Ancestral worship

Day before yesterday, I performed ancestral worship of my beloved parents and brother. As I mentioned in day before yesterday's post, worship is performed not only to ancestors but also to all others who passed away including relatives, friends and acquaintances. 

Although my beloved sister too passed away, according to Sanaathana Dharmaa Scriptures, I can begin performing the ritual for her only after one year goes by after her demise. In my next year's ritual I intend adding her and Naagamani maausee  (my beloved mother's elder sister) and Shree Balaji Rao (her husband). I like and respect them. My maternal aunt and her husband were very good, unlike other relatives of that generation. 

Shree Krishnam Vandhe Jagadh Gurum🙏 

Google's birthday

According to Google Doodle in Google , Info, Google celebrates it's birthday. As all of us know, Google has brought in numerous benefits to us. It has helped in many areas including Education.

Ancestral worship

Today is a very auspicious day in the Sanaathana Dharmaa Calender. It begins the 15 days long Mahaalaya Paksha. Ancestors, relatives and friends who have passed away are worshipped with specific spiritual rituals during this period. I performed the ritual for my beloved parents and beloved brother this morning.

My beloved parents 

My beloved brother 

En route the venue where I performed the rirual, I spotted a beautiful peacock as shown in the following photo amidst green plants:

Peacock is of special significance to Indians. It is our national bird. It is a vaahanaa of Shree Kaarthikeyaa, one of the sons of Lord Rudhraa. Most importantly, it is close to Lord Shree Krishna.

Lord Shree Krishna 

Shree Krishnam Vandhe Jagadh Gurum🙏 

Message from my niece

A few minutes ago Reshma, my niece (my beloved sister's younger daughter) sent a few photoes when Harish, her cousin (her paternal uncle's son) visited her family. Let me share the photoes as follows:

L to R: Baby Agasthyaa (Reshma's baby boy), Reshma, Harish and Murali (My sister's husband)

L to R: Satheesh (Reshma's husband) and others mentioned in the previous photo

Reshma and Satheesh work as Electronics and Communication Engineer and Mechanical Engineer turned IT Engineer respectively. I think that Harish works as an Engineer and is settled in the US. He is married to a caucasian girl and they have a son.

Toyota Corolla

As I am typing this post, I am viewing an interesting TV documentary 'INSIDE TOYOTA'.

Screenshot from the doc

Screenshot from the doc 

As a self driving car owner and driver who had driven my favourite Toyota Corolla 1.3 L for a few years when I was working in Southern Africa, I had first hand experiences with my indispensable car. When I returned to India, I liked to bring my car with me. But unfortunately Government of India had fixed 300% customs duty for any car new or used. Hence as it was not economically feasible, I sold my car in Southern Africa itself and bought a locally manufactured car after return from Southern Africa. 

I and my car in 1990

I and my car 1987

I still miss my Toyota Corolla. 

Shree Rudhra Paarvathi Fest

Tomorrow is a very auspicious in the Sanaathana Dharmaa Calender. Devotees perform Uma Maheswara Vratham on this day and offer special worship to Shree Rudhraa and His wife Shree Paarvathee.

Shree Paarvathee sametha Shree Rudradeva anthargatha Shree Lakshmi Narasimhaa🙏

Shree Paarvathee sametha Shree Rudradeva anthargatha Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏

Shree Paarvathee sametha Shree Rudhraa Devaa🙏

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏

Multicultural melting pot

This morning I had the opportunity of viewing two interesting documentary shows: One on DW TV and the other on Aljazeera TV. Both feaured multiculturalism. I tried to provide a link to the DW documentary in this post, but in vain; it was not listed even in DWTV'S 'Latest Episodes' and was not available on Utube.

The Aljazeera doc featured Africans and Indians recruited to work as slaves in sugar plantations in the Carribean. Despite the hardships that these people faced, Indians managed to preserve their cultural and traditions. 

Viewing the two documentaries was somewhat like reading a novel by Mark Twain.

I think that our youngsters should be guided to view such serials so that they can appreciate the values handed down by ancestors and follow them to this day.

Tigray in turbulence

This morning I heard a news report that violence has erupted again in Tigray region in Ethiopia. 

I nostalgically remember a few weeks of my stay in Makelle, capital town of Tigrai, along with my fellow country folks from India; we were teachers recruited to teach different subjects in Ethiopian Government Senior Secondary Schools. I remember our visits to restaurants, shopping centres and cinema halls that showed popular Hindi language movies from our country. 

I particularly remember one evening when I and Sebastian (Sebastian Perumcheril John), my Malayaalee colleague from Keralam, had our dinner at Abraha Castle, a castle turned restaurant. The gravy was vegetarian and made of green leaves. It was delicious. There was my favourite 'makkiatho' (strong coffee with milk).

I wish that peace returns to the region as early as possible.

Shree Lakshminaaaraayan Fest

Today is a very auspicious day in the Sanaathana Dharmaa Calender. Devotees perform special worship to Shree Anantha Padhmanaabha Swami and perform Anantha Chathurdhashi Vratham on this day. Today is Friday; Shree Mahaa Lakshmi, wife of Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu is the presiding Deity on Fridays.

Today special poojaas and functions are held in temples dedicated to Shree Ananthapadhmanaabha Swamee and all His Incarnations and Manifestations all over the world. There are numerous temples dedicated to Shree Anantha Padhmanaabha Swamee, such as this one.

Supreme Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu and His wife Shree Mahaa Lakshmi 

Jai Shree Mahaa Lakshmi sametha Shree Anantha Padhmanaabha Swameejee🙏

Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fest

Tomorrow is a very auspicious day in the Sanaathana Dharmaa Calender. Devotees perform Anantha Chathurdhashi Vratham on this day. This Vratham is also known as Anantha Vratham. I fondly remember my beloved mother performing Anantha Chathurdhashi Pooja.

My beloved parents 

Anantha Padhmanaabha Swaamee with Shree Mahaa Lakshmi 

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏

Dining table difficulty

There is an old idiom "There's many a slip between the cup and the lip". Something that happened during my dinner some time ago reminded me of the idiom that was popular during my school and college days.

In our indigenous food, rice, wheat pancakes and vegetable gravy (known as "saambaar") are very popular. This evening I found that the gravy served to us had a better aroma than the one served so far. I was glad about the welcome change. 

I began eating my dinner with the new gravy. Within minutes, the guy sitting opposite to me coughed out loudly right on the table. He seems a few years younger than me. I am 75. I intended to order for some more gravy. But this guy's cough put me and my intention off.

A few weeks ago, a middle aged guy was seated opposite to me. When both of us were in the middle of our lunch, he broke his 'appalam' with such a force that a large piece fell on my plate, viz. banana leaf, on which our food is usually served.

Three appalams on a plate

There is an elderly woman who comes to our dining hall daily just like myself, the above mentioned guys and many other senior citizens who use the dining hall daily. This woman has the habit of making some peculiar noise when chewing food.

Although I always try to occupy a chair near an empty table, it becomes futile.

Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fest

Tomorrow is a very auspicious day in the Sanaathana Dharmaa Calender. It is the anniversary on which Shree Mahaa Vishnu incarnated as Lord Shree Vaamanaa, billions of years ago. This day is celeberated as Shree Vaamana Jayanthee. 

Lord Vaamanaa setting His foot

 on

King Mahaa Bali 

As far as I know, this Avathaar (immediately followed by Shree Thrivikramaa Avathaar took place only for a few hours just like Shree Narasimha Avathaar. 

As far as I know, Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu blessed King Mahaa Bali and placed him as King in Paathaala Loka. On Mahaa Bali's request, Shree Mahaa Vishnu granted permission to King Mahaa Bali to visit his former kingdom on Earth once every year. Every year this day is celeberated as Onam festival in Keralam and Malayaalee people across barriers all over the world.

Let us go on a virtual pilgrimage to a revered Shree Vaamanaa temple here. Although I visited a few Shree Mahaa Vishnu temples in Ernakulam when I was working there in 1984 and 1985, I regret that it didn't strike me to this temple and have dharshan of Lord Shree Vaamana who has been blessing the city by His Grace. Let us visit a website containing a temple dedicated to Shree Thrivikramaa here.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏

Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fest

As Ekaadashi, today is a very auspicious day in the Sanaathana Dharmaa Calender. Devotees offer special worship to Shree Mahaa Vishnu and His Wife Shree Mahaa Lakshmi by fasting for the whole day today and the following night. According to Scriptures, those below 8 years and above 80 years of age, and those who lack physical strength can consume fruits and milk on Ekaadashi days.

Among Chaathurmaasya vrathaas, dhadhivrathaa ends and ksheera vrathaa begins today.

Today is also an auspicious day in the Maadhwaa calender as the anniversary of the day on which Shree Sathyesha Theertha Swaamiji attained the lotus feet of Lord Shree Krishna.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏

Shree Raam's Life History

It was highly spiritually enriching to view this morning's episode of 'Jan jan me Raam' telecast on our National Channel of DD.

I tried to provide a link to this morning's episode of the serial, but in vain, as usual.

I think that this highly interesting and informative series featuring all places and events related to Lord Shree Raam's life on Earth, and presented by a team of educated men and youth attired in dignified contemporary costumes should mandatorily be screened in all our schools, colleges and Universities. Post Internet, IT has been helping us immensely in many aspects. One such is authentic aadhyaathmic info that is readily accessible just by a click in Google Search, Google Maps, Utube etc. There is no doubt that if IT is used in the right way, it can be highly effective to know more in the spiritual domension. I think that most of us, irrespective of class, creed, location and age, are experiencing it.

Such serials will effectively address the issue of how to be modern as well as purely Shree Mahaa Vishnu concious in today's context.

Jai Shree Seethaa Raam🙏

Maadhwaa poet

Today is an auspicious in the Maadhwaa calender. This day is celeberated as anniversary of the day on which Shree Jagannaatha Daasaa, a popular Kannadaa language Vaishnavite poet attained the lotus feet of Lord Shree Krishna. 

Shree Krishnam Vandhe Jagadh Gurum🙏 

PM's birthday

Today is Shree Narendra Modi's birthday. Best wishes to him.

My beloved mother's birthday

Today is a very important day  to me as the birth anniversary of my beloved mother according to Western Calender. I wish that her soul is at the Lotus Feet of Lord Shree Krishna and serves Him eternally.

My beloved parents 

Shree Krishnam Vandhe Jagadh Gurum🙏 

Our Swamiji's message

Since the beginning of the four months long Chaathurmaasya Vratham period last month, I am trying to derive spiritual joy by listeniing to divine discourses by respected Shree Satyatma Theertha Swaamiji, Chief Pontiff of our Uttaradi Mutt. This evening, I had the joy of listening about Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh. As our Swamiji mentioned, Sanaathana Dharmaa Organizations such as RSS are very essential in today's context.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏

Divine Discourse

In this morning's Shree Raam Kathaa discourse, respected Shree Morari Bapujee threw spiritual light on Rishi Panchami and mentioned the importance of offering respect to Rishis (Sages). 

I think that this means offering worhip to Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu residing in the heart of Bhaarathiramana Mukhyapraana residing in the hearts of Sages. 

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏

Sanaathana Dharmaa Fest

Today is a very auspicious day in the Sanaathana Dharmaa Calender. Brahmin ladies and gents perform Rishi Panchami ritual on this day every year.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏

My beloved dad's death anniversary

Today is a very important day for me. According to our Sanaathana Dharmaa Calender, today is the death anniversary of my beloved father. I performed his Shraddha ceremony this morning. I wish that the souls of my beloved parents are at the Lotus Feet of Lord Shree Krishna. 

My beloved parents 

Hari Sarvoththamaa 

Vaayu jeevoththama🙏

Ganesha Fest

Today is a very auspicious day in the Sanaathana Dharmaa Calender. This is the birth anniversary of Lord Shree Ganesha. Ganesha is considered to be an important deity in removing obstacles in our good deeds or spiritual and material development on Shree Mahaa Vishnu's order. He was also the writer of the revered Epic Mahaa Bhaarathaa as Lord Vedavyaasa, an Incarnation of Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu,  composed and dictated the verses. 

L to R: Lord Shree Vedavyaasa and Shree Vinaayakaa

This day is celeberated as Vinaayaka Chathurthi. Devotees offer special worship to Shree Mahaa Vishnu residing in the heart of Lord Shree Ganeshaa.

Iheard from a divine discourse by a spritual speaker that Lord Ganesha himself says that he got all his powers such as removing obstacles by chanting the Divine Name of Lord Shree Raam with Shree Seethaa Devi, as mentioned by Shree Vedavyaasa in 'Ganesha Puraanam'.

Shree Krishnam Vandhe Jagadh Gurum🙏

Jai Shree Seethaa Raam🙏 

My beloved father's birth anniversary

According to Western Calender, today is the birth anniversary of my beloved father. I have never seen a strict Government Higher Secondary School Headmaster like him. He was also Member of Senate of the University of Madras. He received best teacher award by the Tqmilnadu Government. My mother was behind him always and she gave all support that a good wife could give to her husband. As an old adage says "There is a woman behind every man's success".

My beloved parents 

Jai Shree Mahaa Lakshmi sametha Shree Varaaha Roopena Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏

Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fest

Today is a very auspicious in the Sanaathana Dharmaa Calender. This is the day on which Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu incarnated as Lord Shree Varaahaa billions of years ago. This day is celeberated as Shree Varaaha Jayanthi.

Lord Shree Varaaha with His wife Shree Mahaa Lakshmi 

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏

Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fests

Today is a very auspicious in the Hindu Calender. This day is the anniversary of the day on which Shree Mahaa Vishnu incarnated as Lord Dhanvanthri and is celebrated as Dhanvanthri Jayanthi. Today is also the birth anniversary of Lord Balaraam. Thus day is celeberated as Balaraama Jayanthi.

L to R: Idols of Lord Balaraam (Lord Shree Krishna's brother), Subadhraa (Lord Shree Krishna's sister and Lord Shree Jagannaath (Lord Shree Krishna)🙏

As I mentioned in a few of my previous posts, D D National Channel telecasts 'Jan jan me Raam', Life History of Lord Shree Raam as taken from Sage Vaalmeeki's famous Epic 'Raamaayan'. The serial features the incidents described in the Epic in contemporary context. It is amazing that sacred places of interest such as Chithrakoot Dhaam are preserved with great care. Our beloved PM Shree Narendra Modi deserves praise in his efforts in this direction. I tried to provide a link to today's episode, but in vain, as usual.

Screenshot from the serial

L to R: Lord Shree Lakshminaaaraayan and His wife Shree Mahaa Lakshmi🙏

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏

Africa

Being Friday, it was interesting to watch today's episode of Lumumba's Africa by Prof P L O Lumumba this morning.

Besides discussing many aspects of African history and it's relevance today, the charismatic Prof mentioned Steve Biko and explained the Black Conscious Movement that Biko founded and shaped in the 1960s.

I remember a very popular movie titled 'Cry Freedom' based on Steve Biko's life history. This movie was directed by the legendary director Richard Attenborough who also directed 'Gandhi', the famous movie based  on  our respected Gandhiji' life history.

Cry Freedom was screened in many places including schools in Southern Africa, a clear indication of how Africans in general and South Africans in particular respect their culture and traditions and their socio-political leaders.

Ekaadashi

Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender and is observed as Aja Ekaadashi. Devotees perform special worship to  our Supreme Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu and fast on this day. Presiding Deity of Ekaadashi day is Dharmaa (Righteousness). In his 17th day Chaathurmaasya Discourse delivered on 24 August (last month), our revered Sri Satyatma Tirtha Swaamiji of our Uttaradi Mutt said that according to Shreemadh Bhaagavatham, Shree Hayagreeva Swaameejee, an Incarnation of Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu, is known as 'Dharmaa'. 

Shree Lakshmee Hayagreeva Swaamee

It was joy listening to the seventh day of the divine discourse on Shree Raama by respected Morari Bapujee at Shree Krishna Mutt in Udipi, Karnatakaa. As usual he explained the life history of Lord Shree Raam. He also explained aspects of Lord Shree Krishna.  

Shree Bapuji usually uses Goswami Thulasidas's Shree Raam Charith Maanas as reference. I came to know of this sacred work by hearing my beloved mother's chanting of verses from Shree Raam Charith Maanas  many years ago.

My beloved parents 

I had always thought that Goswami Thulasidas's Raam Charith Maanas was only about Lord Shree Raam. From today's discourse, I came to know some thing new. Bapuji's discourses include verses from Raam Charith Maanas. These verses are displayed on the TV screen. Today I found that the displayed verses contained Lord Shree Krishna's aspects also as you can see in the TV Screen shot shown below:

I think that Raam Charith Maanas probably contains info on Lord Shree Krishna too.

Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu 

Hari Sarvoththamaa🙏

Vaayu Jeevoththamaa🙏

Lord Shree Krishna Fest

Today is a very auspicious in the Hindu Calender. It is the anniversary of the day on which Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu incarnated as Lord Shree Krishna. Today is celebrated as Shree Krishna Jayanthee. This day is also known as Gokulaashtamee. This year's birth anniversary is doubly sacred as it comes on Ashtami thithi as well as Rohini nakshathraa.

Let me share the special Shree Krishna Jayanthee by Sri Satyatma Tirtha Swamiji here.

Lord Shree Krishna's avathaar as child of Devakee and Vasudevaa

Shree Krishnam Vandhe Jagadh Gurum🙏

Dining hall conversation

Two or three days ago, I met Satheesh, a young gentleman of about 40 by age in our dining hall. We had a formal introduction and a brief conversation. I was glad to see exemplary qualities of simplicity and cordiality in him. 

Nowadays I don't remember names of people whom I meet for the first time. It is probably an indication of early dementia. However, I remember this gentleman's name, as my niece's (my sister's daughter) husband's name is also Satheesh.

I think that our country needs young people such as Satheesh in key decision making positions in all areas of Public Public Administration. 

With a very straightforward and honest leader like Shree Narendra Modi, such a team can bring back the glory of our ancient country.

Divine Discourse

It is spiritually enriching to view Shree Raam Kathaa discourse by respected Morari Bapujee from sacred Udupee, Karnaatakaa State, on Aashthaa TV Channel this evening.

Amidst many divine Krishnaa aspects, Baapujee mentioned how Lord Shree Krishna used the term "Bhaarath" in his 'Shreemadh Bagavadh Geetha'.

Arjuna bowing to Lord Shree Krishna 

Shree Krishnam Vandhe Jagadh Gurum🙏