Divine discourse

It was highly spiritually enriching to view Shree Raam Kathaa rendered by Shree Morari Bapujee on Aashthaa TV Channel this evening. He explained the contributions of Hanumaanjee in Raamaayanaa. He uses the respected Shree Raama Charitha Maanas for his discourses.

I remember my beloved mother singing verses from Shree Raama Charitha Maanas regularly; this respected text was part of her academic curriculum when she was studying for Vishaarad course run by Dakshina Bhaarath Hindi Prachaar Sabhaa. This diploma/certificate course was later concerted as a Bachelor's Degree Course. DBHPS awarded BA (Hindi) Degree to all those had received this Diploma/Certificate. When asked whether my mother would like to have it as Degree, she said that she was not keen in having it as a degree. 

My beloved brother

According to the Western Calender, yesterday marked the end of 10 months since my beloved brother passed away. I remember him with heavy heart. 

Following photo shows my brother:

It was taken in his family function held a few years ago. In the photograph, from R to L are my beloved sister, I, and my beloved brother. 

I wish that his soul is on it's way to Shree Mahaa Vishnu's Abode.

Sarvam Krishna Mayam🙏.

The Beatles

It is good news that The Beatles is due to release it's Anthology Volume 4 on 21 November. 

Divine discourse

As my blogposts may indicate, I spend my time listening to divine discourses by speakers on TV. One of them is Kripaluji Maharaj about whom I have mentioned in my previous posts.

In tonight's episode of his discourses, explained 'Bhakthi Saadhanaa'. When quoting verses from Scriptures, he usually quotes the Scripture as well as the serial number of the verse. I think that Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu has blessed him with enourmous memory power.

Hari Sarvoththamaa

Vaayu Jeevoththamaa🙏.

Lumumba's Africa

Today being Friday, it was interesting to view Lumumba's Africa presented by Prof P. L. O. Lumumba.

The Professor covered events in different parts of Africa from not only a political perspective but also a socio-economic perspective.

Thanks to RT for a very comprehensive series presented by a well educated neutral professor.

Hindu ritual

Today being Amaavaasyaa is a very auspicious day to Hindus. They remember their ancestors by performing ancestral worship ritual. I remember my beloved parents. 

Today is very auspicious being Wednesday on which Shree Mahaa Vishnu is the presiding deity.

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Today is the anniversary of the day on which Shree Padmanabha Theertha Swaamiji, a former Pontiff of our Uttaradi Mutt attained Vaikuntha, Shree Mahaa Vishnu's Abode.

Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum🙏.

African Legacy

This afternoon, it was pleasure viewing African Legacy, presented by Ms Samia Nkrumah, charismatic daughter of Mr Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of post-colonial Ghana.

Lumumba's Africa

I felt a little sad that my favourite program 'Lumumba's Africa' was not available on RT TV Channel for the past few weeks. It was pleasure to view the program presented by charismatic Prof. Lumumba this afternoon. 

He mentioned about Angola and a few other countries in Africa (wrongly known as 'Dark Continent').

Thanks to Prof Lumumba. I think that he is a God given gift to African youth.

Childrens' Day

Today is an important day in India. This day is celeberated as Childrens' Day.

Sarvam Krishna Mayam🙏.

Swaminarayan

In a few previous posts, I  have mentioned about Swaminarayan places of worship with headquarters in Gujarat. I had always thought that 'Swaminarayan' meant an incarnation or manifestation of Shree Mahaa Vishnu. 

Day before yesterday I was lisrening to a divine discourse by one of the elders in our Madhwaa Community. He was mentioning about ISKCON, Swaminarayan faith etc. 

This aroused my curiosity and yesterday I visited Swamynarayan website; I found that the name implied a sage and not any incarnation or manifestation of Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu. 

I think that Swamynarayan places of worship should be treated somewhat like Mutts and not as Temples, although these places of worship seem to be involved in worship of a devotee of Shree Mahaa Vishnu.

National Education Day

Today is celeberated as National Education Day in India, our country.

Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum🙏

Media mischief

It is a well known fact that news reports by media are not always neutral and factual. Recent news from the BBC adds weight to the scepticism. (As I am typing now, power supply is cut in our area in Chennai; God knows when it will be restored. As I have written in my earlier posts, power cuts are very common and frequent here).

People of my age (at 74) would know how much trust worthy BBC Radio and TV were many years ago. 

I remember the authenticity of BBC World Service Radio Reports during the mid 1960s when I was a teenager and when the news readers began their news by saying "This is London...".

Inside our own country, readers would know how the reliability levels got reduced in popular newspapers such as  THE HINDU. These media became mouth pieces of political parties in power.

Post-Internet, every one knows how unreliable can social media be (including those involved in dissemination of News).

As I have mentioned in my previous posts, technology in evil hands is dangerous, whether it is in our classrooms or social media and News Networks.

Cooking ordeal

Due to low quality online ordered food, I myself cooked some rice and cabbage gravy this morning for lunch. The gravy seemed to be okay as shown in the following photograph:

It was not delicious. But still I ate it as I didn't want to waste my money spent on raw materials such as cabbage, lentils, rice etc. and LPG. I realise that not every one can be an effecient cook.

For the past few years, I realise the importance of not wasting money.

Online shopping oddity

Last night I placed an order for 2 pooris with potato masala from Bakya Restaurant, Valasaravakkam, here in Chennai, via Swiggy. It cost Rs 100 according to Swiggy list. As usual, I had to pay extra for delivery. I paid Rs 174 via Google Pay. 

When my beloved brother was alive, I have eaten at the restaurant and found the quality of Pooris to be good. 

But this time, when I tried to eat the pooris, it looked like rotis; potato masala had very bad taste. Hence I rated the product as '1' on their 5 point scale.

I think that senior citizens married to caring wives are very fortunate. 

NYC Mayor

It seems like a welcome gesture in Zorab Zamdani's win as New York City mayor. It's a pround moment for numerous Indians as well as Africans.

I hope that his pledges such as free bus services in NY, free childcare upto 5 years of age, etc. are fulfilled.

Best wishes to him.

Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fest

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. Today is Wednesday and Shree Mahaa Vishnu Himself is the Presiding Deity of Wednesdays.

Today is Kaarthik Pournima. Devotees perform Shree Vedavyaasa poojaa.

Today is also celebrated as Gowri Poornima.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

Online oddity

A few days ago, I placed  an order for plum fruits from Swiggy Instamart listing. Although the material was delivered in '10 minutes', the fruits were rotten. According to Instamart, the fruits were imported from South Africa. An image of the fruits was displayed as shown below in the Swiggy Instamart online portal:

I am never particularly keen in buying imported items. Unfortunately there was no other plum fruit advertisement in the list. I tried to provide link to the material as listed in Instamart app, but in vain.

I regret that I wasted my money on rotten fruits.

All that glitters is not gold. 

Culture Crossroads

NHK WORLD JAPAN TV telecast an interesting documentary on an Cultural Integration between Indian community and local residents. The documentary included a few grocery stores that sell Indian food items uncluding herbs, masala powders etc. I nostalgically remember Aman restaurant (owned by a group of people from Bihar and Nepal) and a grocery store owned by Bangladesh man (married to a local woman); these two were in Phnom Penh, where I was resident. I remember how their products made my cooking easier and 'Indian'. 

Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fest

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. In some places such as Tamilnadu, Bengaluru etc., this day is celeberated as Uththaana Ekaadashi. In some other places, it was celebrated yesterday.

In our Uttharaadhi Mutt, respected Shree Satyatma Theertha Swaamiji, Chief saint of the Mutt will perform Thulasi Vivaaham this evening in addition to his daily Moola Raama Poojaa.

Vaasudevam sarvam ithi (All happen according to Shree Vaasudevaa's Will)🙏

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

The Beatles

Yesterday, Sony Picture announced a Four Films Cinematic version of the story of The Beatles, (legendary softrock band of the 1960s era) that would be released in 2028. It seems like The Beatles legacy is going on. The 'Fab Four', their team and their songs will be remembered by fans for years to come.