Friday, October 28, 2016
Jai Sairam!
I was trying to recollect as to how and why I happened to like and appreciate poetry and poets.
Well, it goes far back right down to early childhood days, when I could see some renowned personalities that included great poets of the day visiting my Grandfather quite often.
Although I did not understand whatever they spoke or discussed, it certainly made me realise that my grandfather was very much respected by them, who himself happened to be a well.known poet and esteemed critique too.
I was fortunate to witness the way they rendered their poems (sometimes as lyrics), and also some prose formats that would make him nod in appreciation or make him pass some corrective remarks. Perhaps that was just a beginning for me to get introduced to literature as such and poetry in particular!
I was equally fortunate during my school days, while a teacher by name Choudhari sir would ‘teach’ us Marathi poems from a wonderful poetry book named ‘Maharashtra Rasavanti’.
He would be enthralled while teaching us those, virtually getting immersed in the sweetness therein! I still remember a couple of those that were indeed difficult to understand at that early age; but he would recite those in such a way that we could grasp those through his gestures and intonations. That makes me realise at this point of time as to how important it is to learn the art of effectively presenting a poem.
During later years in school and college I could listen to some eminent poets rendering their compositions either in Maharashtra Sahitya Sabha or college ‘Gatherings’.
I was just entering into adolescence and so romantic ones were naturally favoured. However, some with deeper philosophy and more meaningful emotional ‘touch’ became dear to my heart!
Still later I came across some extra-ordinary poets whom I shall always remain indebted to and the one to be especially mentioned would be Prof. N. Kasturi, ‘Anil’, Mangesh Padgaonkar, Vasant Bapat, Vinda Karandikar. Grace, Dilip Purushottam Chitre, G.D.Madgulkar and the likes. Moreover, great Indian Saints Kabir, Tulsi, Purandhardas, Meerabai and so on. Besides, Atal Behari Bajpai, Makhanlal Chaturvedi as Hindi poets were my favourites. I was also fond of Western poets in Robert Frost, William Wordsworth, Tennyson, Keats, Byron etc.
Nevertheless, the great celestial song Srimad Bhagwad Geeta and the beautiful commentary on the same by Dnyaneshwar Maharaj – namely the “Dnyaneshwari” happens to be the very best one I have been fortunate enough to lay my hands, eyes, ears and heart upon !!!
London 24 January 2015. Vasant Panchami.
I was trying to recollect as to how and why I happened to like and appreciate poetry and poets.
Well, it goes far back right down to early childhood days, when I could see some renowned personalities that included great poets of the day visiting my Grandfather quite often.
Although I did not understand whatever they spoke or discussed, it certainly made me realise that my grandfather was very much respected by them, who himself happened to be a well.known poet and esteemed critique too.
I was fortunate to witness the way they rendered their poems (sometimes as lyrics), and also some prose formats that would make him nod in appreciation or make him pass some corrective remarks. Perhaps that was just a beginning for me to get introduced to literature as such and poetry in particular!
I was equally fortunate during my school days, while a teacher by name Choudhari sir would ‘teach’ us Marathi poems from a wonderful poetry book named ‘Maharashtra Rasavanti’.
He would be enthralled while teaching us those, virtually getting immersed in the sweetness therein! I still remember a couple of those that were indeed difficult to understand at that early age; but he would recite those in such a way that we could grasp those through his gestures and intonations. That makes me realise at this point of time as to how important it is to learn the art of effectively presenting a poem.
During later years in school and college I could listen to some eminent poets rendering their compositions either in Maharashtra Sahitya Sabha or college ‘Gatherings’.
I was just entering into adolescence and so romantic ones were naturally favoured. However, some with deeper philosophy and more meaningful emotional ‘touch’ became dear to my heart!
Still later I came across some extra-ordinary poets whom I shall always remain indebted to and the one to be especially mentioned would be Prof. N. Kasturi, ‘Anil’, Mangesh Padgaonkar, Vasant Bapat, Vinda Karandikar. Grace, Dilip Purushottam Chitre, G.D.Madgulkar and the likes. Moreover, great Indian Saints Kabir, Tulsi, Purandhardas, Meerabai and so on. Besides, Atal Behari Bajpai, Makhanlal Chaturvedi as Hindi poets were my favourites. I was also fond of Western poets in Robert Frost, William Wordsworth, Tennyson, Keats, Byron etc.
Nevertheless, the great celestial song Srimad Bhagwad Geeta and the beautiful commentary on the same by Dnyaneshwar Maharaj – namely the “Dnyaneshwari” happens to be the very best one I have been fortunate enough to lay my hands, eyes, ears and heart upon !!!
London 24 January 2015. Vasant Panchami.
Monday, October 17, 2016
संचित आणि प्रारब्ध
भदवद्गीतेतील तिसऱ्या अध्यायात भगवान श्रीकृष्ण अर्जुनाला सांगतात, ‘नियतं कुरू कर्म त्वं ‘ ; तुझ्या वाट्याला आलेले कर्म तुला केलेच पाहिजे, कारण तें तूं निर्माण केले नसून तुझ्या प्रारब्धानुसार ते आलेले आहे.
आता, प्रारब्ध म्हणजे काय ? या विश्वाच्या एकूण कर्मसंचयातील माझ्या वाट्याला जे काही जन्मजात आले असेल ते . व्यक्तिश: मी अमुक ठिकाणी, अमक्या वेळीं, अमुक कुटुम्बांत जन्म घेणे, स्त्री किंवा पुरूष होऊन आणि माझ्या हातून जे काही कार्य घडणार, ते त्या विश्वाच्या योजनेमध्ये ठरवलेले आहे ; It is so ‘programmed!’
रामकृष्ण परमहंस एकदा म्हणाले की साधू-संतांच्या नाटकामधील नाटक रंगवायचे असेल तर नाटकात काम करणारी पात्रे वेळीच जन्माला यावी लागतात. श्री समर्थ, शिवाजी, औरंगजेब हे सगळे आधीच ठरवलेले होते ! चवथ्या अध्यायात भगवंत अर्जुनाला सांगतात की तुम्ही-आम्ही मागे कितीतरी जन्म घेतलेले आहेत ; ते तुला आठवत नाहीत पण मला ते सर्व व्यवस्थित आठवतात. हे सगळे संबंध अनेक जन्मांपासूनचे आहेत.
वेदव्यास म्हणतात, ‘ पूर्वदत्तेषु या भार्या, पूर्वदत्तेषु या विद्या, पूर्वदत्तेषु यत् धनं, अग्रे धावति धावति ‘! !
असा हा प्रारब्धाचा विलास आहे.
मात्र माणूस जन्मल्यावर त्याला थोडेफार स्वातंत्र्यसुद्धा मिळालेले असते, कारण ते नसेल तर तो केवळ इतर प्राण्यांप्रमाणे जगेल. त्याला विचारांचे स्वातंत्र्य आहे ; आपल्या मनांत कोणते विचार राखून ठेवायचे हे स्वातंत्र्य त्याला आहे, त्याला आपले मन आवरण्याचेपण स्वातंत्र्य आहेच. (अर्थात ते मर्यादित स्वरूपात असते !) आणि असे स्वातंत्र्य जर नसते तर ‘तूं नीतिधर्माने वाग ‘ असे सांगणे निरर्थक ठरले नसते काय ?
या व्यक्तिगत स्वातंत्र्यानुसार माणूस जे कर्म करतो त्या कर्माच्या साठ्याला “ संचित “ असे म्हणतात. ‘मनाचें श्लोकात समर्थ म्हणतात, “मना त्वांचि रे पूर्वसंचीत केले । तयासारिखें भोगणें प्राप्त झालें ।। - यालाच प्रारब्ध म्हणतात. म्हणून आपण एखादे कर्म करतो किंवा करत नाही या म्हणण्याला अर्थ नाही.
आणि म्हणूनच भगवन्त सांगतात की आपले जीवन असे प्रारब्धाने बांधलेले आहे . (अर्थात्, भगवत्-चिंतनाचे स्वातंत्र्य प्रत्येकाला आहेच !!)
लंडन
१७ / १० / २०१६
भदवद्गीतेतील तिसऱ्या अध्यायात भगवान श्रीकृष्ण अर्जुनाला सांगतात, ‘नियतं कुरू कर्म त्वं ‘ ; तुझ्या वाट्याला आलेले कर्म तुला केलेच पाहिजे, कारण तें तूं निर्माण केले नसून तुझ्या प्रारब्धानुसार ते आलेले आहे.
आता, प्रारब्ध म्हणजे काय ? या विश्वाच्या एकूण कर्मसंचयातील माझ्या वाट्याला जे काही जन्मजात आले असेल ते . व्यक्तिश: मी अमुक ठिकाणी, अमक्या वेळीं, अमुक कुटुम्बांत जन्म घेणे, स्त्री किंवा पुरूष होऊन आणि माझ्या हातून जे काही कार्य घडणार, ते त्या विश्वाच्या योजनेमध्ये ठरवलेले आहे ; It is so ‘programmed!’
रामकृष्ण परमहंस एकदा म्हणाले की साधू-संतांच्या नाटकामधील नाटक रंगवायचे असेल तर नाटकात काम करणारी पात्रे वेळीच जन्माला यावी लागतात. श्री समर्थ, शिवाजी, औरंगजेब हे सगळे आधीच ठरवलेले होते ! चवथ्या अध्यायात भगवंत अर्जुनाला सांगतात की तुम्ही-आम्ही मागे कितीतरी जन्म घेतलेले आहेत ; ते तुला आठवत नाहीत पण मला ते सर्व व्यवस्थित आठवतात. हे सगळे संबंध अनेक जन्मांपासूनचे आहेत.
वेदव्यास म्हणतात, ‘ पूर्वदत्तेषु या भार्या, पूर्वदत्तेषु या विद्या, पूर्वदत्तेषु यत् धनं, अग्रे धावति धावति ‘! !
असा हा प्रारब्धाचा विलास आहे.
मात्र माणूस जन्मल्यावर त्याला थोडेफार स्वातंत्र्यसुद्धा मिळालेले असते, कारण ते नसेल तर तो केवळ इतर प्राण्यांप्रमाणे जगेल. त्याला विचारांचे स्वातंत्र्य आहे ; आपल्या मनांत कोणते विचार राखून ठेवायचे हे स्वातंत्र्य त्याला आहे, त्याला आपले मन आवरण्याचेपण स्वातंत्र्य आहेच. (अर्थात ते मर्यादित स्वरूपात असते !) आणि असे स्वातंत्र्य जर नसते तर ‘तूं नीतिधर्माने वाग ‘ असे सांगणे निरर्थक ठरले नसते काय ?
या व्यक्तिगत स्वातंत्र्यानुसार माणूस जे कर्म करतो त्या कर्माच्या साठ्याला “ संचित “ असे म्हणतात. ‘मनाचें श्लोकात समर्थ म्हणतात, “मना त्वांचि रे पूर्वसंचीत केले । तयासारिखें भोगणें प्राप्त झालें ।। - यालाच प्रारब्ध म्हणतात. म्हणून आपण एखादे कर्म करतो किंवा करत नाही या म्हणण्याला अर्थ नाही.
आणि म्हणूनच भगवन्त सांगतात की आपले जीवन असे प्रारब्धाने बांधलेले आहे . (अर्थात्, भगवत्-चिंतनाचे स्वातंत्र्य प्रत्येकाला आहेच !!)
लंडन
१७ / १० / २०१६
कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मी, करमध्ये सरस्वती......!
This prayer is taught to us since childhood days. Watching our own palms before looking at something else avoids blaming others of showing his/her face that may result in auspicious or inauspicious day ahead !
In fact, saying the prayer while watching one’s own palms carries significance. One’s finger-tips engage in performing ceaseless activity that leads to acquiring wealth in plenty (Riddhi), while centre of the palm grants lot of learning or Knowledge (Siddhi), which is everyone’s rightful pursuit. Base of the hand is verily seat of Govinda the Lord.
Overall inner meaning of the prayer is that we are Masters of our own destiny. We work honestly, selflessly, doing only for good of the society and we reap fruit in equal measure, namely riches, wealth, name and fame !
Earning Knowledge is everybody’s natural pursuit, passion and goal in life. More often than not, one is inclined to earn worldly knowledge for his and his family’s welfare; however, spiritual knowledge grants him much more, as peace, contentment and therefore joy and happiness.
Thus, both worldly as well as spiritual knowledge is necessary for mankind in equal measure. There is likelihood of mistaking ‘religious’ knowledge with spiritual one ! Spiritual knowledge pertains to the Self, whereas religious knowledge and practice is simply a mode of worship directed towards gaining spiritual knowledge.
Now, everybody naturally wishes his/her entire day to roll joyfully and successfully and so he or she tries out certain rituals knowingly or unwittingly ! Here are some useful ‘tips’ to encourage that ‘ritual’ !!
You see , one can think of some great, magnanimous things early in the morning that expand our horizon . Just as an example, thinking of the Himalayas ( or even Alps !) or huge ocean, carefully listening to Omkar pervading the sky etc, provide to us something unique !
So, there are innumerable things that are “प्रात:स्मरणीय”, meaning worth remembering in the morning !
I shall try to elaborate upon a beautiful Sanskrit Hymn, which is regularly recited during morning Shakha in India.
The Hymn is named “एकात्मता स्तोत्रम्” , which narrates names of prominent mountains, major rivers, both seas, the Indian Ocean, holy pilgrim places and cities, renowned temples, universities, scriptures along with Veda Upanishads Puranas, religious sects, venerable ladies and men, rishis, deities, philosophers, poets, sculptors, painters, scientists, physicians, surgeons, warriors, social reformers, freedom fighters, revolutionaries, and entire group of venerable personalities in India that is Bharat !!
All of them are indeed “ प्रात: स्मरणीय “ and therefore worth venerating. I shall only name them here, although the original text of the Sanskrit Hymn is much more meaningful, phonetic and easy to memorise.
Indeed the Hymn begins by paying obeisance unto Truth, Conscience and Bliss personified Lord (सच्चिदानंद ), which is form of auspicious flame ‘ ज्योतिर्मय स्वरूप ‘.
It praises the five elements (पंचमहाभूत), the ten directions (दिशा), entire planets (ग्रह), entire times (काल), sound (Omkar) and prays for entire Auspiciousness .
It proceeds to praise India the Mother that wears Crown in the form of Himalayas and whose lotus feet are ever immersed and washed by the three oceans.
Besides Himalayas, great mountains Malayagiri, Sahyadri, Vindhya etc are remembered. Great and sacred Rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Sindhu, Brahmaputra, Gandaki, Cauveri, Reva (Narmada), Krishna, Godavari etc are remembered reverentially. Besides, sacred towns Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avantika (Ujjain), Vaishali, Dwaraka, Puri, Taxasheela and Gayaa are named as of nostalgia ! Moreover, holy confluence at Prayag, Pataliputra, Vijayanagar, Indraprastha (Delhi), Somnath, Amritsar the most sacred places too are remembered with devotion.
In addition, Veda Upanishads, Puranas, besides of course Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagwat Geeta , Guru Grantha Sahib, Jainagamastripitaka etc are extolled by virtue of highest spiritual knowledge professed therein.
Highly venerable ladies in Arundhati, Anusuya, Savitri, Janaki (Seeta), Droupadi, Gargee, Kannagi, Meera, Durgavati, Laxmi, Ahilya, Channamma, Rudramamba, Suvikrama, Nivedita, Sharada are treated as mother and therefore most praiseworthy.
Greatest of Purushas in Sri Ram, Sri Krishna, Bheeshmacharya, Bharata, Dharmaraj, Arjuna, Markandeya, Harishchandra, Prahlad, Narada and Dhruva besides Hanuman, Vyasa, Shuka, Vasishtha, Bali, Dadhichi, Vishvakarma Vishvamitra, Pruthu, Valmiki, Bhargava are remembered everyday while uttering their names.
In addition, Bhagirath, Eklavya, Manu, Dhanvantari, Zulelal, Chaitanya, Thiruvallur, Basaveshwar; moreover, Kabir, Guru Nanak, Narasi Mehta, Tulsidas are ever venerable.
Sri Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram, Samantha Ramdas, Purandhar Das have been extolled as towering Saints undoubtedly.
Among great poets are Mahakavi Kalidas, Soordas, Tyagraj, Rasakhan, Ravindranath Tagore are noteworthy and artistes in Raja Raviverma and the likes are famous.
Among Sovereigns Ashoka, Chandragupta, Vikramaditya, Shalivahan, Samudragupta, Bapparaval, Sri Krishnadevarai, are noteworthy.
Great warriors in Rana Pratap, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Ranjit Simha are famous.
Scientists and medical experts have been Kapil, Kanaad, Sushrut, Charaka, Bhaskaracharya, Varaha Mihir, Arya-Bratta are adorable so also Nagarjun, Bharadvaj, Venkatraman, Ramanujam.
Greatest of social reformers have been Raja Ram Mohan Rai, Dayananda Saraswati, Ramakrishna ParamHamsa, Ramateertha, Vivekananda, Sri Arvinda, Ramana Maharishi are indeed venerable. Dadabhai Navroji, Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi, Madam Mohan Malveeya, Sri Subramanian Bharati, Subhashchandra Bose, Vinayak Savarkar, Bheemrao Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, Keshav Balham Hedgewar and Guru Golvalkar have always remained great sources of inspiration.
Thus, there are hundreds of great souls worth remembering, adoring and venerating everyday, verily a grand legacy handed over to us all. Whichever land we may be residing, it is incumbent upon us not to forget our Motherland and the towering personalities she keeps breeding. All those keep enthusing and inspiring all along and perhaps the debt we owe to them is remembering them reverentially !
Jai Sairam.
London 17 October 2016 .
This prayer is taught to us since childhood days. Watching our own palms before looking at something else avoids blaming others of showing his/her face that may result in auspicious or inauspicious day ahead !
In fact, saying the prayer while watching one’s own palms carries significance. One’s finger-tips engage in performing ceaseless activity that leads to acquiring wealth in plenty (Riddhi), while centre of the palm grants lot of learning or Knowledge (Siddhi), which is everyone’s rightful pursuit. Base of the hand is verily seat of Govinda the Lord.
Overall inner meaning of the prayer is that we are Masters of our own destiny. We work honestly, selflessly, doing only for good of the society and we reap fruit in equal measure, namely riches, wealth, name and fame !
Earning Knowledge is everybody’s natural pursuit, passion and goal in life. More often than not, one is inclined to earn worldly knowledge for his and his family’s welfare; however, spiritual knowledge grants him much more, as peace, contentment and therefore joy and happiness.
Thus, both worldly as well as spiritual knowledge is necessary for mankind in equal measure. There is likelihood of mistaking ‘religious’ knowledge with spiritual one ! Spiritual knowledge pertains to the Self, whereas religious knowledge and practice is simply a mode of worship directed towards gaining spiritual knowledge.
Now, everybody naturally wishes his/her entire day to roll joyfully and successfully and so he or she tries out certain rituals knowingly or unwittingly ! Here are some useful ‘tips’ to encourage that ‘ritual’ !!
You see , one can think of some great, magnanimous things early in the morning that expand our horizon . Just as an example, thinking of the Himalayas ( or even Alps !) or huge ocean, carefully listening to Omkar pervading the sky etc, provide to us something unique !
So, there are innumerable things that are “प्रात:स्मरणीय”, meaning worth remembering in the morning !
I shall try to elaborate upon a beautiful Sanskrit Hymn, which is regularly recited during morning Shakha in India.
The Hymn is named “एकात्मता स्तोत्रम्” , which narrates names of prominent mountains, major rivers, both seas, the Indian Ocean, holy pilgrim places and cities, renowned temples, universities, scriptures along with Veda Upanishads Puranas, religious sects, venerable ladies and men, rishis, deities, philosophers, poets, sculptors, painters, scientists, physicians, surgeons, warriors, social reformers, freedom fighters, revolutionaries, and entire group of venerable personalities in India that is Bharat !!
All of them are indeed “ प्रात: स्मरणीय “ and therefore worth venerating. I shall only name them here, although the original text of the Sanskrit Hymn is much more meaningful, phonetic and easy to memorise.
Indeed the Hymn begins by paying obeisance unto Truth, Conscience and Bliss personified Lord (सच्चिदानंद ), which is form of auspicious flame ‘ ज्योतिर्मय स्वरूप ‘.
It praises the five elements (पंचमहाभूत), the ten directions (दिशा), entire planets (ग्रह), entire times (काल), sound (Omkar) and prays for entire Auspiciousness .
It proceeds to praise India the Mother that wears Crown in the form of Himalayas and whose lotus feet are ever immersed and washed by the three oceans.
Besides Himalayas, great mountains Malayagiri, Sahyadri, Vindhya etc are remembered. Great and sacred Rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Sindhu, Brahmaputra, Gandaki, Cauveri, Reva (Narmada), Krishna, Godavari etc are remembered reverentially. Besides, sacred towns Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avantika (Ujjain), Vaishali, Dwaraka, Puri, Taxasheela and Gayaa are named as of nostalgia ! Moreover, holy confluence at Prayag, Pataliputra, Vijayanagar, Indraprastha (Delhi), Somnath, Amritsar the most sacred places too are remembered with devotion.
In addition, Veda Upanishads, Puranas, besides of course Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagwat Geeta , Guru Grantha Sahib, Jainagamastripitaka etc are extolled by virtue of highest spiritual knowledge professed therein.
Highly venerable ladies in Arundhati, Anusuya, Savitri, Janaki (Seeta), Droupadi, Gargee, Kannagi, Meera, Durgavati, Laxmi, Ahilya, Channamma, Rudramamba, Suvikrama, Nivedita, Sharada are treated as mother and therefore most praiseworthy.
Greatest of Purushas in Sri Ram, Sri Krishna, Bheeshmacharya, Bharata, Dharmaraj, Arjuna, Markandeya, Harishchandra, Prahlad, Narada and Dhruva besides Hanuman, Vyasa, Shuka, Vasishtha, Bali, Dadhichi, Vishvakarma Vishvamitra, Pruthu, Valmiki, Bhargava are remembered everyday while uttering their names.
In addition, Bhagirath, Eklavya, Manu, Dhanvantari, Zulelal, Chaitanya, Thiruvallur, Basaveshwar; moreover, Kabir, Guru Nanak, Narasi Mehta, Tulsidas are ever venerable.
Sri Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram, Samantha Ramdas, Purandhar Das have been extolled as towering Saints undoubtedly.
Among great poets are Mahakavi Kalidas, Soordas, Tyagraj, Rasakhan, Ravindranath Tagore are noteworthy and artistes in Raja Raviverma and the likes are famous.
Among Sovereigns Ashoka, Chandragupta, Vikramaditya, Shalivahan, Samudragupta, Bapparaval, Sri Krishnadevarai, are noteworthy.
Great warriors in Rana Pratap, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Ranjit Simha are famous.
Scientists and medical experts have been Kapil, Kanaad, Sushrut, Charaka, Bhaskaracharya, Varaha Mihir, Arya-Bratta are adorable so also Nagarjun, Bharadvaj, Venkatraman, Ramanujam.
Greatest of social reformers have been Raja Ram Mohan Rai, Dayananda Saraswati, Ramakrishna ParamHamsa, Ramateertha, Vivekananda, Sri Arvinda, Ramana Maharishi are indeed venerable. Dadabhai Navroji, Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi, Madam Mohan Malveeya, Sri Subramanian Bharati, Subhashchandra Bose, Vinayak Savarkar, Bheemrao Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, Keshav Balham Hedgewar and Guru Golvalkar have always remained great sources of inspiration.
Thus, there are hundreds of great souls worth remembering, adoring and venerating everyday, verily a grand legacy handed over to us all. Whichever land we may be residing, it is incumbent upon us not to forget our Motherland and the towering personalities she keeps breeding. All those keep enthusing and inspiring all along and perhaps the debt we owe to them is remembering them reverentially !
Jai Sairam.
London 17 October 2016 .
Sunday, October 09, 2016
While reading about Test match being played in Indore, I came across story of double ton by Virat Kohli and one and half by Ajinkya Rahane (Not Out).
Well, I am also Seventy five Not Out today ! And how is my Innings spaced out thus far ?
There have been three Sixers, four Fours, five triple runs, six Twos, seven singles (how many does it make ?) . Whatever !!
Among Sixers, one was my medical education, another was marriage and two children while the third was accomplishing Dnyaneshwari. All these were towering Sixes no doubt.
Among Fours would be Swayamsevak in the RSS, Seva-Dal in Sathya Sai Organisation, sundry work for village uplift and few blogs worth the name.
I tried to run hard between the wickets and somehow could scramble home safe and sound . (I do not know whether my hard running or Providence alone saved me though !)
Singles and Two-s were quite many and comfortably stolen, few were indeed 'Cheekee'!
There were lot many 'well-lefts', large numbers 'hit and misses' and few almost 'stumped'!
Yes, I certainly enjoyed my cricket and never blamed the turf or weather. I did suffer from few injuries but those could not interrupt my innings.
Who would not like to score a century ? I too do.. I would rather 'retire hurt' but perhaps that won't happen, since I am still fit enough to play my Innings !
I am fortunate in having wonderful team-mates, cheering audience and spectators and above all, the pair of Umpires in Swami and Sadguru, without whose verdict I shall not leave my Creeze!
(This has been just like a flying cricket, jumping and flying berserk !)
9th October 2016
