Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fest

It was spiritually entertaining to view a softrock performance with Hindu religious songs in a program run by Shree Satpaaljee Maharaj's Maanav Dharam Trust on Aashtha TV Channel. 

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

Lord Shree Krishna Fest

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender.  Being Friday, devotees offer special worship to Shree Mahaa Lakshmi and her husband Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa.

Today marks the beginning day of Ratha Yaathraa of Lord Shree Jagannaath. 

Let me share a Utube video of live telecast of the Holy Chariots Festival of Lord Shree Jagannaath, Lord Balabhadraa, Shree Shubadhraa and Shree Sudarshan here.

(I nostalgically remember Shree Jagannathan, my good friend and Shreemathi Bhaanumathi Jagannathan, his good wife. They worked in Efisson, Ethiopia. I remember my visit to their house).

Jai Shree Jagannaath🙏.

Online shopping oddity

Online ordering for food is is  unavoidable to single senior cirizens like me. This mode is convenient as food is ready made and saves time and energy. 

But one problem is the cost. Let me quote one example. A few minutes ago I ordered for grilled chilli sandwiches from Shree Mithai, a local restaurant, via Swiggy. The cost of the food item is Rs 130. But Swiggy charges Rs 226. Consumers pay nearly double the cost of food item. This applies to all food items.

I think it will be nice if our Consumer Rights Groups and Government Agencies intervene and fix this problem.

International Yogaa Day

Today is celeberated all over the world as International Yogaa Day

Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum🙏.

Scoundrels in action

Usually on Ekaadashi, I reduce viewing non spiritual TV programs and use more time for viewing Shree Mahaa Vishnu related programs.  Today is Ekaadashi. As I was viewing a divine dicourse by Shree Rajeev Lochan dasjee, electric power went off. This happened two or three times this afternoon. Previously power cuts used to be short lasting not more than 10 or 20 minutes. But the trend has worsened in the past few months with power cuts lasting for half an hour to one hour or more. Added to this is the noise pollution by scoundrel drivers who hoot their vehicles with loud sound levels unnecessarily.  As I mentioned in my previous posts, government employees who are paid to fix power cut problems seem to completely ignore their duty. Such employees and rascal politicians who contribute to such nasty haapenings should be forced to live in houses with frequent power cuts. They should also be severely punished with dismissal from service. Rogue drivers should be banned from driving for life.

My beloved brother

Today with a heavy heart,  I fondly remember my beloved brother. He passed away on 20 January, exactly five months ago. 

I wish that his soul is at the lotus feet of Lord Shree Krishna and keeps serving Him.

Hari Sarvoththamaa🙏.

Vaayu jeevoththamaa🙏.

Paul's birthday

Yesterday was birthday of Sir Paul McCartney. His songs such as 'Get Back', 'Ebony and Ivory' (sung with Stevie Wonder) will be remembered by his numerous fans (among whom I was one) for years to come.

Best wishes for a happy birthday to him.

Shree Satyadheera Theerthaa

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender.  Being Wednesday, Shree Mahaa Vishnu devotees offer special worship to Shree Mahaa Vishnu; He is Wednesday's deity in addition to being the Supreme God of the entire Universe.

Today marks the beginning of three day Aaraadhanaa festivities of Shree Satyadheera Theerthaa.

Hari Sarvoththamaa🙏

Vaayu jeevoththamaa🙏.

Shree Raghuvarya Theerthaa

Today is a very auspicious day to Maadhwaa community of brahmins. Special worship is offered to Shree Mahaa Lakshmi Naaraayanaa seated in the heart of Shree Bharathi Ramana Mukhyapraana (Shree Hanumaanji) seated in the heart of Shree Raghuvarya Theerthaa.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

Shree Satyapoorna Theertha

Today is a very auspicious day to Maadhwaa community of brahmins. Special worship is offered to Shree Mahaa Lakshmi Naaraayanaa seated in the heart of Shree Bharathi Ramana Mukhyapraana (Shree Hanumaanji) seated in the heart of Shree Satyapoorna Theerthaa.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

Divine discourse

It was joy to view Shreemad Bhaagavath Kathaa by respected Shree Bhaishree on Aashthaa TV Channel this evening. 

He explained the terms Smruthi, Shruthi etc. He also explained how Police and Judicial system of a country should be based on what our Sanathana Dharma Scriptures mention. He also explained how it is important that men and women are treated equally and how at the same time women who perceive this equality wrongly and harass their husbands and inlaws  deserve punishment. He mentioned how the number of women who killed their husbands has increased over the past few years in our country.

He was giving his discourse from Hosapet, Karnaatakaa State.

I fondly remember my beloved mother. She was working in a State Government office in Hosapet before she got married to my beloved father. In those days it was customary for women to take care of their households instead of working in an office etc. The reason for this was that married women can take care of their husbands, children, and inlaws. 

Shree Bhaishree mentioned how this has changed to the extent that very foundation of a happy family has been shattered in many homes.

 

Jai Shree Krishnaa🙏.

OP Sindoor Global Awareness

We all know how Modiji led BJP Government has proved itself to be better than that of any other party. BJP's decision to send teams of MPs to different countries is a welcome one. But what I don't like is the nomination of MPs such as Sashi Tharoor and Kanimozhi. Sunanda Patkar, Shashi Tharoor's third wife (after two divorces) was found dead in a hotel room in Delhi. Forensic and other investigations proved Sashi Tharoor's involvement in her death. Kanimozhi was involved in several corruption cases. All these were pushed under the carpet due to highly corrupt judicial system.

It seems that BJP is no different from other parties when it comes to it's selfish interests and it's desire to retain political power by any means.

Divine discourse

Somehow from the time my beloved brother passed away, I have been more lonely than before. As I mentioned in my previous posts previous post/s, I refrain from committing suicide as it is considered a sin according to our Sanathana Dharma Scriptures. I am trying to cope with my troubled mind. It is in this context that divine discourses on Shreemad  Bhagavath Kathaa, Shree Raam Kathaa etc. bring significant relief.

This evening I had the joy of viewing Shreemad Bhagavath Kathaa discourse by Shree Chinmayanand Bapujee on Aashthaa TV Channel. 

He explained the importance of sense control. As I have mentioned in an post, it is only humans who can distinguish between right and wrong. Other animals don't have this capability.

But unfortunately evil people don't even attempt this distinction and hear baseless gossips and form their own value judgements on people. As I mentioned in my earlier post/s, these evil people ruin the lives of good people just like it how it happened in my own life after I got married to a wrong woman in 1982.

 Jai Shree Krishnaa🙏.

Vata Saavithree Pooja

Today is an auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. Good women pray the Almighty for long lives of their husbands and perform Vata Saavithree Pooja on this day. Sometimes, in spite of this pooja, husbands pass away earlier than wives for example King Paandu, demon king Ravan, King Dasarathaa (father of Lord Shree Raam) etc. From whatever little I know from our Sanathana Dharma Scriptures, I gather that any person's present life and the date of departure of his/her soul from the body is predetermined by Lord Brahma, who performs his task on Shree Mahaa Vishnu's order and that the person's life span depends upon his/her karmaas done during his/her past seven lifes. 

Hari Sarvoththamaa🙏

Vaayu jeevoththamaa🙏.

Divine Song

After several days, I derived the joy of listening to Sundara Kaanda Paaraayanam in Telugu by an eminent and highly charismatic spiritual performer on Hindu Dharmam TV Channel as shown in the following photo this evening:

The program acted like a good medicine to my heavy heart and mind that are overwhelmed by my beloved brother's demise nearly 5 months ago.

I came to know about his programs and those of many others by seeing my beloved mother who used to listen such programs with great devotion. I fondly remember my beloved parents shown in the following photo:

Jai Shree Raam🙏.

Nasty Public Administration

As I write this post, it 3.42 pm IST here in Chennai. Weather is cloudy but no rain. Temperature is 29 deg C. Electric power went off half an hour ago (happened 4 times in the past 24 hours). As I mentioned in my previous posts, no MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) or no Government employee in the Tamilnadu Electricity Board seems to care. These are 100% shameless evil rascals.

Maadhwaa Saint

Tomorrow is a very auspicious day to Shree Mahaa Vishnu devotees in Maadhwaa community of Brahmins. 

Maadhwaa people worship Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa seated in the heart of Shree Mukhya Praana who is seated in the heart of Shree Satyabhivana Theertha, a Maadhwaa Saint who headed our Uttaradi Mutt for some time. I think that tomorrow is the anniversary of the day on which this saint attained the lotus feet of Lord Shree Krishna.

Tomorrow is very auspicious as the anniversary of the day on which Sreepaada Raayaru attained the lotus feet of Lord Shree Krishna. 

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

Saints' significance

Today our media is full of news items about perverted Governments in USA, Canada, West Germany and many countries. We are also surrounded by terrorism, wars etc. Even statemen such as Bill Clinton who was instrumental in putting an end to Israel PLO war when Yasser Arafat was PLO leader is unable to solve Israel Arab conflict today.

At the national level, we see how criminals get away without being punished in states like Tamilnadu.

This morning I had the joy of viewing Shree Raam Kathaa discourse by Shree Chinmayanand Bapujee on Aashthaa Bhajan TV Channel. He was mentioning how inportant the presence of saints in any community. Today saints are not given even one thousandth of respect given to evil politician rascals. It is a very bad trend and the community does nothing to prevent our children being exposed to all these negative aspects. Our schools and colleges too seem very insenstive to pupil needs.

Shree Chinmayanand Bapujee explained the Varnaashram Concept. This concept is wrongly perceived by anti-Brahmin minded people. 

Jai Shree Krishnaa🙏.

Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fest

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. Vishnu devotess worship Shree Mahaa Lakshmi, Friday's deity and Shree Mahaa Vishnu, the Supreme God worshipping whom on Ekaadashi is highly spiritual.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

Bhaageerathi Jayanthi

Today is an auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. It is celebrated as Bhaageerathi Jayanthi.

Hari sarvoththamaa🙏.

Vaayu jeevotgthamaa🙏.

Shree Mahaa Vishnu determines every thing

Medical and health literature consistently cautions that many diseases including dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cancer etc. are due to lack of active life style. 

Mrs Margaret Thatcher, former British Prime Minister and Mr Ronald Reagan, former US President led a very active life. They suffered from dementia and Alzheimer's disease respectively. Mrs Teji Bachan, mother of Shree Amitabh Bachan, legendary veteran film actor had dementia. She was known to be an active home maker supporting Shree Harivansh Rai Bachan, her poet husband. More recently, British King Charles and former US President Joe Biden got cancer diagnosis. Both these have led active lives.

At a closer level, my beloved brother led a very active life style. Still he passed away at the age of 66. He was 7 years younger than me.

WAccording to Sanathan Dharma Scriptures, when Lord Brahma creates each living thing on Shree Mahaa Vishnu's order, he fixes the creature's date and time of departure then itself.

A few days ago, I heard in a Sanaathana Dharmaa divine discourse that birth and life of each human being depends upon his/her karma done in the past seven lives.

It seems that every thing happens due to God's Will.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

First week in school

K-12 Schools in Tamilnadu reopened today after summer holidays. Let me share a related article that I wrote many years ago here. It may be useful to parents, teachers and school managements.

Back to school

In Tamilnadu, all primary, high and higher secondary schools will reopen tomorrow after summer holidays.

Best wishes to all students and teachers.

Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum🙏.

(Krishnaa is the world's Teacher)🙏.

Jai Shree Krishnaa 🙏.

Divine discourse

Today is a very auspicious day to people belonging to Maadhwaa community. It is the day on which Shree Mohana Daasa Theertharu, a Maadhwaa saint attained the lotus feet of Lord Shree Krishna. I tried to give a link to any detailed information on this saint, but couldn't find any.

It was spritually very enlightening to listen to Sreemad Bhaagavad Kathaa by respected Bhaishree Oza on Aashthaa TV Channel. He gave his discourse from Crawley, UK.

Bhaishree is very fluent in many languages including Hindi, English and Gujaraathi. In his discourse he explained the difference between soul and body.

Jai Shree Krishnaa🙏.

Saint's day

Today is an auspicious day in the Maadhwaaa calender. It is the day on which Shree Sayasandha Thirtha attained the lotus feet of Lord Shree Krishna many years ago. 

Jai Shree Krishnaa 🙏.

Padma Shree Awards

It is was nice viewing the Padma Shree Awards Ceremony telecast by our National Channel. Recepients included people from different walks of life, including a young Indian origin Sanathan Dharma worker from Brazil.

I think that such programmes are a reminder that our country is a great country with deep spiritual roots, culture and traditions. 

Jai Shree Krishnaa🙏.

Interview with Swamiji

It was spiritually enriching in viewing an interview with Shree Ganapathi Sachidananda Swamiji on Bhakti TV Channel. 

Today is the 83rd birthday of Swamiji.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

Shree Raam Kathaa

This morning, in his divine discourse on Shree Raam, Shree Morari Bapujee explained about Shree Hanumaanji, one of the greatest devotees and servants of Lord Shree Raam and His wife Shree Seethaa Devi. 

He explained how Hanumaanji saved the lives of Divine Mother Seetha Devi, Shree Lakshman etc.

According to Sanathan Dharma Scriptures, Hanumaanjee incarnated as Bheema (one of the Paandavaa brothers); he killed the evil king Duryodhanaa in Deaapara Yugam.

Later in the current Kali yugam, Hanumaanjee incarnated as Shreeman Madhwaachaarya, Founder Saint of Maadhwaa Brahmin community (to which I belong).

Jai Shree Raam🙏.

National brothers day

In many countries, people celebrate today as Brother's day. In India we celebrate Rakshaa Bandan Day as the day of siblings. I fondly remember my beloved brother (who passed away recently).

World Family Doctors Day

All countries celebrate today as World Family Doctors Day. Doctors are God given gift to humanity. Thanks and best wishes to them and all doctors.

Jai Shree Krishnaa🙏.

Online shopping oddity

A few days ago, I ordered for a few consumer items including Orange juice via Big Basket. Usually BB's service is fast and good. But some times it isn't.

The two fruit juice tetrapacks that BB delivered were very near their expiry date as shown in the following images:

As I have always mentioned, direct shopping is always better. But unfortunately senior citizens like me have no option.

According to authentic health websites, as we grow older than 65 years or so, we gradually lose confidence that we would be able to walk without losing balance. This is more common in our country with chaotic roads and rogue drivers of two and four wheelers.

(When my beloved brother was alive, his very presence nearby was adequate to instil confidence in me that I would be able to walk without losing balance. I fondly remember him with heavy heart).

It will be nice if our Consumer Boards intervene and fix online vending problems.

Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fest

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. This is the day on which Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu incarnated on the Earth billions of years ago as Koorma (Divine turtle). Today is an anniversary of this incarnation; hence it is celebrated as Koorma Jayanthi.

Angkor Wat (in Cambodia), once the largest Shree Mahaa Vishnu Temple in the world has rock carvings of Koorma avathaaraa as shown in the following image:

It is sad that Shree Mahaa Vishnu idols were replaced by Budhdhaa idols by Khmer kings themselves of ancient Tamil origin. 

Today is also auspicious to offer special worship to Sage Vedavyaasaa , an incarnation of Shree Mahaa Vishnu.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

BBC's Digitally backed racial discrimination

This morning, BBC TV Channel telecast interesting episodes in it's Travel Show and Techxplore series. The former was on Alabama (US) and featured Dr Martin Luther King. The latter was how technology has been used in Moroccon towns and cities. 

I tried to provide a link to the two shows, but in vain. BBC Travel Show webpage displayed it's response as follows:

Sorry, BBC iPlayer isn’t available in your region.

It looks like you’re outside of the UK. BBC iPlayer is only available in the UK. If you are using a proxy or VPN, please turn off any of these services and try again.".

I think that this is a subtle manifestation of digitally backed racial discrimination. 

Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fests

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender.  This day is celebrated as Vedavyaasaa Jayanthi and Narasimha Jayanthi. Sage Veda Vyaasaa and Lord Shree Narasimhaa were incarnations of Shree Mahaa Vishnu.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

Our Guru's Fest

Today is a very auspicious day to people belonging to the Uttaradi Mutt. I belong to this Mutt. 

On this day, Peetaarohana Mahothsava of  Shree Satyatma Theertha Swaamiji, our Guru, is celeberated.

Shree Gurubhyo Namaha🙏.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

International Labour Day

People in all countries celebrate today as International Labour Day known as May Day.

It is an obvious but commonly ignored fact that we cannot live comfortably without the help of workers at all levels.

Horse carts

People of my age (73) would remember how cows, bullocks, horses and donkeys were used for transport without harming them.

People used to travel from one place to another using bullock and horse carts. Washermen used donkeys to carry dirty clothes collected from households, get them washed in local rivers and bring them back to their residences. On Sundays, they used to collect dirty clothes from households and bring the washed and ironed clothes. They used to apply starch to strengthen fabric. In this manner, there was a mutual trust between humans and animals. 

I have seen donkey carts in Ethiopia, Southern Africa and Cambodia.

This evening, NHK WORLD JAPAN TV CHANNEL telecast an interesting documentary on how a team from Japan help people in Senegal, West Africa, in showing how donkey carts can be used to generate electricity. Like in most developing countries, electric power is expensive in Senegal.

Let me share the documentary here.

Akshaya thritheeyaa

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. It is the birth anniversary of Lord Parashuraamaa.

Today is a very auspicious in another manner also. This day is celebrated as Akshaya thritheeya.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

My mother's shraadha

According to our Maadhwaa community calender, today is the death anniversary of my beloved mother. Usually I and my beloved brother used to perform the shraddha ritual jointly.  But as he himself is no more, I performed the ritual alone as usual with guidance from a purohit.

I wish that my beloved mother's soul rests at the Lotus Feet of Lord Shree Krishnaa.

Jai Shree Krishnaa🙏.

Cultural architecture

This evening ABC AUSTRALIA TV CHANNEL telecast an interesting documentary on how a family has integrated cultural aspects in house building and interior decoration.

Cost of such buildings are high for middle class and low income group people. 

I think that the same concept used to be adopted by village folk in their thatched roof mud houses, bamboo cots etc. until 30 years ago or so in our own country. Unfortunately we have ignored this aspect and embraced western concepts.

Bad MLAs and Government employees

It is 9.03 pm now. Electric power in our area went off 5 minutes ago. As I mentioned in my previous posts, this is a frequent happening in our area in Chennai. 

I understand that the area's MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) has a political obligation to communicate problems such as power cut to the State Government officials and try to fix the problem. It is a very well known fact that powercuts are common and many times they are as long as one hour in our area.

I tried to find the phone number or email ID of our MLA several times, but in vain.

This afternoon I heard from Polimer News TV Channel that the Tamilnadu Government has increased the monthly allowance of former MLAs from Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000. It is obvious that the salary of MLAs who are still in their posts is much higher.

I think that instead of giving large salaries to irresponsible, insensitive and evil MLAs, the Government should punish such MLAs severely with a minimum punishment of dismissal (not mere suspension) from service, alongwith imprisonment in single cells with only common toilets. Punishment should also be given to bad employees in Government departments.

Punishment should be so severe that evil MLAs (across barriers) don't even imagine contesting in any election in future. 

My beloved brother

This afternoon Amrita TV Channel telecast a very touching malayalam language movie named Edakkad Battalion 06.

The hero of the movie reminded me of my handsome and beloved brother.

During his college years, my brother was Battalion Under Officer in the Airforce Branch of National Cadet Corps unit in the College. It was a treat to the eyes when he used to dress up in his uniform to attend frequent training sessions and parades in the college grounds. He was tall and handsome.

I find it mentally very painful to bear the fact that I have lost my beloved brother.

I wish that his soul rests at the Lotus Feet of Lord Shree Krishna.

Jai Shree Krishnaa🙏.

Getting old

It is a proven fact that our physical well being gradually gets reduced as we become older. I am no exception.  

I don't have diabetes, breathing difficulty etc. My medical report is fine. My resting heart rate is fine. 

However in the past few weeks, I get dizzy for a few seconds more frequently than before; I also find myself weaker than before. Some times even making a cup of tea seems exhausting.

I wish that I die as early as possible before getting into complications, admittance in hospital etc. I wish to die without worrying my sister who is my only close relative, now that my beloved brother is no more.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fest

Today is a very auspicious day to Shree Mahaa Vishnu devotees. Today is Ekaadashi; I have described about it in my previous posts. Today is also the aaraadhana day of Shree Satyavijaya Theerthaa. The place where the saint entered Brindavana is located near Arani, a town in Tamilnadu. (This place known as Satyavijaya Nagaram is the native place of my maternal grandmother. I fondly remember her. One of her brothers known as 'Vaasu maamaa' was a Sanskrit scholar and served as Principal of a Sanskrit College near Mysuru, Karnataka, many years ago).

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

Pope Francis

WION TV CHANNEL telecast a detailed documentary on Pope Francis who passed away yesterday. Let me share the documentary here.

Let his soul rest in peace. 

Culture by design

I think that we like to integrate elements of our culture in interior designing, fabric designing etc. ABC AUSTRALIA TV CHANNEL has begun telecasting an interesting  series on this aspect. Let me share the first episode here.

Raw mango gravy

This morning I tried to cook raw mango gravy as side dish for my lunch. As mango itself is sour, I didn't add vinegar. It seemed to come up well as shown in the following photo:

By God's Grace, it was delicious. I think that this item is a perfect side dish for roti, chappathi or bread.

Divine discourse

In this evening's discourse on Shreemad Bhaagavath Kathaa, telecast by Aashthaa TV Channel, Shree Devkinandan Thaakurjee Maharaaj explained how people in Brindhaavan consedered Lord Shree Krishna very close to them. When relating to our current day to day relationships, he explained the inportance of a good brother and brother in law in a married man's life. I was fortunate in having a good brother in law by name Arun when I got married in 1982. Unfortunately his voices were suppressed by his evil minded parents and siblings leading to my divorce. I fondly remember Arun. I also remember Ramesh, my own brother (whose photo is given below). 

I wish that the souls of these two people are blessed by Lord Shree Krishna.

Jai Shree Krishnaa🙏.

Indian contributions ignored

This afternoon as I was viewing a news report on FRAANCE 24 TV Channel, it showed a building inside the famous Harvard University in the US. The building top displayed names of Greek philosophers. As any one would guess, this is a gesture of appreciation of Greek contribution. I don't object to it. But I find it uncomfortable that ancient Indian contributions are completely ignored not only in buildings in other countries but also in our own country, provided numerous evidence backed facts that most scientific discoveries that are believed to be made by Western Scientists were made by Hindu sages (who were engineers, doctors etc. as well) thousands of years earlier. Even our own school and college textbooks don't mention these facts. 

Let me give one example: It is believed that Captain Cook proved that our Earth is spherical in shape. According to ancient Indian scriptures, our Earth has always been known as 'Bhoo Golaa', meaning 'Spherical Earth', tens and thousands of years before Captain Cook. 

I don't think that school and college textbooks mention contributions by scholars such as Chanakya.

(I used to encourage my teaching staff to browse the Net, recognise reliable websites for appropriate information on contribution by our own ancestors, and provide the links to students).

I think that our Governments should bring in drastic improvements in how our textbooks are written.

New Year Greeting

Best wishes to all those who celeberate their traditional New Year Day today🙏.

Jai Shree Raam🙏

Traditional New Year Day

Today, people in Punjab celeberate their tradotional new year day as Baisaakhi. Tomorrow, people in Tamilnadu and Kerala celebrate the beginning of their new year. In general, tradional new year day is celeberated by people all over India and by people of Indian ancestry all over the world.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of three days long tradional new year day festivities in cointries such as Cambodia as well.

Best wishes for a happy and prosperous new year.

Trump's tariffs

It is good news for residents in USA that Mr Donald Trump has reduced tariff on smartphones, laptops etc.

Although I am neither an economist nor a political analyst, I am an ordinary middle class senior citizen who has been experiencing consumer issues like all people across barriers.

Every one would know how tariffs can influence our day to day living. In the early 1990s, when returning to India, I liked to bring my car that I had been using in Southern Africa, for my use in India. Unfortunately our Central Government had imposed 300% tax for import of cars that had been used even 3 years or more. At that time, buying a new car in India was relatively economical. It was after a few years when Shree P V Narasimha Rao was our Prime Minister and Shree Manmohan Singh, our Finance Minister, that drastic changes were made in the Government's Tax Policies and economic liberalisation began. It was a golden era.

Hanumaan's birthday

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. This day is celebrated as Hanumad Jayanthi, birth anniversary of Hanuman Ji, the greatest devotee and servant of Lord Shree Raam. Hanumaanji is well known for his valour, courage, simplicity and total devotion to Lord Shree Raam. 

(Former US President Barack Obama keeps a tiny prathimaa of Hanumaanji according a media report).

Saint Madhwaachaarya is considered to be a manifestation of Hanumaanji. 

Jai Shree Hanumaanji antargatha Shree Seetha Devi sametha Shree Raamaa🙏.

Vaishno Devi

It is nice that our National Channel has been telecasting highly spiritually enriching excellent quality programs. One of these is Vaishno Devi. 

Immediately after this program, the channel telecasts Kushmandi Raamaayanam. Today's episode featured evil attendant woman Mandaraa's brain washing Kaikeyi, wife of Dasaratha Maharaaja, and the consequences. As every one knows, this is a perfect example of how an evil minded wife can ruin her husband's life however good he may be. I can quote today's examples of such women; one is the woman to whom I got married in 1982 leading to divorce in 1991 or so; the other is a woman named Sarada, to whom my beloved brother got married.

I experienced the joy of viewing the former serial this evening and how it soothed my troubled mind.

I fondly remember my beloved brother's taking my beloved mother and me to the Vaishno Devi Temple near my residence in 2004 or so. I remember a Veena recital by Gayathri Devi in the temple primises that evrning.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

My niece's birthday

Today is the birthday of Sushma, my niece (sister's daughter). She was born on 10 April 1982. My blessings and best wishes to her. (I sent birthday greetings to her yesterday itself). 

Jai Shree Krishnaa🙏.

Divine discourse

It was joy viewing Shreemad Bhagavath Kathaa by Shri Atul Krishna Shastriji on Sanskaar TV Channel this evening. The charismatic youngster mentioned the importance of keeping close relationship with Lord Shree Krishna; he also mentioned the importance of keeping a distance in all all other relationships.

I fondly remember some thing that happened in January 1982 when I got married. My mother had arranged for a seperate accommodation for me and my newly married wife, near where my parents resided. I asked my mother why we could not stay in the same house where my parents stayed. She replied that it was better for us to stay separately and maintain a distance such that mother in law and daughter in law would be like good friends. She said that once the friendship improved, they could be accommodated in the same house where my beloved parents lived. She meant that being too close could breed contempt and that this was not good. 

I and my newly married wife stayed in the ground floor and my parents, in the first floor. We used to meet during breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

But unfortunately it so happened that I and my parents were cheated by my newly wed wife and her parents. The marriage had to end in divorce.

I also fondly remember my beloved brother who was a devotee of Lord Shree Krishna.

Jai Shree Krishnaa🙏.

Divine discourse

This evening, Sanskar TV Channel telecast Shreemad Bhagavath Kathaa by Shree Athul Krisha Shaasthreejee. As far as I know this charismatic youngster is a newcomer on stage. His discourse seemed to sooth my troubled mind.

Jai Shree Krishnaa🙏.

Lord Shree Raam Fest

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. This day is celebrated as Shree Raama Navami.

I fondly remember Shree Seshacharyulu Gaaru. He was my colleague when I was working in Nalanda Vidhya Niketan, Vijayawada. He used to take me to his house in Ibrahim Putnam near Vijayawada on some Friday evenings and provide delicious dinner. He also used to take me to Shree Raamaa's Temple near his residence. He and his brother used to maintain and serve in the Temple. I remember his having taken me on a visit to Kondapalli, a small village that is well known for it's Kondapalli toys.

Jai Shree Raam🙏.

Shree Swaami Naaraayan

Whenever possible, I derive the joy of listening to Shree Swaami Naaraayan Temple's Shree Nithyaswaroopadaasjee's divine discourse. It soothes my troubled mind.

I fondly remember my flights from Vadodara to Delhi and back in 2009 on some work. I just stayed overnight in a 5 star hotel in Delhi. Before checking out from my room, as I was packing my luggage (2 small briefcases full), I observed that my dhothi was made dirty and was a bit wet. There was very clear evidence that some one misused my dhothi in my absence. This kind of nasty happenings is not uncommon even in 5 star hotels due to evil employees and customers.

I left my dhoti, pants and shirt as well as the vessels that I used to perform daily Sandhyavandhanam, in the room itself.

By the time I returned to Vadodara, it was nearly 9.30 pm. My neighbour Jagdeesh, offered to drop me from the airport to my residence in his auto. En route, he took me to Swaamy Naaraayan Temple. I derived the Joy of having had the Dharshan of Swaamy Naaraayan. It was a great night. I remember Jagdeesh with with fondness.

Jai Shree Swaamy Naaraayanjee🙏.

Bhavaani Jayanthi

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. This day is celebrated as Bhavaani Jayanthi.

Jai Shree Bhavaani anthargatha Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

Jai Shree Bhavaani sametha Shree Rudraa🙏.

Food online

Although I had some dosa batter ready for my dinner this evening, due to toresomness, I placed order for mini tiffin from the popular Hotel Saravana Bhavan via  Swiggy. Swiggy and the supplying restaurants charge unreasonably heavily for the service. But still, most often, the food is very substandard. My tonight's dinner was no exception.

There are households that run catering services and deliver 100% vegetarian food items to single people as well as families at very reasonable charge. These establishments have a standard of supplying four side dishes (such as saambaar, rasam, curry and koottoo) at a fixed price of Rs 100 such that it is sumptuous for two people. When a person like me, who is not a big eater, who needs no more than two side dishes, requests these establishments, they reject the request stating that it is not cost effective unless the customer buys the whole package for Rs 100.

I think that neither our State Government nor Central Government are doing anything worthwhile in this direction so that numerous senior citizens who have no other option can have some relief from these catering outlets, irresponsible restaurants and supply chains such as Swiggy.

Culinary skills

I think that single senior citizen men of my age (73 years) don't really enjoy cooking food as they would have, when younger. 

I usually order my lunch and dinner from 100% vegetarian restaurants via Swiggy. As the quality of the food stuff ordered is usually substandard, I decided to cook some food myself this morning. I had a few tomatoes and ochra  (known in our country as ladies fingers) along with essential ingredients such as vinegar, sambar powder and green pepper. Instead of the common method of boiling rice, vegetables and lentils in separate containers in the pressure cooker, I cooked a mixture of the above mentioned items using my pressure cooker, as it is easier. The cooked product looked good as in the following photograph:

But when I ate it, it never tasted like a quality sambar rice.

All that glitters is not gold.

Divine Fish Fest

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. This day is celebrated as Mathsya Jayanthi.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa 🙏.

Traditional New Year Day

In Bhaarath Varsh (India), we celebrate our New Year Day based on our own customs and traditions. In Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharaashtraa etc. people celebrate to day as traditional New Year Day. In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh this day is known as Ugaadhi.

According to Bhavishya Puraanam, it was on this day that Lord Brahma began his creation task directed by Shree Mahaa Vishnu, millions and millions of years ago.

Let us wish a happy Ugaadhi to these people.

Today also marks the beginning of Shree Raama Navaraathri that ends on Shree Raama Navami, Lord Shree Raam's birth anniversary. 

Let me share the Ugaadhi blessings delivered by Shree Satyatma Theertha Swaamiji, our Guruji, in Kannada here.

Although today is supposed to be a day of happiness, I miss my beloved brother so much that my mind refuses to perceive today as a happy day; I didn't even like to order for sweets as is commonly done on such occasions. 

I only wish that I die as early as what God has decided and that I would meet my beloved parents and brother who had been with me in my present life time, in future, after a few days, months, several years or several hundreds of years. 

Jai Shree Raam🙏.

Lumumba's Africa

In today's episode of Russia Today TV Channel's 'Lumumba's Africa', Prof Lumumba spoke about the roles played by Non-Aligned Movement that consisted of several countries. At individual country levels, he mentioned the contributions by leaders such as Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and Tanzania's Julius Nyerere in freedom struggles.