Piscean’s Ponderings

2009-05-12T06:45:00.000-07:00

Archu...

Here, this one is a sample: Action Devil Mahima

For more: http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=621956928

My greatest Gift - Mahima

2009-05-11T10:18:00.000-07:00

For people who know me for long enough know that I do not think much about celeberating days like valentines day, Mothers day etc., Aargh! I just dont need special days to tell people how much I love them.

This Mother's day when Mahima (means grace) my 5 year old came running towards me with a gift, wrapped in sparkling silver gift paper all these notions just vanished into thin air. Came out a cute pink water sipper. I was overjoyed. Even if she had a given me just that silver paper my emotions would have not been any different. Isn't it always special when love overflows and finds expression? She herself being the greatest gift of my life brought me such love and laughter of motherhood at that moment.

The path is filled with such joy that makes the journey of life such a beauty! I love you gal!

Shivoham!

2009-05-07T10:02:00.000-07:00

Have been following airtel super singer on and off these days. Very impressed with the ways the singers have shaped themselves from what I remember hearing them in the earlier episodes. I had to skip the pre-final rounds this week cos of mahima's weird sleeping patterns. But today J shared with me this video -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbxXPup2tEk
And boy! I was bowled over again! I know I have heard this song atleast 100 times before . This scintillating music piece by Raja sends shivers up my spine each time I hear. I think it takes more than just knowledge of ragas and the usage of words to create this kind of a piece. Like Sadhguru says often it is the right concoction that works. This song definitely has that deadly concoction capable of moving a person, who has even the slightest openness to higher states. I bow down to the musician for producing this piece and to a person like Ravi who had the guts to take this song to the stage.

Lost and Found

2009-04-28T10:55:00.000-07:00

The glare of bright lights
Tall structures of concrete
In day to day commerce
Buying time and money
Thought lost my way

Wandered in the darkness
Dust and in grime
Discomfort of the unknown
In the gripping lap of grace
Found that that never can be lost
-nor found

Tagged!

2008-04-29T00:52:00.000-07:00

Hey I got tagged! Actually now I have a reason to Blog :)
Been a longgg time now....thanks to reunny! my new boss (if I can call him that...everybody calls him that in office ;) )
Last Movie in Theatre - Actually it is Yaaradi Nee Mohini with my husband on a nice Saturday evening....out and out illogical masala flick...but in recent times i really enjoyed watching Jodha Akbar, for the grandeur of the sets and Jewellery.

Book I am reading - The Name is Rajinikanth! what more can u expect from a die hard thalaivar fan :)

Favourite Board Game - Connect 4...not exactly board

Favourite Magazine - actually I dont read any of those...but yes, I picked up Outlook's 52 get aways from Chennai recently...and loved it....

Favourite Smells - Early morning misty beach and the masala chai

Favourite Sound - My daughter shouting "yyeeeeoooowwwwwwwwwwwwwww"

Worst Feeling in the world - When my loved ones say "Do you have to go to office?" and I tear myself away from them :(

First Thing I think when I wake Up - What the hell is the time?

Favourite Fast Food Places - RA Puram Sangeetha and Mash

Future Child's Name - Susheel Adinarayana...if he gets lucky to be born some day :)

Finish This Statement. “If I Had A Lot Of Money I’d…” - Travel all over the word

Do you drive fast? Love to watch people drive fast

Do you sleep with a stuffed Animal? Yes, I am made to sleep everyday with my daughter's stuffed teddies and doggies

Storms - Cool or Scary? Who ever thought this question :P

Do you eat The stems on Broccoli? uuvvaaaa! but I know a guy who does and loves it too :P

If You Could Dye Your Hair Any Color, What Would Be Your Choice?
hhmmmm red! lol

Name All The Different Cities/Towns You Have Lived In
Chennai...Chennai...and only namma Chennai

Favourite Sports to Watch - Cricket, love Dhoni playing...

One Nice Thing About The Person Who Sent This To You: Reunny! Man...The name Ranga brings a instanteneous smile into my team's faces. He is adorable, admirable and cooler than what you think he is.

What's under your bed? Dust

Would you like to be born again as yourself? I don't want to be born again ;)

Morning Person or Night Owl? Can be anything the situation demands...enjoy both

Over Easy or Sunny side up? hee hee! refer to the question before this

Favorite place to relax? Any beach resort...love beaches

Favourite Pie - Choco mud pie

Favourite Ice cream - Baskin and Robbins...butterscotch with Caramel and Praline

You pass this tag to -
1. Archana
2. Shilpa
3. Jaagie
4. Rams

Of All The People You Tagged This To, Who’s Most Likely To Respond First?
Archana

Journey of a Grain

2008-01-16T02:01:00.000-08:00

When the first ray of sun touched me with his magic fingers
I punched through my tender shell to take a peek at this world
And my jounrney started...

The journey from a tiny, insignificant seedling
To a possibility that lead to the limitless
So full of pain, but all of it worth every tear

Slitting my own skin in agony
Clutching the soil with my roots
I grew with rapturous pain

In mud and in slush
Acceptance is all that I perched
Bit by bit, inch by inch

When I stood there in full bloom
Carrying thousand of myself in my shells
In gratitude I bent

Gratitude towards the Sun who showered his light
That life giving earth that nurtured me
Every earthworm that tilled the soil I lay

Gratefull am I to the air that kept me alive
Gratefull am I to every drop from the sky
So am I to the hedge that guard

I lay at his feet my head with love
The man who shed his sweat and blood
With a hungry belly but unwavering faith

Now that I am ready for the next stride
To be shredded into grains for a second time
My journey does not end before

You put a handfull of me in you
To make me that limitless joy that is you
Make me you, Make me you!

Of Blue and Me

2007-12-06T21:09:00.000-08:00

Waters splendid blue and grey
Oh! What a beauty in display

You of such distance and depth
Yet near me like a lover’s peck

In your coast hearing you roaring croon
Giving away to your beauty serene

Oh waters blue and grey

You made this day my day !

The Mind

2007-11-28T02:17:00.000-08:00

You paint my life red
What seemed dear as much as life itself
Crystal clear as air that is
In a tick, an utter mockery

How many games would you play?
Will you ever rest?
Will you ever dissolve?
Will I ever get a grip?

I will let you be!
The way you are...May be a moment
May be a day
May be lifetimes before
You cease to exist!!!

Bye Boss !!!

2007-11-15T22:43:00.000-08:00

To a man whom I referred to as "the bugger" on the face and got away....clean!!!

http://prasannaslog.blogspot.com/2006/07/stitch-in-time-tore-me-nine.html

Today is his last day as our boss ...and wanted to say bye to:

- a friend who listened and put up with Kav's quarter end cribbings, John's past life blah blah's, my spiritual gyan, Dhiren's ancedotes, Divya's confusions and Vasi's "out of the box" reasonings with patience

- a guide who solved our problems ranging from complex team issues to trivial email language

- a man who introduced words like "Gappi", "sev pappu saani", "Goyya" into our daily dictionary

- a foodie who reintroduced our team to the grandeur of "Biriyanis" and fine dining experience in the city

- a guide who steered the team to many accolades with his "daily gyan", foresight and pro activeness.

Personally for me, I dont know if I would ever come across such a person with complex amalgamation of trust, friendliness and leadership.

Thomas, we will miss you! Hope our paths cross again...till such time bye! bye!

Dhoni! dil le gaya!!!

2007-10-07T22:50:00.000-07:00

I never thought I would write something like this on my blog, atleast not at this point of time where I don’t find a genuine need to express my thoughts. Mainly because I stopped feeling strongly about anything that crosses my way these days. I am not sure if this is a good/bad state to be and don’t care much about this. I know, I am absolutly in peace with myself.

Anyway coming to the blog topic…Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The last time I remember going bonkers about some cricketer was I think when I was in my 8th grade and the guy was Sachin Tendulkar. Life has taken a 360 degree turn after that, and now back to the same place…but now, the difference is that I am far away from the adoloscent “I have a crush” stage and the reasons seem to be more as an appreciation of a person who is indisputably genuine and strong.

If u r looking to read technicalities of good cricket…I am sorry! I am a cricket novice and don’t know what is the difference between a slip and a gully. I have no clue what is to play on the off side or Leg side. So, sorry again!

The reasons I seem to be drawn to this guy are more to do with the person that he is than with what he does:

He exhibits this absolutely unshakeable confidence in himself. In most other players this confidence spills over and becomes overconfidence. This guy seems to have the knack to walk the tight rope and stay in balance. His head firm on his shoulders all the time. I noticed this trait during those moments of victory in the now historic 20 – 20 world cup final match. When people like harbhajan and Yuvaraj were prancing around (BTW, I have nothing against them celeberating. They worked hard and they deserve to have a nice time) this guys stood there rock solid with a genuine, confident smile on his face, as if he knew that they are going to grab that cup forever.

Another attribute that struck me was the maturity that he seems to have in the way in which he carries himself. As a captain leading the most unpredictable team in the world, he seems to have the right words always and does the right things always.
I can’t help but compare him with Saurav, though I hate to do this. The immature act of taking off one s shirt and waving it in high on air! Hhmmm not expected out of a captain. Whereas, taking off one s t-shirt to give it to a sweet young indian fan , impressive!

Awryt, awryt, the long hair does play a role. Wassup with longhaired men and me! ;)

Ok overall, I think the Indian cricket fans are happy to find a great captain, and I am happy to find a rare, matured personality in limelight!!!

Isha Gramotsavam

2007-09-17T22:29:00.000-07:00

Samyama

2007-03-08T02:14:00.000-08:00

What shall I say?
I try to make up in words for that experience that is so big, beyond imagination that my meek words just so utterly fall short
What shall I say about His grace, His compassion for He put part of Him inside me that I am no more myself

No more myself that I had imagined, perceived in ways that I have done so far
No more myself the way people see me, want me to be,
No more myself to just exist and go away.

I will live from now, now that He has taught me to breathe
I will live for ages to come, in ways that you cannot imagine
I will live with intensity now, now that His grace has touched me deeply.

Explosion happened, not the one that takes away lives
But that one which bestows life,
Yes, life happened like an explosion

What are you sitting there and waiting for me to say?
If ever you want to experience life, the way it is inside

The time is now, reach out and the existence will answer.

Tagged!

2006-09-29T02:30:00.000-07:00

Archana made a master plan to break the montony of my poetic blogs, so here I go...

Rules of this tag,

1. Name the person who tagged you.
2. 8 things about you.
3. Tag 6 people.

So as mentioned earlier it is Archana who tagged me.

8 Things about me

1. I am a foodie. I love to hog, though my weighing scale hates me for this. My latest craze is Mexican food. I am currently working on developing some healthy eating habits.

2. I hate to arrange dishes in the kitchen. These days my husband has generously agreed to do this chore for me for a second dose of coffee in the morning.

3. I love to comb my hair. In fact I love to comb anybody’s hair. This hobby of mine dates back to when I was a child. I use to make pig tails for my dad, uncle and sometimes even my younger bro. (LOL! I know this is funny)

4. I hate people who don’t pay attention when I talk. I know I will make a bad teacher.

5. I am a cry baby. I have cried for the silliest scenes on screen. I still remember crying buckets when Shilpa shifted to Bangalore.

6. I love the Himalayas. Have had only couple of chances to visit places there, but I am totally in love with the mountains. If someday I go missing you know where to look for me.

7. I love to shop. The word “shopping” can work wonders on me. These days I love to shop for my daughter’s clothes. (cho chweet mommy!)

8. I am very passionate about my Yoga practices. And not mention my new found obsession -poetry.

Hey I don't blog hop much so I really cannot find six people whom I can tag...sorry ;(

Life

2006-09-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

To eat, sleep and make merry
Is that you’re being about?

Mouth full of grains
Without heart full of gratitude?

Love, peace and joy
No tears to wash your cheek?

No not to pursue grace divine
Then life is yet to touch you!

Shackles

2006-09-14T10:05:00.000-07:00

Shackled by time
Looking to gain

Good is mean

Bad meaner

Salvation from action
Can come in a fraction

Explode the bag
If willingness happens

I only want thee
To set me free!

Search

2006-08-30T08:41:00.000-07:00

In search of a new dawn
To numb the pain of by gone

In search of great riches
To fulfill dreams of coming times

In search of a friend in need
To lean on his shoulder and cry

In search of a loving mother
To find a lap of solace

In search of all those words
To find all pride in vain

In search of a fresh new dream
To ease off from aching reality

In search of intoxicating wine
To be ever soaked in delight

Always in search of the Limited
What a waste in pursuit of unlimited!

Fishes

2006-08-18T12:52:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Fishes of the sea

Endless blue is all we see
I am red, he is green
Countless numbers all in glee

In he, she and that is me
A heart that thumps to be set free
I am red, he is green
Want to merge into blue serene

In becoming the salt of the sea
Unto you we merge free
I am red, he is green
Drop it to come unto thee

Bliss Land

2006-08-11T10:35:00.000-07:00

I wander in the bliss land
Though minuscule like I stand
Limitless love you command
With thousands in your band

When you and I cease
Wholeness becomes the sea
All enveloping leading to thee
It is just we we and we

When answers and questions
Meet in a single instant
Knowledge and silence

Mingle not in a distance

Home Coming

2006-08-05T10:42:00.000-07:00

Like a calf I stroll
Looking for green serene

Surrounding trees
Arise gusty breeze

Looking for that and this
Not knowing the bliss

Found you my mother
Came running hither

Unto your warmness
Dissolving all the sourness

A home coming I feel
Never would I like to leave

You

2006-07-28T04:43:00.000-07:00

Glance that was light
Deep depths unknown felt
Wrapped the cloth of unboundness
Born to you again

Acceptance the tool to grow
Pushing me hard to brow
When one and one was one
None but you again

The hand of a friend
Guide to way unknown
Friend like you stood
Led unto you again

Are you the source of birth?
Or a friend I need in dearth?
Master to thee I bend
Everything end to end

Nothing

2006-07-21T06:40:00.000-07:00

Nothingness existent everywhere
I shall go nowhere
Source of you and me
Will I seek thee?

When you break away
From which can fall
Oneness that remains
Will I seek thee?

Everything I have to know
Birth to death
Also that is beyond
Will I seek thee?

Let the grace descend
Igniting the fire within
I shall long enough
Will I seek thee?

Journey with Angels

2006-07-08T01:36:00.000-07:00

Day that passes by
You to send an angel
For me to feel
Love, Light and Laughter!

Restating your presence
Peaceful and Omni
Little messengers they carry
Love, Light and Laughter!

In them I see
Your being every drop
Pure when they fill
Love, Light and Laughter!

In the journey we take
Hands that hold to lead
Path we tread pervade
Love, Light and Laughter!

A stitch in time tore me nine

2006-07-04T07:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my first day at Hyperion – yes my break has come to a grinding halt and declare that I am no more “vetti” in life. Coming to the matter….

I was supposed to attend a 5:30 PM meeting with my boss T. The “mundrikottai” that I am, reached office at 5:20 PM, wanted to show off my hyper punctuality to my new boss and called him. He said he is stuck somewhere and was running 20 minutes late. That kinda pissed me off! Here I should say that unlike the other bosses that I have worked so far with he is a super friendly and down to earth person. I decided to continue my chat with good ol friend B with whom I was chatting just before I left for office….so I punched “The bugger is 20 minutes late” in my mobile and sent it off!!!

Can u even guess to whom I sent the SMS by mistake? My boss T….yes and I am not joking even slightly. When I found out about this blunder a few seconds later,
My blood just froze….My mind, body and every single gray cell in my brain was paralyzed with shock!!! I just did the wildest thing on earth – Calling my immediate boss “bugger” on the very first day of work. I was unable to jump start my brain and called my friend B immediately to ask for some idea so I can bail myself out of this situation. The guy laughed his head off and asked me to be honest with the T and to apologize. In the meanwhile T sent me a SMS saying “Thanks for calling me that” so I immediately called him to apologize, he cut my call. There I was doomed for life!

So I waited the next 30 minutes feeling pins and needles all over….huge elephants flying in my stomach….rehearsing my apology and how to fall at his feet. T finally reached office; he just smiled at me brushed the whole thing aside and was pulling my leg. Oh! Gosh! I was soooo relieved….Learning,

Memorize your boss’s number – Do not store it in your mobile!
Even if you store save it as Z….the last alphabet you will go looking for.
Never be hyper punctual.
Even if you are, do not show off!
Finally, the boss will anyway make it to the meeting so you don’t have to call him up.

Generations

2006-06-27T02:20:00.000-07:00

I was going through my folders today and found these two interesting pics

25 years ago...

Generation next...

Finding Love

2006-06-21T09:14:00.000-07:00

Thoughts reel in your realm
Eyes that search for you
Here there and everywhere
Will I ever find love?

Believers belong to heaven and hell
Among angles He dwells
The fear of hell
Will I ever find love?

Do not believe this and that
Reason the way to tread
I refuse to lay to rest
Will I ever find love?

Eyes spool breath whirls
Dwell deep within
And stillness pervades
To find love inside!

Sounds

2006-06-17T10:15:00.000-07:00

Mellow sounds Flow
Flutes playing
Soul stirring hearts melting
Drums beating
Flutes playing

I move and shake
Gently gracefully
Eyes closed
As if with me world dances
Gently gracefully

Make me malleable
Lucid and pliable
Craftsman’s hand Clay
Weave me intricate
Lucid and pliable

One touch of yours
Shattering me infinite
Sedate by nothingness
Your grace descends
Shattering me infinite

Desperate Housewives

2006-06-14T22:27:00.000-07:00

Yes I am talking about America’s run away hit serial. I managed to watch 2 complete seasons o,

I really liked the theme - Everyone has a little dirty laundry. One thing that comes out bang on is the non judgmental treatment of the characters. Each and every character has some grey shades which makes them seem so real. I am sure all of us can list out tons of complaints against our neighbors. So you will end up relating to these people just like u feel about ur own neighbors.
The element of suspense that flows throughout is wonderful.

My personal favorite is Susan Mayer played by Teri Hatcher and the way the daughter and mom bonded.

what do u feel?

Nice One!

2006-06-06T01:55:00.000-07:00

Read the comments before watching the photos
Too good…..

Pic 1: it takes years of practice to do this asana.

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Pic2: it takes only 8 pegs of whiskey to do the asana.
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Courtesy: Barani

FourYears in Wedlock

2006-06-02T23:23:00.000-07:00

Yes! It was our wedding anniversary yesterday. Here is an account of our celebrations,

6 am - 9 am: Received wishes from friends and relatives. My mom left for Bhuvaneshwar last morning so missed her on my anniversary. (made sure I got the gift a week ahead)

9 am - 11 am - Pooja, received blessings and then hogging :). Yesterdays spl was Chakaraipongal dripping with Ghee and soaked badam (yum!)

11 am - 2 PM - Lazing around. My daughter took a luxurious bubble bath - All 365 days she seems to celebrate ;)

2:PM - 6 PM - My brother gifted us two tickets for Fanaa. We went to Sathyam Cinemas to watch the movie. Sema time pass movie, Kajol looks gorgeous. If any of you plan to watch the movie, switch off the logical part of ur brain before entering the theatre.

6PM - 7:30PM - Temple.

7:30 PM - 10:00PM - Dinner at Palmgrove restaurant. It was my dad's choice to go to this place, he seems to be ever attracted to these sweet ol "andhakala style" eat outs. Grub was good, sambar tasted weird.

11:00 PM - zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Friday Features

2006-05-26T22:31:00.000-07:00

When Mahima decides to dress traditional

It is her 2nd Birthday tommorow...She is extremely excited when I ask her age!

Silver Post

2006-05-21T22:18:00.000-07:00

All pervading you said
I know not
Experience you said
I feel not
Rigid and set

I questioned
You answered
I doubted
You dispelled
Filled Light and laughter

From gross to subtle
From substance to air
From dense to disappearance
Moving me all the way
Thick to thinner

In gratitude I stand
Nothing to offer
Presenting gift of void
A flower at your feet
Feeling one with all

What You Are

2006-05-18T22:44:00.000-07:00

A Whirlwind sometimes you are
Uprooting long and deep beliefs
Otherwise breeze tender
Caressing to melt away

Gory fire sometimes you are
Burning and trampling that comes way
Otherwise a lamp serene
Lighting up thousand lives

Endless space sometimes you are
Leaving the learned mystical
Otherwise a dot
Humble even to humblest

A lashing flood sometimes you are
Destroying the gathered over time
Otherwise a river placid
Life giving divine

Crack open to swallow furious you are
When just gravel that remains
Otherwise mother earth
Including unlimited nurturing love

You are life
Aware and endless
You are death
Graceful and true

A question you are
Pushing to burst fore
The ultimate answer
For mysteries unresolved

Happiness!

2006-05-18T09:18:00.000-07:00

Let this not take me too long
Happiness!
Pledged to outer
Let it pass…
Hold my hand and say it will pass

Want ever serene
Constantly flowing
Joy trickling
On a thirsty tongue
A honey drop unforeseen

Caring not for occasional pops
My want is a place
Oh! Master

Bless me your grace
Under your blissful sight

Record Day

2006-05-17T07:10:00.000-07:00

Today has been a record day in my blogging history...have posted 4 blogs in one single day.

Today also happens to be the very first day I wrote poetry in my entire life....I don't even know whether I can call this poetry. A beautiful experience which we could allow to be enigmatic promted me to write down or rather capture the reflections of my state of mind....have posted three poems - one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening...

The Snake Charmer

2006-05-17T05:43:00.000-07:00

It lay for time stretched now
Don’t ask me how
Coiled three and a half
Unaware in horrible sleep

Dawned the snake charmer
A charmer indeed!
Swaying and Playing His Oboe
Spreading ceaseless bliss

Inch by inch, bit by bit
Lifted its hood
Finding possibility at each and every step
Fully aroused aware

Looked at the charmer
A charmer indeed!
Filled with love and tears of bliss
He moved on to find another one
Unaware in horrible sleep

Thandava

2006-05-17T01:35:00.000-07:00

The mad dance, breaking rules
not for the timid nor conformist,
just let go, empty the vessel
while ecstasy envelopes, He embraces
passionate drums roaring, He stages thandava ...

My Master's Voice

2006-05-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

Is your voice the music that stretches me into deepness unexplored
or
do I hear every music as your voice
that which makes me sway and sway in eternal joy unknown till date
oh! let the eternal sweet sounds flow....

Zen Stories

2006-05-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

Nothing captures our attention quite like a good story - I hit upon some nice zen stories, they are witty, entertaining, humorous, and at times puzzling, even mind-bending.

Working Very Hard

A martial arts student went to his teacher and said earnestly, "I am devoted to studying your martial system. How long will it take me to master it." The teacher's reply was casual, "Ten years." Impatiently, the student answered, "But I want to master it faster than that. I will work very hard. I will practice everyday, ten or more hours a day if I have to. How long will it take then?" The teacher thought for a moment, "20 years."

Maybe

There is a Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. "Such bad luck," they said sympathetically. "May be," the farmer replied. The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed. "May be," replied the old man. The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. "May be," answered the farmer. The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. "May be," said the farmer.

Concentration

After winning several archery contests, the young and rather boastful champion challenged a Zen master who was renowned for his skill as an archer. The young man demonstrated remarkable technical proficiency when he hit a distant bull's eye on his first try, and then split that arrow with his second shot. "There," he said to the old man, "see if you can match that!" Undisturbed, the master did not draw his bow, but rather motioned for the young archer to follow him up the mountain. Curious about the old fellow's intentions, the champion followed him high into the mountain until they reached a deep chasm spanned by a rather flimsy and shaky log. Calmly stepping out onto the middle of the unsteady and certainly perilous bridge, the old master picked a far away tree as a target, drew his bow, and fired a clean, direct hit. "Now it is your turn," he said as he gracefully stepped back onto the safe ground. Staring with terror into the seemingly bottomless and beckoning abyss, the young man could not force himself to step out onto the log, no less shoot at a target. "You have much skill with your bow," the master said, sensing his challenger's predicament, "but you have little skill with the mind that lets loose the shot."

Empty Your Cup

A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master. While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen. The master poured the visitor's cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. "It's overfull! No more will go in!" the professor blurted. "You are like this cup," the master replied, "How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup."

It Will Pass

A student went to his meditation teacher and said, "My meditation is horrible! I feel so distracted, or my legs ache, or I'm constantly falling asleep. It's just horrible!"
"It will pass," the teacher said matter-of-factly.
A week later, the student came back to his teacher. "My meditation is wonderful! I feel so aware, so peaceful, so alive! It's just wonderful!'
"It will pass," the teacher replied matter-of-factly.

Happy Chinaman

Anyone walking about Chinatowns in America will observe statues of a stout fellow carrying a linen sack. Chinese merchants call him Happy Chinaman or Laughing Buddha.
This Hotei lived in the T'ang dynasty. He had no desire to call himself a Zen master or to gather many disciples about him. Instead he walked the streets with a big sack into which he put gifts of fruit, candy or doughnuts. These he would give to children who gathered around him in play. He established a kindergarten of the streets.
Whenever he met a Zen devotee he would extend his hand and say: "Give me one penny." And if anyone asked him to return to a temple to teach others, again he would reply: "Give me one penny."
Once as he was about his play-work another Zen master happened along and inquired: "What is the significance of Zen?"
Hotei immediately plopped his sack down on the ground in silent answer.
"Then," asked the other, "what is the actualization of Zen?"
At once Hotei swung the sack over his shoulder and continued on his way.

Here are some links to zen stories

http://www.rider.edu/suler/zenstory/zenstory.html

www.101zenstories.com

2006-05-12T22:41:00.000-07:00

While I write this blog, my idiot box is relaying the live telecast of Mr. M Karunanidhi's swearing in ceremony. This grand old man of TN politics is coming to power for the 5th time. For the first time in the history of Tamilnadu politics a party has come to power without majority verdict in its pocket (hung assembly). DMK has come to power with the support of Congress and PMK (Dr. Ramadoss known for his notorious attacks on tamil cinema).

The Politics in Tamil Nadu has been under the control of the Regional parties since 1967.The state has been under the power of either DMK or AIADMK .

Does this signify the last days of Dravidar Kazhgams in the state? Tamilnadu ppl do want a breather...Alternatives like Vijaykanth and Lok Paritran (started by IIT alumni) have gained significant % of votes this time. Is the sun really setting in the DK land?

In search of the unknown...

2006-05-11T02:28:00.000-07:00

Velliangiri Mountains the Southern Kailash of India

I set out on my journey to the Isha Foundation which is located almost 40 Kms from Coimbatore city, in the foothills of Velliangiri hills. Velliangiri – Known as the Southern Kailash is part of the Nilgiri biosphere, green and lush.

I and just my own wandering soul started from Chennai on Friday, my flight Indian Airlines was as usual an hour late. I was left with no other option other than to just sit and pursue my all time hobby of gapeing at people – not many actually because it was late afternoon and there were no International flights that were taking off. Bought some nice munchies from Krishna Sweets as my good ol’ intuition told me that I may not be able to get to eat this kind of stuff in the Ashram (I was proved right). The journey was horrible, the captain decided to give us a nice roller coaster ride… the landing was soooo rough….the sandwich I ate almost reached my mouth (yuck! I can’t even think abt it…)

Tastefully done Ashram

I had a pick up at the Airport; we started towards the Isha Ashram. It was indeed a long journey by road; Coimbatore’s weather was a welcome relief from scorching Chennai heat. After half an hour I caught the first glimpse of the Nilgiri Mountains, just the outline as if some artist had drawn a pencil sketch for me. I was quite excited even at this very first and faint sign of the mountains. All along the way I kept track of these mountains, getting close to them by every mile. Slowly and steadily every whiff of air that passed through me started carrying the sweet smell of mountain herbs replacing the Carbon monoxide feel that I was use to. All along the way I found hoardings carrying the pictures of Dhyanalinga and Sadguru indicating the distance to the Ashram, bringing a gleam to my eyes. Reached the Ashram after an hour and half, a beautiful peacock crossed our way, carelessly sweeping its colorful feathers on the rocks…what a WELCOME!

Spanda Hall a picturesque view

I reached the Spanda hall running and walking, as I was late for the registration. Thankfully I registered myself on time and attended the introductory session. The crowd was more than what I had expected, there were about 150 people. The group could easily fit a normal distribution curve (bell curve) in terms of its age group (majority of them in their 30’s and 40’s).

Interiors of Spanda Halls done with Mural Paintings

During the introductory session I could not help but to gape at the beautiful paintings on the walls….I have read that the yogic saga of Lord Shiva has been translated into what is claimed to be the largest mural painting in the world. The theme of the painting was describing the life of a Yogi, but the details were enigmatic. At the center there was a huge dias with three steps leading to a seat covered with sparkling white sheets. A huge laminated photo of Sadguru was adorning the seat (Sadguru's throne). The backdrop was quite interesting; huge mountainous rocks were piled on top of the other to give an earthy feel. It was very tastefully done. One more thing that I noticed about the place was that there were snake forms everywhere. Don’t get alarmed! Not live ones, but in the form of designs…it was everywhere….right from door knobs, fences, wall hangings even as finger rings of the Ashram inmates. Snakes in our culture represent the mystic life energy (kundalini). So in the Ashram I could see this life energy sitting, standing and walking all over the place.

Will continue to explore...

Bye! Bye!

2006-05-03T23:06:00.000-07:00

I am really excited to share with you guys that I am off to Coimbatore for the weekend. I am going to the Isha Yoga Ashram an artistic and tranquil place at the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains. The Velliangiri Mountains are part of the Nilgiri Biosphere. I am attending a two day Hatha Yoga workshop with them. I have heard and read tons & tons about the beautiful Ashram.... Also, adding to my excitement is what I am looking forward to - my very first experience of the Dhyanalinga - the one of its kind in the world. Dhyanalinga is a powerful and unique energy form created from the distilled essence of yogic sciences and is the first of its kind to be completed in over 2,000 years. Dhyanalinga is a meditative space that does not ascribe to any particular faith or belief system nor does it require any ritual, prayer, or worship. It is different from all the other lingas of Hindu tradition. The Dhyanalinga is not used for worship; rather it is created as an external manifestation of the peak form of all inner energies. Just sitting silently for a few minutes within the sphere of Dhyanalinga is enough to make even those unaware of meditation experience a state of deep meditativeness." - Sadhguru It has been Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev's lifetime mission to construct this Linga. This linga and the beautiful temple that houses it is an architectural wonder. Conventional building materials like cement, steel and concrete were ruled out as the life span of structures that employ these materials is a mere 100 years or so. Traditional materials like burnt brick and mud mortar stabilized with lime, sand, alum and herbal additives were used along with huge blocks of granite. Here is an article from Society Interiors about the Ashram and its architecture,

http://www.ishafoundation.org/news/content/Interiormag_web.pdf

Golden Day

2006-04-30T11:07:00.000-07:00

Today is celebrated as Akshaya Tritiya in this part of the world. Ok, you may ask me what is the big deal abt it,

Mythology - The word Akshaya means that which never diminishes - hence beginnings made or valuables bought on this day are considered certain to bring luck and success. Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day (Tritiya) of the new moon of Vaishakh month. The sun and moon are believed, astrologically, to be at their most exalted brightness that day. This is one of the most auspicious days according to the Hindu calendar. According to the Puranas, this day marks the beginning of the Treta Yug. The birthday of Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu falls on this day. It is believed that by doing a good deed on Akshaya Tritiya one can earn Punya (merit) for life. This day is considered auspicious for starting new ventures and making new purchases. Our ancestors passed on the belief that with such good vibrations in the universe, any project or relationship begun that day would be long lasting

Fact - Women in the city raid the jewelry shop. Akshaya Tritiya has been given a commercial spin in recent times. A barrage of advertisements has hit the media and there is more sizzle to summer with jewelers announcing fresh ranges for the day.

Ok what did I do? Nothing...eeeee...OK here goes my conscience - Got a sleek gold ring, a gift from my husband (no I did not force him!).

Three Cheers!

2006-04-29T08:52:00.000-07:00

Yipeee!!!!

This is to officially announce that my best buddy Baranidharan has been promoted as the Asst. Vice President. I know how hard he was working for this. He was literally eating, walking, sleeping loads & loads of work.

Way to go buddy! PAT !!! PAT!!!

40.7 degrees C, hottest day in city

2006-04-29T08:42:00.000-07:00

Severe heat wave conditions prevailed in the city and neighbourhood today with the mercury registering a record high of 40.7 degrees Celsius. The weather office here has predicted hotter days ahead. The maximum temperature tomorrow could be in the range of 41 to 42 degrees, Met officials told PTI.
It was in May 23, 1980 that the weather office recorded 43.6 degrees in Nungambakkam. On May 21, 1910, suburban Meenambakkam recorded a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius, it said.

Courtesy: The Hindu

People in the city are going bonkers over the heat and humidity...never have I experienced sooo much humidity...A/Cs are overworking. Its crazy!

Moto Me

2006-04-28T05:05:00.000-07:00

Yoooo hoooo!!! I finally succumbed to my temptation and bought a brand new Moto Razr V3i yesterday. Thanx to my good ol Samsung that was refusing to work and started having a mind of its own....

Shilpa buddy - I did enquire about the software problems, after a lot of research I found that the problems are with Motorazr, the one I wanted to get was v3i and this is suppose to be good. Thanz for telling me abt the problems otherwise I would have never found out abt the price slash. Yes ! Motorola has slashed its mobile phone prices - almost 3000 bucks. Yipeee I am soooo happy.

Features in my mobile (ahemmmm),

- 1.3 Mega pixel camera
- Video capture
- Blue tooth (why do they call it that way?)
- itunes

I can already see people lifting hockey sticks ....I think I will stop with this.

Some snaps that I clicked....

Honey! Its all about money

2006-04-26T01:46:00.000-07:00

I was just checking my last blog and it is almost a month since I wrote anything. A job search can make you lose interest in everything around you eh!

This morning I was having a long chat with my friend B - culmination point for a blog topic...thanx B!

MONEY - I guess it is the most powerful word on the planet. The entire world runs behind it...isn't it?

What does the concept of money mean to me - Right from my childhood the idea of becoming RICH has never fascinated me....I see so many of my friends cherishing ideas of becoming millionaires, great take pride in their bank balance, investments, real estate, they even devote a lot of time thinking and discussing money. I am definitely not saying that they are greedy or something moreover I have absolutely no business to comment on their interests here I am just talking about myself....

I see money as an inevitable means to get what I want from life - It may be to build a beautiful house, deck it up to my taste, tour around the world, meet lots of interesting people, learn art, the list goes on... I do want to earn enough money to fulfill my wishes, but not to the extent that I lose count of it, very frankly I don't even think I am good at managing it.

I also strongly believe that only a person who is capable of earning and has earned to fulfill his responisibilities can only relenquish money. I say this because a beggar on the street cannot say " I dont have interest in earning money" - He is simply talking out of his laziness or incapability.

I do not want to leave behind any will or property for my children, I know this startles a lot of people...I feel that there is nothing more that needs to be left behind with the children other than good education, some initial support to make them understand their goals and of course invaluable learning from your experience of life. My strong feeling is that ancestral property will never make an individual realize and attain their fullest possibility.

What is your take on money? Let me know....

Scientist or a Poet

2006-03-17T08:59:00.000-08:00

Today in Isha Yoga Class we were discussing about “Miracles”. This thought was fascinating to me and thought would make a good topic to blog.

Life can be viewed and experienced broadly in two ways - a person seeks logical explanation for every atom that moves, gets convinced with a scientific answer and thus for him nothing is a miracle. Everything sits, stands, moves and withers away based on a law/theory. The way the world functions is by itself a science. There is nothing that happens that he perceives of which does not have a scientific reasoning or explanation. Nothing is a MIRACLE.

The other one is the poet - according to him EVERYTHING is a miracle. A beautiful fresh flower blooming in the garden, the early morning sun, a baby’s heart throbbing in the mother’s womb, a tiny seed transforming itself into a tree, anything and everything that god created is a miracle and romanticizes it.

When I was reflecting on these thoughts today I realized every human being is a mixture of both. Sometime the scientist in us is dominating putting forth questions, asking for logical reasoning otherwise we would have never had so many inventions, discoveries, life saving drugs, etc., When the poet in us dominates we experience the world instead of just questioning and seeking answers…we enjoy the beach view, fall in love with a baby’s smile and do things that bring us joy. What will be the world without poetry and romance, just a warehouse of robots…isn’t it?
Let the thought flow…let me know your musings…

ZORRO

2006-03-12T22:48:00.000-08:00

In the loving memory of my dog Zorro...

My dog Zorro died at the age of 7 this morning..He was sick for the past one week and was diagnosed of Renal Failure (sudden kidney failure), unfortunately there was no Kidney transplant or Dialysis possible. He passed away quietly during the wee hours.

He has been my first pet and I think the last too because the mental trauma the family has undergone due to his illness was tremendous...Never want to go through something like this again...

I pray for his soul...

Himalayan Jaunt - Part 3

2006-03-08T21:55:00.000-08:00

The downhill proved a little difficult by goda, as one had to really hold on to the horse’s saddle. Anyway we took lesser time to climb downhill and reached Gowrikund safely and in one piece.

Our next Yatra was towards Badrinath. Badrinath was about 200 kms from Kedar. We decided to cover it in one stretch without any breaks. The travel towards Badri was also very memorable. Lots of people travel to Badri by walk. On the way I saw a man along with his family walking towards Badri. You may ask what is so amusing about this. This guy was completely nude and was walking towards Badri. The kind of Bakthi this man had exhibited was awe-inspiring.

The weather was a little rough and it was beginning to drizzle. Landslides were very common in that part of the mountains, which we were travelling. This fact kept all of us awake inspite of our tired bodies.

We traveled besides the frozen Alaknanda River towards Bardri.

We reached Badri around 3:00 PM. We met the head priest who was known to the guide. He was given the title “Rawal Ji’ and was greatly respected by the locals. The conversation with Rawal Ji proved to be a great learning experience. This man from Kerala was speaking of the National Integration that existed in our country that may not be apparent in the surface but when we observe the nitty grit’s of the practices followed one could appreciate it. He was speaking of Adishankara who traveled by foot the length and breadth of this country establishing practices in temples to restore the National integration, which was slowly detirioting. He says the priests of the Badri temple are always from down south – Kerala and pandits from North India conduct the Pooja in Rameshwaram. There are a number of practices, which were established by him (Adishankara), which keeps India intact if not for any other thing. When we left the place, each one of us I am sure could not take of the round chubby “Tejaswi” face from our minds.

We had a great Darshan of Badri Vishal, Matha Lakshmi and Kuber. There was a Tapth Kund in Badri too.
We then proceeded towards “Mana” the last Indian village in the Indo – China border. We reached there in about 10 minutes from Badri. The last teashop in the Indo – China Border was attracting a lot of attention from the tourists. We also visited the Vyasa Gufa (The cave of Ved Vyasa) where he composed all his great works from Ramayana to the compiling of the four Vedas. The cave was charged with energy I should say. The vibrations were too good for even a lay man to miss. Then we had the rarest of darshans of river Saraswathi that originates in one of the glaciers near Badri. She is supposed to be an underground phenomenon and even in the triveni sangam at Allahabad one cannot see Saraswathi.

We did a bit of shopping in Badri. I bought a lot Malas, which were made of Sunstones, Spatika etc.,

It was about 7 PM when we left Badri and started our downhill Yatra towards Pipalkoti. We stayed overnight in the same Cottage and started our next leg of the yatra.

We visited a number of small but significant temples on the way back to Srinagar. We visited the TrijugNarayan temple, Dhari Devi temple etc., We finally landed in Srinagar the next day for lunch.
From there we proceeded to Rishikesh – Rishikesh is a very spiritually vibrant place with a number of Ashrams. We stayed at Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s Ashram in the Banks of river Ganga. We also visited places like Swami Sivananda Ashram, Ram, Lakshman Jula etc.,

I had a bad ligament tear near the Lakshman jula, which I carried home as a gift from Lakshman temple.

We traveled back to Haridwar and visited Manasa Devi temple and the Chandi Devi temples. These temples are situated in small Hillocks on the either sides of Haridwar. We had to travel by rope cars to these temples and were great fun.

One the way back to Delhi we visited Matura (Krishna janma bhumi) and Vrindavan gardens where the Raas – Leela took place. The Raas – leela grounds is filled with Tulsi Trees. The people of this place say that each of these leaves is a gopi and even today at midnight the Raas – leela of Krishna and thousands of Gopi’s take place. The windows of the houses that face the Raas – Leela grounds are always shut.

We returned to Delhi and flew back to Chennai with a great treasure in the form of Memories of this trip, which has left behind indelible experiences and marks on our lives.

2006-03-06T22:36:00.000-08:00

Whew! I can’t believe it is already the first week of March and today is my last day at OfficeTiger where I have spent most of my time in the last 3 years. Never took a break except for Lunch or coffee! A part of me is feeling very sad knowing the emotional fool I am, keep repeating to myself not to get "senti"...after all "you may fall in love with work, but never with the company".

Had a long counseling session with my friend B, he convinced me not feel guilty and insecure about taking a brief hiatus. Objectively speaking - This insecure feeling seeps in because I know for sure that I am not going to have a five figure amount credited into my bank account at the end of this month...that means no splurging…no shopping…no credit cards... Two other questions constantly pops up whenever I sit and think about this What do I tell recruiters that I have been doing all those break days? The truth might be a bit difficult to understand or they may think I am a lazy sob who may be prone to these urges. The impact of this break on my career.
Looking at the brighter side, I can do things which I have been wanting do for a very LONG time now. Here is my priority list,
Go on a vacation
Take driving lessons - Never had a chance to learn car driving. All my friends now know to drive; ironically I was the first one among my friends to drive a bike to school and was proud about it.
Spend time with my daughter
Get my body into shape - Healthy lifestyle is all over the place. Rediscover the joy of fitting into my old jeans.
Being a staunch believer of miracles (Shilpa, remember those exam days when we used tell each other - "don't believe in miracles, rely on them") will turn a new leaf from Monday :)

Himalayan Jaunt - Part 2

2006-02-24T03:46:00.000-08:00

The Next day early morning we set out for Gowrikund...

At this juncture I should definitely tell you about the state and the people of Uttaranchal. This newly formed state is rapidly developing its tourism activities and infrastructure in conjunction with kind of natural beauty it houses. It also has a number of universities like the Roorkee University,IIT – Roorkee etc., The people here are a very contented tribe. Most of them have there owned piece of lands for cultivation and are more than satisfied with what they possess. Highly God fearing people in nature they don’t attempt to step out of their small world. God Bless them!

We were already 8000 ft above sea level, the constant hurling sound of the river Mandakeni, the sweet herbal smell in every whiff of breeze that touched us more often was a very pleasant phenomenon that followed us almost till Kedar. The journey from Pipalkoti to Gowrikund seemed steeper than the rest of the uphill journey we had undertaken till that point of time. Our eyes were constantly scanning the skyline for the snow-clad mountains we could catch a glimpse now and then. Finally after about 4 hours of very steep climb we reached Gowrikund.

Gowrikund is a TapthKund (Hot-water spring). This place is filled with hawkers, small cottages etc., The taxi cannot proceed after this point. We had to walk about a km downhill to reach the spring. They have manually created partitions for bathing. The men as usual had the privilege of taking their holy bath in open air whereas we women folk resorted to closed quarters. Anyway it was fun.At this point what I was left wondering was - in such high altitudes we were still feeling hot and humid like Delhi. Before I started on this Yatra I have heard people describe this place to be freezing and advised us to carry loads of warm clothes.

After the Holy dip in the kund we proceeded to the taxi to dump our wet clothes and get ready to climb uphill to reach Kedar. As I described earlier after this point we cannot proceed by taxi or any such vehicle. The only way of climbing these 16 Kms to Kedar was either by foot, Goda (horse) or Doli (Palanquin). My mom and others decided to go by doli. The doli is just a chair tied to long sticks which four doliwallas carry. My brother and I alon with our guide decided to walk (I have no idea what on earth prompted us to take this decision). We all set out with full josh and bought sticks to help us tread these 16 Kms. Gasp! Gasp! Gasp! This is what one could hear after a few minutes. We hardly would have treaded about 100 yards and I could not take the next step forward. The brave hearts that decided to walk 16 Kms could not take a few steps. Reason – the Oxygen level in the air is too sparse for the body to support such kind of a steep walk. I instantly decided to go by a Goda. Whereas my brother and the guide (experienced man) decided to continue their journey to Kedar by foot. I bargained with a decent Godawalla and set out. There were hundreds of people undertaking this climb. The feeling at this juncture was wonderful…You feel you are part of a battalion marching towards an ultimate goal but again all-alone amidst the colossal mountains the deep valleys. I was thoughtless, speechless my mouth was simply uttering the 11 names of Lord Shiva as if it was programmed to do so. The air is filled with Spiritual fragrance throughout. These are times we realize that man is such a small part amidst God’s beautiful and flawless creation.

My Goda (named Beeru) and the Goodawala treaded the narrow ways with precision. The road is too narrow and some times covered with Ice. In some places I could see these Ice blocks are cut to make way. The Goda slipped in many places - my heart reached my mouth. As the journey progressed the weather too changed. The temperatures were falling at a steady rate. I pulled out all the warm clothes that I could lay my hands on from my bag. It was freezing. The journey continued. The Godawalla and the Goda took their lunch in a place called Ram Bada. I was sitting stretching my legs after a tiring 3hours journey (imagine the goda’s plight). Then I saw somebody wave at me Hmmm it was my brother and the guide…they also midway decided to go by Goda and hired couple of them.

The second half of the journey was a very steep climb…Snow-clad peak…the river which was flowing alongside till that point, was actually frozen after a certain altitude. The water was seeping out of the glaciers, which originates from Kedar. The water which seeps out from these glaciers flows down till RudraPrayag and is called Mandakeni. It is also called Kedar Ganga as it originates from Kedar.It was almost like tracing back the rivers origin. After 5 and half-hours we finally reached a plain surface on a mountaintop. I assumed we reached Kedar and I was right. The place again is filled with natural beauty. There were a lot springs, gras lands etc., My mom, brother and the guide reached after an hour’s time. I was fully clad in woolen clothes.

We reached a small gali were there was a cottage kind of a hotel booked for us already. Breathing becomes even more difficult here. Even if we had t take a few steps we had to halt for a few minutes. As soon we reached the room we dumped our bags and went to the temple. The temple is very unique and surrounded by mountains on all the sides. (Remember that one of these mountains is a sakthi sthal su-meru). It was time for aarthi in the temple. We went inside the temple and had the darshan of the Lord kedarnath. The lord is a Swayambhu (self originated). The sanctum was warm unlike the outside world. The darshan was beautiful.> > We came out and stood amidst a huge gathering for the aarthi. There a number of Nagas and sadhus who gather around the temple at that time. It seems these people live here throughout the year. They all looked so divine. Some of them have Damaroos (the small drum that Shiva is suppose to adorn). This temple is supposed to be covered with snow for about 6 months of the year. At that time the local people say that the Devas come and do the pooja here. At aarthi time all the gods and goddesses descend here to have a darshan of Lord kedarnath. The local people say that even when the temple is closed during winter and is covered by snow they still here the aarthi pooja everyday.

The aarthi began …A huge bell was constantly ringinging, songs and vedic chants filled the whole place..The nagas in turn played their damaroos. The whole place was charged. The feeling cannot be explained in words. I felt even the mountains around the temple (it was nightfall and all the snow clad mountains had a beautiful silver lining) joined us in worshiping the lord…> > After this divine experience we resorted to our rooms…we could hardly have dinner as all of were freezing inspite of our warm clothes. Throughout the night we of kept awake, as it was too cold. Our bodies were tired of shivering…My mom fell sick as she was constantly throwing up.. Anyway at 2:30 am we went to the temple for performing pooja as that was the time allocated for us. We could perform the pooja in whatever way we wish to. Lot of them were hugging the Shiva lingam. Even I had a chance to do it. > > After the pooja we rested for sometime and started towards Gowrikund again this time three of us by Goda and my mom in Doli.It seems the temperature reached -10 degress the previous night. No wonder my entire body was feeling numb!!!

Himalayan Jaunt - Part 1

2006-02-10T20:38:00.000-08:00

This is actually an email that I wrote to Shilpa three years back about my Kedar-Badri trip, thought will make an interesting reading now....

When Daakshayani(Parvathi) sort permission from Lord shiva to attend the yajna conducted by her father King Daksha who was also Shiva's enemy, sent her reluctuntly. She was insulted throughtly in the yajna by her own father daksha for having married shiva a beggar (A guy who lived in the graveyard and wore snakes etc etc.,).Frustrated Daakshayani destroyed daksha's yajna and decided to end her life. Shiva hearing this news turned red in fury and arrived at that place. He destroyed daksha and carried the corpse of Daakshayani above his head and started doing his rudra thandava. Lord Vishnu in order to calm down shiva cut the Shakthi Daakshayani's body into 51 parts. These 51 parts fell in various parts of the the Indo - Asian region.Even today there are temples in these 51 Places and are worshipped as Shakthi Sthalas or Energy Centers. Most of them are found in India, few others in countries like Srilanks, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanisthan.The Shakhi Sthalas are spread all over India, Kanyakumari temple, Kancheepuram Kamakshi temple to Ksheer Bhavani, Vaishno Devi in Kashmir.Kamakya in Assam to Gnana Prasunambika in Andra Pradesh. Some of the famous sakthi Sthalas are - Madurai Meenakshi temple, The Manasoravar lake(near Kailash), the Kali temple in Calcutta etc.,

My Mom is writing her travelogue in Gnana Aalayam Magazine about her visit to these 51 places. She has covered over 15 temples now (including Kailash, Kamakhya in assam,and the temples in Bangladesh).

Kedarnath situated in the state of Uttaranchal is also a sakthi sthala. Though the deity lord Kedareshwar is very famous and thousands of pilgrims travel each year from various parts of India to see him - It is a sakthi sthala by virtue of Sakthi's right hand falling amidst the mountains behind the temple. The temple is surrounded by snow clad mountains and is situated 11000 ft above sea level. This particular mountain is called Su-Meru.

My mom planned to visit the Kedarnath temple for her travelogue. My Brother and me decided to join her this time. We decided to combine Badrinath also in this yatra. Deity Badri Vishal (Vishnu) is worshipped here.We set out to Delhi by flight. In Delhi we arranged for a taxi (Toyato Qualis) for our entire yatra. From this point onwards our yatra was fully by road. After a day’s sight seeing , we left to Haridwar about 200 Km from the capital. Here we had our first glimpse of the river Ganga. We also saw the famous Ganga Aarthi in Har ki Peri (the place where lord vishnu placed his feet). We stayed overnight in a hotel just by the riverside. The moonlight falling in the river water and the shimmer in the water was just too beautiful. I was admiring this sight for a long time. The next day morning we had our holy dip in the river. The water was freezing.

Then we set out to Srinagar (not the one in Kashmir) in Uttaranchal. Srinagar is the base camp for the Chaar Dham Yatras. The Four Dhams (Holy places) are Kedar, Badri, Gangotri and Yamunotri. We were only going to visit Kedar and Badri as my mom's busy schedule could not accomodate the other two yatras. We had lunch in Srinagar and started towards Gowri kund (Hot water spring) which is the starting point of the Kedar yatra. Gowri Kund is more than 600 Kms from Srinagar and the travel was totally uphill. The stretch from Srinagar to Gowri Kund was one of the most memorable in the entire yatra. It was filled with gigantic mountains of himalayas and beautiful rivers, which were flowing amidst these mountains. As you would recall Geography lessons of the 10th std these mountains are like blocks one after each other.Rivers like Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Mandakeni all have their origins in the Himalayas and later become one with the Ganga. This stretch includes many Sangams(union) of the rivers. Each one of these Sangams are called Prayags. The union of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi is called Dev Prayag. Union of Alaknanda and Madakeni is called Rudra Prayag. These Prayags are considered holy and also provide a awesome sight. Each one of these rivers have their unique characteristic like color, force etc., For example; Alaknanda is dark Grey and is almost black. Bhagirathi is reddish brown,

Mandakeni is a very beautiful river with a serene green tint I instantly fell in love with this river.We decided to stay that night in a place called Pipalkoti. This place is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life. We caught our first glimpse of the snow-clad mountains of Himalayas at this place. We seldom knew at that point that Kedar is situated amongst these Snow Clad Mountains and that the next day we are actually going to be there. The Cottage we stayed in Pipalkoti was at the riverside of Mandakeni which was my favorite river as I told you earlier.The Next day early morning we set out for Gowrikund....

2006-02-08T06:06:00.000-08:00

If anything can go wrong, it will - Murphy's law

Add a corollary- When one goes wrong, everything will

I am having one of those worst days at work...my manager is sick, my senior analyst is serving his notice period and my client wants to take away every bit of happiness in my life. To sum up in one word STESS!

Side effects can be worse -

When I wake up, realize that I haven't slept yet.

My face becomes a reflection of the mind! starts looking like a burnt piece of wood....an aged orange peel, an over-cooked potato all at the same time.

My dressing sense goes for a six - I start dressing up like Mumtaz mahal...don’t misunderstand for queenly dressing…I start dressing in those flairu, ornamental salwar kameezs...

Start having hallucinations - Every other person who wanders past me (esp. at work) suddenly seems to be having hidden comments under his/her lips about me.

Feel like sticking out my tongue, show faces to my unusually caring, friendly boss (He knows I am working hard!)

Use the office ID card as my dog's leash.

I am feeling better already...YUHOOO...

Encounter the Enlightened

2006-01-29T21:52:00.000-08:00

A fresh and perfect Sunday morning idea flashed - People who have influenced my life. Before you read do remember that the list is in random order, each person here is very special and has contributed to my life in an unique way - no way I can rate them!

Madan alias Kuki alias MM alias Raju

Our love story was very famous in our friends circle, but ofcourse what many people do not know is the fact that I know my husband for 13 years now and his infuences on me and my life. He is the very first person who brought words like inspiration, freedom and individuality into my life. He is the guy who introduced to me to the thoughts of Swami Vivekananda and many other great people which an average teenager will just know as a paragraph from the pages of a history book. I could go on ..may be someday I will dedicate an entire blog for him...

Swami Vivekananda

This man who lived hundred years before continues to inspire thousands of people across the world. His words have taught me things that I consider most precious in my life, has shown me the right path whenever I was in cross roads, has boosted my spirits whenever I was depressed and help me contribute to a very few lives in a meaningful manner.

My Friends

What will I be without them....though I have a lot of acquaintances my close group of pals can be counted with one hand....I could write pages and pages about them...I will start with school –
Shilpa – I don’t even remember when I first met her. I guess somewhere in the 4th or 5th grade…She is one of my closest pals and has been with me in every important phase of my life so far. Though we were a big gang of 8 at school I have lost touch (both in terms of distance and mental closeness) with most of them except Shilpa, Archana and to an extent Subha.
Charu – She was my only pal at UG College and we lived in our own sweet world at that point of time…I grew close to Charu because we shared common interests like Swami Vivekananda and shopping. Luck brought us to together in PG and for sometime in Office too…..Right now she is in Bangalore….
Barani – Barani is my very first friend from the opposite sex….It is really funny to think about him that way right now because we have never seen each other that way…He is one of my closest pals and knows every little secret that I have…I met him during the first day of PG , he has been my close pal, well wisher and a great guide for the past 6 years. He has literally pulled me by my ears from my Piscean dreams to the practicality of this word humpty number of times……contributed to my professional education….academics and has been a caring companion through highs and lows of my life.

Though I have many others to write about these were on top of my head…..Will write about school gang, college days etc., some other time

Manjula Ramesh

People say - kids of celebrity mom/dad are usually spoilt and most of the time lost in the vanities of life. But my mom took all the efforts one could take to prove the theory wrong...Whenever I think about this I mentally give her a tight hug and tell her how much she has positively influenced my life....at every stage of life she has taught me how to strike a balance of what we want to do (freedom) and that needs to be done (the right thing). I have realized how important this is as i tread the path of a "working mom". She is my ROLE MODEL.

My daughter - Mahima Madan

When mother goose delivered this bundle of joy in my arms I did not have the slightest clue that my life was about to take a 360 degree turn....She had to cry when I wanted to get my lovely early morning sleep, She had to outrightly reject the idea when I wanted a vacation in pondicherry and yet make me feel angry/frustrated for none of this. She is a true magician who has completely taken away all my freedom without the remotest sign of regret from side...She is my lovely angel who makes me fall in love with her every moment.... day and night....

Nothing serious about it...

2006-01-25T10:22:00.000-08:00

I officially declare that I have joined (atlast!!!) the blogging band wagon... Now that I sit and think of what to and not to blog I guess u junta can help me out on topics.