Dandam Dashagunam

I am not writing the review of Kannada Movie named Dandam Dashagunam here. This post is about a sanskrit shloka which has actually lost its meaning and people use only the last one fourth of the sentence with an invented meaning. Especially after the launch of the movie.

Now how did I come across this piece of shloka? Well, my branch manager where I work is quite a stout short muscular guy. Moreover due to pressures from the higher executives, he has developed high Blood pressure problems and frequently has bouts of anger. I recently witnessed a situation where one of the bank's customers' tried to con the bank's staff in to doing something unethical. It was promptly brought to the notice of the BM and he lightly warned the customer from refraining from such activity. In stead of admitting his own immoral conduct, the customer himself started aiming false accusations on the BM. Then the BM almost took the Narasimha Avatar and saw to it that the fraudster scampered with his tail between his legs. After few hours during the lunch time, BM was having a hearty laugh and mentioned the phrase "दण्डं  दशगुणं "
(Dandam dashagunam) The literal modern meaning of this is that you get ten times the result by beating than by talking harshly. However, what intrigued me was that the sanskrit shlokas are never incomplete without a proper meaning. So, I knew that Dandam Dashagunam is a piece of a larger jig-saw puzzle. All I had to do was to find the other pieces.

On scouting the internet, I found the complete shloka

 विश्वामित्रेच  वार्धक्ये  रात्रौ अप्सु कर्दमे  |  अन्धे सर्पेच क्रीडेच दण्डं दशगुणं भवेत्

On the first glance I thought that the sage Vishvamitra had to do something with this sentence. But later after breaking every word the sentence, I knew that the sentence did not mean sage vishvamitra here. Now this was another puzzle altogether!

Sometimes the sanskrit shlokas are like the puzzles in the movie Da Vinci Code. It has a deeper meaning wrapped within a superficial meaning. Lets take the word Danda for example. It has various meaning. One meaning is Fine or Penalty. Another meaning is a stick or a stout stick, another meaning is arms of human body, as in Danda Baithak ( Push ups and Squats). See! one word can have so many meanings. Even English words have it; the word "set" has 26 meaning in an Oxford Dictionary!!!

In our shloka, the word dashagunam does not mean ten times effective but it means ten uses of danda i.e. stick. Vishwamitra, here, is a composite of three words. Vi, Shwa and Amitra. "Vi" is a short word for Vihaga meaning a bird. "Shwa" is an abbreviation for Shwaana meaning a dog. Amitra means un-friendly or an enemy, in simple terms. And so on....

Here the shloka means that the Stick can be used
1) to drive away the birds "Vihaga",
2) to drive away a dog "Shwaana"
3) to fight with an enemy "Amitra"
4) for support in Old Age "Vardhakye" (Similar to "Vruddha")
5) for support in the dark or night time "Ratrou"
6) for support while treading a river, boat men use stick to cross the river in a boat which has a shallow bed "Apsu"
7) for saving a person from a quagmire or quicksand "Kardame"
8) undoubtedly, for a blind person "Andhe"
9) to drive away or save oneself from a snake "Sarpe"
10) for use in sports "Kride"

It simply means that the stick in the hands of a fool would be used to beat somebody but in the hands of the wise it is a tool and can be used for ten various purpose.

Isn't this amazing ?? Do comment if you like it.

--
O.A.K.

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

The Question posed in the Subject line really grabbed my body, mind and soul by "its collars".

Last week from 10th to 13th May I participated in the most mind blowing course called DSN. This 4-full-day course is conducted by Art of Living Foundation. This course has the potential to transform the meek heart-ed mouse in us into a mighty heart lion. The course has array of practical teachings which can be done only if you switch off your questioning mind and "Just Do It" (All TM, copyrights of Nike respected!!)

The DSN Teacher asked all the participants one question. "When was the last time you did something for the first time in your life?" This question took some time to percolate through my senses. Although, I got the prima facie meaning of it, I was still amazed by the series of thoughts it triggered in me. Later, I was asked if I could fly an air-plane. I was sure I could not. Then the teacher asked me that if I never had attempted flying a plane, how could I know that I cannot fly a plane? It was like if I do not jump in the water, I will not know how to swim. But unless I jump in the water, I will never know my capability to swim. I will understand my capabilities only when I "DO IT"

One paradox that struck me hard was that "You will never be given any responsibility of a task that you are not be capable to handle. But you just do not know what your capabilities are !!!"


Isn't this beautiful??

I have decided to do something new as frequently as possible. The main challenge is the way mind behaves.
There are two things; First, the mind resists any change initially from the mundane grind and Second; it behaves just like a parachute. Both,mind and parachute, work when they are open!! So the challenge is to open up the mind to limitless possibilities.

This is where DSN actually helps. First, it prepares the mind to accept all the changes in life and later when you are open to all the possibilities, your mind actually starts functioning.

"But why do DSN in first place? I am quite happy with the way of my life?" is one question that a stupid mind may ask! Well the answer is very simple.

The mind needs no reason to be happy, but requires at least one reason to be unhappy. You can smile effortlessly but requires an effort to get angry! And the effort consumes energy and your peace of mind !!

If you observe your life pattern closely, you will notice that what all activities you do over a period of a week is same, every week. It is actually repeated every week for most of us. It starts with a dreadful monday blues, you wait for the "eagerly-awaited weekends" and ends with "sundays lazing around".

When a pattern becomes predictable, uneventful and frequent, the mind becomes dull. It starts finding a reason to be unhappy. Just like a body, which when does not get sufficient physical workout gets more prone to sicknesses, similarly the unchallenged mind becomes dull and cannot function when really required. And when the mind fails to function when required it leads to wrong decisions and thus misery follows.

So what challenges should we give to our mind. Well, another simple answer awaits... in the following blog

Till then do not wait for DSN to pass by. Just grab the chance to do it!!

-
O.A.K.

The Angrezi Bhasha

I have always been intrigued by the eminent columnist like Vir Sanghvi, Shekhar Gupta, Bachi Karkaria, Jug Suraiya, Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar, et. al. the way they present an issue and the angles they expose, the ideas they project. The fluency of their language, their command over it is simply astounding. These people can simply pick any national issue under the sun and can speak extemporaneously in an eloquent manner. After reading the entire column written by them, you need to take a pause to digest what they say. It's never a general gossip on a petty issue. It is mostly controversial issues these people write on. Even if they were to write a column on food, like Vir Sanghvi's Rude Food in Hindustan Times, its so magnificently written!

It is my dream since childhood to write an article. Its seed was sown by my English teacher who always used to shout at me for my horrible English. Yes, for very horrible English. My 400 words essay would have atleast 25 spelling mistakes, 15 grammatical errors, and handwriting absolutely illegible. My teacher saw no hope in me, leave alone my English!! My English teacher was confident that  would never score above 40 marks in English in my SSC (Std. 10th) exams. Well, I scored 56 against my teachers expectations.

Strangely, without any effort my English improved, as in my Std XII th exams, I scored 70. A whoooping 70 I could say! My Old English Teacher protested that it was due to lowering of the standard at higher levels. Yes, that's partially true as it gives comfort for the vernacular medium students. But never a word of appreciation from her. In my first year of degree on commerce, I joined "English Literary Association" an extra-curricular activity by my college. It promoted English Language and was a sandbox for honing literary skills. It gave enough room to make mistakes. It also served as a platform to display latent literary talents. I got a third prize in the story writing competition in my first year. In the second year, I was a contributing columnist for my college mag, named Pankh (The Wings) I received a second prize in poetry reading competition and the article in the college mag. In the third year, I was elected as the College Mag Editor. I could script a couple of editorials for the mag till the onus of Third year examination took toll on my health. I had to shun "Other Activities" and dedicate more time towards final year studies in 2003. It was after a long hiatus, I got an opportunity with an industrial magazine where I wrote a very small conference visit report. I am still in good term with the editor of that industrial magazine and take some time out every week to have a lengthy chat on any damn topic. He has been an inspiration to many things and habits in my life.

One habit that he has instilled in me is reading the articles of eminent columnists of Indian journalism. Just reading them gives two advantage right away. One, they give you a kaleidoscopic view on a run of the mill issue. and secondly, their rich language enhances your comprehension. In my case I fought all odds and have lived up to my dream, or at least dared to live up to my dream. If I can, anyone can.

Following are the link to the blogs of the famous columnists of India.
http://www.virsanghvi.com/ (You ought to know him..)

http://www.indianexpress.com/columnist/shekhargupta/ (Indian Express Editor-in-Chief)
http://livefist.blogspot.com/ (A Blog by Shiv Aroor - Indian Defence Columnist)
Kushwant Singh
http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/erratica/ (Bachi Karkaria)

There are many more.. If you are one of those who always wished to have a good command over English, then you can do so in simple way. Just read columns by the journalists mentioned above. More you read, more the exposure to the current events and familliarity with the writers language. You may also come across some tough vocabulary hurdles, never mind. Just refer to an Engoish Dictionary. Just with in a couple of months of regular and patient practice, your communication will improve. In the worst case, your comprehension (Ability to understand what is written or said) will definately increase.

Communication is an art. It can entice one's heart or can enrage one's mind. But always remember the ultimate purpose of the words is to bring peace in heart and silence in mind.

--
O.A.K.

Peace Marathon 02.01.2011

Today (02 Jan 2011) I participated in the Peace Marathon at Mulund Thane in the morning. The first ever to participate in my life. The event was held for the publicity of Guruji's visit to Mumbai, 13, 14, 15 January 2011.
Even though I was having a gala time with Anjana Gala and her team, I was observing a lot of things going on, Ouside and Inside.

Outside:
The Marathon started with few announcements from Anjana Di. The route was decided, the stops and breaks were decided. The pamphlets and Guruji's Event and Calendar were distributed among the participants. Everyone had worn the T-Shirt publisizing the Guruji's visit. By 9:30am everyone was raring to go for the Peace run. Our run started at SSRVM Mulund, and took stops at Kalidas Hall, Mulund Bus Depot, Tip Top Plaza, Hari Niwas, Gokhle Road Junction, Ram Maruti Road, Talao Pali, Central Ground, then finally at the Stadium. Everyone was exuberant despite the tiredness from running the 6.5km distance. Then Anajana di took O N S Chanting followed by couple of bhajans by Ambarish.

Evening session was with Mahesh Giri-ji at Jain Temple Hall, Thane. I was not in the state to attend it.

Inside:
I saw that every one wanted to lead the show. Suddenly so many leaders started taking charge. I too was obviously charged up! When time came to handle the crowd with the rope to get them in line everyone jumped the line! Everyone was just running helter-skelter, in one direction but not together. The very purpose of the peace marathon was not being served. Then Anjana Di had to shout that everyone had to be inside the rope. That moment I saw the finest level of ego simmer down inside me. I had to swallow my ego and had to get inside the rope. Anyway I was an insignificant lot in the entire mob. Even if I escaped the crowd and had dashed home no one would have noticed!. But then when someone is racking brains to get the whole show up then why should I use my brain. Just follow the command and the chaos is eliminated immediately. So fine, subtle is the ego that one cannot notice it if one's not aware of themselves. A small "I" factor creates an illusion that "I" am "in charge" of some operation or am "in control" of something. What are you in charge of? What is in your hand? This is a general question not pertaining solely to the marathon event. Even if I am given an important department to handle, which can't be done without me then what?? There will always be someone who can replace me. That's how corporates work, Dont they?

The moment I dropped the ego and stayed in line, that very moment I felt relieved. As if a huge burden was off loaded. I felt like returning to my natural self where everything is comfortable. As Guruji says, "Repose in self". It is always nice to take care of things with love as the results will always be wonderful and peaceful.

J G D

Swami Sharanam...

Yesterday was a very eventful day of my life. The Bank where I work was to be handled by me alone. By 'alone" I mean that I had to handle all the branch related decisions all by my self and the stakes were huge. The mind was super occupied in the work, yet I was getting calls for arranging a wonderful workshop called Math-Magikk, that dispells all the fear regarding maths. By the time the banking hours ended, I was already jittery. All I needed was a sound sleep before I could venture into any further activity.

Even an hour of sleep had not sufficed the uneasy mind. So I decided to pack my armoury needed for seva and started organising the workshop. Atleast, I could distract my mind from itelf??!!?? The results were not as expected. Unfortunately the workshop had to be postponed due to insufficient participants! Quite annoyed by the outcome, I sat for meditation. By how could I meditate?? My mind was not ready to settle down. Was it not annoyed?? (BTW, Annoyed for what?? something so small!!) Then I decided to go to a place where my disturbed mind could meet its match. Aiyappa Bhajan Mandal!! I had initially decided to attend only half hour from 9:15pm to 9:45pm. But I finally left that place after having scrumptious prasadam dinner at 11pm. All was to be taken care by Aiyappa (Read Guruji). That night gave me answers to many doubts. After meditation I had read a knowl sheet on Shaucha and Aschaucha (Vol 1, page 38 New Edition), It was the most apt topic for me!!

Later at night I was made to realise that if I live life by being emotional then my life is bound to be miserable. One must not be emotional, instead one should be devotional. That will take care of all the miseries.

I had to write this down before I could forget what I realised!!

J G D

Friends for hire

Social networking sites were built with the intention of connecting people across the globe. Most of my friends who now are staying in different states of India, some are in States (US), I could connect with them through orkut and face book. What an invention these social networking sites are?!?! I used to think. But today, due to networking at lightening speed, a people are glued to the internet and computer for most of their time. The habit of going out with friends (Hang outs) are becoming a rare phenomenon these days. Recently, I read an article saying that you can have friends for hire. I had never dreamed during my adult life that humans will have to "hire" a pal or buddy. 

Human beings are social animals. Social interaction is very natural. When two or more people come together, under normal circumstances, people start interacting. They may start with a simple HI ! But today if two or more people come together there is an ice-wall between them. Due to excessive use of computers and social interaction sites, humans have forgotten to greet fellow human beings with simple hi or how are you. 

Today, you can easily search for site that offer you friends on hire. They are also priced at competitive rates! But I always wonder how will it be possible for anyone, who have lost their socializing abilities to interact with their 'hired' friend? The core problem is inability to interact socially, not inability to find friends!

More over, friends hold a special place in human world! There are few things that you can share with your parents, your siblings, your children, your spouse. But what you share with your friends you cannot share it with others mentioned above! By hiring a person, you have bought their valuable time so that the hired pal can spend some time with you but have you gained that trust and confidence? Can you share the deepest desires feelings or other personal issues? Even if you share your secrets, there is a constant fear in the subconscious that secrets confided with the hired pal could be misused

If one decided not to share his personal feelings then what is the use of hiring a buddy? True buddies share all the happiness and sorrow with you. They are there with you in the times of trouble!

In todays world what is actually needed is human values. Working and being with machines, we too have become inhuman and do inhumane deeds. Human beings are to be loved and other objects are to be used. But today we use human beings and love objects. That's where the problem creeps in!

Don't you agree??

Money Mantra - Part I of IV

Last week I was shopping for new clothes with my friend. I was done with my shopping but my friend could not get clothes that suited his taste. So as we moved through the market, I observed an attitude of people, a behaviour that moved in patterns. I saw something very interesting!

On the basis of observation I categorised people in three names. They are:
Poor-person consciousness(PPC) These people need not be actually poor. Their bank account may have Lakhs of rupees but it does not matter. Such people will always hunt for price list first. Then they look at the cheapest price. These people are least bothered about quality. They just want that product at cheapest possible price. One thing that must must not be forgotten and that is PPC is just a attitude of mind and it can change anytime. Here the main issue is the people with PPC will ask the price of the product. Hearing the price the person compares it with the amount in their wallet or in bank account. If it is not affordable then the person with PPC will ask for products of lower price range. They are ready to compromise on the quality front.

Rich-person Consciousness (RPC) These people need not be rich actually! I know that there may be confusion in your mind. PPC's may not be poor and RPC need not be rich. That's simply because here I am not talking about the financial status of the person concerned. It's the mental attitude that we are focusing on!

A RPC will go to a shop and straight away buy a product with the quoted price. Person may bargain a little bit but will buy with no questions asked. It does not mean that the purchasing will be over in few minutes. The person may spend as much time in the shop till the person finds the product that he or she needs. The person may be buying from his own money or borrowed money but is not disturbed by the price tag. Most of these people have someone else to fund their purchases! These are Care-Free buyers

Wealthy-person Consciousness (WPC) These type of people CAN be rich or poor. The essential difference is a person with WPC will seek a product he or she wants. If the price is with in the budget then fine, else the person will stat thinking how to get more funds to afford the product? That's what make these type of people outstanding. Such people are rare in life. Most of the time you will get to see people with PPC or RPC. People with WPC have a spirit of an entrepreneur. They will not settle for less but will work out a way to afford what they want. They will spend in the cycle of 60-30-10!

What is 60-30-10? Well, wait for next blog on the spending cycles.

This is the part one of the four parts series of Money Mantra!
O.A.K.

Back at Blogging

Last blog was supposed to be my last blog. But I think that loss of words was just a phase I was undergoing in my life. I was not dejected or depressed. Nor was I heart-broken or anything remorseful. It was the silence of contentment. These are the moments one should cherish in life full 'coz they rarely come in one's life!

Well I plan to change the Blog Title. OffShoot sounds too off.. So I decided to shoot it!! Maybe I even keep it.. till I find a better words. In the case of Blog Title... I am really at loss of words!

All the time, I was writing this blog for others to read. Well, I now have to say that from now on, I am going to write articles only for my personal leisure and relaxation. Kinda Personal Diary, but readable by people! I am not interested in increasing readership base of my blog. This blog will just be a space where I will be expressing my thought in words. That's all.



P.S. Now a days I am keen on tracking the stock market. So do expect more articles on economics!

Most odd places to sleep

This is a link from Reuters which is a slide-show of people sleeping in odd places.

Click or copy paste this link. 
http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/slideshow?articleId=USRTR2D0HW#a=1

Courtesy: Reuters

If padavas had facebook account!!!

Click the image to get a clearer view.Pandavas existed 5000 years back from today! Please read Indian history named Mahabharata for more details.

Guru Parampara: The Lineage of the enlightened masters!!!

Spending even few hours with bawa and dinesh is sufficient for anyone to get loads of vital information and profound knowledge. They both always have something new and fresh to share with the youth, inspiring them to work for the betterment of the society.

Yesterday, Bawa shared a gracious story of our guru parampara. Guru parampara is the lineage of the enlightened masters. The lineage is actually very very long. But it is said that Adi Shankaracharya revived the hindu bhagwat dharma.  And the lineage continues from him.

Shanakaracharya had four disciples. First was Padmapada. It is said that once when Shankaracharya called Padmapada, who was walking at the opposite bank of the lake, he ran across the lake without any hesitation. And wherever his feet fell on the water the lotus sprang up to support his feet. Hence the name Padmapada. Second was Hastamalaka. Malaka means berries. Holding berries in the hand is very easy. Similarly for Hastamalaka living life was as easy as holding berries in the hand. Hence the apt name.

Third was Vatikakara. Vatikakara was very erudite person. He engaged a debate with Shankaracharya which went on for fifteen long days. There was a tie between the two even after fifteen days. So vatikakara's wife then came up with an idea. She put a garland of flowers on both, announcing the a tie between the two. The same evening, She surprised everyone in the audience by announcing Shankaracharya to be the winner. When questioned how she arrived at the decision she said that the flowers which she put on her husband had wilted due to the body heat which rose due to the agitation he had in mind although he did not reflect it.

Fourth was Trotakacharya. Trotakacharya was like a dumbo amongst the four. He was not interested in learning the scholarly texts. He would immerse himselfe in the service of his master. He would make food dor him, prepare his bed, and attend to all his needs. However Shankaracharya would never start his discourse without his presence. Trotakacharya would usually dose off to sleep during the discourse. But Shankkaracharya would never ever start the discourse without Trotakacharya. Once it happened that Shankaracharya was waiting for Trotakacharya to attend the session. Other three disciples were getting impatient waiting for him. Trotakacharya soon enters the hall singing the most difficult raga, in the utmost difficult meters, and that to the song which speaks of the philosophy of the master (guru) in only Ten lines!!!

It is said that when you do seva of the master, then even in that service, you get the knowledge which master wants you to get.

Our lineage decends from Trotakacharya. The names of the guru in our lineage after Trotaka is not known but it transcends down to Bhramanada Saraswati. Then to Maharshi Mahesh Yogi, then to H. H. Sri Sri RaviShankarji.

And from Guruji to Bawa and from Bawa to Me (and all of us). Well, Make good use of the opportunity you have got!

Turn down the volume...

An Advertisement shows Ranbir Kapoor asking the tele-viewers to do, this diwali, something never done before! That is turn down the volume by avoiding noisy crackers. I feel so proud that I have been doing this since last 14 years.

It makes an economic "non-sense" to buy noisy crackers and burn them down in matter of seconds. Now-a-days you can hardly buy any good crackers in Rs.1000/-. And what ever you buy in that amount can be burnt down in just two minutes. Wooooooshhhh... You money worth thousand rupees just vanishes in thin air... that too polluting it, making the air difficult, for the people with respiratory problems, to breath.

It happened exactly 14 years ago, when my dad had to sit at home because of the lock-out at the company dad worked at. No salary for one month. That too during diwali. We had to face very dire circumstances. My family had to live life with a very tight fist that month. Even the daily newspaper had to be stopped. That diwali, I decided not to buy any crackers, The money that had been kept aside for crackers, I used it to buy clothes. And asked dad to save the money that was to be spent on clothes to keep the family-fire burning. It was my first lesson on austerity. That diwali taught me a very precious lesson. You do not need riches to enjoy the moment. In fact, One needs nothing to enjoy the very moment. Because joy is the very essence of the moment.

Since then I have celebrated every Diwali by buying new gadgets, clothes, games CD etc. etc. but not the crackers. They simply cause noise and sound pollution. Its up to you to choose wisely what to do? Diwali is the festival of lights and celebration. Not a festival of cacophony and suffocation! If I can celebrate 14 Diwali's without bursting crackers. So can anyone! Finally its your decision... Isn't it?

Jai Gurudev.

Conquering my fears!

An incident that happened with me on Sunday made me realise that FEAR per se is an illusion. It is what we cook-up in our mental kitchen. I swim regularly but in 1.5 meter dept of the pool. The deepest end of the pool is 2.0meters. That's were my feet do not touch the pool floor. I had a big mental block of going to the deep end. In the pool I swim the majority of the crowd is at the shallow end (1m. deep) And at the deepest end there are hardly 2 to 3 swimmers. So I always wished to reach that end one day. Yesterday was the day! My friend, Nikhil, coaxed me towards the deep end. I mustered great courage and moved forward. The experience after reaching the deep end without breathing-in the water was ABSOLUTELY EXHILARATING!!! Its true that Dharr se age badho, Dharr ke age Jeet hai! (Move beyond fear, Success lies beyond fear.) I have a goal of completing 4000 meters of freestyle swimming in one shot. And conquering the primal fear has helped me move ahead towards completing the goal. If any one of you (readers) are interested in knowing the techniques or tips on swimming then you can mail me at the address given in the Mail Me section (on the right-side of the blog). Jai Gurudev!

Pocket Money is Recession-proof!!!

In past one and a half year, most parents have witnessed the tyranny of economic recession. It has definitely affected their wealth. However, The pocket money of their children seem to be recession proof. According to surveys conducted by the major research houses, like Nielson Survey, the pocket money levels have remained inelastic during the recession period. The primary spending of the teens remain dining and shopping. And the latest entrant is the mobile bills. Even after spending hours together in schools, classes, sports park, these kids have something or the other to talk. A humorous message must be circulated to at least 20+ friends else you are labeled as "uncool" or unkewl as they say. The bill ranges from modest Rs.250 to Rs.2500 per month. And this is no exaggeration! Kids in south mumbai just seem to have much to talk about. Nowadays, Teens and kids have much say over their spending habits. Earlier the parents decided whether the kids persistent demand should be met or not? Lately, dual income parents have serious lack of time to pay any attention to their kids. All they do is deposit some of their income into their kids bank account and the kid rightfully withdraws the moolah whenever needed. In my yonder days, Dad would hand over Rs.100 in denominations of ten, and would say, 'This is your pocket money for current month spend wisely.' Now kids just SMS or mail their parents notifying that their bank account needs a "Cash Reload". Within minutes, thanks to the internet banking facility and online fund transfers, the transaction is met in minutes! It is observed that the kids emulate the spending habits of their parents from a very tender age. Kids from tight fisted family will develop a habit of saving more than spending. Kids, belonging to family who shop till they drop, end up dropping their bank balance to near zero! Some families who are financially literate teach their kids how to maintain statement of expense. These kids for sure will be the next Kishore Biyanis and JP Morgans of future!Parents spend most of their income on kids for their education. Apart from education, seventy percent parents spend on additional learning tools and tutorial classes for their children, over 80 percent spend on toys and entertainment for their children and over half spend on extra-curriculum activities such as sports and musical instruments learning etc. Despite a sticky economic environment, two thirds of the parents think their current spending on their children is just right and 83 percent do not have plans to cut back, it's music to the ears for children-oriented businesses. It is good that kids nowadays are taking the decisions to purchase the products they want by themselves. Ideally, this can help the kids a lot in planning their own financial future. Parents can involve these kids/teens in their decision involving financial acumen. Our next generation is going to be financially smart and excellent decision makers. Only a good parenting can harness the best talent from the young generation Jai Gurudev

Creativity, Ctreator and Creation...

Today is Sonali Patkar's Birthday. I made a Chinese lantern for her out of candy sticks and tracing paper. I also copied the chinese symbols of good luck on the paper. Her squeal of joy when she saw it was just sufficient reward for my hard work. After putting in lot of effort the structure started taking the form. I started with the idea of creating a mobile stand which never stood. But the burning desire manifested in a simple cute lantern. While making the lantern my mom asked why was I making it? Wasn't it a waste of time? What is the use of making it? Maybe because of attending Patanjali Yog Sutra evey evening, another question popped up in my mind. Why did this whole creation take place? What was the need, especially when every thing is just an illusion, a dream? What is the purpose behind it? An astonishing question was greeted by marvelous revelation! The answer for the above question is that what ever we all see is just never made? There has been no creation, there is no creation, there will be no creation. It is just the disequilibrium that has created ripples in the form of world around us! ... I am sure there is enough disequilibrium after reading this blog. Do not worry too much because as Stevinus said...

The balancing of force thus brought about a stable equilibrium

Q n A with Guruji

Dear Ones. Jai Gurudev.These are amazing. Q: Why do we feel that something is lacking inspite of having everything? Sri Sri:Thats lack of knowledge. If you have knowledge and love, you won't feel any lackings in life. Q: Guruji in one of your books you have said that "God is an illusion",how? Sri Sri:I have never said "God is an illusion", I said "Surrender is an illusion", because anything you surrender anyway belongs to HIM only. Where is publication department?( Huge Laughter) Q: How can we give in our 100%? Sri Sri:Meditation is deep relaxation. 100% activity precedes or follows meditation. Q: When you know maya is an illusion, does it cease to exist? Sri Sri:A. Is your question a reality or an illusion. Q: What is truth? What is love? Sri Sri:Truth is that which does not change. To know what is truth, you need to go through all that is not true. So, all that changes is not truth. Life is a quest to find what is truth, don't be in a hurry. Truth can be realized in deep meditation and love is truth. They are two sides of the same coin. In short, truth is that which never changes and love is that which is undescribable. Q: Beloved Guruji, this course is so wonderful. How can I keep this wonderful state at home? Sri Sri: Don't try to hold on to the state of mind. Integrate wisdom in day to day life. Sometimes up & sometimes down. They'll come & they'll go. Q: Don't you get tired of wearing white all the time? Sri Sri: No. Because I am colourful myself! Isn't it? Q:. Dear Guruji, What to tell people at home who are very suspicious of what I am doing here? Sri Sri: When you go back give them gifts, show them all the nice pictures, give them a big smile. The depth of silence, the depth of meditation no one can know unless one has experienced himself. What beautiful wealth we all possess in our Self, that we have not explored. Every human being can go into that depth of meditation. That little experience, little skill to do that is missing. We are so fortunate to go into such stillness within ourselves. Q: How do I free myself of old & boring patterns in life? Sri Sri: The more whiter the cloth is, a small dot stands out. As you move into unconditional love, small imperfections in you become unbearable. The small moods of the mind can't touch the Self. Q: How many people are there in the world right now? (Question not complete...) Sri Sri: Tell me how many hairs you have on your head! There is no count. There may be few teachers. Knowledge is hidden in everyone like rice is hidden in paddy. Every child comes into the world with that innocence. We have to remove these outer veils, curtains that have been put on our mind.. Q: Missed the question. Sri Sri: When a baby tastes sweet, it wants to taste sweet all the time. It wants it again. You don't need to do anything too much. Only as much as is necessary. Q: I want to go deep in Meditation. What can I do? Sri Sri: This is an old question. You have already gone deeper. Q: Today my Seva was garbage cleaning & all I found was Paradise! When are you going to give me a proper job? Sri Sri: I don't have a job myself! Okay. Smile at everybody. Every morning give yourself a smile, come what may. Smile more. Take life easily. All will be provided. It's happening, no? Our prayer, meditation has such an impact, such an effect,that things happen before you desire. You need to strengthen yourself in Knowledge. Three types of peace are needed: First is material peace. If there is fighting around you, you cannot sit and stay peaceful. You need peace in your environment; Second you need peace in the body, in the mind. Third thing is peace in the soul. You may have peace in the atmosphere, you may have health in the body, to an extent peace in the mind, but if the soul is restless, nothing can comfort. So that peace is also essential. Only when all the three types of peace are there, can peace be complete; without one the other is not complete. So that which gives rest from all the three angles - physical, mental and spiritual, is ratri. And Shivratri is transcendental Divine consciousness, which brings solace to all layers of consciousness. Shivratri is where the shiv tatva and the shakti become one. Like mind, like memory, like intellect, Shiva is also a tatva. Shivratri is auspicious because it is more alive in the environment. That's why you don't sleep in the night, people say to be awake". Q: Lately I have begun to enjoy silence a lot. I feel like being silent all the time. Is this right? Sri Sri: It is alright for sometime. You can meditate and keep silence for sometime during the day, but not always! Q: Why do we come behind you like the mice ran behind the pied piper? Sri Sri: That's what I wonder too! [Looking behind Him] Anyway, there is no one behind me, all of you are sitting in front of me! We keep everyone in front of us and we push them forward! I am behind you! Q: There is a saying that even if God grants a boon, the priest denies it. Why is this so? Sri Sri: Mmm...so that you become the priest? What is the priest's role? He is the middleman between you and God. Why do you need a middleman? You deal with God directly. Maybe this is the reason why..... Q: After seeing you, I don't feel like going to temples to worship the idols. Sri Sri: It is okay....initially we need forms to worship and we gradually move towards worshiping the formless. The Divine is present everywhere. Q: What is the meaning of "So Hum" ? Sri Sri: What is the meaning of a seed? It means the whole tree, the roots, the leaves, the fruits, the flowers etc. Similarly the meaning of the mantra is everything in life, the tree of life. Q: I used to suffer from depression. After doing the course, I have become enthusiastic about life. I too have desires now to dress up and live life like others. Are these desires going to be obstacles for spirituality? Sri Sri: If you want to dress up for yourself it is fine. But if you want to do it because others are doing it, then... Why do you have to compare yourself with others? You do whatever you have to do. Q: Parents often complain that the youths who come to ashrams are brainwashed. They lose interest in their careers etc Sri Sri: If you are talking about other ashrams, I don't know! It is better that the youth get into satsangs and meditations rather than negative habits like drugs, drinking etc, isn't it? At least here they are on a positive track. Q: Both cows & buffaloes give us milk. But only the cows are worshipped. Why is this? Sri Sri: That is a good question! Maybe because when you worship, the one being worshipped should realize that they're being worshiped! You know, buffaloes are a little slow in realizing it. Maybe that's why! You know, when we worship, we do it for ourselves not for the one being worshiped. When we worship someone, we want them to know that we are worshiping them. That's why we see that there are no temples for Brahma. He is the creator. His job is completed. So nobody bothers worshiping Him. Vishnu is the maintainer, His work is still going on; that's why we worship Him! And we're scared of Shiva, after all He is the destroyer so we worship Him also! Q: I have been chanting Vishnu Sahasranaama from quite some time. But lately, I feel sleepy while chanting it. What to do? Sri Sri: Don't worry, He also sleeps! Q: What is more important: intelligence or innocence? Sri Sri: Both are important. Why do you want to choose one over the other? Q: What is life? What is death? What, if any, are the similarities between them? Sri Sri: What is life? You are finding out now. What is death? You will find out in the future; you will not miss it! And when you know both, you can compare and find out the differences or similarities between them! Q: I need to believe in a God. But I need some miracles as proof in order to believe. Sri Sri: Just look around! Everything is a miracle! A seed sprouts and grows into a huge tree. Is that not a miracle? When I was visiting Chennai last year, they brought a little boy who was born deaf. I just tapped him on his head and he started making noises. The next day, they brought 20 boys! Now, miracles happen naturally, and spontaneously. It cannot be forced. When everything falls in place, miracles happen on their own. Q: What is the difference between Veda and Vedanta? Sri Sri: Veda is knowledge. Vedanta is the end of knowledge, the ultimate knowledge. (He spoke more on this, but I can't remember all that He said.)

To B'lore with Eunuchs!

Travelling in the Indian trains and not pestered by the "Chakkas" or the Eunuchs is quite impossible to think. Well, that happened actually in the train I took to bangalore. In the partition next to ours were a family of Eunuchs travelling from Mumbai to Bangalore with reserved tickets. When ever any Eunuch would barge in the train to get some alms they would squeal with joy when they would see "Apne biradari ke log" (poeple of our kind). They would sit with their mates and spend time chit-chatting. These gate crashers would then ask a tea vendor to pour out a couple of cups for their travelling friends! The travelling eunuchs would have it free of charge.

Moreover people travelling with them got a chance to interact with them and listen to their stories. Their lives are nothing less than a challenge, momen to moment. But there are few advantages they have that ordinary people do not have! When I overheard their conversation, then I just felt that they too are human. What if our guru's knowledge touches them. Will that be able to bring change in their lives. Or is it only for the "normal" people like us? Nahh.. They too are taken care of!!

Confidence, Commitment and Responsibility - Sri Sri

A Talk by H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

I once happened to meet a fragile-looking woman from a cottage industry. She had stitched a handkerchief, and she had 17 points on why her handkerchief was the best in the whole world. It was just a handkerchief after all, but the way she presented it made all the difference! She was so confident and she took so much pride in sharing it's size, colour, stitching, corners and other qualities - 17 such points that made her handkerchief the best in the world. When people take such pride, then they can come up very well. Set goals in life and then revive them. What are the goals that you have set in life? There may be many obstacles, but don't drop your highest goals in life - they bring direction to life. I don't say life will be smooth always: It will not always be a bed of roses, but if your vision is large, and if you go on - if you continue with the same zeal, you will be given the strength. What stops you from taking responsibility? Sheer laziness; or fear - whether it is right or wrong, whether you will be able to complete it. You are afraid of failure. Even if there is no failure, just an indication of failure upsets you. If you can merely become aware of this, it is good. Support needs to come from within. It's not just food and water that is needed. Spiritual strength is something that can lift you. In order to find satisfaction in life, you need to do some service and to sustain seva activities, you need sadhana (spiritual practices), otherwise you will experience burn-out. Also, be ready to take criticism. Whenever you do public work or social work, you should be ready to take criticism. You need to be like a solid rock. Nothing can shake you! You should welcome criticism. Sometimes, criticism can come out of anger or jealousy, but no criticism should make you fade or shy away. When someone criticises you, behave as if you are the third party. Then, you will be untouched. You will take something from it, but you will not fume; you will not burn inside. You will be able to drop it. You should be able to give criticism as well. Friends who do not criticise when needed are useless. The purpose of criticism is to improve, adopt, change. But if your mode of criticism is unpalatable, how will others accept it? An arrow should reach it's mark. See that your criticism is not wasted. You need to develop this skill; it cannot be learnt. By fostering a sense of belonging, see that the person is in a mood to take criticism. When you want to do something, look at your strengh. Your weakness is that you start looking at other's strengths! When you running, you can only look at the track below, not at who is next to you! Like a horse with blinders, look at your path only! Let anybody else do whatever he or she wants to. Also, any job that you do, should be done with commitment. Otherwise, you will do the job when you enjoy it and stop doing it when you don't. Our likes and dislikes change so often. You can find real joy only in service. Responsibility and commitment do generate some stress and worry. The best way to handle this is not to resist stress. It is okay to be stressed for a while, but don't get distressed!

Thanks & Regards., Ln.Ch Mohan Vamsi Krishna M.C.A 9379911234 9902371777

Journey from Charcoal to Diamond

For the first time in his life he was sitting co close to the master. It has been hardly some months, after he came into the space surrounding the master. There was a big crowd surrounding the master. He was looking at the master, wondering at his wisdom. But he never called himself a disciple of the master. He was not even attached to him. It was the ability of the master as a powerful orator and his immense knowledge that attracted him. He did not even believe in God. His life, the path traversed by him was not filled with flowers, but thorns. Even when he was listening to the master, he was in his own world. His mind was as usual traveling through the miseries that he underwent. His principles were based on his experienced. He had a strong point in not believing in the God. "If a woman has to sell her body for earning bread for her family, if a child has to become a thief just for quenching thirst and hunger, and if it is the decision of god, then that god is not mine." He could find logics only communism and rationalism. He saw intelligent children suffering to earn higher education, for they were not having economical support. At the same time he saw his friends climbing up the ladders only because the pockets of their father was heavy. God acted funny in his life. So there was no other option for him to go away from the God, and all the so-called masters. He hated them. He was even rude to his loving parents, they were not having any answer to his questions, and his mother cried a lot for she was not able to bear his rude words. The Earth has orbited the sun for many years; the wisdom of this master has pulled him near to the master. His mind was wandering. Suddenly he woke up, the master was standing right in front of him. He carried a microphone, a cordless one, in his hand. He looked at the master, and the master looked into his eyes. There was a naughty smile on the master's face. What happened? Do you have any problem?" the master asked. He did not tell anything. No words came out of his vocal chords. He wanted to ask many questions, including the sufferings, and credibility of the so-called God. But he could not utter a word. He was astonished to see the master so close, and to hear him asking this question. At last he managed to tell the master "No, No Problem". The master moved ahead. Three steps. The master stopped. Master looked at him. There was the same smile on the master's face. "Have you seen Diamonds?" The crowd shouted… "Yes", but he kept quiet. He wondered, "Why the master is looking at my face and asking this? " Master asked again "Why diamonds are so special, tell". So many answers came at a time from the disciple folk. "They are very strong!" "They shine even at night!" "Beautiful females wear them on their ornaments, even Aishwarya Rai!!" "They are rare" "They are very costly" There were so many answers… Master asked… "Do you know that the diamond is carbon? The same carbon with which charcoal…koyla… is made of…" "Yes… There is some difference in the chemical structure", some learned disciple made it clear. "Yes, that charcoal, the carbon was hidden under the stones, under the earth for years before it became the diamond. The charcoal had undergone years of chemical changes, pressures, heat, cold, for years… a lot of sufferings… at last the diamond was evolved.", he was wondering at the master's words… "Where is he going? What is diamond and charcoal? … bu** **** " Then one day the charcoal became a stone, paTHar. Many people saw it. But they did not understand that it was a special stone. They just overlooked it. One day one man who was a diamond merchant saw that stone. He just took it to his lab. He started cutting it into shape, filing it, polishing it and again suffering time for the stone… at last it started to shine. The diamond!! "The master looked at his face, with the same smile. Were his eyes filled now??? He was intelligent; he smelled something in the master's words. "Do you know how much suffering that charcoal, koyla, has undergone to evolve into the strong diamond?" still the masters' eyes were on him. "When sufferings come to our path, we curse everybody, even the God, the master. But know that those sufferings are given to you to make him stronger and stronger… like a diamond. He want to make you strong, for he loves you so much…" The master again looked at him… This time his eyes were filled… He had never seen that expression in his life before. The master's eyes talked to him everything. He saw the endless sky of love in the master's eyes. The master's hands waved in the air… "You are a diamond… You will be made stronger…stronger… " The master continued… "Know that you all are special… I never collect ordinary stones; I collect diamonds and pearls…" master walked ahead taking his mind along with. He understood that it was the end… He told to his mind…" Here is your master…the God you were searching for… The source of the unconditional love… your own existence… yourself." He folded his hands, with tears in eyes. The garbage that he was carrying in his mind was carried away by his master, his own master. Without him telling anything, without uttering a word, his mind was cleansed. He walked out and immediately made a telephone call to his loving mother…"forgive me for all those disrespectful words that I uttered to you… I was ignorant… I was lost… but now I am found… by my master…" his words were trembling… his mother was silent.. My Friend, this is master, the guru. It is not you who are selecting the master. He is selecting you. You need not to tell anything to him. He knows everything. You need not to open your mind before him; your mind is an open book for him… Personalize him; he is your divine. Nobody else in this planet can give you what he gives. His love is endless, everlasting, in this life and next lives. Be in that love. Hey… can you guess, who that master was???? Of course he must be none other than our Guruji.....We love u Guruji...... ..

Celestial Movements sparks up debate!

Eclipse is just another Celestial Movement in galaxy... the scientists claim. But is their impact so limited? Moon... It's 384,403 kms away, yet it influences our plant and can cause tides. 70% of earth is covered with water. Due to the gravitational influence of moon, there are high tides and low tides on planet earth. Similarly, our body is composed of 60-70% water. If a phasing moon can influence such a huge mass of water then can it not influence water in our body. So in a way, although we call them celestial bodies they have certain influence in our lives. Eclipse is a natural phenomenon. Total solar eclipse has many myths attached to it. But just considering them fake does not eliminate the influence of eclipse on humans and the nation. Astrology is not goobledygooks! It is a mathematics-based scientific study of the effects of the planets on human psyche and body, extending the impact even to the nation. Yes, I do agree that some people call themselves astrologers and sow the seeds of fear in their clients just to make them buy some of their products, which they claim, can reduce their malefic planetary influence. They are nothing but charlatans fooling gullible people. But I have seen and met some astrologers who predict the exact date and time of any malady or benefice event. Such astrolgers also give sound advice on how to reduce the on-coming ill-effects. For meditating masses, the effect of eclipse is already reduced. Meditation and Chanting acts like a shield that can reduce the effects of eclipse. Now some people will say that all this is superstition. For them I have got one thing to say. I'll meditate, you may not do it. Let us see what happens. If something bad happens on their part they may start meditating. Whatever happens on my part, I will not stop meditating!! What say??