religion

Ashoka shines and shines brightly like a bright star

Amidst the tens of thousands of names of monarchs that crowd the columns of history, their majesties and graciousnesses and serenities and royal highnesses and the like, the name of Asoka shines, and shines, almost alone, a star. From the Volga to Japan his name is still honoured. China, Tibet, and even India, though it has left his doctrine, preserve the tradition of his greatness. More living men cherish his memory to-day than have ever heard the names of Constantine or Charlemagne.

Holy Cow

Until around the 20th century, the cow was considered sacred (and beef taboo) in Japan, China, and other parts of South East Asia. It was also similarly considered in Ancient Egypt.

Vulture Peak / Griddhraj Parvat

Griddhraj Parvat or Vulture Peak in Madhya Pradesh was the final destination of the classic Chinese epic, Journey to the West. Hieun Tsang and his companions travel from China to a temple on Vulture Peak to retrieve Buddhist sutras in order to enlighten their country.

Shantih Shantih Shantih

T.S. Eliot's bleak poem, The Waste Land, ends with Shantih shantih shantih. The word, according to him, can be feebly translated to the Peace which passeth understanding.

Galactic Mantra

The sci-fi show, Battlestar Galactica, used the Gayatri Mantra as its opening theme and incorporated it liberally throughout the show.

religion