Musings from the book "Sadhguru"

I'd never heard of Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev before my friend Vikas recommended some Youtube videos of his. And for the first time, I found a guru/yogi/mystic who could speak in intellectual terms so impressively. It was only later that I read and learnt that he hobnobs with the people on top; the ones who run businesses and governments. That he's been invited to the World Economic Forum. I read about the Isha foundation and that its headquarters is in Coimbatore, not far from Bangalore. Incidentally, a friend in Infosys also said he practices the yoga exercises taught by the Isha foundation and finds them useful.

Vikas also had lent me the book "Sadhguru", which was about Jaggi Vasudev's life. It was very impressive, and quite an honest and brutal account of Sadhguru's life. The author Arundhathi Subramaniam easily shifts between providing an factual, as heard, account, and clinically incisive analysis of Sadhguru's life and personality.

Some things I found very interesting in this book:

- Sadhguru is fond of snakes. That he could confidently catch them in his younger days. That he made good pocket money with it. And worse, that he had a snake farm in his house!

- Sadhguru is fond of fast driving. Be it motorcycles or cars. This is the facet that my (perhaps) judgemental mind finds disconcerting. A guru who still retains such fondness! Maybe he's just teaching us about the true nature of life; the spiritual and the material need not be different. Or maybe he's just a vividly confident person who has the gift of the gab! Likewise, his love for seafood, golf, good clothes, all challenge the usual image of a mystic.

- How the Dhyanalinga was consecrated. All the things said about how the chakras in the nadis (life energy streams within the spinal cord) of 3 people initially and later just Sadhguru and his disciple Bharathi were brought and woven together, and are now held on like a living energy force by the Dhyanalinga.

- The incident of his wife's mahasamadhi. While the mouna-guru's mahasamadhi is touching, this one again the "logical" mind finds hard to believe.

- The presence of disembodied beings around the ashram during the performance of practices for the Dhyanalinga.

- Sadhguru's memories and recounting of his past births. His justification of how he is here to fulfill the Dhyanalinga process

- About black tea curing the poisonous bite.

For sure though, Sadhguru has psychic capability as recounted by a lot of his disciples. He clearly has ready wit and impressive speaking skills.

I want to believe all that he says and has experienced, for I believe that is truly how life runs (energy chakras). I'd like to join the Isha yoga course some time.

Let's hope Sadhguru is here to guide as many souls he can. I'm grategul to God for such an opportunity, to learn from a master

Reincarnate

The flowers in the wind today, have flown once before
The rain drops fall down, for the water evaporates
I have been here once, I just don't recollect

I have been a cow before, a snake and a human perhaps
I have been the vegetable, the fruit and the stone perhaps
As matter moved from gross to subtle, I have stayed unchanged
This life is just the chakras, and the energy it holds

I must met have wife before, my son and I share bond eternal
My sister, well-wishers, they were all there, and so we share this love forever..
But ever wish if to be born that, I be my parents son again..

Poems for Shravan: Round and Round

Round and Round and Round and Round
Fan is going Round and Round
Shravan is watching up and up
Still fan is going, Round and Round

(Song for Shravan when we he was an infant on the floor while we were changing his diapers)

Friends of Tibet

Friends of Tibet, do not forget
This India that hosted you, for decades at end
There was a time your own brother stabbed
Drove you away, from your own abode

This friend stood by, without regret
Despite bullying enemies, and pressures outset
For India saw your soul, as one of its own
For India found your company, is for its own good

The journey of spirituality is beyond all religion
All caste and race, that humans can frame
It is but once, the journey of the spirit
And who but friends, can walk together best

There will be a time, when India be no more
Crumbled to the Himalaya, we would be forlorn
India hopes at that time, your humble self lives on
Guides us all, to divine glory for all

Meditation-1

Life is so busy..always. If we choose to relax for some time, it's for sure at the cost of something else that could be done. Our body and mind might choose to forget, but in this day and age there is never a situation where nothing else could be done. Or philosophically looking at it, there never was such a time.

But such time is important. Some time in the day where you just disconnect, or better yet, meditate. If a person as busy as Steve Jobs could find time for his long walks, so can you. It was a contributor for his success, and so will be the time you take off daily, for you.

It is in such times that man needs to introspect. Where am I, as a Jeeva (Life), heading. At these times, we let our individual souls (Jeevatman) connect to the universal soul (Parmatman). Our spiritual beliefs might vary, but every path concurs that each of us is special. We were created for a purpose. It was the universal soul that created each individual soul, for a purpose. Else Life needn't have been given a soul. And as humans, we were created with even more responsibility. Else we, like most other animals, wouldn't be given consciousness. The point I'm conveying is the need to reflect. On our actions, our thoughts, our direction, and sometimes maybe nothing. Just be receptive to any thoughts that come in, from the universal soul.

I can assure you'll see a difference. At the very outset, will be things you forgot to do during the day. Which is a sign that you just awoke your subconscious. Such thoughts while helpful have a tendency to distract us from the meditation. Might sound silly, but would be a good idea to keep a pen and paper next to you. Write down the reminder so you can resume meditation without the fear of forgetting it again.

Some advise the need to force your mind to an object, or the spot near the eyes (trinetra or third eye). Swami Vivekananda advised beginners to just stop worrying about all this. Let the thoughts flow. You'll see it flying aimlessly. Just don't get frustrated by it. Slowly bring them back to the present. At some point you will find your breath slowing. Realize it.  (to be cont)

The true approach..

The breeze in the air, when it kissed my breath
I knew not then, that it touched my self
I had been beneath, shaken disbelief
I knew not then, the sky is within reach

The human mind is, at once of limiting will
But the true conscious is, of nature expansive
The skeptic, judging mind, knows not what made it
Thinks this is it, disagrees with no limits

But why blame the mind, the soul had fed its thought
Would you blame the coal, if you had fed it fire

True awareness is the goal, and also the process
There is no end to reach, only a journey you will alight

Purpose beyond comprehension

There was a fruit, he thought why he lives
Listless, he fell, to die in crash, and separation
But then came a beautiful boy, and biting fruit felt nourished
Healthy, happy, the little boy, blessed the fruit after death

Life holds meaning, perhaps unknown
Life holds purpose, perhaps irrational
But Life is Life, it's bigger than us
To inquire, to balance, to be aware is ours
Destiny, Moksha, life-after is not

My Home

Where the sun blesses its first rays into windows
Where the sun sets with crimson lights on yard
Where two floors exist, one to sleep and one exist
Where gardens surround and children play

Where meditation achieves its supreme perfection
Where laughters fill happy parents, children, grandchildren
Where I come back, tired and happy
Where I wake up, where I build memories and die

In such a home dear Lord, do I want to live

The Mystery of Dreams

Dreams are those, that we catch afloat
No time, no space, no constraint that bounds
A hero one time, and fearful at another
With long lost friends once, but alone and exposed next

What makes dreams, what constitutes it
Is one lifetime, of consciousness less
Is sleep a must, is dream as death

Mysteries abound, that science know not
The why and why not, but only the what
Some answers lie within, some with the guru
And some somewhere else, in karmic dimensions..

The snake and the rat

Sk sk sk sk, sk sk sk sk Hissed the snake in menacing might
Chu chu chu chu, chu chu chu chu Mocked the rat in sheer delight
Flabbergasted, baffled beholded, this strangest sight did I in eyes
What confidence, what self-assurance, had the rat with death no fright

And what a war broke out between them, there are no words to describe
Hissed and jumped and standing hairs, both on me and rat beware

I was such a stupid fool to, think that I am nothing here
Each has to play by his strengths, with God and even Death no fear

So the rat tired this snake out, and ran afar laughing away
And so did I with smile on face now, and new courage come what may

Nature is Blessed, Bathed in Rain

Parched in thirst, a year long wait
Mud and grime, and bird nest waste
Trees long most, for that first rain
Which washes and brightens, both leaf and trunk
Which cares for and nourishes, the deepest roots

Water from the Gods, that sip of nectar
Generously dispersed, seated on clouds
We thank your gifts, masters in the skies
New life is born, by sipping this nectar

I stay hands folded, beholding this beauty
The leaves I have seen, were never this green
As a beautiful woman, who steps out of water
As a dazzling butterfly, who rests on a flower

Why the delay, O dear Rain

Why O dear Rain, are you so late
You seem to have forgotten, you were to be here
We are waiting parched, the fields and the flowers
As animals and birds, we all look upwards

Why O pure water, do you keep us parched
Your mighty showers, we look forward to bath
The clouds still spread thin, silver as old man's hair
We look for the young, lush black heavy clouds

The sun still scorns, an extended summer's dry
O mighty rains come down, do humble his pride
The children will dance, as will peacocks for you
The farmer will shower blessings, just shower water will you!

Devoted to You

My Child, I am, Devoted to you
As none other, I will continue to serve you
You are a gift, the greatest one from God
I will hold precious, and forever cherish

They say, you are made, of the five elements
Your soul was forever, the sages would say
But I believe no, a part was me
My love, my prayer, my devotion eternal

Your little steps, make leaps, in my heart
The time with you, I ever feel complete
Your little antics, keep me always in cheer
A spontaneous smile, it happily breaks forth

As you grow, your pictures I glance
I may forget a little, but not your birth
That cry you let you, had me in smiles
What irony it is, the mystery of joy

Driving in India: Kindly Adjust!

Having recently moved to India, the most infamous aspect, the driving conditions, had to be encountered sooner or later. And while in all the years before my move to US, I'd been on roads mainly as a passenger, this is the first time that I had to take up the mantle of being a driver. This was bound to be challenging, but is also kind of "fun" sometimes. Never knew I'd associate the word "fun" ever to driving in India. But the ability to weave through traffic is sometimes exhilarating.

The best part I did was to buy an auto-gear four-wheeler. I still believe two-wheelers are not meant for the main roads of India, shared by a plethora of quantity and types of vehicles. Best for odd-jobs, most of whose distance can be covered by service roads perhaps. From the other side, these two-wheelers are also the most concerning part of driving on our roads. They zip in and zoom past anytime, with no warning before criss-crossing or cutting the other vehicles. For their own safety, there need to be rules. That either two wheelers only use side or service roads, or be allocated a separate lane of their own on main roads.

The other admirable aspect I see is how four-wheelers, 99% of them geared vehicles, have amazing control over their vehicles, even when the gears have to be adjusted and changed each time we reach a speed breaker, or any such road hurdle, or above-mentioned dangerous two-wheelers. It'd have a taken a longer time to start driving, considering the record-number of vehicles on Bangalore roads today. Each time I take out the car, and traverse around perhaps one of the world's most challenging driving conditions, I thank the decision of having bought an auto-gear. A day will also accompany, perhaps, when India will not be so dependant on imported energy, or when hydrid vehicles are affordable. Until that day arrives, I'll keep my migration path to geared vehicles slow.

I keep telling my observations to Jyothi of driving on these roads. The reason why vehicles can ply on these roads is on the basic premise that people want to live. If a person has a death-wish, it's real easy to die on Indian roads. And with lack of systems in many places, it's not surprising to know that India is the road-accident capital of the world!

Drivers in most intersections slow down, let each other pass, sometimes frustrated and blowing their horns, but that is the only reason intersections are not regular, daily crash points. There is no lane discipline, and people are always accommodating each other or the more aggressive drivers, so everyone gets to go. Without this sense of cooperation, perhaps one of the world's most-dense per-capita traffic hotspot nations would not be able to function. And for that, we Indian drivers (and not the government) deserves all the credit!!

What could be done? Flyovers of course! Earlier I was of the option that the Singapore model of taxing cars to the hilt is the solution. But that cannot happen unless public transport reaches that level of affordability, service levels and hence convenience. If the government cannot make that happen, then construct flyovers, and construct/maintain roads where quality connectivity is needed. 80% of congested roads do not have flyovers. Why not have 1 or 2 levels of flyovers to resolve the issue. Use private partnership. Have tolled flyovers. Even if the busy/rich few use them, the rest of the common folk now have either an option, or at least a less congested regular road!!

As Birds Meet in the Sky

So many birds flying high in the sky

Cover vast distances under God's protective eyes

They meet each other once, and go their separate ways

For can they live together again, in this ever-crowded space

There is no constraint, there are no rules

The skies and the earth, are under one roof

Yet why the mind is bound, why is it so

Who taught it fear, and the social statutes

It is not strange

It is not strange, it is no wonder
That I am born, that I am scared

I was here before, what if I remember not
I have died before, what if I still deny

The waters in the ocean, have bathed me once
The forest fires, cremated me with honor

This earth I was born of, still kisses my feet
The tree I breathe of, grow even without me

It is still not strange, that worry gnaws my heart
For the lives that feed me, I keep burning to death
I scorched the earth and polluted the water
I brought harm to life, even lives like mine

It is no wonder, that I realize inside
I have destroyed, the future of my child
For I am this life inside, not the man on the mirror
For I created nature with purpose, and kill it with none

Gods don't judge the Drunk

A drunkard drinks not for content

He drinks because he is in torment

What hurts my mind, my heart, my soul

You will not know, you are not mine

Even the creator does not, judge the drunk

For he knows how, he suffers within

The drunk is drunk, for nature's fault

To drunk be better, than the pain that gnaws

A lost battle

I stay not awake, I am not claimed
I am whatever, I dare not even know
Life's many achievements, to me hold no meaning
For what we accept as truths today, tomorrow may be lies

Your running that race, pursuing that girl
Your winning that game, loving that child
Your money, your power
Your cribs, your opinions
Your desires, your passions
Your goading, your loathing
Your resentments, your fights
Your memories, your learnings
Your patriotism, sacrifice
Even your aims and thoughts

They all mean nothing, for with you they die
They all mean nothing, for life's a lost battle!

It is only Time that lives on, and it carries with it values
It carries with it soul, the output of your true self

Angst

Bereft of love, this a soulless body
Breathing its last, the end is now at doorstep

As a rosebud is thirsty, for the first morning sunlight
I have been forever, a peacock parched for rainfall

This is always, this not normal
This melancholy in heart
I say not thunder, I say not water
This is simmering fire

Outsourcing and War

Half a century ago, the world war was won, because the US redirected all its industrial might in building weapons. And since then the arms lobby have held special attention in this country. Why then are these lessons being easily forgotten when the US allows its industries to freely outsource their manufacturing might to China. Little does it realize that it is this manufacturing might which will weigh heavily in any conflict with China.

It is a different context when the industries outsource their software development and maintenance capabilities to India. In most cases, the controls (servers / licenses / IP) reside in the US itself. And software in itself being a virtual asset, it is easy to revoke such licenses, and take back control. Can anyone do the same with actual physical machines? And that too from an authoritarian nation? Why is there no concentrated, strategic effort to shift manufacturing capabilities to allied nations that believe and honor similar tenets of democracy and individual freedom.

The lack of people's will in government policy reflects in China's government actions towards both its citizens and foreign nations. For example, US intelligence establishment now rates organized hacking from countries like China and Russia as the biggest threat to national security than even terrorism. Why isn't such pertinent information not reflecting in sound, strategic countermeasures by the administration. While a democratic US is being railed back by its citizens even in the realm of ethical-hacking, it is not a level-playing field when there exists no such control in the hands of Chinese citizens.

The means to fight back are fair and clear. The Chinese currency still maintains artificially low exchange rates. Force it to be controlled by market forces as most currencies doing global trade do. Or cause a boycott of China using the WTO. Of course, political realities like China propping up the lion-share of the US debt does not help. They can cause a currency-war by selling it fast causing the dollar to fall also.

And that is why the "spread-the-wealth" strategy by pushing US companies to outsource or build manufacturing capabilities in allied countries, will be of more help. These companies are patriotic, and are just looking for a level-playing field. If the government directs them so, it should apply to all US companies in their field.

Such balance of power is of prerogative to avoid the looming total tilt in power (currency, military and hacking).

Lost in you..

I'll step aside, for I am drunk
In alcohol or love, it matters little

A rose blooms, for the sake of it
It does not ask, that you kiss it

So loath you must not, you dazzling beauty
Though you know that I, will regret saying this

The other side..

I ask not of you, to seek me in thy dreams
I beg for your sight, oh just once my knight

My aims are not for myself, my beauty or my health
I pray for you and that, your wishes become true

I feel love in feeling, I care not for gold and silver
Do not drape me in money,your smile is all I need

Inner fire

A burning hunger, a hurting head
A glowing ember, in depth of eyes

I know not why my hands have sweat
When this heart is ablaze on fire

These muscles are so poised and tense
Awaiting just their master's command

The will is strong, the reflexes sharp
We are all now ready, to take on heat

A Hung Parliament

Having grown up seeing a little bit of Indian politics, and especially having heard so much from elders around, I, like, most of the population, especially the youth, have come to disdain politics. But it's nice to see and be able to predict that something is about to happen. Let me put it clearly why I think so.

The first generation of Indians after independence were more in thrill of having achieved it, and thought it their duty to dedicate their lives to make the lives of the coming generations happy. They took it as the noble task thrust upon their shoulders. Most politicians and bureaucrats of the era also were of the same mindset. In that synergy and passion we saw in each of us, it was easy to write a constitution that erred in placing a lot of trust on the nation's ruling and executive classes (the legislature and bureaucracy). The rights checks and balances to ensure speedy justice were missing, and the result was a few rotten tomatoes started to take advantage of the loopholes in the system. The general population immediately did notice. That's one thing will hold true in our country. We will continue to be well-read. If literate, the first thing we'll catch on to, is the news. If illiterate, the news channel or gossip somehow. As if the collective conscious is wary of being cheated and ruled again by foreign powers. But this population, along with the good among the leaders (a majority then) chose to ignore these rotten tomatoes as a distraction in the path of nation-building. Most politicians of that generation had to be freedom fighters, who had sacrificed family and risked lives in the path to freedom. So they were well-respected. Pointing fingers at the class as a whole was unthinkable, and quite deserving so. Let's call this the Nehruvian generation.

The next generation of population is where the politician's games really began. Firstly, it is this generation that accepted the daughter of the longest-lasting Prime Minister as the new Prime Minister! Either this population thought politics was too difficult and best left to the current rulers (remnants of the colonial mindset) or that every section of society has its role to play (the ingrained caste culture). And just like her father had, it was only natural that Indira Gandhi began giving a free rein to her son. A story that continues till today. At the time, Sanjay Gandhi became a de-facto member of the party and country leadership. It is well-documented that many in the cabinet began questioning his role. Slowly this trickled down to the population en masse, who began to get restless. While war jingoism kept them at check for some time, things were slowly starting to get out of control. That's when Emergency was imposed. And people began to be haunted by rulers worse than the British. That the Emergency was imposed so well for so long, shows how well by this time party and government control had been entrenched in a select few who formed a coterie of yes-men. Proof is in the pudding. Even after losing the elections, Indira continued to be the party chief, the next PM candidate, and by a tinge of clever marketing (Mother India slogans), the next PM. Alas! That's where we as a country should've realized how badly we are destined to doom. It is in this generation really that the seeds of corruption flourished. Once power realizes that it is unquestionable, there is no other easier route to take than corruption. This is the generation when corruption started seeping into the bureaucracy and the police force. The economic class-divide in population was created in this generation. I squarely blame this generation of the population as the reason why corruption is rooted as an endemic virus in our society. The coup-d'etat this generation laid on us was to make Rajiv Gandhi the PM. Let's call this period the Indira generation.

Then came our generation that has lived through the Rajiv-Sonia generation. Despite all the hard-work, we found ourselves against the grindstone, and witnessed that those who got were rising to the top on their own, were those who at some time had circumvented the laws. Bounded by license raj and socialist regulations, we found ourselves falling into the financial crisis hell-hole. It turned out to be a blessing, actually a salvation in disguise. Liberalization flourished our economy and our lives. It gave us a chance to rid ourselves of not just the pre-dated economic policies, but the political class as well. But then what do we do? We let the Congress get away with bringing back Sonia as their chief. Why but why, but because the majority of population was too poor. Mostly hungry and just finding a means to earn their day's meal, they didn't have the time to focus on politics or the need for politicians. A simple message had to be given to retain power. And what better than beat the same drum as the one that made Rajiv-a totally inexperienced person in public service- the PM of this great nation. The drum of sacrifice of course. Indira had died for the country, and so had Rajiv! This cut was made by the double-edged sword of us, the urban population starting to despise politics and focus on improving our economic situation, and the non-chalant rural population struggling to stay relevant, even alive. Even a trickle, a false or short-term promise was enough to win the rural vote. The society around them seemed to have improved, so why not their lot. And that's how corruption got to be a monster. When the politicians found that this works! There were the rich and the riches to be made in the booming economy so the bureaucrats too toed the line.

But it's heartening to see that the next generation is not willing to be fooled. The luxury they have is the foundation of a good economy this generation has laid for them. It is this generation that came out to the streets in support of Lokpal. Anna Hazare, the last surviving Gandhian icon from 2 generations before ours, could never get this kind of support from our generation, as the next-gen has provided. We were just too busy building the economy, and I guess, are still warped in that, even while we have the chance to contribute. This next-gen has the confidence that things will be well economically, and they have the hunger to make change in politics, in the ruling class. Rahul Gandhi will never get it laid on a platter as Rajiv did. Good thing is Rahul has realized that, and not yet staked claim for the PM's post. Development without Corruption has been the mantra of the current generation and the leaders emerging are starting to chant this mantra to ours and the next-gen of young voters. We are on the right track, but just not there yet.

Wiser from their past follies, the rural have started rising, but yet not a clinching majority. After all, little can take priority over one's hunger. And the urban want to play a part, not let others decide their fate. And I salute this spirit. This is the spirit that India needs to take it forward.

India is at a crucial juncture in its political history. The next elections will show how much we are at distress within ourselves. The old not wanting to let go, and we not yet fully trustful of the new. As has been its fate for the most part since independence, so could it be after these next elections..A Hung Parliament!

Different Indian cities as hubs

There is no clear communication why cities in our country India are planned or lack planning the way they are being shaped right now. Why is it that the finance and movie industry are both in Mumbai. And now IT companies are also jostling for space and importing engineers in this already crowded city. Already the infrastructure was insufficient in the city. Most people still travel in packed trains. Instead of trying to make things better, lack of planning and letting things pan out by default is only putting more strain on scarce resources. This in turn is only making life more difficult for the ordinary population.

Due to lack of government planning and enablers, businesses will continue to invest in locations where at least there is some infrastructure. Plus what is more ideal for profit making than a packed market, both in terms of per-capita and head-count. So the businesses really don't care. They too have to bear the brunt of initial high-cost of capital investment but profits are huge to the ready market in close quarters.

Those who really pay the price are their consumers, us the general population. Not just in terms of a difficult, hectic lifestyle but also in terms of health. These include pollution and the increased stresses that crowded areas beget, not only in terms of civic facilities (space, water, air quality, crime, infrastructure) but also in economic terms (cost of living) and in terms of general well being (lack of time, quality of relationships, increased  competition, loss of balance with nature).

For a well populated country like India, ad-hoc city development is neither binding nor appealing. Planned city model is the model to go for. Firstly, in order to ease the strain on the city, the capital of the state Maharashtra should be moved into an interior location. Moving government, especially politicians is economically the path of least resistance, because legislature if it wishes to, can make money readily available. Political will as usual is another story. The incentive for politicians is improvement of government and their personal security, always difficult in a hub like Mumbai. The good for people is economic development of the area chosen including more jobs with direct government investment. The good for Mumbai is reduction of the concerned population and easing up on infrastructure.

The next industry to be targeted is the film industry. With a single sop of developing a twice as grand film-city in the interior of the country, say Madhya Pradesh, we should be able to attract gradual relocation. Having enough money and known to enjoy luxurious lifestyles, film celebrities and the industry as a whole are a manageable bunch for relocation, given the right carrots.
Mumbai is currently the financial hub and I think should continue to be so. Among other reasons the financial vein of any country needs to be given the it's easy-flowing path. If we were to put it in an idealistic sense though, every coastal region should have been exclusively made industrial hubs if anything, and not the interior parts of the country. Manufacturing invariably causes pollution, which instead of kept circulating in the interiors of the country, is best driven off by the wide expanses of the oceans. Of course, this holds true as long as fossil fuels and harmful industrial wastage aren't well taken care of.

While Mumbai is closest to heart as I was born and raised there, I'm sure every city likewise has it's strengths which we must balance for a good quality of life for the rest of the country. Bangalore, for example, like Mumbai has captured the brand imagination across the world of being the Silicon Valley of India, its IT hub. So we should focus IT out here and in adjoining cities. Every metro needs to carve its unique identity in the eyes of the world, and focus its strengths in those specific directions, than arbitrary, evidently chaotic development that we see today, which is crushing infrastructure and quality of life. For example Chennai can be the country's port city, Hyderabad the Biotech city, and Chandigarh Pharma.
This level of focus will also reduce the necessity of having each location marked as a city. We will be able to maintain the rural, agro-community once it is spared by these demands of urbanisation. Any migration, if necessary to an urban location, need not be the long-dreary life writh with sacrifices as it is today.

I believe it is this focus or balanced development for all areas of the country that can make it reachable for the ordinary Indian to get out of the clutches of poverty.

A Horror Story!

I landed at this wedding or wedding-reception, I am not sure which. It was of my college batchmate Jignesh. I was happy to be invited and had taken many family member - I remember a lot of women - and at least one close friend Ram along. It's here the strange event first started. The attender at the entrance asked for the invitation card, to confirm my name was among those invited. I asked one of those in our group for the card, and it was soiled! Someone began telling some excuse, but it didn't matter...my name was not visible on it. Blotchy green where it was meant to be! The attendant, perhaps overzealous, was not willing to take from our attire that we couldn't well be free-loafers.

A minor argument ensued. I was insisting I knew Jignesh; he was my college batchmate and if the attender were to take me to him, Jignesh'll recognize me. The attender stood his ground, while the ladies in our group began to lose patience and started murmuring. Frustrated, I just pushed my way into the marriage hall, the attender trying to hold me back. The hall was not filling yet. We seemed likely to be one of the first to arrive. Many of the chairs still lay folded. I rushed towards the stage where I noticed someone seated surrounded by some people. The face was not visible but it was clear that'd be the groom. As I approached near calling out to Jignesh, lo and behold! It turns to be Suhas, not Jignesh there! How can that be? Now, Suhas too was a college class mate, but he looks at me as if unable to recognize me. I tell him my name but that doesn't seem to help. Somewhat shocked, I start to walk back, this time the attender just keeping close to me. Did I mix up whose wedding I was attending? Or have I mixed up the names in memory. I still can swear I remember the face, it was Suhas not Jignesh. But I could've sworn the invitation card had Jignesh's name on it. And I think I even saw Jignesh's name at the entrance. How could it then be Suhas at the groom's chair? And why didn't he recognize me?

Half-way on the way back towards the entrance, I hear some loud commotion coming from the entrance. I and the attender rush, only to see the bride laying in blood. The marriage had been doomed!! And that's when I saw Her-Charu- for the first time! An angelic, voluptuous beauty. Dressed in light green top and a skirt, Her beauty was a distraction to the situation at hand. She was sitting beside the bride, with an intense expression. But somehow that expression didn't look shocked or scared to me, like that of the other ladies around. Had this lady killed the bride, no one was sure. And yet, the bride seemed to have been gutted by a knife, that was nowhere to be seen.

Ram said we'd had enough, it was time to leave. And so we did. It's one thing to be confused as in a dream, but another to see death in front of your eyes. And I kept feeling sorry for Suhas/Jignesh (in that frame of mind, I didn't cross-check what name was really written at the entrance).Things hadn't gone well that day, for really anyone.

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

I do not know when, I met Her again. But the next I remember is meeting her in green fields. She was a tanned beauty, with glowing skin like former Bollywood heroine Smita Patil. I guess I remember this meeting, for it was the turning point. These fields I was meeting her at was next to the hill where her home was located. An idyll location, I always thought, up a hill, with a beautiful view of green and sun. But I never had visited her home yet. Apparently, after this encounter, while I was walking back to the highway, a friend who was driving past, saw me walking. I'd told him this is where Charu lived so he knew why I was there, and decided to just drive by. Apparently, upon driving a little further, he glanced up the hill and noticed Charu walking into her home. But then he claims a strange thing happened. When she closed the door, all the curtains, at least all the ones visible to him, seemed to push at the glass windows. An engineer himself, he found this very strange. If the wind was really causing this, then this should've happened when the door was open, and not quite some time after the door was closed. It was as if matter had converted to a force inside...

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

I must have visited a hypnotist, or friends might have taken me to a psychologist to forget Charu, for I don't remember how I took it, or what sequence of events occurred before that final day...

I remember going into Charu's home without her permission. She'd never wanted me to come there. Maybe I harbored an ill-omen, for I had taken my friends along, whom I asked to wait half-way on the way up to the hill. There was lush green grass and they could rest, although they preferred to stay alert. Some friends who were girls were also with us. Maybe they thought there could be a fight, and they would be helpful consoling her thereafter.

I went inside to confront Her. While I don't remember what was the original reasons for the confrontation, I remember I had bigger reason when I opened the door. There was no furniture in the house. It was this huge, empty hall with glass panes, curtains partly covering the view outside. Charu seemed to walk in from the another room. She must have got upset. I equally must have asking her what is all this. Whose house is this, and why is it empty. I must have cast all the doubts my friends had, I don't really remember the conversation or quarrel, because of the impact of events thereafter in my mind.

She got very very mad. Surprisingly not at me, but my friends. Upon learning they were outside, she ran out, with nothing less than a huge kitchen knife in hand. And what happened thereafter I don't want to recount. I remember watching helplessly, in shock, and just plunking down to the ground in disbelief. Here was Charu, mad in expression, slashing and killing, there was blood all around. She somehow seemed to be very strong, for none of the guys were able to hold her back or control her. She was easily overpowering and throwing them around.

I got to my senses, something had to be done. Something had snapped, and first thing was she'd to be controlled. But how? She seemed just too strong. Now that engineer-friend who was well-read about the psychic forces, and who'd convinced me that the blasting curtains didn't seem right, had also told me that sometimes when psychic force takes over, humans are able to do things which are normally physically impossible. So I knew running towards her would only get myself killed. Yet, something had to be done, but what, and how...

And that's when I realized. There was something strange about this madness in Charu. She was running after, and hurting, only the women among my friends. What, really? Yes that's what I was seeing. The guys were being thrown away. For some reason, she was not hurting any of the men. I had to take my chances. At least my life is perhaps not at risk, and some lives could be saved. I ran towards Her. She heard the running footsteps, and turned around. Our eyes met. She was breathing heavily, her face sweaty. But the eyes had that same intense look. Not one of fear, but that of a hunter, a mix of alertness, calmness and intensity. Seeing it was me perhaps, she didn't attack me. And seemed to calm down. But I didn't see it then. I was running tense towards her, not knowing what to expect. So the first thing I did upon reaching close, was to snatch the knife from her hands, which she didn't seem to resist, and plunge it in her stomach!!

Her expression never changed, tired sweating face and intense, and this time reddening eyes. She fell to the ground. Actually, I don't remember anything after that.

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

Today as I sit here writing, trying to piece together the happenings, I think I can explain what was happening. But still not the when, or the why. Charu was crazily in love with me. Way before I had even seen her. At the wedding hall, because of perhaps the huge group with me, she thought it was I who was getting married. And anyways, didn't want to take chances. She just killed the bride-to-be. That last time we argued, she thought the girls among my friends are trying to break us up, take me away from her. And so in her madness she went about attacking them. Well, at least these seem to be the reasonable explanations.

But there is one last thing that continues to confound me. My friends refuse to talk about Her. Like I said, I must've been taken through some psychotherapy or I might have agreed to hypnotism at the time, to forget this entire episode. I don't remember any of my friends missing, or maybe even that was taken care of by the mind-treatment.
But much more crucially, no one wants to confirm that she is dead. Now why is that. Wouldn't it be more relieving to me, and to them, to readily assure me of that? That they refuse to confirm makes me think, that somewhere, most probably in some mental hospital, she's alive, and waiting, to be with me...

My love I miss you very much

Is nature vicious our life is such
My love I miss you very much

Have not seen you in a month so long
Don't know how to live along

My time is bad or test of God
I know not and I wait forlorn

The days I count and on lonely nights
I sob to console pain in heart

Shutting down Government...while laying seeds of a Backlash

Frustrating as it is with the US government shutdown since October 1 that nobody wants, there's nothing better to do than retrospect what has caused this fiasco.
Seems like the opposition Republican party is being held hostage by the conservative right to take a hardline stand. And the party seems to be willing to even commit harakiri to appease this bloc, rather than negotiate a compromise with the ruling Democrat party.
A situation like this happens when you are in the defensive. I believe the loss by that huge a margin in the Presidential election is directly responsible for this. The Republicans realize that they are being perceived as out-of-touch by the majority of Americans. There is a PR exercise being carried out to improve the party's overall image in their weakest areas, the Latino and African-American population. This is primarily being done by propping up leaders from those races in their own party-structure. But while those measures will take time, they want to at least hold-on to their voting base.
Obviously, this is where the conservatives come in. This group launched the Tea-Party some years back with the very intent to not yield or compromise, as the two parties have traditionally been. And the Tea Party's candidates began winning primaries and candidatures in the regions with a conservative leaning, sometimes even beating the party's preferred nominee.
What this extreme fails to realize is that a failure to compromise is not in the bigger interest of the party or the country. The conservatives need to learn that if they are to really be able to exert influence at the national stage, they should be willing to reach across the aisle. Either that, or the Republican establishment should be willing to risk a short term loss of support among extreme conservatives, with the bigger goal in sight (Presidential, Senate victories).
On the ground, I've seen how the shutdown has disappointed people across the aisle alike. The general talk among supporters of both parties is "Everybody knows what's happening", and the blame for the shutdown being squarely placed on the Republicans. This generation is more networked, and less easily influenced by party-leader talk. There seems to be a clear consensus that the Republicans were wrong in shutting down government because they did not like one law. If they truly believe in democracy, they should have let the issue settle after the mandate of repealing Affordable Healthcare failed during the Presidential elections.
Sooner or later otherwise, there will be a bigger backlash which will see the party wiped out of both houses, which is not in the interest of the party or the country. The hardline approach is the exact opposite of what should have been taken, during this crisis of lack of popularity.
The vast majority agree with the need for fiscal tightening, but going after the Affordable Health Care is conveying the wrong message.
The Democrat marketing machine made the mistake of calling this law "Obamacare". If the law were only touted with its actual name "Affordable Health Care" law, there would have been more acceptance. The common masses, from either party, could have been swayed by the appeal in the name itself.

An Elusive Love

O Beautiful woman, why didn't you come
In yearn for you, I lay wasted in dirt
In search of you, I lost out all trail
In your magical mist, even blindness is bliss

Why do you play, you hide and you tease me
Don't you see I, who hopes you will seek me
Not master of heaven, or earth but am brazen
This lover of yours, has nothing that will faze him

In jungle of life, with every twist of the time
At each trip and fall, you will reach out for my hand
My absence will remind, of this crazed lover's touch
I hope you will return, before I have to bite dust

Mindless violence

There was violence, in the train as on streets
People being killed, with reason as creed
I could not bear it, I put him at ease
At the right moment, pushed him away to reprieve

I got off the train, I have had enough
Madness in mob, no way to arrest
Someone followed, asking why the unease
I said my God, waits where there is peace

Ghosts of a love from past

She came to me, in sleep distressed
Comforted, took care of me to rest
She fed the same meal, I very much loved
She was no mirage, but the person I love

I lay in thought, my eyes awake
The night was clear, my mind at stress
She was a paramour, from another birth
Yet a soul that shone, my path with light

Tears dripped, my eyes had welled
So I was guided, not a fool in jest
The server said sorry, for the food I saw
I said no, it has her reflection aglow

The future of the wild

As the scope gets larger, with the human population exploding, I sometimes wonder, of the space left for wildlife. Today we see how the need for "jobs", and the need for more of everything, justifies destroying just about everything that existed in this planet for centuries. With every passing generation, the attachment to nature is less, which makes this exploitation of resources easier by rulers and profiteers.

Until today we have seen, some land areas vacated, national parks and forest preserve parks "restored" to give some wild their own space. But can it really be their own, when the air they breathe and the water they drink cannot possibly avoid being mixed by polluted chemicals from industrial waste? How far can you take them, and us - not yet out of this world - to escape these effects. It's better than the alternative, of animals not having a home at all, very true! But we are lying to ourselves if we think this isn't where they are heading.

But then, do we realize that the pollution, the destruction of forest-land, has a cost that would be borne by the generations after us? The very human life to sustain which we justify this destruction. What is the very purpose of civilization? How is economic growth measured at the cost of natural resources? Who really gave us ownership of these resources, and especially the non-human life around us?

We humans have evolved to our current forms through millions of years of changes. Every "creature" around us, has contributed to this evolution. In that sense, we owe them this consciousness, our evolution to our present forms where we are aware of "self". This is, even if you don't want to deal with the metaphysical, spiritual sense that the every living being in this planet has the same soul as ours, and equally considers it home as we do. Who, then, wrested upon us the authority to do what we please with the natural resources belonging to this Earth. We, ourselves? How can that be fair? How do we pay back what is due to those who originally inherited the Earth, and continue to live along with us?

Make no mistake, I realize that in our natural habitat (the forests), we were exposed to most unpredictable means of survival. "I think, and therefore I am" is very much apt. It is incredible how far we have come. But take a step back to realize, that in the pursuit of a safe place to continue our existence, we have tried to redefine how the world should be, through cultivation and village-life first, and the urban/concrete mix now.

Have we stopped to think and check, if we have really gone farther than optimum, to give meaning to our life? If every step forward now, is at the price of our "home", this Earth? If not, what is the end point, before we all can agree that further use (I call exploitation) of nature is to the net-detriment of the future generations, of human and non-human life? And in this "home" divided by man-made nation-states, how can we come together to this agreement, and to go back and restore what is already damaged? And will we ever, our minds blurred and trust lost, in judging each other through the lens of race, religion, patriotism, greed. How many more generations have to pass, before we realize what really matters?

To be pragmatic, the baseline is the parameters by which we define economic growth. For everyone understands that language. A price needs to be tagged for each natural resource, with due ownership distributed on all life upon land, water and sky. An honest measure of the effect, of using that resource, is needed. A fair assessment as this, in my view, will make it not worth the price to loot forest and land, might build a few cars less for spending more to create a balance in nature. This is not against science, but a re-evaluation of purpose. For example, it would prioritize inhabiting the moon or Mars over pointless defense budgets.

For sure, change cannot come, but in small steps. But will we ever start, and how?

A Simple Village Life

Behind this world so complex, lies a simple village life
It metaphors our choices, for glitter over stars

There is the option, to watch a calm and flowing river
To swim and bathe in glee, in a serene backyard pond
Yet we have turned away, with an endless aim in sight
Oh foolish one this time, is one that will not turn behind

The blazing sun bears witness, to the cowherd's melodious flute
And to cooling embers of moonlight, sing insects a different tune
Oh run away from here, this jarring deafening noise
To where the sun does rise, to chants of Gayathri mantras

Know No Fear

Where is that mind, held fearless and high
It now hides in fear, afraid to be seen

Do you remember, the beauty of rivers and mountains
They are thus with, their freedom of expression

Don't attach self to greed, it is just not your creed

Where fate rules alike, faith is always alive

Whatever happens will happen, no matter what you do

So just head-on with courage, and fear only fear

The senses do nothing, as self-inquiry does

For long there is pursuit, an endless cycle, for sense-pleasures. These include the sight, the smell, the taste, the touch, and the sound of something that pleases. And many of these are noteworthy, nay make life more worthwhile, more appreciative. But all these mean nothing, if one does not interpret. If one does not step back and introspect.

What gain is it, if one watches film after film, never stopping in between, snatching the time out of one's precious life. Film, like most forms of sense pleasures, are meaningless if one does not learn from it. Film is the perfect medium to give you a view of the world, the vast space which one cannot expect to cover and experience, in one life. But then, not matter how much of film one watches, one cannot expect to get exposed to all. What matters is to get the essence.

Just as reading all the books in the library are unnecessary when the main point has been conveyed, been absorbed.

I was watching this beautiful Bengali movie titled "Agantuk", where one particular dialogue struck me. When Dhritiman Chatterjee's character asks "The open sexuality, the cannibalism that you see among tribals, isn't that uncivilized", Utpal Dutt's character responds sarcastically "No it is barbaric, what is civilized is to wipe out an entire village with the single press on the button of an atom bomb. Uncivilized is where there is an oath taken to avoid the misuse of weapons". The character finds that civilization confusing where there are pillar-like skyscrapers, yet humans pulling rickshaws, a hint towards human exploitation.
Actually today's topic came from this very film. The character had spent a lifetime among tribals and came back to urban life, with his eyes forever open. His views clear and precise as only self-inquiry can achieve.

One must meditate each day, read each day, listen to the soothing rhythm of music, watch different media, but not forget the goal of it all, to instrospect after each, understand, love and appreciate, not necessarily in words. One must find meaning, to one's own, unique life, and devote himself or herself to fulfill that purpose. The senses have played their part then, self-inquiry has reached it's goal then...

Your own style

Continue to play in your own style
You are your own life
You are your unique style

Your style need not be else's
Your style need not agree with all

It is not you, but you were chosen
To express this range of the creator's ways
Your truth to your self, the only true style

My Child My Joy

What other joy is needed, when you are with me

It is blissful indeed, when I see you sleep

My child your strength, moves human will

Your innocent ways, drives away all ills

Watching you always, breakes a smile
Kissing your soft cheeks, pleasure I feel

Love, Joy and Happiness, words I don't mind

Because you have given me, the feeling of Divine

Of Mistakes Past

In life you pay for mistakes past, those past in this birth and last

I remember times, in a deep dark pit,

When I and you scratched words and kissed

I get dreams, of this life not, but lo behold of war-torn Europe

And someone reminded, of promises broken

May be courage, not lack of love then

That your wait, got alone and barren

There were lives lost, nobody thinks often

For true, it is very, hard to fathom

But each life had, a story told seldom

Stories that must complete, in next births for them

No Answer Enough

Why does my heart hurt, why is mind paining
The pain should have ended, the thorn has been pulled now
Is it so because, the wound is still bleeding?

Why did it happen, is one lifetime worth it
Why did God deceive, on the one thing I asked Him

If connecting dots, will give me an answer
Will that answer come with, the lost time and chances

A Child passes away and laws of nature beyond our understanding

This whole week, and perhaps for a long time to come, this tragic happening about a young boy passing away, will continue to be in my mind. I pray for his soul and for his family, and pray there is peace and solace everywhere.

The toddler Logan passed away a couple of days after being best man to his parents' wedding. A life we see in pictures, now no longer is around.

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/497364/20130807/logan-stevenson-dying-best-man-christine-swidorsky.htm

We can never ever really feel, or console or compensate the loss of his parents.

And again, that gnawing question, why. How can the laws of nature be like this? And why does a child have to pay the price.

When we talk freedom, liberty - concepts I obviously stand for also - is there anything truly being "free". Aren't we all governed, dare say controlled, by forces, by laws of nature, by our very existence as humans on this planet.

I know there are philosophical answers to philosophical questions, but nothing will convince me that it's at least unjust where children pay the price.

May those forces, those Gods listen, that laws for humans, please be humane.
That some laws do, really need exceptions.

Lal and Charisma

As is usual with me, just yesterday I finished watching the Malayalam movie "Summer in Bethlehem". This is after about a week since I started it..phew. Now one of the things I'd heard about the movie was the cameo by Mohanlal. And I continued to watch the movie, there was no sign of the cameo. Being a movie of the musical-comedy-romance genre, I'd perhaps expected a funny entrance among kids. But with the entry of a gloomy Manju Warrier character should have made me guess. It was an intense role, and boy, was it "intense"!

It is just one scene of 9.5 mins, and rightly built up to be the climax of the movie. And a scene with many characters sharing the scene with Mohanlal: the jailer, Suresh Gopi and Manju Warrier. But the performance in those few minutes really underlined why he is one of the greatest actors in this country, of this generation. In entry itself the character shows spark (the background music also helped). The bearded ascetic appearance belies the mood that would be, of this scene. Lal eases the tension, and lives it up too. When he speaks of how by killing an evil industrialist, he really killed a whole family including innocent children, your eyes well up with his. When he just after says how he realized how communist "revolutionaries" miss the point that what you need to fix is the system, not the people, you can feel the searing passion. When he hurries from Manju Warrier to Suresh Gopi begging him to put the thali, the hurry is expressed in action and expression. Subtle, but only if you miss. Pure amazing otherwise!

I can't remember an even better cameo in any film, at least till now, even 2 days after I finished the film. Some people have it, what they call charisma. They are born with a talent. And when they make what they love their life's work, you can see the rhythm. Mohanlal, the actor, is one such. 

I have known and am willing to accept that Mohanlal the human may have deficiencies. But to expect him to be perfect will be like stifling him. It'll only kill the creativity within the artist. I've always said, there's no need to be a fan of any person, just his good parts. In this case, his acting talent.

Apparently all his scenes are spontaneously performed. And that, like the other great actor Amitabh, Mohanlal is a nervous wreck before his scene. But that's until the camera starts rolling and the sheer magic begins. Just sit back, enjoy and celebrate the performance.

Ironically perhaps, people might have walked out the movie theater equally or more remembering Mohanlal's cameo than the rest of its content. But then, Gods do take preference!

A Beautiful Day

When I opened my eyes, to the first morning sunlight
I said what a day, what a bright beautiful day

When I went running, beside freshly bloomed flowers
The fragrance that I breathe in, made even oxygen dear

The river that I drank from, as the afternoon parched
I could swear it served, not water but pure nectar

As the evening breeze gusted, to orange-crimson skies
It freed me off all tiredness, it made me fresh again

The darkness now has gathered, and crickets chant to moon
In her glowing embers I now rest, I sleep I meditate

Loss

When a mother loses her child
She loses two lives
When a man loses his wife
He loses his very mind

What happens when you wake up
And the loved one is not beside
What does one go through
When the heart pines for it too

Is easy to express
That lot happens in life
But not easy is to walk
In soul-less shoes

Movie Review: Meri Jung

Good entertainer.

Revenge drama with a simple storyline.

Anil Kapoor at his dashing stylish best. Amrish Puri equally good.

Support cast good to their roles. Nutan as the mother, Javed Jaffrey for dancing. Meenakshi Sheshadri is only in this for the beauty factor.

Simple storyline, and indeed proof that Subhash Ghai really created good movies in the 80's.

One of the few Subhash Ghai movies that does not slow in between, keeps up a good pace.

Credit also should go to the good editing.

Climax fight could have been better..

Movie Review: Robocop

Brilliant sci-fi movie, well-thought and fantastic from various perspectives.

The movie makes a point at different levels. At the physical level by being a plain revenge-drama. At the social level of making a case of where to draw the line of privatisation and automation. At the metaphysical level of longetivity of the subconscious, even beyond physical death.

The sarcasms on our daily double-standards are hilarious and in a way, ahead of it's time! In a sense, the director took a risk by creating a soul, but succeeded by elevating, what would otherwise have been a plain-jane action movie.

Movie Review: Thazhvaram

Poignant is the right word to describe this movie. From one view one might think it is slow, but every moment is loaded with the haunt of what could happen next.

Simple storyline: A man shows up at a village with the intent to kill the thief who stole his savings and killed his wife.

Hats off to Mohanlal and Salim Ghouse for their excellent performances.

It's surprising when you look back, there are not many characters in the film. Shankararadi does well, and Sumalatha adds the beauty quotient.

Another unique point is that the main plot does not cover a large time- span. Instead relies on timely flashbacks to tie up the loose ends.

The movie is a showcase of the director Bharathan's genius.

A truly unique film in Malayalam cinema. True, it takes inspiration from the Western genre. Never before nor after has one such been attempted!

The ending is especially commendable. No sentimental gimmicks!

Truly a must-watch!

Righteous waste

Irawati Karve's Yuganta is about a lot of things, suffice to call it an eye-opener, as a study of history foremost ought to be.
But the biggest lesson for me in it was how it argued that "saints" have brought more damage to this world than "sinners"!

It showed how a righteous Bhishma could have avoided the Mahabharata not once but multiple times in his life. It is so true. Even Yudhishtira behaves as his word is more important than his wife, and allows a most despicable behavior on her in front of his own eyes.
Indeed, it was eventuality up to a street-smart Krishna to ensure the Pandavas got what they desired, win the bloodiest war and lay claim on a kingdom they really did not deserve to rule. For Krishna understood the true nature of life. And even though he couldn't have spoken in clearer terms of the gray nature of life, the Bhakti movement in later centuries made him a God, replete with an ideal childhood and romantic youth. When a cold study of the complex character, teachings and true life-story of Krishna could have opened up our minds, we obviously find it easier to numb our minds endlessly repeating "Hare Krishna".

Karve further posits how Gandhiji could really have avoided the bloodshed of partition and it's aftermath that we suffer even today. He even failed his family to stand by what is "right". Arguable, controversial, but food for thought.
Few can deny that there couldn't have been a greater mass-murderer in the past century than Hitler. And yet, he was puritanical, almost saintly in personal-life.

Even today: The honor killings, the caste and class prejudices, even when we judge people based on their personal tastes and choices.

Life in true nature is harmony, is rhythm. Both the waxing and waning are important. There has to be beautiful birth and ghastly death. One who realizes this no more has questions. The why does this happen, the why me and the how could he.

We need to start seeing life as a cycle, as the weeks, the seasons, even birth-death-rebirth. Give up the austerity that gives grief to others. Hold true to your priorities for better or worse.

Yuganta is a must-read.
You need to accept both the good and bad in you, to be complete.

Gods do make mistakes

All that happens, happens for the best? Maybe. But God does everything right? I no longer think so. Gods do make mistakes, bad choices as humans do. I think now that they are in this with us, living and learning. So you are better off letting things happen on their own, than ask the Gods for something. Could turn out, your wish gets granted, and it's the worst thing that could have happened to you. Neither surrender to God and ask him to make your choices. Could turn out that you could have made a better choice than God himself. Life seems to have shown me that you are better off trying to achieve what you want, and let the law of karma that governs the universe decide if it's good for you, or whether you deserve it.

Pleasing a God and getting something might be the only plausible way out, if you want it that badly in this birth, but I'd say you are better off not asking for such interventions. Even the Gods have no influence over Karmic law. There will be a price to pay, ranging from not feeling what you thought it would feel like after achieving it, to outright losing something you need more in return.

Wish for something, having an aim is not wrong. Moreover wishing it also helps  contribute to karmic effort.
Work towards it, but don't ask a God for it!
If you deserve it, you will get it.

What Krishna said about one having influence over only the action and not the fruits of the effort, there is great meaning to it.
He never suggested making Him a God or asking any God for wishes. He did so for our good.
But as is often said, without constant reminding, Good is easily forgotten!

The Best came through Rest

Why the hurry, the rush, the haste
Why the rat race, it's all a waste
Lay back, look up, take a breath deep
No matter what, the best came through rest

There's life, there's death, but do we really live
Walk fast, look busy, but is anything done
Go slow, be thorough, gain a little focus
No matter who says, the best came through rest

In rest came nirvana, in rest came creation
In rest came inventions, discoveries, the greatest innovations
In rest came us, our best, and the best of us
No matter whether, the best came through rest

I'd Die for a little Thirst

To drink what is wet, to kiss what is soft
To embrace nights and days alike
For that one sight, that arch, that ouch
What I'd not do, I'd die for a little thirst

In a desert of dryness, bodies ugly and placcid
Where there is no interest, no charm nor thrust
Emotionless, abnormal and lacking spark
Such place am I, I'd die for a little thirst

Where pleasure is natural, peaceful and joyous
And homes are happy, fulfilled and beautiful
Where you take care, of self and others
Such soul I look for, I'd die for a little thirst

The Rain is Here

The coming of rains, has shaken

Birds and beasts , from slumber

The earth is refreshed, the grass drenched

And so are insects, now easy prey

My child is watching, with eyes awonder

At the fury of rain-spears on Earth

In innocence, he realizes not

This is the Sky, making love to her

And in this mirth, will be born new life

As nature, nourished by sunlight

As life stands still, in cozy abodes

The dance of creation, is ever-abound

A Gloomy Day

Perhaps they stayed in office today
I see no one at five thirty pm

Perhaps the sun set early on us
I see only dark clouds above us

Perhaps the winds went back to sleep
I see no hush just gentle breeze

Perhaps the water feels tied and tired
I see no ripples just a placid tier

Perhaps the birds and beasts will rest
I feel no jest, just doze at best!

Be Still, Be Quiet..

Be Still, Be Quiet, what is this rush
Every problem was solved, with stillness ablush

Be Still, Be Quiet, what is the hurry
It is not worth, just causes more worry

I have not listened, I have not felt
Of what use is then, this life behind I left

Be Still, Be Quiet, my mind is asleep
In Prayer and Meditation, is greatness achieved

How much do I Love You

My son, my dear, how much do I love you
I realize I love you, more than my life itself

My son can I measure, the vastness of love
When it's as expansive as the endless horizon

My child can there be, a limit to love
When it feels limitless like the sky above

My heart are there areas, this love does not touch
It must be like those where the air has not reached

Yes there can be, a reflection of love
O child you are that, of creation immortal

Loving Nature, Bless thy son

Dear Nature, the living whole
Bless thy spirit, on my son's soul
Build thy strength, on my son's health
Kindle thy thought, in my son's mind

He is not, unknown to you
For indeed, he is born of you

Does He Know

My son looks out, at the blue expanseless sky
Does he know, that it lays bare
Potentials limitless, in this life

He wonders at green, the grass and tree
Does he know, that it instills
Immortal calmness, within world ever-changing

My son points out, bird he exclaims
Does he know, that it teaches
To spread your wings, take risks to win

Intent alone is Not Enough

For long I have said that in Life, all we can have is intent; everything else just happens. I still agree with it, at the macro or big-picture level. But it for sure cannot be used as an excuse to inaction. Change was brought about only when people stepped into action. If one would just watch with a fair understanding of what's not right, and with honest intent, but yet keep watching and do nothing, tomorrow would not be a better day.

Good intentions do not override wrong actions. In the Gita it is written that no action is wrong if the intent is right. I do not agree with that now. Because intent is hard to judge; it is personal, subjective and incomparable. That's why strict adherence to law, and more importantly, the spirit of the law, is more important. I'm happy to note that most democracies in the world today have matured enough to realize this.
So it wrong to stop your car in the middle of the road to let another driver from the curb join in, especially when there could be a vehicle behind you, not expecting you to stop; it puts their life in danger. Then again, the spirit of the law is upheld when you do this to save a life, say a kid who jumped on the road.

Good actions override intent. Although I'm not sure I completely understand this, the example I contextualize this statement, is in the role of the law-enforcer or war-soldier of a country. They are at the frontline, defending the nation and upholding it's laws in order to protect life and liberty. In my eyes, their actions deserve the most respect, even more than the doctor who saves lives. However, standing at the front line, they might be unable to see the big-picture, the why. At that point in time, it is their actions that matter most, irrespective of their then understanding of the reasons, the intent. Or even their own personal intentions, as long as those actions do not exceed their scope!

Poison Ivy

It stings of poison, it tastes as much
I still know not if it is

I chew it in, I drink it up
As if ignorance be bliss

Some part of it, makes me immune
Some part of it, meets me with death

I chew it in, I drink it up
It is but gift of God

Neelakanta!

Oh Shiva, brave Neelakanta,
Did you drink the poison whole
In one gulp, or in drops bitter

Ishwara, how did you learn
To consume, yet not ingest it in
You hold it in your throat once pure

Nataraja, did the poison's effect
Make you stagger, as I now feel
A listless, no purpose, an expressionless reel

Shambo, you are the very equanimity
I now know what you really did
Consumed the poison that could others kill
And yet not drink it, for immortal bliss

This way you free those around of sin
Yet confident control about your own peace

The American Way of Life

As my client manager often puts it, if someone wants to live in a carboard box in America, he can. The concept of individual liberty is hard to digest for some nations. Coming from another democracy (India), I can understand. Not so for most countries, where they believe government intervention to "protect" the "dignity" of human life, religion, and culture. Again, coming from India, I understand them to. Since India is a multi-cultural, multi-lingual, secular democracy where all religions are given equal respect by the constitution.

In America, individuals are at liberty to have the most of life. Those who wish to be patriotic, conservative, liberal, or even lethargic, they can have it all. Those with enterprise can become as rich as they can make it happen. Those who want can binge and gamble to death. The economy is consumer-driven. It thrives on individual freedom. Supply generating demand of something different all the time.

If you want meditation, yoga, ayurveda, it's fine. And if you want allopathy, workouts, and quick-fix surgeries, most welcome! Want to drive cars even if it kills the air you breathe, feel free! And if you are those environmentally-conscious, there is a bus or train stop; maybe a mile away, but there is one!

And, most importantly, society values individual freedom. And this is the part which is slightly different in India. Legislature, execute, and judiciary all thrive at being moral police also in India. Can't blame them; the majority population want them to. But that, is a different topic.

If you go by the spirit of the American way of life, some of the most vexing questions posing society do have easy, even if not-easily-acceptable answers:

- We promise equal opportunity, not equal outcome: The way America is the greatest superpower is because it's economy is closest to the law of nature. Government interventions like higher-taxation to help the  lowest class, will be a step back. I'm not talking right or wrong here, only facts. And I'm saying maybe it is ok to not be first, if the price is the health and basic necessities of your citizens.

- Abortion: The individual has the right of giving birth.

- Gay marriage: The couples involved have the right

- Gun ownership: The individual has the right to own it.

- Monopolies and too-big-to-fail: The marketplace will take care of itself. Government should not intervene.

I'm not taking sides above. This is just an extrapolation of the natural behaviors in terms of the current way of  life. If this should change, social views of the majority must also change, enough to modify current laws!

Pumped-up and Fizz Out!

I contemplate on how the developed society works. On why people eat food from outside all the time, and home-kitchens are more for specials with guests / traditional fests. On why, inspite of being natural vegetarians, humans chug in huge chunks of meat, caffeine and sometimes even energy drinks in a day. On why popping-in supplements and pills is okay if it makes you look and feel "better". And I see why, but also ask why not?

On average we live 70years of what I can say productive lives, after which much of it is truly retired for most, where they cannot contribute. Even of these 70, most people are employed to contribute to the mainstream from the ages of 22 to around 60, say 40 years. A diet of meat and caffeine keeps us aggressive, alert and arguably, more productive, than one that lacks it. On average, if you just look at an 8hr workday, a person on such a diet is likely to contribute more. But more if work involves physical labor (laborers) or motivating people (leaders).

As we move to move higher intellect / spiritual roles, a calm environment makes the most difference. Spiked nerves or aggressive/muscular physiques are not really their need or domain, and even works against the balance needed. Most roles in society, I'd say falls in this category: Scientists, medical doctors, scholars and researchers, planners, administrators, even modern IT developers.

But if you feed a soldier on vegetables, you will most likely not get the best out of him.

But controlling diet based on your love, work and leanings, should truly be a personal choice. Although idealistic, a government or spiritual head should not coerce these. Each individual should understand the good and bad effects of his diet on the role he plays for moving society forward, and "eat" accordingly!

To Recast Recycling

Even today I saw a notice at work that prescription drugs can be dropped off at one location in town, and I sighed. Who has the time in this busy era to keep segrgating garbage at home, and then drive down to this location  just to drop off drugs. If recycling has to really work, then incentives are a must.

And for recycling has to scale up, then we need government / private enterprise to segregate garbage for optimum recycling / safe disposal as applicable. The model used in India, albeit incomplete, is in the right direction. There we see garbage collectors sorting through trash and picking out plastic and other recyclable items. They hand it over to collection centers to earn their living.
This model is also accepted in the US although the incentive is yet not good enough by US standards.

A time has to come where, anywhere in the world, a business enterprise is made with sorting and segregating trash, ensuring recycling of all that can be, and safe disposal of that which cannot. Mere individual effort, though laudable, will not make the cut, pun intended.

Free-Market or Regulation?

A topic that constantly churns in mind is what is better, the free-market of economic policy or balanced regulation. With the passing away of former British PM Margaret Thatcher, attributed as the "savior" of the British economy by championing free-market and supply-side economics, this debate again springs to mind.

There is now enough empirical data that no economy can blossom without a dose of free-market principles that encourage competition. The rainbow of innovation is only possible upon the promise of the pot of gold at the end of it. Bluntly put, socialist and communist policies do not have even the carrot-at-the-end-of-the-stick incentive.

But outright capitalism is also like swinging the pendulum to the other extreme. The biggest danger is business monopolies and behemoths influencing and lobbying government to adopt policies that benefit a select few and is against public good. In the 2008 financial crisis we also saw how market greed created a glut that caused a global recession.

A balance is a must. "Optimum" taxation is required so that the poorest, thus so for whatever reason, do not die hungry or are denied emergency medical treatment. But beyond that, tax code must be kept gracious, such that most exemptions prove needless. Retirement should not be a given. So pension/social security, etc schemes should be curtailed. But when a person retires his medical and food expense should at least be supported. The rest, have to be through provident fund/ 401k savings. Apart from basic services like education, defence, environment and administration, transparent free enterprise, indeed, would be the best course forward!

The question of Euthanasia

The freedom to live must come with that to die. A person, who after due deliberation and after considering all parameters of impact to self and others chooses to die, he must be allowed to. Not less the study done on near-death experience that death by natural causes is a beautiful experience, and that through unnatural causes including suicide is indeed, painful.

Euthanasia though comes down to weighing options. Beautifully analogized in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film Guzaarish, a person disabled and helpless might feel as suffocated as one shut immobilized in a closed container. Who are those  to judge, who haven't experienced it.

We can make such a person aware of how much he is loved, and would be missed, by family and friends. He can be made to realize how still, he can contribute to society and make life more wholesome. He can be shown examples of others worse off, who have made the most of it, become role models and immortalized their memory and name. If even after that the person chooses death over the suffering each minute, and we know that it is not a hasty decision, then we must facilitate it. Obviously , if he wants to wear a suicide vest to damage other life and property, it cannot be allowed. He cannot be allowed to physically impact the lives of others around.

Civil society does exert it's power of killing anti-social elements who choose to harm others even at the cost of their own lives. This we do in defense of live and to maintain order. We even choose to put to death such elements who have been captured, which I do not agree with.

If we choose the guiding principle followed in permitting Euthanasia, put such guilty elements to life-sentence in solitary confinement with no exposure to natural elements, and with minimum food and water to survive at worst. If they want to be executed that bear this, so be it.

In summary, death for self should be allowed, and be permitted upon the individual's choice after empathizing with his options.

Verse of the Day

I am neither that, nor this
If I knew what I am, there is no reason to exist
A million stars twinkle all night
Not one with Purpose, nor one with None

Hinduism: Original Thoughts..

As Shivaratri passed by and I sat listening to Shiva-stuti songs and meditating upon him, I realized how deeply mature Hinduism as a religious order was. There is no concept of conversion to Hinduism, for the simple reason that it does not matter. You may follow it if you wish, or any other religion (or not), if you will. The path to salvation are many. And this is the reason why Hinduism kept reiterating that it really was just a way of life. A way of life that any other religion can equally well teach you. A way of life to lead a satisfactory, happy life. A way of life, above all, to fulfill your role and move closer to salvation.

In its earliest Vedic knowledge, Hinduism stressed that understanding our creator is complex. It won't be easy to accept that we are, in the end, our own creator. That just a set of rules keeps running this endless cycle. The law of Karma. Hinduism learnt that the ordinary person needs someone to look up to; a guide, a role model. And thus came the concept of the God-symbols.

With the prominence it gave to constant inquiry (if unto itself), Hinduism had advanced in ancient times, in every form of knowledge. Sad but true that the political powers that be, over centuries, did not cultivate or protect it. Worse still, they twisted its learnings to their own benefit by doctrines like the caste-system-by-birth. Hinduism originally espoused that a Brahman (religious priest/spiritual head) is one who understands Brahma. It need not necessarily be a Brahman's son. That is, your inclinations (determined most by your Karmas, of this birth and past) should lead you to efforts and make you what you become. For obvious reasons, the higher powers twisted these original thoughts to their own benefit...and Hinduism has been misunderstood since..

Slowly over time, pushed into defense by repeated manipulations, Hinduism titled itself as a religion, in the name of retaining identity and ensure survival. If the very concept of religion were not introduced, the world today might have been one.. 

A New World of Joy

You wonder why the sun is bright
With blinding sight, unlike night light
My son, you know, it gives us life
As it has since timeless miles

My son you ate the snow with joy
It's but water in purest form
The white rain that you kept admiring
Will at all age keep you in awe

My dear the green grass, the stars, the clouds
Our smiles that keep you happy the most
Theses are wonders that you have blessed
When you, as God, resided in us

The postman gets no letters

He cycles around in patience
Around homes and in schools
He wishes no more than to
Let good news reach you soon
This messenger easily forgotten
When we mail our thank you's back
A postman gets no thank you's,
A postman gets no letters

He may be scorched by noon-sun
Or dripped in merciless rain
But he is a man with purpose
A purpose no one can stop him
Such driven men usually forgotten
When we thank the heavenly stars
A postman gets no thank you's
A postman gets no letters

Shiva

Shiva is the mystic I love, I awe. Shiva the creator of the universe. The one who was neither created nor (or should I be saying hence) would end. Shiva the one free of attachment; yet one who once thrived in lust. Shiva, of varied expressions Nataraja, yet one can practice penance for ages. Shiva the angry,the innocent, the loving. Yet Shiva the only one, who can rules over Nagas. Shiva does not exist, he lives in all of us. Indeed he, and us, are rules of this universe. Tied to nature, our true selves have taken forms. The character of Shiva is there is to remind us, that Gods need not be austere, detached and isolated. We can be Gods, by only being free. Free of our inhibitions, free of all bias, free of all attachments, and truly breathe in the Life.

Poetry not permanent

It is not true poets remember
Their poetry into oblivion
Poetry inspires just once
Like a night of wild passion
The morning does not carry
The what and when and who
So too is poetry, it blesses one and leaves

It is not true a poet
Creates, develops rhythm
It was never my creation
I am just nimitham
I know not who and why did
Create and send it to me

It is true though a poet
Is only but a mirror
And reflects what is pristine
In and around his soul

Snow is here!

White on earth, an orange stretch
A clear bright sky, makes a snowy night
This is no rain, no wind no gale
This is white fluff, a snowy serene

The snow falls on roads, and melds in as wet
It sticks to my hands, and burns in as bite
A snow takes many forms, innocent as sight
Keeps nothing for itself, reflects even light

You make me, Me

You laid the sky in front of me
As a carpet to walk on with pride
I with small feet, and a beautiful shy
How did you, come to be mine

You words brought out, the sweetness in me
You eyes mesmerized, made me a dazzling beauty
I was nothing, made of water and earth
Your love has made me, like a pearl revealed

In the moments of night, that is darkness and quiet
Your are the guide, the generous sunlight
Your touch makes me shiver, quiver and revel
As the misty morning, makes a rose full-bloom