WORLD HISTORY 1: Lucy and her Kin

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Lucy and her kin

One of the most famous fossils ever discovered, Lucy is the skeletal remains of an Australopithecus afarensis. Found in Ethiopia in 1974, she lived around 3.2 million years ago and was a bipedal hominid, with feet adapted for walking upright. The history of human evolution extends both forwards and backwards from this point. Hominidae, the taxonomic family that humans share with their closest living relatives, the great, apes (gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans and bonobos, the last controversially suggested to be closer to Lucy than modern humans) shared a common ancestry until quite recently in evolutionary terms, perhaps differentiating 6 million years or so ago. The first beings to walk upright comfortably seem to have been the Australopithecus genus, developing around 4 million years ago; they had smaller brains than even modern apes, and became extinct perhaps 2 million years ago. But they were able to develop tools, and genus Homo (which includes modern humans) evolved from them.

Poem: In Nature’s Lap

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

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Happy to share my poem titled ‘In Nature’s Lap’ carried by the Shillong Times yesterday. I wrote this poem in the beautiful surroundings of The Kasauli club in Himachal Pradesh. Hope you like it.

Appreciation received from a reader:

Kamlesh
You are blessed with the ability of seeing the beauty of the Lord’s creation and also give a glimpse of it through your words to others.
It makes a difference in our lives – I know in my Life…
Please keep it up.
Pradip…

EVERY “WHY” HAS A “WHEREFORE”

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Every “Why” Has a “Wherefore”

Kamlesh Tripathi

        Human life is perhaps the longest journey of questions ever undertaken. From the moment a child is born, it starts asking “why?” Why is the sky blue? Why do birds fly? Why do people laugh or cry? Behind every “why” there quietly stands a “wherefore,” a reason, a divine explanation, or sometimes even a hidden truth waiting patiently to reveal itself.

    The connection between the “why” and “wherefore” forms the very foundation of human life. This connection between questions and answers does not stop in day-to-day life. Philosophers for centuries have wrestled with deeper “whys.” Why do human beings suffer? Why does happiness fade so quickly? Why is life uncertain? Very often, life refuses to provide immediate answers. Instead, it places humanity in a long queue of waiting, reflection, and experience before the “wherefore” finally arrives. Many truths become visible only with time. What once seemed cruel or meaningless later appears as a lesson, a turning point, or even a blessing in disguise. Life keeps wandering between confusion and understanding. Every debate, argument, and misunderstanding in offices, families, and societies often emerges because people question “why” but fail to understand the “wherefore.” Thus, human conflict frequently arises not from ignorance alone, but from incomplete understanding.

    Great literature across the world repeatedly explores this interplay of “whys” and “wherefores.” In The Comedy of Errors, Dromio of Syracuse famously states, “Every why hath a wherefore”, meaning every action or event has a corresponding cause, reason, or explanation. Confusion arises in the play when two identical masters and two identical servants are mistaken for one another. The audience laughs at the chaos, but beneath the humour lies a deeper truth.

    Prince Hamlet spends much of the time in the play ‘Hamlet’ asking profound “whys” about revenge, morality, death, and human existence. His famous dilemma, “To be or not to be,” reflects humanity’s endless search for meaning.

    In the Indian mythology, too, such examples abound. In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas repeatedly question “why” righteousness suffers while evil prospers. The “wherefore” comes to fore only after the immense struggle, sacrifice, and the eventual triumph of the Pandavas who followed dharma. Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas, had umpteen “whys” in her roller-coaster life, beginning with her marriage, the birth of her son Karna, and the humongous challenges that she faced during the great war of the Mahabharat. But all her “whys” had the support of divine “wherefores” which unfolded later with time. Likewise, in the Ramayana, Lord Rama’s exile initially appears unfair and painful, but later reveals a larger cosmic purpose tied to justice, duty, and the destruction of the evil.

    Even modern life reflects this truth. A student may fail an examination and ask why disappointment entered his life. Years later, that same person may realise that the failure redirected him towards a better path. A painful separation, a professional setback, or a period of loneliness may one day reveal the hidden “wherefore.” Time often acts as the translator between confusion and wisdom.

    The moral lesson is clear. Human beings must learn patience, humility, and faith while searching for answers. Not every “why” receives an immediate explanation, but that does not mean life is without meaning. Often, the “wherefore” arrives quietly and gradually, through experience, maturity, and reflection.

    Thus, life itself becomes a bridge between curiosity and understanding. Questions keep humanity alive intellectually, while answers give direction and purpose. Together, they form the rhythm of existence. Every “why” indeed carries a “wherefore” in its pocket, even if, life sometimes reveals it, only in deferred action.

Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

Author, Poet, & Columnist

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause of cancer? The bank details are given below:

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The Legend Surrounding Ganga Dussehra

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The Legend Surrounding Ganga Dussehra

Kamlesh Tripathi

        

Celebrated on Dashami, the tenth day of the waxing moon (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, the Ganga Dussehra, also known as Gangavataran, is one of the most revered festivals in Hinduism. It continues for ten days and commemorates the divine descent of the holy river Ganga from heaven to earth.  

    The festival is observed with immense enthusiasm in all the states through which the River Ganga flows. Holy cities such as Haridwar, Varanasi, Rishikesh, Prayagraj, and Patna come alive with pilgrims, devotional songs, lamps floating on the river, and the picturesque evening aartis. Devotees take a holy dip in the Ganga, believing that her sacred waters would purify their body, mind, and soul. The twinkling diyas drifting across the river under the night sky create a spectacle of unmatched spiritual beauty.

    On this occasion, even the sacred river Yamuna is worshipped wherever it flows. Kite-flying festivals, offerings of selected fruits, and the serving of refreshing drinks like lassi, sharbat, and shikanji add colour and joy to the celebrations.

    The story goes that long ago, there ruled a noble king named Sagar. He had two queens, Keshini and Sumati, but he had no children. He was desperate for heirs, so he performed severe tapasya to please Lord Shiva. Pleased by his devotion, Shiva granted him a rare boon, according to which one queen would bear sixty thousand sons, while the other would have a single son who would continue the royal lineage.

    Over time, the boon materialised. One queen gave birth to a divine vessel that later produced sixty thousand sons, while the other gave birth to a prince named Asmanja. Though powerful, Asmanja grew into a wicked person with a dark nature and was eventually banished from the kingdom. His virtuous son, Anshuman, however, remained the hope of the dynasty.

    King Sagar later decided to perform the Ashwamedha Yagya, a sacred ritual signifying royal supremacy. A ceremonial horse was thus released to wander freely across kingdoms. But Indra, fearing King Sagar’s growing power, secretly stole the horse and hid it near the hermitage of Kapil Muni.

    Sixty thousand sons of King Sagar went searching for the horse. In their impatience and anger, they accused Kapil Muni of theft while he sat deep in meditation. Disturbed and angered by their disrespect, the sage opened his fiery eyes and reduced all the sixty thousand princes to ashes.

    When the tragic news reached King Sagar, he sent his grandson Anshuman to seek forgiveness and recover the horse. Kapil Muni forgave him but revealed that only the holy waters of the Ganga could liberate the souls of the dead princes. Anshuman tried but failed to bring Ganga to earth. Even his son Dilip could not succeed.

    Finally, it was Bhagirath, whose determination bore results. He undertook severe penance for years to invoke Goddess Ganga. The goddess agreed to descend but warned that the impact of her drop from heaven would shatter the earth. Bhagirath then prayed to Lord Shiva for help.

    Lord Shiva agreed and stood upon the Himalayas to receive the mighty river. River Ganga descended from heaven with a thunderous force. Shiva caught her in his divine jatas (matted locks) and gently released her to mankind as a calm, life-giving river. Guided by Bhagirath, the sacred waters finally reached the ashes of King Sagar’s sons and granted them salvation.

    Thus, the mighty Ganga not only became a river, but a symbol of eternal spiritual flow. Even today, whenever devotees stand before the sacred river with folded hands, they remember Bhagirath’s perseverance and Lord Shiva’s grace that brought heaven to earth.

    Ganga Dussehra takes you back to those times when Bhagirath’s tireless efforts and determination brought Ganga to Mother Earth. The descent of Ganga symbolises the descent of purity into human life, washing away ignorance and ego. Lord Shiva’s role teaches balance and restraint. Even the most powerful force must be guided with wisdom and compassion.

    The sacred river Ganga continues to nourish millions, spiritually and physically, reminding mankind that rivers are not merely waterways but living symbols of culture, civilisation, and divine grace.

Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

Author, Poet, & Columnist

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause of cancer? The bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

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GOVARDHAN PARIKRAMA

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GOVARDHAN PARIKRAMA

Kamlesh Tripathi

    The Parikrama that starts from Govardhan Daan Ghati Mandir via Anyur, Puchhari, and Jatipura, and returns to Govardhan, is called Badi Parikrama and covers a distance of 12 km. The Parikrama from Govardhan via Uddhav Kund, Radhakund, and Kusum Sarovar, and then back to Govardhan, is called Chhoti Parikrama, which is 9 km long. The majority of the 21 km circumambulation takes place in the Mathura district. The parikrama path crosses into the Deeg district of Rajasthan, notably near the Poonchri Ka Lautha temple and the surrounding areas.

Badi Parikrama:

1. Daan Ghati Mandir

    Danghati Govardhan Temple is the starting point of the Govardhan Parikrama. It is said that through this place all the Gopis of Braj used to go to pay the butter tax to King Kansa, and it was here that the butter thief Kanha used to take donations of butter and curd along with his cowherd hair. It was Kanha’s love that forced him to ask for Daan from his devotees. Due to this reason for taking Daan, it is known as Daanghati. This beautiful Leela has been described in the book Danakeli Kaumudi.

2. Sankarshan Kund

    Sankarshan Kund is a sacred water body located in Anyor village near Govardhan Parvat, in Uttar Pradesh, along the Parikrama Marg, dedicated to Lord Balarama (Sankarshan), the elder brother of Krishna. It is considered a crucial heritage site in Braj, where a deity of Balram was reportedly found 5,000 years ago, and bathing here is believed to absolve one of his sins. It is situated in Anyor village, near Govardhan Giri, Uttar Pradesh. Named after Lord Balarama (Sankarshan), representing his role as a source of strength and companionship to Krishna in Braj. It is believed that the deity of Dauji (Balarama) was found in this kund and installed by Sri Vajranabh, the great-grandson of Lord Krishna.

3. Poonchari ka Lautha

Poonchari ka Lautha (or Punchari Lotha) is a highly revered temple on the 21-kilometre Govardhan Parikrama marg. Poonchari ka Lotha is said to be the friend of Lord Shri Krishna. This place is small, but its importance is very high. There is a belief in this place that every devotee must come here. Otherwise, the Goverdhan Parikrama is not considered complete. It is believed that whoever comes here for the Parikrama of Goverdhan ji, all his wishes are fulfilled.

4. Shri Nath Ji Temple

    The next place in the Goverdhan Parikrama is the Shri Nath Temple. This temple tells the story of Radha and Krishna’s divine love. To reach here, you will have to go over the hill of Giriraj Ji.

5. Indraman Bhang

    This is the place where Devraj Indra came with his elephant Airavat, and as its name suggests, this is the same place where Indra Dev’s honour was brought down. The footprints of the Airavat elephant are still visible here. You can see these signs near the Maan Bhang temple.

6. Jatipura Temple

    The next stop in the Goverthan Parikrama is the Jatipura Temple. It is believed that the face of Lord Krishna can be seen here. After reaching Jatipura, devotees offer Prasad because the Prasad of this temple is said to be of great importance during the parikrama. Here you can see the faces of Shri Krishna and his elder brother Balram at the mouth of Lord Giriraj ji. That is why there is a tradition of offering Chhappan Bhog here.

    This was the Govardhan Parikrama route of the Badi Parikrama (Daan Ghati Mandir to Jatipura Temple) of Govardhan Parvat, along with the religious beliefs related to it.

Chhoti Parikrama

    The Chhoti Parikrama of Govardhan Parvat is 9 km long. It starts after Jatipura Mukharbind. The first point of Chhoti Parikrama is the Laxmi Narayan Mandir, Govardhan.

1. Laxmi Narayan Mandir

    After the fulfilment of a wish, Dhudh ki Parikrama is undertaken from the Lakshminarayan Govardhan temple. The Deity present in the temple is considered a symbol of wealth, happiness and prosperity. All the devotees coming for the Govardhan Parvat Parikrama start the puja at the Lakshmi Narayan temple before the parikrama.

2. Uddhava Kunda

    On the Chhoti Parikrama route, the next place is Uddhava Kunda, which is situated on the right side of the Parikrama Marg, just west of Govardhan. This Kunda (pond) has been described in detail in our Puranas. According to religious belief, Uddhav ji comforted the Mahishis of Dwarka at this place.

3. Radha Kund

The next spot on the Chhoti Parikrama is Radha Kund. The story of Radha Kund is related to Shri Krishna’s cow grazing. When demon Arishtasura came to know that Kanha comes here often, he reached there in the guise of a calf. And when Arishtasura, in the guise of a calf, came forward to attack Shri Krishna, he killed the demon disguised as a calf.

4. Shyam Kunda

    After Radha Kund comes the Shyam Kund. Shyam Kund is the same place where the Pandavas came during their exile. When Shri Krishna dug a pond with his flute and took a bath in it to be free from the sin of cow slaughter, Radha ji also dug a pond nearby with her bracelet, which is called Shyam Kund.

5. Kusum Sarovar

    Shyam Kund is followed by Kusum Sarovar. It is located 2 km away from Goverdhan in Mathura. It is 60 feet deep and 450 feet long. There are many mythological stories attached to Kusum Sarovar, one of which is related to Radha and Krishna. It is said that Lord Krishna used to come to this place secretly to meet Radha Rani. Radha Rani and her friend used to go to Kusum Sarovar to pick flowers for Shri Krishna. The beauty of Kusum Sarovar is exceptional. There are stairs around Kusum Sarovar, Govardhan. Its beauty itself attracts people to this place. The people residing here believe that this lake contains Paras stone and Nagmani, due to which this lake is mysterious.

6. Kaan Wale Baba

    The temple of Kaan Wale Baba, which is on the way to Chhoti Parikrama, is very famous. Stories of the miracles of this temple are famous throughout Braj. This temple is home to Giriraj Ji, who has a remarkable stone ear. Devotees come to this temple while doing parikrama and whisper their wishes in the ears of Giriraj Ji Maharaj.

7. Mansi Ganga

    The Chhoti Parikrama ends at Mansi Ganga Mukharbind. Mansi Ganga is situated in the middle of Govardhan village. While doing Parikrama, Mansi Ganga falls on the right side, while returning from Poonchari, we see it on the left side. The story of Ganga becoming Mansi Ganga is such that once Nand Baba, Yashoda and all the Braj residents decided to take a bath in the Ganga, they started their journey. By the time everyone reached Goverdhan, it was already evening. Nand Ji thought of making it his resting place and spending the night there.

    While spending the night here, the thought came to Shri Krishna’s mind that all the places of pilgrimage reside in Braj Dham, but the people of Braj are unaware of its great glory. As soon as such a thought came to Shri Krishna’s mind, Ganga Ji appeared in her mortal form at the foothills of Giriraj Ji. In the morning, when the people of Braj saw Ganga Ji in the Giriraj foothills, they were all surprised.

   Seeing everyone surprised, Shri Krishna said that all the pilgrims from the three worlds come here to serve Brajbhoomi, and that you all are leaving Braj to bathe in the Ganga. This is why Mother Ganga herself has arrived here in the form of Mansi Ganga on the Amavasya of the Kartik month.

Rules of Govardhan Parikrama (17/5/26)

You need to know the rules of performing Govardhan Parikrama.

  • Before starting the Parikrama of Govardhan, first offer respects to Mount Govardhan and end the Parikrama at the same place from where you started.
  • It is believed that anyone who wants to start the parikrama must bathe in the Mansi Ganga.
  • Also, keep in mind that you should never leave the parikrama incomplete, midway.

Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

Author, Poet, & Columnist

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause of cancer? The bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

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POEM: EVERY ‘WHY’HAS A ‘WHEREFORE’

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POEM: EVERY ‘WHY’ HAS A ‘WHEREFORE’

Kamlesh Tripathi

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Every ‘why’ walks around,

Carrying a ‘wherefore’ in its pocket.

The child asks, “‘Why’ is the sky so blue?”

The teacher replies, flagging a ‘wherefore,’

Because of the sunlight, the atmosphere, and the scattered hues.

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The employee asks,

‘Why’ is the meeting so early in the morning?

The boss croons,

Because of the mysterious ‘wherefore’ called,

Reaching the moon.

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The philosopher asks, “‘Why’ do human beings suffer in life?”

Life quietly replies,

Please stand in the queue,

For the ‘wherefore’ to apprise.

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Even a revolving chair,

Has its own philosophy:

It spins not merely because,

Someone has pushed it around,

But because every ‘why,’

Eventually originates from a ‘wherefore,’

Where every office argument,

Turns into a revolving conundrum.

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Perhaps that is,

The hidden methodology of existence:

Where no ‘why’ likes to remain unanswered,

And no ‘wherefore’ arrives,

Without first making humanity restless.

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So somewhere between,

Curiosity and explanation,

Between confusion and wisdom,

Life keeps whispering:

“Every ‘why’ has a ‘wherefore’

Though sometimes,

The ‘wherefore’ arrives in deferred action.”

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In The Comedy of Errors, by William Shakespeare,

Two identical masters,

And two identical servants,

Create enough laughter,

Within the maze of confusion.

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Even there,

The ‘whys’ and the ‘wherefores,’

Were needed,

To uncover,

The hidden reason behind the chaos,

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So beware of this mysterious life,

Where each moment,

Is a creation,

Of the ‘Whys’ and the ‘Wherefores’ that monitor our lives.

**

Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

Author, Poet, & Columnist

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Like it and Share it

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause of cancer? The bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

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