I was feeling low and out when the sight of an enraged Dr, MLA ,on T.V lifting and smashing flower pots after flower pots effortlessly like as if she was cracking peanuts and whacking the plants ,mud roots and all with the ease of a dhobi slapping dirty clothes on slabs ,pulled me out of my dumps.
Is the prefix Dr to her name,a doctorate for weight lifting? Action queen Angelina can spruce up her stunts with a little help from this 55 year old , incredibly strong woman!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Articles!
Some are so full of statistics and figures that I know that the author is very well equipped ,but it makes my head nod and makes me so sleepy.
Some are so straight that I know that the author is simple , it stirs me and at times clouds my eyes and leaves me thinking.
Some are so light ,tinkling me to laughter and forgotten the moment it is all ,read over. I know that the author is a connoisseur of life.
Some are so splendid,the expert intertwining of exquisite words leaves me reeling.I know that the author is actually a painter at heart!
Some are so straight that I know that the author is simple , it stirs me and at times clouds my eyes and leaves me thinking.
Some are so light ,tinkling me to laughter and forgotten the moment it is all ,read over. I know that the author is a connoisseur of life.
Some are so splendid,the expert intertwining of exquisite words leaves me reeling.I know that the author is actually a painter at heart!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Thankful !
I am thankful to see those creamy, red, blue and black butterflies flit by . They remind me that there is beauty , gaiety and frivolity in life.
I am thankful for all those trees lining the streets ,bobbing with flowers of all hues and intoxicating my senses with heady scent,that chases the gloom of dark winter months.
I am thankful to that small spot of dark cloud eclipsing the sun, beating down mercilessly on me when I am treading my way on the hot tar roads ,for giving me a little cool respite.
I am thankful for that bottle of chilled water nestling amidst ice cream and cola's in the fridge , it is pure plain water that has the power to slake my thirst!
I am thankful for all those trees lining the streets ,bobbing with flowers of all hues and intoxicating my senses with heady scent,that chases the gloom of dark winter months.
I am thankful to that small spot of dark cloud eclipsing the sun, beating down mercilessly on me when I am treading my way on the hot tar roads ,for giving me a little cool respite.
I am thankful for that bottle of chilled water nestling amidst ice cream and cola's in the fridge , it is pure plain water that has the power to slake my thirst!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Nava --9.
We are an ordinary Indian family.Neither too secular nor over religious. My conversations with Vidat centered around day to day happenings and at times I shared bits and pieces of incidents and stories of my younger days.It was rarely about religion and definitely never about numbers.
Yet now as I am familiarising myself with more and more of the multifaceted nature of Hinduism ,I have become aware of the significance accorded to the number 7 and 9 in our religion.
I am struck by Vidat's ,using both these magical numbers in his blog. I always called him Vid and he has added seven z's to his pet name in his blog spot! To the name of his blog --'Scribblingzzzzzzzzz' ,he has added nine z's !
If human kind as a whole is enamoured by these two numbers I have no idea. But Hinduism,definitely is and I can't but wonder at Vidat' zeroing on these two mystical numbers. His exposure to Hinduism was limited to attending socio- religious functions like Ayush hommams,marriages , sashtiyarta poorthi ,etc .Of course he took active part ,only in the revelry that followed such functions, that is feasting and jesting with cousins but never in the actual yajna.
So how did he use these two numbers . Is it so deeply embedded in a Hindu's psyche that it automatically surfaces?
Well here are some Nava's in Hindu way of life.
Navarathri: It literally translates into 9 nights in Sanskrit.During these nights 9 forms of goddess Durga or Shakthi are worshipped .
The first 3 days are devoted to worshipping Durga to destroy impurities.
The second 3 days are devoted to worshipping Lakshmi to bestow wealth.
The final 3 days are devoted to worshipping Saraswathi to bestow wisdom.
In W. Bengal Navaratri is celebrated by crafting and worshipping life size idols of Durga ,in Gujarat it is celebrated by 'Garba' dance , in South idols are arranged on steps and in North the puja's culminate by'Ramlila' or the burning of the effigies of Ravan.
Navagraha --Are the 9 cosmic influences on living beings of this earth. They are--
1.Surya [sun]
2.Chandra [moon]
3.Mangala [mars]
4.Budda --- [mercury]
5.Brihaspati ----[ Jupiter]
6.Shukra---- [Venus]
7.Shani ---- [Saturn]
8. Rahu [upper lunar mode]
9.Kethu [lower lunar mode]
Navagraha temples are found only in Kumbakkonam in TN and in Gawhati in Assam.
Navras ---are the nine basic emotions inspired in an audience by a performer . These are lucidly stated in second century BC treatise on dance and drama the Natya shastra of Bharata. They are
1.Love
2.Laughter.
3.Heroics
4.Fury.
5.Apprehension
6.Compassion
7.Horror.
8.wonder.
9.Peace.
Navaratna---The 9 gems whose combination is recognised as sacred and royal since ancient times . They are :-
1.Ruby.
2. pearl
3.Red coral
4. Emerald.
5.Yellow Sapphire
6.Diamond.
7. Blue sapphire.
8. Hessonite.
9.Cat's eye.
Only gems that are considered pure ,top quality and radiating lustre are considered auspicious.
Nava Durga. -- Durga, a form of Shakthi ,The mother goddess of theHindu's is believed to be manifested in various forms ,and Navadurgas are believed to be most sacred of them all.
They are :-
1. Shilaputri
2.Bramhacharini.
3.Chandraganta
4.Kushmanda
5.Skandamata
6.Kaatyayani.
7.Kaalratri
8.Mahagauri.
9. Siddhidatri.
Nava dhania: 9 types of grains symbolising abundance and prosperity .
They are:-
1.Wheat
2.Rice
3. Adakam
4. Greendhal
5. Kadala [chenna]
6.Mochakottai
7.Ellu [til]
8. Ulundu
9. Kollu.
Nava pashanam ; The deity,Murugan ,the god of beauty and youth of Palani temple [TN] is made of an amalgam of nine minerals called navapashanam.
Nava Brahma temples. The 9 temples dedicated to lord Siva , built in 5 th century AD , are enclosed in a courtyard on the left bank of river Thungabadra[AP] .
Navanidhi ; The 9 types of mastery over self as stated in Hanuman chalisa.
Nava vyakarna : The ancient, 9 notable Sanskrit grammar works.
Nava Narsimha: The 9 temples enshrining Lord Narsimha located in 5 kms radius in Ahobalim[AP] where Narsimha is said to have slayed Hiranyakashpu and saved Prahalad.
Nava Tirupathi: The 9 Vishnu temples in Tirunalvelli .[TN]
I will wind up this endless list of Nava's by mentioning one last nava --Nava LAkshana
Nava lakshana are the 9 ways of devotion to Vishnu enunciated by Prahalada in Bhagvadpurana.
They are:-
1. Kalyanagunas ---Listening to gods name and deeds.
2.Kirtanas ----Singing about the lord .
3.Smaranam. ---Meditating on the lord.
4. Pada sevam ----worshipping his lotus feet.
5. Vandanam .---Saluting him .
6.Archana. ---performing aradhana with flowers and tulsi leaves.
7. Dasyam ---offering services unto him .
8. Sakyam ----Associsating with him as a friend
9. Atmanivedanam--- surrendering to Narayana [Vishnu ] totally.
Yet now as I am familiarising myself with more and more of the multifaceted nature of Hinduism ,I have become aware of the significance accorded to the number 7 and 9 in our religion.
I am struck by Vidat's ,using both these magical numbers in his blog. I always called him Vid and he has added seven z's to his pet name in his blog spot! To the name of his blog --'Scribblingzzzzzzzzz' ,he has added nine z's !
If human kind as a whole is enamoured by these two numbers I have no idea. But Hinduism,definitely is and I can't but wonder at Vidat' zeroing on these two mystical numbers. His exposure to Hinduism was limited to attending socio- religious functions like Ayush hommams,marriages , sashtiyarta poorthi ,etc .Of course he took active part ,only in the revelry that followed such functions, that is feasting and jesting with cousins but never in the actual yajna.
So how did he use these two numbers . Is it so deeply embedded in a Hindu's psyche that it automatically surfaces?
Well here are some Nava's in Hindu way of life.
Navarathri: It literally translates into 9 nights in Sanskrit.During these nights 9 forms of goddess Durga or Shakthi are worshipped .
The first 3 days are devoted to worshipping Durga to destroy impurities.
The second 3 days are devoted to worshipping Lakshmi to bestow wealth.
The final 3 days are devoted to worshipping Saraswathi to bestow wisdom.
In W. Bengal Navaratri is celebrated by crafting and worshipping life size idols of Durga ,in Gujarat it is celebrated by 'Garba' dance , in South idols are arranged on steps and in North the puja's culminate by'Ramlila' or the burning of the effigies of Ravan.
Navagraha --Are the 9 cosmic influences on living beings of this earth. They are--
1.Surya [sun]
2.Chandra [moon]
3.Mangala [mars]
4.Budda --- [mercury]
5.Brihaspati ----[ Jupiter]
6.Shukra---- [Venus]
7.Shani ---- [Saturn]
8. Rahu [upper lunar mode]
9.Kethu [lower lunar mode]
Navagraha temples are found only in Kumbakkonam in TN and in Gawhati in Assam.
Navras ---are the nine basic emotions inspired in an audience by a performer . These are lucidly stated in second century BC treatise on dance and drama the Natya shastra of Bharata. They are
1.Love
2.Laughter.
3.Heroics
4.Fury.
5.Apprehension
6.Compassion
7.Horror.
8.wonder.
9.Peace.
Navaratna---The 9 gems whose combination is recognised as sacred and royal since ancient times . They are :-
1.Ruby.
2. pearl
3.Red coral
4. Emerald.
5.Yellow Sapphire
6.Diamond.
7. Blue sapphire.
8. Hessonite.
9.Cat's eye.
Only gems that are considered pure ,top quality and radiating lustre are considered auspicious.
Nava Durga. -- Durga, a form of Shakthi ,The mother goddess of theHindu's is believed to be manifested in various forms ,and Navadurgas are believed to be most sacred of them all.
They are :-
1. Shilaputri
2.Bramhacharini.
3.Chandraganta
4.Kushmanda
5.Skandamata
6.Kaatyayani.
7.Kaalratri
8.Mahagauri.
9. Siddhidatri.
Nava dhania: 9 types of grains symbolising abundance and prosperity .
They are:-
1.Wheat
2.Rice
3. Adakam
4. Greendhal
5. Kadala [chenna]
6.Mochakottai
7.Ellu [til]
8. Ulundu
9. Kollu.
Nava pashanam ; The deity,Murugan ,the god of beauty and youth of Palani temple [TN] is made of an amalgam of nine minerals called navapashanam.
Nava Brahma temples. The 9 temples dedicated to lord Siva , built in 5 th century AD , are enclosed in a courtyard on the left bank of river Thungabadra[AP] .
Navanidhi ; The 9 types of mastery over self as stated in Hanuman chalisa.
Nava vyakarna : The ancient, 9 notable Sanskrit grammar works.
Nava Narsimha: The 9 temples enshrining Lord Narsimha located in 5 kms radius in Ahobalim[AP] where Narsimha is said to have slayed Hiranyakashpu and saved Prahalad.
Nava Tirupathi: The 9 Vishnu temples in Tirunalvelli .[TN]
I will wind up this endless list of Nava's by mentioning one last nava --Nava LAkshana
Nava lakshana are the 9 ways of devotion to Vishnu enunciated by Prahalada in Bhagvadpurana.
They are:-
1. Kalyanagunas ---Listening to gods name and deeds.
2.Kirtanas ----Singing about the lord .
3.Smaranam. ---Meditating on the lord.
4. Pada sevam ----worshipping his lotus feet.
5. Vandanam .---Saluting him .
6.Archana. ---performing aradhana with flowers and tulsi leaves.
7. Dasyam ---offering services unto him .
8. Sakyam ----Associsating with him as a friend
9. Atmanivedanam--- surrendering to Narayana [Vishnu ] totally.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Seven and sagotra.
Bharatvasi's seem to have a fascination to the number 'seven'.
In ancient India the seas were always reffered to as Sapta samudras or the 'seven seas' .The most popular constellation of stars are the 'Sapta rishis'[ursa major].An Vedic Hindu marriage is completed only after Saptapadi or taking 'seven' steps or circumbulating the sacred fire 'seven' times. The following are some more Sapta's:
Sapta loka -the seven worlds.
Sapta janmam-the seven births.
Sapta Moksha daayipuries-The seven sacred places of Hindu pilgrimage that guarentees Moksha - Haridwar ,Kanchipuram,Kasi,Ayodhya,Mathura, Dwaraka and Ujjain.
Sapta Parvartha--The seven holy mountains.
Sapta Sindhu---the seven sacred rivers
Sapta Vriksha---the seven sacred trees.
Sapta giri --the seven hills ,[Tirumala]the abode of lord Srinivasa.
Sapta nadi chakra--The seven planets used in prediction ofweather in astrology.
Sapta swarams---The seven basic notes of Carnatic music .
Sapta tala----the rhythamatic cycle of beats in Canatic music originates from the seven family of tala's.
The list of 'Saptas ' or the importance accorded to the number seven in ancient India is endless.
More recently Vidat has also divided the life of a soft ware engineer in 'seven' stages.
. 'Gotra' is the lineage or clan assigned to a Hindu at birth .This is patrilineal. It signifies the descent from Rishi's of Vedic age[1500 BC] who were 'seven' in number .
The law governing Hindu marriages and succession and adoption bearing the stamp of authority of the parliament,with some trimming and few additions, is actually derived from ancient laws known as Smritis or Dharma sastras .
These are the rules of justice enunciated by several learned and wise men over a period of time.
In 2 nd century BC it was Manu who codified the laws that were scattered around. Manu Smrithi or code has been treated by Hindu sages and commentators as of paramount authority.
Next to Manu in date and in importance is Yajnavalkya ,the jurist par excellence of third century AD .
Majority of Hindus in India subscribe to 'Mitakshara' school of law. Mitakshara is the most authoritative and celebrated commentary on Yajna valkya Smrithi . This was the gift of Vijnaneswara an eminent jurist of 11 th cent AD. He freed the Dharma sastras of religious fetters and made it acceptable to all in India.
Yajnavalkya enjoins that a man should marry a girl who is not a sapinda of him and descended from one whose gotra and parvara is different from him .
In Mitakshara Vijnanesvara defines sapinda . Sapinda relationship arises between two people through their being connected by the particles of one body viz a common ancestor.e.g a son is a sapinda of his father.
But in as much the definition would be too wide , since such relationships exists in eternal circle of births in some manner or the other ,he put a lid ,by firmly stating that the sapinda relationship ceases after the 5 th degree on the mothers side and on the 'seventh' lineal ascendancy on the fathers line.He also limits' Sagotra' sapindas to 5 th and 7 th lines respectively.
The Hindu marriages disabilities Removal act of 1946 says,a marriage between Hindu's is not invalid only by reason of parties belonging to same 'gotra.'
The rationale behind this Act is that with tremendous increase in population two persons maybe of same gotra but could be 100 times removed from a common ancestor! They are no longer siblings.
The king was the fountain head of all law in ancient India.Apart from this sovereign dispenser of law, the Mitakshara refers to popular peoples tribunals that administered justice.They were the Puga, Srenis and Kula.
Kula was the judicial assembly of relatives by blood and marriage who decided issues regarding religion and caste.The caste panchayats or the khap panchayats.Those tendering justice were required to be well versed in the smritis and to abide by the smritis.In case of conflict between other smritis the one more equitable was to prevail.
If a case was decided by the king himself, there was no appeal . But a case decided by Kula or Khap, an appeal lay to Srenis ,an assembly of same trade and calling.An appeal also lay from Srenis to Puga ,an assembly of fellow and neighbouring villagers of all caste ,calling and trade.
Thus Khula was the lowest in hierarchy and could be overridden by others.
Khap's are not the last word in administration of justice , even historically speaking.
In ancient India the seas were always reffered to as Sapta samudras or the 'seven seas' .The most popular constellation of stars are the 'Sapta rishis'[ursa major].An Vedic Hindu marriage is completed only after Saptapadi or taking 'seven' steps or circumbulating the sacred fire 'seven' times. The following are some more Sapta's:
Sapta loka -the seven worlds.
Sapta janmam-the seven births.
Sapta Moksha daayipuries-The seven sacred places of Hindu pilgrimage that guarentees Moksha - Haridwar ,Kanchipuram,Kasi,Ayodhya,Mathura, Dwaraka and Ujjain.
Sapta Parvartha--The seven holy mountains.
Sapta Sindhu---the seven sacred rivers
Sapta Vriksha---the seven sacred trees.
Sapta giri --the seven hills ,[Tirumala]the abode of lord Srinivasa.
Sapta nadi chakra--The seven planets used in prediction ofweather in astrology.
Sapta swarams---The seven basic notes of Carnatic music .
Sapta tala----the rhythamatic cycle of beats in Canatic music originates from the seven family of tala's.
The list of 'Saptas ' or the importance accorded to the number seven in ancient India is endless.
More recently Vidat has also divided the life of a soft ware engineer in 'seven' stages.
. 'Gotra' is the lineage or clan assigned to a Hindu at birth .This is patrilineal. It signifies the descent from Rishi's of Vedic age[1500 BC] who were 'seven' in number .
The law governing Hindu marriages and succession and adoption bearing the stamp of authority of the parliament,with some trimming and few additions, is actually derived from ancient laws known as Smritis or Dharma sastras .
These are the rules of justice enunciated by several learned and wise men over a period of time.
In 2 nd century BC it was Manu who codified the laws that were scattered around. Manu Smrithi or code has been treated by Hindu sages and commentators as of paramount authority.
Next to Manu in date and in importance is Yajnavalkya ,the jurist par excellence of third century AD .
Majority of Hindus in India subscribe to 'Mitakshara' school of law. Mitakshara is the most authoritative and celebrated commentary on Yajna valkya Smrithi . This was the gift of Vijnaneswara an eminent jurist of 11 th cent AD. He freed the Dharma sastras of religious fetters and made it acceptable to all in India.
Yajnavalkya enjoins that a man should marry a girl who is not a sapinda of him and descended from one whose gotra and parvara is different from him .
In Mitakshara Vijnanesvara defines sapinda . Sapinda relationship arises between two people through their being connected by the particles of one body viz a common ancestor.e.g a son is a sapinda of his father.
But in as much the definition would be too wide , since such relationships exists in eternal circle of births in some manner or the other ,he put a lid ,by firmly stating that the sapinda relationship ceases after the 5 th degree on the mothers side and on the 'seventh' lineal ascendancy on the fathers line.He also limits' Sagotra' sapindas to 5 th and 7 th lines respectively.
The Hindu marriages disabilities Removal act of 1946 says,a marriage between Hindu's is not invalid only by reason of parties belonging to same 'gotra.'
The rationale behind this Act is that with tremendous increase in population two persons maybe of same gotra but could be 100 times removed from a common ancestor! They are no longer siblings.
The king was the fountain head of all law in ancient India.Apart from this sovereign dispenser of law, the Mitakshara refers to popular peoples tribunals that administered justice.They were the Puga, Srenis and Kula.
Kula was the judicial assembly of relatives by blood and marriage who decided issues regarding religion and caste.The caste panchayats or the khap panchayats.Those tendering justice were required to be well versed in the smritis and to abide by the smritis.In case of conflict between other smritis the one more equitable was to prevail.
If a case was decided by the king himself, there was no appeal . But a case decided by Kula or Khap, an appeal lay to Srenis ,an assembly of same trade and calling.An appeal also lay from Srenis to Puga ,an assembly of fellow and neighbouring villagers of all caste ,calling and trade.
Thus Khula was the lowest in hierarchy and could be overridden by others.
Khap's are not the last word in administration of justice , even historically speaking.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Mammoth service.
`I flicked through the latest copy of readers digest to read my favourite regulars. I was pleasantly surprised to see the dignified face of a familiar middle aged flower seller smiling at me.
On the eve of May day , she figured in a write up on labourers.
In the evening I visited the temple. I walked a few paces from the entrance to buy flowers from that seller. I congratulated her on her international fame. She was bewildered and as I explained on, she acknowledged her sudden global recognition by bowing humbly in the direction of the deity.
With a twinge of sadness, she recounted her arduous journey in life . She was orphaned young , and was married off to a penniless leper by her relatives and she begged on the streets along with him . Then she switched over to selling flowers ,and her husband died soon after,leaving her issueless.She adopted as her own 3 children she found abandoned on the streets.
She has built a brisk business , primarily I guess due to her knack of talking soothingly and kindly to every one of her customers, old and new.She would often sell a length of braided jasmine at a higher price, than of those selling them near my house, citing excuses that it was a Friday or as it was some festival or the other the next day the price of flowers had shot up in the wholesale market !On several occasions I got to know about the impending festivals, from her!
Though always wrested worse in the bargaining bouts I could never get myself to buy flowers from several other sellers clamouring for my attention nearby.
She continued relating her story. She had sent these children to school and two of them were now studying in nursing and engineering college! That she had to pay Rs 35,000 and Rs4o,000[ phew] respectively as fees this year ,plus provide them with clothing and books and also pay her house rent of Rs2000 per month as well as pay for her food purchased from outside as also for her daily dose of medicines, a boxful! A ll these expenses are met by selling a basket of flowers! Rain or shine ,each and every day of her life.I doubt whether she has stashed away any sum for herself for her old age.
Now I know why I never had the heart to switch her for another and am glad I didn't . I was in a way , contributing my mite to her mammoth service.
She requested a copy of the magazine so that her son may read about her . I promised to give her the magazine in my next trip to the temple.
On the eve of May day , she figured in a write up on labourers.
In the evening I visited the temple. I walked a few paces from the entrance to buy flowers from that seller. I congratulated her on her international fame. She was bewildered and as I explained on, she acknowledged her sudden global recognition by bowing humbly in the direction of the deity.
With a twinge of sadness, she recounted her arduous journey in life . She was orphaned young , and was married off to a penniless leper by her relatives and she begged on the streets along with him . Then she switched over to selling flowers ,and her husband died soon after,leaving her issueless.She adopted as her own 3 children she found abandoned on the streets.
She has built a brisk business , primarily I guess due to her knack of talking soothingly and kindly to every one of her customers, old and new.She would often sell a length of braided jasmine at a higher price, than of those selling them near my house, citing excuses that it was a Friday or as it was some festival or the other the next day the price of flowers had shot up in the wholesale market !On several occasions I got to know about the impending festivals, from her!
Though always wrested worse in the bargaining bouts I could never get myself to buy flowers from several other sellers clamouring for my attention nearby.
She continued relating her story. She had sent these children to school and two of them were now studying in nursing and engineering college! That she had to pay Rs 35,000 and Rs4o,000[ phew] respectively as fees this year ,plus provide them with clothing and books and also pay her house rent of Rs2000 per month as well as pay for her food purchased from outside as also for her daily dose of medicines, a boxful! A ll these expenses are met by selling a basket of flowers! Rain or shine ,each and every day of her life.I doubt whether she has stashed away any sum for herself for her old age.
Now I know why I never had the heart to switch her for another and am glad I didn't . I was in a way , contributing my mite to her mammoth service.
She requested a copy of the magazine so that her son may read about her . I promised to give her the magazine in my next trip to the temple.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Rank .
Though most visually impaired youngsters are of the opinion that people with orthopaedic disabilities are worse off than themselves , a middle aged blind woman who is a teacher, rubbished their views saying ,that they were not mature enough and were not aware of the realities of life.
According to her mentally retarded persons[mrp] are worse off and have the unenviable position of being first in the table of disability followed by the visually impaired . Ortho's and others come lower down in the scale ,that means ,others are better off !
She reiterated that whilst every other handicapped person can find some means or the other to support themselves , take decisions and lead an independent life the mrp's are condemned to a life time of dependency . It starts from the cradle and ends in the grave.
According to her mentally retarded persons[mrp] are worse off and have the unenviable position of being first in the table of disability followed by the visually impaired . Ortho's and others come lower down in the scale ,that means ,others are better off !
She reiterated that whilst every other handicapped person can find some means or the other to support themselves , take decisions and lead an independent life the mrp's are condemned to a life time of dependency . It starts from the cradle and ends in the grave.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)