April 3, 2011
Following my earlier post on the India-Pakistan semi-final, here is an update on the historic final.
समत्वम् - Equanimity fell by the wayside for every Indian and Sri Lankan fan. Did anyone see an Indian / SriLankan viewer who maintained their equanimity throughout the match? In Geeta 12-15, Śrī Kṛṣṇa says:
यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः |
हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो यः स च मे प्रियः ||१२-१५||
yasmaannodvijate loko lokaannodvijate cha yaH .
harshhaamarshhabhayodvegairmukto yaH sa cha me priyaH .. 12-15..
He, by whom the world is not agitated (affected) , and who cannot be agitated by the world, who is freed from joy, envy, fear, and anxiety --- he is dear to me.
One could easily rearrange the above to describe the relationship between the Indian team and fans all over the world:
"The team, that despite raising our hopes and dashing them, the team that gives us joy, creates envy of anyone who defeats them, creates fear and anxiety in every major match, that team is ever dear to all fans!" I imagine Śrī Kṛṣṇa was looking indulgently through the ups and downs of the World Cup series unless He was pre-occupied with more important things.
A few noteworthy elements of the coverage of the victory:
1. ✸✸✸ Grace: The Sri Lankan captain, Kumar Sangakkara was extremely generous in his recognition of how the Indian team played. He rose above one of the challenges of losing - the immediate anger and desire to find someone to blame.
2, ➘➘ Grace: Dhoni and company did not compliment the Sri Lankan team for being a worthy opponent. One sentence in response to Kumar Sangakkara would have gone a long way. However, the joy of victory put their usual graciousness to sleep.
3. ➘➘➘ Stupidity: The Gita uses Tamas. I refer to the rush to bestow additional awards on the players starting with the Rs 1 crore awarded by BCCI, followed in rapid succession different state governments. The words in the 18th chapter that come close to describing these actions are अहैतुकम् - 'without reason', अनपेक्ष्य अनुबन्धं 'without regard for consequences', प्रमाद - 'heedlessness'. With one stroke, the BCCI started the process of cheapening the victory. This continues without anyone pausing to check if there is any sense in these. The most charitable explanation is that each of these agencies is acting in the old mode of the Maharajas who gave generously to recognize accomplishments. Yet, I will accept that only when the family of every martyred jawaan and policeman is taken care off. One can only hope that the Indian players themselves use all their wealth for the greater good.
4. ✸✸✸ अनुग्रह - The blessings of others: Repeatedly the Indian team players talked about winning the championship for the country and for Sachin. Understanding अनुग्रह - anugraha, is an important virtue in Hindu culture. It rises from the recognition that we live in an inter-dependent world and our success comes from the sacrifices of many. The cricket teams benefits hugely from the support of the nation and fans all over the world. Sachin has also exerted tremendous influence over the team with his level-headed approach to the game and seeking to to excel always. Hence, the well-deserved tributes to Sachin.
5. ✸✸✸ Every one of the Indian team members complimented their coach, Gary Kirsten - Gurubhakti is considered satvic (see Geeta 17-14).
Hari Om and Namaskaar till the next post.
Following my earlier post on the India-Pakistan semi-final, here is an update on the historic final.
समत्वम् - Equanimity fell by the wayside for every Indian and Sri Lankan fan. Did anyone see an Indian / SriLankan viewer who maintained their equanimity throughout the match? In Geeta 12-15, Śrī Kṛṣṇa says:
यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः |
हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो यः स च मे प्रियः ||१२-१५||
yasmaannodvijate loko lokaannodvijate cha yaH .
harshhaamarshhabhayodvegairmukto yaH sa cha me priyaH .. 12-15..
He, by whom the world is not agitated (affected) , and who cannot be agitated by the world, who is freed from joy, envy, fear, and anxiety --- he is dear to me.
One could easily rearrange the above to describe the relationship between the Indian team and fans all over the world:
"The team, that despite raising our hopes and dashing them, the team that gives us joy, creates envy of anyone who defeats them, creates fear and anxiety in every major match, that team is ever dear to all fans!" I imagine Śrī Kṛṣṇa was looking indulgently through the ups and downs of the World Cup series unless He was pre-occupied with more important things.
A few noteworthy elements of the coverage of the victory:
1. ✸✸✸ Grace: The Sri Lankan captain, Kumar Sangakkara was extremely generous in his recognition of how the Indian team played. He rose above one of the challenges of losing - the immediate anger and desire to find someone to blame.
2, ➘➘ Grace: Dhoni and company did not compliment the Sri Lankan team for being a worthy opponent. One sentence in response to Kumar Sangakkara would have gone a long way. However, the joy of victory put their usual graciousness to sleep.
3. ➘➘➘ Stupidity: The Gita uses Tamas. I refer to the rush to bestow additional awards on the players starting with the Rs 1 crore awarded by BCCI, followed in rapid succession different state governments. The words in the 18th chapter that come close to describing these actions are अहैतुकम् - 'without reason', अनपेक्ष्य अनुबन्धं 'without regard for consequences', प्रमाद - 'heedlessness'. With one stroke, the BCCI started the process of cheapening the victory. This continues without anyone pausing to check if there is any sense in these. The most charitable explanation is that each of these agencies is acting in the old mode of the Maharajas who gave generously to recognize accomplishments. Yet, I will accept that only when the family of every martyred jawaan and policeman is taken care off. One can only hope that the Indian players themselves use all their wealth for the greater good.
4. ✸✸✸ अनुग्रह - The blessings of others: Repeatedly the Indian team players talked about winning the championship for the country and for Sachin. Understanding अनुग्रह - anugraha, is an important virtue in Hindu culture. It rises from the recognition that we live in an inter-dependent world and our success comes from the sacrifices of many. The cricket teams benefits hugely from the support of the nation and fans all over the world. Sachin has also exerted tremendous influence over the team with his level-headed approach to the game and seeking to to excel always. Hence, the well-deserved tributes to Sachin.
5. ✸✸✸ Every one of the Indian team members complimented their coach, Gary Kirsten - Gurubhakti is considered satvic (see Geeta 17-14).
Hari Om and Namaskaar till the next post.
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