Ashutosh Kumar

Some biblical scholars and believers argue that the day that saw the cruel torture and brutal killing of Jesus Christ cannot be considered a ‘good’ day. For this reason some call it “Black Friday.” In Germany it is called “Mourning Friday” (Karfreitag).

Irrespective of diverse views, it's true that Jesus was crucified for the sins of all people of all times. Sin is the defiance of God’s laws. Humankind had committed grave sins against God by indulging in acts and things against his commands and aroused his wrath. God did not want his beloved creations to perish in the act of paying for their sins. So he ordered his son Jesus to become a man and offer himself as a sacrifice for all sinners. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, who so ever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (St. John 3:16).

Jesus came to the world some two thousand years ago, lived among the poor and the sinners, fought the inequities and injustice they were being subjected to by high priests and rulers, was condemned by the rulers and tortured and publicly killed on the Cross, as a criminal would be. This self-giving sacrifice reconfirmed God’s love for humankind and redeemed sinners. So, it is a Good Friday for the human race.

While many established their kingdoms based on bloodshed, force, mammon and manipulation, Jesus planted his kingdom based on love and forgiveness. The Cross reconciles man with God and reconnects. Hanging on the Cross, he said: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” This is the key to a Christian. Jesus put his precepts into practice even at the time of suffering and humiliation. This was possible only because of his unconditional love to humanity.

Before the time of Jesus, the Cross represented shame, but after crucifixion it is an honour and a crown. There death was destroyed and the fear of death was driven away with a cry. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is the victory? (1 Cor. 15:55). Ultimately truth cannot be destroyed, crucified or buried; it will resurrect. Before Pilate, the governor, Jesus said: “To this end was I born, for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth hearth my voice” (St. John 19:37).

The Cross consists of two crossed beams, one vertical to reconcile with God and one horizontal to set fellowship right with his neighbour. There is a Cross as well as a throne in every human heart. To make Good Friday really worthy of god, lead a life of sacrifice and endurance.

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The Hon'ble Supreme Court has already taking judicial cognizance of the issue more than four decades back. The Constitution Bench in the State of Punjab & Ors. v. Jagdev Singh Talwandi, 1984 (1) SCC 596 drew the attention of the High Courts to the serious difficulties which were caused on account of a practice which was increasingly being adopted by several High Courts, that of pronouncing the final orders without a reasoned judgment.

Again more than two decades back in Anil Rai v. State of Bihar, 2001 (7) SCC 318, the Highest Court of Land issued guidelines regarding the pronouncement of judgments, expecting them to be followed by all concerned under the mandate of this Court. The Hon'ble Court clearly stated that:

12. The inordinate, unexplained and negligent delay in pronouncing the judgment is alleged to have actually negatived the right of appeal conferred upon the convicts under the provisions of Code of Criminal Procedure. It is submitted that such a delay is not only against the provisions of law but in fact infringes the right of personal liberty guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Any procedure or course of action which does not ensure a reasonable quick adjudication has been termed to be unjust. Such a course is stated to be contrary to the maxim "Actus Curiae Neminem Gravabit", that an act of the Court shall prejudice none.

14. It has been held time and again that justice should not only be done but should also appear to have been done. Similarly, whereas justice delayed is justice denied, justice withheld is even worst than that. This Court in Madhav Hayawadanrao Hoskot v. State of Maharashtra MANU/SC/0119/1978: 1978 (3) SCC 544, observed that procedure contemplated under Article 21 of the Constitution means "fair and reasonable procedure" which comports with civilised norms like natural justice rooted firm in community consciousness-not primitive processual barbarity nor legislated normative mockery...

This guidelines were again restated by the Hon'ble Court on subsequent judgments including in Zahira Habibulla H. Sheikh & Ors. v. State of Gujarat & Ors. [AIR 2004 SC 3467 paras 80-82], Mangat Ram v. State of Haryana (2008) 7 SCC 96 paras 5-10] and in Ajay Singh & Anr. Etc. v. State of Chhattisgarh & Anr.- AIR 2017 SC 310.

Unfortunately, these guidelines issued by the Supreme Court have not yet been adhered by the all concerned for the last several decades. Hence, instead of re-issuing guidelines and reminding them time and again, Judicial Propriety demands that the reason for non-adherance should be analysed and earlier issued guidelines should be enforced. Otherwise, the generations to come should be ready to see another set of guidelines after a few decades making mockery of the orders passed by the Highest Court of the Land.

The Hon'ble Supreme Court has already taking judicial cognizance of the issue more than four decades back. The Constitution Bench in the State of Punjab & Ors. v. Jagdev Singh Talwandi, 1984 (1) SCC… | Ashutosh Kumar The Hon'ble Supreme Court has already taking judicial cognizance of the issue more than four decades back. The Constitution Bench in the State of Punjab & Ors. v. Jagdev Singh Talwandi, 1984 (1) SCC 596 drew the attention of the High Courts to the serious difficulties which were caused on account of...

Wishing you happy MahaShivratri

एक बार मार्कण्डेय जी ने भगवान श्रीकृष्ण से पूछा कि आप ही परम ब्रह्म हैं, निर्वाणरूप हैं और निर्मल पद हैं। कर्मों द्वारा आपकी ही पूजा की जाती है और योगियों के ध्येय भी आप ही हैं, फिर आप शुभ कर्मों के द्वारा किस देवता की आराधना करते है? उनके पूछने पर भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण ने कहा कि आपने जो कुछ भी कहा, सब सत्य ही कहा है, इसमें संशय नहीं है, तथापि मैं सनातनदेव ईशान (शंकर) की पूजा करता हूँ। मुझे न तो कुछ करना है और न मुझे कुछ अप्राप्त है, फिर भी यह जानते हुए भी मैं परम शिव ईश की पूजा करता हूँ। माया से मोहित लोग उन देव (शंकर)- का साक्षात्कार नहीं कर पाते। परन्तु मैं अपने मूल का परिचय देते हुए उनकी पूजा करता हूँ। (अर्थात्, मेरे भी मूल महादेव शंकर ही हैं- यह सबको बताने के लिए मैं लिङ्ग स्वरूप भगवान शंकर की पूजा करता हूँ।) इस संसार में लिङ्गाचन से अधिक कोई पुण्य और भय का नाश करने वाला (कर्म) नहीं है। अत: इन लोकों (प्राणीमात्र) के कल्याण के लिए लिङ्ग में शिव की पूजा करनी चाहिये। ((कूर्म-पुराण)

कृतयुग में ध्यान, त्रेता में ज्ञान, द्वापर में यज्ञ तथा कलियुग में एकमात्र दान ही श्रेष्ठ साधन बताया गया है। कृतयुग में ब्रह्मा देवता होते हैं, इसी प्रकार त्रेता में भगवान सूर्य, द्वापर में देवता विष्णु और कलियुग में महेश्वर रूद्र ही मुख्य देवता हैं। ब्रह्मा, विष्णु तथा सूर्य- ये सभी कलियुग में पूजित होते हैं, किन्तु पिनाकधारी भगवान रुद्र चारों युगों में पूजे जाते हैं। (कूर्म-पुराण)

शिवरात्रि का व्रत करने वाला पुरुष दीर्घकाल तक शिवलोक में प्रतिष्ठित होता है। जो शिवरात्रि के दिन भगवान् शंकर को बिल्वपत्र चढ़ाता है, वह पत्र-संख्या के बराबर युगों तक कैलाश में सुखपूर्वक वास करता है। पुन: श्रेष्ठ योनि में जन्म लेकर भगवान् शिव का परम भक्त होता है। विद्या, पुत्र, सम्पत्ति, प्रजा और भूमि- ये सभी उसके लिये सुलभ रहते हैं। (ब्रह्मवैवर्तपुराण)

चन्दन, श्वेत पुष्प, श्वेत वस्त्र आदि से भगवान् शंकर की और कुंकुम, रक्त वस्त्र, रक्त पुष्प आदि से भगवती पार्वती की पूजा करनी चाहिये। भगवान् शंकर को यज्ञोपवीत और माँ पार्वती जी को हार से अलंकृत करना चाहिये। भगवान् शिव को श्वेत और माँ पार्वती को रक्त वस्त्र पहनाना चाहिये। (भविष्य पुराण) श्वेत पुष्प से भगवान शंकर की पूजा करनी चाहिये। स्कन्दपुराण के अनुसार आक (मदार) का फूल कनेर से दस गुना श्रेठ माना गया है। आक के फूल से भी दस गुना श्रेठ है धतूरे आदि का फल। नील-कमल एक हज़ार कहलार (कचनार) से भी श्रेठ माना गया है।

शिवलिङ्ग के मस्तक पर पुष्प रखकर ही अभिषेक करना चाहिये; लिङ्गमस्तक को शून्य नहीं रखना चाहिये। इस सम्बन्ध में यह श्लोक है- जिस राजा के राष्ट्र में लिङ्ग का मस्तक बिल्वपत्र या पुष्प से शून्य रहता है उसके यहाँ लक्ष्मीशून्यता, महारोग, दुर्भिक्ष तथा वाहनों का क्षय होता है। अतः धर्म, अर्थ, काम और मोक्ष रूप चतुर्विधपुरुषार्थ की प्राप्ति के लिए राजा को चाहिये की शिवलिङ्ग के मस्तक को शून्य न रखे; लिङ्ग के शून्य रहने पर स्वयं राजा तथा राष्ट्र- दोनों ही नष्ट हो जाते हैं। (लिङ्गपुराण)