Divine discourse

It was spiritually enlightening to view Shreemad Bhagavath Kathaa by Shree Raghavacharyaji Maharaj on Aashtha TV Channel this morning. He explained the difference between 'prem' and 'mogh' and why we should have prem and not mogh. He gave examples of Bhaarath Maharajaa (from whose name our country got it's name) and Jatabharath.

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

Fall of the Berlin wall

Today marks the anniversary of dismantling of the Berlin wall paving the way for United Germany. After several years of separation, people of Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and German Democratic Republic (East Germany) could travel in United Germany. Although people of former FRG were sceptical, the integration proved to be good for both sides very much like how it happened in Vietnam and Tanzania. Let me share a DW TV Channel's documentary on the fall of the Berlin wall here.

(In 1989, I was working in Southern Africa. It seemed to me that my colleagues such as Ulrich Lauren and Sabine Feeser, from FRG, were worried that the integration would negatively affect FRG. But, it didn't).

Shree Mahaa Vishnu

As I am typing this post, my heart and mind seem to be filled with joy, as I view a spiritual programme being held at Shree Swaami Naaraayan Temple at Vadtal Dhaam, Gujarat.

Guests include a swaamiji who represents Shree Chinna Jeeyar Swaamiji.

As the speeches are in Gujaraathi, I am not able to understand the contents fully. But speakers' mentioning of "Vadodara" gives an indication that the function had close association with Vadodara based Swaamy Naaraayan Temple; I fondly remember my visit to the temple when I was working in Vadodara.

The function displayed a nice amalgamation of Swamy Naaraayan Temple and Shree Raamaanujaachaaryaa traditions in worshipping Shree Mahaa Vishnu. 

Jai Shree Lakshmi Naaraayanaa🙏.

Culinary discoveries

As a 73 years old single senior citizen, I used to rely on local Brahmin catering outlets for side dishes in my food. These caterers, Brahmin households, charge between Rs 100 to 120 for supplying four items: Sambar, curry, rasam and koottoo. They usually don't supply cooked rice. 

As four items are too much for me, I used to order for any two items daily. Recently, the caterers said that it is not profitable to them unless I ordered for full package of four items and said that they could not deliver just 2 items daily. 

Thanks to digital shopping scenario, I can place order for food via Swiggy, Zamato etc. But I don't use this option for two reasons: 1. I don't know whether the food is cooked by Brahmins. According to Scriptures, Brahmins have to eat only food items that are cooked by Brahmins; otherwise, it is a sin. Hence, I don't like eating some thing that is not cooked by Brahmins. 2. The delivery person keeps vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items in the same bag. This is uncomfortable for me.

Hence, I am myself cook rice as well as side dishes for the past few weeks. 

Usually I place order from Big Basket orAmazon. Recently I placed order for tomato puree. When I looked for the instructions to use it, I didn't find any thing clear. 

It was only this morning, when viewing a cookery documentary on EPIC TV Channel that I found how tomato puree can be used. Let me share the documentary . Thanks to Ranveer Brar and Sakshi Thanveer.

U S Election 2024 Trump 2.0

Congratulations to Mr Donald Trump on his having won the election. I think that he is a good friend of India. He has always reminded me of Mr Bob Williams, a Caucasian American and my Headmaster when I was teaching Physics in a Government Senior Secondary School in Southern Africa during the late 1980s.  There were nearly 60 teachers from different countries. My headmaster used to visit and observe teachers' teaching in their classes. As he never came to my classes, I asked him why he didn't come to observe my teaching. He replied that he had seen my classes several times as he was going on rounds in the corridors in front of classrooms and that my students seemed to be actively involved with interest. When I got a phonecall that my sister's baby son  (less than one year old) passed away, my headmaster came to my flat and expressed his condolences. He was a very simple gentleman. He used to tell me that he was taught by Indians during his University student years in the US.

Mr Donald Trump and Shree Narendra Modi

Divine discourse

This evening it was spiritually enriching to view Shreemad Bhaagavath Kathaa by Shree Sanjai Krishna Saleelji Maharaj in Kolkota, via Aashthaa TV Channel.  He explained how Shree Mahaa Vishnu gave mokshaa to Gajendraa, an elephant whose leg was tightly held and bitten by a crocodile. This incident is popularly known as Gajendra Moksham. 

The programme was sponsored by Naaraayan Sevaa Sansthaan.

Divine discourse

This evening it was joy to view spiritual talk by Shree Prembhushanji Maharaj in Hindu Spiritual Programme on Aashthaa TV Channel. Shree Morari Bapu's presence in the audience added more spiritual aroma to the function.

Jai Shree Raam🙏.

Death of Quincy Jones

Recent death of legendary singer and producer Quincy Jones has made the American Music scene deficient.

Although I have not listened to any of his songs, like many soft rock enthusiasts in the 1960s to 1980s, I knew that he worked with many talented singers such as Stevie Wonder, and that he was instrumental in producing the 1985 hit song We are the world in which many legendary singers participated. Singers in the song included legendary musicians from different genres of western pop music of those times. The team included Kenny Rogers (Country and Western), Lionel Ritchie, West Indian singer Harry Belafonte, Paul Simon (softrock musician who was previously in 'Simon and Garfunkel' with  'Mrs Robinson' as title song in the movie 'The Graduate'), etc. Bob Geldoff gave shape to this project after visiting Ethiopia.

I nostalgically remember the song. Let Mr Quincy Jones' soul rest in peace.

Saint's Mukthi Day

Today is an important day as anniversary of the day on which Shree Satyapramodha Theertha Swaamiji, Guru of Shree Sathyaathma Theertha Swaamiji, our community's chief Swaamiji, passed away. Shree Sathyaathma Theertha Swaamiji has composed a song as tribute to his Guru. Let me share his song.

From left to right: Shree Satyapramodha Theertha Swaamiji and Shree Sathyaathma Theertha Swaamiji 

Shree Krishna arpanam asthu🙏.

Shree Mahaa Vishnu Fest

Today is a spiritually very historic day in the Hindu Calender. This day is celebrated as Bali Prathipat.