Light the lamp !!

The other day I happened to meet Bhanu didi,  Gurudev's sister,  when she addressed the volunteers of International women's conference in the Art of living Ashram at Bangalore. 

This was the first time I met her at such a close proximity. Such a divine beauty & simplicity ..love & radiance emanating from her.  She was down to earth and was chatting with us.  She mentioned about her facebook post on the reason for lighting the oil lamps at home or during any celebrations/ puja.  

So beautifully she had put it across the various aspects involved in lighting the small oil or ghee lamps. Even she had asked us to add our own views on that too. 

To read Bhanu didi's post :

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1590192967716994&id=145013855568253&_rdr

Thinking on those lines, I started visualising my own experiences , how I feel while lighting the oil lamps. From childhood days,  having brought up in the family of Hindu tradition,  we have the habit of lighting the lamp both in the mornings & evenings in Puja room and on  every special occasions  like birthdays,  festivals, functions etc.  Also we light a lot of lamps during Karthik  Deepam festival  ,when Thiruvannamalai Deepam is on.  After the huge ghee lamp is lit up on the holy Thiruvannamalai hill, all houses will be lit with small mud lamps and placed decoratively all around the houses,  on the rangoli/ kolam pattern ,  in the front doorway, on windows,  compound  walls etc. It will be such a visual delight to watch , that too when viewed from a distance, it will be spectacular. And it brings in lots of joy & enthusiasm within us. 

Just before lighting the lamp in the Puja room,  we ensur that first our body is cleaned by the daily bath , we wear clean and neat clothes and the place is also cleaned thoroughly, no dusts visible around and the lamp is also washed well. If it's a copper or brass lamp,  then we use the tamarind pulp and the special powder to make it sparkling clean. Secondly , we also chant the known mantras ,songs , keeping our favourite God in mind , not giving any place for any negative thoughts to crop in our mind,  with complete focus on one's own self and 100 percent in the present moment 

 , we do the act of lighting the lamp with a sacred feeling. 

Once the lamp is lighted, the characteristic striking glow of fire brings in some brightness to the environment  , visibly driving away the darkness.  It symbolically signifies the removal of darkness of ignorance within our consciousness and  brings in the light of knowledge and wisdom in us.  Our consciousness gets an uplift,  no matter how low it was. 

The lamp lit with ghee or sesame oil has its own fragrance,  purifying the atmosphere.  On the  day of Ugadhi, when I had been to the powerful  Banashankari devi temple in Bangalore for attending Swami Suryapadji's  Satsang,  the strong smell of the thousands lamps lit on cut squeezed Lemons  by the devotees engulfed the whole area, spreading the positive energy. 

Sitting in front of the lighted lamp , chanting prayers and doing meditation has a definite impact on our consciousness, no doubt. 

Let the practise of lifting the oil/ghee lamps in houses continue among the present younger generations and let the knowledge & wisdom dawn upon them with all its glory!! 

Gurudev says " Light the lamp of love in the hearts of the people! And only a lit candle can light the unlit candle!!  "

Jai Gurudev !

Punjabi Dulhan Vs Madrasi mapillai

Our family was taken by a pleasant surprise when my younger mama's son had stolen the heart of Punjabi girl and the marriage was fixed subsequently.  The engagement had happened in Chennai between the 2 families in Hotel Savera , Chennai . Few families from both side attended and the function went on grandly. The marriage date fixed 6 months later  in March 7,8 at Jaipur.

Our family members started planning for the trip to Jaipur by flight and we all attended my younger mama's son's marriage in Jaipur that  Wednesday & Thursday .

It was totally a new and different experience for us for being part of a Punjabi wedding . It took place in an exotic private resort called Jaibagh palace resort . For every occasion like Mehendi , Sangeet nite cum dinner party  &  marriage ceremony hall decoration,  reception stage,  front decorations were all exclusive and so grand.  Lots of music with fast beats , dances, different  food varieties , beautiful girls  and boys,  western influence marked the uniqueness of celebration . Especially the Baraat function where the bridegroom sat in the decorated elephant and the horse with the people dancing around to the tunes of drums was classic. We all really enjoyed every bit of the moment.

The Baraat in elephant & horse ,Mehendi function & dances all reminded me of the Hindi movie scenes like Hum aapke hain kaun, Dilwale dulhania le jayenge etc . Some sample photos are displayed here.The marriage  happened as per both south and North Indian style. The Mangalasutra tying ceremeony was also conducted after the bride & bridegroom moved around the fire rituals.



We also went around Jaipur city Amber fort, Hawa mahal ,Jal mahal,  City palace, Seesh mahal etc and got amazed by the intricate art works on any thing we see in every nook and corner of the city right from jewellery to carpets to dresses,  Sarees,  painting works to shoes,  paintings on walls,  mirror works etc.. 

Baraat in horse

The people as such are seen as thin physique, very simple.Their food mostly constitute of rotis and sabjis. But they all seem to possess an excellant skill in handworks.We can see them doing some way of the other some art wotk sitting road sides from paintings , pots, chappals, handicrafts etc.The bedsheets, sarees, dress materials , gift items, handbags, wall hangings , portraits, pens, bangles , jewelleries all carry an exquisite design works. The marble works in the palace also depict the excellent handwork of the craftsman.

Dilwale Dulhaniya le jayenge

Baraat in elephant

The camels are seen in plenty .And even the elephants are seen to be spotted here and there. The art works also portrays the camels and elehants widely.

With a contented feeling of witnessing a marriage of such a grandeur and the heart feeling still awe , we set off our journey back wishing the young lovely couple a happy marriage life and carrying loads of sweet memoirs about the marriage celebration.

Jaibagh palace resort marriage venue

Mapillai's mom & dada

Sangeet or Musical /Dance evening 

Left is boy's family & right is girl's family

Front reception decoartion

Marriage hall decoration

Jai Gurudev !!

"Faith moves the Mountains " is a very popular saying . Jesus has said , " if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."

Contemplating on these great words , my mind was taken on  a wide tour of numerous instances in our history. If we take the story of Hanuman in Ramayan, the great epic , it's quite amazing to hear his valour and deeds .At one particular point of time, to save Lakshman, Rama's dear brother ,  a herb called Sanjeevani was required and it were to be seen in only the Sanjeevani Hills . Then , Hanuman was asked to bring that herb by Rama  as he was supposed to be the strongest of all  .  And Hanuman  , instantaneously set out on His master's orders .He could not trace out that particular herb, so he decided to lift off the whole hill and carry it to Rama . With the weapon called as mace or Gada in his right hand, he carried the hill in his left hand and flew back to His master without any delay.The people were surprised to see the act of valour by Hanuman.Lakshman was saved , thanks to Hanuman's efforts.

"How could Hanuman do that ?" is a question to ponder . But He had done that as per the purana or history. One thing is very obvious that , it's the *Faith * factor ,which had done the magic. Hanuman is a Great devotee of Rama .

 He is believed to have opened his heart and revealed Ram and Sita , who dwell in His heart. The unshakeable Faith of Hanuman has empowered Him to move the mountain and lift it , no doubt .

Faith has indeed moved the mountain !!

 How aptly has Jesus said it !! 

 

Love & smiles...

Reality shows and the kids..

Kids on the High Drama  .

Of late , we tune in to any channel , we see the reality shows in varied names hosting kids in an extra ordinary way. Yes, initially it was very interesting , seeing kids performing , dancing like adults , singing or enacting over their age characters, which we have never come across in our day to day life. Ofcourse , we can appreciate for identifying the talents and show casing them in a huge way.

But, as few episode passed by,  very soon , it started giving a feeling of unpleasantness or not good sort , the reason being , something says from inside , "Are these raw fruits being made to ripe  in a much early stage , just like as the raw mangoes & bananas are made to ripe quickly using some harmful chemicals and sold in market ?"   There's also a saying in Tamil , " Pinjuliye pazukka vaikkirathu !'

The new education system policy  is the small kids in schools are devoid of exams & the ranking systems to avoid the peer pressure of competition and to keep them away from stress . But , what's happening here in the TV shows is , the kids are made to perform for the competition sake and pass through public scrutiny, judges' comments , parents pressure etc without their awareness .They are made to work in an environment , where terms like money , TRP rating , the peer pressure , adult talks, relationships & behaviors are more prevalent , which definitely is not in kids dictionary. The impact of this would remain as a lasting impression in the young minds for years to come. The kids lose their precious childhood which comprises of learning things in their own way , playing and enjoying  with the kids of their own age with a carefree attitude and innocent nature .

On watching these programs , the other parents also would aspire to get their kids to similar programs , leading to a great havoc in the future childhood . This needs to be really checked at the right time and awareness has to be brought in the present system. Good to hear  the voices have started raising in the media ..

"Humble request to authorities to urgently ban all reality shows involving children .it's actually destroying them emotionally & their purity. "

--- Tweet by Piku director Shoojit Sircar 4 July 2017.

The Innocence of the children , which is the greatest gift to the kids by nature needs to be preserved at any cost and the innocence has to get matured , taking its own time and pace in a natural and beautiful manner !! A child has to pass through an adolescent stage to become an adult !! Not bypassing the adolescent stage !!

 Walking the nature's way is very much essential to avoid any untoward incidents and  foster a healthy future generation in the ages to come !!

A child all again ..

It's always a pleasure watching the children play, their talks ,the way they go to school with enthusiasm, their fights,their giggling laughter ,their mischiefs , the way they eat especially ice creams and what not , everything about kids is enjoyable , I mean it's worth spending time with them , more relaxing and rejuvenating.

We never miss to watch the kids program , Kutty Chutties in Sun TV , every sunday.The host asks various questions to the kids in front of  their family members sitting and watching their wards .For the same question , each kid answers differently, much to the loud applause of their family and brings an instant smile to our face . The kids of this present age are extremely brilliant and highly knowledgeable and very sharp too. What makes the answers of the kids more interesting and different from that of the elders is their spontaneity and their innocence and they being in the present moment totally . One can never guess what would be their answer . The unpredictable answer would just pop out from their mouth in an unexpected manner , so timely !!  They don't think , what implications will their answer have in future nor do they refer their past memory to get the answer. Just a mere spontaneity !!

Crying with all heart !!

Playing with 100 % attention

I had a thought , while playing with the 3 and a half year child next door, which talks like a big person and quite bold enough to question us in a loud voice for many of our actions . I wondered how come a child can be so matured . But in a short while , I would hear him cry with a loud sound for some chocolates or toys , reminding that he's a child after all !! A child even when it cries , it cries with all its heart . If it's getting angry also , 100 % anger it shows and the next moment it's out from that unlike us  !!

So, this makes me to think , a Mature person , a grown up individual , What if

* He does not get stuck up to his past memories , events and the related worries or guilt ?! 

* He comes out of all his inhibitions and barriers and ready to take up any challenges ?! 

* He frees himself from the pre conceived notions and thoughts and makes himself open to the new ideas ?!

* Whose mind is not anxious about the future and the associated fears ?!

* And lives totally in the present moment , giving 100 % to what he's doing , giving 100% even to his relations ?!

Will he not become a Child all again ?

Fully enthusiastic !!

Joyful !!

Creative !!

Spontaneous !!

Dynamic !!

Ever smiling !!

An adult free from all the modulations of the mind is back to his Innocence !!

And Innocence combined with the  Intelligence is the need of the hour today to come out of the stress  !!

Inner Vision - The Real Vision !!

Jai Gurudev !!

The Karnataka welfare Association for the BLIND ( KWAB)  situated in Seshadripuram, Bangalore    is an NGO depending totally upon the  DONORS  for looking after the partially to fully vision impaired children  , ages ranging from 4 years upto 18 years and above. The Asssociation has been working for teh last 3 decades and above.

About 95 kids are being taken care of by this organization including their studies , accommodation , food and other amenities . 7 College students are also included in this school.

The Secretary for this organization is Mr.Murthy , who himself is vision impaired and he manages to run the show with such a great efficacy and skill . Very admirable indeed !!

 

Manikantan exhibiting his Mimicry talent

We ( My friend Kalavathi and myself)  had the intention to conduct the Bala Chethna Shibir program from The Art of Living , which is a wonderful program developed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Guruji for the benefit of the poor kids above the age group of 8 years. The program is a beautiful module , which empowers the kids with pranayama / mediation techniques to sharpen their skills  and  improve their health along with the knowledge on the basic life skills , leading to their overall development .

The Secretary Sir and other people in their team are very co-operative and arranged the hall readily for us to conduct the program. The Day 1 session started on Oct 18, 2014 with the  kids introducing themselves by telling their names and classes they study . One boy by name Manikantan is capable of doing Mimicry and entertained the kids with his telephonic conversation mimicry, Dogs barking mimicry etc.



Kids enjoying their friend's mimcry

The children were curious in listening to us and attended the session with great interest . They also learnt the pranayam techniques with enthusiasm and participated fully in the games/story sessions etc.



Suvetha & Kalavathi conducting the Bala Chethana Shibir session

We could see that at the end of the session , all had glided into the meditative state very naturally and felt very happy for the same . They thanked Guruji for this wonderful opportunity.

We too..

The Blind school kids in Cloud Nine.

Contact Details in case you wish to help these under privileged kids :

 The Karnataka Welfare Association for the Blind ,

No. 69, 1st Main Nehru Nagar, S.C Road
Seshadripuram, Banglore
Karnatka
560020
Phone No: 080-23369703
Contact Person: Mr. S.P.Murthy - 9741122706
Bangalore
Email: kwab_ngo@rediffmail.com

Jai Gurudev !!

River Rejuvenation Project ..

Jai Gurudev !!

Volunteers involved in constructing recharge pits as part of Kuudvathi river rejuvenation project at Yentaganehalli village near Bangalore

Recent involvement in a River rejuvenation project in villages near Bangalore is keeping my spirit high and giving a more gratifying feeling within me !!

 

Inspired by Guruji , Art of Living volunteers are invloved in a River called Kumudvathi river rejuvenation project . The river which is dried at present totally is the focal point. The Bore water is not available even at 1200 ft underground in those villages near Bangalore around Nelamagala. 

 

Hence ,the volunteers have taken up about 6 villages , where this river was flowing to the brim once, and started constructing recharge pits and soak pits , to increase the water inflow into the ground , thereby replenishing the ground water level in over a period of 2/3 years.

 



Parallely , the villagers and the kids as well are also given life skills to manage stress and water replenishing  awareness programs . The kids are taught pranayama , yoga etc along with Drawing competions, Hair style making competitions etc. It's very nice to see the kids active participation  with full enthusiasm and interest .

 

 

 

Love & smiles...