CHOICE

It is said that, what we are is the choice we made. The choices we made may be out of compulsion or may be a conscious decision. Sometimes, when we are still in the shadow of elders, choices are made for us. It would have brought us to a stage where the choices we make may not make much difference.

Still, the choices are made every moment. Some times, the choices are made without we being aware, that we are making a choice. It sometimes happens unconsciously, as though some other force has made the choice for us. If it turns out to be good, we think it was divine intervention. If it turns out that the choices we made is not favourable, we blame the Karma.

But making a choice, is an activity we make every moment. Being in the present, helps one to make a better choice. When one is fully aware of the moment, the chances are that we make better choices. And even if it turns out not favourable, we will not search for a peg to hang the guilt.

Living in the present,a difficult proposition indeed, is a worthy exercise. Try to think of the present moment. Being aware of the breath, helps, and it puts a brake to the ever moving juggernaut of thoughts that churn our brain. That moment, the space between two breaths is the precious moment, when we live in the present and when full awareness pervades the being. Practice, makes this moment, longer and accessesable and will help make our choice with full faculty of our consciousness.

GOTHRA

Originally the meaning of the Gothra is Cow stall!. The general conception about gotra is that it denotes all persons who trace descent in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. the original ancestors over whom the members of the Brahmana gotras prided themselves were imagined to be Risis or ancient sages (Gotra Karins).

The names of the Gotras are most significant. The following list is derived from the list given in Asvalayana Srauta Sutra.

Vatsas- Calves, Sunakas-Dogs, Riksas-Bears, Bharadvajas- a species of Birds, Mudgals-a species of Fish, Kapis-monkeys,Ajas-Goats,Renus-pollens,Venus-Bamboos,Kasyapas- Tortoises,Sandilas- a species of Birds and Gotamas-Cows.

Fundamental characteristic of the Gotra system are 1) idea of a common descent of all the members belonging to the same Gotra;2)animal names usually assigned to the Gotras;3) rule of strict exogamy for each Gotra.

but the Gotra system was not peculiar to the Brahmana caste.Budda, a scion of the Sakya family, called himself Gotama. His father and cousin Ananda were addressed as Gotama. They were Kshtriyas.Jains have Gotras.Mahavira, a kshtriya belonged to the Kasyapa Gotra.

It is presumed that Gotra system is remnant of tribal society, where in each clan was identified by the Totem symbol of the particular tribe. The concept that it is a Rishi name is a later development

CRY

A child's first response in this world is a cry. It is a cry which communicates its needs. When it grows up, a cry assumes many meaning like frustration, anger, sorrow etc. When a favourite thing is snatched from the child, immediate response is its cry. This response is learnt and retained. It is respected by elders and attended to.

But, when a child grows into man /woman, this expression is not welcome. In fact our society looks down on this mode of expression. It is not manly for a man to cry. You donot cry in public. As an expression of happiness, it is tolerated, but not that of sorrow. You can shed tear in silence but not loudly.

When you lose your favourite, it could be your near dear ones, your posession or your place you feel sad. As a child I have learnt to cry and cry loudly. But social values prevents me doing this. I gulp my sorrow. It stays as a painfull lump in my throat. Yet I cannot cry loudly.

What strange values ! Will it not be a great relief if I express my sorrow loudly?