A Short Story of Vedas

Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma as it should be called, is based on Four Vedas - Yajur, Saama, Rig and Atharvana. How did these four Vedas came into existence in the present world? Kanchi MahaPeriava had answered this question with an interesting story. Let me share this short story with you.

When Lord Sri Krishna departed from this world, grim darkness enveloped all over the world. There is "darkness" in His name itself - "Krishna" means dark. He was born in darkness, in the dungeon of a prison at midnight. But He had the radiance of knowledge for the entire world, and He carried the light of compassion. When He departed, “jnana” (knowledge) got eroded significantly, and darkness descended into the world. Kali, who is the evil incarnate, became powerful. All this is the sport of the Paramatman, the sport that is inscrutable. Sri Krishna, who came as a burst of light, was urged by His compassion and decided that the world must not degenerate. He thought that it could be saved by administering an antidote against the venom of Kali. This antidote was the “Vedas.” It would be enough if precautions were taken to make sure that the “Kali Man" did not devour the people- the world would be saved. In the darkness surrounding everything, the Vedas would serve the purpose of a lamp lighting the path of mankind. In the age of Kali, they would not shine with the same effulgence as in the previous Yugams (ages). But the Lord resolved that they must burn with at least the minimum of lustre to be of benefit to mankind and He ensured this through Veda Vyasa.

The great sage who was to carry out Bhagavan Krishna's resolve was not then called Veda Vyasa. Interestingly, his name too was Krishna and, since he was born and raised on an island, he had the appellation "Dvaipayana" (meaning Islander). Badarayana was another name. Krishna Dvaipayana knew all the 1,180 sakhas ( recensions) of the Vedas revealed to the world by various sages. They were mixed together in one great stream. Being remarkably gifted, our great ancestors could memorise all of them. For the benefit of weaker people like us, Vyasa divided them into four Vedas and subdivided each into sakhas. It was like building across a river and drawing the huge quantity of water through various canals. Vyasa accomplished the task of dividing the Vedas easily because he was a great yogi with vision and because he had the power gained from austerities.

The Rig-Veda sakhas contain hymns to invoke the various deities; the Yajurveda sakhas deal with the conduct of sacrifices; the Samaveda sakhas contain songs to please the deities; and the Atharvaveda sakhas, besides dealing with sacrifices, contain mantras recited to avert calamities and to destroy enemies. The Samaveda had the largest number of recensions, 1,000. In the Rig-Veda there were 21; in the Yajur 109 (Shukla-Yajur Veda 15, and Krishna Yajur Veda 94); and in the Atharvaveda 50.

While, according to one scholar, the Vishnu Purana mentions the number of sakhas to be 1,180, another version is that there were 1,133 recensions- the Rig-Veda 21, the Yajurveda 101, the Samaveda 1,000 and the Atharvaveda 11. Considering that people in the age of Kali may be inferior to their forefathers, Krishna Dvaipayana thought that it should be sufficient for them to learn one sakha of any one of the four Vedas. It was the Lord that put this idea into his head. Vyasa assigned the Rig-Veda sakhas to Paila, the Yajurveda sakhas to Vaisampayana, the Samaveda sakhas to Jaimini and the Atharvanaveda sakhas to Sumantu.

Krishna Dvaipayana came to be called "VedaVyasa" for having divided the Vedas into four and then having subdivided them into 1, 180 recensions. "Vyasa" literally means an "essay" or a "composition". Classifying topics is also known as "Vyasa."

The Secret to Self-Healing

Are you aware that we all are endowed with the innate power to heal our own ailments? It does not mean that doctors are not needed but they can only assist if they act in harmony with the Laws of Nature.

Our mind and body systems are so designed by the Almighty that they are equipped to HANDLE AND HEAL ailments. For example, you cut yourself with a blade while shaving. The wound caused by the blade heals itself over time. The affected skin grows new pigments and becomes normal soon if there is no further damage by external obstacles like dust and abrasion by other objects. You really do not need help from others. As a kid, I have hurt myself so many times and most of the times, never went to a doctor. At best, I have cleaned the wound with plain cold water. Similar healing processes take place in other systems of the body. If one has a headache, chances are that it is often caused by mental stress, inadequate rest, or hunger. Nature provides its own warning signals like fever, aches and pains. If you do not heed to it and take corrective action, it leads to sickness or disease.

The human body can take some abuse for sometime but not from all sorts on a continuous basis. In my humble opinion, most illnesses are caused by lack of hygiene, poor discipline on diet and drinks, irresponsible lifestyle, and inadequate understanding of oneself. Pain and suffering are just signals to our conscious mind that we have to CHANGE our ways of living, eating and resting patterns and basic attitudes. Those in the rat race to attain top positions in the corporate world are more vulnerable to diseases.

Is it not simpler to just take some drugs prescribed by doctors? Remember, most drugs contain chemicals that often cause side effects. To counter side effects, more medicines are required. The problem with most drugs is that once you start taking them, you tend to become habituated and it becomes difficult to just abruptly stop taking those drugs.

On the other hand, try self-healing ailments by allowing some time to regulate your life-style with clean food (avoid smoking, drinking, eating in low-class restaurants and junk food) and habits. I have personally experienced that my headache just vanishes if I rest or sleep for a while.

Believe in self-healing processes. The God-given mind-body system has almost unlimited self-repair capabilities, but most of people shut the doors to natural healing and deny themselves any access to them. Build your self-confidence by constantly thinking that you are doing fine and driving out negative thoughts. If you do not believe in inherent powers self-healing, your chances of success are minimal.

The secret to self-healing is: Keep an open mind, adopt clean regular habits, and rest adequately.

Pray and Let Mother Nature take care of you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is Thanksgiving Day. Most stories on the history of Thanksgiving talk about the feasting celebration of the Pilgrims and the Native Americans that took place in the year 1621. The feast was not called "Thanksgiving." It was more of a traditional harvest festival like 'Pongal' in India. The feast, like Pongal, is believed to be an expression of thanks to God for the bountiful harvest.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. I am not sure why Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. However, over the years, the feasting tradition of giving thanks to God seems to have transformed itself into a holiday revelry. On Thanksgiving Day, families and friends usually gather for a large meal. Most schools and colleges declare a week-long vacation, as many students return home to unite with family members. Gifts are also exchanged as Thanksgiving is considered as a time to show love and appreciation for closest friends and family.

It is also a time to reflect upon many of life's blessings that we take for granted. While I can think of abundant small things to be thankful for (starting from the hot cup of brewed coffee that I relish every morning), I can list at least ten important things that I enjoy.

1. A cosy warm bed to sleep in without the nuisance of mosquitos and bed bugs.

2. Hot shower, dry towels and clothes to provide the comfortable feeling in me.

3. The most beautiful smile of my little grandson Vivek and the happy time I spend with him.

4. The opportunity and inclination to pray everyday morning and perform my daily rituals.

5. The pleasure of listening to my charming granddaughter and escorting her to school.

6. The choice of delicious vegetarian food items and God-given appetite & digestive power to consume them.

7. A computer that works faithfully on a reliable intenet connection.

8. An acceptable report from the doctor on my general health.

9. My growing interest in ancient scriptures that I once thought were beyond my understanding.

10. The love and deep concern of all family members to my well-being.

I am thankful to the Almighty for providing me all those little things that contribute to contentment in my life. Taking this opportunity, I like to quote the following mantra in Sanskrit with its meaning:


Sarve bhavantu sukhinah: May every one be happy
Sarve santu niramayah: May every one be free from all diseases
Sarve bhadrani pashyantu: May every one see goodness in every thing
Ma kaschit duhkha bhaag bhaveet: May none be unhappy or distressed
Om shanti, shanti, shantih: Om peace, peace, peace!

May all be happy, may all be free from sickness, may all see things good, and may none have misery. Om peace, peace, peace!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Who am I?

Who am I? Sounds like a serious philosophical question? Hard to understand? Sure it is. I am not trying to scare you with some heavy religious stuff. Let me try to explain this in an 'easy-to-understand' manner.

1. The Situation: Every person yearns to be happy. No question about it. But the world in which we live today revolves around the dollar (or Rupees, whatever), and the other ingredient called power. There are the disturbing evils of corruption, cheating, fraud, extortion, sickness and so on. An average person is not happy in such a challenging situation. Even those privileged people who have the best of health, wealth and power seem to be outwardly happy but they too have their personal issues. The rich may buy the most expensive luxury beds in the world but they still cannot guarantee getting sound sleep and joy. If you explore further, many people are torn apart searching for a true sense of themselves and real happiness.

2. The Truth: Before we explore the self, we should be aware of some fundamental truths. Realize that the happiness that we get from external objects is temporary. Experience has proved that something that exists now is gone in the next moment. Take the examples of natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunami, and heavy rains. We have very little control over such events. See what happened to those pillars of power in several countries such as Egypt, Italy, Libya, Iraq and others. We also see that wealth is not stationery as the rich become poor and the poor become rich. As our ancient scriptures tell us, the perceived world seems to be an illusion or "Maaya"in which nothing seems to be permanent.

3. The Universe: We all are part of that dynamic universe created by the Almighty. The universe is ever-changing. New things get discovered, old beliefs get shattered, communications improve, and innovations grow. Try as we might, we cannot understand why some things happen. The least we can do is to play our role as good human beings and pursue the real happiness. To do so, we must first understand ourselves - our qualities, our desires and our potential.

4. Self-introspection: It, therefore, makes perfect sense to ask the question: Who am I? It helps to seek a deeper sense of self and to be aware of our thoughts, feelings, hopes and fears. This self-introspection is not to become tense and pass any judgments on yourself but to feel light and provide you a sense of direction. It will provide a key to the pursuit of real happiness. To some, it may lead them on to the path of meditation, prayers and religion. To others it could be through music, service, or even nurturing plants. Essentially, you will avoid hurt to others.

Finally, do not worry too much trying to assess yourself. Relax! Just try and focus on what would make you feel 'a better you,' no matter how distressing the external environment is. There awaits for you a new road to self-discovery!

Remembering My Father

This year, Mahalayapaksha (also called Pitrupaksha) began on September 13. It will end on September 27 on the day of Mahalaya Amavasai. It is a fortnight dedicated to dead ancestors. During this period, Pitrus are specially honored through Tarpanams (offerings). It is believed that the Pitrus in the form of manes come down to earth during this time and bless their descendants. This may be the best time of the year to remember my father, Narayanswamy Sundaresan, who was known as Ambi (short for Ambalavanan) in his younger days and Athi in his later days to his relatives.

My father was born in the year 1912 in a small village called Kotoor in Tamil Nadu. If he had been alive, he would be 99 years old now. Unfortunately, he died when he was 82. He was the only son to my grandparents, Dr. Narayanswamy and Yogambal. He studied in Kuttalam High School and later graduated in Chemistry at the Annamalai University.

Starting his first job as a news reporter for ‘Indian Express’ in Madras, he launched his long career in the chemical engineering field at the Government-owned Cordite Factory in Aravankadu, Nilgiris. Later, he moved to the High Explosives factory at Kirkee, near Pune where he worked until retirement. For almost thirty years, he worked in managing 24/7 chemical processes that produced explosives and harsh polluting chemicals such as nitric and sulphuric acids. Rain or shine, his only means of transportation was a ‘Rudge’ bicycle that served him faithfully all his life. He had always kept his bicycle in immaculate condition by regularly oiling it, ensuring everyday that the tyres and tubes are good, and the dynamo light worked. His other personal belonging that he kept all his life in excellent working condition was a “sowar prima” swiss-made wrist watch.

His work ethics were unmatched by anyone that I know of. He was so passionate about his work and so punctual that not once was he late to work in his entire three-decades career! He strived so hard at work from day to day; working in round-the-clock shifts almost his entire career in the most polluted environment suffering from leaking acid burns, losing his fine set of teeth and a nice bunch of jet black hair on his head; And never once complained about his tough work or the hazardous work environment though he lost some of his best friends in the explosions at the factory. No wonder, his coworkers held him in awe and high respect. Some of them have conveyed their great admiration of my father to me and my brother Babu.

He had a bunch of enviable qualities. He loved children – from babies to teenagers. For my brother Babu and me, he was the hero and role model. His handwriting was so beautiful that it was almost like a piece of art. I imitated it. My brother tried too –though unsuccessfully! Everybody who read his writing appreciated it. I have heard that he once wrote a job application for my uncle that was so impressive that my uncle got the job. My uncle’s boss was probably disappointed later on seeing an entirely different handwriting!

Blessed with a terrific sense of humour and a sharp memory, he instantly made an agreeable companion to young and old alike. Watching my father tell a joke in his own inimitable way was itself a pleasurable experience –it reflected his instinctive genial nature. He had a collection of jokes on almost every topic. On hearing his wit, delighted listeners will invariably burst with laughter and forget petty issues. He was equally good in writing and used to contribute small anecdotes to many Tamil magazines.

He never took insults and ignorance lightly. One instance comes to my mind – My father was instrumental to get one of our relatives married to the daughter of a well-known person in Pune. When he went to attend the wedding, the host completely ignored my father. Weeks later, when the host visited our home with the bride and the groom, my father expressed his disappointment at not even being recognized at the wedding. The host defended himself by saying that my father should have introduced himself. Much to the amusement of everybody in the room, my father told the host: “Yes – I agree with you. Next time, when I attend a wedding in your family, I will come wearing a big board around my neck introducing myself as Sundaresan.” The host hung his head!

He had clean habits. He never ever smoked, drank, gambled, chewed paan, or explored non-vegetarian food. He preferred cooking his own food rather than go to a restaurant. Much to the dislike of many, he was known to be very punctual. He helped many in distress who came to him seeking his assistance. He was very active all his life and shunned lethargy.

His interests were varied – ranging from Carnatic music, Hindi music of Sehgal, Pankaj Mallick and the like of those days, to gardening, cooking, shopping, cycling, and fixing all kinds of devices at home. He was not exactly religious but spiritually inclined. He exemplified the adage"sradhaya deyathe yasmath sraddam” (that which is performed with faith) by faithfully performing every year ‘Sraddam’ for his parents and grandparents. Before the ‘sraddam,’ he will make elaborate preparations in advance such as buying the most appropriate groceries, vegetables, fruits, and confirming the date and time with the priest and the Brahmin guests (Neither we nor the priest/guest had telephone those days –so, communication had to be done personally!).

He was not only my loving dad but also my best friend. Whenever I got frustrated at work, he will always cheer me up. I can never forget his sayings - “What one fool can do, the other can,” “ Don’t be chicken-hearted ,” “What is sauce to the goose is not sauce to the gander” and many others. He taught me the value of time and honesty.

What impressed me most was his attitude to life. He was the most contented person that I have ever met. Radiating bliss on his face, he once told me that given another chance to start life all over again, he would like to lead life in exactly the same way as he had done all along. Does it not reflect how happy and contented he was with himself?

He breathed his last when I least expected him to die. When and where will I get such a dear father?

Appa, I love you, I miss you very much. You will always live in my heart! Bless me, my brothers and our families, please.

In praise of the unsung heroines

In Shakespeare’s famous play of Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony proclaims, “The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones.” This quote is so true even to this day - not just with men but also with women. I know of so many women who sacrificed their entire life doing good things with least concern to their own health or happiness but their deeds were never recognized. One of such great women was my own maternal grand mother - my mother's mom - whose real name was Janaki but was known as Pudukottai Amma. I never understood P.Amma in my younger days. Looking back now after almost 40 years, I feel that all the good she did seems to have been interred with her bones. Nobody praised her or appreciated her work - not even her own family members for what all she did for them.

P.Amma was born in Madras as the daughter of a leading lawyer known as Patnam Subramania Iyer. She was married young to Sankaran, the eldest son of a wealthy mirasdar (landlord) living in a small village called Soolamangalam (near Thanjavur). As the eldest daughter-in-law of the household, she took more responsibility at home. Her husband was short-tempered and most difficult to deal with. She bore him eight children. One of her sons was unfortunately retarded from childhood. Toiling day and night, she raised her children with fortitude in a small village in the most conservative surroundings. By a stroke of bad luck, Sankaran lost heavily in his business that got his brothers worried about their shrinking shares in the family property. The brothers joined hands and filed a suit against Sankaran lodging claims over the properties. Sankaran lost the case and became bankrupt. Eventually, he died young at the age of 41 leaving his old father, his wife and children in deep distress. His eldest son N who was just about 15 at that time was forced to discontinue his studies and take up a clerical job at a bank in Pudukottai town to support the family.

Having lost her husband and all the riches, P.Amma moved from the village to her son's rented house in Pudukottai to begin yet another arduous phase of her life. Though she had no income, she never lost her guts and self-confidence. Her son N was intelligent and affectionate but was ill-tempered like his father and had an instinct for gambling in horse races. Her daughter-in-law was hard of hearing and could never understand the serious issues that confronted the family. Because of this handicap, the daughter-in-law was often the victim of her husband's uncontrolled wrath and physical abuse. P.Amma always kept cool and very tactfully dealt with both her son and daughter-in-law. I have never seen P.Amma lose her temper even in the most difficult situations!

With very little income flowing from a single wage-earner, the pot had to be kept boiling at home to feed over a dozen hungry mouths. Besides the eldest son and his wife & kids, there were always other members of the Sankaran family who stayed at home. There was the grown-up but retarded son who had to be handled with lot of patience and fed. Almost on a regular basis, P.Amma had to take care of one or more of her daughters who came for delivery at their mother's home and stayed for several months. In addition, some of her daughters left their children for education in Pudukottai. I too was one among those children. With so many members living at home, you can imagine the demands made on P.Amma in managing the household. She faced it all without a frown on her face.

Despite facing numerous stressful situations, I have never heard P.Amma complain about her misfortunes, fate or about her own personal discomforts. Her needs were very few. She ate very little and her clothings were just a few white sarees. Her bed used to be a long wooden plank of a swing; she always slept last in the night and was the first one to rise in early in the morning to wake up the other family members - specially the young ones. She shouldered much of the responsibility to manage the family and raise her grand children. The never-ending activities at home demanded P.Amma's best personal attention at all times. She had to often consult her son on family matters which she did usually late in the night after most members went to sleep.

Though she suffered from high blood pressure, P.Amma worked and worked, day after day, all for the sake of her family, never ever expecting anything in return. She rarely went out and enjoyed no vacation or rest for decades. She listened to people and helped many to resolve their personal problems. She made marriages happen! Her pastime included carnatic music, solving Tamil cross-words, and telling stories to children. Some of the best qualities that I observed in her were: unshakeable faith in the Almighty; enthusiasm at all times; patience; perseverance; truthfulness; self-introspection; ability to stay calm in a crisis; and love for all including those who hated her.

Today, we talk and praise those who achieve excellence in arts, education, medicine, politics, science or sports. We recognize such achievers with awards and give them a wide publicity. Do we recognize the sacrifices made by the countless number of women, including those who juggle in present days a competitive career and a demanding home, all for the welfare of their dear families? Who praises those unsung heroines like P.Amma? Well, I do! I salute P.Amma with all my sincerity for all the good she did to others and the most precious lessons that I learnt from her. With all my heart, I praise those unsung heroines, both past and present!

Maharajapuram Revisited - July 2011

I love visiting my ancestral village and offering worship at the VishnuDurga temple there! Believe me - it charges my spiritual batteries and kickstarts my interest in life. This year, the added attraction to me was the new Southern Pandharpur shrine that has come up at nearby Govindapuram.

As usual, my wife and I stayed at the Peria Pannai house in Bhaskararajapuram. We are indeed blessed to have such a hospitable host in Krishnaswamy who is following the great tradition set by his father Sri. Ramachandra Iyer.

Post lunch, we visited the VishnuDurga temple. After the Kumbhabhishekam in April this year, the entire temple has taken a new look. It is very beautiful. On entering the prakaram, I noticed that a new wall has come up on the right side. All the old paintings on the walls and ceilings look brand new.

Baskara Gurukkal with his broad smile was waiting for us to begin the rituals. After an elaborate abhishekam, the almighty VishnuDurga Ambal was draped with the nine-yard saree that we had bought and adorned with shiny jewelry. Aho Bhagyam! Aho Bhagyam!! to have such a wonderful darshan. We felt on top of the world! The pleasure we got was priceless! Share my pleasure -take a look at the adorned deity's picture in this blog.

A word about this temple - I have no idea how old the temple is and who built it.
According to an inscription at this temple, Sage Durvasa had worshipped VishnuDurga at this temple (see the picture above). Durvasa was an ancient sage born to Atri and Anasuya. Going by the inscription, it seems that the temple is really ancient.

About VishnuDurga, also known as Narayani, is one among the numerous forms of Goddess Durga. VishnuDurga is regarded as the sister of Lord Krishna, born immediately before him.VishnuDurga shares many characteristics of Lord Vishnu including the dark complexion. She is four-armed and carries the conch and chakra in her upper hands just like Lord Vishnu. Her lower right hand is in ‘abhaya posture’ coneying blessings while the lower left hand is placed on her thigh - again very similar to what you see in Lord Vishnu. It is believed that the Chola kings including the Great Rajaraja Chola were staunch devotees of Durga Devi.

The best thing about this temple is it's size and serenity. My wife and I enjoy praying here because:

• We were never ever jostled by crowds nor shown the exit quickly as it happens in most well-known big temples.
• We could sit silently, pray as much and as long we wish and none will ever disturb us.
• We never had to stand in line to buy archana tickets.
• Our ancestors worshipped here; so there is a deep sentimental attachment.
• Above all, the VishnuDurga deity seems to have simply captured our hearts.

Where else can we enjoy such heavenly bliss?

What are you waiting for? You too can receive VishnuDurga's blessings in abundance. Go ahead and make a trip to Maharajapuram and pray sincerely at the VishnuDurga temple. You will find a remarkable change in your life.

You can reach Sri. R. Krishnaswamy, trustee of the temple at 04364-232342 for more information.

Are You Successful?

Everybody wants to be successful in life. The first question that comes to my mind is: how do you define success? Is it becoming wealthy, famous, creating friends in high places, building a great business, or just being happy and carefree?

Whatever be your definition of success, one thing seems true. Success is something that each individual is yearning for. It’s based on your deep desire to achieve something. It arises from your inner-most feelings that you’re not where you want to be.

One can find many books that talk about how to achieve success. There are umpteen numbers of seminars and training programs on how to make money and be successful. All they do is to capitalize on the feelings of inadequacies that most people have. None of them will ever guarantee success as you are looking for. If they do, don’t believe them. Very rarely will any of them really show you how to get where you want to go.

The word ‘success’ is like a mirage - it continues to distance itself. The pursuit of success makes one fall in a never-ending trap. You work hard on something and when you get it, you are not satisfied but strive harder for the next something. Ultimately, in most cases, satisfaction never comes. You see businessmen who are billionaires – do they ever stop working for more money? Ask the so-called successful and richest people if they are happy and contented with their earnings? Most likely, the answer will be in the negative. Events over the last two years in the financial markets bear testimony to human dissatisfaction and greed. This applies to almost any field of activity – not just money.

When I was a kid, I wanted to be like my dad – have a nice job, a cozy home with decent income. After having achieved it, I felt I was better off as a kid – carefree with no responsibilities.

Does it mean that I don’t care about success? Not really – I do care about success but I would like it to be defined in simple ways that I can understand. To me, it seems that just acquiring riches or fame through any means does not mean being successful. It is not even futuristic. It means doing something that you love, in that you not only make yourself happy and contented but others too. It may be teaching that you love and want to share your knowledge with others to build them. It may be volunteering for a socially worthy cause that not only satisfies you but benefits the society. It may be the small errands that you run for others, and get in return a beautiful smile of gratitude. You could even write on topics you are familiar with – something that makes you use your talent effectively, satisfies you and may be some others too.

So, don’t worry too much about being successful in the way most people tend to define it. Redefine success as it may seem appropriate for you – a success that you can achieve on your own terms, without expensive books or paying for any external programs. Just be yourself, continue doing what you love most and pursue success that provides inner contentment and helping others in need. This may be the shortest route to being immediately successful. Is it not the sum and substance of what our ancient scriptures tell us to do?

The Joy of Story Telling

Ever since I became a grandfather, I had to learn the art of story telling to keep my grand children engaged - especially while feeding them or putting them to sleep. I started recalling simple stories from the Panchatantra, Aesop's fables and Mythology. My two grandsons liked them so much that they started enacting some of them with gusto. Often I was also included as an actor in the short skits but always as the villain in the piece. For example, everytime the Gajendra Moksham story was enacted, I had to play the role of the alligator that bites Gajendra -the devout elephant and eventually gets chopped by Vishnu's High-speed Chakrayuda. In doing so, I had to crawl on the floor and effectively feign the pain of getting slit by the revolving chakra while my grandsons applauded the act. No matter what the story was, I had to be the bad guy!

For every story I tell, I had to unfold each character with the suffix of a 'good guy' or bad guy.' For them, the whole world consisted of only two sets of people - the good and the bad ones. How simple!

In the process of telling stories, I had to face some inconvenient questions. When I narrated the Ramayana story, my elder grandson (then about 5) asked me why the cops did not catch Ravana for all his misdeeds and put him in jail. That would have been the end of Ramayana without a battle. With great discomfort, I had to wriggle out by saying there were no cops during those ancient days.

To the child all things are possible - lions and donkeys may talk, a stone may turn into a princess, a monkey may perform the most unimaginable feats like jumping hundreds of miles over the ocean and lifting a huge mountain. The more heroic the acts by anybody, greater is the delight of listening to them. There is no limit to their imagination. Don't you see how glued to the TV sets the kids are while watching Harry Potter or Wal Disney cartoons?

Fortunately, there is a variety of mythological characters in great epic stories like Ramayana and the Mahabharata that can set any child's imagination racing. Believe me, I have to read and update my knowledge of some of the stories before I can narrate them.

The kids love humorous anecdotes. Stories of the witty Tenali Raman and Birbal are very exciting, dramatic and can make the child laugh at the smartness of these court jesters. My grand daughter (6) simple loves to hear jokes and riddles. Everyday, come feed-time, she demands that I tell a story or several jokes before she starts eating. Her vocabulary is expanding so fast that I can't keep pace with her learning.

It is a great joy for me to curl up with my grandchildren listening in awe to every word that I speak. You must watch the amazement, excitement and curiosity filled eyes on every story or joke that I tell. It is real fun! It is also the most enriching experience that builds the intimacy between me and the younger generation.

A Nice Letter!

Letter writing is an art. It is a way of effectively expressing your thoughts on a piece of paper. I have stored some very nice letters in my archives. Here is a letter that was reportedly written by Abraham Lincoln to his son's teacher. I like it immensely and hope you like it too.

Abraham Lincoln's letter to his son's teacher

"He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just, all men are not true.
But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish Politician, there is a dedicated leader...
Teach him for every enemy there is a friend,

Steer him away from envy, if you can, teach him the secret of quiet laughter.
Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest to lick...

Teach him, if you can, the wonder of books...
But also give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun, and the flowers on a green hillside.

In the school teach him it is far honorable to fail than to cheat...
Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong...

Teach him to be gentle with gentle people, and tough with the tough.
Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone is getting on the band wagon...

Teach him to listen to all men... but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth, and take only the good that comes through.

Teach him if you can, how to laugh when he is sad...Teach him there is no shame in tears, Teach him to scoff at cynics and to beware of too much sweetness...

Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to the highest bidders
but never to put a price-tag on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob and to stand and fight if he thinks he's right.
Treat him gently, but do not cuddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

Let him have the courage to be impatient... let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself, because then he will have sublime faith in mankind.

This is a big order, but see what you can do... He is such a fine fellow, my son!"

THE MIGHT OF MANTRA

Many of us have heard the word 'Mantra.' Do you know what it means? In Sanskrit, mantra is described as "मनना त्रायते इथी मन्त्रः" (“Mananaat Trayate Iti Mantrah”). It means mantra is that which protects you by being turned over again and again repeatedly in the mind. Is this really true? Experience of numerous people says it is indeed true. I have personally experienced it too.

What is the mystery behind this seemingly simple process to achieve protection? It is not a big mystery as some people might think. Mantras, the Sanskrit syllables, are essentially 'thought forms' that exert their influence by means of spiritual vibrations.Many great leaders have demonstrated that it is possible to calm the mind through concentration.

The Secret of Sacred Mantras

Every mantra causes a sound vibration beyond the cognition of the mind. What is sound? According to modern science, sound is caused by vibration. It is believed that chanting mantras again and again produces such vibrations in the naadis that would bring about the well being of a person. Naadis are channels for the flow of consciousness. The literal meaning of naadi is 'flow'.

Consider human beings and other creatures. What is it that determines their health and feelings? The breath that passes through our naadis, blood vessels, during respiration produces vibrations and on them depends the general state of our health. Those who keep their breathing under control through the practice of yoga are healthy to an amazing degree. They perform unusual feats by keeping the vibrations of the naadis under control during breathing.

Breath is vital not only to the body but also to the mind. The mind which is the source of thoughts and the vital (pranik) energy that is the source of breath are the same. Healthy or unhealthy thoughts are attributed to different vibrations of the naadis. You may test this for yourself. See for yourself how you breathe when you are at peace before the sanctum of a deity and how you breathe when your mind is quickened by desire or anger. The happiness you experience when you take part in something divine, like music, a bhajan or a temple festival, must be different from the pleasure that sensual gratification gives you: the vibrations of the naadis concerned will also be correspondingly different.

Mantra is that which saves you from unpleasant repetitive activities. For example, a repetitive thought is a worry. Mantras help to free you from worries.

Often we wonder why we should chant some sounds without understanding their meanings. Can something that we do not understand, help us? Yes, it can. How? Simple because when the mind is unable to understand the meaning, it simply dissolves and moves into a meditative space.

Mahatma Gandhi said ,“The mantram becomes one’s staff of life, and it carries through every ordeal.” His mantra was simply ‘Raam, Raam.’

A mantra is like a seed. Every seed has the potential to become a tree. Similarly, these sound vibrations contain all the possibilities of creation. Some mantras are in seed form, called the bija mantras. Others are fully expressed, that is the fruit of the mantra is also expressed, like the Gayatri mantra.

Mantras are a secret. That which is kept a secret alerts the subconscious mind. Mantras work at the level of consciousness. When we want a seed to sprout, it needs to be sown into the soil, hidden, a secret. If it is simply thrown around, birds may eat them up. We can read and learn about mantras and their uses from books and the internet but that will only satisfy the intellect and not translate into experience.

When we chant the mantras, or listen to them, we get purity of mind and word. This prepares us for a sort of meditation. As a result of the sound vibrations, different patterns of the mind rearrange themselves to become tranquil. Agitation is reduced, helping us to turn inward. For instance, when we laugh, our happiness increases. When we cry, the heaviness of sorrow is released. Just as sounds of laughter and crying help, mantras act similarly. Repetition of mantras creates a psychological or mental response that is deep, beyond the realm of words or expression. It can only be experienced. Speech falls short as it cannot go beyond expression into the experiential level.

When the mind is calm and centered, it can turn inward. Only a mind turned inward can experience the vastness and beauty of Divine Consciousness. When our focus is outward on the objects of the senses, our mind is scattered; it races after one craving or other. Physical senses seek to know all about the external universe. Meditation is the tool for inner exploration. 'Antarmukhi Sada Sukhi' goes a Sanskrit saying -one whose mind is turned inward is ever in bliss.

Mantras are tools that allow the mind to dissolve and repose in the Self. Why should we repose in the Self? How is this going to help us in our day-to-day life? When a river is calm, it reflects. When the mind is calm, there is greater clarity of expression. Our sense of observation, perception and expression improves. As a result, we are able to communicate more effectively and clearly.

Most of our problems and misunderstandings arise because of a lack of effective communication. When our mind is free from agitation, the way we interact and communicate is much more pleasant and effective. Our efforts are not hindered by communication gaps. This leads to a positive outlook.

Mantras are as subtle as the air that creates ripples in the water as it gently moves over it. Air is all-pervading and at the same time affects specific regions. The field of mantras is also one such. It is all-pervading; it creates an impact on the one who is practicing the mantra. There is no doubt that mantra has been a powerful tool in moulding the mind as great leaders like Sankaracharya, Buddha, and Mahatma Gandhi demonstrated in their lives.

How to choose a mantra? It is best done through a guru. If you are unable to find a guru, choose any simple mantra like - 'Raama, Raama,' 'Om Namashivayah,''Om Narayana,' or the Gayatri mantra.

The impact of mantra is mighty. Experiment it and see for yourself how mantra works for you. After all, one must rely on one’s own experience to measure the success of any new activity.

Why is Teaching a Noble Profession?

Decades ago, when I was studying in high school, I was really scared of some of my teachers. The fear came to me, not because the teachers themselves were bad but because of the humiliation and punishment that I had to face if I failed to do home work or lacked attention in the class. Some of the rowdy students did not take the punishments too lightly and used to heckle the teachers. I used to feel sorry at the plight of teachers specially the timid ones.

Joining the college when I was 15 years old changed a lot of things. I felt like a grown-up adult and more independent. There was no home work, no punishments, and no rigid rules to follow. I had a sense of relief and was no longer scared of teachers. On the contrary, most teachers were scared of the students (not of me - I was a darling!). In the class room, there used to be terrifying cat calls, a volley of paper missiles at the teacher and all sorts of dangerous student pranks making the job of a teacher most difficult and highly challenging. The big impact it had in me was that I never ever wanted to become a teacher. When I graduated in engineering, I declined job offers for the post of lecturer.

Years later, I was invited to be a visiting faculty at some of the educational and training institutions. Deep in me, there was an inner urge to teach and I accepted those invitations. I did the right thing. The rewards were far too many - the satisfaction of sharing your knowledge with others, the thrill of meeting enthusiastic faces and making new contacts, the chance to earn a few chips honestly, and best of all, the great opportunity to learn from the students! For many years, I served as a visiting faculty and a learning programs coordinator at prominent institutions. Today, as I look back, I have a sense of fulfillment of having contributed something for the growth of the younger generation.

Many people do not realize how noble is the teaching profession. Let me share with you the following interesting anecdote that came into my e-mail in-box this morning. It is titled "WHAT TEACHERS MAKE?" and I have reproduced it here in italics.

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO (proud of being a professional and the money he makes), decided to explain the problem with education. He argued,'What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?' He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: 'Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.'

To stress his point he said to another guest, 'You're a teacher, Mary. Be honest. What do you make?'

Mary, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, 'You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...)

Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.

Sir, do you want to know what I make?' (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

''I make kids wonder.I make them question. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions. I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything. I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in maths. They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity. I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

I make my students stand, to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the National Flag, and sing the National Anthem, because we live in this great country.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.'

Mary paused one last time and then continued, then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant.....

Mr. CEO, You want to know what I really make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make Mr. CEO?'

His jaw dropped, he went silent.

Discovering Your Desires

Desires are powerful motivators in life - they are the big sources of change and transformation in one's life. Discovering your desires and pursuing them passionately is a sure way to find inner satisfaction - or shall I say "Atma Santushti" in Sanskrit?

What really is a desire?

• It is something you’ve always been interested in.
• It is something you feel not in your brain but in your gut.
• It is something that you immensely enjoy.
• It is something you find meaningful to you in your life.

Desires come in various forms. For some, it is material desires - like lots of money, a luxury car, or a happy home are extremely important. Some others desire positions of power over others - like being a top executive or a politician. Then there are people who want to impress others, crave for praise and recognition from others - like artists, sportsmen. The list of desires is almost endless.

What are my own desires?

Let me begin with what are not my desires. I do not aspire nor hope to be a great man whose name will be remembered in history. I am not craving to buy a multi-million dollar home. My desires are fairly simple.

I do want to feel that I have been a useful addition to our planet - not just a small cog in a huge wheel of a big machine . When the time comes for me to leave this world, I want to go with the feeling that my life has not been in vain, that I have done something useful of which I can be justifiably proud.

I desire happiness not just in me but in fellow-beings too. "Sarve Janah Sukhino Bhavanthu" is my motto. The feeling that I have brought some happiness in the lives of others is sure to keep me happy. I get this satisfying feeling even when I grow a small plant - I get thrilled to see the plant sprouting new leaves, buds and brings forth beautiful flowers! I'm sure the plant is happy too.

Yes - I want many many friends - both young and old. Young for their great enthusiasm to cheer me up and old for their experience and wisdom.

The more I read some of our ancient scriptures - the more I learn. It is delightful and keeps me happy. I desire to read more, write more and perhaps talk more!

My desire to travel around the world is mostly fulfilled; but I do want to visit some places where I have not traveled before - for example China and Hawaii.

Finally, I desire that my home is clean, uncluttered, equipped with all basic facilities, and always blessed with peace and happiness. Is that too much to ask?

With that, my short list of desires is almost complete. How about yours?

Yaksha Prashnam: Path to Wisdom

Have you ever heard of Yaksha Prashnam? It is a series of questions and answers finding place in the Mahabharata as a discussion between a Yaksha, a celestial being and Dharmaputra - the eldest of the Pandavas.

The questions in this discussion may appear to be simple but there is deeper philosophical significance beneath them.The answers that reveal the truths in a subtle manner have a deep undercurrent of practical wisdom. For example, the Yaksha asks Dharmaputra `Which is the right Path?' meaning `When unable to decide between the courses of action available, which path should a man follow.' Dharmaputra's reply is: `The path that great men had traversed in the past is the Path we should follow.' Is it not true that on many occasions, managers face the same dilemma in taking decisions when there are many options. The lesson is to learn from the past deeds of great men who had faced similar situations.

For your interest, here are more questions and answers from the Yaksha Prashnam. You are free to interpret them in ways that are relevant to you.

Q. Which is the greatest endurance?
A. The capacity to be patient and be balanced in situation of both pain and pleasure.

Q. What is swifter than the wind? What is more numerous than grass?
A. The mind is swifter than the wind. Thoughts that arise in the mind are more numerous than grass.

Q. Who is the friend granted by Gods to man?
A. The wife is the friend granted by Gods to man. (I fully agree!)

Q. What is the most valuable of all possessions?
A. Knowledge is the most valuable of all possessions.

Q. Which is the best of all gains?
A. Health is the best of all gains.

Q. Which is the best of all kinds of happiness?
A. Contentment is the best of all kinds of happiness.

Q. What is the best of all things that are praised?
A. The most praiseworthy thing is skill(meaning judgment, reasoning and discrimination).

Q. What is it, controlling which, will lead to no regret?
A. The mind, if controlled, will never lead to regret.

Q. What is that, when renounced, makes one agreeable?
A. Pride, when renounced, makes one agreeable.

There are over one hundred such interesting questions. Dharmaputra answered all of them to the satisfaction of the Yaksha, thus reviving his brothers to life.

Trivial Information

• "Stewardesses" is the longest word typed with only the left hand .

• "Lollipop" is the longest word typed with your right hand.

• No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, or purple.

• "Dreamt" is the only English word that ends in the letters "mt".

• The words 'racecar,' 'kayak' and 'level' are palindromes.

• There are only four words in the English language which end in "dous": tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous. (You're doubting this, are you?)

• There are two words in the English language that have all five vowels in order: "abstemious" and "facetious."

• TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard.

• A "jiffy" is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second.

• If the population of China walked past you, 8 abreast, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction.

• The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.

• The winter of 1932 was so cold that Niagara Falls froze completely solid.

HOW TO GROW OLD GRACEFULLY?

“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.” said Mark Twain. However, to many of us it is a fact that we do mind old age because it matters. I see many people face old age with a strange combination of fear, anxiety, and a sense of insecurity.

Though we have seen old people, none of us has the experience of being old before we really get there.

Aging people often worry about many things such as likely loss of status, loss of hair, reduced income, likely health problems, impaired mobility, and so on. Finally comes a time when suddenly they realize that most of their worries are turning out to be realities; they are no longer young; hair turns grey and/or they become bald; firmness becomes saggy, and we realize that we no longer fit very well in the younger modern society. Before you realize that old age is happening to you, it is time to face it.

The harsh reality of old age cannot be ignored. People who have been in high ranks of power suddenly discover their diminished utility. The whole mindset changes. A sense of fear grips - fear of being dependent and burdensome to others. How to overcome this fear and grow old gracefully? What can we do about it if you cannot avoid it?

Let me provide you 10 easy tips on how to address the issue of old age. These are just my own thoughts. You can modify them as you feel appropriate to you.

1. Accept old age, whatever it may appear to be, without judging it. Do not fret about the past. If you really accept old age with an open mind, it can turn out to be a wonderful and interesting experience.

2. Pursue your interests. Keep your mind and body active to the extent possible. Take a walk, play with a child, listen to some music, sing, laugh at jokes, perform rituals like poojas, read books, write if you can, renew old contacts - do whatever to keep your body and mind engaged.

3. Learn many things over the information superhighway - the internet can serve as a great entertainment and learning process.

4. Take tips from our great religion. Read or listen to scriptures like Bhagavad Gita, Ramayanam or participate in group discussions and bhajans.

5. Cultivate some special interests. For instance, you may like to do some gardening work. It is exciting to watch a plant grow, flower, and bear fruits.

6. Volunteer - perform some social service. Help someone to find a job, teach a student, be a solace to someone in distress - in short, contribute something to society.

7. Strive to reduce your wants and demands, keep them to essentials for your living. Resolve not to buy anything new unless it is essential.

8. Practice austerity while you are still not very old. Learn to cook, prepare your own coffee, minimize wastages of anything that you use. This will be useful to you in the long run.

9. Control your tongue and diet - do not overeat! Avoid drugs - take herbal medicines if need be.

10. Chant divine naamas or slokams as often as you can. Write naamas like 'Rama' on a note book - you may think it is a waste of time. It is better to do this rather than be idle and brood over useless things.

If you are already in the sixties or seventies, you are incredibly lucky. Think and act in a mature way.

After all, how many of us really have the chance to live those “bonus” years with a gracious acceptance of the aging process? Count your blessings and feel good about it.