LIVING IN HARMONY

LIVING IN HARMONY

While we believe in joint ventures

With mutual consent

We tend to go afar in all our endeavors

Where understanding others’ point of view is essential

Creating in its wake brotherly feelings

Amongst each other

Influencing our daily odd jobs

We live with utter understanding

With each others’ view

Also, living in sync with the environs

Feeling safe and confident.

When we’ve to get something unique

It is not got with ease

We’ve to pay some price

For getting it fructified

Through our sincere efforts

Spreading the message of goodness

In the society we live in

Not forgetting at all

That with harmony

We harmonize ourselves

With our surroundings

And the people we live with

Solving problem which may come

Matching and combining an individual efforts

With the efforts of others around us

Proving the concept

Union is strength

Results in coming out of water-tight compartment

Ad aloofness will surely isolate us entirely

And become impediment

To put paid to our endeavor

Together we can succeed with ease

Because it provides harmony to our activities

On the principles of malice toward none

And love towards one and all.

Having more expectations

If stretched unrealistically

Are inflated limitlessly

Saps our inner energy

In its wake will create disharmony.

Human rights are essential for us

Which empower the common people

The freedom of expression

Freedom to earn a dignified living

Freedom of justice and fairness

Only freedom obsession

But nothing about  duties of humans

Which are woefully forgotten.

Living according to Natural Laws

Removes bottle-necks and road-blocks

First of all, we’ve to have self-esteem

While respecting the esteem of others

Along with reasonable social etiquette

Ideal and rational social conduct

Which cement inter-personal relationship

Along with leading and living

A life of spiritual orientation.

Understanding others is most important

But better than this most important thing

Is first understanding our own self

Then it will make it easier

To understand others easily.

The single most enemy of harmony

Is when we consider our religion superior

To others which they follow

Without realizing that the goalpost

For all of us is One Almighty God

Paths may differ but destination is One.

Then one thing should never be forgotten

That is being judgmental

Being so, I think, is our weakness

Creating disharmony in the long run.

Living in harmony

Means living in sync of an individual

With those of people around us.

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In Bhagwad Gita it has been amply made clear that when we have harmony in our thoughts, action and speech we  can create good ambience. For fructification of our efforts, it is essential to have harmony in Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Gyan Yoga. This is essential not only in individual plane but also universally. Oneness, unity, equality along with equal mindedness besides resemblance in thoughts and actions could bring about understanding around the world and help solidify the bonds of brotherly feelings.

It has been empirically proven with practical experiences over a period of time that everything which happens comes with a price. We cannot get anything tangible without efforts or without burning up of our energy. Even spread of wellness or goodwill amongst our friends’ circle or in the society in which we are living. This includes spreading harmony and goodwill in the society. It means living with concord, agreeing with others when there is a crying need for it; even when we have to show some conciliatory connotation to defuse a untoward situation as stubbornness will create more problems than solve the existing ones.  For establishing synchronization of our thoughts amongst the circle of friends and well-wishers, we have to first of all change ourselves and not to be a day-tight compartment – remembering that discord creates still more problems and with concord we can solve even the intractable ones attacking them head-on in our daily lives. With malice or ill-will towards none and love towards all we live with harmony in an atmosphere of give and take.

THE CURRENT PREVAILING SCENARIOS

If we see the current scenarios in various facets of our lives, we wonder what is happening around us. Everywhere we see or visit there is chaos/confusion. Everybody is in competition with other in one way or other and this includes being responsible for creating violence – a divergent situation when we resort to unrealistic and unreasonable methods to get things done in our favour. People’s expectations are inflated limitlessly. It has been observed that if their expectations are not met, then there are violence and protests galore.

MORE THE EXPECTATIONS, MORE  THE PROBLEMS

Our expectations are relationship makers and relationship breakers. When we have more expectations from others, and if these expectations are belied then we have problems. We tend to lose ourselves in the bargain, want to either break relationship with the person concerned or pay that person back in the manner which we think harms that person more. This creates hurdles in furtherance of our smooth journey of life and becomes an instrument for disharmony. No expectation, no disharmony should be the buzz word.

CONCEPT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

No sane person disputes about the concept of human rights wherein stress has been for freedom of expression, freedom of earning our living without let and hindrance, freedom of movement, justice and fair-play etc. but lately, some people are obsessed with their freedom. If their rights are not met, they even resort to violence, mayhem and in many cases disturb the peace of the society by burning public properties, holding dharnas and protests etc. In our zeal to fulfill these, some of us do not think that we’ve got our HUMAN DUTIES also while pursuing our cause of HUMAN RIGHTS. If there is harmony between the two, then there would be harmony between the communities and interpersonal relationship will improve.

OBEYING NATURAL LAWS

Natural laws are gifted to us by nature and are logically and traditionally accepted universally by virtue of human reasoning. All are bound to accept these laws as these enhance universal brotherhood and cement relationship between communities. These include moral behavior, fair and reasonable social etiquette, rational and ideal social conduct, etc. In other words the natural laws and natural rights concepts could be used alternatively. While living our life, we should live with dignity, be satisfied with what we earn with our sincere efforts while making efforts to lead a spiritual oriented life. In order to have tranquility and harmony, it is considered necessary to respect the Natural Laws with the motto maintaining self-esteem while respecting others too on the basis of ‘give and take’.     

UNDERSTADNING OUR OWN SELF BEFORE UNDERSTANDING OTHERS

It has been noted with concern, we want understanding others without peeing deep into ourselves and know ourselves before to know about the broader reality. While we have the first step, we can try consciously to understand others too as others are extension of ourselves only. This will help us to have harmony in our thoughts and actions.

WITHOUT BEING JUDGEMENTAL ABOUT OTHERS

A sane person will not be judgmental or overly critical about others; their behavior, their attitude, their way of thinking and acting etc. Having pre-conceived notion about others leads to dissonance and bad blood, and disagreement which become bone of contention between people thus creating disharmony.

CHANGE IS NATURAL

Those who do not change appropriately when situation demands they face difficulty in adapting themselves in the new settings. It should be remembered that we have to change according to situation we are placed and nobody will change for ourselves since we cannot blame others if and when we lag in this aspect. We should change according to state of affairs and condition thus harmonize ourselves with everything that exists.

BEING PERFECTIONIST

We all make mistakes at one time or other. Those who think themselves infallible are deceiving themselves only. I am of the opinion that a Karma Yogi or dynamic in their thoughts and actions tends to commit mistakes sometimes and those who are inertia ridden do not commit any mistake. While we accept that we are not perfectionists, we shall then forgive the mistakes of others too. This will, in the long run, create harmony between the people working in the organization.

 FOLLOWING NON-VIOLENCE ALWAYS HELPS

If we lead a life of non-violence, mutual respect, with self-esteem while respecting others’ self-esteem, loving others, sincerely contributing for others’ well-being while living with dignity, being compassionate with others needs, being truthful, living a life of adaptability with others, et al. These principles are recipes for mutual harmony and fair-play.

SPREADING SMILES AND HUMOUR

We should always try to divide smiles, make others happy by our actions. We should laugh together rather than laughing at others, care ought to be exercised that we live happily and also let others live their own lives the way they want. Harmony thus is important for a life of equanimity and impartiality without an iota of bitterness for others.

SIMPLE LIVING AND HARMONY

Those who prefer simple living with the means they have earned simply with their sincere efforts do try to live in harmony with the environs in which such a person lives. His life is an open book with no complexities involved. Such a person loves to follow natural laws, respects others’ privacy without interfering in others’ sphere of influence.

Essential for harmony:-

• Ego is the cause of disharmony. When I consider that everything is due to me and nobody else then it shows the egocentric tendency in me.
• For universal outlook, oneness and same-minded are important for world harmony.
• When we consider our religion superior to others, disharmony results. When we want to reach the top of the mountain (here the One God), we may take any path which hardly matters. What matters is reaching the top of the mountain. Call Him by any name in any language hardly makes any difference God, Lord, Allah, Bhagwan Ji, Akal Purakh, Creator or any other name. Therefore, all religions have the same purpose – to establish connectivity with God.
• Never be judgmental since it shows the seeds of disharmony.
• Excessive expectations lead to disharmony when those expectations are not met. It may be expectations from our progenies, friends or other relatives etc.
• We want various freedoms like freedom of expression, freedom to eke out a living, freedom to live our own life without any outer interference etc. While enjoying our freedoms, we should not intrude into others’ sphere of freedoms, if we do so, it will cause disharmony.

Introvert and extrovert traits and their affects on our lives under different conditions

Introvert and extrovert traits and their affects on our lives

WHICH WAY WE WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW DEPENDS ON OUR OWN FREE-WILL

While we remain within the confines

Of our own limits

Silently traversing the path taken

Without creating much din

While walking the talk

And not overly drumming the view-points

Thus working on the opinion

Speech is silver silence is golden

But it ought to be without breaching somebody else’s privacy

But this trait should not be taken as weakness of somebody.

One who makes his entry with a big bang

Says what he wants

With absolutely no inhibition

Mainly based on over-assertion

Without any fear of other party’s reaction

May sometimes lead us to our isolation

Since we can have win-win situation

Only when we have total cooperation

With each other without any pre-conditions.

A balance or equanimity is needed

When live our life

Based on the precept

Live and let live

Too much assertiveness

Or too much of aloofness

May affect our cohesive relationship

And may rob our peace of mind and mutual cooperation.

Introversion is the trait of an individual who is not so vocal in presenting his/her point of view, remains aloof and is not self-assertive while presenting his/her views. At times, such a person is not able to fully express what he/she wants to tell  or not able to get what is his/her due share since this person remains virtually silent when assertiveness is the need of hour.

We must have observed that such people may not perform well in the interviews for a position because of trait of remaining silent when need is to be expressive. I am of the firm conviction that persons with introvert characteristics loses many things because of  being non-committal when need is to come out with their point of views with the idea, truth must be told come what may.

Extrovert is the person who is over-assertive, tells what he/she wants to say without mincing any word – gregarious to the core, Such persons know how to say; spade a spade, no hold barred. This live-wire attitude, sometimes generates bad-blood amongst the people and thus it could be construed as negative when it is done recklessly. This recklessness could spell disappointment for us.

I am of the view that extrovert attitude could help us in expressing ourselves but care ought to be exercised that it should not be over-exercised. We should remain within confines of our limits while being extrovert. If it is done this way then we shall be creating more problems for ourselves than solving these because we may lose the company of many of our well wishers.  

From the above, it is in the fitness of things to infer that introvert attitude, if followed, may make us cut-off since we may be termed as recluse or person who does not want to be associated with others in words and deeds.

On the other hand over-assertion too may also cost us dearly. It is better to adopt a balance between the two. Not to be overly silent and not to be overly assertive. When it is needed, it should be mentioned and when it is not required, we should remain silent. BALANCE and EQUANIMITY always pays.

ADJUSTMENT WHEN ONE SPOUSE IS INTROVERT AND THE OTHER ONE EXTROVERT

I am of the view that we have to have a balance but if one of our best friends says one spouse is an introvert and the other one extrovert then what? If husband is extrovert and wife is introvert and other way around also then what? Each of the scenario has to be analyzed threadbare and conclusion reached. In each of the cases, the other spouse has to show compatibility/ adjustment, tolerant and above all patient.

In the first scenario, if the husband is extrovert and the wife is introvert, While replying this part of question, I have to be realistic not idealistic in answering this part of question. While interaction in social group of friends when the husband does talking and the wife remains silent spectator, it may become a cause of embarrassment sometimes. If the interaction remains merely up to introduction, it is pliable. No problem but when the husband exceeds the limit of decency, then it could be a recipe for misunderstanding. Initially, it may look enchanting, but after sometimes, it may cause irreparable damage to the relationship between the spouses. The wife, in this case, has to be broadminded in her approach and not become too touchy about her husband’s extrovert behaviour. It is also the duty of the husband to be a little considerate towards his introvert wife to behave in such a manner that it does not turn the apple-cart of his wife’s emotions. If the husband crosses all limits and the wife just sulks, it is not a good company. It is just a relationship of compromises which exists but only for name sake. I opine, the husband will have to be very careful that he does not do anything which may disappoint his wife – remain within the confines of decency and remains doing anything he want without breaching the sensibilities of his wife.

What when the wife is extrovert and the husband is introvert then what? Here the husband has to adjust and become tolerant, and at times, forgetting the habit of his wife thinking that is is merely a habit of being extrovert and nothing else. The husband may also have to listen to so many things about his wife from others which, at times, may not be palatable but the husband has to be understanding and not to go off the tangent and reach to conclusions which may impair the relationship beyond repair. Here wife has to see that she does not utter or act anything beyond a limit which may create misunderstanding between the two.

WHEN BOTH THE SPOUSES ARE INTROVERTS

In a scenario when both the spouses are introvert, then, both will remain sulking, will not open up and becoming a bone of contention in life if due adjustment in habit and attitude are not done while living together.  As both have adjustment nature hence compatibility is assured. But here care has to be exercised by both that their adjusting attitude should not be construed as weakness or lack of caution. A balance has to be exercised and maintained so that others may not hoodwink because of our introvert nature.

WHEN BOTH THE SPOUSES ARE EXTROVERTS

Then when both are extrovert then what?. Both would be gregarious/ sociable thus adjustable with the society in which they are living. But when both act in over-assertive demeanour, then there is problem. When differences creep up, nobody can intervene to bring out a moderation and persuade them for a compromise for pulling on in life.    

Essentially, it is in the fitness of things to mention that In both the cases we should create a balancing act and take care that they do not cross a limit. This far and no further should be the buzz word.

• Care should be exercised that nobody should take advantage of our introvert trait as introversion hardly means that people take us for granted.
• Introversion should not make others to take advantage on our non-interference attitude and consider us push-over – take us as of no consequence at all.
• Extroversion means to be over-assertiveness in habits, behavior  and attitude but this attitude should not make us fastidious or choosy with less friends’ circle. With no less friend circle means, nobody to fall back upon us since man is a social animal and requires somebody in emergent contingencies.
• People with extrovert trait should take care that they do not cross the limit lf self-esteem and barge into a territory of egocentric tendencies.
• Be that as it may, neither over-assertion nor over-softness will pay us in the long run. Admix of the two traits is the answer; nobody should take us lightly and nobody should fear us, I think, is the plausible answer.

OUR WEAKNESSES WHICH CAUSE US PROBLEMS

OUR WEAKNESSES WHICH CAUSE US PROBLEMS

WE CREATE PROBLEMS FOR OURSELVES BY OUR OWN ACTS OF OMISSIONS AND COMMISSIONS

We’re what we think and act

We are fighting different situations

 Sometimes we’re inundated

With the situations and we get submersed

Due to our own faults

Creating multiple troubles

For ourselves

From which it is difficult to get out

Till we realize our fault-lines

By drawing out our own inner potentials.

Not taking proper diet

Which properly suits

Just forgetting

What we’re eating

Or are not eating

We become

In its wake create problem

For our entire system.

Through our own lethargy

To try putting off things

Essential or not so essential

And create emergency for us

Creating multi-pronged problems.

Then not bridling our wants

We want and still more

Our greed is insatiable

Despite our purses bulging

But our minds becoming empty  

By comparing ourselves with others

By adopting other illicit means

Creating multi-pronged problems.

Thence our aspirations and ambitions are wrong

Due to wrong advice of a big shot

We remain groping in dark

Hopping from one post to another

But not getting satisfaction from any

Rather creating problems still more.

When we do not have earned self-esteem

By our own self-effort

Earned over a period of time

Persons with no self-respect

We cannot expect

Any respect from respect

From such a person

Such a person not only creates problems for himself

But also creates negative environs around him.

When we thrive in flattery

Becoming unduly happy

When somebody

Appreciates us unreasonably

We become prisoner of somebody’s whims

Thus lose our own rational thinking

Creating dent in our own character

Since the yes-men lose their own moorings

Along with for whom it gets directed  

Creating problems needlessly.

Those who do not keep their promises

Have no right to make promises at all

Losing self-respect in the process

To whom nobody worth the name will trust in future

Since distrust when cultivate

Cannot be simply obliterated

Thus creating problems for himself.

Through our own innuendos

We create multiple problems  

If we adopt positive traits

Of adopting compassionate attitude

When it is needed the most

We shall then be more humane

With self-realization as our goal

Thus winning the graces of Almighty God.

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HOLI – THE COLOURFUL FESTIVAL : HAPPY HOLI TO ALL

HOLI THE COLOURFUL FESTIVAL: WISHING YOU ALL HAPPY HOLI. MAY THIS HOLI IMBUE US ALL IN OUR ALMIGHTY GOD’S COLOURS

HOLI : THE RAINBOW OF COLOURS

HOLI THE HOLY FESTIVAL OF COLOURS

In the midst of the most pleasant season

After fading of cold, so intense

There is a festival so well-known

The carnival of color so popular

With the young and old alike

Wherein all participate

With soft-emotions running so deep

Not only put color on each other

But also partake specially prepared sweets

Also, enjoy Bhangra dance to the tune of drums

With Punjabi song so matching

For this festival so very enjoyable in every way

Everybody wishing others HAPPY HOLI.

One day before, Holi Dahan is held

Which portrays burning of evil With burning of Holika

The sister of Demon King Harnayakashpa

The evil soul (Atma)

Who was burnt alive

And Prahalada in her lap remained unscathed

With the blessing of Lord Vishnu

Who bestows protective cover on His devotee.

When body, mind, and soul are colored together

In the hue of our  eternal Creator

Then a warm reaction of love is created

With a flood of warm feelings

Of togetherness in every being

Where there is no difference based on any biases

Like age, sex, colour, caste or religions

Everything loses its relevance

What actually remain

Are the liking they’ve for each other

Mixed with warm emotions

With variety of colors

Whosoever meets us on the street corners

Corners us with colors

Reddish, yellowish or bluish in tint

Charming us to a maximum extent

Mesmerizing us with color’s touch

Having deep meaning

If we care to fathom its importance really

These colours can transform hostility

Between neighbors with a drop of color.

O Almighty God of ours
Imbue us with Thy indelible Color
Thy colour touches our heart’s chords
Including every atoms in our body
Made of five elements which die
(Ether, earth, water, air & fire)
On the death of our mortal body
Only Thy colour and our Soul last
Man made colours just fade away and are lost
After a few hours have passed.

A spirit of Spring Festival springs in all
Scattering joy and hope everywhere
Nature too is in its finest attire – so colorful
When Mother Nature is at its best

All around greenery prevails
There is fragrance of blooming flowers
With Full Moon as though it is chipping in, too

To enhance the charm of colours which thrives
To share the fun and joy of the people around.

Different people celebrate Holi with different style
But the common thread of celebration remains alike,
People prepare special sweets to welcome their dear folks
Shopkeepers & women are busiest lots
Bestowing magnetism to their living places,
Bonhomie pervades wheresoever’s our eyes could survey
Abuzz with activity mixed with the rainbow of colors.
Scenes at the marketplaces are indeed mesmeric

Legend has it that a mighty and conceited
Demon King Hiranyakashyap prided his prowess the most
He wanted his subjects to worship him in place of God above
Virtuous Prahlad, his own son agreed not
Being a staunch devotee of Lord of Preservation – Lord Vishnu
The King wanted his son to be put to sword – very soon
For not obeying his dictates
Different methods were used to kill but in vain.

Hiranyakashyap had a sister named Holika
Blessed with a boon of not being burnt by blazing fire
Both were made to enter a bonfire at full fury
Thinking fire will harm her not due to boon to her
But just opposite ensued
Prahlad came unscathed with grace of Lord Vishnu,
Whilst Holika met her end most tragic.

Legend too has it that Lord Krishna played holi with his beloved Gopies
To shower love and affection with the shower of colours

Holi celebrated at Vrindavan, Mathura
And Bursana is so matchless even today
Showing the thread of that time remains in fact intact
People light a bonfire on the night before Holi Day
With devout heart brimming with bliss
Celebrate triumph of good over evil
And also remember how devotion to Lord gets rewarded.

People play with variety of colours
Intoxicated with joy of the day
Pour coloured water to each other
Songs, dance, and beats on the drums abound everywhere
People exchange greetings and pray to God for His bounties.

O God, let the humans not shower bullets at each other

Spilling blood of the unfortunates in the process

Which may distance us from one another

But rather with a blood-red colour of HOLI

Spreading feeling of brotherhood

Which may engender love for each other

Along with amity and well-being, in the humanity as a whole

Our prayers to Thee our Lord – the Love One
Do colour us all in Thy Holy colour
So that peace and harmony spread amongst all

Let this be the message of this Holy Holi.

WISHING YOU ALL HAPPY HOLI – MAY THIS HOLI BRINGS US ALL HAPPINESS AND PEACE

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE AND ORIGIN OF HOLI

The festival of colour HOLI finds its mention in Vedas and Puranas (Narad Purana and Bhavishya Purana). There is a practical Archeologists proof through excavation  of  stone related  to 300 BC on which there is an inscription of word ‘Holikotsav’ which means Holi. Even in the ancient paintings, there is a mention of Holi festival – the festival of colour.

Holi is a cultural festival which has its own significance in the lives of general masses.  It is a festival of colour which imbues us in different colour. Its cultural mention is made in Puranas. Poet Kalidasa, in 4^th century poet and a thinker, under the rule of Chandragupta II also mentions about the importance of Holi in his literature. Holi festival has an ancient origin and celebrates the triumph of ‘good’ over ‘evil’. The colorful festival bridges the social breach and renews sweet relationships with each other.

IMPORTANCE OF HOLI IN MATHURA (THE BIRTHPLACE OF LORD KRISHNA)

Holi has special significance in Braj i.e. in Mathura and Vrindaban region, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Women-folks playfully hit their men-folks with sticks. This act of theirs is called lath maar the holi (A holi which is played with sticks). Here men are constrained to save themselves from their blows with the help of a shield.  There is an air of festivities around in the entire Braj region during this festival spanning for days together. It is a spectacle in the real sense of the term.

Holi is a Basanta Utsav or Spring Festival – it is a festival of colour (Rangwali Holi) or celebrated of love, celebrated in India, Nepal and other parts of the world where Indians are settled. It is arrival of pleasant Spring season. On the occasion of this festival people forget their differences and connect with their long forgotten friends and relatives. The first day before Holi is Holika Dahan (Burning of Holika Demon) it is also called Chhoti Hili.

In this context, it is relevant to mention the Bhagwad Gita :
Lord Krishna teaches detachment:  While one gives up all his material desires meant for the satisfaction of the senses, one who lives freeing from desires and gives up his false ego attains the state of peace and calm. 

SIGNIFICANCE OF FESTIVALS

Holi festival signifies the victory of good over evil. It also signifies the end of winter and arrival of pleasant spring. It is a festival when people forget their differences and thus mend their ruptured relationships. On this day, people hug and wish each other well with fond wish:  ‘Happy Holi’ and may the colour of HOLI imbue us in God’s impossible to remove colour so as to spread the feelings of brotherliness and fellow feelings amongst each other without consideration to caste, creed, colour, region etc.

In essence, we face multiple problems in our lives while aspiring for material and sensual objects, people become attached to these. Such attachments develop lust and lust generate anger and other baser traits. Anger leads to delusion and delusion leads to mental disorientation. When the mind is bewildered, wisdom is the victim. Loss of wisdom leads to downfall of an individual. In such a scenario, a healthy diversion is a must. Different festivals give us occasion to celebrate with our relatives and friends. We celebrate Holi with our nears and dears. The colourful festival HOLI presents our golden opportunity to share our joys with others. The gifts are exchanged in the form of homemade sweets, such as Gujia etc. 

SYMBOLIC LEGENDS

There is a symbolic legend attached to this. There was a demon king named Hiranyakashap. This demon king did hard penance due to which he got a boon that no human could kill him at daytime or at night time. This made him very haughty and egotistical besides excessively arrogant. So much so was he drunk with pride that he passed an order that henceforth nobody would pray God in his kingdom. People should rather pray him in place of God.

He ruled his subjects with the iron hand. Not even the hermits or sadhus were spared. Those who disobeyed his orders were meted out huge punishments or handed out the death penalty. He had a son by the name of Prahlada. He used to worship Lord Vishnu. The demon king felt slighted and very furious when he found that his own son was disobeying his orders hence he gave him an alternative – either he should worship him or face the death penalty after giving various severe punishments which did not deter Prahladha from worshipping Lord Vishnu.

Then Holika the Hiranyakashap’s sister, evil in her intentions offered herself to sit in the bonfire (pyre) with Prahladha; knowing fully well that she would not be harmed because of her special cloak which made her immune to fire. Subsequently, the two entered the roaring fire. Hiranyakashap felt assured that no harm would result to his sister because of protection but his son would meet his end.

After the fire subsided, all felt including Hiranyakashap surprised that Holika got perished in the fire that engulfed her despite her protective cloak but due to the protection and grace of Lord Vishnu, he survived!

Holi was driven from the name Holika. Holika represents/personifies evil and its burning is the end of evil.  Pradhan personifies goodness.

One day before Holi, especially after sunset, the pyre is lit, called as Holika Dahan. The ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil. People gather around the fire, sing and dance at the beats of drums. It may have different names in different part of the country but the spirit of the festival is the same – a colourful one.

Holi Dahan also signifies burning of our excessive desires. It is for bringing about a balance in our desires by putting an end to our greed and base internal yearning (Kaama Dahan) – our conquest over our evil or carnal instincts which have made residency in our mind and rely more on detachment from our action. 

VICTORY OF GOOD OVER EVIL

Subsequently, in the daytime, people celebrate this as a sign of victory of good over evil by sprinkling either the coloured water or dry colour (gulal) of various colour. A real rainbow of colour! In the evening, people, after proper wash, go to their friends and relatives and partake sweets prepared at their homes.  

PEOPLE FORGET THEIR DIFFERENCES AND CELEBRATE THIS COLOUR FESTIVAL

It has also been seen that on Holi festival, people forget and forgive their old enmity and animosity and establish the new relationship with each other. It has been seen that people from all religions participate in this festival. It looks as though all have been imbued and coloured with happiness and goodwill for each other. If such an idea fructifies then there would not be any ill-will for anybody in the society in general.

Lessons learned from the FESTIVAL OF COLOUR – HOLI

• As all communities activity participate in this festival, they cement their relationships, thus enhance their sense of correlation and cooperation for better compatibility.
• People forget their inherent differences and go to each others’ homes with colours and sweets thus a spirit of forgetting and forgiving are created.
• One day before actual festival, HOLIKA DAHAN (Burning of symbolic Holika  – the sister of Demon King Haranakyshapa) – which is synonymous with burning of evil from our midst. Therefore, this festival helps us burn the evil prevalent in us and establish the kingdom of goodness in our heart.

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SIMPLICITY IN OUR LIFE

SIMPLE LIFE

SIMPLICITY IN OUR LIFE

Simplicity is what we possess

And do not go over-board

When we not possess that

Which our neighbor have aplenty

Everything small-things is to be enjoyed presently.

A simple person seeks happiness

In the simplest things which he needs

And thanks God for everything

Which He has graced us with.

And not appeasement of our desires

Of unnecessary material possessions

Which a person wants

Thereby leading a life with unfinished agenda

Proving that our attitude to our life counts much

We may have abundance of everything

And to spare

But still not happy at all

While praying God Almighty

Such persons are full of complaints

Rather than thanks to Him.

When we make our life filled with complexities.

Simplicity in our love

For our Creator

Who created all creations

Each dependent on other for survival.

Then comes our love for our parents

Who became tools of our creation.

Thereafter comes our love

For the country of origin

Which gives us citizenship rights

And provides us protection

From internal & external aggression

Besides providing us succor

When we need it the most.

Then there comes simple home

Which we can call our own

And gives us shelter

Against elements of nature.

Limited needs

With connectivity with our Creator.

.

Simplicity seems to us an ordinary word but in actual practice, it is not so. It is following a lifestyle which is trouble-free, plain without any complexities, easy to follow and easy to understand. Simple living counts a lot in our life.  It means we have the quality of living with austerity – we are satisfied with what we have and do not have. It is not a life which is complex in any way. When we live with what we have, we become self-reliant and have self-esteem since we do not have to beg or borrow from others to fulfill our desires.

FULFILLMENT OF OUR NEEDS

Essentially, it should never be forgotten what are the things which are  actually needed for our survival. In life, our necessary needs are love, home and food for for our continued existence. These are barest minimum needs for our life. These three things should be made simple for a balanced life. If these are not made complex, we shall live in happiness and in peace of mind.

Every other essential things such as air, water and sunlight are bestowed to us by Almighty God for free. Without these essential natural things our survival would not be possible at all even for a few minutes!  People living with austerity, also thank Almighty God for everything that He has gifted us.

FULFILLMENT OF OUR DESIRES

When we have insatiable desire for more material possessions, then we are in for trouble since our satisfaction level just goes on increasing. We tend to compare ourselves with others. We do not rise up from our insatiable desires. This way, we make our life more complex and a day dawns when these desires become the cause of our downfall. This attitude of not being satisfied with anything has its own inherent problem. Such people, though pray to God, yet, they have complaints, even in their prayers to Him.

We must have observed, there are people who are difficult to understand. With their ways of living, they have made their life very complex and full of contradictions. As far as our attitude towards our life is concerned, the more we adopt simple attitude, the more we are satisfied with our life. The more we are satisfied, the more we live joyfully and in mental peace. By so doing, we create a healthy aura around us which helps us to:-

• Live with happiness and with peace of mind.
• Living with austerity, we tend to be self-reliant since we do not beg or borrow for fulfilling our needs.
• Living in simplicity means living complete sincerity as our motto of living.
• Simple living means a way of living which could be understood by anybody who comes in contact with us.
• A person living with simple needs, also adopts simple attitude and habits and therefore could change according to the need of the hour and situation.
• The maxim: ‘Simple living and high thinking’; are connected with each other,  therefore, we should try living with simple habits.
•  We should not only have simplicity thoughts and actions but also in our interactions with others. These should not reflect anything negative or egocentric tendencies.
• It is not merely our thoughts and actions, we should have simplicity in our food which we eat since what we eat counts much for our health and wellness.
• Living in simplicity means living within the set norms of behaviour and within the norms set by the society.
• Having no complexities in our life means no confusion in life at all. Having no confusion means a plain lifestyle which could be understood very easily.
• Simple diet will do more good to us than the fast food taken which neither is digested properly nor gives any benefit to the person concerned. It is well said that what we eat is reflected in our health and wellbeing.

What are the things two aspiring duo should keep in mind on dating?? (As asked)

What are the things two aspiring duo should keep in mind on dating??

Before going on dating or getting seriously involved with somebody of your choice, it is in the fitness of things to take into some contentious points which require immediate attention by the two the twosome.

First of all, it is important that both the suitors understand each other to the extent possible under different situations and conditions. Understanding means the likings, disliking, tolerance level, patience, ability to listen and appreciate other’s viewpoints then change accordingly, where it is needed without compromising self-esteem. This understanding too means adjustment with the change in situations and conditions. We should always bear in mind that it will not always be a smooth sailing when male and female are on the verge of knowing each other for establishing future relationship. This should be on the basis of give and take. One sided positive reception will not last long.

Understanding each other is essential since there are people who can defeat their pipe-dreams, but may be, these may not prove to be of any substance. Two things should not make any difference; neither the financial background of the family concerned and also the caste or religion of the suitors. Only the suitability or otherwise of the person concerned should be reckoned. Then as far as possible, compatibility too is an essential element  for consideration. It means adjusting with the situation or condition which may arise from time to time.

Each of the suitors should take into consideration whether they have come to know about each other before or it is instant familiarity which each of them want to solidify further. For this the following should be kept in mind.

1. Start with a clean slate without any pre-conceived idea for each other. There should be sincerity of purpose at every step which should reflect positivity to both the doting duo.

• There should be prevalence of love between them – a bond which reflects inner calmness.

• Do the two suitors should try knowing each other to the extent possible. Not showy but should reflect innocence and honesty.

• Each should tell about their likings and disliking of each other.

• If any contentious points come in the way, these could be ironed out amicably.

• Be concerned and get exercised that nothing is swept under the carpet since it may cause irreparable damage for furtherance of relationship.

• Pay attention to each other’s sensitivities.

• Never point out other’s drawbacks on his/her face since it may cut short the developing relationship. It should always be construed that nobody is perfect. With this premise in mind, it is in fitness of things to eliminate these drawbacks to the level under the circumstances.

• Never be argumentative on in any event since nobody has ever won an argument but discussions can solve our differences.
• Do not over-react on anything which may arise from time to time.
• One important thing should also taken into account; the relatives of each suitor are important so nothing should be done to contradict each other on this.
• We should never be the prisoners of our own thinking but also listen to our suitor too; introspect and then have positive views on each others.
• Never let take pity on your companion since it will prove counter-productive.
• For heaven’s sake do not show lip-service on any issue but be assertive and present your views on a variety of subjects openly but without being pompous on any issue.

Sow the seeds of compassion and you will get good returns.

Be true to yourself and your suitor, without ever over-state anything. You may be spoiling your own chances of relationship being fine-tuned for cementing. Tall-talk will always be caught and when it happens dating done cannot fructify into a healthy relationship.

EDUCATION HAS A SALUTARY EFFECT

EDUCATION HAS A SALUTARY EFFECT

EDUCATION IS AN IMPORTANT TOOL OF TRANSFORMATION

The ropes which has got entangled

Which cannot easily be disentangled

Over a period of time

Can best be suitably arranged

Through the medium of education

Which helps us in learning the ropes

To tide over the situation

As and when there is darkness in the horizon

We see light in the other side of dark tunnel

Showing us the path even in pitch dark

Due to the enlightenment given to us

Thru’ the learned lessons

By our self-efforts

And also gained from others’ experiences

We see everything evolving for ourselves

With every step we venture to take with confidence

With the medium of light created  by education

Which becomes a torchbearer, so potent

To illuminate our dark and tedious trail

Thus making our sojourn so easy to negotiate.

Education too enlightens our inner-self

First thru self introspection

Thereby to our weakness and potentials

Then obtaining self-realization

By cleansing our system off all dross which exists

Through the power of education

Which teaches us how best to have right reaction

In the emergent conditions

By bestowing us needful wisdom

Through practice and experimentation

And also through God’s intervention.

 Education bestows us to absorb positive traits

Such as empathy, fellow-feeling, selflessness and spread of Dharma

While removing the negative values in the form of Adharma

And ultimately realization of purpose of life.

Experimenting with education we get with efforts so sincere

We get sound knowledge on vast majority of subjects

Knowledge thus gained is sensibly utilized  

To unravel the basic truth, hitherto hidden

Thereby getting wisdom through experimenting with Truth

Which gives us level-headedness

To know and make difference what is right and wrong

Including when to speak

And when to keep silent.

EDUCATION HAS A SALUTARY EFFECT

Education is learning that we undertake as an exercise so as to garner knowledge from the vast sea of knowledge which is before us just to be explored and exploited to a maximum extent. This education is the treasure of knowledge gleaned over a period of time through practice and experimentation. The knowledge gained and kept hidden from others will be of no use if it is not disseminated to the people concerned. It has to be transferred by firstly by parents to the kids then by a teachers or guru to the aspirants for their upliftment of their inner self. Education gained should teach us how best to live in the society, keep conducive atmosphere, how to stay calm while others are losing their calmness besides facing the challenges of life.

Literally, education has been originated from its root word ‘educare’ means leading from darkness to light. In other words, the education could remove the specter of ignorance and lead us to illumination. Education should draw out the inner potentials from our system so as to bestow real joy, bliss, peace of mind along with compassion. Education should also enhance our creativity so that we are remembered even after we are not here on this earth. Education is also an indelible adhesive for our self-realization to attain the very purpose of our life for which we are here on this earth besides following spiritual oriented life to achieve that purpose.

The fault-line in education is that we want to get it in order to get a particular profession through that it and after we have attained, we tend to forget what we had gained over a period of time as though the education got had a limited scope and purpose i.e. of getting a career foothold and then absorb in the rat race of plunging deep into the career intricacies. In the new career too, we can learn new things which may help us to add-on to what we we learned before the career started and what we would be learning during the career progression; on daily basis. We’ve to be  a student always from our birthday till the final journey of our life.

Importantly, education is what we learned based on a set of syllabus, appear for the final examination and then woefully forgetting the day we’ve succeeded in getting a career. Those things which are necessary and could be made applicable in our daily lives are missing in the syllabus. A student who graduates is not able to eke out a living for himself/herself. He/she is fit only for white color jobs and unfortunately these jobs are not abundantly in numbers.

GURUKULA SYSTEM OF EDUCATION

An education should be such which helps the students in not only acquiring right type of career but also teach them to adjust in the society in which they are living. In ancient India, there was Gurukula system of education wherein education and other skills; such as skill in defending oneself. These Gurukulas were located outside the population, mostly in the forest areas. After the admission of the pupils, the parents or their relations were not allowed to visits their offspring. Here education was imparted to all pupils from rich and poor background. No discrimination or special treatment was given to any. The age for admission of the children was 9-10 years of age and Gurukul leaving after their education was around 17-19 years. The purpose of education was the holistic growth and development of the Shishyas.

LEARNING SKILLS FOR ADAPTABILITY AND REALIZE THE PURPOSE OF LIFE

Learning the skills of self-help and performing those household chores themselves like cooking, bringing woods and available fruits from the jungles, they were taught how best to adjust with little or no resources to fall back, the stress was basically holistic growth and development of the pupil. In this, humanism, community feeling, compassion and imbibing positive traits which make their lives sublime. The Guru used to command respect and the shisheys (Pupils) revered their teachers the respect they deserved as their molders.  Learning by doing was the main thrust of these Gurukuls besides inculcation of value system and character building in the children so that they get assimilated in the society after their necessary education.

MODERN SYSTEM OF EDUCATION AND ITS DRAWBACKS

The modern system is entirely different than the Gurukula system of education. Here less stress is given to the holistic development of the children. The students learn by rote/cram of the syllabus just to get good percentages of marks in the final examinations. A score above 90% is considered a sure panacea for getting good college of repute or admission to a professional degree course. In this scheme of things, character building and inculcation of value system in the student are not considered necessary. Much stress is not paid to the development of body and mind. Acquiring degree is the sole consideration.

In the modern schools, the student counselors are appointed in some schools, but their task is not for taking care of their mental health/psychology of the students but to showcase to the parents and the society at large to enhance their TRP.

IN MODERN SYSTEM OF EDUCATION SIMPLICITY IS GIVEN GOOD BYE

In the Gurukula system of education all used to put on the same simple dress; in modern system, simplicity is given good bye. More stress is given to expensive uniforms/dresses. Purpose is to  exposing or showcasing the outer rich-outlook rather than richness from within.  Not only this, the students do not care about their diets. The students take fast-foods in the canteens run by various schools bringing in its wake gain to the concerned schools but loss to the health of the students.

PURPOSELESS EDUCATION CREATES ENHANCES UNEMPLOYMENT INDEX

Our professional colleges and universities are churning out graduates and post-graduates (Academics and Professional alike) in huge numbers with no hope of getting employment with the type of education imparted to them. If skill based education is imparted, the persons concerned could take up some business and eke out a living after training and thus creating a space for himself/herself.

Furthermore, the very purpose of education gets defeated when those who qualify with high percentages too cannot find their names due to ongoing reservation tag which hangs like a Sword of Damocles always thus creating frustration amongst such students.

CHARACTER BUILDING NOT BEING STRESSED IN OUR SCHOOLS

Character building is not the stressed in our schools. In one of the Parents/Teachers meeting, when one of the teachers informed parents (Both the spouses employed) of student about the awful behavior of their ward, the parents shot back that they send their ward to school so that the school looks after all the aspects of development. It means when the student is admitted in the school, the responsibility of the parents just stops!. Seemingly, the parents do not give quality time to their wards and the teachers are hard pressed to take care of completion of their syllabus for better results and in the process the sufferer is the student. There is indiscipline in the students; they neither obey the parents at home nor teachers in the school! Such students get stigma of maladjustment in the society after their schooling; if at all it gets completed?

An education which gives inner peace besides ensuring all development is the true education. In olden times, education was Gurukul based, where the preachers used to transfer the education, mostly spiritual based.

·        The students should learn good attitude, imbibe good habits and behavior pattern and should know how to conduct themselves with others. It is up to them to be Buddha like or or a Bapu Gandhi, or a Newton like or a militant choice lies with them because they will have to face the music ultimately.

·        Education should bring about holistic growth and development in the students.

·        Education should be goal-oriented. What could be achieved after a particular degree or course/training should be clearly spelled out to avoid disappointment after acquiring education. Groping in the darkness will hardly bring us dividends ultimately.

·        After schooling the students should be able to eke out a living and not become a burden on others even after earning degrees. A course on skill based training/course can make difference.

·        The students and the parents should have right perception, right orientation, right decision at right time about subjects or courses to be chosen and hard work to be put for realization/fructification of the efforts should be clearly thought to avoid disenchantment ultimately.

·        The students should bear in mind that they go to school for learning and be disciplined and productive citizens after acquiring right type of education for which they are suited.

·        The education acquired should make it possible to face the challenges of our lives and make it possible to adjust in the society in which we are living.

·        Education should give us to act rationally, our words and speech should be refined, we should know when to speak and when to remain silent, have empathy for others.