CULTURAL QA 04202401
Q2 My dead father is calling me to go with him in my dreams. What does
it mean?
KR The significance of the content of the dream was particularly the
subject of the sixty-eighth appendix of the Atharva Veda, composed in 1500
BC. The Mandukya Upanishada spoke of four states of the Atman; waking, that
is, Jagrta, dreaming (Swapna), dreamless sleep (Supta), and the
supernatural, transcendent fourth state, (Turiya) the identity with
ParmAtman. Other Upanishadas including the Manduka, Katha, Brahma,
Taitiryopanishada, Yogasara, Kenopanishada, Paingala, and so on added
certain significant details to the outline of these four states mentioned
earlier, to emphasize the importance of the soul and to understand its
Karma better. As per the description in the Mandukyopanishada, the Taijasa
or Swapnawastha is inwardly cognitive, having seven limbs, 19 mouths,
enjoying the exquisite (Pravivikta Bhuja). The Upanishadas articulate two
perspectives on dreams. The first maintains that dreams are merely
expressions of inner desires. The second closely resembles the Chinese
belief of the soul leaving the body and being guided until awakened.
In Prasnopanishad, Maharshi Paippalada states that in the
Swapnawastha, the JivAtma along with the Manas and Suksma Indriyas
experiences its glory. Whatever was seen, heard, and experienced by it in
the past births, is again seen, heard, and experienced by it in the dream
state. Chandogya Upanishad mentions that if rites are performed for the
fulfilment of a wish, the seeing of a woman in the dream at such a time is
an omen of success. In the Brahma Vaivartha Purana also Shubha Swapna are
described. It is enumerated here that seeing of Brahmins, God like men,
merchants, Gods guiding the path, the sun, a Sanyasin, a Brahmacharya,
cows, fire, Gurus, elephants, lions, white horses, and so on, implies a
good omen.
In Valmiki's Ramayana, when Sita had been stolen by the demon
Ravana and is being held captive on the island of Lanka, the ogress Trijada
has such a dream that symbolized the defeat of Ravana at the hands of Rama
Likewise the dreams of Bharata symbolizing the death of his father and that
seen by Lord Hanuman also are described in detail. In the Mahabharata the
Swapna of the Kurus signifying their defeat at the hands of the Pandavas is
described. Kanada defines dream-cognition as the consciousness produced by
a particular conjunction of the self with the mind (Manas), in co-operation
with the subconscious impressions of past experience, like
recollection. Although,
Prasastapada describes Swapna as, “Swapnas are such sensations which are
experienced only from the Manas, which are similar to those experienced by
the external sense organs in the sleeping state when the external sense
organs are inactive and the functions of the Manas are also declined, that
is, it is in a Pralinawastha”.
He further states three causes of Swapna; first Samskarapatava,
which includes those objects or people in the environment, experienced
during the day. Second, those dreams seen due to Dhatudusti, that is, the
dreams which are seen due to the Doshika dominance in the Prakrti of the
person. They are again divided into three according to the Vata, Pitta, and
Kapha Prakrti. finally the Adrishta dreams, which arise from an unseen
agency, due to Dharmadharma. The phenomenon of Swapnantika Jñana ‘dream-end
cognitions’, or dreams within dreams are also described here.
A dream about the deceased could simply mean that they are missed
and your subconscious is looking for a way to still feel connected to them.
Spiritually, seeing a dead person alive in your dream could signify that
positive changes and new beginnings are happening.
TEN “INAUSPICIOUS DREAMS”; DREAMS IN VEDAS AND UPANISHADS!
Ten Bad Dreams in Vedic Literature
The meaning of dreams was an interesting part of Vedic literature. It is
dealt with in various passages, including an Athrvan Parisista. The Rig
Veda regards as ominous the making of a garland or neckband in a dream.
Ten dreams which presupposed death are recorded in Aitareya Aranyaka
(3-2-4); they are
When a black man with black teeth kills you
When a boar kills you
When a wild cat springs on you
When one eats and spits out gold
When one drinks honey and eats lotus roots
When one goes to a village with asses or bears
When one drives south a black cow with a black calf
Wearing a garland of nard
If one has a dream one should wash one’s mouth.
------------------------------------
Dreams in Rigveda:–2-28-10; 10-162-6; evil dreams – RV 2-28-10;
Atharvaveda :– 7-101-1; 10-3-6 (evil dreams)
Vajasaneyi Samhita :– 20-16
Satapata Brahmana:– 3-2-2-23
In classical Sanskrit literature we have several references to dreams.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Western psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud interpreted dreams as wish fulfilment
(nightmares being failed dreams prompted by fears of repressed impulses).
In short western psychologists saw them as suppressed desires, feelings and
wishes. According to the scientists, dreams occupy one fifth of our sleep
and they happen during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) period of sleep. REM
sleep means that the cortex of the brain is about as active as during
waking hours.
Hindus don’t agree with western views. We see more meaning in dreams. We
think they are telling you what is going to happen to you – like winning
the lottery or becoming ill or some misfortune to our near and dear. But
not all the dreams are interpreted in this way. Hindus have analysed the
status of the mind better than modern scientists. All our religious
literature speaks of Jagrat (waking) Swapna (dream) Sushupti (deep sleep)
and Turiya (an experience of pure consciousness beyond the three stages of
sleep – there is no English word for it).
Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh who himself was a doctor turned ascetic
explains dreams in a beautiful way in his book The Philosophy of Dreams (
It is available free of cost on the Divine Life Society website):
“Every dream presentation has a meaning. A dream is like a letter written
in an unknown language. To a man who does not know Chinese, a letter
written in that language is a meaningless scroll. But to one who knows that
language it is full of most valuable information. It may be the letter
calls for immediate action; or it may contain words of consultation to one
suffering from dejection. It may be a letter of threat or it may speak of
love. These meanings are there only to one who would care to attend to the
letter and would try to decipher it. But alas! How few of us try to
understand these messages from the deep unseen ocean of our own
Consciousness!”
----------------------------------------------------------------
Dreams in Vedic Literature
We have references to dreams in the Rig Veda, Kaushitaki Brahmana,
Chandogya Upanishad and other classical Sanskrit literature. They treated
dreams as prophetic- conveying some message of the future. For instance,
the Chandogya Upanishad (V 2-8-9) says seeing a woman in a dream means a
previous sacrifice (fire ceremony) was successful. But it gives conditions
for such dreams. Kaushitaki Brahmana says seeing a man in black with black
teeth is not a good omen. Some people even receive messages in dreams.
Rishi Viswamitra received mantra upadesa from Lord Siva in his dream.
Advocate of Vishistadvaita Sri Ramanuja believed that the dreams are caused
by the Lord.
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa’s parents experienced supernatural incidents,
visions before his birth. His father Khudiram had a dream in Gaya in which
Lord Gadadhara said that he would be born as his son. Chandramani Devi is
said to have had a vision of light entering her womb from Shiva’s temple.
Gauthama Siddhartha’s mother Maya Devi and King Sudhdhodana were trying for
a baby for twenty years after their marriage. One day she had a dream of a
white elephant with a lotus flower in it’s trunk going around her three
times and entering her womb. Before this she dreamt of bathing in a lake in
the Himalayas. She was carried away to the lake by four angels in her dream.
Mother of Mahavira Trishala had 16 auspicious dreams before his birth. When
King Sidhdharth consulted his astrologers they told him that there were 72
auspicious dreams according to the books on dreams and the king was going
to get a son who will rule a spiritual empire. Trishala saw
1. A white elephant
2. A lion
3. The Goddess Gaja Lakshmi
4. Moon
5. Two jumping fishes
6. Sun
7. Lake full of lotus flowers
8. Ocean of milk
9. A celestial palace
10. A throne of rubies and diamonds
11. A celestial king
12. A garland
13. A white bull
14. Fragrant Mandara flowers
15. A tall vase with gems and
16. A white elephant entering her.
Seeing an elephant in a dream is considered auspicious. In most of the
cases of divine births, we see a light entering or elephant entering the
mother’s body.
----------------------------------------------------------
Messages from the Departed souls
The previous Head of Madurai Adheenam (Saiva Mutt) who died several years
ago did a lot of research about communicating with dead people. He has
narrated several incidents where departed souls appeared in dreams to warn
people about coming dangers.
When Vallabhacharya was born prematurely without life signs, his mother
left him under a tree. When she came home with all the sadness, she dreamt
of Krishna saying to her that he was born as a child to her. She ran back
to the tree where the boy was alive and kicking with a divine fire
protecting him. All of these stories impart some knowledge about dreams to
those who have an interest in their interpretation.
Swami Vivekananda also narrated a strange dream about Jesus Christ to his
disciples. Read it in his own words:
“I had a curious dream on my return voyage to England. While our ship was
passing through the Mediterranean sea, in my sleep, an old and venerable
looking person, Rishi-like in appearance, stood before me and said: I am
one of the ancient order of Theraputtas which had its origin in the
teaching of the Indian Rishis.
The truths and ideals preached by us have been given out by Christians as
taught by Jesus: but for the matter of that there was no such personality
by the name of Jesus ever born. Various evidences testifying to this fact
will be brought to light by excavating here. By excavating which place can
those proofs and relics you speak of be found? I asked. The hoary-headed
one pointing to a locality of Turkey, said, see here.
Immediately after, I woke up, and at once rushed to the upper deck and
asked the captain, ‘what neighbourhood is the ship in just now?’. ’Look
yonder’, the captain replied, ’there is Turkey and the island of Crete’.”
Svapnavasava datta (Dream of Vasavadatta) is a famous drama by ancient
Sanskrit playwright Bhasa.
The hero of the story is presented with an exact painting of a girl he had
previously seen in a dream in the court of King Udayanan. Indians do not
miss any opportunity to use a dream as the basis of their novels, dramas
and films.
Mathematical Genius Ramanujan
Indian mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan said that he received his
inspiration and mathematical solutions in his dreams. He attributed this to
the Goddess at Namakkal. He said:
“While asleep I had an unusual experience. There was a red screen formed by
flowing blood as it were. I was observing it. Suddenly a hand began to
write on the screen. I became all attention. That hand wrote a number of
results in elliptic integrals. They stuck to my mind. As soon as I woke up,
I committed them to writing”
The most famous Tamil epic Silappadikaram narrated the vivid dreams of
Kovalan and Kannaki, the hero and the heroine in great detail.
Tamil Bhakti literature (5th to 9th centuries) has a lot of references to
dreams. 2000 year old Tamil Sangam literature talks of animals dreaming – a
concept which modern research at MIT and other scientific institutions
recently confirmed.
Finally, I will leave you with a list of great people who attributed their
discoveries or inventions to strange dreams:
1. F.A. Kekule: saw the structure of Benzene in his dream and revealed it
to the world
2. Abraham Lincoln: dreamt of his assassination just before his death and
told his friends
3. Otto Loewi: won the Nobel prize for science having discovered the
chemical transmission of nerve impulses in a dream
4. Paul McCartney: He got his tune for the ‘Yesterday ‘in a dream
5. Mary Shelley: the idea for Frankenstein came to her in a dream
6. Elias Howe: invented the sewing machine from a dream
7. Stephen King: the famous novelist’s plots came from his dreams
(Thank you Sri LS) K Rajaram IRS 1424
Q3 What are the weirdest facts about India?
KR Show off is a technique followed throughout the world; it is a
trick to intimidate the opponents; and as rowdies use their vocal
strengths, so these persons do affinity as a trade trick to silence the
opposite and prostrate; such always are mistaken as great in status,
learned, bigwigs etc whereas they are fused once the opponents show who are
they. It had happened in my career many times. A great leading business
tycoon [RJ]who appeared before me, started the conversation narrating the
closeness with ( C ) central minister, and after a few minutes, when I
lifted the phone and dialled and spoke to the other end ( C ) asking about
[RJ} he left hurriedly asking for excuse. Fuse went off.
G Answer: In India, people show off if they tend to know a notable
person. It doesn’t matter if they are still really close or not.
On Mon, 1 Apr 2024 at 02:59, 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 <
[email protected]> wrote:
> *CULTURAL QA 04-2024-01*
>
> *All the below QA are from QUORA DIGEST to me on 01-04-2024. *
>
> *Selected Quora answers by generally interesting are included. Still they
> need not be 100% correct answers. Joke are included.*
>
> * Compiled and posted by R Gopalakrishnan, 80, on 01-4-2024 *
>
> *Q1 What are some of the most profound jokes ever?*
>
> *A1 Rohit, Environment, Health & Safety Consultant at Capgemini India
> Updated 9y*
>
> *A jobless man applied for the position of ‘office boy’ at a very big
> company.*
>
> *The employer interviewed him, then a test: clean the floor.*
>
> * “You are hired.” – the employer said. ”Give me your email address, and
> I’ll send you the application to fill, as well as when you will start.”*
>
> *The man replied, “I don’t have a computer, neither an email.”*
>
> * “I’m sorry,” said the employer, “if you don’t have an email that means
> you do not exist. And who doesn’t exist, cannot have the job.”*
>
> *The man left with no hope. He didn’t know what to do, with only $10 USD
> in his pocket.*
>
> *He then decided to go to the supermarket, bought a 10kg tomato crate,
> then sold the tomatoes door to door. In less than two hours, he succeeded
> and doubled his capital.*
>
> *He repeated the operation 3 times and returned home with $60 USD. The man
> realized that he could survive by this way, and started to go everyday
> earlier, and returned late. Thus, his money doubled or tripled everyday.
> Shortly later, he bought a cart, then a truck, and then he had his own
> fleet of delivery vehicles.*
>
> *Five years later, the man’s company was one of the biggest food
> retailers. He started to plan his family’s future, and decided to have a
> life insurance.*
>
> *He called an insurance broker and chose a protection plan. When the
> conversation was concluded, the broker asked him his email. The man
> replied: “I don’t have an email.”*
>
> *The broker replied curiously, “You don’t have an email, and yet have
> succeeded to build an empire. Do you imagine what you could have been if
> you had an email?”*
>
> *The man paused for a while, and replied: “An office boy!”*
>
> *My note- It was about a decade back. An old lady having a large amount in
> savings bank account wanted to make a fixed deposit in a nationalised
> bank. She got filled up the form, presented in the counter. Then the office
> staff in the counter asked, what is the/your Email ID?. She was not knowing
> what actually the Email ID. Office staff sympathetically told her- call
> some of your relatives and ask for their email ID and recollect the
> relative. The staff got the email ID talking to them, and then continued
> the preparation of the TDR receipt. I was waiting behind the lady for the
> renewal of my TDR. Without entering Email ID, she could not proceed for the
> preparation of receipt. In the software, there was no skipping provision.
> It still continues. By a patch skipping can be introduced. *
>
> *Q2 My dead father is calling me to go with him in my dreams. What
> does it mean?*
>
> *A2 Baphilin Myrthong,12h*
>
> *According to our ancestors they said that if you saw a dead person in
> your dream and they called you that means,They want us to go along with
> them in the other side and if we are willing to go with them, then we might
> have a short time in our present life or our time is nearly come.*
>
> *It's like we are giving our self to begin our dead journey life with
> them...But if we refuse to go then we still have a chance to live in our
> present life.*
>
> *And it is true because one of my neighbors daughter she dreamed about the
> same dream that you've mention in the above statement and she's willing to
> go with her deceased father in her dream, and about a week after we learned
> that she passed away.*
>
> *My note- Need not call, if one see his late father or Late mother
> frequently in dreams and one is sufficiently aged, it is told that it is an
> indication that the person is going to die soon. It is a belief among
> Brahmins in central Kerala.*
>
> *Q3 What are the weirdest facts about India?*
>
> *A3 Adarsh Gupta, Humorous Writer Updated 4y*
>
> *While travelling in an auto, there was a man sitting next to me.*
>
> *The auto stopped at a signal where a traffic policeman was present. The
> man saw that traffic policeman and called him*
>
> *Man: Hey you. Do your work nicely.*
>
> *TP: Hey Ramesh. How are you?*
>
> *Man: (proudly) I’m good bro. It was nice to see you after such a long
> time.*
>
> *TP: Yeah. Listen, I gotta go now for duty.*
>
> *Man: Yeah sure. Do call me for a dinner at your home (winks)*
>
> *The traffic policeman smiled hearing this. The signal turned green and
> the auto ride started again.*
>
> *Meanwhile the man to the auto driver,*
>
> *Man: Langotiya yaar hai wo apna smjhaa. (He is my childhood friend, got
> it)*
>
> * Driver: Yes sir I saw it.*
>
> * Man: Haa. Saath uthe-baithe hai humlog. (Yes. We hangout together )*
>
> *Driver: Great sir.*
>
> *Man: (proudly) Haa. Tu number lele mera. Teri gaadi agar kahin fase toh
> mujhe kehdena, main nikalwaa dunga. (Take my number. If your auto is struck
> somewhere then tell me, I’ll clear it.)*
>
> *The driver smiled listening this.*
>
> *Now the man turned towards me and gave me this “proud dominant” smile.*
>
> *Me: What?*
>
> *Man: Jigri dost hai wo(traffic police) apna. Meri har baat maanta hai wo.
> (He is my best friend. He listens to everything I say)*
>
> *Me: Yeah I know. He is really helpful and is extremely good at heart.*
>
> *Man: (confused) Yeah. How do you know?*
>
> *Me: Chacha hai wo hamaare (he is my uncle)*
>
> *Question: What is some weird fact about India?*
>
> *Answer: In India, people show off if they tend to know a notable person.
> It doesn’t matter if they are still really close or not.*
>
> *Q4 What are some clever and dark yet funny jokes?*
>
> *A4 Rhett Rua,8h*
>
> *A food critic visits a local restaurant to review its food for the town
> magazine. The owner welcomes him and shows him to the table. The food is
> presented to him and after a while, the critic calls the owner to say that
> there is something missing in his bowl of soup. *
>
> *The owner asks whether it is too spicy or sweet or salty. When the food
> critic says no, the owner decides to taste the soup himself but he can't
> find the spoon. "Yeah," says the critic, "that's what is missing." *
>
> *Q5 What are some of the greatest examples of presence of mind?*
>
> *A5 Parik Dhamija, Works at Parik Sales Corporation Updated 6y*
>
> *March 15, 2016*
>
> *Scene: Javed Akhtar delivering his farewell speech in Rajya Sabha.*
>
> *Javed Akhtar was articulate enough in raising a few very important points
> including healthcare system in India, definition of a democracy and
> secularism.*
>
> *He was blatantly condemning a so called M.P. from Hyderabad who refused
> to say Bharat Mata ki Jai. ( Victory to Mother India)*
>
> *Meanwhile, the then Hon'ble Vice President Mr. Hamid Ansari voiced his
> concern about the speech duration.*
>
> *Vice President: Javed sahab, majbooran meri nazar ghadi pr hai.*
>
> * (Translation: Javed Sir, I'm forced to look at the watch.)*
>
> *Javed Akhtar: Mai bhi aapki baat se sehmat hoon sir k waqt achha nahi
> hai.*
>
> * (Translation: I do agree with you Sir that these are not good times.)*
>
> *And the whole Rajya Sabha burst into laughter.*
>
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