Sunday, September 15, 2013

HAPPY ONAM 16-09-2013

DEAR ALL, 




Onam Celebrations has two most important significances in context of the Malayalee culture. First of all, it is celebrated as the harvest festival of the state. It reminds one of the golden age of prosperity when the entire month of Chingam (the month of Malayalee calendar that corresponds to the August- September time of Gregorian calendar) was celebrated as the Onam month. It was the time when the farms of the state produced excess of food grains and brought prosperity and riches to the state. Arriving after the rain-drenched month of Karkidakam (July-August), Chingam was welcomed with much enthusiasm by the people of Kerala. 


The second and the most popularly quoted legend with the festival is related to the demon king, Mahabali. The history of Onam largely revolves around the King Mahabali and his wishful homecoming to meet the people of Kerala. According to a legend, the King ruled the state in such a way that brought prosperity and joy to the people. He loved his subjects so much that even when sent to the nether world, he sought the blessing from Lord Vishnu to visit them once in a year. And his visit once in a year marks the occasion of Onam when people celebrate with great joy.   Thus Onam festival is to commemorate the memory of a Great King Mahabali who would keep his promise. Mahabali fulfilled his name as the great martyr for the sake of Truth ("Satya"). The name "Mahabali" itself means Great Sacrifice.

One of the most attractive aspects of thiruvonam is the pookkalam ( flower designs). Every home is embellished with floral decorations called pookkalam. During Onam, the feast and festive mood of the people, dressed in their best, is considered reminiscent of the prosperous and truthful life of the subjects during Bali's flawless reign. People wear new clothes (Vastra) during Onam. The 'Vastra' also stands for heart. Thus the significance of wearing new clothes is about making the heart new by removing all bad thoughts and feelings.

During the onam festival all people in kerala regardless of being rich or poor will draw pookkalams in front of their houses and celebrate the function. The only disappointing aspect is the absence of eagerness to know the significance of the festival they celebrate. I overheard a lady asking the other lady why pookkalam is drawing infront yard of the house.The former replied that it was customary and no significance was known to her.

Festivals are meant to unite people and create an atmosphere of brotherhood which is essential for peaceful living and development.Gradual drop in faith will foster hatred among people which is detrimental for national development.At the same time one must remember that it is extremely important to know the background of every festival instead of blindly celebrating it. Onam is the festival of Kerala and it is celebrated with extreme enthusiasm and zeal throughout the state irrespective of caste, creed and community. wherein people from all parts of the state celebrate with joy forgetting all differences.

One of my malayalee colleague told me that in this busy schedule working life who on earth wants to wake up at 3 A.m, doing pooja, going to temple and above all who will have the time to prepare elaborate dishes like Kaalan, Olan, Cabbage Thoran, Beans, Avial, Saambar, pulinji, Maanga Curry, paayasam etc.He expressed his sorrow  stating that many of the housewives who are working and non working not celebrating onam in thier locality as per our tradition.Instead of cooking food in house they are ordering food from out side and they are busy with their television programmes.If present people are like this means what will happen to future generation?

My achan always tells us that “vanna vazhi markkan Padilla” (Meaning :we should not forget the way we came.It applies to all financial background, cultural background all). Man’s control of external nature is called civilization. His control of internal nature is called culture. Our culture is deep and beautiful. We must learn to admire and respect the same. Instead of mechanically following the customs, if we try to understand their significance we learn there is logic, science, social as well as spiritual significance in many of them. We must make an effort to follow the practical aspects which are suitable for the modern, technological age, at the same time remembering that we must not lose our roots completely. Our culture is highly adaptable and rejuvenates itself. By culture, we also mean a kind of refinement in words, thought and action. This cannot be taught, but has to be imbibed! The rich values in a person always remain unchanged if they are deeply rooted within our hearts, mind, body and soul which we receive from our culture. Even though many have accepted modern means of living, improved lifestyle, a person can change his everything viz., way of clothing, way of eating and living and etc. but values and good beliefs should not be changed. The inner beauty of a person cannot be judged by his or her external appearance or educational qualifications. It is best judged by the refinement of character which we can call the person's culture. We need both spiritual culture and materialistic cultures in our life.

My appeal to all malayalees is please don’t forget our culture and cultural significance. In the name of civilization many people are forgetting their culture. The celebrations which ought to have celebrated in homes are celebrating as a show. These days each and every festival like onam and vishu are celebrating in samithis, hotels etc and very few people are celebrating at home.  These days most of the enjoyment of celebrations is cut off, my amma is highly dissatisfied with the way festivals are celebrated these days. Onam celebrations in hotels and samithis. 

All festivals and celebrations in those days, was not just a ritual to follow. It was interlinked with a lot of other traditions and held a different sort of charm which has totally disappeared along with time. I am not complaining and neither am i lamenting the fact. Change is a way of life and the sooner we adapt to it, the better. But tomorrow, as another generation comes by; we can't help thinking about those carefree bygone days which our future generation can never experience nor enjoy.So please follow our culture.


This post I am dedicating to my Amma Late.Redhi bhaskaran who always says  Nammude onamghosham athinte reethikalil , acharangalil, chinthakalil valareyadikam marikondirikkunnu. ennathanu mathramall, alukalil nishkalangatha illiathayikondirikkunnu.ellavareyum onnupole kananulla chintha/manassu illiathayirikkunnu.mattullavarku enthenkilum kodukkanulla manobhavam illiathayirikkunnu.Ellavarum athyagrahikal mathramanippol.Nammude onam aghosham athinte reethikal markarudhay.Adhu manasil eppoyum undavanam.where ever we go we should follow our culture and tradition.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

YAKSHA PRASNA

Questions of the Yaksha to Dharmaputra (Yudishtira) and his replies

In the forests Pandava princes spent nearly 12 years and were leading a life of courage and discipline. Once a Brahmana came to the princes and said that his Arani (The pair of wooden blocks to generate fire by friction) were entangled in the deer’s horns and the deer ran into the forest. He was upset as he was not able to start a fire and perform his daily rituals. The Pandava princes set out to catch hold of the deer and retrieve the Arani.

The Pandavas followed the hoof marks of the deer throughout the day and reached deep in the forest. Dharma Puthra, the eldest of the Pandavas, became very tired and wanted to drink some water before carrying on the chase any further. Sahadeva, the youngest brother volunteered to bring the water. He spotted a lake near by. The lake was bare of any living beings except a crane. When Sahadeva tried to drink water from the lake, the crane spoke to him, “Oh Sahadeva, the water of this lake is poisonous if you drink it without answering my questions.” Sahadeva did not bother and drank the water from the lake and died. After some time Nakula came in search. He saw his dead brother, and was also warned by the crane, yet he to decided to ignore this and died after drinking the water. In this manner, both Arjuna, and Bheema, died as well. Seeing that all his four brothers are missing, Dharma Puthra came in search. Since he was very thirsty, he too tried to drink the water from the lake. But when the crane warned him, he decided to answer the questions of the crane. Before asking questions, the crane revealed himself as a Yaksha. All the questions asked by the Yaksha were answered by Dharma Puthra to the Yaksha’s satisfaction. Then the Yaksha gave a boon to Dharma Puthra to bring back alive one of his dead brothers. Dharma wanted, Nakula to be made alive. The surprised Yaksha asked him, “Oh king, why did you choose Nakula, when you could have chosen Bheema and Arjuna?” Dharma Puthra replied, “I am alive and so my mother Kunthi has one son. I wanted my other mother Madhri also to have a son alive” 

The Yaksha was very much pleased and gave life back to all the Pandavas. Given below are the pointed questions asked by the Yaksha and the pithy and very direct replies given by Yudishtira. [With due credits and respect to Shri P.R. Ramachander]

Yaksha Prasna

Q: Who makes the Sun rise? 
A:The Brahmam (the formless, all pervading God) makes the sun rise. 

Q: Who travel on both sides of the Sun? 
A:Devas travel on both sides of the Sun. (Sun travels in the sky, frequented by celestial beings called Devas.) 

Q: Who makes the Sun to set? 
A:Dharma makes the Sun to set. 

Q: Where does the Sun establish himself?
A:Sun establishes himself in truth. 

Q: How does a man become expert in reciting Vedas? 
A:He becomes an expert in reciting by learning it. 

Q: How does a man become great? 
A:Man becomes great by Tapas (austerities). 

Q: How does a man become secure? 
A:Man becomes secure by courage. 

Q: How does a man becomes wise? 
A:He becomes wise by living with learned wise men. 

Q: What is godliness to Brahmanas? 
A:Learning of Vedas is Godliness to the Brahmanas (people with knowledge as vocation) 

Q: What is the duty of Brahmanas? 
A:Tapas( Austerity) is the duty of Brahmanas. 

Q: What is the human side of Brahmanas? 
A:Pride and selfishness is the human side of Brahmanas. 

Q: What is sinful action for the Brahmanas? 
A:Finding fault with others is the sinful action to Brahmanas. 

Q: What is godliness to Kshathriyas? 
A:Weapons are the Godliness to Kshatriyas (Fighters and defenders) 

Q: What is he Dharma for Kshatriyas? 
A:Carrying out Yagna (fire sacrifices) is the Dharma of Kshatriyas. 

Q: What is the human side of Kshatriyas? 
A:Fear is the human side of Kshatriyas. 

Q: What is sinful action to Kshatriyas? 
A:Not giving protection to those who seek it from them is sin for Kshatriyas. 

Q: Which is the Sama Veda for fire sacrifices? 
A:Soul is the Sama Veda of fire sacrifices. 

Q: Which is the most important Rik Vedic chant for fire sacrifice? 
A:Mind is the most important Rik for fire sacrifice. 

Q: How do you propose to make a fire sacrifice? 
A:Rik Veda is the one which proposes the fire sacrifice. 

Q: What does Fire sacrifice obey always? 
A:It always obeys the tenets of Rik Veda. 

Q: What is the best for farmers? 
A:Rain is the best for farmers. 

Q: What is the best for those who sow seeds? 
A:Quality seed is the best for them. 

Q: What wealth is the best for those who want to live stable lives? 
A:Growing cows is the best that gives stable wealth. 

Q: What is the best for those who give birth? 
A:Son is the best for those who give birth. 

Q: Which strong, rich and clever man is considered as not breathing, even if he breaths? 
A:The one who does not look after Gods, guests, servants, ancestors and his own self is considered as not breathing, even if he breaths. 

Q: Which is heavier than earth? 
A:Mother is heavier than earth. 

Q: Which is taller than the sky? 
A:Father is taller than the sky. 

Q: Which is faster than wind? 
A:Mind is faster than wind. 

Q: Which is more in number than grasses? 
A:Worries outnumber grasses. 

Q: Which does not close its eyes even while sleeping? 
A:Fish does not close its eyes while sleeping. 

Q: What does not move even after birth? 
A:Eggs do not move even after birth. 

Q: What does not have a heart? 
A:A stone does not have a heart. 

Q: What grows further with speed? 
A:The river grows further with speed. 

Q: Who is the friend, for one goes abroad? 
A:Education is the only friend of people who grow abroad. 

Q: Who keeps company to the one who stays with in his house? 
A:Only his wife keeps company to such a person. 

Q: Who is the friend for the sick person? 
A:Doctor is the friend of the sick person. 

Q: Who is the friend of the one who is going to die? 
A:Charity is the only friend to such a person. 

Q: Who is the welcome guest to all? 
A:Fire is the welcome guest to all. 

Q: What is the good deed which is stable? 
A:That deed which leads to salvation is the stable good deed. 

Q: What is nectar? 
A:Milk of the cow called “Somam”, is the nectar. 

Q: How is the entire world? 
A:The entire world is filled with air. 

Q: Who travels alone? 
A:Sun travels alone. 

Q: Who takes birth again and again? 
A:The moon takes birth again and again. 

Q: What is the antidote for mist? 
A:Fire is the antidote for mist. 

Q: Which is the vessel that can contain everything? 
A:Earth is the vessel which can contain everything. 

Q: Where does “Dharma ( just action” normally reside? 
A:“Just action” resides mainly in cleverness. 

Q: Where does “fame” normally reside? 
A:“Fame” resides mainly in charity. 

Q: Where does “heaven” normally reside? 
A:“Heaven” normally resides in truth. 

Q: Where does “pleasure” normally reside? 
A:“Pleasure” normally resides in good conduct. 

Q: What is the soul for man? 
A:Son (athmaja-born out of soul) is the soul for man. 

Q: Who is the companion made by God? 
A:Wife is the companion made by God. 

Q: What aids man in “making a living”? 
A:Rain helps man in making a living. 

Q: What is the place where man ultimately reaches? 
A:“Charity” is the place where man ultimately reaches. 

Q: Which is the best giver of wealth? 
A:“Tireless effort” is the best giver of wealth. 

Q: What is the best among things? 
A:The knowledge that we get from learned is the best thing. 

Q: What is the best among “blessings”? 
A:“Life without sickness” is the best among blessings. 

Q: What is the best among” pleasures”? 
A:“Contentment” is the best among pleasures 

Q: Which is the best among “ Dharma (just actions) ”? 
A:Non violence is the best among “just actions”. 

Q: Which action always gives good results? 
A:The fire sacrifice done by three fires (Vedas) always gives results. 

Q: By controlling which man will never be sad? 
A:By controlling the mind man will never become sad. 

Q: Friendship with whom lasts for ever? 
A:Friendship with godly persons will last for ever. 

Q: By leaving which will man never become sad? 
A:By leaving anger man will never become sad. 

Q: By leaving which will man become rich? 
A:By leaving out desires, man becomes rich. 

Q: By leaving which, man will be able to lead a happy life? 
A:By leaving out miserliness, man would be able to lead a happy life. 

Q: Why should we give to Brahmins? 
A:It is to do “just action”. 

Q: Why should we give to dancers and actors? 
A:It is for attaining fame. 

Q: Why should we give it to servants? 
A:It is for making them obey you. 

Q: Why should we give to the king? 
A:It is to avoid fear. 

Q: By which is the world covered? 
A:World is covered by ignorance. 

Q: What is the world? 
A:The soul is the world.

Q: Why does not the world shine? 
A:World does not shine because of bad behaviour. 

Q: Why do friends go away? 
A:When they get nothing from you, they go away. 

Q: Why does not man reach heaven? 
A:Man does not reach heaven due to attachment. 

Q: When does man live like the ‘dead”? 
A:When he is poor he lives like the “dead”. 

Q: When does a country does not have life? 
A:When it does not have good rulers, it does not have life. 

Q: Which ritual to please manes does not have any result? 
A:When it is done without Vedic pundits, it does not give results. 

Q: When does a fire sacrifice not yield results? 
A:When adequate compensation is not given, it does not have results. 

Q: What is the way? 
A:The way of Godly men is the only way. 

Q: What is water? 
A:Sky is water 

Q: What is food? 
A:Food is beings 

Q: What is poison? 
A:Begging from others is poison. 

Q: What is the proper time to carry death anniversary? 
A:When you see a learned Brahmin, it is the proper time. 

Q: What is the grammar for austerity? 
A:Standing in one’s own Dharma (prescribed just action) is austerity. 

Q: What is “Dhama”? 
A:“Dhama” is controlling the mind. 

Q: What is the “best patience”? 
A:Bearing pleasures, sorrow, becoming great, being downgraded with equanimity is the “best patience”. 

Q: What is Jnana? 
A:Jnana (wisdom?) is knowing the real truth. 

Q: What is “Sama”? 
A:Being peaceful within mind is “Sama”. 

Q: What is the “best mercy”? 
A:Wishing for pleasures for all is the “best mercy”. 

Q: What is righteousness? 
A:Having the same attitude towards everybody is righteousness. 

Q: Who is the enemy who cannot be defeated by man? 
A:Anger is the enemy that cannot be defeated by man. 

Q: Which is the disease that has no end? 
A:Avarice is the disease that has no end. 

Q: Who is considered as a holy man? 
A:He who loves all and does good for all, is considered as a holy man. 

Q: Who is considered as “not holy”? 
A:He who does not have mercy is considered as “not holy.” 

Q: Which is considered as insensibility? 
A:Not understanding Dharma (just action?) is considered as insensibility. 

Q: What is honour? 
A:The pride in oneself is called honour. 

Q: What is laziness? 
A:Not doing Dharma (just action?) is laziness. 

Q: What is sorrow? 
A:Ignorance is sorrow. 

Q: What is considered as stability by holy men and sages? 
A:Steadfastly following one’s own Dharma is defined as “stability” by them. 

Q: What is courage? 
A:Controlling the five senses is “courage”. 

Q: What is a good bath? 
A:Cleaning the mind of the accumulated dirt is the good bath. 

Q: What is the best charity one can do? 
A:Saving life of others is the greatest charity one can do. 

Q: Who is fit to be considered as a scholar? 
A:He who knows Dharma (just action)) can be considered as a scholar. 

Q: Who can be considered as an atheist? 
A:He who does not believe in other worlds is an atheist. 

Q: Who is considered as an arrogant fool? 
A:An atheist can be considered as an arrogant fool. 

Q: What is passion? 
A:That which leads to birth and death is called “passion”. 

Q: Which is considered as “unhealthy competition.”? 
A:Unnecessary turmoil of the mind is “unhealthy competition.” 

Q: What is pride? 
A:Ignorance is pride. 

Q: What is snobbishness? 
A:Telling others that “I am the only follower of Dharma” is snobbishness. 

Q: What is considered as the special God called luck? 
A:The result of charity done by oneself is considered as “the special God called luck.” 

Q: What is considered as the bad habit of carrying tales? 
A:Enjoying telling news about others is this bad character. 

Q: When will the contradictory notions of wealth, passion and Dharma come together? 
A:When your wife and dharma agree with each other, then these concepts come together. 

Q: Which man will reach the indestructible hell? Please reply me quickly. 
A:Indestructible hell is continuously being born and dying in this world again and again. Some of the causes are:
•Tempting a poor Brahmin with charity of wealth and not giving it. 
•Telling lies in the practice of Vedic rituals. 
•Not enjoying our own wealth and not using to help others also. 

Q: By what, O king, birth, behaviour, study, or learning doth a person become a Brahmana? Tell us with certitude! 
A:Birth, learning of Vedas and knowledge of science are not necessary aspects of Brahmanism. It is due to one’s own character. One with good character never becomes bad and one with bad character is always considered as bad. He who is interested in rituals and who also has full control over his senses is the real Brahmin. 

Q: What does one who tells sweet words get? 
A:He becomes friends for everybody. 

Q: What does one who does planned actions get? 
A:He attains success. 

Q: What does one who has many friends get? 
A:He lives happily. 

Q: What does one who is attached to Dharma get? 
A:He attains salvation 

Q: Who attains happiness? 
A:He, who does not take loan, does not go to a foreign country for living and one who can cook and eat at least green leaves, is the one who attains happiness. 

Q: What is surprise? 
A:The fact that people thinking themselves as stable and permanent, in spite of seeing several deaths daily is surprising. 

Q: What is the path of Dharma? 
A:There is contradiction in teaching of Vedas as well as the teaching of several great sages. Apart from this the path of Dharma as explained by the learned is difficult to understand. 

Q: What is the event that happens daily? 
A:The earth is a very big cooking vessel. Sky is the lid to this vessel. The cook called Time puts all movable and immovable things in to this vessel. He takes the firewood of night and day and lights them up with Sun. He stirs it with ladles called seasons and months and this happens daily. 

Q:Who is called “purusha (man)” among those who are living and with all his desires fulfilled? 
A:Good deeds done with no interests in the fruits or with interests in its fruits, make one’s name spread in heaven and earth. Till his fame lasts, he is called “Purusha” 

Q: Who pervades in everything? 
A:He who considers desire and hatred, pleasure and pain, what is coming and what is being lost etc with equanimity is called “Brahma Jnani (knower of Brahman)” and he is the one who pervades in everything. 

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

KABIR DAS KE DOHA PART 4

Tinka kabahu na nindiye, paav tale jo hoye
Kabahu udd aankho pade, peed gehri hoye

तिनका कबहुँ ना निंदिये, जो पाँव तले होय ।
कबहुँ उड़ आँखो पड़े, पीड गहरी होय ॥

One should not abuse a blade of grass under one's feet. If that happens to strike on one's eye then there will be terrific pain.

Ghat kaa pardaa kholkar, sanmukh de deedaar.
Baal sanehi saaiyaa, awe ant kaa yaar.

घट का परदा खोल कर, सन्मुख दे दीदार |
बाल स्नेही साईंयां, आवे अंत का यार ||

MEANING
He opens the veil within your being and shows himself  in front of you!! HE only is our true friend. At the time of our birth (here it refers spiritual birth or the moment when this creation came in existence and we as separate being came into picture) he was the only friend and when the journey of the soul has come to an end, I see him only as true friend. he has been our friend throughout our all lives, only it took whole journey from the origin to coming down this material world and going back to our source to make us realize this truth!!

Shram se hi sab kuch hot hai, bin shram mile kuch nahi
Seedhe ungli ghee jamo, kabsu nikase nahi

श्रम से ही सब कुछ होत है, बिन श्रम मिले कुछ नाही |
सीधे ऊँगली घी जमो, कबसू निकसे नाही ||

Efforts can accomplish everything. Nothing can be accomplished without taking efforts. A purified butter that is frozen cannot be taken out with a straight finger.

Mana unmana na toliye, shabd ke mol na tol
Murakh log na jansi, aapa khoya bol

मन उन्मना न तोलिये, शब्द के मोल न तोल |
मुर्ख लोग न जान्सी, आपा खोया बोल ||

When your mind is raged then you should not react to the words. One does not have any means for the valuation and weight of words. The fools do not understand this and lose their balance while talking.

Pehle shabd pehchaniye, pichhe kije mol
Parkhi parkhe rattan ko, shabd ka mol na tol

पहले शब्द पहचानिये, पीछे कीजे मोल |
पारखी परखे रतन को, शब्द का मोल ना तोल ||

First you should understand what has been said by others. Then you can make the valuation of the words that you have listened. A goldsmith can test the purity of gold. One does not have any means for the valuation and weight of words.

Naari purush sab hi suno, yeh satguru ki saakh
Vish phal phale anek hai, mat dekho koi chaakh

नारी पुरुष सब ही सुनो, यह सतगुरु की साख |
विष फल फले अनेक है, मत देखो कोई चाख ||

Listen everybody to the preaching of a good preacher. There are many ways of sensual enjoyment. But one should abstain from any such way

Shabd barabar dhan nahi, jo koi jaane bol
Heera to damo mile, shabd mol na tol

शब्द बराबर धन नहीं, जो कोई जाने बोल |
हीरा तो दामो मिले, शब्द मोल न टोल ||

He who is good at speaking understands that there is no wealth like
words. A diamond can be purchased for a value. One do not just
have any means for valuation of word.

Padha suna seekha sabhi, miti na sanshay shool
Kahe kabir kaso kahu, ye sab dukh ka mool

पढ़ा सुना सीखा सभी, मिटी ना संशय शूल |
कहे कबीर कैसो कहू, यह सब दुःख का मूल ||

One may read, listen and learn everything. But after doing all this he has confusion. Kabir is at pains to explain that confusion is the root of sorrow.

Vishaya tyag bairaya hai, samata kahiye gyan
Sukhdayi sab jeev so, yahi bhakti parmaan

विषय त्याग बैराग हैसमता कहिये ज्ञान 
सुखदाई सब जीव सोंयही भक्ति परमान 

Being detached means renouncing the sensual pleasures.
Knowledge means equanimity. Devotion means creating happiness
for all the beings.

Parnaari ki rachnao, jo lehasun ki khani
Khoone besir khaiy, pragat hoye deewani

परनारी का राचणौजिसकी लहसण की खानि ।
खूणैं बेसिर खाइयपरगट होइ दिवानि ॥

A desire for other's wife is like a mine of garlic. A person can eat garlic hiding from all. But the fact of his having consumed garlic is clear to anyone who meets him

Kabira darshan sadhu ke, karat na kije kani
Jo udham se lakshmi, aalas man se hani

कबीर दर्शन साधु के, करत ना कीजै कानि ।
जो उधम से लक्ष्मी, आलस मन से हानि ॥

MEANING
Dont shirk to meet a good person. An intoxicated or lethargic mind
causes loss of wealth

Hari ras peeya jaaniye, kabahu na jaaye khumaar.
Maimanta ghoomat phire, naahee tan ke saar.

हरी रस पीया जानिये, कबहू न जाए खुमार |
मैमता घूमत फिरे, नाही तन की सार ||

MEANING
How will you know who is a GOD-realized soul, who has tasted the great wine, the nectar of GOD?? Kabir says you can see the symptoms – the person who has attained the community with GOD, looks like intoxicated all the time. This intoxication never comes down, he looks like insane, wanders like the same, doesn’t even bother about his body or appearance.