Rudyard Kipling"
“When you're left wounded on Afganistan's plains and
the women come out to cut up what remains, Just roll to your rifle
and blow out your brains,
And go to your God like a soldier”
General Douglas MacArthur"
“We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.”
“It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.” “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.
“The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and be the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
“May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't .” “The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.
“Nobody ever defended, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass
"Step forward you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint."
I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
The Soldier squared his shoulders and said
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
When a Sarasvati Temple (Bhojshala) was converted to a mosque
Friday, January 08, 2021
Sarasvati temple cum college where students studied Sanskrit texts in the 11th century in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. It was built by Raja Bhoja of the Paramara dynasty, a highly learned and wise King to whom many Sanskrit texts, especially poetic works are attributed.
Hence, this temple is called Bhojshala. Look at the beautiful hall and corridors around a central courtyard with a water tank. Unfortunately, this temple of learning was converted to a mosque during the rule of Delhi Sultans which could well be called the Dark Age of Knowledge Destruction.
Tombs have been built around this temple with columns and other parts taken from destroyed temples. Today this structure is controlled by the Archaeological Survey of India. However, by a weird, twisted arrangement, this place is opened to Muslims on Friday to conduct their namaz and on Tuesdays to Hindu to offer prayers to a framed picture of Sarasvati.
The main murti of Sarasvati which stood in a recess inside the main hall is no longer there, however, the British Museum has a murti which has been stolen from the Bhojshala (it is not clear if it is the main deity who was worshipped).
Riots have broken out here whenever Hindus have tried to celebrate Basant Panchami when it falls on a Friday. Bhojshala is another important piece of India's educational heritage which must be reclaimed
