Tu Kitani Achi Hai

Tu kitni achhi hai, tu kitni bholi hai 

You are so good, you are so simple

Pyaari pyaari hai, oh maa oh maa oh maa oh maa 

You are very loveable, oh mom, oh mum

Tu kitni achhi hai, tu kitni bholi hai 

You are so good, you are so simple

Pyaari pyaari hai, oh maa oh maa oh maa oh maa 

You are very loveable, oh mom, oh mum

Ke yeh jo duniya hai, yeh ban hai kaanton ka 

That, the world this is, is a garden of thorns

Tu phulwaari hai, oh maa oh maa oh maa, oh maa 

You are the caretaker, oh dear mum

Dukhne lagi hai maa teri aankhiyaan 

Your eyes are now tired and sore, mum

Mere liye jaagi hai tu, saari saari ratiyaan 

You have been awake for me, all nights

Meri nindiyaan pe, apni nindiyaan bhi 

Tune maari hai, oh maa oh maa oh maa, oh maa 

You have lost your sleep so I could sleep well, oh my dear mum

Apna nahin tujhe, sukh dukh koi 

You don't worry about your happiness and grief

Main muskaaya tu muskaayi, main roya tu royi 

If I smile, you smile, If I cry, you cry

Mere hansne pe, mere rone pe 

Tu balihaari hai, oh maa oh maa oh maa, oh maa 

you give away to my crying and my laughter oh dear mum

Maa bachon ki jaan hoti hai 

A mother is the life of the children

Voh hote hai kismat waale, jinke maa hoti hai 

Those are the fortunate ones, the ones who have mums

Kitni sundar hai, kitni sheetal hai 

so beautiful, so pure- devoid of passion

Nyaari nyaari hai, oh maa oh maa oh maa, oh maa 

so very wonderful!!, oh mum

Tu kitni achhi hai, tu kitni bholi hai 

You are so good, you are so simple

Pyaari pyaari hai, oh maa oh maa oh maa, oh maa 

you are so loveable, oh dear mum

Mother

A son took his old mother to a  restaurant for an evening dinner.   

Mother  being very old and weak, while eating, dropped food on  her saree . 

Others diners watched him in disgust while her son was calm. 

After he finished eating,  her son who was not at all embarrassed, quietly took her to the wash room, wiped the food particles, removed the stains, combed her hair and fitted  her spectacles firmly.  When they came out,  the entire restaurant was watching them in dead silence, not able to grasp how someone could embarrass themselves publicly like that. 

The son settled the bill and started walking out with his mother . 

At that time, an  old man amongst the diners called out to the son and asked him, "Don't you think you have left something behind?".

 

The son replied, "No sir, I haven't".

 

The old man retorted, "Yes, you have! You left a lesson for every son and hope for every mother ".

The restaurant went silent..  Treasure your Mother if alive if not her blessings will be always with you.  Jai Jagadambe Maa...

BETWEEN INSIGHT AND ILLUSION

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INSIGHT AND ILLUSION

Isha Upanishad clearly describes the conditions in which the unity of mankind is directly perceived. By implication, this description separates actual insight from pretence, make-believe or illusion of unity. 

Who but, to all living beings, (यः-तु सर्वाणि भूतानि)

being connected with one’s Self as it were, (आत्मन्य-इव-) 

is towards seeing with the spiritual eye – (अनुपश्यति)

Siva* in living beings, the bad soul (सर्व-भूतेषु च-आत्मानम्)

consequently he does not shun.  (ततो न विजुगुप्सते) [Ish 6]

In whom to all living beings – (यस्मिन्-सर्वाणि भूतानि)

Self really, the Unborn**, both are knowers (आत्म-एव-अभू-द्वि-जानतः), 

There – how delusion [that] soul is sorrow? (तत्र को मोहः कः शोक)

Quality of oneness of man (they) see with the spiritual eye. (एकत्वं-अनु-पश्यतः) (Ish 7) 

NOTE:

*Sarva is translated as Siva (A,Mw,C), since if it were used in meaning of ‘all’, it would have been declined as सर्वेषु with भूतेषु, as in सर्वाणि भूतानि in the first phrase and elsewhere. 

**The ‘Unborn’ (अभू) is Vishnu (A,Mw). To Vishnu belongs Antaratma (Jaabaali Upanishad).

COMMENTS

1. Four conditions are laid out here to identify direct insight:

i) Being connected with one’s Self (आत्मन्य)

ii) Seeing with the spiritual eye (पश् or पश्यति)

iii) The Self gets to be knower  i.e. ego disappears. &

iv) The Unborn also watches through you (आत्म-एव-अभू-द्वि-जानतः).

2. If the unity of mankind is a proclamation of direct knowledge, it carries immense power that goes beyond the mere declaration and words. 

If it only expresses make-believe, pretence or illusion, it will only have the force and effect that words carry.

Pitra Paksh

PITRI PAKSH : 

We all follow Pitri Paksh rituals these days. It is a period of 15 days that falls in the month of Ashwin Krishna paksh - dark fortnight of September  or October. Pitri Paksh  (ancestors' fortnight) or Pitri Shraadh (fortnight of devotion and commitment to ancestors) is a great act. 

SHRAADH :  

Shraadh means Shradhaa, devotion. So, after someone leaves for God abode, the rituals performed by his son / family is known as Shraadh. Shraadh puja consists of 3 main acts : 

1. Pinda vidhi for the ancestors, performed by Brahmans, pandits. 

2. Tarpan - offering water to departed souls. 

3. Daan - donation of food, cloth etc to poor and needy people. 

PINDAA : 

Pinda is an important aspect of Pitri Paksh Puja. Pinda is referred to the body of the ancestors. That's why when we keep Pinda on leaf, we invoke them to take place in it by aavaahan. Many people also call pinda as rice balls. 

PINDA PREPARATION : 

Pinda is a mixture of white & black teel, rice powder, ground rice, water, ganga jal, rose water, itra, sugar, milk, dahi, ghee, honey, flower. Then after it becomes paste, small balls are made. 

PINDAA QUANTITY : 

Pinda balls offered to ancestors vary from family to family. However, the first pinda is for Lord Vishnu. Then come for all the Pitar of that family. Every departed soul is entitled a pinda.  However, the yajmaan in the family may not know all the names of the departed souls. So a pinda is offered to those ancestors who are unknown. They come in sankalpa as Sakool Bhule Bhatke. If ever there are ancestors who died premature death ( suicide, killed, accident ), they also come in Sakool Bhatke pinda. Then the very last  pinda is for Yamraaj, God of death. So, pinda balls are offered to  God in start and end. In between come Pitar pinda. 

TARPAN PREPARATION : 

IN a circular / round stainless bowl, or recipient, fill water mixed with tap water, rose water, ganga jal, black & white teel, dhaan, jaw, milk, dahi, sugar, ghee, honey, 1 betel nut, flower, tulsi leaves. The sankalp of Tarpan water is essential before it is offered to departed souls. Circular / round bowl is used because the world is round. So we offer tarpan to North, South,  East, West directions in the bowl and in centre. This means that wherever the departed soul is in earth or any world, still he accedes the tarpan water. 

HAND POSTURES WHILE OFFERING TARPAN WATER : 

Tarpan is given to 

1. Gods / Goddesses. 

Here, the tarpan water flows over the four fingers of the right hand other than the thumb. 

2. Rishis, Swamis, Enlightened Souls. 

For these saints, Tarpan water flows on the area of the left side of right palm between the wrist and little finger. 

3. Pitris ( Departed souls of family ) :  

Tarpan water flows from the right side of the right palm and thumb of right hand. 

REASON FOR TARPAN : 

"EKAIKASYA TILAIR MISHRAAM STRIM STRINN DADHYAA JALAANJALIM. 

YAAVAJJIVA KRITAAM PAAPAM, TAT KSHANAADEV NASHYATI" . . , 

means, give 3 times tarpan water mixed teel to every Pitra. By doing so, bad karma from birth to  that date is destroyed. 

TARPAN PROCEDURES : 

1. Face south. 

2. If you wear janew, then it must be worn on right shoulder and come under left arm. 

3. Keep a white towel on right shoulder. 

4. Kneel down only on left knee on khush grass. 

5. Offer Tarpan water.  

AUM DURGE RAKSHINYAI NAMAHA. 

Mahantji Rajah Heerah Ji 

Shanti Niketan Street 

Roches Noires 

MAURITIUS

The Donkey

A farmer was taking three of his donkeys for sale to the market.

On the way he saw a river and decided to have a dip.

Since he had only two ropes to tie the donkeys to a tree, he looked around wondering how to tie  the third one.

He saw a sage and sought his help if he could give him a rope to tie the third donkey. The sage did not have a rope but had a suggestion.

He told the farmer, “let the third donkey see you tying the other two donkeys to a tree.  Then  you pretend to tie this one also”.

The farmer did as he was told and went for a dip in the river. Coming back, he thanked the sage and saw that the donkeys stood exactly at the same spot where he had left them.

He untied the two donkeys and patted the third one to start moving. After going a little distance, imagine his surprise when the third donkey stood still at the same spot.

Cajoling, kicking or talking did not help with the donkey, refusing to move from the spot. The farmer went back to sage, who told him, “untie the third donkey”.

“But”, protested the farmer, “I have not tied him”. The sage asked, “You know it. But does the donkey know that?”

Sure enough the farmer went back and pretended to untie the donkey. The donkey moved immediately as though released and walked over to join the other two donkeys.

Moral of the story:

We are all, also tied up by too many  imaginary ropes…… which are really non-existent. The only truth is there are no boundaries in real life and anyone can stretch to any extent. Don’t we all see records being broken, every time, everywhere and every day?

Our mind is a sacred enclosure into which nothing harmful can enter except with our permission. Hence as we go along this day let us see what we can do with our minds. 

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Shiva

Our blissful Lord!

Shiva (Sanskrit: Auspicious One) is one of the main deities of Hinduism that is worshipped as the paramount lord by the Shaivaite sects of India. In Hinduism, Lord Shiva is regarded as the representation of the Supreme Being. He is known as the third element in the Hindu Trinity (Trimurti), the other two members being Lord Brahma - the creator and Lord Vishnu - the protector. Shiva is the destructive form of the Almighty. As the cycle of destruction and recreation is always in a circle, Shiva’s primary responsibility is maintaining the life cycle. Scholars say, as the Mahakaal, Shiva destroys and dissolves everything into nothingness but as Shankara, he also reproduces that which has been destroyed and dissolved. His symbol of Lingam or the phallus represents this reproductive power. 

Lord Shiva is also considered to be the most unique of all Hindu gods and also the God of all. A great ascetic, Shiva is the only godhead who is forever in deep meditation, totally absorbed in contemplation in His abode, Kailaasa Mountain in the great Himalaya. Lord Shiva is also said to be inseparable from Shakti - Parvati the daughter of Himavaan - Haimavati. There is no Shiva without Shakti and no Shakti without Shiva, the two are one - or the absolute state of being.

Shiva is often shown with many faces, as creator, destroyer and preserver in total command of the cosmos. He contains both good and evil. He is moody, free of inhibitions, easy to please, protector of the down trodden, and has the power to alter the laws of destiny. Thus, it is Lord Shiva is known as the God of mercy and kindness. He protects his devotees from all evil that are always around us. He blesses his followers with grace, knowledge and peace. 

Shiva as Ardhanareeswara 

Lord Shiva is said to be half man and half woman. In the full figure of Siva the male and female principles are united. Shiva Linga - the symbol of Lord Shiva which consists of both Lingam (phallus) and yoni (the female organ) represent the totality of his nature and the totality of all created existence. 

Appearance and Attributes of Lord Shiva

Lord Shiva is shown either in meditating or in the form of a Dancing God Nataraj where his dance is to the beat and rhythm of creation. He is also shown in sculptures with many hands. One pair of hands, for example, represents the balance between life and death. Shiva is 'tri netra' or three eyed, and is 'neela kantha' - blue-necked (having consumed poison to save the world from destruction). Besides, there are a lot many attributes associated with Lord Shiva. Here is a brief description of some of the important symbols that depict Lord Shiva. Each of his depiction signifies a different aspect of his Supreme Being.

Unclad body covered with ashes

This form of Lord Shiva depicts that Lord Shiva’s presence is much higher than this physical phenomenon. According to some scholars, Shiva’s body smeared with cemetery ash points to the philosophy of the life and death and the fact that death is the ultimate reality of the life.

Jata Matted Hair

The flow of his matted hair represents Shiva as the Lord of Wind or Vayu, who is the subtle form of breath present in all living beings. Thus it is Shiva which is the lifeline for all living being. He is Pashupatinath.

Sacred Ganga

The holiest of the holy rivers, Ganga flows from the matted hair of Shiva. According to a legend, Shiva allowed an outlet to the great river to traverse the earth and bring purifying water to human being. Ganga also denotes fertility - one of the creative aspects of the Rudra.

The Third Eye

Lord Shiva is known as the three eyed Lord or Tryambaka Deva. The sun is his right eye, the moon left while the third eye of Shiva on his forehead is the eye of wisdom. It is the eye that looks beyond the obvious. The third eye can search evil from anywhere and destroys it completely. 

Half-Open Eyes

The half-open eyes show that the universes cycle in process. When the eyes are completely closed it signifies the dissolvent of the universe and when it is completely open a new cycle of creation begins. 

Crescent

Shiva bears on his head the crescent of the panchami (fifth day) moon. This is placed near the fiery third eye and this shows the power of Soma, the sacrificial offering, which is the representative of moon. It means that Shiva possesses the power of procreation along with the power of destruction. The moon is also a measure of time, thus Crescent also represent his control over time.

The Cobra Necklace

This suggests that Shiva is beyond the powers of death and is often the sole support in case of distress. He swallowed the poison kalketu for the wellbeing of the Universe. The deadly cobra represents that “death” aspect that Shiva has thoroughly conquered. The cobras around his neck also represent the dormant energy, called Kundalini, the serpent power. The snake curled three times around the neck of Lord Shiva depicts the past, present and future time. The snake looking in the right direction of Lord Shiva signifies that the Lord's perpetual laws of reason and justice preserve natural order in the universe. 

The Vibhuti

Vibhuti is a three line of ashes drawn on the forehead that signifies the Immortality of the soul and manifested glory of the Lord.

Tiger Skin

Lord Shiva is shown sitting on or wearing a tiger skin. The tiger is the vehicle of Shakti, the Goddess of power and force. Shiva is beyond and above any kind of force. He is the master of Shakti. The tiger skin that he wears symbolizes victory over every force. Tiger also represent lust. Thus sitting on Tiger skin, Shiva indicates that he has conquered lust. 

The Elephant & Deer Skin

Shiva also wears elephant skins. Elephants represent pride. Wearing elephant skin, Shiva indicates that he has conquered pride. Similarly deer represent the flickering mind. Shiva wears deer skin which indicates that he has controlled the mind perfectly. 

Rudraksha Necklace

‘Rudra’ is the other name of Shiva. It also means strict or uncompromising and ‘aksha’ means eye. Rudraksha, the necklace worn by Lord Shiva shows that he is firm about his cosmic laws and to maintain law and order in the universe. The necklace has 108 beads, which symbolize the elements used in the creation of the world. 

Damaru Drum

A small drum with two sides alienated from each other by a thin neck-like structure represents the two utterly different states of existence, unclear and clear. When a damaru is shaken, the sound formed denotes Nada, the cosmic sound of AUM, which can be heard during deep meditation. 

Trishul Trident

A three-branched trident shown adjoining to Lord Shiva symbolizes His three fundamental powers will, action and knowledge. As a weapon the trident represents the instrument of punishment to the evil doer on all the three planes - spiritual, subtle and physical. 

Nandi, the Bull

Nandi is said to be the vehicle of Lord Shiva. The bull represents both power and ignorance. Lord Shiva's use of the bull as his vehicle expresses the idea that He removes ignorance and bequeaths power of wisdom on his followers.

Shanti Tulyam

शान्तितुल्यं तपो नास्ति न सन्तोषात्परं सुखम् । 
न तृष्णायाः परो व्याधिर्नच धर्मो दयात्परः ॥ 

शान्ति peace तुल्यं comparable तप: penance न no अस्ति is न no सन्तोषात् than contentment परं higher सुखं pleasure तृष्णायाः than desire परं higher व्याधिः disease च and धर्म: righteous conduct दयात् than compassion परः higher

There is no penance better than peace, no happiness better than satisfaction, there is no desease worse than greed, an