How do you explain the fact that people born exactly at the same time have a different fate and destiny?- S N Phadnis, Ghanekar Marg, MumbaiYou presume that people born at the same time are bound to share the same fate and destiny. I think that the presumption itself is wrong. A person's physical health, height, complexion and other factors depend on the genes he / she has inherited from the parents, at the time of conception. As also on a number of other factors like the kind of food the mother had when the child was in the womb, the kind of food the child was fed after birth and the kind of sicknesses the child suffered over the years. A person's mental and intellectual make-up depends greatly on the neurons inherited by the child, the food and atmosphere provided to the child, the opportunities provided for development, particularly in the first three years of the child's life. The kind of thoughts which the child assimilates and internalises are also of utmost importance.I have seen many youngsters change their destiny after learning to correct, at least partly, some of their wrong deeds. A person who believes in destiny might argue that such an opportunity itself is received by the person because of his good deeds. There cannot be further argument at that point.I do not deny the importance of doing good deeds. They make you feel that you deserve a reward. You often receive what you think you deserve. "Mano eva manushyanam karanam bandhamokshyaya," (Mind alone is the cause of bondage or freedom of man) said our ancestors.Is the pituitary gland responsible for our height? Do food and exercise have any role to play?- Sunil Srinivasan, ChemburWhat you say is only partly true. The height of a person is decided mainly by heredity - that is by factors like the kind of pituitary and thyroid gland the person has inherited from his / her parents.The growth hormone secreted by the pituitary gland influences height. But it is not the only gland that influences it. The thyroid gland also plays a vital role. Height would be affected if the thyroid does not function well. Deficiency of iodine can adversely affect the proper growth of the thyroid gland. Iodised salt is therefore recommended all over the world.Of course, diet and exercise too have an important role to play. Lack of adequate proteins and calcium in the diet can affect the development of the human body. Why do we get angry? How can we avoid getting angry?- Subu Farid H, Pimpri, PuneThis is a question that has been answered by many religious teachers. In The Bhagvad Gita, Krishna says, "When a person is attached to something (or some person), he feels unhappy when that thing (or person) is taken away from him or when he feels threatened that someone may take it away. He gets angry with the person, who takes away what he is attached to. This leads to confusion in the mind and loss of memory." Buddha also says something similar. "Out of attachment is born grief. Out of attachment alone is born fear (and anger). The one who is not attached has nothing to grieve about, nor need he fear any one." There are however, occasions when selfish and wicked people commit acts which upset you. I think it is right that you should get upset on such occasions. But ensure that you do not stock that anger in your mind and let it turn into hatred.
