Common Yoga Protocol

This post is for the reader who is in a hurry to have a little taste of yoga. In my previous posts I explored certain aspects associated with the philosophy of yoga. But yoga has been mostly promoted as a kind of healthy lifestyle choice. Many want to keep it that way - just a … Continue reading Common Yoga Protocol →

Arjuna’s Despondence

सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युतO Achyuta ! Place my chariot at the middle of both the armies. You may wonder - what has Arjuna, or for that matter the Bhagavad Gita to do with yoga? Let us not forget that the first chpter of the Bhagavad Gita is named as Arjuna Vishada Yoga, the second chapter … Continue reading Arjuna’s Despondence →

August Contemplations

I: Spirituality and Freedom August here in India is the rainiest month. In spite of that we have celebrations galore. Most of our religious festivals follow the lunar calendar. There are two types of lunar months in India. Some states, especially those in South India follow a system where in the month ends on the … Continue reading August Contemplations →

Sitting Near The Guru

In our Indian tradition, great importance has been attached to being in the presence of the Guru as much as possible and getting knowledge directly from him. While this is applicable to all forms of knowledge, this has crucial significance in the case of spiritual knowledge. The crux of vedic wisdom are compiled in books … Continue reading Sitting Near The Guru →

With Deepavali a few Days Away

Diwali is a time for revamp. People usually do the annual facelift of their house just before Diwali. In India we follow the Gregorian calendars for weekly holidays, where as for festival holidays we follow numerous Indian calendars. Similarly businessmen in India follow the official financial year (Apr to Mar) for tax and audit purpose, … Continue reading With Deepavali a few Days Away →

Back after a long gap

waiting for sunrise: serenity beach Puducherry I know I have written so few blog posts in the last three years. My last post was way back in August 2023. It is not that I have not been writing. But the things I have written, mostly official things, though in volumes, are destined to gather dust. … Continue reading Back after a long gap →

Deva Snana Poornima – the ritual and its significance

Deva Snana Poornima is an important ritual in the build up to the Annual Car festival of Lord Jagannath. For the un-initiate, on this day the idols of Sudarshana, Ma Subhadra, Lord Balabhadra and Lord Jagannatha are taken out to the 'Altar of Bathing' inside the temple premises. An elaborate bath is given which can … Continue reading Deva Snana Poornima – the ritual and its significance →

The Essence of Ancient India

some loss, some gain, lots of nostalgia

First of all I wish my reader a very happy, safe and prosperous 2021 albeit the fact that a similar wish from your near and dear ones last year somehow did not have the intended consequences. When I think of summarising the tumultuous year gone by I am reminded of the section titles of Panchatantra … Continue reading some loss, some gain, lots of nostalgia →

Mein nikla satya ke sandhan mein

Re-sharing an old poem for Indispire prompt #335.

(Why is it so difficult to establish the truth? Why is it called naked truth? Does truth really win? #NakedTruth)

PEBBLES AND WAVES

मैं निकला सत्य के
संधान में |

दिन दहाड़े , डायोजिनिज के लालटेन ले के
राजधानी के राजपथ पर,
सत्ता के गलियों में,
कलाकारों के रंग मंच में,
मंदिर , मस्जिद और गिरिजाघरों में |
ढ़ूँढ़ता रहा
वो सच्च जो कबका खो गया है,
या सुलाया गया है,
राजनेताओं के सफाई , आरोप
और प्रत्यारोप में,
पत्रकारों के हल्ला में,
क्रांतिकारियों के हल्लाबोल में,
धर्म गुरूओं केशास्त्रार्थ में,
बाबूओं के फाइलों के नोटिंगस् में
विचारपत्तियों के लम्बी – लम्बी
आदेशों में |
सभी ने एक साथ बोला
सच्च का पता लगा तो
गजब हो जाएगा,
देश बरबाद हो जाएगा,
आखिर लोग भी तो अभी कच्चे हैं
सच्च को छूपाने में
है हमारी समझदारी
और हमारी जिम्म्दारी भी
फिर कोई एक मुझे चुपके से कहा
” आखिर दूकान भी तो चलाना है ” !!!