The Brahma sutra is
orderly and capsulated presentation of Upanishadic revelations. One intriguing Q is :
have you ever listened to the instruction by which unheard is heard, the unthought is thought and
the unknown is known ?
Centuries ago, there
existed the cult of Vaishnavism, there
were scholars of Vaishnavaite cult and there are epigraphical evidences of its
flourishing stature. Miles away in the
Line of control that divides Pakistan occupied Kashmir from our Kashmir, lies
Sharada Peeth, temple dedicated to the goddess Sarasvatī
(Sharda), on the banks of Neelum River.
Kachmeeram was once centre of learning of Vedic works until the people dwelling before
many invasions and killings. Sharada was called Kashmira Puravasini
(resident of city of Kashmir) – many web
references state that their salutation
was " "Namastey Sharada Devi Kashmir Pur Vasini Tvam Ham Prartheye
Nityam Vidya Danam Che De hi mey" (Salutations to you, O Sharada, O
Goddess, O one who resides in Kashmir. I pray to you daily, please give me the
charity of knowledge). The Peedam was the
nerve centre of learning and it was the Sharda script which was in use. One report states that shrine did not have a deity but a very large
plinth/slab and outside there was a Shivling. Sharda Temple had the main girdle of 22 feet
diameter.
A web search on the Sharada peedam led me to this page
from which the photo above is posted here. Sharada temple photo link
Nearly a thousand year
ago, our Acharyar Sri Ramanujar on a pilgrimmage visited Srinagar searching for
manuscript of Bodhayana-vritti, a commentary
on the Brahmasutra by Bodhyana. His
ardent disciple Kuresar was able to memorise it in one glance; the commentary
of Udayavar is known as Sri Bashyam ~ Goddess of learning Saraswathi approving
Sri Bashyam conferred the title ‘Bashyakara’
on Sri Ramanujar. Thus was fulfilled the
main desire of Alavandhar – writing of an authoritative and illuminating
commentary on Brahma sutra.
Kashmir is associated
with Adhi Sankarar. He is believed to
have written ‘Saundarya Lahari’, in praise of Shakti, at the top of the hill,
known till then as Gopadari Hill. The
Shankaracharya Temple is situated on the top of the Shankaracharya hill, also
called Gopadari Hill, in the Zabarwan
Mountain in Srinagar, Kashmir. The temple is on the summit of the same name at
a height of 1,000 feet (300 m) above the plain and overlooks the city of
Srinagar.
Photo credit : jktourism.org
Much water has flown in
the rivers of Punjab tainted by blood – the present day manifestation of
Kashmir is not because of rigged elections, interference, lack of cultural understanding
– more mess created by unfriendly neighbour
who fuels terrorism and tries to keep fermenting trouble. The history of the sublime Valley is
regularly punctuated by floods, famines, fires and foreign oppression. About a couple of decades ago, there was
exodus of Kashmiri pundits who were forced to flee their ancestral property
fearing their lives.
Here is an interesting editorial
titled ‘for whom should your heart bleed’ that
appeared in New Indian Express Chennai edition dated 27th Sept. 2016
The next time you
sympathise with the victims of pellet guns used by the CRPF in Kashmir, spare a
thought for the security forces in the state. On his feet from 6 am till 8 pm,
which sometimes stretches to even 10 pm depending on the mood of the stone
pelting mobs, a CRPF trooper’s life is harsh and unforgiving. Away from their
families and loved ones, they sleep inside high security barracks, fully
camouflaged.
Each day they step out
wearing weighty helmets, complete with mesh, get into a truck or bullet proof
mobile bunkers, again completely meshed for security, along with their weapons,
protective shields and gear. Ready for another day of practicing “maximum
restraint” while battling huge mobs hurling stones, petrol bombs and grenades
and sometimes even random gunfire from militants. The media uproar over the use
of pellet guns means even that non-lethal option becomes difficult to exercise.
The other option, tear gas, more often than not backfires as the protesters
have learnt to pick and throw them back at the forces. In times of peace, they
are tasked with connecting hearts with minds. They distribute cricket kits,
badminton racquets and other sports gear besides organising tournaments and
matches and even give away cash prizes, just to win the confidence of the young
Kashmiri.
In fact, when violent
protests broke out after Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani’s killing, a badminton
court nearing completion near the Eidgah grounds in Srinagar was to be handed
by the CRPF to Kashmiri youth. The violence ensured that it remains incomplete,
and all the goodwill generated faded into the dust. Many noted Kashmiris say
they have been ‘’living in a cage’’ for more than two months now. But who
actually is living in a cage, is it the stone pelting Kashmiris who return
home, or the trooper in his protective gear, shuttling between his fortified
barracks and the daily battles on the streets?
Makes a sad reading !
With regards – S.
Sampathkumar
28th Sept. 2016
Source : Wikipedia
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