Shanthi Krishnakumar

MOTIVATION

2011-11-29T20:59:00.000-08:00

ABOUT MOTIVATION BY BRAHMAKUMARI BK SHIVANI

Motivation is an inner positive energy, a combination of enthusiasm and clear perception (understanding) that enables us to accomplish (complete) a task.

Motivation keeps us determined and on course, otherwise it is so easy to be distracted by problems and laziness. What does motivation do? It moves us from one reality to another, from where I am to where I wish to be.

When we want to reactivate our motivation we need to examine the following:

* What do I want?
* What do I wish for?
* What do I value?
* What do I need?
* What do I enjoy?
* What do I understand? and, especially,
* What do I love?

When we sit down and think about the answers to these questions, they become the basis for activating new insights and tasks and for reactivating those insights and tasks, which I have forgotten to pay proper attention to and have not developed properly.

SELF MANAGEMENT

2011-11-29T01:35:00.000-08:00

SELF MANAGEMENT BY BRAHMAKUMARI BK SHIVANI

It is only in our relationships that we can truly know ourselves. We are a mirror for each other. What we give to others at the level of our thoughts, feelings and attitudes is what we give to ourselves, and will finally come back from others. Our relationships are the real workshop, classroom, learning laboratory of our life. Relationship is not simply getting along with others, it is about understanding, building, nourishing and caring. Every interaction carries a lesson. Take one relationship, look at it, explore it and ask yourself what does it tell you about yourself and your life so far. Let your relationships reveal you to yourself. As you do you will naturally learn what makes relationships work, or not work, as the case may be! And the more you get to know yourself in the mirror of your relationships the more easily you will be able to understand others.

THE STORY OF THE PENCIL

2011-09-16T03:04:00.000-07:00

This is an article which was written by Paulo Coelho in his book "Like the Flowing River".

A boy was watching his grandmother write a letter. At one point he asked:

‘Are you writing a story about what we’ve done? Is it a story about me?’

His grandmother stopped writing her letter and said to her grandson:
I am writing about you, actually, but more important than the words is the pencil I’m using. I hope you will be like this pencil when you grow up.’

Intrigued, the boy looked at the pencil. It didn’t seem very special.
‘But it’s just like any other pencil I’ve ever seen!’

‘That depends on how you look at things. It has five qualities which, if you manage to hang on them, it will make you a person who is always at peace with the world.’

‘First quality: You are capable of great things, but you must never forget that there is a hand guiding your steps. We call that hand God, and He always guides us according to His will.’

‘Second quality: Now and then, I have to stop writing and use a sharpner. That makes the pencil suffer a little, but afterwards, he’s much sharper. So you, too, must learn to bear certain pains and sorrows, because they will make you a better person.

‘Third quality: The pencil always allows us to use an eraser to rub out any mistakes. This means that correcting something we did is not necessarily a bad thing; it helps to keep us on the road to justice.’

‘Fourth quality: What really matters in a pencil is not its wooden exterior, but the graphite inside. So always pay attention to what is happening inside you.’

‘Finally, the pencil’s fifth quality: It always leaves a mark. in just the same way, you should know that everything you do in life will leave a mark, so try to be conscious of that in your every action’.

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems in life, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.

Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside &

Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.

Allow this parable on the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special person and only you can fulfill the purpose to which you were born to accomplish.

Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot make a change.

Great truths lie in simple things… I want to be a pencil… do you?

THINK ABOUT IT

2011-09-06T00:43:00.000-07:00

A scholar approached Kanchi Paramacharya and boasted that he was an expert on the Gita. The seer asked him if he could spare some time to hold a 10-day discourse at the local temple. The scholar assented. On the first day 50 people were came to hear him and the attendance dwindled on subsequent days. The scholar said to Paramacharya and said: “What sort of a town is this? No one seems to be interested in the Gita. On first day there was a crowd of 50, second day 25 and on the third day there were only two persons to listen to me!’

With a twinkle in his eye the seer remarked: “Why fret? When Krishna spoke the Gita there was only one person to listen to him!”

SOURCE:
Life, a laughing matter - Speaking Tree - Spirituality - Life & Style - The Times of India

EXCELLENCE

2011-07-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

A German once visited a temple under construction where he saw a sculptor making an idol of God.

Suddenly he noticed a similar idol lying nearby. Surprised, he asked the sculptor, "Do you need two statues of the same idol?" "No," said the sculptor without looking up, "We need only one, but the first one got damaged at the last stage." The gentleman examined the idol and found no apparent damage.

"Where is the damage?" he asked. "There is a scratch on the nose of the idol." said the sculptor, still busy with his work. "Where are you going to install the idol?"

The sculptor replied that it would be installed on a pillar twenty feet high. "If the idol is that far, who is going to know that there is a scratch on the nose?" the gentleman asked. The sculptor stopped work, looked up at the gentleman, smiled and said, "I will know it."

The desire to excel is exclusive of the fact whether someone else appreciates it or not. "Excellence" is a drive from inside, not outside. Excellence is not for someone else to notice but for your own satisfaction and efficiency...

4 LITTLE LESSONS IN LIFE

2011-05-11T08:20:00.000-07:00

1. Once, all villagers decided to pray for rain. On the day of prayer all the people gathered but only one boy came with an umbrella... THAT'S FAITH.

2. When you throw a baby in the air, he laughs because he knows you will catch him... THAT'S TRUST.

3. We go to bed every night, without any assurance of being alive the next morning, but still we set the alarms in our watch to wake up... THAT'S HOPE.

4. We plan big things for tomorrow in spite of zero knowledge of the future or having any certainty of uncertainties. .. THAT'S CONFIDENCE.

Image courtesy: Google images

A - Z OF STRESS MANAGEMENT

2011-01-09T23:19:00.000-08:00

Always take time for yourself, at least 30 minutes per day.

Be aware of your own stress meter: Know when to step back and cool down.

Concentrate on controlling your own situation, without controlling everybody else.

Daily exercise will burn off the stress chemicals.

Eat lots of fresh fruit, veggies, bread and water, give your body the best for it to perform at its best.

Forgive others, don't hold grudges and be tolerant -- not everyone is as capable as you..

Gain perspective on things, how important is the issue?

Hugs, kisses and laughter: Have fun and don't be afraid to share your feelings with others.

Identify stressors and plan to deal with them better next time..

Judge your own performance realistically; don't set goals out of your own reach.

Keep a positive attitude, your outlook will influence outcomes and the way others treat you.

Limit alcohol, drugs and other stimulants, they affect your perception and behaviour...

Manage money well, seek advice and save at least 10 per cent of what you earn.

No is a word you need to learn to use without feeling guilty.

Outdoor activities by yourself, or with friends and family, can be a great way to relax....

Play your favourite music rather than watching television.

Quit smoking: It is stressing your body daily, not to mention killing you too.

Relationships: Nurture and enjoy them, learn to listen more and talk less.....

Sleep well, with a firm mattress and a supportive pillow; don't overheat yourself and allow plenty of ventilation.

Treat yourself once a week with a massage, dinner out, the movies: Moderation is the key.

Understand things from the other person's point of view......

Verify information from the source before exploding.

Worry less, it really does not get things completed better or quicker.

Xpress: Make a regular retreat to your favourite space, make holidays part of your yearly plan and budget.......

Yearly goal setting: Plan what you want to achieve based on your priorities in your career, relationships, etc.

Zest for life: Each day is a gift, smile and be thankful that you are a part of the bigger picture.

Pramadavanam veendum - Malayalam - His Highness Abdullah

2010-12-17T05:13:00.000-08:00

K.J.Yesudas's song from His highness Abdullah "Pramadhavanam" is my alltime favourite.What a lovely voice he has! Nobody can match his voice and nuances in his voice is really mesmerising.

Naalai Indha Velai - Uyarntha Manithan.avi

2010-12-17T04:06:00.000-08:00

What a melodious voice!!!! I luv this song and hats off to Smt. P.Susheela who has sung this. Whenever I hear this song, a drop of tear comes out from my eyes.... and the humming in "kavignan aahinaan" is very touching.

SECRET OF SUCCESS

2010-09-15T01:08:00.000-07:00

A young man asked Socrates the secret to success. Socrates told the young man to meet him near the river the next morning. They met. Socrates asked the young man to walk with him towards the river. When the water got up to their neck, Socrates took the young man by surprise and ducked him into the water. The boy struggled to get out but Socrates was strong and kept him there until the boy started turning blue. Socrates pulled his head out of the water and the first thing the young man did was to gasp and take a deep breath of air. Socrates asked, 'What did you want the most when you were there?" The boy replied, "Air." Socrates said, "That is the secret to success. When you want success as badly as you wanted the air, then you will get it." There is no other secret.

A burning desire is the starting point of all accomplishment. Just like a small fire cannot give much heat, a weak desire cannot produce great results.

இனிய தமிழ்

2010-08-05T02:56:00.000-07:00

“யாமறிந்த மொழிகளிலே தமிழ் மொழிபோல் இனிதாவது எங்கும் காணோம்” என்று பாரதியார் பாடினார். எவ்வளவு உண்மை?!!!. வலையில் (web) வலை வீசித்தேடியதில் கிடைத்தது இவ்வளவுதான். யாருக்காவது இதற்குமேல் தெரிந்திருந்தால் தயங்காமல் சொல்லவும். தெரியாததைத்தெரிந்து கொள்வது என்றும் நல்லதுதானே?

1 = ONDRU - ஒன்று - one
10 = PATHU - பத்து - ten
100 = NOORU - நூறு - hundred
1,000 = AAYIRAM - ஆயிரம் - thousand
10,000 = PATHTHAYIRAM - பத்தாயிரம் - ten thousand
100,000 = LATCHAM - நூறாயிரம் - hundred thousand
1,000,000 = PATHU LATCHAM - பத்து நூறாயிரம் - one million
10,000,000 = KODI - கோடி - ten million
100,000,000 = ARPUTHAM - அற்புதம் - hundred million
1,000,000,000 = NIGARPUTHAM - நிகற்புதம் - one billion
10,000,000,000 = KUMBAM - கும்பம் - ten billion
100,000,000,000 = KANAM - கணம் - hundred billion
1,000,000,000,000 = KARPAM - கற்பம் - one trillion
10,000,000,000,000 = NIKARPAM - நிகற்பம் - ten trillion
100,000,000,000,000 = PATHUMAM - பதுமம் - hundred trillion
1,000,000,000,000,000 = SANGGAM - சங்கம் - one zillion
10,000,000,000,000,000 = VELLAM - வெள்ளம் - ten zillion
100,000,000,000,000,000 = ANNIYAM - அந்நியம் - hundred zillion 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 = ARTTAM - அர்ட்டம் - ???
10,000,000,000,000,000,000 = PARARTTAM - பரர்ட்டம் - ??? 100,000,000,000,000,000,000 = POORIYAM- பூறியம் - ??? 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 = MUKKODI - முக்கோடி - ???
10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 = MAHAYUGAM - மகாயுகம் - ???

பவித்ரா ராமஸ்வாமி இது பற்றி சில தகவல்கள் கொடுத்துள்ளார். மேலும் அறிய இங்கே சொடுக்கவும். நன்றி பவித்ரா. ஹஹ்ஹா!! இப்போது தமிழ் எண்கள் பற்றித்தெரிந்தவர்கள் சொல்லுங்களேன்!! ப்ளீஸ்!!

TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR THOSE OVER FORTIES

2010-06-16T21:41:00.000-07:00

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR THOSE OVER FORTY YEARS OLD !!!!

A friend of mine sent me this message as a mail- forward. It was really excellent and I thought, it will be useful for everyone when they reach forty. ENJOY LIFE AS IT IS AND PEACE OUT !!!!

1. Focus on enjoying people, not on indulging in or accumulating material things.

2. Plan to spend whatever you have saved. You deserve to enjoy it and the few healthy years you have left. Travel if you can afford it. Don't leave anything for your children or loved ones to quarrel about. By leaving anything, you may even cause more trouble when you are gone.

3. Live in the here and now, not in the yesterdays and tomorrows. It is only today that you can handle. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may not even happen.

4. Enjoy your grandchildren (if you are blessed with any) but don't be their full time baby sitter. You have no moral obligation to take care of them. Don't have any guilt about refusing to baby sit anyone's kids, including your own grandkids. Your parental obligation is to your children. After you have raised them into responsible adults, your duties of child-rearing and babysitting are finished. Let your children raise their own offspring.

5. Accept physical weakness, sickness and other physical pains. It is a part of the aging process. Enjoy whatever your health can allow.

6. Enjoy what you are and what you have right now. Stop working hard for what you do not have. If you do not have them, it's probably too late.

7. Just enjoy your life with your spouse, children, grandchildren and friends. People, who truly love you, love you for yourself, not for what you have. Anyone who loves you for what you have will just give you misery.

8. Forgive and accept forgiveness. Forgive yourself and others.. Enjoy peace of mind and peace of soul.

9. Don't be afraid of death. It's a natural part of the life cycle. So, prepare yourself not for death but for a new life with the Almighty.

10. Be at peace with your Creator.. For... He is all you have after you leave this life.

TAMIL NEW YEAR / KONNAPOO & VISHUKKANI

2010-04-13T08:08:00.000-07:00

Image source : Google images(wikimedia)

As already said, Sree Guruvayoorappan is my Ishta Deivam and we drove to Guruvayoor on 28th March, on the eve of my birthday. The konna trees were in full bloom throughout Kerala. I was surprised!!! Does the trees know about Vishu( new year)?!!! I felt that the flowers were getting ready to be a part of the Lord's pooja. My memories went back to my childhood. My neighbour will start the arrangements the previous day night, with coins, vellari, konnapoo, rice, vetrilai(betel leaves), paakku, Narayaneeyam, Uruli, mirror etc. alongwith Lord Krishna photo. They used to invite me for the kaineetam and I will run to their house for "kaineetam". It was some 25 ps. coins or so, I couldn't remember, but my happiness had no bounds. To know the story about konnapoo and vishu read the post here.

HAPPY TAMIL NEW YEAR TO ALL

KEYS TO HAPPY LIFE

2010-01-30T02:34:00.001-08:00

KEYS TO HAPPY LIFE
By Author Unknown

1. Compliment 3 people everyday!
2. Watch a sunrise.
3. Be the first to say "namaskaar"
4. Treat everyone as you want to be treated.
5. Live beneath your means.
6. Forget the "Joneses".
7. Never give up on anybody - miracles happen!
8. Remember someone's name.
9. Be kinder than you have to be.
10. Wish not for things, but for wisdom and courage.
11. Be tough-minded, but tender hearted.
12. Don't forget that a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.
13. Keep your promises.
14. Leave everything better than you found it.
15. Show cheerfulness even when you don't feel it.
16. Remember that winners do what losers don't want to do.
17. Remember that overnight success usually takes 15 years.
18. When you arrive at your job in the morning, let the first thing you say brighten everyone's day.
19. Don't rain on other people's parades.
20. Don't waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.

REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATIONS

2010-01-25T20:30:00.001-08:00

HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY TO ALL.

NANDAVANAM.....

This is a children’s club run by me .

WHAT IS NANDAVANAM?

NANDAVANAM in Tamil, is the garden where different flowers blossom for the daily pooja of The Almighty. This NANDAVANAM unites all children in serving The Almighty and mankind. NANDAVANAM is a forum for children to discover the divinity within them. NANDAVANAM enables children to learn moral values and culture in an enjoyable manner and make good friends. The forum also develops a sense of service to mankind, and teaches our heritage. The children brought up in this way will learn good moral values and principles and will realize the spark within themselves and grow with positive thoughts and spirituality.

ACTIVITIES:-

Activities include social, spiritual, intellectual and physical development of the children.

For ex:- Stories, bhajans, slokas, quiz, games & sports, competitions etc.

SPECIAL EVENTS & COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Celebrates various festivals and teaches the meaning behind the festivals.

a) Service to the needy is the most important of all.

b) extending voluntarily service in Senior Citizen's Homes, orphanages, helpage homes, etc.,

c) Actively participating in National festivals and sowing the seed of patriotism in children.

As part of our events, Republic day was celebrated by hoisting the National Flag in the nearby grounds and was filled with Desabhakthi. The children were encouraged to be creative and positive in their activities. The program also provided the opportunity for parents and children to visit and learn about NANDAVANAM.

The children put kolam yesterday night with great enthusiasm.

Stray dogs doesn't know the hard work of the children.

Children pin our National Flag to each other with fun and love.

Flag hoisting

OUR PRIDE

Singing National Anthem after variety programmes.

And, I am here with my children without whom I would not have been able to do it.

1st BIRTHDAY OF MY BLOG

2009-12-26T09:06:00.000-08:00

Before sharing Dr.Abdul Kalam's quotes, I would like to recollect the works done by me in the past one year. Thank you friends, for visiting my blogs and encouraging me to achieve my goals.

I have started 3 blogs. This blog is my 1st one. The 2nd one is my cookbook and the 3rd one is a blog about my favourite God Lord Krishna.

I have created many PPS shows on Ramayana, Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam, Samprokshanam of our village temple (which can be seen as a slideshow in this blog), Faith in GOD, Sri Krishna, Srimad Andavan's visit to Coimbatore, Narasimha avatar etc. I have uploaded my presentations here.

I have sung many songs in the great website kaumaram.
Sung Sri Krishna avatar and Sri Mukundamala and you can hear it here.
Sung Radhakrishnashtak in another great website radhavallabh.
Conducted 5 events in my cookery blog.

My memorable 3 featured interviews in forums and sites:
1. Interview in Solkadi
2. Interview in Food-india &
3. Interview in Naarisakhi

Now, few energetic quotes of Dr.APJ which also encouraged me to do something useful.

1. Those who cannot work with their hearts achieve but a hollow, half-hearted success that breeds bitterness all around.
2. We should not give up and we should not allow the problem to defeat us.
3. You have to dream before your dreams can come true.
4. As a child of God, I am greater than anything that can happen to me.
5. Life is a difficult game. You can win it only by retaining your birthright to be a person.
6. Climbing to the top demands strength, whether it is to the top of Mount Everest or to the top of your career.
7. Do we not realize that self respect comes with self reliance?
8. God, our Creator, has stored within our minds and personalities, great potential strength and ability. Prayer helps us tap and develop these powers.
9. Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success.
10. To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal.

NAREEPOL

2009-12-22T23:18:00.000-08:00

This is an amazing tree named 'Nareepol' in

Thai.

Naree means 'girl/woman' and pol means plant/tree in Malay. It means woman tree. You can see the real tree at Petchaboon province about almost 500 kms away from Bangkok. Source:Web

BUDDHA-SHAPED PEAR

2009-12-21T23:36:00.000-08:00

A chinese farmer breeds a pear in the shape of Buddha. See the details here.

LAUGH & LAUGH

2009-11-20T23:46:00.000-08:00

Police arrested a drunkard & asked: Where are you going?

Man: I'm going to a lecture on ill effects of drinking.
Cop: Who'll lecture at midnight?
Man: My wife......
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Banta was travelling in an auto rickshaw with his wife. The driver adjusted the mirror.
Banta shouted: You are trying to see my wife!!!! Sit back. I'll drive..
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After robbing a bank, one robber to clerk : Did you see me robbing?
Clerk : Yes I saw u.
Robber killed him and asked to the next clerk : Did u?
Second Clerk : No, but my wife saw u!
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Meaning of WIFE,

Husband asks:"Do you know the meaning of WIFE"?
it means.......
"WITHOUT INFORMATION FIGHTING EVERYTIME"
Wife on hearing this says,"it could also mean ......
WITH IDIOT FOREVER."
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Judge: Don't you have shame? It is the 3rd time you are coming to court.
Sardar to judge: You are coming daily, don't you have shame?
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Teacher : Four beautiful ladies are walking on the road. Change it to exclamatory sentence .
Student : WOW !
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Teacher : U failure ! @ ur age Bill gates stood first in the class.
Student : Sir, but @ ur age Hitler committed suicide.
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A cigarette shortens your life by 2 min..
A beer shortens your life by 4 min..
A working day shortens your life by 8 hours!!!!..
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During Marriage ceremony why is the bridegroom made to sit on the horse ?
He is given his last chance to run away.
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A husband, the owner of a new car, was somewhat reluctant to allow his wife to drive his prize possession even to the grocery store, which was a few blocks from the house.

After she insisted, he finally relented, cautioning her as she departed: "Remember, if you have an accident, the newspaper will print your age.”
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HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED IT.

படித்ததில் பிடித்தது

2009-10-19T21:02:00.000-07:00

Just for fun and no intention of hurting anybody

தாடியும், மீசையும்
தாடி, மீசையிடம் சொல்கிறது. இருவரும் ஒன்றாகப் பிறந்தோம் வளர்ந்தோம்... ஆனால் நீ வீரத்திற்கு, நான் மட்டும் சோகத்திற்கா?

லேடீஸ் பஸ் 
ஏ பேருந்தே! எளிதில் தீப்பற்றக்கூடியதை ஏற்றக் கூடாது என்று சொல்லிவிட்டு இத்தனை இளம் பெண்களை ஏற்றிச் செல்கிறாயே!

லஞ்சம் 
வாங்கினேன்...கைது செய்தார்கள்
கொடுத்தேன்...விடுதலை செய்தார்கள்!

அரசியல்வாதி 

ஒரு அரசியல்வாதியின் கடைசி சடங்குகள் செய்யும் போது...
மறந்தும் கைத்தட்டி விடாதீர்கள்!
அவன் மறுபடியும் எழுந்துவிடுவான்!

AMAZING BABIES

2009-10-15T00:45:00.000-07:00

Are they premature and worldly wonders? Scroll down, see the babies and then read the details.

Really unbelievable babies. These babies are sculpted by a woman. We can't say that it is crafted or sculpted. They are very real and I have posted some of them here.The 1st two babies are made of silicon, and the others, shell, egg- shell and miniature babies are hand-sculpted with tiny tools using polymer clay. Whenever you get a mail forward about this, that these are cake frosting babies, marzipan babies (a mixture of almond paste and eggwhite) etc., reply with source to them that, they are actually sculpted by Camille Allen and see more babies & also about the artist here.

"The Window"

2009-10-07T02:07:00.000-07:00

A story by an unknown author, which moved me & made me think about pursuit of happiness:

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour a day to drain the fluids from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed next to the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed would live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the outside world. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake, the man had said. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Lovers walked arm in arm amid flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Unexpectedly, an alien thought entered his head: Why should he have all the pleasure of seeing everything while I never get to see anything? It didn't seem fair. As the thought fermented, the man felt ashamed at first. But as the days passed and he missed seeing more sights, his envy eroded into resentment and soon turned him sour. He began to brood and found himself unable to sleep. He should be by that window - and that thought now controlled his life.

Late one night, as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window began to cough. He was choking on the fluid in his lungs. The other man watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from across the room, he never moved, never pushed his own button which would have brought the nurse running. In less than five minutes, the coughing and choking stopped, along with the sound of breathing. Now, there was only silence......deathly silence.

The following morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths. When she found the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was saddened and called the hospital attendant to take it away--no words, no fuss. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

Moral of the story:

The pursuit of happiness is a matter of choice...it is a positive attitude we consciously choose to express. It is not a gift that gets delivered to our doorstep each morning, nor does it come through the window. And I am certain that our circumstances are just a small part of what makes us joyful. If we wait for them to get just right, we will never find lasting joy.

The pursuit of happiness is an inward journey. If we think positive, we will find that there is much to rejoice about.

FREEDOM OF WOMEN

2009-07-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

FREEDOM OF WOMEN (posted for naarisakhi's Freedom contest)

Progress of women compared with the past centuries.

Let us go back to 9^th century when women had no freedom . All of us know Sri Andal and her story. Why Andal today? Because, today is her birthday “AADIPOORAM”. So we’ll start with her. She is a precious gem among women. She gathered all her friends towards “SERVICE TO GOD” and she did the services with sincerity and devotion.

Her services to Tamil literature is very great .

We can call her an ideal woman. She was a light to friends. She was selfless and free from all desires and she set an example for others to follow.

When one talks about Women liberation, we cannot forget Subramania Bharathiar. He said “Maadhar thammai izhivu seiyyum madamayaikkoluththuvOm” He had a clear vision about women.

Now, all of us talk about Women empowerment and most of us mean it as gender equality or equal status with men. Is it the men who does not give us privilege?

In many places, women are the enemies of women.

What is Women Empowerment?

Today’s girls need simple materialistic pleasure. They think dating and flirting are modern ways of living. They do not know where to draw a line and they land into troubles. Are they marching towards the right direction?

Freedom to women should not become a blemish.

My father used to drop me to my college. My husband has helped me to come out from critical situations. My sons and my husband encourages me in my activities.

Not all the husbands are rude and pessimistic.

Is it logic to generalize all men in the society, just because some men are not encouraging their wives?

We are the masters of our actions. So, do your duties at home, and then enjoy your FREEDOM and talk about WOMEN EMPOWERMENT in an optimistic way. Gather friends as Sri Andal did and do your duty with sincerity and dedication.

It is not the freedom that matters. It is the patience and concentration through which we can achieve anything in the world.

WONDERFUL CREATIONS OF GOD

2009-07-22T06:43:00.001-07:00

This is an extremely rare flower from Thailand, Myanmar. Looks similar to that of our balsum flower. May be a variety of balsum flower but a rare one. The creations of GOD are really extremely wonderful and glorious. To know more details about this plant visit www.ExoticRainforest.com

SREE KRISHNA AVATAR AND LEELA & MUKUNDAMALA

2009-07-10T21:02:00.000-07:00

I saw this sloka in a small sloka book which I bought from Guruvayoor when I was a schoolgirl. There was a spark in my mind to tune it because Sri Guruvayoorappan is my ISHTA DEIVAM. After 30 years, HE has graced me to tune this and to sing it.

PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

2009-05-24T11:08:00.000-07:00

SELF ANALYSIS ?!!!

Before, I let little things in life make me upset , and big things let me down. I always worry a lot. Everything went wrong. I told to myself that things would get better, but alas! It was getting worse. It seemed life had been thrown into reverse. Many bad things happened. And I can remember everything!!! (I am an absent-minded lady).

Suddenly, a light sparked. ***

An optimistic attitude can make everything better.

So, I tried to change my outlook and YES, the sadness seemed to be going.

The bad things were not really bad!! It seemed to worsen because I was worried.

I tried to laugh and smile and the smile came back to me.

WHAT YOU SOW, SO YOU REAP.

But this was/is extremely difficult to follow?

Again and again, I try to take things easily. This lessens my fear. Now, I don’t let the little things or the big things make me upset or let me down.

Life seems to be much more improved, but it isn’t the life that has changed. It is my attitude towards life and my re-arrangment. Before also, I did everything that I am doing now. The only difference is my approach.

I recollect something which I read or heard somewhere.

“Whenever the thoughts of past and future comes, tell yourself that you cannot change or edit your past and you have no control over your future. The only thing possible is to do your best in the present and leave everything to Lord Narayana. Slowly, you’ll feel the presence of GOD in everything. It is HE who guides us in everything”. (Out of our ignorance, we feel that we are doing everything).

LATE REALISATION BUT NOT TOO LATE.

STILL TRYING, TRYING AND TRYING TO BE PRESENT IN THE PRESENT!!!!!

Thunbam nergayil

2009-05-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

MY HOME IS MY GARDEN

2009-05-09T09:12:00.000-07:00

Here are some ideas for your garden for daily living

PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS:
1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another

NO GARDEN WITHOUT TURNIPS:
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another

AND OUR GARDEN WE MUST HAVE THYME:
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends

Water freely with patience and cultivate with love.
There is much fruit in your garden because
you reap what you sow.

Source: Web

ROLE OF LOVE IN YOUR LIFE

2009-04-30T08:08:00.000-07:00

Another interesting article by an unknown author. Hope it will be of interest to you all.
It's another morning.... I have to go to office. WHAT???? This is me!!! I shouted seeing my pic in the news paper. But what the HELL is it doing in the obituary column??
Strange.
One sec... Let me think, last night when I went to bed I had severe pain in my chest, but I don't remember anything after that, I think I had sound sleep.
Its morning now, oh... It's already 10:00 AM, where is my coffee? I will be late for office and my boss will get a chance to shout at me.
Where is everyone? I screamed.
"I think there is a crowed outside my room, let me check." I said to myself.
So many people... Not all of them are crying. But why are some of them crying.
WHAT IS THIS??? I m lying there on a bed in the drawing room!!!!
"I AM HERE. I shouted!!! No one listened.
"LOOK I AM NOT DEAD. I screamed once again!!! No one was interested in me.
They were all looking at me lying on the bed.
I went back to my bed room.
"Am I dead??" I asked myself.
Where are my wife, my children, my mom-dad, my friends?
I found them in the next room, all of them were crying. Still trying to console each other.
My wife was crying. She was really looking sad.
My little kid was not sure what happened, but he was crying just coz his mom was sad.
How can I go without telling my kid that I really love him, I really do care for him....??
How can I go without telling my wife that she is really the most beautiful and the most caring wife in this world..??
How can I go without telling my parents that I am what I am just because of them...??
How can I go without telling my friends that without them, perhaps I would have?
Done wrong things in life- thanks for being there always
When I needed them. And sorry for not being there when they really needed me..
I can see a person standing in the corner and trying to hide his tears. Oh, he was once my best friend, but a small misunderstanding made us part, and we both never let go off our egos.....
I went there.. And offered him my hand, "Dear friend. I just want to say sorry for everything, we r still good friends, please forgive me."
No response from other side, what the hell?? He is still preserving his ego, I am saying sorry. even then!!! I really don't care for such people.
But one sec.. It seems he is not able to see me!!!! He did not see my extended hand.
My goodness. AM I REALLY DEAD???
I just sat down next to MYSELF; I also felt like crying.
"OH GOD!!!! PLEASE GIVE ME FEW MORE DAYS."
I just want to tell my wife, my parents, my kid and my friends how much I love them.
My wife entered the room, she looks beautiful.
"YOU R BEAUTIFUL" I shouted.
She didn't hear my words, in fact she has never heard these words from me coz I have never told her.
"GOD!!!!" I screamed. a little more time plzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.. I cried.
One more chance please-to hug my child, to make my mom smile.. just once, to make my dad feel proud of me at least for a moment...., to say sorry to my friends for everything I have not told and done for them-inspite of that for still being there for me..
Then I looked up and cried!!!!
I shouted..
"GOD!!!! ONE MORE CHANCE PLEASE!!!!"
"You shouted in your sleep," said my wife as she gently woke me up. "Did you have a nightmare?"
I was sleeping..??!!!
Oh that was just a dream..??!!
My wife was there. She could hear me.
This was the happiest moment in my life!!
I hugged her and whispered.. "U R THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND CARING WIFE IN
THIS UNIVERSE.. I REALLY LOVE U DEAR"
I just couldnt understand that in spite of a smile on her face she had tears in her eyes...

I was so HAPPY!!!!!
"THANK YOU GOD FOR GIVING ME ANOTHER CHANCE!!!"
It's not late.. Forget your egos, forget all that has happened....., and just express your love to others.... Be friendly..... Keep smiling and be happy for ever.

ENJOY LIFE

2009-04-24T02:59:00.000-07:00

A lecturer was giving a lecture to his student on stress management.

He raised a glass of water and asked the audience, "How heavy do you think this glass of water is?"

The students' answers ranged from 20g to 500gm.

"It does not matter on the absolute weight. It depends on how long you hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's OK.

If I hold it for an hour, I will have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you will have to call an ambulance.

It is the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

"If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, we will not be able to carry on, the burden becoming increasingly heavier."

"What you have to do is to keep the glass down, rest for a while before holding it up again."

We have to put down the burden periodically, so that we can be refreshed and are able to carry on.

So before you return home from work tonight, put the burden of work down.

Don't carry it back home. You can pick it up tomorrow.

Life is short, enjoy it

THAT'S LIFE

2009-04-24T02:46:00.000-07:00

A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying' - or - whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbours together and told them what had happened...and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbours continued shovelling and the dirt hit his back...a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back...HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow.

"Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up!" he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!

You're right! It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL! What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him...all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

THAT'S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity...THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT AND BLESS US! Remember that FORGIVENESS--FAITH--PRAYER-- PRAISE and HOPE...all are excellent ways to "SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP" out of the wells in which we find ourselves!

Author:Unknown

RAMAYANAM

2009-04-01T10:40:00.001-07:00

Uploaded on authorSTREAM by setlurshanu
For my other presentations visit http://www.authorstream.com/User-Presentations/setlurshanu/

KS CHITRA

2009-03-31T05:54:00.001-07:00

The person coming to my mind is Chitra. Her voice is really extraordinary.
The song Engaey enadhu kavithai is a favourite of mine. She brings the feel in her voice. Something great! Here is the song. Enjoy.

SRIMAD ANDAVAN

2009-03-13T07:14:00.000-07:00

STRESS IN WORK & LIFE

2009-02-03T07:28:00.000-08:00

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite -
telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you have noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.
Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live.
Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee.

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything."

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to GOD.

BE POSITIVE ATTITUDE

2009-02-02T03:34:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time there was an army of tiny frogs.... who arranged a running competition.

The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower.

A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants....

The race began....

Honestly, no one in crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower.

They heard statements such as:

"Oh, it is too difficult!!"

"They will NEVER make it to the top."

"No chance they will succeed. The tower is too high!"

The tiny frogs began collapsing one by one....

Except for those, who in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher....

The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!"

More tiny frogs got tired and gave up....

But ONE continued higher and higher and higher....

This one wouldn't give up!

At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!

All the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this frog managed to do it?

A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal?

It turned out....

That the winner was DEAF!!!!

The wisdom of this story is:

Never listen to other people's tendencies which are negative or pessimistic.... because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you and the ones you have in your heart!

Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions!

Therefore:

ALWAYS be.... POSITIVE!

And above all:

Be DEAF when people tell YOU that YOU cannot fulfill your dreams!

Always think GOD and tell to yourself “I CAN DO THIS”!

BELIEF- THE GOLDEN PILLAR OF STRENGTH

2009-02-02T03:15:00.000-08:00

When Life gets tough with harsh blows of suffering stormed with emotions; It seems to blur with every step we put forward and mind starts losing its control, then our heart should believe in and seek the shelter of Shri Radhavallabh Lal. When we get entangled in the dark web of mixed feelings and emotions, even lose hope to achieve our goals in life we should not give up. We should believe that after every dark night of evil is the dawn of divine, after every end lies a fresh new start. Shri Radhavallabh knows all our pains. He possesses the power to heal us in the form of Guru, Parents, an Imaginary form or even Friends. Thus the strength of belief and trust in Shriji can show us the path of light, for she stays by our side in every thick and thin without demanding anything other than belief in return.

Source: radhavallabh.com

YOUNGSTERS

2009-02-02T02:36:00.001-08:00

The topic about which I would like to post in this blog is the recent craze among the teenagers and youngsters about attending discos and pubs and their addiction towards cellphones. People have some how got into an impression that going to discos , dancing and drinking is modern living. Are they marching towards the right direction? Is it right or safe? I think all girls and even boys should put their mind into some serious and deep thinking. In a way easy money which is available to our younger generation is also reason for such walk of life. They think that flirting and dating are modern thinking. I am definitely not against friendship between boys and girls. I was also from a co-education school. But I feel we should know where to draw the line. Youngsters should realise that there is a commitment and responsibility for them also. Women Liberation should be in our mind and healthy thinking. All of us have our own responsibilities in our society. We are the masters of our action and there is no point in blaming the others for a wrong step taken at a wrong time. If everyone could think twice before going to such places, I am very sure they can avoid landing into some deep troubles.

மனத்ருப்தியும் பேராசையும்

2009-02-02T01:34:00.001-08:00

ஒரு போட்டி நடந்தது. என்ன போட்டி தெரியுமா? ஒரே மூச்சில் நூறு இட்லிகளைச் சாப்பிட வேண்டும். பல பேர் பாதியிலேயே விலகிக் கொண்டார்கள். ஒருவன் மட்டும் விடாமல் தொடர்ந்து சாப்பிட்டுக் கொண்டே இருக்கிறான். இவன் சாப்பிடச் சாப்பிட... இன்னொருவன் ஒரு கரும்பலகையில் சாக்பீஸால் ஒரு இட்லிக்கு ஒரு கோடு வீதமாகப் போட்டுக் கொண்டே இருக்கிறான். ஒரு கட்டத்தில் கரும்பலகையில் இடமில்லை. அதைப் பற்றி, சாப்பிடுகிறவனுக்குக் கவலை இல்லை. கோடு போடுகிறவனுக்குத்தான் கவலை! சாப்பிடுகிறவன், எதைப் பற்றியும் கவலைப்படாமல் சாப்பிட்டுக் கொண்டே இருக்கிறான். கோடு போடுகிறவன் கரும்பலகையைக் கவலையோடு பார்த்தான். 99 கோடுகள் போட்டாயிற்று. இன்னொரு கோட்டுக்கு இடமில்லை. யாருக்கும் தெரியாமல் ஏற்கெனவே போட்ட சில கோடுகளை அழித்துவிட்டு... மறுபடியும் தொடர்ந்து போட ஆரம்பித்தான். ‘நூறு இட்லிகள், சாப்பிடும் போட்டி என்பது நூறையும் தாண்டிப் போய்க்கொண்டிருந்தது. சாப்பிடுகிறவனைப் பரிதாபமாகப் பார்த்தான் கோடு போடுகிறவன். சாப்பிடுகிறவன் நிறுத்துவதாகத் தெரியவில்லை. அவனுக்குக் கோடுகளைப் பற்றிக் கவலை இல்லை. ஆகவே, அவன் அண்ணாந்து பார்க்கவே இல்லை. இது கோடு போடுகிறவனுக்கு வசதியாகப் போயிற்று சாமர்த்தியமாக ஒரு கோட்டை அழிப்பது... மறுபடி அதன் மீதே இன்னொரு கோடு போடுவது... இப்படியே சமாளித்துக் கொண்டிருந்தான். அந்த சாப்பாட்டு ராமன், இது தெரியாமல் மதியம் வரை சாப்பிட்டுக் கொண்டே இருக்கிறான். கடைசியாக ஒரு கட்டத்தில் அவன் ஏதோ யோசிக்க ஆரம்பித்தான். கோடு போடுகிறவன் கேட்டான்: என்ன யோசிக்கிறே..? நீ செய்யறது எனக்கு என்னமோ சந்தேகமா இருக்கு! நான் ஒழுங்காத்தானே கோடு போட்டுக்கிட்டு வர்றேன்! சாப்பிடுகிறவன் சொன்னான்: அதெல்லாம் ஒண்ணும் வேணாம்... எல்லாக் கோட்டையும் அழிச்சுடு... மறுபடியும் முதல்லேயிருந்து வரலாம்!

அதிர்ச்சியடையாதீர்கள்.

எல்லையில்லாமல் இட்லிகளை உள்வாங்கிக் கொண்டிருக்கிற அந்த வயிற்றின் பெயர் என்ன தெரியுமா? அதன் பெயர்: பேராசை!

பேராசைக்காரனுக்கு உலகமெல்லாம் தந்தாலும்கூட பசி தீராது. மனத் திருப்தியுள்ளவனுக்கு ஒரு துண்டு ரொட்டியே போதுமானது! - சா அதி

radhakrishnashtakam of vallabhacharya tuned and sung by me

2009-01-03T08:53:00.000-08:00

You can hear me singing the above song in this link.
http://www.imeem.com/people/Wxk3_E-/music/QE_rIyfE/shanthi_krishnakshtakam_radhakrishnashtakammp3/

WHO AM I ? Artha panchagam

2009-01-01T11:21:00.001-08:00

Sri. Kalyanapuram Aravamudhachariar mama came to Coimbatore two years back and he motivated all of us in Coimbatore to have a Sath Sampradayam. He plays an important and unforgettable role in my life which I consider as a Golden period in my life. His Harikatha and discourses are as sweet as his name “AARA AMUDHAN”. Now, I recollect a definition given by mama on ‘ARTHA PANCHAKAM’ of Swami Desikan. He often tells that this subject can be held as a workshop in colleges, schools etc. If each one of us have knowledge in these five doctrines, there is no need for a debate on the topic “WHO AM I” ? which is held often nowadays. These five doctrines are the most important ones for those who wish to gain moksham. This deals with five topics. Mama explains it as this :

1. நான் யார்? - என்பது நம் உள்ளே அணுமாத்ரம் உள்ள ஜீவன்

2. உள்ளே உள்ளது யார்? - என்பது பரமாத்ம ஸ்வரூபம்

3. அந்த பரமாத்ம ஸ்வரூபத்தை அடையும் உபாயம் - பக்தி , ப்ரபத்தி முதலியன

4. உபாயத்தால் கிடைக்கும் பலன் - மோக்ஷம்

5. பலனை அடைய வரும் தடைகள் - அவைகளை பகவத் கைங்கர்யத்தால் தடுக்கலாம்

ஸ்ரீ ஸுக்தி என்னும் தீபத்தை பக்தி என்னும் எண்ணையை விட்டு நிஷ்காம்யம் என்னும் திரி போட்டு ஏற்றுவோம் . இதுவும் மாமா சொல்வதுதான் .

thoonilum iruppar song by haridossgiri swamiji

2008-12-28T03:59:00.000-08:00

tUNilum iruppAr. rAgA: nAdanAmakriyA. Adi tALA. Composer: Pudukottai Gopalakrishna.

AUDIO LINK:

http://www.imeem.com/people/4ZEdp8r/music/i1uixEc9/swami_haridhas_thoonilum_iruppaar/

1: tUNilum iruppAr turumbilum iruppAr duritattaip-pariharippAr (nArAyaNan)
AnavamillAda anbargaL idayattil kANappaDum karuNaikkaDalAgiya kaNNan

2: unnilum iruppAr ennilum iruppAr ulagattilum iruppAr (nArAyaNan)
anniyamAi eNNAda amala cittam uLLORkku bhinnappaDAdiyangum brahmAnanda vastu

3: uLLilum iruppAr veLiyilum iruppAr uyirukkuyirAyum iruppAr (nArAyaNan)
eLLukkuL eNNai pOl engum niraivuTRArp-pOl kaLLa manaduLLORkkuk-kANappaDAda kaNNan

4: cittAyum iruppAr jaTamAyum iruppAr cid jaTamAyum iruppAr (nArAyaNan)
bhaktiyaip-paNNAmal pApattaiyE shryyum keTTa cittam uDaiyavarkku mrtyuvAit-tOnrum hari

Interesting mails

2008-12-27T00:11:00.000-08:00

ISN'T IT STRANGE

ISN"T IT STRANGE: ----------------- Isn't it strange how Rs 200 seems like such a large amount when you donate it to temple, but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn't it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you're at the temple, and how short they seem when you're watching a movie?

Isn't it strange that you can't find a word to say when you're praying, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn't it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bhagavad-gita, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel?

Isn't it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games, but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row or at the back of the temple room?

Isn't it strange how we need toknow about an event for temple 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events in the last minute?

Isn't it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about Lord Krsna to share it with others, but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?

Isn't it strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say, but we question the words in the Bhagavatam and other scriptures?

Isn't it strange how everyone wants a place in the Vaikunta, but they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?

2008-12-26T23:30:00.000-08:00

Hantha! Bhagyam Jananam

This article was written by narayan. What a lovely article!

Can you imagine some three situations which could prove how gifted are the Human Beings in comparison to others,including the Devatas. In the Vaikuntam, there is a long line of 330 million, standing in one line to meet The Mahavishnu Bhagawan,this line includes all the Demi- gods and other Devatas!!! There is not evn a second line for the seniors or for the more fortunates. All of them are carrying some unique and beautiful gifts for the Lord. Some are reaching upto the Main Gopuram and are returning for they are not given permission to meet the God. Even if one is given 5 minutes to talk to the Bhagawan, imagine the fate of the last one in the line and how many Janmas he has to wait to see the God.

Now come to the Himalayas,where from Haridwar to the Rishikesh and above there are plenty of Ashramas of Yogies,Munis and Maharishis, in thousands of numbers. Each one of them doing rigorous penance ,some standing on one foot for years, some others hanging from the tallest branch of the nearest banyan trees , and others threatening to cut off their heads to get the Darshan of the Gods and Devatas of their liking.And imagine these Mahatmas are doing these things for the many Janmas and are yet to get the nod of the Gods.

Now, follow a guy who catches a train from the Lokamanya Tilak Terminus of Kurla in Mumbai and alights at a station called Thrissur in the state of Kerala in just 24 hours and from there he boards a bus and reaches the Booloka Vaikuntam of the Earth,named Guruvayur in half hour's time and then after standing in line for about one or one and a half hour he is able to see the God of all Gods, THE GURUVAYURAPPAN, for whoose Darshan the Devatas in Vaikuntam and the Munis in the Himalayas are waiting for ages!!!What do you conclude.............Hantha! Bhagyam Jananam

Nigama Shata Sahasrena Nirbhashyamanam............the hundreds of thousands of Shastras, Vedas and Upanishads could not describe the Brahmam (The God)......They only said that this is not the Brahmam and this is not it---by the theory of elimination ---such Brahmam that the eyes can not see which is enabling the eyes to see,such Brahmam the ears can not hear that which enables them to hear and that Brahmam the hands can not touch that which gives them the sense of touch......that Brahmam is in front of your eyes in Guruvayur.......Hantha! Bhagyam Jananam

The story of Bhagawan and His Leelas are called the Bhagawatham which Valmiki describes in 24000 verses in his Ramayanam,which Vedavyasa Bhagawan describes in 18000 verses in his Bhagawatha Puranam and which Melphathur Narayanan Bhattathiripad described in 1008 verses in his Narayaneeyam or which can be represented in just one name of Rama or Krishna....Sahasra Naama Thathulyam Rama Naama Varanane...Such Namasankeerthanam should be made non stop till one gets the Sakshatkaram which is a one-in-a-million probability,but if you just visit Guruvayur,the Same Para Brahma Tatwam is in front of you.....Hantha! Bhagyam Jananam.

Lord Rama Himself heard the Ramayana recital from Lava and Kusha and got the benefit of that Epic Sravanam and Narada Maharshi is believed to have recited the complete Bhagawatham to Lord Sree Krishna during the Rajasuya Yagna of Dharmaputra. And each and every Dasakam of Narayaneeyam is told to Lord Guruvayurappa by Bhattathiripad and the God is believed to have nodded "Yes" to every one of his inquiries. And this happened in the holy Mandapam of Sree Guruvayurappa and one can even touch such a place by ones own hands......Hantha! Bhagyam Jananam.

The Bhagawan who is the cause of Shrushti, Sthithi and Layam of all the Universe and beyond,one who creates the elements and the compounds of them and provides for their survival by giving them the food and essentials and at the Pralaya time safe guards them in His own stomach until the next cycle of production and Who describes the whole of Bhagawatham in just four slokas --Chatur sloki bhagawatham, to Brahmaji and the Lord Who kills the Hriranyaksha,the demon and saves the Earth from his clutches,taking the Varaha Avataram, and the Lord Who takes the Kapiladeva Avataram to recite the "Kapila Geetha" to His mother, Devahoothi, is in front of your eyes in Guruvayur......Hantha! Bhagyam Jananam.

Once Dakshaprajapathi conducted a Brihaspathisavanam Yaganam just to insult Siva by not inviting Him for the Yagna though He's his son-in-law,and in the end, Sati, his daughter, ends her life in the Yagagni and Lord Shiva beheads Daksha in anger and Lord Narayana arrives in the scene to restore calm in the Yagna shala and this Lord Narayana was Guruvayurappa Himself according to Bhattathiripad. And when small kid Dhruva wanted just to sit on the lap of his father Uttanapada,but Guru Narada advises him to do the penance to get the lap of actual father of all, the God Vishnu,and Guruvayurappa appears before Dhruva and gives him the eternal blessings and one can get such a blessing from Him,if only one can visit Guruvayur......Hantha! Bhagyam Jananam.

The same God, Who gave Darshanam to Prithu Chakravarthi and Who took the Avataram of Rishabha deva ,the Jain Thirthankar,and Who gave His Darshan to a Mahapapi like Ajamila in the form of His Guards and saved him from the Yama dhoothas,just for the sake of one Namakeerthanam,is in front of you at Guruvayur ,where Namasankeerthanams of Narayana,Narayana,Narayana,reverberates the whole atmosphere .......Hantha! Bhagyam Jananam.

Due to the Shapa of Parvathi when Chitraketu became Vrutrasura,the Lord gave him Moksham and Vaikuntam when he started praising the Lord,though he did not ask for anything from the God and if you too can do the praise of the Lord in Guruvayur.!.........Hantha! Bhagyam Jananam.

What should be the qualification to become a Bhaktha of the God.......is the matter of constant conflict in every one's mind.......if it's age, Dhruva would not have seen the God at 5 years, if it's good Caste, Guha would not have got Ram,if it's Punyam alone, Ajamila would not have attained Moksham,if it's Humanity alone,Hanuman would not have become the God himself,if it's Devatwam, Vibhishana or Prahlada would not have got the Darshan of the God.Because Prahlada even though born to an Asura like Hiranya Kashipu, is always on the Bhajan of Hari and he even tells his father ....Sravanam,Keerthanam,Vandanam,...........Navadha Bhakthi to please the Lord Vishnu.Prahlada tells his father that Hari is Sarvatra Vidyathe.....but poor Hirnya Kashipu can not see the God anywhere and he asks if Hari is present in the Pillar also and to prove the young Prahlada right, the Guruvayurappa appears from that pillar and kills Hiranya Kashipu....in a strange avataram of Narasimham........And such a Lord is in front of us in the most Beautiful Swaroopam of Guruvayurappa...Hantha! Bhagyam Jananam.

God is so Kripalu that He appears immediately on the call of His Names.Not only of the Humans but also of all beings. Gajendra,the King Elephant, had called "Aadimoolame" and He started in His Garuda Vahanam to save His bhaktha,Gajendra.And one call of "Guruvayurappa" is more than sufficient for the Lord to come to your help.....Hantha! Bhagyam Jananam.

Although the Milky Ocean was churned for getting Amrutham for the Devas, it produced - the most important thing for the human beings in this present day world--Lakshmy Devi with whose kadaksham the wealth is sustained in this Universe. And Mohini Avataram of Vishnu Bhagawan to distribute the Amrutham for the Devas and the Asuras is the other beautiful end-product of the Palazhi Mandanam.Mohini is the most beautiful Avataram of Mahavishnu,but our Guruvayurappa is..............
"Yat trilokya mahiyasopi mahitham,Sammohanam Mohanal,
Kantham kanthi nidhanathopi Madhuram,Madhurya dhuryadhapi,
Saundaryoutharothopi Sundaratharam,Twathroopam Aashcharyathopi,
Aashcharyam bhuwane na kasya koothukam,Pushnathi Vishno Vibho"
Hantha! Bhagyam Jananam

Mahabali had the blessings of his forefathers especially Prahlada,that was why he was able to get the foot of Mahavishnu on his head. Vamana Moorthy Bhagawan measured the two lokas with his two padams and the third one was on Bali's head. We all strive to get the Padarenu of Bhagawan on our heads,but never we get the chance. But we sure can make the Sashtanga Namaskaram at the temple premises of Guruvayur thereby getting the Padarenus of all the Bhagawath Bhakthas making the Pradakshinam of the Lord....... Hantha! Bhagyam Jananam.

Sree Vishnu was very much pleased with Ambarisha Chakravarthy as he was an ardent devotee of Him. Bhagawan, even gave His Sudarshana Chakram to him which saved Ambarisha from the wrath of Durvassa Maharishi during his Ekadasi Vratham. This, Hari did to prove the world that He was a "Bhaktha Paradheenaha", and for we real Bhakthas, He has come down to Guruvayur to give His Blessings.Hantha! Bhagyam Jananam"

Each and every "Chetan" and "Achetan" thing in this world--Live and Inert objects of this world--can be treated as the Avataram of the God as He resides in every one of them. That is why the Hindus worship almost all the creations.But among the Avatarams, Sree Ram and Sree Krishna are the only POORNA AVATARAMS as they represent what is Bhagawatham,of the Bhagawan and of the Bhakthas.These two Gods could be seen only by the people of Their Yugas, but alas here in this Kali Yugam we have this Guruvayurappan,Whom all of us can see !! "Hantha! Bhagyam Jananam"

We all think that Lord Sree Krishna has taken yet another Avataram,that of Sree Guruvayurappan to bless the human beings in this Kali Yuga,but He was there even before the Krishna Avataram,in fact He was the same Adi Keshava who was worshiped by Krishna's parents and Krishna Himself in Madhura and later in Dwaraka. When the whole of Yadava Kulam as well as Dwaraka was drowned in the Sea,Guru Brihaspathi and Vayu Bhagawan carried and on the advise of Lord Shiva, installed the Idol on the banks of Narayana Saras in this Punya Kshetram of Guruvayur. That is why Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiripad asked Guruvayurappan in each and every Dasakam of his Narayaneeyam ,"was it not YOU"-- TAT TWAM ASI (tattwamasi). Melpathur saw the Lord and wrote ..."Agre Pashyami........." and wondered how fortunate the Human Beings are, to see HIM with their own naked eyes....................."HANTHA! BHAGYAM JANANAM"

My gurus in carnatic music

2008-12-26T03:59:00.000-08:00

At the age of 7, my first guru was Smt.Andal. She was a violinist. She contributed much towards my basics in carnatic music till varnam. My next guru was Sri. Palaniappa gounder in Coimbatore. He was a great murugan devotee. He taught us many keerthanams .Also many tiruppugazhgal. He was the lyricist for many murugan songs and also he set tunes for tiruppugazh. You can hear me singing his songs in the following link: http://www.kaumaram.com/shanthi.One more important thing. I have tuned the Pamban Swamigal's "thiruvadi thuthi"in the above website.. My next guru is my mother Smt. Vijayalakshmi . She is a very good singer . Both myself and my sister used to sing together. Maani bhagavathar from kerala was our next guru. He taught us good keerthanais and he played a main role for voice culture. Shri.K.V.Nataraja bhagavathar of Coimbatore, an eminent vidwan, was our next guru. He taught us many kritis of TRINITY, TIRUPPAVAI,TIRUVEMBAVAI etc. Even now, I go to his house on Vijayadasami day to get his blessings.Sri. Chandrasekara bhagavathar, of pandanallur paramparai made me sing after a gap of 20 years. He loves me as his daughter. I dedicate this post to all my gurus who have tuned me to this level. I am grateful to my grandparents, parents and my husband who are still encouraging me in my music.

Music: My passion

2008-12-26T03:44:00.000-08:00

At the age of 7, my paati put me in a music class.From then, till now, music is my passion and will be my passion for ever. My thatha, paati and my amma are my motivators. Now, after my VRS from a bank, I teach music to many students and housewives . When I listen to carnatic music, which has been my all time favourite, it soothes me a lot. And, ofcourse, it is my timepass too.