Cheers to you!!

 To the silent battles that 

You have fought and won alone...

To the wounds that you have

Gone through and healed alone....

To the smiles that you have

Shown to mask the storms within...

To the brave heart in you

Cheers to you!! ❤️❤️❤️

Love yourself ❣️ because you are

Amazing ❣️

Train robbery and police firing !!

 I guess it was year 1996 /97. Now when I search the internet I don't find the news. I had morning school. And we all reached our school on time. Some of us had heard about the news from last night. 

By 8:30 am the railway overbridge just near my school started getting crowded. We could see from the window. And by 9 to 9:30 am started police firing to control this crowd. We were hearing those noises and our teachers were busy going in and out of class to find more updates on the situation there. By 11am we were sent back to our homes. Buses could not go by that usual route as protests were happening. So, bus took a long route through ITC area to reach Munger.

When we reached home, my father had already called up school to check with updates. But, we reached safely. 

The day before there was a major train robbery and few women were abducted and molested somewhere near Muzaffarpur. But, protesters had gathered around all the stations that the train passed. So, how can they leave Jamalpur junction. 

Umeed bhi Khushi bhi!!

Umeed bhi utni hi sahi hai

Jo koi pura kar sake

Dil ka kya hai woh toh 

Kuch bhi umeed kar le

Par dimag hi hai 

Jo umeed ko bhi kabu 

Karna sikha de

Khushi bhi hoti kaha hai

Khud se banani padti hai

Umeed ko kam se kam karke

Aur jo mile ussi ko 

Sab kuch hai eh Maan lene se

Sab kuch iss dimaag ka hi khel hai

Umeed bhi ... Khushi bhi..

Responsibilities!!

 Na bichhu ne dasha

Na dynamite ne kharoch di 😂

Na tab mein kuch kar payi😂

Jab mujhme jeene ki tamanna nahi thi 😂

Ek baar toh raste par car ke samne bhi 

Aa gayi.. fir bhi maut nahi aayi.. 😂

Kitni baar bimaar bhi padi

Fir bhi mein uth khadi hui..😂

Aab toh bas maut tabhi aayegi

Jab upar wale ki marzi hogi..😊

Ab bas mein apni responsibilities 

Puri karlu ... Kuch bhi baaki 

Na reh jaaye ... 

utni si umeed 

Liye chal padi hu...😊

Iss ke liye kya mein aur bolu

Bas meri ajeeb si zindagi ki 

yehi kaahani hai😊

Abhi mujhme kahin!!

 Another one with good lyrics... Enjoy

अभी मुझ में कहीं

बाक़ी थोड़ी सी है ज़िंदगी

जगी धड़कन नई

जाना ज़िंदा हूँ मैं तो अभी

कुछ ऐसी लगन इस लम्हे में है

ये लम्हा कहाँ था मेरा

अब है सामने, इसे छू लूँ ज़रा

मर जाऊँ या जी लूँ ज़रा

खुशियाँ चूम लूँ या रो लूँ ज़रा

मर जाऊँ या जी लूँ ज़रा

हो, अभी मुझ में कहीं

बाक़ी थोड़ी सी है ज़िंदगी

हो, धूप में जलते हुए तन को

छाया पेड़ की मिल गई

रूठे बच्चे की हँसी जैसे

फुसलाने से फिर खिल गई

कुछ ऐसा ही

अब महसूस दिल को हो रहा है

बरसों के पुराने

ज़ख्म पे मरहम लगा सा है

कुछ ऐसा रहम इस लम्हे में है

ये लम्हा कहाँ था मेरा

अब है सामने, इसे छू लूँ ज़रा

मर जाऊँ या जी लूँ ज़रा

खुशियाँ चूम लूँ या रो लूँ ज़रा

मर जाऊँ या जी लूँ ज़रा

डोर से टूटी पतंग जैसी

थी ये ज़िंदगानी मेरी

आज हो, कल हो मेरा ना हो

हर दिन थी कहानी मेरी

एक बंधन नया

पीछे से अब मुझको बुलाए

आने वाले कल की

क्यूँ फ़िकर मुझको सता जाए?

एक ऐसी चुभन इस लम्हे में है

ये लम्हा कहाँ था मेरा

अब है सामने, इसे छू लूँ ज़रा

मर जाऊँ या जी लूँ ज़रा

खुशियाँ चूम लूँ या रो लूँ ज़रा

मर जाऊँ या जी लूँ ज़रा

Scorpion my friend !!

I was in std 2 in Jajpur. It was mahashivratri. In my colony it had a small Shiva temple Gangeshwar Shiva temple. It was very old temple and its walls were almost broken, some pieces of the rock were coming out. But, we celebrated shivratri there. This temple was inside a small field where we used to play. That day the temple was decorated with lights and people especially we children of that colony were present. 

It was evening time, me and my friends were inside the temple. The pujari was also there. I had closed my eyes when I felt something crawling on my feet. It was a big black scorpion 🦂 very fat one. It crawled and passed my feet without stinging. Somehow I didn't remove my feet in fear and it didn't harm me. But, I feared going to this temple again because of scorpion. 

The second time was in Jamalpur. It was November or December month and was too cold. I was sitting on the veranda inside our house. That house had a opening in middle like the houses of villages or Kerala house. There was a tiny brown colour scorpion 🦂 sitting just beside me. I didn't see it. My father's friends had visited and they were talking in one room. One of them noticed this scorpion. They asked me to get up and when I went they killed it. 

Scorpion also left me unharmed that too two times. Sometimes I just can't believe it's my luck or what it is?? 

Dynamite!!

 Have you ever heard a dynamite blast in real not in reel??

Well, my first one goes back to me being in class 2 to 4. Exactly which std I was I don't remember. We went to see a theatre performance in Jajpur. I guess that was my first theatre show and at mid of the show there was this blast injuring a few people and we were running out of that place. My family and one of my father's colleague's family went together. What an incident??

The next one is even more surprising and horrific. It was in Jamalpur. They used to blast Kalipahar with dynamites and we could see and hear it from our classrooms. I think I was in 7th when this incident happened. We used to have unit test on every Monday. So, only on Mondays our break timings used to shift by half an hour late. My classroom at that time was on the fourth floor of the main building. 

That was a Monday and as usual we had half an hour left for our break to start. Suddenly a bomb exploded and entire building was shaking. The noise was too loud and we were all so frightened. Our teacher went out leaving us in classroom. Not sure but I guess it was miss Godbole. When she returned, she informed there was a blast in the toilet downstairs. Our toilet used to be in a separate building adjacent to the main building. One side it was for girls and other side for boys. Behind the toilet was a building where college going students used to come for courses such as stenography. Someone kept that dynamite in boys toilet. 

Thank God it was a Monday and the timings did not match with our break time. So, non of us were injured. But our principal Sister Nilima called up police and army. They were parading in our school campus after a few mins from that incident. Buses were called and we were made to leave immediately. Can anyone forget this??  There are more to this from my stay in Munger, Bihar in that period. Hopefully I will write that soon. 

These are incidents that will never erase from memory. Though now it makes me laugh. 

Bhimbandh hot water springs

 This place is in Munger district.  I went there thrice for my class picnic. From my 6th to 8th std we went to only this place for picnic. 

Going for picnic in Bihar was of another kind of experience. In those days, political situation was not so good. So, my school used to get army help for picnic. Some of the army people not less than 5 to 7 of them would travel with us in our bus with all their rifles. 

The first time I saw this, I was wondering why army needs to go with us? This never happened to me that I went for picnic in Odisha. It would be only teachers and students. But, in Bihar we needed special protection. 😂

First year we went inside the forest to a natural spring. Bathing was out of scope because of the hot water and also the rocky stream bed. But, we enjoyed a lot dipping our feets in stream and having fun. 

2nd time we went to resort kind of place. It had 2 big swimming pools and a tiny one inbetween the two big pools. One of the swimming pools had moderate hot water and other one was too hot. So, all the boys went to bath and we girls enjoyed putting our legs inside the pool which had high temperature. 

Putting leg in hot water springs is like enjoying pedicure.  Though non of us would have had this pedicure thing done by that time for sure. Dip your feets until you can bear that temperature and then remove and again go back to doing this. Later we would see how our feets are looking so pink and sometimes red. The funs and chit chats with classmates can never be forgotten.  The saddest part is not a single photo was taken by any of us or our teachers. 

They say this place has some connections to Mahabharata times and hence is named after Bhim. 

The way of love!!

 In this book "the way of love" by srila bhaktivedanta Narayan Gosvami maharaja, he has compared beautifully aspects of all religions be it Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist etc and has given examples of how 

"God is love and love is God. "

One must read this book. It's a small book of just 18 pages. 

They have listed two web addresses that I am mentioning below, 

www.purebhakti.com   👈

www.bhaktistore.com.   👈

In this second link both these books are available for buying outside India. Not sure if these are available for India as well. But, these are too costly and I received it for free. See how blessed I am.. ofcourse no denial on that part. 

In the first link I see many other books available for free download (PDFs). If you want to read please do check their site. 

Dehi padam: Madan Mohan Ashtakam!!

 Ohm!!

जय शङ्खगदाधर नीलकलेवर

पीतपटाम्बर देहि पदम् ।

जय चन्दनचर्चित कुण्डलमण्डित

कौस्तुभशोभित देहि पदम् ॥१॥

जय पङ्कजलोचन मारविमोहन

पापविखण्डन देहि पदम् ।

जय वेणुनिनादक रासविहारक

वङ्किम सुन्दर देहि पदम् ॥२॥

जय धीरधुरन्धर अद्भुतसुन्दर

दैवतसेवित देहि पदम् ।

जय विश्वविमोहन मानसमोहन

संस्थितिकारण देहि पदम् ॥३॥

जय भक्तजनाश्रय नित्यसुखालय

अन्तिमबान्धव देहि पदम् ।

जय दुर्जनशासन केलिपरायण

कालियमर्दन देहि पदम् ॥४॥

जय नित्यनिरामय दीनदयामय

चिन्मय माधव देहि पदम् ।

जय पामरपावन धर्मपरायण

दानवसूदन देहि पदम् ॥५॥

जय वेदविदांवर गोपवधूप्रिय

वृन्दावनधन देहि पदम् ।

जय सत्यसनातन दुर्गतिभञ्जन

सज्जनरञ्जन देहि पदम् ॥६॥

जय सेवकवत्सल करुणासागर

वाञ्छितपूरक देहि पदम् ।

जय पूतधरातल देवपरात्पर

सत्त्वगुणाकर देहि पदम् ॥७॥

जय गोकुलभूषण कंसनिषूदन

सात्वतजीवन देहि पदम् ।

जय योगपरायण संसृतिवारण

ब्रह्मनिरञ्जन देहि पदम् ॥८॥

Ratnakar to Valmiki!!

My parents especially my mom would always call anyone younger than her by their good name. She would never change or deviate it a bit because she would say" this name is so good, why do I need to change it?"

My father was a good player of chess and  caroom. He would never ever loose a game even for the happiness of his kids. Defeating him used to be a tedious task for us. When I was in std 2, our neighbour whom I used to called Papu nana had a friend called Ratnakar. He used to come to play caroom with my father. And my father would tell us story of Ratnakar to Valmiki while playing caroom. Oh! I deviated a lot from the topic. Let's just get on to this story.

In a Jungle, lived a bandit whose name was Ratnakar. He used to loot people while crossing this jungle. He had a big family in which lived his parents, wife and kids. He used to do this to feed them. 

Oneday Narada Muni happen to pass by this jungle and Ratnakar caught hold Narada. He asked him to give what ever he possessed. Narada Muni said, look I am a sage I have nothing with me that I can give you. 

Ratnakar - I will take away your clothes then. 

Narada - What will get out of it. Looting any passerby is not a good conduct/karma why do you do this? 

Ratnakar -I am born as a Bandit and I do this for feeding my family.

Narada- But tell me who would take a piece of the bad karma that you are doing?

Ratnakar - My family will take it.

Narada- Go and check it with them will they?? 

Ratnakar - You look like a sage if I will go you will run away. I will tie you in a tree. 

Narada- Don't worry I will be here till you return.

But, Ratnakar had little faith on Narada so he ties Narada Muni and goes to check with his family. 

He goes to his parents and explains them that he is a bandit and the food he is bringing home is because of his bad karma. Will they also take a portion of his bad karma? His parents deny. They say, we are taking the food because our son is bringing home food for us not because of what he does so we won't take any share of your bad karma. 

Then he goes to his wife and kids and he receives similar answer from all.  He became very sad and goes back to Narada Muni. 

Upon hearing him Narada Muni says him to chant "Rama" however Ratnakar was unable to pronounce Rama and he would say "Mara". Hearing him Narada Muni says "ok keep chanting Mara mara... " And thus Ratnakar starts chanting "Mara mara... " He keeps on meditating so deeply that anthill starts forming around him. 

Valmika in Sanskrit means Anthill. Thus, his name Valmiki comes from that. 

Once he went to bathe in the river Tamasa. While bathing, his eyes fell on a pair of birds by the riverside. As Valmiki was watching the birds, an arrow from a hunter struck and killed the male. The female bird cried out in sorrow at the sight of its dead companion. Pained and angered by what happened to the birds, Valmiki uttered the first shloka.

मा निषाद प्रतिष्ठां त्वमगम: शास्वती समा।

यत्क्रौंचमिथुनादेकमवधी: काममोहितम्।।

Oh hunter! May you never get peace or stability for endless years, since you killed one of the pair of birds in love with each other. 

Then Valmiki realises that he actually cursed another living being (hunter) out of his sadness and he goes back to meditation. Bhramha then blesses him to write Ramayan and he becomes Adikavi Valmiki.

 His composition he then passes to Sita's sons Luv and Kush who goes back to Rama and recites before him. 

Valmiki's story is one of inner transformation. The journey from being a bandit to becoming a Brahmarishi, is a testament to the human capacity for differentiating right from wrong and making most of the opportunity offered to redeem oneself.

Secrets of the undiscovered self

Have been thinking of finding this two books which were given freely to me by a Krishna follower a foreigner who had a special glow in his face.

I can't forget how calm I felt meeting him. I was crossing forum mall in Bangalore and he stopped me. Me and my roommate stood there listening to him but his eyes were on me only.  And he kept on talking about krishna and I felt like listening to him without interrupting. Finally he gave me these two books. I read it then and forgot too as we all human beings do. 

Today, I open this book "Secrets of the undiscovered self" and guess what the first story is of "Astavakra Rishi" ... I wrote about him too after my marriage as I was in search of Uddalakah and found Uddalakah and Astavakra story. 

There is sure some mystical connection I have. Whatever it is, it's making me feel so good at this moment. 

Tu hi re!!

You become mature when you truly understand the lyrics of music. One such classic hit is "Tu hi re". 

Don't know why but I am hearing this at middle of the night and all the more I am writing about it. 

Tu hi re, tu hi re tere bina mai kaise jiyu

Aaja re aaja re yu hi tadpa naa too mujhko

Jan re jan re inn sanso mein bas jaa too

Chand re chand re aaja dil ki jamin pe too

Chahat hai agar aake mujhse mil jaa too

Ya phir aisa kar dharti se mila de mujhko

Tu hi re tu hi re tere bina main kaise jiyu

Aja re aaja re yu hi tadpa naa too mujhko

Inn sanso kaa dekho tum

Pagalpan ke aaye nahi inhe chain

Mujhse yeh boli main raho mein

Teri apne bichha doon yeh nain

Inn unche pahado se jan de dunga

Main gar tum naa aayi kahi

Tum udhar jan ummid meri jo todo

Idhar yeh jahan chhodu main

Maut aur zindagi tere hatho mein de diya re

Aayi re aayi re le mai aayi hu tere liye

Toda re toda re har bandhan ko pyar ke liye

Jan re jan re aaja tujhme sama jau main

Dil re dil re teri sanso me bas jau main

Chahat hai agar aake mujhse mil jaa too

Ya phir aisa kar dharati se mila de mujhko

Tu hi re tu hi re tere bina mai kaise jiyu

Aja re aaja re yu hi tadpa naa too mujhko

Sau bar bulaye mai sau

Bar aau ik bar jo dil diya

Ik aankh royi toh duji bolo

Soyegi kaise bhala

Inn pyar ki raho mein patthar hain

Kitne unn sabko hi par kiya

Ik nadi hu main chahat bhari

Aaj milne sagar ko aayi yaha

Sajna sajna aaj aansu bhi mithe lage

Tu hi re tu hi re tere bina main kaise jiyu

Aaja re aaja re yu hi tadpa naa too mujhko

Jan re jan re inn sanso mein bas jaa too

Chand re chand re aaja dil ki jamin pe too

Pal pal pal pal wakt toh bita jaye re

Jara bol jara bol wakt se ke woh tham jaye re

Aayi re aayi re le main aayi hu tere liye

Jan re jan re aaja tujhme sama jau main.

Sage Kaushik and Dharmavyadh!!

 This title "Rise above biases to a higher way of thinking" comes from today's paper. Such a beautiful line. However, the paragraph didn't explain it in detail and could find little gist here and there. But, this paragraph had mentioned about Sage Kaushik and Dharmavyadh. So, I searched for this story and here it goes.

There lived a brāhmaṇa by name Kauṣika. He was well-versed in the Vedas, of noble character, and a tapasvi. Once, when he was reciting the Vedas under a tree, a crane bird excreted upon him. The brāhmaṇa was enraged and looked at it with eyes filled with anger. The bird lost its life the next moment and fell dead on to the ground. Kauṣika felt sorry for the creature and repented his doing. He felt that he had committed a misdeed, overcome by anger and hatred. He got up from there and went into the city as a beggar in search of alms. He came before a house and the lady of the house said, "Wait there!" Kauṣika waited. In the meanwhile, her husband came home and the lady got busy feeding him and totally forgot about the beggar. After a while she realised her mistake, embarrassed, she brought alms for him. The brāhmaṇa was angry and said, "How could you do this, madam? You asked me to wait here and caused me so much of trouble! Is this right on your part?"

The lady said, in reply, "O revered brāhmaṇa, kindly forgive me! My husband returned home, hungry and tired. I got busy taking care of him!"

Brāhmaṇa – You arrogant lady! You think your husband is greater than a brāhmaṇa who is waiting at your door? How can you insult a brāhmaṇa, especially when you are in the gṛhasthāśrama? Brāhmaṇas are like fire; they can burn the entire world – haven’t your elders told you so?

Lady – O brāhmaṇa! I know that you have come here after killing a crane bird. Brāhmaṇas are no different from the Gods and I have never humiliated them. Please forgive my mistake. I also consider my husband as my God and serve him to my best. Anger is an enemy that resides in our body. Thus, it is not right to get angry. A brāhmaṇa is one who has conquered his senses; he never avenges for violence through violent means. He sees no difference between himself and the rest of the world – he treats both in an impartial manner. You are well read and should know the nature of dharma. However, in the current case, I get the feeling that you probably do not know dharma in its entirety. If you would like to understand it in detail, I suggest you visit the butcher in Mithila. If you think I spoke or did something inappropriate, kindly excuse me. You should not kill a woman!

These words of the lady subdued the brāhmaṇa’s anger. He was curious and eager to meet the hunter in Mithila and headed towards the city. He saw Dharma-vyādha (virtuous butcher) selling the meat of deer, buffalo and other animals in a butcher’s shop. After all the customers had left the place, the butcher’s eye fell on the brāhmaṇa. The butcher greeted the brāhmaṇa and said, “You were sent here by a married woman, I suppose? I know with what purpose you have come here!” Kauṣika was happy listening to these words and thought, "Aha! Amazing! This is the second miracle!” The butcher said, “This is not the right place to speak on this topic. Let us go my house!”

They reached the butcher’s house and the brāhmaṇa was offered arghya. Kauṣika, out of his pity for the butcher, said “Dear one! I don’t think the job of a butcher suits you. It pains me to see the cruel task you have taken to!” The butcher said “O revered one! This job has come down to me through my family and my ancestors. I am doing my duty and that is my dharma. In addition, I am taking care of my parents and always speak the truth. I never feel jealous of anyone else and share my earnings with the others. I don’t speak ill of anything or anyone. Neither do I disrespect the elders nor harm any being. I only sell the meat of dead animals but I don’t consume it myself. There is no one who does not harm animals in this world… People who don’t have faith in dharma and only ridicule it end up destroying their own lives and the lives of others... Greed is the root of all sin... Just as weeds grow and cover up water in a lake, adharma grows only to hinder dharma and to make it invisible. It is only rare to find people who can wade through the filth and realize dharma.” In this manner, the butcher explained in detail the concepts of dharma and adharma.

Kauṣika – Everything you say sounds reasonable to me and you seem to have realized dharma. It appears as though there is nothing you do not know.

Vyādha – O revered brāhmaṇa! Let me show you the person who helped me attain this state. Come, follow me!

With these words, the butcher escorted the brāhmaṇa into his house. He pointed at his parents who had just finished their dinner and prostrated before them. After an exchange of pleasantries, the butcher said, “They are my deities! They are Gods to me. I serve them just as I would serve any God. This is my tapas. The lady who sent you here performs tapas in the form of her service to her husband. If you would pay heed to my words, go and serve your parents as well. You have left them behind and have head out to study the Vedas. The aged ones are in pain as you have gone away from them. Get home fast and make them happy! There is no dharma greater than this!” He sent the brāhmaṇa away to his parents.

Smaranika !!

 While talking today 

We relived our college days 

From Laltendu sir and his favourite 

Smaranika 

To Subhranshu Sir and his favourite 

Archana 

To Mrityunjay Sir and his favourite 

Monalisa 

😞 I didn't had any such favourite 

Lectures 

So, sad..

So, many times that I went with Smaranika 

to meet Kalia Sir

I would be the one speaking more and she 

would stand quietly 

Little did I knew that something is there 

between them

Only after our college days one day she

Called up to tell me about them

Somehow things worked in favour of them

Then after everytime I would call her 

I would talk to sir as well

When they had kirti sir called me 

from hospital the very same day..

Little did I know all this would end 

So very soon

Sir was to become principal of our college 

But that very week he was diagnosed with 

cancer

And he could not be saved

That tear filled voice of her telling me that 

"Look I got everything so soon and it's over 

so soon"

Life teaches so many things 

Sometimes in such a pain

That you can not imagine even your 

strength.

Hope to meet her and kirti... Let's see my plans never work

So, just hoping that it works a bit this time though 

Hari ki maya!!

 Sab kuch sahi hone se pehle 

Bahat kuch galat hota hai

Issi aas ke sath hum 

Chup chap nirantar 

Chalte rehte hai 

Pata nahi aage kaun kaun si 

Dhubidhaye aayegi

Par Maan mein Hari ka naam

Liye hum karte rehte hai apna kaam

Hari hi jaane unki Maya

Lagab hai kaha 

Aur hum Jaa rahe Kahan

Jab chod chuke the saari umeed

Hari ne bun li apni chal

Fir se aas aur umeed liye 

Hum chal pade aage 

Na jaane Hari kya shikh ayege

Kitni baar hamari dhairya ki 

Lege aur pariksha

 Kab tak aakhir aur hame 

Iss tarah shikhate jayenge

Kabhi toh Maan unka bhi

Pighle ga kabhi toh 

Hath ko pakad uss par le jayenge 🙏🙏

Cleaning minds!!

 While cleaning my kitchen 

I was thinking about thyself 

If Cleaning Our life's could be this easy.

Cleaning all misunderstanding 

Cleaning all negativity 

Cleaning all the laziness 

Cleaning all sufferings

Cleaning other's negative vibes

Life would again shine and sparkle 

Glow and reflect that sun rays 

Make me glow and smile with a 

brighter face. 🌞 

May God clean on my request 🙏 

Unusual coincidences!!

 I can't really forget this incident of watching "The attack of 26/11" movie on the night of 25th nov 2018. 

It was a long tiring day after work and I just wanted to binge watch a movie. Ended up watching this movie. By the time I completed it, it was 1 to 1:30 am. And date had changed to 26/11 just a decade later. 

This movie was released in 2013. Why didn't I see it before?? Why I felt like watching it on that very night?? I have no answers. But several times such silly coincidence happen with me. And I just can't forget that event. What a uncanny feeling I have for such things?? 

Does it happen with anyone else or is it something special with me?? 🤔 

Miracle!! And it's side effects..

While talking to my aunt today, we ended up talking about miracles. She said if you believe miracle is there.. it must be but don't talk about it. But, me being me I shared one of it.

I will share the same miracle here. 

In my first semester engineering after attending class for about a month or less we had puja vacation. I fell sick just before the last day of that holiday and could not attend college for 3 months. In that first year exam I scored exactly what I predicted I should. 

However, the miracle was no other classmate of mine scored more than me. How did that happen?? May be my lectures gave grace marks to me, it's possible. Because they would have thought this girl will fail... she never attended class so give her some extra marks. However, why others still could not score more than me. They all studied right?? It was only me with a exception. The girl who stood second scored just 1 mark less than me. 

When you experience miracle it comes up with own set of challenges. I was greeted by my roommate with harsh comments. We were so friendly and I liked her so much until that day. But, I saw all my friends changing their opinion on me post this result. It was a tough time to navigate that period till our 2nd semester results were out. 

It was my happiest day finally when 2nd semester results came. This time I scored more than my first semester and the girl who stood 2nd(in 1st sem) scored more(50 marks more than me)and was 1st  . Still I was 2nd even though margin of difference was more this time. And finally perception of my friends started changing on me. The gossips vanished and now they understood it was not just sending of my beloved lectures that made me topper in 1st sem. It helped but I was not that bad a student. 

Had this been the same situation in 1st sem, nobody would have commented me. However, god had other plans and he wanted me to experience miracle, which my father referred as a "blessing in disguise". 

As of now I can only share this miracle. Hope someday I can share more on it but right now is not the right time. 

Believe in miracles and you will see it. 

Telepathy practice by Sivananda Saraswati!!

 Without my knowledge and without even being fully convinced that telepathy really works, I did it.. 

Feeling so happy to read it from his(Swami Sivananda Saraswati)book. It works. Atleast I cannot deny it now. 

It worked for me, when unknowingly I thought of someone deeply after 14 long years. 😊😊

I needed this book why it took me so long? 

Yesterday met someone with whom I just connected over watsapp for past few years.  The moment we met she happen to recognise me immediately. Even though I don't have a picture of myself in watsapp. I kept wondering how she could sense it's me. Felt so good. May be she has seen my pic long back. As far as I know it can't be less than a couple of years. 😊😊

Viswakarma puja!!

 Today is Viswakarma puja. This day is celebrated as the birth of engineer god. In my previous post that I wrote about this day long back.  I was curious as to why it falls on 16th or 17th September every year. It's because this doesn't follow the lunar calendar instead follows the solar calendar. 

All the sankranti's that we have is based on solar calendar. Just like Makar Sankranti. Viswakarma puja is on Kanya Sankranti. 

In my in-laws place this is celebrated in much pump and show because of their travel business. They decorate the vehicles with flowers and then do a puja. In our engineering time, this was a festival for the mechanical and electrical branches. Their equipments used to get a puja. 

Anyway this is in one way day of the engineers too. So, let's celebrate. 

In Odisha, each festival is celebrated in much pump and show in a perticular place. Vishwakarma Puja is celebrated in Pradeep in a grand manner. Large pandals, gates and idols of Viswakarma will be installed in this port town and celebrated today. 

Pradeep has a special corner in my life, as this is the place where I started my schooling. I still remember that cannal that we used cross while going to school. Morning sunrays sparkling over that water, the deer park, Paradeep beach with red crabs and we running behind them. Entering that big ship and watching the humongous machine from its 1st or 2nd floor. The coal and iron ore piles outside the dockyard. My first rath yatra visits. First time I fell badly and my knee had a plaster for days.  Racing with friends in our tricycles. 😂 Buying those orange candies for 10 paise, 20 paise etc. Watching colourfull frogs jumping in water in rainy days. That snake which slept inside my father's shoes. That huge fish that a uncle brought home. Those live sea shells that my father put in a jar for us. That old man who sold peanuts. My father and his friends playing cards in weekends and our mother and aunts preparing foods for all. 

Gone are those beautiful days of my childhood. 

Similar faces!!

 In the past decade 

Never did I face this before 

Never saw anyone 

With a similar looking 

Face before 

But this time 

I see two people 

With similar 

Facial features 

Little did I knew 

That this was a hint

That someone is 

About to knock again..

Today again saw that person 

For a moment drifted a little bit 

Thinking of how it will 

Feel if I get to watch again 

Standing away from a distance 

Don't know why I thought this 

But could not resist it !! 

Sunia Parva and Bali Bamana besha of Jagannath 🙏

 As per religious texts on this day Lord Vishnu had taken His 5th incarnation, the Bamana avatar. Like Nrusingha Janma and Krishna Janmastami, Bamana Utsav is also observed in Srimandira. On this day Lord Jagannath is attired with the Bamana Besha.

As per the traditions, on this day, after the Janmotsav ritual and afternoon dhupa Lord Jagannath wears the Bamana attire. Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra are also attired in general attire (sadharana besha) and Raja besha (Royal attire) respectively.

During this besha, Lord Jagannath holds umbrella in his left hand and a pot with kusha batu in the right hand. He is attired as a staunch Bramhin. This attire has also got place in a very popular hymn – ‘Rathe Tu Bamanam Drustwa Punarjanmam Na Vidyate’.

As per Odia culture the New Year begins in the name of the Gajapati. The new ‘anka’ of Gajapati begins from this day which is also the day for the Sunia parva. In ancient times they used gold coins(anka) which used to be inscribed or carved with the new year on today's day. Then they used to circulate this new coin. Thus, new coin from SriNaara(palace of Gajapati maharaj) gets distributed to jamindars and other dignitaries.

Sunia Parva is observed on the 12th day in the Sukla Pakshya in the month of Bhadrava. Hence, Sunia is regarded as the new year of Utkal region. In horoscopes made in Odisha the year, month, date, tithi and Nakshyatra are mentioned. From Sunia day the counting of Gadiasana of Gajapati counted.

On this day during the Sunia Parva, bramhins from Sola sasana (16 sasanas) visit Sri Naara in Puri, the palace of Gajapati Maharaj and each of them present coconut to the king and bless him.

On this day all these bramhins along with others are given Mahaprasad at the Srinaara. On Sunia day, Gajapati Maharaj pays obeisance to Lord Jagannath at Srimandira and offers the Kanaka bheti. After having a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, the Gajapati king visits the old Naara place and pays obeisance to Goddess Shyamakali and Lord Astasambhu before returning to his palace, the Sri Naara.

Today's day- Onam, Engineer's day and end of Ganesh Utsav!!

 Today is main day of Onam.

Today is Engineer's day.

Today is last day of Ganesh Utsav.

What a remarkable day? Wish you all happy Onam, Engineer's day and have a grand celebration of Ganesha utsav. 

The celebrations of Onam are deeply related to the rule of King Bali and his generosity on the land of Kerala. He was an asura or demon by birth and was the grandson of Great Prahlada. Being a demon king, the skills and principles possessed by him were matchless. He fought a war with Lord Indra and all gods and demigods under him to conquer all the three realms of the universe (Heaven, Earth, and Nether world) and succeeded.

Soon after Bali decided to do an Ashwamedha Yajna (a ritual sacrifice) in order to maintain his rule over the three realms and also declared to grant anyone anything during the yajna to make it successful.

The 5th Incarnation of Lord Vishnu: Vamana

This frightened all the gods including Indra and they begged in front of Lord Vishnu to assist them in retrieving their kingdom. But Lord Vishnu rejected their pleas as Bali was an incredibly great and a loyal ruler and his own disciple too. Later, Lord Vishnu approached King Bali in the form of a short Brahmin called Vamana (his 5th Incarnation) and asked for ‘three paces of the land’ from Bali. (In reality, it was God Kabir Ji who acquired the form of Vamana and later presented Himself as Lord Vishnu).

Upon Bali’s agreement, Vamana expanded into gigantic proportions and enclosed earth and the heaven in just two paces. For the third pace, the king proposed his own head in order to keep his promise and thus proved his devotion.

Then Lord Vishnu stepped on his head and pushed him into the nether world and granted him privilege in return of his devotion, by which the King could come annually to the places he governed. Since then the homecoming of King Bali’s spirit is celebrated as Onam.

Today is also Engineer's day birth anniversary of M Visvesvaraya. Thinking of him I just get drifted to visiting Visvesvaraya industrial and technical museum Bangalore. 

And ofcourse our celebrations for Ganapati is coming to an end. Today's day is definitely gonna be very enjoyable. So, enjoy to core of your heart.

Celebrations are about to end!!

We had a wonderful evening with lots of celebration from young kids, to our age people and our elders. And the fun fact is listening to Odia bhajan, watching a Odishi performance and a semi classical on 

"Rangabati Rangabati kanakalata hashi pade kaha lo Katha".

Anyways tomorrow is going to be end of all this and need to wait for a year. Who knows where I will be by then... Will I be here or somewhere else.. can't really predict that.. so enjoyed as much as I could. 

May lord Ganapati bless all!!

Blessings in disguise!!

 What would have happened 

If it would have reached a wrong destination??

My good intentions could

have caused irreversible damage..

From my memory I thought it

be something different..

But felt as though it got changed halfway..

How and why this happened  at all??

Can't really think about it any further...

Guide me Ganapati in the right direction

You only know what you want from us

Is it your blessings in disguise that I still 

 don't understand ..

 🙏🙏🙏

Ganesha strotra!!

 "Ohm"

Pranamya shirasa devam Gauri putram Vinayakam ।

Bhakthavasam smaretrityamayuh kama artha sidhaye ॥1॥

Prathamam Vakratundam cha, Ekadantam dwitiyakam ।

Tritiyam Krushna Pingaksham, Gajavaktram Chaturthakam ॥2॥

Lambodaram Panchamam cha, Sashtam Vikatamev cha ।

Saptamam Vignarajam cha, Dhoomravarnam tathashtamam ॥3॥

Navamam Bhalchandram cha, Dashamam tu Vinayakam ।

Ekadasham Ganapatim, Dwadasham tu Gajananam ॥4॥

Dwadasaithani namani, Trisandhyam yah pathenara ।

Na cha vighna bhayam tasya, Sarvsiddhi karam param ॥5॥

Vidhyarthi labhate Vidhyam, Danarthi labhate Dhanam ।

Putrarthi labhate Putran, Moksharthi labhate Gateem ॥6॥

Japet Ganapati stotram, Shadbhirmasai phalam labheth ।

Samvatsarena sidhim cha, Labhate natra sanshaya ॥7॥

Ashtabhyo Brahmoyashr Likihitwa yh samarpayet ।

Tasya Vidhya bhavetsarva Ganeshasya Prasadatah ॥8॥

॥ Iti Shri Narad Purane Sankat nashanam Ganesha Stotram Sampurnam ॥

One funny incident from my first Ganesh Puja!!

 This is the first ever Ganesh puja that I remember from my childhood. I was in Lkg  probably and we lived in Pradeep that time. My younger brother was about the age of 1.5 to 2yrs of age. On the eve of Ganesh puja my school was celebrating it and only kids were invited.

My brother wanted to accompany me and so he went along. In our prayer hall teachers made us to sit in a row and he was sitting just behind me. After the puja was done we all bowed to god. When I turned back, my brother was not there. I searched for him but couldn't find. I went to main gate and stood there looking for him.

Almost all kids went but still I could not see him. Tears in my eyes, I was standing there. My rickshaw puller came there as he didn't see us for so long. Now me and my rickshaw puller were searching my brother. We went from one classroom to other, enquired all teachers and then went to meet principal. Still no luck. 

Finally after a long search my rickshaw puller said, let's go home. I will come back and look for him. Thus, with a heavy heart we both came to the rickshaw. 

Guess what? My brother was sitting in that rickshaw smiling at me. I still remember that blue dress that he wore that day. Then we came back home. After meeting mom went to my father's bank and even did puja there. This fellow made my first Ganesh puja memorable. Though except one girl I don't even remember any of my classmates name. 

Gone are those childhood days. 

Sithaprajna!!

 Anshuman the name our mother gave

Sithaprajna the name our father gave

Be the one guided by thy wisdom

and reach for the Galaxies unknown  ...

Fear not and let the world know

that there is one mighty Son ...

bigger and brighter than the mighty Sun

Let your wisdom guide you in the right direction

And glow and grow with your full potential ..

Let the world know of your true self 

An Intelligent man with steady wisdom.

Shine brighter and higher and put your mark on this Universe ..

Onam!!

 Onam has been very special to me. One since I like Kerala food very much. Ever since I first visited Kerala when I was in 6th STD. The Kerala red rice to the fresh fishes and coconut based gravies have been my favourite. In fact whole of my family liked it very much. The second time we visited Kerala, we actually saw its heavenly beauty. Enjoyed Kerala food from Parotta Kadala curry to Pazham pori.. only thing that I missed was Karimeen since some uneventful incident did not allow me to have nonveg. 😭

It was in Bangalore that sometimes after having my dinner also we would get the Kerala food separately to enjoy it's taste. The Appams ( same as our chitau pitha) of Kerala with stew is one of its kind.  Now, Onam is nearing and suddenly I wish I could get the Onam sadya somewhere.  Fingers crossed 🤞 

Here is a beautiful article on King Mahabali.. this last line should be marked in bold. 

"Let us build a society where there is only one caste, one religion and one God."

Namo niranjan!!

 "Ohm"

Namo niranjan nikila nidana

Byapta sarva charachare

Pravu dayamaya Mangala alaya 

Jaya Jagdisha hare

Namo niraakara sarvo biswadhara

Byakta bahya abhyantare

Pravu biswapati agatira gati

Jaya Jagdisha hare

Taba Divya Jyoti parakashe niti

Graha Tara nilambare

Taba punya hashe kusuma bikashe

Jaya jagadisha hare

Prakashi karuna je punya prerana

Dei achha mo antare

Kara taha siddhi karuna baridhi

Jaya Jagdisha hare!!!

Radha Ashtami celebration!!

 Got a video today from someone in my society that showed how 108 cakes were served to Radhaji in Iskcon Banglore on the eve of Radha Ashtami.

I had been to this magnificent temple several times during my stay at Bangalore. But the most memorable ones are with my friend cum colleague Sumangala. She used to come there from her home and I used to travel from my PG. 

In this temple they have 108 steps to climb to the main Garbhagriha of temple. Each step has a extra square shaped slab on it. One has to stand on it, chant the Mahamantra once and then move to next step. So, by the time you reach Garbhagriha you would have completed 108 times of Mahamantra. So, unique and it gives so much of positive vibes.

Today got this video and just drifted to that temple premises. I have been to several Iskcon temples but this stands out. 

Beautiful story of Kedara Gauri!!

My school in 5th std was opposite to Mukteshwar temple in Bhubaneswar. And just beside my school was this temple Kedara Gauri. 

I remember my mom telling me the story of two lovers Kedara and Gauri back in those days. This young couple fled from their village when noone agreed for their marriage. They came inside this forest area and at this place, Gauri was too thirsty. So, Kedara went in search of water for her. He then meets a tiger on his way. While he is fighting with the tiger, Gauri felt something is not right. She then hears tigers roar and fears Kedara to be dead. She writes her name on a tree and then commits suicide in a kunda(water tank) near that place. 

However, Kedara returns after sometime to find Gauri dead. He then writes his name above Gauri's name and kills himself. Later the king of this place created this temple in their memories. 

Some say this is not true. Infact Kedara is another name of Shiva and Gauri is another name of Parvati. Once, Shiva came here to find some peace without informing Parvati. 

Then Parvati came in search of Shiva and found him here. They were thirsty and then Shiva with his trident creates Bindusagar which is adjacent to Lingaraj temple. 

Every year on the eve of Sitala shashti the Shiva Parvati vivah takes place and Lingaraj goes to Kedara Gauri temple. Some say this temple was made in memory of Shiva's father in law Daksha. But it is not named after him. 

We classmates in our innocent childhood used to search for this tree, where Kedara and Gauri is written. 😂😂

I remember once going to this temple. It was noon time or what I don't remember watching any deity there. I just remember a white colour wall inside this temple. Don't know exactly why I never visited this temple again.  Though everyday saw this temple and the Mukteswar temple closely never really got to go inside it. My stay in this old Town Bhubaneswar was very short(less than a year) but going to many maths, lingaraj temple, watching Bindusagar eating bhog from Anantvasudev temple was something that I can never forget. Also I remember once they found a temple beneath a house and archeological department started digging that place. It was beside Bindusagar. 

Divinity!!

 

Gauritanayay dhimahi!!

 This puja is making me nostalgic. Yesterday, got fried rice and raita as Prasad with some sweets. That fried rice was of same exact taste that we used to get in my Bangalore PG. I kept some to relish today morning as a breakfast.

The first time in Bangalore when I got that fried rice for breakfast, I thought who eats rice in breakfast. And they gave too much in quantity. But, when I had it, it was good with the thick cucumber raita they served.

Same taste again after so long and that too for a morning Breakfast. 😊 Ofcourse I could not eat many foods in my initial days in Bangalore especially for lunch and dinner. The sour and spicy food was not appealing but breakfast was something that I always liked. Be it Pongal, idli wada, dosas, fried rice, pulihora or lemon rice. 

Then people in my office had this unique fights over the dosas and typical sambar of their region. They all were so obsessed with their perticular sambar and dosa. Being a Odia had better advantage, I liked almost all varieties of dosas and sambhar. Be it the thick and crispy dosas of Bangalore or the very thin paper dosas of Chennai or the thin crust dosas of Hyderabad.. these are all similar to our Chakuli pitha, with ghugni not sambhar. 

Why be so much obsessed with food? When you can enjoy all varieties and get yourself appeased with it. 

Anyway one must try the open dosas in Bangalore, paper dosas in Chennai and steamed dosa with variety of chutneys in Hyderabad. Chutneys of Hyderabad is way too good. 

Let's keep aside the various biryanis and arabian foods for time being. 

Snail at rest !!

 The snail today fell asleep at a wrong place 

Between my kitchen door and hinges..

Oh!!you snail

What would have happened 

If I didn't watch you 

Mindfully before 

Calling it a day..

The snail is as if reminding me 

Go take some rest

After a productive day 

Discipline is to rest well..

So, that you can be at your best

The very next day..

Hmm true but why did you 

Choose a wrong place 

Is it to remind me

To be mindful of every little things..

Oh! Dear snail don't do this again 

You never know I could be 

Careless again and repeat 

That silly me again 😂

Now that I have placed you 

In a safe place 

You rest well and let me try the same 💗 

Interesting story of Sakshigopala temple Puri!!

 Today on the auspicious day of Radha Ashtami let me share an unusual love story where god came as a witness. 

This is the story behind Sakshigopala temple Puri. This temple is also called Satyabadi Gopinath temple. Once there lived a poor man in this village who fell in love with daughter of the village head. Owing to the fact that he was poor, the village head did not agree for their marriage. 

After this once the villagers decided to go on pilgrimage to Vrindavan. The village head and this young man also went for pilgrimage. In Vrindavan, the village head fell sick and nobody came for his help. This young man helped him in his sickness and soon the village head recovered. Out of gratitude for his help, the village head promised to give his daughter in marriage to this young man. 

When they returned to village, the village head denied his promise. And instead asked for a witness to his promise. In sadness and frustration this young man prayed to Krishna to be his witness. Impressed by his devotion lord Krishna agreed to be his witness with one condition. 

Lord Krishna asked the young man to walk in front and lead his way and asked him not to look back at any condition. The young man agreed and started walking. Just before reaching that village Satyabadi, there was a mound of sand. While crossing this sand he could not hear the sounds of Krishna's feet following him. He could not control and looked back. And Krishna stopped here and converted to a statue at that spot. 

However, the villagers were impressed by his devotion and they married this couple who were later appointed as priests of this temple. Thus, the name of the temple is SakshiGopala. (Sakshi meaning witness). 

How beautiful is this love story is not it??

From snail's crawl to tortoise walk!!

 Excited and elated that

Finally I reached tortoise walk

From a snail's crawl..

But still want to keep my

Happiness under control 

As I learnt nobody is

Really happy to see me 

That happy and contented again ..

Woh but why I need to think  

Let me be happy 

But show no sign of it..

Sometimes productive work

Gives immense pleasure ..

Striking a balance of being

Productive each day matters..

Though I don't know all

Still I try my best..

Keeping my fingers crossed 

To see that magic of miracle again 😀 

May the supreme lord bless my spirit again 🙏 🙏 🙏 

Friendship is so underrated!!

What do you expect from your partner??

Just a friend 

I can be me without 

Thinking much if I am with a friend 

Friendship is so underrated 

Why I don't understand??

It's only in our country that

We marry complete strangers ..

And everyone tells this is best 

God knows how but we Indians do..

Fir kya jindagi bas chalti hai

Aur saare emotional needs

Dost hi provide karte hai

Kabhi hak se daant bhi khani ho

To koi dost hi karti hai..

Kabhi bas Yun hi udas ho

Toh koi dost hi samjati hai..

Kabhi khul ke hasne ka man kare

Toh bhi kissi dost se hi milti hai

Iss stranger cum partner se 

Koi umeed na hi karo

Toh hi jindagi thodi aasan hoti hai..

Bas yahi toh hai hum Indian aur hamare 

Successful Arranged marriage ki secret.

Jisse samjh aa gayi tik hai nahi aayi toh 

Jindagi jhand hai!! 

108 names of Ganapati 🙏

 Ohm Gam Ganapatey Namah!!

1. Sarvopasyaya - Om Sarvopasyaya Namah।
2. Sarvakartre - Om Sarva Kartre Namah।
3. Sarvanetre - Om Sarvanetre Namah।
4. Sarvasiddhipradaya - Om Sarvasiddhipradaya Namah।
5. Siddhaye - Om Siddhaye Namah।
6. Panchahastaya - Om Panchahastaya Namah।
7. Parvatinandanaya - Om Parvatinandanaya Namah।
8. Prabhave - Om Prabhave Namah।
9. Kumaragurave - Om Kumaragurave Namah।
10. Akshobhyaya - Om Akshobhyaya Namah।
11. Kunjarasura Bhanjanaya - Om Kunjarasura Bhanjanaya Namah।
12. Pramodaya - Om Pramodaya Namah।
13. Modakapriyaya - Om Modakapriyaya Namah।
14. Kantimate - Om Kantimate Namah।
15. Dhritimate - Om Dhritimate Namah।
16. Kamine - Om Kamine Namah।
17. Kapitthapanasapriyaya - Om Kapitthapanasapriyaya Namah।
18. Brahmacharine - Om Brahmacharine Namah।
19. Brahmarupine - Om Brahmarupine Namah।
20. Brahmavidyadi Danabhuve - Om Brahmavidyadi Danabhuve Namah।
21. Jishnave - Om Jishnave Namah।
22. Vishnupriyaya - Om Vishnupriyaya Namah।
23. Bhakta Jivitaya - Om Bhakta Jivitaya Namah।
24. 75 Jitamanmadhaya - Om Jitamanmadhaya Namah।

76. Aishwaryakaranaya - Om Aishwaryakaranaya Namah।
77. Jyayase - Om Jyayase Namah।
78. Yaksha Kinnerasevitaya - Om Yaksha Kinnerasevitaya Namah।
79. Ganga Sutaya - Om Ganga Sutaya Namah।
80. Ganadhishaya - Om Ganadhishaya Namah।
81. Gambhira Ninadaya - Om Gambhira Ninadaya Namah।
82. Vatave - Om Vatave Namah।
83. Abhishtavaradaya - Om Abhishtavaradaya Namah।
84. Jyotishe - Om Jyotishe Namah।
85. Bhktanidhaye - Om Bhktanidhaye Namah।
86. Bhavagamyaya - Om Bhavagamyaya Namah।
87. Mangalapradaya - Om Mangalapradaya Namah।
88. Avyaktaya - Om Avyaktaya Namah।
89. Aprakrita Parakramaya - Om Aprakrita Parakramaya Namah।
90. Satyadharmine - Om Satyadharmine Namah।
91. Sakhaye - Om Sakhaye Namah।
92. Sarasambunidhaye - Om Sarasambunidhaye Namah।
93. Maheshaya - Om Maheshaya Namah।
94. Divyangaya - Om Divyangaya Namah।
95. Manikinkini Mekhalaya - Om Manikinkini Mekhalaya Namah।
96. Samasta Devata Murtaye - Om Samasta Devata Murtaye Namah।
97. Sahishnave - Om Sahishnave Namah।
98. Satatotthitaya - Om Satatotthitaya Namah।
99. Vighatakarine - Om Vighatakarine Namah।
100. Vishwagdrishe - Om Vishwagdrishe Namah।
101. Vishwarakshakrite -Om Vishwarakshakrite Namah।
102. Kalyanagurave - Om Kalyanagurave Namah।
103. Unmattaveshaya - Om Unmattaveshaya Namah।
104. Aparajite - Om Aparajite Namah।
105. Samsta Jagadadharaya - Om Samsta Jagadadharaya Namah।
106. Sarwaishwaryapradaya - Om Sarwaishwaryapradaya Namah।
107. Akranta Chida Chitprabhave - Om Akranta Chida Chitprabhave Namah।
108. Shri Vighneshwaraya -Om Shri Vighneshwaraya Namah।