Sanskar

One should value and understand the importance of each moment. It is incorrect to say that there is a limited time period and that we cannot do everything in one day, this is because we have time for each and every thing that we want to indulge in like studying, going out for fun, but for people who belong to us, we find it difficult to take time out for them, and if we don't take care of our loved ones then our future generations would not take care of us. If we become too liberal, then we sow seeds of carefree attitude in our children who would not care to know about our whereabouts. Then if try to impose through coercion the importance of family and love and care, then our children would disparage making them rebellious towards us.  Children our very sensitive like a budding sapling. Let me give you the example of Lord Mahavira. When Lord Mahavira was in the womb of the mother Trishla, then Lord Mahavira as a fetus realized that when He moves in the womb, it creates a discomfort for the mother, thinking this Lord Mahavira ceased His movements. Mother Trishla got worried knowing that the fetus is no longer moving. The growing tensions of the mother led Lord Mahavira to commence His activities in the womb of his mother.  From that time on, Lord Mahavira took a pledge that He would not give any sort of discomforts to His parents and so He took renunciation or 'dheeksha' after the death of His parents. At the age of 28, Lord Mahavira's parents passed away, then for the sake of his brother, Lord Mahavira lived in the palace just as a person lives in a forest. Thus, at the age of 30, Lord Mahavira followed the path of 'dheeksha'.

If we want to give 'sanskar' to our children then we have to guide our children at right age as it is not necessary that if we are good then our children will be good as well.

Control on Speech, Thoughts and Action

"Aisi vaani boloiye, mann ka aapa hoye,
Auran ko seetal kare, aaphun seetal hoye."

According to saints, Control on one's speech is the toughest thing to attain.One of my visit to a temple made me meet a jain monk, who recited a wonderful message giving story which touched my heart.It goes like this.
A boy from a village came to a city to do a course on journalism. He found a place to reside in front of a big bungalow, which belonged to an old cunning lady who was a moneylender. Everyday the boy use to hear her noise from the house.Once he thought that why doesn't God kill her so that I have some peace. Next day he thought that why doesn't people kill her when she's so cunning. While thinking all this, at the back of his mind he always thought that I should not pay attention to all this and should concentrate on my studies.
Once he was in need of some money for his fees for which he went to the lady. She asked something in return of money for which the boy gave his watch which he said costed Rs 500.The lady looked at it and abused him for wrongly quoting the price of watch.The boy seething with anger unknowingly strangled her. He got scared and ran away. The police started investigating the case but did not get any clue. In the mean the boy's conscience didn't allow him to sit calmly and he went to the cop to tell him the truth. He explained to him that how his one thought led to another and then finally made him to kill her. The cop realized the worth of the boy and gave him money for his fees and asked him to forget the incident and always have control on his thoughts and actions.
The moral of the story is that any time one gets any destructive thought, one should immediately put an end to it as it can become food for another destructive thought or an action for which one has to regret throughout  life.

Essence of Bhagavad Geeta

The Geeta teaches us the art of being in totality.Use your actions in attiude of karma yoga,use your feelings in devotion in bhakti yoga,use your intellect for right understanding in jnana yoga and use your being in silence in dhyana yoga.When there is conflict we tend to counter it with conflict.War is conflict and Gita presents a harmony that could lead to inner tuning. The Gita's message is; Create harmony in conflict'.Most difficulties in dealing with conflict arises out of stress and tension.When you are in great tension, don't fight with it, just fiow with it and then see the cause of the tension and handle it.You see there is a sharp distinction between worrying and worrying effectively. The Bhagavat Geeta helps us to tune to our inner pure state and denounce the illusion of security.Life is insecure, so face it courageously, says the Geeta .Clarity, courage, wisdom and resilience  are true security.Learn to draw energy from that state and not illusion.Then you will see the differnce.

Message by Lord Mahavira

Lord Mahavira taught the entire mankind the lesson of Ahimsa or Non-violence with the notion Ahimsa Parmo Dharm or non-violence is the first act to adhere to. Lord Mahavira gave the first importance to Non-violence in His entire life. Once Lord Mahavira was on deep meditation, looking at his calmness and non-violent appearance, Indra Dev, who was the king of Swarg(heaven) according Hindu mythology was mesmerized when he looked at this sight, and gave the verbal praise in front of Saiyam Dev who lived with Indra Dev. Saiyam Dev's pride was hurt when Indra appreciated the calm and composure look of  Lord Mahavira. 


Saiyam Dev took a pledge to break or disturb this camlness of Lord Mahavir. He resorted to a series of physical torture on Lord Mahavira throughout six months. But Lord Mahavira was unperturbed by these acts of Saiyam Dev and continued to be in a state of deep meditation. 
Saiyam Dev surrendered himself to Lord Mahavira and decided to return but when Saiyam Dev turned to see Lord Mahavira's face thinking that He would be glad at his departure, Siayam Dev was shocked when he saw  tears and compassion in the eyes of Lord Mahavira. Saiyam Dev bowed down on his knees and asked the Lord what led Him to feel so for a person who gave so much pain and torture to Him. 


Lord Mahavira told him that when He decided to leave all the comforts and luxurious living of his life, He went with a motto to finish His past births' misdeeds (or karma) through Tapasya. Lord Mahavira said "I was all alone in my path to finish the misdeeds of my past births but you came as a friend in my journey to help me to get rid my past misdeeds......you took the burden of my karma.......but now I am free from some of my past misdeeds but you, my friend have taken the burden of my misdeeds......when you have to suffer because of your misdeeds, the pain and sufferings I have gone through because of your acts, how would you be able to bear with it, brought tears in my eyes."


Hence, one should always keep in mind that if you are intentionally hurting someone, then you are actually helping the other person to get rid off his sufferings but you are taking the load of those misdeeds.        

Inspiration From Aung San Sui Kyi

Aung San Suu Kiyi was fifteen years under house arrest in Myanmar but years of mental torture could nether break her nor dent her courage and mental fortitude to endure all that she went through- plus the trauma of being denied the right to live with her family- needs a certain spiritual courage and deattachment and Aung San Suu Kiyi's Myanmaar Leader of the National League for democracy revealed these trials in plenty. The world has recognised her stoic struggle and moral victory including her nobel peace prize. Her rare combination of intelligence and charm and generous compassion with which she looks at her erstwhile tormentors.

During her captivity, she had busied herself studying and exercising. She occupied herself in meditation, working on her skills in the French and Japanese language and relaxed herself by playing Banch on the piano. This regular practice of meditation helped her withstand her long confinement and separation from family for so many years.

She is recognized as a symbol of moral and spiritual beauty of a pilgrim.  What Rabindranath Tagore once wrote in his poem "I feel beautiful as my mind is free", rightly applies to Aung San Kyi's beauty that knows no fear.

In Buddhism, it is explained that at this core of our being are profound Brahmaviharas or  heavenly realms which are our true nature and they need to be accessed. These are karuna or compassion, upeka or equanimity, mudita or sympathetic joy for others and metta or loving kindness. Buddism tells you to overcome and avoid negative patterns of thought and at the same time, enhance positive thinking to attain a compassionate , balanced and a spiritual outlook for a more fulfilling sense of well-being.

Suu Kyi's own book, Fear of Freedom proposes that dictators are worried more than anything, by the fear of freedom. She refused to enter into combat with her captors on terms of hate, violence and revenge, and managed with compassion and tolerance to keep the spirit of freedom alive, without fear.

This quality of inner and moral beauty, and spiritaulity in its stoic grace, has enhanced Aung's persona today as the international icon of heroic and peaceful resistance in the face of oppression. Truly, she is a democratic pilgrim.

           

Way To Attain Mental Peace

Peace of mind is the most sought after commodity in human life. It appears that most of us are in a state of perpetual restlessness. On analyzing the causes of this restlessness, I have ventures to find for myself ten solutions that need to be followed religiously if we are serious about achieving perfect peace of mind.

1. Do not interfere in other's business:

Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in other's affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic, and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction, our direction.

This kind of attitude on our part denies the existence of individuality  and consequently the existence of god, for god has created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way. All men and women act the way they do because they are prompted to do so by the divine within them. There is god to look after every thing. Why are you bothered? Mind your own business and you will have peace.

2. Forget and Forgive:

This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often nurture ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults or harms us. We forget that the insult or injury was done to us once but by nurturing the grievance we go on excavating the wound forever. Therefore, it is essential that we cultivate the art of forget and forgiving. Believe in the justice of god and the doctrine of karma. Let Him judge the act of the one who insulted you. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forget and forgive and march on.

3. Do not crave for recognition.

This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody without selfish motive. They may praise you today because you are rich and have power but no sooner you are powerless they will forget your achivements and starts criticising you. Moreover no one is perfect than why do you value the words of praise of another mortal like you? Why do you crave for recognition? Believe in yourself. People's praises do not last long. Do your duties ethically and sincerely and leave the rest to god. 

4. Do not be Jealous:

We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. You know you work harder than your colleagues in office but they get promotions in the office and you do not. Should you be jealous? No, remember everybody's life is shaped by previous karma that has now become his destiny. If you are destined     to be rich not all the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere but will only give  you restlessness.

5. Change yourself according to the Environment.

If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you may fail. Instead change yourself to suit the environment.As you do this, even the environment which has remained unfriendly for you, will mysteriously appear to be congenial and harmonious.

6. Endure what cannot be cured:

This is a best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Everyday we face numerous inconvenience, ailments, irritations and accidents that are beyond our control. We must learn to endure them, cheerfully thinking " god will it so, so be it:" God's logic is beyond our comprehensions. Believe it and you will gain in patience, inner strength and in will power.

7. Do not buy more than that you can chew:

This maxim should be always be remembered. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable to carry out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations, spend your free time on prayers, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind, which makes you restless. Fewer of thoughts greater is the peace of mind.

8. Meditate regularly:

Meditation makes the mind thoughtless. This is the highest state of mind. Try and experience it.  If you meditate earnestly for half an hour everyday, rest of the time you will tend to become calm.

This will increase your efficiency and you will turn out more work in less time.

9. Never leave mind vacant:

An empty mind is a devils workshop. All evil deeds start in the mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive and worthwhile. Actively follow your hobby. You must decide what you value more-money or peace of mind.You will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement even if you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or mental chanting of god's name.

10. Do not procrastinate and never regret:

Do not waste time in wondering "should I or shouldn't I". Days, weeks, months and years may be wasted in that futile mental debating. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Always remember god has his own plan too. Value your time and do things. It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can rectify your mistake and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes but do not brood over the past. Do not Regret. Whatever happened was destined to happen that way. Take it as the will of god. You do not have the power to alter the course of go's will. Why Cry?        

These ten commandments for the Peace of Mind by Mr. Diwakar.

Power of Jain Chantings-II

Everyday, I gain knowledge from my Gurus although I also gain awareness through newspaper, books and knowledge-based television programs. If one face problems, then make it a point to wholeheartedly remember your guru, which helps one to come out of the problems. This time when I remembered my guru, I could feel his presence and when I went to Jain temple, I saw that my Guru was there. Whatever Guruji spoke in the Pravachan, it seemed as if Guruji sensed my troubles and spoke on that only. He said that one should have control over whatever one speaks, words can avoid disasters and bring happiness and peace. Yours thoughts determine your words, hence one should be a well-wisher for others. Make your mind and thoughts simple and do not indulge in unnecessary things. Do not have the tendency to collect material things as when time passes by, things which you desire are lost in time. If you do not have a desire for materialistic things , you safe yourself from the grief of loosing things. 


My guru Dr.Rajendra Muni Ji told us a story. Once there lived a wealthy trader. He had to travel to different countries for trading gold and gems. One day, when the trader was about to leave for abroad, people asked him that does he know how to swim. He replied "no". Then, worried relatives and neighbors gave him two empty containers, and said that in case you encounter with problems while traveling, these empty containers will safe you from drowning. Unfortunately, the ship on which he was traveling began to sunk. At that very moment he thought that if these containers could save him, then why not put all his gold and gems in those containers. 


When the traders filled those containers with gold and gems, the containers became heavy, and the trader drowned along with those containers. 


Hence, we can understand that one should keep their mind and thoughts simple, and at peace. This can free us from the complexities of life, if we engage our whole life in collecting and relishing in materialistic things and by expecting too much from our relationships, we drag ourselves back to the struggling world.                   

Power of Jain Chantings

I have a habit of reading something before I go to sleep since childhood, and so even today I keep certain books and reading materials besides my bed. One night, while reading a book, a pamphlet came out of the book which was on Jain chantings. The pamphlet also said that if one reads these mantras before going to bed, one gets eternal peace. I wondered how is it possible? I have an emperical mind so I test what I read.    
Next day, suddenly when I came back after dropping my daughter to the metro station, on the way I saw my Acharya Shiv Muni Ji ,I payed my respect to him, and he blessed me to attend the Dyan Shivir which I could not attend earlier. It was a merical to meet such a dyan yogi who owned a group of 1400 Sadhu and Sadhvis. 
 I again chanted those mantras at night. Next day, I din't go outside my home, suddenly a Jain Sadhu came home for Gocheri and He recited Mangli and blessed me and my mother-in-law who is bed ridden. 
I again chanted those mantras at subsequent nights. One morning when I got up , I had a gut feeling that I should go to temple. I went to my Jain temple where it was written that a Jain sadhu was staying there. I payed my respect to Him and performed Puja in the temple. I felt satisfied and at peace while I was returning home.
I continued to chant those mantras at night and in the morning I received a call from my father. He was very excited and he narrated what happened when the supreme Jain sadhu Acharya Sudha Sagar Maharaj came to our house for his Aharchariya which was great thing for anyone from Jain religion. He gave blessing to each member of our family. This was a very mystical experience.


From that day on, I chant those mantras and daily I gain new experiences which motivate me to reach higher spiritual self.                          

Learn To Love

A young man planted a flower garden ,but when the flowers came up,so did a  great crop of weeds among them.Wishing to eliminate the unwanted guests,the young man consulted gardeners far and wide,but none of their solutions worked.Finally the young man made his way to the palace to seek the wisdom of the royal gardener.But alas, he had already tried out all the methods the kind old man recommeded to hin for eradicating such troublesome weeds.The royal gardener stared at the young man for some time and then said, Well, the only thing I can suggest is that you learn to love them''.

The Sis Ganj Story

Soon after the joyous celebrations for Guru Nanak,comes the sad event of the martyrdomday of Guru Teg Bahadur,the ninth Sikh Guru. It was at the site of the SisGanj Gurdwara in Delhi's Chandni Chowk where the guru was beheaded in 1675.Guru Teg Bahadur had  taken on the mighty Mughals and made the supreme sacrifice of his life to protect the faith and honour of the persecuted and the down trodden. He is called Hind-di-chaddar or sheild of India. The guru was borne in Amritsar in 1621 and named Tyagmal. The name Teg Bahadur,"mighty of sword" was given to him by his father, Guru Hargobind, after he fought with Valour against the Mughals.

Aurangzeb's seized power in 1658 after executing liberal minded brother, Dara Shukoh. Aurangzeb had perceived India as an Islamic Theocracy and sought to convert Hindus to Islam. He decided to begin conversions with the Kashmere Pundits.

In a desperate bit to save their community, Kashmere Pundits led by Pundit Kripa Ram visited Guru Teg Bahadur at Anandpur requesting him to protect their faith. The compassionate Guru heard their request and said "these atrocities can only be stopped with supreme sacrifice of a Mahapurush" and so it was the guru decided to step in knowing fully that he might have to pay with his life. He asked the Kashmere Pundits to tell Aurangzeb that if he could convert guru Teg Bahadur, they would all convert. On hearing this, Aurangzeb had the guru imprisoned and brought to Delhi.

The Mughal first killed his companions captured with him, hoping it would force him into compliance. The Guru witnessed the savagery with Divine calm. When he still could not be persuaded to abandon his faith, he was asked to perform miracle to prove his divinity. The Guru refused and was beheaded at the spot where the Sis Ganj Gurudwara now stands. 

Life

People and situations respond to you differently once your thoughts change. Situations change, people change,  even solid material things change, once you learn to perceive situations differently from what they appear.Most people react , they do not  respond.Response is action.Action is a conscious decision; reaction is an act of impulsiveness.No one can go back and make a brand new start. Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. We indulge in vices not only physically but more often through our minds. Guard against this tendency. So one can turn adversity into advantage through understanding and effort.For life to turn into a great victory,you have to win many small battles along the way.

Kalam's Khazana

As a young citizen of India armed with technology, knowledge and love for mu nation, I realize, small aim is a crime............
I will work and sweat for a great vision, the finish of transforming India into a developed nation powered by economic strength with value system........
I will keep the lamp of knowledge burning to achieve the vision- developed India
                                                       - A.P.J Abdul Kalam"Ignited Minds"   
Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe that i cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it even if I didn't have it in the beginning"
                                                  - Mahatma Gandhi 

A gift from father to daughter

The day after dusshera,  I received a call from my father. He sounded thoroughly excited. He asked me that am i able to hear music from the back. I listened carefully then i could hear drums,  folk songs,bhajans and Ma durga's aarti. My father told me that 20 km away from Shridham, 15 to 20 idols of Ma durga are collectively immersed in the Narmada river.People welcome them from whichever place they are passed. As my father was telling this, i could visualise all these events. Each idol of Ma Durga was crossing in front of our house with loud Sher-kali dance and folk bhajan. When my father called me, that was the time, the idol of Ma durga was being welcomed in our house, people who came with the idol of Ma Durga were having bhog prasad in our house which were prepared by the halwai of the house.
Many idols of Ma Durga were crossing in front of our house and were heading towards the river Narmada. It seemed as if Ma Durga landed on earth to give a glimpse of herself to her devotees. All devotees were busy in Seva of Ma. It seemed as if I was day-dreaming, the emotions with which my father was describing all these events were automatically trasferred to me. It was a kind if revisiting my childhood days.

From this event, I understood that whether it is for god or a human being, it is only through emotions that one can communicate what feelings are going in a person.     
  

Be Mindful of Yesterday, Today and Tommorrow

Do we have likes and dislikes or do likes and dislikes have us? As unconscious beings, lives and dislikes control our lives. Conscious beings are masters of likes and dislikes. When lives and dislikes are under your control, they will serve you.
It is wrong to say that we have to live only in the present. One needs to consider time as past, present and future.  Some people operate from the past, some are future-oriented so they mostly operate from the future and some are present-oriented. To be wise involves balancing the three-time periods...when required you have to take reference from the past or consider the future. Hence balancing time is very essential.
Do not reject the past or the future also do not only live in the past or the future. Learn from the past, enjoy the present and plan for the future. Be present in the past and thereby, learn from the past. Be present in the future,thereby, plan for the future, being alive in the present, you will enjoy the present.


It is said that one of the reasons Hitler lost the war was because he did not learn from the history. He attacked Russia in winter, had he learnt from the past he would have known that Napoleon had lost many of his men by attacking Russia in winter. One can learn from the past as well as from the future, taking care  not to be imprisoned by both. Similarly, while planning for the future do not loose the present and miss the wisdom of the past or the opportunities of the future. Hence one needs to be balanced with reference to time. Decide on your priorities in life. Prioritize your own priorities. Establish your peak performance or time during a day, monitor your low performance time. Do any important task at your peak performance time. 
Do any less important task at your low performance time.


Identify your time wasters, learn to delegate work. Enjoy your work and you will find there a lot of time.
Review your priorities from time to time. We the people who are good at time management. Time will melt into timelessness, use time to go beyond time. We live in two worlds, a world of the mind which is in time, a world beyond time that is timelessness. When we are in sleep or in samadhi,we go beyond time and experience timelessness. One must have the wisdom to use the mind and the wisdom to go beyond the time. In state of deep joy, we are beyond our mind.
Mind is a bundle of thoughts. More than heart-attacks we suffer from thought-attacks.


When thoughts attacks us, we become victims of thought it is like employing someone and then being thrashed by him. You should be master of the mind, rather than  mind being  your master. You should use the mind rather than let the mind use you. The very intention to be master of your mind will give you the wisdom of how to use the mind.


                                                             Discourse by Swami Sukhabodhananda           
                                                                           (From my collections)

How to be Happy?

The real sources of Happiness are:

1. Meditation gives you a new dimension of understanding your own thoughts.

2. We should always try to do actions which not only benefits us but also others.

3. We should try to build social relationship that support intimacy and bounding.

4. Take enjoyment in natural beauty.

5. Aim for inner fulfillment rather than external fulfillment.

6. Try to reduce stress.

7. Learn to love your own company, be creative, try to learn new things, listen music.   

8. Abolish violence and anger.

9. Resolve conflicts, both inner and outer, rather then letting them build up.

10. Cultivate kindness and compassion. Being generous of spirit, learn to share. 

Magic of The Art Of Living

Through my daughter Karnika's persuasion,I joint three days course of The Art Of Living.What I saw there most of the people.,whether young or old were suffering from stress and so,all of them wanted peace and happiness in their lives. Many of them felt a sense of loneliness which was due to lack of connectivity with their own family members and loss of control in their personal lives. While others were unable to cope with their dire circumstances. The biggest message in The Art Of Living is that " Accept the people and the situations as they are, don't change them according to you." This view helps in reducing a person's level of stress. The Art Of Living is like a psychological group therapy  where people come together to share their thoughts, this provide a strong support to them. Sudarshan Kriya, which is taught during the three day course, is in itself a unique practice which help to keep our body and soul fit. Sudarshan Kriya is a combination of pranayam and meditation.The Art Of Living gets involved with your daily habits and you no longer perceive life as mundane. The soothing music and bhajans are the essence of The Art Of Living. After joining the Art of Living, one can never view a problem as a difficult situation because we surrender all our problems to Guruji.  
           

Dev Balram

Balram, son of Vasudev and Rohini and Krishna's elder brother was very attractive and generous. According to Jain scriptures "Harivansh Puran", after Krishna's death, he became Jain monk. Digamber Jain monks live without clothes or in Digamber veish. His place of 'dyan' was Mangey-tungey. It is said that one day he went to a village near Mangey-tungey for ''ahar-chariya'' or "bhiksha". The women of that village were mesmerized when they looked at him. Some of these women were so engrossed in him that instead of putting rope on the pot to fetch the water from the well, they tied the rope around their children. When Baldev saw this, he was disappointed for his own looks. And so, he went back to his mountain where he was in "dyan" and took a pledge not to appear before anyone and so, he sat in such a way so that no one could see his face and as a result one could see only his back. After a very difficult "dyan", he attained his salvation. Till date, we can see the statue of Balram in Mangey-tungey from his backside and not his face.

I wonder, how the golden city of Dwarka turned into ashes and Krishna's death changed Balram's mind that he turned himself from a king to a monk.             

Story of Maangey-Tungey Shrine

There are 24 Tirthankars  in Jain religion. In each part of India there are Jain shrines which has its own ancient story. During my childhood, my mother used to tell me about our Jain teerth sthal or shrines.  I have a hazy memory of Maangey-tungey sthal, yesterday I read about this shrine in a book. Near Nasik, there is a mountain with the height of about 4300 feet. This mountain has two peaks, one is called Maangey and another as Tungi. Around these mountains there is a dense forest where there is a temple of Lord Parasnath. Ram,Sita,Sugreev,Nal.,Neel,Baldev.and many others attained their salvation in this place. It is also said that when Dwarka was in flames, Krishna and Baldev went to this forest, while roaming in the forest Krishna started  feeling thirsty, Baldev asked Krishna to lye down under a tree until he gets water for him. Baldev searched each hook and corner of the forest but could not find water, after a while he saw a cave in which there was a pond. Meanwhile, when Krishna was sleeping under the tree, the lotus signs in his feet were shining like the eyes of a deer. Raja Jaradh Kumar who belonged to the same clan of Krishna, went to the same forest for hunting. Thinking it as the eyes of a deer he shot an arrow which stuck Krishna's feet. When Raja Jaradh realized his mistake , he went to Krishna to apologize. Krishna forgave him and asked him to immediately leave the forest otherwise Baldev would not be able to control his anger and would kill him.
When Baldev reached, Krishna was dead by then. Baldev carried Krishna's dead body on his shoulders and went each place for someone to revive Krishna. When devtas saw this act by Baldev, they reminded Baldev in different ways that it is impossible to bring Krishna back to life. Being in a state of complete sorrow, Baldev performed Krishna's pyre and performed the last rituals for Krishna. Till date Krishna's samadhi is present in Maangey-tungey. Baldev also attained his salvation by being in this place.

It is said that by visiting this shrine, human beings are freed from their sorrows and difficulties which they are facing in their lives.                       

Journey of Joy

Since my younger days, I was always fascinated by train journey. This is because in every journey I experience something new. Last month when I went to Jaipur by train , few medical students boarded the train from Delhi Cantt, they were discussing their exam paper with full excitement. It seemed as if the whole compartment turned into an examination room. As soon as chai walla and samosa and bread pakore walla entered the compartment, within few minutes the seller’s thali was emptied . These young doctors full of energy, made me feel proud. When the train reached Alwar junction I saw locomotive steam engine, which remided me of my childhood.

When I was going to Hubli from delhi by train with my family, the railway junction of each state  reflected its own culture. Like Mathura’s pedhe, dal pakori, Agra ka petha , Gwalior’s sachi milk  etc.

I can never forget Bhusawal junction which is adjoined with the Tapti river from where one could see the huge banana fields. Early morning, when we got down at bhusawal station and I saw local people selling home made dhoklas, pav vadha and bhel puri. Manwadh station hasn’t changed from the past 100 years. We heard a loudspeaker giving information to the guard to wave the green flag. This kind  of communication I have never seen before.  We slowly crossed the small towns of Maharashtra . These places have  preserved their culture from clothing style to their  language.  All the students and service class people got down at Pune because of which our train was almost vacant . We were soon accompanied by some intellectual people.  And all of us were engrossed with discussions on  politics and Anna Hazare’s fast against corruption.  Many of them shared their experiences with us which was a kind of learning experience for me.

After all these unforgettable moments, we finally reached Hubli station. It seemed as if we have landed in a dreamland with drizzling and hills surrounding the station.                    

Journey of Joy

The Hindu saints since the ancient times, made various rituals which provided directions in the lives of the people. For a long period of time, we thought that the festivals, traditions and rituals are the means to pass our time. But later we understood that each festival, traditions and rituals are depended on the seasons. In fact our food,clothing and other small things related to our lifestyle are associated with these traditions. These things not only provide directions to our lives but also happiness, ability to deal with sorrow and also develop our strong social support .

In Hindu religion, there exist a tradition that a married son will take his family members to a shrine. Why was this tradition  made? Because it strengthens the unity of the family and it helped the bride to understand the values of the family in which she is married. The energy of the young adults of the family made the whole family happy.

In our journey to Houmbaj, we saw our children's happiness at each moment which made our journey even more enjoyable.  

We never thought that Karnataka is full of scenic beauties, the river,lakes,hills , paddy fields, enhanced the beauty of Karnataka.. The banana fields, coconut trees and areca nut trees added to the charm of the land. The colorful houses and the temples gave Karnataka a unique look.  We reached Jog fall half wet due to rain. How could we forget the sweet pineapple we had on the roadside, brunch with hot Idli-Sambhar and dosa. and the view of the small village houses. While on our way to the destination, these sights made our trip a priceless experience.