Rebirths (BH:D128)

December 9, 2011

"I can't even look at photographs like this one anymore," Achan said flinging yesterday's Manorama newspaper away. He was admitting an onset of late in life claustrophobia. The culprit photograph showed a ritual at a nearby temple with a cave titled 'Punarjani'. It involved crawling through a narrow cave for around 40 feet and emerging at the rocky end and be symbolically reborn.

Long time ago, I had read that the Gnostic cults of Middle East and Europe, couple of thousand years ago also had cave related initiation ceremonies. Cave as a rebirth womb seems to be a universal idea. Like Steve says in his passionate speech in that memorable BBC Coupling episode, "half way down, we are already enjoying the view!" Well, except if you are claustrophobic, I suppose.

In the Travancore kingdom (i.e. erstwhile Thiruvananthapuram, for those who hadn't been paying attention) the official coronation ceremony involved "Hiranyagarbham" (roughly Golden Womb) in which the new king immersed himself in a massive golden vessel filled with milk. Later on the gold from the vessel was divided and distributed among Brahmins. The Mughal emperors, Tavernier informs me, had the habit of issuing brand new gold coins in their name during their coronation. By distribution, I mean, flinging at the assembled crowd, much like what the modern corporations do with their promotional t-shirts. 

Aurangazeb put an end to this practice, partly because he wanted to save money, partly because he wanted to end the regular public appearances imposed on the emperor. He thought the custom of the emperor appearing before the public three times a week was too close to the "darshan" (holy sighting) ritual of the idolators (i.e. Hindus) in their temples. That was the religious reason that he gave. But I think he must have taken a cue from what happened to Shahjahan. Shahjahan gave regular appearances till sickness confined him to the harem for couple of months at a stretch. This absence from public view triggered the rumor that the emperor was dead or dying and all the succession hell broke loose. Aurangazeb probably didn't want that to happen to him.

The final chapter of Tavernier's second book is dedicated to his viewing of Aurangazeb's treasure. Brought before him in two large wooden chest, Tavernier is allowed to inspect each precious stone and pearl in detail. Even from the translation one can sense the orgasmic delight of the French trader as he holds and caresses the koh-i-noor. He blames the Italian craftsman for destroying much of that incredible diamond in the name of removing its imperfections.

Made a small trip to Valiyamala this afternoon. Much road repair work was happening enroute at break neck speed. The reason: Abdul Kalam, former president, is coming that way in a few days. I wish he would come more often, if it means rebirth for the roads. 

On the way back the discussion turned to Subramaniam Chandrasekhar, the man famous for his astronomical limit. I was told that Chandrasekhar was quite an impressive speaker except for an utter lack of sense of humor or emotions. Once he had made up sentences and definitions for theories, he never changed them... a trait very much like stand-up comedians with their standard routines. He had the ability to explain complex discoveries in simple terms but considered Q&A sessions a waste of time. After one of his lectures which involved him writing equations that filled 8 blackboards (pre-power point era), a man in the audience got up and told him that the equation he had written in the 5th line on the 3rd board did not follow from the previous equation. Chandrasekhar kept quite and did not turn back to the board. The host urged the scientist to answer. Chandrasekhar said, "There is no question here to answer. The man has made a statement. And that statement is wrong." 

This is quite in contrast to the anecdote about one of the lectures Einstein delivered in Germany. After the lecture, an unkempt young man got up and shouted in rough German that the professor's derivation was incorrect. Einstein went back to the board for a minute and then addressed the young man. "You are correct," he said. Turning to the audience next, he said, "Forget everything I said here today." With that statement, Einstein walked of the stage. The young man was Lev Landau visiting Germany from Russia. 

Hearing about Chandrashekhar's stern attitude, I remembered Stephen Hawking's wonderful humor that I have had the pleasure of experiencing first hand (hearing first ear!) during three of his lectures at A&M.

The city has unveiled a bust of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin outside the Russian culture center. Gagarin apparently could have been considered the healthiest man alive on the planet on the night before he was chosen for the mission. Russians like to have their backups. So three men were trained equally for the mission. None of them knew who will be chosen finally. The night before the historic launch, all three slept with their vitals health signs perfect. But Gagarin won because he had the perfect sleep sans any rapid eye moment. His wife back in the village realized where he had gone only when she heard him sing on a radio broadcast from up above. 

Watching our beautiful blue planet in its entirety certainly qualifies as a rebirth experience.

Air traffic control at the Thiruvananthapuram messed up today causing an Air Lanka and an Emirates flights to land seconds after each other on the same runway. I think they forgot that aircraft don't come with horns and rear-view mirrors! Anyways, lucky rebirth for the passengers.

Over 70 people perished in a hospital fire in Calcutta today. If they have a rebirth, hopefully it will be in a land which values human life more this country where safety is an afterthought...much after!