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Of late it has become a fashion to call most of the subjects as "science". Obviously it is an attempt to make the subject relevant to the present day wherein we have a lot of scientific developments since last century.

For example your Purohith says the "Aachamana" (process of drinking some amount of water from the palm taking God's names before one starts eating) has a scientific reason that it will soothe the throat. And he would argue, "Our ancestors were not fools, they have developed all these customs with a scientific view". If the throat is dry, automatically you will drink some water. I am not be letting the process of "Aachamana" - it is a holy process of remembering Almighty God before one starts eating. But, with all these pseudo scientific thoughts thrown in, it looks more ridiculous!

If you had made your horoscope in 1970s, you would have noticed on the letterhead that the consultant was a "Scientific Astrologer". In 70s a new system of astrology came into circulation. Let me tell you, it was "old wine in new bottle". The principles were already propounded in Satyavarthi Nadi. Thanks to his marketing skills under called "scientific system" criticized old time tested traditional system. His followers were called "Scientific Astrologers" of the day.

In yoga also, there have been new avatars. You may find many schools of yoga in various names from p.yoga to powerless yoga! There has been scientific attitude in yogabhyasa also. The traditional Veerabhadrasana was given a revolutionary name of ROCKET ASANA by a friend of me in his book who runs a successful yoga centre. Perhaps in next few years, he will invent more of that kind like the fan of the helicopter. The result that can be attributed would in most likelihood be that you would feel more confidants by concentrating on the "Tara loka" represented by circling of the hand.

I wish to suggest him (in case, he takes my view) that we can have a concord asana wherein the person should stand straight and blast off his gas. Retention of body waste is bad for health, as per Ayurveda and yoga sutras. In case, it is done in a board meeting, it will give immense energy to the performer (of course at the cost of others!).

There is good future to you too, my respected reader. Take some pages from Patanjali Yoga sutras or Hatayoga Pradeepika. Tare them into small pieces, put them in a large quantity of distilled water, and shake well. Behold, now you are the founder of a new yoga sect! By God's grace, if you had run away from the house in your younger days, you could boldly proclaim that you had spent those precious years in the Himalayas! You will have a great following in any Metros in India or in the US.

Yoga is a way exercises and relaxation. Same are the nightclub joints for. You will surely be great philosopher, management Guru of all Gun and Gold dealers if you introduce yoga into nightclubs and boardrooms. You should patent at the earliest or in these of scientific development in yoga field your lifetime opportunity would be lost. You see, anything Indian is becoming more relevant to the present day society. Take care not to mention the name of Maharshi Patanjali in your yoga sessions (though he had supplied paper pieces for you distilled water flask) for it would reduce your cherishma!

Let's have a go with the meaning of sciences, its branches. Applied science (exact science) is the one, which mainly depends on observation, experimentation - like physics. Pure science is the branch that depends on self - evident truths - like mathematics. It also means study of a science branch with out practical application. That's why one studies pure math in M.Sc., while another studies applied math in automobile engineering. Systematic and formulated knowledge is also known as science like moral science and political science.

Vedabhyasa, Purohitya, Yogabhyasa, Nyaya (law), Nritya (dance) and many other subjects fall into this category. If one wishes to call astrology as science (that is in the terms of what is defined today and until and definition changes), he is justified on this ground.

One should stop looking at our heritage, culture through the eyes of westerners. Let there be any scientific reason for "Aachamana" "Shradha" or not, it is my way of life, my samskara, handed over down for many generations. Maharaj, there is no scientific formula for a loving mother's kiss or you little son's hug. Everything in life need not have to be expressed in terms of science!

N. S. Manjunath,
302, Sairam Apartments,
Near Laxmikalamandir,
Lothukunta, Indiranagar,
Secunderabad