[quote=Guest]Also, too- "polka dot bikini" could be a reference to the fact that the Bikini Atoll were dots on a map that we nuked into oblivion. Dharma- what comes around goes around. We started the nuclear arms race, and now we're gonna reap the rewards.[/quote]

That's from "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini"

Also, too- "polka dot bikini" could be a reference to the fact that the Bikini Atoll were dots on a map that we nuked into oblivion.
Dharma- what comes around goes around. We started the nuclear arms race, and now we're gonna reap the rewards.

Brett said that Kerouac was one of his favorite authors. So the little might be a word play on The Dharma Bums by Kerouac. I didn't read that book, so I couldn't know if there are actually real references. But knowing he did some in Stranger Than Fiction and that Honest Goodbye was based on In Cold Blood, it wouldn't surprise me.

The word "dharma" is not an exclusivly Buddhist term. It's used in Hinduism as well, with pretty much the same meaning. As for its connection to nuclear weapons, it's the right-wing religious fanatics in India that are the most ardent supporters of that country's nuclear weapons program.

I don't get the Dharma connection, not sure if the BR lyricist responsible really means to make any partiuclar comment about Buddhism. Hindu nationalism is just that, Hindu, and the Dharma is a Buddhist set of concepts. The modern communist Han Chinese have about as much understanding or interest in Buddhism as your average pubic louse, and worked actively to destroy it in both China and Tibet...so I don't get it. Pretty crappy lyrics, actually.

I'm gonna cheat here and just tell you what Brett said the song was about when interviewed by German RockHard magazine. Keep in mind - the interview was published in German, so this is a translation of a translation. Here's hoping it's close to what Brett originally said...

"It's about a counter reaction to modernism. In India, there's a very popular nationalconservative Hindu-movement called Hindutva, bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Christian right in America. They take massive influence on the state, reject a secular state and preach that their own belief is the one and only. This fanaticism is poisonous for the country and its people. And it is very dangerous, as all religious fanatics have their hands on the nuclear bomb - whether it's George W Bush, Hindus in Indiana or Islamists in Pakistan doesn't matter. It is one of the great problems of our time that amidst a modern time reactionary forces revolt against the modernism and want to bring society back to some sort of stone age by all means."

This has to do with something Oppenheimer thought during the Trinity Test:

"We knew the world would not be the same. A few people laughed, a few people cried. Most people were silent. I remembered the line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita; Vishnu is trying to persuade the Prince that he should do his duty and, to impress him, takes on his multi-armed form and says, 'Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.' I suppose we all thought that, one way or another."

[quote=frod79]I believe this song is hinting at a possible looming nuclear war between India and China

Sergeant Major is Dreamin of Genie:
I think Segeant Major may represent the US or UN Security Council (us/china are permanent members) and 'Dreaming of Genie' may refer to the non-proliferation treaty (india has not signed the treaty) or hoping for a resolution. 'Armed with a Borrowed polka dot bikini' might represent US nuclear technology. Brett mustve been watching TV land or nick at nite to work the I Dream of Genie show in this song :)

Bodhidharma has gone fission (nuclear) with your Vedic mom

I'm going to guess the Vedic mom references china and its shared history with India,, as Vedic refers to the age when northern India's geographical boundaries extended into china. Bodhidharma = an Indian prince who went into China and became a Shaolin monk

Kali is the goddess of destruction in Hindu beliefs. So Kali (Destruction) is coming and you better believe that girl (Kali was a female goddess) has the atom (nuclear weapons) and the Bhagavad Gita (religion/Hindu scripture)

Samsara's coming down like dharma & the bomb
Samsara = cycle of life/rebirth but also refers to the world in general, and Dharma is a general term of well-being/moralism/justice/order in the world





[small]Edited by frod79[/small][/quote]
I agree with the most of the interpretation i just want to add something to the meaning word Dharma:

1. In Buddhist philosophy it's term for phenomenon as basic unit of existence or experience

2. The natural laws or the laws in nature that maintain, regulate or support the order or the workings of the universe and everything within it. ( maybe you think the same by: the order in the world)

3. The Buddha's teaching as a description of the natural laws related to the problem of human suffering ( it's causes and the courses of action that need to be taken for the suffering to cease)

I can go on, but i think it's enough :D

I believe this song is hinting at a possible looming nuclear war between India and China

Sergeant Major is Dreamin of Genie:
I think Segeant Major may represent the US or UN Security Council (us/china are permanent members) and 'Dreaming of Genie' may refer to the non-proliferation treaty (india has not signed the treaty) or hoping for a resolution. 'Armed with a Borrowed polka dot bikini' might represent US nuclear technology. Brett mustve been watching TV land or nick at nite to work the I Dream of Genie show in this song :)

Bodhidharma has gone fission (nuclear) with your Vedic mom

I'm going to guess the Vedic mom references china and its shared history with India,, as Vedic refers to the age when northern India's geographical boundaries extended into china. Bodhidharma = an Indian prince who went into China and became a Shaolin monk

Kali is the goddess of destruction in Hindu beliefs. So Kali (Destruction) is coming and you better believe that girl (Kali was a female goddess) has the atom (nuclear weapons) and the Bhagavad Gita (religion/Hindu scripture)

Samsara's coming down like dharma & the bomb
Samsara = cycle of life/rebirth but also refers to the world in general, and Dharma is a general term of well-being/moralism/justice/order in the world



[small]Edited by frod79[/small]