#darashikoh

[852-between-the-pages]

"Moth Smoke" by Mohsin Hamid – An Incisive Social Commentary.

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

"Moth Smoke" by Mohsin Hamid is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of class, love, and self-destruction in modern-day Pakistan. With its richly drawn characters, evocative setting, and incisive social commentary, Hamid's debut novel captivates readers from the very first page.

One of the novel's strengths lies in Hamid's vivid and atmospheric portrayal of Lahore. Through his prose, the city comes alive, with its bustling streets, vibrant markets, and stark class divisions. Hamid skillfully captures the essence of Pakistan's socio-political landscape, providing readers with a glimpse into the complexities of a rapidly changing society.

Hamid's characters are complex and flawed, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative. Darashikoh, in particular, is a deeply conflicted protagonist, torn between his desires, societal expectations, and a growing sense of disillusionment. Hamid's exploration of class dynamics and the stark disparities between the privileged and the marginalized is both astute and unflinching.

"Moth Smoke" is not just a story of personal struggle; it is also a scathing critique of a society grappling with corruption, inequality, and the consequences of rapid modernization. Hamid artfully weaves in themes of power, justice, and the consequences of one's actions, highlighting the moral ambiguities that permeate the lives of his characters.

The narrative structure of the novel is inventive and adds an extra layer of intrigue. Through alternating perspectives and non-linear storytelling, Hamid keeps readers engaged, slowly revealing the interconnectedness of the characters' lives and the consequences of their choices. This narrative approach mirrors the fragmented nature of the characters' lives and adds depth to their development.

Hamid's prose is sharp, intelligent, and infused with dark humor. His writing style is both accessible and literary, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the story while reflecting on the deeper themes and social commentary. His ability to evoke emotions and create a palpable sense of tension is impressive, making "Moth Smoke" a compelling and engrossing read.

However, it is important to note that "Moth Smoke" can be a challenging read at times. The novel tackles complex themes and does not shy away from depicting the darker aspects of human nature. The characters' flaws and their actions may be unsettling for some readers. Nevertheless, it is through these uncomfortable moments that Hamid shines a light on the complexities of power, desire, and the consequences of societal pressures.

In "Moth Smoke," Mohsin Hamid showcases his talent as a writer and storyteller. Through his exploration of class, desire, and moral ambiguity, he presents a nuanced and thought-provoking narrative that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page. Fans of literary fiction and those interested in gaining insights into contemporary Pakistan will find "Moth Smoke" a compelling and rewarding read, showcasing Hamid's ability to illuminate the human condition within a complex societal framework.

Asia Rahman Khan Lodhi [Consul Press at the Consulate General of Pakistan, Hong Kong (SAR) & Macau (SAR)]

Note: This review is based on the original publication of "Moth Smoke" and not any subsequent editions or adaptations. The views/ ideas in the book are purely of the book’s author and are not necessarily endorsed by the book reviewer. 

[thoughtimmolition]

Darashikoh, Gouache on paper, Mughal period, 17th century. National museum, Kolkata

[harvardfineartslib]

Get caught reading! May is the month of Get Caught Reading.

In the Persian tradition, whenever one faces a difficulty or a fork in the road, or even if one has a general question in mind, one would hold that question in mind, and then open the Divan (Book of Collected Poems) of Hafez of Shiraz (1315-1390) to a random page for guidance. It is widely believed that Hafez’s poetry will then reveal the answer to one's destiny.

This image shows a young prince kneeling before a sage, who is holding open the Divan of Hafez. The two pages to which the book is open show the initial lines of ghazal (verse) 32 of Hafez's Divan, which read (in Engl. translation):

            "When God designed your features and joined your brows

             Paved my way, then trapped me with your gestures & bows..."

According to guides on how to use the Divan of Hafez for divination, opening the Divan to the first 2 lines of verse 32 gives the following advice:

"The knot of your problems will be opened, provided you are wise. You will not resolve them with impatience and rushing."

This miniature is part of the album of Prince Dara Shikoh (1615-1659), eldest son of India's Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who gave this album as a present to his wife Nadira Banu Begam.

The Dara Shikoh Album is now held by the British Library (MS Add. Or. 3129, fol. 18). The Harvard Fine Arts Library has images of the miniatures from this album, recently digitized from original 35mm color slides in the Stuart Cary Welch Islamic and South Asian Photograph Collection. Harvard Fine Arts Library is the only place where you can find all the images from this manuscript digitally.

Have a happy Memorial Day Weekend, everybody. Hope you’ll find some time for reading!

detail from image 34: Dara Shikoh Album (British Library Add. Or. 3129) Dara Shikuh, Prince, 1615-1659, Indian [artist] Creation Date: c. early 17th century Materials/Techniques: gold and opaque watercolor on paper Historical: Dara Shikoh, eldest son of Shah Jahan, gave this album as a present to his wife Nadira Banu Begam miniatures (paintings)

Repository: British Library, London, United Kingdom Add. Or. 3129

[nadeemnaqvinng]

Dara Sukoh was a mystic soul though born as Mughal Prince! “Risala-e-Haq Numa” is a revelation about yoga written by him. #DaraShukoh #BirthAnniversary #MughalPrince #Mughal #DaraShikoh #Books #Peace (at New Delhi) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvOPXzfBKx6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16y899dfdtswo

[abhay12]

The Mughal princes used to take the throne after killing their brothers!

Shah Jahan was not having urine for three days. He had a sexually transmitted disease, for the treatment of which the Hakeem had given hot medicines, due to which the urinary tube had swollen and urine was not coming out.

Because of this he was not able to get up from his palace and go to the court. Being a sexually transmitted disease, the disease was kept secret from other people. Apart from the royal Hakim, Prince Dara Shikoh and Princess Jahanara, no one else was allowed to enter the emperor's chamber.

Also read the history of ---  Adhunik Bharat Ka Itihas

The harem servants, maidservants and eunuchs put their minds excessively and quickly spread the rumor that the emperor was dead and that Prince Dara-Shikoh was ruling the kingdom in his name. Some of the unscrupulous servants also spared no effort to spread the rumor that Prince Dara Shikoh and Princess Jahanara have imprisoned the emperor and that the emperor issues the same orders as are given to him by Darashikoh. Read here full story------- https://www.bharatkaitihas.com/mughal-princes-used-to-kill-their-brothers-for-royal-throne/

[swapnil1690]

Details of the dress robes of Dara Shikoh. Dara Shukoh or Dara Shikoh (20 March 1615 – 30 August 1659) was the eldest son and heir-apparent of the fifth Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. He was favoured as a successor by his father, Shah Jahan, and his older sister, Princess Jahanara Begum, but was defeated and later killed by his younger brother, Prince Muhiuddin (later, the Emperor Aurangzeb), in a bitter struggle for the imperial throne. Dara has been portrayed countlessly in Mughal miniature. #Heritage #Historic #IndianMiniature #IndianAesthetic #Art #Artwork #Details #GodIsInTheDetails #MughalDynasty #DaraShikoh #Prince #RoyalRobes #Attire #Gold #Floral #SalarJungMuseum #MuseumsOfIndia #Hyderabad #HyderabadDiaries #HyderabadJournal #Telangana #India #Wanderer #Wanderlust #Travel #Travelogue #TravelDiaries (at The Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad)

[fatimazahrahassan]

Today in Treasures Gallery, the British Library. #darashikoh #mughalpainting #mughalart #fzhatelier #paintingworkshop (at The British Library)

[echoesoftime-heritagechronicles]

The Abode of Fairies

Read the full post at https://echoesoftime.co.in/2021/07/24/pari-mahal-the-abode-of-fairies/

[maadalaadlahere]

Jahanara Begum was the older sister of Aurangzeb & Dara Shikoh!

…

…

#kareenakapoor #kareenakapoorkhan #aurangzeb #darashikoh #karanjohar #takht #jahanarabegum #emperor #shahjahan #revealed #jahanara #tajmahal #kareenakapoorfanclub #kareenakapoorhot #kareenakapoorfans #kareenakapoorbebo #kareenakapoorworld #bebo

#kareenakapoorkhan_mylove #maadalaadlahere

[todaysciencology]

Did China get knowledge about gunpowder from India?

New Delhi, November 13, 2020, Friday

Although the invention of fireworks is considered modern, people in ancient India were familiar with the type of fireworks that explode and spread fire. It is also mentioned in the economics of Kautilya in the East. Which describes a sulfur type powder that burns quickly in a fire. Putting this powder in the fire makes the light shine. Not so much if it explodes by filling it into a solid cylinder. A special type of salt that is finely ground into a quick-burning powder. Adding sulfur-type element and coal charcoal makes it more explosive.

Ammunition is generally believed to have been invented in China, but even 2,000 years ago, people in India knew about fireworks and gunpowder. It is believed that China also got knowledge about gunpowder from India. The Syrian chemist Hassan al-Rammah did this in his book in 150 AD. If we talk about the medieval history of India, even in the time of Mughals, Darukha was brewed. At Darashikoh's wedding in 18, a variety of firecrackers, including flowers and firecrackers, were blown up. However, Aurangzeb banned the burning of Darukhana on Diwali by associating it with the practice of Hinduism. Even when the British rulers came to India, the number of firecrackers on occasion increased.

for more details kindly go to https://ift.tt/3bgFIf3 from Blogger https://ift.tt/3nnw0NQ via Youtube#Science #Technology

[thetimesofhistory-blog]

Pari Mahal of Srinagar. One of the finest Mughal architecture. . . Follow us: @timesofhistory . . #parimahal #parimahalgarden #parimahalsrinagar #srinagar #srinagardiaries #srinagarkashmir #jammuandkashmir #historyofjammu #architecturesofindia #architecture #heritageinindia #heritagesofindia #heritageofindia #heritagesite #mughal #mughalarchitecture #mughals #mughalart #mughalheritage #historyofindia #heritagestyle #mughalgarden #gardensofindia #indiangarden #mughalgardens #darashikoh #shahjahan #palacesofindia #knowthepast #timesofhistory (at Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDzFvi7n8Ex/?igshid=1wly5r9pnz4v5

[future-post-magazine-blog]

%Title% #DaraShikoh, #M.J.Akbar, #Muhiuddin Click Here http://www.futurepostmagazine.com/dara-shikoh-child-india-m-j-akbar/

[hannahchusidillustrations-blog1]

AWAKENING THE FEMALE SERPENT ….. UPLIFTING DIVINE POWER

Titiksha means calmly enduring all obstacles that come in the real way of attaining higher goals of life. Shradha means deep faith in all sacred activities. Samadhan means overcoming greed, arrogance and delusion. In reality awakening the 6 Chakras automatically leads to the purification of one’s character, actions and qualities.

By warding off the separate nature of the gigantic cosmos and one’s individual body via activation of the 6 Chakras and Kundalini it has to be correlated and by overcoming its unconscious nature there is a method of activating it in totality. Those 8 Sidhis (divine powers) mentioned by Adi Shankaracharya in his poem “Soundarya Lahiri”are attained by activating the 6 Chakras, Sahasrar and the inner soul. These Sidhis are 1) Janma Sidhi …. having a glimpse of past births 2) Shabda Jnana Sidhi … knowing the hidden meaning behind words heard by the gross ears. 3) Shastra Sidhi … true knowledge of scriptures 4) Sahan Sakti … the power to endure hardships and obstacles in life 5) Tapah Shakti …. the power to endure heat that is worldly calamities. clash of clans free gems 6) Shaap Shakti … the charged power to curse others or give a boon. 7) Vidya Shakti … knowing the thoughts of the minds of others. 8) Vijnan Shakti … the charged power to know the secrets and mysteries of the cosmos. In reality Lord Sankaracharya in his eulogy of the Kundalini has very emotionally said :.

Whatever I am today is because of one's grace on an person that is illiterate myself.

Kundalini Shakti has been described even by other leaders that are religious. Amongst them the school that is sufi of is very close to Indian philosophy. Darashikoh (elder son of Shah Jehan) despite being a Sufi was also a scholar of Upanishads. He had also studied Yoga and Tantra texts and has given a commentary in the Persian language. He has commented on the Kundalini Shakti in his book “Risala-Ai-Hukmanama” and describes 3 centers as Dil-E-Muddavar, Dil-E-Sarovari, Dil-E-Nilophari. These correspond to the Brahmagranthi, Vishnugranthi and Rudragranthi. They are also called Sahasrar, Anahat and Mooladhar Chakras. Sheikh Mohamed Iqbal in his book “The Development of Metaphysics in Persia” writes how Hindu philosophy is food for deep thought for followers of other sects that are religious. A scholar called Al Brooni had translated Yoga Sootras and Sankhya Sootras in Arabic language in the 11th century.

Based on Tibetan texts the chief energy centers of the human body lie in the head, throat, heart, solar plexus and center of the genital organs. Even in Greek philosophy 6 energy centers have been elucidated. Great anatomists have correlated the secret energy centers, described in Yogic texts as Chakras and Kamals, to the electrical flow, endocrine glands and other autonomic ganglia. That shape and spot named “Cusos”in Japan can be correlated to glands and Chakras. The famous psychologist Benjamin Walker in his book “Encyclopedia of Esosteric Man” says that the endocrine glands with their hormones and energy of the 6 Chakras play a major part in rise/fall, qualities, actions, nature and personality of mankind.

Kundalini is the vital force fire which when ignited like a latent spark in the pyre of vital force (i.e. the genitals), pierces the 6 worlds and reaches the 7th world of Brahmaloka. There its form becomes that of fire of Brahman. The vital force fire radiates the special qualities of the body and mind. The demi-gods and Rishis drink this very Soma Juice. The Brahmarshis by sacrificing the soul in God establish the important Advaita State (non-duality) wherein the soul that is individual in God and thus becomes God. This description of spiritual Yajna has been detailed elaborately but also with a little control and it is also known as soul Yajna.

The vital force fire attracts and pulls towards itself the material potentials of the bodily power in the form of divine glories (Vibhutis) in the innermost core of the soul. It gives one a chance to drink the nectar like Soma Juice and transform lowliness into thus greatness.

Kundalini is Shakti (Parvati) and Sahasrar is Shiva. As a result of the union of Shiva-Shakti, 2 boons are obtained. And they're Ganesha the Lord of a intellect that is wise Kartikeya the Lord of all energies. The spiritual aspirant sees his body overflowing with Vaishwanar Mahamaya as well as in the Brahmarandhra one can visibly notice divine consciousness manifesting just like the manifestation of the Ganges river. All this is equivalent to Soma Juice for earth denizens and for heavenly denizens it is nectar. In spiritual science both Soma and nectar are 2 entities of one stature.

Where the brain that is human said to be situated on the Sahasrar there a sort of pulpy material is seen in the bones of the skull. But its true greatness is very widespread. One major part of it is called “Silent or Dark Area” which constitutes 87% to 93%of the head region. The Silent Area (i.e. right parietal cortex, corpus callojum and limbic system etc.) takes up much more space than both the conscious and unconscious parts of the brain put together. The centers of divine powers are within these areas. Psychological sciences can only research into the conscious and mind that is unconscious. This mind that is superconscious totally beyond their ken and reach.

Kundalini Yoga is very much a right part of Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga is closer to Tantra Science. Its cause is practices that are many Mohan, Ucchatan, Vashikaran etc with which one can attack someone and cause his downfall.

When Robert Fabian a Agent that is secret of Yard was in Africa he saw so many Tantrik acts being executed which led to the death of many people. He has delved deep into these incidences in a written book written by him.

Hence only a aspect that is serene of practices is seen in direct cures. The rest is kept a top secret because if it gets into the hands of a vile charactered person, it can only result in disaster. That bomb which aids in shattering huge mountains so as to create roadways can also be misused to shatter schools, hospitals etc. so as to cause the downfall of others. The reason why certain spiritual practices are kept a secret is it will maybe not lead to someone’s downfall. There is a whole story of the churning of the ocean in Indian Mythology (Puranas) wherein the demi-gods and demons together churned the ocean so as to obtain 14 jewels.

A pit that is dross been spoken of in the cave of the vagina of Kundalini. This is Kurma (tortoise). The churning rod which was called the Mandarachal mountain is in reality the Merudand. The serpent was used as a rope to churn the ocean. That is the Ida and Pingala of 3 ½ snakelike rounds. Due to churning and rotation a complete lot of energy manifested. In sexual play too there is a lot of churning and in Kundalini Yoga there is churning of the force that is vitalPranas). From it both nectar as well as poison can manifest. Then this means that poison has manifested and if it is aptly utilized for cosmic welfare, it definitely is nectar if by misusing these secret sciences like in Vamachar Tantrik practices one destroys another person. Pious folks make apt use of it and men that are vile it. Hence there is a policy of hiding it / covering it like one hides one’s genital organs.

The sleeping serpentess attacks that are first very person who tries to wake her up and harasses that person. Misuse and causing harassment inciting the serpentess. In purchase to showcase wonders and cause others’ downfall many men that are foolish it. The sexual passion also augments and can be lewd in that onrush.

In Henry Oslo’s book called “Notes on Spiritual Physiology” it is written that the sexual passion in men and women commences from the sacrocarxial region of the lower half of the Merudand. The laxness and onrush in this certain area will depend on sexual passion. When this certain area gets distorted anyone can become full of lust with sex or become a eunuch. Hence Yogic texts ordain that this region should be made powerful via Yogic exercises like Mooladhar Bandh, Shakti Chalini Mudra, Vajrasan and Padmasan. Through these methods of Kundalini awakening the flow has to be raised upwards. If this is not honored, the flow falls down and thus the aspirant that is spiritual a very young age feels the weakness of aged people.

The word Kundalini means “to sit in an enclosure”. The serpent that is female an enclosure and sits in it but yet its hood is higher up. This is its front part. She commences running from here on and after waking up, goes to the Sahasrar Kamal of the Brahmarandhra. Then she goes to the grey matter and ultimately sticks to the activating system that is reticular. This practise that is spiritual described in Shiva temples via various pictures and images. Kundalini is that in which one finds water. Shiva’s form is like that of the Kailash Mountain and round like a crystal Shivling. It is set up in the centre of a water pot.

The living being too sits down by enclosing Kundalini. One does not gauge as to how many things it has control over. But the reality is this that it cannot even subdue its own body. He only shoulders the burden of sins and pious deeds along with its atonements.

One of the conclusions of Kundalini awakening is not to ever make the periphery of “I-ness” very short. He ought not to continue sleeping. He should awaken himself and carry out such pious deeds wherein other people bound by the walls of selfishness too awaken. They should induce other people to walk on the path wherein the awakened Kundalini goes to the Sahasrar so as to unite with Lord Shiva dwelling there. Thus the spiritual practices of a spiritual aspirant can touch the highest peaks of spirituality.

[la-hore]

Dr. Bernier examining Nadira Banu's pulse. Fugitive Dara looks on (March 1659).

If the date is correct, then Nadira Begum/Banu died in the same year due to dysentery and this painting depicts her last days, while they were on the run. 

[durga-lal]

At Hazrat Mian Mir. Oil lamps. #diya #lahore #shrine #mausoleum #mianmir #darashikoh