Galactica Rules

[commander Adama’s decommissioning speech]

“The Cylon War is long over, yet we must not forget the reasons why so many sacrificed so much in the cause of freedom. The cost of wearing the uniform can be high, but… sometimes it’s too high. You know, when we fought the Cylons, we did it to save ourselves from extinction. But we never answered the question “Why?” Why are we as a people worth saving? We still commit murder because of greed and spite and jealousy, and we still visit all of our sins upon our children. We refuse to accept the responsibility for anything we’ve done, like we did with the Cylons. We decided to play God, create life. When that life turned against us, we comforted ourselves in the knowledge that it really wasn’t our fault, not really. You cannot play God and then wash your hands of the things that you’ve created. Sooner or later, the day comes when you can’t hide from the things that you’ve done anymore”

Every TV show/Movie needs only one little aspect of it that gets one glued to it. It could be the charactors, the special effects, the music or the story. In the case of BattleStar Galactica, the opening theme does the trick for me because it is none other than a westernized/revamped up version of the Gayatri Mantra. An ancient Hindu Mantra that inspires wisdom and is sung by millions of Hindu people all over the world ever since the birth of the religion. Some believe it is so ancient that the four Vedas were born of it.

AUM BHOOR BHUWAH SWAHA,
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASAYA DHEEMAHI
DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODAYAT.

Its meaning is that “May the Almighty God illuminate our intellect to lead us along the righteous path”.

Oh God! Thou art the Giver of Life,
Remover of pain and sorrow,
The Bestower of happiness,
Oh! Creator of the Universe,
May we receive thy supreme sin-destroying light,
May Thou guide our intellect in the right direction.