A Winter's Tale -- Trouble In Tomsk

Tomsk, Lenin Square

     Stateprosecutors in the Siberian city of Tomsk are trying to ban the Russian translationof the Bhagavad Gita, an important Hinduscripture, because they believe the text too "extremist."

     Thetrial, which started in June, has attracted a lot of negative attention, andsparked protests, whicheven closed down the Indianparliament Monday, according to the Guardian.

     Thecourt's decision concerning the proposed ban was expected on Dec. 19, butofficials pushed back the date until Dec. 28.

     Prosecutorsreportedly took issue with the Russiantranslation of the sacred text called "Bhagavad Gita As It Is",with commentary by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of theInternational Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), because it promoted"social discord" and hatred toward non believers, according to TheHindu 

Pre-1917 photograph of Trinity Cathedral, Tomsk (demolished 1934) 

     However,ISKCON followers and about 15,000 Indians living in Moscow say the proposed ban was brought about by a"majority religious group's" intolerance toward the Hindu religion, the Asia Times reports.

     Protestershave even called on diplomats to intervene in the case. 

     But inan exclusive interview with CNN-IBN,Ambassador of Russia to India Alexander Kadakin explained the government cannot influence the courts. Hedid, however, acknowledge the "madness" must come to an end. He said: 

"...It is not theRussian government that started the case; these are the some petty people infar away though very beautiful city of Tomsk who did it. The government hasnothing to [apologize] for, the government can only testify and reiterate thelove and affection and highest esteem our nation has for Bhagavad Gita."

Tomsk State University

Lastyear, courts banned Adolf Hitler's "Mein Kampf," but a spokespersonfor ISKCON India said comparing the Bhagavad Gita to thedictator's autobiography was outrageous.

     "Tocompare Hitler to Lord Krishna is an insult to Indians across the globe," Vrajendra Nandandas told the WallStreet Journal. "Our culturalidentity and ancient beliefs have been mocked at today."

     If thebook is banned, ISKCON says thegovernment should expect"intensified" protests, the HindustanTimes reports.

Tomsk, 1898

NOTE:   Although I usually try to read the mediocre-at-best Huffington Post as little as possible, this story about the events in Tomsk caught my eye.  

So did this inconclusive and unsatisfying Shroud of Turin story.

I've included all the interesting links in the Tomsk article.  

They're marked in RED.  And remember:

 

The Cow (Paul Bowles)

The most satisfying exposition I have seen of the averageHindu’s feeling about this exalted beast is a little essay composed by acandidate for a post in one of the public services, entitled simply “The Cow.”  The fact that it was submitted in order toshow the aspirant’s mastery of the English language, while touching, is ofsecondary importance.

THE COW

        The cow is onewonderful animal, also he is quadruped and because he is female he gives milk –but he will do so only when he has got child. He is same like God, sacred to Hindu and useful to man.  But he has got four legs together.  Two are foreward and two are afterward.

       His whole bodycan be utilized for use.  More so themilk.  What it cannot do?  Various ghee, butter, cream, curds, whey,cova  and the condensed milk and soforth.  Also, he is useful to cobbler,watermans and mankind generally.

        His motion isslow only.  That is because he is ofamplitudinous species, and also his other motion is much useful to trees,plants as well as making fires.  This isdone by making flat cakes in hand and drying in the sun.

        He is the onlyanimal that extricates his feedings after eating.  Then afterwards he eats by his teeth whichare situated in the inside of his mouth. He is incessantly grazing in the meadows.

        His only attackingand defending weapons are his horns, especially when he has got child.  This is done by bowing his head whereby hecauses the weapons to be parallel to the ground of earth and instantly proceedswith great velocity forwards.

       He has gottail also, but not like other similar animals. It has hairs on the end of the other side.  This is done to frighten away the flies whichalight on his whole body and chastises him unceasingly, whereupon he gives hitwith it.

         The palms ofhis feet are so soft unto the touch so that the grasses he eats would not getcrushed.  At night he reposes by goingdown on the ground and then he shuts his eyes like his relative the horse whichhe does not do so.  This is the cow.  

Excerpt from "Notes Mailed At Nagercoil" in Their Heads Are Green And Their Hands Are Blue.  New York, Random House, 1963. 

Paul Gauguin Paintings --  Top:  The Red Cow (1889); Center:  Seated Breton Girl (1889); Lower:  Horse and Cow in Field (1885)    

See also:  Here for Parrots
                Here for Cobras