Yeshwanth

The sun had just gone down. The darkness was slowly engulfing the sky. The Kulwant hall prayers had just got over. Myself and my brother were on the banks of Chitravathi looking at the photograph of our gracious lord on the other side of the river. The view was breathtaking. This place is charged with the grandeur of God. There are no bells and drums, but Swami is enlivening the atmosphere with Divinity here! Even the air sings the glory of the Lord at Chitravathi. It is a place where we could stand and drink the silence in; where you look across an absent sanctuary – No walls or roof- just a holy open space where God planted himself even before we drew our first breath.  My brother and me, on the banks of Chitravathi, were contemplating on the lord. Sometimes you meet someone, and it is so clear that the two of you on some level belong to each other – as a family, as friends, as brothers, whether you understand one another or not, you meet few people once in blue moon, out of nowh...

Yesterday was an easy day at work. I wrapped up my work sharp at 7:30pm and was sitting in the couch thinking something at random – my problems, my past, my failures, insecurities. I was sad, anxious. But… I was gloomy only for 5 minutes. And then I bounced back to my senses and was feeling grateful for what I have right now. One of my favorite quotes is "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans,"                                                                                                                           -John Lennon  I've seen this quote so many times but the meaning of it really struck me recently. (May be this is a sign that I not only...

Oh Dear Goldie, With no one to review gates, There was no pressure on days and dates. You made Y & M happily work, Like a normal clerk with no one to irk. You freed Y & M with gentle ease And gave them some mental peace. With no code to freeze, You were a gentle breeze.  You gave a break they deserved, Your memories will be well preserved. With nothing called IPT, The day was so pretty.  If all the morning become identical, You may soon become nonsensical. It is time to say you a bye And raise the curtain high. Y&M will treasure your happy memories, And send you out the door. Thanks for giving them the wisdom, To fight with what’s in store.

Dearest Lord  Till the last breath of mine, Till I lay there cold and hard, Ready to be burnt to ashes, And strewn in the Ganges, May I live every moment, Being of some use to you, To you, to them, and to the world! May I contribute in my way, Beautifying this world – In style that you choose - May be with another beautiful poem, Or another expression of love, Determined to discover depths deeper than ever, In the passion of love! May be by doing Narayana Seva, With utmost devotion, May be by singing a song, with all love in my heart, May be by any other way,  That you choose for me, Toiling for your grace - The ultimate goal of this birth ! Oh lord !  Make me live not for myself, Not for any ego, Or an identity of mine! Oh dear Swami... Make My life just a song, Of experience and expression, A song that tells your glory  A song that is dedicated to YOU

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 ...

 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 ...

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...