From Mahaa Lakshmi to Mantraalayam

Past week contained four important days in the Hindu calendar. These were the days on which Mahaa Varalakshmi Vratam, Hayagreeva Jayanthi, Upaakarmaa and 344th aaraadhanaa of Raghavendra Theertharu were celebrated. Today is the 3rd and final day of this year's aaraadhanaa celebrations. As usual Sri Sankara TV and Bhakti TV telecast the festivity from Mantraalayam, where Raghavendra Theertharu attained samaadhi. It is nice to hear songs related to Raghavendra Theertharu on Radio Satyatma Vani as well, pranaams to our Uttaradhi Mutt Swaamiji.

  

Requirements of Spiritual Karma

As someone who has always been interested in Hindu spiritual discourses, I see myself attracted to discourses by many spiritual people. One such is Poojya Shree Bhupendrabhaiji Pandya. 

A highly charismatic speaker with excellent command of English, his discourses have been magnetic to me. He integrates simple aspects of daily living with spiritual concepts. A few days back, I had the pleasure of listening to his explanation of the following essential requirements of Spiritual Karma: Proper mindset, Precise goal, Positive attitude (despite adversaries and difficulties), Humility, Faith towards work, Emotional quotient and Intelligent quotient. 

He said that Hanumaanji had all these as well as the most important Spiritual quotient (Devotion to Lord Shree Raam). Hanumaanji is known as the greatest devotee of Lord Shree Raam.   

Oasis in the media desert

I have always thought that common audio-visual media cover far too low programs that are really value based. Probably, many people of my age and older also think the same way. Well, thanks to all those people who do continue to produce good programs.  One such program was a documentary on Mahatma Gandhi this morning around 11 AM IST on History TV 18 Channel. Well presented by Mishal Hussain, the documentary reminded of my visit to places like Gandhi Ashram in Phoenix near Durban and Pietermaritzburgh railway station nearly 20 years back when I was teaching in a high school in the North West Province.  

Like most visitors from India, I  was keen in taking snapshots, thanks to my Nikon TW2. But unfortunately, my camera got dropped (due to my carelessness) and the film roll fell out! (I wish technological development in visual arts had a swifter pace then so that we could have carried our mobile cameras with far less scope of losing record of memorable places). 

Veda Vyaasa Jayanti (or) Guru Pournimaa

31 July was an auspicious day for Hindus. It was celebrated as Veda Vyaasa Jayanthi.

Chaaturmaasya Vrata

Today is an auspicious day for Hindus. It is devotedly celebrated as Shayani Ekaadashi and as the the beginning of Chaaturmaasya Vrata.   

World Yoga Day, Wimbledon Championships, media reports about our Prime Minister's recent visit to Russia and other countries (with reference to how youngsters in other countries like Indian music etc). remind us that though we may belong to different countries with diverse traditions, we can work together as a good community at large in the global village. 

Thanks to Yoga legends such as Swami Ramdev and sports persons such as Leander Paes, Sania Mirza and Sumit Nagal who seem to take our country to great heights. Thanks to Narendra Modiji's campaign for World Yoga Day.  

Marketing morality

Many of us buy things based upon media commercials or friends' advice. Sometimes both of these can mislead us. We realize this when we acquire first hand experience. 

I subscribed to TATA Sky connection a few years back since which time there has always been a reception problem whenever the whether is cloudy (irrespective of whether it rains or not).  TATA Sky promptly asks viewers to "wait until the weather clears". But invariably reception isn't usually restored even hours after the weather clears. 
  As my TV doesn't work, I have been listening to a spiritual discourse by Shri Shri Satyatma Thirtharu online. As I am typing this post listening to a marvelous description of how Shree Hari enables rainfall to take place through His different forms as quoted in the Vedaas, thousands of years back, my net connection gets cut frequently.  

I think that consumer oriented companies should follow principles of morality as their priority in marketing. Otherwise, their much talked about `zero tolerance' has no meaning.  

Nice to be back after nearly a month. 

There had been three very auspicious days according to the Hindu Calender since my past post. 1,2 and 3 May were celebrated as Vedavyaasa Jayanthi, Narasimha Jayanthi and Koorma Jayanthi. (I'll try to provide links to these 3 days when I find time). 

A few days back, I came across a very informative article.      

Digital drawbacks and Software setbacks

This morning I tried to take some time in providing links in my earlier posts.  But unfortunately I didn't have time as I had trouble using my Net Banking accounts (which I usually use to pay utility bills and subscriptions). I have still been trying to get the problem fixed but in vain, despite the fact that I have always been a good customer to banks (I have never borrowed any loan so far). Customer service seems to be frustratingly poor in our banks in spite of digital support systems. 

Varaaha Jayanthi

Yesterday was a very auspicious day in the Hindu calender. It was Varaaha Jayanthi. Varaahaa was one of the Avataars of Shree Mahaa Vishnu.