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. 

    

Growing With Faith

Since 1998, I wanted to visit one of our Jain shrines called Houmbuj which is located in Karanataka. Houmbaj is located in Shimoga district which is 7 hours away from Bangalore and 3 hours away from Hubbli.
In 12th century B.C.Houmbuj was one of the biggest cities of ancient India which was then known as Paromprush. The queen of the city, Rani Chetawati made Panchvasdi which mean 5 temples in one campus of the 5 Jain Teerthankars which are Adinath, Ajitnath, Shantinath, Parashnath and Mahavir swami.


This temple is now, preserved by The Archeological Department of India. Apart from these temples, the main temple near Panchvasdi is Bhagwan Parasnath and Ma Padmavati temple which is visited by many devotees each month.


I worship Ma Padmavati  not because my parents asked me to worship Ma but my faith in Ma Padmavati bloomed after my many personal experiences through which I felt the presence and blessings of Ma in my life.
First, my eldest daughter Priyanka wanted to be admitted in one of best colleges of Delhi University which was known for its course in Geography. Priyanka prayed to Ma Padmavati for whole one year. Not only did Priyanka completed her BA and MA but also went to Kentucky University for her PhD.
After 2 year of her Masters in Kentucky, I was again bothered for her marriage. I  looked at  Ma and prayed that once Priyanka get a suitable spouse, I will come to Houmbuj for Ma's darshan.
But after her marriage, I had fallen sick and for 2 years I didn't get the chance to visit the shrine. After my second daughter's and my son's marriage, I was again unable to visit Houmbaj.
Last year I  again fell sick. It was at that time that I made a strong will to go for Ma's darshan. 
And finally got the opportunity to visit Houmbuj with my brother- and sister- in- law along with my son and daughter-in-law.


While entering the temple, I felt the presence of Ma everywhere. The compound of the temple had some of the oldest sculptures of god and goddess. The main temple of the whole complex was of Bhagwan Parasnath with Ma Padmavati. The statues of Bhagwan Parasnath and Ma Padmavati was made out of Black Marble.


The shringar and the garlands enhanced the beauty and power of Ma Padmavati and it seemed as if Ma was sitting in front of us and was smiling. While praying i felt as if Ma was showering her blessings on us.
I have installed in my heart  Ma and Bhagwan Parasnath's idols.