[KALKI]

Sir Sidney James Mark Low (1857–1932) journalist, historian, and essayist and author of the book, The Governance of England and Vision of India. He visited the Kumbh Mela during the tour of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1906, was wonderstruck and wrote:

“Nothing more impressive, picturesque, and pregnant with meaning and significance than Kumbha Mela can be witnessed in all of India.”

(source: Kumbha Mela - By Jack Hebner and David Osborn p. 1 - 56 and A British View of India - Cultural Cataracts - By Jack Hebner - archaeologyonline.net).

471. J G Arora ( ?) a former Chief Commissioner of Income Tax in India. He has written about the Bhagavad Gita:

"Bhagvad Gita, literally meaning the Divine Song, is a practical guide to day-to-day life. It is meant for them who want to achieve supreme success and excellence. It is meant also for them who wish to transcend suffering and misery. Gita helps them also who want to live a life of contentment and divine blessedness. Because of its theme and content, Gita has got universal appeal, and will help anyone realise his dreams. Gita is a practical guide to day-to-day problems, challenges and obligations of life. It takes us to real freedom and real success. Gita stipulates that real freedom is freedom from attachment, aversion, ego, greed, anger and fear. For Gita, real worship consists of doing one's duty with perfection without being distracted by thoughts of outcome of our action. It liberates us from all bondages, doubts, self-imposed limitations, anxieties and fears, and enables us to lead happier, fuller, contented, peaceful, blissful and supremely successful life."

"Gita's message is timeless and universal, and is applicable to all situations, all times and all places. It cannot be confined just to a war like situation. "

"As per Gita, we are not just the body, the material beings. Rather, we are spiritual beings, the imperishable Aatma. The knowledge that we are the Aatma, a part of divinity, gives the proper direction to our life. Liberating us from our limitations, bondages, attachments, aversions, ego, greed, anger and fears, Gita makes us lead happier, fuller, meaningful, contented, and superbly successful life." "Besides, Gita proclaims that combination of wisdom and valour brings glory and victory as shloka 18.78 (the last shloka of Gita) declares: "Yatra yogeshwarah Krishno yatra Paartho dhanurdharah, tatra shreervijayo bhootirdhruvaa neetir matirmama." - Wherever Krishna, the Lord of Yoga, and Arjun, the wielder of bow are there; wealth, victory and prosperity are bound to follow. "

Speaking of Sanskrit as India's glory - he has said: "Sanskrit is the symbol, the heart and the most precious possession of Bharat. Sanskrit has the oldest and richest literature in the world."

There is an apt adage admiring Sanskrit: "Bhashasu mukhya madhura divya geervaan bharati"

"Among all the languages, Sanskrit is the best, sweetest and divine language). Literally meaning "refined and cultured", Sanskrit is the divine language revealed through the sages (Sanskritam naam daivi vaak anavyakhyata maharshibhihi). Excepting Tirukkural which is in Tamil, almost all ancient Hindu scriptures like Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayan, Mahabharat are in Sanskrit." "Sanskrit is a scientific and systematic language with a perfect grammar. It is the vast ocean of wisdom and knowledge. Besides, it is computer compatible. Till a few centuries ago, Hindu religion, culture and philosophy stretched from Gandhar (modern day Afghanistan) to Indonesia. And Sanskrit language was the instrument for this glory. But repeated Muslim invasions of Indian subcontinent destroyed many centres of classical learning leading to decline of Sanskrit. First Mantra of Rig Veda is the first known poem in the world. English language has just one Shakespeare. But Sanskrit has got thousands of Shakespeares. It is pitiable that the so-called ‘educated’ Indian knows nothing about them or about Sanskrit. "

"The language which has all along sustained us cannot be allowed to fade away. Sanskrit must be revived and taught in schools and colleges since its survival is a must for survival of Hinduism. Revival of Sanskrit will Hinduise the self-alienated Hindus, de-colonise their mind, and impart them self-knowledge and self-worth. Mere ritual celebration of ‘Sanskrit Day’ on Shravani Poornima every year cannot revive Sanskrit’s lost glory. And since survival of Sanskrit is a must for survival of Hindu religion, Hindu heritage and Hindu civilisation, all pro-Hindu individuals and organisations must make relentless efforts to ensure that sweet symphony of Sanskrit pervades all over Bharat once again. And such efforts will certainly fructify as Mantra number 7.52.8 of Atharva Veda proclaims, "Kritam may dakhshine haste, jayo may savya aahitah" (effort is in my right hand, and victory in my left)."

(source: Bhagvad Gita for supreme success – By J G Arora and Revive Sanskrit to save Hinduism - By J G Arora).