Stories and all! The dog and the Priest

Stories and all! The dog and the Priest

In a certain village lived a holy priest. He was loved and revered by all and sundry. One could see him go around the village from early in the morning to late evening curing people, explaining the word of God and blessing one and all. Everyone felt blessed having him around in their village.

In the same village was a mad dog. No one liked it. Everyone put stones at it. It kept barking and moving around the village on its own. It didn’t bother about anyone.

It was a mad dog. It kept to itself.

But one day for no reason or rhyme that mad dog bite the priest. They shooed the dog and sent it away after hurting it with stones, pelts and sticks. The poor priest was taken to the hospital. Everyone in the village prayed for his recovery and well-being. He survived and he was brought to the village.

There, they found the dog dead. From that day, the priest hung his head down always in shame.

All said “Thank God our priest is safe and that mad dog died”. But the priest knew what happened and he felt ashamed!

(PS : like always contemplate on these stories and come back with your feedback...)

on prayer!

Often I've realised that the pain I suffered was not so much as my prayers not being answered, but that they have been.

It was so for many years. Then i realised that i didn't suffer because my prayers were granted but i asked for what i shouldn't have and need not have.

It was then that I held reiki and God responsible for my suffering as they didn't stop from giving what i asked of them.

Years later, i found that i received all that i asked for and not all that i received i suffered. So why was i pointing fingers at them when i also rejoiced with  what i asked for?

It took years of introspection and sadhan to understand that i didn't know to ask. And then i changed my prayers to "Teach me to pray" and then i had less complaints and....

then i prayed "Teach me to have faith in you and accept all that you give me with a cheer"....now i suffer less......

let's see what this holds for me now.......

http://kantipadam.blogspot.in/search?q=pray

Me, My Guru – on being hurt and hurting

Me, My Guru – on being hurt and hurting

Contd.....

I sat head bent for how long in don’t know. The difference between her and me was just this – in an incident I looked at the other to find fault and protect self from being hurt, she looked within and corrected areas of her weakness, if any. No doubt, years of this practice has made her what she is and I was where I was! We

both had same chance but one used to question the rage that rose within and the other justified the rage that rose within! I held others responsible for my happiness and hence was angry, hurt, frustrated when they behaved contrary to my expectations. She held herself responsible for her pain and suffering and worked on her conditioning, attachments and attachments every time she was hurt.

I was working towards ‘creating my hell’ and she was labouring towards ‘her heaven’. I died thousand times in my hell.

And she died to be in her heaven.

Both were working incessantly. It’s just that results were different.

It’s true that hard work gives success. But if hard work is not in the right direction then the results can never be right!

Every hard work can't give 'right results'.....

Concluded.....

related posts : https://kantipadam.blogspot.in/search?q=faults

Me, My Guru – on being hurt and hurting

Me, My Guru – on being hurt and hurting

“Guruji, what do you do when you are hurt? Why do you keep it to yourself when others hurt you? Don’t you feel like lashing out on them?” asked me being really angry on someone in my life. I had complained about others couple of times and she had given answers that made me look either stupid or wrong. So this time I chose the different path to bring out an answer that cooled my senses. I asked her to explain her stand. Little did I expect her to start a story there?

“Once a woman who had committed adultery was brought out in public place and everyone who had gathered there were to stone her to death. That was the punishment meted on such ‘woman who had committed adultery’ in those days in those tribal clans. Just then Jesus Christ intervened and sought an explanation for the whole commotion. When he was explained the situation and the punishment, he said “Let one who has never sinned throw the first stone at this woman”.

One by one they left and the woman was spared of that gruesome punishment. Jesus looked around and asked “has no one condemned you?” to which that woman said “no one has” and then he replied “neither do I. Go forth and live a sinless life”.

I can hold others responsible for their acts the day I don’t commit any sin – be it even anger even in my thoughts!” saying so my Guru left.

Contd.....

also read : https://kantipadam.blogspot.in/search?q=sin

Remember – Christina Rossetti

      Remember – Christina Rossetti

              Remember me when I am gone away, 

         Gone far away into the silent land; 

         When you can no more hold me by the hand, 

         Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay. 

         Remember me when no more day by day 

         You tell me of our future that you plann'd: 

         Only remember me; you understand 

         It will be late to counsel then or pray. 

         Yet if you should forget me for a while 

         And afterwards remember, do not grieve: 

         For if the darkness and corruption leave 

         A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, 

         Better by far you should forget and smile 

         Than that you should remember and be sad.

If for any reason, if any of you want this or any poem to be explained please let me know and i'll do the needful......

also read : https://kantipadam.blogspot.in/search?q=road+not+taken

On guru!

Guru is to be believed blindly. But all whom you follow blindly and call “Guru” don’t become a Guru!

Avunu Nizam.....

Contd.....

Avunu Nizam.....

***This is the story I remember reading as a kid, so can’t be sure where and when. It may or may not be from Bhagavatam too...All the stories that I tell come mainly from my memory bank only......I used to read all and sundry books. All mythology is exposed to various interpretations and insertions called as ‘anecdotes’ in its various versions, like Ramayana has many views and short stories in various languages. Having read most of them I take the stories for their meaning and usefulness rather than their authenticity. Because, for me, at the end of the day, these are just tools that help me to outgrow my weaknesses. They teach me! They inspire me to be that ‘superhuman’ – the possibility which is in each one of us and which Aurobindo dreamt of for the entire world...I am glad I am a Hindu – A soul who’s wrapped in human body in pursuit of Truth and in realization of it. And that Truth is what no religion of the world can deny – “that the Man is made in the image of God”. Since all religions and Scriptures hold it good, it must be ‘True’. Then how come I don’t see Him when I see myself in the mirror? All I see is the mass of flesh that is desperate, fearing, seeking love, safety and happiness and miserable. Where is the glory of God? I just want to see that. I just want to experience that. I want to be that. And if that be my goal, I can’t sit to argue for or against the parts of any Scripture or holy mens’ lives. That is the temptation that is set by ‘satan’ as some part of the world would like to believe. For me that is my lower nature stopping me from crossing over to the other side of my possibility. If Scriptures and God are to be protected by a puny creature like me then I am sorry, I think the God that I am seeking and believing in is different from the God you are trying to protect. The God doesn’t need alibis like you and me to protect me or propagate about Him. If He can’t protect Himself, how can I expect that God to protect me and from what? Even if the whole world comes to an end, He stays on. So who are we defending and for what purpose?

Just take the gist of stories and anecdotes and leave the authenticity to the people who enjoy proving themselves right and others wrong...

Every story can be told in million ways depending on who is telling it and for what reason!

Concluded.....

Avunu Nizam....

Contd.....

Avunu Nizam - on dogs and pigs...

There are 2 ways we can take this story and it’s moral.

The one who is comfortable with his vices and enjoying his passions would say “Who are we to overcome Maya if even Mahavishnu was bound by it?” and then go back to their self destructing way of thinking, acting and living.

The other, who’s understood the futility and impermanence of life, says “Maya is so powerful that it could cloud Vishnu also for a set period of time. Then what of me – a simple soul wrapped in this mortal body. I should work more on sadhan and be in sadhan with much more regularity as the chances of me faltering are so many. I need to be ever alert and hang on to Him because only His Grace can save me from faltering”. This man works on his vices without giving any excuse for their need or use and rises up to his Divine potential.

You are what you read!

Tagore summed up the same nature beautifully in his Nobel winning poem Gitanjali

“....I know that priceless wealth is in thee,

But I do not have the heart to leave the tinsel that fills my room....”

Meaning, inspite of knowing that He is the Be All of all the Wealth of this Universe and ONLY thing worth knowing, pursuing, loving and wanting and desiring, we are ever attracted to and tempted to pursue the routine of this life and its existential requirements...

Divinity is the possibility.

Just commit yourself to one, reach out your hand and realise it. You don’t have to leave your life and run to Himalayas to do this. As you are wading and working through your materialistic life also cater to your inner self. Work on various techniques taught to overcome your weakness. Don’t use Reiki only to get things of this world....Reiki should be a tool to free you from the wants of this world – ultimately. If not completely atleast minimise the needs and wants of your life....and don’t expect others to work out this miracle for you. You owe this to yourself.

“Arise, awake and rest not till the goal is reached...” – Upanishad!

Contd.....

Avunu Nizam....

Contd.....

Avunu Nizam - telugu poem....

There is a saying in telugu language that says “పందిని తీసుకొని సింహాసనం మీద కూర్చో పెడితే అదీ మళ్ళి మురికి లోకే వెళుతోంది". These lines or saying always fascinated me since as a kid. Why would someone anoint ‘pit’ as a king? Because the saying says “even if the pig is offered kingship it would rush to live in its shit-hole or dirty muddy pool”. Many years later I came across a beautiful story. I think it is part of Bhagavatam***. Mahavishnu took Avatar as a ‘wild boar’ – Varaha avatar to kill demon called Hiranyakshaka – brother of demon king Hiranyakashyap – father of Prahlad, having killed the demon and his Avatar purpose fulfilled “the Varaha avatar” goes into forest. There he sees other boars enjoying in pile of waste. Identifying himself as one among them ‘Mahavishnu’ too starts enjoying their life-style. This carries on for years and the Gods become tensed as the world without its sustainer – Vishnu is very chaotic. So they chose King of Gods – Indra to go and plead Vishnu to come back. Lord Indra agrees and meets Mahavishnu who has forgotten his real self and come to think himself as ‘pig’ and enjoying their life-style. Indra tried explaining and finding all his talks going waste thought of tempting Vishnu with a promise to take him to heaven. He explains the beauty of heaven assuming Vishnu would be tempted to go with them. But the Lord thought for a while and asked “Will there be shit in heaven?” to which Indra said ‘no’ with a disgust and sweetly Vishnu as pig answered ‘then how is that place more enjoyable than this?’ and went back to his playing in that mud.

There are 2 ways we can take this story and it’s moral.

Contd.....

https://kantipadam.blogspot.in/search?q=enjoying+the+suffering

Telugu poem - Mahakavi Sri Sri - Avunu Nizam

On pigs and dogs....

This is in connection with the link given below -
https://kantipadam.blogspot.in/search?q=avunu+nizam

Dogs, fox and pigs are such of animals that feed on leftovers of others – on the carcass and shit. (read related post on dog to understand the uselessness of its busy life....) Their utility to others or society seems almost nil (sorry dog lovers but as per poet dogs on street here symbolize a life led pursuing all and sundry in short a senseless, useless life though shown and projected as very busy life...). Yes, in the larger picture of world and eco-system they do have their purpose. Every teeny tiny organism has a purpose and role to play in the balance of eco-system. That’s the plan of the Creator and it can’t have any unnecessary ‘thing’ here without a purpose. But a man’s life is

much more precious than these animals. It is gotten after crossing more than 86,400 lives as various life-forms as per Vedic philosophy. To a person who is not conversant with it or not in acceptance of it, well there is ‘theory of evolution’ that says life started as unicellular and passed through various stages of life forms like aquatic, amphibian, reptiles, aves or birds and finally to mammals and human life is the ultimate stage of mammal life forms. Even to this theory man would be ‘a great deal’ of nature’s work. And that work goes down the drain if it is lived like these beasts. That is the meaning of this verse (highlighted in the link ..)

Dogs in streets and pigs frolicking in shit symbolize a man leading a life pursuing his existence just to make his ends meet as these animals also do the same at the end of the day. They eat, sleep, procreate, shit, eat, sleep....Earning our livelihood, raising a family and finally meeting our end is no different from this animals in any way.

Humans are to be socially conscious and having higher goals of living for the society at large. This is what the poet conveys in ‘these lines’.

Contd.....

https://kantipadam.blogspot.in/search?q=me,+my+guru-stories+and+all-the+dog+on+the+road

On Truth!

On Truth!

Agreed that the Truth triumphs at the end..
but all that triumphs is not the Truth!

Poems - Telugu poems by Kavi Sri Sri

Telugu Poem by Sri Sri....


ఈ జన్మను సద్వినియోగం 
చేసుకోకుండా ,
లేని జన్మను గురించి 
ఆలోచించడం అజ్ఞ్యానం ..... శ్రీ శ్రీ 

Meaning : Instead of utilising this life, to think and plan for unseen life is stupidity....

This clearly is the thought of a 'realist' person. But does that mean that we have to have fun and frolic for there is only this life to live? No. Certainly not. He means that it is better to live in 'now' than be in the dream world dreaming and wanting something to happen in future. ' Now' is not the way a person filled with passion would interpret but a 'now' means that 'now' of the Zen i.e., living in the moment. We postpone being happy because we condition our happiness based on an event or conditions conducive for that. But that 'future' never ever happens. 

As we are working towards our future, we should also enjoy working for the future. That is the 'now' he is talking about! Happiness is not 'in the destination' but 'in the journey'...

Instead of living 'this life' most of the people plan for 'next life' or the life in heaven and work to enjoy a good place in this 'assumed next life ' of their's. The poet says that is stupid. Because, logically too if I am postponing living now to then, then that would be energy generated by me and would end up living that result even in future meaning I'll end up postponing living for ever!

Think about it!

On retirement

Contd....

On retirement

Go read out to blind children or in old age homes. Blind children even need someone to write their exam for them. Go for that!

Just don’t be stuck with your old life style and old way of living and thinking!

Fauja singh aged 100 runs marathon and he started running at the age of 80. Need I say more? He has huge amounts for charity and received lots of recognition in London. Need I say more? Do we need more for an inspiration?

Look at Zohra Sehgal. She was Ash’s dadi in ‘Hum dil de chuke sanam’ film. She worked till her last breath well beyond 90. After certain limit money just becomes a number. No, don’t work for it. As we grow old, our needs and wants should go down and so should our expenses but our zeal to give back to society should go up.

Japanese Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara -105, who is pioneer who read and preached about aging and longevity says his secret for active and healthy long life is he even now goes on round in the hospital and gives lectures and works nearly 5hrs daily. He restricts his diet to minimal and the warmth that he receives from his patients’ keeps him motivated enough to get up from the bed looking forward to one more day in his life.

Let these people be your role model. Remember the golden rule that applies to both body and mind. “Use it or lose it”

So, more you stay active, more fit you would be. And active doesn’t mean you tell your youth stories to every person who crosses your path. They may listen to you out of respect for your age (and yes still this is seen and followed in Eastern culture) but would avoid you by all means next time.

People should be longing for your company. Look at Amitabh Bachan, Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara, Late Dr. Stephen Hawking.

Retire from life that runs around the clock to just earn your livelihood. Instead start living life to its fullest by bringing meaning into it as your age...

Retire from a need to ‘reach a target’ and get ‘good appraisal’ and instead live life to the fullest!

Rest a while if need be but never retire!

concluded.....

http://kantipadam.blogspot.in/search?q=mundane+routine

http://kantipadam.blogspot.in/search?q=role+models

just a request!

Don't give links of any videos or sites here.........this is not a newschannel........

On retirement

Contd....

On retirement

Plan as if you are to live hundred years and live as if today is your last day of your life!

This applies both to your working years and retirement years. While you are working don’t forget to live your life. Never forget to play with your kid. Watch sunsets as many times as possible. Stand and listen to birds sing early in the morning. Take time to call your dear ones regularly. We work to live life comfortably and fully. But if our livelihood becomes the ‘be all of our existence’ and savings the only goal worth working for, then we would be left with fat bank balance and years lost in drudgery. And the pity being that bank balance goes to either some doctor or to some kith and kin who is to blow it off without having to work for it! Think about it! Is it worth it?

So live your life. Don’t live so that others get to blow up your money! Then what do we do? First work is a way to earn your livelihood. Remember that! It is not the purpose of your life. This is the case with majority of people. To the few who know good, their work itself is their passion and purpose of life. They never work and they enjoy their work and hence treat it as play and maybe that’s why they never tire inspite of working for 18-20 hrs/day.

For others, live your life as you also save for your tomorrow. Next important task is to develop a hobby for retirement. Never, I repeat, never ever plan to while away your time sitting idle or doing mundane routine. As you live your days, set aside atleast 10-15mts day/week to think about your passion, talent, expertise or anything that you can put to good use after retirement. It can be as simple as teaching to kids or reading. Fine! Then look for avenues to teach kids after retirement. Join Teach India or any NGO near your place or just walk into any govt. School or orphanage and ask if they need a teacher. You’ll certainly not be insulted – for sure! At the most they may say “we don’t need one now”. You can do all this for free as you would’ve earned enough through the years. Else, charge nominal or go to some play school and earn good money. You can also give tuitions at home. The scope is so much. This is just one suggestion. You chose your area of work and pleasure. Please put your expertise, knowhow to good use. You’ll feel satisfied. Five stars to your self esteem and worthiness.

Contd....

http://kantipadam.blogspot.in/search?q=different+shades+of+gratitude

On Retirement

On Retirement

Contd.....

Check out the following qualities, words, characters which are important to you/most essential for your mental well-being...

Health

Enthusiasm and zest for life

Passion

Satisfaction 

Self esteem

Being worthy

Usefulness

Independent

Confidence

Applaud and recognition

Being active and energetic

experiencing childlike joy

If none of the above matters to you, skip this article and wait for next post.

But if even 3 of the above matters to you, then you need to hold on to these qualities as below –

Reinvent self

Use your experience and tap your talents to put it in use and in as many areas as possible.

Forget laziness or never dream of lazing around

And when all this is done you maintain your dignity even at ripe old age a la’ Amitji. Being busy doesn’t include being actively busy in gossiping circles or attending family functions. Infact, these are the areas to be avoided if you want to be young at heart. Think Amitabh Bachan and if you want to be like him at 75, young, enthusiastic, active, reinventing self yet maintain his dignity, playing his age yet with grace that commands respect, one who works and enjoys it in all its shade and to whom now money is just the by-product of his work and is less effected and stressed out for his success.

Does that mean you should end up your life behind some office desk till last breath? That would be a life wasted and not lived.

Plan as if you are to live hundred years and live as if today is your last day of your life!

Contd....

http://kantipadam.blogspot.in/search?q=plan+your+life

On Retirement

On Retirement

Rest a while if need be but never retire!

One common statement that I get to hear often is “I want to relax and enjoy after retirement” or “I’ll do sadhan completely after retirement”. Most of the enjoyments like travelling, vacationing (and yes, vacationing is different from travelling. During vacationing I need not travel but just be away from work and spend time to do things that I love like pursue my hobby etc or spend time with near and dear ones may be just even at one’s own place or catch up on reading, movies and such activities that would unwind me effortlessly thereby making me more productive when I go back to work...) learning or maintaining a hobby etc are all postponed to retirement time, which by the way is very wrong way of planning and living. For one, can you be sure of being alive till then? Next even if you are, what is the chance of you able to pick up your hobby to learn – for eg. Martial arts, painting, dance etc which require physical agility and stamina that may be difficult to come by after retirement. Moreover most of us would be shy of going to learn it then because of being conscious of society. So in more than one way it is better to do them now, I mean learn and pursue the practice than later.

Next important question I would like to address is “What is your idea of Retirement actually?” How do you visualize your days after retirement?

If it is by any degree near to answer like

“I want to sit and relax and enjoy life as I worked hard all through my life”

“I don’t have to rush through life. I can get up leisurely, read newspaper, watch TV, eat, sleep, go for walk and catch up with family and friends.”

“Doing nothing and enjoying one long leisure day” then dear one, you are in for trouble. These are the definitions that spell death toll to our happiness, health and satisfaction.

Contd.....

http://kantipadam.blogspot.in/search?q=purpose+of+life

Simple Truths!

Simple Truths!

Take charge of little moments of your life..
and before you know it, you have taken charge of your entire life!

Poems - by Mahakavi Sri Sri

Sri Sri Avunu Nijam 

ounu nizam, ounu nizam
ounu nizam, nee vanadhi
nee vanadhii, nee vanadhii
nee vanadhii nizam, nizam !

ledhu sukham, ledhu sukham,
ledhu sukham jagathuloo !
brathuku vrudha, chadhuvu vrudha,
kavitha vrudha ! vrudha, vrudha !

manamantha banisalam,
gaanugalam,peenugulam !
venuku dhaga, mundhu dhaga,
kudi yedamala dhagaa, dhagaa !

manadhii oka brathukenaa ?
kukkala vale, nakkala vale !
manadhi oka brathukenaa ?
sandhulaloo pandhula vale !

nizam sumi, nizam sumi,
nee vanadhii nizam sumi !
brathuku chaaya, chadhuvu maaya,
kavitha karakaaya sumi !

ledhu sukham,ledhu rasam
chedhu visham jeevafalam !
jeevafalam chedhu visham,
chedhu visham, chedhu visham !

ounu nizam, ounu nizam,
ounu nizam nee vanadhi!
nee vanadhii, nee vanadhii,
nee vanadhii nizam, nizam !

This is a telugu poem written by great telugu poet Srirangam Srinivasa Rao popularly known as Mahakavi Sri Sri. He was also a lyricist and playright par excellence. He was the first of his kind to break from traditional writing to modern writing in Telugu poetry. He would write about social issues that would move him. His words are still fresh and filled with passion for change to be brought about in this society. He was a revolutionary poet far beyond his times...one of his famous works is 'Mahaprasthanam'...

When I quoted the part of this poem (which is high lighted) it fitted the thought i wanted to express. But on the whole this poem may sound a bit defeatist to the 'new reader'....please don't take it that way. It is the frustration of the poet that comes out so lyrically beautiful to explain the dark truth of reality and to deromanticize the feelings and anger of the youth of 80's...

I am glad some of you listen to even quotes and poems that I recite in class and remember that and ask for it after so much of time having passed too...since it is in english transcript i think i don't need to explain it further...but if you are still not comfortable with this telugu let me know, i'll try to translate it in english and then explain it too....

There is always so much beauty in poetry - be it in any language. Every idea, thought and feel expressed so beautifully and in such less words...if you (any of you) want it or are interested i can post few of the poems that i know and come across as beautiful for you all....