A victim who cried out for help

The person who resorted to violence in Ashram doesn’t know….

HE is that vast space that identifies with the consciousness that IS.

And it always IS.

IS indestructible as explained in this sloka;

“Nainam Chindanthi Sasthraani

Nainam Dahathi Paavakah

Na cha Enam KledayanthyAApo

Na Shoshayathi Maaruthah" (2^nd chapter, 23^rd sloka, Holi Geetha)

Not destroyed by weapons

Not burned by fire

Not moistened by water

Not withered by wind

This sloka reminds also of Swamiji Vivekananda’s MahaSamadhi incident. The night when Swamiji attained final Samadhi, Sashi (Swamiji Ramakrishnananda), His brother disciple, was at a different place. At exactly the time of His passing away, Sashi had a dream, in which Swamiji told,

“Ye Sasi look here, I have discarded my body. It was as simple as just spitting it out”

If at all, THEY want it to happen, it’s that easy.

Also, this path is not for timid people. Guruji has said earlier that spirituality is not for chicken, only lions stay!

So we can only be compassionate at the terrorist who is actually a victim who cried out for attention in the only manner that he knew to do it.

PS: A song.

A film song that exemplifies the Adwaitha (non-dual) principle in first stanza.

About the Guru and “Jeeva Kala” (in Malayalam Art Of Living is “Jeevana Kala”) and how devotees poured in, in the second stanza.

And about the seva in third.

Here is the song from film “Adwaitham”.

Singers-larger than life

Wanted to write about two legendary singers that made my childhood colorful and cheerful by their voice. Their voices are dearer to me more than mine.

Rafi Saheb

Mohammed Rafi is the greatest of play back singers ever produced by Hindi film industry. His honey dew voice has that magic that I used to believe even when he snores, that will come out as music! As early as a five year old kid, I remember listening to Rafi Saheb's recorded version of London program in our old tape recorder and I liked this song a lot. Even now I like that song with the same intensity as I used to. The song is from a film called 'Baiju Bawra'. 

Beautiful Baiju Bawra story-abridged

Baiju was one of the greatest singers of Mughal emperor Akbar’s time. In Akbar’s court was Mia Tanzen who was supposed to be the greatest musician of that time. It was a rule then that nobody should sing in the city other than Tanzen. If anybody want to sing, they have to first defeat Tanzen in music. Baiju’s father was caught singing one day and was killed by the sentries when they forcefully attempted to take him to court. Before dying he told Baiju to avenge for his death. Thus Baiju’s whole life had only one aim; to defeat Tanzen. But he falls in love with Gowri, a boatman’s daughter, and slowly starts forgetting his aim. Then Gowri came to know that he will be able to sing very well out of emotional ecstasy only and makes herself bitten by a snake and Baiju believe that she is dead.

Baiju now becomes a Bawra (mad person) and start singing the above song, with that much sadness that even Lord Shiva sheds tears (the filmi version of this song always makes me emotional, it’s here starring Bharath Bhushan).  Hearing Baiju sing in city, people try to stop him, but he doesn't hear. He is eventually taken to court and there he defeats Tanzen. The story ends tragically when Baiju tries to reach Gowri by crossing a river on spate; he gets drowned along with Gowri.

Coming back to Rafi Saheb:

Rafi saheb has sung approximately 25,000 songs and almost all of them were cherished by the industry and people. He had great clarity of voice, ranging from very lowest to highest pitches and gives great expression to words when he sings which made him unique among playback singers of that time.

Yesudas

Every Malayali (Keralite) would be proud of their dear Yesudas. Starting from 1960’s he had been singing and still continuing without much change in popularity. He started getting popular in his early days by singing Rafi songs. He has sung film songs, devotionals, carnatic music concerts and even folk songs. He also has amazing voice clarity, and great power of voice modulation and control. It would be tough to pick a song that I like since there are so many of them.

So picking this song which starts with Yesudas’ beautiful humming of which the third stanza enchants me always like this,

In search of my divine mother's shrine

Where million sunflowers bloom;

Along the way that I travel

Your words have spread flowers

I think of how my Guru’s words have been showing the path to me and millions like me to reach their favorite destiny. One such word is what I heard couple of days before;

“Muskurathe raho, eeshwar thumhare dil mein hai”. (Keep on smiling. God resides in your heart)

PS: Writing about singers, I am short of words and so deliberately digressed to write Baiju Bawra story:-D

Mein Therah (Ulta)

It's May 6th and completed 31 years in this body (ulta 13)!:-D

Feeling ignorant and insignificant I have requested my roommate not to celebrate at least this year.

One sloka comes to my mind that I chant everyday and which sums up much of myself.

"Mookam Karothi Vaachalam
Pangum Lankhayathe Girim
Yath Krupa Tham Aham Vande
PARAMAANANDA MAADHAVAM!!

Literally translated as,
He who transforms the dumb to a talkative (or a singer:-)
A lame to one who climbs mountains
To HIS compassion, I pray
Krishna who is the pinnacle of Joy!

That is bewildered me on May 6, 2006 when HE came to open San Antonio Ashram in Texas and called me to stage and crowned me with that flower cap which was adorning HIM a little earlier. Venki took the pic. HE even talked over phone to Venki's Amma who was recovering from an auto accident in India that time.

I would never have a better B'day:-D

In Love:-D

Rejoicing Without Conflict:-D

EnJoyGurudev!

PS: Today I miss my e-chats with beautiful sister Sharika who has gone to Ashram for becoming an AOL teacher. Fracois Gautier who wrote "The Guru of Joy" tells that being an AOL teacher is like moving with the badge of LOVE in one's heart. He also says that being a teacher is a greater privilege than the privilege of being a successful journalist interviewing 5 Indian Prime Ministers!!

All my prayers...

These days..

Have been going to childhood in my last couple of posts, now coming to the present...
After the preliminary exams life turned out to be event-full.
Weeks past just so fast and in between, Tulip festival, International talent show and Open house happened.
Don't have much words to describe them, but have pictures:-D

Tulip festival in Wamego
Every year in a near by town, Wamego, they celebrate Tulip festival.
It's a picnic that's mainly a dutch heritage where people come together at the outbreak of spring and see Tulips and enjoy; eat, sing and dance. Kids will be very excited since there will be so many goodies at display and much toys and exhibits.
Last year I went there expecting a sea of tulips like the one below. And was disappointed:-(

Tulips will bloom just in a small area and the festival is all to make merry seeing happy faces of many people. This year I knew what to expect and was also happy that I could see my prof playing his band. Thanks to Brian, a brilliant post doctoral researcher in our lab who took me there:-D

International talent show
I sung a song  for the international talent song. My juniors here were instrumental in pushing me to sing this time. Thanks for them since many people told they liked it:-D
Link here.

Open house
In University there is an exhibition in Spring which showcases the lighter side of higher education. Local people come and see each and every department and enjoy the scientific displays. We had a Biology booth where we took turn to explain stuff. I befriended "pizza". She was very friendly and kids also liked her a lot.
I took her in my hands and we were quite happy with each other.

A four wheeler in my yard
Another thing happened was that I bought a car.
If only I could drive a car! I bought one any way. Let me see if I would be able to ride it. During driving, if there is anything that has to be done suddenly, I might get in trouble. Hopefully I won't put people on the road in danger:-D. For a place that doesn't have any public transport like here, car is just a necessity, buying which I had been postponing thinking about my condition. Now after my prelims I had to fulfill my promise to Shanker that I will get one! Tonychettan, my senior, bargained with the dealer and ensured that I got a fair deal. Predeesh, my junior, has agreed to teach me driving also.

Alll izzzzzzz well!:-D