com
At the entrance to the 51-acre By M . P. MOHANTY, DELHI gained precise information on the buildings,
OR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS I HAVE dress, family life, common animals, musical
sanctuary is Americas only forest of b~n pleading to build replicas of the instruments, even hair styles of the time.
Ajanta Caves," says ' photographer With the decline of Buddhism in India in Subramanya/Ayyappa Temple, Canada
healing rudraksha trees. Send US$ 12 _ Benoy K. Eehl of the Ar- . the 7th century CE, the
chaeological Survey of India. caves, some still unfinished, The Subramanya/Ayyappa
to purchase a single-bead necklace "Then people would not have were gr~dually abandoned. It Temple opened in July 1994,
to go into the real caves where was only in 1819 that British MAHES H Y OGI as a manifestation of the life
of a sacred rudraksha, and receive as the delicate ancient paintings explorers rediscovered them works of Sri Swami Vishnu-
are being spoiled due to the along the Wagurna River. Maharishi International University 1971- 1995 devananda (1927-1993)-
our gift another bead to plant at humidity of their breathing, Behl has developed a tech- founder of the International
• Shiva: An Introduction.
A WA~INGTON STATE JAIL IN AMERICA is al-
lowing inmates to join a ten-day Vipassana ,
change of doctors. The Chinese are offer-
ing expertise in their traditional herbal
timates, rather than a shift in actual affilia-
tio:q. In 1997, for example, he numbered
ful forest in the ,'.',- .• "",,';.. "1- ,~.,~ '.~. ) . meditation program in an attemRt to help remedies and acupuncture, the Indians in "tribal religionists" as 100,000,000, but in
Pattanaik. US$19.95
1~~'~~~~jtJ';~:
Laurentian moun- petty criminals, alconolics and iliug addicts ayurveda and yoga. his new figures ups this to 244,000,000.
tains, 1 hour north • Srimad Bhagavata Maha- to get a grip on their lives. Kiran Bedi One major change is the collapse of com-
of Montreal. Year- purana: With Sanskrit text made the program famous during her AMERICANS AND EUROPEANS are seeking to munism and the reemergence of traditional
round program and English translation, tenure as warden of Tihar Jail in Ne'{v Del- recreate the joint family environmeIi(in faiths in various parts of the former Soviet
includes morning 2 vols. set. $55.00 hi, ~ia's largest prison. She had both pris- "co-housing communities," a concept in- Union. His fi~es on Hindus are dropped
and evening • Understanding Your Puja oners and guards participate, with a vented in Denmark in the 1970s. Ten to from 806,000,000 to 7670400,000, also ap-
meditations and two yoga classes. Better. B. Dwarka. $4.95 marked impact upon morale. For ten days fifty families pool their resources to buy a parently due to the reassignment of groups
• Devatma Shakti: Kundalini and nights there are long sessions of mo- plot of undeveloped land, then build on it to "tribal religionists." Christians as a total
• June 27-July 25: Childrens' Summer Yoga Camp Divine Power. Swami tionless meditation, with no talking or oth- in a way to maximize human interaction. percentage of the world population were
• June 28-July 4: Vedic Architecture, with Dr. V. Ganapati Vishnu Tirtha. $8.95 er diversions. Results so far with Seattle in- For example, most houses are reachable reduced from 33 . 9 ~ to 3:f2%.
Sthapati, founder and research director of the Vastu Vedic • Mantrapushpam (in Sanskrit). Swami Dev Rupanand. mates who were able to stick out the ten only on foot, cars being exiled to parking ,
Research Foundation, Madras, India $15.00 days have been dramatic. lots. Community liVing rooms and kitchens BRITISH HINDUS ARE OPENING their first
• July 5-Aug. 2: Yoga Teacher's Training course • Shri Rudram De-Coded: Mystery of Vedas Revealed, ". create a sense of family environment. ·ayurvedic college as a result of growing de-
• Aug. 2-9: Bhagavata Saptaham wi Sant Venu Gopal Mantras and Medicines for Healing. Shubhakaran. $35.00 PEOPLE FOil THE ETHICAL TREATMENT of Ani- mand. "A lot of white British people are
Goswami • Aadi Shankara's Bhajagovindam. Krishnamani. $18.00 mals \PETA) is an in-your-face group of ALL CHARGES HAVE BEEN DROPPED against seeking ayurvedic treatment because they
• August 17-23: Vandana Shiva, director of Research • Handbook ofVastu. B. Niranjan Babu. $9.95 vegetarians and animal-rights activists' the kar sevaks accused in the 1990 razing are fed up with the side-effects of the med-
Foundation for Science, Technology & Ecology , Dehradun, • Kundalini Tantra. Satyananda Saraswati. $16.95 known for such tactics !lS throwing blood of Babri Masjid in • icines they take," said Dr. N. Satyamurthy,
India and Andrew Kimbrell, founder National Center for • Rabindranath Tagore: A Biography. Kripalani. $25.00 upon the expensive fur coats of strolling Ayodhya, India. general secretary of the Ayut:vedic Medical
Technological Assessment, Washington, DC New York women in protest of the fur in- Following the de- Association of the United Kingdom. The
Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp. 673 8th Avenue Nataraj Books dustry. Their latest move is to tell Chris- molition of the first group of 25 students~nearly all
Val Morin, PQ, JOT 2RO Canada. • Tel: 800-263-9642 7073 Brookfield Plaza • Springfield, VA 22150-2915 USA tians that Jesus was a vegetarian and that structur~, built Apglo-English-has commenced study
(from Canada), 800-783-9642 (from USA), 819-322-3226 Tel: 1-703-455-4996 • Fax: 1-703-912-9052 they-should all give up meat-eating. "It's a upon the birth- of the three-year course.
Fax 819-312-5876 • E-mail: HQ@sivananda.org email: nataraj@mail.erols.com . kooky idea," was tl;te response of one Jesuit, place of Lord
www.sivananda.orglcamp.htm Please ask for our free catalog • VisalMC accepted. and none seemed convinced by PETA's ar- Rama, thollsands SAHAJ MUNI, A JAIN SAINT, is patiently fast-
gument that Jesus belong to the Essene died in riofs across ing himself a world record, but it is not
Jewish sect, who were vegetarians. PETA India, alld thou- likely to end up in the Guinness Book of '.
spokesman Bruce Friec;lrich scolded, "The sands of Hindu World Records. The record-keepers have
church was on the wrong side of the slavery temples were dam- dropped the category, apparently because
issue and women's rights, and if they con- aged in Pakistan of the difficulty in confrrming the fast, and
tinue to support die eat~g of animals, and Bangladesh. Babri Masjid razing because one can die trying. Sahaj Muni has
they'll be. on the wrong side of this issue." consumed only glasses of hot water since
Contact: PE:rA, 501 Front Street, Norfolk, MAHATMA GANDHI IS GETTING RECOGNITION in April, 1997, and was e pected to break his
• . Vrrgmia 23510 USA. www.peta-online.org Gerrrtany with the renaming of a Berlin fast May 1. His weight has dropped from
' high school as "Mahatma Gandhi Ober- , 158 pounds to 70, but attending doctors
·MEMORENTM DID YOU MIISS INDIA'S schule." The name was decided by a vote of maintain his health is good. He is doing it,
Nutritional Support for the team in the Winter teachers and students. In America, the first he explained, to rid himself of the bad
brain. The herbs in this Olympics at Nagano, statue of the Mahatma on federal land was deeds of previous births. According to the
formula are known for their Japan? Mitch Albom, unveiled in Atlanta, Georgia, in January at Encyclopedia Britannica, an extreII).ely
nutritional support for the sports commentator the Martin Luther King Jr. Historical. Na- obese person can go without food for a
brain and intellect. Helps of the ~etroit Free tional Park. King patterned his civil rights year, but most fasters, such as ten jailed
with fatigue and forget- Press, didn't. He in- movem:nt after Gandhis satyagraha and Irish Republican Army members in 1981,
fullness. terviewed 16-year- traveled to India in the early 1950S to meet die:within a couple of months.
old Shiva Keshavan, with prominent Gandhians.
the sole Indian repre- PLANNING ON GOING TO MARS? Better ife a
• ALMA KALpTM sentative at the INDIA- FIJI RELATIONS ARE SLOWLY RETURNING vegetarian, because the Cor-
Antioxidant formula, games. Shi.va to normal with the adoption·of a new, non- nell University team design-
known in Ayurveda placed a respect- A '1uge" snow sled racist constituti0n in Fiji and the subse- ing the menus for future
for thousands of years able 28th iin the quent lifting of the ten-year trade embargo lunar or Mars colonies
as the "jam of youth." luge race--ahead of every other Asian com- by India. rnplomatic ties were severed in aren't planning on
AMLA (the main petitor except Japan. He doesn't get much 1990, three years after a coup deposed an shipping Big Macs
ingredient), known practice at his home in the Himalayas, as . Indian-led government. Indian Fijians along. Their goal is tQ
to have one of the he doesn't own the special sled used in the make up' 46 percent of the country's have astronauts grow 30
highest concentrations • event/ but he was immensely proud to rep- 750,000 population. crops in hydroponic
of vitamin C, 30 times resent his country. space farms. Cattle
that of an orange. DAVID BARRET, EDITOR of the World Christ- ranching on Mars, it ap-
INDIA AND CHINA HAVE AGREED to cooperate ian Efll?Yclopedia, has issued a revised set pears they concluded, just
in promoting eacl1 other's indigenous medi- of statist;ics on religious affiliation. The fig- wasn't a reasonable
cine in a program of fellowships and ex- ures represent a recalculation of certain. es- option. ' Vegi-astronaut
''Belt fIllDdustry" (product exceIlence),"21st Century"1IiJd
~ PrIde for 1997" (presented by the PresIdent of india) CLOCKWISE ?,OM TOP: INDIA T ODAY; NEWSWEE~; COREL
48 JUNE , 199B HINDUISM TODAY 49
Moneesh Resources - Gifts and Books A New Incarnation of the Gita's Truths
MINISTER'S MESSAGE enough for people to communicate with
each other in the community. If you look to For the past 18 Paramahansa Yogananda penetrates to
the history of these ancie"nt languages of years, we have the Bhagavad Gita's psychological
The Divine Mathe'l: the world, you will find in them varied, developed an ex- and metaphysical depths, revealing its
slow developments. But the Sanskrit lan- tensive collection innermost essence. Many long-lost
guage was perfect from the very beginning. of gifts, statues and truths come to life in his new transla-
• Is there not enough evidence to understand books to support tion and commentary, illuminating the
• A broad collec-
eternal questions found in every heart.
God Talks With Arjuna:
The Bhagavad Gita
1,224 pgs, two vols. w/slipcase, US$42.
For one single verb there are go forms used tion of spiritual Self-Realization Fellowship
Sanskrit is a Godly gift, complete anQ complex, in its 10 tenses. Even a simple noun or pro- texts of all tradi- 213-342-0247 USA (9-5 Pacific)
noun has 21 forms of the same word. tions, esp. Hindu-VecitM, Upanishads, Sutras, Puranas, etc.
recognized as the parent of EUFopean dialects Knowing all that, still, Sir William Jones • The finest rudraksha malas, custom made-gold-filled,
made a declaration ata 1786 meeting in his 14k gold, with silver etc. • A wide collection of wrist or
. '
BY SWAMI P .R A K ASH A NAN D S A R A S W A T I .own Calcutta society that because some . necklace malas in various stones and styles • Statues of
words of Sanskrit, Latin and Greek are deities: Ganesha, Krishna, Shiva Nataraj, etc. • Posters, Nag Champa Incense
similar, there must have been another par- calendars and notecards of deities from the fillest artists-all
UR HOLY SCRIPTURES ORIGINATED FROM GOD HIM- ent language from where they were bor- sizes .0Puja and meditation items: Incense, prayer shawls, Buy from importer and
self They were first revealed to the people of Earth rowed. On his speculation the plirases wool meditation asanas, cushions and more save! US$15 for 250 sticks,
by Brahma through the sages and recently by Bhag- "Indo-European Language" and "Indo- • Alternative health care remedies and books: ayurvedic $25 for 500 sticks, plus
Ved Vyas. They are not the writings of a person, European people" were introduced, which and herbal preparations, essential oils and related books $3.50 s&h (US). Send $1 I
as some assume. They remain in the same form in all never existed. Attention of linguists was • Apparel: hatha yoga T-shirts and mats, meditation clothes, (refunded with first or-
the ages. The Sanskrit language came with the scriptures, wrongly toward an unknown side, like look- kurtas and dhotis der) for color catalog of
along with all of its grammar. This fact is rrientio~ed in many ing for water in a desert mirage. Unfortu- incense & burners, Hindu
places in the Upanishads. The VecitM, Upanishads and Pu- nately, even our Indlan writers followed the Call or write for our free catalog! deities, Amar Chitra
ranas,·etc., were received by Brahma from the supreme per- same gossip and hampered the reputation, Katha comic books, meditation supplies, candles, aroma-
sonality of God, which Brahma conceived of and revealed to authenticity and divineness of our Sanskrit ~oneesh Resources therapy products and more. ~C or VISA.
the sages the very first day of His life, which is more than language, and our scriptures as well. 467 Brickman Rd., Hurleyville, NY 12747-5314 USA Nandi Imports • PO Box 751269, Dept. H, Petaluma, CA
155 trillion years ago. Then it was re-revealed by a decision In{act, Sanskrit is, the mother language Tel: 914-434-8990 • Fax: 914-435-0018 94975-xxxx USA • Tel: 800-445-9950 • www:nagchampa.com
of God Himself whenever it was needed, or whenever there of all other world languages, and the specu-
was destruction of civilization. The latest and last revelation was lated "Indo-European Language" is Sanskrit. The speculated 0
by Bhagwan Ved Vyas about 5,000 years ago when he rewrote all "Indo-European people" are inhabitants of Bharatvarsh, or India,
the scriptures in their original form and taught it to his disciples. which is also called Aryavat. Thus, it is self evident from the above
In this way all these scriptures were revealed in the same se- descriptions that Aryans of Aryavart or Bharatiya of Bharatvarsh Teachings in the Kriya Yoga Tradition
quence of time, in a continuous succession, of which the last one are the same.
was Bhagwatam, whiGh, according to our history, was related to What happened is fhat in ancient times, Indian people traveled Programs and books by Roy
King Parikchit by Paramahahs Shukdeo just 30 years after the to neighboring Asian and European countries, settled there and Eugene Davis, a disciple of
beginning of the Kali Yuga in 3072 BCE. Variation of the style of over time almost forgot India. But in local spoken tongues, they Paramahansa Yogananda.
the language of Samhita, Upanishad and Purana is just their style. held instincts of Sanskrit words of general communication. That's
It does not mean an"earlier or later date of writing. Our Sanskrit how, in due course, when languages like Latin, Greek, Celtic and • ~editation retreats from
grammar is perfect since it first landed on the planet Earth. Iranian were developed according to advancement of their own ~ay through Autmnn
Ifhe names of rishis and saints that appear in the reference and civilizations, they still retained some original Sanskrit words which • Kriya Yoga philosophy
stori~s of our scriptures are all eternal saints; eternally they reside are reflected'in their languages as a similarity of words between and practices featured
in the Divine abodes. They do come on Earth. So, the names of Latin, Greek and Sanskrit. • Sanskrit instruction and
such saints that are mentioned in our scriptures are also eternaJ. Now we know that Sanskrit originated from India. There is no Ayurveda seminar by
Such a story form of writing is easy to understand for a common such thing as a tribe coming to India with a language called San- qualified teachers
person. That's why the scriptures are eternalls made like that. One skrit, and there is no such thing as a pre- Vedi~ or pre-Aryan peri-
should not think that if an event is described in a scripture, it od, as our Vedic literatur~ is the first to appear on Earth. Our Request information and
should have happened first and then be recorded by someone at a scriptures are diVine writings, so they cannot be understood by our free book catalog:
later date. It is not like this. learning Sanskrit grammar and interpreting the words to on!{'s own Center For Spiritual
As regards to divineness of the Sanskrit language, it is self-evi- style of thinking. They can only be understood with the help of a Awareness. PO Box 7-H
dent. You don't light up a torch to see the sun, just open your eyes divirte personality. I Lakemont, GA 30552-0007 USA
and see it. But if you close your Wes you can't see it. Since the first Tel: 706-782-4723. Fax 706-782-4560
time historians learned about the existence of Sanskrit, they have E-mail csainc@stc.net • Website http://www.csa-davis.org
seen it in the same perfect form up till now, without any "sound .
,
shift" or change in "inflection," as happens to other languages of Roy Eugene Davis' Books in India:
the world-and all the anthropological linguists know that. In the (when ordering by mail add Rs. 15 postage each book)
last 3,000 years there was no genius born who could introduce a B. Jain Publishers • Post Box 5775 New Delli no 055
perfect grammar like Sanskrit. Even the advanced English lan- An Easy Guide to Ayurveda, Rs. 45
guage of today only had 3,000 words when its first dictionary was ~otilal Banarsidass, Publishers
published in 1604- Prior to that it had been through so many SWAMI PRAKASHANAND, 69, heads International Society of Divine 41 U.A., Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi no 007
transformations since its birth. The oldest prime languages, like Love and Barsana Dham in Texas-the largest US Hindu Temple The Book of Life, Rs. 65
Latin and Greek, in their primitive stages had few words, just complex. Ayodhya-born, he teaches divine love of Radha-Krishna. A Master Guide to Meditation , Rs. 85
Life Surrendered in God (yoga-sutras),
R ECENT D ONO R S
i"OIl
V..l
" l{) -c ~ ~ :- ~ ~ ~
'" '" .: § .~ .... .l:l :r!,....Q -c ~"" .§ 0-- III ~ ..:.a "~a N
&::; m
ii:
~'""d
0 .~ ~
Pra~"""'~
. ;:: .~
1l ~""d§ .B1Il1-4
'-0'.=Q,) ~1=l~~"""C
:s ~ .,. , =OO=
l!i ::J~ 0~ <~.8XS
.... ;::I .... .: ,, ""d " " .;:: -.... ~,,~ .:'" N . ;:l ~ b cJj&- ~m
-S!t:':I) ~
~
~ ~ ..:;: §....t: '-i-I~ ? vi<1.1 ""~""dQ,) 1> ~::::l~
I=l Q,) ttl . td ;;
"OIl i'~..0 ~
t.J 8 a ~ .~ ~ ~ t?5
...jo.I /-oot
§~ -E
~
<U
X
Q.)
ro
~ ~
0
>~ ~ ~
k
~ g ~ -a
...
,0
I ...
Q.)
Wide Wed
~ 1l ° , .B r.! al ~ 1""d ~ ~ & -; S ~ ~ ,,~o & .~ " E .~ :g 5J ~ ~ g (fJ
;: ...2 i il " ::l 's.. j J1 § J.l ~ ;::I .... ""d 0 0 ~ "OIl Q'..:.a ~ ~ftI~~
!:!.....g ~
Q~~ ut)
. ftI 0 1-1 k f)ARENTS ARE MAlUl'¥-
.s -gn..s
~ g g< §..:a
~ ·5 ~ .~..s il-: ~_ '1 ~1 § ~ ni .§ j ~
_ t g< "" " ~,....Q ;::I "' ~? "" " .B f-;< ::1:l t;;
8 J. til
~ B ~
rS ~ §~Q ~ au o
~ ~ ~ --§~ QJ ring their kids globally,
thanks to the Internet.
t' -.,..s::: " '" ~
J:""<!-< ""Ill;:;
il"" ....e " g<? ,,"; .ll .S ~ 0 ..... z" i3
"" 0 o_+' .... ",,....Q 0
~ i':;l ~
. . ""~ ,, '-' Online matchmaking
services are booming.
6 ~ Indolink (www.indolink.
;::I
o
S
,,
c::>.
~
com) is one of the mo~t
.~
~ ~
" ~' Tap into your inner self with the CD's soothing music, surreal imagery and Chopra's vibrant presence popular in the US for In-
IlI""d :.s dians seeking spouses,
o~ ·sttl "
CD - ROM own mind-body type (doshas ), create a specific with 600-1,000 matri-
5
u =~ dosha balancing program and gather tips on health, monial ads posted at any
~ o ~
o ""d'
'"
-
OJ C)
The Force is Within You nutrition, exercise, aromatherapy, meditation and one time. Indolink even
ID ~ • more. Note yow: thoughts in the CDs "Sacred offers traditional wed-
::g1 ~ E ANCIENT ART OF AYURVEDA MERGES Space" personal journal or fmd out from Chopra ding cards and astrologi-
.0
;:
t.3
Ill'
~""d t:5
~ ~ ti>
ai ."2P 'a
;::I
tel
~
tJ.l
T with technology in "The Wisdom Within,"
an interactive CD-ROM for mind, body
and spirit. Best selling author and New Age
guru Deepak Chopra guides you to determine your
how the "Field of Infinite Possibilities" transcends
our everyday reality. US$40. MaclWindows. Write:
Random House, 201 East 50th Street, New York,
NY 10022 USA. Web: www.randomhouse.com It IE;' .
II&:' ,
(~f';.,",
'I'
.··.'l~
' /.,
M'~<
--0 ~
'1> 0''':':
. ~?
'" <l..
'" ..,.' l';;.'i 4 . &
:,!
~j l
....!. ':
~
~,:..q ~ RETAILERS promote yow: store or LANGU A GE line lessons, plus access r~" ~,t #J. ;~.,.,. -
I': : .... '\. ;{~ ~
;."'~.:iQ'.''~.~~~·~\ ~''I
.- . : ;~.'l'1f~:'
> ;::I =il # . , ' ,
;::::: :::°o..:a.;:0 .....
"
~ JOin the
home business? L~t the
folks at Isafari Mall Sanskrit
to free computer fonts
for studying off-line. !·:, . '.0:\
""d OJ ~ (www.isafarimall.com) Once you've mastered ! " 'i., . \" ..;>,.;
",,' . ·" If , .
. :'r.,.:::Jjj
\3 . Safari Decoded
""':""d
help you. They provi,de- the Devanagari script, ~':t... ;1t.....-
".: . " •.. \
~ ,.---, ...~p.~ - ~ nt ; .
'.'.'.'. 1' '''''. '.!
o " J:i.,,~t' -;"· ,~~ :;:'/l\'~' <'
,.
~]
~ .
.a
.... 0
0:.
~ '7\ TTEN'TlON SAVVY
thousands of links to the
websites of well-known T'S AWE-INSPIRING TO
check out the huge San-
skrit Documents website ; ' •[, p ur> . '.' 1I.
;.... :8 ~ d- Rmar,keteL"s: Want to (plu; specialized) stores, Iview ancient ola leaves (ftp://jaguar.cs.utah.edul
~ ;::I~ increase visibility 'of the services and products. inscribed with scripture, privatelsanskritlindex.ht -.
~
" 0 ..
? "> .....0 website you created to Links are categorized, but wouldn't it be neatto ml) where you'll find
00 .. ranging from food. to be able to actually read vast selections from the From Web to wedlock
];:;a~
florists to furniture. the sCript? You can learn Vedas, Upanishads and
~ §~
N2 o .;:
""d..:a .]
.8 ;::I '"
~ 0 ~
-< 0 ~
So whether you're
into Indian jewelry,
clothing or Hindu
artifacts, apply on-
to L"ead,
write and
speak San-
skrit Fight at
many more
scriptural
tems, all in
their original
cal compatibility ser-
vices. Suitable Match
(www.suitablematch.
com) lets you search for
I §o script. More tools ,individuals with similar
<:! . !=~ line to bEl included your computer.
~~ ~ in their links-for The Chennai, on this site in- ethnic backgrounds.
Q ~.] free! And, if you're India, Sanskrit clude an on- Auntie-jis Matchmaking
I:
;: .s'" 0
....
justa shopper ex- Education Soci- line dictionary Service (www.Auntie-
~
tIl,....Q"""d" hausted fr6m explor- ety's website and free soft- ji.com) is' also popular,
~ ~-J ing the Web to find (http://sdlcf ware for creat- and Vivah Sambandhi
-E' ~ 0 a store, forget the sn.cs.iitm.er ingsnappy (www.vivahsambandhi.
© ..sct:i search engines, find net.inltutor. Sanskrit docu- com). describes the ba-
""0
.... ::::l .... it at !safari Ma:ll. html) effers on- sics of Indian weddings.
·E · r.! ~
~O..!'
..... != :;
~ r~
~ &~
tl.. ~
- •
9141 LIFETIME
HOOUISHTODAY LIFE ~J.I..'J!"!'f~!"!IJ!~'AlNQIS~D1G~I'~6746 NlJf-PROFIT"
r-~
~
~....t:
~ ~T10N
v '" 0
1'07 KfHlLffLELE ROAD U,S, POSTAGE
~ ~ .S KAPAA. HAWI1i 96746-9304 KWtPATI DEt1A SEYOO
.~ N
.... ~- rn PAID
N>DRESS ClRRECTION
~ £ ell LtBERrY . !MO
.b
ow
I'i
0
N
~
REQUESTED 294 'flJIHFI SJ
PERI'IIT No, 275
~D "
:::::: ~ ~ KAPAA , HI 96746-9352
~ OJ ""
§~::r:
~1 ~