Learn from Rama – Part 4

बुद्धिमान्मधुराभाषी पूर्वभाषी प्रियंवदः |
वीर्यवान्नच वीर्येण महता स्वेन विस्मितः || २-१-१३

The wise Rama always speaks sweetly. He is the first one to initiate a dialogue. His speech is compassionate. Though, valorous, Rama is not arrogant of His mighty valor.

There are many books available that teach us ‘how to start a conversation?’. Lord Rama, the greatest teacher, shows it by example. Not only should our words be sweet, but we should also be the first to start a conversation. Not just with strangers, Rama teaches us to speak openly and initiate that conversation even with people whom we know. Being the prince of the biggest empire, being the best person on earth, Rama, is not arrogant. He initiates the dialogue, with a smiling face, with an inviting attitude, with a sweet talk and with soft spoken words. His valour like many of His other attributes is matchless, but He does not show-off, He is not proud, does not hold a superiority complex. Also, Rama is wise! But that wisdom has not brought arrogance in Him either.

We, insignificant beings, show arrogance, are proud of our miniscule success stories like ‘I know this, I play well, I speak well, I sing well, I am rich, I am a born genius…’ the list goes on. But Rama, the mightiest warrior, gives no space to pretentious displays.

As the saying goes, ‘how you treat people tells all’. Rama teaches us to shun arrogance, to speak with sweet words, to be the first to initiate a dialogue, to not show-off.

May such sweet Rama, always be present in us, making us speak sweetly and may He always remove the arrogance in us.

Learn from Rama – Part 3

शीलवृद्धैर्ज्ञानवृद्धैर्वयोवृद्धैश्च सज्जनैः |
कथयन्नास्त वै नित्यमस्त्रयोग्यान्तरेष्वपि || २-१-१२

Rama, despite His busy schedule of practicing warfare/archery everyday, makes time to converse with the noble, with the elderly ones – elder by conduct, elder by wisdom, or elder by age

If there is one thing we do not find these days, it is ‘time’. We are ever busy with work, commute, household chores, taking care of the kids etc., and never realize the lost day. Most never have a ‘free-time’; because our free time is spent on entertainment, mobile and useless chats. The time lost in these activities is never noticed. Neither did we acquire new knowledge, nor did it help anybody, and of course it never provided us any peace. Rama asks us to spend time with the elderly. Today, we don’t want the advice of the elderly, those with good conduct are rarely found, the wisdom of the wise is not needed anymore; and we have already thrown out our old-aged parents.

Rama, is an administrator, a kshatriya, who has to spend time on practicing archery and other royal arts every day; but He finds time, rather, makes time to converse with elderly, the wise, the sajjanas. He wants us to follow Him. That is the only way to reach the top!

Let such Rama, who is present in the elderly as well as the young, guide us to have the right company, the company of the noble!

Learn from Rama – Part 1

In this series, let us try to understand the personality of Lord Rama, from few verses of Valmiki Ramayana.

Lord Rama, the greatest Guru, teaches through His words, His deeds, the finest lessons to be followed in our lives.

These are not just for those olden days of Ramayana, but highly relevant even in this century, in our day to day operations, at our office, homes. Our management masters must learn from the most popular Guru.

Let us read and learn to the extent possible.

Continue reading Learn from Rama – Part 1

A fresh perspective on life and Death

Month of September has commenced in the year of Covid 2020, we are in a new phase of learning about fear, life, death and disease.

It would be wrong to think of death as cessation of life or life as beginning of living.  The fact of the matter is, there is no cessation of life,  as life goes on forever.  Death marks the cessation of embodiment or the loss of the outer covering or container for life.  This realisation of difference between life and death is very critical in the living of a meaningful life.

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Today is the 73rd Independence Day

Historic Day as it follows the 5th August 2020, Dwithiya Thithi of Shravana Krishna Paksha ,Sharvari samvatsara, on which day, foundation stone of Ram Temple was laid at Ayodhya by Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India.

Ever since the invasion of invadors since 10th Century or earlier over the Hindu Kingdoms of Bharatha Varsha, first by Turkish Sultans, Mughals, Muslims, the unity of the Hindu rulers was challenged, Kings defeated, foreign regimes forcibly imposed.  National character, religious practices, cultural practices were forcibly changed, temples desecrated, local education systems uprooted, entire religious, cultural practices of northern India changed. Islam ruled, religious conversions took place.

Continue reading Today is the 73rd Independence Day

Gowda Saraswath Brahmins, Their Gotras and Kuladevatas

Gowda Saraswath Brahmins were originally residents along the banks of Saraswathi river. There are references to these Brahmins in Veda, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavatam and Bhavishyothara Purana, as one among several Brahmins. In Vanaparva of Mahabharata when Pandavas were residing in Dwaitaranya and Kamyakhavana along the banks of Saraswati, Rishi Vakadalbhya while addressing Yudishtira, says “O King, you are indeed fortunate to have got the services of learned Brahmins belonging to the Gotras of Bhrugu, Angiras, Agastya, Kashyap, Atri to do the Agnihotra rituals”. These are the Gotras of Saraswath Brahmins. Continue reading Gowda Saraswath Brahmins, Their Gotras and Kuladevatas

Srimad Sudhindra Tirtha Swamiji – 20th Pontiff of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi

Srimad Sudhindra Tirtha Swamiji was the Twentieth Pontiff and Mathadhipati of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi. As the Dharmaguru of the Gowda Saraswat Brahmins of India, Swamiji had been guiding the community in spiritual matters for the past seven decades. Continue reading Srimad Sudhindra Tirtha Swamiji – 20th Pontiff of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi