Judgements

Today in Newspaper I came across a beautiful line from Jesus "Judge not,that ye be not judges;for with what ye judge,ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete,it shall be measured too you again."

If you want to be free from blame and criticism and not be held responsible for something bad; if you want people to respect and love you and behave well with you,then you will have to do likewise. If you are the one involved in constant criticising people and passing judgements,then you ought not to be surprised to find yourself in the line of fire.You will also be judged by people around you over whom you sit in judgement. Then, you cannot turn around and complain.

We should not forget that whatever attitude we have towards others , it is ought to come back to us. And this is the Law of Attraction. This is not only written in Christianity, but also in Hinduism and may be present in all other religion.

However, sometimes I feel is this being followed by any strict follower of religion. In the name of God, the biggest crimes still happen. People do not stop to criticise one another and their beliefs. Sometimes, my own beliefs says If god is there and we believe he is going to Judge us,then why we do not stop doing wrong things to other, at that time why we forget that God is watching us.

 Service to mankind is the best for of devotion shown to god. I do believe the same. If we cannot feed someone but pray two hours before you, are you going to help us. It is not always possible to feed everyone everyday, but what about our own family.

Feeding here does not necessarily mean just food. People around us are more hungry for love and care than food. If we can not love someone,cannot show gratitude for being loved, then what is the use of that prayer that we do to you.

There is yet another line that Life is all about give and take policy. Just would like to say when we shout on others,scream then we forget that what we are doing. Our ego overrides and the result is our behaviour. Before scolding a beggar or a maid, we forget that we are also serving someone. We are equal to this beggar before God, always begging for mercy. We are serving for an organisation or we serve to customers for our livelihood. If God and our organisation returns the same to us that we did, then will we be able to handle it.

I remember a prayer in my school days
" It is better to light just one little candle than to stumble in the dark.
Better far that you light just one little candle, than to stumble in the dark.
If we all say a prayer then the world would be free,
If we all light a candle then what a bright world, the newday will see."

It surprises to see sometimes the educated and intelligent people, doing such silly things. Education and intelligence is what makes us understand that we are not the proprietor of anything. This body,mind,our work and everything is you Lord,what you have done and will do will be with you, then why knowingly and unknowingly we create so many problems.

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Is being good,really good.

Oh Santa!

As Christmas is coming,I wish I could be a small child again. I could dance around and wait for Santa to deliver me chocolates. Dear Santa, you give chocolates and gifts to those who are good children and charcoals to few who are bad?

I do not know whether being good is really good. And I do not understand based on what you judge someone is good and bad. For children of young age, you can just see if they are naughty or nice. However, dear Santa, when we are grown, how you judge who is good and bad.

I want to ask only one question, "Is being good, really good ?" and what is good and bad. Now my mind says, good and bad is just feeling inside us, these are relative and has no existence in reality. Then how you judge what is good and bad. Being truthful,trustworthy, being rightful is what is good or being dutiful,being obedient is what is good?

One person cannot have all qualities, because we are human beings. However, to be good to someone,is it this that you say a mistake. Being grown up means, we just know how to behave in public. But, our heart contains that small child within. I want to ask you, why bad things do happen to good people? Why someone has to bear mistakes of someone else. I don't know what you want to give me indeed. However, dear Santa, I really wish you come and give me something.

Merry Christmas

Christmas—

Oh Almighty Lord, I am not sure in which form to pray you. As I believe you are only one, but represented with different forms. I pray to you and thank you for the year of life that you gave me.

I had known a story of hare and tortoise once. That like the hare, there used to be a man, who was always in hurry to reach his destination. He asked you to make him grown up, when he was young. And you reluctantly fulfilled his wish, and then he asked you for a wife, then children and so on. He then became old at an earlier age and said to you that he is left with no more wishes.  It is true if we receive everything the way we want, and then want will cease.

Don’t know what to ask, because my heart says you know my wish. This time I won’t ask you to give anything extra, but your blessings.

As you say "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

I don't know whom to ask except you. I ask you for blessings.

Strength vs Courage

I wrote this poem in one of my notebook manydays back. Its wonderful poem written by someone else. I am just sharing it ,after getting this in my notebook.

It takes strength to be firm.
It takes courage to be gentle.
 It takes strength to stand guard.
It takes courage to let down your guard.
 It takes strength to conquer.
It takes courage to surrender.
 It takes strength to be certain.
It takes courage to have doubt.
 It takes strength to fit in.
It takes courage to stand out.
 It takes strength to feel a friend's pain.
It takes courage to feel your own pain.
 It takes strength to hide your own pains.
It takes courage to show them.
 It takes strength to endure abuse.
It takes courage to stop it.
 It takes strength to stand alone.
It takes courage to lean on another.
 It takes strength to love.
It takes courage to be loved.
 It takes strength to survive.
It takes courage to live.

"Ohm Amrutay Namah"

This story is based on the Narasimha Avtar or the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu to protect his young devotee PRAHLAD. When demon king HIRNAYAKASHYAPU learnt the death of his brother HIRANYAKSHYA in the hands of LORD VISHNU. He bowed to kill LORD VISHNU and his devotees. With this in his mind, he did great penance to appease LORD BHRAHMA and got several boons. He got boon that he should not be killed by any living or dead creature, any created thing on earth or sky, at night or day, inside or outside, by man or beast, celestial beings or Asuras, by any poisonous beings alive or dead or by any weapons.

After receiving this boon, he fought with Indra the chief of Gods and defeated him in the furious battle. Then he started tormenting people and devotees of LORD VISHNU. During, this process HIRANYAKASHYAPU's wife while she was pregnant, was taken away by INDRA. The sage NARADA stopped them on the way and expalined her the glory of MAHAVISHNU. This was being heard by the foetus. The foetus became devotee of LORD VISHNU,hearing the words of NARADA.When the baby was born to HIRANYAKASHYAPU,he was named PRAHLAD meaning supremely happy.

PRAHLAD was sent to GURU SUKRACHARYA to learn administration and other subjects. SUKRACHARYA started to inculcate the new syllabus given by HIRANYAKASHYAPU to worship him as GOD.However, he could not instill the heart of PRAHLAD to worship HIRANYAKASHYAPU. He could not divert the attention of PRAHLAD from his attachment to LORD VISHNU.

Having failed in his attempts, SUKRACHARYA complained to HIRANYAKASHYAPU, who became angry with his son. HIRANYAKASHYAPU tried to kill his son for his devotion to LORD VISHNU.

One day, HIRANYAKASHYAPU called PRAHLAD and gave him milk, to which poison was added. PRAHLAD took the milk and chanting "OHM NAMHO NARAYANA and OHM AMRUTAY NAMAH" drank the whole milk. He was not affected by the poison in milk because of his devotion to LORD MAHAVISHNU.

Then HIRANYAKASHYAPU ordered PRAHLAD to be cut into pieces,however the weapon used got broken into pieces.

He had him cast away in ocean. But, the LORD of Ocean brought him back unaffected.

He was hurled from the mountain top, but was saved by the hands of Vishnu.

He was left to be bitten by poisonous snakes, but the LORD who reclines in the ADISHESHA saved him.

He then ordered his sister HOLIKA to take him with her in fire. As HOLIKA had a boon to walk through fire unaffected. However, PRAHLAD was saved by the LORD VISHNU and HOLIKA was burnt to ashes for playing fowl with a boon.

In all these above incidents PRAHLAD was not affected and remain cheerful , for his devotion to LORD VISHNU. The Mantra that he kept chanting is from VISHNU SHAHASHRANAMA. The Mantra " OHM AMRUTAY NAMAH", is to turn the bitter poison to taste like AMRUT. 

For his devotion to LORD VISHNU, VISHNU finally took the form of NARASIMHA, his 4th incarnation to kill HIRANYAKASHYAPU and restore faith and devotion on him.

The small child  PRAHLAD was not affected by the tortures and torments his father gave to him, because LORD VISHNU transformed the venom into sweet, that could be taken by him. He transformed the fire that it won't burn PRAHLAD slightly. This is the devotion on GOD which transforms the greatest misery into pleasant thing, that could be taken by us.

By chanting the Mantra with utter devotion, we pray to GOD to make the unpleasant things around us to transform into something pleasurable.

"OHM AMRUTAY NAMAH"

"Quotes"

Quotes motivates, inspires and teach us and helps you look at from a different and broader perspective.Quotes are considered pieces of wisdom,which enlighten the mind to truth and wisdom.Quotes bring hope and faith, helps in time of difficulties and in times of happiness and success. Reading inspiring quotes everyday will make you feel happier,stronger and inspired. From generations we are advised to read holy books, because these books also contain,motivational quotes in a way. When we feel sad and frustrated, people advise us to read such books. Like in Hinduism we are advised to read, Ramayana, The Bhagwat Gita, Sai Sadcharita and other prayers and quotes.

These books not only tells us to tackle problems,sometimes gives us courage and hope. Few days back I read a story about a small child asking his grandfather about the importance of The Bhagwat Gita. The grandfathers explanation was too good and was too easy explanation that can be understood by a kid of five years age.

I have  got a habit of reading and writing quotes from my college days. When I was in 12th I used to maintain a dairy with jokes taken from newspaper everyday, with photos of film stars on it. When  I see that small master piece of mine, somehow smile comes to my face automatically. That simple act of mine long back makes me smile now.

I miss my personal diaries now, in one I used to write quotes, and another with jokes and some with my personal thoughts. You might smile or in fact laugh reading my blog, however writing is something which makes me happy, clears my heart and sometimes removes pain from my heart. Many of my blog stories are taken from my own experience. I have done this in order to again laugh at it at a later time reading this little work of mine. If you want to join me in this laugh, you are most welcome.

I am going to jot down few of my favourite quotes, some lines that I have taken from my friends and some quotes that I have read elsewhere.Now, please smile and give a simple thought to the below quotes.

- Happiness is experienced after a problem has been solved, a fear has disappeared or after realizing a desire. At this moment the mind is released from it fears, worries and desires and becomes quiet, letting the happiness emerge.

- Happiness is nothing but good health and bad memory.

- Laugh and the world laughs with you,cry and the world laughs more.

-We make them cry who care for us. We cry for those who never care for us. And we care for those who will never cry for us.

- Let the joy in your heart overflow and water everyone you meet.


-An optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity; a pessimist sees a calamity in every opportunity.

- Disappointment often focuses on the failure of our own agenda rather than on God's long-term purposes for us, which may use stress and struggle as tools for strengthening our spiritual muscles.
- Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.
-Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense regardless of how it turns out.

-The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.
-Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.

- Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute.

-Few things in the world are more powerful than a positive push. A smile. A word of optimism and hope. A "you can do it" when things are tough.
-Nothing can stand in the way of absolute belief and confidence.

- Success is not only more money, promotion and social status. It is also more happiness, harmonious relationships and spiritual growth.

-Do not undervalue the importance of success in small matters. It proves to you that with persistence, greater success is possible too.

-Attaining peace of mind, happiness, satisfaction, inner strength, spiritual enlightenment and realizing the inner self is spiritual success.


-Attaining good health, love, good relationships, promotion, status, money and possessions, and realizing desires and ambitions is material success.

-Willpower, persistence, patience and work bring your desires into manifestation.


-Visualize your goals clearly, add desire and faith, and you will surely achieve them.

- If life throws stones at me, I can make statues out of it.

- Trust is a better compliment than Love.

- Hope is the dream that awakens the soul.

Have You ever wondered what is the meaning of your name?

The day was final year of my engineering, and I was attending Seminar on "Appearing Personal Interview". The lecturer for the day was from another college. He gave us many helpful tips on how to prepare for appearing PI. During the second half of the Seminar, he started to interact with us and ask many questions that could be asked by any company HR. Suddenly, he pointed his fingers at me. Asked me a simple question that What is my name?, after hearing the answer, he asked "What do you mean by it?". For a moment many thoughts came to me. My name Sharmistha is based on Hindu Mythology and history.

Sharmistha was the first queen of Arya, wife of king Yajati and daughter of King Vrisparba. She was known for her sacrifice. There is an old Oriya movie named Sharmistha and also a novel based on her. Even though she was born as a princess, she had to sacrifice a lot for her people and kingdom. The story goes like this.

                                                                                                                

Sukracharya was the preceptor of Asuras (demons). The Asura king Vrishaparva greatly respected Sukracharya as he knew the secret of Mritasanjibani, a drug that brings the dead back to life. Devayani was Sukracharya's only daughter and spoiled by her father's indulgence.
One morning, Sharmistha, the Asura princess, daughter of Vrishaparva, came to Sukracharya's hermitage with her friends. She asked Sukracharya to allow Devayani to accompany them for a bath in a nearby lake. Sukracharya agreed. They soon reached the lake and left their clothes on the bank to go into the water. Suddenly a storm blew up and scattered their clothes. The girls hurriedly came out of the lake and got dressed. It so happened that the princess Sharmistha, by mistake, clad herself in Devayani's clothes. Angered by this, Devayani insulted Sharmistha, the Asura princess. Argument began and Sharmistha pushed Devayani into a dry well and left Devayani in the well.
It so happened that Yayati, the king of a nearby state, came hunting in the forest and was looking for water to drink. When he came near the well he was surprised to find Devayani lying at the bottom. Devayani introduced herself and said that she fell into the well. She then requested the king to pull her out. Yayati helped her out. Devayani demanded that Yayati marry her as he has held her by the right hand. Yayati was alarmed and turned down her request on the ground that he belonged to lower Khatriya (or warrior) caste, and Devayani was a Brahmin (priestly) maid. Yayati then left and Devayani continued to sit under a tree.
When she did not return, Sukracharya set out in search of her. He found Devayani under a tree, her eyes filled with tears of anger and grief. When Sukracharya inquired, Devayani told her father every thing, carefully hiding her own faults. She refused to return to the kingdom of Vrishaparva as she was badly insulted by the Asura princess, Sharmistha. Failing to change her mind, Sukracharya returned to Vrishaparva and announced that he was leaving the Asura kingdom because of his daughter Devayani's unhappy conflict with princess Sharmistha. Vrishaparva begged Sukracharya to stay. Sukracharya left the decision with his daughter Devayani.
Vrishaparva wasted no time and went to Devayani taking his daughter Sharmistha along. He begged forgiveness for his daughter. Devayani agreed to return on one condition that Sharmistha be her handmaiden for the rest of her life. Sharmistha agreed for the sake of her father, the king. Devayani was pacified and returned to her father's hermitage. But Devayani was vindictive and humiliated Sharmistha by asking to massage her legs and run errands.
One day, king Yayati passed that way. Devayani introduced Sharmishtha as her maid and reminded Yayati that he should marry her. Yayati repeated that he could not marry a Brahmin maid. Devayani then took Yayati to her father. Sukrachaya gave his blessing on their marriage. They were soon married and led a happy life. Devayani had two sons.
Sharmistha continued to stay as Devayani's handmaid. Yayati made a palace for Shramistha at the request of Devayani. One day Sharmishtha secretly met Yayati and told him what happened between her and Devayani. Yayati was sympathetic. Sharmistha begged Yayati to take her as the second wife. Yayati agreed and married her but without the knowledge of Devayani. Sharmistha had three sons.
One day, Devayani met the three sons of Sharmistha. She asked the boys the name of their father. They pointed to Yayati. Devayani was shocked. She felt deceived and ran to her father's hermitage. Sukracharya was enraged and cursed Yayati with premature old age. Yayati begged for forgiveness. Sukracharya and Devayani felt sorry for him. Sukracharya then said, "I cannot take back my curse, but if any of your sons is ready to exchange his youth for your old age, you will be young again as long as you wish."


Then Yayati returned to his kingdom and called Devyani, And asked her to convince one of her son to take the father's old age. However, neither Devyani nor his son agreed to Yayti's proposal. Then Yayti called Sharmistha and his sons. When he asked the same thing to Sharmistha and his son Puru. They reluctantly agreed to his wish. And Puru took his fathers old age, so that his father being the king could rule the kingdom wisely and well.


I was named Sharmistha by my maternal Aunt. She read the novel "Sharmistha" when I was born. And she was so influenced by the sacrifices that Sharmistha made for the well being of her kingdom and people that she convinced my parent to name me after her.


When I was in 10th STD, I came to know from the Universe chapter in Physics that there is a constellation named after Sharmistha. The international name of this constellation is Cassiopeia. This is one of the 88 constellations known. Cassiopeia is easily recognizable due to its distinctive 'W' shape formed by five bright stars. Cassiopeia name originated from Greek mythology. Cassiopeia is the mother of Princess Andromeda and wife of king Cepheus.
                                       


However, that day I was not able to answer the question. The question was the meaning of word Sharmistha. The lecturer did not ask me about the mythology, history or stars and physics. Before, I could utter a word, he told "Every name has a meaning, and you should know the meaning of that word. Any HR probably ask you this and would expect you to give a prompt answer."


When I returned home, I called my Mom and Dad to ask the meaning of the word Sharmistha. To which my Dad answered, if you divide the word(Sandhivichhed) it becomes Sharma+ishta+aa. The meaning of Sharma is kind, well-wisher, happiness and ishta means the best. Aa is for a lady. So, comprising this the meaning goes as a Lady who is kind hearted,who gives happiness and is a well-wisher. In short she is the best. Then I google searched the meaning of my name and found another interesting representation.
The word was divided into two parts (Shandhivicched) and is Shar(shwar)+mishta and the meaning is one having sweet voice.

Well in any way the meaning of this word indicates a person with good heart and speech. I felt little proud that day to have this name. However, if someone expects me to sacrifice like the queen, then probably I can't. Sacrifice is not easy and you should have the deserving people to do such sacrifices. Hard for human being to do such things, is not it? God knows what Sharmistha the queen got by such sacrifices, I guess only pain. Might be she got satisfied with the happiness of the people of her kingdom.

The little things that you do---- blessings of angels reaching me through you

Well I can start by dedicating to some of my friends... but that will not serve the sole purpose of writing my memoir on this blog. Friends are angels who bring sunshine and warmth to brighten our days. Yesterday, night I was thinking of my childhood, days spent in college and the days spend thereafter. Suddenly, something struck to my mind, that is nothing but some little things that my friends did for me, that made me feel special if not forever, it was for few moments. And the lesson that I learnt from my friends was incredible.

They came to my life like little angels showering blessings with lots of love. To start I remember one embarrassing incident that happened to me way back in lower KG @ V Point, Para deep. My father had got a new pencil box of green color. I still remember it as though it happened just yesterday. I was too excited to show my new pencil box to whole class. I went happily with lots of excitement to school. But, something terrible happened that day, for the first and last time one of my classmate accused me of stealing her pencil box.


Since, mine was new and I had carried it to class for the first time, the teacher believed the other girl. And my excitement was shattered in one moment. I felt so low, when I reached home after school, I cried and told my Dad to come with me to school next day. The next day my dad went and talked to the class teacher. That day my teacher praised me in front of whole class and the girl accusing me of theft was punished. I learnt the lesson of jealousy and criticism. I learnt how to overcome such ridicule statements made at me. The problem is I have forgotten that girls face too who made such accusation on me. I hardly remember any of them. I have two photos from this school and I remember only one girl in the whole group.


I have many such incidents that made me feel low at times. Life is not just one way path; I have enjoyed a lot with my friends. There are many such moments which probably I can’t write in a blog. Some are so wonder full that I long today to go back and live in that moment. When I went to Notre Dame Academy, one of the schools which not only nurtured me and made me go up in life, but in a way changed me altogether.
I can never forget Sister Vandana, our geography teacher. She was too strict, however thanks to her that my geography is quite strong even today. I met with Doljeet kaur, my best friend in Jamalpur. She was there beside me for the whole three years. We played see-saw together, shared our lunch boxes. I was known as the most silent girl in whole class. I remember Miss Sushila asking whole class, who can remain quite for a whole day. There was one name in everyone mouth that's me. Don't know why I did not mingle much, maybe I missed Doljeet for not being in my section. Today, I try searching her name in Orkut and facebook, but I don't find you anywhere. Missing you. It looks like yesterday that you stayed back from school to bid goodbye to me, waving hands at me when my bus left.


Then I came to DAV public school, Cuttack and met many wonder full friends. Sandhya, Nisha, Archana, Moonmoon to name a few. I learnt many things with Sandhya and Nisha. It was ninth STD, and I did not know how to ride a bicycle. Every day morning I used to practice with my new bicycle. My dad said he can’t teach me because he too can’t ride a bicycle now. And my brother was too lazy to get up in the morning.


I used to learn it by myself. Unknown strangers guided me and gave tips on riding. Then on one Saturday, both Sandhya and Nisha came to my home. They asked my Mom to allow me to go with them, in my bicycle to Chandi Chhack. Well I was little nervous, however my Mom agreed and said she has faith they will take good care of me. That was the day when for the first time I rode on my cycle to almost 4 kms. I fell twice on the way. The road was clumsy with the traffic, but hats off to them for their patience and guidance that I could reach home safely. The day was my biggest moral boaster, next day on every day I went to school in my bicycle. That was the biggest lesson which made me nearly perfect to ride bicycle in a day. Every day while comming back from school they used to encourage me. And this small act of them gave me all strength to plunge directly on to my destiny.


Then I met Ayesha in my ISc. We both went together to all the tuitions and college. One day, she did not go to physics tuition as she was not feeling well. I went alone, and met with an accident in Chandini chowk. My left leg was smashed between a boulder and my scooty. Nearby people helped me to come out. No doubt my leg was paining, and I could have come back to home from there. However, I choose to attend the physics test. I did not inform my physics tutor S.K Shah Sir. I gave the test like in any other day. Then I went back to home. When I finally saw my leg, it was bleeding. The mark is still there in my leg which will remind of this incident. I did not stop there; instead took medicine and went to attend college. In the evening Ayesha came to our house to pick me up for the chemistry tuition. First we went to doctor and took tetanus injection and then attended Chemistry. That day, one story from one of my teacher came to my mind. When I was in STD 4th, she narrated a story about herself. Once she met accident while going to college and got a severe injury but still she continued to do her work and applied medicine only after she returned home. Her father is a well known doctor, still she choose not to depend unnecessarily on medicine. She tried to tell us that our body has enough immunity to heal small wounds. Only when it becomes unbearable we should depend on medicine. That lesson of her gave me courage that day to carry on my duty irrespective of the injury that I had got.


Then I came to my engineering college, I was very excited to go to hostel. Many of my friends in engineering most be thinking, I never have issues in food, or might be I like the food of hostel very much. However, when I was all set to go to hostel, my Dad once told me these lines, which made me not to dislike any food. He just said “There will be time in your life, when no one will be there to ask you, if you had food. You need to take care of yourself and have food in correct time so that you don’t fall sick". Till today whenever I taste something that does not excite my taste buds, I just remind his lines and take what is given to me. Just after a month of my first semester, I fell sick of typhoid, and was given complete bed rest for 2 months. When I was again preparing to go back to college, I met Ayesha, and told her my worries for appearing the first semester. Till today her words ring in my ear. She just told, " I can’t believe that you are afraid of first semester, you were never afraid of exams, you never missed a single test of SK Shah, then what is stopping you now?"


Somehow, these words gave me enough courage to go back to college and study hard for appearing first semester. I stood first in my branch (It was like blessing in disguise). And I rocked.


These are few of the incidents that changed my life. Some taught me that life is uncertain. And this uncertainty in life is its best gift. Sometimes, when life gives hard set back, it becomes difficult to think back and learn from our strength and weaknesses. When I become sad, I hardly think of these, but now that I am in good mood, I think about these and laugh to myself. This is life which is uncertain and will be uncertain, and then only we can live it to the fullest.
No doubt my friends and there act taught me the best lesson of life.

The Art of Giving and receiving gifts

Being born and brought up in middle class family, my values and teachings from childhood had never given much importance to the art of giving and receiving gifts. As a child we never had any celebration of Birthdays. There was no cake cutting, no parties. And as my Birthday falls on the last day of year ( 31st Dec), my parent always used to say me, your birthday is celebrated by all. I used to cherish the feeling that the whole world dances,parties and fires crackers in celebrating the upcoming new year and giving homage to the last yr. Even though its not celebrated as my birthday, the day is unique and something which no one forgets.

To mark our birthday my mom used to prepare homemade sweet dish. And we siblings celebrated all our birthdays in same fashion. When we grew up, then my brothers first celebrated my birthday in yr 2002. I never expected to cut a cake. Both of them got a cake in the shape of pineapple. And it was looking too yummy. The surprise made my day, even today I feel proud that my brothers did something extra ordinary that yr. Before 2002 I had always taken my birthday as yet another day of life.

I remember making an fruit cake to celebrate my youngest Bros 5th birthday. Though there was no icing on it, the cake was too good at taste. And I was too proud to make wonderful cake at that tender age. Not only receiving but giving such gifts made with truest emotion makes oneself proud. My second brother gifted me one album few years back. And that is the only album that  I still keep with me where ever I go. The memories associated with these small yet wonderful gifts makes me think and rejoice with the wonderful moment I spent.

My last yrs birthday was also remarkable. I made few new friends last year and hardly expected any thing from them. However, they proved me completely wrong. They got pastries due to absence of the availability of cake on the eve of new yr. And most importantly the pastries were not only yummy but way to high in price than a normal cake. Receiving such gifts from someone you don't expect is a gift in itself. I also got to meet one of my best friend after a long time on the eve of my birthday. The presence of my best friend had made my day. These are some of the best moments of my life. Now I fear I can ever get such surprises and gifts.Sometimes I feel low of losing these and sometimes I feel proud to have these.

This uncertainty in life is the best gift of life.

Ashoka Flowers:- The flower of love

Here’s a very interesting matter during my surfing on the net some couple of days ago, it is about Asoka tree. Asoka tree is flowering throughout the whole year. I came across an article that leads me to the myth and legend around Asoka tree in India.

In Ramayan the story of Rama and Sita, it is said that when Sita (Rama’s wife) was kidnapped by Ravana, she was hidden in a garden which is overwhelmed with Asoka trees. Thus for India’s society, this flower is dedicated to Rama.And the name Asoka (after sandhi vichhed) gives a meaning as one who takes away all sorrows. It is believed Sita prayed to Ashoka tree to take away her misery and sorrow of being away from her husband Rama.Thus, it is considered the symbol of Love in Hinduism.

In Buddhism, It is believed that Sakyamuni(Gautama Buddha), the founder of Buddha and Nirvana doctrine, was born under Asoka tree in X century. Asoka trees are worshipped by the Buddhist. While for Hinduism, this flower is a symbol of love.

Both Buddhist and Hinduism Asoka trees is planted in the surrounding of their temples. In India, this flower is widely used for medication; the juice obtained from the flower nectar and by boiling the branches of Asoka is believed to cure gynec diseases.

In Bengal, during Dusherra Puja, On the maha saptami day, nine plants decorated as Maa Durga is worshipped. One of these plants is Ashoka along with Banana,Wood apple, Pomegranate,  Arum, Jayanti, Rice,Cola cassia and turmeric. It is believed the ladies in Bengal consume Ashoka flowers on this occasion.

The Hinduism believes that by drinking the boiled water of Asoka flower will keep their children fearful and grieve.

True or wrong it has been a part of India’s exotic culture

Am I speaking so slowly that you are not able to hear?

Today dear lord again I am silent

I don’t talk, I don’t smile,

I get bored but I never quit.

Don’t know my fault for which I am punished.

I heard you return everything that we give.

I gave love, I gave care, I gave affection and I gave smile.

But, u returned it with no love, no care and only tears.

I wanted everyone to be happy,

But I made everyone only unhappy.

Now I feel nobody loves me.

Not even you, Oh! my Lord?

Oh! God I heard you reply every prayer with love.

Am I speaking so slowly that you are not able to hear?

I build castles of love and affection in my dream.

I pray to you to make my dream come true.

You hardly listen to me and break my dream.

Whom shall I ask to be with me?

Am I so bad that I deserve this?

I don’t know my faults, for which I am punished,

Could you tell me so that I am ready to serve this penance?

When will it get over my lord, it hurts a lot for not being loved by you.

I love you dear god, don’t break my heart & listen to me.

Please don’t run that I can’t catch you.

Life is a gift given by you, then why it hurts to have this gift.

Gifts are given to spread love and happiness,

Why is it that your gift is paining me?

Don’t know if you ever will hear me?

But, I will not stop to tell you my pain.

Be an angel in my life, and bless me lord.

I want to feel the love, which you want me to get by this gift.

A poem written by a student of Class X that touched my heart---- Building castels in the air

Once,when I was daydreaming.I built a big castle in the air,
That would oviously make everyone stare.
It was built of beautiful red sandstone,
In sunlight and moonlight it dazzled and shone.
It had shining curtains made of silk,
And I was always given a golden cup of milk.
It had marvellous gardens, with apples and ferns.
Millions of human eyes were dazzled by my castle,
Its popularity was more than Pele of Brazil!
But, suddenly,an earthquake broke my castle down,
And its popularity waned in the surrounding town.
People began to gossip,
And also began to mock.
So, dont build castles in the air,
People know to praise as well as to mock - beware!

Digital will:....Have you ever thought of your internet accounts after your death?

This post is taken from an email that I received today... To my thinking digital will can be a solution to today's internet world,and our internet accounts and information for our nominee.So, I am posting this inorder to create more awareness about it. In India, this is still a big question about digital will...Please read on about it.

Other than the physical existence, we all have a digital self of our own today. And in this digital life, we also have our assets in digital formats. What are these 'soft' assets then? Well, email accounts, social networking accounts, internet banking accounts and data stored on PCs are some of those. Have you ever thought about what will happen to these digital assets after you die? Probably it's time that you ought to. And a digital will is the best way out.
A digital will, also called an 'Internet will', is the document that legally bequeaths a person's digital assets to his heirs. It contains a list of websites each with user names and passwords, along with other information needed to access the site. The will-maker can ask someone to email his friends and colleagues to report his death. He might give a son access to his online bank account or may give a daughter rights to his online savings or pension. Compared to a paper document, a digital will is safer, and can easily be kept up-to-date.
In order to create a digital will, first a digital inventory needs to be created. A digital inventory is nothing but an index of a person's 'soft' assets. Then it is the authentication of the will-makers digital signature that comes next. After that, within a day or two, the digital will can be made ready, according to a cyber law specialist.
A Delhi businessman opted for a digital will in April this year for the first time in India. The digital will allows his successors to access private mails in his inbox and other digital archives including personal photos, albums, documents, correspondence and video clips after his death.
Although the concept of a digital will still to get momentum in India, countries like U.S. are working on ideas where a person's digital information can be accessed by his kin after his death. A San Francisco-based company allows people to upload and store all personal passwords and documents which are then emailed to pre-chosen contacts after their death.
There are very few internet organizations that have developed a policy for dealing with deceased customers. Popular social networking site Facebook's policy states the company will never release login information to anyone other than the account holder, even after death. A few years back, it instituted a policy regarding how to handle the profiles of deceased individuals. There are two options that a dead person's family members could choose - Facebook will delete an account permanently upon the family's request or converting the account into a memorial profile.

While Yahoo ceases accounts of dead account holders, Google, that runs Gmail (email), Orkut (social networking) and Picasa (online photo-sharing), gives access to his kin under certain conditions. It needs full name and contact information of the person, a verifiable email address, the full header and content of an email he has received from the dead person's account, a copy of the death certificate and a copy of the document that gives the person authority over the email account. It may be a long process, but can be avoided by creating a digital will.

Ways to make life easy again..

We often think life was pretty easy when we were young. We had no fear, no tension, no plans and no results to come up. We always feel the old days could make a comeback and we could enjoy like kids.

Yes, it’s possible to make life easy again. As we grow old we complicate things. As a child we had no knowledge of what we own, how we look, what others have, how they look. With age, we compare our living with our peers. We compare the way we look. We compare on everything that is around us. That is the reason why we say god truly smiles with the smile of a kid.  We find happiness when we are satisfied that we have is enough, and the next moment someone tries to cross this, we become unhappy. As a child we fell thousand times before standing up. We fell thousand times before learning to walk. We cried but we never gave up the process of falling. However, when we grow, we hesitate to fall. We decide on an advance that everything should go on in our favor. Rather than solving the problem which caused us to fall, we avoid it all together.

As a child we used to value promises a lot. All of us would remember the time when you become angry with your Dad or Mom for not taking you for a picnic or not preparing your favorite cake. However, when we grow up, we follow the elders in making and breaking promises. We forgot the pain that caused us to cry for breaking simple promises, however now we make bigger promises and break them so easily. Some promises that we make to external world and some to our own people. However, all are broken.

As a child we never used to read someone’s mind before talking, however now as a grown up individual we try to see what the actual motive of the person, even before starting the conversation.

As a child we politely admitted what we liked and what we did not. However, as grown up we try to be as much diplomatic as possible. We hesitate to say a simple sorry or apologies for our mistakes. We try to make our living simpler by putting others into complicated situation. We count more on what we don’t have and rush towards achieving it, than counting on what we have. We forgive less, forget more. We love less and expect more. The inner peace gets vanished when we try to see our faults and our miserable state that we cannot even apologize for our mistakes.

We return even the slightest bruise or pebble thrown at us with cannon. We as grown up we are more revengeful; we try to foresee the future. But, we forget future will unfold by itself.  We try to impose our wishes on our parent, child, siblings and everyone around us. However, we forget that god has decided the best for us. We forget that we cannot change the future and the nature.

There are many ways that can make our life easier, below are few points.

1-      Never make promises that you intend not to fulfill. Try to fulfill the first promise that you make before you make another.

2-      Don’t lie a person just for your selfish interest.

3-      Welcome everyone with a smile. But, don’t consider everyone as a friend. Instead, nurture the relationship that really matters to you.

4-      Don’t be good to someone if you really don’t mean it.

5-      Learn to apologies. By being sorry, you will not be the weakest one, but even stronger to accept your mistakes.

6-      Live below your means. Don’t buy stuffs that you don’t require. And don’t buy something out of jealousy.

7-      Follow your heart. Don’t waste your time fulfilling someone else’s dream and desire.

8-      Say “I love you” as many times as possible to loved ones.

9-      Be thankful to the people who help you.

10-   Help someone, when you are held up in traffic than cursing for being late.

11-   Make mistakes, learn from it and don’t be pessimist that you cannot overcome it.

12-   Realize that you are never quite right as you think you are.

13-   Be curious to learn new things.

14-   Accept the truth, rather than proceeding with another lie.

15-   However, good or bad the present situation is, it will change very soon. Accept this truth.

16-   Health is wealth. So, take good care of your health.

17-   Remember, money cannot buy everything.

18-   Not only try to maintain relationship in your life, but also maintain life in your relationship.

19-   Don’t spend time and thoughts on people who only think about themselves, who do not care about you as a person or who don’t care about how you feel. Place your time on someone who will add colors to your life. Life is too short to waste on empty conversation.

20-   Compromising does not mean that we are wrong and someone is right. It only means that we value our relationship more than our EGO.

21-   Relationship is like books. It takes few seconds to burn. But, it takes years to write. So, preserve your relationship.

22-   We think something will happen and we will be happy, however, it’s our inner self which can make us happy or feel sad. When we are in bad mood even slightest noise makes us feel irritated. Try to devote sometime to yourself. And learn to do something just for yourself. Make yourself happy. When you are happy then everything will seem to be happy.

Collision of egoes

This blog that I am writing has been taken from a newspaper article,which inspired me a lot and hence, I am sharing this with everyone.

We cannot be successful in either the external world or the internal world while we are tossed about by a powerful ego.What is required is a strong will.
The difference between ego and will is that the ego is blind but the will has vision.Will has its source in the pure Self.Ego springs from a false sense of identification with the external world,and is usually concerned with preserving self-image and self identity.Ego is characterised by stubbornness,selfishness,and unwillingness to compromise.
The ego is like a little pool.An ego logistical person is like a frog crouching in that little pool-his world is small,his boarders insecure.He has only a vague awareness of the trees encircling his pool,and he cannot begin to imagine the frog-filled marshes just beyond.From his perspective,only his own voice are meaningfull.
The power of will,by contrast,is like a spring whose source is the pure being. It infuses mind and body with enthusiasm,courage,curiosity,and energy to act. In spiritual literature this force- the intrinsic power of soul is called - ichha shakti,and it is from this force that all aspects of our personality,including the ego,derive energy to carry out their activities.
Becoming successful in the world requires a strong will,and that strong will needs to be properly guided so we develop a strong personality.A strong personality exhibits tolerance and endurance.It has the power to vanquish and punish an opponent,but chooses to forgive and forget instead.When we are egoistical,on the other hand,we demonstrate our weakness by answering a pebble with cannon.
We lose our composure the moment our feelings are even slightly bruised.We have a hard time forgetting the injuries we have received from others,but an even harder time remembering how much we have injured others.
All problems-at home,work,in politics,everywhere-are caused by colliding egos.These problems are not overcome by one ego dominating others,but by a person of strong will and clear vision coming forward and overshadowing the trivial egos of those who are quarrelling.
A strong ego is as much of an obstacle in spiritual practice as it is in worldly matters.The stronger the ego,the bigger the hurdle it will create.However,the solution is not to kill or weaken the egos but to do our best to purify,transform,and guide it properly.We can do this by employing both our intelligence and power of discrimination.When we meditate,practise contemplation,pray,study the scriptures,serve others,and seek the company of the wise we make our ego pure and less confined,and this in turn inspires us to move one step forward.As we do, the purified ego,accompanied by a sharpened intellect,gets a glimpse of the next level of awareness,and naturally aspires to reach it. Thus, the ego becomes the tool for purifying and expanding itself,and in this way the petty ego is gradually transformed into an expanded,more purified ego.
This transformation must be end with the ego dissolving and becoming one with the pure Self and experiencing its union with the Universal Consciousness.As the ego of a dedicated seeker merges with the infinite,all confusion disappears,the veil of duality lifts,and the purified ego sees the whole universe in itself and itself in the whole universe.