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Happy ugadi / Vishu / Chittirai Thirunal and Gudi Padwa

Let Something simple, very simple Occur in this cosmos this new year ! In one galaxy among the billions, In one solar system, among the millions, One of its multiple planets, Within every one of us, Around the small corner, In all our hearts! Something simple, very simple But profound and blissful!   Such may be the joy, May the Sky blush crimson, Late at night! May the moon turn red, In the backdrop of the Throbbing sky! And stars twinkle with all glitter, With intensity like never! May our nights sparkle, Like the charming smile, Of that special Joy!   May the Gods feel envious, Wondering why did not they Born humans or the elements and the planets! For such Happiness, such Joy, such courage With which we fight the pandemic optimistically Which never ever they had known!   May Gods shower all their mercy And blessing upon all of us And give us a fresh start -- A fresh new beginning. Where everything is ...

Vadacurry Vedanta !

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 I recently moved to Bangalore an year ago. One of the many things I miss about Chennai is Vada Curry. Vada curry is a gravy made from masala dal Vada. With all its exotic ingredients, and tongue-tingling flavors, Vada curry can be both exciting and intimidating. Vada Curry uses the whole palette of flavors making it something that wants to jump off the plate. It’s such a complete world of taste. I really missed my Balaji Bhawan and Raja Bhawan’s Vada curry. These two places are no perfect stop for all the traditional Indian food; the ambience is also no different; no good-looking furniture; no classical music in the backdrop. The only thing that gives a quite soothing and welcoming vibes to the patrons that adds to a good dining experience is a good aroma of Vada curry that they make. With no one at home and bell ringing in my belly asking it to load it with snacks, I thought of making some exotic Vada curry all by myself. With a new air fryer added to my kitchen, I wasn’t ...

Thyagaraja's Rama Bhakthi

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Why words fail every time I listen to Thyagaraja ?  Why do I forget myself and the world around me when I play his krithis ? Sri Thyagaraja and his Bhakti are like flesh and nail; flower and fragrance; child and mother’s affection. Sri Thyagaraja's pieces which reflect different kinds of "rasa" are matchless for their excellence and richness of imagination, and they depict his deep sense of observation. His sweet songs are to say about the saddest thought and a melancholy note may pass on a sweet memory. As color can have different shades, the emotions he could portray are in a variety of shades. I love the way he depicts different kinds of Rama in his different Kritis. I wonder how he always dwelt in the immediate presence of Rama in his thoughts holding dialogues with Rama, getting angry with Him and pleading with Him to give him salvation. How is it humanly possible to think about just one thing throughout one’s life? I am not even able to think of a single thing...

Karma and its 3 dimensions

Dharma is the Omnipresent law, the Archetype, the ideal. Dharma is the Way. Karma is the vehicle to tread the way. It is the means to be one with Dharma. It is the manifested dharma. If dharma is the order, karma is what keeps it alive. Karma exists in 3 fold manifestations - the knower, the knowledge, and the known. All these three dimensions of karma can exist in the following 3 climates or temperaments - Rajas, Sattva, and Tamas. Following words try to express the feel of Rajas:  Plurality, analysis, individuality, separation, alienation, arrogance, fear, stress, anger, nervousness, anxiety, restlessness, disbelief, meanness, stinginess, prejudice, go getter, material efficiency. Following try to explain what constitute the Tamas:  Attachment to an individual, lust, attachment to having something or somebody, indulgence, laziness, driven by baser instincts, attachment to results, to profits, helplessness on the face of obstacles, rationalizat...

Why To Celebrate & How To Celebrate This New Start ?

What is the newness of the year? Where is the freshness of it? We know that we have been growing from our babyhood to adulthood. We did grow, and there was moment-to-moment newness in our life, and we know that we are becoming newer and newer every moment. If that is the case, what is so special about New Year? At one second past midnight on January 1, the day will changed from Saturday to Sunday, usually an unremarkable transition of no special significance. But somehow we've decided that this change, which will end one year and begin the next, is different.Why does the start of the New Year carry such special symbolism? Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a pause, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. My teacher always says that New Year is a day, to tune the rhythm called SOUL, with best chords called EXPERIENCES and play the guitar called LIFE. Yes. This is the time to reflect upon ourselves, to review our mistakes and learn/unlearn...

Letter To Vaikunta

My Dearest Grandma, Words can’t describe how much you are missed here. If heaven wasn’t so far away I would be up there in an instant. No matter what you will always be in our hearts. I knew I would think about you, but not being able to physically hold you or give you a kiss was driving me crazy. It’s so hard to be at our home when you’re not there.  Since the time I could walk, talk and remember, you were with me. You looked after me, fed me, defended me, and played with me. You told me Ramayana and Scenes from Krishna’s life as bed time stories so that I would go to sleep. You cooked me a delicious meal every day. You helped me always. You were with me for whole of life and suddenly you had to leave forever.   Not a single day passes without me thinking of you. Yesterday was your birthday and I could not sleep.  I want you to know that I think of you every day. I want you to know that I miss you more than anything, and I would give anything to tal...