1007. I love my Self.....!

Brihadarnayaka Upanishad says, “Atmanastu Kamaya Sarvam Priyam Bhavati”(It is only due to the love for one’s self that everything else becomes dear). This is once such wonderful observation by the Rishi Yagnavalkya about Mind Psychology. Everyone loves anything not for the sake of that thing, but for his own gratification.

Sri Krishna in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 verse 55 uses the word “Atmaenvatmana Tustah” which is when the lower self is contented with Higher self.  He says that can happen when one drops all desires (Prajahati Yada Kaman).

When as a seeker I look at the verse from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad as well as Bhagavad Gita it might look contrary but there are important differences if observed with more contemplation.

Rishi Yagnavalkya was mentioning the desire that is from the root of narcissist approach while Sri Krishna was pointing out at the Self-Actualisation. A narcissist has extreme selfishness and is very calculative with a grandiose view of himself and a craving for praise and admiration from others. While a person who is self-actualized has spontaneity with self-acceptance and has resistance to approbation.

Self-actualization is the pinnacle of personality escalation while a narcissist is the victim of personality disorder. Self growth with inward exploration is the aim of a self-actualized person and the tool he uses to practice this is Self-Confidence. On the contrary, a narcissist is an outwardly person who is on the wrong track and his Self-Centered attitude hurts not him but all those involved with him. Amazingly these traits are not mutually exclusive we can observe a few hovering between self-actualization and narcissism. Self-actualized person and a narcissist can be described as autonomous, self-accepting, lacking inhibitions, charismatic, unconventional, and nonconforming.

The key difference is that in the growth of a self-actualized person there is transcending of ego and an effort to realise the purpose of their existence. This enables him to think that we all are from the same source and act accordingly to make the world a better place to live. A narcissist rather than subduing the ego tries to puff it up. He develops an obsessive focus on self which projects him as elite and hence it becomes very difficult to involve himself in community activities. Both narcissists and self-actualized people are charismatic because they are independent and full of energy. The difference though is that a narcissist is manipulative and wants to act only for his personal gain. A Self-actualized individual plans a scheme so that it can benefit all those who are with him.

In short we can summarise the traits of a Self-actualised person who cannot and should not be confused to be a narcissist. They are 

1.  Self-directed, but never Selfish.

2.  Self-accepting, but never Arrogant.

3.  Self-confident, but never Egotistic.

4.  Childlike, but never Immature.

5.  Charismatic, but never calculative.

6.  Indifferent, but never cold and aloof.

1006. Which part of the body is important???

A mother of a college going young man asked him, “Which according to you is the most important part of the body????”

The youngster was puzzled by this question from his mother and tried to take a guess at what he thought would be the correct answer.  

As he was able to hear the question from his mother he thought to make the sound waves audible was very important, so he said, “Amma, Shravana (ability to hear) is important so it is ears, isn’t it.”

“No, even those who have difficulty in hearing can manage and live on, thinking about it and then tell me there is no hurry.” 

The next day the young man returned from his college. He was thinking about the answer for the question, he had contemplated the correct answer. So this time he told his mother, “Amma, Drushya (ability to see) is very important, so it must be our eyes. Right???” 

Mother looked at her son and smiled, “You are on the right path of thinking, but that is not the correct answer because there are many people who are blind.” 

The young man was stumped again, He continued his quest for answer and over a few days he did mention many parts of the body both internal and external, but his mother always said, “No. But you are getting smarter every time you are trying to answer.”  

It was like the situation in Taittiriya Upanishad where Varuna and his son Bhrigu discuss about Brahman. The question was what is Brahman? Every time Bhrigu would think and came back repeatedly to Varuna and told Annam (Food), Prana (Breath), Manah (Mind), Buddhi (Intellect). None was correct then Varuna asked him to contemplate and the answers he had got to arrive at the exact answers. The material body, deeper than it was the vital breath, then the thinking mind, and the intellect —and found something very mysterious. What did he realise? Finally Brighu realised that Bliss is Brahman.  Anando Brahmeti Vyajanat.

Likewise this young man too had many answers to his mother question and a year passed and one day his Thatha (grandfather) passed away. Everyone in the house was unable to bear the loss of the elderly man who was always jovial. His absence created a silence which was eerie and that was most unbearable. The young man’s father also could not control the tears.

Amma looked at her son and asked, “Do you know the most important body part yet, my son?”

The son was surprised at the timing at which his mother was expecting him to answer the year long question. She asked him to look at his father.

She said, “My son, the most important body part is your shoulder. No, it is not because it can hold the head when they cry. Everybody needs a shoulder to cry at sometime in life. I only hope that you have enough love and friends that you will always have a shoulder to cry on when you need it. And your shoulder too will have enough space to accommodate your friend who is in grief.”

The young man’s father had his head inclined on the shoulder of his friend who was patting it and consoling him.     

It is quite common for people to forget the good things told about them, they even forget all the good deeds done to them. But they will never forget how one makes them feel.  

1005. Turn Around Time (TAT) of Sri Hari.....!

Turn Around Time (TAT) in the computing world it is the total time taken between the submission of a program for execution and the return of the complete output to the user. This TAT is sum total of waiting time and execution time. Not only in the computing sector, even in the workflow chart of laboratories there is mention of this TAT. It is the time interval between electrocardiogram screening and placement of the printout in the patient chart. So in every sector there is a time interval between the submission and execution which is considered and reported. 

In Srimad Bhagavatam we have in the Astama Skanda (8^th canto)  the TAT of Sri Hari explained. Near the mountain called Trikoota were several enchanting lakes belonging to Varuna, the God of Oceans. Once it so happened that a huge herd of elephants which inhabited the forest nearby came to one of the lakes to quench the thirst. The herd was led by Gajendra. As soon as Gajendra went into the lake his feet was gripped by a hungry Crocodile. The crocodiles have a mighty grip and enormous strength when in the water, it tried to drag the elephant into the deep water. The fellow elephants made a chain and try to pull him out. The long fierce tug-of-war lasted for a very very long period of time finally the elephants were exhausted and their spirit faded.

When the efforts of the herd went in vain and the death started staring at the eyes of the elephant king, his thoughts turn to Sri Hari, the sole savoir. The elephant king looked around the lake and found a fully blossomed lotus. He picked it up with his trunk and cried for the “Adi Moola” to rescue him.

Meanwhile Sri Hari was busy playing the game of dice with His consort Maha Lakshmi in Paramapada. He distantly heard the cries of His devotee from the lake. As soon as the submission was made by Gajendra, He had to rush. The TAT is very well described by the great Poet Sri Potana in his Potana Bhagavatham thus:  

Sri Hari in His eagerness to save the life of Gajendra, has no time to tell Sri, His beloved wife. He does not like to waste time to take His attributes Shanka (Conch) and Chakra (Discus). He does not call any of His Nitya Sooris (Eternal Servants - Ananta, Garuda or Vishwaksena ). While rushing out He even forgets to let go the edge of the Saree of Maha Lakshmi which He was romantically holding while playing the game of dice with her.

As Sri Hari dashed out of Paramapada, Maha Lashmi was inevitably pulled by the Saree He was holding. She had to free herself from the galloping Sri Hari.   Garuda seeing His master scamper off, flew to keep pace with Him. Shanka and Chakra also followed. And in no time Sri Hari was at the lake. He released the Chakra at the crocodile and saved Gajendra. In this TAT the wasting time though was the period when the tug-of-war was happening between the herd of elephants and the crocodile.

There is no Service Level Agreement (SLA) as He is given us an open call sheet, any time and any place. We have a history of Him appearing from a pillar once to protect His little devotee. And in one cases He did not appear in person too, but loads and loads of Saree just unfurled at His behest to protect the modesty of His devotee who gave out a distress call to Him.

Just one call to Him is enough.....Do you agree???    

1004. Education Wealth and Health....!

Vidhya (Education), Sampat (Wealth), and Swasthya (Health) are the three important essentials which we yearn for, but the worth of each of them depends on the way it is used.

First let us take education:  “Vidhya Dadati Vinayam” says a Shubhashitam. The meaning is education gives (brings) humility. Getting educated will be a wasteful process unless the knowledge obtained from it is transformed in to wisdom. That wisdom will be expressed through the character. Though education is not the metaphor for an exemplary character, it does polish the mind. Education is not achieved by sitting in a classroom. It is acquisition of knowledge by any means to broaden the vision and gain the ability to comprehend things around in a better way.

Education should never be a source to earn wealth alone. Sage Vashishta tells Shri Rama that money is the most essential thing for “Dhana moolam idam Jagat” (Money is the basis of this universe). Money sufficient to be happy and lead a simple life is what is required. Money can buy anything and everything, it can buy us the entire range of apparatus to make us happy, but it cannot procure happiness for us.

To amass wealth is also a Yoga (Fortune) and it should never be disdained. Money if earned in excess can be useful for generous activities associated with health care and edification. Money earned can be for good or evil depending on how the individual is using it.

With the good education and adequate wealth, what if there is no good health???  

“Swasthyam Paramam Bhagyam” (Health is the highest fortune). Sanskrit word for health is “Swasthya.” It is not just a word but it has an insightful meaning. The word Swasthya is made of two root words “Swa” (Self) and “Stha” (occupied with). So Swasthya can be roughly translated as “Occupied with one’s own Self”.

It is my health which allows me to use my thus accumulated knowledge and wealth. Without the health neither my education nor my wealth seems to be appeal me. If I have to be strong to withstand the ups and downs of life, it is the health which needs to be supporting my body. With an uncertain health one has everything but yet nothing. Health is not achieved by regular workout in the gym or a disciplined walk in the park, though they may aid for better living. Health is never got by following a strict diet and going cautious on hygiene.

How then is good health achieved???  

       

Health is not just a well maintained body. When I believe in Karma Siddantha (Doctrine of Karma) then I accept that “Poorva janma kritam paapam vyaadhi roopena baadathe” (Fruits of the vicious deeds from past life manifest as disease to cause pain). The moment this body came out of the womb it has brought the chronic illness along with it in its DNA. Good health does not mean not affected by illness. Good health is to realize this and have the strength to overcome it. That poorva janma kritam paapam needs a body and it can manifest only in the body, mind can stay away from it.

Ramana Maharshi had cancer there was no way escaping from it. Many were puzzled looking at Ramana Maharshi because the whole body was in pain but there was no sign of pain in his eyes. Doctors would ask, “You must be in great pain?” Ramana would reply, “Yes there is great pain, but it is not happening to me. I am aware that there is great pain happening to the body; I know that there is great pain happening. I am seeing it, but it is not happening to me.” 


Tha t was what Ramana Maharshi told about “Manonasha”..............What say???

1003. Parents-Children Bond....!

Having children and nurtured them to be a better human is the ultimate experience of every parent. The entire life of parents stand on this pivot. Now, what is the criterion to be “Better Human”??? For some it could be making their children a successful professionals, for some it could be to bring name and fame to the family. Undoubtedly though which everyone agrees to is, to be a better human is to put others first and self last. 

It naturally comes to be empathetic as they grow with nature, in nature everything is like “Living for other” which the Sanskrit Shubhashitam mentions as “Paropkaryam.” As a child grow up to be a teenager and then an adult if the priority change from living for others to being self-centered, then it is a problem for the parents. Even more problematic is when the children emotionally blackmail the parents, take their love and affection for granted and start having Narcissistic synonym.

One can end a friendship or even the martial relationship if they feel they are let down, but it can never happen with the parent-child relationship. There is a blind spot when it comes to behaviour of the children where the emotional blackmail is allowed and accepted by the parents. Some children even necessitate the parent to take back their personal authority, and stepping away from enabling their puny behaviour.  

A few adult children get “stuck” in the blame or victim role and can’t move along. My elders when addressing the age of such an adult used to say “Elu Katte Vayasu” (7 donkey age) A donkey age is referred to as three times the age of a human age. That is a human of age 3 correspond to 1 donkey. So the age of 7 donkey would be 21years of human age. Maybe they addressed so to point out that the adult has gone past the years now more than the years taken to raise them and astonishingly the mental maturity has not been attained even after going past the physical maturity.  

Having children would be an incredible blessing. As they grow up to become adults themselves, it is also essential to shift gears in the parent-child relationship. As a parent it is important to guide them, but with a firm and clear decision on what can be allowed and what should not be and what behaviours is not accepted or encouraged. They say a child at certain age has to be treated like a friend and it also requires for the children to acknowledge the feel and reciprocate it back to the parent. When the child has reached that age the main aim if any they have is to see that the parents are in the comfort zone. There is no need for materialistic reassure, but just emotional bond they yearn for will do wonders.      

It is healthy to see the unconditional love from the parents and the reciprocal adoration from the children which makes a happy family. This is reworking part of the parent-child bond, doing the best to help an adult son or daughter stop blaming, and start finding solutions for the issues they encounter on their own. It is amazing when they say they know all on some matters and they become ignorant of some. This takes strength, but it is really the most loving and helpful thing one can do to their wards: loving them, but stepping away from the drama, setting firm limits, and not feeding the problem. Maybe while still parenting a shift to an appropriate stance is better in a way to accommodate the strength, health, and emotional growth of the children. And most importantly that shift by the parents should not be underestimated by the children as insecurity feelings. 

1002. Sanatana Dharma.....!

Sanatana Dharma is a way of life. It does not endorse any particular Dharma or a Deity nor does it speak about ritualistic worship. It is a system which has no founder or a philosopher, but its logic and reasoning is based on Vedas which are timeless Truth without any author.

Over the ages there had been many Acharyas who expounded on that timeless Truth in their own way and made it available for us. Though some categorise themselves as the followers of a particular Acharya, none can be proclimed as the founder of the Sanatana Dharma.
The ultimate aim of this system is to achieve Atma Jnana (Self
Realisation). The individual will try to seek the Truth, know about it and then merge with it, to become THAT.

For a Sanatani, Virat Purusha (Absolute Being) is the Niyamaka
(Controller) of this Jagat (Universe) who is beyond the plane of physical existence (Transcendent), yet within (Immanent). To him Vedas are scriptural authority and those scriptures direct him to Tapah
(Austerity), Soucha (Cleanliness), Daya (Compassion) and Satya
(Truthfulness).

Outer and inner self control of Jananendriya (Sense Organs) and Karmendriya (Motor Organs) along with Manah (Mind) and Buddhi (Intellect) is Tapah.

The hygiene of Deha (Body) along with the clarity in Antahkarana (Conscience) is to achieve Soucha.
Love and showing compassion to all life forms as they too are the manifestation of that Virat Purusha is Daya, it starts with Ahimsa (Non-violence).

Sticking to a word is a must; Satya is a Vrata (Vow) which pass through the twin gateways of being necessary and kind.
Sanatani acknowledges his existence as a part of Karma (Cause and Effect) so he also agrees in Punarjanma (Rebirth.
Karma is action which starts with a Ashaya (Intent) and ending with
the physical manifestation in word or deed. Hence we are the creators of our own destiny, “as we sow, so shall we reap”.
Reincarnation is the natural process of birth, death and rebirth. At death we drop our mortal coils and continue evolving in the inner worlds with subtle body, until we again enter the womb of another mother. We are not the body in which we live, but the subtle body which inhabits many bodies in its evolutionary journey through the
cycle of life and death.
The Virat Purusha is referred to in Vedas as Brahman (a few confuse this Brahman to brahmana, who is the knower of Brahman or to Chatur Mukha Brahma, the creator who sprang out of the Virat Purusha). 

ThisVirat Purusha is Sarvocha (Supreme), Sanatana (Eternal), Sarvavyapta (Omnipresent), Sarvashakta (Omniscient) Sarvajna (Omnipotent). He is
beyond the concepts of Kala (Time), Pari (Space) and Hetu (Cause). His attributes are Sat (Existence), Chit (Consciousness) and Ananda
(Bliss) and His manifestation is perceived in the sound “OM”.
Om represents the primordial and powerful sound symbol of Virat Purusha. It is that sound which has all other sounds in it along with all words, all languages and all mantras. It consists of 3 syllables AUM. As we open our mouth we will be pronouncing “A”, when our mouth
is partially closed it is “U”, and totally closed when pronouncing
“M”. So the 3 syllables AUM cover the whole spectrum of sound. 

OM is a vast as well as subtle subject. If the Virat Purusha is the manifested form OM the energy of all energies is the unmanifested.

1001. Sharing is a Religious Act.....!

Once Yudhisthira questioned Sri Krishna, “Is it possible for a seeker to attain heaven without performing any kind austerities?”

The reply to this question by Sri Krishna is very profound if it is understood to the core. He says thus:   

“Annadau Jaladaschaiva Aturascha Chikithsakah
Trvidham Svargam Ayati Vina Yajnena Bharatah”

“Oh, son of Bharata, those who share food grains, drinking water and medicine to the needy go to heaven without performing any kind of austerities.”

In Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, the thousand names of Maha Vishnu, the 32^nd nama is “Bhaavanah” (He who gives everything to His devotees). When He is the giver of everything then the question that crops up is why Sri Krishna tells Dharmaraya that one has to share Anna (Food), Jala (Water) and Chikitsa (Medical Treatment) to the needy.

Here a slight insight is required to know what Sri Krishna said. Though in reality He is “Bhaavanah” the provider of everything to His devotees, there could be some who do not ask Him to provide. They could be atheists who do not believe that He exists or those who are sure that He will provide by any means and there is no need to ask Him (Staunch Believers and animals, birds, reptiles).

Sri Krishna in His answer very specifically states that one who shares food, water and medicine, this indicates that we are all been provided by Him, and we can only share. We sometimes foolishly think we are the providers or givers. In fact if we contemplate deep we will know that we have not brought anything at birth which we can think we can give??? I do not have anything which I can state is mine here??? Had I not come with empty hands and will I not live empty handed???  

He is the greatest provider and He provides according to what we deserve. Now let us not confuse with the word “Deserve.” I have seen many having this doubt when they see a person who is working very hard and not remunerated appropriately for his work and also when they find a useless fellow who does not work properly is rewarded, this is their biggest dismay. This is nothing but Karma at play with the difference between the Yoga (Fotune) and Yogyatha (Deservance); He is only a “Karma Phala Daata” (Dispenser of the resultant fruit). So our Bhagya (Fortune) is not connected to what we are doing now, as what we do now is accounted as Agami Karma (Portion of action in present life). Our Yogyatha (Deservance) which is more about what we are doing now at present can only denote our actions but not the fruit. If the Yogyatha and Yoga are in concord then no one is surprised, it is a bit weird only if there is a mismatch between both of them. In fact the mismatch is more often observed, hence for some Karma Siddhanta is obnoxious.        

Now this is why Sri Krishna has emphatically stated that those who share food, water and medicine will be bettering their Agami Karma and hence in turn will amass good Yog (Fortune) for the life after. After all Heaven is not somewhere else, it is to live in this earth plane in tranquility and peace. If not deserving in this life span let us create our future for the next. So there is a need to share what we have with those who are in need. Moreover by getting into the act of sharing, we are playing in His hands as the part of His scheme as “Karma Phala Daata”..... What say???

1000. Observe the Inner to get the Outer revealed!!!!

Sir James Hopwood Jeans (1877), the British physicist, astronomer and mathematician searching for the origin of the universe finally said, “Universe begins to look more like a great thought than like a great machine.” But earlier to him, Sir Isaac Newton (1643) felt that an observer had no role to play, the universe functioned like a machine run by a mechanically designed forces. 

Later on for Albert Einstein (1879) the observer sneaked in the theory of relativity, but the space and time appearing differently to different observer’s frame of references reducing the origin of the universe to physical variables like space-time, gravity, and energy. Erwin Schrodinger, the contemporary of Einstein tried to explain that no possibility manifests without an observer to make an observation by his famous “Thought Experiment” using his cat.

The cat in the box dead or alive was to highlight state of possibility observed by the observer. With the thought experiment very convincing, the “Power of Thought” was referred to as the origin of the universe. Quotes like “You create your own reality” got strength. Now the question which arises is, “Is reality then observer dependent”??? If yes, then it means that the observer has the power to manifest his own reality.

Did the observer observe anything which did not exist before??? Is not reality we observe, the reality that is reflected back to us??? 

As an observer I observe an object in a certain way and it communicates a signal to the object. The object then sends a signal back to me, who am the observer. It is only after that I happen to see the object reflected depending on how I observed it. Hence the observation made by each observer is different while the reality of the object is the same. This is not quite like the “You create your own reality” concept. We are not creating reality, we are simply observing it.

If I am to create my own reality, then if I were to think positive, only positive things should have happen to me in the world. Instead, whether I think positive or otherwise, the things which are going to happen will happen and are out of my control. Hence even being a positive thinking person will not avoid any unfortunate event to happen if any.

Our ancient thinkers expected us to be positive always not in the view that the reality would change positive for us. To be positive in our perception can alter our approach towards the perspective. If I have this positive way of looking at things, then any suggestions I get will not appear to me as a personal failure instead it will provide me to look at it as opportunity to better myself.

How I approach the world is based on my conditional reality. My external assumptions, beliefs and attitudes are what determines the way in which I access the world and thereby how the world will appear to me. This is where I take my lead to start a completely new kind of physics, because experimental physics has its limitations. New physics must now begin from the observer himself and systematically explore his inner world for the outer world to be revealed. This is what I call cultivating the Witness Consciousness (Sakshi bhava).

999. Saviour always.........!

A mother is cradling her infant by humming a lullaby. The cradle moves to and fro every time she pushes and pulls it. The too and fro movement is to induce sleep to the infant inside the cradle. The pushing and pulling of the cradle by the mother along with the mesmerizing lullaby works wonders on the infant and within few minutes the infant slips into sleep. The effort of the mother has to be applauded here.

My Sri Hari too has the same intent and hence He too pushes me away from Him and pulls me towards Him.This too and from movement is experienced by me when there are ups and downs in my life. Although for sure He cannot abandon me or anyone just like that. He is “Achyuta” because He being omnipresent there is no place to “shake me off”. In Sanskrit “Chyuta” is to abandon. Now if He wants to abandon me He has to have a place where He is not present. And there is no place in this entire universe where He is not present. So in that sense Sri Sri Shankara writes He is Achyuta because He was, is and will not be shaken from His own glory. His glory lies in being “Dayamaya” (Compassionate) and “Duritasamhara” (Killer of evil Traits).

Just as the mother was seen pushing and pulling the cradle to put the infant to sleep, my Sri Hari too pushes me and pulls me to keep me in Bliss. While He is pushing me away from Him, He is killing the evil traits which afflicted me due to my past life actions (Prarabdha). When He is pulling me towards Him He is compassionate enough to keep me in His comfort zone.

The hardship I face in the span of my life is when He is taking care of my difficult times. I need to endure it and remember to be unaffected by the outcome of those difficult times. I should also be aware that He is pushing me only to pull me back again. The joy I experience is when He is pulling me towards Him. The phase may or may not last for a long time, but the duration need not be wasted worrying about the span of the period.      

My Guru, D.V. Gundappa who is one among the well-known personalities from the literary field in Karnataka writes in his famous “Mankuthimanna Kagga” thus:  

Baduku Jatakaabandi Vidhi adara Saaheba

Kudureneen Avanu peldante Payanigaru 

Maduvego Masanako hogendakadegodu 

Padakusiye nelavihudu- Mankuthimma

Meaning: Life is a horse cart and fate is its driver.  You are the horse. He (the driver) decides the passengers. Marriage or funeral run whichever way you are asked to. If your legs fail, you have the ground to support you.

Now what is wonderful in this couplet is the last line, if your legs fail you have the support of the ground to hold on to you........ “Achyuta”.....He is the one who will never lets you off.....where can He let me off, if there is no place where He is supposed not to be present.....What Say??? 

998. The Diamond Crown!!!!

Thirunarayanapuram (Melukote), the pilgrimage center in Mandya district Karnataka was glittering the whole yesterday night on the occasion of Vairamudi Utsava. The Moola Virat (Principle Deity) of the place is Sri Cheluvarayaswamy, the Utsava Murthy (Processional Deity) is fondly known as Chella Pillai. The Utsava Murthy is adorned with the Vairmudi (Diamond Crown) which has a legend behind it on this occasion.

While in Melukote, Srimad Ramanuja had a dream that the Utsava Murthy that had been taken away by invading Mughals, was in Delhi. Srimad Ramanuja went there with his disciples, met the Sultan who had plundered temples in South India, and requested him to return the deity back. The Sultan said that the idol was in the possession of his princess. Sultan told Srimad Ramanuja that if he wanted the idol, he would have to ask the it to come to him. If it did come he can take it

Srimad Ramanuja sang a sweet song and called out, Varai Chella Pillai (Please come, my dear child). The idol is said to have come sat on his lap like a small boy. Srimad Ramanuja embraced the boy with great affection, calling him Sampat Kumara (Youthful Lord), and brought Him to Melukote.

Meanwhile the Sultans daughter, unable to bear separation from the deity, followed Srimad Ramanuja. Sultan then sent his army to accompany the princess, but when they couldn't enter a rival's kingdom, the princess continued on alone. When she came to Melukote and decided to spend her life there adoring the idol. Years later she walked in and merged with the Lord.

Srimad Ramanuja installed a deity of the princess, Bibi Nachiyar, at the feet of Cheluvanarayana, the principle Deity. Since then every offering to the Deity made in the temple is done through her.

Several legends are associated with this Vairmudi Utsava. Vairmudi, the diamond crown adored to the Utsava Murthy (Procession Deity) has a legendary story. As per legends Vairamudi belonged to Aniruddha, the grandson of Sri Krishna. Prahlada`s son Virochana once stole the crown. Garuda, the mount of Maha Vishnu was assigned to bring Vairamudi back. Garuda defeated Virochana in a fight and recovered the crown. While returning he found Sri Krishna in Brindavana and handed Vairamudi to Him.

Sri Krishna place that Vairmudi on the Utsava Murthy at Melukote and the Vairmudi Utsava started since then. Vairmudi Utsava is a traditional celebrations dating back to many years. This Utsava happens on the fourth day of Brahmotsava. On this day the Utsava Murthy along with Sridevi and Bhudevi mounted on Garuda are decorated with flowers and taken around the temple town.

The preparation for the Brahmotsava starts well before 2 weeks. Actual celebrations take place for 13 days. Garudotsava is celebrated a day before the Brahmotsava at Melkote. The district administration of Mandya makes rigorous arrangements for bringing the priceless Vairamudi crown from Mandya treasury to the temple amidst stringent security measures. It is believed that the crown must not be exposed to daylight. Hence it will be placed in a special casket. Under vigilance of Mandya police it arrives at the town. It is from here it is taken up to the temple with honors in a special palanquin. It reaches the temple by late evening.

The crown is placed in front of sanctum of Srimad Ramanuja and the head priest places the Vairamudi and fits it to the Deity. It is tradition that even the head priest cannot look at the Vairamudi in physical eyes till it is fitted to the Deity. Hence the priest covers his eyes with a silk cloth while fitting the crown.

Utsava takes place whole night with the Deity and his consorts traditionally decorated and procession continues to the dawn of the next day.

I was once fortunate to have the glimpse of the Deity adoring the Vairamudi. It was a ecstatic experience indeed.

997. Strength is in Numbers.....!

“Kalau Sanghe Shakti” In Kali Yuga, Strength is in Numbers. 

This is a Sanskrit saying which means that it is difficult to struggle alone in this era. 

Now what is this struggle for??? 

Struggle can be for anything, it can be for a “Mandir” to be built or for demanding “Aazadi.” Struggle is not to be perceived always as something which is done with violence. Even the event to get back the freedom of my country from British was termed Freedom Struggle. When I need to clean I cannot do it with a single bristle of the broom, can I??? I need to have the collective lot of bristles of the broom together so that cleaning is possible. Though it is very easy to gather and form a Sangha when the issue is divisive or to destroy, it is very difficult to get in people if it is to unify or to build.

Why is it hard to bring people together for any constructive intent???

It is very simple, it is either because of lack of Shastra Jnana (Scriptural Knowledge) on Dharma (Righteousness) or too much of self centeredness. In this era we find that society is not concerned about the social responsibility. Social responsibility is and should have been our priority. Unfortunately we are becoming more and more self-centered. Only if one is feeling the burn, will he shout about Dharma, if not he is a meek spectator. Hence it is easy for those anti-socials to bind together to fight for what they want, which is mostly against the welfare of the society.

It is amazing to see that we have organisations which are formed to fight for the “Aazadi” of a particular state with paid protesters while for the development of a state none march forward. Development does not only mean to upgrade the infrastructure but also to reinstall the identity of a place. Is it wise to build a space launch pad by uprooting the Eiffel Tower??? or demolish the Empire State Building to accommodate a world class Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences????  

Over the years in my country the efforts are made to build a Mandir which should have been completed by now. We Hindus belong to the real “Religion of Peace” hence the delay. It is absolutely alright for us to wait for the judicial voice to give us the permission. Also we are from those genes which want to establish anything with the consent not conflict. Above all there are some who are spiritually inclined and bring the logic of Jambavantha, who could see Shri Rama in Sri Krishna. We can visualise Ayodhya Dasarathi in Dwarakadhish. But having said that we cannot let go the identity of Ayodhya which was the janmabhoomi of Ramalala.

We Hindus who were, are and will be from the true “Religion of Peace” did not or may be could not get together to stop Mir Baqi in 1528 A.D from destroying the Pre-existing temple of Ramalala at Janmabhoomi to build a mosque at the behest of his emperor Babur. Now I do not see anything wrong in joining hands to reconstruct the temple there again. We have had enough of those liberals talking of pseudo secularism, our politicians stooping low to appease a particular section of people and a few media houses taking advantage of the rift to keep their T.R.P rating high. 

As it is said we need to get together and form a Sangha or support the Sangha which is already working for the cause. When we see stupid morons who should be studying in their universities forming groups and shouting for “Aazadi” with the support of a few presstitutes why can we not group together for the greater cause???...... We can isn’t???

996. Sri Krishna, the Eternal Flirt.....!

Showing interest on someone without any depth of feeling, is the definition of a Flirt. In general one who loves to flirt is considered untrustworthy or even a cheat. One of the component of Flirt is eve teasing. Does Sri Krishna fit into the character of a flirt who is a eve teaser? How can Sri Krishna who is adored by the Gopikas of Brindavana be branded as a legendary eve teaser?

Those who are familiar with the “Balaleela” of Gopala Krishna will never feel His ways of relating with the women flock was ever questionable. It does hurt when those who do not even have an iota of His leela talk about His character. Amazingly that character was not defamed now it was defamed long back when the King of Chedi, Shishupala accused Him in the Sabha. As promised to His aunt and mother of Shishupala, Sri Krishna counted 100 abuses from Shishupala and then used His Sudharshana to eliminate him.

I fail to understand why a few jump into conclusion looking at the acts of Sri Krishna and decide something unusual about Him. Agreed that Sri Krishna is not easy to understand as His other incarnation Shri Rama. Sri Krishna is most misunderstood personality. Shri Rama is described by Sage Valmiki as Maryada  Purushottama and to the justification of that word Shri Rama behaves so in the entire Ramayana. So, it is obvious that Shri Rama is never doubted in regard to His character.

Sri Krishna is unpredictable when viewed superficially, one can never find consistence. This inconsistency is not in the character of Sri Krishna but because of two aspects in which we perceive Him. First of all we generally tend to imagine Sri Krishna from our moral aspect pertaining to our period and causations. Secondly Sri Krishna lived a life of affirmativeness. This rare feature in Him has made Him unique. He accepted life as it came. When He was a kid, he was a loveable child like none other. He lived fully like a child. When He grew up as an adult He lived like an adult. He is never choose a serious life. In fact He did not choosing life, He lived it to the fullest.

When a few start saying that Sri Krishna loved to flirt with gopis, it reflects more about them than about Sri Krishna. He is a personality worth to emulate. He offered an unlimited saree to one who cut her saree end to stop His finger from bleeding.  

Sri Krishna is one who is well versed in Shodasha kala (16 arts) and is the only persona who could manage his eight spouses having different mentality. This was possible because He could have the three gunas the Sattva, Rajas & Tamo in balance. 

Sri Krishna could be mysterious but I would not say that he was a flirt who was eve teasing......even if He was eve teasing I believe there would have been a endless queue of Gopikas to get teased......same in this period of time too.