Mankuthimmana Kagga and rationality!

I am sure for Kannada literature loving people, there is no need of an introduction to DVG's epic Mankuthimmana Kagga, which is often called 'kannadada Bhagavadgeethe'. I have enjoyed reading Kagga thoroughly and many times loudly as well! There is also an English translation of it titled Dim Tim's Muses, but kagga is best read in the original Kannada version.

The very first verse of the Kagga is, for me the most intriguing of all, because it seems to throw light on DVG's deep understanding of life and analysis of it from a rational stand point. Here is the verse that I am talking about.










Sri vishu is the the beginning, the end and reason of existence of the universe, the god head, the master and so do believe people with out being able to even see that (aavudanu kaanadoda - with out an iota of proof) and believe they do with all the devotion (malthi means bhakthi)..to that supernatural miracle (loose translation of vichitra) you bow down your head..mankuthimma!!

Two expressions are of great interest to me - aavudanu kaanadoda which I interpret as 'not having any proof' and vichitra, which I guess is unbelievable and magical or almost irrational. I could be wrong. But, never the less, it is such a beautiful expression. All I can say is, DVG is just too brilliant with his thoughts and with his words.

For those who have not read the Kagga, I strongly recommend it. Read it and read it loudly. I bet you will enjoy it.

Astrology - fortune lying!

Other day my sister called me up to let me know that her daughter, my niece, had found a job. For obvious reasons I was very happy. And it was her dream job as well, being related to her area of interest. Everyone in the family was delighted and wished her the very best! There was yet another reason for me to be overjoyed on this happy occasion and that is going to be the subject of this blog entry.

A few weeks before, my parents being orthodox and having faith in astrology, had consulted a guru with my niece's horoscope. Looking at the horoscope and after doing all the celestial calculations, the guru had spoken. According to him, my niece had no chance what so ever of landing a job in 2009! I think this astrologer must be cursing him self for making such 'precise' prediction, rather than making some ambiguous harmless indisputable statements such as 'good times will come, you will find a job after a little struggle' as most of the seasoned professional astrologers do! And my niece finding a job and a dream job at that, and there by proving her horoscope and the astrologer wrong was in deed a double joy for me!

Most certainly, I did not really need any proof and I would obviously have not changed my opinion about astrology even if this prediction about my niece not getting job in 2009 had come true! Astrology and various other similar so called fortune telling (or lying) systems have been debunked before. How can the planets or the time of birth or place of birth or even random lines on your hand decide or provide an indication of your future!? There are a number of people who will say 'it is true, I have experienced it my self', but they are just anecdotal and purely coincidental! There is no scientific and verifiable proof and hence it is to be taken just for it's entertainment value and nothing more. I rest my case!