Meri Naina ki Shaadi

A marriage is a joyous occasion. There is happiness all around. The atmosphere abounds with fun and laughter. A marriage is a family affair to be celebrated with close family and friends.

My daughter, Naina, was married on 2nd December.

Like all fathers, I too was a happy and proud father that day. But, for me, the wedding was a different experience all together.  It was very profound and spiritual experience for me.  

It was my endeavour to have something for everybody who was present, so all could experience the ananda of the marriage ceremony.

For those who were vegetarians, the food on the day of Qawali and the marriage was vegetarian, while sangeet and mehendi also had non-vegetarian food for those who enjoy non-vegetarian food.

For people who wanted décor, all the ceremonies of the wedding had a different décor.

Sangeet and a live band catered to those who looked for entertainment. There were folk dances on the day of mehendi.

For people who wanted to experience a journey toward their consciousness, we had Sufi Qawwali.

For people who believe in traditions and wanted to see Vedic philosophy reflected in the marriage ceremony, there was chanting of mantras. The air resonated with the sound of the mantras.

For those who wanted to know the meaning of the various steps of the ceremony, every step was accompanied with an explanation. A book on wedding rituals, which explained the meaning of marriage, especially the four main rituals (ghudchari, varmala, kanyadaan and pheras) was gifted to all present.

Like all Hindu rituals, the wedding ceremony also began with a pooja of Lord Ganesha “Vighnaharta” invoking him to bless the couple and to ensure that the ceremony went off well without any obstacles.

We had photographs of departed souls at the entrance to seek their permission before the ceremony began (pitra rin). All living elders blessed the couple as did the teachers (rishi/guru rin).

The whole family and close friends was gathered to bless the couple.

Padma awardee doctors and eminent persons from the field of performing arts also blessed them.

Dharma gurus of all religions were invited for the marriage, who bestowed their blessings on the married couple.

I have often been given the moniker “Doctor with a stethoscope”. But, this was my daughter’s wedding and for this marriage, I was Krishna Kumar, the father and not KK Aggarwal, the doctor. I did not wear my stethoscope.

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania   (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Immediate Past National President IMA

Understanding Right Speech & Right Action

All thoughts, speech or actions in life should be directed towards two basic goals; one, to provide happiness to others and secondly, attain self-happiness in consequence.

Our ancient texts and scriptures - Upanishads, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - have discoursed on “the right speech” and so did Buddha. According to Gautam Buddha, the right speech has three components:

• It should be based on truthfulness.
• It should be necessary, and
• It should be kind.

All the three components have to be in the same sequence with truthfulness being on the top.

For example, a patient asks a doctor, “Am I going to die in the next few weeks or will I survive longer”? The truth may be that he is critically ill and may not survive but it is not necessary to speak the truth and also it is not kind. Therefore, that truth should not be spoken.

Lord Krishna in Mahabharata explained when not to speak the truth and when to speak a lie. The truth which is going to harm the society may not be spoken and a lie which can save the life of a person without harming others may be spoken.

• A truth which is necessary and kind may be spoken.
• A truth which is not necessary but kind may not be spoken.
• A truth which is necessary but not kind may not be spoken.
• A truth which is neither necessary and nor kind may not be spoken.

Vedic teaching says that one should live according to dharma or “the right action” to achieve good karma. This means doing what is right for the individual, the family and for the universe.

According to the Bhagavata Purana, righteous living or life on a dharmic path has four pillars: truthfulness (satya), austerity (tap), purity (shauch) and compassion (daya). While, adharmic or unrighteous life has three main vices: pride (ahankar), bad company (sangh) and intoxication (madya).

Manusmriti also prescribes ten essential rules to tread the path of dharma: Patience (dhriti), forgiveness (kshama), piety or self-control (dama), honesty (asteya), sanctity (shauch), control of senses (indriya-nigrah), reason (dhi), knowledge or learning (vidya), truthfulness (satya) and absence of anger (krodha). Manu further writes, “Non-violence, truth, non-coveting, purity of body and mind, control of senses are the essence of dharma”.

The very first word of the Gita is “Dharma” - “Dharmakshetre Kurukshetra Samavetayuyutsavaha”, which means the battle of dharma and adharma. The Gita concludes with the word “Mama”. The essence of Bhagavada Gita is contained in these two words ‘Mama’ and ‘Dharma’. Combined together, these two words become “mamadharma”, meaning ‘your true Dharma’. This is what the Gita teaches us, “What is your Dharma?”

To live your life as per your dharma signifies the right action in every moment of the life. To inculcate the spirit of Dharma, practice random acts of kindness. Do not follow the dictates of body and do not indiscriminately follow the mind, for the mind is like a mad monkey. Follow the conscience.

Follow Buddha’s principles of right speech: Before you speak, ask yourself: Is it the truth? Is it necessary? Is it kind? If the answer to any is ‘no’, do not speak.

Follow Buddha’s principles of right action: Before doing any action ask yourself: Is it the truth? Is it necessary? Will it bring happiness to me? Will it bring happiness to others? If the answer to any is ‘no’, do not do that action.

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee
Vice President CMAAO
Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Immediate Past National President IMA

10th National Summit on Stress Management

Inaugurating a 2-day 10th national summit on Stress Management and a workshop on “How to be Healthy and Happy”, Mr. Rakesh Mehta, Election Commissioner of Delhi said that meditation should be taught as a part of our school curriculum. Yoga, pranayama and meditation, if taught early, can take care of rising problems of diabetes, heart attack and blood pressure in the society.

Speaking on the occasion, Padma Shri & Dr. BC Roy National Awardee, Dr. KK Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India and Vice-Chairman, World Fellowship of Religions, said that by learning the Vedic lifestyle, one acquires the strength to bear any illness. Spiritual people develop disease but learn not to suffer from it. Ninety percent of happiness lies in our hands. One can choose to be happy and healthy either by making informed choices or re-experiencing the past experiences.

The seminar was organized by Heart Care Foundation of India jointly with Prajapati Brahmkumaris Aishwarya Vidyalaya, eMedinewS and World Fellowship of Religions at Om Shanti Retreat Centre, Pataudi Road, Manesar, Gurgaon.

BK Brij Mohan said that meditation and not medication is the answer for most of the lifestyle disorders. Rajyoga meditation is the answer for today’s stressful environment.

BK Asha said that even observing silence for 20 to 30 minutes a day can help one achieve inner happiness. BK Sapna present on the occasion said that meditation under a pyramid is much more powerful than under the sky.

Dr. Anil Goyal, President (Elect), Delhi Medical Association said that even doctors need to de-stress. The incidence of heart attack in doctors is no less than that in the general public. Doctors should practice what they preach.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Dr. Ramesh Hotchandani, President IMA New Delhi Branch; Dr. NK Gupta, Past Vice President, IMA South Delhi Branch; Dr. Pawan Gupta, Past President, IMA Haryana; Dr. AK Kansal, Past President, IMA, Janakpuri Branch.