Self Motivation - To win the game

There are many motivation theory devised by many scholars and i sometime wonder can we really implement those in real life and if yes then to what extent and if no then why not. Personally i feel, with due respect to all the theories, that we cannot motivate people. All we can do is to influence them or tempt them. If motivation theory would have been the truth then those revolutionist inside the jail during Indian independence or during Rana regime in Nepal who went for hunger strike or negatively motivated through torture would have easily surrendered.

All the external motivation technique applied have limited scope but if the motivation is internal or is self motivated then nothing can stop the energy and person would be even ready to sacrifice his/her life.
Untill a person does not acknowledge that he want to accept what is being offered, no motivation happens . Motivation is the self decision but not imposed.

Self motivation is something that touches your self and comes from very basic level of existence. I feel this is the key to win the game.

Employee at Taj during terrorist attack were self motivated to serve their customer even risking their life and some even died. This level of motivation is not external but is internal is comes from self. Its hard to understand other's self motivation but all we need to do is understand our self motivation and carry on with it. This will help us to win every game of our life after that.

 

Evolution of Life and Vishnu Avatar

Charles Darwin known as 'Father of evolution' in the modern day science have great contribution to provide us information  regarding evolution  of life on earth. There is one Guru, who is in fact Guru of all the Guru and scientist born , alive and who would be coming who gave the hint of the life long way back through his stories and incarnation. 

Lord Vishnu and his ten avatar in fact give us some clue on evolution of life and i could correlate it only when a senior of mine shard this.

The Ten Avatar

1. Matsya (the fish) = Aquatic Life which is first complex form of life according to Darwin. 2. Koorma (the tortoise) = Amphibian and Reptile are the  second and third complex form of life on earth. 3. Varaha (the boar) = Third comes the terrestrial animal 4. Narasimha (the human-lion) = Fourth Not distinct Human life, a mix of animal & human, from where human started evolving 5. Vamana (the dwarf) = Human like form but still dwarf not a complete human form and lived on plants. 6. Parasurama (the angry man, Rama with an axe) = Human life which started to live by hunting and killing  animals and started making weapons. 7. Lord Rama (the perfect man, king of Ayodha) = Human life before industrial civilization where everyone was generous to one another and calm and loving. 8. Lord Krishna (the divine statesman)  = Cleaver Human who knows innovation and Loves fun. 9. Buddha = Human form where intelligence will reach its peak and the evolution of human form reaches the apex. 10. Kalki (the mighty worrior) = Kal means machine or technology  so is the time of technology.....

This is my interpretation so you can differ to it however i see these correlation.

So father of evolution for me at least is  Guru of Guru Lord Vishnu and in Modern day science is Charles Darwin.

The Importance Of SEWA

We might have been doing meditation from several ages for several hours a day or might have just started and doing an hour a day or so. The curiosity often arises in the practitioner to know how much one is actually progressing. Practitioner wish to know if there is any barometer of that which can help them to measure them progress or at least get a hint whether they are progressing or not.
I  thought of two factors to examine in order to examine progress in this field.
1. Increase in Stimulus Response Gap (SRG):
This means if a practitioner has developed a capacity to give response to anything rather than react and again the response with firm and thoughtful mind then there is a progress. If a practitioner still reacts i.e. still level of  patience has not increased then there is no progress.

2. Treating everyone like as they are you:
The sense of belongingness or even at a higher level the feeling and sense of oneness should be there. If the sense of oneness has not increased then the practitioner still needs to progress. Loving for one's children is natural, even one's family members and friends is so obvious. Even the animals does that but the important is the same level of feeling with every other person and every being should be there. The sense of Oneness.

The above two factors are in fact the outcome of Meditation and only meditation will not lead us there.
SEWA or the Service , is one of the strongest factor that can lead us there. Let us understand that any act done for other without expecting anything in return is a sewa or service. While we do service to other who are in need our ego dissolves and in course of time we develop compassion.
Whenever we do service our head bends little down, i.e. the Head comes closer to Heart and that is when ego dissolves and compassion evolves.

The Sewa again bears boon, which is in fact even not to be thought about. However, just for sharing, it earns merit and that merit will add positivity to our consciousness and when we meditate we reach to the blissful state in less time or samadhi. The merit helps to calm down our mind so less thoughts come.

Service or SEWA is something that even Nature performs, SUN is doing Sewa without expecting return from us, even the Moon the stars the River, the flower, the plants whatever you see in the nature they are all doing service and that is why everyone praise the nature, loves the nature and want to be with the nature.

That is why Sewa or Service is very important along with meditation if we want to be humane and return to our true nature in fact which we need to achieve in life and is our final destination i.e. to become united with our true nature...For that do more Sewa and Sadhana i.e. Service and Meditation
 :)

Deusi and Bhailo.

Interesting Fact about Deusi and Bhailo...... King Bali during his rule asked specially children, youths and adults to go to others home and praise them to motivate them to donate something. 


A brief introduction of King Bali: 

Demon King Bali, the grandson of Prahlada was a true devotee of Lord Vishnu. With the Lord's blessings,he had become invincible in the battle field and managed to defeat all Devas. The entire heaven, especially Lord Indra, became apprehensive about his increasing strength. At last, Lord Vishnu disguised as Bamana (dwarf), arrived on earth, to rescue Indra and other Devas from their plight. King Bali had the reputation of being a generous and good king. Using this quality, Vamana asked for space which could be covered in three sides.

Surely a dwarf could not cover much ground, thought the King, and agreed to his request. At this point, the dwarf changed into Vishnu and his three strides covered the Earth, the Skies and the whole Universe. As a result, Bali was sent to nether lands. But we all know, Gods are ever generous and cannot see their true devotees suffer. So Lord Vishnu decided to protect Bali and brought him back from nether land. Bali was promised divine protection and immortality till the next aeon, when he will be crowned Indra. Lord Vishnu disguised himself, as Bali's doorman, and protected him from all dangers. As a result, Vainkuntha was devoid of the Lord and Goddess Lakshmi became restless. She descended on earth as a Brahmin woman in an attempt to bring back her love. She told Bali, that her husband has gone away for a long errand and she needed a place to stay. King Bali welcomed her full heartedly and protected her as his own sister. Since the arrival of the Brahmin woman, i.e. , the Goddess herself the entire household of Bali was suddenly blooming with happiness, wealth, and harvest.

Why deusi and Bhailo?


King Bali had blessing from Goddess Laxmi because of his generous quality so he wanted to encourage the donating habit among his citizen and also wanted the children and youths and adults to drop their ego by asking for donation. So those who donated would get blessing from Goddess Laxmi and those who asked for lose their ego.  The donated amount was again used to feed the poor ones. What a culture we have.....Everything is scientific...heheh smile :)

ZERO- Hollow and Empty

People say nothing can come out of nothing...but the whole world has come out of nothing.....even Stephen Hawking has said. Big Bang resulted out of nothing ... Even the Black-hole is Hollow and Empty but is has everything in it. To me hollow and empty or nothing is ZERO -'0'. Which is a wonder number and is hollow and empty. It is the most powerful number in the world with its distinct characteristic. No matter how big number we add to it, it has the capacity to be that number and even you subtract ZERO from any big number result remains the same number i.e it retains its characteristic as ZERO without affecting the other number. Which implies ZERO is special number which is present in all other numbers but we cannot remove it. So this ZERO will make no change if we add it or Subtract it from any other number. If it has to show its power and it strikes i.e. multiply with another number, it engulf that number and resultant is ZERO, no matter how big or small the another number is. Now the most interesting thing about ZERO is, ZERO is such a number which cannot be divided by any other number to produce any other number except ZERO. e.g. 0  Divided by 1 is also 0, no matter what denominator is result is always ZERO- 0.
We all are numbers in our life but if we know how to use this ZERO then  we can realize our potential. We have to rise with ZERO as a base i.e If We divide any number by this ZERO-0 resultant is Infinity ~.... That is the power of this ZERO...which leads to infinity. The ZERO or Hollow and Empty is the only way to experience the infinity within. Meditation is that ZERO as a denominator to our life with number which would leads us to the Infinity....This ZERO, which is hollow and empty leads us to Infinity...So being hollow and empty means experiencing the infinity within.... Wow..... :)   

Source of Creativity

Creativity is in all of us, its just that some of us fail to give time for it to grow. The question arises about the root of creativity and its source. Is creativity also dependent on anything. Duality persist in my mind but yet have to come to a conclusion.
To be creative we have to go through intense thinking process and most of the time one of the necessary condition for creativity to spur is peace and silence. So silence or rest or settled mind is the fertile soil where creativity can grow. Silence, a form of rest to our mind helps our mind to settle and be in the state of bliss. When the mind is in the state of rest then the creator gets momentum and the thinker can put all the energy or direct all his/her energy in one direction and the result is something creative.
Many scientist and composer be with the nature and they compose something very creative and even administration of  drugs by the singers and even smoking actually leads to temporary state of silent mind however the side effect is always bad in this situation. So the process of settling down the number of thoughts in mind to be in calm mind state to bring something creative sees very co-related.
So from my understanding the source of creativity is the peaceful mind. Disturbed mind can not take part in creativity.

Happie Vijaya Dashami :The 9 Appellations of Durga we worship during Dashain

Goddess Durga is the mother of the universe and believed to be the power behind the work of creation, preservation, and destruction of the world. Since time immemorial she has been worshipped as the supreme power of the Supreme Being and has been mentioned in many scriptures - Yajur Veda, Vajasaneyi Samhita and Taittareya Brahman.

The Meaning of "Durga"

The word "Durga" in Sanskrit means a fort, or a place which is difficult to overrun. Another meaning of "Durga" is "Durgatinashini," which literally translates into "the one who eliminates sufferings." Thus, Hindus believe that goddess Durga protects her devotees from the evils of the world and at the same time removes their miseries.

The Many Forms of Durga

There are many incarnations of Durga: Kali, Bhagvati, Bhavani, Ambika, Lalita, Gauri, Kandalini, Java, Rajeswari, et al. Durga incarnated as the united power of all divine beings, who offered her the required physical attributes and weapons to kill the demon "Mahishasur". Her nine appellations are Skondamata, Kusumanda, Shailaputri, Kaalratri, Brahmacharini, Maha Gauri, Katyayani, Chandraghanta and Siddhidatri.

About Navaratri 

Every year during the lunar month of Ashwin or Kartik (September-October), Hindus observe ten days of ceremonies, rituals, fasts and feasts in honor of the supreme mother goddess. It begins with the fast of “Navaratri”, and ends with the festivities of “Vijayadashami.” and “Dusshera” 

Nava – that also means 'new' – denotes 'nine' the number to which sages attach special significance. Hence, we have Nava-ratri (9 nights), Nava-patrika (9 leaves / herbs / plants), Nava-graha (9 planets), and Nava-Durga (9 appellations).

Here is information on the 9 manifestations of Goddess Durga. Each goddess has a different form and a special significance. Nava Durga, if worshipped with religious fervor during Navaratri, it is believed, lift the divine spirit in us and fill us with renewed happiness.

All the nine names of goddess are narrated in ‘Devi Kavacha’ of the ‘Chandipatha’ scripture.

Why Nine Nights & Days?

Navaratri is divided into sets of three days to adore different aspects of the supreme goddess. On the first three days, the Mother is invoked as powerful force called Durga in order to destroy all our impurities, vices and defects. The next three days, the Mother is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth, Lakshmi, who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees the inexhaustible wealth. The final set of three days is spent in worshipping the mother as the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. In order have all-round success in life, we need the blessings of all three aspects of the divine mother; hence, the worship for nine nights. 

 The 9 Appellations of Durga we worship during

1. Shailaputri

Shailaputri literally means the daughter (putri) of the mountains (shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Hemavana - the king of the Himalayas, she is the first among Navadurgas. Her worship takes place on the first day of Navaratri – the nine divine nights. The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands.

2. Bharmacharini

She is worshipped on the second day of Navaratri and is the second form of Mother Goddess. Bharmacharini means one who practices devout austerity. She enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace. She holds a rosary in her right hand and a water utensil in her left hand. She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all devotees who worship her. Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the way to emancipation - Moksha.

3. Chandra Ghanta

The third facet of Goddess Durga is ‘Chandraghanta’, who is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri, for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. She has a ‘chandra’ or half moon in her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. That is why she is called ‘Chandraghanta’. She is charming, has a golden bright complexion and rides a lion. She has ten hands, three eyes and holds weapons in her hands. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons.

4. Kushmanda

Kushmanda is the fourth form of the mother goddess and is worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri. The meaning of the name ‘Ku-shm-anda’ is as follows: ‘Ku’ = a little; ‘ushma’ = ‘warmth’; ‘anda’ = ‘the cosmic egg’. So she is considered the creator of the universe. The universe was no more than a void full of darkness, until her light spreads in all directions like rays from the sun. Often she is depicted as having eight or ten hands. She holds weapons, glitter, rosary, etc., in her hands, and she rides a lion.

5. Skanda Mata

The fifth aspect of the Mother Durga is known as ‘Skanda Mata’ - the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. She is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri. She is accompanied by the Lord Skanda in his infant form. Skanda Mata has four arms and three eyes, holds the infant Skanda in her right upper arm and a lotus in her right hand which is slightly raised upwards. The left arm is in pose to grant boons with grace and in left lower hand which is raised also holds a lotus. She has a bright complexion and often depicted as seated on a lotus.

6. Katyayani

The sixth form of Mother Durga is known as ‘Katyayani’, who is worshipped on the six day of Navaratri. The legend behind her name goes thus: Once upon a time, there was a great sage called Kata, who had a son named Katya. Kata was very famous and renowned in the lineage of saints. He underwent long austerities and penance in order to receive the grace of the Mother Goddess. He wished to have a daughter in the form of a goddess. According to his wish and desire the Mother Goddess granted his request. Katyayani was born to Kata as an avatar of Durga.

7. Kaal Ratri

This is the seventh form of Mother Durga and is worshipped on the seventh day of Navaratri. She has a dark complexion, disheveled hair and a fearlessness posture. A necklace flashing lightning adorns her neck. She has three eyes that shine bright and terrible flames emanate from her breath. Her vehicle is the donkey. Her raised right hand always seems to grant boons to all worshippers and all her right lower hand is in the pose of allaying fears. Her left upper hand holds a thorn-like weapon, made of iron and there is a dragger in the lower left hand. She is black like Goddess Kali and holds a sparkling sword in her right hand battle all evil. Her gesture of protection assures us of freedom from fear and troubles. So she is also known as ‘Shubhamkari’ – one who does good.

8. Maha Gauri

She is worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri. Her power is unfailing and instantly fruitful. As a result of her worship, all sins of past, present and future get washed away and devotees get purified in all aspects of life. Maha Gauri is intelligent, peaceful and calm. Due to her long austerities in the deep forests of the Himalayas, she developed a dark complexion. When Lord Shiva cleaned her with the water of the Ganges, her body regained its beauty and she came to be known as Maha Gauri, which mean extremely white. She wears white clothes, has four arms, and rides on a bull. Her right hand is in the pose of allaying fear and her right lower hand holds a trident. The left upper hand holds a ‘damaru’ (a small rattle drum) and the lower one is in the pose of granting boons to her devotees.

9. Siddhidatri

 Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Goddess. She is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri. Siddhidatri has supernatural healing powers. She has four arms and she is always in a blissful happy enchanting pose. She rides on the lion as her vehicle. She blesses all Gods, saints, yogis, tantrics and all devotees as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. In ‘Devi Bhagvata Purana’ it is mentioned that Lord Shiva worshipped her and was blessed with all Siddhis (supernatural powers). By her blessings his half body became female and other half body male in the avatar of Ardhnarishvara.

Ego Not...Just Love

Ego is the weapon of the weak

Ego is the courage of the those who fear

Ego is the way of life to those who don't have confidence

Ego is the that poison which is sweet but will never lose its characteristics

Why don't you try Love as it  can even make Ego bow down.

Realize it soon else it might be too late...

Just Love 

Losing is Gaining

Always involved in activity and finally after getting tired taking rest for few hours either in the form of a sleep or meditation was a regular part of my life. It was in June 2010 at Nagarkot when i first experienced and enjoyed the Silence where i got the opportunity to be with silence. In those four days of silence i felt it was a real going home to take rest. I'd a motive to find myself to understand myself and with so many other agendas to explore. At the end of the fourth day when i was suppose to break the silence i felt, I've lost something and found something. I was there to find myself and but I end up losing myself. I was completely into the silence where i even forgot what i want to have or what i was seeking.That feeling of not seeking anything was losing myself being in bliss and was something which i felt like void but yet containing fullness. I'm enchanted by the silence. Now i listen to the silence and become its witness losing everything. It made me realize that achievement is not in gaining but having the capacity to lose and even after that  remaining blissful or being in contentment. Don't know what is it, but i just know i love losing myself with no agenda to seek for. So i'm again going to lose myself for the third time enjoying being with the silence, being just hollow and empty and vacuum i.e. losing myself and i love this... Losing which is in fact Gaining the contentment  it brings :)

It is always Self Motivation

Many scholars has come up with many theories on Motivation and is in fact also one of the most discussed topic.

The challenge lies in the getting things done through the right person at the right time. To get the things done through other or even my one self people say the need to be motivated and many believe that we can really motivate the people.

However i here held little different view, i feel that one person can not motivate another person as motivation is  a decision of self to go into action. However one can influence and persuade applying logos, ethos or pathos. A person can always try to motivate other person but until and unless the person to be motivated does not internalize the information and decides on his/ her own  to act accordingly the second party is not successful. So one can only help another person to be motivated by influencing, influence is in the control of second person but motivation is always the decision of the first person.

Hence we cannot motivate people but we can influence them so they are self motivated. Influence is at surface level and the action derived from influence is of short term characteristics but when there is self motivation through self internalization, the result is more from substratum and the action is also strong.

       

It is always Self Motivation

Many scholars has come up with many theories on Motivation and is in fact also one of the most discussed topic.

The challenge lies in the getting things done through the right person at the right time. To get the things done through other or even my one self people say the need to be motivated and many believe that we can really motivate the people.

However i here held little different view, i feel that one person can not motivate another person as motivation is  a decision of self to go into action. However one can influence and persuade applying logos, ethos or pathos. A person can always try to motivate other person but until and unless the person to be motivated does not internalize the information and decides on his/ her own  to act accordingly the second party is not successful. So one can only help another person to be motivated by influencing, influence is in the control of second person but motivation is always the decision of the first person.

Hence we cannot motivate people but we can influence them so they are self motivated. Influence is at surface level and the action derived from influence is of short term characteristics but when there is self motivation through self internalization, the result is more from substratum and the action is also strong.

       

Steve Jobs Leadership Costs..but how much

Its the leadership in, home, society, business and country which determines the rise and fall, fortune and misfortune, but for now lets talk business.

Business leaders take the risk, they believe in their vision and convince the followers that what h/she has envisioned can be achieved. In the same way, the same leadership helps branding of the institution. Again the same leadership can also lead institution to the path of failure.

Its is interesting to know that Apple's share price has more than tripled since Job took over the CEO post. The credit goes to his vision and innovative idea which was huge success in the market. Its in positive, now lets see the negative.

It's the leadership that general people trust, has been proven in the business world when Apple shares dropped after Steve Jobs resignation. Apple's share price has dropped over 5 per cent in after hours trading, following the news that Steve Jobs has resigned as CEO. The company released a statement announcing Jobs's resignation at about 3:30pm Pacific, after the markets had closed in New York, and as of 5pm Pacific, Apple's share price had fallen from 376.18 to 356.61, a drop of 5.20 per cent.

Its was certain as in company history it already faced this situation. In 2008, Apple shares fell as much as 5.4 per cent after an online rumor said Jobs had suffered a major heart attack.

Job's has appointed  Former Apple COO Tim Cook as the new CEO who also served as acting CEO while Jobs was on medical leave.

But this is not the end, its just the beginning of the test of leadership of Job. Successful leader is the one who has his/her successor better than him/ her. The question now is Tim that successor or not. To know this we need time, we have to wait for Tim performance and see what innovation Tim has to offer to the market.
Till than we still cant decide whether Job was all round  successful leader or not and even cant say the cost of Jobs leadership to Apple corporation.

Krishna

JANMASHTAMI - KRISHNA

Krishna was born on the 8^th day after the full moon.  This meaning of the birth of Krishna is very beautiful.  It signifies the beautiful co-existence of self effort and grace.  You have to come right up to the 8^th day and then the divine takes over and then Krishna is born in you and the fullness shines.  Krishna consciousness was fully blossomed and infinite.  Krishna’s consciousness should remind each one of us about how vast and expansive and fully blossomed each one of us can become. 

KRISHNA – ABSOLUTE JOY

Everyone is always searching for joy – Krishna is that absolute joy.  Krishna is full of mischief – absolute joy is like that …..full of mischief.  He is full of joy even though his life was miserable from the time he was born.  He was born in a prison.  When his uncle, Kamsa knew that Devki’s eighth child would kill him, he imprisoned her and Vasudev and killed all her 6 children.  Kamsa was the embodiment of Ego which kills joy. Children have no ego, so they are full of joy.  The moment we develop ego, it kills the joy. 

Krishna’s life was full of adventures, everyone would love him…he was full of joy – so mischievous… Children are like that and we shun them for their mischief. It is normal; we should let them do that mischief.  It is fun, what is life without fun?  Haven’t we all done some mischief in our lives?  Krishna said many lies, troubled people, broke the Gopis’ pots, stole yoghurt but it was sweet trouble… people would like it.  Behind his back the Gopis would complain to his mother but in his presence they would laugh and giggle.  His presence is like that… full of joy….. all complains vanish.  We should lead our life like that.  Complaining and wailing destroys joy and joy itself creates all the problems and challenges.  That is the mischief of joy.  Krishna would create many challenges too. Wherever he went, there was war, but he would just smile… it was all a game … a ‘leela’ like Krishna says…life is a game.

Another name for Krishna is ‘Nanda’ ‘Ananda’ or joy.  This comes only through being hollow and empty.  What you carry in your hand indicates what is in your heart.  If you carry a gun, you have fear in your heart, a flower in your hand indicates that you are like that flower, but Krishna carries a flute which is hollow and empty.  His posture is that of a dance… one foot on the ground and one in the air… and his life is like a dance. This is something you will not see in Jesus or Buddha but with Krishna anything is possible… he is the symbol of all possibility and total blossoming.  He is an embodiment of all divine.  Even in the battlefield, he had the depth of awareness and gave knowledge to his friend… every aspect of Krishna leaves you in awe!

If you can laugh when everything is down, then it is something.  Everything was chaotic wherever Krishna went but he always had a smile.  He would draw everyone to him through his smile.  The inner core of every being is such – it draws everything in.

Radha is the symbol of longing and Krishna is the symbol of love. Love is like – it cannot be fully expressed and yet it cannot be without expression… Krishna’s love for Radha and the Gopis was like that… they had given their soul to him… that was their depth of love and devotion to Krishna.

This body is made up of eight elements, air, water, fire, earth, ether, mind, intellect and ego.  Krishna says that he is the 9^th.   Though he is in the body, he is not in it.  He is not as we see him, he is much more, present in our heart.  Anytime we call out to him he is there… we can always count on him – that wisdom and unity is unparalleled.   He says drop everything and be with me… my devotees will never perish.

THE MYSTICISM OF KRISHNA

The Avatar of Krishna, had a threefold objective: to destroy the wicked demons, to play the leading role in the great war fought on the battlefield of Kurukshetra and to become the centre of a marvellous development of the Bhakti schools.  Sri Krishna is the ocean of bliss.  His soul stirring lilas, are its waves.  The honeyed music of his flute attracts the minds of his devotees.  His palms bear the signs of a lotus and discus, the right sole of His feet of a flag, lotus, thunderbolt an iron goad, barley seed and the Swastika.  His left sole has the rainbow, triangle, water-pot, crescent, sky, fish and a cow’s footprints.  His form is composed of condensed universal consciousness and bliss.  His body pervades the entire cosmos.

Krishna has played various roles during His stay in the world.  He was Arjuna’s charioteer.  He was an excellent statesman.  He was a master musician; he gave lessons to Narada in the art of playing the veena.  The music of his flute thrilled the hearts of Gopis and everyone else.  He was a cowherd in Brindavan and Gokul.  He exhibited miracle powers even as a child.  He killed many demons.  He revealed His Cosmic Form to His Mother Yashoda.  He performed the Rasa Lila, the secret of which can only be understood by devotees like Narada, Gauranga, Radha and the Gopis.  He taught the supreme truth of Yoga, Bhakti and Vedanta to Arjuna and Uddhava.  He had mastered every one of the sixty-four fine arts.  For all the reasons, he is regarded as a full and complete manifestation.
Your Responsibility as a joy:

Krishna's Crown has peacock feather, generally the crown are heavy to make person wearing them reminding the big responsibility they have. So they take it as a burden, don't give life to what they are doing. But Krishna, who took the responsibility of all world, his crown was very light. The beauty is that peacock feather, though you have a crown, the crown is like the peacock feather - "Mora Mukuta", it is not bogging you down, though you have big responsibility, though you have things to do, it's very easy, very flowing, and very joyful in all it's way. That is the symbol of "Mora Mukuta"
Krishna has the peacock feather crown, that is the meaning of the peacock feather. Very colourful and yet fully responsible.  

 

Command the mind which uses that instrument

After having won many archery contests, the town champion went to the Zen master.

- I am the best of all – he said. – I didn’t study religion, never sought help from the monks, and succeeded in becoming the finest archer in the whole region. I heard that, for a time, you were the best archer in the region, and ask you: was it necessary to become a monk in order to learn to shoot?

- No – replied the Zen master.

But the champion was not satisfied: he took an arrow, placed it in the bow, fired it and hit a cherry which was very far away. Smiling, as if to say: "you might have saved your time, devoting yourself only to technique." And he said:

- I doubt whether you could do that.

Without looking in the least bit worried, the master went inside, fetched his bow, and began to walk towards a nearby mountain.
On the way, there was an abyss which could only be crossed by an old bridge made of rotting rope, and which was almost collapsing.
The Zen master went to the middle of the bridge, took his bow and placed an arrow in it, then aimed at a tree on the far side of the precipice, and hit his target.

- Now it is your turn – he kindly told the young man, as he returned to firm ground.

Terrified as he gazed down at the abyss below his feet, the young man went to the spot and fired, but his arrow veered wide of the mark.

- That is why the discipline of meditation was worthwhile – concluded the master, when the young man returned to him.

“You may have great skill with the instrument you choose for your livelihood, but it  useless, if you cannot command the mind which uses that instrument.”

Proper Utilization of Resources: Buddha and his Disciple

Buddha, one day, was in deep thought about the worldly activities and the ways of instilling goodness in human beings. One of his disciples approached him and said humbly " Oh my teacher! While you are so much concerned about the world and others, why don't you look in to the welfare and needs of your own disciples also."

Buddha : "OK.. Tell me how I can help you"

Disciple : "Master! My attire is worn out and is beyond the decency to wear the same. Can I get a new one, please?"

Buddha found the robe indeed was in a bad condition and needed replacement. He asked the store keeper to give the disciple a new robe to wear on. The disciple thanked Buddha and retired to his room. A while later, he went to his disciple's place and asked him "Is your new attire comfortable? Do you need anything more ?"

Disciple : "Thank you my Master. The attire is indeed very comfortable. I need nothing more"

Buddha : "Having got the new one, what did you do with your old attire?"

Disciple : "I am using it as my bed spread"

Buddha : "Then.. hope you have disposed off your old bed spread"

Disciple : " No.. no.. master. I am using my old bedspread as my window curtain"

Buddha : " What about your old Curtain? "

Disciple : "Being used to handle hot utensils in the kitchen "

Buddha : "Oh.. I see.. Can you tell me what did they do with the old cloth they used in Kitchen "

Disciple : "They are being used to wash the floor. "

Buddha : " Then, the old rug being used to wash the floor...? "

Disciple: " Master, since they were torn off so much, we could not find any better use, but to use as a twig in the oil lamp, which is right now lit in your study room.... "

Buddha smiled in contentment and left for his room.

If not to this degree of utilization, can we at least attempt to find the best use of all our resources at home and in office?

We need to handle wisely, all the resources earth has bestowed us with both natural and material so that they can be saved for the generations to come.

Power of Same Voice, Lets be positive

We all have heard a story of  Brahmin Villager carrying Goat and Four Bad Boys. It was in our Nepali story book. A quick reminder: In the story the four bad boys plot against the Brahmin villager carrying goat on his shoulder so that he would leave the goat and they could enjoy the meat of the goat. The sequence was everyone goes to the Brahmin villager and laughs by asking him the reason behind carrying Dog on his Shoulder, that again being a Brahmin. The same incident when was repeated over three more times by three different person, the Brahmin villager threw the Goat which he was carrying and was out of the sight. He belived those boys. The Brahmin villager even didn't look at the animal he was carrying. His confidence from himself was shaken which made him leave the Goat thinking it as a dog he was carrying.

I just want to link this story with our attitude toward our politicians, country and everything around us . We always have been saying that there is something bad happening,we are under developed, nothing is right and so on. So much of Negative has been put into our mind about our country. Many of the things that are not good are being communicated to us or lets say are communicated more than the things that are happening good. This have contributed to, in-fact made us believe that there is nothing right over here but only bad. We are here acting like the four bad boys and the Brahmin Villager who believed on those boys. This story being made in Nepal infact potrays the psychology and attitude of us, i.e lack of confidence and also self study. There is saying in Nepali. "Kaag le Kaan lagyo bhanne sundai ma Kaag ko pachi lagne ki, afo kaan chamne"  

It is clear from the story that perception can be formed and can be induced. As said, "what you sow, it reaps" we are sowing more of negativity and that is what is happening. We have been projected to only negative things. The result of which is, we have lost our esteem toward our nation and many of us want to run from this country as soon as possible. This is result of hearing to and focusing more on negative things only. If perception can be formed and action can be motivated in such direction then why not to utilize it in positivce way. Why not to find as many good things as happening and start promoting them, This will instill hope in many, might take time but definitely will. Best example of which is, we put an alarm every night in a hope that we will live tomorrow. So hope drives life and perception acts as catalyst in it. In this sense let's use the same story format in positive way, i'm confident this would work. Lets start saying positive things about everything, from politicians to country to all that matters and can be news. As negative only cannot exist so lets bring positive out.

I believe that the action of another person can be influenced by words of other person in his/her circle. So lets us also be responsible and start saying positive things arround us and start seeing positive happening around us.

"Our country is progressing and will scale new heights" :)

Difference between Heaven and Hell is difference in kind of people lives in there

A holy man was having a conversation with God one day and said, ' God , I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.'


God led the holy man to two doors.

He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in..

In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.

The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished.

They were holding spoons with very long handles, that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful.

But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.

The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.

God said, 'You have seen Hell.'

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one.

There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water.

The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, 'I don't understand.'

It is simple,' said God . 'It requires but one skill, You see they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves."

The difference in Heaven and Hell is the people they are there and their attitude.

नाग पंचमी

Nag Panchamī  is a festival during which religious Hindus in some parts of India worship either images of or live Nāgas (cobras) on the fifth day after Amavasya of the month of Shraavana.

According to Puranic scriptures, Brahma’s son Kashyapa had four wives. The “first” wife gave birth to Devas; the second, to Garudas; the third --named Kadroo--, to Nāgas; and the fourth, to Daityas. Nāgas were the rulers of Pātāl-Loka.

The following Sanskrit names of Eight Great Nāgas, namely, Ananta, Vāsuki, Padmanābha, Kambala, Shankhapāla, Dhārtarāshtra, Takshaka, and Kaliya:

अनन्तं वासुकिं शेषं पद्मनाभं च कम्बलम् |शंखपालं धार्तराष्ट्रं तक्षकं कालियं तथा ||

Translation: Anantam Vāsukim Shesham Padmanābham cha Kambalam; Shankhapālam Dhārtarāshtram Takshakam Kāliyam tathā

According to the scriptures, Lord Krishna  had conquered Naga Kālia and put an end to his evil deeds on Nāga Panchamī. It is believed that the  Kathmandu valley used to be a vast lake. When human beings started to drain the lake to make space for settlements, Nagas became enraged. To protect themselves against the wrath of Nagas, people gave the latter certain areas as pilgrimage destinations, restoring thus harmony in nature.

According to other scriptures, a king used his Tantric  powers to force Nagas to return to the land rains which they had taken away. The Nagas gave in to the king’s Tantric power, but in recognition of their power to control rains, the king established Naga Panchami festival.

In Nepal:

During the festival, Nepalese traditionally post pictures of Nagas above the doors of their homes to ward off evil spirits, offer prayers to Nagas, and place food items such as milk and honey in their fields for Nagas. A few men wearing demon masks dance in the streets as a part of a ritual. Hindus in Nepal  have their own legends surrounding Nagas, which lead them to celebrate Nāga Panchamī on a large scale.

 Celebration, rituals and tradition

In South India

On this day married women and the girls wake up early in the morning, take head bath, arrange the things necessary for puja and start to reach a nearest AntHill(Snake's Home). They offer puja and Milk to the Ant Hill and pray to Snake God(Indian Cobra - Lord Subramanya's Incarnation) for the Wellness of their brothers and their family. This day is like RakshaBandhan for South Indian Hindus. If there is no AntHill nearby, they offer milk and puja to the snake statues erected in the nearby temples. A portion of Milk taken for puja is taken back home and offered to everyone at home as prasadam(Thirtham).

They invite their brothers to their home. They immerse a flower in the left over milk and apply it on their brothers' back and perform Arathi for their Wellbeing. They also gift them as per their wish and also the brothers of the women wish for their wellbeing and gift them as per their wish.

Sweets like Kadubu(Kannada, Kudumulu in Telugu), Nuchununde(Kannada, Kanduntalu in Telugu - A spicy item made of dal cooked in steam) are prepared, offered to Lord and then distributed. This festival is observed on the fifth day of Shravana month of Hindu Lunar Calendar after the amavasya of Ashada month.

This festival tries to bring the Married Women and their Brothers together for family welfare.

Nair: Nagavanshi Kshatriya Clan

Nairs, the indigenous inhabitants of Kerala State are one of the nagavanshi kshatriya clans in India. The name of the capital city of Kerala State itself is one of the pointing evidence. The name of the city is Thiruvananthapuram (Thiru-Anantha-Puram), which is derived from The Great Anantha Naga who is also known as Great Serpent Adishesha . Nair families maintain Sarpakavu in all main houses. The region of kerala itself was known as Patala-Loka in antient times. The AnanthaPadmanabha Swami Kshetram is another landmark of Thiruvananthapuram where the deity Mahavishnu is in eternal rest over Anantha The Great Serpent. The expertise in The Martial Art "Kalarippayattu" stands as bestowed quality of Nairs to be the rulers of Patala-Loka.

'SITA', did she really have to go through agniparikshya????

 During Ram Rajya, we're told, the people were a contented lot. There was no shortage of food and other material comforts and sickness was rare. People lived happy and long lives. Rama himself often toured the city to check and inquire their welfare.

Yet, in many parts of eastern and southern India, the Ramayana is not considered on par with the Mahabharata. Rama is viewed, at best, as a heroic but ultimately flawed protagonist; at worst, a male chauvinist. One reason for this atypical perception is because he made Sita undergo the agnipariksha, trial by fire, to test her purity after being abducted by Ravana. However, a careful study of the peculiar circumstances and background that led to the fire-trial might help us see Rama in a different light.

When Goddess Earth saw the destruction wrought by Ravana, she prayed to Brahma the Creator to rescue her. Brahma and Goddess Earth thereafter jointly invoked Vishnu who promised to incarnate in order to kill Ravana. Vishnu became Rama, his consort Lakshmi became Sita and Seshnag became Lakshman.

Vishnu and Lakshmi had never been separated in previous incarnations. Mandodari, Ravana's wife, knew that Rama and Sita were divine and inseparable and that anyone daring to separate them would be destroyed. She'd repeatedly begged Ravana to let Sita go back to Rama but in vain.

In his incarnation as Rama, Vishnu had to perforce get separated from Lakshmi since Sita had to be abducted by Ravana in order for Rama to kill him. And so it came to pass that before the abduction took place Agni, the fire god, came to Rama and said, "The aim of your incarnation is to destroy Ravana, and Sita is meant to be the cause for that since Ravana will come and carry her away. So entrust Sita with me and I will make a "Maya Sita" for you to keep. After Ravana's death when she enters fire to prove her purity, I will return the real Sita to you." Hearing this, Rama agreed.

Thereafter through intense meditation Agni created a look-alike Sita which was not an illusion or facsimile but a real double with a real name, history and destiny like any other Puranic personality. (Interestingly, the reference to Maya Sita is available in regional versions of Ramayana but not in Valmiki's account.) Thus, the Sita who was abducted by Ravana was not the actual Sita but a version of her and, more importantly, Rama had full knowledge of this although no one else knew at the time – not even Lakshman.

As foretold, the real Sita came out at the time of Maya Sita entering the fire to prove her purity and the Maya Sita vanished in the flames. To substantiate the role of Maya Sita and real Sita, Tulsi Das in Ramcharitmanas mentions that when the real Sita came out of the Agni she was wearing the jewellery given to her by Arundhati before her abduction and not the jewellery given by Ravana in Lanka.

Certain schools of thought even believe that Rama specifically asked (Maya) Sita to take the agnipariksha so that he could get back his original Sita, and not necessarily to prove her chastity. However, this is often tempered by adding the rider that at the time people would not have accepted Sita as their queen if she had not passed the trial by fire.

Friendship: Krishna and Sudama

There is a story between Sudama, a poor brahmin and Lord Krishna. They became close in Rishi Sandipani's Ashram. It is said that Krishna learnt to chant from Sudama.

Their story is worth sharing, as it teaches us many thing.

After their education at Sandipani's ashram, both of them set off in their own path. Krishna became King of Dwarika but Sudama hit by misfortune was living in poverty to a extent that they could live on only one meal a day.

Once Sudama's wife, Susheela, requested Sudama to visit Krishna and tell him about his misfortune, so that Krishna would grant them some wealth. Sudama hesitated but couldnot win over Sushila.

Sudama on the way to Dwarika was thinking about Krishna and started comparing. The monlogue started, at one point he was confident that Krishna would recognize him and help him and again at another point he imagined Krishna not recognizing him.

When he reached Dwarika, he was amazed to see the beauty of Dwarika. On reaching the palace door, he requested guards to relay the message to Krishna that his old friend Sudama was in his palace door. 

Guard seeing Sudama in torn cloths, bare foot didnt believe that Sudama was Krishna's friend. After long discussion guard went inside the palace and informed krishna.

As soon as the name Sudama came from the mouth of Guard, Krishna ran to the door to welcome his friend. Rukmini, Krishna's wife, was amazed at this seen. The person for whom the whole world run toward is today running at someone else. She also followed Krishna.

Seeing Sudama, Rukmani was amazed, with his appearance but Krishna, soon jumped into Sudama's arm and started to cry. Krishna escorted Sudam to the palace and asked him to sit in his throne. This surprised Rukmini and other even more. Krishna asked Ruknini to bring water and he cleaned Sudama's feet and dried with the Pitambar he was wearing. There was constant flood of tears flowing from Krishna's eyes when he saw blood coming out of Sudama's leg, who came bare foot all the way.

Krishna even took Sudama to his bed and asked Sudama to lie down and started pressing his leg. During the conversation, Krishna asked if Sushila has sent anything for him.

While coming to  Dwarika, Sushila after begging in many houses collected some rice grain and had given it to Sudama, asking him to give it to Krishna. Sudam after experiencing all the royality and love hesitated to give the rice grain. Krishna saw it and started eating it. With every grain, Krishna ate, Dwarika's wealth started to decrease while Sudam's started to increase. Knowing his Rukmini took the rice grain from Krishna's hand and also started eating, as her eating it would not impact on Dwarika's wealth. 

Krishna knew the reason Rukmini ate the rice grain and commented, my pride is not in me being king and possesing all wealth wwhile my best friend is  struggling even to eat one meal a day.

Krishna's Love for Sudama was unconditional with no barrier of ego and selfishness.

Being a King he served his friend as if he was Sudama's servant. Krishna blessed Sudama with wealth and happiness.

During their ashram days, Sudama cheated on Krishna by eating, Krishna's part of meal. So Krishna had to remain hungry for whole day. Krishna so easily not even allowing this bad thought to come in his mind, welcomed his friend Sudama as if nothing had happened in the past.

We might have made good friends but we might not be in good term now. We can't gurantee about other but atleast from our side we can make an effort to start it again.

Let this friendship week bring us back our old treasured friend.....who are angry with us, or with whom we are angry with..... lets revive the freindship again....Lets celebrate friendship.....

  

     

DHARMA- DUTY: the Only Solution

Dharma is the solution to the entire problem in the world, by saying this I’m sounding religious but it would not be wise to bring that thought unless we understand the meaning of Dharma in different religion.

Many of us limit the word to only worshipping but it has more meaningful that just that.

Buddha said,

Dharmmam saranam gacchami
I go to the Dharma for refuge.

According to Buddhism, to follow the path shown by Buddha is to be in dharma i.e. to perform Duty. Dharma in Buddhism is to follow Buddha teaching and among four of his teaching Mârgasatya, (The Truth of the Way) is one of them, which describes about  Right Conduct (or Action), samyakkarma.

In Hinduism it is said:" Dharma Rakshaite Rakshate" If you are in Dharma (Duty), Dharma will Protect you...So those who are not in Dharma they shall perish.....and in Hinduism DHARMA is all those actions that leads us closer to realization of GOD. I go to the good company for refuge

In Christanity, Jesus said, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." and is once duty toward GOD (John 15:12). It is Dharma.

We may be from any of these religious background, we might be worshipping and saying we are being Dharmic or we are offering our duty according what our religion has said, but our knowledge in this regard is incomplete. We still need to know what are our Duties, as prescribed in religious books so we still have to search for it.

To sum it all, in my understanding, all that action which embodies Righteousness for society and self as a whole is, Dharma or is said to have been done as the Duty.  

Even the atheist would believe in doing the right things…even if they don’t believe in religion, which is again their duty which they will agree to.    

Let us all be in DHARMA in DUTY….. let us all do right, speak right, listen to right…then everything will be just alright…Adhering to this DUTY…or DHARMA…is the only solution..