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The Significance of Number 18 in Hindu Scriptures

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    Number 18 unquestionably is considered auspicious and has great significance in Hindu scriptures. This significance is highlighted in the great epic, the Mahabharata. While reading the holy epic Mahabharata, you will find that it is divided into 18 parvas (sections). Let’s not forget that the holy war of the Mahabharata, fought in Kurukshetra, was fought over 18 days. The battlefield witnessed 18 divisions (akshauhinis) of armies. 11 divisions were on the Kauravas’ side and 7 were on the Pandavas’ side. At the end of the war, which lasted 18 days, it is believed that only 18 prominent individuals survived. This underlines the transformative impact of this conflict, which had spiritual and moral dimensions.

    The Bhagavad Gita, which is a sacred discourse delivered by Lord Krishna and is the most important part of the Mahabharata, also consists of 18 chapters. At the end of its 2nd chapter, Lord Krishna outlines 18 qualities that define a person of steady wisdom (sthita-prajna), highlighting the traits of one who has achieved spiritual victory.

    Apart from the Mahabharata, the number 18 also appears in other key Hindu texts. There are 18 major Puranas and 18 Upapuranas, which include stories, teachings, and cosmological concepts. There are 18 Dharmashastras, guiding principles of law and ethics for righteous living.

    The central idea of all scriptures of all religions in the world is the same. The prime idea is the victory of the higher being over the lower one, or righteousness over unrighteousness, or of the good over the evil, and of dharma over adharma. Ved Vyas had originally titled the Mahabharat as Jaya (victory). The word Jaya is in the opening stanzas of both the Mahabharata and the Gita.

    Interestingly, in the ancient Katapayadi system (numerical notation system) of Sanskrit numerology, where letters are assigned numerical values, the word “Jaya” (meaning “victory”) equals 18. The original name of the Mahabharata was Jaya Samhita, and it appears in the opening verses of both the Mahabharata and the Gita. This numerical value emphasises the theme of spiritual triumph. To highlight the significance of the word Jaya, the number 18 is given a prominent place not only in the Mahabharata but also in various other Hindu scriptures. Thus, the number 18 is repeatedly used as an auspicious reminder to stay alert in our constant battle for inner spiritual victory.

Across all Hindu scriptures, the central message remains unchanged: the victory of dharma (righteousness) over adharma (unrighteousness), the higher self over the lower, and good over evil. The repeated use of the number 18 serves as a symbolic reminder of this ongoing inner battle—and the ultimate goal of achieving spiritual victory, or jaya.

Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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RAINFORESTS: EARTH’S LUNGS AND WORLD’S PHARMACY

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RAINFORESTS: EARTH’S LUNGS AND WORLD’S PHARMACY

    Deep rivers, tall trees, strange animals, beautiful flowers—this is the rainforest. Burning trees, thick smoke, new roads and cities, dead animals, people without homes—this is the rainforest, too. To some people, rainforests mean beautiful places you can visit; to others, they mean trees they can cut down and sell.

    Between 1950 and 2000, half of the world’s rainforests disappeared. While you read these words, people are cutting down rainforest trees somewhere in the world.

         Beautiful blue butterflies fly from flower to flower, and birds fly in and out of the tall trees. Jaguars wait silently in the shadows, and above them monkeys play. And around you there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of different flowers, plants, and trees – coffee, oranges, bananas, rice, and others that we do not have names for yet. It is hot and wet- rain falls around you, and clouds hide the tops of the trees. Yes, the rainforest is a wonderful, strange place.

    But it is a place in great danger too. Every day, people cut down their great trees to make farms, roads, and towns.

   We destroy thousands of square kilometres of rainforest every year. In 1950, rainforests covered 15% of the Earth’s land. Fifty years later, we have destroyed more than half of these rainforests. Will there still be any rainforests in the year 2050? No one knows the answer to that question.

    Rainforests are home to about fifty million people and millions of species of animals, plants, and insects. In one square kilometre of rainforest, there can be more than 75,000 different species of trees. In all of Britain, there are only 1,443 different species of plants. So when we destroy the rainforests, thousands of species of plants and animals disappear.

    The leaves of rainforest trees make about 40% of the Earth’s oxygen. Can the Earth live without the oxygen of the rainforests?   

    The weather in a rainforest is hot all year round, usually between 20°C and 28°C every day. The weather is always wet, too: rainforests have more than 200 millimetres of rain in a month. In Belem, Brazil, it rains on about 243 days each year. And the rain is heavy! On a rainy day in a rainforest, 20 millimetres of rain can fall. On a rainy day in London, about 5 millimetres of rain falls.

    The largest rainforest in the world is the Amazon rainforest, which grows in nine different countries in Latin America. The Amazon rainforest is about a hundred million years old, and has more species of animals and plants than any other place on earth. You can find 20% of all the bird species in the world here. The great Amazon River, which runs through the Amazon rainforest, is the second longest river in the world. It runs 6,400 kilometres from the Andes Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean at Belem, in Brazil, where it is more than 300 kilometres across. There are more than 2,000 species of fish in the Amazon River, more than in the Atlantic Ocean. But this big rainforest is getting smaller. Between 1978 and 2004, more than half a million square kilometres of the Amazon rainforest disappeared.

    The second largest rainforest is in Central Africa, and the world’s ninth longest river, the Congo River, runs through it. There are also some rainforests in West Africa.

    One part of the Central African rainforest is in Madagascar, which was once part of Africa. About 160 million years ago, it moved away from Africa, and since that time, it has been an island. Its animals and plants have changed very little in those years, and most of them live in no other place on earth. About fifty different species of lemur live in Madagascar, and scientists are still finding new species. In Andohahela, there are twelve species of lemurs living in 760 square kilometres. The Sifaka, a lemur with very long legs, can jump from one tree to another and travel a long way without touching the ground.

    The third great rainforest is in Southeast Asia, in Burma, Malaysia, Borneo, and Indonesia, and also in some of the islands of the South Pacific. Between 1950 and 1995, Indonesia lost half of its rainforest. It sells most of the wood from its forest to rich countries. The Rajah Brooke’s birdwing butterfly lives in these forests. It is one of the world’s largest butterflies, with wings about 15 centimetres across. But Indonesia is destroying the home of this beautiful insect.

    Australia has rainforests too, but they are disappearing fast. In 1988, someone found a new species of Kangaroo in the rainforest of Australia. This was Bennett’s tree kangaroo. Most kangaroos live on the ground, but the Bennett’s tree kangaroo, which has strong arms and wide feet, lives in trees. When the forests disappear, species like this kangaroo would disappear too?

    Most rainforests grow on flat land, but some grow high in the mountains and are called cloud forests. Some rainforests grow by the sea, usually at the mouths of great rivers, where big trees called mangroves grow in the water. The biggest mangrove forests are in India and Bangladesh.

    There are temperate rainforests too, which are wet, but not as hot as the rainforests in places like the Amazon. The temperate rainforest in North America grows in northern California and extends north by the Pacific Ocean, through Canada to Alaska. Rainfall in this forest can be more than 200 millimetres a month, and some of the trees grow 48 metres tall. Temperate rainforests also grow in Tasmania, Australia.

    More than half the species of plants and animals of the Earth live in rainforests, but we only know about a small number of them.

    People who live in the rainforests have always used plants to make medicines. Today, all over the world, people use medicines that are made from rainforest plants. Quinine, the malaria medicine, comes from the cinchona tree of Peru. From the leaves of the beautiful Madagascan flower called the rosy periwinkle, scientists make a medicine for the deadly blood disease leukaemia.     Many of the medicines that doctors use for cancer come from the rainforests.    Rainforest trees give us many things. Rubber, for example, comes from a rainforest tree, and some trees give us oil.

    More than 3,000 kinds of fruits grow in the rainforests. The people of the rainforests use more than 2,000 of them– the rest of the world eats only about 200 kinds. Two of the most popular fruits from the rainforests are bananas and oranges. And there are other rainforest food plants that people eat all over the world, for example, coffee, tea, chocolate and rice. Maize, which is an important food for many people, is another rainforest crop.

    How many new species of useful plants have disappeared from the rainforests? Nobody knows. The trees of the rainforest help the air because their leaves use carbon dioxide and make oxygen, which we need to live. They are important for the Earth’s weather too; water from their large leaves goes up into the sky and makes heavy clouds. The clouds then give rain back into the rainforests, and some clouds move to other parts of the Earth and give rain there. The clouds also protect the Earth from the sun.

    Today, the Earth is slowly getting hotter, and in some places, changes in weather mean that life is much more difficult for millions of people.

RAINFORESTS AT A GLANCE:

    Rainforests are dense, humid forests with a continuous tree canopy, moisture-loving plants, epiphytes (plants growing on others), lianas (woody vines), and no wildfires. There are several types of rainforests. Tropical Rainforests are found near the equator (10 degrees N-S), hot and wet year-round. They have an annual rainfall of 175-200 cm and even more. Their locations are Amazon, Congo, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. The Temperate Rainforests are located in cooler and rainy temperate zones and are dominated by conifers or broadleaf trees. Other types include cloud, dry, subtropical and littoral rainforests.

    Rainforests are extremely important for the Planet Earth. They are home to 40-75% of all species. Millions of undiscovered organisms. They are a source for more than 25% of natural medicines. Rainforests are the ‘Earth’s lungs’ and ‘the world’s pharmacy.’ But we need to be cautious about the deforestation of rainforests, which will be suicidal for Planet Earth.

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Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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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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OSHO: BE MORE RESPECTFUL OF LIFE, YOU ARE PART OF IT.

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    There is an intrinsic animality in man, a violence which he brings with his birth.     Even small babies will find some ants and will kill for no reason: killing is a joy. And the same… There are so many hunters who are hunting deer, lions and tigers, and they call it ‘game’. But it is strange: when a lion eats a hunter … then it is a ‘tragedy’. Strange! And the lion kills you with bare hands, and you kill the lion from far away, with guns, arrows, and all kinds of devices. You are a coward.     I used to stay in the palace of the maharaja of Bhavnagar, and his whole palace was full of lions’ heads, deer heads, and tigers’ heads on all the walls. And he used to be very proud to introduce people… telling who killed which animal – this one was killed by his father, this one was killed by his grandfather, this one was killed by himself, this was killed by his brother, by his son. In the same way, he also introduced those things to me the first time I stayed with him …     I said, “…. All that you have been doing is killing animals. What is the purpose? You have enough food; you don’t need to kill them.”     He said. “It is a game.”     I said, “But the game has some rules. Both parties should be provided with the same instruments. Both parties should be confronting each other in full light. You are hiding behind a tree, with a gun, and you kill an innocent deer, and you think you are playing a game? And what part does the deer to play in the game? Has he consented to play the game? And this is very unfair: why are you sitting on top of a tree?     “You are simply a coward, even with your gun. And this is not a game. This is simply your intrinsic violence, which is finding some way to destroy. And if you have any sense of humanity, remove all this nonsense from this palace! This shows your real face. These are not the heads of the animals; these are your heads.”     He could not understand …     Just as you are here, a guest, a tiger is also a guest. And it simply means that if you kill the tiger, you are insensate. I am not concerned with the tiger, because it is going to die one day. I am concerned with you, because killing each human or animal or anything that is living, goes on making your heart a stone. And if your heart becomes a stone, a rock, then your spiritual growth becomes impossible. A rock will not allow you to reach your own being. Anything that stops your evolution in consciousness is evil- it is a sin – and anything that helps you to move towards more consciousness is a virtue. That’s the only definition that I can give to you. Be more aesthetic, be more sensitive, be more respectful of life, because you are part of it. Whoever you are killing, you are killing yourself. Your destructiveness is suicidal. Abridged from The Path of the Mystic, courtesy Osho International Foundation.

SPEAKING TREE 2/6/23

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AMBEDKAR: FIGHTING THE CASTE MONSTER

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Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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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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HOW I GAVE UP SMOKING

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    Giving up smoking is one of my greatest victories. It all started long ago when I began my first job. I was surrounded by colleagues who smoked, and gradually, I too got into the habit. At first, it seemed like fun, but over time, it became an ingrained addiction. I started with just a few cigarettes, but before I knew it, I was smoking a whole pack of ten a day. Within a year, it escalated to three packs, and over the next few years, it stabilized at around 4-5 packs a day. This had physical consequences for me—my voice became raspier, and I realized I was trapped in an unhealthy cycle. I would light up before meetings, after meetings, when I was stressed, depressed, or even as an accompaniment to tea or coffee.

    I noticed the side effects in myself. I would sometimes get a sore throat, which the smoking aggravated. My appetite decreased. My shoestring monthly budget kept stretching because of smoking. It started to dawn on me that giving up smoking could be a win-win situation: better health and saving. But, like many smokers, I too struggled to quit. I tried various methods—timing my cigarettes, switching to Pan Parag, and even extinguishing my cigarettes after a few drags, only to light them up again. But deep down, I knew the dangers—cancer, heart disease, and declining health.

    The real turning point came during a long train journey from Chennai to Delhi and back. I had applied for a job in North India and had received an interview call. I was excited but also nervous. It was a long train journey of 36 hours, and in the rush to get to the station, I forgot to buy cigarettes. I only had two left in my pack, and I smoked them both at night, planning to replenish my stock in the morning. When I woke up in the morning, I reached for my cigarette pack reflexively, but the pack was empty. The next station was over an hour away, and I thought to myself, “Why not use this as an opportunity to quit smoking?” I was reminded of Mark Twain’s famous quote, ‘Giving up smoking is easy, I have done it hundreds of times.’

    When the train stopped at the next station, I was tempted to buy cigarettes, but I decided to hold off. Soon, the train rolled out of the railway platform, and I felt victorious because I had managed to resist the temptation. This was my first small victory, but it felt significant. Thereon, I kept myself busy by reading a book, drinking more tea, and avoiding railway platforms that might have tempted me to buy cigarettes.

    By the time I reached Delhi, I had gone 36 hours without smoking. It wasn’t easy. The interview went well. I had some free time to explore Connaught Place in Delhi. I stopped at a bar for a shot of brandy. It helped in the chilly weather. I felt the urge to smoke. But I resisted again, and I succeeded; I felt good. Later that night, I boarded the train back to Chennai. By now, 48 hours had passed without cigarettes. The thought of buying a packet of cigarettes didn’t cross my mind. It was a baby success which I didn’t want to share with anyone. Finally, after 72 hours, I reached Chennai without smoking.

    My body and mind began to synchronise well without cigarettes. I noticed I felt better—hungrier, more energetic, and even focused. I realized smoking wasn’t just an addiction—it was a nervous and insecure habit. It might have provided temporary pleasure, but it was ultimately damaging, both physically and mentally.

    Occasionally, I felt insecure without cigarettes, especially in high-pressure situations or when I had a long trip ahead. But gradually, I became more resilient without them. I had learned that the easiest way to quit smoking was to stop abruptly. No great planning was required. You don’t need to gradually cut down; you just have to decide to quit, and your body and mind will adjust to the void. I found better ways to cope with stress, and life without cigarettes became the new normal.

    Soon, I began to enjoy the benefits of quitting smoking. My body was healthier, and my mind was at peace. I realized that quitting smoking wasn’t just about giving up an addiction—it was about regaining control over my life and health. In the end, it turned out to be one of the most rewarding things for me. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. It saved my money, improved my health, and gave me a sense of accomplishment. For anyone struggling to quit, I hope my experience can be of help. Perhaps God had sent me for that interview only to give up smoking where Indian Railways helped me.

Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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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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AMBEDKAR: FROM CASTE TO CONSTITUTION

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    Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar’s life indeed serves as a beacon of inspiration for those committed to equality, social justice, and dismantling oppressive systems. His insights into the caste system were groundbreaking and remain relevant even today. His statement about the caste system being a “monster” that must be eradicated for any real political and economic reform resonates deeply. By acknowledging that caste is not just a division of labor but also a division of people, Ambedkar illuminated how deeply it harms not only individuals but society as a whole.

    His critique of the caste system’s eugenic claims and its failure to produce a better society reflects his understanding of how it stunts human potential. Caste, in his view, doesn’t just harm the oppressed; it also disorganizes the social fabric of those who perpetuate it. Ambedkar’s assertion that caste doesn’t improve the race but instead demoralizes it points to a broader critique of how hierarchies and inequality can stunt collective progress.

    These perspectives are not just theoretical but were put into action in his tireless efforts to reshape India’s Constitution, fight for the rights of Dalits, and challenge the deep-seated social structures that perpetuated caste-based discrimination. His contributions laid the groundwork for a more just and equitable society, making him one of the most significant social reformers in modern history.

    He was born into a Mahar family, one of the castes considered untouchable in the rigid caste hierarchy of India, on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, Madya Pradesh, where his father served in the army. Despite facing severe social discrimination, his early life was marked by a strong desire for education and an urge to challenge the status quo that oppressed people like him.

    He studied at some of the best institutions globally, including Columbia University and the London School of Economics, where he earned doctorates in Economics. He later trained as a lawyer at Gray’s Inn, London, and became one of the most highly educated individuals in India at that time. Dr. Ambedkar’s life was devoted to fighting for the rights of the Dalits and the marginalized communities in India. His famous slogan, “Educate, Agitate, Organise”, continues to resonate, urging oppressed people to seek knowledge, actively resist oppression, and unite for their rights. Bernard Shaw once stated, “Dr. Ambedkar’s struggle against the caste system and his determination to free the Indian masses from the shackles of superstition and inequality was truly revolutionary. He understood that real progress could only come through education and social reform.”

   As the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution of India, Dr. Ambedkar played a pivotal role in shaping India’s legal and political framework. His vision helped enshrine fundamental rights such as equality, freedom of religion, and the abolition of untouchability in the Constitution. His contributions were critical in ensuring that India’s Constitution became a beacon of justice and equality, not just for Dalits but for all marginalized groups. He held a belief that, Constitution is not just a lawyers’ document but a vehicle of life, and its spirit is always the spirit of age.

    He was also a staunch advocate for women’s rights and fought for their protection and upliftment within Indian society. He was instrumental in introducing provisions for reservations for Dalits, Tribals, and Other Backward Classes, ensuring their access to education and employment. Author of umpteen titles, he chose to embrace Buddhism as a response to the caste-based discrimination entrenched in Hinduism. His conversion was a radical act of defiance and transformation.  

    His contributions to the Indian Constitution and his steadfast fight against caste-based discrimination laid the foundation for the rights of the marginalized in India. In 1990, India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, was posthumously awarded to him. The salutation “Jai Bhim”, popular among his followers, remains a powerful symbol of his ongoing impact. ‘I want all people to be Indians first, Indian last and nothing else but Indian’ He said.

Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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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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HUXLEY’S TAKE ON TRANSLATED WORKS, BHAVAN’S JOURNAL

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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)

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AFTER BIRTH, DEATH IS THE FIRST SPIRITUAL TIP

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My piece was published in The Goan Net Everyday on 30.3.25.

Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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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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THREE LOVE STORIES: A COMPARISON

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     William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi and A Service of Love are three love stories that were written in different periods and contexts, but they share significant thematic elements. Despite the stark differences in style and setting, all three stories explore the concepts of love, sacrifice, fate, and irony. In Romeo and Juliet, the love between the two protagonists is intense, impulsive, and passionate. Shakespeare portrays their love as something that transcends the societal boundaries and family feuds that separate them. Their love is pure but becomes tainted by haste and miscommunication, leading to their untimely deaths.

    In contrast, O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi and A Service of Love presents love in a more grounded manner. In A Service of Love, the love between the narrator and Delia is expressed through everyday acts of devotion and sacrifice. Delia’s love is not exhibited in grand gestures but through her ongoing, selfless actions that reflect her deep commitment to her husband. Similarly, in The Gift of the Magi, the love between Della and Jim is conveyed through selflessness. They each sacrifice their most prized possessions—Della’s hair and Jim’s watch—to buy meaningful gifts for one another. These stories show that love can be expressed through small, meaningful gestures. While the love in Romeo and Juliet is more dramatic and intense, the love in O. Henry’s stories is equally profound, though more subtle and enduring.

    Sacrifice is a key element that runs through all three stories, though the nature and consequences of these sacrifices differ greatly. In Romeo and Juliet, the sacrifices made by the characters are both tragic and irreversible. The lovers’ decision to end their lives in response to the misunderstanding of Juliet’s “death” demonstrates the extreme measures they are willing to take for love. Shakespeare suggests that while love can transcend boundaries, it can also lead to irreversible consequences.

    In contrast, the sacrifices in A Service of Love and The Gift of the Magi are significant but not life-threatening. In A Service of Love, Delia sacrifices her time and comfort to help her husband, performing physically demanding tasks to make his life easier. Her love is expressed through her efforts, which, though modest, speak volumes about her dedication. In The Gift of the Magi, Della and Jim make significant sacrifices—selling their most prized possessions—but their actions result in an ironic twist, as their sacrifices make their gifts useless. Though these sacrifices are not tragic like those in Romeo and Juliet, they still highlight the depth of devotion between the characters.

    The endings of the three stories underscore the different treatments of love and sacrifice. Romeo and Juliet end tragically, with both lovers dying as a result of a series of misunderstandings. Their deaths, though stemming from a genuine desire to be together, illustrate the destructive power of family feuds, social expectations, and fate. On the other hand, O. Henry’s stories end on a more bittersweet note. In A Service of Love, while the narrator reflects on the sacrifices made by Delia, there is no major calamity. Similarly, in The Gift of the Magi, the irony of Della and Jim’s sacrifices—where their gifts become useless—is poignant, but the story ends with a sense of warmth and affection.

    Romeo and Juliet explores the class-based conflict, with the Montagues and Capulets representing two wealthy, influential families. Their feud drives much of the plot. Whereas, O. Henry’s stories play out in more modest, working-class settings. In A Service of Love, the couple’s humble lifestyle and sacrifices reflect the struggles of everyday life. Similarly, in The Gift of the Magi, the focus on modest means emphasizes that love cannot be measured by material wealth. The story suggests that the most valuable gifts are often those that come from the heart.

    The role of fate in these stories varies significantly. In Romeo and Juliet, fate plays a central role. The lovers are described as “star-crossed,” suggesting that their tragic end is predetermined by forces beyond their control. Their love, though intense and pure, is ultimately doomed due to family loyalty, social pressures, and the unavoidable force of fate.

    In contrast, O. Henry’s characters in A Service of Love and The Gift of the Magi are not bound by fate in the same way. The outcomes of these stories are shaped more by the characters’ decisions and sacrifices. The irony that emerges in O. Henry’s works stems not from external forces but from the characters’ internal desires to express their love, leading to unexpected yet touching outcomes.

    Irony plays a significant role in all three stories. In Romeo and Juliet, dramatic irony intensifies the tragedy. The audience knows that Juliet is not dead, but Romeo, unaware of this, tragically takes his own life. This sense of irony heightens the impact of the play, underscoring the dangers of miscommunication and haste in matters of the heart.

    In O. Henry’s stories, the irony is more bittersweet. In The Gift of the Magi, Della and Jim sacrifice their most valuable possessions to buy each other meaningful gifts, only to discover that their sacrifices have rendered their gifts useless.

    While Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet explores love’s tragic consequences in a world of social conflict and fate, O. Henry’s stories—The Gift of the Magi and A Service of Love—present love as something that transcends material concerns through sacrifice and selflessness.

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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REINCARNATION OF DALAI LAMA IN A FREE WORLD

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    In his recent book “Voice of the Voiceless,” the Dalai Lama has reaffirmed his stand on the issue of his reincarnation and succession—a matter that has long been a source of tension between him and the Chinese government. His comments in the book have again brought the issue to the forefront, highlighting the ongoing clash between the Tibetan spiritual leader and the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

    The Dalai Lama explicitly states in the book that his reincarnation will not occur in China or Tibet under Chinese rule. He will be reborn in a free world, away from the Chinese Communist Party’s control. This is a significant statement because it directly challenges China’s desire to assert authority over the reincarnation process, a system the Chinese government has attempted to control for decades.

His Holiness urges his followers to reject any successor chosen by the Chinese government. This is a crucial point in the ongoing dispute. China has made several moves to control the process of selecting the next Dalai Lama, and His Holiness has long resisted this interference. The Dalai Lama’s spiritual authority, he believes, should remain independent of political control, particularly that of a regime that has heavily repressed Tibetan culture and religion.

    In a statement about his reincarnation he also raises questions about the future of the Dalai Lama Institution. By stating that he will be reborn in a free world, he reaffirms his commitment to ensuring that the Dalai Lama tradition continues its traditional role of advocating for human rights and spiritual leadership. He suggests that his future reincarnation will help preserve the spiritual autonomy of the Tibetan people and continue their fight for freedom and justice in the face of ongoing repression.

    Dalai Lama’s remarks in the book underscore the growing conflict between Tibet’s spiritual leadership and the Chinese Communist Party. Beijing has consistently sought to assert control over the process of selecting religious leaders in Tibet, including the Dalai Lama’s successor. This is seen as a ploy to maintain political influence over Tibet and undermine the Tibetan struggle for autonomy.

    The Chinese government’s claim that it has the right to select the next Dalai Lama is viewed by the Dalai Lama and many Tibetans as an infringement on religious freedom and the cultural sovereignty of the Tibetan people. This has led to significant tensions between Tibetans in exile, particularly in India, and China, with the Dalai Lama being a powerful symbol of Tibetan resistance.

    Dalai Lama’s message in the book reflects his enduring belief in the power of the ‘Dalai Lama Institution’ as a force for good in the world. He envisions his reincarnation as a voice for the oppressed, an advocate for human rights, and a protector of Tibetan culture and Buddhist teachings.

    The Chinese government views the Dalai Lama as a major obstacle to its control over Tibet, and is likely to be angered by such statements. For Beijing, the Dalai Lama is seen not only as a spiritual figure but as a political leader advocating for Tibetan autonomy, which it views as a threat to national unity.    The Dalai Lama’s comments continue to attract international attention, as they highlight the struggle for religious freedom in Tibet and China. His call for the ‘Dalai Lama Institution’ to be maintained in a free world could galvanize international support for the Tibetan cause, particularly in the context of global movements advocating for human rights and religious freedom.

    The Dalai Lama’s vision for his reincarnation outside of China and Tibet may have long-term consequences for the Tibetan identity and the future of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Should the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation occur outside Tibet, it could symbolise a shift in the Tibetan struggle, where the Tibetan people’s religious and cultural heritage is maintained in exile and outside the influence of Chinese Communist rule.

    “Voice of the Voiceless,” is not only a spiritual work but also a political statement that addresses the future of the ‘Dalai Lama Institution’ in the face of Chinese interference. By affirming that his reincarnation will be outside China and Tibet, he reaffirms his commitment to the Tibetan people’s freedom and spiritual independence. His followers are encouraged to reject any Chinese-appointed successor, and the focus on his reincarnation will undoubtedly continue to be a point of tension between Tibetan Buddhism and the Chinese government.     The book has further illuminated the Dalai Lama’s intentions to ensure that his legacy and the cause of Tibet continue in a free world.

Written by Kamlesh Tripathi

    (Author’s father was the person who received His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a GOI (on Nehru’s advice) representative when he entered India in 1959 and reached Tezpur. Author’s latest book is Awadh Assam and the Dalai Lama … The Kalachakra)

Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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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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Publications of Kamlesh Tripathi

BOOK TITLE: GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(The book is about a young cancer patient. Now archived in eight prestigious libraries of the US which include Harvard College Library; Harvard University Library; Library of Congress; University of Washington, Seattle; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Yale University, New Haven; University of Chicago; University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill University Libraries. It can also be accessed at MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in the libraries and archives of Canada; the Open Library; Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai; Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida, India; Shoolini University, Yogananda Knowledge Center, Himachal Pradesh and Azim Premzi University, Bangalore and the Library of Cancer Aid and Research Foundation, Mumbai. The title also finds a mention in a book titled ‘Enduring Cancer: Life, Death and Diagnosis in Delhi’ by Dwaipayan Banerjee published by the Duke University Press).

BOOK TITLE: ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(It is a book on ‘singlehood’ about a Delhi girl now archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture, Delhi; It is also available for reading in the Indian National Bibliography, March 2016, in the literature section, in Central Reference Library, Ministry of Culture, India, Belvedere, Kolkata-700022)

BOOK TITLE: AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(This is a fiction written around the great city of Nawabs—Lucknow. It describes Lucknow in great detail and also talks about its Hindu-Muslim amity, which is the undying characteristic of Lucknow. The book was launched at the Lucknow International Literary Festival in 2014. It is catalogued and included for reading in Askews and Holts Library Services, Lancashire, U.K; Herrick District Library, Holland; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, USA; Black Gold Cooperative Library Administration, Arroyo Grande, California; Berkeley Library, University of California; The Peshastin Public Library and The George Public Library near Washington, a Northern Central Washington Libraries branch; the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library in Arizona in the US and the Salina Public Library, Kansas, USA.

BOOK TITLE: REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. It was launched at the Lucknow International Literary Festival in 2016).

BOOK TITLE: TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

(Is a story of an Indian salesman who is, humbly qualified. Yet he fights his way through unceasing uncertainties to reach the top. A good read not only for salesmen but for any reader. The book was launched on 10th February 2018 at Gorakhpur Lit-Fest. Now available on Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

BOOK TITLE: RHYTHM … IN POEMS

(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems are about our day-to-day life. Poems from this book have been published in Shillong Times, Bandra Times, Bhavan’s Journal and Arunachal Times and Goan net. The book is available on Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

BOOK TITLE: MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories available on Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

BOOK TITLE: AWADH ASSAM AND DALAI LAMA … The Kalachakra

(It is the story of the man who received His Holiness The Dalai Lama and his retinue in 1959 as a GOI representative when he fled Tibet in 1959. The book was launched on 21st November 2022 by His Holiness The Dalai Lama at Dharmshala. The title is archived in the library of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) Government of Tibet, Tibet Policy Institute (TPI) and the personal library of His Holiness The Dalai Lama. The title is also archived in The Ohio Digital Library, USA. It was recently included in the digital library of the world-renowned company APPLE. Included in the library of Friends of Tibet and Maharashtra Mitra Mandal Library in Bandra, Mumbai.

(POEMS, SHORT STORIES AND ARTICLES OF KAMLESH TRIPATHI PUBLISHED IN NEWSPAPERS, JOURNALS AND MAGAZINES)

THE TIMES OF INDIA

Speaking Tree: Basant Celebrates Ma Saraswati, Shiv, And Spring 1.2.25; 2. Mahashivratri: A Night of Divine Illumination, 26.2.25;

    BHAVANS JOURNAL

    Short stories, Book reviews and Articles published in Bhavan’s Journal: 1. Reality and Perception, 15.10.19; 2. Sending the Wrong Message, 31.5.20; 3. Eagle versus Scholars, June, 15 & 20, 2020; 4. Indica, 15.8.20; 5. The Story of King Chitraketu, August 31 2020; 6. Breaking Through the Chakravyuh, September 30 2020. 7. The Questioning Spouse, October 31, 2020; 8. Happy Days, November 15, 2020; 9. The Karma Cycle of Paddy and Wheat, December 15, 2020; 10. Power Vs Influence, January 31, 2021; 11. Three Refugees, March 15, 2021; 12. Rise and Fall of Ajatashatru, March 31, 2021; 13. Reformed Ruler, May 15, 2021; 14. A Lasting Name, May 31, 2021; 15. Are Animals Better Teachers? June 16, 2021; 16. Book Review: The Gram Swaraj, 1.7.21; 17. Right Age for Achievements, 15.7.21; 18. Big Things Have Small Beginnings, 15.8.21; 19. Where is Gangaridai?, 15.9.21; 20. Confront the Donkey Within You 30.9.21; 21. Know Your Strengths 15.10.21; 22. Poverty 15.11.21; 23. Top View 30.11.21; 24. The Bansuriwala 15.1.22; 25. Sale of Alaska 15.2.22; 26. The Dimasa Kingdom 28.2.22;27. Buried Treasure 15.4.22; 28. The Kingdom of Pragjyotisha 30.4.22; 29. Who is more useful? 15.5.22; 30. The White Swan from Lake Mansarovar 30.6.22; 31. Bhool Bhulayya 15.9.22; 32. Good Karma 30.9.22; 33. Good Name vs Bad Name 15.10.22; 34. Uttarapath—The Grand Trunk Road 1.12.22; 35. When Gods Get Angry 1.1.23; 36. Holinshed’s Chronicles 15.1.23; 37. Theogony 15.2.23; 38. Poem: Mother 14.5.23; 39. The Nag Mandir 30.6.23; 40. The Story of Garuda 30.7.23; 41. Janmabhoomi vs Karmabhoomi 31.8.23; 42. The Ghost Town of Kuldhara 15.9.23; 43. The Tale of Genji 15.10.23; 44. The Soul Connection 1.12.23; 45.Book review: Jungle Nama … a story of the Sundarban 16.3.24; 46. Book review: A Forgotten Chapter 16.5.24; 47. Exploring Ancient Egypt, 1.8.24; 48. The Story of Dhruva, 16.8.24; 49. Two Hundred Years of Tea in Assam 16.9.24; 50. The Cosmic Messenger 16.10.24; 51. Biblioburro: The Four-Legged Library 16.11.24; 52. The Cologne Cathedral 1.1.25; 53. Gandhi to Mahatma 16.1.25; 54. Huxley’s Take on Translated Works 16.2.25;

    THE SHILLONG TIMES

    Articles & Poems: 1. Poem: Happy New Year 8.1.23; 2.Poem: Spring 12.3.23; 3.Poem: Right and Wrong 20.3.23; 4. The Gush of Emotion—Writing, 26.3.23; 5. The Nag Mandir, 7.5.23; 6. Poem: Mother 7.5.23; 7. Poem: Rain Rain 9.7.23; 8. Poem: You Come Alone You Go Alone 6.8.23; 9. Poem: Rain Rain (Second Time) 10.8.23; 10. Poem: Guru Teacher 1.10.23; 11. Poem: Autumn … The Interim Heaven 15.10.23; 12. Poem: Happy Diwali 12.11.23; 13. Overcoming Blindness: Learn it the John Milton Way 10.12.23; 14. The Happy Prince and The Happy Man’s Shirt 31.12.23; 15. Annus Mirabilis -2024 7.1.24; 16. Gandhi to Mahatma Gandhi- Incidents that Shaped Gandhi in South Africa 28.1.24; 17. Poem: Together But Not Made For Each Other, 11.2.24; 18. The Birds, Bees and The Spiders of Nicholas Guildford and Jonathan Swift 25.2.24; 19. The Overcoats of Nikolai Gogol and Ruskin Bond 10.3.24; 20. The Ethnic Colours of Holi 24.3.24; 21. A Lesson from Dalai Lama, 21.4.24; 22. Poem: Morning Walk 28.4.24; 23. Trip to Rhine Falls, Switzerland, 19.5.24; 24. Poem: Hurt 2.6.24; 25. Poem: Your Conscience Was My Sign On 16.6.24; 26.Poem: The Eerie Ways of Time 7.7.24; 27.Poem: Celebrating the T20 World Champions 14.7.24;28. Read to Rise above mediocrity, 4.8.24; 29. Poem: Desire vs Reality 11.8.24; 30. Jack Ma’s Pristine Advice to Employers, Employees and the Youth 22.9.24; 31. Tagore and Kipling 3.11.24; 32. Poem: Merry Christmas 22.12.24; 33. Poem: The Sunset Point, 5.1.25; 34. Cancer Warning Labels on Alcoholic Beverages, 12.1.25; 35. Poem: Hope … In the Arc of Twilight, 19.1.25; 36. Basant Panchami, celebrates the Arrival of Spring 2.2.25; 37. Poem: The Falling World Order, 9.2.25; 38. A Peep into Native American Literature’ 39. Poem: Good day Bad day 9.3.25;

    THE ASSAM TRIBUNE

    Article: 1. The Magic of Reading 11.12.23; 2. Gandhi to Mahatma 29.1.24; 3. Geography of Solitude 8.4.24; 4. A Lesson From Dalai Lama, 22.4.24; 5. A Source of Inspiration, 29.4.24; 6. The Four-Legged Library, 12.5.24; 7. Age and Achievement, 10.6.24; 8. Read … To Rise Above Mediocrity, 1.7.24; 9. Crusade for a College, 25.8.24; 10. Hemingway’s Iceberg Theory (Panorama) 27.9.24; 11. Short story: Love in the Air, 20.10.24; 12. Short story: The Prick of Conscience, 5.1.25; 13. Lost in translation, 6.1.25; 14. Travellers’ tales 20.1.2025; 15. Audit your days 17.2.25;

    THE ARUNACHAL TIMES

    Poem: 1. Hope—In The Arc of Twilight, 13.8.23; 2.Poem: Spring 3.3.24; 3.Poem: The Morning Walk 10.3.24;

    BANDRA TIMES, MUMBAI

    Articles & Poems: 1. Poem: SPRING, 1.4.23; 2. Poem: Mother, 1.6.23; 3. Poem: Rain Rain, 1.8.23; 4. A Lesson From Dalai Lama, 1.6.24; 5. Read to rise above Mediocrity 1.8.24; 6. Poem: Merry Christmas 1.12.24; 7. Poem: Happy New Year 1.12.24; 8. The Enduring Colours of Holi 1.2.25;

    THE GOAN NET

    Poem: 1. Autumn – The Interim Heaven, 6.10.24; 2. Reader’s Rewind 17.11.84; 3. Reader’s Rewind: The Irony of Tash Moustache or Mooch 5.12.24; 4. The Sunset Point 22.12.24; 5. Reader’s Rewind: The Joy of a Morning Walk, 3.1.25; 6. Harmony in creation 26.1.25; 7. Poem: What is truly Good for me? 2.1.25; 8. Poem: We both were left behind, 9.2.25; 9. India Afloat like Ship of Theseus; 10. Maha Shivratri: A night of divine illumination, spiritual awakening, 26.2.25; 11. Poem: Good Day Bad Day, 2.3.25;

    ARTICLES IN THE DIGITAL MAGAZINE ESAMSKRITI

    Aritcles: 1. 29.12.2020: Indica by Megasthenes; 2. 14.3.22: About The Dimasa Kingdom Assam; 3. 10.12.22: Grand Trunk Road–Uttarapath; 4. 5.10.23: The Ghost Town of Kuldhara Near Jaisalmer;

    (ALL THE ABOVE BOOK TITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE ON AMAZON, FLIPKART AND OTHER ONLINE STORES OR YOU COULD EVEN WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)

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