Chingi !

Every child is born with the promise that  God has not yet given up hope for this world . Hence they are his angels sent to redeem us and to give us immense joy and meaning to our life .                                                Every baby brings with it a Divine halo that touches our soul when we see it . This experience at the first glimpse of our children , our nieces and nephews , gets more enhanced when we see their babies . As they say , the cream is dearer than the milk !                          There is a  great hidden joy on being a grand parent. Almost like an award obtained for indirect services !                     When I first saw Chingi , ( her present name …   the very word sounds Chinese ! )  she looked so tiny in her father’s giant arms ! A tsunami of nostalgic memories hit me . It seemed like it was just yesterday that I was peering down at her father Siddharth in the Purandare maternity home at Dadar . He looked so much like Vivek then . But as his features crystallised , I think he looks more like Viveks father . So too Chingi looked so much like Siddharth at first glance , or like her grandma Sugi , but then babies are a heady cocktail and one never knows what features they will display next . !                                And the uniqueness of the day Chingi chose to make her debut in this world ! 8th September , Mother Mary’s birthday coinciding with the arrival of Gauri this year , on a Thursday , the Adi Gurus favourite day was a 3 in 1 combo !                                                   I think the best meditation one can have is gazing at a baby !    I remember spending hours gazing at Natasha sleeping with that sweet sound she would make while sucking her fingers . And Siddharth would have his unique ” hands up ” pose while sleeping . So it is so cute to see Chingi’s dainty sleeping poses . Her wails are literally music to our ears …   like a sweet shehnai . And her beautiful radiant smiles light up the whole room                Babies awaken a whole gamut of emotions in us. Right from our own childhood memories to those of their parents . And proves the cyclical fleeting nature of life . Was it not just yesterday that we saw their mom / pop off to school ? And then those heady college days . But the maturity of age is made more mellow and sweeter by the sight of our grand children’s first toddling steps and the strict vigil we have to keep on their every action arising thru curiosity and mischief ! It’s a visit to Wonderland all over again ! I sincerely wish Siddharth and Shamika a happy blessed blissful parenthood and I am sure that Chingi will give them greater joy and pride as their child as much as we had while raising Siddharth or I am sure Chaubal must have had raising Shamika … God bless them all always ! 

Pakeezah !

A treatise  on the immortal classic movie Pakeezah , humbly submitted , elevating and explaining  it from being merely a   romantic love story , to a spiritual Sufi mystical love story.

 The Sufi undertones of the movie ” Pakeezah ”  ( meaning : Pure ) are given as an commentary in Elaborations on the Movie story . 

Sufi mysticism speaks of the love for God in a romantic manner . God is the beloved , the ultimate lover, while the seeker is the coy bride-to -be . But the individual souls Union with God and his seal or imprint on the chosen bride in front of everyone, is a story spanning generations .and full of strange coincidences and twists in the tale .

The classic eternally enrapturing movie Pakeezah, outwardly is a romantic story of a prostitute,  Saahib jaan -(  played by Meena Kumari )  and Salim, a respectable  forest officer ( played by Raaj Kumar ) and the ups and downs in their romantic destiny  due to social perspectives and pressures.

But a seeker cursed with a strange eye glass,  views it from a different angle and sees a beautiful Sufi story of the travails the individual seeker goes thru before final Communion with the Beloved groom …God

Presumption and request :

I presume that the reader has seen and remembers the movie Pakeezah

If not yet seen, please respect the request of this fool and see it . It’s every frame , a  labour of artistic indulgence and beauty , is a visual delight . My salutes to late Kamal Amrohiji and his entire team for creating this audio visual musical legend .

Movie story :   Begins with introducing Nargis a famous nautch girl,   Her haunting melancholy signature tune ( a landmark in taraanas composed by late Naushadji ) is a subtle omen of her future unseen but intensely felt presence thruout the movie . It is a sign of Nargis protecting her daughter Sahib jaan even after  death much like an unseen guardian angel

Elaborations : 

In many spiritual sects, the role of a guardian angel spanning lifetimes, has great importance. It is said that no one can attain final Communion with God if there is not another soul praying and sacrificing it’s joy  for its progress .

Is not Mother Mary’s role crucial in Lord Jesus life ? Was not his Divinity a blessing due to her worldly sacrifice and courage to willingly  subject herself to public shame and ridicule as a virgin mother ? Were not her prayers and tears over his Shroud contributing to his Resurrection ?

It is the benign caring soul that prays for us and protects us at every dangerous turn in our life and ensures our final Union with God.. For no one by his/her sole  efforts or Will,  can safely navigate the shark filled earthly as well as spiritual oceans .

Movie story :   Nargis elopes with Shahabuddin  ( played by Ashok Kumar ) an admirer -customer who has promised her respectability and anonymity,  as his wedded wife ,  away from her lecherous lustful admirers. 

Alas ! Shahabuddin s elders refuse Nargis,  a nautch girl,  worthy only of insult and contempt, any entry into their respectable household .

Nargis flees the house in despair,  and seeks refuge in a cemetry to spend her last days awaiting the birth of her child, an outcome of her love affair with the respectable Shahabuddin.

Elaboration :

Many an innocent soul enraptured or enticed   by the glorious stories of the spiritual  path  yearns for the Communion in this lifetime, surrendering their all to the question or to their seeking . Alas ! Heaven too is filled with watchmen filtering the credentials and eligibility of  every seeker desiring   entry.

It is these watchkeepers that sometimes thwart the final Communion !  Such frustrated seekers then are given a life long heart searing wound by these guardian angels of heaven … This is to fill their quest with an intensity that can overcome mere mortal memory and become a seeking of the soul over lifetimes, and not just a passing fancy of the mind . Such individuals may have to break their spiritual journey midway , and bide their time, even for the rest of their current life, ( sometimes such wounded souls use their  existence to guide  other fellow travelling souls to reach their destination.)

Movie story :  Nargis too realises that in her lifetime , her quest to enter the heaven of a respectable household will be unfulfilled,  and awaits death , in a cemetry . However,  Nargis intensely wants her daughter to escape the same fate meted out  to her by Destiny and writes a letter to Shahabuddin informing him of their love child with a request to take her away from the cemetery .

Nargis gives birth to Sahib jaan ( the heroine of the story )  and dies in grief . By a strange coincidence her whereabouts are found by her sister, a nautch girl brothel-running madam Nawab Jaan ,  ( played by Veena in a memorable role of a lifetime )  Veena takes the infant Sahib jaan, her niece, away with her to her brothel-home.

Shahabuddin searches Nargis high and low, but is unsuccessful.  The letter informing Shahabuddin of his daughter (Sahib jaan ) reaches him after 14 years . Meanwhile Sahib jaan has blossomed into a beautiful teenaged nautch girl

Elaboration :

Every intense desire for Communion with the divine bears fruit . Whether the object of your devotion from the Pantheon of Gods is a not so strong angel or saint, ( like Shahabuddin ) who cannot guarantee you entry into heaven , yet the quest will not go unfulfilled … The entire intensity and passion  latently built up in this desire, to enter heaven, like a simmering volcano , is used for the protection and direction of another connected group  soul … represented by Sahib jaan ..the grown up daughter of the dead but haunting Nargis.

Movie story : Saahib jaan, the daughter of Nargis, brought up by her aunt, in a brothel,  is now a teenaged nautch girl enchanting and enchanted by her dance , music and sensuality . She enjoys in innocent abandon the effect she has on her admirers. She sings and dances on the song …Inhi logone ..

Elaboration : Almost all seekers are initially ignorant of their quest lying dormant within . They enjoy,  and even encourage,  the attention given to them by their admirers,  irrespective of their motives behind such adulation or praise .

Movie story : Meanwhile , On receiving the letter from Nargis after 14 years , Shahabuddin, comes in search of his daughter ( Sahib jaan )  to the brothel of Nargis’s sister, Veena.  Veena taunts him for being the cause of Nargis’s cruel death , and perhaps now again to be the cause of the death of Sahib jaan under the guise of respectability . . She asks him to come the next day as Sahib jaan as just started her dance performance ( mujara )

Elaboration : The aunt Veena , though a brothel keeper is not a villain, but is a worldly wise woman. It is such worldly wise people who sometimes protect and guard the Innocent seeker from  the Guides who have  failed to take other seekers to the ultimate goal of the Spirit .  

Such Guides may lack the spiritual strength or courage to protect their wards or students  just as Shahabuddin is powerless to defend or support Nargis at a crucial , critical moment of  crisis .

Movie story : The song  “inhi logo ne ” has now become a hallmark or signature tune for all kothaas or dance brothels . it is an erotic song with sexual Innuendo’s. In this song Sahib jaan is very happy  and flirts playfully with her lust filled audience. She has no inhibitions in tempting them for more adulation. 

Elaboration :

Unaware of our divine origins, we are very happy in this material world. We sell our wares of talents, whether physical, mental, artistic, intellectual , and take delight on being appreciated. But it is just a temporary phase , until Destiny takes a twist  in the tale . 

Movie story : Alarmed that Saahib jaan may be taken away by her father and will meet the same fate as her unfortunate mother , the wise aunt Veena overnight flees the red light area along with Saahib jaan  . She knows that the time is not yet ripe for Saahib jaan to be exposed as the daughter of a respectable family . 

On the way in the train to a faraway place , while Saahib jaan is sound asleep,  alone in her railway  compartment , the hero Salim mistakenly enters it , in a hurried bid to catch the train .

The ruffling pages of her diary catches his attention. He  reads a note in her diary … ” Banaa kar fakiron ka hum bhes  Ghalib , tamashaa- e- ahl -e -karam dekhte hai .. ”  ( In the guise of a wandering holy man begging alms , O Ghalib ,  do I witness the drama of my generosity in this world !   ) As a memento or souvenir, he takes a beautiful colourful feather page marker from her diary . This feather is an important sign of recognition when they meet again , very much later . 

Elaboration :  This small couplet of poet Mirza Ghalib which has many deep layers of meaning , one of which implies … God tells that ” in the guise of a wandering holy man , begging for alms , do I , Oh Ghalib , witness the drama of my generous splendour in this world .” .. Salim is the fakir , and Saahib jaan is the object on whom God has bestowed beauty generously . 

Movie story : At this point Salim notices Sahib jaans  feet moving to the trains Rhythmic speed in her sleep , and they captivate his attention . 

He leaves a paper message fixed in the fingers of her feet : the famous sentence ” By coincidence I entered your compartment  and saw your feet . They are very beautiful. Please don’t ever keep them on the ground . They will be soiled . ” (  Aap ke paav dekhe , bahut haseen hai, inhe zameen pe mut utaariyegaa … Maile ho jaayenge ) 

Saahib jaan finds the note when she awakens , but there is  no trace of the mysterious  Co  – passenger . She is naturally intrigued by this Invisible anonymous secret admirer . 

Elaboration :

The time and place of spiritual initiation or awakening is a strange mystical happening which takes the sleeping unaware seeker into a place or situation beyond his / her understanding . For this event of awakening , or knocking at the Door of the Seekers heart , happens during his / her normal life journey .. the seeker doesn’t have to go anywhere .

The ishtadaivata ( Chosen object of worship ) comes to the seeker in a very subtle manner  to awaken   him / her or to make the seeker aware of his definite existence ,though it may be  invisible and unknown  till then .  But the initiation rite leaves a very firm indelible mark on the seekers sub conscious mind or memory.

The initiation rite makes the seeker want to soar and fly beyond human limitations to a totally new dimension.

To the unaware seeker or the reader , I can only add right now here that this imprint is the awakening of the Kundalini energy lying dormant within each human 

The Call of the Spirit :

Unknown to us, when do we become aware of love with all its wide range of emotions fantasies and limitations in reality ? Yet why does reality not stop our seeking , or rather makes it more poignant and intense ?

Does love arise within us, or from without , seeps into us like a contagious virus ? Is love and awareness just a physiological by product of the human body, or does its origin exist elsewhere and our heart is struck by its waves ? For some its a tsunami , and for some a gentle ripple ! Yet no one can have a heart unaffected by it. !

Movie story : Aunt Veena takes Saahib jaan to a faraway place and passes her off as a neice of Gauhar Jaan  ( Nadira )  a royal courtesan of rich , Nawabs . From a sreet side red light area , Saahib jaan is transported to the beautiful palatial , Gulaabi Mahal,   and soon gains fame as a much coveted , new virginal  , nautch girl ,  suited only  for wealthy royalty

Saahib Jaan has two dances here in the movie …. ” Thaade rahiyo ” in which she captivates the attention of an old rich connoisseur Nawab who has an eye to appreciate beauty and more impportant , understands the value of innocent beauty .   The Nawab woos her with rich, costly gifts and presents for an intimate relationship with her . 

In  the next dance  song  ” yunhi koi mil gaya thaa Chalte Chalte ” there is a veiled reference to the invisible anonymous stranger of her train journey . She expresses in the song , her longing and waiting to see this dream  visitor in actual physical reality. 

Her dance and song is interrupted by the sharp long whistle of a passing train ,  piercing the Silence of the night.  The trains powerful whistle and it’s  first slow , and then fast , powerful chugging,   along a slender bridge , reminds her again and again every night or rather early morning at the bewitched hour of 3 am . of her Invisible admirer  This time is specifically mentioned in the movie as a clue to the trains allegory 

Elaboration : The long whistle is a symbol of the wake up call or  sound an initiate may hear during his early stages of meditation at the bewitched hour or ” Brahma muhurta ” 

Movie story : Sahib jaan visits her cousin and confidante Bibban

On the way to Bibbans  room, Saahib jaan is noticed and hailed by a neighboring prostitute who has apparently heard of her success in her profession at the very first debut .

A seemingly innocent dialogue takes place here between Sahib Jaan,  the heroine, and this prostitute neighbor.

After the initial innocent pleasantries are exchanged,  the (   jealous ? ) neighbor asks Sahib jaan, Can I borrow your luck and destiny for a night ? I Will return it the next day .

Sahib jaan replies ..Sure .. Most welcome to take my  destiny…..and please don’t bother to return it back .

Elaboration : 

This simple act of charity and exchange of destinies on Sahib jaans part changes her future as we see later ..

Here the pathetic plight of a prostitute is very subtly shown .  Maybe a down market prostitute envies a High class prostitute for her rich clientele . But their basic destinies and nature of  work are the same.

No matter how high our salary scales or profit margins may be, the underlying destiny of all workers is the same…they have to work as per the whims of their bosses .

What then changed Sahib jaans destiny ? The willingness to let go… or ability to detach and see her new found success and fame  in her profession as a hindrance to her inner yearning or seeking . Her whole attention was now being pulled by this anonymous invisible admirer.

Often fakirs would beg alms not just for food but to change the destiny of the householder by exchanging karmic loads . Shirdi Sai naath clearly mentioned this as the reason for his seeking alms from the householder families.

Movie story :  Sahib jaan meets her cousin and close confidante Bibban . When she too teases Saahib about her conquest of the rich nawaab , just as any friend would congratulate a corporate employee on his very quick promotion,  or  on getting a much coveted  business contract – clientele, the façade of detached amusement used as a shield by Saahib jaan,  breaks down and  she opens her heart and her secret to her friend Bibban. Saahib jaan says she is no longer enamoured of delighted by the worldly praises and conquests , and is in fact irritated by them 

Here the dialogue is very very interesting and reveals  the mystical undercurrent. It is definitely not a normal conversation between two friends sharing a secret . At different situations in the story , the conversations  definitely do Not conform to or fit in as the normal dialogues of a simple,  or merely a romantic movie . 

Conversation : 

Sahib jaan ..Since many days I feel as if I am changing .. As if I am travelling towards an unknown destination . Everything is getting detached and i am leaving everything behind  including Saahib jaan . And I am going far away    from Saahib jaan 

 Bibban : Then who is this ?

Sahib jaan : unh ? Who ?  ( as if waking from a deep sleep brought about by the mere mention of her memory of the pull of her soul out of her body )

Bibban. : The one to whom i  am asking this question ? 

 Saahib jaan : What can I say who it is ? Its a strange story . Every night at 3 am, a railway leaves it’s track , and passes by my heart , giving me  a message … 

.. . . Saahib jaan then shows the note written by the secret admirer to Bibban. 

Bibban reads the message .Written by Salim..  ( Saw your beautiful feet . please dont place them on the ground . They will be soiled ) and remarks , ” Saahib jaan , it is definitely a message but one that has missed it’s target or lost its way . It is not meant for you .”  

Sahib jaan replies , ” But I found it stuck in my own feet (as if on purpose)

Bibban replies ,  : Her voice filled with an underlying pathos …. It is definitely a message, but one that has lost its way or missed it’s target . It is not meant for you , Saahib jaan.

When it was written your feet must not have had the ghungroos ( Big anklet bells typically worn by a nautch girl during her mujraa  )  tied around them

Otherwise how will someone remark… Don’t let them touch the ground for  they will be soiled ?

Elaboration : Does not the external world and our best well wishers , friends,  worldly wise relatives ,  try their best to dissuade or divert us from the spiritual path ? Or explain how it is not meant for us in our present situation or conditions ? 

Movie story  :  Sahib jaan returns from Bibban. Meanwhile the brothel madam and the pimp sent by the nawab, strike a deal .  Sahib jaan is to spend the night with the rich old Nawab , who has wooed  her with costly riches. She arrives at his river boat yacht .

Again the conversation is very strange tho not entirely out of place .. But definitely not a normal  Dialogue between a prostitute and her  client . 

Conversation : The Nawab asks her why does she look as if she is not Saahib jaan , but some one else . Sahib jaan reminds him that he has already bought her with the label ” Saahib jaan ” The nawab replies , yes I did purchase you but the deal seems a loss . My heart tells me that you are like a  stolen thing,  which is a crime to be purchased. The nawab compliments Sahib jaan on her innocent beauty which makes her a rare and priceless object which can’t  be purchased .He requests her to sing the song ” Chalte Chalte ” but she breaks down midway…remembering her Invisible admirer . 

Elaboration :

Again this conversation is not a normal dialogue between a prostitute and her purchaser or client which would suit a normal romantic story . It’s strange words suggest another message … It definitely has mystical undertones.

The old rich Nawaab is a connoisseur of beauty and recognises the value of a beautiful innocent pristine soul . He covets and wants to possess that inner purity and force or energy which he knows is really invaluable beyond measure . 

Is not the whole commercial world market a sophisticated whore house,  on the look out to hunt for ever new souls , which are imprisoned,  and purchased or lured  into its network of share markets and  work industries ? Is it not really a sly , cunning,  grabbing,  of the powerful attention energy of innocent souls , ensnared by the all powerful  fishing nets of social and economic systems ? 

How often do we  look at humans as just the label they have been given ! We never have time nor interest to discover their true nature, desires, and feelings. A robot fulfilling our needs is what the corporate culture is all about . ! It has reduced every superior or boss in a workplace into a pimp or flesh buyer and every worker whether selling his/her mental or physical talents into a prostitute !

( Indeed the corporate jargon reveals and reflects the whole mindset .. .I got scr…. by my boss ! Even if the boss has given a mere scolding ! …uck that bloody ..itch..! .  for any woman superior or junior acting haughty . Of course times and laws are changing everything, but we do have colonial museum time warped places where scant respect is shown to any worker .)

Can every soul be purchased or  seduced by luxury or  lulled   into accepting the comforts of a humdrum comfortable life ? Are we not all seeking an eternal all satisfying  lover  who can love us unconditionally, but instead try to quench that thirst in a suitable human being ?

Of what use is the explanation of a hearts yearning for the ultimate lover to a cut throat operator on Wall Street ? Is it not a song wasted. ? It is just a song to entertain, not to be felt or Understood at a deeper level  .

When I hear the cacophony of youngsters singing their modern  songs, I wonder whether even one of them can sing as melodious as the Indian cuckoo . ! They seem to be electronic voices rehashed for deafened ears !

Those who have heard a single bhajan or song by Ms Subbu Lakshmi or Lata Mangeshkar will know what I am referring to . Their voices were not just divine, their voice had the force of their personality which could transport the listener to the divine realms their souls have originally come from !

Nautch girls are in plenty. But the rare one who sings and dances to a divine tune or rhythm ,  is an object most coveted ! ( Saint Kanhopatra )

Movie story : The conversation between the Nawab and Saahib jaan  is interrupted by a sudden charge of wild elephants who destroy the Nawabs yacht and the unconscious Saahib jaan is safely banked at a remote islet . Here she sees a tent . On closer inspection she sees her missing colourful feather page marker , in a diary which has a version of the train episode from the invisible intruders perspective ! 

She realises that she has come in the realm of her secret admirer . Soon she hears the sound of someone coming on a horse and at once pretends to be asleep in the tent … It is none other than the hero Salim and even he is surprised to see Saahib jaan   , the object of his desire,  sleeping on his bed in this remote islet !

He is a  forest officer in charge of that remote jungle and hence has reached there … He introduces himself to Saahib jaan and asks her who she is and how she has reached there . 

But Saahib jaan is afraid that Salim may disown or leave her if she tells him the truth that she is a prostitute. Instead  She tells him a lie  that she has lost her memory and has no idea or inkling how she has reached this remote islet . Salim tries to refresh her memory by narrating the train episode and the note he left in her foot , but Saahib jaan pretends to be ignorant. Salim then desiring not to  stress her any further, , leaves the islet with a promise to return soon with food provisions .. It is evident they both love each other .

Elaboration : The first encounter with the hidden invisible Divine lover comes suddenly when it is  least expected and often  in a time of great trial and strain . But it is a meeting so Clear and vivid in real experience , that our whole world changes . What was a dream or fantasy is a confirmed reality .

Movie story :  Just as Salim goes out of her sight , Saahib jaan is spotted by a rescue party in search of the wrecks survivors . Saahib jaan is taken back to her gilded prison , Gulaabi Mahal,  and made to perform her song and dance of enticement once again .

Elaboration :

Why is it that after the first flush of the Divine experience , we are dragged back into the grim real world ? Why  can’t the experience continue to its logical end ? Why does the gross world bring us back from that dream world which is a parallel reality ? 

Movie story :  But now she is a totally changed Saahib jaan… Her mind is filled with Salims thoughts and words and the deep meaning and expectation of further meetings with him . It is now a longing that has taken hold of her entirely and not a passing fancy anymore ! 

She just sits immobilised , unable to perform her old song and dance act,  in which she was earlier so expert and adept ..

Elaboration : It is not an act of rebellion , it is an effect or result of the body , becoming still , unable to function , impervious or deaf to worldly going ons,  when one is immersed into the longing of the Divine once one  has met it even once ! And yet it is fully awake and alert !

Isn’t it strange that seekers become useless to society or have to flee from Society during their seeking ? Example Gautam Buddha . 

Movie story. :  The wily Gauhar jaan at once understands the situation and feigning ( pretending ) concern , stops the performance . But she sends a contractor to rape  Saahib jaan at night , and force her into submission into the prostitutes way of life .

Elaboration :

Why is it that after the first flush of honeymoon romance of meditation , the seeker is faced with a fierce struggle for its next meeting ? Why does society respond or retaliate so swiftly , strongly and cruelly to a seeker just beginning to gingerly savour his romance with meditation. Why doesn’t it allow him / her to withdraw gently into his cuccoon ? Or is it his past karmas come to seek revenge as if it were a sleeping dog awakened by the Kundalini s tickling trails ? 

Movie story :  Saahib jaan naturally struggles to free herself from the rapist , and in her struggle,  she is helped by her guardian angel , her mother’s blessings,  in the form of a snake which intervenes to scare the Contractor – rapist . 

 Saahib jaan somehow manages to escape from the rapist Contractor,  but her dress is caught in the railway track joint . Resigning herself to sure death, She falls unconscious , but is miraculously saved by the timely brakes of the train driver .

 In a most strange and rare coincidence Salim is also travelling in the same train and takes Saahib jaan into his custody . He takes her to his ancestral house for safety and refuge . 

Unknown to Saahib jaan , It is the very same house where years ago her father Shahabuddin had brought her mother Nargis with tragic consequences … The same sequence of events is repeated , but with a difference . When the Senior elder of the family refuses to give refuge to an unknown young  girl with no information of her background , for fear of social defamation, Salim takes Saahib Jaan and walks out of the ancestral home.

Elaboration : Is it not the case every time , that for a fresh seeker,  traditional spiritual systems and paths which have degenerated into religions and rituals , can give no shelter nor refuge ? The money collecting   pompous religious buildings are only prestigious powerful institutions that bar seekers on flimsy grounds of Caste, Creed, birth , or whatever stupid rule or obstacle or conditions they can think of,  to prevent the seekers stay or shelter , in any Hallowed place ? 

Movie Story : Salim takes Saahib jaan with him to a beautiful place filled with natural  scenic beauty and says that as she still doesn’t remember who she is , the only alternative to him to continue protecting her is to marry her . At this stage , overwhelmed by the Pure and trusting love that Salim has for her , Saahib jaan breaks down and confesses that she is a prostitute and remembers all . She explains that it was only her love for him and guilt of her past that prevented her from telling him the truth .. Salim gently lifts her up , displaying his total loving acceptance , of her , as she was,  and is .

Elaboration :

  We realise that in Gods realm there is no condemnation , no hell , no  guilt and no judgemental attitude ,  but only absolute , uplifting , unconditional love, that every Soul is redeemed . There is no reason for false pretenses, lies , or atoning  penances . 

Movie story : While  Salim is taking Saahib jaan to get married , they are rudely accosted by a former admirer who recognises Saahib jaan as the famous prostitute .

There is a roadside skirmish between the ruffian admirer and Salim . The matter ends in a police station where Salim and Saahib jaan are let free as they are innocent . But during the entire incidence,  Sahib jaan is taunted , insulted,  and jeered at by the onloking public . The police officer says that such an incident is cause for embarrassment for Salims prestige , Salim however takes it in his stride .. Salim takes Saahib jaan to a place of worship where a Kazi ( priest ) is requested to conduct the marriage .

As per the custom, the priest asks Saahib jaan to state her free  consent without any pressure , to her marriage with Salim . 

But Haunted and tormented by the jeers and taunts of her admirers ringing in her ears , Saahib jaan cries out vehemently an anguished  No !  to the Kazis final querry for her consent to the marriage with Salim , and desperately flees away from the mosque .

Elaboration : The seeker  has to get rid of all fears , all guilts and inferiority  complexes of the past .  The vastness of the loving Divine Mercy is sometimes overwhelming to the seeker.

Movie story : Saahib Jaan returns to her aunt Veena , sad and forlorn , resigned to her fate as a torn directionless kite . Her friend Bibban visits Saahib jaan . And asks her did your lover  desert or leave you ?

Sahib jaan replies . No I left him . The ground where he stood was so tricky ,   that where ever I put my foot, there  it would collapse (  like quicksand ) . So I gave him an ugly  wound and left the heaven of his Heart. 

Elaboration :

Here the dialogue again has mystical undertones . In the Spiritual path this is known as the Night of the Soul .. Like the night Jesus had to suffer alone on the eve of his Crucifixion , or Siddharth Gautama faces Maara the evil one on the eve of his enlightenment . It is almost as if all hope is lost and the seeker has given up his Quest .. But in this surrender of the quest lies the next step or answer at another level … 

Movie story  :

Sahib jaan is invited by Salim to perform at his wedding . She most poignantly removes the ear ornament which adorned her and reminded her of her secret love until then . 

Movie story : 

The final scenes… Sahib jaan dances at Salims wedding and sings

” Aaj hum apni duaon ka asar dekhenge, teere nazar dekhenge zakhme jigar dekhenge… ( Let me see tonight the effect of your prayers / blessings , And the effect of my glances , like arrows have wounded your heart..  I know that the dream of love is ominous , and not for those weak at heart .Yet tonight  shall I stubbornly see the wounds of your heart,  and the culmination and realisation ,  the interpretation  and meaning if any , of this dream .. Tonight shall I see the result of your prayers being answered,    If we  survive tonight , shall we see the dawn , Tonight will be the Fulfillment of your blessings and prayers )

Elaboration :

 This song very clearly denotes the”  dark night of the soul ”  in which the devotee questions God of the effect or result of his life long dream to love God … The effect of his/ her wounded heart in seeking fulfillment of the passion of his life long dream .. The word ” tabeer ” in the song is very poignant . What meaning or interpretation or value does this sad Divine  romantic dream have ? Only  If we can survive the dark night of the soul,  shall we see the bliss of an enlightened dawn.. It is the culmination and result of blessings and prayers .. 

Movie story :   As the dance is ending , she sees that  Salim has left for the final stage of the marriage nuptials.  Saahib jaan breaks a chandelier and dances in a wild frenzy on the shattered glass pieces , collapsing at last,  exhausted , in the arms of her Aunt Veena . 

Elaboration : 

The dance of the whirling dervish.. …mixed with the lament of the silent rudaali . The frenzy , despair , grief and sorrow,  when your  love is lost for ever, whether it be the loss of any dear one or coveted one . 

Is it just social acceptance or respect that any social outcast is after ? Does he / she want social recognition and understanding of their situation ? The words of the song are poignant ..meaning let me see the effect or result  of your blessings ..

All saints give blessings. And yet the effect of their blessings are not immediately felt in our life ..on the contrary we may have more sorrow hidden than we show.

It is this ( akrosh) outcry of anguish that Saahib jaan expresses in the song and the final frenzied dance on the shattered glass pieces…it is a outward expression of her internal wounded heart … Now all hope is lost for her .. The only love of her life has forsaken her for another… Isn’t this the anguish and grief expressed by every saint / seeker when they find a dead silence as a reply to their life long devotion or bhakti ?

I am reminded here of Mirabais song..( .keno sang khelu holi ? Piyaa tyaja gaye hai akeli  …sung by Lata Mangeshkar ) … Filled with similar pathos and anguish

Movie story :

And here destiny takes a final twist…Saahib jaan is exposed by her Aunt  Veena as the daughter of the same respectable family and lineage . The elderly family patriarch objects to this disclosure and in fury tries to shoot Sahib jaan but ends up killing her father Shahabuddin,  instead , who lunges forward to protect her .

The dying father gets a promise from his nephew Salim to Wed Saahib jaan. Salim  promises to Wed her in the presence of the entire notorious red light area itself ,  as a sign of public acknowledgement,  and approval of her respectful elevation as a daughter in law .

Accordingly , Saahib jaan  is now honourably taken away from her red light area  in a bridal paalkhi by her beloved  Salim …

Elaboration :

Isn’t this sign of respect, approval and recognition , from their  beloved God, whether in the form of a father or as a lover-groom  sought after by  every saint ?

Would only Crucifixion have given Lord Jesus the same status in public mind as much as his subsequent resurrection ? This act of resurrection was a stamp of affirmation by God of his purity and Divinity for the whole world to see !

Salims earlier marriage proposal was an elopement , a private, a very personal afair .similar to the personal meditation .  And hence was not noteworthy to be noticed or taken heed of by the public  

But this marriage ritual in the very same environment and area where the seeker was living daily , normally , was an open gesture or sign and clear message meant for the public eye of the unique relationship of that Seeker with the Divine Consciousness.

It’s a recognition imprint of the elevation of that person to be a Saint .

The public recognition of Sage Ramana Mahirshi as the chosen instrument of instruction , by Lord Arunachalam, and  as a world spiritual teacher , was as important as the very initial experience of enlightenment that Sage Ramana had as a teenager .

The transformation of Mrs Nirmala Srivastava into Shri Mataji Nirmala devi was very important in her elevation and recognition as a Spiritual Guru in the public eye .

These are just examples given to explain the importance of the  public expression and manifestation of the experience of Cosmic conscious oneness that these great personalities have in their personal meditation in very private moments . 

I know that many may ridicule or disagree with  the interpretation or analysis of the movie from this angle … But  it was a thought -bug which possessed and tormented me,  until at last, to retain my insanity,  I had to exorcise it by presenting it on this public post .

I conclude by that immortal final dialogue in the movie and applicable to this treatise too. ….

Hazaron saal Nargis apni be noori pe roti hai….badi mushkil se hotaa hai chaman me deedaa- var paidaa  …… ( poet Allana Iqbal )   Khudaa hafeez !

( Nargis is a rare flower that blooms once in many years . And even that flower has to mourn its woeful fate until a true connoisseur or admirer of its beauty is born !  May God be your Protector  ! )  It means that even a beautiful thing created by the Creator is without value if there is no one to value , appreciate , and admire it for what it really is . 

Authors post script :

Both Alladin and Pakeezah have similar Spiritual Sufi undertones and were written almost simultaneously. But their presentation timing had  to be spaced out and distanced as two stories of the  same theme would have been too much heavy to digest and prove unappealing  to the reader

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Garbha Sanskaar ! (Foetal evolution revolution ! )

Really this article is just a homage to my friend late Mr Arun Apte who was a renowned classical singer . But his main forte was spiritual music and he had made a deep study through his personal experience in this field .

I was fortunate to be associated with him for a few years and discuss the effect of music on our nervous system . Indeed his Omkaar was so powerfully Divine , it had the power to draw the lay man from the street towards the singer , and put the listener into deep meditation no matter what stress or tension he may be going through at that moment.

He was working on a “Garbha Sanskaar” project but destiny did not allow him to complete it.

It is truly said , that those whom the Gods love,  pass away early .

The Garbha Sanskaar or how to influence favourably the development of the foetus in the mothers womb is a very age old concept .. It’s association with Music is also well known.

But here is a small story about the tremendous effect of music on the foetus so as to transform it’s personality .

SECTION I

My advice to would be mothers is to skip this Section totally and jump or fast track forward ( but carefully ) to…  Section II

Normally people remember the story of Abhimanyu from Mahabharata ..

As per this story , Abhimanyu , learned the skill of breaking into  a ” Chakra vyuh rachana ” which is a structured planned maze of a particular formidable design made by warriors to prevent any outside attacker from infiltrating or penetrating within .

Lord Krishna was telling the secret of breaking and entering into  the war formation to his sister Subhadraa when she was pregnant and expecting Abhimanyu .

Unfortunately Subhadraa , naturally bored by the subject or science,  went off to sleep midway , and Abhimanyu in her womb,  could also hear and learn only how to enter into  the maze or labyrinth .

But he could not learn the way out or exit route nor Mid route escape or bail out plans .

This led to his tragic but heroic valiant death later on in the Kurukshetra War .

So its a depressing story and I  wouldn’t advice expecting mothers to read it.

SECTION II

But there is a more pertinent and apt story about the specific transforming effect of music on the foetus .

And it is the story of Devotee Prahlaada and his Demon father Hiranyakashyapu ( what a tongue twisting name ! )

Now the Gods and Demons were at war since time immemorial .

During the reign of the Demon King Hiranyakashyapu , the demons ( or asuras as they were called ) took a temporary beating from the Gods

King Hiranyakashyapu then went to do penance so as to gain some boons and  powers to become invincible and immortal from Lord Brahma the Creator

( In effect he would force the scientists at CERN to do some jiggery pokery Abra ka dabra , and create a Mandela effect so as to create mass hysteria and confusion induced by amnesia ..But that’s just a modern hypothetical version of an ancient tale )

May I digress a little and introduce to the reader a character called Sage Narada who was a bachelor and a gossip monger , who roamed  in the Entire  Universe setting off quarrels and disputes or wars, and rivalry . But his gossiping was always with an intention to make the person aware of his stupid ego . In a way we have a similar character called Loki in Norse mythology , who was also a mischief maker , but while Loki was malevolent and dangerous, Sage Narada is always benevolent and compassionate.

Sage Narada always carried a Veena with him and strummed on it continously for he hoped it’s melodious tones may affect and improve the atmospheric vibrations wherever he went .

Sage Narada  also carried a set of “Chipli” or   a  percussion instrument   in his other hand-fist which made a sharp alert noise, thus  helping to awaken  people who may be rendered drowsy by the soft monotonous tones of the Veena .

Sage Narada is considered as the Musician of the Gods and the founder of Spiritual music therapy.

Meanwhile , during the absence of King Hiranyakashyapu,  Indra , king of the Gods , launched an attack on the Asuras or Demons , and ransacked all their ill gotten wealth and destroyed all their palaces  .

As luck or fate would have it , just when Lord Indra was abducting King Hiranyakashyapu s wife , Queen  Kayaadhu,   in order to slay or kill her ,  he was accosted by Sage Narada who said that it was unjust to harm let alone slay the wife of an enemy as a means of revenge .

So Mr Indra had to unwillingly hand over Queen Kayaadhu to Sage Narada who gave her political asylum in his Hermitage ( a glorified name for a bunch of  straw huts )  where he would teach his Spiritual music therapy to the ancestors of Beatles and Abba . ( tongue in cheek observation : Sage Narada had a favourite Indian student who later Incarnated as  Rabindranath Tagore , founder of Robindro Songit )

Anyway , Queen Kayaadhu who was pregnant,  spent all her time in this spiritually charged , music filled ,  peaceful atmosphere,  far away from the din and hedonist consumerist life style of the Asuras and the Gods .

In this pious Hermitage of Sage Narada, she gave birth to a baby boy and named him Prince Prahlaada  .

King Hiranyakashyapu meanwhile had successfully completed his penance and  the 5 headed white bearded Lord Brahma , creator of the Universe , appeared before him

Ask O king of Demons , ask any  boon from me , except the boon of immortality ! Thus spaketh ( Gosh what biblical words I get to type ! ) Lord Brahma ..

The wily Demon King at once asked and was granted the following boon which in effect made him invincible ( much like our judiciary and Parliament passing laws against terrorism by securing their human rights which are denied to the normal public ! )

The boon was thusly worded  … Neither by man nor by beast , neither in the sky nor on the earth, neither indoors nor outdoors ,  neither in the day nor at night , neither by weapon nor any instrument , neither by murder nor by killing nor by slaying,   shall death come to King Hiranyakashyapu  ! Thus has spoken the great Lord Brahma .. And so shall it be written and so shall it be !   ( Wow what technical legal jargon ! )

With his newly gained super powers  , King Hiranyakashyapu  defeated Indra  and other assorted deities  ,  reclaimed the kingdom of the Asuras , and brought back his Queen Kayaadhu and the baby Prince Prahlaada to his palace with great jubilant pompous celebrations .

I shall now complete this story sheerly for the sake of a stray foreigner reader who has not read or heard this story before ..

Indian mothers who ought to know this story already,  can end the torture of reading any further , right here, just now

So coming back . ( yawn yawn ) to our story .

As  a long term,  invisible but subtle effect,  of the Spiritual music therapy , which Queen kayaadhu heard when she was pregnant , Prince Prahlaada grew up to be an avid devotee of Lord Vishnu .

Lord Vishnu , may I inform the reader, besides being a Super God,  was the Guardian and  protecter of Indra  and other minion Gods , and hence,  naturally ,  the sworn bitter  enemy of Prahlaadas  father , King Hiranyakashyapu .

Poor King Hiranyakashyapu despite his boon of invincibility , was faced with the irritating bee in his helmet … Sorry , bonnet , of seeing his own son worshipping his bitter enemy Lord Vishnu day in and day out with great fan fare and song and dance  .

King Hiranyakashyapu , being of a demonic nature , at once ordered his son to be killed …

Order number 1 : Prince Prahlaada to be killed by throwing over a cliff..

Soldiers report : Sorry sir, We did throw the Prince into a deep ravine , but he soft landed into a haystack .. Mission  failed

Order number 2 : Prince Prahlaada to be killed by poison

Doctors report : Sorry sir , the poison had no effect on the super electro magnetic ionised body of the Prince and instead acted as a detoxifying medicine . … Mission unsuccessful

Order number 3  Prince Prahlaada to be burnt to death .

Now King Hiranyakashyapus Demonic Sorceress  sister Holika,  had the magical power,  to burn to ashes ,  any one who  sat upon her lap .

She took Prince Prahlaada in a show of auntly love on her electric chair like lap  .. But Prince Prahlaada emerged from the fiery  flames with not even a sun burn , and  instead , it was Lovely loving  Aunt  Holika who was burnt to ashes..!

Report : Mission grossly  unsuccessful with 1 Royal casualty .

( Authors note : As Indians have a habit of celebrating festivals all 365 days in a year , this victory of Prahlaada (innocence )  over  Holika ( evil ) is commemorated by celebrating the Holi bonfire with much fanfair even today )

Now it was evident that Prince Prahlaada was a more formidable enemy than earlier presumed ..

So King Hiranyakashyapu summoned Prince Prahlaada in the Royal Court and demanded to know what secret magic power he was having.

Prince Prahlaada replied the one and only , and the greatest power ….being the power of his devotion for the all pervading Omni existing Supreme Lord Vishnu .

Hearing tbis praise of his bitter enemy Lord Vishnu in his own Royal Court  , king Hiranyakashyapu was so furious ,

( Authors note : who wouldnt be angry ? Except perhaps a few Over intelligent liberal Indians who dont mind their motherland abused and their enemies praised )

that he kicked a pillar in his Royal Court and asked Mockingly ” Does that Master Sorcerer Vishnu exist in this pillar ? I challenge him to fight with me ! “

Lo and behold !

( authors note : wanted very much to use this phrase in my blog )

Lord Vishnu in the form of Narasimha Avtaar  ( face of a lion , with a human body …. The reverse of the Egyptian Sphinx… Neither human nor animal..  ) emerged roaring from the pillar . It was dusk .Neither day nor night . Taking Hiranyakashyapu like a toy doll on his lap ( neither on earth nor in the sky ) sitting on the Royal courts doorstep ( neither outdoor nor indoor ) with his powerful lion nails ( neither a weapon nor an instrument )  he tore open his stomach and gobbled up his intestines while he was still alive !  ( neither killed nor murdered nor Slayed  ) Poor Hiranyakashyapu  bled to his death !

So the invincible boon of Lord Brahma was technically observed and yet the terrible tyrannical  Hiranyakashyapu was finally  outwitted and finished off !

Prahlaada was so overjoyed to see Lord Narasimha ( and overlooking  the gory sight of daddy Hiranyakashyapu lying dead ) that he started singing his praises . The ferocious form of Lord Narasimha turned into a benign one and granted Prahlaada 3 boons …

1) All his forefathers sins were written off ,

2) His ancestors would get reservation seats in heaven and

3) Prahlaada would enjoy a long happy  reign as King .

Needless to say there was another round of festivities and celebrations to commemorate this eventful victory!

The moral of the story is that Garbha Sanskaar , ( Foetal spiritual transformation )  being the main topic of this article,  stands vindicated by the story of Prince Prahlaada. For it was the  Spiritual music therapy founded by Sage Narada  which  transformed Prahlaada into a pious saintly, just and ethical person , overcoming his demonic genetic code or  data base or destructive  DNA blueprint .

So that’s the small nice story for would be mothers to tell their unborn babies

( However please Don’t ask me the effects of this story on the babies mind regarding its father ! )

My advice to would be mothers is not to make their babies hear voices of celebrities , when in the womb , except if they are confirmed Enlightened Masters . It has become a fashion or trend to make the unborn baby hear some celebrities voice in the hope of the child’s destiny imitating the celebrities life . I have not heard of a more bizarre or crazy notion but that’s modern commercial market strategies for the gullible !

The natural parents voices in a soothing tone are the best I feel to establish a bond ..

Anyway I am no authority in this matter and each wise mother- to – be is free to do what she thinks is best for the unborn baby !

Especially skipping this article totally !

My moral obligation and duty  for the future generations stands humbly fufilled !

• * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

By Jove ! Never heard of it ! ( Weird stories )

Bet you never heard these stories before !

Adbhut Ramayana : 

.Long long ago, when I was a teenager , I had come across a book while speed reading and glancing through various books at a roadside book stall. The book was  called ” Adbhut Ramayana ”  and I suppose it may still be available. It had two crazy stories :

Story no . 1) Sita was the foster daughter of Ravana ..

All the sages and rishis were fed up of Ravanas tyrannical and lustful nature . So they undertook a havan or Yagna ( ancient word to denote a research project to get a pre determined result  ) carried out specifically with an aim to create the energy or force destined to kill Ravana .

Now Ravana’s spy network informed him of the hush hush going ons , and naturally enraged , he at once attacked and destroyed the yagna site and associated paraphernalia ( various items and ingredients of the Yagna )

However , the Yagna had already been completed before his attack , and had resulted in the appearance of a golden urn in which the energy or force destined to kill Ravana was stored . Ravana confiscated the urn and brought it to his palace in Sri Lanka for safekeeping.  

But as luck would have it , when husband’s are too secretive, they are at once spotted on their wives radar.

Similarly,  Ravanas wife Mandodari , at once asked him why he was hiding the urn , and what it’s contents were . Ravana , a bit  angry with the frequently abundant and unneccessary questions of his ever inquisitive wife   only replied in a huff that it was a deadly poison ! & left for another crazy raiding expedition for which he would be absent for a few months . ( perhaps mainly to evade and avoid more such mind numbing wild querries ) 

Now Mandodari, had been very depressed because of her husband’s evil ways and had failed miserably to dissuade or stop him ,  despite her best efforts.

So it was no surprise that in Ravanas absence , Mandodari was contemplating to commit suicide. Remembering the hidden urn with the deadly poison, Mandodari at once opened it and without any hesitation,  drank it all up in one gulp ( well maybe she sipped it slowly , but my zero experience with seriously sincere suicide committers suggests  that,  they don’t dilly dally while drinking their poisonous potions . )

A few days later , Mandodari  started having bouts of nausea and giddiness . Happy that the  poison was having effect , and that she would soon die a nice , painful , torturous death , Mandodari was rejoicing and congratulating herself on her smart thinking !

However , after a few days ,  her womanly instinct took over , and she began suspecting that the cause of her morning sickness was not a slow death due to the poison, but rather a certain unmentionable something else ! 

 After an ultra secret pregnancy test, her worst fears were confirmed !  Mandodari was shocked with the realization of her pregnancy ! She was an extremely chaste and pious woman and any thought of infidelity to her husband had never crossed her mind .!

Indeed Mandodari is even to date considered to be one of the  ” pativratas ” or most chaste,  pious and pure woman  in thought, word, and deed as per Hindu mythology .  So in Ravanas absence how could she get pregnant ?

Perplexed by the strange happenings, Mandodari acted like all prudent wise women do. While they are most curious , and inquisitive ( and given a chance or scope, interfering too )  about happenings in other people’s lives, they are very secretive and selectively silent about their own life .

So the wise Queen  Mandodari went on a pilgrimage with a select few of her trusted maids .After a few months ,  on her way to a holy place , when she was near the city of Mithila, She went into labor, and delivered a beautiful baby girl . Putting the new born baby  in a golden box , She instructed her maids to bury it not very deep in the Earth in the Royal fields of Mithila . And the Royal entourage of Queen Mandodari returned back to Sri Lanka, with no one any wiser about these weird happenings !

 Now , a few hours later, as was the custom of those times , His Royal Highness , Mr  Janaka, the King of Mithila city, alongwith his Queen, started the first ceremonial seasonal ploughing of the Royal fields amidst much fanfare . Wonder of wonders, after a few furrows, his plough struck something solid and unearthed the not so deeply buried golden box .  

On opening it , the Royal couple  beheld the most beautiful baby girl they had ever seen ! They took her home as a sign of blessings from Mother Earth and as she was found in a Furrow, named her ….. Yes yes yes ! You win dear smart reader … They named her SITA !

She was the same Sita who grew up, married Rama, was kidnapped by Ravana and eventually became the cause of Ravanas death ! Yagna results successful after 21 years !

Also , there is a side angle . Ravana committed the ultimate sin of incest, by having a lustful eye on Sita who by birth was related to him as his foster daughter ! Hence his death was hastened and made easier to accomplish ! It also explains why Queen Mandodari was so protective and concerned about Sita during her stay in Sri Lanka.  

Weird isn’t it ?

Story no 2) Sita killed Ravana Senior by only her nail  ! 

After Rama’s coronation in Ayodhya , everything was hunky dory , and as was the custom in those times, bards and poets would sing praises of the Kings Valiant deeds in the Royal Court . ( This custom is prevalent even today, called as paid media, or sold journalists )

Anyway returning to our main story , on one such afternoon, after a heavy Royal lunch topped by a super sweet cooling dessert dish ,  in Rama’s Royal Court, the bard was signing and describing the battle with Ravana and how Rama eventually heroically  killed Ravana .

While all were enjoying the sonorous song , and drooping drowsily, suddenly Queen Sita laughed very very softly . But it was loud  enough ( perhaps purposely so ? )  to be heard by the sharp ears of Rama and Laxman . 

They could not mistake the slightly Mocking tone the laughter conveyed , and at once King Rama asked the bard to stop his singing. Rama asked Queen Sita in the presence of the full court , ( perhaps again purposely so ? ) ” Why do you laugh so , my beloved dear Queen ? ”

At first Sita acted innocent  and said that her laughter was not directed at anyone, it was only a sign of  joy expressed at Ravanas death and so on and so forth …..

But the intelligent King Rama knew at once that the reason  of her derisive laughter was something else and her defences sounded too shallow , flimsy and weak,  and he insisted on knowing the truth, no matter how bitter it may be .

( May I humbly suggest to the bored and / or famished reader to take a brief break here and practice out a few different tones and types of Mocking Laughter , just in case they come in handy in your later life …)

After the brunch and “laughing like a hyena” break , we  return to the main story ..

 Finally seeing that there was no escape , Sita put on the Innocent” O so dutiful wife ” act  ( in which she was an expert like all women are naturally so) ,  and said softly, O my Beloved Dear King, your glory is undoubtedly great ! Your deeds are Valiant  beyond compare ! But I am a bit worried . You see the Ravana you killed was only “Ravana Junior”. For he had an elder twin brother ( maybe a duplicate clone ) called “Ravana Senior” . 

( as the author has forgotten the exact name , it was Ahiravan or Mahiravan, or something else , but for the sake of convenience and continuation of the story , let’s call him Ravana Senior )

This guy is a 1000 times more powerful and cruel than Ravana Junior. For the safety of the Universe, Lord Brahma banished and confined him to a remote  island with a curse that should he step out of it, he will die ! But Now that Ravana Junior is dead, surely he will be plotting revenge !

On hearing this , Rama was at once goaded into action ! Like the days of old, Rama, Laxman , Hanuman all got ready to lay siege to that remote island , accompanied this time however,  by the army not of monkeys, but of lazy pampered Ayodhya soldiers who had so far never fought a battle in their life ! . Sita too accompanied them, as an onlooker,  as Rama did not want her to miss seeing his valour and heroic bravery on the battlefield this time.

With a great roar of laughter,  Ravana Senior came out of his fortress . A fierce battle ensued and the Ayodhya army was first to lay in swoon , struck by Ravanas  weapons  of ” Rusty lethargy ” and ” Burp astra  “

Rama and Laxman too fell unconscious due to the poisonous fumes emitted by the evil breath of Ravana Snr. On seeing the inert bodies of Rama and Laxman lying on the battlefield, Sita suddenly transformed into a fierce dark,  roaring Goddess,  resembling Mahakaali .

With just the nail of her little finger,  she beheaded Raavan Senior , swallowed his entire army in one gulp , and then in one wave of her hand, caught hold of  Lord Brahmas white beard and brought him dragging and bumping down the creaky Heavenly staircase down to the battlefield !

“Revive them immediately !”  She ordered Lord Brahma , ” Or I will destroy your entire Creation , in one moment, and You along with it ! ” 

Lord Brahma , trembling and shivering , in fear of the fierce roaring Goddess, hurriedly mumbled some magic mantras, sprinkled some soothing water, and at once revived Rama and Laxman who were lying unconscious ;  and also woke up the Army of Ayodhya who were lying . … Snoring !

On seeing the dead body of Ravana Senior, all gave out a loud cry of victory and thinking that Rama and Laxman must have accomplished the good deed, raised slogans in their glorious names …

For , by now , Sita had reverted back to being her shy,  docile, dainty looking, dutiful,  housewifely original usual form . So no one suspected that She may have killed Ravana Senior !  Rama and Laxman too thought that they had perhaps killed Ravana Senior , and then swooned in exhaustion ! All returned to Ayodhya , none the wiser of the strange events that had taken place ! 

But dear reader, this author was present then as a silent witness , and today, after Eons of years, I am narrating the actual version of events . ! So why am I telling this story now ? I decided to spill the beans, and tell the world of this hitherto rarely heard story . Simply so that credit is given rightfully where it is due, and it’s the fashion to talk of women empowerment now ! … Narrated to me by the monkey God Lord Hanumana ! 

. * * * * * * * * * * *

Amchi goshta saro, tumchi pote bharo ! Amchi goshta akhud, tumchya paathit laakud !

May my story be short and simple, May your kids be born with a dimple !

May your day be sweet and sunny, May your kids be fat and funny !

* * * * * * * * * * * 

 

Nidradevi’s Revenge ! (Why Laxman laughed )

Here’s a nice small, long , winding, meandering , story to tell over tea and snacks which can go upto dinner time to keep kids indoors ! 

This is a story from the Ramayana , which I read in my childhood. I am retelling it sheerly to share the joy !

In Ayodhya, as per the boon given to Queen Kaikeyi, Prince Rama was exiled to exile  for 14 years . His dutiful wife Sita had already decided to accompany him into exile too. 

Prince Rama went to seek farewell blessings from  his younger mother Queen Sumitra . Queen Sumitra was very much concerned about the safety of Rama and Sita,  in the wild jungles.

She asked him to do her a favour by taking her son , and Ramas younger brother, Prince Laxman, along with him into exile too, though Queen Kaikeyi’s boon did not cover this point. Which goes to show that all step mothers are not wicked. Some may be wise and loving like Soumitra.

Prince Rama couldn’t refuse his younger mothers desire and agreed to take Laxman with him too . Provided Laxman was willing .  

Needless to say, Prince Laxman who loved his elder brother Rama, very much, was overjoyed to hear his mother’s orders. It was as if , Queen Soumitra was expressing his own desire aloud, with an authority that Rama could not refuse or avoid, which Rama would have surely done, had Prince Laxman asked permission to accompany Rama and Sita into exile , directly to Rama.

So sometimes it’s wiser to use an agent to get our paperwork done faster and assuredly.  Small children do it all the time by using their mother to get a favour from their father !

Anyway returning to Laxmans story…. When Laxman was ready to leave with Rama and Sita, Queen Soumitra told him , ” Dear son, be alert and on your guard all the time. Never let them out of your sight . And look after their comfort as much as possible. ”

The ever dutiful Laxman at once promised to do so. Now the trio started their journey into exile, and true to his word, Laxman never let his attention waiver even a little bit away from his duty. And in the process, so engrossed was he , that he totally forgot to sleep .

He didn’t suffer from insomnia as normal readers will think, but rather from a heightened state of awareness where sleep was rendered redundant !

Now things were all going on nice and smoothly happy , when Sage Narada , who was the Officially designated Divine mischief maker meddling messenger , noticed this teeny weeny lacunae in the daily schedule of Laxman .

“Ah ! Divinity in  human form ,  forgetting his sleep altogether ! That’s unheard of so far . Isn’t that breaking normal human rules,? By Jove !  I must do something in this matter .” Musing so, instantly , Sage Narada landed in the Heavenly palace of Goddess Nidra devi .. The Supreme Sleep Goddess . 

Ah what a wonderful place it was ! Watchmen, palace staff all went about their daily duties swaying in sleep with closed eyes. Sleep walking damsels swept and cleant the palace , while snoring cooks made soporiphic meals laden with poppy seeds ( khus khus ) and decoctions to induce sleep . Coffee and stimulating tonics were labelled as deadly poisons . 

Palace musicians sang lullabies praising the gentle moonlight , in broad daylight . Instead of watsapp and television addicts there were Day dreamers, and nightmare addicts , sleep talking mumblers, and sleep walkers. The palace orchestra played various snoring tones from the gently soft , hissing,  whispering snores, and intermediate whimpering snores ,   right upto powerful,   shuddering , thundering , roaring,  snores ! Cats would suddenly stop chasing  rats due to their Overpowering sleep , while the rats were also sleeping and snoring soundly in the cats open paw cluthches, instead of running away . A strange sight indeed .

So Sage Narada very easily reached Goddess Nidra devis private chambers , for no one was awake to stop him anyway .

Now I must mention here a small dark secret . Goddess Nidradevi was very very proud of her control  over all creation . All matter , all living and dead things succumbed to her power . All living creatures, animals, humans, birds , indeed even Gods themselves, would succumb to her Charms.

The trinity Lord Brahma , Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva , who were the Divine caretakers of this dream /  nightmare we call as the Universe , were always asleep ( which perhaps explains the mess in this world )

However like all people at the apex , they explained and justified their sleeping on the job as simply ” Deep Meditation – Samaadhi ” 

As for the dead and non- living matter, they were just eternally asleep !

So to cut a long story into a bikini, Goddess Nidradevi was internally very smug and proud of her power .  Sage Narada greeted Nidradevi and was immediately offered a potion of sweet milk mixed with jaggery , saffron, cardamom ,  (elaichi ), some secret herbs and dry fruits which would make any healthy person slip into a deep diabetic coma !

After a sip , Sage Narada said , ” How strange to hear that you are planning to abdicate ! ” Nidradevi was taken aback ! What !? Who told you such nonsense ? Wellllll , Narada replied with a long dramatical pause, Call it nonsense if you wish , but I did notice a mortal on earth , immune to sleep . And I say it with my hand on my Veena ( a musical instrument Sage Narada always  carried )  . May it strike a jarring note if I have uttered a lie ! Nidradevi was alarmed to see the Veena play only more melodiously than before ! As if confirming Naradas story ! And her eyes were wide open now, alert to this new development . 

Seeing his words had made the right desired impact, Narada decided to tighten the screw ! Well well well ! It must be a solitary,  unique, defective piece from Lord Brahmas Factory of Perpetual Creation ! I suggest you ignore it . But …. 

At this point Narada put on a most dramatic innocent pause as if the doubt he would express was a spontaneous one. 

”  Now you never know with these new contagious viruses doing the seasonal rounds on earth … this one mortal may be the harbinger of a whole new generation of youngsters staying awake all night long ! A solo act today may become the world wide craze tomorrow .. Gangnum style ! And besides….there may be another angle to it altogether ..  But that is totally baseless..  

Again Narada took  a long pause after a deep sip from the potion and was almost going to sleep but Nidradevi vigorously shook him awake ..  Besides what Narada ? , speak loud and clear !

Jolted wide awake , Narada said in a whisper, to make its final impact , How can we be sure that it is not a stray accidental defective piece manufactured by Lord Brahma ? It may be instigated by his wife Goddess Saraswati who we all know is secretly jealous and envious of you , Because of that loong night Lord Brahma spends with you ( Fashionably called as Brahmas sleep of Eons instead of an affair with Nidradevi ) It may be to slowly , surreptitiously divest you of all powers ! 

( by the way , tongue in cheek , despite being a bachelor, Narada really knew how to screw other people !) 

Now women ( even from the Divine realm ) are always prone to suspicions and will easily believe in conspiracy theories and of other women being jealous of them . Nidradevi was no exception !

This last piece of information given by Narada jolted Nidradevi into action !  “You are right Narada ! I must do something about this matter ! Even an ant can kill an elephant if ignored ! Take me to this freaky non sleeping mortal at once !”  Nidradevi exclaimed. 

Narada was just too happy to oblige and in a jiffy , they were in a jungle, where Rama and Sita were fast asleep in a Hut . While Laxman was guarding outside, wide awake , singing and whistling softly by himself !

There! That’s your man ! Narada gingerly pointed out Laxman to Nidradevi .

Nidradevi at once launched her attack ! A gentle cooling breeze blew,  accompanied by sweet bird songs and soft music in the background of Murmuring Brooks and Rustling leaves swaying in the wind . Flowers sprayed their sweet fragrance in the air .

But Laxman just innocently enjoyed the pleasant change in weather and just whistled a note more gentler . This made Nidradevi so furious,  that She increased her Sleep energy force to full  voltage ! Enough to strike dead a 1000 elephants ! But Laxman just blinked his eyelids once in slow motion, shook his head vigorously , and was back in alert position, fresh as before !

You see innocent people dont succumb to desires or temptations . They  are sometimes just indifferent or in a detached witness observing state . Which puts them a notch higher level than ordinary mortals !

So Laxman in his Innocent state of mind had risen above the ordinary  current world . He marched to a Divine music he alone could hear, and was hence immune to the cacophonic confusion of the crazy world . 

Now Nidradevi understood she was definitely defeated but the defeat at the hands of a mere mortal in a wild jungle made it more humiliating !

What added salt to her wounds was that Divine Universal- blabbermouth , radio broadcasting one man station, and DJ combined  , gossipmonger Supreme, Sage Narada was a Witness to her defeat ! It would be just a matter of minutes and the vdo of her defeat would go viral on Facebook and Watsapp ! 

One glance at Narada, who pretended he had not noticed anything at all and was just busy stroking a puppy all along, confirmed her worst fears !

Now a man deity would have taken the issue sportingly, shook hands with Laxman, slapped him on his back, remarked , well played my boy ! and left the scene gracefully. Maybe even gifted Laxman a Sport trophy to mark his victory . 

But this was Nidradevi … She knew how to avenge her defeat ! She just vanished ! Vanished from the Jungle and locked herself in her heavenly palace displaying her wrath thru Divine tantrums !

She smashed all the vials and serums of sedation , with her wand of wakeful sleeping. And just sat on her Heavenly throne in an fuming,  sulking,  smouldering,  volcanic Huff ! Moving her Divine  fingers in a slow evil anti cyclic motion, She started withdrawing her Sleep energy from the Entire Universe !

Initially no one noticed the difference . Indeed many enjoyed the extra hours of nonsleep to do some more mischief than usual ! 

But soon , the results were slowly ominously evident. Insomniac humans transformed into zombies . Dreams, Fantasies and creativity turned into maniacal psychedelic hallucinations, Population s exploded due to wide awake people unable to sleep and with  nothing better to do .

As the Gigantic Sleep machinery grounded to a halt in the Entire Universe, all the hidden toxins, which were untill now cleaned and disposed off ,during sleep, started piling up internally and externally ! 

The balance , the future, the existence , of the entire Universe was at stake ! All because Laxman would not sleep !

Meanwhile, ignorant of the havoc he had created , Laxman carried on with his duties ,  merrily in the jungle .

Now this horrible state of affairs reached the attention of the Holy Trinity and they summoned an emergency meeting of all concerned parties  .

To cut that long bikini into a micro mini , Nidradevi s complaint was that Laxman was the main threat and She was just drawing attention to the future danger of his power of unaffected sleeplessness .

Laxman on the other hand said , He was bound by his promise to his mother , and that was that . He would not sleep for the next 14 years . ,,He was least bothered about Nidradevi and her churlish ( rude , ill mannered, impolite, ungracious ) tantrums .  The Universe could go to blazes for all he cared . 

This was indeed a real sticky situation for the Gods ! After all Laxmans treatment for curing stubborn women was a bit extreme and dangerous ! And though internally they rejoiced on seeing the proud arrogant Nidradevi humbled , they could not dare antagonise her either . 

Neither Nidradevi nor Laxman were willing to budge an inch !

Finally with Sage Naradas suggestion, (  who was the main instigator and culprit )  a truce was conjured to the satisfaction of all parties . Nidradevi was to excuse Laxman from her jurisdiction and exercise of powers for the stipulated 14 years of exile .

As a further compensation for her aggrieved feelings , Nidradevi would claim Laxmans wife Urmila as a temporary hostage , and Urmila would sleep Laxmans quota of sleep during the entire exile period ( wow ! Talk of sleep quota transfer powers to the younger generation ! )

 Moreover, Notwithstanding the above mentioned agreement , and with no prejudice to the interests of the parties of either side,  further more it was decided and amicably agreed between the two parties ( including their present and future heirs ) that ….Now this Indenture witnesseth as under .. .. ( is this English at all ? ) 

At the completion of the exile period, Nidradevi would reclaim her supremacy with no exception, and Laxman would have to submit to her Sleep power willingly, unconditionally and absolutely .

( couldnt resist all that crazy  legal jargon to show off my over smartness ! )  

However , the crafty, haughty Nidradevi was not easily appeased ( satisfied ) . She had one small condition. The venue, time, situation of Laxmans submission to Nidradevi’s power at the end of the years of exile , would be entirely at the discretion of Nidradevi .

It was a small clause finely printed in the agreement and Laxman did not think much of it .

The Heavenly meeting thus ended happily , gods went back to their pious (satvik) duty of watching beautiful dancing damsels ( apsaraas ) while drinking Somras ( an intoxicating invigorating drink )

On earth people copied them by going to dance bars … Oops sorry ..typo error.. To their daily chores .

Nidradevi once again took the entire Universe in her prowess or Bosom , with the exception of Laxman, and all was hunky dory .

After many adventures , the period of exile ended, and Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya , with Sita and Laxman and hordes of monkeys and many other friends and acquaintainces gathered during his watsapp and Facebook travels …

Oops sorry slip of trembling typing fingers…and droopy eyes, ….  Accumulated during his adventurous  exile period .

After a lot of joyous celebrations and felicitations , the final great day , the day of Rama’s coronation arrived 

 Please Fast forward visually to Rama’s court on that happy day ! Leaving the description to the readers imagination , and subject to cultural and local variety , and mainly because my fingers and brain are numb by typing ,

I can only add that Laxman was given the most Prestigious place of Honour, next to Ramas throne ! So all the camera crews filming the event of the Eon,  were bound to be focussed on him from any angle .

Amidst chanting of holy mantras and much ritualistic fanfare , Sage Vashishtha was about to place the crown on Rama’s head .

Everyone was looking at this act and savouring every  moment with double the normal capacity of their humanly endowed physical visual apparatus ( in simple words, eyes ) 

Laxman too was intensely immersed and submerged in that emotionally charged moment totally.  The culmination of his penance of 14 years and so much pain, torture , struggle, had finally borne fruit ! 

And at that very moment … Yes dear intelligent and smart reader , you guessed right ! Nidradevi , claimed her moment of Laxmans surrender !

 In a twinkling of a nano second , Laxmans  beautiful lotus shaped shining eyes went droopy and were gently  shut down  , overpowered by a deep Overpowering sleep ! The magical coronation moment was not for him to see !

In a flash Laxman realised the cruel revengeful act of Nidradevi and in that very very brief moment, before totally conking off ,  he could not help but laugh derisively , mockingly , bitterly  at Nidradevi’s act !

Due to his sleep however, he did not notice that his laugh was picked up and relayed,  amplified and magnified all over the world .

Queen Sita thought that the laughter was directed at her. Had she listened to Laxman, and not sent him in search of Rama , and not crossed the Laxman boundary / rekha, all the further travails would have been avoided .

Queen Kaikeyi was sure the Mocking bitter laugh  was meant for her . Was she not the root cause of all the calamities that befell the Royal couple during exile ? 

Prince Bharat thought , Accursed am I who stayed in Ayodhya ruling in Rama’s place . I should have definitely gone with him into exile too ! 

All the people of Ayodhya thought that Laxman was Mocking them for leaving Rama alone to struggle in exile and were now shamelessly rejoicing without any effort or sacrifice on their side .

Thinking thus , each one present at the happy  occasion felt guilty and full of grim grief .

The entire Royal Court full of jubilant joy , had  in an instant ,  suddenly turned into an arena of Deathly , guilt ridden, Sorrowful Silence !

Rama noticed the dramatic change in the Entire mood of the audience and event, and in a Curt terse voice said, ” Laxman ! Will you please explain the meaning of your mocking laughter ?

Jolted awake by Rama’s voice,  Laxman looked around and saw the severely serious and grim  effect his laughter directed at Nidradevi’s act had caused on the entire Event .

He at once apologized profusely and explained by narrating the entire story in flashback mode, upto Nidradevi’s revenge at that most sensitive moment ! Everyone was at once  relieved  and happy , and laughed heartily at the style, manner and poise with which Nidradevi had taken her revenge !

The whole atmosphere was once again charged with victorious glee  and the events resumed and proceeded joyfully and happily with no further hindrances !

Jai Shri Ram ! Jai Shri Nidradevi ! 

Moral of the story is :  

Just goes to show that one should never have a tiff with any woman . !

Second lesson : Never avoid or evade Sleep . 

Thus did Nidradevi take her revenge ! And hence did Laxman laugh ! 

Aamchi goshta akhud , Tumchya paathi laakud ! 

Aamchi goshta saro, tumchi pote bharo ! 

May my story be short and simple,

May your kids be born with a dimple ! 

May your days  be sweet and sunny, 

May your kids be fat and funny ! 

• * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Hence did She Banish Him into Exile !

The following is nowhere written in the Original Ramayana .

However I do remember reading in one of its many versions , that before the advent of Lord Vishnu as King  Rama , the script was pre written in the Heaven s. Different Gods and deities too wanted to enact a part in this immortal worldly drama of King Rama .

Lord Brahma, with his three wives , Goddess Brahmani, Goddess Gayatri , and Goddess Saraswati were chosen to be cast as King Dashratha and his three Queens Kausalya, Soumitra, and Kaikeyi respectively .

It was pre decided , that Rama was to go into the jungles , where Sita would be kidnapped by the evil Ravana,  and eventually Rama would kill Ravana in the ensuing rescue operation .

Everything initially went according to plan . King Dashratha was a benevolent King and was in good health and had plenty of years left to rule as a King before retirement . Prince Rama too was newly married and enjoying domestic bliss .

According to one version of the script, the public of Ayodhya were to demand Prince Ramas coronation  as King. Much like modern monarchs,  Not wishing to abdicate, Dashratha was to send Rama into exile, where Ravana would try to kidnap Sita, and be killed immediately . 

However in his worldly role as King Dashratha , as Rama’s doting father, Lord Brahma forgot the original script and in a sudden hasty whim of Filial Love , decided to abdicate as King , and coronate Rama instead .

Overnight, deviating from the Divine script , much before the scheduled event , whole Ayodhya city went joyously crazy in anticipation of Rama’s coronation .

The other Gods in heaven were aghast ! There was no chance now of Rama going into exile and fulfilling his life mission of killing Ravana . Time was running out . Script options were limited . Something had to be done to change the course of events , urgently ! It was a state of emergency for the Gods ! 

Overnight , on the eve before the coronation , the subtle causal bodies of King Dashratha, ( Lord Brahma ) Queen Kausalya,( Goddess Brahmani )  Queen Soumitra ( Goddess Gayatri )  , and Queen Kaikeyi ( Goddess Saraswati )  were summoned to the Heavenly back stage directorial room .

Chaotic cacophonic confusion prevailed !

All the main actors were acting different from the given script ! And that too onstage before a live audience ! Things were going out of the Hands of Lady Destiny , the Original script writer ! Explanations were demanded !

Lord Brahma , now in the physical form as King Dashratha flatly refused to conform to the script and Banish Rama He did not care for any drama director, . His love for Rama was so immense that he would break all the Universal Laws to see him coronated .  

As it is , things had gone out of hand . The coronation was scheduled for the very next day and there was no logical or rational reason for Dashratha to do a volte face or sudden turn around and Banish Rama into exile !

Goddess Brahmani, as Queen Kausalya, the womb mother of Prince Rama was so filled with joy that she had no reason nor opportunity to ask for ,  or seek Rama’s banishment.  

Goddess Gayatri as Queen Sumitra was now the next choice . Maybe she could manipulate events and force King Dashratha The script past tracks record keeper Chitragupt was summoned . Was there any event , any occasion in the past that would allow  Queen Sumitra to do some last minute salvage of the script ? Alas there was none !

Ever the dutiful wife and the doting mother, Queen Sumitra refused to play any role which would antagonise either King Dashratha or Rama.

Both were dear to her .

She was loving to a fault.

Sacrifice and duty were her forte , but of villainous nature, not the slightest cue had she ! 

All glances now turned in despair towards Goddess Saraswati Incarnated as Queen Kaikeyi . Perhaps a wild card, a stray boon, something in her past , would come in handy to rescue the Gods !  The stakes were high

 But would She as Kaikeyi be part of  such a devious scheme ? Would She as Kaikeyi agree to Eternal damnation, ridicule, and insult ? 

She was their final and only hope !

And then addressing that August assembly of Gods ,

 In a soft slow tone , almost musical ,

Filled with pathos, filled with tears,

Thus did the wise Queen Kaikeyi spake, 

” For Eons to come , will I be the branded villain ! 

Eternally exiled from the realms of heaven ! 

Sung along with the glories of Rama shall I be also condemned and cursed !  

The Supremely evil, cruel, malicious step mother ! 

For my villainy outwardly done,  and seen ! 

And yet for the Eternal Glory of my Beloved Rama , 

Redeemer of redeemers ,  

It is but a small price to pay ! 

Indeed it is not a price at all ! 

For I Goddess Saraswati, Divine Knowledge incarnate, 

Beyond all worldly considerations and values, 

Beyond all praise and censure , 

For my dear dear Rama, dearer to me than life itself , 

Such an act shall I agree to enact !

Foolishly by a venomous Manthara

Shall I Goddess Saraswati, knowledge Supreme,

Pretend to be  led astray and swayed.

Pretend to be a selfish extracting wife , Who drove her husband to death and a family to disaster ! 

Shall stubbornly, rigidly , firmly insist!  On fulfillment of a foolish , forgotten boon 

Shall use all feminine Wiles and guiles 

And provokingly invoke ancestral glory 

And stupid Male ego, Clannish pride, 

In an oath, in a  promise, in a vow , 

 Given and kept , 

No matter what the vow is worth , No matter what havoc it  creates 

Shall invoke Egoistical Harishchandras pride 

Of  his rigid honesty,  at the cost of his wife and life of his child .. 

Just so my Rama , my dear dear Rama, 

Breath of my life, my very Soul , 

Shall I Banish Him to exile into deep deadly  jungles 

Knowing fully well , that sweet lovely Sita, 

The cynosure of my eyes,

Whose tinkling laughter and loving nature

Has endeared her to one and all ! 

Who Is but a beloved daughter to me,  which never from my womb I had ,

Only because, Only so that, 

Rama’s wife Sita could be  !  

Knowing fully well my tender daughter , my Sita ! 

Shall follow Rama too,  deep into the Jungle ,

Not as a wifely duty , but because of her love Sublime 

For my Rama, my dear dear Rama ! 

What travails my daughter shall have to face , shall undergo 

Due to this one heinous act of mine ! 

No escape route to Divine Detachment thru Death , 

 No exit into Heavenly witness , (1)

An Observer status

Like that granted

to Lord Brahma as King Dashratha !

With human eyes shall I observe , the result that  my boon deserves . 

At every step you both shall step ,  My trembling heart shall suffer too ! 

Shall share the sorrow and the torment , and yet outwardly show, 

A facade of humanly ignorance ! 

O Lord grant me strength , grant me courage to do this brave , heinous act , and Banish You into Exile with a mere Boon ! 

And grant me life long enough , that I may see the completion , the successful fulfillment of my boon  ,

To see the victory, the Glory,  of your Divine Deeds,

Culminating in your Coronation ! 

So long foretold ,  so  eagerly awaited , 

Culminating in your coronation ! 

 End . of Queen Kaikeyi’s soliloquy .

All the gods rejoiced that finally Goddess Saraswati had agreed to fulfill the Divine script and after due Obeisances, all the causal subtle bodies of  Lord Brahma, Goddesses Brahmani, Gayatri and Saraswati ,  returned to their respective human physical bodies.

Soon thereafter , the maid Manthara entered Queen Kaikeyi’s bedroom to inform and incite her against the coronation .

The rest that followed, is legend . 

( Authors note : this story is adapted from a Marathi play … Dhadile ka Rama la  tine vani ( why she banished him into exile ) But the whole poem of Kaikeyi’s soliloquy is my own composition .. Parag Raje . )

(1)  I refer in these  lyrics to King Dashratha s death soon after Rama’s  Exile . The grief of separation from Rama, which  King Dashratha suffered as  his father ,  was a bit less when after his death he reverted to his true form as  Lord Brahma and knew the true form of Rama as Lord Vishnu ) 

* * * * * * * * * * 

” Kundalini Yoga ” in brief

This blog page is dedicated to H.H. Shri Mataji Nirmala devi who was undoubtedly an incarnation of the highest order and who gave the intensely difficult to achieve experience of Kundalini awakening and the resulting Samadhi to millions all over the world .

It’s a debt of gratitude I owe to Her

So with pranams to Her , and seeking Her blessings that maximum people be benefitted by this page , I give below Kundalini Yoga, as briefly as possible .

From time immemorial, Sages and enlightened Masters from all over the world have spoken of a certain ” Divine energy ” within all of us. Perhaps, the labels may be different, but on a slightly closer scrutiny, we realise that they all are speaking of the same ” thing “

So it may be referred to as Kundalini by Saint Nyaneswar, or Rooh by the Sufis, or Holy spirit in the Bible, or Tao in Chinese,  the list of labels is endless .

Going beyond the labels, can we know briefly what this energy is ?

And how can we decide it’s signals, or understand it’s Divine language ?

Luckily, at different ages, Seers have experienced this energy and given a description about it or brief guidelines .

Of course, some have scared us beyond imagination about it, or ridiculed those practicing kundalini yoga , or outright dismissed it as a   mumbo jumbo pseudo science.

The truth, as they say, always lies in between 

The more interested seekers  can refer to more detailed notes on this topic on google, for the theory part, or go to living Masters for practical experience and study .

So the basic information in brief :

The Kundalini energy enters the embryo or foetus in the mothers womb, at around 3 months, thru the fontanelle bone area at the top of the head, and travelling down the spine it resides dormant  in the sacrum bone of every human being .

It  lies dormant, waiting to awaken the seeker into higher realms of consciousness at the right Opportune Moment or time .

It reawakens  by the active blessings and ” Shakti paath ” ( transfer of energy )  of an incarnation authorized and competent to do so . 

The kundalini energy operates in the subtle and gross human body thru 3 nerve channels and Power or energy  centres or chakras .  

Naadis ( Nerve Channels )

Left nerve Channel ( Chandra Naadi )

Qualities, Functions : Past thoughts, Anti clockwise direction , Emotions, feelings, Memories . 

Malfunctioning effects : Depression, lethargy, Self destructive thoughts and base desires , brooding, 

Right Nerve Channel ( Surya Naadi )

Qualities ,  Functions: Actions,  Planning, Goal oriented, Organising, thoughts about the future, Clockwise direction of movement , 

Malfunctioning effects : Megalomania, Cruelty, Dictatorial behavior , Hyperactive .

Central Channel ( Sushumna ) : Present alertness , Intuitive awareness, Upwards, spiral movement 

Qualities, Functions  : Working in a harmonious bio Rhythmic Flow , Spiritual and worldly ascent,  Redeemer and Counsellor . 

Malfunctioning : Slipping into Ego or Supra Consciousness

Attached to these nerve channels are power or energy centres somewhat comparable to rechargeable batteries . They correspond to the various endocrinal glands in our body . 

Chakra name : Mooladhar 

Principle, Qualities, Functions, : Excretion, Reproduction, Innocence, Chastity, Wisdom, Hygiene , Immunity 

Malfunctioning effects : Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Immorality, Overpowering. Insatiable lust 

Chakra name : Swadhishthana 

Principle s, Qualities , Functions : Imagination, fantasy, Creativity, Focussed attention, Concentration, Originality, Flexibility, Aesthetics, Spontaneity, Self respect, 

 Malfunctioning effects : Anger, rigidity, Instability, Irritability, Fanaticism 

Chakra name : Nabhi ( Solar Plexus )

Principle, Qualities, Functions Absorption, Self sustainability , Contentment, Satisfaction,  Prosperity, Generosity, 

Malfunctioning effects : Envy, jealousy, Mean, spiteful nature, Overpowering and Insatiable greed or ambition . Energy and money deficit for the standard of decent living .

Chakra name : Bhavasagar 

Principle, Qualities, Functions : Churning, self discipline, Work prioritisation and time management , Guru tattwa, Independent, 

Malfunctioning effects : Indecisive, irresponsible, weak willed , Manipulative , dependant . 

Chakra name : Anahat ( Heart ) 

Principle, Qualities, Functions . Circulation, of blood, and energy . kindness, bravery, courage , 

Malfunctioning effects : Fear, Self centeredness, Arrogant, 

Chakra name :  Vishuddhi ( Throat ) 

Principle, Qualities, Functions. Collectivity, communication, Detachment, witness state, Diplomacy, tact, graceful, shyness, 

Malfunctioning effects : Bottle neck for emotional outlet, Superiority or inferiority complex, Guilty or culprit feeling 

Chakra name  : Hamsa 

Principle, Qualities, Functions : Filtration, discretion, practicality, common sense

Malfunctioning effects : Irrational, cynical, doubting, nature 

Chakra name : Agnya 

Principle , Qualities, Functions : Forgiveness, humility, calm clear thoughts, open mindedness , logic, reasoning, control, empathy, sympathy, understanding nature, attitude , perception, equanimity. Thoughtless, choiceless and Doubtless awareness 

Malfunctioning effects : Ego, doubting, suspicious nature, Schizophrenia, paranoia, destructive, confused illogical thoughts, constant mind chatter . 

Chakra name :  Sahasrar 

Principle,  Qualities, Functions : Overall integration of all chakras , overall personality, testing and functioning of all chakras simultaneously and smoothly, Union with the All Pervading energy knowingly . 

Malfunctioning effects : Egoistical or depressive negative personalities.

Through regular meditation , by our own attention energy, more and more strands or filaments of the kundalini energy rise to re-emerge out from the fontanelle bone area and unite with the Cosmic consciousness. This is an evolutionary ascension process of all human beings . 

This is the concise information, happy meditation ! 

 

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Jai Shri Yama !

Yama in the Hindu pantheon of Gods is the God of death . Well I think he is the most impartial and yet forsaken God . Never seen a temple in his honor. So presuming that the queue of devotees will be the shortest,  and my prayers will be answered much faster, and a greater number of boons granted ,( considering the scarcity of boon asking devotees in his office ,  there must be a lot of budgeted boons with their quota  sanctioned but unutilized before year ending  )  

I have hence  decided to approach him in this blog section :

So dear Lord Yama, just as you blessed young Nachiketa with enlightenment and divulged the mystery of  life and death , bless me and the reader with the enlightenment which is beyond all words …

Organised religion or spirituality is as poisonous and kills the very purpose they seek to propagate.. … I have hence been deeply influenced by Jiddu Krishnamurti and U G Krishnamurti two great enlightened souls.    I have already paid homage to these Buddhas of the Modern world, and  given in my earlier blog posts,  some of their quotes. Hopefully these quotes may serve as a ready reference guide to a confused or misled  seeker….

It was only after reading and understanding these two Buddhas that I could flirt with other great enlightened souls and enjoy my romance with their ideas. & yet not get swept off my feet into becoming a blind devotee or slave  …for the call of some enlightened souls may prove as treacherous to a seeker  as the Call of the Sirens  and his whole life may be dashed to smithereens !

Of course the script here requires telling the story of the Call of the Sirens for the reader to understand in which context I am referring to them .

( authors note : those who know the story of Ulysses and the singing sirens can skip reading this note ….

Ulysses was a King who participated in the Battle of Troy . On his journey back home, he had many more adventures 

In one of the ship voyages he was advised by his friend ( and perhaps lover )  the beautiful sexy curvaceous witch called  Circe …pronounced as Sirsee…..who. told him of a dangerous shortcut…it passed near the island of sisters called the Sirens who sang so irresistibly melodiously , that sailors were attracted towards them and rendered by their singing, into a zombie like  state,  approached the sisters…..

Upon which these sisters pounced and gobbled them up !

Yes you read correctly…the singing sisters  Devoured, ate, the sweaty,  dirty  sailors up ! Yuck ! What a bizarre taste ! …anyway …

Please no questions or doubts… Story is not written by me, but by Mr Homer ….the great .. So go ask him ! ( ” The Odyessy”  is an epic Greek  poem by Homer and simplified for children by Charles Lamb as ” The adventures of Ulysses ” ) 

Ulysses,  like all adventurous men , wanted to go where no one had been before . And of course to come back safely , unhurt , and emotionally unscarred .

But the Sirens call was so overpoweringly magnetic and irresistibly endearing ( like our spiritual Gurus ) that no one who heard them  could stop himself from  going near them .

And once the poor victim was within their striking range , the Sirens struck , and…  Burrrp… That was a tasty one.. A little more  pepper and ketchup please .

Now the solution to this dangerous desire fulfillment , was known by a friendly wise witch called Circe  ( who I suspect loved Ulysses and they had an affair , but that’s just my Indian mind going wild ! )

There is an interesting geographical note to this story… There are a group of singing rocks …so called because of the sweet sound the wind makes when it passes through the unique cracks in these rocks made by wind and soil erosion.. Yet these rocks are so sharp and the wind force is  so powerful , that they  smash the ships on these very singing rocks , when the ships  venture near …indeed another natural wonder .

But let us not allow geographical mud and soil and stones to stop us from enjoying our story .. ..)

Returning to our main theme …

Circee told him , that he should fill the ears of all his sailors, oarsmen, soldiers with wax so they would not hear the Sirens singing .

Next , Ulysses himself was to be tied both hands and feet,  tightly to a ship post from where he could hear the treacherous Sirens . No soldier or sailor was to obey any of his orders until they passed the danger zone of the Sirens . 

As the ship sailed past the danger zone, Ulysses heard the Sirens . Their call was indeed irresistible and he shouted out to be let free but as everybody else on the ship were deafened by the ear wax , they could not hear his pleas to divert the ship towards the Sirens . 

Finally the Ship sailed safely past the danger zone and the Singing was heard no more .

Ulysses had heard and enjoyed their irresistible and melodious voice and yet survived inevitable death at the hands of the Sirens.  Thanks to the wise beautiful voluptuous, luscious, lovely Circee ( I still suspect  they had something going on between them ..  But who am I to comment ? I don’t pry into private affairs ! But dear reader, what do you think hey ? Wink wink , nudge nudge ) 

This story is to warn a seeker of truth from intoxicating sweet sounding cults and rituals that may entice and entrap you .  I suggest you read many enlightened masters and not be enslaved by any one of them..

.the teaching is important.. Not the teacher.. ( j. Krishnamurti )

And yet it is the bhakti yoga part  of the spiritual syllabus, which prescribes selfless devotion and total surrender,  which, may be dangerous,  treacherous quicksand ! Because when we try to practice it ( bhakti yoga ) in real life, the larger than life personality of these masters , may  have an over powering  intoxicating effect on our reasoning faculty.

So Jnana yoga and karma yoga are equally important.

Incidentally,  I have given on page “Kundalini Yoga  ”  a very brief information about Sahaja yoga as it is a debt I owe to Shri Mataji Nirmala devi .

In keeping with this subject of enlightenment, for the perspective part, or understanding how to take the middle path from two extremes as a way of life, I suggest  hearing a song ( dohaa ) written by Saint kabir

 Saint Kabirs Doha.. Naa main dharmi naa hi adharmi … ( beautifully sung  by Lata Mangeshkar ….in hindi ) 

Na main dharmi , naa hi adharmi ( Neither am I  Righteous , nor Non righteous am I )

Naa mai jati naa kaami ho  ( Neither an ascetic nor  sense pleasure oriented am I )

Naa mai kehtaa naa mai sunta ( Neither do I speak nor do I listen,) 

Naa sevak naa Swami ho, ( Neither a servant nor a master am I) 

Naa mai bandhaa Na mai muktaa ( Neither in bondage , nor liberated am I ) 

Naa mai Birat Na Rangi ho  ( Neither a sad depressed person  nor an over jubilant person am I ) 

Na kahu se nyara hua,   ( I did not isolate or estrange myself from any one, ) 

Na kahu ke Sangi ho  ( Nor did I attach or identify myself with anyone )

Naa hum narak log ko jaate,  ( Neither to hell do I go , )

Naa hum swarag sidhaare ho , ( Nor do I go to Heaven ) 

Sub hi karam hamaara kiyaa ( All these are effects of my actions ) 

Hum karman se Nyara ho  (  And yet the Real me is beyond all effects of my actions  )

Mo ko kahaan dhunde bande, mai to tere paas me ( Where do you search me o friend, I am very near to you.) 

Na mai deval naa mai masjid naa kaabe kailash me  ( Neither in the temple nor in the mosque, neither at Kaaba nor in kailash am I )

Khoji hoi to turait mili ho ( If you search, I shall be found in the turiya state of awareness ) 

Pal bhar ki talaash me ( In a search of just a few moments ) 

Kahe kabir sun Bhai saadho, sab swanson ki swaans me .. ( Says kabir, hear o seeker, the truth lies within the life force ) 

We know that the ancient advanced civilisation s tried to depict in stone the internal science . I saw that the pineal gland when seen from a particular angle , looks very much like the shiva linga in a yoni ( phallic  holy symbol ) The secretion of the various glands, when operating at their healthiest oprimum, is a cool,  dew drops,  menthol like,  energising liquid , which nourishes our brain neurons. This physiological experience, was allegorically told as the Holy Ganges flowing out of the matted hair locks of Shiva.    So somewhere , the ancients tried to depict the pineal gland to highlight it’s importance , and  it eventually ended up being a symbol of worship . But I may be wrong .

In recent times , western thinkers like Sam Harris and others of his type are doing a great job to propagate spirituality without religion.. Neurologists are making unique discoveries about the brain and  it’s neuron pathways . Instant meditation with a simple stimulus to these neurons is achieved by Dr Michael Persingers God helmet !

Will it drive the Spiritual Gurus out of demand ? Will their multi crore international market collapse with these ingenious devices offering enlightenment on demand ?

Will the cleaning of Past and current Life karmas so painfully achieved only  by slaving at the Gurus feet, home, hotels…( oops please read  ashram ) be easily and instantly done at the push of an electronic switch ?

But these devious devils may have many a trick stored up their sleeves .

Repacked spiritually blessed food items, alongwith household knick knacks, to safeguard your body,  home and office, Ayahuasca concoctions, Siddha, Unani and Ayurvedic decoctions , with a heady mix cocktail of chanting,  dancing and singing away to strange beats,  these Master minds have the perfect enlightenment package for all type of seekers .

Undoubtedly they have such magnetic charismatic personalities , that it’s impossible not to be influenced by them . And of course not all are frauds or cheaters . Many are genuinely enlightened.

They definitely operate at a higher frequency than ordinary mortals

So the truth lies, as always ,  somewhere in-between .

In the Golden middle path .

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My Hospital Sojourn ( short stay )

Do we have any post on manners or etiquettes or a handbook of do’s and don’ts for Indians visiting patients at the hospital and later at their Residence ? Without meaning to offend any of my well wishers who very kindly visit me due to my recent illness, and of course not at all a reaction based on that experience , this just written by a post operative bored recuperating patient  to kill  time .

So beginning with the mandatory precautionary disclaimer : All references and characters are totally imaginary, and fictitious, and  an outcome of  a fermented brain of a writer suffering from bed confinement induced indigestion . Any semblance to anyone is by totally accidental coincidence.

So can i pen down my observations with the permission of my snoring  reader ?

There are some mandatory questions a patient must answer once he comes out of sedation .

Observation  number 1)  What answer must the patient give to  the question….. Are itna sub kuch huaa aur mujhe bataya bhi  nahi ? Mujhe to ….. isne bataya ki tu zindaa hai tabhi maalum hua … ( you didn’t inform me after all this happened ? I came to know casually only from xyz very much late )

To the tenth questioner who asks me this I said ” sorry Sir, next time when my chest pains ( or better still , my stomach grumbles ) I will inform you before calling the doctor .!

Why do these people presume that they must be person number one to be informed if we go to a hospital or. conk off ? Is it a sign of any social status upgrade ?

Observation number 2) How did this happen ? In my case I had an infected foot and the toe had to be amputated . To the fifth person who asked me this  I replied.. Well i kicked my own butt and the foot got infected . Such people miss your satire . The next logical question follows ” But don’t you clean your butt ?

And turning to their lady friend they will say , …. Didnt I always tell you he has Steel ….alls ?

And before you can turn crimson red, their angelic lady friend will nod her head and ask … haan bhai saab, aapne ye  keeek  kaise manage kiyaa ? ( how did you manage such a kick  ?

No dear reader i am not rude nor do i exaggerate .

Observation number 3 ) Well intended impractical suggestions . …. You must walk and jog…said one pot bellied well wisher . I feebly  mumbled , ” Doctors have advised not to move the operated foot. ”  They at once pounced on me with their horror stories,  ” xyz did not move his foot, result ? Blood clot! Clot reached brain, xyz dead ! So must jog your feet in bed!

Such reassuring confidence building advice !

Observation number 4) Hospitals are a social club or a chit chat  corner joint ! Indians in particular are enchanted by the hospital atmosphere , which after a few initial moments of reverential silence and soft toned murmur, gets magically transformed into a social club when common friends ( in Facebook language … a shared mutual friend . ) meet at your bed place ! Its almost like a doping joint . All vistors succumb to the social club atmosphere of the hotel, oops, hospital., Which is not a bad thing per se, for the patients do need entertainment of the loud laughter variety .

Observation number 5) The law of subtle pleasure derived when you see someone worse off than you. Hospitals show the deeply hidden evil wicked nature within you. No reassuring words of your friends and doctors help you as much as  seeing another human in greater distress than you are in. It shows that you are still Gods favoured child ( though may be not the most favourite ! )  I got the will to survive and enjoy life when I saw an older man with an amputated foot in a condition more worse than me . It helped me more than all those goody goody life messages and friendly back slaps .

It is somewhat like the solace and joy a student in a class gets when whilst holding the second last rank in the exam, he meets the last ranker ! Its a joy perhaps almost equal to that of the first ranker ! The second last ranker may ave failed the exams, but he is not the last ranker !

Of course, needless to say, the very last ranker in hospitals are beyond joy and sorrow .. for they have left the world school  !

Observation number 6 : Recycling hospital goodies . As Indian conditioning requires us to take some fruits or biscuits to the patient, he is eventually transformed into a fruits or biscuits recycler or distributor .

Observation number 7 : Our physical and mental states are almost out of sync with the hospital head nurse’s requirements .

When you are all tired and sleepy they will pounce on you at an unearthly hour , subject you to a sponge bath, take that daily vampires  dose of blood, inject antibiotics powerful enough to dope a camel And when you feel fresh and preppy, you hear that booming voice calling out …. Bed number 5, don’t over exert … hasn’t the Doctor instructed total bed rest for you ? Its a voice you haven’t heard since school days and strangely similar to “student on bench  number 5, i can see what you are up to !

Observation number 8 ) The longest night . No sir I am not referring to a war movie or jail bird sentenced to the gallows, . It is the night before the day of discharge . After I have resigned myself to the rest of my life in jail, ….oops hospital bed, the doctor utters that magical Akashvani … ” Tomorrow you will be discharged ! Come prepared with all your life savings and after selling off your wife’s mangalsutra to settle the bill.!”

Hallelujah ! There is almost a divine aura surrounding the doctor at such times !

Observation number 9 : The actual day of discharge . Its a surreal experience . You wake up ( or rather you have never slept ) even  before the head nurse awakens  with her  clarion call .. the daily  hospital rituals of sponge bathing, vampire blood letting, injections, take on a deeply mystifying meaning .. associated with karmic laws,. Yes sir , they have a cathartic soul cleansing effect much as the ecstatic effect of the pre nuptial haldi ceremony .

Observation number 10) : The friend who has promised to drive me home encounters the fiercest traffic jam, but arrives only an hour late to take me home . My  wife overcomes the temptation to decamp with my life savings and sacrifices her lifes dream of  a holiday abroad at the hospitals accounts and bill settling altar .

And finally after all the rituals are complete, the discharge card is read out to me ( At this stage I will agree to any damn written word even if it  mandates me to change my religion ! ) and glory of glories ! Those vampire nurses get transformed into heavenly angels ! I almost hear divine music .. and they remove those needle. insertions for intra veinous injections. .. I am  free at last ! I almost get a feeling of ethereal flight !

The ward boys surround me exhibiting great concern at a level never displayed before … my hand willingly and spontaneously reaches to my pocket and parts with some pieces of paper.

The rest of the journey home  is like  trip to Newfoundland . The same sunshine , road, pits, neighbourhood landmarks and societys dozing watchman, all are seen and experienced with a deep intense sensitivity never felt before .

And finally I enter heaven  .. my humble abode, holier than kailash , and more palatial than Buckingham,  I am home !

Observation number 11 : Venue : home . Situation : Compulsory post operative bed rest after hospital discharge . Situation further aggravated by : Visitors at home .

While a hospital guest imposes no host like responsibilities or duties on the patient or his family, post discharge visitors at home are a different story all together .

Indian conditionings  impose on a host a divine duty  of offerings to the guests . I noticed my spouse rushing out in a hurry . I thought it must be for my medicines. Overwhelmed by this rare act of spousely duty I said, ” My medicines can wait . Where are you rushing off to at this unearthly hour ?

She retorted , ” Its not for you , its for the Sharma’s .They are coming now  see u.  I am going to get Rooh Afza ( a sweet cooling drink ) . We cant er tea n this hot summer . Thank God its not your sisters family . She wont go without a whole days meal ! And its the maids day off tomorrow ! Take care of you and also of these heartless in laws ! Its my pot of broken luck ! Whom to blame !

I leave the rest of the histrionics to the readers imagination if not supported by his experience .

Observation number 12: Have you noticed that your spouse is a natural instinctive actress who an put all the professional actresses to shame ? Ranging from Nargis, Nutan and Meena Kumari , to Smita Shabana or Madhuri, its amazing how they  blend multiple talented roles and exhibit their acting prowess in crisis like situations .

Venue : My home after hospital discharge . My spouse has cleaned and sparkled the house on a scale equivalent to that of Diwali minus the decorations. The furnishings are suitably deglamorised to give a non festive look. I spy my spouse in a sari never worn before. ” Did you not say this sari is too dull for any occasion ? ” I venture to ask .

She replied in a huff , Yes it is most suitable today. It is the maids day off, your sister is visiting us today, , its not too flashy . Else your sister will think I do not care about you. … but only my dress. After all this slave work all you get is her taunts !

Husbands can never guess  which innocent question can trigger off a flood of tears ! To redeem the situation, I ask in a confused mental state at my romantic best, ” Then why not wear that white sari .. you look so virginal ! ” She almost blushed and said , ” Oh that is reserved for funeral visits. I would have worn it, but you wouldnt cooperate ! Its my own broken pot of luck ! Whom to blame ? ” The flood of tears which had a brief lull suddenly burst forth again with the force of a tsunami . I almost felt guilty for recovering and turning from hospital and depriving her of the opportune occasion to wear that white sari in which she looks so enchanting !

I suppose I can only give her hope by saying , ” Better luck next time ! . But husbandly prudence acquired by  experience and bred over eons of married life , restrained me from further comments and further histrionics were averted and I finally settled down into post operative domestic bliss !

 

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On the Rocks! Blasphemy !

 

 

Sacrilegous !

The author does not subscribe to any of the views expressed in the following posts . They are written sheerly to see if a jumbled combination of random words make any sense . Mostly they are the result of garbled words wrongly  typed  due to sticky keyboard keys . If the reader makes any sense out of these words, it is more appropriate to attribute it to his wild imagination rather than to the  poor helpless ignorant typist . 

This disclaimer is given to save me from any type of retribution from a vengeful  God or any of his self appointed agents who are more sensitive and active  . 

Should any reader ( by jove ! What a conceited expectation ! To presume this blog page will have a reader ! )  be even remotely  distressed even a teeny weeny bit by this page, I humbly go down  on my arthritic painful knees and beg with shivering clasped hands for forgiveness and offer my unconditional apologies . And pray they spare my life ! 

With these ample preventive precautionary measures, let me check what my shaky  trembling  fingers may have typed  in an amnesia prone epileptic fit . 

On the rocks peg number 1 : The topic arose on the occasion of world environment day . Which is the most environmentally beneficial way to dispose off dead human corpses  taking into account local constraints or availability of fuel and land ?

How can we approach this subject in a neutral detached way, to benefit the earth , and without being swayed or influenced by the intervention of religious sentiments and beleifs ? 

One person bit by a rabies infected dog and having a name and face similar to mine,  suggested that the best contribution towards nature comes from a particular community ( which i fear  is now alas almost on the verge of extinction ) who leave their corpses to be dealt with , by  natures scavengers being a particular highly  evolved and specialised species of bird. 

This highly evolved and enlightened community of humankind does not burn wood or use preciously scarce land for cemeteries . They very wisely  recycle the bodies into nature using our brethren of the winged variety as a medium to do so . Supremely successful symbiotic relationships ! 

On the rocks peg number 2:

 There was a news item that somewhere in south India, due to the severe drought , a particular river revealed its river bed stones after many centuries  . There were hundreds of beautifully carved Shiva lingams and of Nandi, his favourite bull . ( Of course a photo would be more eloquent here ) Almost all the viewers  made obeisances to those photos as a miracle of nature. But the point a crazy viewer made was different . Let me quote him : 

Wished to comment on those Shiva lingam stones with Nandi carved on them, revealed when the stream waters receded in summer . In India we do look at every such phenomenon as a divine signature , and then of course religion creeps in , with all the rest of the muck. But has any archaeological team in a tie up with geologists or scientists tried to unravel the mystery or reason behind such efforts ?

Evidently, a long era ago, the people in that region took pains to carve each stone so that its energy mixed with the flowing water, charging and ionizing it on a huge scale in a most natural and simple way . Has not Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev also created a similar purifying pond with a mercury shiva lingam in his spiritual meditation centre at Bangalore ?

So rather than just going into a blindly ecstatic devotional frenzy, with the flag of Shaivite Hinduism held high, let us instead unravel and understand such phenomenon with the help of  similar techniques or knowledge given by enlightened masters to guide us.

Just expressing a humble view . As an arm chair intellectual fool, I leave the rest to destiny  to take its own course .

On the rocks peg number 3 :

 Are not these two pegs enough for now ? 

Dear reader,  i beg of you, please dont burn me at any religious  stake . I do not step heavily on tender toes . Nor do I practice witchcraft or sorcery . Please dismiss me as a cranky old misfit with an overdose of alcohol.

 

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