Tomorrow is a very auspicious day in the Maadhwaa Brahmin community. This day is celebrated as Madhwa Jayanthee every year. Shree Madhwaachaarya was the founder pontiff of our Madhwaa Sect of Brahmins.
Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. This day is celeberated as Vijaya Dashami by Hindu people all over the world. In South India people perform Aayudha Poojaa on this day. Let me share an informative article on aayudha poojaa here.
Today marks the end of this year's Navarathree/Dusseraa celebrations. On this day in many Hindu households, children are guided by priests or close relatives such as parents or grandparents to learn the alphabets and begin their life long learning as shown in the image at the end of this paragraph. Children are guided to write on a plate filled with white rice with their fingers held by the guide. This ritual is known as Akshara Abhyaasam, Vidhyaa Aarambham etc.
Shree Krishnam Vandhe Jagadh Gurum🙏
Hari SarvoththamaaVaayu jeevoththamaa🙏
Music is said to be universal with no geographic barriers. Today WION TV's Wion Wings telecast as interesting programme featuring Sitar music by Shubendu Rao and didgeridoo played by an Australian musician.
Today being Friday, I had the opportunity of viewing 'Lumumba's Africa' on RT TV Channel. I tried to provide a link to the program, but in vain.
In today's episode, Prof P L O Lumumba explained many aspects of Pan Africanism. Some of the information seem new to me as these are not usually available in popular books or social media. One such is the scarfices made by African leaders such as Dr Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia and Dr Julius Nyerere of Tanzania. Prof Lumumba mentioned that when they were Presidents of their countries, Dr Kaunda's financial assets were only US $6000 and and Dr Nyerere owned just two houses, one in Dar Es Salaam and the other in a Tanzanian village. They were simple. Both were known as followers of Gandhian values.
As I am typing this post, I derive the joy of viewing Dharma Rakshana Mahothsavam on Sankara TV Channel. Heads of Shree Sankaraa Mutt (Kanchipuram), Vyaasaraaja Mutt and Ahobila Mutt are the Chief guests in the program. Speakers included the Principal of Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi and Prof Dr V Kamakoti, Director, Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai. Principal of Central Sanskrit University spoke in Samskrit.
The program was like a sacred confluence of three oceans. It reminded the fact that although Adwaithaa, Visishtaa Dwaithaa and Dwaithaa differ in their own philosophies, their goal was one: Dharmaa and it's sustenance.
(The program reminded me of my beloved mother's maternal uncle known as 'Vaasu maamaa'; he was no more when I was born; but I have heard about him. As I mentioned in my previous posts, I inherit my spiritual values from my mother's lineage).
While our BJP led Government has brought in many schemes that benefit the middle income and low income citizens and their families, it has made things worse in many areas. One such is the updating of residential address in Aadhaar Card.
A few years ago, a legally valid Rental Agreement was accepted for updating the address. But now it is history. Today, any legally valid Rental Agreement or Declaration by the Apartment/House owner is not included in the list of documents. A bank passbook, mobile phone bill, electricity bill and gas bill are accepted. But banks, phone connection supplier, Electricity Board and Gas Agency expect the new address to be reflected in Aadhaar Card before they can update the address in their records. This is highly frustrating. Particularly so when it concerns Senior Citizens. I think that citizens in general and senior citizens in particular are treated like beggars.
I have been trying to get my address updated in my Aadhaar Card for the past two months but in vain.
I strongly think that our Central Government is putting more pressure and unnecesssary tension in Senior Citizens in performing simple tasks such as Address Updating. This is very frustrating. I wish that some other political party that is 100% sensitive to citizen rights and 100% free from inefficiency and corruption comes to power in our country. Or else the Supreme Court should instruct the Government to function properly in all areas of development.
This evening Reshma, my niece, sent a photograph of her with her beloved mother (my beloved sister) taken during Deepaavali Fest at their house in Vellore a few years ago.
As I mentioned in a previous post, my sister passed away nearly six months ago. I fondly remember her with heavy heart.
As I mentioned in my yesterday's post, today marks the beginning of Nava Raathree Festival. Hindus all over the world celebrate this auspicious Fest.
Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏
Tomorrow marks the beginning of Navaraathri Fest (Ten nights fest). Women in Hindu households set up dolls this evening and begin the Fest tomorrow.
I fondly remember how my beloved mother prepared for the Fest. My beloved father, I, my sister and brother helped her in the process to some extent. I have described how we celeberated in a few previous posts.
Before shifting to my current residence, I was residing as tenant in the house of a retired Engineer. As I have mentioned in my previous posts, he and his wife are well qualified Engineers and are adorably simple and good natured.
After shifting residence, I phone to my landlord and his wife; they too phone to me some times. This evening I had a phone call from my landlord's wife on her own behalf and in her husband's behalf. As with all good friends, we inquire about each other's welfare.
This afternoon I received a photo of their dolls arranged for the fest. Following is the photo:
Advanced Nava Raathree wishes to them.
Shree Krishnam Vandhe Jagadh Gurum🙏
Today is a very auspicious day in the Sanaathana Dharmaa Calender. This is the last day of the 15 days long Pithru Paksha (also known as Mahalaya Paksha). Ancestral worship is performed during this period.
Today is the anniversary of the day on which Shree Madhava Theertha attained the lotus feet of Lord Shree Krishna.
Hari Sarvoththamaa Vaayu jeevoththama🙏
Today is the birth anniversary of John Lennon of The Beatles, the legendary softrock band of 1960s and '70s.
I think that people of my age at 75 will keep remembering songs written and performed by John and the other three guys (Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr).
I vividly remember the sunny morning on 8 December 1980, the day on which he was shot dead. I was home on 2 months long annual vacation from my work in Bhutan. I and my parents were in Tirunelveli, a town in Tamilnadu; we performed aayush homam for my beloved father's welfare. My brother was working in Tirunelveli as Senior Sales Representative in a popular FMCG Company. My sister was in her matrimonial home in Vellore.
That day was very important to me as it was the birth anniversary of Ramesh, my beloved brother. With heavy heart I remember my beloved brother.
Yesterday I booked for an auto (autorickshaw) to pick me up at 9.30 am this morning. I was ready by 9.20 am. At 9.40 am, the auto guy said "Aiyaa, I'll come in 15 minutes after dropping my brother at his school". This kind of lack of time management is unfortunately very common in our country. I think that mamy of us need to learn time management from westerners.
Movie actors come and go; some are remembered by their fans for years. One such actor was Nana Patekar. As Shree Narendra Modi, our PM remarked in his condolence message, Nana Patekar has left a void in our movie industry.
This evening I tried to update my address in my Aadhaar Card in their website. As it didn't work, I installed the App. As required in the App, I entered my Aadhar Number and my RMN. The App prompted me to get my face authenticated. I tried nearly 10 times. Every time it ended with the following message: "Time out". I experienced the same difficulty two weeks ago.
I don't understand how the Aadhaar App lacks quality and thereby puts people into difficulty. It is very very frustrating.
I think that our Central Government is ineffective in such matters. They do need to fix such issues in a practical manner rather than just promising things glamorously and theoretically.
Today is a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calender. Being Wednesday, Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu is today's Presiding Deity. Being Dwaadashi, Shree Hari manifestation of Lord Shree Mahaa Vishnu is today's Presiding Deity. Devotees offer special worship to Shree Mahaa Vishnu today.
Today is a very important day in recent history of Bhaarath, our great country, as the birth anniversary of Gandhiji.
I nostalgically remember my boyhood days when this day used to celeberated by all communities.
I also remember my memorable visit to Gandhiji's Phoenix Aashram when I was working in Southern Africa in late 1980s and early 1990s. The Ashram was set up by Gandhiji.
It was pleasure viewing a travel program featuring Ireland on travelXP. I have had a special liking for Ireland as it is a relatively peaceful country unlike it's neighbour Northern Ireland. This country is the birth place of many poets, novelists and dramatists. This country's classical dancing traditions are immensely interesting as depicted in movies such as Titanic in which the hero, played by Leonardo, is a youngster from rural Ireland.
I remember viewing this movie in Mahesh Reddy's house on a sunny afternoon in Chittoor in 1998. Mahesh Reddy was the CEO of Camford English Schools.
I joined their Senior School as Principal the next day. Chittoor has always had a special place in my heart as my birth place. My maternal grandparents were settled there.
Many formerr US Presidents including J F Kennedy and Bill Clinton are said to be from Irish ancestry.
teavelXP TV Channel is an informative channel. Still, I don't like many of their shows that show half nude women and men. Such shows need to be banned.
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🙏
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.
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.
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:
As I am typing this post, I am viewing an interesting TV documentary 'INSIDE TOYOTA'.
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 still miss my Toyota Corolla.
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🙏
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.
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.
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.
Jai Shree Mahaa Lakshmi sametha Shree Anantha Padhmanaabha Swameejee🙏
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.
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.
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
Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏
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🙏
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🙏
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🙏
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.
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🙏
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🙏
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🙏
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.
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🙏
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".
