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कन्याकुमारी

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मैं कन्याकुमारी आज से चार- पाँच साल पहले भी आई थी, पर इस बार की ट्रिप कुछ अधिक रुचिकर रही! मेरे पति और मैं, कन्याकुमारी  एक्सप्रैस से दोपहर करीब साढे़ बारह बजे, कन्याकुमारी के चकाचक साफ सुथरे प्लैटफॉर्म पर खड़े थे - ना कहीं कोई कूड़े का ढेर, ना किसी प्रकार की गंदगी। टैक्सी में अपने भारी भरकम सूटकेस लादकर, हम रेल्वे  विश्रामगृह पहुँचे । परंपरागत शैली में तैयार की गई यह इमारत बहुत ही ख़ूबसूरत लगी! जलपान करने के पश्चात हम निकल पड़े, ववातुरैई के विश्वविख्यात विवेकानन्द रॉक मेमोरियल के लिये।वहाँ तक पहुँचने के लिये, हमें मोटरबोट द्वारा जाना था। टिकट ले कर बोट पर जाने की पंक्ति थी तो बहुत बड़ी, पर बहुत फुर्ती से रेंग रही थी! कुछ ही क्षणों में हम लपक कर बोट में चढ़ गए और अपनी अपनी सीट पर, मय लाइफ़जैकेट के, विराजमान हो गए।बड़ों और बच्चों  की चिल्लपौं के बीच, हमारी नाव फर्राटे से आगे बढ़ी और कुछ ही मिनटों में, सब अति उत्साहित से नाव से उतरने लगे।हम दोनों भी अपनी लंबाई का फायदा उठाते हुए, फटाफट नीचे उतर गए, और टिकट ले कर, जूते हटा कर आगे बढ़े। पर्यटकों के सुचारू रूप से घूमने के लिए, उत्तम व्य
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Ma Durga

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Nav Durga – the Nine Roop of Ma Durga and the Mantras and Shlokas We begin with the sacred and most devotional Sanskrit verses, for the Goddess Ma Durga: Sarva mangala mangalye shive sarvaartha saadhike Sharanye trayambake Gauri Narayani namostute Many of us are aware of this verse but not the associated meaning. Sloka meaning: sarva mangala mangalye – To auspiciousness of all auspiciousness shiva -to the Good sarvarrtha saadhike – to the accomplisher of all objectives sharanye – to the Source of Refuge tryambake – to the mother of the three worlds. Gauri – to the Goddess who is Rays of Light Naaraayani – Exposer of consciousness Namostute- We bow to you again and again. We worship you. Among the Nine Durgas , the importance and powers of Mother Shailputri are unlimited.  On the first day of auspicious Navaraatri, she alone is adored and worshipped. Mantras for Shailputri Devi Om Devi Shailputryai Namah (108 recitation of this mantra) Vande
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Protest and Procrastination

Ever wondered what exactly is meant by the concept of 'Protest' ? True, it conveys a sense of dissatisfaction with some thing/ some idea/ some policy/...in other words with a given state of affairs. And, how do we express our protest? By writing, by holding protest marches, by holding dharnas and bandhs- right?  Until now, I too thought that this was the way to protest and achieve the desired end. However, of late I have been wondering,whether this is not mere procrastination? Opposition to an idea/ thing/ policy is in the search or need for a change. In fact, protest is the laziest response to the need for a change. Laziest as well as to some extent meaningless. Change is the begetter of development and progress. Thus, it implies need for action or a pro active approach. Action does NOT mean protest marches/ dharna/ bandh/ or destroying public and private property and the like. Action means taking appropriate steps to correct the situation, set examples, create alternatives
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Basant Panchami and Saraswati Puja, 4th February 2014

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This year Basant Panchami falls on 4th of February. It is the 5th day of Maagh and marks the starting of Spring season.  SARASWATI VANDANA- या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना । या ब्रह्माच्युतशंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवः सदा पूजिता सा मां पातु सरस्वति भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा ॥ Yaa Kundendu-Tusshaara-haar-dhavalaa Yaa Shubhra-vastraavrtaa Yaa Veenaa-vara-danndda-mannddita-karaa Yaa Shvetapadmaasanaa | YaaBrahmaachyutashankaraprabhrtibhirdevah Sadaa Puujitaa Saa Maam Paatu Sarasvati Bhagavatii Nihshessajaaddyaapahaa  Meaning: 1.1: (Salutations to Devi Saraswati) Who is Pure White like Jasmine, with the Coolness of Moon, Brightness of Snow and Shines like the Garland of Pearls; and Who is Covered with Pure White Garments,  1.2: Whose Hands are Adorned with Veena (a stringed musical instrument) and the Boon-Giving Staff; And Who is Seated on a Pure White Lotus, 1.3: Who is Always Adored by Lord Brahma, Lord Achyuta (Lord Vishnu)
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Saraswati Prayer

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या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना । या ब्रह्माच्युतशंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवः सदा पूजिता सा मां पातु सरस्वति भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा ॥ Yaa Kundendu-Tusshaara-haar-dhavalaa Yaa Shubhra-vastraavrtaa Yaa Veenaa-vara-danndda-mannddita-karaa Yaa Shvetapadmaasanaa | YaaBrahmaachyutashankaraprabhrtibhirdevah Sadaa Puujitaa Saa Maam Paatu Sarasvati Bhagavatii Nihshessajaaddyaapahaa  Meaning: 1.1: (Salutations to Devi Saraswati) Who is Pure White like Jasmine, with the Coolness of Moon, Brightness of Snow and Shines like the Garland of Pearls; and Who is Covered with Pure White Garments,  1.2: Whose Hands are Adorned with Veena (a stringed musical instrument) and the Boon-Giving Staff; And Who is Seated on a Pure White Lotus, 1.3: Who is Always Adored by Lord Brahma, Lord Achyuta (Lord Vishnu), Lord Shankara and Other Devas, 1.4: O Goddess Saraswati, Please Protect me and Remove my Ignorance completely.
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humans and human behaviour..... unpredictability....

Humans are complex creatures, hence the above title. We all agree that our mind is in constant flux, just like the flow of water- it springs memories and ideas back and forth like the waves of a sea. Things which seem irrational, inconsequential or down right ridiculous, too are present in this world, all because of certain laws of nature. It is not necessary, that we as humans, are  capable  of understanding everything around us. It has erroneously been assumed by Western notions of knowledge and Philosophy, that what is unexplainable is irrational, hence not worthy of being included in the realm of knowledge.  René Descartes,  Baruch Spinoza,  Gottfried Leibniz would surely disagree with me, but I stick to my point that everything is not always explainable or understandable by 'every' individual. You need to reach that  state or stage  of 'awareness' where you can perceive something in its  entirety . In Indian philosophy or more specifically Hindu way of thinking,
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Dhanteras – Dhantrayodashi 2012

Dhanteras – Dhantrayodashi 2012 Date: 11-11-12 Pradosh kaal: 19.05 – 20.08 (Delhi)  (auspicious hour) Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi is a major festival celebrated with a lot of fervour and faith, in North India. According to Hindu tradition, Dhanteras or Dhan Trayodashi marks the beginning of Diwali and is observed two days before Diwali. It is the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of Hindu calendar’s Kartik Month. This day is dedicated to Dhanavantri dev, the physician of the gods, who is also regarded as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. People worship Lord Dhanwantri , Goddess Lakshmi, God Kuber and also appease Yama Maharaj by offering Yamdeep- daan. As a norm, a new vessel (metallic) is bought and also gold or silver coins or idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh are bought. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. For details about the origin of this festival please refer to http://en.wi
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