Math Doodling: Magic of perfect squares

I know! I know! I am perfectly jobless. Somehow these perfect squares never fail to fascinate me. You might be already knowing this and great mahaans would have already discovered this but I take pride in posting this in my blog. Certain facts are really intriguing. If someone could explain, I would be grateful.

Take a look at the chart below:

GROUP 1 : DIFFERENCE 1
4 X 4= 1|6
5 X 5= 2|5  also (1+1)|5
6 X 6= 3|6  also (2+1)|6
7 X 7= 4|9  also (3+1)|9
----------------------------------------------------
GROUP 2: DIFFERENCE 2
8 X 8=   6|4
9 X 9=   8|1 also (6+2)|1
10X10=10|0 also (8+2)|0
11X11=12|1 also (10+2)|1 and so on
12X12=14|4
13X13=16|9
---------------------------------------------------
GROUP 3: DIFFERENCE 3
14 X 14= 19|6
15 X 15= 22|5
16 X 16= 25|6
17 X 17= 28|9
---------------------------------------------------
GROUP 4: DIFFERENCE 4
18 X 18= 32|4
19 X 19= 36|1
20 X 20= 40|0
21 X 21= 44|1
22 X 22= 48|4
23 X 23= 52|9
--------------------------------------------------
GROUP 5: DIFFERENCE 5
24 X 24= 57|6
25 X 25= 62|5
26 X 26= 67|6
27 X 27= 72|9
--------------------------------------------------
GROUP 6: DIFFERENCE 6
28 X 28=   78|4
29 X 29=   84|1
30 X 30=   90|0
31 X 31=   96|1
32 X 32= 102|4
33 X 33= 108|9
--------------------------------------------------

AND SO ON...

Notes:

1. Just  take a second look at the ones marked in red, thats where the shift happens.

2. Whats with the 4 and 6. Cardinality of even numbered groups is 6 and odd numbered groups is 4.

4. Again coming back to the red ones. Take a look at the squares 49, 169, 289, 529, 729. Leave out the 9 we get 4, 16, 28, 52, 72,..... Again divide the series by 4 we get 1, 4, 7, 13, 18,.... Finding out the difference between two consecutive terms, 3, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9,.... See the alternate terms, odd number series and multiples of 3.

5. In the units places of odd numbered groups we have 6, 5, 6, 9...6569 is  a prime no, in even numbered groups 410149 which is also prime. I dont know what to make of this.

6. If you find some more interesting facts based on this please add in comments. I am still searching for more.

Algorithm to Worship God! ;-)

I never usually visit the temple. Because I tend to look at other things rather than concentrate on the worship of God. Even when I have the darshan of God, I tend to notice only what he is wearing and how the priest is chanting mantras rather than feel him in my heart. God, it is so hard to concentrate in my prayers with all this crowd. I prefer to pray alone.

Its all so mechanical. Doing pranams, buying the archana token, doing pradakshinams(getting irritated with people moving slowly in the process). Thats why the word 'Algorithm' in the title.  Visiting the temple is a standard algorithm. Where is the question of Bhakthi in this process?

INPUT:      I, Enough Money, Full of worries, Temple.

OUTPUT:  I, little or no money, Peaceful mindset.

CAUTION:  Do not wear new chappals

                    Do not go during special occasions like Vaikunta Ekadasi or New Year unless you

                    want straight mokshaa.

                   Do not buy prasad from sellers especially if you have a weak constitution

PROCEDURE:

Step 1:  The hardest part. Make up mind to go to temple.

Step 2:  Clean up, dress neatly and modestly. Preferably Indian wear. Else you will spoil the other

            person's concentration.

 

Step 3:  Preferably don't take another person for company. Its always lovely to visit the temple alone.

Step 4:  Travel and reach temple.

Step 5:  Leave chappal/shoes outside at your own risk.

Step 6:  Buy materials for archana like tulsi, bananas, coconut etc. Very clever business people will do     the needful. Just pay the buck.

Step 7:  Silently enter the temple. Do not step on the nilapadi. You will attract unnecessary attention.

Step 8:  If there is a wash area and if its clean, wash feet and do not slip.

Step 9: Do pranams to Lord Ganesha, the beginning and end of all. Do > 4 pradakshinas if you          want something from him. If you do 108 then you really facing a serious situation. May God bless you.

Step 10: There are lot of people ready and waiting to irritate like gossiping maami's, bulldozer women who literally push to get a better darshan, over enthusiastic freaks chanting or singing loudly creating a raucous. Ignore them. Look at the idol and only the idol.

Step 11: Communicate with the priest to get work done. It is better to take a small book and read the      strotra silently rather than relying too much on the priest.

Step 12: Put the money on the thattu/plate, wait patiently for the deepardhanai. Apply kumkum, vibhuthi   on forehead, carry some on a packet and time to leave.

Step 13: Before leaving do namaskara at the main entrance, sit for a while in a shady place and then out    you go.

A temple is not a bad place to visit. It is very important to choose an appropriate time. Since it is a public place it tends to be very messy but one must learn to tolerate it. Nevertheless it does give you some amount of happiness, a collective consciousness-that all turn to the One and a strange peace of mind.

Some of my favorite temples are Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple, Adyar, Karpaga Vinayagar temple Adyar, Maruntheeswarar temple-Thiruvanmiyur, Paarthasarathy temple-Triplicane, Irresistable Kapaleeshwarar temple-Mylapore, Nanganallur Anjaneyar temple, Madhava Perumal and Kesava Perumal temple near Mylapore, Breathtaking Prithyangara Devi temple, Chollinganallur, Massive Madurai Meenakshi temple, Kamakshi temple Kanchipuram, Powerful Chamundeswari temple, near Mysore. 

If you have any other names of must visit temples, add them on the comments below.

Rudeness is a weak person's imitation of strength

No, I am not going to give case studies of rude people. But in general what do people gain by being rude to others? Why do I point at other people? I am myself unbelievably rude at times. Those who have interest in me have told me frankly. "Mira, Why are you being so rude?"

I have put much thought into this-the reasons for people being rude and mean. It is nothing but an expression of inner frustration. Some unfulfilled desire which leads to irritation and anger. 

Desire? What desires? It has got to do with attitude and upbringing some say. Its too complicated. 

Whatever it may be there must be a permanent solution to deal with rude people. And that solution is IGNORE!! Whenever I find somebody rude to me or my parents or sister, it affects me deeply at first. But then I think, it must be because I know what is level of rudeness and I must have been mean or rude to someone else that it is hurting me a lot. I will try to remind myself, "Be kind!, Be patient!, Do not stoop low!, Be calm! and most importantly Be polite how much ever others irritate you!" Of course life can be testing at times but at the same time it gives a lot of scope for improvement. 

People can be consciously rude to others. This is very dangerous and such category of people should be avoided at all costs. As my Mom-ananda always says "The best punishment you can give to people who insult or hurt you for no fault of yours is to ignore and forget them". I mentioned before that unfulfilled desires is the main reason. They might be jealous of something or someone. Why analyse this? Instinctively one can find out easily and drop them under the CR-Consciously Rude category. They hate you, but dont hate them back; just push them out of your sanctum sanctorum. 

Other people are brought up that way. They are inherently or unconsciously rude to others. It is again a weakness and attitudinal problem. They think because they possess something which others don't have they have the freedom to poke others the way they feel like. They need counselling. Sometimes I feel I fall into this category. But thankfully I have many well wishers who openly point out this and counsel me which helps me to analyse and correct myself.

Whatever the reasons, the conditions, nobody has the right to be rude to anyone. If you are rude at any time, you are a weak and a frustrated person. Do not be rude to even the person who insults you. Its not necessary. Why waste energy? I find people especially being rude in a telephonic conversation or chatting or while texting. The list includes me. The worst form of rudeness or rather weakness is when you are not face to face or in eye contact with the other person. Never ever ever ever in any situation do that. There are numerous advisory sites about etiquette and netiquette like how to speak in a telephone and so on. Ultimately it is all a part of personality development and cultivating inner strength.

Kannamoochi Aattam-Hide and Seek game

Lord! I appeal to you! Please show yourself.
I can't stand this Hide and Seek game anymore!

When I breathe,

Just like how the dirty air is pushed out,
Please cleanse my mind of all the dirty thoughts
So that you become visible to me.

When I sleep,

Just like how I forget myself,
Please come in my dreams
So that you become visible to me.

When I hear,

No matter how terrible the sound is,
Let me only listen only your melodious flute
So that you are clearly visible to me.

When I walk,

Just like how a companion eases the journey
Let me feel you walking with me holding me tightly
So that you are clearly visible to me.

When I eat,

Just like how a baby is fed by mother,
Let me feed you lovingly with my hands
Your naughty smile clearly visible to me.

In short,

Lord! Let me be now and forever your perfect instrument!
Doing at each moment only what you want me to do
I know you hold the strings and I am a mere puppet!
But can't this puppet be reminded always about its controller?


This Karthigai Deepam,

Lamps were lit, Streets and houses shone bright
Let me use this light to search for you,
So that you become clearly visible to me.

At the battle of Kurukshetra,

You rode the five horses and steered the chariot to victory
Let my five senses be those horses, my body the chariot
So that you the rider becomes visible to me.

Lord! I appeal to you! Please show yourself.
I can't stand this Hide and Seek game anymore!

Memorable Freshers Day 19-10-12

I am posting after such a long time. It is such a crime to keep a blog inactive for so many months. I had ideas in mind but couldn't implement them. This time I had to post since the events are so fresh in my memory. 

We II M.Tech DB decided to host an exclusive DB freshers party for the first time in the history of SRM. The juniors had arrived on 3rd Sept 2012. They were 46 in number with 4 girls and the rest all boys.

It had been a hectic semester for us. We had to shuttle between classes, project work and training sessions. Our classmates had all taken different electives. It was so hard for all of us to get together. But we planned a day, stayed back after MBA class and discussed about keeping a freshers party. We each contributed Rs. 500/- and so the total amount collected came upto Rs. 17500/-. I was wondering what we were going to do with that much money. But it was just right, since we had invited and ordered food for about 150 people- all faculty, staff, juniors and seniors. The food coordinator was Venkat-(Mahesh Baabu Gaaru).

Chaitu, Sundeep, Sireesha, Kiran were among the most prominent coordinators of the event. They conceptualised many fun activities like paper dance, filler questions, cherry cream, balloon blow-burst, dirty picture and so on. Arunkumar designed a short video presentation showing the pictures of teachers and the pictures we had taken throughout the year. It was like reliving those happy memories. The star of all the photos was Sundeep as he was there in almost all the pictures. This presentation was shown twice once during the beginning and the second time for our HOD who joined us later.

Vishal and I were the emcees for the show. We prepared our speech for 3hours the previous day but in the end it all went haywire as we had not expected the turn of events. So we had to adapt to the change and did everything on the spot.

We had booked the M.B.A seminar hall but in the last minute weren't allowed to use. This certainly reminded of my struggles with Sr. Hilda in my previous college where we werent allowed to use the main block because we were making too much noise and instead had to shift to the stuffy room above the canteen which had no mic facilities. 

Of course the MBA department was kind enough to allot another room which they called the VIP room. Magesh jokingly commented "The VIP room with broken chairs". He was the tall hunk of the class and enthusiastically helped with the decorations. Not only him Prem, Narendra, Kiran, Monika, Srikanth, Krishna, Krishnapriya, Thilaka, Vishal, Ramesh and Vaishu too speedily decorated the room within the limited time we had. I urgently made a chart that indicated the new venue and the boys hanged it outside in the reception area. The room was not bad and it had all the necessary facilities. We had bought a mic and Arunkumar being the overall technical-in-charge took care of everything with ease. 

I wore a blue saree for the show which matched with the balloons tied up. It wasn't my decision. My friends literally forced me and Hemavathi maam too wanted all the girls to wear one since the M.Tech I.T. students had done that and it had looked grand. Thankfully I wasn't alone. Simy and Vaishu too shimmered in their outfits. The worst part is that the juniors started addressing me as ma'am which kind of embarrassed me. It just struck me that my childhood days had disappeared. I am an adult now and I took an oath to be more responsible and act with maturity.

The event started with just around 4 teachers-Our coordinator Vadivu maam, Our class-in-charge Hemavathi ma'am, Sujatha ma'am and Razia ma'am. We welcomed them all to the show. Vadivu maam and Razia maam addressed the gathering and wished us all well. Then we asked the juniors to introduce themselves. Some of them felt very shy. But most of them were so happy and confidently spoke. I was simply amazed by Swagatha's self introduction. She had a work experience of 3years before joining here and undoubtedly she was given the Ms. Fresher award at the end of the show for the best self introduction. Ananya Chandrashekar participated with zeal in all the events and he knew the most senior names 6/35. So he was awarded Mr. Fresher.

We gave gifts to all the teachers who taught us. Vicky Vignesh-The terror was the photographer for the event and clicked pictures with his borrowed camera -Thilaka being the owner. The events went on for a long time mainly because we had to keep changing plans based on the sudden arrival and departure of the guests. Nevertheless the arrangements were well appreciated and the juniors cheered and enjoyed till the end.

Most of the faculty members like Subburaj sir, HOD, Mukesh sir, Srinivas sir, Hemavathi ma'am, Kayalvizhi ma'am as well as a few staff members who attended spoke and praised us for having arranged this and also requested the juniors to arrange a farewell show at the end of the year. Hemavathi ma'am and Kayalvizhi ma'am especially mentioned that we were a bunch of intelligent, enthusiastic students and created a record for 100% pass percentage in DBMS paper. Subburaj sir- our senior most faculty spoke that marks were not at all important and stressed on the understanding of the subject and quoted some of his own experiences. Our HOD Prof. Rajendran humbly admitted that he knew very little about database systems but it is a very useful course and urged and encouraged all of us to excel in it. In the end we coordinated an event for the teachers. Blow maximum balloons and burst within time given. Kayal maam and Mullai maam played very well and this was the event which the juniors enjoyed the most.

Another highlight of the show was the display of Sakthi's artwork. The hero of our class and a wonderful artist. You get reminded of the talent Jack-(played by Leonardo di Caprio) possesses in the movie Titanic. He had drawn realistic pictures of all that had inspired him. I hope he puts his talent to very good use and creates more and more on different themes. I earnestly wish his art should be made immortal and displayed on a special gallery.

The best part was that in the end, after serving to all the juniors and faculty members we as a whole class sat together and had lunch. The feeling of togetherness had suddenly come to us. The rarest of the rare occasions and some of us who had cameras took photos of it. We gave the left over food to the working women-aayaahs along with money and kindly requested them to clean the place.

Some other highlights of the day were Sundeep wearing a veshti sattai and looking like a Maapillai-bridegroom, the responsible team Magesh, Prem, Sakthi, Nilesh who distributed samosas to all the guests as they were arriving, Badges, roses with quotes, chocolates distributed to all the guests, Funny photos being taken by Benita and Thilaka after lunch. 

Overall it was a memorable day indeed. This will surely be etched in our hearts forever as it was the first and perhaps the last time that our class got together, cooperated and had so much of fun and frolic. Thank you all buddies...!!!

Darshan of His Holiness Jagadguru Shankaracharya -Sringeri

One fine evening, my grandfather who is an avid, regular reader of the newspaper exclaimed with an excited tone that Sringeri Mahaswamigal is coming to Chennai. For all of us in the house, joy knew no bounds. My father who had seen Acharya from a long distance 17years before at Sri Ananthapadmanabhaswamy temple described the Darshan as a life changing experience for him. He added that only the truly deserving and the fortunate get the glimpse of His Holiness. There is a saying in Tamil, 'Avan Arulal Avan Thaal Vanangi' which means he who seeks the Divine has already been chosen by the Divine. Even the mere glance of Jagadguru Mahaswamigal is enough for this lifetime and for many more lifetimes to come. On hearing this, I became pensive. 'Will I be the fortunate one? Will I at least get a view of him?' I prayed and aspired from the bottom of my heart, to Lord Ganesha and to Paramacharya (Kanchi Chandrasekara Mahaswamigal) whose photo is stuck on the refrigerator and who I often turn to whenever I am troubled. My prayers were not demanding. I just simply stood before him and prayed truly without expectations. And it happened....

On 20th June, I returned exhausted from college. I found that my parents and my sister had gone to Rathnagireeshwar temple- Besant Nagar as His Holiness was visiting there. They returned back worn-out and said they were crushed by the huge crowd and couldn't get a proper Darshan of Him. I felt bad and this time we all of us prayed strongly to at least get a small view of Him. 

On Thursday, 28th June, one of my sister's classmate's driver knocked and gave us a card. "Wow!! A personal invitation to visit Mahaswamigal!!". I became overjoyed. All of us couldn't contain ourselves. My mom went to the prayer room and did pranams exclaiming "Thank you God Thank you!!!". I was ecstatic. It was one of those days that God reminded me of His constant presence. Tears came out my eyes. 

Today, 1-7-12, being Pradosha has been a landmark day in my life. I had the golden opportunity to see Lord Siva himself in the form of Sringeri Jagadguru. I constantly repeated:

Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Deivo Maheswaraha, Guru Sakshaath Para Brahma Thasmai Sri Guruvey Namaha!

The program at 6:05 pm started with an invocation by Smt. Sudha Raghunathan who sat right behind me the whole time. The place was huge. Many people had assembled. There was even a big screen arranged so that people seated far behind can have a good view of His Holiness. My mom, sister and I were asked to sit in the ladies section right beside guruji and just 10m away from Him. Mahaswamigal glanced at everyone in the audience. His very presence carried joy, peace, lustre and immense tranquillity. The moment His compassionate glance fell on me, it was a feeling as if my whole body, mind was dipped in pure amrithatheertha. I felt so peaceful, so rejuvenated. Nothing else was important to me. I was born for this. My whole life I had been wandering aimlessly swinging to and fro like a pendulum. His penetrating look steadied my nerves, refreshed me brought immense peace and happiness to my heart. 

I felt so contented and thought this was enough and was preparing to leave when my mom stopped me saying that His Holiness is about to speak. What? A double blessing? What have I done to receive all this? Such thoughts wandered my mind and then His Holiness started to speak. 

His Holiness' speech in brief:

A sanyasi should always adhere to non violence. Especially these four months being a rainy season, he must not wander out as he might disturb small living creatures under His feet. He said that this Chaturmasya Vrata, he would have simply loved to stay indoors at Sringeri and being an Ekanthapriya would not have mingled with the crowds. But, it is truly because of the devotion of the people residing in Chennai that has brought Him here. He knows how each and everyone struggle and fight in crowds and don't mind even waiting for hours in queue to have a Gurudarshan. He blessed  each and everyone present and said His only prayers are that each person should uphold the highest Dharma and Cling to Truth. On July 1st 1966, His Holiness had got introduced to His guru and he remembered that day and on this very same day year 2012 he feels immense pleasure to come to Chennai. 

His Holiness spoke just for 20 minutes and while he was leaving to perform Sri Sharada Chandramouliswara pooja, my father did pranams to Him and had a close glimpse of the Guru's Holy feet. Acharya swamigal smiled at my dad and retired inside. 

Most beautiful things ever heard- II

Part 1-Glimpses of God

1. Lord Rama...

For a long time this question had been churning my mind. Should one live life for one's own sake or for the sake of others? Srimath Ramayanam gives the clear cut answer to this. If I live life for my own sake, only I am happy and it won't last long because people around me are not going to be happy and it creates conflict. If I live my life entirely for other's sake, sacrificing my small petty desires for the larger good, I start to feel a strange sense of peace, security and happiness. Lord Rama has exactly demonstrated this principle. By taking the human birth the Lord has taught us how to lead our life. It is impossible to be 100% Rama but even if we try to be 0.01% we are through. That is the greatness of the Ramayana. Reading any other story- one tends to feel bored easily. Ramayana never makes us bored. It rejuvenates, recuperates and replenishes our hearts as many times as we read or hear. 

Lord Rama has done nothing for selfish purposes. If one notices, his actions have always been for his people's sake. As a prince of Ayodhya, his top priority was to obey his father's words. As a husband his priority was to rescue Sita. As a king/ruler his priority was to protect his people and take care of all their needs. Never has his actions deviated from Dharma. 

Also in the Ramayana we find the opposite. Soorpanaka wanted to possess Rama, her nose and ears got cut. Ravana wanted to possess Sita, he could not control his desires and did not let go even though he knew she was Rama's wife. Ravana was a tapasvi, a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva, the minute he lusted for someone else's wife, his power lost and he was doomed. 

*****

Another symbolism is that Lord Rama represents the Ultimate, the Purusha, the Lord of the universe and Sitadevi, the goddess of wealth, the Prakriti. All wealth, the entire universe belongs to the Lord. When one tries to possess wealth have an egoistic desire and greed towards it, one meets with downfall and sorrow. So 'Sri' must always be united with her Lord 'Rama'. Rama should never be seen separated from Sita and vice versa. How much the child suffers when its parents are not happily married together or divorced. Similarly, we the children of the Lord suffer when Sri is not with Rama. Who is behind the unison? Who helped reunite Rama and Sita? Anjaneya or Lord Hanuman!! He represents Sakhi-best friend or Sathguru. 

To accomplish any task we need human effort and the grace of the Lord. But most importantly we need motivation-either internal or external. Our best motivator is our teacher. If we are successful in our life today it is because of our teacher or guru who has guided us very well. Even a good friend is our teacher in one sense. I developed an interest in Biology and Maths because my teachers were my motivating factor and kindled my interest in the subjects. 

To attain the highest ideal namely unison with the Lord-(jivathma (Self/Sitadevi) to be united with the Paramathma(universal soul/Athman/Purusha/Lord Rama) one needs the help of the Guru. And that Guru is Lord Hanuman. Lord Rama himself tells Hanuman, "I am indebted to you forever, how am i ever going to repay you for what you have done to me! Whether people worship me or not, they will certainly worship you and celebrate you for ages to come!".

Buddhir balam yaso dhairyam

Nirbhayatvam arogata

Ajaadyam vaak patuthvam cha

Hanumath smaranaath bhaveth

Meaning:

You will be blessed with Wisdom, Strength, Fame, Valor, Fearlessness, Health, Determination, articulativeness (gift of the gab) by praying to Hanuman.

Anjaneya is immortal or Chiranjeevi and meditates in the Himalayas. Whenever, wherever hymns are sung in the praise of Lord Rama in Bhakthi or the Ramayanam is read he would be present there. He undoubtedly motivated me to write this post.

Most beautiful things ever heard

Introduction

In the next few posts, I would like to briefly relate the many beautiful things I have heard so far, which made me feel so happy, which cleansed my heart and motivated me in times of failure and depression. I want to document them and I found my blog the best place to do so. I hope you too as a reader get benefited by this and may it act as a medicine to all your sorrows. The source of this information is from lectures by Sri Krishna Premi Maharaj, Smt. Vishaka Hari, Amar Chitra Katha(IBH Publications) and my wonderful father who has instilled in me an interest in spirituality.

PART 1 Glimpses of God

1.  Lord Rama…

 King Dasharatha’s court was always filled with sages and yogis. It was no surprise. The king was always generous and hospitable to all guests, serving them the best of delicacies entertaining them with the best of dancers brought in from Indra’s court. (Indra, the Lord of the Devas was a good friend of Dasharatha. He used to ask his help to beat the Asuras). But for the sages and yogis, it seemed so immaterial and they did not crowd the king’s court for all this. They were neither interested in the affairs of the court nor the pomp and celebrations. They were only immersed in Rama nama japa. Their eyes closed, lips were always dry with the utterance of the sacred karna mantram ‘Om Jai SriRam!’

No splendour, no richness present in abundance in Dasharatha’s court would ever distract them, except for one thing. The king being extremely fond of his son Rama would often call him to sit by his side or on his lap. He would call out “Rama! Rama! my dear child please come here.” When Rama walks into the court, eyes like lotus and beautiful thick curly hair, the whole proceedings would come to a halt just to catch a glimpse of the young boy Rama along with his brother Lakshmana. The sages and yogis too would stop their utterance with their eyes fixed in admiration on Rama, their purpose of meditation now standing right in front of them.

*****

Sage Vishwamitra took Rama and Lakshmana to the forest to kill the Rakshasas who were spoiling his yagna and tormenting all the sages in the forest. Being an extremely tough, knowledgeable and disciplined sage himself, he knew that Rama was the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He could not resist being attracted to the Lord and he felt a little sorry, that he had dragged a boy who was just “Oona Shodasha Varsham”(Rama had just completed 16 years at that time). He lay three beds of dharbha grass on the floor and asked Rama and Lakshmana to lie down and rest.

Lord Rama being extremely obedient lay down on the grass. But Sage Vishwamitra could not sleep that night. He kept on fanning the Lord and could not stop admiring His thick eyelashes, His curly hair, His face which resembled the full moon and exclaimed that only the Lord himself would see both the comforts of the palace and this terrible forest floor with equanimity. The next morning the sage woke Rama up by singing this beautiful verse

Kowsalya supraja Rama poorva sandhya pravarthathe!

Uthishta narasardoola karthavyam daivamahnikam

Sage Vishwamitra has taught the whole world how to wake up in the morning to the sound of these auspicious words or Suprabhatham.  His bhakthi and affection towards the child Rama was so intense that he wanted to make sure that Rama didn’t miss his mother Kausalya. He had taken moral responsibility for the boys and looked after them with the best possible care and concern.

*****

How well did Rama and Lakshmana guard the yagna performed by the sage? Should this be asked as a question? There is a beautiful comparison for this. Just like how well our eyelids guard our eyes from the dust. The upper eyelid is compared to Lord Rama and the lower eyelid- Lakshmana, the light that enters - the fire of the yagna and the dust - the Rakshas. The upper eyelid has thick eyelashes just like the curly hair of Lord Rama. It comes down and bats the lower eyelid often. Just like how Rama kept circling and often gave an encouraging pat- “Lakshmana, take care!” while Lakshmana kept a keen watch standing in the same place. This is quite true and it encourages us to repeat his name Rama as often as we would blink our eyes.

*****

Lord Vishnu had played his part so well as the human being Rama that even the goddess Parvati became doubtful of whether Rama was truly Lord Vishnu incarnate. Once the goddess asked her husband Lord Shiva on what he was meditating with so much concentration. Lord Shiva replied, “On who else, but the golden name of the Lord Rama of course!” The Goddess laughed, “Him! See how he roams the forest crying out for his lost wife Sita!”

The goddess wanted to keep a test. Sita was just kidnapped by Ravan and Rama screams out in pain and intense grief. He roams about just like any ordinary man and starts to ask the birds, the trees and the clouds whether they have seen Sita in deepest desperation. Just then Goddess Parvathi taking the form of Sita walks towards Lord Rama and says “My lord! I am here.” Lord Rama stops and looks at the goddess, does pranams to her and enquires about Lord Parameswara! The Goddess was taken aback and felt ashamed of having doubted her own brother Lord Vishnu.    

Look at the big picture

This is the latest sensational tag line that has been going on in my mind. I was in a data structures lecture class listening intently when my professor explained a concept and mentioned these words. Then he posed a question: "What is the philosophical meaning behind these words?". I immediately delved into deep thinking. Somehow though these words look attractive and catchy it just doesn't agree with all situations in life. Thats what I strongly feel.

Firstly I will briefly tell what you mean by "Look at the big picture!". It means one must not get bogged down by trivial and insignificant things in life. One's purpose in life is different. One must not forget the purpose or in other words the big picture. We must stick to our priorities. Everything else that happens to us, which makes us forget our purpose and distracts us from our course is to be omitted. It is what we call the 'neti' shastra in Upanishads. Neti means Na iti or 'not this'. One must repeatedly do a self analysis and ask oneself before doing something Is this my purpose? Is this what I am born for? Will this make me happy? How happy will this make me? Then one can eliminate most of the things in life as insignificant. No not this! No not this! This is not what I really want! My purpose is different. Thus by this we can eliminate all our desires and truly be at par with the Lord Buddha or a sanyaasi if we go to the extreme level. 

But looking at the big picture is only like a beginners level in the game of life. If you succeed in it you can proudly proclaim you have passed L.K.G. in school. This is a line mean't for those who are so deeply into materialism and money making to get the initial opening into spirituality.

In life, every aspect of nature, every teensy wheensy microscopic thing is important and is very much significant and has a beautiful part to play, in the general scheme of the whole universe. Nothing should be treated without due respect and shunned as insignificant. An ant, even bacteria in the curd or a mouse which munches up the kitchen stores is necessary and is not created without a purpose. The whole cycle of life is so wonderful and each is dependent on the other. Not a single part of nature is created and wasted.  

On our side, in spite of our busy schedules, we must treat our possessions, our friends, our family and all others with respect, care and consideration. The respect and care must not be egoistic and vain. We must care with all our hearts but not be too much attached. That is one must love unconditionally and not be affected whether the same is reciprocated to us or not. Krishna paramatma himself has mentioned in the Bhagavat Gita and it is mentioned as well in the 2nd shloka of Ishavaasya upanishad:

   Kuruvan Neiveha Karmaani, Jijivisheshatam Samaha
   Evam tvayi Naanyathetosti, Na Karma Lipyate Nare.

Actions do not bind to those who do them without expecting the fruits. So I would like to conclude by saying: "Look at the big picture but pay attention to the details!!"

Still waters run deep

The year 2012 just seemed to have begun and so soon has two months passed by as quick as a lightening bolt.  I have become too pensive these days. Most of my thoughts are unwanted, causing more damage than doing good to my physical and mental wellbeing. I am unable to concentrate and finish the work I plan thanks to these thoughts which drop on me like acid bombs. I must not let these little devils cloud the brilliancy in me. I must continuously work hard and clean the dirty, stinky sewage within me. Must Work, Work, Struggle! Struggle!

Everyday we face so many problems, an uncountable number of them. Mostly and almost always we ourselves are a problem to us.  Its because we assume a lot which are not true, expect a lot from others and consequently these tatakas and soorpanakas rule over us and creates a rusty layer over our intellect. If we remove this rust we are safe else we are drowned for ever in this huge ocean of problems or more aptly "sufferings".

The next point is our desires. They are such vicious creatures. Desire for sex, for material objects. Her necklace is good, I want the same one. I want to watch this movie with my friends. I want this, I want that. Our wants keep expanding and growing exponentially. Someone said that the very point of going to the temple is to satisfy some material desire or the other. Who ever prays for world peace, permanent happiness and unison with God? With desire comes envy, jealousy, anger, pride all holding hands and ruining our mental balance. Honestly speaking the very reason for composing this post is my desire for everyone to read and appreciate which must not be the true motive behind any action.

Reactions? What about them? It is our vague and false assumptions that make us react to situations in life. Jumping at the first opportunity to argue and fight with others. So what if the other person said something wrong or has committed a mistake? Who are we to correct and have silly arguments? Our every effort to correct others be it our own kith and kin is a colossal waste of time.

I am slowly discovering that every teensy-weensy thing in this universe is not at all what I think it to be. My whole mental attitude needs to be changed. I need to get a new perspective, a different angle, or an angle which does not spoil my peace of mind.

Simplicity is a beautiful quality which we must cultivate at a very young age. Living simply is what our great leaders like Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi have always proposed. This means our surroundings must be uncluttered, have only the minimal necessary items and a total abolition of consumerism. When the surrounding environment is clean, our thoughts also become clean and there is a lot of positive energy generated within us.

After changing our mental attitude, controlling our thoughts and keeping things simple comes the challenging part. That is to be still, calm, unagitated at the face of even the perilous situations. How do we master being calm? How can we resist speaking those words you shouldn't have spoken and doing things which cause us indescribable misery, sadness and regret? It is actually quite simple. That is why we have the power of imagination which no other creature possesses on earth. We must imagine a strong transparent barrier between us and these trouble makers. Everything that happens is on the other side of the barrier. We are only witnesses, we don't need to worry and get too involved. Just observe, don't react. All the harsh insults hurled at us by others will bounce back at them. The evil asthras mean't to destroy will backfire. The more calm and cool, the more will the torch within us burn brightly. 

Happy New Year 2012!

Happy New Year 2012.

Hope this year is full of peace, prosperity and good health. Every year should be a year of growth, progress and elevation of personality. I sincerely pray and hope that this year is a year of achievement-not only materially but also mentally and emotionally. Control of the senses, greater devotion to God by having an intense faith are the two mental and emotional things to achieve this year...


Laziness is something that I am struggling to overcome. I pray that this year should be the busiest and not have any negative thoughts demotivate me. Hope my blog too becomes worth a read and I publish a lot of new ideas this year.

Lets begin this New Year with loads of enthusiasm, passion and full of energy.

God is always with us all!