CULTURAL QA 09202409
Topic –General QA . Base Quora QA-Compiled
Q2 What triggers death at old age?
G I believe that something in our system, cells, whatever at some time
of life, decides it has been enough. And then you die, which he did. So
lifetime triggers death, it was enough and he agreed with that. I have
witnessed this more than once, life coming to the end.
My note- I very much appreciate this answer.
KR : Death—Our Final Journey to the Unknown— Swami Vireshananda —
The sage Yajnavalkya asks a pertinent question to his disciple king Janaka
about *this last journey*: ‘Your majesty, as one who wishes to go a long
distance would procure a chariot or a ship, even so you have fully equipped
your mind with so many secret names of Brahman. You have also studied the
Vedas and heard the Upanishads. But do you know where you will go when you
are released from this body?’ King Janaka replies: ‘Venerable Sir, I do not
know where I shall go.’ The teacher assures him: ‘Then I will tell you
where you will go.’
*Death and Dying*
A distinction is to be made between dying and death. Death is the cessation
of life, as we have understood, while dying is the process that leads to
death, often referred to in the context of terminal illness or old age.
However, the whole life is a journey towards death, a certain state, beyond
which lies the unknown realm. The fear of death is not due to death itself,
but because of the process of dying that involves excruciating pain, mental
suffering, and anxiety of the unknown. It is also due to our total
ignorance of what lies beyond death. This fear is fundamentally caused by
our awareness of the certainty of mortality in our life, to which we have
clung dearly and firmly throughout our existence on this earth.
The concept of *abhiniveśa *in *Yoga Sutra* of Patanjali appropriately
suggests this clinging to mortal mundane life. Patanjali says: ‘*Svarasa-vāhī
viduṣaḥ-api samārūḍhaḥ-abhiniveśaḥ*; the firmly established inborn fear of
annihilation found even among the learned is the affliction called
*abhiniveśa*.’2 Vyasa, in his commentary on this aphorism, explains that
every creature has this craving: ‘Let me never be non-existent; let me be
alive.’ He also argues that the fear of death cannot arise in a person
unless one has felt this earlier. This indicates the experience of death in
previous births. This anxiety that gives rise to suffering is but
spontaneous and universal, found in ordinary humans as well as learned.
Vyasa’s proposal of the possibility of experiencing numerous instances of
death in our previous births reinforces the idea that it is the process of
*dying *which is the cause of death-fear in us, but not the actual *death *
itself.
Psychological Perspectives about Death
The termination of all the functions and faculties of the organs,
especially the heart and the brain, that results in the cessation of
consciousness is termed death by biologists and medical practitioners.
Death is understood through three main theories in psychology. The *Terror
Management Theory* says that humans have the cognitive capacity to realise
their own mortality, which allows for the realisation of their inevitable
death. According to this theory, the fear of death is the root of all other
fears and *what we call civilisation is but an attempt to keep the death
anxiety under control*. Sigmund Freud says that the apparent anxiety about
death conceals the real problem and so, it is not the root of the problem.
Contrary to this, following mass death and grief in the Second World War,
some psychologists suggest that fear of death can be a primary neurotic
symptom. According to them, it is not wrong to fear death, but one has to
contemplate death and thereby, live an enlightened and fruitful life.
What Survives Death?
In the world of religious literature, perhaps it is the only instance of
this sort, that a boy Nachiketa met Yama, the god of death, in the latter’s
abode. Still striking is one of the boons the boy asked for from Yama.
The *Katha
Upanishad* describes: ‘Nachiketa said: There is this doubt about a man when
he is dead: Some say that he exists; others, that he does not. This I
should like to know, taught by you.’5 Yama tried hard to dissuade the boy
from his resolve to know what was beyond death. Nachiketa did not budge
even an inch from his determination despite numerous worldly allurements
offered by Yama. The rest of the Upanishad consists of the teaching of the
immortality of Atman, the Self of all creatures, and how one should pursue
to realise it.
A more detailed description of how a human dies and what exactly happens
after death is found in the *Brihadaranyaka Upanishad*, which is one of the
earliest of the Upanishads. The Upanishad gives a rational explanation of
the transmigration of the soul from one body to another. It says that the
recurring states of consciousness—namely waking state, dream state, and
deep sleep—act as testimony to the fact that Atman is different from the
conglomeration of body, senses, and the mind. Sri Shankaracharya succinctly
puts such an idea as *deha-vyatirikta ātmā* (Atman, which is separate from
the body). Hence, the Atman can move from one state of consciousness to
another—from waking state to dream state, from dream state to deep sleep
state and so on. The *Brihadaranyaka Upanishad* says that this logic also
holds good in the case of the transmigration of the Atman from one body to
another. Then, what is death? It is but giving up one set of
body-senses-mind conglomeration and entering into another set of the same
nature.
A graphic illustration is given in the *Brihadaranyaka Upanishad* of how a
person leaves one’s body: ‘Just as a heavily loaded cart moves along,
creaking, even so, the self, identified with the body, being presided over
the Atman, which is all Consciousness (Supreme Self), moves along,
groaning, when breathing becomes difficult (at the approach of the
death).’6 The
Upanishad further says that when the body becomes emaciated through old age
or diseases, the Atman detaches itself from the parts of the body, and
moves on (in the same way as it has entered into this body) to another
body. It is just like a ripened mango or a fig or a fruit of the peepul
tree that gets detached from its stalk.
Graceful Way of Dying
Isha Upanishad,
The last section of this small Upanishad is a great illustration of how a
Vedic sage, not only welcomes death but visualises it as the culmination
and fulfilment of all of his life-long spiritual endeavours. The sage, who
has worshipped and meditated on the Sun-god all his life, is now on his
deathbed. He prays to Sun-god for the realisation of his cherished ideal:
‘The door of the Truth is covered by a golden disc. Open it, O Nourisher!
Remove it so that I who have been worshipping the Truth may behold it.’8 Then
the sage comprehends he is dying and wishes it to be a process of spiritual
accomplishment. He says:
वायुरनिलममृतमथेदं भस्मान्तं शरीरम् ।
ओं । क्रतो स्मर कृतं स्मर क्रतो स्मर कृतं स्मर ॥
अग्ने नय सुपथा राये अस्मान्विश्वानि
देव वयुनानि विद्वान् ।
युयोध्यस्मज्जुहुराणमेनो भूयिष्ठां ते नम उक्तिं विधेम ॥
Now may my breath return to the all-pervading, immortal Prana! May this
body be burnt to ashes! Om. O mind, remember, remember all that I have done.
O fire, lead us by the good path for the enjoyment of the fruit of our
action. You know, O god, all our deeds. Destroy our sin of deceit. We
offer, by words, our salutations to you.9
Conquest of Death
The endeavour of Western science and medicine has always been to prolong
the earthy life of human beings. They aim to facilitate humans to ‘*live
life in full*’ as there is always uncertainty about what will happen after
death. The Indian traditional wisdom of Vedanta takes a more pragmatic view
in this respect as echoed in the words of Sri Krishna in the Bhagavadgita:
जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च ।
तस्मादपरिहार्येऽर्थे न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि ॥
For to that which is born, death is certain, and to that which is dead,
birth is certain. Therefore, you should not grieve over the unavoidable.
Also, Vedanta speaks of the conquest of death through wisdom
and realisation.
It has been beautifully expressed in the *Kena Upanishad*: ‘*Ātmanā vindate
vīryaṁ vidyayā vindate’mṛtam*; by Atman alone one obtains strength; by
knowledge, Immortality.’Immortality, which is impossible in terms of
physical existence, is the very nature of the Atman. True immortality is
attained only when we realise the Truth that we are the Atman in essence.
It requires relinquishing all the ideas of ‘I am the body’, ‘I am the
mind’, and the like, which, Vedanta says are due to *ahamkāra*, the wrong
identification with body and the like. The Atman is defined in the *Taittiriya
Upanishad* as: ‘*Satyaṃ jñānamanantaṁ brahma*; Brahman which is Reality,
Knowledge, and Infinity.’ It means that the Atman is in no way different
from Brahman, the ultimate Reality which is pure existence, pure knowledge
which is akin to pure awareness or consciousness, and infinite. The
realisation of this Truth alone will make one conquer death in real sense
and make one immortal. Thus, in Vedanta, true immortality is the very
nature of Atman, the spiritual nature of every human being. This is the
only way we can overcome the fear of death and attain everlasting peace and
blessedness in life. Hence, Yajnavalkya says to king Janaka:
स वा एष महानज आत्माजरोऽमरोऽमृतोऽभयो ब्रह्म;
अभयं वै ब्रह्म; अभयं हि वै ब्रह्म भवति य एवं वेद ॥
That great, birthless Self is undecaying, immortal, undying, fearless, and
Brahman (infinite). Brahman is indeed fearless. He who knows It as such
becomes the fearless Brahman.
According to Swami Vivekananda, life and death are the same thing
(looked at from different points). Hence, ‘the only way to get beyond death
is to give up the love of life’. There cannot be happiness without misery
or life without death. The wise men see this contradiction and give up
both. Swamiji also analyses what is meant by death. Death is but going back
to component parts, which can happen to only compound objects like the
body. Atman, being an uncompounded entity, can never get destroyed. Swamiji
remarks that ‘it is sheer nonsense to say It (Atman) dies’.
What is the difference between life and death? Self is beyond matter,
force, and thought. Being a simple entity, It cannot die.
Let darkness go; the will-o’-the-wisp that leads
With blinking light to pile
more gloom on gloom.
This thirst for life, for ever quench; it drags
>From birth to death, and
death to birth, the soul.
He conquers all who conquers self. Know this
And never yield, Sannyâsin bold! Say —
‘Om Tat Sat, Om!’
THUS, EXPECTING THE DEATH AS AN INTUITION HAS NO RIGHT BASIS THAN
THE EORY OF DEATH SO SMOOTH.
Aum Tryambakam yajaamahe
sugandhim pushtivardhanam |
Urvaarukamiva bandhanaan
mrityormuksheeya maamritaat ||
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra Meaning
We worship the three-eyed One, who is fragrant and who nourishes all.
Like the fruit falls off from the bondage of the stem, may we be liberated
from death, from mortality.
OM – It is said that God first appeared as a microcosm, and then a sound
was heard that was audible to the ears, and that sound was the Pranava
sound, the same Omkara. It is a sound form of energy. Omkaram is the
confluence of the letters a-u-ma. ‘A’ is derived from the Rig Veda, ‘U’
from the Yajurveda, and ‘Ma’ from the Samaveda. Omkara arises from the
confluence of these three. The source tone for Omkara. That tone is
Bhagavad-gita. Omkaram helps us as a prayer.
TRIAMBAKAM is the third eye replica of Shiva for the past, future, and
present. Lord Shiva is called Trinetra because he has Indra, Agni, and
Samatatva. Triambaka means three eyes. The microscopic eye in the center of
Lord Shiva is the third eye. It is the abode of the supernatural. This is
called Jyotirmath. The third eye of Shiva has both incendiary and life
force.
YAJAMAHE means, “meditating”.
SUGANDHIM refers to His fragrance. “Su” means Good, and “Gandha” means
Fragrant substance. Lord Shiva shows love to all his devotees like a good
Fragrant substance spreads its aroma.
PUSTIVARDHANAM means nurturing to be healthy and strong.
URVAAROKAMEVA: ‘URVA’ means big and powerful or deadly. ‘AAROOKAM’ means
‘Disease’. Thus URVAROOKA means deadly diseases. Urvarookam also means
Cucumber. Just as the cucumber is liberated from its stalk when it ripens,
so the Lord saves us from all troubles.
MRITYORMOOKSHEYA means We want the Lord to protect us from problems and
even from death. Death is not just physical death. Being spiritually
unconscious is also tantamount to death.
MAAMRITAAT means please give me some Amritam to get out of the death
inflicting diseases as well as the cycle of re-birth.
K Rajaram IRS 9 9 24
----------------------------------------------------------------
Q5 Why do most Indians not use toilet paper?
KR: sage of toilet paper is not a crude method as the narrative
story shows with a tag of end train note. As a matter of fact, many of us
are under the impressions tghat motion makes all the back dirty. NO.
Virtually there will not be any trace at all. So, a paper towel is enough
to clean. AS a matter of fact, vedas and manusmriti and grahya sutras speak
about how to clean the back. (If any one needs, I may raise those quotes
also) Sand must be used to wash the back 6 to seven times. So, before the
paper towel discovery, we only found sand as those days substitute for the
paper towel.
But British airways non veg food only be varieties served. Not
Vegetarian even though when prebooked as asian veg, they serve as ancient
rishis ate, leaves and fruits only in 21 hrs flight. That Veg is served
only 4 times with a pasty uppuma. As it was ekadasi dwadasi for the veg
etarians, better to avoid British airways. Have you seen the space of
toilet there/ 44-inch waist may not turn around inside; there will not be
any tooth brush and Pastes. I remarked the chief, having ruled for 250
years, british airways did not know much about Indian food. Best airlines
are Singapore air and Emirates; 2nd choice Japan, Qutar and ethihad. Then
Air india, Luftansa and British are wase. Airfrance certain sectors are
bright.
K Rajaram IRS 9 9 24
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, 9 Sept 2024 at 19:02
Subject: [iyer123] CULTURAL QA 09-2024-09
To: Iyer <[email protected]>
CULTURAL QA 09-2024-09
Topic –General QA .Base Quora QA-Compiled
Q1 What is an example of dark Russian humor?
A1 Jordan Jay, I’m a storyteller. Feb 4
A man was traveling on the crowded Moscow Metro during peak time in 1955.
He turns to the man standing next to him.
“Comrade, are you a communist party official?”
“Nyet.”
“Comrade, is your wife a communist party official?”
“Nyet.”
“Comrade, are your parents communist party officials?”
“Nyet.”
“Comrade, are your brothers and sisters communist party officials?”
“Nyet.”
“Comrade, are any of your neighbours communist party officials?”
“Nyet. Why do you ask?”
“Comrade, would you mind moving, please? You’re standing on my toes.”
Q2 What triggers death at old age?
A2 Celle Van Giel, Studied at Technical College Mechanic (Graduated
1968) Updated 7y
I was a weekly visitor to an old neighbour, 93 year old, who was in a
nursing home. He was physically not so good, not sick, and still had his
full wits.
One day he said: it is coming to an end.
I asked him why he said that and he answered: I feel it.
So he felt his body and life was coming to an end.
But he did not die instantaneously, but I noticed he was indeed fading away.
My last visit he was still in bed in the afternoon. I poured him a glass of
port, which relieved him a little, and we talked. Again he said it was
coming to an end. I did not believe him, made him promise he would not
sneak away so I could come back the day after. But he did, that night,
without any pain just like a candle burning out.
I believe that something in our system, cells, whatever at some time of
life, decides it has been enough. And then you die, which he did. So
lifetime triggers death, it was enough and he agreed with that. I have
witnessed this more than once, life coming to the end.
My note- I very much appreciate this answer.
Q3 Why are first class passengers boarded first? Since their seat is
guaranteed, I thought they would want to board last and not have to sit
there as everyone loaded past them.
A3 Daniel Murphy, Automotive Technician (2011–present)Aug 16
It seems most people have missed this one— The real reason the FRONT of the
plane is boarded first, regardless of class…. An airliner, parked on the
pavement, is a giant see-saw.
The center of gravity of the empty aircraft is just barely in front of the
main landing gear, and if the entire rear of the plane was loaded with
luggage and passengers while the front was empty, there is actually a
chance the plane’s center of gravity could change enough to tip backwards
onto the tail.
Q4 What is the best thing you saw today?
A4 Vijaya Lakshmi, Have experience in life for 68 years.5y
See these tumblers? They are made in around late 1930s to early 1940s.
They are made up of bell metal (Kanchu in Telugu)
With some curiosity, I weighed both of them on my kitchen scales. Both of
them together weigh almost 800 grams. The capacity of each tumbler is
around half litre.
They are (were) the coffee tumblers of my in laws.
Today morning when I was arranging a trunk containing all these old things,
I saw them. Then I scrubbed them with tamarind and showed them to my
husband.
As always, as soon as I showed the tumblers to him, he started to recall
all the memories associated with them.
Then he started telling the stories.
Both of my in laws would sit on the steps of their backyard of their house
in Anakapalli early in the morning (they had a very big backyard with big
vegetable garden) and would drink coffee for almost forty minutes to one
hour daily. That was the time they talked about everything.
>From family problems to the latest milestone of the youngest child (they
had 10 children)...
>From tender sprouts to their brinjal plant to clothes to be purchased for
next festival...
(Once they had that much coffee, they didn’t need anything until 11.30am,
when they ate their lunch).
I always feel happy seeing those tumblers and hearing about their coffee
ritual for two reasons.
One they bring beautiful scene before my eyes.
Second, both husband and I talk for few hours recalling our childhood
memories for some time.
Happy morning to start with.........
Q5 Why do most Indians not use toilet paper?
A5 Rejoy Thadathil ,Hates toilet papers Updated 7y
The first time I travelled in British Airways was very exciting and
eh….sticky. I ate like an ogre pouncing on every food that was passing by.
Of course my stomach began to act funny and did not agree with my taste
buds. I had to rush to the toilet. After dumping it out, I searched for the
most sacred weapon Indians use -the health faucet. I was petrified to
notice that they did not have a health faucet to clean my stinky butt. I
cursed them because the ads showed that they are very cultural and even did
a namaste to all who entered. Can you believe that they actually missed out
the most important cultural stuff we have been doing for ages? Anyways,
with a heavy heart I consoled myself. I pulled some toilet paper to wipe
them as much as I could. I walked out as though I had a boil down there. It
was sticky all the way. I could see the discomfort on my friend’s face as
he just went before me. He said, “dude these idiots are using paper and
some are still stuck down under (his pants).”
I rushed to my service apartment only to find the same horror staring at me
- no water hose! I rushed to my friend's room, asked for a bottle, cleaned
all the way through. Ah!! I could walk properly again.
My note- I recollect the olden days(1970’s) when Bombay-Chennai express
exhausted water in all toilets and passengers purchasing 1-3 soda and pour
in a mug and using in toilet.
--
To go to your groups page on the web, login to your gmail account and then
click on https://groups.google.com/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"iyer123" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
email to [email protected].
To view this discussion on the web visit
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/571465407.3562989.1725888725190%40mail.yahoo.com
<https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/571465407.3562989.1725888725190%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>
.
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"Thatha_Patty" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email
to [email protected].
To view this discussion on the web visit
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZorMgB7H-SUcXRQG6j8n1UBibYJ067n_8ezCgUOMEWWpLw%40mail.gmail.com.
