Sunday, May 17, 2015
भरोनि सद्भावाची अंजुळी…….!
भरोनि सद्भभावाची अंजुळी
मियां वोंवियां फुलें मोकळीं
अपिॅलीं अंघि्युगुलीं
विषवरूपाचा
ThIs is a beautiful verse while concluding the eleventh chapter of the Bhagwad Geeta, where Sri Dnyaneshwar Maharaj pays obeisance unto the Cosmic Form. Indeed, after witnessing the all pervading, all powerful and eternal Cosmic Form Arjuna was overwhelmed with devotion unto the Lord of Lords, Bhagavan Sri Krishna.
Sri Dnyanadev summarises those benign feelings and offers those at the Lotus Feet of the Lord.
He stresses the word ‘Sad-Bhav’, meaning goodwill in short. Indeed, nurturing goodwill with each and everyone is the key to everlasting peace and happiness. Swami too has exhorted us to ‘Help ever, hurt never’ or ‘Love all, Serve all’. We can at least refrain ourselves from hurting anyone through our speech, actions, gestures – even thoughts! Perhaps that would be the pre-requisite for nurturing goodwill. In fact, the Vedic Prayer – ‘Let all the worlds be ever happy’ connotes this very doctrine.
The core message in “Think Positive” is the Goodwill we nurture unto ourselves and ‘others’ too. If ever we come to realise that there indeed is none ‘other’, there won’t be any problem to nurture goodwill. However, that exactly is the problem ! We often fail to realise the ‘unity’ in all the ‘diversity’ around. We are not aware of the various vibrations immanent all around. My dear mother used to say that we are surrounded by both good and evil forces or vibrations that be. Moreover, those keep repeating “Tathaastu” (Be it so) !
Now, if we think good the blessing is obvious; whereas, if the thinking is evil, malicious, wicked- then the outcome is naturally evil, malicious and wicked!
Thinking good for everyone, praying for them always always helps. In fact both are blessed.
I like the Verse mentioned above because
Sri Dnyanadev prays unto the Cosmic Form of the Lord.
15 May 2015 .
Saturday, May 02, 2015
I Love London…..!
Most certainly! First of all, because my children are permanent residents here and secondly I just love it because I like it!
We have been visiting this great metropolis for over a decade now and quite frequently too; and every time I tend to discover newer areas of interest.
My first reaction every time we get out of the airport is 'AH! LONDON!!' The cool breeze, refreshing atmosphere, clean streets, orderly traffic, superb cars, the monotony of wayside buildings with almost monotonous colours and absence of ugly hoardings with dirty faces of the politicians is indeed a great relief for the eyes!!
The road routes upto the home are quite familiar by now and a very warm welcome awaits us on reaching home. Indeed, it is just spic and span, nicely decorated with all the lights 'on' including the lamps in the altar or pooja room. We have already been offered tea or coffee at the airport by the children, which we had declined and so fresh hot tea on reaching home is naturally most welcome! All the pleasantries are exchanged, new additions in the house shown and it's time to open bags containing 'surprises' brought from India!
After a wonderful delicious dinner it's time to retire in warm comfortable beds.
Next morning onwards it is just me and my London!! Full use of the freedom travel pass is made in right earnest and usually my first destination is 'central london' (which I frequent more often than even a Londoner!!). I just love to move around the 'Strand', the Traffalgar square, down to the Big-Ben, Parliament Square, Westminster abbey, right upto Victoria station!
I like to collect and recollect every single moment spent there, looking at hoardes of 'tourists' from all over the globe, the bee-line of London transport buses and the peculiar and spectacular 'taxies', which only London can boast of,- immaculately clean buses and taxies, literally dreamlike!
It seems I have seen almost every nook and corner of the town and at the expense of some monotony I must admit that I just admire it!
The Thames, although with muddy waters, reminds me of Winston Churchill’s' description of she being a silver necklace! I do treat her like the Ganges, the Jeevan-Vahini! (In Marathi she is called 'Tamasaa') I like to travel right down to Richmond where she has just appeared as a river (beyond that she was only a rivulet or stream)! I like to see various types of birds flocking it and am frequently surprised as to how ducks and swans thrive so freely allover the lakes around the town unharmed!!
More often than not, the streets, lanes and by-lanes and terraces of the houses are studded with bunches of beautiful flowers and creepers; indeed a magnificent site to behold! Nobody ever 'plucks' the flowers or fruit so abundantly blossomed!
Every person, be it a child, an adult or old one, follows strict discipline of not scattering litter anywhere and everywhere; he or she would look out for a dust bin (which are most certainly nearby and in plenty!). It is an inborn or perhaps a mandatory trait they inherit.
Another interesting observation is that 'eateries' all over London are always full, and 'take-aways' is a common practice. It is very common to see people 'eating' while walking! In trains or the undeground, one is welcomed most of the times with mild and pleasant fragrance all around (emanating from the persona of the beings, the deodorants, heavily sprayed on their selves!) and majority of the commuters like to open a book or newspaper and get engrossed until their destination arrives. It's mostly a silent travel with no chatter around, except for the shrill noise of the rails underneath!!
I enjoy visiting various Libraries, which are very well managed, free of cost and heavily frequented by readers. It is indeed heartening to note that people here are still interested in reading or borrowing books, although laptops or mobile phones is gradually but definitely taking over.
Journey by various trains is another pastime I enjoy. I have travelled far and wide in various underground trains, the National trains in all four sectors, the Overground, DLR as well as trams down south! I know most of the bus-routes as well, particularly those in south-east and central zones and can confidently suggest the route to the unwary!
I like to taste various cuisines right from english breakfast (minus bacon!) up to fish & chips until our last trip here. (This time I never felt like indulging in the same though!)
I like to listen to the conversations going on while commuting in a bus particularly amongst the elderly citizens (because those are mostly the very ones aboard!) And surprisingly, I can make out an english from european or russian dialect!
I am occasionally saddened by looking at their plight or helplessness, while elated too witnessing their self-confidence of being self-dependent. I can sense the warmth they exude while with their grand-children if ever they happen to be along!
Overall, I enjoy being here and believe me, visiting england has definitely kept me alert and watchful over the years, which perhaps wouldn't happen had I continued an otherwise drab life back home in India. (Nevertheless, various activities in the 'elder's clubs' we participate in do keep us psychologically and spiritually active undoubtedly!)
Most certainly! First of all, because my children are permanent residents here and secondly I just love it because I like it!
We have been visiting this great metropolis for over a decade now and quite frequently too; and every time I tend to discover newer areas of interest.
My first reaction every time we get out of the airport is 'AH! LONDON!!' The cool breeze, refreshing atmosphere, clean streets, orderly traffic, superb cars, the monotony of wayside buildings with almost monotonous colours and absence of ugly hoardings with dirty faces of the politicians is indeed a great relief for the eyes!!
The road routes upto the home are quite familiar by now and a very warm welcome awaits us on reaching home. Indeed, it is just spic and span, nicely decorated with all the lights 'on' including the lamps in the altar or pooja room. We have already been offered tea or coffee at the airport by the children, which we had declined and so fresh hot tea on reaching home is naturally most welcome! All the pleasantries are exchanged, new additions in the house shown and it's time to open bags containing 'surprises' brought from India!
After a wonderful delicious dinner it's time to retire in warm comfortable beds.
Next morning onwards it is just me and my London!! Full use of the freedom travel pass is made in right earnest and usually my first destination is 'central london' (which I frequent more often than even a Londoner!!). I just love to move around the 'Strand', the Traffalgar square, down to the Big-Ben, Parliament Square, Westminster abbey, right upto Victoria station!
I like to collect and recollect every single moment spent there, looking at hoardes of 'tourists' from all over the globe, the bee-line of London transport buses and the peculiar and spectacular 'taxies', which only London can boast of,- immaculately clean buses and taxies, literally dreamlike!
It seems I have seen almost every nook and corner of the town and at the expense of some monotony I must admit that I just admire it!
The Thames, although with muddy waters, reminds me of Winston Churchill’s' description of she being a silver necklace! I do treat her like the Ganges, the Jeevan-Vahini! (In Marathi she is called 'Tamasaa') I like to travel right down to Richmond where she has just appeared as a river (beyond that she was only a rivulet or stream)! I like to see various types of birds flocking it and am frequently surprised as to how ducks and swans thrive so freely allover the lakes around the town unharmed!!
More often than not, the streets, lanes and by-lanes and terraces of the houses are studded with bunches of beautiful flowers and creepers; indeed a magnificent site to behold! Nobody ever 'plucks' the flowers or fruit so abundantly blossomed!
Every person, be it a child, an adult or old one, follows strict discipline of not scattering litter anywhere and everywhere; he or she would look out for a dust bin (which are most certainly nearby and in plenty!). It is an inborn or perhaps a mandatory trait they inherit.
Another interesting observation is that 'eateries' all over London are always full, and 'take-aways' is a common practice. It is very common to see people 'eating' while walking! In trains or the undeground, one is welcomed most of the times with mild and pleasant fragrance all around (emanating from the persona of the beings, the deodorants, heavily sprayed on their selves!) and majority of the commuters like to open a book or newspaper and get engrossed until their destination arrives. It's mostly a silent travel with no chatter around, except for the shrill noise of the rails underneath!!
I enjoy visiting various Libraries, which are very well managed, free of cost and heavily frequented by readers. It is indeed heartening to note that people here are still interested in reading or borrowing books, although laptops or mobile phones is gradually but definitely taking over.
Journey by various trains is another pastime I enjoy. I have travelled far and wide in various underground trains, the National trains in all four sectors, the Overground, DLR as well as trams down south! I know most of the bus-routes as well, particularly those in south-east and central zones and can confidently suggest the route to the unwary!
I like to taste various cuisines right from english breakfast (minus bacon!) up to fish & chips until our last trip here. (This time I never felt like indulging in the same though!)
I like to listen to the conversations going on while commuting in a bus particularly amongst the elderly citizens (because those are mostly the very ones aboard!) And surprisingly, I can make out an english from european or russian dialect!
I am occasionally saddened by looking at their plight or helplessness, while elated too witnessing their self-confidence of being self-dependent. I can sense the warmth they exude while with their grand-children if ever they happen to be along!
Overall, I enjoy being here and believe me, visiting england has definitely kept me alert and watchful over the years, which perhaps wouldn't happen had I continued an otherwise drab life back home in India. (Nevertheless, various activities in the 'elder's clubs' we participate in do keep us psychologically and spiritually active undoubtedly!)
