I’m gonna talk to you about going back to the past to look at the future and I
to the past to look at the future and I
to the past to look at the future and I know today there’s a lot of people who
know today there’s a lot of people who
know today there’s a lot of people who say you know we got to do this for the
say you know we got to do this for the
say you know we got to do this for the future we’ve got to do that for the
future we’ve got to do that for the
future we’ve got to do that for the future but I’m gonna actually say listen
future but I’m gonna actually say listen
future but I’m gonna actually say listen the future will take care of itself look
the future will take care of itself look
the future will take care of itself look at the past differently look at the
at the past differently look at the
at the past differently look at the present differently and the future will
present differently and the future will
present differently and the future will take care of itself by itself so that’s
take care of itself by itself so that’s
take care of itself by itself so that’s what I’m going to do but and I’m gonna
what I’m going to do but and I’m gonna
what I’m going to do but and I’m gonna take you on a step back to the past but
take you on a step back to the past but
take you on a step back to the past but to go on this journey of the past I need
to go on this journey of the past I need
to go on this journey of the past I need to ask you some embarrassing questions
to ask you some embarrassing questions
to ask you some embarrassing questions but don’t worry it’s not about that
but don’t worry it’s not about that
but don’t worry it’s not about that secret kiss that you had in the school
secret kiss that you had in the school
secret kiss that you had in the school nor is it about that math test that you
nor is it about that math test that you
nor is it about that math test that you bunked by sitting at home and watching
bunked by sitting at home and watching
bunked by sitting at home and watching TV
TV
TV none of those embarrassing things all
none of those embarrassing things all
none of those embarrassing things all have you studied history textbooks like
have you studied history textbooks like
have you studied history textbooks like this right yeah how many of you remember
this right yeah how many of you remember
this right yeah how many of you remember reading these history textbooks and
reading these history textbooks and
reading these history textbooks and asking yourself why is this relevant for
asking yourself why is this relevant for
asking yourself why is this relevant for me I’m gonna be a software engineer I’m
me I’m gonna be a software engineer I’m
me I’m gonna be a software engineer I’m gonna be a management consultant I’m
gonna be a management consultant I’m
gonna be a management consultant I’m gonna be an engineer or a doctor why do
gonna be an engineer or a doctor why do
gonna be an engineer or a doctor why do I need to know which King died when why
I need to know which King died when why
I need to know which King died when why do I need to know which battle was
do I need to know which battle was
do I need to know which battle was fought when really why do I need to know
fought when really why do I need to know
fought when really why do I need to know all this stuff right normally was it not
all this stuff right normally was it not
all this stuff right normally was it not relevant for me it just didn’t make
relevant for me it just didn’t make
relevant for me it just didn’t make sense
sense
sense but this contrast that with what it
but this contrast that with what it
but this contrast that with what it could have actually been if you were
could have actually been if you were
could have actually been if you were standing over there I mean wouldn’t it
standing over there I mean wouldn’t it
standing over there I mean wouldn’t it have been an assault on the senses right
have been an assault on the senses right
have been an assault on the senses right there was something for you to see there
there was something for you to see there
there was something for you to see there was something for you to hear maybe the
was something for you to hear maybe the
was something for you to hear maybe the the victorious King had a banquet in the
the victorious King had a banquet in the
the victorious King had a banquet in the evening so there must have been
evening so there must have been
evening so there must have been something for you to taste and drink
something for you to taste and drink
something for you to taste and drink they must have been fragrances
they must have been fragrances
they must have been fragrances everything would have been there
everything would have been there
everything would have been there and yet you’re wondering why is this
and yet you’re wondering why is this
and yet you’re wondering why is this relevant for me not only that every time
relevant for me not only that every time
relevant for me not only that every time in our history textbooks we were reading
in our history textbooks we were reading
in our history textbooks we were reading about battles right and there was
about battles right and there was
about battles right and there was violence and blood and all of that and
violence and blood and all of that and
violence and blood and all of that and today if I take out the paper of switch
today if I take out the paper of switch
today if I take out the paper of switch on the TV I get more of it so I’m
on the TV I get more of it so I’m
on the TV I get more of it so I’m wondering really what’s the point of
wondering really what’s the point of
wondering really what’s the point of history I’m learning about stuff that’s
history I’m learning about stuff that’s
history I’m learning about stuff that’s not relevant and I’m looking at stuff
not relevant and I’m looking at stuff
not relevant and I’m looking at stuff which is still happening the same
which is still happening the same
which is still happening the same there’s still blood and gore on the
there’s still blood and gore on the
there’s still blood and gore on the streets really why’s is important at all
streets really why’s is important at all
streets really why’s is important at all which is why this statement becomes very
which is why this statement becomes very
which is why this statement becomes very important it sure looks like we’ve
important it sure looks like we’ve
important it sure looks like we’ve ignored history
ignored history
ignored history and we seem to be condemned to repeat it
and we seem to be condemned to repeat it
and we seem to be condemned to repeat it all the time but never fear I am there
all the time but never fear I am there
all the time but never fear I am there and I am here to give you a solution
and I am here to give you a solution
and I am here to give you a solution that can change the world right and
that can change the world right and
that can change the world right and believe me the solution is far easier
believe me the solution is far easier
believe me the solution is far easier than this dance that all of you guys
than this dance that all of you guys
than this dance that all of you guys just did because it just takes a
just did because it just takes a
just did because it just takes a different perspective of the way you
different perspective of the way you
different perspective of the way you look at history if you want his feet to
look at history if you want his feet to
look at history if you want his feet to be relevant for you stop looking at it
be relevant for you stop looking at it
be relevant for you stop looking at it are a series of episodes that have
are a series of episodes that have
are a series of episodes that have happened over a period of time if you
happened over a period of time if you
happened over a period of time if you start looking at it as something where
start looking at it as something where
start looking at it as something where two people with very different needs are
two people with very different needs are
two people with very different needs are fighting over the same thing it becomes
fighting over the same thing it becomes
fighting over the same thing it becomes very relevant for you because our needs
very relevant for you because our needs
very relevant for you because our needs that we have are universal and they are
that we have are universal and they are
that we have are universal and they are eternal you may think that hey what do I
eternal you may think that hey what do I
eternal you may think that hey what do I have in common with Rajaraja Chola
have in common with Rajaraja Chola
have in common with Rajaraja Chola whatever I have in common with the guy
whatever I have in common with the guy
whatever I have in common with the guy who’s gonna go and settle down in Pluto
who’s gonna go and settle down in Pluto
who’s gonna go and settle down in Pluto 5,000 years from now your needs will be
5,000 years from now your needs will be
5,000 years from now your needs will be the same and that’s what I’m gonna look
the same and that’s what I’m gonna look
the same and that’s what I’m gonna look at we all as human beings from the day
at we all as human beings from the day
at we all as human beings from the day we were born till the day we die as
we were born till the day we die as
we were born till the day we die as human beings from the the earliest
human beings from the the earliest
human beings from the the earliest Neanderthal man to the guy who’s gonna
Neanderthal man to the guy who’s gonna
Neanderthal man to the guy who’s gonna go and settle down in moon how many ever
go and settle down in moon how many ever
go and settle down in moon how many ever thousands of years later are gonna have
thousands of years later are gonna have
thousands of years later are gonna have the same three sets of needs the need to
the same three sets of needs the need to
the same three sets of needs the need to survive food water and a shelter over
survive food water and a shelter over
survive food water and a shelter over the head the need for support I want
the head the need for support I want
the head the need for support I want people to be with me I want love I need
people to be with me I want love I need
people to be with me I want love I need enrichment in my own life and the need
enrichment in my own life and the need
enrichment in my own life and the need for security I need to feel safe this is
for security I need to feel safe this is
for security I need to feel safe this is my identity yes I am another human being
my identity yes I am another human being
my identity yes I am another human being in this room but I am also different and
in this room but I am also different and
in this room but I am also different and these needs do not change so if we look
these needs do not change so if we look
these needs do not change so if we look at history from the point of needs
at history from the point of needs
at history from the point of needs rather than the from the point of time
rather than the from the point of time
rather than the from the point of time then it becomes something very very
then it becomes something very very
then it becomes something very very different for us to actually change the
different for us to actually change the
different for us to actually change the way we can look at the future the source
way we can look at the future the source
way we can look at the future the source for this is something that I’m going to
for this is something that I’m going to
for this is something that I’m going to take which you can see in little temples
take which you can see in little temples
take which you can see in little temples like these and you can also see them in
like these and you can also see them in
like these and you can also see them in bigger temples like these but what I’m
bigger temples like these but what I’m
bigger temples like these but what I’m actually talking about is the writing on
actually talking about is the writing on
actually talking about is the writing on the wall
the wall
the wall you heard this proverb writing on the
you heard this proverb writing on the
you heard this proverb writing on the wall it means we often tend to ignore
wall it means we often tend to ignore
wall it means we often tend to ignore the obvious I think that quote was right
the obvious I think that quote was right
the obvious I think that quote was right on for this TED talk it almost looks
on for this TED talk it almost looks
on for this TED talk it almost looks like it was for this TEDx talk what it
like it was for this TEDx talk what it
like it was for this TEDx talk what it basically means is more than a thousand
basically means is more than a thousand
basically means is more than a thousand temples in Tamilnadu have writing on the
temples in Tamilnadu have writing on the
temples in Tamilnadu have writing on the walls like this and this is not a part
walls like this and this is not a part
walls like this and this is not a part of your history textbook so don’t go
of your history textbook so don’t go
of your history textbook so don’t go bother and check of them they’re not in
bother and check of them they’re not in
bother and check of them they’re not in the textbooks and I hope there will be
the textbooks and I hope there will be
the textbooks and I hope there will be because every one of this writing on the
because every one of this writing on the
because every one of this writing on the wall has zero percent to do anything
wall has zero percent to do anything
wall has zero percent to do anything with mythology or with religion zero
with mythology or with religion zero
with mythology or with religion zero percent and this is like a big idea that
percent and this is like a big idea that
percent and this is like a big idea that I’m going to push across in this talk
I’m going to push across in this talk
I’m going to push across in this talk zero percent have anything to do with
zero percent have anything to do with
zero percent have anything to do with God’s with goddesses with scenes with
God’s with goddesses with scenes with
God’s with goddesses with scenes with mythology
mythology
mythology none of that every letter on the walls
none of that every letter on the walls
none of that every letter on the walls of these temples and then many of them
of these temples and then many of them
of these temples and then many of them are about social economic legal and
are about social economic legal and
are about social economic legal and political decisions that were taken in
political decisions that were taken in
political decisions that were taken in the community and were put there on
the community and were put there on
the community and were put there on stone if we look at these inscriptions
stone if we look at these inscriptions
stone if we look at these inscriptions then our way of looking at history
then our way of looking at history
then our way of looking at history becomes very very relevant for us in the
becomes very very relevant for us in the
becomes very very relevant for us in the present and for us in the future I’m
present and for us in the future I’m
present and for us in the future I’m going to take you to this temple through
going to take you to this temple through
going to take you to this temple through what you is not very far off from Madras
what you is not very far off from Madras
what you is not very far off from Madras not very far off from where we’re
not very far off from where we’re
not very far off from where we’re speaking and it is by the way in a road
speaking and it is by the way in a road
speaking and it is by the way in a road called the east coast road today
called the east coast road today
called the east coast road today thousand years back the east coast road
thousand years back the east coast road
thousand years back the east coast road existed and it was called Watauga Peru
existed and it was called Watauga Peru
existed and it was called Watauga Peru body this was the road that linked the
body this was the road that linked the
body this was the road that linked the chola provinces in the south to the
chola provinces in the south to the
chola provinces in the south to the chola provinces in the north so the east
chola provinces in the north so the east
chola provinces in the north so the east coast road that you travel every day
coast road that you travel every day
coast road that you travel every day it’s a whole lot older than you thought
it’s a whole lot older than you thought
it’s a whole lot older than you thought it was but coming back to throw to you
it was but coming back to throw to you
it was but coming back to throw to you one of the walls in the throat your
one of the walls in the throat your
one of the walls in the throat your temple has a long inscription like this
temple has a long inscription like this
temple has a long inscription like this and you’ve got to remember that whatever
and you’ve got to remember that whatever
and you’ve got to remember that whatever we expect from the government today is
we expect from the government today is
we expect from the government today is what the temples provided in the old
what the temples provided in the old
what the temples provided in the old days how many of you know what the word
days how many of you know what the word
days how many of you know what the word for temple in Tamil is Covell right ko
for temple in Tamil is Covell right ko
for temple in Tamil is Covell right ko Alam cone is not a god ko is king so our
Alam cone is not a god ko is king so our
Alam cone is not a god ko is king so our temples even the word of it is actually
temples even the word of it is actually
temples even the word of it is actually the house of the king not the house of
the house of the king not the house of
the house of the king not the house of the God so every one of these
the God so every one of these
the God so every one of these inscriptions are about recordings of
inscriptions are about recordings of
inscriptions are about recordings of whatever the government would want to
whatever the government would want to
whatever the government would want to record so coming back to us
record so coming back to us
record so coming back to us oriental vote you’re one of the things
oriental vote you’re one of the things
oriental vote you’re one of the things that we do to the government is to pay
that we do to the government is to pay
that we do to the government is to pay taxes and they did that in the old days
taxes and they did that in the old days
taxes and they did that in the old days and the temples used to collect taxes on
and the temples used to collect taxes on
and the temples used to collect taxes on behalf of the king at one point and one
behalf of the king at one point and one
behalf of the king at one point and one of the committees at the temple had
of the committees at the temple had
of the committees at the temple had which is democratically elected by the
which is democratically elected by the
which is democratically elected by the way was the committee which tested the
way was the committee which tested the
way was the committee which tested the firmness and the fineness of gold that
firmness and the fineness of gold that
firmness and the fineness of gold that people deposited as taxes into the
people deposited as taxes into the
people deposited as taxes into the coffers at some point of time thousand
coffers at some point of time thousand
coffers at some point of time thousand one hundred years back the chola king
one hundred years back the chola king
one hundred years back the chola king had an audit and when the auditors came
had an audit and when the auditors came
had an audit and when the auditors came to the committee they found out that
to the committee they found out that
to the committee they found out that what the committee actually had was very
what the committee actually had was very
what the committee actually had was very different from what they should have had
different from what they should have had
different from what they should have had right not very uncommon these days and
right not very uncommon these days and
right not very uncommon these days and the papers as well right so that’s what
the papers as well right so that’s what
the papers as well right so that’s what they found out and then what they did we
they found out and then what they did we
they found out and then what they did we don’t know how long it actually took but
don’t know how long it actually took but
don’t know how long it actually took but it should have taken not more than three
it should have taken not more than three
it should have taken not more than three to six months in the three to six months
to six months in the three to six months
to six months in the three to six months they seem to figure out that the temple
they seem to figure out that the temple
they seem to figure out that the temple pond varriya more the gold collection
pond varriya more the gold collection
pond varriya more the gold collection committee was a guilty party they took
committee was a guilty party they took
committee was a guilty party they took the private property of the corrupt
the private property of the corrupt
the private property of the corrupt officials auctioned it out took the
officials auctioned it out took the
officials auctioned it out took the principal and the interest that they had
principal and the interest that they had
principal and the interest that they had they’d secret it away took that money
they’d secret it away took that money
they’d secret it away took that money gave the rest of them gave the rest of
gave the rest of them gave the rest of
gave the rest of them gave the rest of the money back to the community to that
the money back to the community to that
the money back to the community to that group and said here’s your money back
group and said here’s your money back
group and said here’s your money back leave the community and not only that in
leave the community and not only that in
leave the community and not only that in some similar instances and other temples
some similar instances and other temples
some similar instances and other temples we find that those committee members
we find that those committee members
we find that those committee members relatives would be barred from holding
relatives would be barred from holding
relatives would be barred from holding offices of public interest in the local
offices of public interest in the local
offices of public interest in the local community as well absolutely compare
community as well absolutely compare
community as well absolutely compare this with the speed and the efficiency
this with the speed and the efficiency
this with the speed and the efficiency with her with how we deal with corrupt
with her with how we deal with corrupt
with her with how we deal with corrupt officials today our second example is
officials today our second example is
officials today our second example is from this beautiful shiva and vishnu
from this beautiful shiva and vishnu
from this beautiful shiva and vishnu temple next to each other into the mayan
temple next to each other into the mayan
temple next to each other into the mayan theorem has a small sleepy village that
theorem has a small sleepy village that
theorem has a small sleepy village that times completely forgotten between
times completely forgotten between
times completely forgotten between mother and poo the quartet but the two
mother and poo the quartet but the two
mother and poo the quartet but the two temples have a very interesting
temples have a very interesting
temples have a very interesting inscription because it’s the same
inscription because it’s the same
inscription because it’s the same inscription copied on both the walls of
inscription copied on both the walls of
inscription copied on both the walls of the temple and in fact in one temple the
the temple and in fact in one temple the
the temple and in fact in one temple the this inscription actually erases and
this inscription actually erases and
this inscription actually erases and earlier and far more important and rarer
earlier and far more important and rarer
earlier and far more important and rarer inscription on musical notations and why
inscription on musical notations and why
inscription on musical notations and why was this inscription so important
was this inscription so important
was this inscription so important around 13th century or little there
around 13th century or little there
around 13th century or little there abouts there were two sexes of the same
abouts there were two sexes of the same
abouts there were two sexes of the same community who were bitterly fighting
community who were bitterly fighting
community who were bitterly fighting with each other I mean they were like
with each other I mean they were like
with each other I mean they were like breaking idols flinging them into the
breaking idols flinging them into the
breaking idols flinging them into the river there was blood on the streets
river there was blood on the streets
river there was blood on the streets literally there was blood on the streets
literally there was blood on the streets
literally there was blood on the streets there was massive turmoil in the in the
there was massive turmoil in the in the
there was massive turmoil in the in the town and the pandya king who was ruling
town and the pandya king who was ruling
town and the pandya king who was ruling that place just found it too hot to
that place just found it too hot to
that place just found it too hot to handle see he called voice Allah or a
handle see he called voice Allah or a
handle see he called voice Allah or a Karnataka general to come over and the
Karnataka general to come over and the
Karnataka general to come over and the general did something very unusual he
general did something very unusual he
general did something very unusual he split the town into half he built a wall
split the town into half he built a wall
split the town into half he built a wall in the middle if you had property and
in the middle if you had property and
in the middle if you had property and water sources here you were asked to
water sources here you were asked to
water sources here you were asked to move to that side and you got the same
move to that side and you got the same
move to that side and you got the same amount and vice versa and he did that
amount and vice versa and he did that
amount and vice versa and he did that this was on the seventh of May in 1246
this was on the seventh of May in 1246
this was on the seventh of May in 1246 of 1249 right long time back today
of 1249 right long time back today
of 1249 right long time back today though if you go to this town none of
though if you go to this town none of
though if you go to this town none of those communities lived there the lands
those communities lived there the lands
those communities lived there the lands have changed many many hands after that
have changed many many hands after that
have changed many many hands after that most of the water sources are not even
most of the water sources are not even
most of the water sources are not even there anymore and that wall is not to be
there anymore and that wall is not to be
there anymore and that wall is not to be seen it’s definitely a temple asset of a
seen it’s definitely a temple asset of a
seen it’s definitely a temple asset of a village the time is completely forgotten
village the time is completely forgotten
village the time is completely forgotten so what really was the point of building
so what really was the point of building
so what really was the point of building that wall and doing all this partition
that wall and doing all this partition
that wall and doing all this partition not much a third example is one of the
not much a third example is one of the
not much a third example is one of the most common inscriptions that you find
most common inscriptions that you find
most common inscriptions that you find across temples in Tamil Nadu and our own
across temples in Tamil Nadu and our own
across temples in Tamil Nadu and our own kapaleeswarar temple and and the drivel
kapaleeswarar temple and and the drivel
kapaleeswarar temple and and the drivel akkanee temple also have copies of this
akkanee temple also have copies of this
akkanee temple also have copies of this kind of an inscription so in those days
kind of an inscription so in those days
kind of an inscription so in those days devotees would come to the temple and
devotees would come to the temple and
devotees would come to the temple and they’d say they’ll tell the temple
they’d say they’ll tell the temple
they’d say they’ll tell the temple authorities hey we want to give some
authorities hey we want to give some
authorities hey we want to give some kind of a donation to the temple so that
kind of a donation to the temple so that
kind of a donation to the temple so that our names are remembered forevermore and
our names are remembered forevermore and
our names are remembered forevermore and usually they would give a lamp like this
usually they would give a lamp like this
usually they would give a lamp like this stone lamp like this a temple will say
stone lamp like this a temple will say
stone lamp like this a temple will say thank you very much for this lamp but
thank you very much for this lamp but
thank you very much for this lamp but listen because of you giving us this
listen because of you giving us this
listen because of you giving us this lamp we’re actually going to be spending
lamp we’re actually going to be spending
lamp we’re actually going to be spending a lot more money on the oil in the weeks
a lot more money on the oil in the weeks
a lot more money on the oil in the weeks it doesn’t make sense
it doesn’t make sense
it doesn’t make sense so the devotee would then come and say
so the devotee would then come and say
so the devotee would then come and say FairPoint
FairPoint
FairPoint I want the lamp to burn for two hours a
I want the lamp to burn for two hours a
I want the lamp to burn for two hours a day or 24 by seven whatever they would
day or 24 by seven whatever they would
day or 24 by seven whatever they would mention that right let’s say two hours a
mention that right let’s say two hours a
mention that right let’s say two hours a day and then they would say listen if
day and then they would say listen if
day and then they would say listen if the lamp has to burn for two hours a day
the lamp has to burn for two hours a day
the lamp has to burn for two hours a day this is the amount of ghee or clarified
this is the amount of ghee or clarified
this is the amount of ghee or clarified butter that we need to light the lamp
butter that we need to light the lamp
butter that we need to light the lamp and the devotee would therefore give
and the devotee would therefore give
and the devotee would therefore give goats cows or buffaloes
goats cows or buffaloes
goats cows or buffaloes interestingly it was either 96 goats 12
interestingly it was either 96 goats 12
interestingly it was either 96 goats 12 cows or 6 buffaloes why would you you
cows or 6 buffaloes why would you you
cows or 6 buffaloes why would you you just need this much of ghee why would
just need this much of ghee why would
just need this much of ghee why would you give so many animals hold on to that
you give so many animals hold on to that
you give so many animals hold on to that and I’ll come back to that temple will
and I’ll come back to that temple will
and I’ll come back to that temple will say thank you very much for the for the
say thank you very much for the for the
say thank you very much for the for the goats or the cows but we don’t run a
goats or the cows but we don’t run a
goats or the cows but we don’t run a dairy we’re on a temple doesn’t make
dairy we’re on a temple doesn’t make
dairy we’re on a temple doesn’t make sense you’re putting more work on our
sense you’re putting more work on our
sense you’re putting more work on our plate so they will then appoint someone
plate so they will then appoint someone
plate so they will then appoint someone else who will take care of these animals
else who will take care of these animals
else who will take care of these animals on your behalf and who will give the
on your behalf and who will give the
on your behalf and who will give the temple that little quantity of of ghee
temple that little quantity of of ghee
temple that little quantity of of ghee to the temple to burn your lamp the
to the temple to burn your lamp the
to the temple to burn your lamp the number of hours that you wanted to burn
number of hours that you wanted to burn
number of hours that you wanted to burn whatever and this many animals generate
whatever and this many animals generate
whatever and this many animals generate a lot of milk and a lot of butter so the
a lot of milk and a lot of butter so the
a lot of milk and a lot of butter so the rest of the stuff he could sell but this
rest of the stuff he could sell but this
rest of the stuff he could sell but this he had to give
he had to give
he had to give now here comes a trick this man who will
now here comes a trick this man who will
now here comes a trick this man who will look after the devotee stuff would never
look after the devotee stuff would never
look after the devotee stuff would never be from the same village the temple
be from the same village the temple
be from the same village the temple isn’t and this just doesn’t make sense
isn’t and this just doesn’t make sense
isn’t and this just doesn’t make sense why would you want this guy to live in
why would you want this guy to live in
why would you want this guy to live in another village when transports not as
another village when transports not as
another village when transports not as easy today I mean even today it takes me
easy today I mean even today it takes me
easy today I mean even today it takes me 30 minutes to cross the road sometimes
30 minutes to cross the road sometimes
30 minutes to cross the road sometimes but it was even worse those days right
but it was even worse those days right
but it was even worse those days right it doesn’t make sense the reason that
it doesn’t make sense the reason that
it doesn’t make sense the reason that they did that was if those goat herds or
they did that was if those goat herds or
they did that was if those goat herds or whatever they kept living in this temple
whatever they kept living in this temple
whatever they kept living in this temple that village will prosper not the
that village will prosper not the
that village will prosper not the villages around them so today in India
villages around them so today in India
villages around them so today in India we find wealth concentrated in the
we find wealth concentrated in the
we find wealth concentrated in the cities in thousand years back they
cities in thousand years back they
cities in thousand years back they thought very differently they said every
thought very differently they said every
thought very differently they said every action of ours should make me wealthy
action of ours should make me wealthy
action of ours should make me wealthy which should also make another person
which should also make another person
which should also make another person wealthy and every village will be done
wealthy and every village will be done
wealthy and every village will be done with this so you’re saying ok that’s
with this so you’re saying ok that’s
with this so you’re saying ok that’s great
great
great absolutely and you’re saying that’s
absolutely and you’re saying that’s
absolutely and you’re saying that’s great for the for the goat herd but what
great for the for the goat herd but what
great for the for the goat herd but what about the rest of the people the animals
about the rest of the people the animals
about the rest of the people the animals our account as well the reason that you
our account as well the reason that you
our account as well the reason that you go I gave so many animals because cows
go I gave so many animals because cows
go I gave so many animals because cows that had just been carved could not be
that had just been carved could not be
that had just been carved could not be milked animals which had got older could
milked animals which had got older could
milked animals which had got older could not be milked the same animal could not
not be milked the same animal could not
not be milked the same animal could not be milked the same over a continuous
be milked the same over a continuous
be milked the same over a continuous period of time so the welfare of the
period of time so the welfare of the
period of time so the welfare of the animal was taken care of the welfare of
animal was taken care of the welfare of
animal was taken care of the welfare of the person was taken care of the need of
the person was taken care of the need of
the person was taken care of the need of the devotee was taken care of the need
the devotee was taken care of the need
the devotee was taken care of the need of the temple was also taken care of
of the temple was also taken care of
of the temple was also taken care of with that one lamp that you gave there
with that one lamp that you gave there
with that one lamp that you gave there was a whole economy thriving in another
was a whole economy thriving in another
was a whole economy thriving in another village and he
village and he
village and he was more to it every ever so often the
was more to it every ever so often the
was more to it every ever so often the temple will do an audit in the audit if
temple will do an audit in the audit if
temple will do an audit in the audit if there are more goats than the devotee
there are more goats than the devotee
there are more goats than the devotee gave that guy can sell it and make money
gave that guy can sell it and make money
gave that guy can sell it and make money if there are less goats he has to
if there are less goats he has to
if there are less goats he has to reimburse them as well and this was the
reimburse them as well and this was the
reimburse them as well and this was the kind of system that function so now
kind of system that function so now
kind of system that function so now coming back and looking at what how our
coming back and looking at what how our
coming back and looking at what how our model works for this it’s very often
model works for this it’s very often
model works for this it’s very often difficult to solve a problem by thinking
difficult to solve a problem by thinking
difficult to solve a problem by thinking at the same level we got a kind of
at the same level we got a kind of
at the same level we got a kind of abstract this to a to a higher level and
abstract this to a to a higher level and
abstract this to a to a higher level and that’s where this model comes in very
that’s where this model comes in very
that’s where this model comes in very very useful look at history as a series
very useful look at history as a series
very useful look at history as a series of episodes where two people have been
of episodes where two people have been
of episodes where two people have been asking for the same thing in the through
asking for the same thing in the through
asking for the same thing in the through OTO temple it was the auditor and it was
OTO temple it was the auditor and it was
OTO temple it was the auditor and it was the bond varium committee members
the bond varium committee members
the bond varium committee members they were both after money in the
they were both after money in the
they were both after money in the tremaine case it was the arbitrator and
tremaine case it was the arbitrator and
tremaine case it was the arbitrator and it was those two warring sub sects and
it was those two warring sub sects and
it was those two warring sub sects and they were both fighting over land over
they were both fighting over land over
they were both fighting over land over property and intangible stuff of
property and intangible stuff of
property and intangible stuff of identity in the third case it was the
identity in the third case it was the
identity in the third case it was the temple authorities it was a devotee and
temple authorities it was a devotee and
temple authorities it was a devotee and it was about identity which is in the
it was about identity which is in the
it was about identity which is in the middle these are the basic needs that
middle these are the basic needs that
middle these are the basic needs that these two people have to survive for
these two people have to survive for
these two people have to survive for support of a security and every time
support of a security and every time
support of a security and every time it’s also about how they start thinking
it’s also about how they start thinking
it’s also about how they start thinking of honoring and meeting these needs are
of honoring and meeting these needs are
of honoring and meeting these needs are they thinking about the short term which
they thinking about the short term which
they thinking about the short term which is my knee it’s important I don’t care
is my knee it’s important I don’t care
is my knee it’s important I don’t care about your need or are they thinking
about your need or are they thinking
about your need or are they thinking about the long term which is your need
about the long term which is your need
about the long term which is your need as important in fine in helping you find
as important in fine in helping you find
as important in fine in helping you find your need my need will also be met and
your need my need will also be met and
your need my need will also be met and that will determine the way that the
that will determine the way that the
that will determine the way that the need is actually met you either teach
need is actually met you either teach
need is actually met you either teach somebody a lesson you punish somebody
somebody a lesson you punish somebody
somebody a lesson you punish somebody for doing something or you nourish
for doing something or you nourish
for doing something or you nourish somebody and every time in history you
somebody and every time in history you
somebody and every time in history you can find this in Tamil Nadu in India
can find this in Tamil Nadu in India
can find this in Tamil Nadu in India across the world people and communities
across the world people and communities
across the world people and communities who have put the others need over there
who have put the others need over there
who have put the others need over there need have invariably looked at
need have invariably looked at
need have invariably looked at nourishing the relationship people who
nourishing the relationship people who
nourishing the relationship people who have put their need over the need of the
have put their need over the need of the
have put their need over the need of the larger community have ended up teaching
larger community have ended up teaching
larger community have ended up teaching others a lessons or punishing others and
others a lessons or punishing others and
others a lessons or punishing others and lessons short-term success long-term
lessons short-term success long-term
lessons short-term success long-term failure so that’s really the big thought
failure so that’s really the big thought
failure so that’s really the big thought that I want you to go with that history
that I want you to go with that history
that I want you to go with that history Israel
Israel
Israel and if you look at it as a series of
and if you look at it as a series of
and if you look at it as a series of eternal and universal needs that all of
eternal and universal needs that all of
eternal and universal needs that all of us will always have and we all want to
us will always have and we all want to
us will always have and we all want to honor these needs they come in conflict
honor these needs they come in conflict
honor these needs they come in conflict with other people who have different
with other people who have different
with other people who have different needs and there we have a choice we have
needs and there we have a choice we have
needs and there we have a choice we have a choice either to put our need above
a choice either to put our need above
a choice either to put our need above theirs and think of the short-term we
theirs and think of the short-term we
theirs and think of the short-term we have a choice of putting their need over
have a choice of putting their need over
have a choice of putting their need over ours and thinking about the long-term
ours and thinking about the long-term
ours and thinking about the long-term and a phenomenal resource that we have
and a phenomenal resource that we have
and a phenomenal resource that we have that we just don’t use are these lovely
that we just don’t use are these lovely
that we just don’t use are these lovely detailed temple inscriptions all of them
detailed temple inscriptions all of them
detailed temple inscriptions all of them translated in English many of them
translated in English many of them
translated in English many of them available for free online I will start a
available for free online I will start a
available for free online I will start a Sanskrit song in school and the last
Sanskrit song in school and the last
Sanskrit song in school and the last line went like this video server Donna
line went like this video server Donna
line went like this video server Donna brother
yeah
yeah [Music]
the gift of knowledge is the greatest
the gift of knowledge is the greatest gift that you can give to others and
gift that you can give to others and
gift that you can give to others and this is this little gift that I and
this is this little gift that I and
this is this little gift that I and people who helped me have given you but
you have the choice tonight when you go
you have the choice tonight when you go to bed you will turn one page of history
to bed you will turn one page of history
to bed you will turn one page of history in your life you have the choice
in your life you have the choice
in your life you have the choice tomorrow to wake up and say this TED
tomorrow to wake up and say this TED
tomorrow to wake up and say this TED talk was just another chronological
talk was just another chronological
talk was just another chronological event in your life or you can say that
event in your life or you can say that
event in your life or you can say that today onwards I am going to look at what
today onwards I am going to look at what
today onwards I am going to look at what my needs are what the other people’s
my needs are what the other people’s
my needs are what the other people’s needs are and how I’m gonna work with it
needs are and how I’m gonna work with it
needs are and how I’m gonna work with it short term or long term thank you very
short term or long term thank you very
short term or long term thank you very much
much
much [Applause]
”
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