The launch of The Shackles of the Warrior - Tidbits from the Media Part XI

The launch of the Shackles of the Warrior was very successful. The media had quite a few questions to ask. Here, I share with you a few of them with my replies.

11. Mythology or History

Q:-  Is Mahabharat – a History or Mythology

It is a controversial question. Let me take it. There are groups of people – Believers – Non Believers
– Mid group. Each has their own views.

Our story The Shackles of the Warrior happened in the era 3100 BC and 15 creative characters of the story moved with Mahabharat real characters. Now is it mythology or History can be addressed from –

1. Purans       
2. History       
3. Astronomy      
4. Archeology.

Purans are not considered as history by rationalists or western historians. From the research carried out by us for our book, we address this issue from the other three – Archeology, Astronomy and History.

Archeology –

Dr.S.R.Rao, Marine Archeologist – ‘Lost city of Dwarka’ writes about his under sea findings. These tallies with the Dwarka mentioned in the epic/Bahgwat/Vishnu Puran/Harivansh. The headed seals found confirm the existence of passport system to enter/exit Dwarka.

Astronomy –
 

War : 3067BC 22/Nov
On the day of war Sun, Moon, Rahu/Saturn, Guru, Mangala, Sukra positions are defined by Vyasa.

- Strange phenomenon occurred during war 

• Lunar cycle (Paksha 15 days) some time happens in 14 days, it may happen in 16 days also. But rare thing happened. Paksha got compressed to 13 days. This was mentioned in Bhisma purana. This condensation of that was described as a sign of destruction by Vyasa.
• Amavasya falling on the 13th day of Paksha - I have never seen before - says Vysya.
  Comet appearances.
• Full moon and lunar eclipse/solar eclipse 3 eclipses in a matter of one month – Lunar eclipse pairs.
• Several positive of stars derived.

Based on planetarium software simulations made. Dating was arrived at. (Research papers Dr.S.Balakrishnan of NASA)

History –

• Frist Recorded evidence 900 BC Chandogya Upanishad.
• Megasthenes recorded that 138 generations (4century) passed between Krishna & Chandragupta Maurya.
• Panini 5BC explains the word “Vasudevaka”
• Grammarian Patanjali 150 BC recalls Lord Krishna.
• 180 BC Greek Ruler Agathocles issued coins with images of vasudeva with chakra.
• Hellodorus – Greek 140/150 BC corrected a column praising Krishna.

Hence the fiction ‘The Shackles of the Warrior’ considered Mahabharat as History viz., events actually happened. ‘Ithihas’ means “writing as it happens” by a person living at the time of occurrence.

The launch of The Shackles of the Warrior - Tidbits from the Media Part X

The launch of the Shackles of the Warrior was very successful. The media had quite a few questions to ask. Here, I share with you a few of them with my replies.

10. Calculating Reward - Duty

Q:- Calculating the Reward before putting our effort- Is it bad?

Work is virtue, work is worship, do your duty without any attachment thereof. Does that mean that we have a right to our duty and not to its fruits thereof? How is it possible? A student works hard to get a top rank. A farmer works hard to get a good harvest. An executive works hard to go up the corporate ladder. Without an objective there is no incentive to work hard.

Do note that the verse does not say that you have no right to the fruits of labor! It urges you to do your duty but learn to accept the result. You may expect but you should have the realization to accept the result of whichever nature. You cannot control the result. Hence give priority to your duty and not to the result. The same thing was said by Confucius (551 – 479 BC). The mind of the superior man is conversant with righteousness, the mind of the mean man is conversant with gain.

Since many of us  seek an affirming view coming  from the Western world on anything that the East propagates, let me quote from William Shakespeare. He said,“Three sentences for achieving success: know more than others; work more than others; expect less than others. Therefore you should stay focused on the purpose not on outcome.

Being dedicated to work has to mean ‘working for the sake of work, generating excellence for its own sake’. If we are always calculating the date of promotion or the rate of commission before putting in our efforts, then such work is not detached. It is no ‘generating excellence for its own sake’, but working only for the extrinsic reward that may (or may not) come by. Working with an eye  on  anticipated benefits, means that the quality of performance of the current job or duty suffers – through anxiety for the future. In fact,  events may  not always respond positively to our calculations and hence expected fruits may not always be forthcoming. We should not mortgage our present commitments to an uncertain future.

It has been held that this principle of detachment leads to lack of incentive for effort, striking at the very root of work ethics. To the contrary, concentration on the task for its own sake leads to the achievement of excellence – and indeed to the true mental happiness of the worker. Thus, while commonplace theories of motivation may be said to lead us to the bondage of extrinsic rewards, the detachment principle leads us to the intrinsic rewards of mental and indeed moral satisfaction.

The result can crown you with a kingdom or can crucify you on a cross. You should have the readiness to accept the result, while doing your duty.

Therefore you should stay focused on the purpose not on outcome – chase as far as your passion, but learn to face as far as the outcome. Be passionate at input stage and learn to be philosophical at output stage.

...to be contd.

The launch of The Shackles of the Warrior - Tidbits from the Media Part IX

The launch of the Shackles of the Warrior was very successful. The media had quite a few questions to ask. Here, I share with you a few of them with my replies.

9. Destiny or Disposition 

Q:- Destiny or disposition that determines success?

Fate is like a game of cards where you cannot influence the cards that will be thrown at you, but how to play them is in your hands. You may get good cards but if you play badly, you will lose and you may get bad cards and still may win if you play carefully. The roadmap is to give you direction, but it is you who should take the right turns at the right times!’

Though growing on the same earth and same soil, two plants from the same mother plant have different characteristics. Even if the seed of the same plant is sown with the same manure and same water, there will still be difference between them. Same applies to man. The way one absorbs the knowledge from the same teacher and same parent differs from person to person. A living thing is not metal piece of mass production. A living thing goes through changes from time to time. These are works of nature. These are nature’s wonders. Man is made by his own beliefs. As he believes, so is he. Unless you perceive your worth, you cannot achieve.

Take for instance, two men who look through the prison bars, one sees the mud, the other sees the stars. Your thoughts are the architects of your destiny. A positive mind emits harmonious waves of thoughts, a negative mind send discordant signals. The lock is outside the prison, but the lock is inside for many of us. It is the ‘thoughts’ that lock you in. When you want to reach the top of the mountain, your attention should be focused on it. If you stumble on a small stone at the foot of the hill and you are irritated by that and give up your quest, then clearly your focus is not on reaching the top. You should continue to focus on the top.

Everyone has talent. Everyone on the planet is a wonder of the world. Everyone has the potential for extraordinary achievement. Small achievements lead to great victories. Positive habits create results. Opportunity is under one’s feet. We do not have to keep brooding that we are less fortunate. All we need to do is to recognize the opportunity. We need to build a positive attitude rather than complain about temporary stress and uncertainties of change.

Dwelling only on your destiny deprives you of your dues. The unexamined life is not worth living (Socrates). The problem with most of us is that we always brood over  the  closed doors of opportunities. You never see so many windows of opportunities open for you. A  pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity: an optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty (Winston Churchill).

You need to have the courage and conviction to face adversities.Without doing things with full conviction, we call ourselves unlucky and brood our failures.

...to be contd.

The Shackles of the Warrior is now available in Mumbai.

 Now the book The Shackles of the Warrior is available in the following book shops in Mumbai.

Sr. No.	Name Of The Co.	Area
1	Modern Book Stall	Fort
2	Strand Book Stall	Fort
3	Ashish Book Centre	Fort
4	Book Zone	Fort
5	SHREE MAHAVIR BOOK HOUSE	Fort
6	PARLE BOOK CENTRE	Vile Parle
7	THE BOOK SHOP	Vile Parle
8	VIJAY BOOK CENTRE	Andheri
9	BHAVNA BOOK HOUSE	Breach Candy
10	SEARCH WORD	Colaba
11	Varsha Book Centre	Vashi
12	THE SHOWCASE BOOK CAFE & EXHIBITIONS	Vashi
13	CHEMBUR BOOK CENTRE & JAYESH BOOK AGENCY	Chembur
14	ROXY CIRCULATING LIBRARY BOOK SHOP	Mulund
15	CHETAN EXPORTS	Wadala
16	JYOTI BOOK CENTRE	Thane
17	V. S. MANI BOOK STALL	Vashi
18	MODERN BOOK PLAZA	Malad
19	READER'S PARADISE RADIONICS AGENCIES	Breach Candy
20	Green Leaf	Malad
21	Kwench Library Solutions Pvt. Ltd.	Borivali
22	Ensign Books	Khar
23	Title Waves	Bandra
24	Novelty Book Centre	Vashi
25	Granth The Book Store	Santacruz
26	Oxford Book Store	Churchgate
27	Books Plaza	Borivali
28	Raj Distributors	Dahisar
29	Kitab Khana	Fort
30	N Book	Sea Wood
31	Rahul Books	Goregaon
32	Sarvoday Book Stall	Bombay Central

The launch of The Shackles of the Warrior - Tidbits from the Media Part VIII

The launch of the Shackles of the Warrior was very successful. The media had quite a few questions to ask. Here, I share with you a few of them with my replies.

8. Comparisons 

Q:- Is comparison with successful Heros bad?

Yours fingerprints are unique. There is no one else like you. Why are people unhappy to possess what someone else has? It is human nature to compare ….

 

Comparisons are not bad, if you can compare, you can compete and if you compete, you can win. The competitor’s present status and performance invigorates you. Comparisons can be used to motivate or correct you. These comparisons become a problem when they are used for all the wrong reasons like branding or making oneself superior to others or when one compares thereby eliciting a wrong response like admitting a sense of defeat etc. it is only then, there the problem. In these cases, they destroy the souls. Then what do we do with comparison?’ A positive benchmarking leading to positive thoughts are fine, but do not get into negative benchmarking leading to nefarious thoughts.

 

Here is a sample for you for negative benchmarking.  There was a hunter who bought an amazing bird dog. It could walk on water, and even hunt for ducks running on water. He showed the dog to his friend praising its efficiency in hunting on water. His friend did not compliment but found fault with the dog saying that this dog cannot swim, while his dog can swim. This is clearly negative benchmarking. See the positive side of such comparisons.

 

The creator expects each one to do what one is capable of, at any point at any time. He does not expect an ant to haul logs of timber as the elephant in a forest. The ant should not compare itself with an elephant and start complaining. There is an ancient Indian story about a mouse who was constantly distressed because it was afraid of cats. A magician took pity on it and turned it into a cat. Immediately, it started fearing dogs. The magician, therefore, turned it into a dog. Now the dog began to fear the tiger. So the magician turned it into a tiger. Right away, it began to fear the hunter.

 

Finally, the magician was so disgusted that he turned the tiger back into a mouse and said, “You’ve got the heart of a mouse. That’s what you are and therefore you shall remain just that.” Hence we need to know what to look at and what to overlook.

 

You cannot put your legs into another man’s shoes and walk. Live your life. There is an old proverb: ‘If you compare yourself with you, then you are living. If you constantly keep comparing yourself with others, then you are only existing and not living your life.’

 

Now do not take me wrong: Effort minus expectations by all of us should not be interpreted as if we are commoditizing our efforts. There exists a difference in terms of the skill and the will of people. After all, the winners in the globalization era create a dent in the market by pursuing differential positioning. It is not uniformity in approach but leveraging the differences that leads to success in today’s globalized era.

 

A few of us are Creators of Core Competence, a few are Enablers, a few are Operational experts, a few are Maintenance Experts, a few are Regulators, a few are Compliance Providers and a few are the Physical Workers at the bottom of the pyramid.

 

The Bill Gates or the Dhirubhai Ambani is creators of core competence. Chanakya could not have become King Chandragupta or vice-versa. The great advisor Birbal could not have become the Great Emperor Akbar. A successful coach cannot become a successful CEO. Knowing your strength and leveraging it is the key for your success. We simply accept our competence levels and revolve around them. ‘Does the rose plant worry any day about whether a lotus will flower on its branches?

 

In much the same way, does a jackfruit tree worry about whether a coconut will grow on it? Even if a neem tree wishes to grow sweet cherry fruits, will it succeed?

Whatever flower you are, the same fragrance will come from you. Hence find out what you are basically! Focus on the roots rather than the fruits.

Steve Jobs said – ‘Some find their passion early in their life, some late in life, and some never in their life’. – Stay Hungry, stay positive, know who you are and chase your passion. Live your life on your own terms!

 

Life is a marathon not a sprint run! Run your own race. Don’t try to win the game by peer rivalries. Today he may win, tomorrow you will win. But you will eventually win – Have the belief!

...to be contd.

 

The launch of The Shackles of the Warrior - Tidbits from the Media Part VII

The launch of the Shackles of the Warrior was very successful. The media had quite a few questions to ask. Here, I share with you a few of them with my replies.

7.Normal man not as Hero 

Q:- Every one is  not a hero in real life? How should majority approach real life?
There is a saying ….
 “Even if she cries she only has to impregnate”
Everyone’s pain, he or she only has to go through.
No one has an easy ride. Great men have purposes, others have wishes. Wise people build homes with stones thrown at them. They were not afraid of losing. They never gave up the spirit. That is how they became Heroes.
Shakespeare said, “Laughing faces do not mean that there is absence of sorrow. But it only means they have the ability to deal with ”. Failure is an option, Fear is not. We should not be afraid of failures. ‘I didn’t fail in test, I just found 1000 ways to do it correctly’ said Edison after his invention.
In a day when you don’t come across any problem, you can be sure that you are travelling along the wrong path’ (Swami Vivekananda). Your attempts may fail, but never fail to attempt. Many were born to win but conditioned to lose. If an eagle’s egg is placed in the nest of a chicken, the eagle will grow thinking it is a chicken. The conditioning of the mind is catastrophe for many. If you don’t try you will never know. You may be disappointed if you fail, but you will be doomed if you don’t try (Beverly Hills). Most people give up at the last minute, just a foot from a winning touchdown. The men who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try to do nothing and succeed as Lloyd Jones once said.
Take hold of your self, Let’s say that you see a flower plant, like the flowers and admire the plant’s beauty every day. One day, you sat near the plant and observed the dirty mud with lot of impurities at the bottom of the plant. Thinking that you have cheated yourself by admiring a dirty plant all these days, will you reject the flowers?
Difficulties are part of everyone’s life.

Many people reading books on positive thinking. I could see many of them were troubled souls looking for a quick remedy. Many of them go to so-called spiritual gurus for seeking solace. It is a strange irony that Gautama Buddha came out of his palace and went into the wilderness, while some of the present day gurus came out of wilderness and go into huge palaces – all thanks to the desperate people who idolize them!
Your mind alone is the cause of everything. Mind is the cause for both bondage and liberation. It is more difficult to control the mind than control the wind (Bagavad Gita). Misery is almost always the result of your thinking. There is a purpose for everything that happens to you.
Always remember that what lies behind you or ahead of you is nothing in front of what lies within you. Therefore, you are only responsible for your miseries. By cultivating a proper mind, you can conquer all your miseries.
Always therefore, remember the night is the darkest before dawn. Count your blessings, not your troubles as many of your blessings are hidden treasures. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of “possibilities” into flames of “achievements”.
You will become a Hero! I guarantee you!
...to be contd.

 

The launch of The Shackles of the Warrior - Tidbits from the Media Part VI

The launch of the Shackles of the Warrior was very successful. The media had quite a few questions to ask. Here, I share with you a few of them with my replies.

6. Genre of the book

Q:-  What genre is this fiction?

This is a story involving modern era and ancient era. This story is a cocktail of two periods. It is a multi-period thriller. India is a sub-continent that lives on several centuries at the same time. A bullock cart carrying Rocket launchers, a laborer carrying a hi-tech  TV on his head, at the same the scientists launching their state of the art satellites – We are living in several centuries at the same time.

This book also covers a multi period – you can travel through the time machine and experience the thrill of several eras via “The Shackles of the Warrior”.

..to be contd.

The launch of The Shackles of the Warrior - Tidbits from the Media Part V

The launch of the Shackles of the Warrior was very successful. The media had quite a few questions to ask. Here, I share with you a few of them with my replies.

5. Multiplication of Population

Q:-  We say that every soul undergoes rebirth. But the population in this Yuga is much more than the last Yuga. How did the people multiply when one soul can take only one new birth? Is it not a contradiction?

It is a question of how we look at the problem. Two prisoner looks outside the prison bars. One looks at the mud, the other sees the stars. Our thoughts are the architect of our approach.

Hear this out …….

One day a lab demo was held. The professor showed two glasses one with distilled water, another with spirit. A warm was thrown into each of these. The worm died in the glass with spirits but survived nicely in the glass with water. The attendee said that it shows that drinking spirits will destroy the worms in the stomach.

The professor wanted to convey that drinking spirits will damage the living organs. There is a different perception. Here also you have one perception. My answer to you has another perception… I react like this ….. The lens we use determines what we see. Let me slip into your shoes for a change, to tell you a story.

You see Only What You Want to see…

One day, a wealthy person took his son on a trip to the country to let his son see how poor country people lived. They stayed one full day and night in the house of a very humble farmer. At the end of the trip, and when they were back home, the father asked his son, “What did you think of the trip?” his son replied, “Very nice dad”. Then the father asked his son, “Did you notice how poor they were?” The son replied, “Yes.”

The father continued asking, “What did you learn?”

The son responded, “I learned that we have one dog in our house, and they have four. Also, we have a fountain in our garden, but they have a stream that has no end. And we have imported lamps in our garden…whereas they have stars! And our garden goes up to the corner our property, while they have the entire horizon as their back!”

At the end of the son’s reply, the father was speechless. His son then said, “Thank you dad for showing me how poor we really are”.

So dad, isn’t it true that all depends on the lens that we use, to see life?”

You know there are more than 64 billion types of species in the planet. Some that existed in the last Yuga have become extinct today. A soul may take the birth of any species – why do you consider that the soul of a man takes the rebirth of a human? It can be of any form of the species.

How do you know whether that total population of all 64 billion types of species remains the same between the Yugas? You have to know this to dispute the rebirth theory based on comparative head counts between two time periods.

...to be continued.

The launch of The Shackles of the Warrior - Tidbits from the Media Part IV

The launch of the Shackles of the Warrior was very successful. The media had quite a few questions to ask. Here, I share with you a few of them with my replies.

4. Conch Shell

Q: - Another interesting question that I have is about the practice of blowing conch shells?
‘In our tradition, conch shell is blown on many occasions including times of worship, Yajna, birth, funerals and other ceremonies. It is also the boggle of war. Arjuna uses ‘Panchjanya’ to announce his intention to battle. The blower is required to concentrate his mind and blow a lungful of air with measured force into the shell with his lips pressed to it. The sound that erupts from the conch shell is like a long drawn ‘Om’, which is the most revered chant of our ‘dharma’. It is also symbolic of the humming echo of ‘Brahm’ (big bang) that still hangs in space as a cosmic vibration.’

...to be contd.

Interview with the contest winner

Ms Ananathalakshmi from Bangalore was the winner of the contest 'Date with History' and she shares her experience with us.

How was the experience, emerging as the grand winner of the contest ‘Date with History’?

It is my immense pleasure and delight to have been selected as the winner of the contest conducted. Although many writers launch their books, this was really unique! To create contest, and increase the curiosity before the launch, and to provide the opportunities to amateurs, is truly amazing!

 How was your experience travelling all the way to Chennai to attend the launch function of the book ‘The Shackles of the Warrior’?

Being in Bangalore, I had never visited Chennai before. This launch function gave me an opportunity to present myself at the function and also visit the place. The view of the Sea, dolphins jumping, ships, and people camped along beachside just before landing in Chennai was breathtaking! It’s a delight to see the beach, but to view from the sky so near is altogether another thing!!! The airport is conveniently located: P The accommodation provided was really very near to the Venue and was very helpful and convenient. Since the transport also was taken care, there was nothing to be worried about.

Have you read the book ‘The Shackles of the Warrior’?

As I am a reader since childhood, I just cannot stop myself from picking up a book to read. Of course I read it over the first weekend after the return.

How do you describe the story narration style of Dr.DD?

The narration and the book itself has been kept simple. It will reach to all age groups, and not specific to a particular audience.

Which chapter in the book was thrilling to read?

It is difficult to pick a chapter from the book, but I would say that the description of Varna system, the whole battle, strategy had kept me glued..! Till the last page the story continued to fascinate me. The last chapter was a masterpiece and the suspense unlocked was beyond my imagination. Truly thrilling…

Which character in the book impressed you the most and why?

There has been equal importance given to all the characters in the book, each have their own quality and strengths. But personally, I liked the Bharadwaj character who was the master and main key. The way he dealt with the situations, handled all types of people, his opinions and principles for which he stood, everything was impressive about him.

What do you anticipate from the next book ‘Indus challenge’ of the series?

Since its supposed to be a series of 10 books, I hope that Drdd won’t keep  us waiting for long time awaiting for next books in the series J I really wouldn’t be able to anticipate the next story, as it has not been predictive in the first! But I guess it would show next life of Sagar, where he would look through people and would be more refined in the times of maybe on Indus Valley Civilization and its downfall.

Any special comments you would like to add.

The book started with the recent times, and the rest was a flashback from his memory. As a reader, it would be intriguing if a little story of recent times was also covered along with past life..! All the very best! J I realize that the karmic journey of the hero will ultimately lead to the modern cyber era.

The launch of The Shackles of the Warrior - Tidbits from the Media Part III

The launch of the Shackles of the Warrior was very successful. The media had quite a few questions to ask. Here, I share with you a few of them with my replies.

3. Ekalaiva

Q. Ekalaiva was not admitted to Drona’s Gurukul. Is it not discrimination?

Varna is character driven, while caste (Jathi) is birth driven. Our education system determines the Varna. A Brahmin by Jathi may adopt a warrior’s role. Look at Dhronacharya - a Brahmin who took up a warrior’s role. His Varna is a warrior, but by Jathi he is a Brahmin. Depending upon the characteristics tested and certified by the Gurukul and endorsed by the education council, citizens of this kingdom take up their position in life. The qualities of people as tested are matched with their profession. Aligning profession and skill is not discrimination.

If we say that a member of the Kshatriya caste can only be a warrior all his life, then we are definitely discriminating. However, this kingdom believes that the father’s occupation need not be pursed by the son. The kingdom of Krishna never recognizes disparity between people. In fact, even on the political front, the kingdom elects its leader; while King Ugrasena is the ceremonial king, the elected leader is Lord Krishna, who has been elected by the people. Where is the discrimination here?

Let me give you some more examples, Saint Vyasadeva was the grandson of a fisherman. His father Parashara was born from a woman who was a dog-eater. Vashishtha was the son of a lady with questionable background. Other sages like Kanada, Shringi, Mandapala, and Mandavya have all had questionable births, and yet all of them are highly qualified Bhramhins and recognized as such.

Likewise, several historical instances are known where the Varna of an individual changed due to circumstances such as adoption. The Brahmana Jathi, Rishi Bharadwaj became a Kshatriya, when he was adopted by King Bharata. His descendants were also considered as Kshatriya and were called Bharata Kshatriyas. King Vishvamitra was a Kshatriya but became a Brahmana as a result of his spiritual austerities.’

And, to the question of Ekalyva’s admission, please note that individual liberty cannot be overruled as long as it does not affect social justice. A master has liberty in choosing his students.

The teacher and a prospective students’ communications, the student’s limitations and other factors matter in the admission process. It is a personal liberty issue. Had Dhronacharya admitted Ekalyva and not given equal education to all his wards; it is a social justice issue. But not admitting Ekalyva is an individual liberty issue. The Kingdom of Krishna has set up their Royal Gurukul Centers to admit those students, who are unable to gain entry into private ‘Gurukul.

...to be contd.

The launch of The Shackles of the Warrior - Tidbits from the Media Part II

The launch of the Shackles of the Warrior was very successful. The media had quite a few questions to ask. Here, I share with you a few of them with my replies.

2. Next Book?

Q. What is your next book? What is it about? When is it expected to be released?

The next book is titled as –  ‘The Indus Challenge’…(Janam 1)

This story revolves around the period 300 BC to 350 BC. This was a time, when the west namely Greeks were looking aggressively outwards. “Bharath” was passionately searching inwards. One was after the conquest of soil, the other was after the conquest of the soul. The killer instincts of the Indus civilization were highly de-blunted by their inward soul searching.

At this hour several historical characters came from our civilization trying to unify the disintegrated Bharath and arrest the aggressive moves of the Greek invasion.

Our main character continues his karmic journey on this era.  He plays a key role with the historical and other various new created characters. He resolves several mysteries.

Is he good man or Is he a bad man? To which group he belongs ……this and much more from the next book. ‘The Indus challenge’ will hit the stands by Diwali this year.