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🙏  

Exemplary young family

I hope that I don't bore readers when I write on non-spiritual things. 

As in most Senior Citizen Home dining halls, most of mini conversations confine to "Good morning, Have a nice day" etc.

This afternoon, when having my lunch, I saw a small family consisting of husband and wife and their two children (a girl and a boy). The husband seems like in his late 30s or early 40s by age. He was in very traditional dress of Pancha kaccham and Anga vasthram. His wife was in traditional Bhaaratheeya saree, their daughter in tradional Bhaaratheeya skirt and Bhaaratheeya top, and son attired like his father. The father and son were wearing traditional Vaishnavite (Iyengaar) mudraa on their foreheads. Except the head of the family, they were having their lunch when I left the dining hall after finishing my lunch. As soon as I came out, I saw the young man (head of the family) performing his afternoon Sandhyavandhanam on the raised resting platform (known as 'thinnai' in Tamil) in front of a house. 

It seemed like an exemplary nuclear family.

Shree Krishnam Vandhe Jagadh Gurum🙏 

Saint Fest

Today is a very auspicious in the Sanaathana Dharmaa Calender. This is the anniversary of the day on which Shree Raaghavendra Swaameejee attained the lotus feet of Lord Shree Krishna. 

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏

Lizard menace

This afternoon I saw a  lizard crawling on the wall of my bedroom. Hence I have abandoned my hope of getting rid of these little monsters. I think that I do have to face this situation whether I like it or not. There is no other way.

Lizard menace

In yesterday's post, I shared my uncomfortable life with lizards in my house. This evening as I stepped in to my living room, I saw a 6 cm long lizard running past toward the back of the inverter placed at one corner. Immediately I opened the main door and the mosquito mesh door attached to it, as these were very near the cornered inverter. I took a long plastic broom and luckily let the lizard get out of my house. Honestly, I  felt like I 'achieved' something significant. I hope that the creature finds comfort outside and that there are no lizards in my house any more. 

I am not against lizards. However, like many people, I don't relish lizards' company in my house. That's all.

Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fest

Today is a very auspicious in the Sanaathana Dharmaa Calender. Today is Friday on which Shree Mahaa Lakshmi, our Devine Mother is the Presiding Deity. 

Today is celeberated as Shree Hayagreeva Jayanthi. Devotees offer special worship to Shree Hayagreeva manifestation of Shree Mahaa Vishnu on this day.

Today, married women observe Varalakshmi Vratham and perform Varalakshmi Poojaa.

Today is the day of appearance of Lord Balaraam, elder brother of Lord Shree Krishna according to ISKCON Centre, Bengalooroo.

Today is also auspicious as the day of Yajurvedi Upaakarmaa; on this day Yajurvedi Brahmin boys and men replace their old yagnjopaveethaas (sacred threads) by new ones. It is a ritual of spiritual recharging. 

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏