In the wake of 9/11, policy analysts, journalists, and academics have tried to make sense of the rise of militant Islam, particularly its role as a motivating and legitimating force for violence against the United States. The general perception is that Islam is more violence-prone than other religions and that scripture and beliefs within the faith, such as the doctrines of jihad and martyrdom, demonstrate the inherently violent nature of Islam. Here, however, Heather Selma Gregg draws comparisons across religious traditions to investigate common causes of religious violence. The author sets side-by-side examples of current and historic Islamic violence with similar acts by Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, and Hindu adherents. Based on her findings, Gregg challenges the assumption that religious violence stems from a faithÆs scriptures. Instead, Gregg argues that religious violence is the result of interpretations of a religionÆs beliefs and scriptures. Interpretations calling for violence in the name of a faith are the product of individuals, but it is important to understand the conditions under which these violent interpretations of a religion occur. These conditions must be considered by identifying who is interpreting the religion and by what authority; the social, political, and economic circumstances surrounding these violent interpretations; and the believability of these interpretations by members of religious communities.
Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni's quest to retrace the trail of Rama's fabled travels during his years in exile began with their trying to locate Chitrakoot on the map and realizing that they had little idea where it might be. Curious about the places mentioned in the Ramayana, they set off on a journey of their own, following Rama's route from Ayodhya to the Dandakaranya forest and Panchavati (near Nashik) and on to Kishkindhya (close to Hampi), Rameshwaram and Sri Lanka. Along the way they would discover how closely the narrative of the Ramayana is linked to local folklore, and how the stories of the Ramayana and the moral framework that binds them together still speaks to the people who live in the land across which Rama, Sita and Lakshman made their journey. For the armchair traveller as well as the enthusiast for epic tales, this is a wonderful book with which to revisit the world of the Ramayana.
“As the saying goes, the Ram was gone and so was his Ayodhya; I knew this only too well. Sita was underground; Lakshman, ostracized; Ramchandra’s youthful frame had long been borne away by the Sarayu. And the irresistible steamroller of time had pulverized the magnificent capital of the Koshals to dust. The modern town, 90 miles long and 36 miles wide, was nothing like the one described in The Ramayana. Maybe the ruins of the kingdom of Ayodhya were still buried somewhere under millions of tons of soil. Then where had this Ayodhya turned up from—this janmabhumi, Kaushalya Bhavan, Kaikeyi’s chambers? Or Raja Dasharath’s Durbar or Kanak Bhavan, for that matter? Were all of these only for show? Made to order? Archaeologists had still not been able to find the original Ayodhya, but that made no difference—there were realistic reasons for which it was necessary to prop up another Ayodhya. A legend was required, and whenever there is a need for one, it is King Vikramaditya with his scent of mythology who is summoned from the shadows of history.”
As we delve into the annals of history to recount the tale of Ram Janmabhoomi - a narrative entwined with faith, politics, and identity - it is paramount to approach this account with sensitivity and objectivity. The Ram Janmabhoomi conflict, far beyond a legal dispute over a parcel of land in Ayodhya, has been deeply ingrained in the collective memory of a nation, resonating with millions across religious and cultural boundaries. The narrative of Ram Janmabhoomi is not just a chronicle of events that unfolded over decades but a reflection of India's evolving socio-political landscape. It is a story that spans centuries, tracing back to pre-historic times and stretching into the modern era of legal battles and mass movements. This story is not merely about the bricks and mortar of a disputed structure but the intertwined relationship between faith and identity, law and justice, history and chronological facts. In this book, we embark on a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted layers of the Ram Janmabhoomi struggle. We traverse its historical foundations, the fervent emergence of the Ayodhya movement, the intricate legal battles, the eventual resolution by the Supreme Court of India, and the broader implications for Indian society. Each chapter serves as a testament to the issue's complexity, illuminating the religious sentiments, political aspirations, legal arguments, and the quest for communal harmony. The long-term impact on Hindu-Muslim relations and communal harmony in India remains a topic of debate. In 2019, the response to the Supreme Court's verdict on the Ram Janmabhoomi issue was primarily measured by calls for peace and communal harmony from various quarters. We acknowledge the diverse perspectives that this topic encompasses and respect the profound emotions it stirs. The aim is not to advocate a singular viewpoint but to present a balanced understanding of how the Ram Janmabhoomi issue shaped and was shaped by the myriad dimensions of Indian life. This book is an endeavor to chronicle a significant chapter in India's history that will be remembered for generations as a cornerstone in the country's journey towards grappling with its diverse heritage and charting its path forward. As readers embark on this journey through the pages of history, it is hoped that they gain insights into the events that transpired and the underlying currents of cultural, religious, and national identity that the Ram Janmabhoomi struggle represents. This is a story of a nation's struggle with its past, its present, and the implications for its future. Welcome to the journey of Ayodhya's struggle. Objective of this book In this book, our primary objective is to delve into the multifaceted aspects of the Ram Janmabhoomi issue. This topic sits at the intersection of history, religion, and politics in India, which is Bharat, and simultaneously affects the entire world. Many research studies have led to chronological evidence shared in this book. This exploration aims to comprehensively understand the complexities and nuances surrounding the history, faith, and belief of righteousness around this sacred struggle. The book seeks to unravel the layers of this struggle by examining its historical roots, religious significance, and the political dynamics that have shaped its discourse. This book aims to inform and foster a deeper understanding of the complexity of the Ram Janmabhoomi struggle. It endeavors to navigate through the layers of history, faith, and politics to offer a nuanced narrative that respects diverse viewpoints and contributes to an informed discourse.
The book helps to understand that there is a deep connection between spirituality and science. Science is usually seen as the domain of rationality and objectivity while spirituality hasbeen associated with faith, mysticism and subjective experience. One of the primary ways in which spirituality and science intersect is via the exploration of the nature of spirituality. Both spirituality and science are concerned with understanding the fundamental nature of Universe and our place within it.
Quantum Transport Theoryis a comprehensive account of recent achievements in the understanding of disordered conductors. In addition to detailing the density matrix description of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, Professor Rammer deals with topics that are new to the field of condensed matter physics, such as: weak localization, destruction of electronic phase coherence in disordered conductors, electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions in dirty metals, scaling theory of localization, the self-consistent theory of localization, and mesoscopic physics. Building on methods developed by Schwinger and Feynman, Rammer offers the first comprehensive presentation of recent advances in transport disordered systems.
Bharatha was the second son of the Emperor of Kosala, Dasaratha. When his older brother Rama was exiled to the forest, the responsibility of the entire empire fell on Bharatha. Sage Rishya-Sringa once told him that he needed to be ready to sacrifice and suffer. Bharatha did not know then, how extensive his sacrifices were to be as time went by. Bharatha’s Destiny tells you the story of Ramayana through the eyes of Bharatha. He calls himself the reason for all tragedies that ever fell upon Ayodhya. His intricate relationships, his boundless sorrows and sacrifices, his knowledge, his emotional strength, his unshakable belief in ethics, his immeasurable respect and obedience to his older brother – Bharatha’s life has been a roller coaster.
Amish Tripathi devoted years to the research of Hindu mythological stories and history, and discussions with his family about the destiny of the human body, mind and soul to create this sweeping and fascinating adaptation of ancient Hindu mythology for modern fantasy readers. 1900 BC in what modern Indians call the Indus Valley Civilization and the inhabitants called the land of Meluha: a near-perfect empire created many centuries earlier by Lord Ram--one of the greatest monarchs that ever lived--faces peril as its primary river, the Saraswati, is slowly drying to exctinction. The Suryavanshi rulers are challenged with devastating terrorist attacks from the east, the land of the Chandravanshis. To make matters worse, the Chandravanshis appear to have allied with the Nagas, an ostracized and sinister race of deformed humans with astonishing martial skills. The only hope for the Suryavanshis is an ancient legend: When evil reaches epic proportions, when all seems lost, a hero will emerge. Is the unexpected, rough-hewn Tibetan immigrant Shiva that hero? Drawn suddenly to his destiny, duty, and by love, Shiva will attempt to move mountains and lead the Suryavanshi to destroy evil.
The true saga of one man's search for truth, and the four years he lived and worked with one of the spiritual giants of our times, Paramhansa Yoganandad. With over 400 rare stories and sayings from the great Master.
