Fathers & Sons.

No, this is not about Turgenev's pre revolution classic of the same name. Though one connect of the novel to the present parlous time is when Bazarov, an important character, while conducting an autopsy, cuts himself, contracts an infection & dies in the prime of life, like so many doctors during this pandemic.

However, this note deals with two fictional  fathers, separated by space & time, abandon their sons, because their mothers died giving birth to them. One is Archibald Craven (The Secret Garden, 1911) abandoning his son Colin, & the other Apu ((Aparajito, 1928) abandoning Kajal. The difference between the two uxorious husbands is that Archibald is wealthy, buys everything money can buy for his son, but travels abroad while Apu has to work for a living but sends money to his father-in-law for Kajal's upkeep. But both novels end with the fathers reuniting with their sons because of fortuitous circumstances.

Neuroscience & Panchakosha

Dr. V. S. Ramachandran, the eminent neuroscientist, in his path-breaking book "Phantoms of the Brain" discusses the curious case of amputees still feeling their missing limb. He quotes the case of Tom Sorenson, whose left arm above the elbow was removed. But he could feel every part of the missing "phantom" limb. Other patients also after waking up from anasthesia, are incredulous when told that their arm had to be sacrificed, because they still vividly feel its presence.

It is curious that the learned doctor, in spite of his Hindu origin, has not made even a passing reference to the "Panchakosha" theory of Hindu philosophy, even though it may not be accommodated in mainstream Western Science.

The "Panchakosha" (five sheaths) are mentioned in the Taittiriya Upanishad of Krishna Yajurveda. These are supposed to cover the "Atman" (soul) & comprise:

1.Annamaya Kosha (Food sheath)
2.Pranamaya Kosha (Breath sheath)
3.Manomaya Kosha (Mind sheath)
4.Vijnanamaya Kosha (Intellect sheath)
5.Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss sheath)

Of course, if one dissects a cadaver, one finds only the Annamaya Kosha. Rene Descartes postulated the (artificial) seperation of the body & mind. But Leonardo da Vinci was the first to discover the "holistic science" & considered them inseparable. In the twentieth century, the physicist Fritjof Capra demonstrated that most illnesses are psycho-somatic in origin, finally dispelling the dichotomy between body & mind. This may be considered to integrate the first three koshas, even if only the first is perceived by the senses.

Taking this analogy further, the pain or feeling in the phantom limb may be considered to be felt because of the unseen presence of the third & fourth koshas. In fact, one may even argue that the "phantom limb" phenomena proves the panchakosha theory!

As William Shakespeare's Hamlet says 
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, 
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
(or Western Science in this case!)

HEALING POWER OF NATURE & POSITIVE THINKING IN TWO CHILDREN'S CLASSICS

In both Johanna Spyri's "Heidi" & Frances Hodgson Burnett's "The Secret Garden", the above theme is fully exploited. In both books, the unwitting catalysts of change are two orphan girls, Heidi & Mary Lennox.

Sweet natured Heidi is brought to be a companion to a wheel-chair bound rich girl, Clara Sesemann in Frankfurt. But Heidi is homesick for her poor home in Swiss Alps, where she used to live with her grandfather. Though fond of Clara, she manages to go back to her home in the Alps, not before inviting Clara to visit her. When Clara gets to visit Heidi, the invigorating climate & gentle nudging from Heidi, persuade Clara to stand up & take a few tottering steps. This gradually improves so that when Clara's father visits her, she is able to walk up to him!

In contrast, the sour tempered Mary Lennox after losing her parents in India, arrives to live with her uncle, Archibald Craven, who after losing his wife, shuts up the garden loved by her & also neglects his sickly, bed-ridden but willful son Colin. Mary discovers both the "secret" garden & the crying spoiled cousin, Colin. She, with the help of Dickon, brother of a maid at the Craven manor, renovates the garden & persuades Colin to visit it & regain his will to live & regain his health.