October 2019 – INNER THOUGHTS

MIND-BODY CONNECT

MIND-BODY CONNECT

**STATE OF OUR MIND COUNTS A LOT – HAPPINESS BEGETS HAPPINESS**

There exists strange connect
Between our body and mind
Which has been without doubt proven
When the mind gets disturbed
Our body’s mechanism gets bust
When we don’t take sound diet
Our health sounds not so well
When our health is not in order
Then our body working gets disturbed
Whatever our mind visualizes is revealed in our organ system of ours
When mind goes berserk
Our body functioning goes nuts
Proving we’re what our state of our mind in its existing state
Wellness is aplenty when our mind gives out signals of wellness
Similar is the case with state of being unwell.
Hence we should take feeling of wellness into our head
We would feel exciting feel
Sickening message to our body make us sick
Proving harmful thoughts
Generate harmful results
Joyful thoughts produce joyful results
When we’re in anxious state of mind
We’ve to know the reason for being so
And streamline restless state of our being
Thus creating positive feeling
And getting rid of the negative state of mind
We should transmit self-induced positive suggestions to our mind
Which can do real wonders in removing mind & body related ailments.
Thence we’ve two minds
Conscious mind is our outer self
Which takes care of thought related functions of our brain – orders and chooses
And makes us aware of our environs we’re living
While sub-conscious mind is the inner self is creative one
Which transacts all the essential functions of our body metabolism for us
Mysterious, as it may seem, yet it is a truth.
As long as we keep the mind under control
We are its master and can dictate terms
Whence we lose control over the mind
Thence we become its slave for all intends and purposes
Thus losing the purpose of our existence here on this beautiful earth.

KEEPING OUR MIND AND BODY IN SYNC

A few days back, my elder daughter had gone for a medical check-up, the doctor after analyzing the case told her that he suspected something serious disease. Her blood was sent for lab test. Although everything was alright yet till the time the test report was not received, my entire family was highly concerned. It affected me mentally resulting in affect on the body metabolism – even it increase my Blood Pressure and sugar level – both of which were under control! This proved that what we see in our mind’s eye or what our mind visualizes happens in real sense of terms. This proves that our health is good when our mind positively oriented. Now that reports are good, my BP (130 & 80 at my age 69+) and sugar (93 as undertaken yesterday evening) are normal. This proves that what we think and do not think affects the functioning of our body.

Essentially, it is mind which controls our thought processes. Positive thoughts are generated when we live with a feeling full of joy. How to cultivate joy is the question we should pose to ourselves. The seed of joy could emerge in us when the presence of fear could be removed from our mind. This specter of fear could be removed only with self-belief and also belief on Almighty God. The Self-belief could be generated if we are conscious of our strong and weak points and subsequently try to narrow those weaker areas. Though it will not be a total elimination of weak points yet a stage of ‘no damage’ stage could be reached. No damage stage of weak areas means those weaknesses which can not harm our interests and cannot be impediments to our happiness or joyful living. Having reached this stage, we can thank God for his bounties for assisting us in whatever we get or do not get. By this, we get both self-belief and unmitigated belief on our Bhagwanji. Having both, means getting everything that a person aspires for in life – health, wealth and happiness under the umbrella of our Creator! What a life it would be with God connectivity at every step in our lives.

Life seems to be good when we have satiety in life. It is not attained with unlimited material possessions but wealth which is sufficient for meeting our day to day needs. When our needs are met, we feel happy but there is a little caution in this. Comparison with those with more wealth should be avoided. That will create unhealthy situation with our mind picking up negative signs; like that person is having everything which I do not have and things like this. Our comparison should be with ourselves. How much we were having last year and how much we are having presently? Improvement in our position should give us satisfaction. In other words, competition and comparison should be with us and not with others. Strange it seems but for living a life of joy and peace it is essential. While doing so with others produces a sense of despondency in our mind which impacts our body mechanism ultimately?

There are two types of minds:-

Conscious Mind. It is the outer-self and exerts control over the overall environs by giving orders. It also chooses what it good or bad. It controls the five senses – sense of sight, touch, hearing, smell and taste. This part of mind could conveniently be termed as the boss since it orders and other part has to obey its orders.

Sub-Conscious Mind. It is the inner-self and responsible for all the creative work we transact. Besides there is a perfection in its functioning. How best it controls all the functioning of our inner body mechanism such as heart beating, lungs functioning, liver functioning, breathing, sleep control, hair growth, nail growth, digestion of food etc is really wonderful. Nature has bestowed it with perfection in all the facets of the inner body functioning is really marvelous. Notwithstanding its flawless functioning yet it obeys the orders of Conscious Mind! If we give auto-suggestion to it with utmost sincerity, it obeys and there is always positive results to the positive suggestions we give to this mind whereas negative ones could have negative effect on our entire body working.

BHAI DOOJ (CONSOLIDATION OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS)

BHAI DOOJ (CONSOLIDATION OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS

BHAI DOOJ

PRAY FOR CONSOLIDATION OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BROTHER AND DISTER

A festival to consolidate the relationship
Between the brother and sister
Wherein a Tikka is put on the forehead of brother
By sister with utmost love and affection
With the solemn prayers to Almighty God
For his bountiful graces to both
The sister applies Tikka on the forehead of her brother
With immense reverence
With prayers on her lips for the long life of his brother
To which the brother promises to be beside her
In all her good and not so good days in her life
The parents are the ones
Whose blessings are there on both brother & sister.
This being an important annual festival of repute
Which cements the relationship between the brother and sister
Hence our prayers too are there to God
To bestow this relationship still more blessings
So that there exists a solid bond of relationship between the two so very important relationships

For living our lives in peace and harmony both at home and in the community we are living, it is essential that we consolidate our relationships within the family and outside the family fabric. For this we have father’s Day, Mother’s Day etc. For cementing the relationship and solidifying the same we have Rakhi Festival and also Bhai Dooj.

Today is the brother and sister we have Bhai Dooj wherein the sisters apply Tikka, consisting of a mix of flowers and sandoor (vermilion) on the foreheads of their brothers suffusing with love and affection after sincere prayers to Almighty God for His bountiful graces to both.

This festival is celebrateed on the second lunar day of Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the Vimrami Samvat (Hindu Calendar).

This festival is celebrated in the entire North India and falls on the second day of Vikrami Samvat New Year – the first day is celebrated as Goverdhan Puja wherein the people worship the Goverdhan Parvat (Mountain), situated South of Virandavan and Gokul (U.P) where Lord Krishana had created his Maya during his childhood period. Govardhan Parvat had saved the people of Gokal and the surrounding areas from the severe floods created by Rain God, Lord Indira. The complete area was inundated with flood water. Lord Krishana had saved the entire populace by taking them inside the Goverdhan Parvat after Lord Krishna picked had picked up part of Govardhan Parvat on a single little finger. In West Bengal, this Bhai Dooj is celebrated one day after Kali Pooja. In Maharashtra, it is termed as Bhai Beej.

LEGEND BEHIND BHAI DOOJ

There is a popular belief that after killing the evil Demon Narkasura the festival of Bhai Dooj had started. There is a legend that Lord Krishna had killed many demons who created killing of innocent people and spoiled the sacredness ofYajnas of the saints/hermits. In that one Demon named Narkasura was also known for his evil Karmic deeds was killed by Lord Krishna. After killing him, Lord Krishna visited his sister named Subhadra. She received him with warmth since he had exterminated a demon who used to create mayhem and spared none – men and women alike. She applied Tilak on his brother Lord Krishna.

RELATIONSHIP OF LORD OF DEATH LORD YAMA & YAMI

This day is also to remember the relationship which Lord Yama (The God of Death) and his sister Yami (The Yamuna river). This day is also termed as Yamadvitiya owing to this. Such is the importance of this day.

SIGNIFICANCE OF BHAI DOOJ

The festival of Bhai Dooj is considered important since it consolidates the relationship between brother and sister. The parents too participate in giving their blessings for the long life and prosperity of their offspring. Even in South India, this day is celebrated by different names.

On this festival, the brothers to their sisters house (if they are married) and the sister apply Tilak on the fore heads of their brothers. The sisters also offer them sweets and make tasty meals for them. Unmarried sisters apply Tilaks on their brothers after worshipping their family deities and other deities.

THE PURPOSE OF CELEBRATING BHAI DOOJ

The main purpose of celebrating the festival is to strengthen the bond of relationship between the brothers and the sisters. The brothers promises his sisters to protect them from any misfortune and the sisters pray to Almighty God for the safety, security and long life of their brothers. All the members of the family await this day with enthusiasm; especially brothers and sisters as this is also construed as the family reunion for some of them.

The following is the purpose of this festival:-

Brothers makes a solemn promise to their sisters to bestow safety and security of the sisters against any misfortune that may befall them in life.
The sisters prays to God with all the sincerity for gracing his brothers with long life, peace and prosperity.
The parents wish the both the sisters and the brother all the best in life. Their blessings are always there for both.
The brothers give their sisters gifts as per their capabilities.
This being the annual festival after Diwali, it has special significance to cement the relationship in the families.
Those brothers and sisters who are far away and are not able to come to their homes, the sisters pray to moon for its blessings for granting long life, prosperity and peace to their brothers.

During this festival too, there is no religion tag. The girls from Hindu religion put Tikka on their brethren of other religions just to consolidate the feeling of togetherness and brotherhood. It is similar to Rakhi festival.

May sincere prayer is that this like festival may be repeated many a times to create a feeling of warmth, harmony and peace between different religions. Amen.

WHY A RETIRED PERSON LOOKED DOWN UPON BY OTHERS AND HOW BEST TO AVOID IT?

A person is ‘retired’ when he/she has not got any income generating service after attaining age as per service norms. A person who has had service career has to retire after he/she attains superannuating age. This would be the case with everybody who has got employment. For instance, in Government service an individual retires at the age of 60 or more as per norms of the organization. A person should not feel disenchanted and should never have feeling that he is not needed anymore. Retirement from service hardly means withdrawal from the activities of life.

The person concerned could contribute in other sundry ways because of his/her experience which that person has acquired over a person of time while in service. By so doing, the person concerned can enrich his/her life and the lives of others who are near to him viz looking after the kids by helping them in their studies etc. The retired person could also take up social causes and assist others significantly. This will not only keep the person absorbed and also contribute meaningfully to assist others too. This way, people (in the family and outside the family fold) will not ‘look down upon’ that retired individual but have liking for the person. It goes to show that it depends on the person concerned to be of value and earn respect rather than hate which you have talked about.

Now, after retirement at 60, he/she has some years more which he/she can utilize effectively for not feeling as though the individual concerned is retired from active life. For example, I superannuated after attaining the age of 60 years on 31st January 2011 but on 1st February 2011, I got alternative employment thereby earning my monthly income besides my pension on a regular basis. This keeps me active and I feel as though I have not retired from the service at all. This shows that it is the retired individual who could be ‘looked down upon’ or command respect.

HOW BEST TO AVOID SUCH A FEELING

The retired person could remain busy and contribute not only for himself/herself but also the members of the society of which he/she is an active part:-

Remain busy in one way or the other and not be a burden on others in any way.
Utilize the experience gained and seek some other employment for a regular income thereby keeping occupied and not feel ‘retired’ at all.
Remain active, inactivity generates a feeling of unwanted from those near us. This way the person concerned could earn not merely income but also generate self-respect which, in essence, is hallmark of an individual.
A retired person should not feel ‘unwanted’ but should contribute for the family meaningfully.
If somebody passes a derogatory remarks, just stay cool despite provocation.
Retirement from service hardly means giving up work in life; life just goes on notwithstanding, till life lasts.
A retired person should always have the opinion that everybody will attain the age of retirement and should not feel let down, opinion to the contrary notwithstanding.

THOUGHTS ON DIWALI DIWALI – THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS ON 27TH OCTOBER 2019

THOUGHTS ON DIWALI
DIWALI – THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

While we’re not having much of worldly possessions
But possess satiety in the deep recesses of our heart
So peaceful and quiet
Thence a feeling of inner voice
Comes out just involuntarily
Of thanks to God Almighty
So very joyous, without a shred of doubt
That is the moment of glory of our Lord so dear indeed.
As the last year, on this Diwali Day
In the early morning so serene
While walking with brisk strides
Enjoying a cold breeze, so very refreshing
On the other side of the road today, as last year
I heard the familiar voice
So very pleasing and touching my heart strings
Diwali Greetings of ‘PEACE & PROSPERITY’ to passers by
Some warmly reciprocated while others just did not care to reply
A cursory look revealed that he was starting his day with Diwali celebrations
With an earthen wick by the side burning
It was surprising
A family of five was living
Had also gotten up at five sharp
So early in the morning.
I ventured to inquire from the couple, so full of joy on this day
What is so special today?
That made you people to get up so early
In the early hours in the morning
The head of the family living on the pavement simply said
As he had last year told
With utmost respect and with ease
Wished me Diwali Greetings of ‘peace and prosperity’
Which I reciprocated with warmth of my heart
If this fellow with not even house to live
Could celebrate the Diwali with full fervor
Then why not us with all the bounties by our God.
On this day so pious one
Shri Ram, Maa Sita with brother Lakshmana
Had come back to Ayodhya
To their own subjects and relatives so close
After 14 years of exile
After finishing the evils
In the form of Demon King Ravana.
Without realising himself
That this simple man and his wife
With three small kids in the toe
Were living in exile themselves
On the pavement with elements so diverse
And with open cover of the heavens above
On their heads
Forced, may be by the quirk of fate
Best known to the family only
Yet all were making merry
Because that was the day of Diwali
A day when Shri Ram had come back
From his 14 years exile.
A lesson for us who with everything
Graced by our Creator
With all the comforts of our own homes to live
With all the security and everything else graced
Due to His blessings indeed
Even then we nurture fear so hidden
On variety of dilemmas
Which are eating us from within
And robbing us of the peace of mind
Thereby earning for us in the process
The depression and stress related ailments
And robbing us of happy and joyful moments
Instead of ‘peace and prosperity’.
If we try to live a life of satiety
With whatever we are graced with by our Bhagwan Ji
We shall have peace and prosperity, surely
This happens when we enjoy celebrating
Every small or big happenings
Which come and go in our lives
And remain enriching our mind and soul
Thus enlightening us in the process
And giving us peace and prosperity
By living a life GITA’S SONG directed existence
‘What we brought when we were born her on this earth
And will not be taking anything when we leave this earth
What we have is given here ONLY
What did you lost that you cry for?
What did you bring that you have lost?……
I fathom the person I am referring
With five members of his family
On the pavement
With joy abounding
Is living a better than some of us
Who are living a life of fear psychosis
With everything graced by the God’s gracce
We’re living a life of unfounded fears
Which cannot be expressed in simple words
But are gnawing us every moment without any solace
A life lived without fear of unknown
Robs us of mental peace and satiety
Which we wish others on the auspicious day
My prayer to our Almighty God
Bestow us with peace of mind
An eternal one
So that we can bring a smile
On our fellow-being’s face
Like the character of my poem
Living on the pavement
Wishing others ‘PEACE & PROSPERITY’
I take him as a richest man around
Since he has got everything to give with a smile
Without much expectations from any one around.

DIWALI – A SACRED FESTIVAL OF LIGHT AND SOUND

Literally, the word DEEPVALI contain two syllables meaning; deep – Wick light and vali a row and together it means a row of lights (earthen) wicks.
After the end of Lord Ram’s 14 long years of exile, winning over the ‘Sone Ki Lanka – GOLDEN LANKA’ and killing the demon King Ravana; with it all his evil Karmic deeds; Lord Rama, accompanied with his brother Lashmana and consort Sita and all his followers including Hanumanji (A reservoir of strength, knowledge and intelligence, courageous but without even a touch of pride, an epitome of Bhakti and Shakti – despite all these qualities he considered himself to be the humble servant of Lord Rama).
When Lord Rama reached Ayodhya, he was accorded a rousing reception/ welcome by the happy populace there. They welcomed all who accompanied Lord Ram by lighting their homes and streets of Ayodhya with earthen wicks. The righteous emperor Bharata, the virtuous one coronated his elder brother Rama to the throne of Ayodhya.

A STERLING EXAMPLE OF OBEDIENCE

The king of Ayodhaya Dhashratha, had made a solemn vow to his wife Kalkkeyi to ask for two boons or promises whenever she felt a need of the same when she had saved him from a certain critical situation. While there was a confirmed news that the king wanted Ramji to be coroneted as the king, Manthra the maid servant of KaIkeyi poisoned the ears of the queen Kaikeyi and exhorted her to ask for realization of two promises given to her by the king.

First the coronation for Bharata (Kaikeyi’s son) and second, 14 years’ exile for Rama (the son of Kaushilya). As there was the motto in the family since ages together: – Raghukul Reet Sada Chali Aayi Puran Jaaye Par Bachan Na Jaye (There is a tradition in Raghukul that their members will prefer death rather than to break a promise), so Ayodhya king had to concede the demands of Kaikeyi though with heavy heart/resentfully.

After hearing about the turn of events (Coronation for Bharata and exile for him), Rama did not say even a single word. Contrarily, he put on the simplest dress to depart for exile, thus obeying the directive of his father without demur or reservation. Sitaji (consort of Ramji and Lakshamana (his brother – the son of Sumitra) too accompanied Ram Ji. This is a fine example of obedience of the orders of elders in the family. We ought to imbibe this fine trait of Lord Rama and thus follow a righteous path in our lives too.

FINE EXAMPLE OF COHESION IN THE FAMILY

As Bharata came to know about the 14 years’ exile to Rama and coronation for himself, he felt very disappointed. He flatly refused to be crowed as a king of Ayodhya in the absence of elder brother Rama and Lakshmana. No arguments of any sort could consol him. He thought this act of being emperor as adharam (irreligiosity). He even went to the jungles in order to persuade Rama and Lakshmana to come back to Ayodhaya but Rama did not agree to this because of the promise of his father. The meeting between Lord Rama and Bharata is termed as Bharat Milap. He could not convince Lord Rama to come back to Ayodhya and rule.

LOVE BETWEEN BROTHERS

Finally, Bharata extracted a promise from Ramji that on his return back from 14 years’ exile, he will take the reigns as an emperor. Such was the love between the brothers – an unparallel one. Rama’s love for Bharta was also an example that ought to be followed by brothers now for ensuring goodwill in our families. Wealth or any other consideration should not be an impediment for a good relations in our families.

IF KNOWLEDGE IS NOT USED WITH WISDOM IT WILL NOT SERVE ANY PURPOSE

Ravana, the Demon King, was most Learned Demon King. Ravana, the son of Vishwashrava (A Brahman Rishi) and his mother Kaikasi (from a demon family) was a scholarly person who had the knowledge of Vedas and other scriptures at his finger tips but he is taken in negative light because he did not make use of this knowledge for the benefit of demon clan. But Ravana was intoxicated with his prowess and knowledge. So much so he was influenced by ego that he stooped to the sordid act of abducting Sita Mata the consort of Lord Rama – by deceit, an evil act by any reckoning. It goes to prove that if we do not use the knowledge with sagacity, we sure will fall prey to unethical karma leading to our sure downfall.

KUBER PUJA

Kuber is the step brother of Ravana and is considered as the treasurer of wealth. It is believed amongst the devout that worship of Lord Kubera, especially on the auspicious day of Diwali, brings affluence and progress in business. Just as we can have fresh water from the fresh water reservoir, we can have Lord Kubera’s blessings for wealth and prosperity. If we pray with sincereity and work hard for that we can get Kuber’s bounties. Meaning, he bequeaths wealth if we sincerely do our karma as per the natural laws. He graces those who resort to righteous karma and possess right attitude in life. Kubera pooja is done on Diwali Day so that there is sufficiency of everything for meeting the needs of our family.
LORDESS LAKSHMI & LORD GANESHA POOJA

Diwali is considered incomplete without first inviting the Lord Ganesha because He is an embodiment of good beginning and removes obstacles besides being the Lord of Wisdom. Goddess Lakshmi represents wealth and well being. On the auspicious day of Diwali, both the deities share a single altar thus ensuring blessings of the both. The former is taken as Lordess of wealth and the latter as the giver of prosperity.

PLAYING GAMBLE ON DIWALI DAY

A legend has it that on Diwali Day Goddess Parvati played dice with Lord Shiva and He ordained that anyone who gambled on this day, prosperity will smile on such a person. This tradition continues even today. But some unscrupulous / unethical people just gamble away their homes and hearths on this day and have to fend for themselves. This is bad. Tradition is alright, but excess of everything is bad should be kept in mind.

TRADITION MARRYING WITH MODERNITY

It should never be forgotten that when tradition marries with modernity, the celebration is double whammy. It may be the celebration of festivals or any other day important individually, it gives us feeling of wellness for our fellow beings. But this celebration should never be individualistic in nature. There is more credence to celebration when all feel happy and satiated. May it be celebration of Diwali, Christmas Day, EID or any other religious day – when all accompany us, celebration becomes more meaningful and eventful in true sense of terms.

NO CRACKERS PLEASE

There are umpteen ways of celebrating Diwali. It is lighting our home with candles, earthen wicks etc. But cracker bursting and spoiling the atmosphere is too bad. Therefore, care ought to be taken that we should not all use crackers since these results in pollution which becomes cause for lung related diseases.

DHANTERAS (HAPPY DHANTERUS TO ALL)

The beauty of all the festivals is that each of these festivals have special message for us humans. It may be Eid, Christmas Day, Diwali or any other festival. Dhanteras too has a message that if we earn our living by adopting sincere and honest methods, wealth, prosperity and wellness will flow in abundance.

Dhanteras falls two days prior to Diwali. Dhan means wealth and teras means thirteenth day as per Hindu Calendar.

WORSHIP OF GODDESS OF WEALTH – MAA LAKSHMI

On this day The Goddess of Wealth, Maa Lakshmi is worshiped – with a sincere prayer to Maa to shower her graces on the entire family so that all the members of the family remain blessed with health and wellness. As she is the Goddess of opulence and wellness, those who worship her with utmost sincerity are graced by her optimally. With his point in view, the devout worship her for earning her graces.

LORD KUBERA WORSHIPED FOR MATERIAL PROSPERITY AND WELLNESS OF THE FAMILY

Besides, Lord Kuber, the step-brother of Demon King Ravana and the true owner of Golden Lanka is the treasurer of the precious metals.. He was driven out of Lanka by Demon King Ravana, his half brother. Kubera got the status of God in Puranas. He is the Lord of wealth and wellness. He is also considered as the protector or Lokapala. On this auspicious day, houses and business establishments are spruced for earning his blessings. It is not only Hindus who worship him, Jains and Buddhistis too worship him for prosperity and wellness of their families.

WORSHIP OF LORD YAMA (THE LORD OF DEATH) FOR FOLLOWING THE PATH OF DHARMA

Lord Yama or Yamraj is worshiped on this day for our longevity, good health while following the path of Dharma.

Lord Yama is assigned the responsibilities of maintenance of moral duty or upkeeping Dharma. In this, he looks after how best the mortal beings adopt self-restraint and follow the path of Dharma. He is one of the protectors (Lokpala). He is shown to carry a stick (Danda) to enforce the rules of Dharma. His vahan is shown as a buffalo. He is the Lord of Death who keeps a tab of births and deaths along with the way we perform Karmic deeds or misdeeds etc. In this, he is assisted by Chitragupta to record all the Karma performed by all of us.

WHY WE REQUIRE HEALTH, WEALTH AND WELLNESS?

In life everybody requires wealth according to ones needs and aspirations. For possession of wealth we need for subsistence. This possession of wealth depends on the propensity to earn according to our capability and job we perform. Then there is question of how much of material possessions we need for meeting our needs; for meeting expenditure on our family, the expenditure on our children’s education, for construction of our house etc. All these are necessary for everybody for living a honourable life. In this Goddess Lakshmi bestows us bountiful graces if we offer her prayers with utmost sincerity.

For earning wealth we require to meet our daily expenditure, it is important that we remain hale and hearty so as to put in long hours of work. For being healthy, we require health giving diet and have to perform exercises for keeping the body fit. All this could happen if we devote some of time in prayers and especially on this day Maa Lakshmi is the prime-mover – for giving us health, wealth and wellness.

WHY WE PURCHASE PRECIOUS METALS ON THIS DAY?

For earning our living and having good health, we have to put in our best efforts and then destiny too plays its part. For this, we have to have spiritual oriented life. DHANTERAS is a festival of purchasing something precious such as gold coin, silver coin, house utensils based on our need and our capacity to spend. The price of precious metals appreciates and could act as a security. Security in the sense that we can sell the precious metal and have our emergent needs fulfilled.

UNPALATABLE INSULTING REMARKS

INSULTING REMARKS

There are ones
Who do not think even once
When they pass remarks so nasty
Which pierce the heart instantly
With somebody’s words so cagey
With double meaning spoken mischievously
Who’s meaning outside is poised differently
But inside meaning has diverse meaning
Creating seething temperament
And sizzling inner being
With remarks so insulting

A remark creating real discontent
Creating a hellish emotions
Even in seventh heaven
In which one is living
Such is the effect of diverse remarks
Wrongfully uttered
With ulterior intent
Thus creating a panic reaction
Even to the mind of cool headed person
This reaction wells out from within
Despite total control over conscious mind
Lo and behold, there comes a reaction
From the inner recesses of heart
Because of hurt emotion
So naturally created.

UNPALATABLE INSULTING REMARKS BY SOMEBODY

Essentially, I can understand the predicament of a person who is insulted by somebody at the workplace because of no fault of his own. While these insulting remarks are hurled on you without any substance; thinking that something may stick/latch on. These insulting remarks, when hurled without thinking the predicament of the concerned person, then, only God knows the best, the adverse effect this poor person will have to put up with.

While the person hurling those adverse remarks knows full well that he/she are speaking white-lies then the question becomes all the more grave. Grave in a sense because these lies are spoken to tarnish the image of somebody who has proven the track record of having flawless integrity – being truthful and forthrightness as his hallmarks.

Such an innuendo and insulting remarks were hurled at one of my friends today. He related me his part of story. My friend informed me, with heavy heart that somebody insulted him in front of others for passing unsavory remarks against my friend. He further informed me that the reason for passing insulting remarks for not doing something important which was assigned to my friend. The motive was only to lower the image of my friend and nothing else. My friend being a cool, compact and confident person, who did his job with full sincerity, even going beyond the call of his duty. My friend felt disheartened due to insulting remarks which were hurled at him unreasonably.

After listening the intriguing story of my friend, I too felt very dismayed and imagined how some people do not bat even an eye pass insulting remarks without the impact the same may create on the person concerned

LESSON LEARNED FROM THE SORDID EPISODE

While somebody insinuates against us without any proof, we can communicate and clarify our point of view to prove our innocence because keeping silent means we have nothing left nothing left to explain. In such a scenario, whichever way we look at it, we’ve accepted our defeat before even putting modicum of defence in our favour. Doing so is counter-productive thus puts our position shaky since from then onward skepticism start setting in.

If such a situation arises for us, what we should do if somebody wants to paint ourselves as lackadaisical and tardy in workplace or any other place which counts:-

Whenever any false remarks just clarify your viewpoint on the subject matter to the best of your ability and belief with facts and figures, if possible.
If still, the opposing party persists in his/her falsehood, and nobody listens or cares to listen your sincere and honest explanations then alternative is to tolerate the insinuations and have full belief on yourself and Almighty since both know the true state of affairs.
If the episode happens in the workplace, just be very cautious about your duties thereafter since the current episode should not make you lose heart and impact your work ethics and work culture.
As far as possible keep a written record of everything you are assigned and performed lest anybody take you to ride still.
Keep a healthy distance from the person(s) you suspect or have positive indication that he/she is working against your interest. If you cannot do so, then deal sparingly with such a person, when it could be avoided.
Keep cool and joyfully while performing your duties with best of your abilities and belief.
In case if there is no improvement in the barrage of attack from the opposing party who is hell-bent on creating trouble for you, then, best possible recourse is to leave that job and seek something else since for a sincere person jobs are aplenty.
Never ever stop believing in yourself and Almighty God.

WHAT COULD BE DONE IF SOMEBODY ACCUSES YOU OF MORAL AND ETHICAL TURPITUDE (SEXUAL FAVOURS) FOR GETTING A JOB DONE?

WHAT COULD BE DONE IF SOMEBODY ACCUSES YOU OF MORAL AND ETHICAL TURPITUDE (SEXUAL FAVOURS) FOR GETTING A JOB DONE?

**WHEN SOMEBODY ACCUSES OF MORAL AND ETHICAL TURPITUDE WITHOUT ANY PROOF.**

In essence, the image we generate for ourselves counts a lot and the impression we create for ourselves has a pride of a place in our lives since we have earned this one and we would not like to lose this position for anything under the sun.

The respect we earn for us counts immensely. It takes years together to garner this respect from others. This self-regard/self-respect and respect from others makes our rock-solid character which does not allow us to take anything which is off the beaten track. It is not got by resorting to egocentric tendencies and by resorting to self-praise or drumming our achievements and bringing to the public glare. It is because whatever we have achieved in our lives will certainly be known when these achievements change the lives of others. The Planet Sun need not boast of its energy it contains and how much it helps in sustaining our lives. Similar is the case with persons of repute who are the sun-shine for many. Although they keep a healthy distance from glare of the public intentionally yet their Karmic deeds help registering their presence.

Then strange are the habits, demeanor and attitude of some of us when they pick holes where none exist. In other words, if somebody points fingers at the person of impeccable credentials, as mentioned in above paragraph with a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image then what? The person concerned would feel dismayed immensely and in many cases heart-broken with the dilemma that despite doing nothing wrong his character has been besmirched. With no fault, he/she has to suffer the pangs as though he/she has committed blunder of highest proportion. Will such upright person, with unimpeachable character remain attending the social causes of highest order or just disappear into oblivion, a nothingness from where it is difficult to come back? I am of the firm belief that such a person should fight on and prove his innocence in whatever way it is possible rather than turn inward for solace.

Such is the case of our man of letters, a person of many distinctions and firsts under his belt besides an author par-excellence who has changed the destinies/lives of many by giving them the right path and enlightenment with his experiences. If such a personage is wrongfully blamed by somebody on moral and ethical standpoints then what would be the state of mind of such person with unblemished record in life? I am sanguine, such a person would be having heart-shattering experience of which we cannot fathom but can only pray to Almighty God for bestowing him courage and foresight to withstand everything; and as he knows the insinuation is unsubstantiated with mala-fide intention, frivolous, untenable and above all unproven , therefore, he should believe in the adage: TRUTH PREVAILS and go on changing the society in the way hitherto being done without let and hindrance. An elephant moves on non-chillingly despite impediments in the path.

WHY SOME OF US CRIB/HATE THEIR JOB RATHER THAN ENJOYING IT?

WHY SOME OF US CRIB/HATE THEIR JOB RATHER THAN ENJOYING IT?

Woefully, it is a travesty of fact that everybody would like to have job for having financial security/financial independence in order to meet our daily needs thereby not to be dependent on somebody else. After getting a job as per our capabilities and experience gained, we are given regular monthly salary. If we get a job, we shall be having the regular flow of money with us and we become self-reliant financially.

While we have a job, we have to work according to the requirements of the organization, based on our qualifications and experiences gained. For this, we are assigned our CHARTER OF DUTIES to be performed, and sometimes, may be, more than our assigned job due to some emergent need of the organization. We should not crib while we have to either sit beyond the office hours or when extra job is assigned to us; for which we may be paid extra. Or better still, we would be earning goodwill of the organization by working beyond the call of our duty.

Those who are diligent and experienced can perform their assigned jobs with ease and even can tackle the jobs outside their domain of working, of course, without cribbing. Why they do not crib because they have learned their jobs a hard way, using all their capabilities/potentialities and burnt mid-night-oil for attaining such experiences. During these experiences, such people pocket slights on various occasions but they do not lose their composure. The stage of enough experience/expertise is not attained without putting head and heart together in the job-in-hand along with working with the bosses who are hard task masters in their real lives. Working with such bosses gives us extra-exposure to different problems along with the best solutions to tackle such problems as hard-task-masters too have gained knowledge through hard work under different situations and conditions.

When we have attained requisite expertise and experiences with our grit and determination, then we can not only handle any job related problems but also accept any challenges and emerging contingencies concomitant to our jobs or/sometimes more than our share of job(s) assigned. We should always remember adage “When the going gets tough, the tough get going” and put in their maximum for forward movement. But those who crib at every steps, just are left high and dry.

Contrarily, those who do not give so much credence to their jobs and want to avoid or procrastinate the job assigned to them besides are past masters in offering excuses for anything and everything tend to crib and ‘hate their jobs’. This tendency of hating their jobs stems from their own defeatist attitude towards handling different challenges. When crunch-time come such people just invent different excuses to skip responsibilities.

It is also a fact that those who remain disenchanted and ‘hate’ their jobs remain financially stringent. By their own Karmic deeds of not taking their jobs seriously suffer ultimately and are dejected in their real lives.

My advice to such people is to learn the intricacies involved in the job we are doing. Initially, we shall face difficulties in understanding the job related complexities along with it the people we have to work with from lower to upper most level in the hierarchy of organization but having achieved this, there is nothing which can deter us from working with anybody under the sun.

Conclusively, it could better be said that we should rather enjoy and love our job we are doing since it gives us financial independence and security to meet our needs and not become at the mercy of somebody else.

KARVA CHAUTH – A FESTIVAL FOR CEMENTING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPOUSES – HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS HOLY DAY TODAY

KARVA CHAUTH – A FESTIVAL FOR CEMENTING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPOUSES – HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS HOLY DAY TODAY

KARVA CHAUTH

Marriage as an institution succeeds only
When one spouse
Understands the other-half fully
Here
In this relation, understanding partially
And continuance of doubt crumbles
The edifice of marriage as an institution
Produce hurdles in forward movement
Of marriage as an fine-tuned tradition
Differences do creep in sometimes between spouses
But these are to be ironed out fast
Lest these uninvited events undo
The goodwill we’ve created till date
In consolidation of our relationship.
The two partners have to be in sync
In all respect; whatever
Creating buoyancy in relations
With abundance of respect for each other
A relationship which runs on the firm belief
That come what may,
Nothing will come in the way
Of breaking the solid foundation
Because it is laid on rock-solid conviction.
People of different faiths have different festivals
For consolidation of marriage vows
We have KARVA CHAUTH
The holiest day at that
In which the ladies keep a strict fast with utmost faith
For the entire day
For the wellbeing of their men-folks for their longevity
And also a sincere prayer to the God Almighty
That peace and prosperity
May prevail in the entire family.

KARVA CHAUTH – A FESTICAL OF SOLDIFYING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPOUSES

Marriage as an institution functions to its optimum when both the spouses have the intention and inclination for its success. In this, both the spouses are equal partners. If one partner considers other one lowly and inferior then this institution totters and collapses under the weight of its contradictions. Marriage succeeds on the basis of understanding, compatibility, accommodation, no skepticism of any sort, be sympathetic to the need of other partner, be consider and sympathetic to the pain of other partner and devising ways and means to alleviate such pain. This pain may be individual one or created due to some other emotional upsurge. This emotional upsurge may be due to either of the two partners’ parents related or based on some incidence which happened prior to the marriage. In other words, understanding other partner’s viewpoints and being a partner in assuaging and solving the problem consolidates the foundation of marriage.

Karva Chauth is one such occasion on which the ladies observe fast for their men folks for their wellbeing, pray to God for their longevity besides keeping the tradition which has long been observed in our society. The ladies observe fast without taking anything – means without taking water or any eatable till the fast lasts. This fast is observed very strictly. On this pious day, the ladies put on their best attires with ornaments and pray for their husbands’ long life and good health and wellness. In some cases, the husbands too observe strict fast from morning till it lasts.
Karva means earthen pot (mainly a spherical earthen pot and paint the same with different colours so as to beautify it) and Chauth means fourth day – a festival which falls on the fourth day of fortnight or Krisha Paksh of the fourth day of Kartik (Full Moon – Poornima) according to Hindu Calendar. In some parts in India, wheat is kept in the Karva (pot) because it is wheat sowing season (Rabi crop cycle).

ORIGIN OF THE FESTIVAL

On this festival is observed in Northern Part of India. It is believed that the grown up menfolk used to go for military campaigns leaving their families at home. Their wives pray for their husbands for their return safely.

OBSERVANCE OF STRICT FAST

The married women observe strict fast from the early morning hours, without taking anything including water. They take fenis (Made of wheat flour) along with some eatable water in the early morning (before sun rise) and subsequently observe fast for the complete day. The sargi is prepared by the mother-in-law. They pray for the safety of their husbands. They wait for till seeing the moon. They see their husband first before seeing the moon through a sieve. Then the husbands help their wives to take some water. The wives pray to the Moon God for the safety of their husbands and pray for their lives and also that they may shine like the Moon.
My wife has been observing this festival for the last 41 years and I know how much love and affection we have for each other along with my love ones are having while following all these rituals from morning till late evening. Beya or gift is also given to mother-in-law by the wife and both of them (husband and wife) pray for her (Mother-in-law’s) long life.

FESTIVAL FOR CONSOLIDATION OF RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN SPOUSES

This festival symbolizes the consolidation of relationship between husband and wife and also with others in the family. Not only in the family, the married women consolidate their bond of friendship with other women in the neighborhood by making the sahelis of friends with whom they exchange their beautification materials such as bangles, bindis, sandoor pot, ribbons etc. This shows the bond of friendship of feminine with with not only their husbands but also other members in the household including the neighborhood.

Now-a-days, even the fiancés are observing fasts for their would-be-husbands for the safety and progress.

LEGENDS CONNECTED WITH KARVA CHAUTH

There was a woman named Karva. This woman was loyal to her husband. During bath in a water-body, her husband was caught by crocodile. Karva bound the crocodile with a cotton yarn prayed the Lord of Death Yama to spare her husband and send the Yama to hell for his misdeed. She was so much so devoted to her husband that the Lord of Death had to agree to her entreaties. Such is the effect of fast with purity of mind and soul. Also, it gives credence to the fact that if we perform anything with sincerity and singleness of purpose then we can have mystical results; which we least expect in our lives. On the other hand, if we perform any ritual or keep fast just because others are keeping fast so do we; by so doing, the very purpose of fast gets defeated.

STORIES ABOUND ABOUT OBSERVANCE OF FAST

There was a queen named Veervati. She observed fast while she was at her parents’ house. Due to strict observance of fast, she felt it very hard to be without water. Her seven brothers felt for the life of their sister and created an artificial moon. She took water due to which her husband died. She offered prayers to Lord Shiva and Parvati for restoration of the life of her husband since he died because of the fault of her brothers. With their grace, her husband’s life was restored. Lord Shiva and Lordess Parvati appeared in person to her and advised her to observe fast very strictly.

LEGEND CONNECTED WITH ARJUNA

There is also a legend connected with Arjuna and Draupti of Epic Mahabharta. While Arjuna had gone to the forests for his strict penance, Draupti observed strict fast due to which Arjuna’s task was achieved without much difficulty.

STORY OF SATYAVAN SAVITRI

The story of Satyavan Savitri is well known. She was one of the daughters of a king. She was very pious lady. She remained absorbed in meditation. She was more devoted to God due to which her father thought that she did not love him. He wanted to teach her a lesson. He married other daughters to the most suited grooms and she was married to a poor leper named Satyavan by his king father. Being of poor health he could not survive for more days. When Lord Yama came to get Satyavan’s soul, Savitri requested him to spare his husband’s life. He refused doing so. On that day she had observed a strict fast. While Lord Yama was taking the soul of her husband, she followed him. Finally, Lord Yama, after seeing the steadfast attitude of Savitri, asked her for a boon. She asked for nothing but the life of her husband which was ultimately granted by the God of Death.

PRAYER FOR GOOD WHEAT CROP

The wheat is kept in the earthen pot which coincides with the prayer for good wheat crops.

EXCHANGE OF MAKE-UP MATERIALS BETWEEN MARRIED WOMEN

The women in the evening hours collect in the courtyard and sing the praises of the deity for the safety and prosperity of their husbands. They also exchange gifts mainly the beautification materials or make-up materials(shringar) and other home- made sweets. All the women observing this fast put on their best dresses specially made for this festivals.

CONGREGATION TO RELATE THE OLD-TIMES STORIES CONCERNING THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS DAY

The married women sit in a circular form, exchange their thalis in which contain puja materials and make-up materials along with a earthen lighted wick etc are kept in that flat-pot (thali) to be exchanged with the women in the group. The married women also exchange their views on the taboos which are strictly observed during this festival as this festival relates to the strict observance of fast lest something bad may happen to their husbands. They relate old-times stories concerning the importance of this festival in the form of songs.The stories highlighting this festival and also the stories of the unfortunate wives who could not observe the fast strictly. In other words, this festival signifies the importance of love of husbands and wives – a festival for fostering bond of love between spouses. The women folks pray for their safety and prosperity of their husbands. The songs in the praise of Lord Shiva-Parvati and Ganesh are sung with traditional fervor and devotion.

My sincere prayer to the Almighty God is to bestow all peace and prosperity besides this Holy Day of Karva Chauth may consolidate the bond of relationship between husbands and wives till their entire lives. Lord Ganesha may prove to be a remover of obstacles (Vigan Harta) for all of us.

PRISONERS OF OUR EMOTIONS!

PRISONERS OF OUR EMOTIONS!

Our emotions could make or break
While we flow on auto-pilot thoughtlessly
With our emotions bereft of any seriousness
Like a boat floating in the sea rudderless
With no direction or destination
Thence our pursuit becomes purposeless
Since we lose our moorings
With our own true self, outlooks and feelings
Based on different situations and conditions
Mastering our mind and with it our emotions.

We’ve to give patient consideration to our emotions
Lest we are swept without any trace of our existence
Thus become sadly the prisoners of our emotions
Becoming slave to our instant passions
By being reactive on the spur of moment
Becomes a oft repeated convention
Which we repeat without a second thought or consideration
About the overall consequence of our reaction.

We ought to give patient thought to our emotions
By using our values and experience gained
Over a period of time and at different situations
Thus stop becoming a prisoner of our emotions
But we should become the master of our own destiny
By giving due deliberation to our emotions finally
By controlling our emotion through rational thinking.

BECOMING PRISONERS OF OUR WON EMOTIONS

It is fact that what we aspire and work for it in right earnest, we become. If we think ourselves of some worth, we would behave in such manner in our real lives. On the other hand, if we think ourselves unworthy and self-doubt bedevils us at every step besides doubt remains clouding our thoughts and actions, then we cannot move ahead. Holistic development could only happen when we’ve total control over our thoughts and actions thereto. This could only happen when we know our potentials and weak areas. Having weaker areas should not disappoint us since every human is having weak areas. Question arises, how best we can play our part in limiting those weaker areas is the moot point. It cannot happen by surrendering to our irrational emotions but making those irrational emotions rational through introspection including using our past experience.

When we are aware about the weaker areas and understand our tendencies which make us weak, then, we can strategize to direct our mental faculties to attack those weaker areas with motivating actions with controlled emotions. Since our emotions, sometimes, become impediment in curbing weakening tendencies. We have to curb the negative emotions and not to be too much reactive. When we’ve exercised total control over our mind-set, we can without fear direct our thoughts to positive actions based on those thoughts. We may make some mistakes while performing our task, those mistakes too could provide us experience for moving ahead.

We all are having emotions; good and not so good. These emotions affect us and sometimes people dealing with us too. Our effort should be to understand fully our emotions and not let these emotions prevent our path. It is also a fact that our emotions do affect our body too. We have to control our emotions and do not be an emotional fool. Moodiness always is deceptive. It may be good or bad emotions. Wisdom is to take right decisions even in heightened emotions.

We’ve to remember we cannot do anything good in a huff or when we are in bad mood. Decisions which are taken in haste or on the basis of emotional upsurge are bad decision and sometimes worst one which may have ripple effect afterwards.

Therefore, before reacting to a situation, introspect what our reaction could do to us in the long run – its pros and cons. Not only this, the decisions we have taken in the past while we were emotional upset or emotionally very elated should be recorded and efforts made not to repeat the fault-line we have traversed. It is because traversing on such fault-lines will make us prisoners of our emotions and it will seep into our system. We have to avoid treading this path since this path is replete with hurdles at every step since every step is taken bereft of any confidence and surety. Such decisions are doomed to fail and may trigger a feeling of frustration and doom for us.

There are people who know our weakness and they go on exploiting our weakness since we have given them the chance to do so. Hence, it is fitness of things to take into cognizance what would be the ultimate consequence of our actions based on our reactions. I confess, I have not taken any right decisions till date when I am emotionally charged.

It is essential to control our emotions and revisit the values and righteousness which we have learned over a period of time whenever we are in the midst of whirlpool of emotions. A few minutes or a few hours introspection will not make much difference but taking wrong decision in haste certainly will.

If we are not able to reach to conclusion about the right decision, we can take the assistance of somebody known to us who could conveniently deliver us from the predicament in which we have thrust ourselves.

It is essential that we have to be careful lest we become slaves to our emotions and the decisions we take. The implications of such decisions could be disastrous physically and mentally. It may culminate into stress related diseases. Or make us a butt of criticism for taking wrong decisions. In such a scenario nobody will trust us; and its manifestations would be observed not only internally but also outwardly.

Our emotions are important for us but to flow with our emotions haphazardly with these emotions too would take us nowhere. These would actually tarnish our image and we shall also lose self-regard when nobody will rely on us; being a prisoner of our emotions.