On Sabarimala Temple

I have no view on whether or not women should enter Sabarimala. I don't know enough to even think, much less opine on the subject.

This, however, i do have a view on:

A temple is not a tourist spot. It is a place of devotion and prayer. When you approach a temple, it should be for one reason only - to offer your prayers, and with utmost devotion. Not to create a news story.

That much respect, i think, we owe to all places of worship.

Today's gratitude

Today's gratitude is for the luxury of a number saved as "Dad"

Sanskrit Lokokti and Hindi Muhavara

अशान्तस्य कुत: सुखम् ?


जो अशांत है, उसे सुख कहाँ?




Those who are not content, how can they find happiness?


नाम बड़े और दर्शन छोटे
When someone is very famous and we think very highly of them, based on their reputation, but when we finally meet them, we are underwhelmed. So someone who has a great reputation but very little substance.

Cheenti - Baal Kavita in Hindi

एक छोटी चींटी 
बड़ा उसका भार 
८  के जैसा 
उसका आकार 


 इतना बड़ा चावल
 इतनी छोटी चींटी 
इतना काम 
कैसे कर लेती?

On Navratri...

This post was written as the editorial of the children's newspaper. But applies to us adults even more, imho.

*****************

Over these nine days, we observe 9 goddesses. Do you notice something about them?

It took me almost 40 years to notice – Ma Amba, Durga, Vaishno – they are warrior goddesses. Do we think of finery, jewellery, or bindi when we think of warriors? No. We think of armour, rigid faces and hostility. Yet, look at her – there is kindness in her eyes, benevolence and grace in her form, jewellery and finery on her person – yet, her hands wield a steady sword. She is able to hold a flower in one hand, and weapons in another. There is no armour, no military uniform, nothing. She sits cross legged, erect and yet non-chalant, atop a lion.

Maybe that should teach us something about how we view ourselves.

Anne Frank, a 15 year old girl, defined herself as “A bundle of contradictions” in her diary. I am sure we all feel a little bit like that. And if you look at her, the goddess is a bundle of contradictions too. But see how calm and at peace she is with all these apparent “contradictions” – she is comfortable with every ounce of her being. The warrior is not uncomfortable with the homely saree. The sword does not shy away from the spiritual rosary, or a fine piece of jewellery. Somehow, when you look at the image of the goddess, it is perfect. All those parts – all those seeming contradictions, they are not contradictions at all. They are pieces of a whole that form a beautiful image WITH and not IN SPITE OF each other.

Maybe we should think of ourselves like that too. All the parts of our personality – all those seeming “contradictions” – they all BELONG together. We are perfect – in parts and as a whole. We may think that some parts of us don’t go so well with some other parts of us. But tell me, when you really think about it, is there even one reason why a warrior cannot wear bright red lipstick?

Some contradictions may be real, and some, a figment of our thoughts. But they are all  perfect - they all belong.

The next time you feel like doubting anything about yourself – remember that the Goddess slayed the demon wearing bright red lipstick.

Baal Kavita

एक मेरी गुड़िया 
दो उसके गाल 
छोटे उसके हाथ 
लम्बे उसके बाल


वो मेरी गुड़िया 
करती है कमाल 
दिखती है भोली 
मचाती है धमाल 

Hindi Muhavara and Sanskrit Lokokti

ब्रह्म वेद ब्रह्मेव भवति


He who knows the Brahma , becomes the Brahma.


****************
बीती तांहि बिसार दे, आगे की सुधि ले


Forget about what has happened in the past, and pay conscious attention (सुधि) to what lies ahead.

Conversations

"I hate him."


So easily the words flowed
from his tongue
for a performer
on TV.


"You do not even know him."
I mentioned, as softly as possible.


"That is true."


"Do you really want to invest an emotion as personal as hatred, into something as impersonal as a performer on TV?


Maybe not.


I thought so.

हिंदी मुहावरे / Hindi Proverbs

नहले पर दहला मारना 


सेर को सवा सेर मिलना। 


Both these things have a similar meaning- to counter one's move with an even more brilliant move.


Usage:
तुम वह ज़मीन ले कर बड़ा घर बनाने की योजना बना  रहे थे, और उसने वो ज़मीन और उसके बगल वाली ज़मीन दोनों खरीद भी ली, और खुदाई भी शुरू कर दी. ये तो नहले पर दहला पड़ गया.


तुम वह ज़मीन ले कर बड़ा घर बनाने की योजना बना  रहे थे, और उसने वो ज़मीन और उसके बगल वाली ज़मीन दोनों खरीद भी ली, और खुदाई भी शुरू कर दी इसे कहते हैं सेर को सवा सेर मिलना.