Vijayadashami is celebrated differently in various parts of the Indian subcontinent. In some parts it is celebrated as Druga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura and for some others it remembers God Rama’s victory over Ravan. It is a significant example of victory of good (Dharma) over evil (Adharma). 25th October is Vijayadashami this year and we hope the world will find a way to stop the most devastating pandemic that is ravaging across Nations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging countries to join a global pact aimed at ensuring less wealthy countries to have access to COVID-19 vaccines. Wealthier Nations are focusing on securing vaccines for their own citizens, striking deals for the first doses even as data is yet to prove the vaccines to be effective. The WHO has expressed concern that wealthier countries hoarding vaccines for their own citizens could impede efforts to end the pandemic. In Hindu mythology there is an example of how the Gods came together to save the world when it was being attacked by an unrighteous person who was unstoppable by even the most powerful Gods of Vishnu or Shiva.
Mahishasura is the son of Sage Sindhudvipa and Mahishmati the daughter of Viprachitti the asura. He grew up to become very intelligent and powerful asura on the earth and received many boons from Brahma after years of tapasya. Eventually he became a threat to the existence of devas and humans. To counter the threat of Mahisha, Gods decided to create Devi to destroy him. From the fire mountain formed out of the flames of anger from the eyes of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shankar emerged the Devi, resplendent as a thousand suns and having three eyes, with hair black as night and eighteen arms. Every god present there gave her a weapon for each hand. Shankar gave her trident, Vishnu a disc, Varuna gave her a conch, Agni gave her a dart, Yama gave her an iron rod, Vayu gave a bow, , Indra a thunder bolt, Kubera a mace, Brahma a rosary and water pot, Kala gave a sword and shield, Vishvakarma handed her battle axe and finally Himavan gave her a lion. Minor gods gave her different ornaments. Thus Devi-rupa or form was completed, and she went on to destroy Mahishasura.
The COVAX global vaccines facility is a program designed to pool funds from wealthier countries and non-profits to develop a COVID-19 vaccine and distribute it equitably around the world. Its aim is to deliver 2 billion doses of effective, approved COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021. For the betterment of the world we hope all Nations, wealthier included will actively participate in this noble cause and save the world.
“The measure of a man is what he does with power,”
“Theyyam” is a popular ritual art form of worship of North
Malabar in Kerala, India. The Theyyam
dance is performed in front of the village shrine and in the houses as ancestor
worship. The Theyyam period is typically from the month November and comes to a
close by the end of May/June. Theyyam’s origins are said to be from the ancient
art form of Kaliyattam. It is said that Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of
Lord Vishnu and the founder of the State, sanctioned festivals like Kaliyattam,
Puravela and Daivattam or Theyyattam to the northern citizens of the State. An
ancient ritualistic Kerala dance form that elevates members of the lower castes
to the stature of God. The responsibility and culture of Theyyam was given to
the indigenous tribal communities and from here the great stories, heroes and
worship of celestial beings began.
Man assumes the form of God and dances propitiating and
appeasing them and in return, the Gods assure prosperity and peace to society
and is the belief behind the Theyyam performance. Breaking from traditional
roles, Theyyam performers are from the lower castes of Hindu society. The
performers of Theyyam belong to communities like Vannan, Malayan, Mavilan,
Velan, Munnoottan, Anjunnoottan, Pulayar, Kopalar and others. They might be
from the lower caste, but the moment the performer transforms into the deity,
he becomes divine. It is believed that at this point, the performers are no
longer men, but have transformed into Gods and the crowds are eager to seek
their blessings. In those days when untouchability was prevalent, when they
performed Theyyam, they could be touched. People would fall at their feet and
seek their blessings. Even high caste Namboodiri brahmins and Nairs fall at
their feet, seek solutions for their personal and family problems and blessing.
And the moment he takes the costume off, he becomes an untouchable again. The
transformation from an untouchable to God and then back to an untouchable in
few hours is amazing and to be seen to be believed.
Belonging to North Malabar and have seen Theyyam performance
throughout my life, I never realized the greatest life lessons one can learn
from the above ritual. Theyyam artists are willing to go through extreme
hardships to learn and perform this art form, at times at great risks to their
life as they have to run through burning embers, just to transform themselves
to the position of GOD where all and sundry seek their blessings, even if it is
for a short duration. From an everyday life of poverty, hunger and neglect when
others treat them as untouchables, for few hours they become GOD and others
prostrate before them. That power and authority, even though momentary, is worth
pursuing and enjoying.
Power and authority are separate but related concepts. A
citizen’s interaction with a police officer is a good example of how people
react to authority in everyday life. For instance, a person who sees the
flashing red and blue lights of a police car in his rear-view mirror usually
pulls to the side of the road without hesitation. If you have ever approached
senior police officers, bureaucrats and other government officials, you would
know how they treat you in their offices. A manager in an organization has
authority if he or she has the right to direct the activities of others and
expect them to respond with appropriate actions to attain organizational
purposes. Authority most often comes from the duties and responsibilities delegated
to a position holder in a bureaucratic structure. A company president can order
a product design change, for instance, or a police officer has the authority to
arrest an offender of the law. Imagine the life of power, authority and perks
being enjoyed by Ministers when in office and what happens to them when they
demit their office. So is the case with senior Executives of large
corporations. When in office, they are like God for those who are depended on
him for their survival and growth. You will approach him for solutions, help
when in need, or seek his blessings just to please him. But what happens to
them when they demit office? Do you respect/fear a retired police officer or a
senior executive?
Leaving a top position can be tough. Your diary clears, your
retinue of staff vaporises. Suddenly, no one is listening to you anymore. Ego,
hubris, whatever you call it, as we rise to positions of power, we too often
come to “believe our own hype”. You make a lot of money and you have a lot of influence
over many things. The inevitable fall can be bruising. While at work, you feel
valued and competent; at home, you are in your wife’s world, discussing what to
cook for lunch and when to pay the utilities bills. You may feel that you are
wasting time and not doing anything constructive and your life is worthless.
There are many different types of power and authority.
Positional power or legitimate power, coercive power, reward power, charismatic
power and knowledge power are some of them. All other power dissipates once you
demit office, except those with the power of Knowledge. So as to retain your
respect and authority, even after demitting office, do not misuse positional
power when in office and acquire knowledge power to influence others.
https://venupayyanur.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Venu-Payyanur-300x190.png00Venu Payyanurhttps://venupayyanur.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Venu-Payyanur-300x190.pngVenu Payyanur2019-03-25 05:08:432019-03-25 05:08:51Theyyam and Life lessons