Editorial
Hrrest of Kanchi Shankaracharya, His Holiness Jayendra Saraswati, has appalled the nation. Each passing day, new evidences are coming up suggesting that it was a frame up, a political conspiracy and an ill-conceived mischief.
Jayalalithaa, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, the latest victim of minorityism and politics of vote bank, stands exposed and isolated. It was unbelievable that an intelligent woman, religious and a true nationalist, would fall prey to such secular shenanigans. Pseudo-secularism is an irresistible, contagious disease, like an epidemic; it is destroying the nation. With even Karunanidhi, the redoubtable DMK supremo, declaring the arrest a political vendetta and the manner of arrest ?unacceptable?, Jayalalithaa has not even the fig leaf of political credibility left for justifying her action. As an astute politician, Karunanidhi has gauged the national psyche, the silent anger of the anguished Hindu.
Absence of instantaneous reaction and violent outbursts following the arrest deceived many. Those unfamiliar to the Hindu mind read it as disinterest, absence of popular support for the Acharya and even an approval of the nation to the arrest of a person?however high and holy his stature?accused in a murder charge. The so-called secular English media made much out of this initial silence of the Hindu masses.
Again they jumped to conclusions. Condemning the Hindu institutions, cooking up salacious stories over misdeeds and misdemeanour in the Hindu sacred abodes, they thought the reign of pseudo-secularism on Indian polity was now complete. The secular glee was unbelievably loud and ugly.
They are used to only one kind of response. The Muslim response, Islamic terrorism, of taking out bloody demonstrations, destroying and burning down anything that comes in the way, looting private property and turning public property into rubble.
The world has forgotten the peaceful means of agitation. Satyagraha, dharna, silent march, wearing black badges, sitting on fast, singing bhajans the Gandhian, nay, the Hindu way of protest. Islamic terrorism has redefined the concept of dissent. The contemporary human society is reeling under this mindless bloodbath, that repels against all civilised social patterns.
The Hindu is different. He is unique. His reaction is seldom violent. Peace is his religion. He is like Mahakaal. He is Mahavishnu, in his deep sublime sleep?anantashayanam. He is the meditating, smiling Buddha. To believe that this calm exterior is the expression of slumber, or the end of creativity, is foolish. Only asuras (demons) provoke a divine wrath.
Aesthetics in Alexander
Alexander is probably one of the most written about characters in world history. According to an estimate, books were appearing at the rate of more than one a year, in the 70s. The pace did not slacken in the 80s.While most accounts have raised him to the level of God and romanticised his expeditions, there are a few books, which have gone below surface and explored his personality. Alexander the Great: The Invisible Enemy, by John Maxwell D? Brien is one such book. Here the author explores the role of alcohol in Alexander'slife. According to him, alcoholism became the bane in the life of this great warrior in the last seven years of his life. He attributes Alexander'ssuspicion of his friends to this disease. Alexander fashioned himself as Achilles from childhood and could quote from memory several Greek plays.
Yet another book Alexander the Great by Arthur Weigall says that Alexander was brought up in the belief that he was the son of Zeus-Ammon, the Greco-Egyptian father. He also says that the expeditions were not so meticulously planned and executed as later accounts have tried to make out. It is to be remembered that Macedonia, when it was handed over to Alexander, was considered barbaric by the Athenians. And yet, when he died, Macedonia had expanded into one of the greatest and largest empires the West had known.
The latest movie on Alexander has added a controversial dimension to the man, portraying him as sodomous. While one can appreciate the spirit of the movie makers in trying to present a new insight into Alexander, it is debatable whether it is such an important aspect of the human being such as Alexander. Moreover, in the land where he was born and most of the territories he conquered, Alexander is revered as a demi-god. In India too, we have witnessed the demolition of images of heroes in the name of ?honest portrayal?. Creativity that leaves a bad taste in the mouth does not have aesthetics in it.
