Who am I? The simple question......Gateway to Infinity

30 Dec ....that year 1879,

Avatar day of Bhagavan.

144 years, the Jyoti He lit still brightens.

Simple questions:

Am I my body?

Am I my mind?

Am I my intellect?

For the lurking 'if not, then',  Bhagavan sets you on an answer seemingly simple, sorry did I say answer.  Oh no, It's yet another BIG QUESTION,  'WHO AM I?'.

Should as a seeker feel left lurched?

Read Bhagavan:

God and Guru only show you the way...guide to liberation.  But it's the seeker who himself/herself to walk the path.

God and Guru indeed are not different from one another. How what goes into the jaws of a tiger can not escape, so is one , who has even a fraction of the compassionate Glimpse of the Bhagavan, will ever be in the safe fold of Bhagavan.

Yet, the seeker himself/herself has to try the journey of liberation. A person by name Rama has to know by himself that he is Raman. How can any other telling him - that he is Raman - will make him aware of his name?

Pranam to Bhagavan.

Love thy Soul

Toing my yesterday's sharing - it's part of this collage, would love to share, commend reading the Wabi Sabi, a beautiful book for a calm and minute - mind you not racy - reading.

Here is the Japanese Author Nobuo Suzuki quoting our beloved Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi:

"Happiness is your nature.

It's not wrong to desire it.

What is wrong is seeking it outside

When it is 

INSIDE."

SOAK IN INNATE BLISS

LOVE YOUR SOUL.

P.s.: a detailed review I reserve for early 2024

The Book ...just read

My favourite Author: Ruskin Bond
Accidental Coincidence: The day we were born on was 19 May.  The gap between years I leave it to your maths, 1934 - - - - 1962.

After an age and as we keep ageing, I just see no fun in holding age close to the chest.  Years ago, I accompanied a senior for branch audit of a corporate client. The senior hardly had any strand over his head. When we were getting ready in the morning, he would tell, " Hey, I don't have much time to comb. It's just a few arrangement of my strands overhead."

Well,
If you're damn serious, sincere and you love your work, the Author's advice is:
"...if my writing begins to bore me, it will certainly bore my readers."

And about criticism, his take:
In Bold letters:
Every writer must be prepared for some criticism. The greatest of writers haven't escaped it.

There may be healthy and constructive criticism, also there may be, more often than not, nasty ones too.

His spur:

"...pay attention to the constructive one."

And for the nasty, his advice:

"... it's probably caused by envy (' sour grapes ') so laugh it off and get on with your work."

His words on how your words should be in your work, writings:

○keep it simple.
○don't add to the confusion that already exists.
○don't bother with difficult, complicated words.

He cautions:
"..cordinal vice of the writer,  is
The writer who tries to impress you with his vocabulary and convoluted sentences."

Would like wrapping this shortie with the senior Author's own fine touch:

" To read,
To write,
To be read;
The perfect combination."

Wish You happy writing.

Why Temples... Instead of Hospitals?

Obeisance to

The King Raja Raja Chozha,

For imagining

This unique Wonder.

And Pranams to all

All sculptors and 

Their selfless team

In bringing King's

Dream to 

MATCHLESS

REALITY.

And 🙏 Prayers to

The Divine Force.

A reader raised the following question in recent துக்ளக்:

' நீட் தேர்வு ஒரு சமூக அநீதி ' என்று பிரபல தற்காலக் கவிஞர் கூறி இருக்கிறார். அவருக்கு தகுதி உள்ளதா?'

Answering his question, the Editor said:

' கலி யுகத்தில், பிரபலமானவர்கள் அறிவாளிகள் என்று மக்கள் நம்பி விடுவார்கள் என்கிறது பாகவத புராணம்.

Forget expecting responsibility and accountability from such ones not caring about how they mislead the gullible. 

Well, this reminisces about yet another celebrity airing her deep concern that - instead of having such mammoth edifice, i.e., Temple, we should have built hospitals.

What many forget is yet at the same wave the Constitution guarantees right of speech, it also cautions to use such right with responsibility and accountability.  

All right, let anyone speak anything, but let's always recall ஐய்யன் திருவள்ளுவர் 's evergreen :

எப்பொருள் யார்யார்வாய்க் கேட்பினும் அப்பொருள் மெய்ப்பொருள் காண்ப தறிவு. | குறள் எண் – 423

Shall we go back to the question why not hospital in place of temple?  Let's try answering in a little medical way as far as possible.

We will start right at the Tower, the ராஜகோபுரம்:

Not just that கோபுர தரிசனம் கோடி புண்ணியம், also your neck gets an exercise, stiffness is given a go bye, flexibility is restored and a senior lawyer said: It's a good cure for cervical spondylitis.

As you go in, you find yourself completely focused, almost in dhyan, meditative mode.  Meditative mode gives you  far greater relaxation than which you derive from your sleep. You always experience the freshness after a deep rest. Your freshness, creativity and turning out in a day go multifold after dhyan.

When you enter the sanctum and stand before the deity, close your eyes and pray 🙏, this song will ring in you:

தாயா யெனக்குத் தானெழுந் தருளி

மாயாப் பிறவி மயக்கம் அறுத்துத்

திருந்திய முதலைந் தெழுத்தும் தெளிவாய்ப்

பொருந்தவே வந்தென் உளந்தனில் புகுந்து (20).....

வாக்கும் மனமும் இல்லா மனோலயம்

தேக்கியே யென்றன் சிந்தை தெளிவித்(து)

இருள்வெளி யிரண்டுக்(கு) ஒன்றிடம் என்ன

அருள்தரும் ஆனந்தத்(து) அழுத்தியென் செவியில் (60)

எல்லை யில்லா ஆனந் தம்அளித்(து)

அல்லல் களைந்தே அருள்வழி காட்டிச்

சத்தத்தின் உள்ளே சதாசிவம் காட்டிச்

சித்தத்தின் உள்ளே சிவலிங்கம் காட்டி

அணுவிற்(கு) அணுவாய் அப்பாலுக்(கு) அப்பாலாய்க் (65)...

After darsn, you come out and go for pradaksna, circumambulation.  Actually you do your walking. Your muscles get strengthened, you get good blood circulation, your pressure is under control, sugar level gets normalized, the feet get amble massage, your nervous system is fit like a fiddle.

Finishing your pradaksna, you come before dwajasthambam, and prostrate at the floor offering obeisance to the Lord. In the process see what happens, you raise your hands over your head, kind of tadasana, and bend and touch the floor, it's padahastasana.  Stretch your arms forward and fully prostrate. This process almost encompasses substantially the full Surya Namaskar. When you do Surya Namaskar, you get excercise for the whole body.  You are robust in your health.

Ask any Yoga Practitioner, what is the frequency that he, she visits his/her physician.  Won't get surprised if they say negligible.

The Lord Himself is Vaidyanatha/Dhanvantari: The Lords of good health.

His kshetra, the The Temple in itself is Vaidya sala - a healthy abode.

🙏 Prayer in itself is the prescription.

Diehard aversion creators may have their agenda: Not to elevate but to befool.

Against all these odds, it's மலை like - mountainous task to stay aware and not falling prey to nasty baits.

God save.

அண்ணாமலையாரே போற்றி போற்றி!

Are you searching....your God?

Are you searching....your God?

Where will you see your God?

Search

You'll find Him 

Nowhere else,

But in your own Self.

How true Kaviarasar is?!

Read the unparalleled Poet's

Last six Gems - words in

This Excerpt:

கடவுள் எப்படிப்பட்டவன்?

கவியரசன் கண்ணதாசன் சொன்னது.

ஆகாயத்தின் மேலிருந்து ஆளே தெரியாமல் ஆட்டியும் வைப்பான்.

மனிதன் ஆட்டம் கொஞ்சம் அதிகமானால் அடக்கியும் வைப்பான்.

*அவன் தான் கடவுள்*

பூலோகத்தில் வாழும் போது புகழையும் கொடுப்பான்.

பின்னர் புகழுக்காக வாழும் போது புரட்டியும் எடுப்பான்.

*அவன் தான் கடவுள்*

பூவிலே கொஞ்சம் தேனையும் வைப்பான்.

அங்கே தேனை வைத்ததை தேனீக்கும் சொல்வான்.

பின்னர் அந்தத் தேனடை இருப்பதை மனிதனுக்கும் சொல்வான்.

*அவன் தான் கடவுள்*

கேட்கும் திறனை கூர்மையாக எலிக்கும் வைப்பான்.

அந்த எலியே கேட்க முடியாமல் நடக்கும் பாதங்களை பூனைக்கும் வைப்பான்.

*அவன் தான் கடவுள்*

ஓடும் திறனை கூட்டுகின்ற கால்களை (மானுக்குக்) கொடுப்பான்.

பின்னர் அந்த மானை பிடிக்கின்ற சக்தியை  புலிக்கும் கொடுப்பான்.

*அவன்தான் கடவுள்*

அற்புதமாய் சிந்திக்கின்ற ஆறறிவையும் கொடுப்பான்.

அதை முழுவதும் பயன் படுத்தாத மனிதர்களையும் படைப்பான்.

*அவன் தான் கடவுள்*

தவம் பல செய்தால் (மனிதன்) கேட்பதைக் கொடுப்பான்.

அவனே தறிகெட்டு நடந்தால் கொடுத்ததைப் பறிப்பான்.

*அவன்தான் கடவுள்*

‌நாட்டை ஆள விட்டு அழகும் பார்ப்பான்.

அவனே கொள்ளையடித்தால் கொடுத்தவனே பிடுங்கவும் செய்வான்.

*அவன் தான் கடவுள்*

புரியாதவனுக்கு புதிராய் இருப்பான்.

தன்னைப் புரிந்தவனுக்கு அறிவாய் இருப்பான்.

*அவன் தான் கடவுள்*

கடல் முழுதும் தண்ணீரை வைப்பான்.

தாகம் எடுத்தால் தவிக்கவும் வைப்பான்.

*அவன் தான் கடவுள்*

மாளிகையில் வாழ்பவன் ஆயுள் அற்பமாய் முடியும்.

சாலையோரம் வாழ்பவன் நூறாண்டு வாழ்வான்.

பின்னிருந்து இயக்குவான்.

*அவன் தான் கடவுள்*

தன்னை வெளியே தேடினால் விளையாட்டுக் காட்டுவான்.

(உள்ளத்தின்) உள்ளே தேடினால் ஓடி வந்து நிற்பான்.

*அவன் தான் கடவுள்* கண்ணதாசன் ஆன்மிக சி்தனைகள் பதிவில் இருந்து.

Let Glaciers save tears

COP28: Melting glaciers reveal summit cop-outs - https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/columns/shankkar-aiyar/2023/nov/26/cop28-melting-glaciers-reveal-summit-cop-outs-2636174.html

☔ 🌧️

Rains have been lashing in Chennai for past about one month.

Though logging we still experience isn't as severe as in earlier years. This doesn't mean we give any ode to people at helm supposed to deal with civic issues.

How much water is saved is a perennial big ? - question.

But uncaring the eco balance and razing out the greenery, come change in season, we are headed for dog days. You can't expect any mercy from the ☀️ Sun Lord.

Time we do our bit from micro level to macro level to be of little eco friendly and concerned. That Glaciers melting in Arctic to Antarctica is not what happens far away.  Its impact would not spare even the remotest corner of the universe.

A pertinent question one may missile, what could I do from my individual  level and what difference would it make. Well the answer is in the old adage, 'little drops make an ocean.'  There are plethora of tiny activities, such as

Planting a tree in your garden or in an unused open space, saving electricity, water, recycling, reusing etc.  A reasonably grown tree can give free oxygen and lessen pollution.  The oxygen was scarce, remember during covid time, people were in queues to get the same.

Time for action and not cop-out.

ஆழ்ந்து அகன்ற நுண்ணியனே...

ஆழ்ந்து அகன்ற நுண்ணியனே

பொய்யாயின எல்லாம், போயகல வந்தருளி

மெய்ஞ்ஞானம் ஆகி, மிளிர்கின்ற மெய்ச்சுடரே

அஞ்ஞானம் தன்னை, அகல்விக்கும் நல்லறிவே

Bhagavan while narrating His experiment to see what actually dies asks,

'Is the body I?'.

Will He depart leaving the earnest seeker in lurch?

No.

Bhagavan explains to even an young child what dhyan is.  

He further answers:

'So I am Spirit transcending the body. The body dies but the Spirit that transcends it cannot be touched by death. This means I am the deathless Spirit.’

தேகம் கடந்த ஆன்ம நிலை.

ஆன்ம ஸ்வரூபத்தில்

மகரிஷி என்றென்றும்

ஆசிர்வதிக்கின்றார்.

Thinking - as and when?

“How to be at peace now? By making peace with the present moment. The present moment is the field on which the game of life happens. It cannot happen anywhere else.” - Eckhart Tolle

The thoughts run riot.

Constant cacophony.

Press pause ⏸️.

You'll wonder

How many - thoughts -

are making real sense.

Mind may be a tool.

Use it when there arises a need.

Other times,

Its space is its toolbox.

Mind can be a good friend.

When not channelized right way,

And remains idle,

There's this adage,

'Idle mind is devil's workshop.'

Subtle difference

Betwixt

Idle and rest.

The former is letting it go astray.

The latter is a dhyan, meditation,

Still your thoughts.

You dissolve into a

State where it's absolutely still-

Thoughtless state.

A state full of bliss, 

Wherefrom

You shine forth.

வாக்கும், மனமும் இல்லா மனோலயம் 

     தேக்கியே என்றன் சிந்தை தெளிவித்து ” 

                                    (விநாயகர் அகவல்) 

-  ஓளவையார்

Be on your own.....despite all the din

Quintessential question ❓ is:

Can you be your quiet self amidst all the noise and cacophony?

Quite doesn't intend refraining from what one ought to do. The wont duty no one can shirk just on any alibi.

An offshoot tailing question is: 

Is it possible to stay equipoised under pressing and suffocating not just in warzone, even in home ground and work spaces?

To all mortals it's a real challenge.

When we are cornered, trapped with literally no way out either from physical plane or psychological entanglement, where do we seek a succour?

Obviously it's from Divine Sources. 

Oh!

Yeah.

Crying out,

Or even admonishing,

'Oh God,

How cruel could you be to me?

Don't have any mercy?'.

Would God get offended, b'caz you admonished?

Immortal that He is, He would just brush aside and no amount of admonishing could torment Him.

Likelyhood is, time and again, He comes like an Angel and rescues. The only thing, we do is heave a shy of relief and seldom do we take note of the divine force beneath..

Swamy Chidbhavananda in his commentary on Srimad Bhagavad Gita:

"..... equilibrium of mind can be had as much in a sanguinary battle-field as in the solitude of a cave....".

Would like to dedicate a beautiful poem with the title Desiderata, full of life lesson. Thanks to Narayan, who first referred this poem .

Over to Desiderata:

Desiderata by Max Ehrmann, 1927:

 

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender

be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;

and listen to others,

even the dull and the ignorant;

they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons,

they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain and bitter;

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs;

for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals;

and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself.

Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love;

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment

it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,

be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe,

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be,

and whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.”

Thou shalt know THYSELF

'உன்னை அறிந்தால்...நீ உன்னை அறிந்தால்

உலகத்தில் போராடலாம்

உயர்ந்தாலும் தாழ்ந்தாலும்

தலை வணங்காமல் நீ வாழலாம்.'

ஆன்மீக வழி திரும்பி தன்னை - ஆன்ம ஸ்வருபத்தை - உணர்ந்த கவியரசர் இயற்றிய அற்புத வரிகள். 

திரை தாண்டி மீண்டும் மீண்டும் முதல் வரியை ஆழ்ந்து நோக்கில்,  இறைவனால் படைக்கப்பட்ட நாம் அனைவரும் எய்த வேண்டிய இலக்கு தன்னை அறிதல், உணர்தல், இவைகள் தான்.

Bhagavan in yet another time questioned what use is there knowing all else except your own self.

தன்னை உணர்ந்த பின் - realising oneself - வேறு என்ன?

எல்லாம் திரையில் தோன்றி மறையும் காட்சிகளே, மாய மாற்றங்களே.  திரை - ஆன்ம நிலை - சாஸ்வதமானது.

Want to wrap it up with மஹா கவியின் மயக்கும் வரிகள்:

நிற்பதுவே, நடப்பதுவே, பறப்பதுவே, நீங்களெல்லாம்

சொற்பனந் தானோ?-பல தோற்ற மயக்கங்களோ?

கற்பதுவே,கேட்பதுவே,கருதுவதே,நீங்க ளெல்லாம்

அற்பமாயைகளோ?-உம்முள் ஆழ்ந்த பொருளில்லையோ?.

The Agni Festival.... Deepavali

The Agni Festival.... Deepavali- 

Sanatan Dharm

- Ilakkiya Megam Srinivasan

It's Eve of Deepavali.

Very apt would it be to begin with 🙏 prayer to Agni Dev, the Fire 🔥 God.:

My Lord,

The Agni,

Minister of sacrifice - yajna, வேள்வி,

Thou grant all boons, 

We the mortals crave for,

Salutation to Thee.

- Rig Veda.

What's there in the Macrocosm is very much there microcosm as well. The microcosm is the miniscule borderless world in itself. Needless to say, The Microcosm comprises the fire element too.  Aeons before science found this advent - of fire being part of the cosmos -, our Rishis cognized and sang in praise of it.

All humanity has this fire in themselves right from the time the mother conceives. This fire 🔥 is the hunger. Pattinathar sings it, அன்னை இட்ட தீ அடி வயிற்றிலே.  Yoga sastra calls it the fire spirit, மூலாதாரக் கனல்.

This fire is Dharmic one to enable one lead a life of good conduct, ensure one doesn't swerve from discipline and go astray. The words of one who adheres to the codes of Fire God are very powerful. Their words will turn real.  Instances are aplenty both in epic era and contemporary lifetime. Ma Sita told Lord Hanuman, "My words will fire this borderless world" - Canto Sundara Kandam. Hanuman sent missiles of fire in the Kingdom of Ravana.  Kannagi enflamed Mandurai when Pandya King swerved from path of justice.

Coming to contemporary time, Kaviarasar was producing a movie. Many busy actors were to be enrolled. In the hectic times of busy artistes, it was very difficult to get their call sheets all at once. Despite this constraint, Kaviarasar managed to get them and scheduled the shooting on a particular day in a studio. He had hired it already.  To his shock and surprise, the studio was let out to yet another producer on the very day Kaviarasar's shooting was scheduled.  Very aghast the poet cursed the studio, 'may your studio go to ashes' and returned home.  No sooner did he reach home, he got a call. The message was that there was fire in the studio.  The Telugu producer had planned a scene that day. In that scene, a lion had to spew Fire from its mouth. This misfired.

Repenting the Kaviarasar said, "I'm neither a Rishi nor a Jnani. Even then my words turned to reality."

According to Tiruvalluvar, if people suffer and shed tear, these would have the power of weapon to destroy the wealth of the ruler. It's the fire of the burning heart.

The fire is in and out.

The fire out is the light of the lamp 🪔.

It guards us in many, myriad ways - as yajna during marriages, temple rituals etc. In Sanatan Dharma, we hold Fire as witness - Agni sakshi.

The world hinges on Sun and Moon.

Ilangovadigal, the creator of Silappathikaram sings in praise of Sun ☀️ and 🌙, " ஞாயிறு போற்றுதும்! திங்கள் போற்றுதும்".

ஞாயிறு = Sun ☀️

திங்கள்= Moon 🌙.

Viswamitra offers a prayer,

ऊँ महाज्वालाय विद्महे अग्नि मध्याय धीमहि |

तन्नो: अग्नि प्रचोदयात् ||

Om, Let me meditate on the great flame, Oh, God of fire, grant me with higher intellect, Oh, let the radiant God of Fire illuminate my mind.

The raison d'etre  why we keep Fire as witness in all our rituals are two-fold:

We will never deviate from the sankalp - vow we make;

And if we do the same fire will act against us.

Hence when we are good at heart, the actions outside too would be good and life would be successful. No ignorance, negativity, defeat.

We worship all these Fire Gods:

Dharmic

Fire of brlliance - good intellect

Fire of life

The aptitude - vairagya to hold on to fasting

The fire of anger

The fire to keep off hatred, violence.

We wrap with Rig Vedic 🙏 prayer:

Oh!

God of Fire,

Thou art valour,

A good friend.

And with Maha Kavi's song,

"தீயே நின்னைப் போல் எமது அறிவு சுடர் விடுக".

Oh Fire,

May our brilliance light like your brightness.

Changeless

யாதொரு நிகழ்வும் -

கஷ்டமோ,

மகிழ்வோ,

துயரோ,

இன்பமோ -

தன் நிலைதனைத் -

The state of 

Supreme consciousness -

தடுக்கவொண்ணா.

Soak in the SELF

BE IN ETERNAL BLISS.

- with 🙏 to Bhagavan.

காண்பரிய பேரொளியே....Where... where else..?

மகிழ்ச்சி,

பேரானந்தப் பெருநிலை

இவைகள் எட்டாக் கனிகளா?

யாது செய்ய வேண்டும்?

நெடும் பயணமா?

இது ஓர் உன்னத

யாத்திரை.

வெளி நோக்கியல்ல.

பெரும் செலவு இல்லை.

உள் முகமான புனித

யாத்திரை.

செய்வது எல்லாம்

சுவாசத்தை

கவனித்தல்.

அது மாத்திரமே.

நித்சலன

பேரானந்த பெருநிலை

வேறெங்கும் இல்லை.

உள்ளின் உள்ளே தான்.

The one you 

Seek out 

Just fleets.

Travel,

Travel

Not afar.

All it takes 

Is to

Relax,

Sit in 

Sukasan, -

Close the eyes,

Just observe

The breath -

The rhythmic

Dance of

Inhale,

Ehale.

And there

You are,

The swarka,

Right

Here and Now.

The journey

Culminates in,

-  vibrating BLISS -

Oh,

You can't

Express it,

Only EXPERIENCE.

Any Yoga-ite

Would vouch it.

For, SHE/HE

Has Such a

BLISS

During doing

Shavasan, -

The corpse posture.

Navagraha

விரல்களை ஒவ்வொன்றாய்

மடித்துக் கொள்ளுங்கள்,

ஒவ்வோர் சுற்று முடிந்ததும்.

நினைவு எல்லாம்

இறை சிந்தனையில்

இருக்கட்டும்.

துவங்கும் போது

சற்று கடினமாகத்

தோன்றும்.

முயலுங்கள்.

இறை அருள்

கைகூடும்.

பூரணமகும்.

ரணங்கள் ஆறும்.

வாழ்க வளமுடன்.

P.s. This excercise of God consciousness is not just while you circumambulate Navagraha, it's - the Godly anchoring - to be in your daily routine, be it while bathing, before you sit for your breakfast, lunch, dinner, while you do your work.

The Force beyond - call it God, spirit as you may wish - is the constant undercurrent.

true self

மெய்ப்பொருள்

அகத்தின் உள்ளே.

தேடித் தெரியும்

புற பொருள் அல்ல.

அகத்தகத்தே

பேரானந்தம் - bliss.

அஃதுவே 

அனைத்திலும்,

அனைவரின் 

மூலாதாரம் - the core.

சுருக்கமாய்

''ஹ்ருதயம்'.

- பகவான் ரமண மஹரிஷியைப்

 ப்ரார்த்தித்து 

SALAM TO KALAM

SALAM TO KALAM

Subramanian Ramanathan

Eve : Dr Kalam was proposed for Rashtrapathi.

 

I sent a mail congratulating him.

Also, post-scripted the mail that it was a honor and privilege for me to have studied at St Joseph’s.

 

Pat came the reply:

“It was nice to have studied with me”.

 

The missile man must have inferred that I studied during his time.

 

Clarified with another mail that I studied in early 80s.

 

The beloved people’s-president was much in demand to speak to youth and students.

 

Times of India Organized a career guidance seminar about 5 years ago.

 

The prominent amongst the guest speakers was Kalamji.

 

Kalamji was to address in the afternoon sessions at about 3.30 pm.

 

Sensing that there may be security checks and it may take time,

not to miss Kalamj’s address,

I took my daughter well in advance.

 

Security checks done, we went into the

Chinmaya Heritage Auditorium.

The breezy hall was almost full.

Fortunately just two seats were vacant.

The ToI  people ushered us to those two seats.

 

In the stage, Aishwarya Rajinikanth – scheduled to present her topic on cinematography as a profession just before Kalamji to address -– was at her best video-presenting her production –Sultan the Warrior.

 

So caring was people’spresident that, though he arrived well in time, lest people’s attention get diverted, he waited for Aishwarya to conclude her presentation.

 

Only after she completed he just walked in to loud applause and cheers welcoming him.

 

He last no time. Went straight to podium.

The host tried to please the enthusiastic audience to be seated and bring in silence.

 

The master professor said gently to the host,

“You must be tired hosting the seminar the whole day. You please take rest. I’ll handle the audience”.

 

So saying he took the microphone.

What a magic!

 

There was pin-drop silence.

All eyes were clued to Missile man.

 

Need I tell you, that he was his usual best.

 

Just about 10 minutes before his scheduled time to complete, not to disappoint the eagerly waiting youth, he opened up the question and answer session.

 

One boy wanted to know how he could develop his English skills, having studied in mother tongue throughout his school days.

 

Professor Kalam replied that he had a very good EnglishTeacher in St.Joseph's.

 

I wondered why Kalamji did not elaborate how one can improve his English language skills.

 

Perhaps, the Professor was adept at honing, igniting the intelligence of the questioner.

The lesson which I surmise that Kalam wanted to tell this boy was that if you are earnestly looking forward to learn something, a language, you  yourself first find a right guru/sources to learn.

Ways many..... Destin(y)ation...ONE

மனம் ஓர்

மாயா சக்தி.

சுக்ஷுமாமன

ஆன்மானுபவ நிலையை

இயல்பிலேயே எய்த

வல்லமையும் பெற்றது.

உதாரணங்கள் -

பகவான் இராமகிருஷ்ண பமஹம்சர்.

பகவான் ரமண மஹரிஷி.

மற்றோர் நிலையில்

மனம் ஓர்

சுட்டி.

இருப்பினும்

அறிந்தோ, அறியாமலோ

ஆண்மானுபவ நிலையை

எய்துகிற

உட்கிடக்கையைக் 

கொண்டிருக்கும்.

சுட்டி மனதிற்கு

வழி ஒன்றும் இல்லயா?

ஏன் இல்லை.

மனதினை 

ஆண்மானுபவப்

புனித யாத்திரைக்கு

இட்டுச்செல்ல

பல மார்க்கங்கள்:

பக்தி,

மூர்த்தி வழிபாடு,

நாம மந்திர ஜபம்.

வேள்வி, யாகங்கள்,

அபிஷேகங்கள்,

ஆராதனைகள்.

இன்னும், இன்னும்

மார்க்கங்கள்.

பல, பல.

What matters is, take the journey, put first step forward. And Almighty is by your side in all weathers - be it shine, rainy and even stormy.

Once there -

The transcendental state

That

Bhagavan Ramana,

Gautam Buddha

Were constantly in -

You just throb

In bliss.

Be lively

Brighten your neighborhood.

May the world see harmony -

God bless.

Who am I?

எண்ணங்கள் எழட்டும்.

விழிப்புடன் விவரணம் செய்யுங்கள்.

எண்ணம் யாருக்கு எழுகிறது என்று.

விடை, ' எனக்கு' என விளையும்.

தனக்கு என்றால்

அடுத்த வினா,

'நான் யார்?'

விடை தேடி மனம்

உள்முகமாக

பிரவாகிக்கும்.

எண்ணங்கள்

தாழ்ந்து நித்சலனமாகும்.

இவ்வண்ணம்

தொடர் வேள்வியில்

ஆத்மானுபவ நிலையிலேயே

திளைத்து இருக்கிற

சக்தியை மனம் எய்தும்.

வாழ்க வளமுடன்.

பகவான் ரமண மஹரிஷியைப் பிரார்த்தித்து.

Stay Crystal clear

தேகமே - the body

தான் - thw consciousness

என்றிருத்தல்

குழம்பிய நீரோடை.

தெளிந்திரு - crystal clear.

Anyone doing Yoga Asan, dhyan.would have experienced such a transcendental state, especially when one does the Savasana or corpse pose.

A wrapping quote:

"Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”

-Eleanor Brownn

வாழ்க வளமுடன

Sanatan Dharm - 2 Ilakkiya Megam Srinivasan

The list of inventions by Thomas Alva Edison is pretty long. He ranks one of the earliest inventors of the voice recorders. The first to record in Edison's recorder was Max Muller, the German-born philologist and orientalist. 

Soon after recording, he said, "You all applaud hearing my voice in the recorder....but the credit goes to Bharat's Rig Veda...emerging from the eternal Sanatan Dharma.".  The Rig Veda slokan he recorded first was salutation to Lord Agni, the Fire God.

See a holy resonance here. They all bring alive the spirit of our deep belief, Vasu Daiva Kutumbakam - the whole world is one family. Edison was born in America, Muller in Germany, latter studied in Britain and was deeply interested in studies of India and its religious thoughts.

Well the sloka he recited in first recording:

'O Lord Agni,

The Fire God,

Effacing the darknes

By effulgent flames.

Salutation to Thee,

Handhold us

Like a father

And guide us.'

The clapping reverberated the whole auditorium..

Yes.

The premise of Sanatan Dharm is known by the name, 'Sruti'.  The beauty of this unaffaceable eternal Sanatan Dharm is it's not a script, it was never written in words. In Tamil it's ezhutak kilavi - எழுதாக் கிளவி. Surprise why the ever broad English is yet to adopt this phrase, எழுதாக் கிளவி into its lexicon.

Appar was one of the four, populaly known as நால்வர் - நால்வர் sang in praise of Lord Shiva, "ஆறங்கம் நால்வேத மானாய் போற்றி" - "Lord, you form four Vedas and their six parts". Vedas care for all creatures and guide them to lead a healthy life. God permeates the whole of cosmos. Yajurveda, one of the four Vedas, affirms this. Chandogya Upanishad also emphasizes it.

Veda insists that we align our live to nature. It stresses not to pollute the environment. All creatures should be cared for.  Water bodies are to be maintained well.  Cows should be protected. Only those who make these values part of their lives are Hindus. It's the reason why we equate the holy rivers as Matas.  We call Ganga Ma, the Mother Cauvery et al. We consider splitting in the river as sin. Heartrending is now the rivers turn gutter for many industries. The Vedas say if we do good it adds to our punya and conversely it accumulates sin if we do bad deeds.

A sincere farmer wouldn't let even tiny size stone in his field. Now we get concrete jungle where we once had perennial lakes and water bodies.

With the advent of atheism and propogation, we started giving a damn to all values.  We now reap the consequences. In Hindu households, it is used to be a practice to beautify the front yard with a kolam out of a flour made of rice powder. The idea is not just to decorate. The kolam would eventually become fodder for small ants.  Now, sticking kolams have become convenient. We welcomed the sticker and chased away our compassion.

Years there lived a King by name Pari.

Once he came back victorious after a battle.  Even when there is slightest success, vainglory would take over. Pari was different. He had compassion. He couldn't stand some suffering. On his way back he saw a flower creeper struggling to find and get foothold.  Pari left his chariot and helped the creeper find its support to survive and grow on. This value is from the Dharma the adhered to.

Sad thing is, the removal of Mahakavi's poem - on love towards all creatures - from the text books. Time again the Vedas exhort living harmoniously by all creatures. Even today, thank God, there are noble souls.  They are taking good care of trees, plants etc.

Sad fact is we are pushed to remind ourselves of the lines of Mahakavi Bharathi:

"வேதம் நிறைந்த தமிழ்நாடு". - the Tamilnadu, filled and full of Veda.

- Ilakkiya Megam Srinivasan.

Serve All

I am the mother of the wicked, as I am the mother of the virtuous. Never fear. Whenever you are in distress, say to yourself, 'I have a mother.

Sarada Devi

My mind travels back to my last visit to the first shrine at Sri Ramakrishna Math. It was about a month back. Don't recollect the exact date. Realize how important it's to document. Documentation is a buzz word in accounting circle. Also how true it was when a senior said, "Record, note down. ...your mind is not a computer.'  With reverence I quoted John F Kennedy, "Man is super computer'.  Sad fact is it fails to remember the chronology, though it can.

As I came down the stairs from the First floor sanctum, the first thing that fell on my eyes was the above quote of the Ma Sarada Devi. It was written on the girder backing the celing.

Mind has a wonder. It maps, connects dots.

The story, which I read leisurely this morning in Dinamalar, here has a resonance to the above quote of Ma Sarada Devi.

Well over to the article in Dinamalar today:

Maha Swamy always emphasizes how essential it is to live the way our Sastras codify.  Blaming practical life situation today, we aren't in a position to follow the same in its entirety.  This triggers some kind of lurking sense of guilt.

In 1962,, Maha Swamy was staying at Mundiyambakkam Village in Tiruvarur District. He stayed there for His satur madya vratam. That time, Dr Ramamurthy, resident of that village asked Maha Swamy, " Being born as a Bhramin, I wear my sacred thread, do Sandyavanthan.  But other dharmas which a Bhramin is supposed to do, I don't. What punishment will I get for this omission?".

Maha Swami is soul saver. Will one not get a remedy? Maha Swami answered the Doctor, "while rendering your medical service, never differentiate like poor, rich..a thief, dacoit. Let your service be akin to all types of patients. Never refuse your service based on caste, religious difference.  And just accept how much a patient can give."

What a sagely advice! Never give thrust for money. And service be your motto.

This conversation became life changer for the twenty eight old Doctor then in 1962.  Now Dr Ramamurthy is 88. Maha Swami's words were Maha Mantra. 

May we feel happy we are living contemporaries and wish and pray all good to Dr Ramamurthy and his family.

These days post 60, not a single day passes without reading a good thought, listening some soul enlivining good, all of Maha Swami and His Shresta devotees.  This softens and lightens any heaviness.

Hara Hara Sankara.

 

tat tvam asi - Who am I?

தன்னைத் தான் அறியும்

ஆன்ம விசாரம்.

தான் ஒரு

தேஹமா,

மனதா,

அன்றி புத்தியா?

எல்லாம் கடந்த நிலையா?

இன்பமும்

துன்பமும்

யாதொன்றும்

செய்யா

பேரானந்த ஆன்ம நிலையான

நிலை.

See who the Seer is.

tat tvam asi -

Thou art that.

- Chandogya Upanishad (c. 600 BCE)

.

மனோ நிலை

When I post Bhagavan's messages, most of them are forwards in English. Couple of friends, fond of Bhagavan, said, "we are happy to see Bhagavan's face full of Tejas, but it would be nice if you could parallelly give the Tamil version of the message".

Thus began my challenge.

On one hand the fear that would I present it in Tamil exactly as it is. Hence it's just humble trial only. With pranams to Bhagavan, I shall try to present the  essence as far the  best possible way. Thank You.

Today's:

ஸாத்விக் மனம் - சஞ்சலமற்ற மனோ நிலை

ரஜஸிக் - அலை பாய்கிற மனோ நிலை.

ஸாத்வீகமான மனம் ஓர் நிலையில் - அமைதியாய், சஞ்சலமற்ற - (இறைத்) தன்வயமே  இருக்கும்.

கடலின் மேற்பரப்பில் அலைகள் குமிழ் குமிழ்களாய் தத்தளிக்கும். சஞ்சல மனோ நிலை.

குமிழ்கள் உள் நோக்கி செல்கையில், அளவு சிறிது சிறிதாய், சிறிது சிறிதாய், ஓர் நிலையில்,  இரண்டற தன் வய ஆன்ம, - சஞ்சலமற்ற - பேரானந்த (blissful) நிலையிலேயே ஆழ்ந்திருக்கும். 

Sanatan Dharma

When someone finds fault with us, we feel sad. And also angry. This - thought of the hurt - keeps rippling for a few days. See, nowadays a few derive pleasure out of finding fault with the value systems, our culture, tradition and good conducts handed down to us by Rishis. Irony is we are indifferent to such hurt hurlers.  Why?...the reason is lack of knowledge of Hindu Religion.

The name, Sanatan Dharm itself is a puzzle to many of us. What began with the emergence of the world, stays, remains and will be forever is Sanatan Dharm.

It's eternal, Swami Omkarananda cites, a ceaseless value system.  The system to enable humanity to live a good life, lead good conduct is this Sanatan Dharma. The same way, Maha Swami says, to identify our Religion out of many others in the world, we call our Sanatan Dharma as Hindu.

What's made up of good conduct? -

Not to speak lie,

Not to speak ill of someone, especially the latter is not around,

Not hurting anyone.

Etc.

To sum it up and say straight is Sanatan Dharm is the guide for living a good life.

When every other Religion made entry here, each one had its unique name. Alas! We didn't have one. The English who invaded thought it expedient to christen our Religion. Thus, the baptizing of ours as Hindu Religion.

Bhagavan Adi Sankara brought in a prayer system, in which He combined the prayers for six Deities, viz.,

Vinayaga - Maha Ganapati 

Murugan - Subramanya

Easwar - Lord Shiv

Parvati - Maha Shakthi

Vishnu 

Surya - Sun God.

When there are two men with the same name, say 

Sivaraman, lest we confuse, we would find a way to differentiate each Sivaraman. One living in the first floor and the other in the ground floor.

Under the Karmic bondage, human life subject to be born again and again until one reaches the ultimate divinity.  To shed the still lurking animalistic impetuosities and lead a life full of love and compassion, the Sanatan Dharma shows the way.

Sanatan Dharm is not just the way of worship.

But, it's guiding us in every inch of our practical life, yes,...

It shows how of all,

How to take bath,

How to eat

How to live cohesively as a society, community

How to earn in righteous manner.

It's a duty to realize, experience all the riches of Sanatan Dharm and pass on this legacy to posterities.

Sanatan Dharma is not just about human well being. It encompasses all creatures, species. Thirugnanasambandar, 7th century poet who sang in praise of Lord Shiva writes, வையகமும் துயர் தீர்கவே - meaning may the world be free of all strife. Another poet, தாயுமானவர் writes, ' எல்லோரும் இன்புற்றிருக்க நினைப்பதுவே அல்லாமல் வேறொன்று அறியேன் பராபரமே ' - meaning my only thought is that all should be happy and nothing else. Yet another sage and poet, Kachiappa Sivachariyar sings, ' குறைவிலாது உயிர்கள் வாழ்க' - let all creatures live fulfilly. Ramalinga Vallalar expresses His compassion, ' வாடிய பயிரைக் கண்ட போதெல்லாம் வாடினேன்' -  he couldn't stand the sight of plant dehydrating. They all reaffirm their staunch faith in Sanatan Dharma.

Let's wrap praying

Loka samasta sukino Bhava.

लोकः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु

May All be Happy and live a healthy life.

P.s. a humble trial to get an English version of beloved Ilakkiya Megan Srinivasan 's series on the subject - Part 1 - ஆன்மீக மலர் - தினமலர் 22 Sep 2023.

விநாயகர் துதி

அல்லல் போம் வல்வினை போம்

அன்னை வயிற்றில் பிறந்த தொல்லைபோம்

போகாத் துயரம் போம் - நல்ல

குணம் அதிகமாம் அருணைக் கோபுரத்துள் மேவும்

கணபதியைக் கைத்தொழுதக் கால்.

- விவேக சிந்தாமணி

Tiruvannamalai has the magnet.

Magnet to attract all Seekers -

Bhagavan Ramana, on hearing the

Name Arunachala, 

The Lord ruling here, 

Craved to reach this holy kshetra.

The beginning of clarity

Starts the moment you

Put your first step

Inside the Mahadwara -

Skyward Tower -

கோபுரம்.

கோபுர தரிசனம் கோடி புண்ணியம்.

When you look at the top kalasa,

You go into yoga.

It's not just worship -

But an activation of neck movement.

Neck gets a good excercise.

As any good beginning starts 

With obeisance to Vigna Vinayaga,

The Lord blesses you from the

Wall on the left side

As you walk into the

Mahadwara.

This psalm is an offering

To the Lord Vinayaga here in

This Tower.

One can see how Puranic is

This Temple.

Also how far back this song

Was written. The beauty of விவேக சிந்தாமணி is we still do not know who the Author is. There were plethora of commentaries - பாஷயங்கள்.

As is the case with Vedas.

Well,

The Human soul seeks liberation -

Liberation from all our

Karmic - Karma of past, present and karma hereafter.

This very song is to liberate.

Liberation from 

அல்லல் - all troubles paining us;

அன்னை வயிற்றில் பிறந்த துன்பம் - the unbearable pain we gave when our Mothers went through to deliver us;

And May Lord Maha Ganapati enhance all our good deeds.

Om Ganapataye Namaha.

- 

Bhagavan arrives ................at His Abode....

The day:

01^st September, 1896.

 

Bhagavan arrives….

At His Abode ………

Abode of the Father

Lord Shiva,

Arunachala in

Tiruvannamalai.

 

The space that

Stretches its

Compassionate arms to

Welcome and embrace

All Souls

Soaking in Bliss

And radiating

The same effulgence.

 

Any one in its

Radar

Could feel

Lightened of all

One’s burden,

Burden of

Karma.

 

The touchdown space

Now is

Bhagavan’s Abode,

His Ashram.

May all be Blessed,

Bhagavan

And here is,

Bhagavan,

Your own gift of

Soulful saying,

Nay, it’s not a

Saying;

But an Empowerment.

Empowering a

Sincere seeker –

A Devotee –

To Seek.

Over to Bhagavan:

 

Bhagavan on

Characteristics of a jnani –

An Enlightened Soul:

 

“They are described in books, such as the Bhagavad Gita,

But we must bear in mind that

The jnani’s state is one

Which transcends the MIND.

It – the characteristics of a jnani –

Can not be described by the MIND.

Only SILENCE can correctly

Describe this State and

Characteristics –

Characteristics of a jnani.

SILENCE is more effective

Than SPEECH.

So if SPEECH is effective,

How much more effective

Must be its original

SOURCE –

Source beyond,

Transcending MIND.”

 ஓம் நமோ பகவதே ஸ்ரீரமணாய!

 

 

 

 

 

 

சில வாசிப்புக்கள்

Some readings may 

Still you

Stun you

And may do 

Million changes.

Yet,

Lest we miss

Some worthwhile

Out of all these,

Feel like expedient

To

Make a note of

Them

Either in

A collection

Or

Making use of

Them in our writing.

Quite two recent readings:

The first is a

beautiful poem 

In Tamil:

மழலையிட்ட

மாக்கோலம்

தின்ன மனமில்லாது 

திரும்பிச் செல்கின்றன

எறும்புகள்!

- கவிஞர் அமுதா தமிழ்நாடன்

The second is an 

Excerpt from an interview

That a Tamil reporter had with

The Art Director Jacky.

Reporter:

'How did you feel when people commented about the delay in launching your film, விடுதலை?'

The Art Director's response:

"வெளியே இருந்து வர்ற வார்த்தைகளுக்கு காது கொடுக்க ஆரம்பிச்சிட்டா வேலை பார்க்க முடியாது.'

When you have nothing to be complained about and are true to your conscience, why worry about anyone making any nonsense?

Winston Churchill was right. He never minced and nor did he miss a chance to be blunt.

His famous blunt:

"You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.".

Turn deaf to all barking

And shine in all your best doings.

God bless.

Should you meditate lifelong?

 

Reading Bhagavan’s appended answers,

My mind journeys back to times of Kargil war.

Indian Express is the newspaper –

Its southern India version now is

The New Indian Express –

I have been reading, if I remember right,

Since I turned 18.

An army General lost his life fighting for the Nation.

When his mortal remains were brought back home in a coffin, and before he was destined to eternity, the Newspaper carried a photograph.

The picture captured poignant moment of  his wife saluting the General in the coffin covered with National Flag. She was upright, not nervous, and no tears.  Rather, very sober and equipoised.  Her gracious bidding adieu to her beloved carried a sense of fulfilment -that the General offered his life in the service of the Nation.

There was yet another picture capturing the daughter of a soldier who lost his life in the same battle. The daughter did not shed a tear.  She went on and said, “I would step into my dad’s shoes and serve the Nation.”

Well,

The death was too poor to unnerve these gritty near and dear.

Besides appending the Bhagavan’s direct message,

Here is the gist from the message:

Should you meditate lifelong?

Derivative from Bhagavan's the message:

Apprehending it even vaguely helps the extinction of the ego.

What does the ‘it’ in above denote?

The ‘it’ points to conscious self.

Journeying to conscious self just suffices.

Once there – in conscious self – even for a split of a second will see one annihilate his ego, i.e., identity of one with body, mind, intellect and any form for that matter.

In that transcendence nothing can affect the Self.  There is easy acceptance of that everything in wakeful state is just ‘maya’.  What is born in that maya, illusion, is bound to burst out.

Be in Self.

And

Blissful.

- Picture courtesy: Ms Shanthi, Montessori Trainer

Over to the Q&A – the dialogue betwixt the devotee and the Bhagavan.

 

From ~ Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi, T. 80

 

A very devoted and simple disciple had lost his only son, a child of three years. The next day he arrived at the Asramam with his family. The Master spoke with reference to them: “Training of mind helps one to bear sorrows and bereavements with courage. But the loss of one’s offspring is said to be the worst of all griefs. Grief exists only so long as one considers oneself to be of a definite form. If the form is transcended one will know that the one Self is eternal. There is no death nor birth. That which is born is only the body. The body is the creation of the ego. But the ego is not ordinarily perceived without the body. It is always identified with the body. It is the thought which matters. Let the sensible man consider if he knew his body in deep sleep. Why does he feel it in the waking state? But, although the body was not felt in sleep, did not the Self exist then? How was he in deep sleep? How is he when awake? What is the difference? Ego rises up and that is waking. Simultaneously thoughts arise. Let him find out to whom are the thoughts. Wherefrom do they arise? They must spring up from the conscious Self. Apprehending it even vaguely helps the extinction of the ego. Thereafter the realisation of the one Infinite Existence becomes possible. In that state there are no individuals other than the Eternal Existence. Hence there is no thought of death or wailing.

 

“If a man considers he is born he cannot avoid the fear of death. Let him find out if he has been born or if the Self has any birth. He will discover that the Self always exists, that the body which is born resolves itself into thought and that the emergence of thought is the root of all mischief. Find wherefrom thoughts emerge. Then you will abide in the ever-present inmost Self and be free from the idea of birth or the fear of death.”

 

A disciple asked how to do it.

 

M.: The thoughts are only vasanas (predispositions), accumulated in innumerable births before. Their annihilation is the aim. The state free from vasanas is the primal state and eternal state of purity.

 

D.: It is not clear yet.

 

M.: Everyone is aware of the eternal Self. He sees so many dying but still believes himself eternal. Because it is the Truth. Unwillingly the natural Truth asserts itself. The man is deluded by the intermingling of the conscious Self with the insentient body. This delusion must end.

 

D.: How will it end?

 

M.: That which is born must end. The delusion is only concomitant with the ego. It rises up and sinks. But the Reality never rises nor sinks. It remains Eternal. The master who has realised says so; the disciple hears, thinks over the words and realises the Self. There are two ways of putting it.

 

The ever-present Self needs no efforts to be realised, Realisation is already there. Illusion alone is to be removed. Some say the word from the mouth of the Master removes it instantaneously. Others say that meditation, etc., are necessary for realisation. Both are right; only the standpoints differ.

 

D.: Is dhyana necessary?

 

M.: The Upanishads say that even the Earth is in eternal dhyana.

 

D.: How does Karma help it? Will it not add to the already heavy load to be removed?

 

M.: Karma done unselfishly purifies the mind and helps to fix it in meditation.

 

D.: What if one meditates incessantly without Karma?

 

M.: Try and see. The vasanas will not let you do it. Dhyana comes only step by step with the gradual weakening of the vasanas by the Grace of the Master.

 

~~