Have you ever wondered what would be the one boon you would ask God if he appeared before you? But first, lets be clear on a couple of things.....if God appeared before everyone so easily then he would not be God, he would be a genie! Then I need to understand that I am not a very evolved human being....I still have all those "bad" qualities and a busy mind!
But what would I ask? I wish.... No not this, its too low....may be this.....naah! too little for God to give....and soon I find myself testing God's giving power. Then this story comes to mind...the story of young Dhruva...and interesting one...may be it will teach me what to ask for???
There was a prince named Dhruva, he was the son of King Uttanapada and his wife Suniti. The king had another wife Suruchi and a son Uttama through her. Suruchi and Uttama were the king's "favorites". One day, while playing the two princes raced towards their father to sit on his lap. Suruchi chided Dhruva and told him he had no place on his father's lap. She further told him to seek Lord Vishnu and ask him the boon of being born as her son in the next birth.
Dhruva started crying and went to his mother. Suniti consoled young Dhruva and asked him to pray to Lord Vishnu to end his misery. Dhruva then undertook a severe penance as directed by Sage Narada.
After several hundreds of years of penance, Lord Narayana appeared before Dhurva to grant a boon. By this time Dhruva had forgotten the reason for his penance. So, he asked Lord for a life dedicated to singing praises of the Lord. Dhurva could have asked for anything including moksha. But Dhurva had no personal desires. This made the Lord very happy and gave him the highest seat in heaven...a seat that will never move. To this day you can see it in the sky...its the Pole Star or the "Dhruva-tara".
Ok so the highest place in the Universe is taken...what do I ask for....well I still dont have an answer...sorry God! I wish... you could give me a hint. Oooops!!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Support System
Yesterday, I finally managed to finish watching this movie called "Arai En 305il Kadavul". It simply traslates to "God in Room 305 of the lodge".
Its a story of God coming down from the heavens to teach the important lessons of life to mortals in a poor neighbourhood. Most of the lessons seemed cliche`d. But the one discussion on who God is and why he should exist was interesting.
As humans who have a wide range of the so called emotions, we constantly need support - "emotional support". When we are sad, angry, happy...we need someone to listen to us..someone who will give us a shoulder to cry on if we need. Most of us find our support system in our family.
But sometimes there is something lacking....I wouldn't say lacking.....may be we need more support....a support that is not corpereal ... that I believe gives rise to the concept of God. Some people would call it internal strength. Something our heart tells our mind and our troubled mind becomes stable again....that voice from our heart is God. The form that we give God is the form given by our mind. So no matter who we are God, I think is the same... the voice of our hearts....the rest of it is a world created by our minds!!
Its a story of God coming down from the heavens to teach the important lessons of life to mortals in a poor neighbourhood. Most of the lessons seemed cliche`d. But the one discussion on who God is and why he should exist was interesting.
As humans who have a wide range of the so called emotions, we constantly need support - "emotional support". When we are sad, angry, happy...we need someone to listen to us..someone who will give us a shoulder to cry on if we need. Most of us find our support system in our family.
But sometimes there is something lacking....I wouldn't say lacking.....may be we need more support....a support that is not corpereal ... that I believe gives rise to the concept of God. Some people would call it internal strength. Something our heart tells our mind and our troubled mind becomes stable again....that voice from our heart is God. The form that we give God is the form given by our mind. So no matter who we are God, I think is the same... the voice of our hearts....the rest of it is a world created by our minds!!
Monday, April 21, 2008
The Earth Day
For the uninitiated, April 22, is celebrated as Earth Day. Its a day when everyone talks about "going Green". Reducing, Recycling and Reusing waste are buzzwords. Al Gore will be the most used celebrity name. Then there is the Global Warming and the melting polar ice caps. And not to mention the "carbon footprint". Suddenly, its the question - "Is life on Earth going to end?"
I know that Srimad Bhagavatam talks about a great deluge (pralayam)when the entire population on the Earth disappeared under water. Lord Vishnu comes as Matsya avataram to preserve life forms from the deluge waters. Searching through Wikipedia reveals that most of the world's religions have some reference to "the great flood". In western mythology, Noah builds an Ark to save the various life forms.
So, all this talk of global warming, melting glaciers and rising sea waters, does it forebode a similar fate? Is it God's way of punishing us irresponsible humans?
The Bhagavatam says that after a deluge none other than the Primodial Souls exists. Then as per His will life begins again.
Global warming will happen and continue to happen, if not carbon gases it will be some other gases in the near future. With time we humans learn more, the more we learn the more we will come face to face with the eventuality!
I know that Srimad Bhagavatam talks about a great deluge (pralayam)when the entire population on the Earth disappeared under water. Lord Vishnu comes as Matsya avataram to preserve life forms from the deluge waters. Searching through Wikipedia reveals that most of the world's religions have some reference to "the great flood". In western mythology, Noah builds an Ark to save the various life forms.
So, all this talk of global warming, melting glaciers and rising sea waters, does it forebode a similar fate? Is it God's way of punishing us irresponsible humans?
The Bhagavatam says that after a deluge none other than the Primodial Souls exists. Then as per His will life begins again.
Global warming will happen and continue to happen, if not carbon gases it will be some other gases in the near future. With time we humans learn more, the more we learn the more we will come face to face with the eventuality!
Its Spring Time!!
The best part about living in this part of the world is the change in seasons. Its not like Chennai, where the only season is summer.
Its spring time - all the snow has disappeared even the big mounds. The grass is greener. The squirrels, rabbits and birds are all out. The trees are begining to bloom. Its exciting to watch even though it happens every year. Its a sense of freedom from the many layers of clothes. No more heaters. I can walk out without a jacket and shoes. Arjun can go out on demand!
A new hope that it will be summer again!! Spring is a wonderful time. It may not signify too much in the larger picture of life, but for now its just the feeling of freedom!
Its spring time - all the snow has disappeared even the big mounds. The grass is greener. The squirrels, rabbits and birds are all out. The trees are begining to bloom. Its exciting to watch even though it happens every year. Its a sense of freedom from the many layers of clothes. No more heaters. I can walk out without a jacket and shoes. Arjun can go out on demand!
A new hope that it will be summer again!! Spring is a wonderful time. It may not signify too much in the larger picture of life, but for now its just the feeling of freedom!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Beloved Devotee
As a mortal always needing love and nurturing, I have often wondered if God really loves me? If yes, why do I have to go through so many agonies, metal and physical? May be my definition of love is confused.
I will narate the following story which I often remember when I think about God "liking" me. I do not know its origin.
One day sage Narada went to Lord Narayana with a query - "Who is a beloved devotee of yours?" Now, Narada muni, as we all know, is a foremost devotee of Lord Narayana. Always repeating the Lord's name, Narada muni moves about the three worlds, stringing his veena.
Lord Narayana, immediately pointed the sage to a farmer on earth. Narada muni became curious as to what this farmer did that made him the Lord's beloved. So, sage Narada came down to the earth.
The farmer was poor, he had a wife and children to support. He toiled all day long in the farms to make ends meet. In the evening he came spent time with his family and had supper with them. Then at night he lay on the bare earth with only his hand for a pillow. Just before going to sleep, he repeated the name of Lord Narayana a few times.
Narada muni was shocked that repeating the name of Lord Narayana just a few times a day made the farmer one of the Lord's beloved devotees. He went back to Vaikuntha (Lord Narayana's abode). He asked the Lord, what made the farmer his beloved devotee. The Lord said repeating his name just a few times qualified the farmer to be one. Narada muni argued that if that was the criteria, then he should be the Lord's beloved devotee because he repeated the Lord's name infinte times.
The Lord then gave sage Narada a pot of water filled upto its brim. He asked the sage to take it to Mount Kailasa and come back without a single drop of water falling. Narada muni did not understand the reason for this. But nonetheless he accepted the Lord's wishes. Narada muni went to Kailasa and came back. All along he made sure that the water did not fall out.
Sage Narada handed the pot of water to the Lord and pointed out the fact that not a drop of water had spilled. Then the Lord asked him one question - "All this while did you take even a minute to think of me and utter my name?"
Now sage Narada understood what the Lord was trying to teach him. The poor farmer, in his whole day of work thought about the Lord at least once, which the sage in is preoccupation to prevent the water from being spilled did not do even once.
Thinking about God even once without any condition (like wanting something to work out etc) makes one a beloved devotee of the Lord!
I will narate the following story which I often remember when I think about God "liking" me. I do not know its origin.
One day sage Narada went to Lord Narayana with a query - "Who is a beloved devotee of yours?" Now, Narada muni, as we all know, is a foremost devotee of Lord Narayana. Always repeating the Lord's name, Narada muni moves about the three worlds, stringing his veena.
Lord Narayana, immediately pointed the sage to a farmer on earth. Narada muni became curious as to what this farmer did that made him the Lord's beloved. So, sage Narada came down to the earth.
The farmer was poor, he had a wife and children to support. He toiled all day long in the farms to make ends meet. In the evening he came spent time with his family and had supper with them. Then at night he lay on the bare earth with only his hand for a pillow. Just before going to sleep, he repeated the name of Lord Narayana a few times.
Narada muni was shocked that repeating the name of Lord Narayana just a few times a day made the farmer one of the Lord's beloved devotees. He went back to Vaikuntha (Lord Narayana's abode). He asked the Lord, what made the farmer his beloved devotee. The Lord said repeating his name just a few times qualified the farmer to be one. Narada muni argued that if that was the criteria, then he should be the Lord's beloved devotee because he repeated the Lord's name infinte times.
The Lord then gave sage Narada a pot of water filled upto its brim. He asked the sage to take it to Mount Kailasa and come back without a single drop of water falling. Narada muni did not understand the reason for this. But nonetheless he accepted the Lord's wishes. Narada muni went to Kailasa and came back. All along he made sure that the water did not fall out.
Sage Narada handed the pot of water to the Lord and pointed out the fact that not a drop of water had spilled. Then the Lord asked him one question - "All this while did you take even a minute to think of me and utter my name?"
Now sage Narada understood what the Lord was trying to teach him. The poor farmer, in his whole day of work thought about the Lord at least once, which the sage in is preoccupation to prevent the water from being spilled did not do even once.
Thinking about God even once without any condition (like wanting something to work out etc) makes one a beloved devotee of the Lord!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
South-Indian Nomenclature
I don't recall the exact time, but I do remember being asked by somebody - "Why are you South Indians named after Gods?"
At that time I didnt have any answer. I knew I was named after my paternal grandmother and my sister named after my maternal grandmother. My mother was named after her grandmother and so on....
May be today I have a better answer. The following is a story that I came across in the Bhagavatham (ok that happens to my favorite book! :) )
There was once a very noble brahmin called Ajamila. He lived his life very piously. He was a good husband, good father and good son.
One day when Ajamila went to the forest to collect fuel wood, he saw a women of low morals and fell in love with her. Taken up by her, Ajamila abandoned his family and his righteous life and went to live with her. He made a living by theft, fraud and gambling. He had ten sons with her. The last one was named "Narayana". Ajamila was very fond of his son, Narayana. He only thought of Narayana, day in and day out, while eating and sleeping.
This way he passed many years of his life. Finally one day, he saw two hideous looking creatures with nooses in their hands. They were coming towards him with great speed to cast their nooses around him. These were the messengers of Lord Yama - the God of death. They had come to take Ajamila. Ajamila did not realise that he was about to die, he was so scared that he called out to his son Narayana. That very moment there appeared two beautiful godly figures, with mace and discus in their hands. They were the messengers of Lord Narayana himself. They heard Ajamila call Narayana and immediately came to his aid.
Then there was a great debate between the messengers of Lord Yama and Lord Narayana. Finally, the messengers of Lord Narayana declared, that though Ajamila had forgotten his divine nature, he had uttered the holy name of the Lord at the time of his death. The mere uttering of the Lord's name is enough to absolve one of all sins. Hence, Ajamila had been rid of all his sins. The messengers of the Lord of Death did not have any answer to this. So, they left Ajamila. Now, Ajamila realized what happened and led the rest of his life piously, in the constant thought of the Lord.
When I read this story I understood why we have God's name. Parents are most attached to their children. So, naming their children after God at least makes them repeat the name (Nama Japam) which itself is enough to purify one's mind.
At that time I didnt have any answer. I knew I was named after my paternal grandmother and my sister named after my maternal grandmother. My mother was named after her grandmother and so on....
May be today I have a better answer. The following is a story that I came across in the Bhagavatham (ok that happens to my favorite book! :) )
There was once a very noble brahmin called Ajamila. He lived his life very piously. He was a good husband, good father and good son.
One day when Ajamila went to the forest to collect fuel wood, he saw a women of low morals and fell in love with her. Taken up by her, Ajamila abandoned his family and his righteous life and went to live with her. He made a living by theft, fraud and gambling. He had ten sons with her. The last one was named "Narayana". Ajamila was very fond of his son, Narayana. He only thought of Narayana, day in and day out, while eating and sleeping.
This way he passed many years of his life. Finally one day, he saw two hideous looking creatures with nooses in their hands. They were coming towards him with great speed to cast their nooses around him. These were the messengers of Lord Yama - the God of death. They had come to take Ajamila. Ajamila did not realise that he was about to die, he was so scared that he called out to his son Narayana. That very moment there appeared two beautiful godly figures, with mace and discus in their hands. They were the messengers of Lord Narayana himself. They heard Ajamila call Narayana and immediately came to his aid.
Then there was a great debate between the messengers of Lord Yama and Lord Narayana. Finally, the messengers of Lord Narayana declared, that though Ajamila had forgotten his divine nature, he had uttered the holy name of the Lord at the time of his death. The mere uttering of the Lord's name is enough to absolve one of all sins. Hence, Ajamila had been rid of all his sins. The messengers of the Lord of Death did not have any answer to this. So, they left Ajamila. Now, Ajamila realized what happened and led the rest of his life piously, in the constant thought of the Lord.
When I read this story I understood why we have God's name. Parents are most attached to their children. So, naming their children after God at least makes them repeat the name (Nama Japam) which itself is enough to purify one's mind.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Astrology
Should I or should I not believe?
For starters I must admit that I do believe astrology is a science. I know many people will disagree. But, if you consider predicting weather to be scientific, then astrology is science too.
Weather "scientists" predict weather based on wind and pressure patterns. There are a fixed set of rules that say that if there is high pressure over an area, then the weather would be sunny and clear (a prediction). If there is low pressure over an area it could rain depending on the moisture in the air (again a prediction). It is not always that the weatherman is right. Now you could take the risk of not taking you umbrella when the weather "scientist" says its going to rain.
To me astrology is similar. Astrology has a fixed set rules. Predictions about a person's life are made based on interpretation of the placement of the planets. Of all the basic components in a birth chart, only the houses or bhavas in a birth chart were "created" by ancient astrologers. The rest is a map of the sky at the moment of birth. That is astronomy another "science" !
I have seen three types of views towards astrology.
The first is the cynic view(an extreme). The cynic says "Lets see how it happens" (challenging the prediction) and sits back. For example, the birth chart indicates that the person will attain a high administrative position. Now, the cynic sits back and tries to see if a miracle happens - testing the prediction. Obviously not! Unless you put in the effort, the prediction is not going to come true. "As you sow so you reap". So the cynic usually declares that astrology is a waste of time.
Then there is the weak minded. He thinks everything that happens to him is because of astrology. He needs something to put the blame on - something other than himself. So whats better that blame the poor planets and they won't even complain!
The third and the most practical person is he that accepts that certain things happen in life due to some strange force. But this doesnt stop him from working hard. This is the middle approach. Yes, astrology does provide some insight into hte future but it is not everything. There is still the unknown. If everything could be predicted why should we live our lives?
So as with the weather, if astrology predicts tough time, prepare yourself mentally, may be it won't be so tough in the end. Like if the weather man says its going to rain, take your umbrella!
For starters I must admit that I do believe astrology is a science. I know many people will disagree. But, if you consider predicting weather to be scientific, then astrology is science too.
Weather "scientists" predict weather based on wind and pressure patterns. There are a fixed set of rules that say that if there is high pressure over an area, then the weather would be sunny and clear (a prediction). If there is low pressure over an area it could rain depending on the moisture in the air (again a prediction). It is not always that the weatherman is right. Now you could take the risk of not taking you umbrella when the weather "scientist" says its going to rain.
To me astrology is similar. Astrology has a fixed set rules. Predictions about a person's life are made based on interpretation of the placement of the planets. Of all the basic components in a birth chart, only the houses or bhavas in a birth chart were "created" by ancient astrologers. The rest is a map of the sky at the moment of birth. That is astronomy another "science" !
I have seen three types of views towards astrology.
The first is the cynic view(an extreme). The cynic says "Lets see how it happens" (challenging the prediction) and sits back. For example, the birth chart indicates that the person will attain a high administrative position. Now, the cynic sits back and tries to see if a miracle happens - testing the prediction. Obviously not! Unless you put in the effort, the prediction is not going to come true. "As you sow so you reap". So the cynic usually declares that astrology is a waste of time.
Then there is the weak minded. He thinks everything that happens to him is because of astrology. He needs something to put the blame on - something other than himself. So whats better that blame the poor planets and they won't even complain!
The third and the most practical person is he that accepts that certain things happen in life due to some strange force. But this doesnt stop him from working hard. This is the middle approach. Yes, astrology does provide some insight into hte future but it is not everything. There is still the unknown. If everything could be predicted why should we live our lives?
So as with the weather, if astrology predicts tough time, prepare yourself mentally, may be it won't be so tough in the end. Like if the weather man says its going to rain, take your umbrella!
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