You are not alone

                        Sir Isaac Newton The English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist and theologian, who has been "considered by many to be the greatest and most influential scientist who ever lived."

                       French mathematician Joseph-Louis Lagrange often said that Newton was the greatest genius who ever lived, and once added that Newton was also "the most fortunate, for we cannot find more than once a system of the world to establish."English poet Alexander Pope was moved by Newton's accomplishments to write the famous epitaph:

Nature and nature's laws lay hid in night;
God said "Let Newton be" and all was light.

Newton The Great himself had been rather more modest of his own achievements,

famously writing in a letter to Robert Hooke in February 1676:

             If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.

·                                  The most intelligent of all species is Human and estimates for the number of neurons (nerve cells) in the human brain range from 80 to 120 billion. Every single act of a human being is the coordinated efforts of these neurons working in synchronisation to achieve the end objective. Similarly, function of each and every biological system of life like Blood, Kidney, Eye, Ear, skin, heart, lungs and above all Brain is a miracle by itself and vital for survival. If one breaks down the various subsystems of the above, one will find it mind boggling  to realise that all millions of cells have to work in synchronisation without fail even for a moment, to keep up  normal health  and carry out a routine function of a human being. Of course, we never ever recognise or think about the role played any of the systems till one  breaks down. 

·                                It would be interesting to note that the total number microbes – bacteria, virus, archaea and other single cell organisms in human guts (intestine) alone is 100 trillion ( One lakh crore), ten times more than the total number of cells in the entire body. Some of these help and some  harm and happily coexist. A recent research study points out these microbes are responsible for our craving of a particular food (containing high protein or carbohydrate or fat). They manipulate the host human by creating an urge to go after a food item rich in any of the above, which in fact serves the microbe. The irony is there is a fight between microbes for the nutritional resources in the guts. They also may be responsible for our mood swing as their output after consumption affects metabolism affecting all sensory perceptions. This sort of knowledge must make us very humble and the ego of " I" has no relevance at all. ( Article by Mr. D. Balasubramanian in The Hindu dated 22aug 2014). The so called all powerful human is at the mercy of single cell organisms and controlled by colony of  tiny organisms for their benifit.  

·                               When we say our stomach digests, is in fact means that millions of good bacteria living in colony in the stomach helps in digesting the food not the stomach as an organ per say.We are after all puppets manipulated by single cell organisms.

                 From historical perspective if one analyse human nature 'fear of death' was the most dominating factor. It would be interesting to note that, among all species only human has the knowledge of death. All wars have been fought to overcome fear of defeat and consequent death. Tribal culture of grouping together for safety, had over a period of time, manifested itself in to ego that transformed in to various facets like Nation, language, religion, region and cast system. Even after so many wars which had ended in ' no win ' situation to any, mankind still had not conquered the urge to fight wars. Even children have a tendency to fight for a toy. Hence it is inherent in human nature. Modern sports are a sophisticated way of replacing old cruel wars to satisfy the urge to win over another fellow human being.  

·                                  In chaos theory, the butterfly effect is the sensitive dependence on initial conditions, where a small change at one place in a deterministic nonlinear system can result in large differences to a later state. The name of the effect, coined by Edward Lorenz, is derived from the theoretical example of a hurricane's formation being contingent on whether or not a distant butterfly had flapped its wings several weeks before. In other words no activity in the universe is unique and independent.  

·                               Globalisation and interdependence of nations affect all spheres of economic activity of the whole world. Earthquake and tsunami in Japan, affecting the whole supply chain of electronic goods throughout the world. 

·                      As Alpine Toffler said in “Third Wave”, communication revolution need not necessarily improve understanding but can also cause misunderstanding. The news of a You tube movie, a cartoon or a publication of a book can spread to all nations like a wild fire in matter of a few hours triggering violent protest, unrest and loss of life of many innocent citizens totally unconnected. Hence no one can claim he has freedom and free to act alone according to his wish without any responsibility.  Freedom always comes with very heavy responsibility.

·                            All species’ life and existence are interdependent and any disturbance in the chain affecting the balance can make irreparable damage to the nature as a whole (being witnessed now in all spheres.) Global warming due to pollution causing natural disasters and extinction of many species etc.

·                  The breakdown of institution of marriage and family values though started with a quest for freedom and independence now has resulted in loss of love and mutual respect leading to insecurity and depression in many youths. Selfishness and Ego clash had led to avoidable conflicts ending up in despondency and despair with the whole purpose of life becoming a huge question mark. 

·                           Nature never ever generated a product that is not recyclable and the whole cycle of life was in dynamic balance. While mankind had invented products like plastic,though have become omnipresent in all walks of life, poses huge challenge of polluting the natural environment for which man is yet to find a solution. Similar is case for the nuclear waste generated out of spent fuel of a nuclear reactor. Each solution of a problem creates more problems to be solved. 

·                       Many a time we take it for granted, the services of fellow citizens, like the milkman, daily paper delivery boy, housemaid, road cleaners, bus drivers and conductors, traffic policemen, school and college teachers, Doctors and associated medical staff who are vital contributors for leading a  a calm daily routine general wellbeing. It is just a very short list to provoke thinking in this direction. The list can extend to include thousands of individuals and functions which make us to lead if not very comfortable but at least a tolerable life. How many of us think about the plight of our soldiers protecting our nation’s borders 24X7 at most cruel climate of sub zero temperature facing death from bullets of our enemy so that we can lead a  life in comfort.  

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                                 The survival of life forms of our earth itself is a miracle owing to the position of it from the sun. Any deviation from the present orbit can either freeze it when it gets farther, will be vaporised in seconds when it gets near it.

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                     In spite of all our so called development, the human race still depends on rain without which no life form would have survived.

·                           No one needs to stress the role played by Trees in assisting  Rainfall. Innocent trees quietly  standing had been helping us in conversion of carbon dioxide in to oxygen and there by clean the atmosphere.      The atmosphere over our head containing ozone at the top filters the harmful radiation from the Sun protecting all life forms.

·               Each one of us is after all a product  of Biological and  Sociological accident.  Even the most intelligent and enterprising  individual has to give credit to someone or more people who recognised his talent and helped him to come up in life,

·                   If one considers timeline of earth, anatomically modern Human is only 2 lakh years old compared to the 4.6 Billion earth’s existence. If the earth’s existence is 24 hours we are just about 4 seconds old.

·                  Though sun provide light and heat to many planets, the non existence of water makes life inhabitable in all those planets except earth. Hence, we are one in  billions lucky planets with life form. Humans are bestowed with intelligence. The need of the hour is humility and all of us must strive to preserve the beautiful earth and not to explode it. 

                     Knowledge without wisdom is worse than ignorance.

Role of Temples

TEMPLES :

When I went through my friend’s blog, narrating the travail and tribulations he underwent when he visited a famous temple, my mind set thinking about the status of temples in our history and it’s role in the society.

The Great Tamil poetess Avvaiyar( ஔவையார்)  had told “ Kovillila Ooril Kudiyirukka VeNdam” (கோவிலில்லா  ஊரில் குடி இருக்க வேண்டாம்) meaning “ Do not stay in a place where there is no temple” 

We can appreciate the above statement if one analyse the role played by temples in the day to day life of  our ancestors..

·     Temples were built by either Kings or very wealthy people who had the resources not only to build the temple but also maintain it  in the long run. Many Kings constructed huge temples with most advanced technology prevailed at that time to establish his achievement in the annals of History. Temples were constructed in difficult terrains like on the crest of a huge mountain, inside a thick forest, or at the sea shore to prove their mettle. 

·     Generally by the side of the temple, a pond was also dug, acting as safe storage of potable water for the temple as well as for villager’s need even during summer. Because of the fear of God, no one dared to misuse the pond there by ensuring purity of the water for public use.

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·     The temple had  yearly festival called “Theppath Thiruvizha” (தெப்பத் திருவிழா) where in, the presiding deity installed on a decorated barge (floating wooden platform)  pulled along  the the inner periphery of the pond providing grand sight to the worshippers gathered around the pond. To enable the platform to float freely, the pond had to be cleaned up every year of all accumulated settled sediments through  desilting by public. BY this,  water  purity was maintained.This, incidentally enabled the pond to hold more water during rainy season thus conserving water resource throughout the year. Temples were spread across many villages provided with ponds and other basic facilities. With this sort of network of ponds, the underground water table was maintained at high level.

  Throughout the year, temple festivals were held, attracting public in and around the village helping improved social interaction and foster feeling of belonging. This also helped small time merchants in improving their sales of many products like ornaments, cloths, flowers, toys for children and other merchandise. 

·      Fertile land and money were bequeathed in the name of temple through which lot of philanthropic activities like distribution of free food on a daily basis and Clothes and other essential items to  poor and needy on special occasions were routinely carried out.

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·         Almshouse (சத்திரம்) was built near the temple to enable the poor and the travellers to stay and have food and rest during their journey during their travel from one place to another. This assumes great significance in the light of non existence of hotel or any other facility during  that period and the mode of travel was either by foot or by bullock cart.

·         Devotees used to make large quantity of food item and bring to the temple for distribution to the poor. The person who offered it took  very small quantity home called “ prasadam”  ( meaning the food blessed by God) leaving the bulk quantity for distribution to the poor. In those days, enough care was taken to prepare  the item with best ingredients . However,  taste wise it was made as bland as possible. This  was done intentionally so that only real hungry people who are in dire  need could consume it.

·        All disputes in the village were heard in public, by the village chief / officials, in the temple premises to bring the  fear of God sentiment,  in delivering impartial judgement. Hence it acted as a court of justice.

·         Temple facilitated families with eligible boys and girls to meet and settle marriage proposals. It was also acted as a meeting place for like minded friends and individuals who discussed many subjects and played the role of modern clubs.

·        In building a temple, expertise in civil construction, sculpture, architecture and other fine arts like drawing/ painting  were utilized to the fullest extent making it as official record  of exhibiting the culture and the talent prevailed at that time for the generations to come. It encouraged artisans to showcase their talents and get huge rewards from the king. 

·         Temple was equipped with park and open space for public to meet and spend the leisure time.

·         Temple Bells were rung at specific time and acted as a public clock informing villagers the time of the day. 

·     Temple invariably was equipped with a chariot for the deity. There used to be  a procession every year through main roads of the village with Deity onboard. The chariot was to be pulled by hand by the public and it was an unwritten law that the chariot should reach back to temple  with in the day lest it would invite the wrath of the god. Hence, the public irrespective of their status participated in pulling the cart. They also took particular care to mend all main roads in best condition helping the public in general. The chariot had to be maintained in perfect condition so as to withstand the stress and strain of the travel. 

·       Regular discourses of classics were done by the learned, inculcating moral values of life thus shaping the public towards high thinking and best character. 

·    It acted as centre of excellence for promoting fine arts like folk and classical  music, drama, dance and sculpture and acted  as a platform for budding artists to premiere their talent before turning in to professionals. Great artists also showcased  their talents to entertain and public. It acted as modern sabha / clubs / theater. It also provided a platform for the learned to discuss and debate many topics of interest in pursuit of excellence.
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     In Temples, sensitive subjects even like sex between man and woman were taught to public  indirectly through sculptures.   

·      emple walls were utilised for inscribing the history and the literary contribution of poets and scholars and became a permanent record for posterity. It acted as centre for debates among learned. This also were utilised to premier great works of literature in grand functions and encouraged by the king and the wealthy  through huge gifts and recognition.

·          ,Temple provided regular employment  for small traders, cooks, gardeners, farmers, priests, janitors, artisans  and many others in different fields of work.

·    Temples premises acted as a shelter for the sick, old, children and women during war period or natural calamities like flood. There was prevailing law not to pull down a temple or harm the people inside.
      
    Temples were also used to safeguard treasures. In olden days Kings used to store gold and other precious items in underground secret chambers to save them from enemies. As  place of worship it was not easily accessible to general public. 

Temples were spread all over India and public invariably try to visit as many as possible according to popularity of the temple. They used to  visit same temple of their preference many times which gave them happiness and peace of mind. This pilgrimage improved tourism and fostered friendship and social interaction between different parts of India. This also attracted foreign tourists to visit and learn our language and culture. Location of temples varied from top of mountains, sea shores, river banks, or dense forest. This motivated many devotees to combine pilgrimage tourism with pleasure. They indulged in taking  holy dips and swimming  in rivers, sea, trekking over mountains, and adventure trips through forest.

The worship provide solace and comfort and brought hope during difficult time of their life. The head of the temple acted as councilor providing comfort through advice. Public took advice from wise men of the temple who played the role of modern councilors saving the distressed from depression and anxiety during difficult time.    

Like any good system Temples over a period of time were also  misused by the powerful for their selfish gain. Temples and God's name were exploited to  suppress the under privileged, leading to  avoidable practices like discrimination of people by cast , social status etc which can not be defended. The fact remains that even now we are not able to eradicate this social evil. Some have used Temples and religion  to spread superstition, and played politics in the name of God to wield power.

Ram Manohar Lohia The great fire brand socialist once remarked 

POLITICS IS SHORT TERM RELIGION  and 

RELIGION IS LONG TERM POLITICS

Inspite of shortfalls, no one can deny the  vital role played by temples in the daily walk of life  in olden days. Even in modern era with advanced technology in transport, communication   the system had grown to cater to the demands of millions across the world bringing them peace of mind and saving them from depression due to pressure exerted by the modern life style.